Author's notes: Anyone drunk yet?

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The Emissary of Extinction

Chapter 12

Strength of Will

Xiaolang didn't measure the time between getting on the steed and it starting to slow down. All that he knew is that for some reason the steed was indeed, to his lasting relief, slowing down. Eventually slowing down to a walk. After a minute of the same speed Xiaolang spoke.

"Are you alright?" The horse grunted in reply. Xiaolang shrugged, the horse seemed lively enough.

It stopped.

Xiaolang waited a few seconds, before lightly kicking his feet against the steed. "You're a good ride ya know. You can keep going." The horse grunted, before looking ahead. "What is it...oh."

The fog before him was starting to clear. Showing a extremely high Shiro. The horse had taken him right to the door. "So this is where the warrior's live." He noticed the symbol that was on the gateway was on the door as well, along with a symbol of fire above it. "Wonder what that symbol means?" He took a look at the Shiro, the walls were black top of bottom. It had a purple glow coming from it, but there was something else. "This thing is emitting the fog. We're not in my world anymore are we?" The horse grunted again. Xiaolang nodded, letting himself down. He lightly petted the horse. "Thank you for getting me this far. I'm not sure where you're supposed to go now but take care. You loveable pain in the-oph! Alright." He stroked the horse one more time. "See ya."

He moved to the door, attempting to push the door open but finding it was locked. He looked up to the top, hoping someone would hear him.

"I am the one you called! My name is Xiaolang Kentai!"

A long loud creak sounded the opening of the door. Xiaolang took a deep breath as he walked in. Another door ahead of him was already open. He walked in, the sound of every step the only company he had. He entered a room drowned in darkness. The only light in the room being taken when the door behind him closed. He stopped in what he guessed was the center of the room.

"I am the one you called. What is it you want from me?"

The darkness spoke out to him.

"No. The question is, 'What do you want from us?'."

Xiaolang could not for the life of him guess where the voice was coming from. "Are you the one's who defeated the Emissary before?"

"Yes."

"Then who are you? Show yourselves. Stop hiding in the darkness!"

He heard a brief chuckle. "Brave. Yes. You are brave. We shall show ourselves to you."

Xiaolang jumped as the floor around him lit up. It took him a few seconds to realise what the light was.

It was that symbol.

And people were now standing in the circles. He took a brief look at them all. Xiaolang could also see the outlines of other figures standing in the shadows, but they were too hidden to make out in real detail. He took a good look at the ones he could see.

He saw in the circle of light, a man, dressed in armor which had a glowing pattern running though it. He held a Naginata which he was letting lean against his shoulder. The armor was a very dark orange, close to black at first glance. The light emanating from the patterns gave the darker parts of the armor a brighter hue. The man had a strong face, though his face was expressionless for the most part. But Xiaolang got the impression he was trying to stop himself from smiling.

On the man's right, in the circle of earth he saw another figure. Xiaolang couldn't see his face, it was almost completely covered by the armor he wore. It was blue, with bright blue patterns running through it. His choice of weapon was a yari, but oddly it was connected to his waist via a cord. Unlike the figure standing in light, he was not holding back a smile, his was a face of curiosity.

The man in the circle of water was the first not to be holding his weapon of choice. His was a bow, that was currently strapped to his back. His numerous arrows stored in a holster on his waist. His arms were crossed on his black armored chest, the patterns on his armor glowing yellow. Xiaolang could not read his expression, and he could only see one of his eyes, which was currently closed. The other eye was currently covered by a device that was attached to his helmet, which had a lens attached to it which was currently covering it's left eye. The lens itself was blue.

The circle of darkness held a man who was obviously blind. His eyes covered by something that appeared to be a visor, but Xiaolang couldn't tell fully. His armor was violet in color, his weapon of choice a Katana, which he was currently leaning on, both hands resting on the handle of his blade. His face was calm, emotionless almost. Xiaolang noted that he was the only member of the circle that didn't wear a helmet.

The man in the circle of wind was the only one frowning. Clearly he was not comfortable with what has happening. Though despite his frown, he was clearly a little curious at the new guest in the castle. His weapons, from what Xiaolang could see, were two swords, each were holstered on either side of his waist at this point. His armor was a dark green in color, and the patterns across them neon green.

The man in the circle of fire was openly grinning. And held the weirdest choice of weapon out of the entire circle, which was made even weirder because his armor was made out of it. His choice of weapon was Dynamite. What parts of his armor that were not made of his weapon were red, but unlike the rest of his team there were no patterns on them.

All spoke at once.

"We are the Six Samurai."

Xiaolang's eyes widened in revelation. "Six...now it makes sense. Which one of you is the leader? The one who summoned me?"

Xiaolang was suddenly made aware of a another symbol on the ground in front of him. It was the other symbol Xiaolang had seen on the door. It depicted a single circle, with a fire burning under it, almost looking like a claw...reaching up for it. "It was me."

Xiaolang threw up his arms to shield his face as a pillar of cerulean fire shot up from the symbol, before suddenly fading, to show the leader of the Six Samurai.

Xiaolang knew right away that the man before him was a Shogun. With red armor covering his body, not much unlike the armor worn by the military rank once given in Japan only someone ignorant of the title would think otherwise. Yet there were some subtle differences. First was that at each of the man's shoulders, there was a single large spike, likely intended for use in shoulder bashing enemies. Xiaolang made a mental note not to get the Shogun angry. The next difference was the lack of a mask, this mans face was completely out on the open. Xiaolang noticed that his face was oddly, gray in complexion. Leaving the boy to wonder if the man in front of him was even alive, that added with his shining red eyes. Though given his moustache, he had to be alive to some degree the boy concluded. Xiaolang gulped, turning his attention to the rest of his armor. The man wore a purple cape on his armor, which flowed down to the top of his legs. Xiaolang was also able to briefly note that another symbol, made of metal this time, had been affixed to the man's helmet. The last thing Xiaolang noted as the sword present at the mans waist. Waiting to be drawn.

All in all, he looked like a man not to be crossed. He spoke. "I. Am Shien."

Xiaoang blinked. "It was you. It was your voice I heard."

Shien nodded. "Yes. I am the one who summoned you. It is something we have wanted to do for a long time."

"Why? You sealed the Emissary of Extinction. Why do you need me?"

"Because you, like us, want to win."

"Want to win? But anyone would want to be Ritan. He's the former champ!"

Shien shook his head. "No. No one. No one anywhere, wants to defeat Ritan like you do. No one hates him like you do. And that is why you are the one we wish to help. Your potential would be foolish to deny. But...you have a problem."

Xiaolang frowned. "You know about that huh?"

Shien nodded. "Yes. And that is what we offer you. A solution. We offer you...strength."

"And the catch?"

Shien nodded again. "Smart boy. There is indeed a catch to this. You are choosing to face evil powers you cannot possibly understand or contend with. And if you are to face him. You will need power of your own."

"That doesn't explain the catch."

"There is a test. You will either pass, or die."

Xiaolang was completely unaffected. "What's the test?"

"Are you sure you want to know? You can leave now if you wish. The horse that brought you here will take you home. If you take our test, make no mistake, you might truly die. There will be nothing to save you if you fail."

Xiaolang shook his head. "I should have died then. And if I don't have the strength to fight next time I will die! And I'd rather die trying to get strong than walk in like a lamb to the slaughter!"

Shien was silent for a moment. He nodded.

"Then become strong."

"What do you-?" Xiaolang suddenly stopped. The symbol around him was glowing. "What the-" The light shot to the ceiling.

Within seconds, the only thing anyone could see was light.

Seconds later, all anyone could hear was screaming.

Xiaolangs screaming.

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Xiaolang's fists clenched so fast and hard that they threatened to draw blood. His head raised as he screamed out to the world. It was agony, it felt like every fibre of his body was burning. He could feel energy building inside him, but the stronger it became, the more his mind became hazy...

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Shien stood, glowing red. He listened to the screams of Xiaolang with a frown. He then heard a voice from the shadows.

"Shien! If we don't stop now we might kill him!"

"Don't question my orders!"

"Is it worth killing him for your orders?"

"The boy will succeed! He's ready!"

Suddenly the boy stopped screaming. But the light didn't fade. Shien nodded. "Now we shall see if he has the will to win."

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Xiaolang slowly opened his eyes. He stood in a world of light. He looked down at his hands, then the rest of him.

He was naked. "What is this place?"

He looked around. There was nothing, and no one else around. "Did I...die?"

Xiaolang suddenly turned to his front as he heard a roar. That roar. He saw darkness somewhere in front of him. A voice spoke from it. Draygors voice.

"Why do you duel?"

Xiaolang was about to answer, but stopped himself. Why did he duel?

The darkness spread, covering the horizon of the bright world.

Xiaolang's eyes closed. "Why do I duel?"

Something stepped out of the Darkness. Ritan walked across the bright world, darkness spreading behind him. "Why do you duel, boy?" He chuckled, his voice changing between his own and Draygors.

Xiaolang thought back. His mind skipping through so many duels in seconds.

His first duel.

His first triangle duel.

First team duel.

He smiled.

"But so many defeats."

His very first.

That man made of cards.

Judai.

Kenzan

Ritan

"I always got back up."

Ritan was slowly changing, a skull growing over half of his face. Half of his body changing to copy the Emissary's.

The new creature stood before him. "Why do you duel?"

It reached out with Ritan's hand, it's finger's slowly becoming claws, reaching for Xiaolang's heart.

He stopped. Suddenly fearful. Something was glowing around Xiaolang's heart. Something was suddenly being drawn into the boy's flesh. First there were six circles. Then lines spread out from them, forming patterns. The lines stopped growing, then a seventh circle appeared, connecting the lines together.

The symbol of the Six Samurai.

Xiaolang's eyes opened. "I duel!" Light enveloped form his body, bright gold in color. "I duel!" The creature stepped back.

Xiaolang crossed an arm across his chest, a duel disk appeared on it.

Then his clothes on him. He pulled out what few cards he had in his deck. Then slammed them into his deck slot.

"Because I am a duellist!"

The light of the world became brighter and brighter...

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The light stopped pulsing. It was just a pillar of still light now. Shien heard that voice again.

"Did he make it?"

For a few seconds even Shien wasn't sure.

Then it happened.

The light suddenly burst, becoming an explosion of pure light. Shien smiled as his cape was blown around in the wind.

Xiaolang had made it.

Seconds later the light had faded, showing Xiaolang standing where he had been before, a miniaturized Six Samurai symbol glowing beneath his feet. His eyes were closed.

He raised the duel disk on his arm high.

Shien said nothing as he suddenly became a mass of light, shooting itself at Xiaolang's deck. The Six Samurai nodded. As well as everyone in the shadows.

In seconds everyone else had become masses of light, fusing themselves with Xiaolang's deck. Xiaolang's deck began to glow with all the colors that had fused with it. And in seconds another burst of light emitted from the deck. It was seconds before the light faded, showing the results of whatever it had done.

It was now a full deck.

Xiaolang lowered his arm. Slowly opening his eyes.

"Ritan...I'm coming for you."

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The mist that could be seen around the island was starting to fade.

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Xiaolang burst through the mist as the last of it began to fade, riding his steed. Saying nothing as his steed rode of it's own accord. He knew where he was going.

He knew what he had to do.

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Ritan almost jumped as he heard screaming inside his head.

Draygor appeared to the world. "SHIEN!"

Ritan smiled.

Xiaolang was on his way.

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Judai walked through the forest, heading once more to the cave. He stopped.

He could hear clomping.

He turned to see a horse, it ran right past him. But it wasn't the horse that caught his eye.

"Xiaolang?"

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Xiaolang reached the cave, jumping down from his steed. "Thank you for the ride. Wait here."

The horse grunted, shaking it's head before neighing.

And he too became a mass of light, shooting itself into Xiaolang's hand.

He smiled. "Come with me then. Legendary Ebon Steed."

It became light once more, and shot into his deck.

Xiaolang nodded. He walked into the cave.

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Judai was getting closer to the cave. "What changed Xiaolang? You feel different."

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Xiaolang stood once more in the cave. Taking the same position as before.

Ritan looked back, standing in the same place once more with his duel disk on his arm as well.

Xiaolang remained motionless as the mark on his heart glowed through his clothes. Each of the colors of the circles could clearly be seen.

Ritan remained motionless as he was quickly covered by a dark aura.

Both stood for a moment as they set their powers free. Light and Darkness making themselves known to the world.

Both clenched their fists. This was it.

This would be their rematch.

The Six Samurai against Extinction.

Shien against Draygor.

Father against Son.

Both activated their duel disks.

"DUEL!"

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End of Chapter

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Today's Strongest Card

Legendary Ebon Steed

Spell (Equip)

Equip only to a "Six Samurai" monster. It gains 200 ATK and DEF. If it would be destroyed, destroy this card instead.

Commentary: Xiaolang

"It's a total pain in the-OW!"

Author's notes:

Next chapter: Rematch time!