Chapter 11
Chaos Number 72: Demonic Archerfiend / Xyz / Rank 7 / LIGHT / Fairy-Type / 3500 ATK / 3000 DEF / 4 Xyz Materials
Belle gazed in shock at the Monster Hayk just managed to Summon. That was her fault. If she hadn't been that playful about 'Rank-Up-Magic Barians Force', Hayk couldn't have stolen it from her Graveyard. Her fault and only hers. "I can't believe you've done this," she said in a toneless voice.
"You better start believing," Hayk replied with a malicious voice. Ever since his new Monster had appeared, the look in his eyes had turned into a sick, twisted gaze and his facial expression into a horrible grin. "But do not believe in god. That would be very counterproductive for you, because Gods existence also brings hell to exist. And hell brings my Monster to exist." Belle wanted to say something to this, but Hayk just continued, unbothered: "I've been so foolish for believing into the power of heavens for my Deck. The power of hell is what wins the fights on this earth. My monster is the ambassador of hell. Its innocent child, placed in the body of a foolish angel, with a key to free it from its restraints. And I thank you for giving me that key."
Belle was left speechless to this. She wanted to respond something, argue with him, but she couldn't deny that he was right. She created this monstrosity. Barian's Force was Telgus last gift, meant to Rank-Up her Number in danger. But just because she wanted to play it, to try it out, she created a danger that was now threatening her whole mission.
"But enough of the strongest Monster on Earth, back to how it will kill you. I use my Monsters effect! By detaching one of its Xyz Materials, it can attack you twice per turn!" One of the out-of-place yellow Materials broke orbit and flew into the Monsters quiver, that it had on its back, before the fallen Angel took two Arrows out and loaded its bow with one of them.
Chaos Number 72: Demonic Archerfiend: 4 Xyz Material → 3 Xyz Materials
"Now, get ready to die," Hayk continued, the sardonic grin never vanishing from his face, "Since my Monster has 'Number 72: Doomlight Archer' attached to it as an Xyz Material, it so happens to inflict Piercing Damage whenever it battles a Defense Position Monster!"
Belle couldn't help herself, but flinched at this, but that did not go unnoticed by Hayk: "You're right to fear the power of hell! But before it will strike you, I activate this: 'Seraphic Strike'!" His last face-down card flipped face-up. "Now, whenever a Fairy-Type Monster inflicts Battle Damage to a player, I can destroy one Spell or Trap Card on the field. And with this, we resume: 'Chaos Number 72: Demonic Archerfiend' attack 'Number 104: Darkfire Pyre', 'Hellish Aim'!" The Angel pulled back the string of its bow and let the arrow fly towards Belles pile of fire. During the flight it was engulfed into a black aura.
Just before it could strike her Monster, Belle had to respond: "Chain! I activate 'Half Unbreak'! This not only protects my Monster from being destroyed, but also halves any Battle Damage!" Hayk growled at this development, when the Arrow struck the opposing Number and left it unharmed.
Belle: 1000 LP → 750 LP
"'Seraphic Strike', destroy 'Volcanic Wall'!" A blast of Light shot out of Hayks Trap Card, destroying Belles Spell.
"Also, I have my second attack at the same target," Hayk went on, visibly angered, although he knew Belle had 'Half Unbreak', as it was the card she drew and revealed due to 'Angelic Choir'. "And like in the Real Life, a target that is hit a second time is always weaker than before. 'Cause as it happens, my Monster doubles any Battle Damage during the second time it attack. Go forth, 'Hellish Aim'!" Belle watched helpless as the dark arrow struck her Monster again and kept knocking down her Life Points.
Belle: 750 LP → 250 LP
"I opt to not destroy 'Blazefire Birth', although it would get rid of that pesky Number of yours, the Burn Damage it would inflict to us would cause us to draw this duel. So, since I have no further options, I can only end my turn. So, do what you want, before I finally defeat you, next turn."
"My turn," Belle started. She still had one possibility of winning left. The first effect of her 'Number 104: Darkfire Pyre', to inflict 100 Life Points Damage to Hayk, equal to the Level of a FIRE Monster she would discard. However, she had no Monsters left, with a Level high enough to wipe away all of her opponents points out in one go.
So, she hesitantly looked at her drawn card, and her heart almost stopped: 'Laval Cannoneer'. A copy of a card that Hayk had already destroyed earlier in this duel and completely useful, both for its own effect and with a Level to low to be useful for her Numbers effect.
The other card she had left in her hand was 'Overlay Satellite', a card that would be helpful if she ran any Rank 4 Monsters. But she didn't, so it was completely dead in her hand.
"Sooooo, little sister, have you given into your soon defeat?" The mocking tone in Hayks voice almost made Belle vomit. She hated to admit it, but from this duel so far and from what she had seen in this dream-like memory, she really started to like Hayk, in some strange way. But since he had summoned 'Demonic Archerfiend', he had changed so much, it was horrible to watch. Belle had no idea why this touched her so much, why she was so concerned about Hayk. 'Could it be? Could his stories may even be true? Could he be... my brother? No, I've grown up in the Barian World, I remember... Well, what do I remember? I remember nothing of a childhood, but isn't this normal? Forgetting about your childhood, except the special memories. But honestly...'
"Cry, but it won't rescue you. Soon you'll die a second time." Hayks voice snapped her out of her thoughts. At first, she did not know what he meant, but then, she realized that her face was wet. She was crying. It was the first time she cried since... Well, it was the first time she cried. She didn't cry at Telgus death. She didn't cry at the conquering of Barian World. But she did cry, when this guy that may or may not was her brother was going mad.
Because she wasn't used to crying, she didn't realize that her vision started to blur and was slowly fading to black, until she hit the hard ground of the pyre she was standing on.
They had taken them out of their house, dragged them to the center of the town, where a pedestal was built for special uses, like festivals, courts and such. Belle screamed and kicked into the air, but she did not hit anybody strong enough to make any impact, while Hayk was demanding explanations, although the only reply he got was: "Shut your unholy mouth, witch." When Belle heard this last word, her screams and kicks became even more wild. She knew what happened to witches. They were burned alive. Fine, they were given court, but it was always unfair. In fact, if you were once accursed of being a witch, you were sure to die.
At the towns center, the mayor, the towns judge, two executor and one other man were standing. Belle immediately recognized him: It was the butcher they always sold their game too. "Belle and Hayk," the mayor started, after the siblings were literally thrown on stage. "You were accursed of witchcraft. The proof your accusers are bringing in is that your hunt is far too good, to be done without the aid of magic. Do you have anything to say to prove them wrong." Hayk had opened his mouth, to say something, but when he began with the first word, a hysterical female scream was heard from the crowd: "LIAR! They are witches, burn them! My husbands hunt has been unsuccessful for weeks! They are hunting the forest empty, they want to see us all starving!" It was pointless to respond to this. Their accusers had the crowd on their side and if you had the crowd, the witches were dead. Neither the mayor nor the judge would stand up against an angry crowd.
It wasn't long until two pyres were built and Hayk and Belle were strapped to them, under the cheers of the crowd, which was craving to see someone burn, someone they could blame for everything that happened lately they had no explanations for. Belle took one last look to her brother, who smiled at her: "Don't worry little sister. Heaven will sure greet you as one of their angels." Belle felt a tear running down her cheek, but it didn't really reach the ground, because in that moment, the fires were lit.
Belle's eyes snapped open again. "...so, finished your nap? May I finally unleash the power of hell onto you?" Hayks voice. Somewhere inside herself, his voice and the words he said, so different from her true brother, triggered something. She stood up from the ground again and a red light started to engulf her. She had no idea what she was doing. She just knew she was doing it and that it would bring her brother back. 'Number 104: Darkfire Pyre' seemed to understand too, because its fire was slowly dying out and the wood that formed its base re-build itself to a large log. That flew into the air, where a galaxy-shaped portal opened.
"I use 'Number 104: Darkfire Pyre' to reconstruct the Overlay Network," she said, starting quiet and slowly, but picking up volume and speed: "Chaos Xyz Change! 'Chaos Number 104'! Instrument of Terror, cast aside your dark past and embrace Light! Show yourself 'Serafire Beacon'!"
With this words, the portal exploded again and the log flew down again and scattered, but this time, the flame that arose it wasn't red, it was yellow with a golden shine, also, it did not form a demon. The fire instead took the form of a humanoid being with long hair and wings, however, it still had four arms. The Monster crossed one set of it, while the other one hanged loose down, while it observed the current duel. One Chaos Overlay Unit had settled in front of it.
Chaos Number 104: Serafire Beacon / Xyz / Rank 8 / FIRE / Pyro-Type / ATK 2700 / DEF 3000 / 1 Xyz Material
"This may not be what Telgu intended when he gave us the Rank-Up-Magics, but, I am sure he would be okay with it. But now, I can finally have my brother back." Belle didn't think about how she just did what she had done, that would be pointless. It was a spontaneous reaction, maybe she couldn't do it again, but it was okay for now.
Hayk however, seemed to be not pleased by the new Monster that had appeared. He took a concerned look to his Monster flouting above the scene and took some steps back.
"I activate the effect of 'Chaos Number 104: Serafire Beacon'!" Belle continued: "By detaching one Xyz Material, I can banish one FIRE Monster from my hand or Graveyard and damage you equal to its ATK or DEF, whichever is higher." She showed 'Laval Cannoneer' in her hand. "That's 1700 Damage. Eat this, Archerfiend and now give me my brother back! 'Skysend Fireblast'!"
Belles Monster absorbed its Overlay Unit into its wooden pile and then formed a ball of golden fire in its four hands, before shooting that into Hayks direction, past a shocked Demonic Archerfiend, striking Hayk down.
Hayk: 900 LP → 0 LP
When Hayk was struggling to get back onto his feet and when he realized there was no point in standing, he just brought himself into an upright position: "Finally. You realized you called me brother? I think I got what I wanted, but, I didn't think I had to go as far as faking lunacy to get you to believe."
Belle had again started to cry, but she didn't care. She just wanted to get over to her brother and hug him, however, he raised a hand to stop her.
"Wait," he said, his voice trembling, "this is what you came for, right?" He threw two cards to Belle: 'Number 72: Doomlight Archer' and, Belles stomach made a jump, 'Chaos Number 72: Demonic Archerfiend'. She gazed at the cards in awe, realized just now that her Legendary Number Hunt was more than successful. But she stared a bit too long.
"Your latest attack was a … bit … strong. Wasn't it?"
Belles eyes darted towards him and she saw that the pyre he was standing on had caught fire, presumably from 'Serafire Beacons' attack. However, Hayks seemed not to care: "Don't worry little sister, I'm dying anyways. The power that held me in this world was only made for this one duel, so I'm grateful, I could archive something in the short time I was here. Just … one more thing," Belle could see that his powers were fading, however, he was still smiling at her, bringing the memories of his first death back, "your God will … soon … come..." With this words, he dispensed into light particles. And finally Belles feet collapsed and she was punching at the pedestal she was standing, crying that she lost the brother, she never knew she had, yet again.
Author-made cards:
Number 104: Darkfire Pyre / Xyz / Rank 8 / FIRE / Pyro-Type / ATK 2700 / DEF 3000
2 Level 8 Monsters
Cannot be destroyed by battle, except with a "Number" Monster. Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can activate up to two of the following effects. Each effect of "Number 104: Darkfire Pyre" can only be used once per turn: ● Discard 1 FIRE Monster to inflict 100 Damage to your opponent for each of the discarded Monsters Levels. ● Detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to inflict 400 Damage to your opponent for each FIRE Monster in your Graveyard. If you activate this effect, this card cannot declare an attack this turn.
Chaos Number 104: Serafire Beacon / Xyz / Rank 8 / FIRE / Pyro-Type / ATK 2700 / DEF 3000
3 Level 8 FIRE Monsters
Cannot be destroyed by battle, except with a "Number" Monster. You can also Xyz Summon this card by using a "Number 104: Darkfire Pyre" you control as the Xyz Material. (Xyz Materials attached to that monster also become Xyz Materials on this card.) Once per turn, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to banish 1 FIRE Monster from your hand or Graveyard; Inflict Damage to your opponents Life Points equal to its ATK or DEF, whichever is higher. You must have 1000 Life Points or less to activate and resolve this effect.
Chaos Number 72: Demonic Archerfiend / Xyz / Rank 7 / LIGHT / Fairy-Type / 3500 ATK / 3000 DEF
4 Level 7 Fairy-Type Monsters
Cannot be destroyed by battle, except with a "Number" Monster. Once per turn, during your Main Phase: Detach 1 Xyz Material from this card, it can attack twice this turn. Also, double any Battle Damage inflicted during the second battle. If "Number 72: Doomlight Archer" is attached to this card as Xyz Material, it gains this effect: ● If this card battles a face-up Attack Position Monster your opponent controls: Apply that Monsters DEF for Damage calculation only. If this card attacks a Defense Position Monster: It inflicts Piercing Battle Damage.
Seraphic Strike / Normal Trap Card
During this turn, if a Fairy-Type Monster you control inflicts Battle Damage to your opponent: You can destroy 1 Spell or Trap Card they control.
Spring Breaks over! ...Not really. Sorry for not updating for such a long time.
If you may go back to the last chapter, you can see that the duel underwent some mayor changes and that Blazefire Births effect was altered. This was due to the fact that I made various grave mistakes while writing the last chapters duel. The main problem was that Demonic Archerfiend needed an Xyz Material other than Doomlight Archer, in order to resolve both the Piercing Damage and the double attacking effect. There were multiple ways how this could have done, but I ruined them all. If I wouldn't have destroyed Doomlight Archer for the dramatic effect of Hayk reviving it, then it would have still had all of its Xyz Materials save for Archerfiend (what it still has now). The other way would have been using Overlay Satellite instead of Blazefire Birth to summon Darkfire Pyre, so it would have had a second Material left that Barian's Force could have snatched from it. Since I done neither of those, I had to alter the last chapter.
Originally, it wasn't intended for Belle to Summon Serafire Beacon at this point, originally she would have gambled and won with Volcanic Wall and Darkfire Pyres first effect. But I decided in favor of Chaos Xyz Change, because it was much more suitable and believable at this point than at that point in the future, where she would originally had Summoned it. Hence why I had to use Seraphic Strike.
Also: More regular Updates are incoming, again. Intakas next up.