Hey guys, so now that exams are done, I should be able to pump out these chapters a bit quicker than before. i'm excited for what lies in store. Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter 23 – The Twin Commanders
In the week following Tanion's brush with death, very little changed around the secluded mansion. Yugi spent most of his time helping Tanion to recover his Duel Energy, something that still seemed unstable despite the reconnection. Jorann got in touch with The Coalition and explained what had happened the night of Operation Theta. Felirae was relieved that they were alive, but disturbed at the revelation of Irene and The Grand Order being from another world. Jaden aided in Yusei's recovery, but the Synchro user was still struggling to get past their defeat at Irene's hands. It was clear even to Tanion that something had broken within him then. That unwavering spirit, that unwavering belief and conviction, had been completely torn apart.
"Coffee?" Yugi asked.
"Not much of a coffee drinker. Thanks for the offer though," Tanion replied.
"Tea?"
"Never had tea before honestly. Why not."
Just as Jorann had promised, he had explained what had happened to Tanion during the time he was under. Most of the technical stuff about the Duel Energy itself went over his head, but he now realised the danger Duels of Strength held. He had to be a lot more careful next time he went into battle. Even now, he could feel that his strength was still slowly returning, and he could feel it struggling to do so.
"Is there anything else you remember from your time under?" Yugi asked, handing him his tea. "Anything at all?"
"Nothing new. Sorry," Tanion said as he took a sip of the tea.
Even since he had come back, Jorann and the others had been questioning him about what happened to him just before he came back. He remembered a couple of things, like the feel of the wind against his face and the lush valley, but other than that, not many of his memories of that time had returned. Fortunately, Jaden was on hand and he seemed to be able to piece a lot of it together.
"Edilisna and Stardust seemingly helped guide your spirit to the Spirit World," he had deduced. "From there, they must've directed you to your monsters to re-establish the connection."
It was not something Tanion wanted to think about as he took another sip of the surprisingly tasty tea. Over the past few days, he had been struggling to come to terms with the fact that he had very nearly died, and would've if Edilisna and Stardust hadn't come to his aid. What compelled them to do so, though? he thought to himself as he looked at the falling snow outside. What was the reason that I needed to be saved?
He knew he would not find a satisfying answer, but the question stuck in the back of his mind like a sore thumb as he walked through the mansion back toward the living quarters. After knocking to make sure it was okay to enter, he opened the door to find Jorann sitting cross-legged on his bed, his deck strewn out in front of him.
"What are you doing, old man?" Tanion asked as he sipped his tea.
"It's a good brew, isn't it?" Jorann said, noting the cup.
"Best and only tea I've ever tasted," Tanion replied with a wry smile.
"First time trying tea? That's going to have to change. Tea's good for the soul," Jorann claimed.
Tanion took a seat on his own bed. "So, what are you doing anyway?"
"Studying my cards," Jorann said. "There might be some combo, some new power, just waiting to be found, and right now we need everything we can get our hands on."
"Haven't you had that deck for years?" Tanion remembered. "How can you not know every card combination by now?"
"We aren't in Eden, boy, remember that," Jorann said, before holding up High Dragon Paranel to him. "These cards have power. If you listen, you can find that power and bring it forth. Why don't you try with your cards? Didn't you say you didn't have the entire deck a while ago?"
"So what, if I listen to my cards then new ones are just supposed to appear out of nowhere?"
"Have you forgotten how I came upon my Synchro Tuner, boy?" Jorann muttered angrily. "The High Dragons rewarded me with a new power for believing in them. In this world, and especially with its connection to the Spirit World, what you see is impossible is very much a reality."
Could I really summon forth monsters I don't even have? Tanion wondered to himself. I can accept that this is possible for the people of this world because this is what they have always known. But could I do it? I know that no matter no hard I try, there will probably always be that lingering doubt in the back of my mind that it simply isn't possible. What am I to do?
A knock came at the door. After Jorann and Tanion said that it was okay to enter at the same time, Jaden came through the doorway. He seemed to be relaxed, but Tanion knew that on the inside he was uncomfortable about being couped up in this mansion making sure they were all okay. It was just the kind of character Jaden was.
"Yugi wants to see us all in the dining hall," he informed them.
"Did he say what for?" Jorann asked.
Jaden shook his head. "I've no idea. He's been deep in thought for a couple of days though. I'd say we're about to find out why."
Tanion gulped down the remainder of his tea while Jorann packed his deck into its box. They then followed Jaden to the dining hall, where a still slightly weary Yusei and a thoughtful Yugi were waiting. As he took his seat opposite Jorann and beside Jaden, Tanion could tell that Yugi seemed to still be weighing up something in his mind.
"Well, we're all here," Jaden said. "What's been on your mind, Yugi?"
"A few days ago, I had a premonition, no doubt given to me by the God Cards," the man said after a pause. "In it, I saw a great battle being fought on the plains outside of Eravand, and in the background, I saw… something. I'm not sure what it was, but it was clearly the object being fought over."
"Okay, but what does that have to do with us?" Tanion asked.
"I've contacted The Coalition," he answered. "They are sending a transport to us. We're heading to Stromberg Castle."
"Wait, you're joining the fight?" Jorann gasped.
"The Gods were given to me by Atem to help fight in this war, of that I am sure," Yugi answered grimly. "I am also certain that it was the Gods themselves that showed me this vision. It cannot be coincidence."
"So that's it? You're deciding to join the fight now on a dream?" Jorann said in disbelief.
"There was something important about that vision, something I'm sure you can understand," Yugi countered. "So yes, it would appear that it is time for me to return to the world. It's time I joined the fight."
The sound of wood splintering was suddenly heard from the front lobby. Everyone turned in confusion as they then heard the distant sound of cannon fire, and not a moment later, another volley smashed into the mansion, causing what sounded like a set of stairs to collapse from the battering.
"What the hell…?" Jaden said softly.
"It's The Grand Order," Jorann realised, recognised the distinct cannon sound. "They found us."
- This is Commander Erial, of the United Army Corps of The Grand Order. I will only make this order once. Surrender Yusei Fudo and Jorann Fulmann at once, or be destroyed -
Wood snapped. Everyone turned to the cause of the noise, and Tanion was shocked to see that Yusei had broken off part of the table in his hands. His knuckles were white, teeth gritted, sweat dropping down his brow.
"Yusei?" Jorann said worriedly.
"That… bastard was the one in charge of the raid on our compound, one of The Grand Order's two leading commanders," Yusei said with a voice full of rage. "Where is my deck. I'm going to kill this bastard myself."
"Yusei, you need to calm down," Yugi said with a pointed finger.
"Calm down? Calm down?!" Yusei screamed. "That fucker had taken thousands of innocent lives! He destroyed Akiza's future! And you expect me to calm down?!"
Yusei suddenly stopped for a second and his eyes began to droop. Jorann caught him as he fell, and he realised that the man had been put into a sleep. Turning to Jaden, Tanion saw the last flicker of Yubel's orange and green eyes disappear, and he quickly realised what he had done.
"The man was in an unstable state as it was," Jaden explained. "This is better for everyone."
"The war takes its toll on people in many ways," Jorann said sadly as he laid Yusei on the table. "I just never thought I'd see Yusei like this."
"What do we do?" Tanion asked.
"I don't know how they found us through the shield, but we have to leave," Yugi said. "There's an escape tunnel we made for just such an occasion. I'll contact the incoming transport and tell it to land in stealth where the tunnel comes out. We'll meet it there."
"I will buy us some time," Jaden announced. "I can leave whenever I want after all."
"How are you going to do that?" Tanion asked.
Jaden simply smiled. "I'm going to see if they're up for a duel of course."
As Jaden walked out of the now ruined front lobby, he saw the array of cannons lined up at the building, at least 50 in number. Behind them were just visible camouflaged transports, which he could only assume were how they had approached without any of them somehow seeing them. Jaden simply sighed. This was why he didn't like fighting.
"Where are Yusei and Jorann?" came Commander Erial's voice. Jaden could see him at the front of the cannons with a megaphone in his hand. "Surrender them, or be destroyed."
"Let me make one thing perfectly clear," Jaden said as he walked forward, Yubel enhancing his projection so that it reached the soldiers with ease. "No one gets into this building without getting past me. Understood?"
"Fire!" Erial shouted.
The cannons fired another volley, their aim altered somewhat so that now they were firing at Jaden instead of the house. He sighed as they did so and waved a hand. He continued to walk forward carelessly as the cannon balls came toward him, however, once the volley was over, he was still walking forward as not a single on had hit him.
"I will say again!" Jaden shouted. "If you want to get into this building, you have to go through me. Are we clear here people?"
Below, he could see a commotion brewing amongst the ranks of the soldiers, clearly affected by the fact that he had gone through the barrage unscathed. However, Jaden stopped his advance and cocked on eyebrow as Commander Erial handed the megaphone to one of the soldiers near him and began to walk forward. He seemed a bit shorter and older than Jaden had expected, but battle-hardened nonetheless.
"You're the leader of this rabble, are you not?" Jaden asked, no longer needing to have Yubel raise his voice. "What's say we have a friendly wager?"
"I was about to suggest the same thing," Erial laughed heartily. "I know who you are, Jaden Yuki. I also know that right about now everyone else in that house will be making an escape to somewhere. If I don't get past you soon, I will lose them for good, and that's something I cannot allow."
"Although that's correct, I'm still not letting you pass," Jaden stated.
"I challenge you to a duel, Jaden Yuki," Commander Erial declared, readying his duel disk. "If you win, we will leave. If I win, you will stand aside. Agreed?"
"You're challenging me to a duel? You surprise me," Jaden remarked, readying his disk. "An honourable challenge, though. You're on."
DUEL!
"I'll take the first move," Erial announced. "I'm going to set one monster face-down in defence mode. With that, I end my turn."
"Wait, what?" Jaden said, dumbfounded. "Aren't you supposed to be like one of the Grand Order's two army leaders?"
"Commander Zera and myself are at the head of the United Army Corps, answering directly to Lady Irene herself," Erial stated proudly. "What of it?"
"Right. And the best you can do on your first move is a monster face down in defence?" Jaden scoffed. "Don't make me laugh."
"Take your turn, Jaden Yuki," Erial said deeply. "It may be your last."
Jaden – 4000 LP
Erial – 4000 LP
"My turn then," Jaden said, drawing a card. "First things first. I activate the spell card E – Emergency Call! I add Elemental HERO Avian from my deck to my hand. And then I follow that up with another searcher spell, Fusion Sage! With this, I can add one 'Polymerisation' from my deck to my hand."
"You intend on Fusion Summoning?" Erial asked.
"Naturally," Jaden smirked. "I activate the Polymerisation I just added to my hand, fusing the Elemental HERO Avian and Elemental HERO Burstinatrix in my hand together! Fusion Summon! Appear before us now, Level 6! Elemental HERO Flame Wingman! (ATK:2100/DEF:1200)."
"Is this really all a member of the Three can muster?" Erial said, surprised. "I was sure you'd come out stronger than that."
"I have to give a chance, don't I?" Jaden said light-heartedly. "Battle! Flame Wingman, attack his face-down monster. Flame Shoot!"
Wingman raised his right arm, which was actually a dragon's head, at the face down card and let loose with a stream of deadly fire. The card burned away, but as it did so, Jaden noted that it had left something behind.
"Mythic Caller's monster effect activates!" Erial said. "Since it was destroyed by battle and sent to the graveyard, I can add one 'Mythic' card from my deck to my hand. I choose to add the monster card known as Mythic Servant."
"Don't forget about Flame Wingman's effect," Jaden reminded him. "Since it destroyed a monster by battle, I can get to inflict damage to you equal to that monster's attack value in the graveyard, which comes to 1600! Take this, Commander!"
Erial covered his face as the fire shot around him, dropping his life points by the attack of Mythic Caller. However, much to Jaden's surprise, the man simply dusted himself off and returned to his usual stance. This guy… Jaden thought to himself. Yubel, how are the others going? Can you tell?
- I can sense that they've made good progress into the tunnel. Just hold for a little while longer -
"I place two cards face-down," Jaden said, comforted by the fact that they were almost away. "Turn over."
Jaden – 4000 LP
Erial – 2400 LP
"My turn," Erial said, drawing. "I must say, Jaden, normally I would draw this duel out to make it a bit fairer, but I am in a rush at the moment. I do not have time to enjoy this duel with you."
"What are you talking about?" Jaden asked.
"From my hand, I summon the monster called Mythic Deity Summoner! (Lvl:4/ATK:1800/DEF:1200)," Erial said. "Because this monster was summoned, I get to add one 'Mythic Deity' monster from my deck to my hand."
Jaden's blood ran cold as the card was removed from Erial's deck. He hadn't sensed it before, but now that the card was almost on the field of play, Jaden could sense a presence within the card. Something ancient. Something powerful. Something that he wasn't sure he had an answer to.
"Yubel…" he whispered quietly.
- They're almost there. Just a little longer, Jaden -
"I activate the spell Card Mythic Transformation!" Erial continued. "I tribute Mythic Deity Summoner, and in its place, I can summon one 'Mythic' monster whose level is equal to or lower than the tributed monster from my hand. I Special Summon the card I added earlier with Mythic Caller's effect, Mythic Servant! (Lvl:3/ATK:1100/DEF:1100)."
"Why do I have a really bad feeling about this?" he muttered to himself, guarded in his stance.
"If Mythic Servant is Special Summoned, I can Special Summon two other copies of himself from my hand, deck, or graveyard. And so, appear on the field from my deck, two more copies of Mythic Servant!" Erial shouted.
Appearing next to their similarly clad brother, the other two Servants appeared wearing simple monk robes. To Jaden's surprise and concern, however, the moment all three were together, they began to chant in a language that Jaden had never heard of before.
"What is the meaning of this, Erial?" Jaden demanded.
"I activate the effect of Ahnkirendal, Mythic Deity of Spirits in my hand!" Erial proclaimed. "This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set, but can only be Special Summoned by tributing 3 'Mythic' monsters from my side of the field!"
"They're chanting to their deity," Jaden realised. "But he's talking about the spirits… I've never even heard of this deity before."
"Oh great deity of the land and sky, leave your seat at the top of the world and protect what is yours! Render the enemies of the spirits asunder!" Erial chanted. "Tribute Summon! The great deity who rules over all spirits, Ahnkirendal, Mythic Deity of Spirits! (Lvl:12/ATK:5000/DEF:5000)."
At first, nothing happened. But then, between Erial and his troops, the ground split open, causing many of the soldiers to flee in terror. The ground continued to rumble as a might beast emerged, rippling with muscle and as green and brown as the ground itself. It stood over 30 metres tall, its pure white eyes boring a hole into Jaden's head. It was humanoid in shape, but there was no doubt that it had command over the land and sky itself.
"A Deity to rival the Egyptian Gods…" Jaden whispered without realising.
"Before we go any further, I activate the effect of the 3 Mythic Servants that were sent to the graveyard," Erial said. "Since they were tributed for the summon of a Mythic Deity, I gain 500 LP for each one, therefore restoring my life points to 3900!"
"Just where the hell did you find that card, Erial?" Jaden shouted. "I've been to the Spirit World. There's never been a mention of this being anywhere in existence. How can this be real?"
"Deities do not make themselves known to the spirits," Erial answered. "After all, does God ever make himself known to the people of this planet? I think not."
"Unbelievable," Jaden muttered.
"I'm not done yet, Jaden Yuki," Erial continued. "I cannot afford to give you another turn, so this ends here. I activate the spell card Mythic Offering! I pay half my life points, and in turn, I offer them to Ahnkirendal itself, raising its attack strength by the same amount, meaning it now has 6950 ATK!"
"Yubel, gimme some good news," Jaden whispered.
- They just left the tunnel and the transports there. I'll jump us as soon as it's safe, Jaden, don't you worry. I will protect you -
"Battle! Oh great spirit deity, attack Elemental HERO Flame Wingman!" Erial said. "Use your mighty power to destroy Jaden Yuki! Divine Torrent!"
Above them, the giant monster raised a hand slowly, and Jaden noted the water beginning to drip from its palm. Are you telling me this thing has control over the elements? What the hell is this thing? Just as he was deep in thought, the palm of the deity opened, and water began to cascade out in Jaden's direction.
"I activate a trap card, Mirror Force!" Jaden said desperately.
"You think that will work against a god?" Erial shouted, almost laughing. "Anhkirendal is completely unaffected by any and all of my opponent's card effects!"
"But that means…"
"You lose, Jaden! Great Deity, end this!"
Jaden closed his eyes as the water came closer, but before it could hit he felt himself rock back and forward, almost like he had gotten minor whiplash. When he opened his eyes, he knew that he was in the Spirit World. He could only hope now that he had bought enough time for them to escape.
"They got away, Jaden, I promise."
The voice came from Yubel, who had assumed a physical form and was now standing in front of him. Because they were in the Spirit World, she could have a body of her own once again, something that she relished and would often try to coax Jaden into coming back here just for that pleasure.
"You could have warned me," Jaden remarked.
"There was no time," Yubel countered.
"I can't believe that I was beaten so easily," Jaden huffed, sitting on a fallen log. "Just what was that deity he wielded? I've never heard of it before."
"Neither have I," Yubel commented. "We haven't explored the Spirit World in quite some time. Let's see what we can find out about this Ahnkirendal."
Jaden nodded in agreement. "And next time, Erial will fall."