It was warm. Not the annoying kind of warm that one endured in summer's hottest days, struggling through countless amounts of sweat and feeling like peeling off their own skin in order to feel any kind of chill. No, it was the comfortable kind of warm that one felt in the refuge of their home when outside the weather was growing colder and colder. A warmth similar to the one a small child felt when mother hugged him to her bosom. And yet despite the protection of said warmth, the knowledge that beyond safety everything was getting colder killed the full sense of security. For the feeling of dread still floated above, a sword of Damocles so subtle yet persistent that it had become akin to a ticking time bomb.
Those were the thoughts that disturbed Hajime's mind as he patiently sat at the table in the kitchen and watched his beloved grandmother prepare her famous dumpling soup, making sure not to make it too salty nor too plain, as after every few stirs she would raise the spoon, give a short blow and slurp a bit on the liquid in her careful and meticulous way. Usually he would have paid little attention to such details, maybe he would have been reading a book at the table or browsing his Facebook feed for updates on his colleagues and their fairly trivial lives, occasionally giving short answers to her whenever he was addressed. But this time he was unable to find refuge in literature or the virtual world. The knowledge that his grandmother was so close to imminent danger and that a psychopath had his eyes on both of them kept bothering him and made him hold his guard up even more so than before.
"Hajime, you seem distraught." Tsugumi broke the silence between them, her voice sounding ever so kind and concerned.
"It's nothing," he brushed off her concerns, trying his best to sound like his usual passive self.
"Then you seem… rather focused. Usually you're off in your own little world." And silence followed once more. "You've been this way since you returned from school. Did something happen?"
Hajime raised his head and both pairs of blue eyes locked for a few short moments. He knew that as much as he tried to mask his concerns with the veil of his introverted behavior, in the end his grandmother would have found out the truth. She always did, almost like she had some kind of superpower. And so, having no other choice besides being blunt…
"The killer knows where we live." His answer left Tsugumi petrified. Her heart began to race and her blood pressure was slowly increasing. "I don't know how, but he does. He called me and told me not to contact the police, or else…" His lower lip began shaking along with his voice. "Or else… something bad would happen to you."
Hajime regretfully watched his grandmother rub her temples, trying her best to take it all in. After leaving the soup to simmer, she took a seat at the table.
"I'm sorry, it's because of m-" Hajime could not even finish his thought, for he was silenced by Tsugumi's raised palm.
"No, it's not you," she replied shortly. "It's not you. It's me. Sooner or later, he would've come for me."
"But why you? Why us? Why is all of this happening to us?"
"Demons hold grudges that can last for countless generations. He was our last foe before we decided to go on with our lives. And he probably was the worst of them all. It's one thing to confront an outside evil, but when that evil was always infiltrated in your team, you've begun the battle in a huge disadvantage. And it's all my fault." Tsugumi began rubbing her temples once more, tears forming in her eyes. "I never should've left Subaru. Maybe if I had been more rational, none of this would've happened. That demon would've remained forever dormant inside him. All those deaths, all the horror we've endured, it's all my fault!"
"Grandma…" Hajime reached his hand and gently grabbed her forearm. "Grandma, please." And then their eyes met once more. "You can't change the past, so don't dwell on it."
"No, I can't." She took a breath of relief and relaxed in her chair. "But maybe I can do something to prevent his future murders."
"Yes, you can. Grandma, if there's anything else you haven't told me about Demon Subaru, I'm all ears. If it's truly him out there, your information might be vital."
"Hajime, this is not something I'd wish to remember." Tsugumi then sighed with resignation and continued, "Yet it seems I no longer have a choice. You see, back in my youth when I had betrayed my friends to one of our enemies at the time, my actions had left a great impact on our group. We had broken into factions and general trust was lost. It was hard to rebuild it, and even so I still feared they would've never accepted me again. So, while they were meeting again as friends, I had moved into our mansion and was occasionally paying them visits. Little did I know that said visits were triggering something inside Subaru. I still didn't know how to approach him after what I had done, but unfortunately he, or rather… that demon did."
"What did he do?"
"He crashed one of my high-class parties, forcing me to come outside and see what the ruckus was all about. And that's when I first saw him – he looked the same as the man I had once loved, yet that face betrayed the monster that lurked inside him. I'll admit that I was scared of him from our very first encounter, and he took great advantage from that. There's something about that piercing glare from those hellish eyes coupled with that horrible grin. I forced myself to be brave and managed to defeat him in a duel, awakening the real Subaru. But it was far from over, as I feared. Some weeks passed since then and I was confronted by my friends over what I had done. The fact that they were so willing to forgive me only added salt to my wounds, but in the end, I had accepted their invitation to a party back at their place. On that night I met up with Subaru and we shared some private time where we reconciled our differences… and then we made love."
Hajime's jaw dropped and he muttered, "Really? Then he must be my…"
"This isn't the right time for that," Tsugumi reminded him. "Needless to say, I had thought that I was in heaven once again. Little did I know that it was all an illusion. A clever trap to catch me at my weakest point. Demon Subaru had revealed himself to me after the fact, and from that point onward he had unleashed hell on our city. After trapping us all and isolating us from the outside world, he unleashed an army of creatures to feast upon the citizens. And while my friends were struggling to survive, he had thrown me into a sleep-induced coma for three days in which he personally tortured me with nightmares of my past sins."
"I don't get it, why did he focus so much on you out of all the other chosen duelists?"
"Because I had broken Subaru's heart and that was his deepest desire, to make me suffer as much as I made him. But later I realized that it was more than just that, the demon knew that I was the strongest of our team, which was why he kept focusing so much on me. For a broken spirit can hardly put up a fight. And yet I still tried, even after waking up from my nightmares and seeing that the real world had become as horrific. My last fight against that monster began when he caught me alone on a street and chased me into a dark flat's basement. It was there that I had lost the duel and he took my life in the slowest and most agonizing way possible. Later on, he was defeated and all of his actions since the isolation of our city were undone. I awoke in that basement as if nothing had ever happened, but the memories remained, a dark reminder of our last and possibly worst foe."
"If you can, could you describe me his modus operandi? Did you notice any of his habits?"
"Demon Subaru has a love for setting traps, and he makes sure that they're very complicated to escape from. He also emotionally toys with his victims, dragging out the psychological torture long enough before he reveals himself, knowing what buttons to push in order to make them angrier or more scared. Last but not least, he has a great desire for power which came in the form of him corrupting his opponents' cards into dark versions for his own use, of course before brutally murdering them."
"It's almost as if the Devil himself had possessed Subaru," Hajime remarked grimly. "He seemed like such a nice old man, what you've described here is the polar opposite."
"I'm afraid I have to agree with you," Tsugumi replied as she got up and went to check on the soup, preparing the bowls and spoons. "It was only through a miracle that Subaru managed to defeat that monster on the inside while his rival defeated him on the outside. Then all of his actions were undone once said rival separated All Over The World's pieces."
"All Over The World? What's that?"
"It's a creature formed of five cards. Each of them represented a building that was enchanted by their creator to be a mana resource and represent a main aspect of each civilization. They were as follows: Whitey – a church that stood for justice, Bluenika – a fortress that stood for knowledge, Blacko – a palace that stood for hedonism, Reddull – a castle that stood for passion, and Greene – a ruin that stood for primal nature. When united, they give birth to a creature that has the power over each aspect of our universe. Demon Subaru had spied on their creator and sabotaged the process of awakening All Over The World, killing him and separating the cards. The pieces went to each of the chosen duelists, whom he subsequently hunted down so he could rebuild this great weapon. And had he succeeded, he could've ascended to godhood and remade our universe however he pleased. Now the pieces are once more in the care of us former chosen duelists, and we vowed to each keep one so that nobody would ever attempt rebuilding this weapon again."
Tsugumi returned to the table with the two bowls of soup. A small trail of steam rose from the warm liquid, its smell ever more delightful to Hajime.
"That's all I can tell you," she concluded and sat down. "I hope you've gained some wisdom from what you heard tonight."
"Thanks, grandma. I'll make sure your help won't be in vain," Hajime promised with a nod.
"How about after supper we have another duel? I want to see if you've grown any stronger since last time."
"You got it!"
As he enjoyed his dinner, Hajime took into consideration the possibility of each chosen duelist becoming a target for the killer, especially if it were Demon Subaru. As such, he wanted to warn all of his grandmother's friends, but since he feared for her life, he decided to stay put for the time being.
Later that night, the two of them were once again in front of the two dueling tables from the living room. With their shields set up and their cards drawn, Hajime was more than eager to see if he had grown any better. "I summon Crysta, First Squad," he said and the small floating creature made of pale-yellow crystal appeared next to him.
"I charge mana and end." Tsugumi passed her turn.
"I summon another Crysta and Sky Chain, Red Wrath." A second crystal-like creature appeared alongside a tall red robotic creature bound by chains. "Crysta, break her shield!" The first creature heeded his order and flew right into one of the opposing shields, shattering it into pieces.
Tsugumi calmly took the card into her hand and did her turn. "I cast Aquan Jr.'s Delivery," she said and revealed the top three cards of her deck – Dragon's Sign, Heaven's Rosia, True Dragon Edge and Miracle Star, Time Caster, all of which went to her hand.
"My turn, since I have more shields than you, Sky Chain's Labyrinth allows me to draw an extra card. I summon a third Crysta and White Night, Edge on Yin Yang!" A robotic cyclops made of sharp purple crystals of imposing stature appeared on the field. "White Night's effect grants me another shield and then Labyrinth, my Metallicas win all battles until my next turn! Go, Crysta, break her shield! Then the second Crysta, break another shield!"
"Your excitement is commendable, it shows that you enjoy the duel wholeheartedly," Tsugumi remarked as the floating shield shards united into two cards that went in her hand. "However, it's time to get serious! Let's see if you can withstand the pressure this time – shield trigger, I cast Heaven's Gate! With its effect I bring out Bonsoir, Dragon Elemental Admiral and Miracle Star, Time Caster!" Two angelic dragons arose, one donning white armor and wielding a golden staff, the other with long blonde hair, large golden feathered wings and a white and blue armor resembling a space suit. "Bonsoir's effect, I reveal the top three cards of my deck and add all blockers to my hand." Said cards were Wisdompheus, Dragonic Spirit, Kernel, Blue Stagnation Dragon Elemental and Emeralda, Pitch Dragon Elemental, all of which went to her hand. "Miracle Star's effect, I return spells with different costs from the graveyard to my hand, so I return Aquan Jr.'s Delivery and Heaven's Gate. And now it's my turn. Gravity Zero, I cast Miracle Stop for free, you can't cast spells until the start of my next turn!" Pairs of golden vines surrounded each of Hajime's shields. "Bonsoir, attack and Revolution Change into Miradante Twelve, Time Pope!" The white armored dragon rushed at Hajime and then turned around to fly towards another white armored winged angelic dragon donning a Pope helmet, clock shaped orbs and long hair, the two hi-fiving and Bonsoir disappearing to be replaced by the new creature. "Final Revolution, you can't summon creatures that cost 7 or less until the end of your next turn!" Another pair of golden vines was wrapped around Hajime's hands. "Then I cast Dragon's Sign and bring out Heaven's Rosia, True Dragon Edge!" The armored humanoid appeared on the battlefield next to draconic duo. "With his effect I bring out Heaven's Heaven, Heavenly Justice from the hyperspatial zone." A white and golden futuristic church shaped like a sci-fi spaceship also descended from a hole in the ceiling. "Miradante Twelve, triple break his shields!" Tsugumi ordered and the creature fired spears from its orbs. "Miracle Star, double break his shields!" another order followed and the other dragon formed a blue orb in its large hands and tossed it upon the opposing shields. "I end my turn and Heaven's Heaven brings out Emeralda, Pitch Dragon Elemental." A white and golden armored angelic dragon wielding a staff that had a piano's keyboard on it also appeared. "With Emeralda's effect, I set a shield from my hand. Your move, dear grandson." Tsugumi finally passed the turn in her usual elegant manner.
Hajime had been in this pinch situation before where he was locked down and could hardly play anything. But this time around there was still some hope, those three copies of Crysta that he had out were each reducing the cost of his Metallicas by 1. All he needed was a creature that could bypass Miradante Twelve's lockdown. It was then that he once more had a short vision of a floating dark purple gem with hands and a red eye in its center. He had felt this creature's call before and could have sworn that he once saw its card glow weakly. Whatever it was, as he drew his next card, he hoped that it could have saved him from suffering another terrible loss. And then his smile returned once he saw the mana cost 8. Moving his hand straight for the table, he broke the vines that were wrapped around it.
"I summon Ov Sidia!" Hajime exclaimed and the creature from his visions appeared on the battlefield, radiating with a bright purple light. "For each of your creatures I'll reveal the top card of my deck and put all Metallicas that cost 6 or less into the battle zone tapped!"
"And since putting is not summoning, that will bypass Miradante Twelve…" Tsugumi replied, surprised at the turnover. "Not bad."
"I evolve Sky Chain into Shouten, Stellar Guidance. I evolve Crysta into Immovable, Proud Soul. Then I also put two Levoix, Blue Defense Silver into the battle zone." One by one, Hajime's army of Metallica creatures only grew bigger. "White Night, double break her shields!" he ordered, and much to his surprise, Tsugumi did not block the attack. "Crysta, break her final shield!" And once more, his attack went unblocked and thus his opponent was rendered defenseless. "I end my turn and Shouten brings out Wonder Turtle, Great Labyrinth Turtle tapped as well."
"I must say, Hajime, I'm impressed. Few manage to find a loophole out of my deck's lockdown," Tsugumi admitted. "However, that doesn't mean I'm done just yet!"
"Bring all you've got, grandma!"
"Very well, I cast Dragon's Sign and bring out a second Heaven's Rosia which in turn brings out Endless Heaven, True Holy Church!" Another armored humanoid appeared alongside a floating church with large blue roses painted on each corner and two pairs of blue wings coming out of both sides, a dragon's head sculpted above its large entrance. "Then I attack your final shield with my first Heaven's Rosia!"
"I untap Levoix and redirect the attack to Wonder Turtle! Since Wonder Turtle wins the battle, I put Taslic, Strange Stone into the battle zone."
"I also activate Endless Heaven's effect, since of my creatures was destroyed, I add a shield from the top of my deck! Now go, Emeralda, break his final shield!"
"I untap the other Levoix and redirect the attack to Wonder Turtle, then I bring out Bernine, Dragon Armored and draw a card."
"I add another shield and attack with Miracle Star!"
"I untap Shouten and redirect the attack to Wonder Turtle, then I bring out Shibasi, Blue Defense Silver."
"I add another shield and attack with Miradante Twelve, then I Revolution Change into another Miradante Twelve, Time Pope! I activate his Final Revolution once again and also draw a card. Now go, break his final shield!"
Hajime took the attack and was quick to respond once he got the card in his hand, "Shield trigger, I cast Super Eternal Spark and send Heaven's Heaven back to the hyperspatial zone!"
"I end my turn and since I have more shields than you, I dragsolution Endless Heaven into Neverend, True Destiny King!" Tsugumi exclaimed and the floating church transformed into an angelic dragon who wielded a double-bladed spear and wore the church's architecture as his armor. "I must admit, it's been a long time since an opponent had managed to resist me this well. I've actually enjoyed this match for once."
"Thank you, but unfortunately I will end this now."
"Give it your best shot."
"Wonder Turtle, destroy Miradante Twelve!" The turtle made of precious stones with an emerald shell lashed at the angelic dragon and squashed him with its large body. "Ov Sidia, triple break her shields!"
"Heaven's Rosia gained blocker from Dragon's Sign, so I'll block the attack!" The humanoid jumped in front of the large purple gem, his spear ready to defend his owner, and he was blasted by a ray from the creature's only red eye.
"Immovable, double break her shields and I'll add a shield from the top of my deck!" The caped knight made of gold lashed at the opponent and slashed away two of her remaining three shields. "Shouten, break her final shield!" The sapphire creature also lashed at her and cut off the last shield with its emerald sword.
"Shield trigger, I cast Rainbow Spark and draw two cards. Then Mana Arms 2, I tap Crysta and Taslic!" And with that, Tsugumi gave a sigh of relief. The match was almost over. "Well done. Now go on, deliver the finishing blow."
"Bernine…" Hajime placed his hand on the weakest untapped creature that he had left for an attack, then he stared at his grandmother and saw the conviction with which she was ready to accept the loss, no matter how painful it might have been. But maybe there was another way, maybe he did not have to always hurt his opponents whenever he had true duels. In that aspect he was unlike her. "Stand back!" At his order, all Hajime's creatures disappeared and he began packing his cards.
"Why?" Tsugumi asked, baffled by his decision. "Why not finish me off?"
"The duel is over; my victory was sealed. There's no need for me to cause you harm."
"I see, you have a big heart, Hajime." And with that, Tsugumi also called off her creatures and packed her cards. "Congratulations, you're finally strong enough to stand up to me. Who knows, maybe you'll also have a chance against that fiend."
"Don't worry, no matter what happens, I swear I'll avenge Ken's death and put an end to that nightmare from your youth!" Hajime said, the determination in his voice and on his face greater than ever. "You won't have to be afraid ever again."
"You're a good boy." Tsugumi patted his hair shortly. "But you should be extra careful out there and not rely just on your deck, but also your instinct. Remember, when facing an evil of this high caliber, not everything will be as it seems."
"Thank you, I'll do my best." Hajime then gave Tsugumi a kiss on the cheek and headed upstairs. "Good night!"
"Sweet dreams!"
Soon enough he found himself back in the comfort of his room, relaxing in his turquoise pajamas as he browsed the internet on his laptop, searching for more clues about the killer. Unfortunately, he could not find much other than a few sensationalist news articles regarding the recent murders. From the police's press claims, it seemed that they were way behind when it came to finding this notorious criminal. A ping on Facebook made him switch tabs on his browser to see that he had gotten a message from Jack:
hi, sry if im botherin but maybe we can be more discreet bout wut were doin? ya know, the whole detective work with a psycho on our tails. we could end up in srs trouble, just sayin.
Hajime giggled at the atrocious grammar and was quick to type a reply:
Don't worry, I'll be extra careful from now on. I advise that you and Lori be as well.
And then the last message of their conversation followed:
will do partner. gn
Funnily enough, that terrible typing reminded Hajime of how Ken used to text him during courses out of boredom. As he went to bed, images of the two of them playing together in the sand box at kindergarten began to flash in his mind. And from there on, he remembered how with each year that passed, their friendship grew closer, like two different brothers who were arguing one moment and lightheartedly laughing the next. Hajime imagined what that gaming weekend that Ken had promised him would have been like, maybe they would have wasted hours and hours on end playing some 2-player shooter, probably one with naked hookers, that would have been so suited for his friend's tastes. They would have ordered at least six pizza boxes and twelve beers, trash talked their peers and professors, maybe spied on the girls' dorm. But most importantly, the weekend would have passed before they knew it and they would have never noticed it because they would have had so much fun together. Alas, that was never going to happen. Reality had to come and slap him so hard, reminding him of death's inevitability and how it was everyone's fate, whether good or bad. Hajime knew that never again would he have fun with no cares in the world or open up freely to a friend who understood him so well. Fighting back the tears, he tried to get some sleep.