Boss Rush

18 December 2012: Re-edited to remove paragraphs adapted from Heleentje into a more acceptable form. This author submit sincere apologies to Heleentje, and hopes that Heleentje would forgive a fellow author for this mistake. LLS

XXIV: Ceasefire

It was the first day of the armistice between Summer and Winter.

Representing the Summer faction were Aussa, Hiita, what Ryuusei recognised as Flamvell Uruquizas and Infernal Flame Emperor, the newly named Brigid, Madolche Queen Tiaramisu, Dark Voltanis, Great Shogun Shien, Gottoms, Regulus, and an angry-looking Tytannial along with a familiar flaming blue-white dragon named as Blazeus, Dragon of the Roaring Flames were along the right side of Kuraz, Ryuusei noted. Standing at attention was the Arcana Knight Joker, his stoic and slightly intimidating demeanour at odds with the brightness of the place.

The Winter faction seated not only Setsuka, but also Wynn, Eria, Dewloren and a tall blue-haired woman in the blue robes of the Ice Barrier, the Harpie Queen, what Ryuusei recognised as Reign-Beaux, Overlord of Dark World, the Maiden of the Aqua, the Archfiend Empress, Dark Necrofear, Fabled Valkyrus, and Zeman the Ape King. At attention opposite the Arcana Knight was the Chevalier de Fleur.

Mediating the conflict were Kuraz the Light Monarch, Delg the Dark Monarch, the Herald of the Gentle Darkness Yuuki Judai, and assisting them were the remaining two neutral Charmers, Dharc and Lyna. All of the arbitrators looked like they had gone through hell and back, or needed coffee.

The more time spent in this armistice, and Ryuusei could already appreciate why the turnover rate for ministers was so high in Japan: politics sucked. The tension and hostility was thick in the air; that much was evident, and Ryuusei idly wondered if standing armies were currently outside the city waiting for any signs of fighting.

Currently, they had just got past the subject of the occupied Searing Land – to be returned to Summer – and that the neutrality of the Magical Citadel of Endymion be respected. Now an impasse had cropped up...

"What do you mean, the Sogen is Winter territory?" Uruquizas roared. "This is preposterous! The Sogen is clearly within Summer's boundaries!"

The Archfiend Empress laughed. "Well, if you didn't lose it to us then it wouldn't be!"

"Shut up, cold-hearted hag!" Hiita countered. "Anyway, to maintain the neutrality of Endymion you have to withdraw from Sogen! So there!"

"I doubt it," Eria murmured. "Nowhere in the agreement has it said that to maintain neutrality, we must withdraw military presence."

"I do not think the presence of two standing armies near the Citadel communicates a willingness to neutrality," Gottoms interjected.

"You would think that, eh?" Reign-Beaux leered. "Well, the best way to ensure neutrality is to put it between the Fiends and the Abyss, right?"

"We have no security concerns since our Hunting Ground is protected by the Élivágar from the Summer front," the Harpie Queen Aria added. "In fact, we welcome the neutrality of the Magical Citadel, and hope to gain opportunities from that region."

""Lemuria has no opinions regarding the neutrality of the Citadel of Endymion," the Maiden, Calypso, agreed. "In fact, we encourage it, since the naval trade upon which Atlantis and Lemuria depends on would flourish."

"Yes, the Shogunate has no difficulties regarding the neutrality of Endymion," the Shogun agreed. "However... the Zombies that stray through the Wasteland from Zombie World are becoming troublesome. If the Six Samurai are forced to mobilise, we fear that perhaps Queen Winter or King Summer may misconstrue our intentions."

"Bah!" Zeman huffed. "What we should do is surround the Citadel! The beasts of the Closed Forest can do that. And, if perhaps we could station troops at the Ancient Forest as well..."

"Zeman, Ancient Fairy-sama forbade your presence," Regulus growled. "Do you wish to offend Ancient Fairy-sama this much?"

The only few beside the Monarchs, the Herald and their help, plus the rulers of Summer and Winter to have actively discussed the subject were fairly few. The Knights of both, plus of Summer: Infernal Flame Emperor, Blazeus, Brigid, Tytannial, Voltanis. Of Winter's leaders to have absented were both of the Ice Barrier, Dark Necrofear, and oddly enough Fabled Valkyrus.

The Herald shifted, standing to signal the end of active debate. "Okay, guys, let up. Leaving aside the subject of the Magical Citadel for the moment, since we have too many opinions about Sogen as well. The Winter forces occupying the Searing Land is to be withdrawn, effectively immediately upon adjournment. The Closed Forest is to respect the neutrality of the Sogen Grasslands, and the Grasslands are to be open, as they already are, with protection from the Summer forces based in the Forests and Black Garden. Winter is also to withdraw from the Forests they are occupying, and the Dark World-Pandemonium coalition army is to commence withdrawal from threatening the Canyon and the Luminous Spark within the next three months after assisting with reparations. More details may be worked out at a later date."

At least they were somewhere. From what could be gleaned from Setsuka's glares to the other Winter-bound leaders, it could have been a lot worse. They could have gone nowhere.

"Concerning the extradition of individuals from both parties," Judai considered. "I do not believe the Harpies are at fault, for clearing the battlefields of civilian monsters, and I believe that their non-discriminatory practices speak of fair play in war. Even though they have merely obeyed the orders of the Winter Queen in Echidna, their impartiality speaks to me as a warrior. I commend the Harpie clan of Echidna, and I do not believe that the Cyber Harpie Lady Azzurra be extradited when her duty merely goes above and beyond the call of duty."

"Seconded," Ryuusei nodded.

"Agreed," Setsuka spoke up. Marguerite stood by the Night Rose Knight, stony-faced as she watched the proceedings.

"You've murdered our friends and our families. Do you really expect us to let you get away with it?" Tytannial huffed. "King Summer, you are young yet, you have not truly understood her actions. She has murdered Summer-bound!"

"Why not? You expect us to let you get away with it," Aria sniffed disdainfully.

"Why-"

"Enough," Ryuusei groaned. "As I see it, Azzurra was doing her duty. Clearing the battlefields of civilians before the battle takes place is something hardly required to do, and she could have done it sloppily. I find it admirable, even for a monster supposedly the enemy, to clear the field of Summer and Winter alike before the battles have taken place. Do we have a record of civilian casualties?"

"The Dark Sage will be on his way to present the findings of the war," Setsuka answered. "We will have to return by then, but we will know, and so will all parties present here. Aside from Azzurra, are there any other concerns?"

Three hours in. Ryuusei slumped down next to Judai and Marguerite, who was following the debate of Tytannial with an unusual fervour. Or, as much as Marguerite would let him slump, which was not a lot.

"You knew Tytannial, right?" Judai whispered to the Witch of the Time Flower.

Marguerite nodded, not looking away from the former Red Queen. "We were never very close, but we were fellow ladies in the court of Queen Titania."

"Comrades," Judai nodded.

Marguerite only bowed her head. "We have all done terrible things. Does it really matter? We need to end this."

Ryuusei sighed wearily.

There was a shout, and the conversation suddenly devolved into harsh accusations being levelled from all sides, and several unprintable words in harsh consonants that could hardly be transliterated into English, as well as words that would have to be censored upon transliteration into English anyway.

Judai started and quickly got up. "Oi!" he shouted. The room slowly quieted down. Judai waited until all attention was on him before continuing. "Look, most of you are respected leaders gathering here for a ceasefire. This is not a place to start a war, even if you hate each other."

A few people in the audience nodded. A few of the Fiends actually looked contemplative, as if weighing their chances at war.

"And I can't blame anyone for wanting to avenge their loved ones. But this isn't the solution. Hate only creates hate. I don't think I need to tell you that."

A chattering sound from the doll hanging in Dark Necrofear's arms. "Spoken like a true warrior."

"Right," he muttered, then said, louder, "Maybe you'll feel relieved first. Then guilt sets in. Maybe you just killed an innocent. Someone with loved ones, who might want revenge. Maybe you start thinking that those important people wouldn't have wanted this."

"How do you know that?" Another voice, this time from Hiita, shouted. "My people lived by the code of michizure!"

Judai acknowledged her with a nod. "Maybe you're right, and they would have wanted you to take revenge. And then, maybe next time someone else comes for you."

More silent, almost belligerent stares and glares, and despite the Royal Decree somewhere about, more weapons being presented.

Marguerite interrupted. "Time runs short."

Kuraz nodded, banging his gavel. "Meeting adjourned."

"I kind of feel sorry for every politician who has to sit through this," Ryuusei groaned as he gave the Firewing Pegasus a fruit plucked in the Ancient Forest. The equine whinnied, before spreading its wings to take leave. "And how long more is there?"

"Considering that it's been on and off for a few millennia... erm, a lot of hostilities," Marguerite considered. "Still, if the major clans are trying, it's promising."

"Your turn," Setsuka pointed to a tree as her gown transformed back into uniform. "Imagine a veil, rip through it. Neither Marguerite nor I will always be present."

Ryuusei doggedly raised his hand. "Erm... do I have to say anything?"

"Do you think you have to?" came the vague answer.

The other monarch decided to give up, and made a ripping motion before stepping forward into an equatorial sauna.

"Admirable," Setsuka commented as they entered the cave in the real world once more.

Ryuusei merely made a motion like batting aside a fly, and the rift folded in on itself and vanished. He was so tired, and as the two walked out, the sun was rising. Like from a painted dream, the weariness was fading, and the blood of battle was not about to paint the other-world once again. Like from a painted dream, perhaps, the darkness could give way to the light.

Since it was technically free time every day during the tournament, Ryuusei chose to turn in. Fully six hours later, he shuffled out of his room shared with his friends, looking slightly more human than the haggard young man who had staggered in at five and promptly turned in without so much as a by-your-leave.

"You're late," Rex muttered as Ryuusei took lunch, the three of them sequestered away from the hordes of milling Duellists, each with hungry gazes and possibly Duel-mad.

"Sorry," Ryuusei muttered. "Long talk."

"Mmm," Chase said nothing. "Anything done?"

"None," Ryuusei gazed at the beach, the sea breeze tickling his red bangs. "Only some minor things. Well, I know that one never said anything, but it's getting ridiculous. Like they can't be civilised."

"Yo!" all three members of Team Black Knights turned to regard the tall Satoshi, and a man slightly shorter than Satoshi dressed like Indiana Jones with a red bandanna around his neck with the Fire Duellist.

"Satoshi-san!" Rex greeted. "And...?"

"Ah, right," Satoshi smirked. "This is Adrian Rodriguez, nicknamed Viper."

"Hola!" Adrian nodded. "Call me Viper. Everyone does."

"I've heard of him!" Chase sat up. "The Venom Duellist, right? Kiryu-sensei mentioned you."

"The Handless Demon? Flattered," Adrian offered as he indicated his medal. "You think he's going to show up?"

"Don't know," Chase honestly answered. "But, Duellist to Duellist, let's find out."

"Of course," Adrian smiled openly. "I want to play against the student of the Handless Demon as well."

"Duel!"

Adrian: LP 8000

Chase: LP 8000

"I'll go first, draw!" Adrian announced. "I summon Venom Snake [1200/600] to the field. I'll play Terraforming to search for the field Spell, and then I activate the signature card of the Venom, Venom Swamp!"

Everyone frowned as mud and water began to form around to surround the Duellists.

"I then set two cards, turn end." Adrian indicated. "At the end phase, Venom Swamp will place a Venom Counter on all non-Venom monsters, decreasing their attack at five hundred per Counter."

"Draw!" Chase yelled. "I'll start with the summon of Infernity Necromancer [0/2000]. By its own effect it moves to defence mode. With that, I activate the Continuous Spell, Infernity Launcher. I discard an Infernity monster with the effect of Launcher. Then, I set two cards, turn end. Because Necromancer already has zero attack power, the Counter has no effect, and the second effect of Venom Swamp cannot be triggered."

"Muy bueno," Adrian nodded. "Draw! I activate the Spell, Trade-In, discarding a level eight monster to draw two cards. Activate the Spell, Snake Rain, to send four Reptile Type monsters from my deck to the graveyard. I send three copies of Venom Cobra and one Venom Boa."

"Venom Cobra?" Rex commented. "Not many Reptile decks run that, I think..."

"I activate the Spell, Viper's Rebirth to revive Venom Boa [1600/1200]." Adrian continued. "Activating the effect of Venom Boa, I place two Venom Counters on Infernity Necromancer. Using Venom Snake, one more Counter on Necromancer. Then, I set a card and end my turn, at which Venom Boa is destroyed. Activate the Continuous Trap, Viper's Grudge. When a Reptile Type monster I control is sent to the graveyard, I special summon a level four or lower Reptile Type monster from my deck, such as Reptilianne Naga [0/0] in defence mode. At the end phase, one Venom Counter on Necromancer and Naga due to Venom Swamp. As Naga was summoned in the end phase, she remains in defence mode."

Chase frowned as he glanced at the Necromancer he controlled being swarmed with Venom Counters in the form of water snakes. "Five Counters... that's pretty dangerous, but what's that in the graveyard?"

"Graveyard?" Rex echoed.

"There are four level eight Reptiles," Satoshi answered. "Gogiga Gagagigo, Reptilianne Vaskii, Evil Dragon Ananta, and one of Duel Monsters' greatest prelude cards, Vennominon the King of Poisonous Snakes."

"Well, it doesn't matter," Chase decided. "My turn, draw! Activate the Trap, Infernity Inferno, I pitch both cards in my hand and two Infernity monsters in the deck to the graveyard. Now, when my hand is at zero, I use Necromancer's special ability of reviving Infernity Demon [1800/1200]! Using the search effect of Demon, I search for Infernity Mirage. Now, I summon Infernity Mirage [0/0]!"

"Trap card, Venom Burn!" Adrian hurriedly declared. "I remove all Venom Counters from Infernity Necromancer to inflict seven hundred damage per Counter!"

Chase: LP 8000 → LP 5500

Adrian: LP 8000

Chase stiffened as he glared at Adrian. "What's that behind you?"

"Behind...?" Ryuusei stared at the dark presence that had been dominating Adrian's aura since the beginning.

There was a mass of writhing greenish snakes attached to the top half of a female body and the lower half of a giant snake, snakes for hair parting to reveal eyes covered by a solid mask, a small mouth, gold jewellery, composed of a thick choker and belt and bracelets and torc glittering with yet more green.

He can see us, the Duel Spirit hissed. King Summer... and the boy?

Another dark presence around Chase, the green and purple dragon raising its head. That one... Vennominaga...

"Doesn't matter," Chase suddenly decided. "I'll tribute Infernity Mirage to special summon the tuners, Infernity Avenger [0/0] and Infernity Beetle [1200/0]. I tribute Beetle to special summon two more Beetles to the field. Tuning, level four Demon and level three Necromancer to level one Avenger! When the dead and the living meet at zero, above the cage of eternity, the demonic dragon comes out! Synchro summon! Come forth, Infernity Death Dragon!"

Out from the light descends a demonic dragon uglier than sin itself, the waters of the swamp gently rippling as it descended [3000/2400].

"Infernity Death Dragon, attack Venom Snake!" Chase ordered. "Burn in the black flames and be satisfied. Death Fire Blast!

Adrian: LP 8000 → LP 6200

Chase: LP 5500

"The effect of Viper's Grudge activates!" Adrian called. "I special summon another Venom Snake."

"Turn end," Chase declared. "Venom Swamp activates [3000/2400 → 2500/2400]

"Draw!" Adrian called. "I activate the Continuous Trap, Limit Reverse! I can choose a monster with an original attack power of one thousand and below, and special summon it! The snake king's wrath shall be unleashed once more! His body uncoiled, he will crush all in his way! Arise, Vennominon the King of Poisonous Snakes!"

Something rattled as a figure rose from the muddy waters. It wore green robes under a sweeping purple cloak, and bore a golden crown the shape of the top half of a cobra's head to cover its face. Snakes of a greenish hue hissed from all around it's body, and everyone would swear that he could see a forked tongue dart out occasionally [0/0].

"Vennominon gains five hundred attack for each Reptile in my graveyard," Adrian informed Chase. "So, one Snake, three Cobra, one Boa... Yep, five Reptiles. [0/0 → 2500/0]."

"... shit," Chase swore quietly.

"So, using Venom Snake's ability, I add one more Counter to Infernity Death Dragon [2500/2400 → 2000/2400]," Adrian called. "I then move Reptilianne Naga to attack mode. Naga, attack the Infernity Death Dragon!"

Adrian: LP 6200 → LP 4200

Chase: LP 5500

"What?" Chase swore quietly as the dragon transformed into stone [2000/2400 → 0/2400].

"Naga belongs to the family of Reptilianne, an archetype of Reptiles that upon attacking can reduce the attack power of any attacked monster to zero," Adrian answered. "Vennominon, attack Infernity Death Dragon! Venom Blow!"

Chase: LP 5500 → LP 3000

Adrian: LP 4200

"Sacrificing his own life points to get me with more damage... quite a venomous Duellist," Chase commented. "That was a compliment."

"Why, thank you," Adrian smirked. "I'll set a card and end my turn."

"Draw!" Chase cried. "Yes! I play the Spell card, ZERO-MAX! Now, my Infernity Death Dragon revives and all monsters with an attack power lower than it is destroyed! Zero to the max, Infernity Death Dragon!"

The ugly dragon reappeared in a blaze of flames that swept the field.

"Trap card open, Rise of the Snake Deity!" Adrian countered. "When Vennominon is destroyed, I can activate this card. The serpent goddess has at last awoken! Her venom shall weaken and wither away all who oppose her! Awaken, Vennominaga the Deity of Poisonous Snakes!"

Snake-skin slithered about, her head of poisonous snakes arose, covering her with that very same malevolent air that was lent to all monsters. The wicked witches, the evil queens, the mad enchantresses. Think of the alluring sirens, the hungry ogresses, the savage she-beasts. Think of them, and remember that somewhere, sometime, they have all been real [0/0].

"Like her consort Vennominon, Vennominaga gains five hundred attack for every Reptile in the graveyard, and now there are six," Adrian announced with the flourish of a magician [0/0 → 3000/0]. "Plus, she cannot be affected by magic, traps or monster effects. The Infernity deck depends on Infernity Death Dragon's monster effect to eliminate great beat-sticks, but Vennominaga removes all of that. Plus, Viper's Grudge allows me to special summon another Reptile Type such as Reptilianne Gorgon [1400/1400]."

"What about it?"

"'Scuse me?" Adrian blinked.

"It's not invincible," Chase's aura seemed to growl, as he seemed to take personal offence. "I am a Duellist of the Infernity."

"Yeah... I get that," Adrian nodded.

"No, you don't," Chase growled. "It means, that with nothing left to live for, here we make our stand! Activate the trap, Legacy of Yata-Garasu! This allows me to draw one card. I'll stake my fate on my deck! Draw!"

Chase smirked at the draw. "Well, looks like it's not too bad. Activate the Spell, Bullet and Cartridge. I mill four cards, and draw a card before putting the Spell card itself on the top of my deck. I'll set this card. Turn end," Chase solemnly declared as Infernity Death Dragon weakened [3000/2400 → 2500/2400].

"Draw!" Adrian announced. "Vennominaga, attack with Absolute Venom!"

Chase: LP 3000 → LP 2500

Adrian: LP 4200

"Trap activate, Infernity Reflector!" Chase declared. "I discard a grand total of zero, and Infernity Death Dragon is special summoned to the field, plus you take one thousand damage!"

Adrian: LP 4200 → LP 3200

Chase: LP 2500

"But, because Vennominaga inflicted battle damage, I can add a Hyper-Venom Counter to her," Adrian nodded as a small snake curled around. "I'll end my turn, and then your dragon's weakened by Venom Swamp once more. Well?"

"Draw!" Chase called. "I'll banish the Skill Successor I ditched earlier in the graveyard to target Infernity Death Dragon and give it a boost of eight hundred attack power [2500/2400 → 3300/2400]."

"Now it's stronger than Vennominaga!" Rex nodded. "But... Vennominaga can revive herself..."

"I'll finish you in this turn!" Chase heatedly replied.

"Huh?" Adrian blinked. "No matter how I see it..."

"One of the cards milled is Infernity Queen, which allows me, when my hand is at zero, once a turn, to choose a monster which is granted the ability to attack directly!"

"What?" Adrian gaped. "Really, an Infernity Duellist to the core..."

"Go, Infernity Death Dragon!" Chase roared. "If I can't touch your Vennominaga, I'll get you! Death Fire Blast!"

"Go, Battle Fader!" Adrian called.

"Crap," Chase muttered. "Turn end [3300/2400 → 2500/2400 → 2000/2400]."

"Draw!" Adrian called. "I play the Equip Spell, Molting Escape! Reptilianne Gorgon, attack!"

"What!" Chase swore as the Gorgon dived. "You'd kill your own monster for this...?"

"Once per turn, Molting Escape prevents the destruction of the equipped monster by battle," Adrian explained. "Now, the effect of Reptilianne Gorgon activates, turning your monster to stone [2000/2400 → 0/2400]!"

"What!"

"Go, Vennominaga! Absolute Venom!"

Hail to the Serpent!

Chase: LP 2500 → LP 0

Adrian: LP 3200 → LP 2600

"That's tiring," Chase muttered as he shook hands with Adrian. "You're good. As in, very very good."

"Thanks," Adrian smirked. "You're pretty good yourself. Say, how can you see Vennominaga?"

"My uncle was Manjoume Jun. Doesn't the face tip you off?"

"Well, I didn't think of that," Adrian nodded seriously. "Isn't DNA amazing..."

"What was that for?"

"Anyway, you're here, right?" Rex smirked at Satoshi. "Shall we?"

"Which one..." Satoshi seriously considered as Adrian handed over his medals. "I've already Duelled before, so I can refuse... but, the Duellist in me is screaming to battle... but, some part of me is reluctant to battle in front of Ryuusei. Right, let's do this, then!"

"Duel!"

"You're still going out?" Chase asked as Ryuusei got ready to sneak out.

"Yeah," Ryuusei murmured. "After all, Tenjouin-sensei did bring us here..."

"Right," Rex and Chase waved as Ryuusei left. Right down a path through a copse of flowering trees, the petals seemingly giving a luminescent air to the muddy path itself under faint moonlight.

He conjured the fire-crow once more, the winged beast leading him down the path lit in warm orange as he arrived by the gateway. Setsuka was not there, but the rocks glowed; obviously she had been through.

"You are learning," Marguerite commented as Ryuusei made the same motion.

Instead of the smooth transition, his was jarring, he was in the cave, and then suddenly he was around the same area of the forest. The Firewing Pegasus was awaiting him, along with the Ally of Justice Clausolas and Setsuka. The Winter Queen now wore a dress as white as the moon that left her arms and shoulders bare, a crown in a single snowflake upon her head.

"Who is he?" Setsuka demanded the moment he caught sight of him.

"What?" Ryuusei turned around to be faced with the tanned Adrian, this time wearing fatigue pants with a white vest, the hardy shoes on his feet clearly hurriedly tied. "Who- what?"

"Spotted a student running along this way, got curious," Adrian shortly answered, staring at the Clausolas and Firewing Pegasus. "Dios, is that a real-"

"We are running short of time," Marguerite cut in, now solid. "And memory tricks do not work so well when the other is protected by a force far more powerful than I."

There was a hissing, rattling sound as the folds of the snake-woman appeared. "Marguerite," the snake deity acknowledged. "You have constructed a gateway into the spirit realms for this purpose?"

The Witch of the Time Flower stood perfectly still. "Lady Vennominaga."

"Vennominaga the Deity of Poisonous Snakes," Setsuka acknowledged.

"If the boy is King Summer, then, you are Queen Winter," the snake-woman hissed. "Felicitations from one potentate to another, King Summer, Queen Winter."

"We remember you, Vennominaga," Setsuka answered. "I presume that the Venom Snakes are well?"

"Vennominaga..." Ryuusei stiffened, the fire-crow winking out in a blaze. "How is Nidhogg?"

"As well as any," the reptilian goddess agreed. "You sound like her, Queen Winter. Your predecessor, that is, Queen Maeve. King Summer... you share nothing of Queen Titania. Save, perhaps, that alluring aroma." She licked her lips for emphasis. "Do you taste the same?"

"Naga!" Adrian sounded scandalised as Ryuusei quickly stepped back. "You told me you don't eat indiscriminatingly!"

"The flesh of the Summer monarch is said to rival that which is eaten by the gods," the snake-woman sounded hungry. "And a bite would confer the radiance of life."

"Our time runs short," Setsuka considered. "Who is the mortal with you?"

"Adrian Rodriguez," Adrian defended. "Everyone calls me Viper. Erm, what kind of Duel Spirit are you? I don't know one called Queen Winter."

"She is as human as you are, Adrian." the goddess answered. "You are not the first to have contact with the spirits, and neither will you be the last."

"So they're like me?" Adrian clarified. "And they can access the spirit worlds at will? That's awesome, let's go exploring!"

"You are the one who saved us," Vennominaga clarified. "But, there is a difference between you and they. They say that the snakes are mine, but there is no snake that does not know mine who will not fear to bite you. Nature follows the orders of no mortal. Yet, these two mortals are very important. You see, they are the ones who will determine the cycle of change. Dare I ask why have you made a gateway here?"

"Thinnest veil," Setsuka defended. "Summer and Winter are currently negotiating an armistice in the Shine Palace. I will send you and your human back immediately."

"Hell no!" Adrian spoke up. "I've always wanted to see the spirit worlds! Lead on!"

Fics referred to included Walking Tall by Heleentje and The Artist's Inspiration by SilvorMoon. Both recommended for an alternate take on the GX Dimension World Arc and character study, not to mention some interesting takes on the dynamics of human-Duel spirit relationships.

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