Sputtering water out of his lungs, Chuck slowly shook off the numbness plaguing his body. His blurry vision soon wore off as well. He took a moment to look at his surroundings. Ahead of him was a river flowing with calm currents. The base of the river was a bed of gravel that he laid sprawled on. Right next to him was his deck, perfectly pristine and undamaged. Strange, he was battered and soaking wet, but his cards appeared just fine.

Chuck willed his muscles to cooperate. The act of moving proved exceedingly difficult, but he was able to sit up. Even with his aching body, he forced himself to pick up his deck. In what would be described as instinct, Chuck cycled through his cards. They should have been damaged if they traveled the river with him, yet here they were in perfect condition. When Chuck got to a certain card, he stopped cycling. He had no idea how, but this card's artwork was completely gone. There was only a blank card with text written on it:

When a card or effect is activated that would destroy a card(s) on the field (Quick Effect): You can Tribute this card; negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it. During the End Phase, if this effect was activated this turn (and was not negated): You can Special Summon this card from your GY.

Chuck looked at the blank Synchro monster in his hand, recalling what he knew of this realm. Monsters here are real, and so were the duels—

Chuck widened his eyes in utter horror. That was right. He died! After that hooded duelist reduced his lifepoints to zero, everything went dark. His brief look at a light at the end of the tunnel halted before he could get a look.

Whatever the case might be, what did it even matter? What was even the point of anything? All of this just proved his suspicions right. Dueling gave nothing but hardship. It even almost killed him. Chuck eyed his deck tightened his grip around it, looking on with scorn.

"I wasted my life on you!" he ranted, "I dedicated everything to you, and all you give me is pain and suffering! Give it back! GIVE ME MY LIFE BACK!" at that time, any reason or thought left Chuck, leaving him a raving beast flailing his limbs in whatever direction. Tears of regret and resentment flowed down his cheeks as he kicked and punched gravel all around him. How long his breakdown lasted, he did not know. He only regained some level of sanity he expended his stamina, now laying in a cloud of dust.

After calming down, Chuck stayed on the ground for some time, taking deep breaths and staring into the twilight of the sky. After regaining an ounce of energy, he sat back up and eyed the deck in his hands. Nothing good could come of it. It only ever brought him trouble. He looked over at the river in front of him. With baited breath, he made a decision, one he wouldn't have made yesterday. Chuck fought through the pain and numbness to stand. With great strain, he wobbled his way to the bank of the river.

He held his arm over the water, balancing his deck on the palm of his hand. It was easy, just let go and finally put this nightmare to rest. The sounds of the world all faded away as Chuck tilted his hand. In just a few seconds, he would be free of dueling for good. Just let the cards slide off and never look back.

But that would not happen.

As soon as he saw his cards slide over, Chuck felt his heart drop. Immediately, he clasped his other hand on his deck and pulled it closer to him. He breathed a heavy sigh of relief, glad he didn't go through with it. Yet, at the same time, he was frustrated with himself for not committing.

"Goddamn it!" Chuck screamed, smacking his deck against his head repeatedly, "Dueling will never let me go! I'm cursed! Why am I stuck with it?! I hate it so much!"

I know you don't truly believe that…

Chuck jolted. That mysterious voice pierced his inner thoughts as if they were his own, yet he knew they were not. He frantically looked and searched his surroundings for any sign of life. He found none. Chuck turned around. That's when he saw them. A being cloaked in an ethereal robe. The hood concealed any trace of their face, assuming they even had one at all. Chuck recoiled in shock at the sight of this otherworldly figure.

"What the Hell?! Who are you?!"

That is not important, he responded in a male voice.

I've heard that one before, "You're not that other guy, I can tell. What do you want?"

It's not about what I want. It's about what you want.

"What I want? What about what I want?"

What is it that you want?

Chuck grew impatient, "What I want? Here's one for starters. How about a duel that doesn't leave me feeling empty? How about someone who isn't insecure about themselves? Is that so much to ask for? Why do I have to be the most mature person in a duel?! You wanna know what I want? I want duelists to get their heads out of their fucking asses for once in their GODDAMN LIVES!"

The mysterious figure simply responded, So you're better than them? How conceited of you.

"What did you just say?" Chuck replied in outrage.

For one who believes he sees the world clearly, you are blind.

"Blind?!"

Yes, your own pent up frustrations cloud your judgement.

"Yeah, no shit I'm frustrated!"

Until you can think clearly, you will be lost in a sea of darkness, in a motion impossible to see by human eyes, the mysterious figure clasped his hand onto Chuck's face. The teen duelist felt the world go numb in a near instant.

"Wh-what's happening…"

It's time to see the truth you've ignored for so long.

After feeling an intense surge of pain, Chuck found that he had lost control of all his motor functions, yet he still had all of his senses. In the blink of an eye, Chuck found himself walking down a hallway. To be more specific, he felt himself walking down a hallway. It was as if he was watching through the perspective of someone else.

Chuck would soon find his answer when he heard a gruff voice holler from behind, "Hey, kid!"

Chuck's body swiveled back to see a very familiar face. It was Roy Cortez. Chuck balked. He remembered this moment. This was after his first win in the regionals. Now he understood. This was his memory.

"Hey, do you want something?" Chuck asked.

"Yeah, I want something," Roy stomped towards Chuck, who back away in fear, "No chance in Hell some nobody kid beat me. I know for a fact you cheated!"

"Cheated?! I've never cheated at Duel Monsters in my life!" Chuck spoke the truth, but Roy wasn't having it.

He grabbed hold of Chuck's collar and pushed him against the wall, "Don't you bullshit me, kid! I'm a regional champion! I don't lose to rookies like you, especially when they get suspicious draws like you!"

"Suspicious draws?"

"What program did install in your duel disk?!"

"You got it all wrong!" Chuck panicked, "I'd never do anything like that!" his voice would die when he saw the switchblade in Roy's other hand, a switchblade that was pointed at his neck.

"Don't fucking lie to me! Show me your duel disk or I slice you open!"

Chuck couldn't find the words. For the first time in his life, he felt true fear.

This was the moment when I realized just how bad the Dark Age of Dueling was. No amount of rhetoric and conjecture could've prepared me for what I experienced that day. If that security guard didn't show up when he did, I don't know what would have happened to me. Roy was banned from tournaments after this incident, but the scars have stayed with me.

Chuck's vision switched over to another memory. He was sitting at a table face to face with his former manager.

"Johnny Wells?" Chuck questioned, "Why did set up a duel with that guy?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Karey said as if she thought he was stupid, "Johnny Wells is a publicity magnet. Everywhere he goes, memes and reaction videos follow him. He's the perfect way to spread your brand."

"My brand? I'm a duelist. What kind of brand do I need?"

"Why do you always ask such stupid questions? Temper tantrums attract attention. Since you're not going to do it yourself, I need to find you opponents who will."

"But what does that have to do with branding?"

Karey slammed her hands on the table, startling Chuck, "You should know your place in this arrangement. You just go and play your card game while I do everything else for you," she stormed off in a huff, leaving Chuck dazed and confused.

Most of our conversations went like that. She called me naive, but I saw everything clearly. The world wants to see drama and controversy. She wanted me to get in on it, but I would never budge. My dueling honor wouldn't allow it. She did teach me one thing: the professional dueling scene was corrupt at its core.

He saw another memory. For some unfathomable reason, he decided to scroll through his social media feed.

"It takes one bad day to make you exactly like everyone else.

LuL tHiS gUy Is So FaKe NiCe LmAo

this dude's "honor" talk is so cringe bro

Bro do you even comb your hair Lol.

Im waiting for the day he rage quits. It's gonna be worth the wait."

Everyone wanted me to fail. They saw someone who didn't abide by their pessimistic view of the world, so they tried to break me.

The memories kept resurfacing, all of the pain he experienced being a duelist. All of the hatred he received, all of the darkness he witnessed, all of it came rushing back to him.

I slaved away at my dad's insane training regime to be the best duelist possible. What was my reward? Never ending misery, that's what.

This is the world you see as dueling, is it not?

Do you see why I hate this so much now? There's nothing good about dueling!

Nothing? I wonder about that.

Chuck saw another memory, this one far different than the ones he's seen this far. This was a memory he held close in his heart. It was just any other day, but it was special to him. The reason being, it was because he was with them. It was that same old table with his absolute closets friends.

"Looks like I win again," his brother, Ryuji said.

"Yeah, you got me," Chuck relented.

"And Ryuji's unbeaten win streak continues," Mitch sarcastically chimed in.

"One of these days, one of us is going to beat you," Ian said.

"Until, then, let's get better so we can stand at the top!" Ryuji declared, leading to a cry of affirmation and a four way fist bump from them all.

That's right. The reason I dueled was so that I could make friends. I thought I found my wish when my brother and his friends let me into their group. Those times I spent with them were the happiest of my life. But they wouldn't last. I soon found out that friendship doesn't last forever. Mitch and Ian both moved away, and Ryuji walked down a dark path. After that, dueling never gave me another friend.

The memory faded away, leaving only darkness behind.

This is why you are blind.

What?

Open your eyes. Open your eyes to the truth.

Chuck felt control of his body again. He opened his eyes, seeing the cards in his hand. It was a good hand, one that could get a strong play.

"Hey, Chuck, you going or what?" spoke a voice. Chuck looked up. The sight he saw made him balk. He was sitting at that old table again. Only now, there was something different, something he did not expect.

To his right was Aella Earhardt, the hot-headed girl with a big heart.

"Chuck, you are my vision of a true duelist!"

She truly was grateful to me for defeating that cheating thief, Max. I'm sure her kid brother and those other kids were grateful too.

To his left was Sid Newman, the hapless fledgling with aspirations of greatness.

"The strength of the cards comes from the duelist who uses them."

If I didn't stand up to Professor Spencer, I doubt Sid would have continued on his path to becoming a duelist.

Off standing nearby was Ashley Rodriguez, the indescribably beautiful ballerina with concerns about her future.

"I know what it's like to have a dream you're unsure about."

Confiding my troubles to her felt very therapeutic, and she in turn trusted me with her troubles.

Nearby was his father and mother, Ren and Samantha Ikari.

"Far be it from me to lead your life. But talent such as yours shouldn't go to waste."

"Well excuse me for looking out for your future!"

They always did their best to support me, even if I didn't seem grateful for it. They never gave up on me.

And sitting directly in front of him was Sarah, the little girl with otherworldly powers.

"When you were dueling, I could sense the spirits of your cards. They seemed to be very happy with you."

Now that I think about it, maybe the reason she brought me to this world was because she believed in me. She believed that I was strong enough.

Do you see now? All of these people are bonded to your heart.

Bonded to my heart…

They are bonds you earned with your own power.

My power? That's right. I forged a bond with all of these people. I created friendships with them through the power I wield.

I forged these bonds—with dueling.

Chuck popped his eyes open. He was back at the gravel rivage, yet he was now alone. The cloaked figure was gone. There were no footprints in the gravel where he stood before. It was as if he never existed. Chuck cycled through his deck and found that same card. His Stardust Dragon returned to it's former glory after regaining it's artwork.

"You saved me, didn't you?" Chuck looked to the deck in his hand, the deck he invested his blood, sweat and tears in, "I really was blind. I thought you only gave me misery. I couldn't have been more wrong," Chuck felt his tears slide down his face, his tears of relief and joy, "You really did give me something worthwhile. Thank you."

But now wasn't the time to stand and do nothing. There was still the matter of Lord Ira. If he was still at large, then Chuck had to be there. He fought through his aching muscles to trudge forward. As he carried along, he was suddenly struck with a startling realization.

"How do I get back to the castle?" he didn't know where it was. His thinking halted when excessive and repeated barking entered his ear drums. Next thing Chuck knew, a fluffy creature was pawing and panting at his leg.

"Melffy Puppy?"

"IT'S YOU!" a squeaky voice hollered. Chuck took his eye off the dog to see a familiar little wizard, "Everyone said you were dead!"

Chuck eyed the small magician, "You're Momo, right? Why are you here?"

"It's Lord Ira!" she panicked, "Miss Sarah challenged him to a duel and she lost. Now Ira and his minions are destroying everything!"

Chuck grabbed hold of Momo's shoulders and pulled her up to eye level, "SARAH! IS SARAH OKAY?!"

"S-she was still alive the last time I looked," Momo answered, shocked that Chuck would hold her up like this, "I snuck away and ran as far as I could. Then I found the doggy. He led me all the way to you. I think he picked up your scent."

Chuck put Momo down and racked his head, Remember what Dad always said: A duelist always makes a calculated decision even under intense pressure, He needed to come up with a plan. The teen duelist patted Melffy Puppy on the head to help calm his nerves and think clearly. No matter what, he had to get back to the castle. Unfortunately, Ira's minions would scour every corner of the kingdom. Fortunately for him, he was with the right person for the job.

Chuck knelt down to be eye level with the pint sized magician, "You're really good at hiding, aren't you?"

Momo blinked, "Yeah…"

"Then you can sneak us back to the castle!" Chuck suggested.

Momo smiled with joy, "You mean I can help?"

"Sure can. Think you can manage?"

"Of course!"

Chuck smiled. Now that he's discovered newfound purpose, nothing would stop him. His path was clear: Save Sarah and defeat Lord Ira.

The Ikari Corner

Momo: "Hey, Chuck, how can I get to be as tall as you?"

Chuck: "Now's not the time for questions. We need to move."

Melffy Puppy: *bark*

Momo: "But isn't this the part where you give trivia?"

Chuck: "No time!"

Next Time: Overcome the FTK

Fun fact: out of all the chapters I've written so far, I've been looking forward to this chapter the most. After trudging through a sea of darkness, the turning point begins here.