Hey everyone! Sorry for the silence. Just...going through some stuff right now. Now, any of you recall what I had Jaden say about the Ruins in the last book? No? Well, in summary, the ruins were a resting place for some powerful heroes. Yep! They are finally making their debut! Enjoy!

The foliage parted before Jaden Yuki. He was a man on a mission. Retracing his steps was the easy part, not getting bombed by the memories of yesteryear was the hard part. It hurt, hurt in ways he never thought possible. He had stood by and watched as Alexis dueled. He should have protested, demanded he was the one to duel. He shivered, still hearing her say those disgusting words about being shown the 'Light'.

He shook his head. Professor Sweet had rallied them and that was why he needed to get to the ruins. Their power slept for now, but once the Light's true host came to the island and it would come, it would sense them.

The most powerful of the Heroes. So powerful that they locked away themselves after the Light's first defeat. They had warned of the Light's return and made plans. One of these plans was sending their forms to Earth, using the last intact webway before it was destroyed.

Jaden soon found it. The ruins of the Gateway stood before him. He searched around for hours. Finally, he found it. A stone door covered in moss. Removing part of the moss, he saw it. The symbol of the sleeping hero, a large sign that looked like an incomplete keyhole. Knowing that it was the Alchemy symbol for Death, Jaden took a deep breath...and pushed in.

No sooner was the door opened, the island trembled sending Jaden on his ass. He slammed his head against one of the ruins and was knocked out.

Four beams of light shot out from the door, two of them remaining on the island, the other two heading out to sea. A pale white beam stayed in the ruins, while a sickly green one soared for a part of the forest. The pale beam stayed, hovering over Jaden.

Two hours later, Jaden snapped awake, groaning.

"Ugh...should have know unleashing them would have made the island shake..." Jaden hissed, clutching the back of his head.

"Ah...after so long. Greetings, your majesty."

Jaden snapped to the location of the voice. He saw a large figure, draped in black robes and cloak. The edges of the robes and cloak were tattered, almost like they had been ripped. No legs or arms exited the parts of the robe where they would exit. A hood hid the face of the figure, save for a pair of crimson eyes, glowing brightly.

All around, the moss, the grass, the trees themselves all became blackened and rotten.

Instantly, Jaden crouched, the figure cocking its head.

"Vile HERO Death..." He whispered.

Death chuckled, a dry sound.

"It has been many moons since me and my brethren saw the sun...or the Earth for that matter. So...why have you awakened us?"

Jaden told Death everything. From last year to the return of the Light. Here, Death scowled.

The Light of Ruin. As they had predicted, it had returned. What's more it had taken the Queen once more. But unlike before...Jaden had determination to get her back. Death nodded, pleased.

"You require my and my brethren power. Sadly...you cannot acquire mine."

"W-what?! But-!"

"Do not misunderstand. You must gain the alliance of my brethren. This is the test we put before you in the past. Find my scattered brothers and return. But I warn you...you must gain one to gain the others."

"Who do I gain first?!"

"That...is for you to figure out."

"I do not have time for this Death! The Light has corrupted many already! I will not play your games, not when the life of the planet is at stake!"

Death grabbed Jaden by the throat, gripping tightly. Jaden gagged, struggling against the invisible grip.

"Is it the planet you're worried about...or your queen?" Death said coldly, dropping Jaden to the ground. "Return when you have my brothers..."

Death retreated into the open door, leaving Jaden to stare after it. He now knew why he had such a hard time controlling them before. Their power was vast, on par with the Wicked Gods and Sacred Beasts. Grunting, he got up and began his trek back to the Red Dorm.

He needed to help prepare...and find out the other cards.

EODGX

Jaden traveled through the forests, frowning. Death was not going to join him until he got the other three Vile HEROes. That was a problem. If all their cards were up for grabs, the Light will do everything in its power to own just one! He needed to find them and fast! Hearing a buzzing, he looked up. In a clearing nearby, thousands of locust swarmed, making Jaden smirk. Hurrying to the clearing, the locust all scattered, revealing a figure in green armor in the shape of said Locust. The helmet turned to the approaching King, shaking their head.

"I apologize, my king. But you lack the cards to challenge me. Death informed me of your quest."

"Damn...so I need to find the other two that are on the island." Jaden swore, making Famine shake its head again.

"War and Pestilence are not on the island, King Jaden. They are on the mainland."

"FUCK! The SoL has contacts out there!"

"Be at peace, my king. My brothers know to give challenges to those that find them. You will have a chance."

"Forgive me if that doesn't make me feel better!" Jaden snarled, storming off.

Famine sighed, crossing his arms. He understood the King's rage, but these were the rules put in place.

EODGX

Jaden returned to the Red Dorm. Once he entered, everyone stopped what they were doing. Watching him sit down, the dorm began telling him about Jason's duel with the Leader of the SoL and Chazz's duel with Rose. Hearing that the Leader was now here had Jaden's paranoia reach an all time high. Now the leader would know about the four! Time was against them. Said professor saw the panicked stricken face of the King and asked what had happened.

"I opened the gate to release the four...only for them to scatter. Two of them need the others before I can even challenge them. The last one needs all three! What's worse is that the Leader is now here and no doubt sensed the power being released."

"Meaning that they'll be after them too." Jason finished gravely. "Well...let's finish packing. We're all heading to Domino City, chances are the cards may have landed there. Alright, everyone, resume packing! The ship leaves in a few hours!"

Jaden nodded, grim determination on his face. He was going to get Alexis back and show the Light why you did not mess with the King. He headed off to pack, thinking on the best way to get the cards.

EODGX

Sartorius stood up, scowling. The entire island had just shook, sending him and the rest of the White Dorm sprawling. What had that been all about?! After getting his seat upright, Ian, Jerome, and Amelia hurried in.

"Master, are you hurt?!" The three asked as one.

"I'm fine. What happened?"

"We're not sure. We saw four beams of light, one landing in a forest near the power station, another two headed off the island." Jerome said.

"Find out what those lights were." Sartorius stated calmly.

The three nodded and bowed, Ian stopping at the door.

"Lord Aster has launched his attack on the Ra Yellow Dorm, sir."

"Excellent." Sartorius said with a smile.

EODGX

Everyone had finished packing when there was frantic knocking. Opening the door, everyone saw Bastion and Professor Satyr, the latter holding the former up.

"What happened?!" Jason demanded, helping his fellow professor.

"The Yellow Dorm...the SoL launched an attack. Aster led the charge." Bastion said, sinking into a chair. "Myself and Professor Satyr got away...but the cost was high."

"All of my students..." Satyr whispered.

Everyone looked at one another. The SoL had made the first move in their war.

This is not looking good. Four powerful cards are up for grabs. Thankfully, the SoL doesn't seem to know about them just yet. However, its a mad dash to find them and things will get very dicey soon!