Songs of Aurelius Chapter Sixteen
I am… SO SORRY FOR THE WAIT! Haha, oh well anyway here is the rest of the Legendary Heroes arc.
Plus~
Thanks so much for all the followers and favorites and reviews!
(BTW: Song featured in this chapter is the English lyrics to Eternal Snow [which I don't own] and the English lyrics were translated by NicoleM [she's on YouTube- check out her channel!])
Songs of Aurelius
Thunder was heard all throughout the palace and one second later, Mokuba had entered the room. Feeling curious as to why the storm had suddenly started, we all stepped outside. "Look, a castle floating in the sky!" Yugi was right, there was a castle floating in the sky. I squinted to get a better look, "The Castle of Dark Illusions…" "Nevermind illusions- look at all those duel monsters!" Practically millions of duel monsters had charged for us and I shrunk back behind Joey. "It looks like they came for their offering," I glanced at the princess in concern. Poor girl is willing to sacrifice herself for her people; she was so young even if she is a virtual character.
Although, something seemed off about her but I can't put my finger on it.
"Joey look, the Armed Ninja!" A blue clad ninja had been bouncing roof to roof in the distance. Mai took care of only two of the charging duel monsters with her Dark Witch. "This won't work, there are too many to fight at one time. Listen, you have to summon back your Dark Witch." Yugi suggested and continued, "Then we'll use another strategy," Mai returned her Dark Witch back to her deck and Yugi pulled out a card, "I'll play the Dark Hole magic card, and then they'll get lost in its vortex!" The plan didn't go that smoothly though, a kunai had struck Yugi's card and I whirled around to see the Armed Ninja.
To make things worse, a net was thrown over the princess and she was lifted into the air. Joey summoned the Axe Raider and using Kunai with Chain, he destroyed the Armed Ninja. The rope that held the net was cut but alas, a dragon had come and grabbed ahold of it before it was too late. The duel monsters changed course and headed back for the castle taking Edina along with them.
"Oh no, what have I done? They've taken Mokuba, he's gone… Mokuba is gone…" I pursed my lips, I was right… there was something off about the captured princess. The child in armor was Edina, and not Mokuba. Edina sadly stared at the ground, "He wanted to go… it's all my fault, he was so brave and I was afraid. Don't you see? I was the one to be offered- not Mokuba, please you must save him!"
SOMETIME LATER
"Time Magic!"
Rubble had formed back together to create buildings while the years passed because of Time Wizard's magic. After a few seconds, nothing had happened but suddenly… the ground below us had started to shake. The ground elevated, but it wasn't the ground that erupted from below. It was the ancient flying machine that lifted us from the virtual land.
Cheers could be heard as we lifted above Simlow, as the others waved goodbye I hesitated taking a step. Heights… they were a little scary, "I called it, I'm driving!" Joey ran up to the steering wheel and turned it one way. I tried to steady my breathing as I slowly sunk to the wooden bridge of the flying machine. Eru nudged my cheek and smiled, I weakly returned it with one of my own. "This is your captain speaking; if you look to the left of the air craft you'll see that freaky floating castle, dark clouds and a swarm of ferocious looking monsters ready to devour us!" I covered my mouth from the giggles that slipped out as Mai summoned Harpy Lady.
The ship had tilted and Yugi fell back, a duel monster had rushed after him. I leapt over but Eru was already there to protect him, my eyes widened as Eru had been struck by the claws of the dragon. I knew the Dark Magician had rushed in so I sprinted after Eru's flying body. Yugi activated the Swords of Revealing Light to stop the monsters from advancing as he appeared next to me to pick up Eru.
"Are you okay? Eru, say something…" Eru simply smiled and disappeared into golden sparkles. I watched them flow away into the air, "Eru…" I choked out and next to me; I could feel Yugi burst with anger.
HIKARI'S POV (Finally)
I blinked as I had Mind Shuffled with Ailis; we had currently hit an invisible barrier around the castle. The ship had started to penetrate through the barrier with difficulty, but managed to pull through. But our victory was short lived, a Salamandra had shot a beam of fire to us but thankfully we dodged it in time. Mai had attacked with her Harpy Lady and successfully defeated it; however I didn't have that kind of luck. Due to the sudden turn, I was tightly gripping the edge of the ship.
"Ailis!"
I slipped and fell through the air.
Falling, I could see that part of the ship was fatally damaged and was about to hit the others if it weren't for Yami's quick thinking. He summoned the Winged Guardian of the Fortress and escaped along with Joey and Mai. They were currently headed for the castle; I smiled and glanced at the ground that was still far below me.
"I summon Crystal Mirror Dragon!"
A dragon with mirrors for scales and spikes of crystal had appeared to catch me comfortably; the Crystal Mirror Dragon had led me behind the others before it was too late. "Thank you…" I whispered to the Crystal Mirror Dragon and I could feel it nudge me affectionately. We had reached the castle and followed right after the others who were running through the forest. Only to be sidetracked by large moths. I smiled and ordered the Crystal Mirror Dragon to follow behind them.
I appeared right behind them silently and called my dragon back to my deck, slowly sneaking up on them I announced, "Guess who's back from the dead?" They jumped in surprise and turned to greet my grinning face. "Ailis, where were you?" Mai asked and I hummed, "Well, after I slipped I managed to summon a dragon of mine before I fell through the barrier and followed you guys here." Yami sighed and replied, "It's a good thing you're safe, now let's go rescue the Kaiba brothers." I nodded and we walked on.
A noise had come from the hole in the ceiling and a bright light had shined, I covered my eyes in response knowing that Ailis probably wouldn't want to have irritated eyes. A head of the Blue Eyes White Dragon popped out from the hole and down came Kaiba and Mokuba.
"Joey, you look like an overgrown monkey in that outfit." Kaiba smirked and glanced over to me.
"W-What the- Ailis what are you wearing?" He slightly widened his eyes in shock. I grimace as I forgot about the outfit Ailis was forced to wear. "Well, about that-"
"Congratulations gamers, you've made it to the final level." A voice ominously spoke. "Correction slime ball, we've beaten the game." "Oh, is that what you think Seto Kaiba?" The voice had spoken again and Kaiba had shouted, "That's right, I escaped the lava pool therefore the Mythic Dragon wasn't summoned- that means this game is over!"
Suddenly, the scenery had changed into an empty space with lines everywhere. The Mythic Dragon had been forcefully summoned in front of us, standing tall with heads corresponding each of the elements in Duel Monsters.
First, Mai had summoned the Harpy Lady Sisters but as soon as they had appeared onto the field they had been electrocuted and quickly destroyed.
Turns out, we can only summon dragon type monsters to this specific field. Glancing at Ailis' and my deck, I frowned slightly. Everyone else summoned their own dragons and I hesitated, there were only two dragons in the deck I'm currently holding. "I summon Crystal Mirror Dragon (2400 ATK 1900 DEF)," The crystalline mirror dragon had materialized onto the field and stood proudly in front of me. "Now I'll activate its special ability, I can sacrifice my Crystal Mirror Dragon to summon Stardust Mirror Dragon (3000 ATK 2100 DEF)!" A dragon emerged from thin air and stardust had sprinkled around the area as its mirror scales shined brilliantly.
The battle went on but our dragons weren't strong enough to defeat the Mythic Dragon as they are now. That's when the 'Big 5' noticed; Mokuba didn't have a dragon to protect him. The Mythic Dragon launched an attack towards Mokuba, my eyes widened and I opened my mouth to have Stardust Mirror Dragon block the attack. However, Joey had done so instead.
The Red Eyes Black Dragon was demolished and Mokuba was safe, but… Joey wasn't. His life points instantly dropped to zero and I watched him disappear into golden sparkles just like Eru. Even if this was a game, Ailis' emotions had overloaded my own mind. A liquid dropped from my eye and I instinctively wiped it away.
Yami activated the Black Luster Ritual and had summoned the Black Luster Soldier (3000 ATK 2500 DEF) but it wasn't a dragon type monster. However, it still remained on the field and he tried to convince Kaiba to help us yet Kaiba refused.
The Mythic Dragon attacked again but Mai sent out her Harpy's Pet Dragon to take the hit. I grit my teeth as I watched yet another one of our comrades disappeared into golden sparkles. My fists clenched together as Yami asked again for Kaiba to summon the Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon but the blue eyed boy refused again. As the two were arguing, the Mythic Dragon launched another attack and it aimed for Kaiba. Suddenly, Mokuba had shielded his elder brother from the impact and dropped to his knees.
Everyone was disappearing and Yami tried to reason with Kaiba yet again as he stared at the spot where his younger brother had sacrificed himself for him. The Mythic Dragon launched an attack again and it was aiming for… Yami. The two were still conversing and didn't notice the blast charging for him, that's when I acted. "Stardust Mirror Dragon, go!" The dragon heeded my demand and quickly initiated it just in time. The Stardust Mirror Dragon had been obliterated by the blow of the Mythic Dragon's attack and the two had snapped to me. I could feel my life points drop and my stability deteriorate slowly.
"Ailis!" Yami and Kaiba yelled in concern, they rushed over to my side. I was already on my back and I could feel the Millennium Mirror glow, my mind was pounding as I looked up at Yami. "This… this seems really nostalgic…" I unconsciously whispered and Yami blinked in confusion. My legs were disappearing as I suddenly remembered another memory that had been locked away. My eyes shifted to look at him again and I smiled lifting a hand and briefly setting it on his cheek.
"Lead us to victory… Yami."
HIKARI'S FLASHBACK (DURING THE REST OF THE TIME BEFORE THE END OF THE DUEL)
"Aurelius," Amunet poked the black-violet haired girl and she blinked in response. "Amunet…" Aurelius sighed and gripped the book of songs before looking over towards her. "Is there something you need?" She asked and the green haired girl raised a brow. "You're still reading?" Aurelius nodded and set the book down to fully face her. "Yes, is there anything you need?" Amunet slightly frowned and opened her mouth to say something but suddenly, someone had come down to the archives.
"Alaes…" Amunet breathed out and instantly glared at the blonde/brown haired girl who stepped back with her hands up in a defensive position. "Watch where you flare that anger Amunet," Alaes teased but it didn't exactly amuse the green haired girl. "Watch where you put those filthy hands of yours-" "Amunet!" Aurelius grabbed Amunet's shoulder before she could step closer to Alaes. "Your friend has a little temper on her doesn't she, Aurelius?" Alaes sweetly smiled and the golden eyed songstress had glanced down at the ground. "Amunet is my best friend, temper or not." She replied and the blue eyed girl raised a brow and grinned. "Is that so… what about Yami then?"
Amunet gripped the fabric of her clothing and Alaes continued, "You haven't been a good companion lately so they've replaced you with me." Aurelius' eyes widened in shock, did they really replace her? "I'm sure Yami was bored of you, I can certainly see why Aurelius." Alaes circled around the songstress and her expression changed into disgust. "Your personality is disgusting, your appearance is revolting, you have no talent at all, you have nothing special about yourself, and Aurelius… you are completely worthless." Alaes waved her golden bracelet in front of Aurelius' face for emphasis and the blue eyed girl smirked, "After all… I am his One and Only…"
With that said, Alaes left the archives and not a second later Amunet slammed her fist down onto the table. "How can she talk to you like that?" She slammed her fist down again and continued, "How can she dare call you worthless?" Amunet grit her teeth as Aurelius dropped to her knees and her book in her arms. "Do you think I was really replaced?" The ebony-violet haired girl murmured. Her slender fingers tightly wrapped around the edges of the Legend of Melody. "Aurelius…" Amunet started but knew she shouldn't' speak anymore. "I'll get you something to eat…" Aurelius simply nodded and Amunet left the room.
"Worthless… revolting… disgusting… is that all everyone else had thought of me?" Aurelius gripped her book and released a shaky breath.
Did you know… I fell in love with you
How long will it be till you notice me?
Feelings grow, to the point where I break down searching for heart.
The songstress sang and shut her eyes tightly before continuing.
I can see you don't think of me
Can't you realize my heart aches for you?
Even though I know that I'll never say these words, where can I go?
Aurelius stopped there as she heard a book drop from one of the many cases.
BACK TO THE PRESENT (STILL IN THE VIRTUAL GAME – AILIS' POV)
"Ailis, Ailis wake up!" Someone shook my shoulders gently and my eyes cracked open to see a blur of violet. "Y-Yugi… is that you?" I blinked my golden eyes multiple times and my vision cleared immensely. "We gotta go back to our own world," Yugi gestured towards a portal and smiled. "Alright…" I lifted my body and tried to stable myself but failed. Thankfully, Yugi had caught me and was able to stop me from stumbling.
"I guess my feet are asleep," I grinned and we entered the portal.
REAL WORLD (TIME SKIP)
I laid on my bed and sighed, 'More and more memories but they're all so sad now.' Hikari appeared on my bedside in spirit form, 'Memories are still memories and I'm glad I can recover them. ' She then smiled but there wasn't any happiness behind it. 'I'm glad I get to see who I was… but now, this is who I am.'
END OF CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Well the ending was pretty anticlimactic but yay for memories!
Anyway, guess what's next… DUNGEON DICE MONSTERS! I mean, if you guys want to read that chapter.
Also, STILL almost until Battle City and soon I will catch up to where I've already watched which is around Noah's Virtual World.
Sorry I haven't updated this in a while, I don't have a lot of motivation for the Legendary Heroes arc but next chapter probably. I mean, that is if you want to read about Dungeon Dice Monsters with more humor and then the 'Mystery Duelist' episodes (because that was pretty important too).
But anyway, I'm going to end this chapter here so follow and favorite if you enjoyed. Write a review if you want (although I really do like reviews) and wait for another chapter of Songs of Aurelius!