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CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

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Chelsea versus Olga

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Battle in the Celestial Realm

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Below the Serpent Complex Pavilion, in his dark laboratory, Dr. Heinrich Janustein sat silently at his desk, thinking hard.

He knew well that the city was being invaded by demons. Fiends from the Abyss had possessed a group of criminals, and they were running amuck.

Twenty years ago, he might have taken his old equipment and gone up to fight them. But his wife's sad fate weighed heavily on his mind… He knew that the chaotic fiends didn't play fair.

Besides, he knew that he wasn't truly needed yet. The demons couldn't assume their true forms yet, not without power from victims. And the young duelists who were opposing them were winning. The demons had attempted to take prisoners using Duel Monsters as a weapon, but so far, their attempts were failing.

He wasn't needed yet… If it came to that, he would face them.

He heard the door swing open down the hall.

He sat up.

Someone was coming.

He glared as the Ascender walked into the lab. Janustein knew in an instant that he was possessed. And this one was possessed by a very powerful demon. Perhaps even a glabrezu. It hardly mattered to Janustein. So long as the glabrezu was in spiritual form and bound to the human's body, its powers were only a fraction of that of its true demonic form.

"If you're looking for trouble, mein friend," muttered Janustein, "I recommend you find it elsewhere. Old as I may seem, I'm more dangerous zan you think."

"I'm well aware of that, Heinrich," said the man, in a sinister voice. "After all, I've dealt with you before."

Janustein stared at him.

"Oh, come on, Heinrich…" said the demon. "Don't tell me you don't recognize my voice."

Janustein replied in a voice that was full of hatred and bile.

"Ja, I recognize it," he growled. "I just needed a minute… Zovarik."

"How long has it been, Heinrich?" asked the demon.

"Tventy years!" shouted Janustein, standing up. "Zat is how long it has been… Zat vas ven Ludmilla and I caught you attempting to drag ze children in ze orphanage in Brussels into ze Abyss…

"You invited Ludmilla to try to stop you, but she knew zat she vas no match for you ze vay you vere at zat point. So she challenged you to a battle of Duel Monsters to save ze children, hoping zat a demon vith your intelligence und position vould have some sense of fair play…

"She beat you soundly… But zen, ve discovered zat the term 'fair play' vas a foreign concept to all demons. You said zat while you would let zem go, you would take compensation… Und you took her instead…"

"It wasn't that I had no sense of fair play," said Zovarik. "I was thinking along the lines of self-preservation. My master would have been furious if I didn't bring back something, and I figured a well-known demon hunter would be sufficient.

"But enough with memories. Where is it, Heinrich?"

Janustein stared at him.

"Vere is vat?" he asked, sitting back down.

"The book, Heinrich!" shouted Zovarik.

Janustein sat down.

"Vat book?" he asked. "I have a lot of books. Lord of the Flies? To Kill a Mockingbird? The Sun Also Rises? If you vant zat one, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until I'm done vith it…"

"You know damn well what book, Janustein!" shouted Zovarik. "I want The Book of Lies!"

"Oh, zat…" said Janustein, leaning his head on his hand. "Mmm, yes, I've heard of zat book… A magical tome created by ze ancient sorcerers of Gehenna, vich magically records every untruth spoken by every mortal…"

"YES!" shouted Zovarik. "The last known owner of it was the marilith Taramanda. True, we can't actually prove that you were the one who killed her and took her things, but she was killed by a demon hunter whose methods clearly fit your MO."

Janustein chuckled.

"You think I killed Taramanda?" he said with a laugh. "I killed ze marilith known as ze the Horned Baron's chief general, head enforcer, und according to some, lover?

"I seem to remember some of ze adjectives you used to describe me ven we first met… 'Insignificant', 'puny', 'weak'… You said my value vas 'comparable to dried-up Abyssal slugs'…"

"I was wrong, okay?" shouted Zovarik. "You aren't weak! Happy? And Ludmilla didn't tell us much, even when she was tortured, but she did say that Taramanda had been on your list. I think the only reason she told us was because she knew that Taramanda had such an ego, she'd refuse to believe she was ever in danger, even if someone warned her."

Janustein glared at the demon with a look of hate.

Then he shook his head.

"If I had such a book, und zat is not un admission, I vould be a fool to hand it over to a beast like you… You und your allies in ze Abyss vould use ze information recorded in it to blackmail every mortal in a position of power… Celebrities, politicians, heads of state… Ze demonic forces could… dare I say it…"

"We could rule the world…" said Zovarik. "And you will give it to me, or I'll tear this lab apart until I find it."

Janustein laughed out loud.

"Just try it, you filthy dog!" he laughed. "Ze important things in zis lab are in vaults protected by very powerful wards zat can overcome even your magic! If you feel like being banished to ze Prison, zen by all means, search mein lab…"

Zovarik paused. He concentrated.

Janustein wasn't lying. He could feel several powerful magical auras of Law around him, a type of aura that sickened him…

A look of worry appeared on his face. He did not want to be locked up in Mechanus. That place was a demon's worst nightmare…

"Okay, Heinrich…" he said. "I was hoping we didn't have to do this… But…"

He reached into his pocket.

"How many sleepless nights have you spent, Heinrich, wondering whether your beloved Ludmilla is dead, or whether she suffers in slavery? Or maybe even worse, if she's been converted to our side?

"Well wonder no more… Your wife is alive… and she's right HERE!"

He pulled a card out of his pocket, and thrust it forward.

Janustein stood up with a start.

On the card was the face of a woman that he would recognize in an instant, even though she had aged twenty years since he had last seen her. Her eyes were closed in a painful expression, and chains were surrounding her like some cage.

He got the idea… The card was some sort of magical prison.

"Ludmilla…" he whispered.

The demon chuckled.

"You'd be proud of your wife, Heinrich…" she said. "For twenty years, we tried to convert her… Oh, how we tried… But she preferred to lie on the cold floor of her cell rather than give in.

"And she was a burden on us… She did her best to try to convince the other slaves not to give in… She seemingly had memorized the whole Bible, and enlightened them with its words, promising them the glories of Heaven if they simply accepted death instead of giving in to us. So converting them was so much harder.

"So I'll let you in on something, Heinrich… We're through trying with her. Next week we're treating our slaves to a public execution. Your wife is the guest of honor. It will shatter their will more than any other method to see the one who has defied us so long nailed to a post and left to die in agony."

"You monster…" growled Janustein.

It was a lot for him to take… He had hoped his wife had found peace in death… But now he knew that she had been suffering for the past twenty years…

"You have only one chance to save her…" said the demon, holding up the card. "The book… for her…"

Janustein looked at him. He hated this creature so much… But he hadn't lost his wits. He knew this was a delicate situation.

He knew better than to accept that bargain. Demons were notorious liars… It wasn't that the card was a fake; no it was truly Ludmilla he was holding. He knew her aura as well as he knew his own. But this beast would obviously never hand her over, no matter what he was given.

He got an idea… The only real chance he had to save his wife…

He had to stall…

"Vy don't we sweeten ze pot a little?" he asked.

He picked up his Duel Disk from under the table and slammed it down on the desk.

"I'll duel you… Und I'll wager ze book AND myself for her!"

Zovarik looked at him strangely.

"Think about it, Zovarik…" said Janustein. "How much more impact vould your little event have on your slaves, if instead of ze execution of vun great demon hunter, it vas two?

"Und I admit it, by ze way… I did kill Taramanda… I drove a dagger made from cold-forged iron through her heart. Und nothing made me happier zan to learn zat ze Baron threw himself from ze top of his tower in grief when he learned zat his lover vas dead."

"It's a bet!" laughed Zovarik, placing the card back in his pocket.

His Disk activated.

"After all…" he said. "Your wife was always the better duelist of the two of you…"

"A lot can happen in tventy years," said Janustein.

"Game on!" they shouted.

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In the gear housing of Clock Tower Prison, Anastasia knelt over Yumi.

She closed her eyes. She felt so helpless.

She felt a small throbbing in her chest.

Her eyes opened, and she got up.

"Everyone…" she said, motioning to the ones who could see her. "Watch Yumi. My pager just went off."

"Pager?" said Ren.

Anastasia walked to a corner. She touched her chest, and then lifted her hand. She was holding a white crystal.

"Yes, milord?" she whispered.

"Anastasia," said a voice that only she could hear. "Trouble is happening in your area. You may be needed for a special task.

"The island you are on, the former resting place of the Mandate which mortals call Duelatopia… Several fiendish creatures have arrived in the last few hours."

"Devils?" asked Anastasia. "I thought that Dispater had left."

"These are not devils, and this has nothing to do with Dispater," said the voice. "These are clearly demons, and as for what Abyssal Lord they serve, if any, we do not yet know. However, whatever force they are working for seems to be a powerful one."

"Maybe one of the… Big Three?" asked Anastasia.

"We are not ruling out any possibilities. Listen closely…

"The demons have not yet been able to take material form. At least, we have not seen one that has. We assume that a mortal sorcerer has summoned them. He likely wanted to summon several of them at once, and summoning a group of them is easier to do if they are summoned in spiritual form, rather than material form.

"Their spiritual forms have possessed several criminals. They have been attempting to take mortals prisoner to gain enough power for… Something. We're not sure what. Possibly, they are trying to gain energy to assume material form.

"So far, they have not made much progress. However, should one of them assume material form… Well, you know how dangerous that could be.

"Since you have made the transition from spiritual form to astral form, assuming material form yourself should be easy. Since you are there and five mortals have your trust, I'm giving you authorization to do so if a demon manages to assume it. If that happens, you are to engage it and do your best to destroy it.

"If things get out of hand, delay them until we can send backup."

"Milord…" said Anastasia. "It isn't that I can't do that… I can certainly fight… But you know well that a battle on Earth between an angel and a demon could result in terrible casualties among mortals."

"Sadly, that is true," said the voice. "But a demon loose on Earth could result in many, many more.

"You know what to do. We will pray for any mortals caught in the crossfire."

"Yes, milord," said Anastasia.

She pressed the crystal against her chest, and it vanished.

What is going on? she thought. First Rasputin is involved with devils, and now demons? Was he foolish enough to sell his soul to both races of fiends?

She shook her head.

No, no-one is THAT stupid… Besides, even if he practices infernal alchemy, that isn't magic. It's still a science. A science that fiends discovered, but a science nonetheless. Rasputin hasn't exhibited any skill in actual sorcery…

I'm wondering how he managed to contact that harvester devil in the first place without it…

"Amigos, look up!" shouted Enrique.

Everyone looked up. The door that Louis had walked though had appeared again.

"Anastasia!" shouted Sam. "When whoever comes through that door comes through, can you make the door stay?"

"I'll try as hard as I can…" she replied.

"Try your hardest…" said Sam. "I want to find that ambassador and strangle her…"

The door opened.

Olga walked out, still dressed in her halter and mini, and wearing her Duel Disk.

"So…" said Sam. "It's you… Care for a rematch? I'd love to kick your ass again."

Olga frowned. She slammed the door, and it vanished.

"Darn!" shouted Anastasia. "Sorry, Sam, I tried…"

"I'm not dueling you, Sam," said Olga with a sigh. "Louis may have gotten his kicks from hurting a girl who was barely dressed, but I'm more respectful."

"Don't do me any favors!" shouted Sam.

"We'll deal with you eventually," said Olga. "We simply have to clear the path to Yumi."

She pointed to Chelsea.

"And I think I'll start with you…"

Chelsea stared at her.

"Okay, Olga, fine," she said. "I'm not scared of your Valkyries…"

"I'm not going to use that deck, Chelsea…" said Olga.

She gave a sad look.

"Let me tell you a little secret… I have a feeling that this might be my last night. I'm in a no-win situation.

"If your side wins tonight, I go to jail…

"But if my side wins, well, let's just say I think my fate might be even worse…

"Far worse…"

She looked at Chelsea.

"I still intend to fight to the end… But before my Valkyrie Deck, and before my Cyber Angel Deck, I had another deck, one that my true father helped me build…"

She placed a deck in her Disk.

"I'm a bit rusty using it, but since this is the end, I'll go down using the deck with my father's soul in it."

"Olga…" said Chelsea, slowly. "What are you saying?"

"Do you want me to say it again?" she replied.

There was a long pause.

"We don't have to duel if it only means doom for you…" she said.

Olga shook her head.

"Either duel me," she said, "or step aside and let me get to Yumi."

Chelsea frowned, and placed her deck in her Disk.

"So, you've given up?" she asked. "You know that working for Rasputin will end badly for you, but you'll work for him to the finish… What did he ever do to gain such loyalty from you?"

"It's a secret that I won't share," said Olga. "Trust me, you're better off not knowing…"

The two duelists stared at each other.

"Game on!" they shouted.

(Chelsea: 8,000) -------------------- (Olga: 8,000)

"Let's do this!" said Chelsea, making her first draw. "To start out, I'll play… Call of the Mummy."

She fit the card into her Disk, and the Continuous Spell Card appeared.

"Now, I'll use its effect to Special Summon Vampire Lady."

She played the card, and the sultry vampiress appeared. (1,550/1,550)

"Next, I'll Normal Summon Blood Sucker."

She played another card, and the fiendish, horned Zombie appeared. (1,300/1,500)

"And that's all for now…"

Olga chuckled a little.

"What's so funny?" asked Chelsea.

Olga pointed to the huge bell overhead.

"Seems we have a few bats in this belfry!" she laughed.

Everyone groaned.

"Anyway…" she continued.

She drew a card and looked at it.

"See this?" she said. "It's a special Monster called Zeradias, Herald of Heaven. And his effect activates when I discard him…"

She slipped the card into her discard slot.

"By sending Zeradias to the Graveyard, I get to pull a Spell Card from my deck…"

She took a card from her deck. She held it in front of her.

"This one, in fact."

"The Sanctuary in the Sky?" said Chelsea, with a look of surprise.

"The one and only," said Olga, opening the Field Slot of her Disk. "Let's move out of this grim gearbox."

As she played the card, brilliant light permeated the whole chamber, and everyone couldn't see for a second…

When the light came back, everyone was standing on an enormous cloud. Behind Olga loomed a giant, ancient, stone temple with arches, pillars, and a glowing spire – the Sanctuary itself. Overhead was a sky of sapphire blue, and the sweet smell of saffron filled the air.

"Lovely…" muttered Ren. "We saw Sam duel a guy who used this place on television. Zerato is a tough customer."

"That's far from the only way this Field Spell can be used, Ren," said Anastasia. "The Field Spell itself keeps Olga from losing Life Points from any battle involving her Fairies. And there are many, many cards besides Zerato that need this Field to function."

"Moving right along…" said Olga, "I summon Nova Summoner."

She played a card, and a creature appeared in a burst of light. It wasn't humanoid at all; it looked like an orange wreath with green ribbons, and a pair of feathered wings. (1,400/800)

"Attack her Blood Sucker! Nova blast!"

Nova Summoner glowed, and shot a beam of pure light at the Zombie. It was reduced to dust.

"I set a card facedown, and end my turn," said Olga.

A facedown card appeared on the cloudy surface.

(C: 7,900) -------------------- (O: 8,000)

Chelsea frowned as she drew a card. She looked at it.

Aw, Symbol of Heritage? she thought. Just what I didn't need…

"Vampire Lady, attack her Nova Summoner!"

Vampire Lady flew at the strange Fairy, and with one slash of her claw, it shattered to pieces.

"Thank you!" said Olga, with a grin. "Nova Summoner's effect is triggered when it's destroyed in battle. Now I get to summon a new Monster from my deck…

"Normally, it would have to be a Light Fairy with 1,500 Attack Points or less…

"But since we're in the Sanctuary, I get to summon someone much more powerful…"

A radiant light appeared in front of Olga…

"I call forth Airknight Parshath!"

The creature that appeared was a winged centaur, his human half dressed in blue armor and a bishop's miter that was adorned with feathered wings. He held a glowing sword in his right hand, and a large, decorated shield in his left. (1,900/1,400)

"Whoa…" muttered Sam. "Airknight Parshath is one of the rarest and most sought-after Fairies that are out there…"

Olga grinned.

Maybe so… she thought, but in my deck, there lurks a gift my father gave me that's even rarer, which most duelists don't even know about… Of all the material things he gave me, none of them has more value…

I'll use it in this duel… And maybe the love he showed me will break the spell…

Chelsea sighed.

"I have to end my turn…" she said.

Olga chuckled as she drew a card.

"I summon The Agent of Creation – Venus," she said.

She played a card, and a new celestial form appeared. It was a woman in a brown robe, with long, chestnut hair, with large, white, feathered wings. Her eyes were closed, and her arms were crossed over her chest. Three glowing orbs, one blue, one red, and one purple, hovered in a triangular pattern in front of her. (1,600/0)

"Venus… wipe out her Vampire Lady with searing orbs."

The Agent of Creation glowed, and her orbs burned with fire. They shot at Vampire Lady, who screamed as she was incinerated.

"Airknight, attack Chels directly with holy blade!"

Parshath flew at Chelsea, and she screamed in pain as he made a slash across her torso with his sword. Chelsea held her chest…

(C: 5,950) -------------------- (O: 8,000)

"Now I get to draw one card," said Olga, making a draw.

She added it to her hand.

"This sickens me!" shouted Ren. "A heretic like you has no right to be using these Monsters Olga!"

Olga looked at him with a hurt expression.

"Heretic?" she asked. "Me?"

Ren looked at her.

"I thought…" he said.

Olga closed her eyes and reached into her shirt, and took something out that was hanging around her neck…

She was wearing a gold cross on a chain.

"But…" said Ren.

"Rasputin is my legal guardian…" muttered Olga, "but no-one ever said I had to believe in his views."

Ren was more embarrassed than he had been in years.

"Scuse me…" he said. "I'm going to go throw myself off the Clock Tower…"

"Get back here!" shouted Erik, grabbing him.

"I end my turn," said Olga.

"All right!" shouted Chelsea. "Draw!"

She drew a card.

"That's it…I play Graceful Charity."

She played the card, and the lovely angel appeared, looking more at home than ever in the Sanctuary.

Chelsea drew three cards and looked at them.

She thought for a minute. Then she discarded Vampire Bat and Pumpking.

"Now I summon another Vampire Lady," she said.

She played the card, and Vampire Lady appeared again. (1,550/1,550)

"Sorry, Chelsea, I can't let you," said Olga.

Her facedown card lifted.

"I activate Light of Judgment. Since we're in the Sanctuary, I simply need to toss one of my Light Monsters…"

She discarded an Absorbing Kid From the Sky.

"And your Vampire is destroyed."

A beam of pure light blasted from the Sanctuary's spire. Vampire Lady was atomized before she could even scream.

Chelsea chuckled.

"That's what I figured your facedown card was, Olga," she said. "I'm not dumb…

"And since I never said I was using Call of the Mummy to make that summon, I'm using it now to summon Vampire Lord."

She played the card, and the powerful Vampire appeared in a burst of darkness. (2,000/1,500)

"Sneaky…" muttered Olga.

"Destroy Airknight Parshath!" she shouted. "Children of the night!"

Vampire Lord lifted up his cape, and the swarm of bats shot at Parshath. He groaned before bursting into pixels.

"I may not be able to use his effect," said Chelsea, "but at least your Parshath's gone."

"Poor, poor Chelsea…" said Olga. "You made the mistake everyone makes…"

"What?" asked Chelsea.

"Everyone thinks that Parshath is the greater threat, so they always aim for him first. They never consider that the other Monster on my side of the field might be the more dangerous one.

"Anyway, is that your move?"

Chelsea slowly looked at The Agent of Creation…

"Uhm…" she said. "I place two cards facedown, and then activate Mirage of Nightmare."

Two facedown cards appeared, followed by the Mirage card.

"Now I'm done…"

Olga drew.

The Mirage card glowed. Chelsea drew four cards.

"Now I activate Emergency Provisions," she said.

A facedown card lifted up, and the Spell Card glowed. Mirage of Nightmare and her other facedown card, revealed to be Symbol of Heritage, were consumed by a wave of energy.

"And I activate Venus's effect," said Olga. "I pay 500 Life Points, in order to Special Summon a Mystical Shine Ball."

Venus's eyes opened, and they glowed with golden light. With a soft glow, a sphere of pure, soft light appeared out of the clouds. Venus reached out with her hand, and pet the sphere as if it were a beloved puppy. (500/500)

"Now to get serious!" shouted Olga. "I sacrifice both my Monsters…"

Venus and the Shine Ball vanished, and the wind started to pick up… A storm was brewing in the celestial realm…

Someone powerful was coming…

She emerged from clouds, surrounded by a burning aura of radiant energy. Her beauty was beyond words, with wings of pure silver, and a long, white robe.

Guardian Angel Joan had come. (2,800/2,000)

Chelsea looked at the mighty seraphim, with fear in her eyes…

"Joan…" commanded Olga, "smite Vampire Lord with searing light of Heaven!"

Joan's eyes glowed with pure light, and a blast of divine flames shot at the vampire. He screamed, and was blown to pieces.

"And due to Joan's effect," said Olga, "all of your destroyed Monster's Attack Points are now added to my Life Points…"

(C: 6,150) -------------------- (O: 9,500)

"All right, I've had enough!" shouted Ren. "Spill it, Olga!"

"Spill what?" asked Olga.

"The Cyber Angels I could understand…" said Ren. "The Valkyries I could understand… But this Sanctuary Deck I simply do not understand!

"Olga, is there something you want to tell us? If something terrible is waiting for you should Rasputin win the night, why don't you just leave him?"

"He's got a point, Olga," said Sam. "This deck is not what someone would be using unless she was opposing Rasputin. If you give yourself up and agree to help us, my mother could tell the authorities to be easy on you. She has a great deal of power."

Olga shook her head.

"I can't…" she said. "This duel must finish, no matter how anyone feels. Myself included.

"I'd love to tell you why, but I can't. Suffice to say, it's too late.

"So make your move, Chelsea."

Chelsea drew a card.

She frowned. She placed a card on her Disk, and a Monster appeared in Defense Mode.

"Go ahead…" she said.

Olga made a draw.

"I summon Freya, Spirit of Victory," she said.

The Fairy that appeared next was a little surprising. She had silver hair, with a rose in it, and was dressed in a blue blouse. She wore gold bracelets and bangles, and carried two red objects in her hand that looked like pom-poms. (100/100)

"A cheerleader?" said Erik. "What the…"

She did indeed seem to be a cheerleader, because she started to cheer and jump about as a cheerleader would. As she did, Joan's stats rose to (3,200/2,400), while Freya's own stats turned to (500/500).

"Freya's job is to provide morale to the celestial armies," said Olga. "Yes, she's a cheerleader, but she's more powerful than most, because her cheers strengthen all Fairies on the field, giving them 400 more Attack and Defense Points.

"And if you think you can take her out easily because she has weak scores, think again. You can't attack her so long as I have at least one other Fairy on my side of the field.

"Now, back to what I was doing…

"Joan, attack her Monster!"

Joan shot her divine flames at the facedown Monster. Zombie Werewolf appeared, and was burned to a crisp.

"And again, its Attack Points go into my Life Points," said Olga.

"And I get to summon another Werewolf," said Chelsea.

Another Werewolf appeared, crouching in Defense Mode. (1,700/1,200)

"I end my turn," said Olga.

(C: 6,150) -------------------- (O: 10,700)

Chelsea drew a card.

She muttered something under her breath, and then fit two cards into her Disk. Two facedown cards appeared behind Zombie Werewolf.

"Go ahead," she said.

Olga drew a card.

"Father…" she whispered, as she looked at it.

She added it to her hand and chose another one.

"I play Awakening From Beyond," she said. "Now, you get to draw two cards. In exchange for that, I get a Monster back from my Graveyard."

Chelsea shrugged. She made two draws, and a card slipped out of Olga's discard slot.

"Think I'll go with my old friend Zeradias," she said. "Now I'll summon him."

She played the card, and a powerful looking figure appeared next to Joan. It was a male angel with emerald-colored wings, a white jacket and blue trousers, wearing a winged helmet and holding a halberd. His eyes glowed with a divine light. (2,100/800) –) (2,500/1,200)

"Oh come on…" said Ren. "A Level Four Monster with an Attack Score that high has to have some sort of catch…"

"Mmm, yeah, he has a catch…" replied Olga, "but I'm not saying what it is just yet.

"Zeradias, attack Zombie Werewolf with righteous blade."

The Herald of Heaven flew at the Werewolf, and slashed at him with his halberd. He shattered into shards.

Chelsea waved her hand, and a third Werewolf appeared. (2,200/1,200)

"Guardian Angel Joan, take out the last one."

Joan's hands glowed…

"Enough!" shouted Chelsea. "Go, Red Ghost Moon!"

Her Trap Card flipped up, and she threw the Curse of Vampire in her hand into the Graveyard. Joan's blast was halted by an eerie mist, as the spooky harvest moon rose over the field.

"Now your attack is deflected," said Chelsea, as she glowed with orange light, "your Battle Phase ends, and I'm the one who gains Life Points."

(C: 9,350) -------------------- (O: 10,700)

"So you do," sighed Olga. "In that case, I end my turn."

Next round, she thought, I can sacrifice Freya and Zeradias for my true star…

Chelsea whipped a card off her Disk.

"All right…" she said. "Time to turn this duel around…"

She played a Spell Card.

"Go, Mystical Space Typhoon!"

She played the card, and the Cyclone tore across the field. The Sanctuary behind Olga crumbled into a pile of rubble, and then vanished, and the clouds and sky faded away.

Zeradias fell to his knees, and the feathers on his wings molted, falling to the ground. He shattered into pixels.

"Seems like we found the catch," said Erik. "He can't survive without the Field Spell."

"Looks like you're not invincible anymore," said Chelsea. "Now, I activate Call of the Haunted."

A coffin floated onto the field. It opened, and Vampire Lord stepped out. (2,000/1,500)

"Now I'll get rid of him, to summon Vampire Genesis!"

Vampire Lord faded away, and the mighty king of Vampires appeared in an explosion of dark energy. (3,000/2,100)

"Joan is still stronger," said Olga.

"Not for long…" said Olga. "I summon Vampire Bat, to bring some more bats to this belfry."

She played the card, and a swarm of bats flew through the chamber. They formed into one large bat. (800/800)

Vampire Genesis rose to an Attack Score of 3,200, Zombie Werewolf rose to 2,400, while Vampire Bat rose to 1,000.

"Lovely," said Olga. "Now we have a standoff…"

Chelsea played another card, and Premature Burial appeared.

"I summon my second Vampire Bat from the Graveyard!" she shouted.

Another swarm of bats flew from behind Chelsea, forming into a second huge bat. (800/800)

The scores of all the Zombies rose again, Genesis rising to 3,400, Zombie Werewolf to 2,600, and the two Bats to 1,200 each.

"It's not a standoff anymore," said Olga. "I hate to do this, but… Vampire Genesis, attack Guardian Angel Joan!"

Vampire Genesis flew at Joan in crimson shroud form, hitting her dead center. Joan gasped, and then vanished into sparkles of light.

"Zombie Werewolf, attack her Spirit of Victory!"

Freya gulped, and then covered her head as Zombie Werewolf lunged at her. With one slash of a claw, she was gone.

"This might sting a little..." said Chelsea.

Olga gulped…

She screamed louder than ever as two swarms of bats assaulted her. She fell to her knees.

(C: 8,550) -------------------- (O: 5,800)

"And that ends my turn…" said Chelsea.

Olga looked at her opponent and growled.

She got up. She drew a card.

She played the card, and the Pot of Greed appeared on the field. She drew two cards.

She took another card from her hand and showed it to Chelsea.

"Aw, naw!" shouted Chelsea.

Olga played the card, and the bright light engulfed the room. After a few seconds, The Sanctuary in the Sky had reappeared, as good as new.

"I never thought I'd dislike Heaven so much…" muttered Chelsea.

She turned to Anastasia.

"Kidding…" she quickly said. "I'm sure it's a great place…"

"Can we continue?" asked Olga. "First thing's first… I'm going to summon Airknight Parshath again."

"Huh?" asked Chelsea. "You're going to use Monster Reborn to bring him back when you could bring back Joan?"

"No," said Olga. "I can't bring him back from the Graveyard. But I just drew my second one."

Everyone stared at Olga.

"No… way…" said Chelsea. "Your deck has two copies?"

Olga shook her head.

"Three," she said.

"THREE?" screamed Sam. "Oh, this isn't fair! Just because you work for someone as rich as Rasputin doesn't mean you have the right to have three copies of a card that most duelists can't get even one of!"

"First of all, there's no rule that says I don't have the right," replied Olga, quietly. "Secondly, I already told you, Rasputin had nothing at all to do with this deck.

"So anyway, I play the Spell Card, Celestial Transformation. This lets me Special Summon a Fairy from my hand, so long as I cut his Attack Score in half."

She played the card, and Airknight Parshath appeared again. (1,900/1,400) –) (950/1,400)

"What's the point?" asked Chelsea. "Now he isn't even strong enough to destroy one of my bats…"

Olga chuckled.

"According to legend," she said, "when the cherub that would one day be called Airknight Parshath first appeared in the Higher Plane, he was taken under the wing – literally and figuratively – of a powerful celestial lord. This mighty seraphim became his mentor, teaching him the ways of divine warfare and powerful sanctified magic.

"Eventually, the student was given the title of Airknight, and the teacher retreated to the most remote reaches of the Higher Plane, to be alone to study philosophy and the secrets of the universe.

"But it is said that he will return, should his old student require help…

"It's a card my father gave to me, and I can Special Summon the mentor by sacrificing the student. I sacrifice Airknight Parshath…"

The Airknight vanished in a sparkling mote of energy.

"…to summon Neo-Parshath the Sky Paladin!"

Lightning flashed…

A very large form flew out of the clouds. He resembled Airknight at first glance, although twice the size, with far more majestic armor. His much bigger wings were attached to his body via a harness of shining brass, and like his student, he was armed with a glowing sword and shield. His eyes were orbs of shining gold. (2,300/2,000)

"I dunno…" said Chelsea. "I was kinda expecting a little more than 2,300 Attack Points…"

"There's plenty more," said Olga. "Neo-Parshath has both the abilities of his student, plus another one.

"And you'll see it in a minute. I also summon Mudora."

In another burst of light, another figure appeared. This one looked like a muscular human male with earthen-brown skin, wearing an Egyptian-style mask and headdress and carrying a scimitar. (1,500/1,800)

"There's a legend behind this individual too," said Olga. "Originally, he wasn't a Fairy at all, but a mortal warrior who perished defending a powerful Lord of the Higher Plane from a Fiend. Shinato had pity on him, and restored him to life, making him a divine avenger.

"And it shows, because for each Fairy that's in my Graveyard now, he gains power… 200 more Attack Points apiece, to be precise, and there are nine of them there…"

Mudora glowed with energy, and his Attack Points shot up to 3,300.

"Mudora, strike down one of her Bats!" shouted Olga.

Mudora slashed with his Blade, and the Vampire Bat scattered into its component bats and vanished.

All three of Chelsea's other Zombies lost 200 Attack Points.

(C: 6,450) -------------------- (O: 5,800)

"Now, my Sky Paladin attacks your other Bat…" said Olga. "Divine blade!"

Neo-Parshath made a mighty swipe with his sword, and the second Bat scattered and disappeared.

(C: 5,150) -------------------- (O: 5,800)

"Now," said Olga, "due to his effect, I get to draw one card…"

She made a draw.

Then Neo-Parshath's Attack Score started to rise. It went up to 2,950.

"HUH?" shouted Chelsea. "How did he get more points?"

"You notice his most powerful ability, I see," said Olga. "When we're in the Sanctuary, and my Life Points are higher than yours, his Attack Score is increased by the difference in our scores.

"I'll place two cards facedown, and end my turn," said Olga.

Two facedown cards appeared.

Chelsea drew a card.

I've got to take him out before his Attack Score gets any higher, thought Olga.

"Vampire Genesis, attack her Neo Parshath!" she shouted.

Genesis's eyes glowed.

"Heh…" chuckled Olga. "You said 'attack… too late to take it back…"

One of her facedown cards lifted.

"I activate Aegis of Gaia. Now my Life Points go up by 3,000."

Chelsea nearly dropped the last card in her hand as Olga's Life Points shot up, and Neo-Parshath rose to an Attack Score of 5,950.

"WHAT? shouted Chelsea.

"Too late to call off your Genesis's attack…" said Olga.

Vampire Genesis burst into his crimson shroud and flew at Neo-Parshath…

"Go, Mystik Wok!" yelled Chelsea, playing the card she had just drawn.

Vampire Genesis vanished into grains of light before he reached the Sky Paladin. Olga frowned.

"Clever…" said Olga. "The old 'sacrifice dodge'."

"And I got 3,000 Life Points out of it too," said Chelsea. "Which means your Neo-Parshath loses that many points."

Neo-Parshath fell back to a score of 2,950

"He'll get them back soon enough," said Olga.

Chelsea sighed.

She looked at Zombie Werewolf.

If that guy has all of Airknight's powers, she thought, moving Werewolf to Defense Mode will only make things worse.

"I end my turn…" she said.

(C: 8,150) -------------------- (O: 8,800)

"She can just trigger a Trap Card and gain 3,000 Life Points?" said Erik. "No fair!"

"Aegis of Gaia has a major downside," said Anastasia. "As you can see, it's a Continuous Trap. If Olga loses it, she takes 3,000 points of damage. It's always a risk, but useful with many combos… As you just saw."

Olga drew a card.

Hmm… she thought. Don't really need this guy yet…

"Mudora, destroy her Werewolf!"

Mudora slashed at the wolfman. He howled, and shattered into bits.

Neo-Parshath grew to an Attack Score of 4,150.

"Neo-Parshath, attack Chelsea directly!"

The Sky Paladin flew Chelsea his blade. Chelsea screamed as the huge sword cut across her torso.

She gasped for breath. She had to hold herself to make sure she was still in one piece.

Neo Parshath grew to an Attack Score of 8,300.

"Eight-thousand, three-hundred?" shouted Sam. "That's crazy!"

"Your move…" said Olga.

(C: 2,900) -------------------- (O: 8,800)

"Well…" said Ren, shaking his head. "Chelsea is in a predicament… Her side has been wiped out, and the only thing she has on the field is Call of the Mummy… This may be it…"

Chelsea drew a card.

"I play… Pot of Greed!" she shouted.

She played the card, and drew two cards.

"Call of the Mummy is all I need…" she said, looking at them.

She showed Olga the one of the cards she had drawn.

It was Penelope.

"So, Olga…" she said. "This gal has helped me out in this tournament so many times… It would be a shame if I didn't bring her out for one more go…

"I use Call of the Mummy to summon Penelope, Lady of the Night!"

The clouds parted, and a light started to shine on her side of the field.

"Sorry, Chels, but I was well prepared for her," said Olga.

Her last facedown card lifted.

"Black Horn of Heaven!"

A low tone, like a brass horn, sounded over the whole field.

"This Trap negates your Special Summoning, and sends Penelope to the Graveyard."

The glowing aura shattered.

"It's over, Chelsea," said Olga.

Chelsea grinned.

"Oh, I couldn't agree more…" she replied.

She flipped the other card in her hand around.

"Book of Life?" shouted Olga.

"Uh huh," said Chelsea. "Go figure, huh?"

She played the card, and Guardian Angel Joan fell out of Olga's discard slot. Mudora fell to an Attack of 3,100.

Penelope flew out, her eyes burning with light, and her staff glowing with golden fire. (1,000/200)

"There are eleven Zombies in my Graveyard right now," she said, as Penelope rose to an attack of 5,500. "And then there's her second effect…"

"Oh no!" screamed Olga.

Penelope raised her staff, and chanted. The Sanctuary and the Aegis of Gaia card were both smashed to pieces.

"Since you lost your Aegis," continued Chelsea, "you take 3,000 points of damage."

Olga screamed in pain as white hot flames erupted over her skin. She fell to her knees.

"And…" said Chelsea, "without your Field Spell, Neo-Parshath returns to his base Attack Score."

A look of incredible anger appeared on Neo-Parshath's face as he fell back to an Attack Score of 2,300.

"Penelope…" shouted Chelsea, "I know this might go against everything you believe in, but we really have no choice. Attack the Sky Paladin!"

Penelope leapt up, twirling her staff. She shot a beam of brilliant light at the Sky Paladin, and he exploded into a burst of pixels.

A tear slowly fell down Olga's face.

"Father…" she muttered sadly.

(C: 2,900) -------------------- (O: 2,600)

"It's your move, Olga," said Chelsea.

Olga slowly got up. She drew a card.

She frowned. She placed a card on her Disk, and a Monster appeared in Defense Mode. Then Mudora knelt in Defense Mode and held his sword in his lap.

"That's all," she said.

Better be careful, thought Chelsea. The only Fairy I can think of with a Flip-Effect is Skelengel… But I should play it safe for now…

She drew a card.

Polymerization? she thought. Of all the worthless…

"Penelope, take out Mudora!" she shouted.

Penelope cast her Spell, and Mudora shattered into shards.

"That's all I can do," she said.

Olga drew a card.

"I play Pot of Avarice," she said.

She played the card, and took both Airknights, Venus, Freya, and Nova Summoner from her Graveyard, and shuffled them into her deck.

She drew twice.

She smirked.

"Chelsea…" she said. "Believe it or not, I was prepared for Penelope in more ways than one…

"If Yumi were awake, she'd recognize the Spell Card I'm about to play…

"I play Special Hurricane!"

She played the card, and then discarded a Cestus of Dagla from her hand. A storm blew through the gear housing, and Penelope struggled against it. After a few seconds, she shattered into bits.

"No…" gasped Ren. "She beat Penelope again!"

"Next," said Olga, "I flip my facedown Monster to Attack Mode. Meet Radiant Jeral."

The card flipped, and a very weird Monster appeared. It looked more like a robot than a Fairy, squat, bulky, and saucer-shaped, with no limbs, made of a glowing, almost translucent substance. It had something on its top that might have passed for a head, with three orbs that suggested eyes. It suggested, basically, a cross between an angel and R2D2. (1,000/2,000)

"Attack Chelsea directly!" ordered Olga.

Radiant Jeral's eyes glowed, and a blast of energy fired from them, striking Chelsea in the stomach.

(C: 1,900) -------------------- (O: 2,600)

Olga chuckled.

"So, Chelsea…" she said. "I guess from this point on, it's a matter of luck. We both don't have much… No cards on the field except a weak Monster on my side, and nothing good in our hands, or you would have used one last turn… So it all depends on who's luck is better.

"Will it be you, or will it be me?"

Chelsea drew a card.

She showed it to Olga.

Olga sighed.

"It's you…" she muttered.

Chelsea played the card, and the holy ankh of Monster Reborn appeared. Penelope appeared on the field once again. (1,000/200) –) (5,500/200)

"Penelope…" shouted Chelsea, "attack Radiant Jeral!"

Penelope cast her spell, and Olga shielded herself as the mighty blast hit her Monster. Olga fell to her knees.

(C: 1,900) -------------------- (O: 0)

Olga bowed her head. She slowly got up.

"Okay, Olga," said Chelsea. "Let's have some serious answers."

"Can't give them," said Olga, looking towards the wall behind her. "You might learn soon, but not from me…"

She started to walk towards the clock face on the wall.

"Olga?" said Chelsea. "What are you doing?"

Olga didn't answer.

She unlatched the maintenance door on the clock face that opened to the outside…

"NO!" screamed Chelsea. "Olga, don't do it! Olga, it isn't that bad!"

"What?" shouted Ren.

"Guys, she's committing suicide!" screamed Chelsea. "She's going to jump off the ledge! Grab her!"

They all ran to the clock face, as Olga darted out the door. Enrique was the first to get there.

He stopped.

"She's… she's gone…" he said.

He looked down.

"Que?" he said. "I… I don't see her body down there…"

Everyone looked out the door. They looked down, and then to each side.

"Where'd she go?" asked Erik.

"You got me…" said Sam. "She couldn't have just flown away…"

She paused.

"Could she have?"

Chelsea turned away from the door, holding her head with worry.

"People, this is turning more complex by the minute…" she said.

She sighed.

"But stay alert… If the cycle continues like this, Nicholas is coming out next, and he probably changed his deck too…"

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Things were not looking very good for Janustein at the moment…

He had nothing on his side of the field right now, and he was down to 2,000 Life Points.

Zovarik had his full total of 8,000 Life Points, a facedown card, plus two Blindly Loyal Goblins. (1,800/1,500 x2)

Still, Janustein didn't feel any worry or fear as he drew a card. He only felt anger towards the creature that was in front of him.

"I play… Card of Sanctity!" he shouted, playing the card. "Now, ve must both draw until ve both hold six cards."

Zovarik growled as he made four draws.

"Fine, fine," growled the demon. "You're only helping me…"

"Am I?" asked Janustein. "According to mein count, your deck is now down to seventeen cards."

"That's more than I need to finish you, Heinrich!" shouted the demon.

"Ve vill see," said Janustein. "I throw four cards facedown, und summon Kozaky."

He played five cards. Four facedown cards appeared in flashes of light, and then a fiendish creature wearing a lab coat, shirt, tie, and spectacles appeared in front of them. (400/400)

"Kozaky?" said Zovarik with a chuckle. "You couldn't do any better than that?"

"Ze move is yours," said Janustein. "If you think you have ze advantage, make it."

Zovarik drew a seventh card.

"I'll move…" he said. "And you will lose… I play Zera Ritual! So I sacrifice my two Goblins…"

An evil-looking throne shaped like a demon appeared, with a sinister man wearing armor and a horned helmet sitting on it. The eyes of the throne glowed, and shot laser beams at the two Blindly Loyal Goblins, vaporizing them.

The man stepped off the throne, and was shrouded in a burning shadow. He started to change…

"I summon Zera the Mant!"

The transformation was complete. Standing in front of Zovarik was a hideous demon with a bony exoskeleton, huge claws, and a face resembling a cross between a skull and a crocodile. It wore a long, purple cape with a high collar. (2,800/2,300)

"I'm not really sure what this guy's title means," said the demon, "but he'll do… Zera, crush his Kozaky! Jagged claw attack!"

Zera the Mant lunged at the much smaller fiend.

"You trigged my Trap!" shouted Janustein. "Go, Negate Attack!"

His facedown card lifted up.

"I expected as much, Janustein!" laughed the demon. "But guess what? You failed… You failed your wife, and you failed yourself!

"I activate… Dark Bribe!"

His own Trap Card lifted.

"Now you get to draw one card, but you'll never use it, because your barrier is destroyed!"

"Fool…" said Janustein, with an angry look in his eye. "Didn't you think I knew you still had three copies of zat in your deck? Just like last time…"

Another of his facedown cards lifted.

"I activate Counter Counter!"

"Huh?" said Zovarik. "Counter Counter? What the Hell is that?"

"It's a Trap zat negates Counter Traps," said Janustein, "vith no cost to me at all. I'll gladly take your bribe…"

He drew a card.

"But you von't get anything in return…"

The Dark Bribe card exploded into shards.

"So mein Negate Attack still holds…"

Zera's claw slammed against an invisible shield.

"Bah!" shouted Zovarik. "Make your move…"

"Gladly," said Janustein, drawing a card.

Another of his facedown cards lifted up.

"I activate, Secrets of the Gallant," he said. "Now, I choose vun Normal Monster on mein side of ze field, und Kozaky qualifies. Und if zat Monster inflicts battle damage to you zis turn, you lose two cards from your hand."

"And just how will that runt cost me any Life Points when I have Zera on the field?" asked Zovarik.

"Vith this Equip Spell," said Janustein. "Ze incredible… Buster Rancher!"

Kozaky lifted his hands, and Zovarik stepped back in surprise as a huge weapon appeared in his hands. It was a laser gun three times as big as Kozaky.

"Buster Rancher can only be Equipped to Monsters zat have 1,000 Attack Points or less," continued Janustein. "But, ven ze Equipped Monster battles a Monster in Attack Mode vith 2,500 Attack Points or more, or a Monster in Defense Mode vith 2,500 Defense Points or more, ze Equipped Monster gains 2,500 Attack Points!"

The huge weapon glowed, and Kozaky's Attack Score shot up to 2,900.

"Attack Zera ze Mant!" shouted Janustein. "Buster blast!"

Kozaky pulled the trigger, and fired a thunderous shot. The fiendish researcher was knocked on his rump by the backlash, but Zera the Mant exploded into minute shards.

Zovarik frowned as his Life Points fell slightly, to 7,900. Then he growled, as two cards in his hand vanished, leaving him with three left.

"It's my move, Heinrich!" he shouted.

He drew a card.

He grinned.

"I play a facedown, and then play Fulfillment of the Contract."

A facedown card appeared, and his Life Points fell to 7,100 as Zera the Mant appeared again.

"My turn is over.

"Zen it's my move…" said Janustein.

He drew a card.

"And my Trap Card activates!" shouted Zovarik. "Dust Tornado!"

His facedown card flipped up, and the Tornado tore across the field. The Buster Rancher flew from Kozaky's hands and exploded.

Janustein looked at him.

He looked at his three cards.

"Good play…" he said. "Unfortunately, you aren't going to get a next turn…"

"I play ze Spell Card, Contingency Fee. Now, you must draw until you have six cards in your hand.

"Und in exchange for zis generosity on my part, I gain 1,000 Life Points for each card you draw. How's zat for a bribe?"

Zovarik growled as he drew four more cards and Janustein's Life Points went up to 6,000.

"Vant more?" asked Janustein, playing another Spell Card. "I play… Card Destruction!"

Zovarik gasped.

He discarded his six cards, and drew six more cards. Janustein discarded his one card and drew one more.

"Now to finish you off…" said Janustein. "I activate mein last facedown card…"

His Quickplay Spell lifted.

"Serial Spell! Now, for the cost of every card in my hand, zis card copies the effect of ze last Spell Card I played, vich vas Card Destruction!"

He discarded his last card.

"But…" said Zovarik. "That means…"

"Zat's right…" said Janustein. "You have to discard your hand und draw six more cards. Und I'm afraid zat's exactly vun more zan you have left…"

The demon cursed in a foul language. He drew five cards, and when he tried to draw a sixth, there was none to draw.

Zera the Mant howled in pain, and collapsed with a crash before vanishing. Then Zovarik fell to his knees.

"Curse you, Heinrich…" he said, angrily. "I can't get the book from you now… But you'll never see your wife again…"

Janustein smiled.

He took something out of his shirt pocket.

It was the card that was holding Ludmilla prisoner.

"HOW?" screamed the demon.

"An incantation I learned from a magic user in Prague who called himself King of ze Pickpockets," said Janustein. "Since thieves need to be silent while doing zeir craft, it's a spell vith no words, only subtle hand gestures. I knew you vould never release her, so I had to stall in order to cast it… So I challenged you to a duel, knowing you vere too greedy to refuse.

"Und now, you vill have to explain to your master vy ze public execution zat you planned in order to intimidate your slaves must be called off…

"I vouldn't be surprised if ze executioner's next victim… is you…

"Begone…"

Zovarik screamed. He tried to lunge at Janustein, but the human body he had possessed collapsed, and he was forced to flee in the same shadowy form.

The card in Janustein's hand glowed with purple energy… With the demon gone and only the magical wards of Law and Good in the lab present, the evil spell cast by the demon was quickly being eroded. He watched as the chains on the card crumbled into dust…

Then, in a burst of energy, the image on the card vanished, and a human form collapsed on the floor at Janustein's feet…

It was Ludmilla. She was dressed in rags and covered with filth, but Janustein could never forget her face. Tears welled in his eyes.

"H-Heinrich?" she gasped.

Janustein bent down and hugged his wife gently.

"Ludmilla…" he said. "Try not to talk… I'll get you to the infirmary quickly…"

"Heinrich…" sobbed Ludmilla. "You shouldn't have wagered that book! If you had lost… The things those monsters could have done with it…"

"Ludmilla, please, try not to talk," said Heinrich, holding her close.

He sighed.

"I was bluffing in order to save you… The Book of Lies… I destroyed zat awful thing years ago.

"I feared I'd be too tempted to use ze information in it myself… And I knew how dangerous it would be if someone like him ever came looking for it…"

Two important events have happened in the same instant. A great demon hunter has been rescued from imprisonment. But on the end of the younger generation, a far more strange bit of information has surfaced. What secret does Olga hold, and how can they use it, if at all? The horrible night continues, as the Queen of Games still sleeps soundly…

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CONTINGENCY FEE (Spell Card)

Normal Spell

Image: A masked assassin drawing a knife from a sheath.

Card Description: Your opponent draws cards from his deck until his hand consists of six cards. For each card that was drawn, increase your Life Points by 1,000.

Note: "Contingency Fee" was first used by Mad Dog in the "Yu-Gi-Oh GX" episode "No Pain, No Game". Creative credit goes to the writers of that episode.

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0

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AWAKENING FROM BEYOND (Spell Card)

Normal Spell

Image: A ghostly face superimposed over a group of coffins.

Card Description: Your opponent draws two cards. Select one Monster Card from your Graveyard and add it to your hand.

Note: "Awakening From Beyond" was first used by the Pharaoh in the original anime episode "The Final Duel (Part Three)". Creative credit goes to the writers of that episode.

0

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Chelsea: Be careful people… Nicholas is coming next… Who knows what he's planned…

Ren: They won't wear us all down… I'll handle him… We have to guard Yumi until she wakes up…

Anastasia: Stand strong people… As midnight approaches, the evil surrounding the island grows stronger… The time for Rasputin's final strike grows closer…

We must prepare our final stand. Yumi's strength is almost restored.

Coming up next, "Ren versus Nicholas; Turnabout."

Take him down Ren, and Rasputin and his strange ally will have no choice but to face us…