Authors notes: This may be my last chapter until after Christmas. So Happy Holidays to you all.
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The Emissary Of Extinction
Chapter 7
The Looming Darkness
From atop the Duel Academy main building, three people looked down with a sense of dread.
"It's like I told you-sarus. Everyone has it now."
It had been two days since Judai had used the power of the armor himself, and it was something he vowed never to use again. He didn't even carry the card with him any more, he just kept it in a small box and left it inside a draw. The thought of his old room brought a frown to his face. He thought of the rooms 'official' resident.
Xiaolang.
The boy seemed so troubled...
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Xiaolang turned as he saw a Kaoru being knocked back. A Slate Warrior dressed in that armor had delivered a duel ending blow. He guessed by Cronos's sudden appearance that she was unconscious.
"This is going too far..."
Another scream told him that someone else had felt the sting of that armor.
"How long before someone-?"
"Hey! It's time for you to lose!" His opponent was Soskue once again.
Soskue's Field: Monsters/1. Giant Orc (Attack mode. ATK/2200 DEF/0). Spells&Traps/2. Two face down cards. Cards in hand/1. LP/2300
"I activate my two face down cards. Extinction Armors!"
Xiaolang began to shake. "How many would he-?"
Xiaolang's field. Monsters/1. Blade Knight (attack mode. ATK/1600 DEF/1000) Spells&Traps/1. A set card. Cards in hand/3. LP/2900.
Soskue continued. "I activate from my hand, Rush Recklessly, Giant Orc gains 700 attack points." (ATK/2900) "Battle! Attack Blade Knight!" The now freak of a fiend attacked, roaring as it ran towards Blade Knight.
"He has to be stopped!" "Reverse card open! Soul Gathering! I select a monster on the field, then for every card I discard, that monster gains 500 attack and defence points until the end phase. I send all three cards I hold!" (Blade Knight ATK/3100 DEF/2500) "And my Knight gains 400 attack points since I have less than 2 cards in my hand." (ATK/3500) "Counter-attack!" Blade Knight blocked the Bone club with his shield, pushing the offending weapon away before thrusting it's sword through the monster before it. It screamed and exploded. (Soskue LP/0)
Xiaolang watched around the arena with laboured breath. He could see everything. He could see the energy the armor drained from both monster and duellist. He could see the auras growing stronger as it's opponent's were crushed. He saw masses of black energy leave the cards when the duel was done, leaving through the open window to go to a place he did not know.
"How far will you go? How much will you sacrifice to open that gate? No. I know how far you would go."
It was with a great deal of relief that he heard the lunch bell sound. He ran right out of the hall. Not that he was hungry.
He just couldn't watch any more.
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A third year Obelisk crashed to his knees, before falling face first, conciousness fading from him.
A third year Osiris watched as his hated rival fell. "Guess you're not as good as you thought after all." He pulled out a card from his duel disk. "This one card changed my game completely." He smiled, he'd gone and bought extra copies of course. "A card like this must be played in threes. Thank you, Ritan. I might get promoted soon because of you."
He didn't notice the card in his hand become covered in darkness, his eyes were blind to such things. "But I wonder why you're here?" The darkness spread out from the card, reaching to wrap around his head. A memory suddenly flashed before him.
It was the introduction dinner, every student had to introduce themselves. The boy, Xiaolang, said his last name was Kentai. "His son, that kid is Ritan's son."
Never would this Osiris Red understand that this memory was not his own. Or even a memory. There was an introduction dinner alright.
But introductions were optional.
The Darkness receded from his head. Leaving him one last thought.
"I should see how strong his is."
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Ritan smiled. "Now serve your purpose."
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"Attention na-no-ne! All classes are cancelled for the rest of the day!"
Judai frowned. He could make an educated guess as to why.
Below more than a dozen students were out cold. And he doubted they were the only ones.
Judai walked off, this was not a sight he particularly enjoyed. He walked down the staircase, he felt like a walk. He needed to clear his head.
He walked through the halls of the place he once knew as home. He could remember another time when the halls were empty, when another mad man was putting the students at risk. Duel Academy never could have a peaceful year. Judai frowned. "It ain't right. This is where kids should come to learn to duel. Not fight." He pulled out his deck, spreading it in his hands. "How can someone use this game for evil..." Judai looked in front of him, he knew where the turning in front of him went. With a smile he remembered way back to his first year. Facing down Kagurazaka as he wielded the deck of the strongest duellist. He took the turn.
But someone else clearly had the same idea.
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Xiaolang looked through the glass at the legendary deck before him. Though only a replica, it still contained almost every card the legendary duellist had used. He gazed at the signature card. The Dark Magician. As he gazed into the glass he saw a reflection growing inside of it. "Hey Judai."
"Xiaolang, are you alright?"
Xiaolang frowned. "I'm becoming a mood killer huh?"
Judai frowned. "No. But you're acting strange."
Xiaolang sighed. He continued to look into the glass for a moment, while he gathered the words he wished to say. "My father has...unbelievable strength. You've seen the way he duels. Most sons would love to have a champion duellist for a father. I hated it. Even though he retired before I was old enough to understand the game, I grew up knowing who he was. My mother recorded everything, every duel he ever participated in. When I was old enough to play the game, I watched them. She though it would be a good idea. Learn from the family, and the best at the same time." Xiaolang stopped for a second, taking a deep breath. He shuddered.
"I had nightmares for almost a week. Even now I can remember the dreams of that reaper card...staring me down...pulling back it's scythe..." Xiaolang shuddered again. "I longed to be strong enough to beat him. To put him in his place. To wipe that arrogant can contemptuous grin of his face. But then...something happened."
"Something?"
Xiaolang turned away from the glass, turning to face Judai. "I met you, Judai. You are strong enough. You are the strongest!"
Judai was about to respond, but Xiaolang didn't give him a chance. "Don't be modest. Don't try and say there are stronger. I've Seen your strength. Felt it. You are stronger than I am, stronger than he is! Your strength is just like..." He turned to look back at the deck in the case. "It's just like his. I know you could take him on. You duel like he does. You always have a way out, a plan. A belief in your deck. Things I don't have Judai. I don't have strength like yours. That's why I can't stop what's coming."
"Xiaolang..."
"Judai! Don't deny facts! I'm just a guy with a few powerful cards and you know it. I mean it when I say you could have taken on Yugi. I truly think you'd be evenly matched. If he didn't have the God Cards then I'm certain you'd win."
Judai decided not to say just how close to the truth he was. Just how accurate Xiaolang's prediction of how a battle between himself and Yugi was. Xiaolang continued.
"I can't beat Ritan. Not by a long shot. But you can. Will you take him on?"
As Judai looked down into the eyes that stared back, he knew that arguing would be pointless. He even knew that he couldn't deny the claims Xiaolang had made. Judai had nothing to say, any words he could have said would have either been shot down or pointless.
He simply nodded. Xiaolang smiled, satisfied. He walked out of the small room. Saying nothing as he went. As Judai watched he couldn't help but feel sad.
"He should be enjoying the game, not worrying about how good he is..."
He turned to look into the glass himself. "What would you have told him, nameless Pharaoh."
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"Rei!"
Kenzan walked into the medical ward to see an unconscious Rei lying in one of the beds. "What happened to her-sarus?"
Emi walked over, looking down at Rei with a sad look. "She came in unconscious about an hour ago." She sighed. There's been so many of them. I don't know what's causing it but if we don't find out what it is soon then..."
Kenzan's eyes changed for a split second. "We know. And he has to be stopped before he kills someone."
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Judai walked into Samejima's office. Xiaolang wasn't talking, but he knew Samejima would know something.
The aged headmaster stood looking out the window. Still holding that unmistakable strength.
Until he sighed. "Do you remember, Judai? When I handed you and the other students the keys to the Seven Stone Gate?" Judai nodded. The old man looked up to the sky. "Back then, I kept thinking to myself..'what are you doing? These are children. They can't be ready for this.' I barely slept after that, knowing what I had thrown you children into. Yet you never complained. You didn't refuse. I was so moved by your strength. When you faced down the three Phantom Demons, I lost all hope. The fate of the world, on the shoulders of a single child. But I watched you get back up, again and again. I watched you fight back, then even strike down the three demons. It was then I finally understood what Seto Kaiba was trying to achieve with this school. He didn't want to create professional Duellists, or world champions. He wanted to create Duellists with strength of will beyond that. Do you know how many pros would choose to avoid the things you, and the others have faced? No, Seto Kaiba did not want to make pros. He wanted those of pure will."
He sighed once more. "I want this school to produce strong Duellists, and strong people as much as anyone else. But...I never wanted the things that cause that to happen. It seems that every single year something happens at this school, something happens which shatters the serenity of what should just be a school where people can learn to duel. I had thought after last year it may have stopped, forever. The last great shadow on this school had passed. But now..." He turned around, moving to sit down at his desk, it was then that for the first time Judai had seen him...
That the old man before him, truly looked like an old man.
"Now this happens. What I would not do just for a year in which nothing happens. Where people just come in, learn to duel, then leave knowing how..."
By now Judai had taken a seat. "It's not your fault."
Samejima sighed. "I know. But I wish I could do more. I know why you're here, Judai."
Judai nodded. "Xiaolang."
Samejima nodded. "Or Ritan as the case may be. Our last conversation was interrupted, now It's time I gave you the truth. There's a reason that I asked if Ritan might have used the monster you encountered, the Emissary of Extinction as it is known, Yusuke told me." Judai's open mouth closed. "You see Judai, Ritan has officially been missing for some time."
"Hmm?"
Now that he knew he had Judai's attention..."He's been missing for over four years now, and until he showed up here, no one had seen him in all that time."
"Does anyone know where he went?"
Samejima nodded. "If anyone knows, it's Xiaolang. The boy's history, from what I could dig up legally, is a very curious one. Sad, but still curious. You see, according to the report he gave the authorities, Ritan left of his own free will. There was no note, no ransom was ever made. He was never heard from again. In fact, only two things were out of place according to him."
"Only two?"
"Ritan's safe was open, and two decks were missing. Two. You know what that means."
Judai nodded. "Xiaolang told me about a second deck. He already had the Extinction deck by then."
"Exactly. I think we can guess why he left. And where he went. He must have gone to the monster world, and spent all that time looking for the Gateway. He must have found it."
Judai nodded. That wasn't too hard to figure out. But the rest. "You said Xiaolang's history was curious. Is there something else I should know?"
Samejima leaned back, pressing his fingertips together. "None I can say. They are for Xiaolang to say when he sees fit to."
Judai was taken aback at that. "But if it has something to do with-"
"Judai! I. Will. Not. Say."
Judai stopped. Samejima gave Judai a hard look. "I know you have good intentions Judai. But you need to learn that there are some things that should not be said. If you want to know, ask Xiaolang himself. It is his story to tell, not mine. I have said all I have to say on the matter, am I clear?"
Judai nodded. "Yes."
Samejima nodded, signing as he did. "Sorry for yelling, Judai. It's just not easy...watching what I am forced to."
Judai nodded. "I understand."
Samejima smiled, sadly. "I think you know what I'm about to ask of you."
Judai grinned. "No need. I'll help solve this problem."
Samejima chuckled.
"Judai, you really are one of the finest this school has ever produced."
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Xiaolang placed his deck in his disk. "Let's make this quick."
Xiaolang had come back to his dorm to be challenged by a third year in his dorm. "Oh it will be."
"Duel!"
Xiaolang drew first. "Why do I duel? I'm no where near strong enough to beat Ritan." "I activate Reasoning. You call a monster card level. Then I pick up cards from my deck until I find a monster card, if it's the same level as you called, it goes to the graveyard. If not, then I can summon it. All non monsters I pick up go to the graveyard anyway."
"Four!"
Xiaolang picked up a card, picking up a monster right away. "Eight! I summon The Creator!" (Defence mode. ATK/2300 DEF/3000) The would-be god appeared behind Xiaolang, ready to follow any order it was given. But unlike last time, it was able to show it's entire form. It stood high above Xiaolang, the young duellist not even coming up to the monsters knees.
"I'll set two cards and end my turn." "What use can I be against the Emissary of Extinction?"
"Draw. I'll set one monster and three face down cards. Turn end."
"Draw." "Why are you here, Ritan? It can't be for me." "I'll summon Blade Knight!" (Attack mode ATK/1600 DEF/1000) The armored monster stood, blade drawn. "I'll activate Vindictive Sword!" Blade Knight's sword was exchanged for a blade bladed Katana. Which glowed violet. "And set one more card face down. Now since I have less than 2 cards, my Blade Knight gains 400 attack points." (Blade Knight ATK/2000) "Attack his monster! Quicksilver strike!"
The monster was destroyed too quickly for Xiaolang to make it out. All Xiaoang could make out was the screams. (Senior LP/2200) "What?"
"A monster equipped with Vindictive Sword inflicts piercing damage. Turn end."
"Draw. The monster you destroyed was Totem Dragon, and if he's in my graveyard during my Stand-by phase, and the only monsters in my graveyard are dragons, I can review him. I special summon Totem Dragon!" It was now that Xiaolang could see the beast up close. It could be argued if it was even a dragon. It almost looked like a wood carving of a dragon that had somehow gained the ability to move. With an almost un-dragon like face and a neck that was several times longer than it's body, that attached to a small, what looked with a turtle shall shaped shell. The shell had four very small legs pointing out of it, as well as a tail fit for a very young dragon, on either side of the top of the shell were very tiny wings.
"Can that thing even fly?"
His opponent grabbed a card in his hand. "When my Totem Dragon is tributed for the tribute summon of a Dragon-type monster, it can count as two tributes. So I'll use it's effect! I tribute Totem Dragon, to summon Felgrand Dragon!" (Attack mode. ATK/2800 DEF/2800) A blast of light shot down from the sky, remaining as a beast emerged from it. A Golden scaled dragon emerged from the light, it's radiant glow illuminating the silver on it's body. It roared, as if signalling to the world it had come. It's duellist grabbed another card in his hand.
"I activate Dragons Wrath. When I control only a single dragon, and you control more monsters than I do, I can discard a dragon-type monster from my hand. If I do the Dragon-type monster I control can attack all of your monsters a single time. I discard my Tyrant Dragon. First I'll attack Blade Knight! Now I'll Activate my trap, Extinction Armor!"
The dragon screamed as bones burst from it's chest, moving to form the ribcage of the Emissary. It's head was thrown back, screaming to the sky as a spine burst out, forming to skull to cover it's face. The base of the spine dug through the beasts own, suddenly causing the golden scaled tail to rot, showing only the bone that lay under the scales and skin. It finally stopped screaming, lowing it's head to look down at it's target. But it's transformations were not over yet.
"I activate another face-down card. Metalmorph!" Everything that was not bone on the Dragon turned to metal. (ATK/3100) "Battle! Golden Extinction Flame! The skull's jaw lowered, unleashing a torrent of black and golden fire. "When a monster with Metalmorph attacks, it gains half the attack points of the target!" (ATK/4100)
The torrent overwhelmed Blade Knight. It screamed as it's armor cracked. This would be the end for him, and for this duel.
Unless Xiaolang had something to say about it. And he did.
"Reverse Card Open! Defense Draw! I take no damage from this battle, and I can draw one card!" He picked up the top card from his deck. Blade Knight shattered, it's sword falling to the ground, remaining just long enough to impart it's final gift.
"When the monster equipped with Vindictive Sword is defeated by battle, I can draw 1 card." He picked up his second card of the turn.
"You escaped one attack, but you wont escape this one! I activate another Trap, the continuous trap Dragon's Rage! Now all Dragon-type monsters I control will inflict piercing damage. Felgrand Dragon! Destroy his Creator!" (ATK/4250)
The black and golden fire hit the God. Instantly setting it on fire. Xiaolang watched as his monster burned. It exploded, the shockwave of the explosion even affecting the nearby trees.
Xiaolang screamed at the heart of it. The fires lashing at his body. (Xiaolang LP/1500) He fell to a knee. "Dammit. This is my limit?"
"I end my turn."
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Judai ran towards his old dorm as he saw The Creator being destroyed. He arrived to see two Students in the middle of a battle.
Xiaolang was losing.
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Xiaolang drew a card. Looking at his hand briefly. "I'll skip my turn."
"Xiaolang!
Xiaolang turned to face Judai. "What?"
"What are you doing? You never pass a turn!"
"I'm passing this one."
"And the next?"
"Depends."
His opponent drew a card. "I summon Decoy Dragon." (Defence mode. ATK/300 DEF/200) A young, blue-scaled Dragon, who's limbs were so small that it could comfortably stand on it's tail appeared. It looked at Xiaolang, blinking slowly with it's big eyes.
Judai and Xiaolang were not paying attention.
"Depends? On what? Are you giving up?"
"What if I am?"
"Then why?"
"None on your business!"
"Felgrand! Attack him directly!"
Xiaolang turned to face the beast opening it's mouth. Judai could think of only thing to say.
"Give up if you want, but life won't give up just because you want to!"
"Golden Extinction Fire!"
The fire covered Xiaolang's side of the field completely. Hiding him completely from Judai and his opponent. Judai watched with widened eyes.
"He...gave up."
A few second later the fire started to part.
And Xiaolang was not alone. He was smiling.
Fortress Warrior was standing in front of him. (Xiaolang LP/1500)
"I activated Reinforce Truth, it let me summon Fortress Warrior, and because of his effects, I take no damage and he survived your attack. I'm not going anywhere yet." Xiaolang smiled. "Maybe I should still duel. Though I am not strong enough to beat Ritan. I can still be strong."
"I end my turn."
Xiaolang placed his hand on his deck. "Now I must find my strength." "I draw." "There." "First I remove my Vindictive Sword in my graveyard from play. So I can special summon Spell Striker." (attack mode. ATK/600 DEF/200) "Next I summon Armor Breaker!" (Attack mode. ATK/800 DEF/800) The Spell Strikers weapon of choice took it's place next to him. Standing with it's arms at it's side. "Now I'll Equip Armor Breaker to Spell Striker!" In mere seconds the Armor Breaker had truly taken the form of a hammer, which Spell Striker grasped from both hands, ready to strike on command. Xiaolang grabbed one more card in his hand, placing it into his Spell&Trap zone. "I play the Equip Spell, Heart Of Clear Water." Spell Striker began to emit a red aura. "As long as the equipped monster's attack points remain below 1300, it cannot be destroyed by battle or effects that target it. Spell Striker, direct attack! Breaker Strike!"
Spell Striker jumped across the arena, slamming it's hammer on his opponent's head. (LP/1600) Xiaolang grinned. "When a monster equipped with Armor Breaker inflicts battle damage to you, I can destroy a card of my choosing. I'm choosing your Felgrand Dragon!" Spell Striker jumped just above it's target's head, slamming it's hammer down again. The dragon shattered, and the armor it wore quickly faded. Xiaolang nods. "I end my turn."
"I draw. I'll set one card and end my turn."
"Draw. I summon Command Knight!" (attack mode. ATK/1200 DEF/1900) "As long as I control her, all my warrior-type monsters gain 400 attack points." (Spell Striker ATK/1000. Command Knight ATK/1600) "Spell Striker will attack you directly!" The Warrior raised it's hammer, jumping across the arena.
"Reverse Card Open! Malevolent Catastrophe!"
Xiaolang threw up his arms to defend himself from the storm that struck the arena. Armor Breaker, Heart of Clear Water, Xiaolang's face down card and Dragon's rage were shattered. "What?"
Spell Striker struck with it's own weapon. (LP/600) But it's target was only smiling. "Malevolent Catastrophe destroys all Spell and Trap cards in play when it's activated. Looks like I'll make it through the turn."
"But your monster wont! Command Knight!" The Knight ran forward, drawing her sword.
"I activate Decoy Dragon's effect! When it's attacked, I can select 1 level 7 or higher Dragon. Then that monster is summoned and it becomes your attack target. Revive! Felgrand Dragon!" (Attack mode. ATK/2800 DEF/2800) The golden scaled dragon rose again, roaring down upon Command Knight. It's Duellist continued. "When Felgrand is special summoned, I can select 1 dragon-type monster in my graveyard and have Felgrand gain 200 attack points times the selected monsters level. I choose the Tyrant Dragon I sent to play Dragon's Wrath. It's level is eight. That's 1600 attack points!" (ATK/4400) "I win!"
Xiaolang grabbed another card from his hand. "I activate Discard Soul! I can use this when a monster I control battles. Now I must send the top card from my deck to the graveyard, if it's a monster that's the same type, then my monster will gain it's attack power until the end of this turn." He pulled the top card. "Freed The Matchless General!" (Command Knight ATK/3900)
Despite the power increase, Command Knight was burned to ash by the attack, leaving no signs she had even been on the field. (Xiaolang LP/1000)
"I'll set one card and end my turn."
"Draw. I summon Vicious Dragon." (attack mode ATK/1400 DEF/1200) A Crimson Scaled dragon, with chains draped over it's body appeared. It was a somewhat small dragon, only about Xiaolang's height. But the boy could tell from the dragon's eyes that it was dangerous, they were completely white.
"Vicious Dragon can attack twice in a single round. So I'll have him destroy your Fortress Warrior!" The Dragon unleashed a river of fire, which bared down on Fortress Warrior until it was destroyed. "Now Felgrand will attack Spell Striker!" The golden dragon breathed down on it's opponent, instantly shattering it. The destroyed monsters effect protecting Xiaolang's life points.
"I end my turn."
Xiaolang drew a card. "I activate Reckless Sanctity! We mush each draw until we hold six cards, but every monster we draw by this effect is discarded."
Xiaolang drew six, discarding four.
His opponent draw six, discarding three.
"I'll set two cards and end my turn."
"Draw."
"I draw. I summon Spear Dragon." The Spear-nosed, large winged dragon was in the air the second it was summoned, flapping every second to keep itself airborne. (Attack mode ATK/1900 DEF/0) "Felgrand Dragon will attack you directly!"
"Reverse Card Open! Limit Reverse! I can select a monster with 1000 or below attack points in my graveyard and revive it! I'll revive my Fortress Warrior!" (Attack mode ATK/800 DEF/1200) Felgrand Dragon's attack crashed on the Golems, but they would not be destroyed. Not from a single attack
But there were more to come. "Vicious Dragon!" The river of fire instantly melted the creature. Leaving Xiaolang without a monster once more.
"Spear Dragon!"
Xiaolang waved his hand once more, activating another card. "Miracles Wake!" Fortress Warrior reappeared, taking the attack head on. After it's failed attempt at destroying it's target, the dragon was forced to change to defense position. (DEF/0)
"Vicious Dragon!" This time the Warrior would not be coming back.
"I'll set two cards. Now I activate my spell card, Dragon Revival Sacrirfice. I can select a dragon-type i control and sacrifice it, then I can summon any Dragon-type monster from my graveyard. Though it will be forbidden to attack this turn. I tribute my Spear Dragon, to Revive Tyrant Dragon!" (attack mode ATK/2900 DEF/2500) The Giant Dragon spread it's wings.
"When Tyrant dragon is summoned from the graveyard, I must tribute another Dragon-type monster. I choose my Vicious Dragon."
The Tyrannical Dragon bit down on the smaller Dragon's neck, destroying it.
"I end my turn."
"I draw. I activate my face down card, Reckless Greed! I can draw two more cards." He picked up two, and smiled. "Since you control at least two more monsters than I do, I can special summon a monster from my hand, the Fiend Megacyber!" In a mass dark lightning the monster appeared. It's gold armor laced with markings that could make people wonder if it were truly worthy to be a "warrior".
Xiaolang grabbed another card in his hand. "I tribute Fiend Megacyber, to summon Turret Warrior." (Attack mode ATK/1200 DEF/2000) "When special summoned with it's own effect, it gains the tributes attack power." (ATK/3400) "Battle! Attack Felgrand Dragon!" He revealed the last card in his hand. "I activate Shining Spirit! It doubles the attack of every warrior-type monster I control, but will destroy every monster affected by this effect at the end phase." (ATK/6800)
"Trap open! Covering fire! I can use this when my monster is attacked, now I must select another monster I control, it's attack points are added to Felgrand!" (Felgrand ATK/7300) "I activate Extinction Armor!" For the second time the beast was forced to wear the armor of the beast. "Golden Extinction Fire!" The beast fired off a blast.
Xiaolang raised his duel disk. "From my Graveyard I activate the effect of Skill Successor! By removing it from the game, one of my monsters gains 800 attack points for the turn! But because of Shining Spirit, that boost will be doubled!" (Turret Warrior ATK/9400)
Turret Warrior shot right through the fire, blasting the dragon. Xiaolang's opponent was thrown back. (LP/0)
Xiaolang watched as a mass of dark energy formed from the his opponents copy of Extinction armors, quickly growing. It was for the first that that Xiaolang felt the energy, was looking back at him.
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"The time...has come."
He smiled.
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The Darkness moved, darting across the ground.
Xiaolang jumped to his feet. He ran after the black mass.
"RITAN!"
He ran into the forest.
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Judai ran after his young friend.
All with the feeling in his gut that said one thing.
"This won't end well."
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Xiaolang had no idea how long the mass kept him chasing. But he didn't care, he pursued on without tire. Until eventually he found where it was going.
He stopped as he arrived at a cave, that had been carved into the side of a cliff. Xiaolang had to steady his breathing as he looked upon the entrance.
"This feeling...it's overpowering." He clenched his fists. "Cant stop now!"
He walked slowly as he entered the heart of darkness.
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Judai followed. "Is this kid trying to risk his life?"
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XIaolang walked slowly through the darkness of the cave. Whatever he'd been chasing had already united with it's target. His breathing slowed, growing slightly heavier has he walked towards the depths of darkness. "I can almost taste the evil in the air. Ritan...it fits you!"
Xiaolang came to a clearing. He stopped walking, looking across the bridge to see someone he never wanted to see.
Ritan sat in front of the small alter, smiling as he absorbed the dark energy. "Hello...Xiaolang."
"Ritan."
Ritan chuckled chuckled. "Still angry huh?"
Xiaolang's eye twitched. "What do you think?"
Ritan rose to his feet, his arms crossed. The darkness around him faded. "Oh I think a lot of things, son. More than your, frankly limited mind can begin to perceive. But enough about me..." His faced turned to a grin. "How's the family?" A bigger grin came when Xiaolang responded.
"Go to hell."
Ritan threw his head back, laughing. "Oh that will never get old! I bet you would like to see me suffer, eh kid?"
"If only you knew."
A duel disk appeared on his arm. "Why not vent some of that anger?"
"Oh I will, Judai!"
Xiaolang turned around as Judai stepped in, about to say something. Xiaolang smiled. "Let me have a shot at him first."
"But Xiaolang-"
"Judai! I stand by what I said before. This is not about me proving myself wrong. This is about me seeing...where I stand in this world."
Judai bit his lower lip. "I let him duel and he might...but if I don't...what do I do?" "Judai." "Yubel!" "Let him fight." "But what if he..." "Then he does, Judai. This is not about keeping him alive. This is about him finding himself. I know, you know, even he knows he cant win. He just wants to fight. This is a battle of enlightment. Let him fight it." "But..." "Judai! You did not stop Kaiser. This is the exact same thing. Let him stand and fight. Let him do this for you." "Me?" "Yes. Don't you see? If he fights Ritan first, you can see his deck. I'm certain Xiaolang wants you to take this opportunity as well. Now let him. And don't let his efforts go to waste."
Judai nodded.
"Thank you, Judai." Xiaolang shuffled his cards. Sliding them into his duel disk. "Watch this duel Judai. Learn his deck. Learn his style before you fight him."
Ritan placed his own deck into his duel disk.
"Duel!"
Xiaolang drew first. "I'll set one card face down. And then set a monster. I end my turn!"
Ritan smiled, slowly pulling a card from his deck. He glanced at it. "The time...has come."
"What?" Xiaolang could feel fear building inside of him. "What have you drawn?"
Ritan placed the card in his spell/trap zone. "I activate the continuous spell card."
The ground began to shake, something was rising up on the altar behind him.
Xiaolang watched with widened eyes as whatever Ritan had played rose up behind him. It was a huge, stone gateway, with two huge stone doors closed on whatever was locked inside. Above the Gateway the Emissary's head was depicted, it's size greatly exaggerated, like a Giant looking over a small door. The creature's image looked down on Xiaolang, it's mouth opened wide enough to devour any who would be foolish enough to enter it's jaws. On each side of the Gate the creature's hands were depicted holding the door shut. An Ironic thing, Xiaolang noted. It's claws met at the centre of the stone gate, the highest link near the top of the gate.
Just below the top link, in the large amount of space between them, was that marking. Xiaolang looked at the circle that held circles within. The seal was clearly holding the Gateway shut as it glowed gold. Two attributes on either door, Light and Darkness divided between them both. "So that is the mark of the ones who sealed him away."
Ritan smiled, that sadistic, cruel smile that even the face of evil would refuse to meet.
"Gateway to Extinction!"
This was the Gateway that separated the Emissary of Extinction, and the end of all life itself.
Ritan laughed as the Gateway stood behind him. "It's too late to back out now. The Gateway awaits to be opened! And soon, the Emissary shall burst forth from his prison. First you, then this island. Then, the world!"
His arms threw out as the Darkness spread from his body. "Soon everyone shall see! First you, then this island. Then the world!"
He threw his head back, shouting to the heavens.
"Bare witness to the Dawn of Extinction!"
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End of Chapter
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Today's Strongest Card
Reckless Sanctity
Spell (Quick-play)
Each player Draws cards until they hold six in their hands. Then discards every monster card drawn by this effect.
Commentary: Xiaolang
"Pot of Greed on overdrive! Just be ready for the risk."