Big thanks to Bia1230, tskikami02, Ulrich362, Guest,KuriMaster 13, and Ethan Kironus for reviewing the previous chapter!
I am very sorry for the late update. Again, work caused a delay. But thanks to the Christmas holiday I had plenty of time to work on this chapter.
I hope you'll enjoy reading this chapter (^_^)
THE BROTHERHOOD HQ – CAPITAL – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – EVENING
After ensuring the safety of the Holy Elves and the Superheavy Samurai Monsters, Yuya and the others returned to their realm. Ifrit, being in a different place offline, promised that he would contact them soon. Knowing it would cause a stir if Yuya to suddenly appeared after being announced as dead, Serena had informed Yuno beforehand of Yuya's survival and asked him to relay the information to the whole base.
Apparently, however, not everyone has yet received the information.
Sawatari was gawking upon seeing Yuya in front of him in the lobby. He was frozen speechless, not moving even an inch when Yuya was standing right in front of him, nor did he respond to his other friends who were calling his name. Yuya didn't expect such a reaction from Sawatari. He had imagined the Abyss Actor user would kick a fuss or start to get noisy like usual.
"It's been a while, Sawata–"
"GHOOOOSSSTTT! YUYA BECAME A GHOST!"
Yuya almost lost his footing when Sawatari's screeching scream echoed the whole lobby. Now that's more like Sawatari, though not the way Yuya expected him to be.
"Namu amida butsu! Kyrie eleison! HI FU MI YO I MU NA YA KO TO MO CHI RO RA NE SHI KI RU YU I TSU WA NU SO O TA HA KU ME K NI SA RI HE TE NO MA SU A SE E HO RE KE! Regna terrae, cantata Deo, psallite Cernunnos, Regna terrae, cantata Dea psallite Aradia! Exorcizamus te, omnis immundus spiritus, omnis satanica potestas, omnis incursio infernalis adversarii, omnis legio, omnis congregatio et secta diabolica! Be gone, ghost or whatever you are! Return to whence you came and haunt the living no more!"
Sawatari began blabbering out mixed exorcism chants from various religions and languages in his hysteria while his hands making an exorcism motions. Yuya sweat dropped from the overreaction he received. This was even worse than when Yuhei mistook him for a ghost. He felt a bit offended for some reason despite understanding Sawatari's reaction.
"You moron, he's alive! And at least stick to just one chant!" Serena delivered a kick straight on Sawatari's face, causing the guy to fall down on his back while holding his kicked face.
"S-Serena, it's fine, give him some slack." Yuya tried to calm down Serena who just did the same thing as Yuri did to Yuhei.
"Sawatari, what's with the scream?!"
All of a sudden, Yugo came bursting into the lobby. Behind him were Rin, Sherry, Reid, Grace, Gloria, Lilac, Mai, and Jonouchi following him after hearing Sawatari's scream in panic. They went quiet and their eyes were fixed dead on Yuya. Yuya could only smile awkwardly at them, wondering if they were going to react the same way.
As if mimicking Yuhei, Yugo pulled both of Yuya's cheeks to make sure if he was real. When Yuya yelped from the pinching, Yugo finally let go, tears forming in his eyes.
"Yuya... It really is you...! You're alive!"
Yugo's words instantly turned the awkward silence into cheers as they gathered around Yuya. Sawatari lightly jabbed him in his chest, Yugo had his arm around Yuya's shoulder, Grace hugged him by the waist, and Jonouchi repeatedly patted his back.
"Where have you been this whole time?!"
"I miss you so much, Yuya!"
"You little idiot! Don't give us a heart attack!"
Yuya laughed at their attention. Again, he was happy to be welcomed like this by his friends. He then noticed Yuno, Kachidoki, BB, Neah, Haruna, and Lechter standing not far, watching them with a relieved expression. Yuya carefully asked his friends to let go and then walked to Yuno's side.
"Yuno-san..." Yuya felt guilty when he was Yuno's pained face.
Yuya could understand why. Yuno had been worried about him since he was the vision of his death. The Oracle always made sure that he would be okay, that no harm would come to him. When he fell into the Duel Monsters Realm, Yuno must be grief-stricken because he thought the vision had come true, that he had failed to live up to his promise to ensure his safety. There was also the matter of Odd-Eyes and Starve Venom reverting to their card forms, no longer able to interact with Yuno again like they did before.
"Yuji... No, Odd-Eyes and Starve Venom are–"
Yuya didn't get a chance to explain what happened as Yuno wrapped his arms around him, pulling him into a firm hug. Yuya felt his body trembling while holding him.
"I'm so glad...! Thank goodness, you're alive...! I thought for sure that you..." Yuno couldn't control his emotions anymore. All the sadness and guilt that he had been holding on finally burst out. It wouldn't be good if other people saw the Oracle break down crying like this, but Yuno just couldn't keep up with his mask right now.
Yuno's companions knew better that no matter how long Yuno had lived and how strong he was, he was still a human being, no different than them. He had every right to cry like any ordinary person. Nobody here would criticize him for it. Especially when he just learned that one of his family members whom he thought he had lost turned out to be alive. Yuya decided not to say anything. He silently hugged Yuno back and quietly allowed his ancestor to let out everything.
MEETING ROOM – THE BROTHERHOOD HQ – CAPITAL - CANTIDEL EMPIRE – EVENING
"I'll bet there are a ton of things you want to ask me, aren't there?" Yuya said, looking at each of his friends.
After they had their reunion, they moved to the meeting where it would be more comfortable for them to have their discussion.
"And you also have a ton of things you want to ask, right?" Yuno replied.
"Let's start from how I managed to live after receiving Apophis' attack." Yuya decided to speak first.
Yuya explained how Ma'at's blessings revived him when he and Odd-Eyes fell into the Dimension Pulse, how he and Yuri defeated Yuji and Yura that allowed them to use Odd-Eyes and Starve Venom once more, and how they defeated the remaining Apophis' soldiers when they arrived at the Village of Holy Elf.
Concerning the Holy Elves, Serena, Gongenzaka, and Sora filled in what happened when they arrived. Though the Village of Holy Elves and the Village of Superheavy Samurais were destroyed, the good news were they successfully evacuated most of its residents and minimized the casualties, Gongenzaka gained new cards from them, and the Holy Elves also successfully gave their prayer, which would ensure the birth of the Last Supreme King Dragon from the prophecy.
"I see. Yuji and Yura were..." Yuno thought of his deceased children.
"I'm sorry..." Yuya apologized, lowering his head, but Yuno raised a hand in objection.
"No need for apology, Yuya. My children had made their own decision. Besides, we already knew this was bound to happen sooner or later. I already had more than plenty of time to be with my children again. And that's enough." Yuno knew well that Yuji, Yura, Yuhei, and Yuzo's stay in their human forms was only temporary. They already became Duel Monsters and nothing could change that. He was already grateful to be given a second chance to be with them in their short time together. He never asked for anything more. His children would feel the same.
"All I ask is that now you fight as partners. Defeat your enemies together." Yuno smiled tenderly at Yuya and Yuri, each holding their respective ace monsters in their hands.
Yuya and Yuri smiled back at Yuno and nodded, silently giving him their words.
"By the way, I don't see Yuzu and the rest... Where are they?" Yuya asked. He had been wanting to see Yuzu. He was nervous ever since he was on their way back to the headquarters, even doing image training of how he should approach Yuzu and reveal himself to be alive.
"You see..." Now it's Yuno's turn to explain the situation.
The Oracle revealed how Yuto got kidnapped by Yubel, Yuzu and Yukiya in depression after learning Yuya's supposed death and sent them somewhere to calm their minds, and Reiji was assembling new teams in Maiami for the next battle.
"Yuto got kidnapped?!" Yuya stood up from his seat when he heard that.
"Calm down. Though Yubel worked with Apophis, she has her own goal unrelated to Apophis'. She demanded Heidel to be given to her in exchange for Yuto. Yuzo and the others are meeting Heidel right now." Yuno revealed.
"Are we really going to hand over Heidel to Yubel just like that? What if Yubel didn't keep up to her promise?" Yuya asked worriedly for his Xyz Counterpart.
"We don't believe so. Yubel has no interest in anything or anyone except Heidel. That's for sure. But since Apophis is involved with her, we can't dismiss the possibility that he'll interfere and set up a trap without Yubel herself knowing. That's why, when Yuzo and the others meet up with Yubel for the exchange, we'll send out a team to secretly follow them." Lechter answered in Yuno's stead.
"This team...who will be going?" Yuya asked again.
Yuno had already the right people in his mind to go, but seeing Yuya's face, he knew without the boy needing to tell him that he wants to participate in the rescue mission. After what Yuya had experienced, Yuno wanted Yuya to stay in the HQ for the time being so he could rest. But if he tried to do so, Yuya most likely would make a move on his own. Even after having died once, he still worried more about his friends.
"Yuya. Honestly, I don't want to send you out on this mission after what happened to you. The thought of sending you out to another battle after you've just returned made me afraid that the next time you won't come back. However, I know that you can't stay quiet, and you want to save Yuto yourself."
Yuno stood up from his seat, walking to where Yuya was sitting. He placed a hand on Yuya's shoulder.
"That's why, I'm going with you on this mission. This time, I'm going to keep my eyes on you. Make sure not to do anything reckless. Promise?" Yuno had sworn to himself that he wouldn't fail this time. He would protect his loved ones.
"Yeah. I promise. I won't die." Yuya had sworn to himself as well. He wouldn't waste this life that had been saved. Not only for his own sake, but also for the people who cherished him.
BALCONY – THE BROTHERHOOD HQ – CAPITAL – CANTIDEL EMPIRE
After getting his belly full, Yuya decided to get some fresh air on the balcony while everyone else was still eating in the dining room.
"I'm stuffed." Yuya said while rubbing his stomach. He then looked at the moon above.
Before everyone realized it, it was already evening. Knowing how tired everyone must have and the rescue mission that would be commenced tomorrow, Yuno saw it fit to let everyone take a rest until bedtime. Better rest and recover their full health so they could commence the mission tomorrow with their full strength. That said, Yuya's return was met with an uproar. Jonouchi demanded to do a celebration for his return. Considering the rescue mission tomorrow and not everyone knew yet about his return, Yuya objected to the suggestion. But seeing Jonouchi so dejected, Yuya compromised by having dinner together.
Under Yuno's instruction, the kitchen staff cooked all Yuya's favorite dishes with every available ingredient. Part of Yuya felt it was inappropriate to have a celebration of his return when tomorrow they'll go to rescue their captured comrades. Another part of him felt happy that everyone cared so much for him that they'd be willing to have a celebration party. Again, this served as another motivation to make sure the mission tomorrow succeeds. Once they rescued Yuto, he and everyone else would return and have another party to celebrate. And when that time comes, he and all of his friends would be here to celebrate together.
Yuzu and Yukiya would be there too.
"Thinking about Yuzu and Yukiya?"
As if reading his mind, Yuno popped out behind Yuya, surprising the Pendulum user. But he immediately addressed his thoughts to his ancestor.
"Can't I meet Yuzu and Yukiya now?" Yuya asked. He had been eager to meet the two of them. The longer he waited, the more he became nervous.
"They're busy right now and won't be coming back until after the rescue mission tomorrow. But we already sent a message about you. I'm sure they're ecstatic right now learning that you're alive." Yuno tried to assure his descendant, knowing how much Yuya wanted to see his girlfriend and close friend.
"Knowing how they were doing after my death I want nothing more but to be with them right now." Ever since he heard how Yuzu and Yukiya were faring following his death, Yuya just wanted to straight up run to their side and showed them that he was alive and well. The thought of them being so depressed to the point of close to giving up worried him. He had expected they'd be saddened, but not to that extent.
A pat on his shoulder brought him out from his thought. Yuno smiled tenderly at Yuya.
"You'll meet them tomorrow. I can guarantee that." Yuno said. It wasn't said with the intent of promising him but was said with certainty. Hearing him, Yuya couldn't help but smile back, feeling more assured than ever. Yuno's lips curled up when an idea came to him.
"When you do, you better give Yuzu passionate kiss on the lips, okay?" Yuno whispered to Yuya's ear. The unexpected whisper made Yuya back away in embarrassment.
"W-what?! Ki-ki-ki...!" Yuya couldn't put his words properly as his head began to imagine the scenario suggested by Yuno. His face is as red as the color of his hair. His body flailing not knowing what to do.
"Pfftt...!" Yuno stifled a laugh at the expected reaction. He never got tired of this.
"Y-Yuno-san!" Yuya pouted redly once realizing his ancestor was only teasing him. Again. Even more so when Yuno couldn't contain his laughter anymore.
"You're still young. You still have a long way to go, boy." Yuno said with another pat on the shoulder before retreating to the dining room. Yuno was glad that his descendant was doing well. After what happened with Apophis, he was worried that Yuya would be traumatized and became afraid of fighting or secluding himself. And if that happened, he was ready to respect Yuya's decision since trauma needs time to overcome. He was worried for nothing.
Yuya returned to look at the moon again. Though he tried not to think too much about it, he couldn't help but think about Yuto. Even though they said that Yubel would keep Yuto alive until she gets to Heidel, Yuya still feared for his Xyz Counterpart's safety. Will she treat him well? Won't they do something to him?
"Yuto... I hope you're okay..."
PRISON – YUBEL'S HIDEOUT – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – MORNING
The prison cell was a hollow cube of concrete. The walls were the same thick grey stone as the dwellings of the region, but instead of a wide window with a flower box there was a mean barred opening with thick metal bars and no glass. It was no brighter inside than the gathering gloom of dusk, even at midday. Nobody could know what time it was. The bed was a plank of wood on its legs, there was no mattress, no cushioning and only one thin blanket.
Yuto was sitting on the edge of the mattress, looking frustrated. The accommodation he got was unpleasant, but that was the least of his worries. Even though Yubel let him keep his Deck and Duel Disk, he couldn't use it to get out because the Disk's system was jammed. If that wasn't bad enough, he could hear the growls of Duel Monsters no doubt Yubel stationed to keep an eye on him should he try to escape through...traditional ways. There was nobody he could ask to tell how his friends were after the attack that night. Being stuck here alone without knowing what's going on to his friends frustrated him.
Yubel had mentioned that Yuya and Yuji died, killed by Apophis himself. In Yuto's opinion, Yubel didn't seem to be the type who'd lie to crush his spirit, but Yuto refused to believe that Yuya and Yuji had died. No matter what they said, he wouldn't believe it until he sees Yuya's dead body with his own eyes. As far as he's concerned, Yuya only went missing and was still alive somewhere.
And even if that's true, he won't let that break him. If anything, he'll make the sorrow and anger his strength to continue fighting, just like how he did it during the war last year.
"You look better than I imagined. How disappointing. I imagined you'd look more haggard."
Yuto's eyes snapped open, and he stood up in an instant, glaring at the person standing in front of his prison cell.
"Dante." Yuto said distastefully at the Apophis offspring.
"No need to be so uptight. Yubel has forbidden me from killing you until her goal is achieved. I'm only here due to His Excellency's order." Dante sneered at Yuto's defensive reaction.
"Apophis' order?" Yuto repeated questioningly.
Dante wordlessly unlocked the prison cell, opening the door. The Duel Monsters stationed as guard dogs were growling at Yuto, but Dante kept them at bay to allow the Phantom Knights user to come out. Yuto wanted nothing more than to escape, but he knew that trying so would be no different from suicide when he was powerless.
With great reluctance, Yuto followed Dante, walking behind him until they reached what appeared to be another prison cell, but far wider and the moonlight passed through the window on the tall ceiling above.
Yuto carefully watched Dante, trying to guess what he was trying to do. He didn't need to think far when Dante raised his Duel Disk. Yuto then looked at his Duel Disk and noticed it was functioning normally again.
"What would you gain from dueling me now when you're not even allowed to kill me?" Yuto asked. The possibility of Dante challenging him just to pass time did cross his mind. However, Yuto's gut feeling strongly said that wasn't the case.
"His Excellency's order. That's all I am gonna say to you. Ask all you want, that's the answer you'll ever get from me." Dante answered and activated his Duel Disk, emphasizing he won't listen to whatever question Yuto ask now.
The moment Apophis was mentioned, Yuto already had a bad feeling about this Duel. He already had reservations with accepting Dante's challenge. Knowing that Apophis was behind this added more reason for him not to accept the challenge. Unfortunately, Yuto didn't have a choice in the matter. Refusing was not something he could do in his situation. Let's say he refused; Dante would do something...unpleasant to force him to accept.
"Perhaps defeating you will make you answer my question." Yuto activated his Duel Disk.
"Oh, please. That's a funny joke." Dante narrowed his eyes.
[MASTER DUEL]
"I'm taking the first Turn! I activate Field Spell: Sargasso the Different Dimension Ancient Battlefield!" Dante activated a Field Spell from his hand, changing their entire surroundings to a space with nothing but floating debris.
"As long as this card is on the Field, when an Xyz Monster is Special Summoned, its controller takes 500 damage. And during each End Phase, the turn player takes 500 damage if they control a face-up Xyz Monster." Dante revealed the effect of his Field Spell.
"So that's his play. Since I'm mainly using Xyz Monsters, he's trying to turn my specialty against me." Yuto deduced Dante's strategy. True, as someone who was born and lived in Xyz Dimension, Yuto's main arsenal was his Xyz Monsters. He might've learned other summoning methods, but Xyz Summon was still the one that he's using regularly. It's understandable that his opponent would be careful of his Xyz Monsters.
"From my hand, I summon Umbral Ghoul (ATK: 1800 / DEF: 0 / LV: 4)!" Dante summoned Ghoul in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.
"Umbral. I did hear he changed his Deck. According to the report, his new Deck was granted by Apophis himself. I have to be careful." Yuto didn't take his eyes off the Umbral Monsters.
"I activate Umbral Ghoul's effect! I reduce its ATK to 0 and Special Summon two copies of Umbral Will o' the Wisp (ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / LV: 1)!" Dante summoned two copies of Will o' Wisp in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.
"As they were Special Summoned, I activate the effects of both copies of Will o' the Wisp! I target Ghoul and change the Levels of both copies of Will o' the Wisps to that of Ghoul!" Dante changed the two Will o' the Wisp's Level from 1 to 4, equal to Ghoul's.
"I Overlay Umbral Ghoul and Umbral Will o' the Wisps!" Dante declared, shocking Yuto.
"He Xyz Summoned despite the Field Spell that he activated on his own?!" Yuto was confused by Dante's move. If he performed Xyz Summon, that means he'll receive 500 damage in accordance with his own Field Spell's effect.
"Xyz Summon! Rank 4, Numbers 104: Masquerade Magician - Shining (ATK: 2700 / DEF: 1200 / RNK: 4 / ORU: 3)!" Dante summoned Shining in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.
"At this moment, I activate Quick-Play Spell: Sargasso Lighthouse! By sending Sargasso Lighthouse from my hand to the Graveyard, I can prevent the damage from Sargasso the Different Dimension Ancient Battlefield!" Dante sent his Quick-Play Spell from his hand to his Graveyard, forming a barrier that protected him from the damage of his Field Spell.
"As long as Sargasso Lighthouse remains in my Graveyard, I am unaffected by the effects of Sargasso the Different Dimension Ancient Battlefield." Dante added, smiling smugly at Yuto.
"I set a card and end my Turn."
Yuto narrowed his eyes at the Umbral user. He hated to admit it, but Dante set up his Field well. The Umbral user made sure that only Yuto would be at the disadvantage from the Field Spell.
"But I also have an alternative for this." Yuto knew what he must do to get through this predicament.
"My Turn! From my hand, I summon Phantom Knights Tear Scale (ATK: 600 / DEF: 1600 / LV: 3)!" Yuto summoned Tear Scale in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.
"When I control a Phantom Knights Monster on my Field, I can Special Summon Phantom Knights Silent Boots (ATK: 200 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 3) from my hand!" Yuto summoned SIlent Boots in Attack Position next to Tear Scale.
"If a Phantom Knights Monster is Special Summoned to my Field, I can Special Summon Phantom Knights Phantom Knights Stained Greave (ATK: 1200 / DEF: 600 / LV: 3) from my hand with its Level increased by 1!" Yuto summoned Stained Greave with its Level turned to 4 in Attack Position next to Silent Boots.
"Come forth! The circuit of shadow that covers the world!" Yuto summoned the Link Summoning circuit above him.
"Arrowheads confirmed. The summoning condition is at least 2 DARK Monsters. I set Tear Scale, Silent Boots, and Stained Greave on my Link Markers! Circuit combined!" Yuto set Tear Scale on the Bottom-Left arrow, Silent Boots on the Bottom-Right arrow, and Stained Greave on the Middle-Right arrow.
"Link Summon! Appear, Link 3! Phantom Knights Rusty Bardiche (ATK: 2100 / LINK: 3 / LM: Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right, Middle-Right)!" Yuto summoned Rusty Bardiche in Attack Position in the Link Monster Zone.
"I activate Rusty Bardiche's effect! During my Main Phase, I can send 1 Phantom Knights Monster from my Deck to the Graveyard, then Set 1 Phantom Knights Spell or Trap directly from my Deck to my Magic and Trap Zone!" Yuto sent a Phantom Knights Monster from his Deck to his Graveyard, and then set a Phantom Knights card on his Magic and Trap Zone.
"When I don't have any Trap in my Graveyard, I can activate the Trap Card I just Set! Trap Card: Phantom Knights Shade Brigandine! I can Special Summon this card in Defense Position as a Normal Monster." Yuto summoned Shade Brigandine (ATK: 0 / DEF: 800 / LV: 4) in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone, pointed by Rusty Bardiche's Bottom-Right Link Arrow.
"I activate Stained Greave's effect! When this card is in the Graveyard, I can banish it to Special Summon 1 Phantom Knights Monster from my hand except itself and increase the summoned Monster's Level by 1!" Yuto banished Stained Greave and Special Summoned Phantom Knights Ragged Glove (ATK: 1000 / DEF: 1500 / LV: 3). Due to Stained Greave's effect, Ragged Glove's Level was raised from 3 to 4.
"I overlay Level 4 Shade Brigandine and Ragged Glove! Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4, Raider's Knight (ATK: 2000 / DEF: 0 / RNK:4 / ORU: 2)!" Yuto summoned Raider's Knight in Attack Position in the zone pointed by Rusty Bardiche's Bottom-Right Link Arrow.
"When Ragged Glove is used as a Material for Xyz Summon, the Xyz Monster gains 1000 ATK!" Yuto increased Raider's Knight's ATK to 3000.
"But due to Sargasso's effect, you'll receive 500 damage when you summoned Xyz Monster!" Dante reminded, but Yuto didn't look concerned in the slightest.
"I activate Rusty Bardiche's effect! If a DARK Xyz Monster is Special Summoned to a zone this card points to while this card is on the Field, I can target 1 card on the Field and destroy it!" Yuto revealed. Naturally, he chose Sargasso. Rusty Bardiche threw its black axe, destroying Dante's Field Spell and thus, effectively negated the damage that Yuto would've taken from the card's effect.
"Battle! I attack Masquerade Magician – Shining with Raider's Knight!" Yuto declared Battle Phase. The black horse of the knight neighed and raised its front legs before running towards the opposing Xyz Monsters. The black knight riding on its back pointed his lance, ready to charge at the Numbers Monster. Blue flames on their bodies intensified the faster they're charging.
"Continuous Trap Card: Vain – Sneer of Betrayal –! When an opponent's Xyz Monster declared an attack, I can target the attacking Monster! That Monster cannot attack, and its effect are negated!" Dante opened his face-down card. Following the card's effect, Raider's Knight abruptly stopped its charge.
"And while the Monster targeted by this card is on the Field, during each of my opponent's Stand by Phases, I can send 3 cards of the opponent's Deck to the Graveyard." Dante added.
Yuto clicked his tongue. He managed to avoid getting his LP being shaved down each time he summons and controls Xyz Monsters, but now he must discard 3 cards from his Deck, which won't be good for him if this Duel goes for long. He must either find a way to destroy that Continuous Trap Card or end this Duel as soon as possible before his Deck was destroyed.
"I end my Turn." Yuto concluded. "I'll end this Duel quickly on my next Turn!"
"My Turn! I activate Magic Card: Umbral Refresh! I can target 1 face-up Monster whose current ATK is different than its original ATK. That Monster's ATK revert to its original ATK and I gain LP equal to the change of its ATK!" Dante chose Raider's Knight's ATK, reverting its ATK back to 2000 and he in turn gained 3000 LP, the same as Raider's Knight's ATK before it returned to its original ATK.
DANTE LP: 4000 = 7000
"Battle! I attack Rusty Bardiche with Masquerade Magician – Shining!" Dante declared Battle Phase. The Numbers Xyz Monster shot a beam of light that strikes through the Phantom Knights Link Monster, destroying it.
YUTO LP: 4000 = 3400
"When a Phantom Knights Monster I control is destroyed by Battle or card effect, I can Special Summon Phantom Knights Fragile Armor from my hand!" Yuto summoned Fragile Armor (ATK: 1000 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 4) in Attack Position.
"I end my Turn." Dante concluded, confusing his opponent.
"That's all? I thought he'd do more." Yuto eyed Dante suspiciously.
Catching the gaze Yuto directed at him, Dante eyed him back. His thoughts then recalled the moment when he was given the order by his master.
"Duel Yuto and see the condition of the blessing he received from Ma'at."
That was the order His Excellency gave to him. However, so far, he didn't see anything particularly noteworthy from the Phantom Knights user. His Excellency wasn't the type who'd speak without conjecture. There must be something. Perhaps he'll know if he pushes the boy further on his next move.
"No. Maybe not that. Since we're talking about Ma'at's blessing, it should be the moment for him to use the blessing..." Right, he was too focused on winning that he forgot that the blessing would work out when Yuto has the momentum. If he wanted to check the blessing, then the fastest way would be to allow Yuto to make his counterattack.
"What a pain in the ass..." Dante mumbled to himself. Allowing Yuto to make his counterattack would mean that he must take the brunt of the blessing. For Apophis offspring like him, receiving Ma'at's blessing equals being burned alive. However, since he must carry out his master's order, he must deal with the incoming pain he'd suffer.
"My Turn!" Yuto began his Draw Phase. For a moment, he looked at the card he had just drawn and then shifted back to the Continuous Trap that sealed his Xyz Monster's movement.
Following Dante's Trap Card's effect, Yuto discarded 3 cards from his Deck to his Graveyard on his Standby Phase. Fortunately, with the card that he just drew, this effect was convenient for him.
"I activate Magic Card: Phantom Deal! When I control Phantom Knights Monster on my Field, I can banish 3 Phantom Knights cards in my Graveyard to destroy a Magic or Trap Card on my opponent's Field, but the Monster I control will be destroyed at the end of Turn!" Yuto banished 3 cards that he just discarded to destroy Dante's Vain – Sneer of Betrayal –, allowing Yuto to activate Raider's Knight's effect.
"I activate Raider's Knight's effect! I detach an Overlay Unit to Special Summon Phantom Knights, Raidraptors, or Xyz Dragon Xyz Monsters from my Extra Deck that is one Rank higher or lower than this card by using this card as Xyz Material!" Yuto sent Raider's Knight to the Overlay Network. Following its own effect, the summoning of the Xyz Monster was treated as Xyz Summon with the remaining Overlay Unit being carried over to the summoned Monster.
"Dragon born within the darkness, raise your wings and fly towards the ark of light! Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 5, Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon (ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2500 / RNK: 5 / ORU: 2)!" Yuto summoned a new Xyz Monster to his Field in Attack Position.
"The effect of Phantom Deal only applies to the Monsters already on the Field before the card was activated. Monsters summoned after the card was activated won't be affected by its effect. He didn't just destroy my Trap Card, but he also summoned a new Xyz Monster, preventing his Field from becoming empty once his Turn ends." Dante had to be begrudgingly impressed by the Xyz user's move.
"I activate Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon's effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, it gains ATK equal to the total original ATKs of all other Monsters on the Field!" Yuto increased his dragon's ATK to 6700.
"An ATK of 6700?!" Dante was taken aback. He didn't expect the Monster to have such an effect.
"Also, if it was summoned using a DARK Xyz Monster as a Material, I can negate the effect of all other face-up Monsters on the Field. However, after this effect resolved, I cannot declare attack with other Monsters for the rest of this Turn." Yuto revealed, which means Fragile Armor and Masquerade Magician – Shining won't be able to use their effects.
"Battle! I attack Numbers 104: Masquerade Magician – Shining with Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon!" Yuto declared Battle Phase.
Azure-colored flames burst out from the tips of Arc Rebellion's wings. Its fangs shined in bluish light as Arc Rebellion's eyes glinted the moment its gaze landed on its prey. White light also surrounded its body, intensifying the flames. Using its wings, it thrust straight towards the opposing Xyz Monster. The flames on the tips of its wings burst stronger, boosting its speed. The fangs pierced through the Numbers Monster's chest, shredding it until it's no more.
Dante was blown back from the impact of the attack, landing on his back.
DANTE LP: 7000 = 3000
"I set a card and end my Turn. Due to Phantom Deal's effect, Fragile Armor is destroyed at the end of this Turn." Yuto concluded. Fragile Armor disappeared from Yuto's Field, leaving only Arc Rebellion.
"Dammit. It's always hurt..." Dante groaned in pain from the attack. He always hated this part of the Duel when his opponent was someone with Ma'at's blessings. "Good thing I increased my LP. Otherwise, it would be a bye bye for me... Hmm?"
Dante blinked as he realized something odd. His hands reached for his arms, legs, rib, neck. He felt something amiss.
"The impact of the damage didn't hurt me as it usually did..." Made no mistake that the attack still hurt him. However, unlike before, the pain was still much more bearable compared to the usual attacks with the blessings of Ma'at. If before the pain and injury he received was like being burned inside out, this pain was only like being punched thrice or so. Did it have something to do with his increasing power due to his master's awakening?
Or...
Dante looked at Yuto and quietly gasped. Yuto didn't notice it himself since he was too preoccupied, but it was clear in Dante's eyes. The white warm light, poisonous for him and all Apophis offspring, was shining dimly.
"His Ma'at's blessing is growing weaker..."
NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW:
Undesirable Reunion – Yuzo and his team bring Heidel to the place where Yubel promised to negotiate for Yuto's release. In anticipation of Apophis interfering in the trade, Yukiya, Yuzu, Sara, and Reiji decided to infiltrate the place where Yuto was held captive.
After Yuto's rescue arc is done, we're finally going into the final arc of the story. I'm really getting even more fired up writing now. If only I had more free time like when I wrote Bonds of Pendulum and Presage of Malevolence, I could update more on regular basis.
I'm halfway done, please wish me luck!
Please don't forget to review this chapter.