A/N: I OWN NO PART YU GI OH 5DS! ALL RIGHTS GO TO THE CREATORS!

Chapter 33: The Ancient Spirit

Yusei's POV

I quickly found myself on the Afterlife's entry portal. Some Soldier Defense Angels nodded at me in respect which I responded with my own nod. I took stepped passed them politely before taking to the air again.

I looked around. The Angel Academy had been fully rebuilt and was back to its former glory. The design of the Academy had always somewhat reminded me of an ancient roman temple with its columns holding up a roof above the entrance way. The rest of it, though, looked similar to a normal school; though it had a normal, tepee like rooftops. I passed by the Peasant Planes where some peasants were farming their crops and selling things at a local market.

It wasn't long, however, before I arrived at the palace entrance. I explained to the watching sentries posted at the front door my reason for being there, showing my locket as a notice that I was an angel, and they allowed me in. Ever since Izoa's attack and infiltration, guards around the Academy and Palace grounds had been more watchful and needed proof of being an angel before entering the area.

I walked through the halls that were white and golden trimmed with stained glass window depicting certain ancient events. The guards at the door to the Crimson Dragon's throne room nodded at me in respect. They knew me and knew about my position as a Signer, so they knew they could trust me.

I entered the area and the guards shut the doors. As I reached the area of which the Crimson Dragon watched over, I kneeled down in respect as all angels were tasked to do when they saw him.

"Rise," he ordered. I stood up again and looked at him.

"You wished to see me?" I asked.

"Yes, Yusei," the Crimson Dragon answered. He flew down and landed in front of me. "Come with me." I nodded and slowly followed him to a wall. He pressed a stone with his hand and part of the wall lit up red before opening to reveal a tunnel. "We have much to discuss."

I followed him in and asked, "What do we need to discuss, sir?" I asked him.

"Era has told you about the angels' knowledge on the legend of the first Guardian Angel of Light, correct?" he replied. I nodded. "Well, it is about time someone knew the in depth truth of it all."

I looked at the dragon shocked. "Why are you telling me? Why me and not another angel like Era?" I asked.

"Because this is something only you and Era should know. And I know Era's situation. It is the reason I have decided to tell you this now," the dragon explained. I nodded and turned as we entered a room with a singular light filtering in onto a stone and dust covered casket.

"Is this…?" I stopped.

"Yes, Yusei. This is where the first Guardian Angel of Light now lays in peace. Yet, her spirit is still with us," the Crimson Dragon stated and I looked at him confused before I turned to see a transparent girl looking at them. She had dark brown hair with green eyes and wore an uniform similar to Era's. She also had a dark tan skin.

"Hello, Yusei," she greeted with a smile. "I have heard much about you." I was speechless. She seemed Era's age but her voice had a slightly higher pitch to it. "As his highness told you, I am the original Guardian Angel of Light. Usually when an angel dies, we become a star. A new sun in a place far away but close enough for you to see us. But I stayed behind. So I could watch the new angels grow and be able to watch Era. You can call me by my angel name, though. My name is Arietta."

"You know me. But what's the full truth the legend?" I asked looking at the Crimson Dragon.

"It starts five thousand and four hundred years ago," Arietta began making me turn to her. "War ravaged Earth among the tribes and new people for centuries. I was just a young girl when my father was taken by the bloody war for Netashia, or what is also known today as India. As I got older, my mother taught me and my four younger brothers how to fight and prepared us for fighting in the long war. I didn't want to fight and tried to keep my light up. But eventually the soldiers of the chief of our tribe took me to battle. I was eighteen when I was killed by an enemy soldier. For a while, I spent most of my time in the Afterlife as a peasant. But the war was turning everyone dark. And demons were being born out of it. As such, the Crimson Dragon came to me and asked that I help him create peace again. So he turned me into an angel, gifted with his power and heart. I went around the Afterlife, looking for possible angels. Those we chose were soon turned into the angels. With our numbers growing, we entered the human world again and shined our light upon everyone. The demons however took notice of this as well and tried to convince everyone that the dark ways of fighting were for the best while peace was a joke. Many, however, wished for peace and due to this, peace was returning to the Earth once again. But the demons began attacking us, creating the war between the ending worlds to erupt. We kept our battles quiet though and we fought to keep the peace. However, the chosen angels were growing weak. So his highness asked me to do something. He told me to give life to young, infant angels which would grow to become strong ones. But the first wasn't through my own power as the legends say." I got confused with that statement. "I had made a mate during my time of battling. His name was Ateras. But as soon as we became mates, my power began to slowly deplete for a bit. It wasn't until I gave birth to the first, newborn angel that I saw why. When I became the mate of Ateras, he had given me some of his DNA which led to me becoming pregnant with a child." I went wide eyed in realization. "Angels don't have the same side effects humans do when it comes to pregnancy. I realized this when I noticed I wasn't just losing energy from the battles and using spells. But I was also losing energy because the child within me was using it to grow. It turned out to be a young girl which Ateras and I named Bey. But as she grew older, her powers grew faster than her young body could handle. So I sent some of my power to her in order to keep her alive. But soon I found I needed to create more angels with my power as per our lord's instructions. So I did. Ateras was worried about it but kept watch of our daughter. Soon though, my powers were beginning to grow to weak so the Crimson Dragon sent his full power and heart into me, to keep me alive. Bey was bright and was already learning as to why I was so busy. She began to study hard and wanted to help me and my mate. But then Ateras was killed by a demon in front of Bey's eyes. She grew fearful and it took a lot for me to calm her down. But then the King of the Underworld and the Wicked Gods came forth and began to wreak havoc among the Earth. I stood side by side with the Crimson Dragon and his servant dragons during the final battle. But in order to finish the King of the Underworld, he asked for his power back. I knew that the only reason I was able to live on was because I had the Crimson Dragon's power inside me. But I didn't question nor mind giving my power back, even knowing what would happen to me. And when he took his power back, I died. He placed my body in here and it was then that I let my spirit return to here and talk to his highness once again. Bey visited me a few times too. She had grown fast and she looked very similar to the current Guardian Angel of Light. But one day, Bey never came. I asked the Crimson Dragon where she was and I was told she was killed by a demon. A demon named Brehnam."

"Brehnam?!" I exclaimed.

Arietta nodded. "The successor to the throne of the Underworld. I wanted to face him and avenge my daughter. But I couldn't. I was dead and I couldn't do anything to change that," she explained.

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked.

"Because we know you and Era have become mates and the reason she is in her state now isn't just because she used a lot of energy to help you," the Crimson Dragon responded and looked to Arietta to finish.

"She is also harboring a child within her as well," she finished.

"I'm not sure Era wants that, though. Is there any way to change that?" I asked.

"I'm afraid not, my angel," the Crimson Dragon answered. "This has only happened to the Guardian Angel of Light. And with the chosen angel possessing so much power, it would be dangerous, and even potentially deadly, to take it away now."

"What am I supposed to do to help her, then?" I asked.

"For now, all you can do is tell her the truth when she wakes up and be there for her through everything," Arietta answered.

"But how am I supposed to be with her through everything if I might not be able to stay with her for everything?" I asked touching the poisoned area.

"I can help with that," Arietta stated slowly walking over. She turned me so that she could look at my injury. "Such powerful dark magic has been embedded here."

"Is there anything you can do?" I asked.

"I can cure it," she answered and I looked at her shocked. "I can use the leftover energy I have left to cure you."

"But won't that mean…?" I stopped unsure.

"Yes, it does mean I won't have any energy to remain here anymore. But I have stayed here long enough. It is time for me to go and for the current Guardian Angel of Light to take her full, rightful place," Arietta reassured. I looked at her uncertain. "I assure you, Yusei, I will be fine." I gave a slow nod. She looked at the Crimson Dragon. "Goodbye, your highness. Watch the angels well, okay?"

"I will, Arietta. I promise," he responded.

She nodded and I felt her touch my wounded and poisoned shoulder. I winced and held in a groan of pain as I saw her pull out dark mist from it. It slowly fell to the ground and evaporated. But soon the pain stopped and I saw Arietta give me a small nod before disappearing.

"Thank you, Arietta," I quietly said and looked at my shoulder to see the once blackened area was just left as a normal colored scar where the crystal had punctured my skin.

"Yusei, take care of Era," the Crimson Dragon told me and I looked at him. "She is an angel that should never be let go of. Especially by her mate."

"I promise, your highness. I won't let her get hurt any more than she already has been," I told her.

"I know you won't," he responded. "You may go, Yusei. I'm sure Era will be still sleeping, but waiting for you."

I nodded. "Thank you, your highness," I told her before walking out and flying back to Earth… and Era.