【61 - Freedom within Determinism: Four Chosens Converge!】
It turns out that humanity has universal consistencies across timelines. Facets of experience so interwoven in their evolutionary DNA that they crop up hand-in-hand with every instance of colonization. One of these is the belief - the experience - of spirituality. Whether it be organized religion or the mere notion that something out there is orchestrating destiny. To some extent, pulling on our strings, keeping the play of life going, and ensuring with a strict ferocity that we sleepily answer our cues.
Where do you run when the world becomes your enemy?
YouTube: Dune - Beautiful Middle Eastern Music
It was like the entire city of Solvus had gathered outside the temple to view the executions.
Masses of people filling up the space and spilling out onto various roads, blocking off all traffic. It was always a big event when Solvus decided to publicly execute sinners. Drones with cameras whizzed overhead to catch every angle, broadcasting it to whoever stayed home and also, to the rest of Aurellia should they be watching.
It always caused a huge stir with the humanitarian rights activists and government bodies. Typically they would try bargaining, launching appeals and sometimes empty threats. It was all posturing for the sake of a progressive image. But the laws in Solvus hadn't changed in over four centuries, and famously - it was the one territory on the planet that remained self-governing. This was because of gold and oil deposits that made the city obscenely rich. Wealthy enough to afford an unparalleled militia ever-stationed at the desert borders and ready to fight off the heretics of the outer world should they try to unite the globe under one rule absolutely.
Sinan Jaakuma was among those witnessing close to the temple's sandstone steps. He was handsome with Arabic features, quaffed brown hair and the slight growth of facial hair on the chin and above the lips of his teenaged face. Beside him his mother wore a hijab and a serious expression, on his other side his father wore a turban and a neutral gaze. Mr Jaakuma wasn't royalty, nor was he a high-ranking military official or priest of the church. But he had been an important businessman before his only child Sinan was chosen by Supernova Venus Ia Saint Mother. Sinan had already been the heir to one of the most profitable oil conglomerates, trading their natural resources with the rest of the world. Now he was a chosen hero too, elevating his family's status even higher in society.
Mr Jaakuma was a reedy man in an expensive white suit, with hollow cheeks and a small beard. He ignored his son's eagerness. Mrs Jaakuma, a beautiful woman with shadowy under-eyes, wore beautiful robes of pale burgundy, plum and vermilion. Tiny jewels were encrusted on the fine material and sparkled like sequins. She frowned disapprovingly at her son's gawking.
"People of our great city! We Solvusites are called by our righteous God to once more purge evil from our community!" The head priest stretched his arms wide over the sea of hijabs and head-scarves. Many cheered and raised their fists. "Before you today I have four sinners. They have been found guilty by the court, and as such will die for their crimes! Adultery, theft, protest and heresy!"
Raucous cheering filled the air. Sinan raised his fist and jeered as well. His mother rested a hand on his shoulder, Sinan's dark eyes continued to burn with eagerness.
"While their mortal fates have been decided, as is customary we allow each guilty person to publicly renounce their sins so that the almighty Solvus may spare their souls after death!"
The priest stepped away from the microphone so the armed guards could escort the criminals one at a time. The adulterer woman stepped up to speak, clearly terrified with her gaze low.
"...I-I repent from my evil w-ways. I ask that the a-almighty Solvus, the one true God, f-forgive me and my f-family of my sins. I willingly accept the j-judgment of the court and only ask that m-my family not be ostracized but left in peace."
The priest walked to her and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Since you have publicly admitted your guilt, we will accept your request." Then he waved and she was escorted to the nooses. "Next, the petty thief."
The fellow was much less articulate, but mumbled into the microphone the same basic request: "The sin is mine… Solvus pardon my family… city pardon my family… I accept the court's judgment."
The priest waved him off too. "Next, the protester."
Another young woman stepped onto the podium, and although frightened she stared defiantly at the witnesses gathered before her.
"I protested against our church-state, for the rights of women to be allowed higher education after high school, and to be allowed to walk in public without a man's escort, and to stay unmarried and work any job she wants to." At her words the crowd quietened, waiting. "And for these crimes… I am not sorry!" The guards grabbed her from behind and she shrieked, squirming and kicking as they pulled her away.
The priest stepped to the microphone "Since you will not renounce from your sinful ways, your manner of execution shall be traditional, by way of stoning!" Behind him she was pulled within a circle of men who took rocks from sacks, hurling them at her from all sides in a sickening display. The crowd roared and faint thuds were heard as she lay crumpled, bleeding and dying for the world to see.
Once the bloodlust subsided everyone stared at the remaining convict. A middle-aged man who waltzed up the podium steps. He was magnetizing, because unlike the others he had no fear. He seemed completely at peace.
"My sin is heresy." He looked out at all the people, his eyes holding something akin to compassion. "Instead of following the teachings of Solvus, I abide by the spiritual movement of the heretic known as Hillary. I believed that universal love and unending compassion was the only truth of this world. I accept the court's judgment… and my only request is that all who are involved in this now, in these unfortunate times, be forgiven and find in themselves the peace I found." He nodded his head with humility.
Sinan was glaring along with many others, then he blinked in surprise. He could've sworn he saw a strange white glow around the fellow. But that was impossible. And nobody else looked like they saw it.
"We will allow you a quick death, because you have prayed for all of us." The priest said. "But let it be known that only Solvus grants eternal life."
"Praise Solvus!" A thousand voices chanted in unison.
The man was escorted on both sides to the remaining prisoners. They were led up a wooden stage, nooses tightened around their necks. And then with a final "may God have mercy on your souls" a lever was pulled and they dropped, necks snapped and they squirmed for a second or two, all to thunderous applause.
When it was over the Jaakuma family left for home, which was a guarded skyscraper in the heart of the city. The tall buildings were like glimmering towers of crystal, reflecting the sun's orange light beyond the city to its desert horizons.
"I suspect political tensions will be even higher after what that protester said." Mr Jaakuma discussed in the limousine. He was a refined and articulate speaker.
"After the events this past year the Aurellian government has been trying harder than ever to push negotiations with us." His wife added. "And they want…" She exchanged a look with her husband.
Sinan wasn't listening, gazing out the tinted windows in contemplation.
After returning to their luxurious building they took the elevator up to one of the higher levels. His parents went to their quarters and Sinan was left to wander through the hugely-spaced rooms. There was a private theatre, indoor pool and personal library. He strolled barefoot and careless, sighing as he undid some buttons on his tailored white clothes.
"Did you enjoy the show?" The intruder asked.
"You!" Sinan stopped with a glare. The lights brightened when he walked in the room, but somehow she hadn't triggered them. In her hand was one of their shiny apples from a kitchen fruit bowl. She tossed it up and caught it a few times. Then she took a crisp bite. Sinan growled "How do you keep getting in here?"
"I have my ways…" She spoke through a mouthful of apple. Then she swallowed and tossed it carelessly behind her.
"Amira Hashiru…" The boy remarked with disgust. She was dressed differently, in the strange clothing of outsiders. Black combat boots, a black skirt and faux-leather jacket. Her light-brown hair tied back and giving her bangs. Winged black eyeliner on her face and newfound confidence in her ice-coloured eyes.
Sinan crossed his arms "That show is how we purify our city of sin."
"You know, I was on the run for a while before I joined the Gatekeepers. I got to see different towns and meet lots of people. So I get that your worldview may be narrow-"
"And why would I need to expand my horizons when everything out there is godless?" Sinan demanded.
"Okay... look at this." She rummaged through her pocket and pulled out a card.
"That's…"
"Supernova Mars Disaster." Amira answered while holding the fire phoenix. She slipped it back into her pocket. "I was there on the island when Urobach pulled his last stunt. I saw Heidi throw this away, so I took it. Urobach let me keep Pluto because I convinced him it might help me find the other chosens, but if he knew I had Mars he'd want it destroyed right away."
"So you haven't told him?"
"I'm not loyal to them, or the phoenixes. I'm just trying to survive what's going to happen."
Sinan smirked, "you're afraid."
"They're unbeatable enemies who are going to destroy the world, one way or another. This is the third time I've come to you with this offer-"
"And again the answer is 'no'. My God grants victory and His will protects our holy city."
"Your god isn't real!" Amira shouted.
"How dare you!" Sinan fired back.
Amira sighed "Don't say I didn't try to help you… But since you refuse to join us, I'll have to make you. Or take Venus Ia Saint from your cold, dead body. It's one way or the other." She held out a deck and instead of purple energy from the darkness civilization, a void blackness smoked from her hand.
Sinan growled and took his deck out as well.
Suddenly Amira burnt up in black fire, in the space of a second. Then Sinan could feel her behind him. The world turned dark and cold, then they were spat out on the roof of the building. It was gravel with luxurious plant enclosures and a sapphire swimming pool.
Tables appeared and their shields projected. Though spooked by her powers, Sinan quickly resumed his glaring. A full-body yellow glow engulfed him like the sun - the light civilization spilling out in a radiant aura. Amira's body flickered completely with the blackness of Outer Path darkness.
"Pluto might not respond to my summons anymore, but I don't need a chosen phoenix while I have this…" Amira raised her arm and there was an ominous howl, a swirling vortex of wind behind her.
Sinan narrowed his eyes. Though his connection to Venus was weak, in his mind he could see the phoenix's beak opening in a silent bird-cry. Both could feel a power that was truly ominous.
"What is that presence behind you?"
"Does it scare you? I duel with Zeron. The dragon of the abyss. Ultimate ruler of nothingness and the end. Heard of him?"
"N-no…"
"Well after this you'll never forget. You start with an extra card in your hand. And as an act of courtesy I'll let you go first." She was awfully confident in her new powers and cards.
Sinan sneered, charging light-water "Turn end."
Amira drew "Given up playing mono-civilization? And I see that's also a card from the 'future' sets."
"They came from the nature chosen in the islands." Sinan grinned. "But money and prestige goes a long way."
"Power goes even further." She charged darkness and ended.
"Religion goes further still!" Sinan slapped down more multi-coloured mana.
He'd clearly displayed himself as pompous in their previous talks. Amira could tell by how determined he was to always have the last word.
"I charge water mana. You're not the only one dipping into other civilizations." Amira smiled.
"Just play your turn, you cow." He responded with casual viciousness.
"...I summon Dugenda Gig!" A darkness-water creature with chains and spiky maces entered play on 2000. "I draw two then discard two." She tossed Team Tech's Wave Go and another copy of Dugenda Gig.
"I summon Mixel, Strange Stone!" Sinan yelled. The creature side of a light twinpact emerged, a flyer with a drill on its face pointed at her. "Whenever you put a creature in play that costs more than the mana you have, it goes to the bottom of your deck!"
"Hmph. I summon a second Dugenda Gig." This time Amira tossed another Team Tech's Wave Go and Gyasuka the Malicious Madman. "Turn end."
"I cast Rainbow Spark!" The spell shone yellow and blue. "I tap both your creatures then Mana Arms 2! Since I have two multi-coloured cards in my mana I draw two!"
Amira's creatures untapped when the turn was hers again "I cast Cyber Brain to draw three."
"I summon La Jeanne, White Knight Spirit Knight and Effex, Mecha Monk!" Sinan declared. The first was a meditating gold idol and the second was a walking cyborg. All three of his creatures were weaklings. "I end my turn…"
He was either waiting for more numbers, or something else.
Amira charged more water, her mana zone full of copies of Ragnarok the Clock and Spiner Shock Doctor. "I summon a third Dugenda Gig." This time she smiled after disposing The Lost, Dark Armor along with her Streaming Shaper. "Now I summon Lapis Lazuli, False Millionaire!" A purple demon adorned with jewels appeared with 6000 power. "When he's summoned I must discard my hand…" She let go of another three cards "and now that I have over eight cards in my graveyard I fulfil Zeron's Ceremony of Graveyard!"
"What's that!?" Sinan exclaimed as a curtain of darkness stretched from the top-right side of her portal, growing teeth and glowing eyes.
"One of the four conditions that must be met to unleash my unstoppable monster. Also, since that particular ceremony was completed I can give -3000 power to a creature so I choose Mixel!" Tendrils of darkness weaved across their duel space and prized the flyer apart. Sinan clenched his fists and grit his teeth.
Amira gave a sharp laugh "That takes care of that pesky ability. But your problems are just starting, cause now that a player is ending their turn with no cards in their hand the Ceremony of Hands gets completed too. Allowing me to Gacharange summon." Darkness spread from the top-left of the portal as well.
"Gacharange summon? What's that?" Sinan demanded.
"You don't know? It's another zone like hyperspace, only specific cards can go there and you can never be sure what you'll end up summoning. So let's see…" She flipped a card over. A gadget on 2000 spawned with watery eyes around it. "CL-20, Supply. When it leaves the battle zone I draw a card."
Sinan angrily drew and charged his sixth mana. "I'm unimpressed with your so-called unstoppable monster! Because now it must contend with my legendary phoenix! I summon La Ura Giga, Sky Guardian!" The basic TCG blocker swerved into play as a gold jet. "Next, thanks to La Jeanne my light evolutions cost one less to summon! My phoenix evolves from Guardians, Great Mecha Kings and Arc Seraphims! Are you ready to face one of the phoenixes you betrayed?"
Amira glared, "Bring it on."
"La Ura Giga, La Jeanne and Effex evolve into Supernova Venus Ia Saint Mother! Galaxy Vortex Evolution!" He burned bright like the sun, the energy shot up into a brilliant pillar. There was a high-pitched ringing that made everything vibrate and Amira had to cover her ears. She braced, grunting in pain and forced to lower her gaze. Once the blinding light dimmed and the tremors subsided, their duel was shrouded in pale-yellow with stars glittering as they drifted about. Amira could feel bliss, harmony but also… divine wrath.
She met the bird's furious gaze. It was gold with at least ten spectrum wings. It held spinning spheres of red, yellow and blue. It had 12,500 power. Venus's cry was like the sweetest melody… that ended in a screech of fury.
Sinan pointed with a shout "Triple break her shields, now!"
The bird brightened again and Amira cursed as she had to hide her gaze. Then with a sweep of its wings a blizzard of gold burst through her middle panels.
Sinan puffed himself "That's right! Sinners like you can't bare to be exposed! You can't stand to face the light!"
"No, but it is giving me a headache, about as much as your brainwashed commentary."
"Heretic scum!"
"Shield trigger, Spiner Shock Doctor gives -9000 to Venus for the turn." The dark physician zapped his electric prongs together.
"I end my turn, so that accomplishes nothing."
"Allowing me to use The Lost, Dark Armor's effect. If it's in my graveyard, before I start my turn I can destroy a shield to summon it." Amira's fourth panel disintegrated, unfortunately it was a Team Tech's Wave Go, but sacrifices had to be made - she was so close. "The Ceremony of Resurrection is fulfilled! I mill two cards." A purple coffin rose up from the bottom-left of the portal, shadows leaking upward.
Amira stared forward.
Sinan grinned "Go ahead and attack, even if you take out most of my shields, my triggers are sure to stop you."
Slowly Amira smiled "CL-20, attack… Venus Ia Saint!"
"Huh?" Sinan exclaimed as her monster flew. It was tiny compared to the phoenix. Venus swept her wings and the creature was consumed by the sparkling dust before it got close.
Amira drew from its effect "Dugenda Gig attack Venus!" It sailed forth and was similarly destroyed. "Second Dugenda Gig, you too!"
"Why are you sacrificing your creatures!?" Sinan demanded as her third attack failed.
"To complete the final ceremony…" Amira grinned wickedly from within the pulsing blackness. "The Ceremony of Destruction! With it I return Team Tech's Wave Go to my hand and now Zeron is born!"
A purple coffin raised up opposite the first, then both unlocked and the above darkness swirled chaotically.
Zeron was bigger than all the phoenixes combined. Its body was wide, the edges fading out invisibly like it was one with oblivion. The sheer blackness suctioned Venus's light from the field, like a black hole. Zeron was bone-white, with teeth and spikes all over, dotted with a multitude of red eyes. It gave a hissing sneer, like the whispering of a primordial deity of nightmares.
"Zeron has zero power," Amira explained. "And so long as it does, it wins all battles and can never leave the battle zone. When it's birthed all your creatures have zero power."
"I activate Venus's meteorburn! Every time it would be destroyed I can discard one of its evo baits to stay in the battle zone! I choose Effex, when it's destroyed while being under an evo creature I get an extra draw." Sinan did so and looked up to see Venus's light fading. His chosen phoenix was sagging, her melodious cry growing heavy. "What…?" Then La Ura Giga and La Jeanne were also ejected before Venus dissolved into gold dust and was gone.
"Venus's power stays at zero for the whole turn, meaning it gets continuously destroyed, using all three meteorburns and inevitably succumbing." Amira grinned maliciously and raised her finger "Zeron, world break!"
A horrific screech. It wasn't normal darkness, streaking across the zone. It seemed to swallow up the space as it went, like anti-matter. All of Sinan's shields crunched inwards at once and he was thrown back across the gravel.
"Do you see it now?" Amira asked manically while he clutched his side and grimaced. "I'm so much more than a chosen duelist. Aurellia is just one doomed timeline among many, what I've become is so much greater than even that!"
"Shield triggers!" Sinan roared. "I play two Dragon's Signs! First I summon Holyend, Destiny Dragon Armored! Your creatures all tap and I draw a card!" The crystal-blue dragon lowered its gold long-sword, forcing Lapis Lazuli, Spiner and Dugenda Gig to take a knee. "Then I summon Kirazeus Savark and send Lapis onto your shield!" His gold and purple dragon caused the selected creature to blow back, becoming a gold hieroglyph on Amira's lone shield.
Amira couldn't help emitting a low growl of frustration.
Sinan got up on shaky legs and drew, charging his seventh mana "I summon Heaven's Rosia, True Dragon Edge and bring out Reddull, Dragon Soul Castle to make it a speed attacker! I attack and revolution change! Swapping Heaven's Rosia with another dragon in my hand: Miradante Super Future, Future Pope!"
A cybernetic pegasus appeared in a blaze of glory with 12,500 power. "I have other trump cards now too! Miradante's final revolution lets me draw a card and play a spell that costs under seven for free! I choose Jamming Chaff." The spell-side of Mixel's twinpact. The card blazed yellow as he held it out. "Now you can't use spells until the end of the turn, attack!" It charged, the gold lance on its head firing yellow into her final shield. Amira blinked as Lapis and another card went to her hand.
Sinan punched his other arm "Kirazeus todomeda!"
"Ninja Strike! Falconer, Lightfang Ninja blocks the attack!" The gold ship appeared and broke apart against the would-be fatal hit.
"Holyend, finish her! Todomeda!" The dragon raised its huge blade at the command, bringing it down on the shocked girl.
BOOM.
The mighty Zeron faded, returning to the abyss. The various other creatures left after it and Sinan felt relief like a weight off his chest. He couldn't see Amira's body, only a gouge and scorch mark where she'd been standing. Was she completely obliterated then? It was close… a very close game.
"Nicely done." Amira said from behind, scaring Sinan and making him jump around.
"You're alive?"
"I can be anywhere in the world with just a thought. No creature attack can hope to touch me." Her arms were crossed, but when she opened her eyes they darkened. "I didn't expect you to stand much of a chance against me, let alone win. But this changes nothing. I'll be back to take Venus from you again. You can either side with me and live, or die with your pointless philosophies and this doomed planet."
Before he could say anything she was consumed by black fire in the space of an eye-blink then gone.
Once the bronze flying saucer nicknamed the Carmen's Comet had raced around the globe for enough time to ensure it wasn't being tracked, it returned to its secure location.
A lakeside chateau amidst private hilly grasslands. It belonged to Aurellia's most eligible bachelor and young billionaire. Heidi knew of him. A handsome redhead her age who had a large social media following due to showcasing his wealth. Every now and again he'd make it into the news, whether it was from some ridiculous scandal, bizarre charitable project or other surprising event. He tended to keep everybody guessing. He was someone who travelled a lot and did extreme sports: skiing, mountain climbing, parasailing. Also he shared photos of wild mansion parties, or posing with endangered species. Just another cause he'd be super passionate about for a month before forgetting and moving on to the next new thing.
His name was Jayden. He wasn't an uppity snob, something about him was down-to-Earth in a crazy way. She actually felt intrigued to meet him in person.
After taking up residence with him they spent a couple weeks licking wounds and recuperating while a new plan of action was discussed. With Amira still missing it seemed that logically, Sinan would be the next chosen for them to focus on. While Heidi had never met the guy, Engyo revealed that he had a few minutes of camera footage from his office. It was the infamous first meeting the four chosens had.
The eight residents of Jayden's chateau gathered in a conference room to watch the tape.
The video started and they peered at a room occupied by the chosens with Engyo by his desk. Firstly Heidi was drawn to Amira who stood nervous and quiet by the curtains. She felt a swell of emotion after recalling their time in the coal province, which ultimately ended in Amira abandoning her. She left a message, just a single scribbled word on a piece of rubbish.
Sorry.
In the recording they all looked a little younger, and it wasn't just because it happened a year ago. They'd not yet been through the experiences that had since aged their souls.
"Thank you for agreeing to gather here, chosens." The Engyo in the video also looked healthier and clean-shaven. "We are still waiting for the last phoenix, Supernova Mars Disaster to choose the fire chosen. Once the five of you are united your phoenixes will synchronise and you'll awaken new powers. Until then, let's discuss the situation as we understand it, including the reason why you've been chosen in the first place."
The purplish marks under Amira's eyes were noticeable, but not as severe as they'd been when Heidi met her. The clothes she wore, like that black hooded jumper were faded but had no holes or stitch marks yet. Was Amira romantically involved with the lieutenant Magris at that point? Were they secretly together or had they already broken up? Amira's honey-brown hair went past her chin and was unstyled. She barely spoke, and when she did it was quietly.
Next Heidi studied Kanoa, who in the recording looked quietly stern and scrutinising. Heidi compared it to the Kanoa sitting beside her now and could see the sadness on his face. Perhaps he was regretting doing what his tribe told him to do back then, and wishing he'd taken Jupiter and stayed at the academy.
Then Heidi spotted the chosen water duelist, who she'd seen photos of but never a video. They didn't speak much here, or command much of a presence. Instead they easily blended into the background, seeming plain and normal. Surely it was what the water chosen wanted, as someone who did most of their work from the shadows.
"Get on with it." Sinan snapped in the video, putting hands on his hips. "If we're being pulled across the world you can cut the flowery speech and just talk."
In the video Sinan commanded plenty of presence. He stood defiant, dressed in tailored white clothes and with his quaffed brown hair. He wore gold: rings, cufflinks and a chain necklace. Even if his tanned face was technically handsome, his expression was very ugly and his speaking tone was bratty. It was the first words out of his mouth and Heidi was shocked that he was so utterly unlikeable.
Heidi figured she'd have to watch Sinan carefully to deduce things about him, but there was no need. He was simply a pain to deal with. Unwaveringly awful throughout the whole recording - obnoxious, ignorant and entitled.
When the video ended Jayden pressed the remote for the lights.
"I actually forgot most of that conversation." Kanoa admitted.
"That Sinan guy… that was the first time you four met each other." Heidi said, her anger growing. "He made that whole meeting terrible. And afterwards, Amira ran away and Kanoa went back to his tribe. It was his fault!"
"There were many factors, Heidi." Kanoa said.
"Besides Narciel was secretly working for Urobach, right underneath my nose." Engyo pointed out.
Jayden drummed his fingers on the table. Heidi was glaring at the frozen Sinan on the screen.
"So, thoughts on how to get the chosen light duelist to comply?" Tsukumo asked the room. "Solvus is a highly fortified city, but as things are going that won't ensure the survival of Sinan or Venus. We know the power Urobach has."
Heidi's gaze remained fixed "...we don't convince Sinan. We kidnap him."
The room went quiet and Heidi realised they were waiting for her to say more.
"We don't have time to 'play nice' anymore. Venus chose this guy for a reason, that's true. But the way things are, with people dying in the thousands every time Urobach sets off a bomb or natural disaster, we need to unite the chosens now. So I say we take Sinan by force, and if he won't agree to cooperate hopefully we can convince Venus to change her mind about him."
After another pause Engyo was the first to respond.
"I concur. Then our next order of business should be the capture of Sinan Jaakuma."
The room abounded with silent agreement.
『AN: Here it is! A new arc! Story's not over yet. Thanks to the wonderfully long reviews from Acuma! Shuriken has also been reviewing though is still far back in darkness arc. So now we are finally up-to-date in Duel Masters. I say that because while Heidi and Kanoa's decks last arc were OCG, they were by no means meta decks and wouldn't have survived in a truly competitive situation. Mono-civilization decks are actually quite limited, but here they have proper and cool multi-civ decks. So about me, I've started my third year of university so updates may be irregular ~』
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