My hand moved over my duel disk, drawing my next card.
The Shadows responded by surging the field with dark miasmic energy as if changing the cards they held.
I got a feeling this duel is going to take much longer than I thought it would...
But I can't back down!
Not now!
"Alright! Elemental Hero Sparkman, attack the Shadows directly with Sparking Electric Beam!"
Sparkman held his hands close and generated energy before he began to launch the power.
Just as he was about to spring into action, a card flipped up on the Shadows' side.
With a wordless announcement, a monster appeared from the trap card, something I recognized before.
"That's... Metal Reflect Slime!" Jaden recalled. "It's going to be a little tricky to get rid of that card!"
I shook my head.
"Don't worry! I can use my ninja to take it out! Sparkman, belay your attack! Ninja Grandmaster Sasuke! Use your effect and get rid of Metal Reflect Slime!"
But before my ninja could begin to get into striking distance, a beam of energy from above struck him in place.
We turned our attention to another trap that had been activated, which was revealed to be...
"Divine Wrath?! Damn it!" I hissed as my ninja's effect was negated and destroyed.
But that wasn't enough as out from the Shadows, another card flew out, landing on the field.
Van'Dalgyon The Dark Dragon Lord(2800/2500).
My eyes narrowed as I watched as Van'Dalgyon emerged from the Shadows' side of the field.
This monstrous entity was a grotesque fusion of man and beast draped in deep purples and blacks.
Its hulking form seemed to eclipse the rest of the field, a silent testament to its inherent power.
Two crimson eyes, glowing with a light that seemed to emanate from the very depths of the abyss, bored into mine.
Despite its monstrous countenance, there was an intelligence there that was impossible to ignore.
The creature's face was a mask of cruelty, lips drawn back to reveal razor-sharp fangs.
It wore a cloak of shadowy energy, coalescing and swirling around its form like a tempest.
Van'Dalgyon's wings were encrusted with blue gems, glowing ominously under the artificial light of the duel field.
With each movement, the creature's armor clanked and hissed as though it was a living entity thirsty for battle.
Suddenly, I could feel the temperature in the room drop sharply as the Dragon let out a harsh roar, shaking the battlefield.
A chill ran down my spine as I realized the magnitude of the power that this creature possessed.
The air grew heavy with a force that seemed to press down on us, making it hard to breathe.
Jaden, standing beside me, seemed to sense it too, his confident expression giving way to one of wariness.
As Vandalgyon moved, its form distorted the space around it, causing the ground to ripple like water.
It was as if the creature was so powerful that it was bending the very fabric of reality around it.
Every gesture it made was deliberate and filled with malice, a predator savoring the moment before the kill.
Suddenly, there was a flash, and another card appeared on the field, Skull Archfiend of Lightning.
Van'Dalgyon had used its ability to bring back the fallen Archfiend, further solidifying the shadows' position.
The silent threat of this formidable duo bore down on us, their presence an oppressive weight in the room.
The Shadows seemed to rejoice in their play, their mocking, low laughter echoing in the confined space.
The shadows didn't waste any time and quickly asserted their dominance over the game, surging the field with their energy.
The energy allowed them to replace the current field spell, the eerie glow of the card's aura illuminating their figures.
The landscape of the duel field began to morph and distort, taking on a haunting, ethereal appearance.
Gone was the once familiar landscape of Pandemonium. Instead, the field now reflected the dark, ominous aura of the shadows.
"This isn't Pandemonium..." Jaden muttered, his eyes scanning the changed field. "I've never seen anything like this..."
"The shadows...they're warping the field to their liking..." I murmured, feeling a cold chill creep up my spine. "Ugh... Not good...!"
As the new field spell fully materialized, a wave of energy swept over us.
It was like being submerged in ice-cold water, a numbing chill seeping into our very bones.
I could feel my energy being sapped away, my strength gradually leaving my body.
My legs felt like they were made of lead, and even standing upright was becoming a struggle.
"Gah!" I kneeled as I felt the effects of the field spell.
I think...
I think I'm going to pass out...!
"Sora! Come on! Snap out of it!"
Beside me, I saw Jaden wince; his usually bright eyes looked clouded, fatigue visible on his face.
The energy drain was affecting him as well.
He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, a look of determination etched on his face.
I could tell he was fighting hard against the energy drain, his soul refusing to back down.
"We can do it, Sora!" He reassured, his eyes sparkling with courage.
As the field continued to change, I could feel a surge of power radiating from the shadows' side of the field.
Their monsters, already formidable, seemed to grow even stronger.
Dark Ruler Vandalgyon and Skull Archfiend of Lightning now towered over our monsters, their powers amplified by the new field spell.
The atmosphere was heavy with the shadows' malevolent energy, pressing down on us like a physical weight.
It felt like we were fighting against the tide, our efforts growing increasingly futile as the shadows continued to dominate the field.
Yet, in spite of the odds stacked against us, we were not going to back down.
This duel was far from over, and we were going to fight until the very end. "We can do this, Jaden," I said, mustering as much confidence as I could. "You're right! We just need to stick together."
Jaden nodded a fiery determination sparking in his eyes. "Yeah, let's show them what we've got!"
I carefully studied my hand, considering my options.
I glanced at Jaden and then, with a swift movement, set a monster card face-down along with another card.
"I end my turn."
The situation was bleak, but I still held on to hope that we could turn this around.
The Shadows' energy brewed, which meant that they drew, their composure confident and sure.
They played a card face up, a surge of lightning spreading out from it.
Lightning Vortex... a devastating spell card that would destroy all of our face-up monsters at the cost of discarding one card.
As the lightning crackled and spread across our field, all our face-up monsters were swept away, their forms vanishing into thin air.
We raised our arms to shield ourselves from the immense power that was inflicted on the field as our monsters were destroyed.
Undeterred, the Shadows turned their attention towards my set monster, their monsters poised to attack.
Skull Archfiend of Lightning screeched and began to generate lightning, its body a conduit to the attack it was preparing.
"Oh no, you don't!"
Jaden made a move to activate his set card, but I quickly gestured for him to wait, a plan forming in my mind.
"I got a plan."
The Shadows' attack hit, revealing my set monster as Morphing Jar.
A smirk crossed my face as I watched their reaction, which quickly dissipated when I realized there wasn't much going on the other end.
The effect of Morphing Jar forced us to discard our entire hand and draw five new cards, with the jar sucking up all cards, rotating wildly before releasing new cards into our hands.
Jaden looked surprised for a moment before recognition crossed his face.
He turned to me with a wide grin, "Isn't that the card you played in the entrance exams, Sora?"
I couldn't help but grin back, "You know about that, huh? That's right, Jaden. And it's about to give us the opening we need."
My eyes focused on the cards we had received, and my mind started to make more plans to utilize them best.
But as I did, the Shadows quickly retaliated with another attack, now using Van'Dalyon to attack us directly.
They were out for blood, their intention clear: vanquish their opponents by any means necessary.
With the chilling power of Dark Ruler Van'Dalgyon, it was beginning to launch a direct attack at me.
Instead of having the monster attack both of us, the Shadows decided to single me out.
My heart pounded in my chest as the massive form of Van'Dalgyon reared, preparing to strike. The energy crackled around him, so palpable that it seemed to darken the surroundings even more.
At that critical moment, I activated a face-down card.
"Hold it! I activate my trap card! Defense Draw!"
The Trap Card formed a barrier, protecting us from the impending onslaught, allowing me to draw one card as well.
The Shadows' direct attack was rendered impotent, dealing no damage.
They growled a sound that reverberated throughout the space as they set two cards.
Despite their overwhelming power, they had been thwarted.
"Your turn, Jaden!" I said, handing over the control.
Jaden's eyes were gleaming with excitement, a stark contrast to the tension that had hung over us moments ago.
"Alright! Time to turn this duel around!" Jaden declared, drawing his next card.
The shadows recoiled as Jaden's excitement grew, his eyes lighting up as he studied his new hand.
He had a strong bond with his cards, one that resonated throughout the duel.
It was a connection I respected and one that had proved pivotal in his past duels.
"I summon Elemental Hero Stratos (1800/800) in Attack position!" Jaden declared, setting his monster card onto his Duel Disk.
The blue-visored hero emerged, propelled by a jetpack and standing strong despite the oppressive atmosphere of the Shadow Realm.
That card...
Koyo and I used it a lot in our duels when I was a kid...
"I activate Stratos's special effect and add Elemental Hero Avian to my hand!"
Once Jaden had gotten his card, he smiled.
"But that's not all!" He continued, holding up another card. "I activate the Spell Card, Fusion Recovery! That way, I can bring back Polymerization and Elemental Hero Burstinatrix to my hand! And now... I use Polymerization to fuse both Avian and Burstinartix!"
The duel field lit up as the Fusion Monster emerged, the fusion of Avian and Burstinatrix, resulting in a brand-new, powerful beast, something I had before.
"Meet Elemental Hero Flame Wingman (2100/800)!" Jaden announced, a grin spreading across his face as the powerful Fusion Monster roared into existence, igniting the field with its blazing aura. "Next, I activate my own field spell! Skyscraper!"
The reality around us warped and twisted as the Skyscraper card's magic took effect, shifting the ominous, ethereal landscape of the Shadow Realm into a cityscape lined with towering skyscrapers.
It was surreal seeing such familiar structures rise in this otherworldly place.
The Shadows recoiled as the city materialized, their dark tendrils curling away from the luminescent buildings.
But despite this, it didn't help my ever-worsening condition.
I'm about to black out, but I guess the city lights are helping.
"We're in my town now!" Jaden said confidently.
His Elemental Hero Flame Wingman spread his flaming wings, ready to dive into the battle.
"Flame Wingman, give Archfiend your Skydive Scorcher!"
Flame Wingman rocketed towards Skull Archfiend of Lightning, an expression of determination set in his fiery eyes. The powerful blow landed, decimating the Archfiend and causing the Shadows to lose 1000 life points.
(Kazuyuki-Jaden 4000/NULL 1900)
"Flame Wingman's effect activates!" Jaden declared, excitement flickering in his eyes. "You take damage equal to the attack points of the monster Flame Wingman just destroyed!"
But before the full effect could take place, the Shadows responded. A card flipped face up on their side of the field, which was an Energy-Absorbing Monolith.
The card shone brightly as its effect came into play, the Monolith absorbed the potential effect damage from Flame Wingman's effect, and instead of the Shadows losing life points, they gained them.
(Kazuyuki-Jaden 4000/NULL 4400)
The Shadows chuckled darkly as their life points rose, the eerie sound echoing across the skyscraper-lined battlefield.
Jaden frowned, but there was a glint of determination in his eyes.
He was ready for whatever came next, and I knew I had to be, too.
As the shadows' life points continued to rise, the stakes of this duel were becoming higher and higher.
But we were far from being out of the game.
"Argh...! This isn't over yet! Sora, you're up!" Jaden called, to which I drew a card.
Seeing what it was, I felt a spark of hope.
"I activate the Spell Card, Brain Control!" I announced, flipping it over onto my Duel Disk.
Immediately, a red psychic beam of energy shot out from my field, enveloping Dark Ruler Van'Dalgyon in a pulsating glow.
A small smirk appeared on my face as I watched the Shadows react in surprise, their dark creature now under my command.
But I wasn't finished yet.
"Next, I activate Metamorphosis!" I declared, discarding the card from my hand. "Thanks to Metamorphosis and Van'Dalgyon, I can summon an LVL 8 Fusion Monster, conveniently ignoring its summoning conditions!"
When Koyo showed me Metamorphosis, I was confused that it could summon any Fusion Monster depending on its level and ignore the summoning conditions.
For some reason, I thought it couldn't ignore the conditions.
Weird.
The controlled Dark Ruler Van'Dalgyon started to transform, shifting and reshaping into a different form, a form much more familiar to me.
From the swirling cloud of energy emerged a monster that I held dear to my heart from my duels with Koyo: Elemental Hero Terra Firma.
The massive warrior, a beacon of earthy strength and determination, took position on my field, looking as mighty as I remembered.
Jaden seemed shocked at the reveal.
"Whoaaa...! Wait a sec!" he said, squinting at my monster. "You can play Hero cards?! Since when?! How come you never told me?! Aw, man, this is so sweet!"
I chuckled lightly and flashed a quick grin.
"What can I say? I've got a few tricks up my sleeve." Turning my attention back to the field, I looked at Elemental Hero Flame Wingman, Jaden's monster.
An idea came to me.
"Jaden, can I tribute Flame Wingman to increase Terra Firma's power?"
He gave me a nod of approval, and I didn't hesitate.
"You heard em' Terra Firma! Flame Wingman! Lend him your strength using Terra Firma Magma!" I commanded.
As the bond between Flame Wingman and Terra Firma solidified, pulsating energy emitted from the Wingman. His body, previously soaring high in the sky, started descending towards Terra Firma.
Like a comet shooting across the night sky, Flame Wingman crashed into Terra Firma, their energies fusing and intertwining.
A brilliant light filled the battlefield as Terra Firma absorbed Flame Wingman's strength, his power levels surging to an astonishing 4600 attack points.
The intensity in Terra Firma's eyes grew fiercer, his determination and resolve as rock solid as his namesake.
As Terra Firma absorbed the strength of Flame Wingman, I could feel the tide of the duel turning in our favor.
With newfound strength, I commanded, "Terra Firma, attack Metal Reflect Slime with Magma Slash!" Terra Firma's mighty chop smashed into the resilient barrier of Metal Reflect Slime, sending out shockwaves of energy that echoed throughout the Shadow Realm.
Capitalizing on this momentum, I continued my assault. "Now, Elemental Hero Stratos, attack the Shadows directly! Storming Gust Attack!" Stratos launched forward, his wings propelling him into a high-speed assault.
A satisfying jolt of energy signified his attack had landed, causing the Shadows to recoil.
(Kazuyuki-Jaden 4000/NULL 2600)
Just as I was about to revel in the successful attacks, the Shadows activated a Trap Card – Damage Condenser.
Crap!
That card can let them summon a monster when they take damage from an attack.
With a chilling laugh, they summoned Double Coston (1700/1650) in Attack mode onto their side of the field.
As Double Coston materialized, I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding.
It was a versatile monster that could be treated as two tributes for a Dark monster, and with the Shadows' penchant for formidable Dark monsters, it was a definite threat.
"We'll have to be careful, Jaden," I murmured, placing two cards facedown on my Duel Disk. "They are definitely going to summon something really powerful."
The protective barrier of a Jaden's set card would buy us some time to strategize.
With a quick glance toward my partner, I ended my turn, and the fate of the duel once again shifted into the hands of the Shadows.
As the turn came to the Shadows, they pulled a card from their deck; I could feel the tension in the air thicken as they set their sights on Double Coston.
Then, without a second thought, they sacrificed their monster, its figure fading from the field.
What emerged in its place was something that sent shivers down my spine.
"Brain Crusher," I muttered, recognizing the monstrous insect that stood menacingly on their side of the field. It was an imposing beast, its eyes glowing with a sinister light.
Its mandibles clicked menacingly, almost as if anticipating the coming onslaught.
Without missing a beat, the Shadows activated an Equip Spell Card, Twin Swords of Flashing Light - Tryce, its gleaming blades impaling Brain Crusher.
The beast gave a screech, its attack points reducing by 500, but the twin blades allowed it to attack twice.
But the Shadows weren't done. As if the onslaught wasn't enough, they activated another Equip Spell Card. Megamorph.
The spell card's glow suffused the Brain Crusher, and its power amplified twofold to an alarming 3800 attack points. It was a power that rivaled even the strongest of monsters.
The shadows were far from done.
A spell card was activated. Fissure.
The ground beneath Elemental Hero Stratos cracked open, and before I could even react, Stratos was swallowed whole, banished from the field, leaving a vacant space. The loss stung, but the shadows were unrelenting.
The Shadows then directed their enhanced Brain Crusher towards Terra Firma.
Despite the significant increase in power, I felt a pang of apprehension as the beast launched its first attack.
The shadows showed no sign of remorse or respite. With agonizing slowness, Brain Crusher launched itself at Elemental Hero Terra Firma.
The impact was tremendous; our collective life points dwindled down by a staggering 1300 points.
"Ghhhhaaaah!" I let out as I felt my nerves screaming in pain.
The pain was... intense, searing. It wasn't just a simulation. It wasn't just a game anymore.
Each point of damage felt like a physical blow, sending shockwaves of agonizing pain through my system.
My knees buckled under the onslaught.
A sharp gasp escaped my lips as I fought to remain conscious. I was painfully aware of the cold, hard floor beneath me, the darkness seeming to creep in from the edges of my vision.
Through the haze of pain, I heard Jaden's voice.
It was clear and strong, concern evident in his tone. He was asking, questioning why I seemed to be faring worse than him.
Even as the pain ebbed away to a dull throbbing, the question hung in the air, unanswered.
In the Shadow Realm, everything felt magnified, more intense.
The thrill of the duel, the adrenaline of the game, and the pain... oh, the pain. It felt all too real.
But why was it different for me?
How come Jaden's not too affected?
I gritted my teeth, forcing myself back to my feet.
The shadows loomed ominously, waiting for their next opportunity.
(Kazuyuki-Jaden 2700/NULL 2600)
The words hung in the air between Jaden and me, sharp and heavy.
"Sora! You alright, man?!" Jaden's voice was an echo in my ears, distorted and far off.
I gritted my teeth, my grip tightening on the edge of my duel disk as I tried to find some semblance of balance.
A sharp breath hitched in my chest.
The taste of iron and smoke danced on my tongue, a bitter reminder of the Shadows' last assault.
"B-Barely...! Do we have anything to stop the second attack?!" I managed to grind out, my voice shaky with the exertion of it.
A beat of silence, then.
"I... I think we do," Jaden's voice slipped through the chaos.
It was unsteady, laced with the same fear that had taken up residence in my own chest.
"But you're not gonna like the cost."
The words hit like a punch to the gut.
What did he mean by 'cost'?
Did we have to pay with something more than just our cards?
There was a certain desperation in Jaden's tone that left me with a sinking feeling.
But then, our options were dwindling, the Shadows bearing down on us with a vengeance.
I swallowed hard, pushing past the pain and fear that threatened to consume me.
"I don't care about the cost, Jaden," I forced the words out, my voice hoarse. "I'll do it."
I barely registered the act of activating Jaden's set card. "Emergency Provisions," I called out, the words feeling alien on my tongue.
In one swift move, I sent the two set cards on the field to the graveyard, our field now barren save for the new card I'd just activated.
Suddenly, I felt an unexpected surge of energy.
The effect of Emergency Provisions kicked in, bolstering our life points by 2000. It was a mere drop in the ocean, barely enough to withstand the upcoming assault. But it was all we had.
(Kazuyuki-Jaden 4700/NULL 2600)
All the while, Brain Crusher was gearing up, the monster's eyes radiating menacing dark energy.
It was a terrifying sight, the embodiment of our impending doom.
The shadows seemed to curl and twist around it, a visual echo of the dark energy that was about to be unleashed.
I steeled myself, every fiber of my being screaming in protest as I prepared for the next attack.
But as I braced for impact, I couldn't help the grim thought that echoed in my mind - would our desperate maneuver be enough to keep us in this duel?
Would it be enough to protect the ones we cared about?
Every bone in my body was screaming, crying out for mercy from the relentless onslaught of the shadows.
Each breath was a battle, a struggle between determination and despair.
I found myself wrestling with thoughts that had no place in a duel.
The darkness swelled around us, pressing in from all sides, its icy tendrils reaching out, threatening to snuff out the flickering light of hope we were clinging to.
For a brief, terrifying moment, I felt the gravity of the situation bearing down on me.
I wasn't just dueling for glory or prestige anymore.
This was life or death.
A chilling thought that sent shivers down my spine.
Is it really worth it?
I found myself questioning this; I had dedicated my entire life to my studies, sacrificed my social life to support myself, and worked myself to the bone.
And for what?
For this once-in-a-lifetime duel?
With the possibility of that, I just... die?!
But as I stood there, within the chilling embrace of the shadow realm, it seemed ludicrous.
The thrill of the duel, the adrenaline rush of victory – was it worth risking my life over? Especially to this extreme?
Before I could get lost in the whirlpool of thoughts, my eyes snapped open.
Something was off.
The dark energy radiating from Brain Crusher wasn't aimed at me.
What the...?
My heart dropped as my gaze followed the path of that dark energy beam.
It was aimed at someone besides us – at a defenseless, unconscious figure lying a few feet away. Rhodes.
Her body lay sprawled out on the cold, hard ground of the shadow realm, her face drained of any color, her chest rising and falling in shallow, ragged breaths.
She was oblivious to the danger heading her way.
Time seemed to slow, every second stretching into eternity as I watched the dark energy beam inching closer to Rhodes.
A sense of urgency washed over me. I couldn't – wouldn't – let her get hurt.
A newfound determination sparked within me, fueling me with an energy I didn't know I had.
This wasn't just a duel anymore.
This was something that I needed to do.
Every beat of my heart matched the pounding of my feet against the hard ground. The looming danger amplified my senses, making each moment stretch into a lifetime.
Suddenly, a flicker of a memory seeped into my consciousness, like an old film reel slowly spinning into motion.
Hospital. Sterile white walls. The stinging scent of disinfectant. The dull hum of machines.
The memory was vague, a phantom of thought, but it swelled with each heartbeat.
I remembered the white hospital gown, the IV lines trailing from my arms, and the cold sterility of the room.
It was a time of helplessness, of uncontrollable circumstances — a time I never wished to revisit.
It felt like an odd time for such a memory to resurface. But, as I sprinted towards Rhodes, I realized its relevance.
Back then, in that cold hospital room, I was helpless.
My health, my life, was in the hands of others.
I was unable to fight, unable to protect myself.
But it was different now. I was no longer that helpless kid in a hospital bed.
I have the ability to protect others...
Just this once, I can show the world that I am not useless...
This dueling wasn't just about winning or proving my skills anymore; it was about standing up for those who couldn't stand for themselves.
It was about protecting those who mattered.
The hospital, the dueling — it all intertwined, creating a tapestry of my life that led me to this moment.
And now, I had to use all the strength I had, all the resilience I had gathered over the years, to save Rhodes.
The memory of my past spurred me on, adding wings to my feet as I sprinted toward the defenseless Rhodes.
The shadows' attack was imminent, but I was ready.
With a newfound resolve, I threw myself over Rhodes, shielding her from the impending attack.
"Sora...! SORA!" I heard Jaden shout as I watched the dark energy swirl and stream toward me.
As the energy beam approached, time seemed to slow down, and I braced myself for the impact.
I was not that helpless kid anymore; I was a duelist, a protector.
And no matter what, I would keep Rhodes safe.
As I shielded Rhodes from the oncoming attack, the vivid memory of the hospital days consumed me, pulling me back into the past.
I remembered the antiseptic smell of the hospital, the too-clean sheets on my bed, the constant beep of the heart monitor, and the inexorable, monotonous ticking of the wall clock.
Each second was a reminder of the grueling surgery and recovery, each minute a testament to my so-called "resilience."
Most of all, I remembered him, Koyo Hibiki.
Koyo, with his vibrant energy, his unwavering optimism, and his endless kindness.
He was my beacon, a bright, shining light in the oppressive darkness of the hospital I had come to resent.
And he always with a deck of Duel Monsters cards in his hand.
His appearance in my life was as unexpected as the charity event his manager had planned.
Amid the chaos and excitement of the other hospitalized children, Koyo found me.
Sitting alone, not out of choice but out of the cold fear of rejection. A kid from an orphanage, battling illness and loneliness, had little hope against the bullies who thrived on such vulnerabilities.
A kid who saw no point in living for another day.
But Koyo, much like his Elemental Hero monsters, didn't back down.
He had approached me with a gentle smile and an extended hand, offering me an escape from my lonely existence - a deck of Duel Monster cards.
Every day, Koyo would visit me after my treatment sessions, sometimes along with his sister, carrying his deck and a spare with an unwavering smile.
His enthusiasm was virulent, reminding me of a certain Slifer Red I came to know much later.
With him, each game wasn't just about winning or losing.
It was about courage, about friendship, about having fun.
He taught me to laugh, to strategize, to imagine.
Through him, I discovered the world of Duel Monsters and, more importantly, a reason to look forward to another day.
And for once... be happy.
Underneath the hospital's fluorescent lights, we transformed the sterile environment into epic battlegrounds filled with fantastical beasts and mythical creatures.
Koyo's heroes versus my ever-evolving deck.
In those shared moments of competition and camaraderie, I found refuge from my circumstances and a spark to ignite my passion for Duel Monsters.
It was in those shared moments of imagination and strategy that I found solace.
And one of the few moments in the hospital where I was truly happy to see through to the next day.
The memory came to me as clear as daylight amidst the shadow-enshrouded chaos around us.
It was after a particularly challenging duel, both of us exhausted but exhilarated, the thrill of the game still lingering in the air.
Curiosity piqued, I asked Koyo a question that I would never forget.
"Why do you always play Hero monsters?"
Koyo paused for a moment, his fingers idly fiddling with an Elemental Hero Terra Firma card.
The silence stretched as he collected his thoughts, his gaze never leaving the holographic hero etched onto the card.
"That's a tough question... heheh! It's because they inspire me, Sora," he finally said, his voice softer than usual but filled with unmistakable conviction. "They remind me that even in the face of adversity, there's always a hero within us, ready to stand up and fight."
His eyes met mine, a spark of unwavering determination gleaming in them. "These heroes," he gestured to the card in his hand, "They don't falter. They stand tall against the odds. They protect others. They embody bravery and resilience. And isn't that what we should all strive for?"
His words echoed in the quiet room, spreading a warmth that penetrated the usual cold sterility of the hospital.
Those Elemental Heroes Koyo loved weren't just cards to him; they were manifestations of hope, emblems of fortitude, and symbols of protection.
His heroes were his inspirations, fueling his spirit to fight against any adversity he faced.
How could I have forgotten this...?
I threw away these valuable lessons so I could have an easier life.
But life... isn't that simple.
There are always some things that will make you stand for what you truly believe in.
And this...
Now, standing in the eerie gloom of the shadow realm, Koyo's wisdom finally sank in.
His words reverberated in my mind as the monstrous Brain Crusher unleashed its devastating attack. It was as if time slowed, each second heavy with the weight of impending doom but also pulsing with the promise of heroism.
The heroes, the resilience, the protection – it all clicked into place.
I realized dueling wasn't just about showcasing your prowess or flaunting your strategies.
It wasn't just about victories and defeats.
It was a metaphor for life itself, a journey that brought out the hero within us.
The true essence of a duel lay in standing tall, weathering the storm, and fighting for what you believed in.
Just as Koyo's heroes did, it was about shielding the ones you cared about from harm.
Closing my eyes, I braced myself, ready to protect Rhodes, ready to be her hero.
Just like Koyo and his Elemental Heroes, I would stand tall and face adversity.
Because at that moment, I wasn't just a duelist; I was a protector.
With renewed determination, I prepared to intercept the lethal beam, Koyo's teachings giving me the strength to protect her.
Even in the darkness of the shadow realm, the hero within me stood ready to fight.
"There's always a hero within us ready to fight," he had said.
And now, it was time for my inner hero to shine.
This is one of them.
I won't... lose sight of myself!
(Kazuyuki-Jaden 900/NULL 2600)
The looming crisis propelled Jaden into a desperate negotiation with his spirit, Winged Kuriboh.
His heart pounded against his chest.
Each beat echoes his plea to save Sora and Alexis.
"What do you mean we can't do anything for them?! They're my friends! If I don't do something, they will get hurt!"
But the spirit remained resolute in its refusal, a bitter truth gnawing at Jaden's heart.
He was helpless, a mere spectator in a nightmare that threatened to claim his friends' lives.
The dark energy beam hurtled towards Sora, who stood in its path, shielding Alexis from its lethal impact.
The scene unfolded in surreal slow motion, every moment seared into Jaden's memory.
A cry of horror tore through the air, echoing off the desolate walls of the shadow realm.
"SORA!" Jaden screamed, his voice piercing the suffocating silence that had enveloped them.
He could only watch helplessly as his friend, Sora, was swallowed whole by the malevolent beam of dark energy, his body convulsing in the eerie glow of its malicious power.
Then, as quickly as it had come, the beam disappeared, and an oppressive silence descended upon the battlefield.
The dust slowly cleared, revealing the chilling aftermath of the assault.
Jaden's eyes darted to Alexis, finding her unscathed, a wave of relief momentarily washing over him.
But the respite was fleeting as his gaze was drawn back to the heart-wrenching sight of Sora, who helplessly fell to his knees.
Jaden rushed over, his heart pounding against his chest in a desperate rhythm that matched the severity of the situation.
"Sora! Kaz, bro! Stay with me, buddy," he pleaded, catching and cradling his fallen friend. "Come on, man, please!"
With labored breaths, he managed to say one last thing.
"Don't... lose sight of yourself..." He uttered, barely audibly.
With that, Sora's eyes flickered shut, his body going limp in Jaden's arms.
"Kaz...?"
The sight of his friend, so lifeless and vulnerable, stirred something deep within Jaden.
A memory of a similar scene from his past emerged one he thought he had left behind.
It was his childhood friend, the sudden loss of consciousness, the fear of a looming coma.
The parallels were too close, the fear too real.
The dread of history repeating itself overwhelmed him, evoking an unfamiliar but powerful surge of energy within him.
Jaden's latent dark powers broke free, a torrent of raw, untamed power flooding through his veins.
His fury blazed like wildfire, fuelled by the painful sight of his friends' suffering.
He directed his wrath towards the shadows, their flickering forms a stark reminder of the cause of his friend's pain.
"You'll... You'll pay for this!" he roared, his voice thunderous and resonating with newfound determination. "I WILL destroy you!"
His eyes glowed an ominous gold, the dark power swirling within them promising retribution for his friends.
His declaration echoed in the desolate realm, carrying a powerful promise: this duel was far from over.
And the shadows, they had awakened a force they could not possibly fathom, let alone conquer.
He heard Winged Kuriboh coo, worried about his explosive rage, to which he looked up.
Winged Kuriboh looked to be sullen over his outburst, and for a moment, Jaden felt disgusted at himself.
"Don't lose sight of yourself..."
Those words hung in the chilling air of the shadow realm, carrying a weight far greater than their simplicity might suggest. Jaden looked down at Sora, his mind racing. Were those words meant for Sora himself?
A personal reminder amid the pain and darkness?
Or were they meant for Jaden?
As he questioned, Jaden could feel the dark power coursing through his veins, a pulsating, unfamiliar energy that had awakened out of fury and fear.
But it felt... wrong.
This wasn't him.
This wasn't the duelist who enjoyed the game, who dueled with spirit and strategy.
He wasn't one to lose himself in rage and power. He was...more. He was better.
He remembered Sora's words again.
"Don't lose sight of yourself."
Maybe they were for him.
Maybe not.
And if they were, he knew what he had to do.
With a deep breath, Jaden turned his focus inward, grappling with the dark energy inside him.
It was powerful, but it was not him.
With an effort that felt like wrestling with his own shadow, he managed to suppress the power, to turn it off.
His eyes lost their ominous glow, returning to their usual warm, determined spark.
Jaden had heard Sora's words, and he had made a choice.
He would not lose sight of himself.
Not here. Not now.
He would duel the way he knew best, with spirit and strategy.
And he would protect his friends, not out of anger, but out of the courage and determination that defined him.
No matter what, he wouldn't let the shadows change that.
He pulled a card from his duel disk and saw what he had drawn.
The rustling of a drawn card shattered the chilling silence of the Shadow Realm.
"I activate Miracle Fusion," Jaden announced, his voice resonating with a newfound strength.
His gaze fixed on the card in his hand as if drawing the power and courage he needed.
"With this, I fuse my Elemental Hero Flame Wingman and Elemental Hero Sparkman in my graveyard!"
His voice, once trembling with fury, now echoed throughout the realm, reverberating with the strength of his conviction.
"And they will bring out a new Hero. Not a hero born from darkness and anger. But one that embodies my spirit. My resolve. My desire is to protect those I care about. Let's go! Elemental Hero Shining Flare Wingman (2500/2100)!"
A burst of light erupted from the card, washing over the shadow-laden battlefield.
Out of the brilliance, a figure emerged - the Shining Flare Wingman. His size dwarfed everything around him, and a radiant aura enveloped his form.
Powered by the spirit of the Hero cards in the graveyard, his attack points soared to an overwhelming 4000.
"You'll pay for what they've done. That much, I swear." Jaden's declaration was a roar against the encroaching darkness.
His voice, however, was not laced with venom or hate but brimming with a steady, relentless determination.
"But I won't fall into darkness or be driven by blind rage," he continued, his gaze never leaving his newly summoned Hero.
His words, soaked in resolve, filled the eerie silence. "I won't lose sight of who I am!"
Jaden's hand clenched into a fist over his heart, the gesture speaking volumes about his conviction.
"I am a duelist. A friend. A hero. I am not just defined by my cards but by my actions. I choose to stand, not out of anger, but out of my will to protect and defend!"
His monologue echoed, resonating throughout the Shadow Realm.
The ethereal glow of the Shining Flare Wingman mirrored the steadfast spirit in Jaden's heart, casting off the shadows with its brilliant luminescence.
"The real strength of a hero doesn't lie in their power to destroy but in their power to protect. And that's what I'll do, protect my friends, even if it's the last thing I do," Jaden's voice held an unwavering promise, a testament to his indomitable spirit and the hero that lay within his heart.
At this moment, Jaden stood tall, a beacon of hope amidst the shadows.
"Shining Flare Wingman!" Jaden's voice cut through the ominous atmosphere like a beacon, his words echoing with unflinching determination. "Take down Brain Crusher with Shining Solar Flare!"
The words had barely left his lips when Shining Flare Wingman launched into action, his form aglow with an intense radiance that made the shadows shrink back.
With a battle cry that shook the very foundation of the Shadow Realm, he summoned a massive sphere of solar energy, the heat emanating from it intensifying with each passing second.
Then, in a blinding flash of light, Shining Flare Wingman unleashed the Shining Solar Flare. The energy projectile blazed across the battlefield, leaving a trail of shimmering light in its wake.
With the force of a supernova, the Shining Solar Flare struck Brain Crusher, eradicating the giant insect-like monster in a dazzling display of light and heat.
The impact was so fierce that the shockwave rippled outwards, disintegrating the shadow creatures lurking in the surrounding darkness.
They wailed in their demise, dissolving into wisps of black smoke that got swallowed up in the encroaching brightness.
The Shadows were totally and utterly engulfed in a brilliant explosion, its form disintegrating under the relentless assault.
The duel was over. The victor was clear.
(Kazuyuki-Jaden 900/NULL 0)
(Kazuyuki-Jaden Win.)
As Brain Crusher's form disintegrated, its defeat echoed through the realm with a deafening roar, shattering the very foundation of the shadow's hold on the environment.
A dazzling light burst forth from the point of impact, illuminating the sinister realm in its unforgiving radiance.
The all-encompassing darkness that once defined the Shadow Realm began to falter, flickering and writhing under the onslaught of the light.
The reality of the Shadow Realm started to distort, twisting and warping like a nightmarish mirage in the heat of a desert.
The once formidable and oppressive blackness started to fragment, like glass shattering into a million pieces, revealing glimpses of the real world behind its cracked façade.
Each crack was a ray of hope, a symbol of the duel's victory, slowly but surely seeping the vibrancy and color back into this desolate realm.
The silhouettes of the real world started to bleed through, pushing away the nightmarish vision of the Shadow Realm.
Monumental black pillars that soared to the sky began to crumble, their dark matter disintegrating into specks of dust before vanishing into nothingness.
The ground underfoot started to shake, sending tremors through the realm as it collapsed under its own weight.
In the wake of the Shadows' defeat, the very essence of the Shadow Realm seemed to be disintegrating, its grip on reality slipping away.
The darkness that had once felt so tangible was now receding, driven back by the light of the real world seeping in.
And with the fall of the last shadow, a blinding light burst forth, washing over the realm with the promise of the end.
The Shadow Realm, once an ominous embodiment of darkness and despair, began to dissolve, breaking apart like a shattered mirror, its existence fading into oblivion.
And as the light consumed the last vestiges of darkness, reality shifted, heralding their return to the world they knew.
The ordeal was over; they were home at last.
As the light subsided and their surroundings took shape, Jaden found himself back in familiar surroundings - the grounds of the abandoned dorms.
He was greeted by the relieved and jubilant faces of his friends - Syrus, Chumley, and Mindy.
"Syrus! Chumley! Mindy!" Jaden called out, clutching the unconscious Sora closer to him.
"Jaden!" Syrus exclaimed, rushing over with wide eyes. "You made it back! We were so worried!"
"Dude, you won't believe what happened while you were gone," Chumley said, his voice full of relief, but it was cut off as he caught sight of the limp form in Jaden's arms. "Wha-?"
Mindy was the next to notice, her hand flying to her mouth as she gasped. "Oh my gosh, is he...? What happened to him?!"
"He's alive," Jaden reassured quickly, "But we need to get him help fast."
Just then, a groan caught their attention, and they turned to see Alexis stirring to which Syrus helped her up.
Awakening felt like resurfacing from a deep and disorienting sleep.
Her head pounded with a vicious intensity, each heartbeat like a drum reverberating inside her skull.
Alexis Rhodes blinked her eyes open, squinting against the harsh brightness of the world.
"Where...?" She managed to croak out, her voice dry and rough.
Her surroundings felt simultaneously familiar and foreign, as though she was seeing them through a distorted lens.
She tried to push herself up, her arms trembling with the effort.
"Hey, take it easy," a voice echoed, although Alexis couldn't quite place it. She shook her head in a futile attempt to clear the fog in her mind.
That's when she saw it: a congregation of their group, all with their eyes directed towards something... someone on the ground.
Recognition hit her like a punch in the gut.
"Sora...?" She muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
The jovial, unyielding duelist she had come begrudgingly respect was reduced to a broken, unconscious figure.
His clothes were torn and stained with blood, his normally animated face pale and lifeless.
A cold dread washed over her, replacing her initial confusion.
Sora was injured badly.
The lively boy who'd always wear that warm smile that irritated her, who would enjoy the company of his friends, lay motionless in the dirt.
And she had been oblivious, unconscious while her friend had fought and suffered.
A lump formed in her throat as she tried to swallow down the panic.
Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, a useless gesture of frustration and guilt.
As soon as Alexis started to question what had happened to Sora, an ominous rumble echoed around them.
Suddenly, a violent, swirling vortex materialized in the air, the remnants of the Shadow Realm lashing out in a last-ditch effort to reclaim its escapees.
The world seemed to tilt on its axis, a powerful vacuum sucking at anything and everything nearby.
Alexis and Mindy, closer to the vortex's pull, reacted quickly.
They threw themselves on Sora's prone form, their bodies acting as a human shield against the violent tug of the vortex.
"Ugh...!"
Despite not being nearly as wounded as his fallen comrade, the duel had finally caught up to the young Slifer Red.
"Jaden!" Syrus called out in alarm as Jaden started to stagger, his legs giving out from exhaustion.
Without thinking, Syrus and Chumley threw themselves at Jaden, their combined weight anchoring him against the invisible tug of the vortex.
With a final, ear-splitting roar, the vortex imploded, disappearing as suddenly as it had appeared.
A hush fell over the group, the sudden calm stark against the chaos from a moment before.
Jaden, still panting heavily from exertion, broke the silence. "Sora... Kaz needs help now."
The urgency in Jaden's voice cut through the relief of their return, a stark reminder of the price they had paid for their victory.
As one, the group rose, their shared concern for Sora pushing them forward, their focus singular - to get Sora the help he desperately needed.
As they began their trek back to the dorms, Jaden couldn't help but look down at Sora's unconscious form, the gravity of the duel, and the sacrifices made hitting him all at once.
But he also felt a surge of determination.
They had faced the shadows and emerged victorious.
Now, it was time to help their friend.
He glanced back at his friends; their expressions hardened with resolve.
While his physical body lay motionless in the real world, Sora's subconscious was far from at peace. He found himself in a haze of memories, recollections of another time in his life when his world was confined to the sterile white walls of a hospital room.
(Quick note, I highly recommend playing Kimi no Iru Machi by Junpei Fujita while reading this next part.)
The news rippled through the hospital like a pebble disrupting a still pond: Koyo Hibiki, a pro-league duelist, was coming.
The whisper of his name echoed in the sterile halls, filling the air with an undercurrent of excitement.
The other kids buzzed with anticipation, their conversations filled with theories and speculation, chattering about their favorite cards, their spirits lifted by the prospect of meeting a real-life dueling champion.
But I was different.
As I lay there, nestled within the confines of faded hospital sheets, I found no joy in the news. Instead, all I did was stared blankly at the monotonous white ceiling, my world numbed by the never-ending cycle of treatments and disappointment.
The laughter of my fellow hospitalized peers seemed distant, a melody that I could no longer connect with.
Their happiness felt alien, like a language I had forgotten how to speak.
To me, the concepts of joy and hope were luxuries that I could never hope to afford.
I was too wrapped up in my own suffering, too focused on the battle I was fighting, to share their excitement.
I had always viewed the world through a cynical lens, a shield against further disappointment.
The idea of a duelist visiting us seemed like nothing more than a publicity stunt to me, an orchestrated act of charity designed to paint a rosy picture of our bleak reality.
My world consisted of dreariness and discomfort, filled with echoing acres of pain and the rhythmic beeping of life-support machines.
But I was wrong, though I didn't know it at the time.
My world, grey and monochrome, was about to be filled with color by a man who taught me to believe in the extraordinary.
But back then, as I lay in my hospital bed, numb and disconnected, I was yet to meet the man who would change everything - Koyo Hibiki.
A nurse gently herded us into a large room where Koyo Hibiki was already waiting.
I was reluctant even to go, but the nurse insisted that I do.
If I kept refusing, then I probably wouldn't get any snacks.
And so I did.
He stood tall amidst the muted colors of the hospital, his energy vibrant, his smile infectious.
"Hello, young duelists!" He greeted us all, his voice booming with excitement and warmth.
He introduced himself and began to talk passionately about Duel Monsters, the energy in the room shifting, becoming alive with his enthusiasm.
"Dueling is much more than just a game! It's about showing others how you feel! Showing others what you believe! But most importantly, how to have fun!"
But I found myself tuning him out.
His words blurred into the background noise as I watched my peers light up with joy, their faces alight with wonder and curiosity.
It was then that a pang of venomous envy gripped me.
I watched their smiling faces, their enthusiastic interactions with Koyo, and their unburdened joy, and I couldn't help but feel a burning desire to fit in, to be one of them, to be a child with a normal life.
A life blessed with loving parents, a life where hospital visits and treatments weren't the norm.
Sometimes... I wondered what it would be like if I was never born.
It was a thought that had crept into my mind more than once, a dark whisper that echoed in the recesses of my heart.
And as I watched the happiness I felt I could never have, that thought took hold of me once again.
I remember the feeling of cold isolation that consumed me during those times.
The hospital, a place that was supposed to heal, only seemed to amplify my sense of loneliness.
The sterile smell of disinfectant, the bland hospital food, and the ticking of the clock on the wall each aspect echoed the gloomy reality of my existence.
As an orphan, I always felt the crushing weight of alienation, a feeling that was only magnified in the hospital environment.
There was a sense of camaraderie among the other children; they shared stories of their families and their lives outside the hospital.
Each tale was a harsh reminder of the void in my life, a stark contrast to their love-filled narratives.
Even the nurses and doctors, with their routine care and well-intended compassion, couldn't fill the void of familial warmth.
Their soft smiles and encouraging words felt like a hollow echo, a poor substitute for a mother's hug or a father's comforting hand.
And then, there were the whispering glances, the sympathetic looks that others gave me when they thought I wasn't looking.
The sight of it, the insinuation of their pity, it stung. It reminded me of the painful truth of being an orphan, of being alone.
I was the odd one out, the solitary figure in a world of shared experiences.
The bitterness of isolation seeped into every part of my life, turning me into a recluse.
It was easier to be alone, to keep my distance.
No one could hurt me if I didn't let them in, or so I thought.
I found myself adrift in these dark thoughts when I heard Koyo's voice, pulling me back to reality.
"Hey," he said, his voice cutting through the hum of the others. His gaze, warm and bright, was fixed on me.
I looked up, startled. The world came rushing back to me, the hospital room, the other kids, and Koyo, watching me with curious eyes.
"How come you aren't playing with them?" he asked, tilting his head towards the others.
The question was simple, innocent even.
But to me, it felt like an accusation, a spotlight illuminating my solitude.
I could feel the walls around me rising, my defenses kicking in.
It was a reaction honed by years of being alone, of being an outcast.
"I...I just don't," I mumbled, avoiding his gaze.
I shrugged, hoping that would be enough to deter him.
"But why?" he pressed, undeterred by my reticence.
He was still watching me, still waiting for an answer.
The intensity of his gaze was unsettling, yet there was a kindness there, a genuine interest that was hard to ignore.
"I...I don't fit in," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
I swallowed, forcing myself to meet his gaze.
"Just... just leave me alone, alright?"
I expected him to leave then, to turn back to the other kids and leave me be.
But he didn't.
He just continued to look at me, his eyes full of understanding.
"Well then," he said after a long pause, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "How about you play with me? We don't have to fit in. We can have our own games. Sound cool?" He extended his hand, an invitation for me to step out of my solitude.
I looked at his hand, then back into his eyes.
There was a warmth there, a promise of companionship.
It was an offer I found hard to refuse.
So, I accepted it.
As I accepted Koyo's offer, a sense of anticipation washed over me. It was as if I was shedding my old, jaded self and embracing a sliver of childlike joy again.
His managers were noticeably frustrated. They had anticipated Koyo dazzling the other kids with demonstrations, not engaging in one-on-one duels with an unknown boy.
Koyo was undeterred.
He defended his decision by pointing out that the kids were having fun on their own and didn't need his constant attention.
And so, we had our first duel.
I had never played Duel Monsters before, and it showed.
Koyo quickly outmaneuvered me, his Elemental Hero monsters overpowering my meager defenses.
It wasn't long before my life points hit zero, sealing my defeat.
But strangely, I didn't care.
I was laughing, truly laughing, for the first time in a long while.
I felt a joy that I had long forgotten.
There was a sense of accomplishment, of enjoyment in the shared game.
As the duel ended and Koyo's final attack obliterated my remaining monster, I found myself giggling.
I had lost, but that didn't dampen my spirits.
At that moment, I was just a boy enjoying a game, not a lonely patient in a hospital.
I felt free, unburdened by the weight of my circumstances.
Koyo's smile mirrored my own.
He saw my defeat not as a loss but as a victory. I hadn't won the duel, but I had won something far more important - I had rediscovered my joy, my ability to be a kid again.
Dueling against Koyo became a regular occurrence.
I didn't win a single duel against him for quite some time, but that didn't matter to me.
Each duel brought me more happiness and excitement than the last.
For the first time in a long while, I found myself looking forward to each new day, eager to face Koyo and his Elemental Heroes in our next duel.
I was no longer alone in my fight. I had found a friend, and in doing so, I found myself.
With each passing day, my bond with Koyo deepened.
Our duels continued, each one breathing life back into me, sparking my spirit like a match on dry kindling.
The sterile, white walls of the hospital no longer felt so bleak, so imposing. They were the backdrop to countless battles, each one more exhilarating than the last.
But there were also quieter moments.
Times when the cards were set aside and the competitive spark between us gave way to a more tender companionship.
On those days, Koyo would smuggle me out of the hospital.
He had a special knack for evading the watchful eyes of the nurses, a skill I admired and envied in equal measure.
He would bring me to his family home, a cozy house filled with warmth and laughter.
It was a world away from the stark, clinical hospital environment I was so accustomed to.
I remember meeting Koyo's mother for the first time.
Her welcoming smile, the soft sparkle in her eyes when she saw me – it was a moment I'll never forget.
"Oh, Koyo!" she exclaimed, rushing over to us. "You've finally brought a friend home!" She turned to me, her gaze softening. "And such a handsome young boy at that!"
I remember blushing under her enthusiastic praise, my cheeks heating up in a way they never did during our intense duels.
Koyo would roll his eyes, trying to hide his own embarrassment.
"You don't have to spoil him, Mom," Koyo would grumble, but his mother's joyous laughter drowned out his protests.
Before I even realized it, I was given a hug by the older woman.
I wasn't used to such warmth, such kindness.
But Koyo's mother enveloped me in it like a soft, comforting blanket.
Those moments, those visits, became another lifeline for me.
They reminded me of the life beyond the hospital, a life filled with joy and connection.
Lost in the swirling eddies of my memories, I recalled the day I met Koyo's older sister, Midori Hibiki.
She was a whirlwind of energy, her presence filling their home with an entirely different kind of warmth.
"Koyo! You dumbass! You forgot the groceries for tonight's dinner! Again!" Midori had stormed into the living room, her stern gaze fixating on her younger brother.
Caught off guard, Koyo stammered with a sheepish grin, "Oh, uh, sorry, Midori... I'll get to it after this."
I had watched the exchange with a sense of amused fascination, a small smile playing on my lips.
When Midori's gaze landed on me, I flinched, preparing myself for a similar reprimand.
Instead, her expression softened, a welcoming smile replacing her previous stern countenance.
"And who's this?" she asked, her eyes lighting up with interest.
"K-Kazuyuki Sora," I replied, offering her a small, tentative smile.
"Kazuyuki Sora... That's a cute name!" she exclaimed, her comment leaving me slightly flustered.
Noticing the Duel Monsters cards scattered on the table, she raised an eyebrow. "Are you two in the middle of a duel?"
I nodded, expecting her to move on.
To my surprise, she turned to Koyo with a challenging grin. "Well, how about I kick his ass then?"
"Hey, wait a minute, I was dueling Sora!" Koyo protested, but his sister's dark laughter already drowned out his words.
"Too late! Now put 'em up!"
I watched with wide eyes as Midori effortlessly outmaneuvered her younger brother in the duel.
She was fierce, strategic, and surprisingly adept.
Even with the weak cards I had, she managed to set up a powerful board against Koyo's Heroes.
And she always had an answer to Koyo's defenses.
Koyo stood no chance against her onslaught, and before long, she had claimed victory.
"Awww...! I didn't have the right cards for this! I would have definitely won if you didn't butt in Midori!" He lamented.
His older sister rolled her eyes at this.
"Yeah, yeah. If you say so, now get your lazy ass up and get those groceries!"
The younger Hibiki got up and gave me an apologetic smile.
"Be right back, Kazzy. We can have our rematch once I come back, alright?"
My admiration for the Hibiki family grew that day.
They were passionate, caring, and above all, they were welcoming.
And I, a lonely orphan, felt like I was a part of something bigger, something I could call home.
The days when I, Sora, the once-gloomy boy from the hospital, had found a second family within the Hibiki household.
With my presence, their home was brought to life in ways they never anticipated. Koyo's infectious energy, Midori's quick-witted remarks, and Mrs. Hibiki's gentle care – they all intertwined perfectly, each accentuating the other.
Over time, my bleak and pessimistic self started to fade, replaced by a new Kazuyuki Sora – a boy full of life and energy whose smile could chase away the darkest clouds.
Sure, there were moments of frustration, like the countless times Koyo handed me defeat in our duels.
I remember crying, tears of vexation streaming down my face.
But even those moments of defeat had their silver lining.
Midori, with her charming blend of sarcasm and compassion, would comfort me by giving me a big hug.
Said hugs might have sown the seeds of an innocent crush beginning form.
But regardless, then promptly challenge Koyo to a duel.
She would swiftly defeat him, her proficiency in dueling undisputed, making us all burst into laughter.
And there was Mrs. Hibiki, ever the nurturing spirit, always ready with her tantalizing cooking.
She'd serve up a feast that filled not just our stomachs but our hearts as well.
We'd gather around the table, talking and laughing, sharing stories, and making memories.
Weekend picnics, movie nights, gardening sessions, even the simple act of cleaning the house together – everything we did was imbued with a sense of camaraderie and warmth.
In their midst, I discovered what it meant to be part of a family.
It was in these moments of love and companionship that I found a sense of belonging, something I had craved for so long.
As I drifted in and out of consciousness now, it was these memories that brought a comforting warmth, reminding me of happier times and the family I had found in the Hibikis.
The golden glow of those precious memories began to fade, replaced by the cold, sterile light of a hospital room. The memory of the day when my body betrayed me came rushing back.
I was dueling Koyo, my spirits high, my heart full of the promise of victory. It was the closest I had ever come to beating him, and I could barely contain my excitement.
But then, my heart began to pound erratically in my chest. It was a sensation I'd become all too familiar with – a sharp, agonizing pain that made it difficult to breathe.
An eerie but familiar voice began to whisper to me as I went through the episode, its words a mystery as I continued to endure the pain.
Koyo's face, usually lit up with the thrill of our duel, twisted in worry as he saw my struggle. He tried to reach out tried to offer help, but it was too late.
Before I could even comprehend what was happening, I felt my body give way.
I collapsed onto the cold, hard floor of the hospital room.
I vaguely remember the urgent voices of the doctors, the rushed footsteps, and then the chilling darkness that swallowed me whole.
Even though I was at death's door, I refused to give in to my body's ails.
Instead of fighting out of basic self-preservation, I fought to see the Hibikis again.
And that will was enough for me to persevere.
When I woke up, I found myself in a different room, hooked up to a myriad of machines that beeped and whirred at my slightest movement.
The doctors explained that I had to undergo emergency surgery and had been in a coma for some time.
The once-familiar hospital walls seemed colder and more threatening than ever before.
But, unlike the last time, I wasn't alone.
I knew that when I was ready, the Hibikis would be there, their warmth and love serving as a beacon against the icy sterility of my surroundings.
The harsh sunlight spilling in from the window stirred me from my sleep.
As my eyes flickered open, I was momentarily blinded.
The sting of the light brought the realization that I was no longer trapped in the cold abyss of my memories.
I squinted, allowing my eyes to adjust to the room.
The faint smell of antiseptic filled my nostrils, a harsh reminder of the sterile surroundings I was in.
The stark white walls and the uncomfortable stiffness of the bed confirmed my suspicions; I was in the academy's medical room.
My gaze fell onto my own body, noticing the bandages that were neatly wrapped around me.
I wasn't connected to any machines, a far cry from the time I was hospitalized.
A sense of confusion washed over me.
What had happened?
And then it hit me - a tidal wave of memories.
The duel, the shadows, the energy blast.
A shot of adrenaline rushed through me as I remembered Rhodes.
Shit!
Rhodes!
What happened to her?
Panic began to take hold of me, but then something—or rather, someone—caught my eye.
There, at the side of my bed, their arms folded onto the frame was a figure. They were asleep, the gentle rise and fall of their chest the only movement in the otherwise still room.
"Wait, make those two figures," I murmured to myself as my eyes adjusted, revealing a sight I was not expecting.
On my right was Jaden, his uniform rumpled and that trademark spiked brown hair flopping over his face.
I could make out the soft, rhythmic sounds of his breathing. It was a strangely comforting noise that drowned out the clinical silence of the medical room.
And on my left, I found Rhodes. She was all sprawled out, her long blonde hair scattered over the edge of my bed.
Her face, peaceful in sleep, was a stark contrast to the irritated expression I remembered from our duel.
Both looked tired, with dark circles under their eyes — a clear sign they'd been keeping vigil.
For me.
I blinked, processing the sight before me.
They had stayed.
They had been worried about me.
An unfamiliar warmth spread through me at the realization.
After the chaos and the darkness, seeing their worn-out, peaceful faces felt like... well, like a sight for sore eyes.
I found myself chuckling softly, the sound feeling strange in the quiet room.
"You guys look beat," I whispered, even though I knew they couldn't hear me.
In spite of the pain and the confusion, I felt my heart lighten a bit.
The harsh sunlight that had woken me up didn't seem so harsh anymore. I wasn't alone.
The shadows had been beaten. Jaden and Rhodes were safe.
In fact, we were all safe. Together.
The thought was a soothing balm to the chaos of my mind.
I let myself relax back onto the bed, a small smile creeping onto my face.
Sleep could wait.
I want to enjoy this moment of peace just a little bit longer.
Just me, Jaden, Rhodes, and the comforting silence of the medical room.
I wasn't alone anymore.
For once, it felt good to be awake.
AN: And that's all for this chapter! I hope I met expectations on changing the plot thoroughly from here on out. This chapter may possibly be one of the darker pieces I have written, given the themes of Sora's past.
To lwymoisiralom, I didn't expect mill decks to be used in the modern day! It must be interesting seeing that in action, huh? Thanks for commenting!
Again, if you wish to leave any feedback, concerns, comments, and whatnot, please feel free to write them! I will be happy to reply to you guys!
Alright, in any case. The next chapter will deal with the consequences of the Shadow Game and a further shift in canonicity. I hope to see you all next week!