Yu-Gi-Oh Vrains: Advent of New Beginnings

by donkeyboy100

Sequel to Circuit of Smiles. Months have passed since Yuji, Ena, along with their counterparts, Yuya and Zuzu put a stop to Roget's plans and saved LINK VRAINS. However, a new mysterious group has come along that plans to eliminate LINK VRAINS Top 10 to take control of SOL Technologies. Can Storm Rider and his friends stop this new enemy without the aid of their counterparts?

45. Get Psyched

In LINK VRAINS, at Top Palace...

Chevalier, Charmcaster, Seraph and Brawler were currently standing atop the roof of Top Palace, narrowing their eyes at one another.

"I would've preferred it if we met up sooner, but I had to fly back to Europe to finish working on the Season 8 finale of Game of Thrones," Chevalier said.

"Don't sweat it," Charmcaster said. "But given how busy you are with your acting career and LINK VRAINS, we didn't think you had time for anything else."

Chevalier laughed at Charmcaster's comment. "That's rich coming from you. If I recall, the last time I wanted you to meet me in LINK VRAINS, you couldn't because you had to study for some big exam, right?" He thought about it for a moment. "Oh yes. And before that, you stood me up because you had to go on some blind date your friends set up for you. And before that, you flaked on me at the last second because you had forgotten that you promised your neighbor you would babysit their kids while they go out to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary."

Charmcaster stiffened. "And as I said before, for each of those incidents, I'm sorry," she said. "The important thing is I'm here now."

"She's right, you know," Seraph agreed. "Just because you're some famous TV star doesn't mean we're supposed to wait on you hand and foot."

"We also have lives outside of LINK VRAINS, not just you," Brawler added. "So if something important comes up and we need to tend to it, we will."

"Oh…" Chevalier lowered her head. "In that case, I apologize for my overbearing attitude to the three of you. It's just that we have little time left before the final battle against the Syndicate comes to fruition, and I want us to get stronger as soon as possible. Hence, the reason why I called you guys here."

"We understand. Just like you, we also desperately want to become stronger," Seraph said. "But until Varis notifies us and the others with an update, all we can do is relax and train. And as of right now, it's training time."

"You took the words right out of my mouth, Seraph," Charmcaster smirked before turning to Chevalier. "So, Mr. Knight, how are we doing this? Are we dueling one-on-one or in pairs?"

"The former," Chevalier replied. "As much as I love doing Tag Duels with you, I believe we should test each other's strength first and see how much we've progressed. Once we do that, we'll try dueling in pairs. Sound good?"

"Sounds good to me." Brawler nodded. "And if it's alright with you guys, I'll start this little training session. The question is, who of the three of you will be my opponent?"

"That would be me!" Charmcaster exclaimed as she stepped forward. "Besides, I've been curious about your dueling skills for quite some time. I mean, I've seen recordings, but I feel it's better if you experience it. Don't you agree?"

"I do," Brawler said, grinning and putting on his Duel Disk. It had a black body with a gold circle around the screen. He activated his Duel Disk, causing a dark red blade to emerge from the side. "Ready?"

"Ready!" Charmcaster shouted and raised her Duel Disk – a dark green model shaped like a diamond with a black screen

"Duel!" they shouted

Charmcaster: 4000 LP

Brawler: 4000 LP

"Ladies first," Bralwer said.

"You're too kind," Charmcaster responded, taking a card from her hand. "I summon Homunculus, the Alchemic Being!"

A humanoid monster colored red in some parts and blue in others appeared on Charmcaster's field.

Homunculus, the Alchemic Being ATK 1800 DEF 1600 LVL: 4

"I place one card face-down and end my turn," Charmaster said, placing her card face-down. "Your move, Brawler!"

"Indeed," Brawler said. "My turn! I draw!" He looked at his card, then placed it in his hand and picked a different card. "Because you control more monsters than I do, I can Special Summon Dinowrestler Pankratops from my hand!"

A large gray humanoid triceratops wearing a green vest and purple pants appeared and roared.

Dinowrestler Pankratops ATK 2600 DEF 0 LVL: 7

"Next, because I control a "Dinowrestler" monster, I can summon this monster from my hand without Tributing a monster," Brawler stated. "Come Dinowrestler Eskrimamenchi!"

A brown-skinned anthropomorphic Mamenchisaurus with dark brown tattoos over its body appeared. It wore reddish-brown armor, brown belts around its shoulders- from which bones sprouted- biceps and tail, and a mask with green fur emerging from its sides. The dinosaur gave a battle cry and posed.

Dinowrestler Eskrimamenchi ATK 2200 DEF 0 LVL: 6

"And since I control a "Dinowrestler" monster on my field, I can Special Summon Dinowrestler Parasambe from my hand!"

A dark green-skinned, muscular, and anthropomorphic Parasaurolophus with yellow tattoos over its biceps and legs and an orange cranial crest. It wore brown armor that had spikes extending from its sides, a belt with the Dinowrestler's logo carved on it, and a mask with yellow fur emerging from its sides. It flew beside Brawler's other two monsters.

Dinowrestler Parasambe ATK 1400 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"He summoned three monsters in one go," Chevalier commented from the side. "It looks like Brawler's going all out from the start."

"Battle!" Brawler announced. "Dinowrestler Pankratop, attack Homunculus!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Negate Attack!" Charmcaster declared. "This card not only negates your monster's attack but also ends the Battle Phase."

A barrier appeared in front of Homunculus and protected him from Pankratops' attack.

"So you had a counter ready for that, huh…?" Brawler muttered. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"My turn! I draw!" Charmcaster announced, drawing her next card. Seeing her current hand, she smiled. "From now on, I control the field! I activate the Field Spell Card: Magical Meltdown!"

A large magical circle appeared at her feet and then spread out to cover the whole field.

"While this card is active, you can't negate my cards or effects that include performing a Fusion Summon or activate cards or effects when I perform a Fusion Summon. And finally, I can add Aleister the Invoker from my Deck to my hand." She took a card from her Deck. "I summon Aleister the Invoker!"

A young man in robes carrying a book and staff appeared.

Aleister the Invoker ATK 1000 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"Aleister's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can add Invocation from my Deck to my hand. Following that, I activate Homunculus the Alchemic Being's effect! Once per turn, I can change its Attribute. I switch it from Light to Dark!" A purple aura surrounded Homunculus' body. "From there, I activate the Spell Card: Polymerization to fuse Aleister and Homunculus!"

Aleister turned into blue particles, while Homunculus turned into red particles, with both swirling into a vortex afterward. Two tornadoes of energy shot upwards and merged to form a magenta whirlwind.

"Bringer of madness, become one with the shadows and unleash a new power!" Charmcaster chanted. "I Fusion Summon! Appear, beast of chained madness! Invoked Caliga!"

A humanoid lizard in tattered robes and manacled wrists emerged from the whirlwind and roared.

Invoked Caliga ATK 1000 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

Why would she Fusion Summon a monster with only 1000 attack points? Brawler thought. She's probably setting up to summon an even stronger monster.

Brawler gestured to his field. "I activate Pankratops' effect! By Tributing a "Dinowrestler" monster I control, I target and destroy one monster you control! Eskrimamenchi to destroy Caliga!"

Said dinosaur exploded in particles of yellow light before uniting into a sphere of energy that shot towards the Fusion Monster.

"I thought you'd use your Pankratops' effect in this timing, which is why I was lucky to draw this!" Charmcaster said as she took and played the card she drew. "I activate my Set Quick-Play Spell Card: The Book of the Law! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: The Book of the Law! With this card, I Tribute Caliga!" Her monster broke apart into light, making Brawler gasp in surprise. "And then, I Special Summon an "Invoked" monster from my Extra Deck whose Attribute is different from Mechaba's. Come forth, Invoked Purgatrio!"

A monster resembling three demons bound together appeared, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Invoked Purgatrio ATK 2300 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

"My Spell Card also treats this Special Summon as a Fusion Summon," Charmcaster stated before gesturing to her field. "Purgatrio's effect activates! It gains 200 attack points for each card you control. You control four cards, so it gains 800 attack points!"

Invoked Purgatrio ATK 2300→3100

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Invocation, banishing Aleister and Homunculus from my Graveyard to Fusion Summon once more!"

A silhouette of Aleister and Homunculus appeared on Charmcaster's field before turning into particles as they swirled into a vortex afterward. Two tornadoes of energy shot upwards and merged to form a magenta whirlwind.

"Bringer of madness! Embrace the power of light and unleash a heavenly guardian that will pierce my enemies!" Charmcaster chanted. "I Fusion Summon! Appear, machine lord of light! Invoked Mechaba!"

A mechanical monster that resembled a warrior riding a chariot wielding a lance and shield emerged from the whirlwind onto Charmcaster's field in Attack Position.

Invoked Mechaba ATK 2500 DEF 2100 LVL: 9

"As expected of Charmcaster, she pulled off two consecutive Fusion Summons in one turn," Seraph commented. "If Brawler isn't careful here, he might find himself one-turn-killed by her."

"It's time to battle!" Charmcaster declared. "Invoked Purgatrio attacks Parasambe! Inferno Kamikaze!"

Brawler gritted his teeth and gestured to his field. "I activate the Trap Card: World Legacy Awakens! It lets me Link Summon using monsters I control as material."

Following his words, a blue orb materialized between Brawler's hand before glowing brightly, conjuring a Link Portal.

"The summoning conditions are two Dinosaur monsters!" he shouted. "I set Dinowrestler Pankratops and Parasambe in the Link Arrows!"

His two monsters turned into twisters of grey and dark green energy and entered the bottom and right.

"I Link Summon! Come forth, Link 2! Dinowrestler Sumolophus!"

An anthropomorphic Saurolophus with light brown skin that had orange tattoos over its chest and tail and a cyan-colored head, wearing blue armor on its hands and feet that had long blue claws attached to them, with a mask that had orange fur emerging from its sides, a golden belt with the Dinowrestler's logo carved on it and grey shorts emerged from the portal. The dinosaur's crimson eyes narrowed at its enemy as it landed in the Extra Monster Zone.

Dinowrestler Sumolophus ATK 1000 LINK-2 ↓→

"A Link Summon during our Battle Phase..." Charmcaster narrowed her eyes.

"The effect of Sumolophus activates when Link Summoned!" Brawler stated. "It gains 200 attack points times the Level of a "Dinowrestler" monster that was used as Link Material for its summon! I choose the Level 7 Dinowrestler Pankratops to have Sumolophus gain 1400 attack points!"

Dinowrestler Sumolophus ATK 1000→2400

"Furthermore, since I now only control two cards on my field, your Purgatrio loses 400 attack points!"

Invoked Purgatrio ATK 3100→2700

Charmcaster chuckled. "That may be. But both my monsters are still stronger than yours." She gestured to her field. "Battle! Puragtrio attacks Sumolophus! Infernal Kamikaze!"

The three fiends laughed as they launched blue fire at Brawler's Link Monster.

"Useless!" Brawler scoffed. "Since Parasambe was used as Link Material for a "Dinowreslter" Link Monster, that monster cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects twice per turn!"

Following his words, the flames struck Sumolophus as several sparks traveled onward to Brawler.

Brawler: 4000→3700 LP

"Next, Mechaba will attack your Sumolophus!" Charmcaster announced. "Holy Charge!"

Mechaba's chariot rushed across the field and impaled the Dinowreslter Link Monster with its spear, generating a shockwave that made Brawler wince.

Brawler: 4000→3600 LP

"You may have reduced the damage you would have taken, but I still took down your Life Points," Charmcaster said. "I place one card face-down and end my turn!"

"My turn!" Brawler said. "I draw!" He looked at his card and smiled. "During my Standby Phase, I can activate Sumolophus' effect! I Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Dinowrestler" monster from my Deck in Defense Position next to its Link Arrow. Appear, Dinowrestler Systegosaur!"

A green humanoid dinosaur with a spiked tail wearing a black vest and green pants appeared in Attack Position.

Dinowrestler Systegosaur ATK 1900 DEF 0 LVL: 4

Invoked Purgatrio ATK 2700→2900

"Systegosaur's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned, I can add a "Dinowrestler" monster or World Dino Wrestling from my Deck to my hand. I add Dinowrestler Martial Ankylo. Appear! The circuit to victory!" The Link Portal appeared above Brawler. "The summoning conditions are two or more "Dinowrestler" monsters. I set Systegosaur and Link-2 Sumolophus in the Link Arrows!"

Both monsters entered the bottom, bottom-left and bottom-right arrows.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Dinowrestler King T Wrextle!"

A maroon-skinned humanoid dinosaur wearing a red vest and blue paints, with a tyrannosaurus skull on its right arm and the spine of the same dinosaur over its left arm, emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone Sumoluphus had previously vacated.

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 3000 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

Invoked Purgatrio ATK 2900→2700

"So he finally brought out his ace," Charmcaster muttered. "Looks like the game's about to get serious."

"I activate the Trap Card: Survival of the Fittest!" Brawler declared. "This card becomes an Equip Card for a Dinosaur monster, increasing its attack points by 1000 and allowing it to attack a monster again if it destroys one by battle!"

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 3000→4000

Seraph raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't Brawler use that card on Charmcaster's turn when she attacked Sumolophus?"

"Because she wouldn't have anything to defend herself with come Brawler's turn," Chevalier answered, causing Serpah to turn to him." As you and I both know, Mechaba has an effect that negates any card Brawler activates so long as Charmcater discards a card of the same type. Since her face-down card is obviously a Trap Card whose effect is a defensive one, she preferred to keep it even if that meant risking her monster being destroyed and taking some damage."

Charmcaster gestured to her field. "I activate the Trap Card: Damage Diet!" she abruptly declared. "Thanks to it, all damage I take this turn is halved!"

Brawler smirked. "I see you didn't forget about T Wrextle's effect, which prevents you from activating Spells or Traps during the Battle Phase. But even with the damage reduced, that won't stop my assault." He gestured to his field. "Battle! King T Wrextle attacks Invoked Mechaba! Jurassic Howl!"

King T Wrextle roared, producing shockwaves that blasted Mechaba and disintegrated it. Charmcaster grunted from the damage.

Charmcaster: 4000→3250 LP

"Since King T-Wrextle successfully destroyed your monster, Survival of the Fittest's effect activates," Brawler stated. "Attack once more! Jurassic Howl!"

King T Wrextle roared again, destroying Purgatrio and making Charmcaster grunt in pain a second time.

Charmcaster: 3250→2600 LP

"I'll end my turn with that," Brawler said. "Let's see what you can really do, Charmcaster!"

"Indeed!" Charmcaster shouted. "My turn! I draw!" She looked at her card, then played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Foresight Draw! Through its effect, I can draw five cards from my Deck if I guess what type the top card of my Deck is. If I guess wrong, I must send five cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard and skip my next Draw Phase. I predict that my top card is a Monster. Now, let's see if I was correct. Draw!"

Charmcaster drew a card from her Deck—and grinned as she showed it to Brawler.

"It seems I guessed correctly. My top card was Gigantes, which means I draw five cards from my Deck. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Graceful Charity! Now I draw three cards, then discard two." She drew, then said, "I discard Card of Compensation and Gigantes." She sent the cards to his Graveyard, then said, "Since I sent Card of Compensation to the Graveyard, its effect lets me draw two cards. Then, I set the Pendulum Scale with Scale 1 Aleister the Master Invoker and Scale 5 Mathers the Thelema Magus!"

Two columns of light appeared next to Charmcaster, with two monsters rising to the top. The first one was a monster resembling Aleister the Invoker, only clad in intricate crimson robes and holding an even more ornate staff with two crystals, one red, one blue, hovering around it. The second monster was clad in a ceremonial outfit reminiscent of an Egyptian pharaoh of old and held a jewel-encrusted staff reminiscent of a shepherd's crook.

Aleister the Master Invoker Scale: 1

Mathers the Thelema Magus Scale: 5

"Wow!" Brawler cheered. "I certainly didn't see this coming. But this will only make things more exciting!"

"That's one way to look at it, I suppose," Charmcaster said. "Now, let's continue. I activate Invocation's effect in my Graveyard! I shuffle it into my Deck to add the banished Aleister the Invoker to my hand, which I'll summon!"

The robed man with a staff and book reappeared.

Aleister the Invoker ATK 1000 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"Thanks to Aleister's effect, I will add Invocation from my Deck to my hand," Charmcaster continued. "Next, I activate Mathers' Pendulum Effect, which allows me to banish a monster on my field and Special Summon an "Invoked" monster from my Extra Deck with the same attribute and its effects negated by ignoring its summoning conditions. I will banish Aleister to Special Summon Invoked Valefor!"

A black-colored magic circle appeared on the field, consuming Aleister. Immediately afterward, a demonic creature wearing a hawk mask with bat wings instead of arms appeared on Charmcaster's field.

Invoked Valefor ATK 2500 DEF 1700 LVL: 7

"I'm sure you can guess what's coming next, right?" Charmcaster smirked. "I activate the Spell Card: Invocation, banishing Valefor from my field and Gigantes from my Graveyard to Fusion Summon!"

A silhouette of a red orc wielding a tree trunk appeared on her field. Valefor broke into red particles, while Gigantes broke into blue particles, swirling into a vortex afterward. Two tornadoes of energy shot upwards and merged to form a magenta whirlwind.

"Bringer of madness and the being residing in the parallel dimension. Consume the indomitable earth and be reborn as the bronze guardian giant! I Fusion Summon! Appear! Invoked Talos!"

An imposing giant creature made entirely out of gleaming bronze and clad in armor reminiscent of a Greek hoplite, which wielded a massive broadsword in its right hand, appeared on Charmcaster's field.

Invoked Talos ATK 3400 DEF 2500 LVL: 9

"Mathers's Pendulum Effect activates, allowing me to draw a card since I Fusion Summon an "Invoked" Fusion Monster," Charmcaster continued. "And since I successfully Fusion Summoned an "Invoked" Fusion Monster and my opponent controls a Special Summon monster, I can activate the Spell Card: Overlapping Eidolon! Through its effect, I can Special Summon an "Invoked Beast" Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck with a different Attribute than the summoned monster by ignoring its summoning conditions. Come to my side, Invoked Typhon!"

A monster with a wide fanged mouth, whose upper half looked like it was made out of clouds and had two dragon wings extending from its back, while its lower half was a serpentine tail, appeared on Charmcaster's field after emerging from a green-colored magic circle.

Invoked Typhon ATK 2700 DEF 1800 LVL: 8

"Now, I activate Invoked Typhon's effect! Once per turn, I can destroy all Spell and Trap Cards my opponent controls and deal 300 points of damage to them for each destroyed card! Absolute Vaccum!"

Typhon opened its mouth wide and created a vacuum that drew Survival of the Fittest inside it, consuming them. Afterward, it opened its maw again, unleashing a wind projectile that struck Brawler squarely in the chest and caused him to wince.

Brawler: 3600→3300 LP

"And since King T Wrextle is no longer equipped with Survival of the Fittest, it loses its attack boost."

Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 4000→3000

"I'm far from finished here," Charmcaster smirked. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Invoked World!"

A large circle of unicursal hexagrams surrounded the two duelists, generating a barrier that enveloped the surrounding area and caused golden particles to rain from the sky.

"Battle!" Charmcaster exclaimed. "Invoked Talos, attack King T Wrextle! At this moment, the effect of Thelema World activates, increasing the attack points of "Invoked" monsters by an amount equal to their Level multiplied by 100 when battling an opponent's monster during my Battle Phase!"

Invoked Talos ATK 3400→4300

"Go, Guardian Slash!"

"I activate the effect of Dinowrestler Martial Ampelo in my hand!" Brawler declared. "By discarding it, my "Dinowrestler" monster isn't destroyed by battle, and the damage is halved!"

Talos struck Kind T Wrextle with its broadsword, failing to destroy it but generating a shockwave that caused Brawle to wince.

Brawler: 3300→2650 LP

"How annoying…" Charmcaster grimaced. "In that case, Invoked Typhon, attack King T Wrextle as well! And thanks to my Field Spell, Typhon gains 800 attack points!"

Invoked Typhon ATK 2700→3500

"Go, Cyclone Downfall!"

Typhon unleashed a sphere of condensed wind and lightning from its hands, striking the Dinowrestler Link Monster with it and destroying it.

Brawler: 2650→2150 LP

"When Typhon destroys a monster…that monster is banished instead of going to the Graveyard," Charmcaster smirked. "Therefore…you won't be able to summon your Fusion Monster. And with the Battle Phase's end, my monsters' attack points return to normal."

Invoked Talos ATK 4300→3400

Invoked Typhon ATK 3500→2700

"Finally, I activate Invocation's effect in my Graveyard! I shuffle it into my Deck to add the banished Aleister the Invoker to my hand. I place two cards face-down and end my turn with this."

"It's my turn!" Brawler announced. "I draw! If you intend to fight against me by going all out, then I'll respond in the same way. But first, I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed, which lets me draw two cards. Then, I will banish Sumolophus and Martial Ampelo from my Graveyard to Special Summon this monster from my hand! Come, Ultimate Conductor Tyranno!"

A towering tyrannosaurus clad in black and crimson armor with orbs containing electrical energy swirling within them attached to it appeared on Brawler's field in Attack Position, with several bolts of lightning raining down from the sky following its appearance.

Ultimate Conductor Tyranno ATK 3500 DEF 3200 LVL: 10

"A non-Dinowrestler monster…" Charmcaster noted. "Looks like you made some adjustments to your Deck,"

"What can I say?" Brawler said. "I love variety." He gestured to his field. "I activate Ultimate Conductor Tyranno's effect! Thanks to it, I can destroy a Dinosaur monster on my field or in my hand to switch all monsters on my opponent's field to Defense Position. I will destroy Dinowreslter Iguanodraka in my hand to switch all your monsters to Defense Position!"

Following Brawler's words, two bolts of lightning were discharged from Tyranno's body, striking Charmcaster's monsters and forcing them to their knees.

"And I'm far from finished!" Brawler declared. "I activate the Continous Spell Card: Jurassic Power! As long as it remains on the field, all Dinosaur monsters I control gain 300 attack points!"

Ultimate Conductor Tyranno ATK 3500→3800

"Furthermore, I can summon a Level 5 or higher Dinosaur monster without a Tribute," Brawler added. "Appear, Super-Ancient Dinobeast!"

A large bipedal dinosaur with silver-blue scales, a pair of small wings on its back and glowing, orange eyes appeared beside Ultimate Conductor Tyranno.

Super-Ancient Dinobeast ATK 2700→3000 DEF 1400 LVL: 8

"Battle!" Brawler exclaimed. "Thanks to its effect, Ultimate Conductor Tyranno can attack all your monsters, and when this card attacks a defense position monster, you take 1000 points of damage!" Charmcaster's eyes widened. "Ultimate Surge!"

The dinosaur slashed the air several times, releasing two waves of electricity heading toward the two Fusion Monsters. Both monsters exploded, with the shockwave from it sending Charmcaster tumbling back.

Charmcaster: 2600→600 LP

"Things aren't looking too good for Charmcaster," Seraph noted. "With only 600 Life Points left, one attack from Ancient Dinobeast will finish things."

"You're not wrong," Chevalier agreed. "But I know Charmcaster. And I know she has something up her sleeve.

"Don't count me out…Just yet…" Charmcaster said as she stood up and dusted herself off. "I activate the Trap Card: Fusion Potion!" The card showed an older man pouring two vials of liquid – one red and the other blue – into a beaker and making a violet mixture. "When I control no monsters, Fusion Potion lets me gain Life Points equal to the attack points of a Fusion Monster in my Graveyard. I increase my Life Points by Talos' attack points!"

Chamcaster: 600→4000 LP

"Kuh, so we're back to square one…" Brawler grimaced. "In that case, I attack you directly with Dinobeast!"

The large dinosaur unleashed an energy blast from its mouth that struck Charmcaster, pushing her back several feet.

Chamcaster: 4000→1000 LP

"All things considered, it seems you're almost finished, Charmcaster," Brawler remarked. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Charmcaster announced. "I draw! Now, it's time to start going all out against you two. I activate the Spell Card: Final Offguard! As my Life Points are lower than yours and you're the only one with a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I can draw two cards."

Charmcaster drew and smiled at her cards. "I summon Aleister the Invoker!"

Aleister the Invoker ATK 1000 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

The man in gold and white robes reappeared.

"That combo again…." Brawler muttered. "This is starting to get repetitive…."

"As long as it's effective, who cares if it's repetitive?" Charmcaster smirked. "Aleister's effect activates, letting me add Invocation from my Deck to my hand. And now, by banishing the Light Attribute Invoked Mechaba, I can Special Summon Diana the Light Spirit from my hand!"

A pale-skinned woman with long blonde hair wearing a white dress appeared in Attack Position.

Diana the Light Spirit ATK 1700 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

Charmcaster smirked. "Alright. I think it's time I tried something different. Appear, the fused circuit!" A Link Portal appeared above Charmcaster. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two monsters with different Types and Attributes. I set Aleister and Diana in the Link Arrows!"

The two monsters entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Aleister the Invoker of Madness!"

A human man in white robes with a red left hand, red horns, and red wings emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Aleister the Invoker of Madness ATK 1800 LINK-2 ↙↘

Chevalier narrowed his eyes. "She brought out her Link Monster"

"I activate the Spell Card: Invocation!" Charmcaster continued. "Due to its effects, Invoker of Madness's name becomes Aleister the Invoker while on the field, so I'll banish Invoker of Madness from my field, as well as Invoked Purgatrio and Dinowrestler Pankratops from our Graveyards!"

Invoker of Madness, along with silhouettes of Purgatrio and Pankratops, appeared before breaking into different-colored particles that swirled into a violet tornado.

"Uplifted bringer of madness! The personification of fire! Creature of the land! Unite your powers into a new creation! I Fusion Summon! Come forth! The child of heroes and heaven! Invoked Perseid!"

The monster that emerged from the purple twister had a humanoid upper body but a serpent's lower body. Its body was made of black rock, with veins of fire all over the body. Spikes of rock grew at its shoulders and elbows, its hands ended in a black lance lined with fire, and a black shield emblazoned with the head of Medusa. Its head was human, but in place of hair, it had an aura of red fire, and its eyes were bloodred. The monster opened its mouth and roared.

Invoked Perseid ATK 2900 DEF 2100 LVL: 8

"Invoked Perseid…?" Serpah wondered. "I've never seen that Charmcaster use that monster in any of her duels."

"That's because she only saves it for strong opponents," Chevalier revealed. "I would know because she used it in our duel with Astro and Glacia."

Charmcaster smirked. "Thanks to its effect, Invoked Perseid can make up to three attacks on my opponent's monsters during the Battle Phase. And when it attacks a Special Summoned monster, that monster's effects are negated, and its attack points are halved during the Damage Step!" Brawer's eyes widened. "Battle! Invoked Perseid attacks Ultimate Conductor Tyranno!" The rock monster's shield and lance lit up with red light. "Due to Perseid's effect, Tyranno's effects are negated, and its attack points are halved!"

Perseid held its shield out, and Conductor Tyranno groaned as it glowed red and turned to stone.

Ultimate Conductor Tyranno ATK 3800→1900

"Furthermore, due to Invoked World's effect, its attack points increase!"

Invoked Perseid ATK 2900→3700

Brawler gritted his teeth and gestured to his field. "I activate the Trap Card: Inspiration! One of my monsters gains 700 attack points until the end of the turn. I target Ultimate Conductor Tyranno!"

Ultimate Conductor Tyranno ATK 1900→2600

Charmcaster's Fusion Monster then shoved its lance forward and fired a beam of red flames at the petrified dinosaur, making it break apart. Brawler cried out as the stream pushed him back.

Brawler: 2650→1550 LP

"The second attack! Perseid attacks Super-Ancient Dinobeast!"

The lance then shot a second beam of fire that shattered the blue-scaled dinosaur and pushed Brawler back.

Brawler: 1550→850 LP

"Since the Battle Phase is over," Charmcaster said, "The effect of Invoked World ends, and Perseid's attack points return to normal."

Invoked Perseid ATK 3700→2900

"Yes!" Chevalier shouted excitedly. "Charmcaster knocked Brawler's Life Points by more than half! If it weren't for his Trap Card, she would have won."

"I have to admit, she's improved a lot," Seraph said. "And she hasn't even summoned her ace yet."

" activate the effect of Invocation in my Graveyard! By shuffling it into my Deck, I return the banished Aleister the Invoker to my hand," Charmcaster stated. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn," she narrowed her eyes. "You alright, Brawler?"

"Of course I am!" he said. "My turn! I draw!" He looked at his card, then played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Card of Demise! Through its effect, I can draw cards from my Deck until I have five in my hand. Then, since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Dinowrestler Coelasilat from my hand!"

Dinowrestler Coelasilat ATK 100→400 DEF 800 LVL: 2

"From there, I summon Dinowrestler Capoeiraptor!"

A gray humanoid dinosaur in a blue and green outfit appeared.

Dinowrestler Capoeiraptor ATK 1800→2100 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"I activate the Spell Card: Resonance Device! I target two of my monsters that have the same Type and Attribute and change the Level of one to the Level of the other. I target Capoeiraptor and Coelasilat and change the latter's Level to the former's."

Dinowrestler Coelasilat LVL: 2→4

"Two Level 4 monsters?" Charmcaster said in surprise. "And one of them is a Tuner."

"I tune the Level 4 Dinowrestler Coelasilat with the Level 4 Capoeiraptor!"

Following Brawler's declaration, a bolt of green lightning struck him before the world greyed out, and his two monsters turned into particles. Two rings, one light green and one brown, appeared before turning blue and merging. Eight rings, stacked in a tower, appeared, with a screen displaying "4 + 4" in front of them. The screen changed to "8" as light surged through the rings.

"Prehistoric king! Become the epitome of terror, and make the opposition surrender before your strength!" Brawler chanted. "I Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 8! Dinowrestler Giga Spinosavate!"

A purple-skinned humanoid dinosaur with long horns and two spiked spines, one very long and one small, appeared on Brawler's field in Attack Position. He wore golden spiked shoulder pads that had white spikes protruding from the back of them, along with an orange orb on the sides. Attached to his white gauntlets and the back of his legs were a pair of spines that protruded outwards as if they were spikes. He also wore dark blue pants with black stripes, as well as golden kneepads. On top of Giga Spinosavate's head was a white mask with small spikes protruding from the top, as well as two long horns on his sides.

Dinowrestler Giga Spinosavate ATK 3000→3300 DEF 0 LVL: 8

"3300 attack points?" Seraph said, surprised. "That's one powerful Synchro!"

Brawler gestured to his field. "I activate Giga Spinosavate's effect! Once per turn, I can target a card on your field and destroy it. I target and destroy Invoked Perseid!"

Giga Spinosavate charged forward and kicked the Invoked Fusion Monster with such force that he turned into particles.

"I activate my Trap Card!" Charmcaster declared, much to Brawler's surprise. "Puzzle Reborn! Since a card effect destroyed my monster, I can Special Summon that monster. Resurrect, Invoked Perseif!"

Invoked Perseid ATK 2900 DEF 2100 LVL: 8

Seraph blinked. "She anticipated her monster's destruction?"

Charmcaster smirked. "I figured you would try to destroy it with an effect since Perseid's effect is hard to get over. And this duel will be mine come next turn."

"Is that what you think?" Charmcaster gasped at Brawler's words. "I activate the Spell Card: Tail Swipe! If I control a level 5 or higher Dinosaur monster, I can return two of your monsters to your hand! Say goodbye to your last line of defense!"

"I don't think so!" Charmcaster shouted. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Mystik Wok! This card lets me Tribute a monster I control and gain Life Points equal to its attack or defense points. I Tribute Invoked Perseid and gain Life Points equal to its attack points."

The Fusion Monster exploded as its particles showered Charmcaster, causing her to glow briefly.

Charmcaster: 1000→3900 LP

"Tch." Brawler clicked his tongue in irritation. "In that case, let's battle! Giga Spinosavate attacks you directly! Giga Savate Strike!"

The giant dinosaur struck the ground with its tail, generating a powerful shockwave that struck Charmcaster and sent her flying.

Charmcaster: 3900→600 LP

"That was too close," Chevalier said, breathing a sigh of relief. "If Charmcaster didn't have Mystik Wok, she would have lost."

"Brawler may only be the tenth-best duelist in all of LINK VRAINS, but his skills shouldn't be underestimated," Seraph said. "Losing to him is no shame. If anything, lasting this long is probably an achievement."

Brawler wasn't thinking about winning or losing. He was thinking about how much fun he was having.

He laughed out loud. "Isn't this fun, Charmcaster?" he called out. "Both of us are giving it our all!"

Charmcaster smiled. "Yes, it is fun," she told Brawler. "But the real fun's just getting started!"

"I hope so," Brawler said as he took the last card in his hand and placed it on his Duel Disk. "I place one card face-down and end my turn. Your move!"

Charmcaster was smiling, and it was true she was having fun, but she was also worried. The only card in her hand was Aleister, which would be enough to defeat Seraph. But she didn't take away the fact that he had a Set card. To ensure her victory, she needed her next draw to be a miracle to win.

"My turn!" she shouted. "I draw!"

"I activate my face-down card!" Brawler exclaimed. "The Continuous Trap Card: Non-Fusion Area! Neither player can Fusion Summon while this card is on the field."

Charmcaster gritted her teeth in frustration before looking at the card she drew and smiled. "Like that card will stop me." She played the card she drew. "I activate the Spell Card: Remove Trap. This card lets me destroy one face-up Trap Card on the field. I choose Non-Fusion Area!"

A blast of energy erupted from the Spell Card at Non-Fusion Area, destroying it, much to Brawler's dismay.

"With that out of the way, I can Fusion Summon without any interruptions," Charmcaster said. "I summon Aleister the Invoker!"

The man in gold and white robes reappeared.

Aleister the Invoker ATK 1000 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"Aleister's effect activates! I add Invocation from my Deck to my hand and then activate it! Through its effect, I banish Aleister the Invoker with Invoked Caliga from my Graveyard to Fusion Summon!"

A silhouette of Caliga appeared on Charmcaster's field. Aleister the Invoker turned into red particles, while Caliga turned into blue particles, with both swirling into a vortex afterward. Two tornadoes of energy shot upwards and merged to form a magenta whirlwind.

"Invoker of Madness! Embrace the power of divinity and unleash a world that'll destroy the weak once and for all!" Charmcaster chanted, clasping her hands in front of her. "I Fusion Summon! Arise, the perfect world we seek! Invoked Elysium!"

A massive monster emerged from the whirlwind. It resembled a massive bowl full of water that had been cut in half, with a white and black wall on the top and a blue orb at its center. White spikes ringed the top of the wall. It released powerful gusts of winds as it was summoned to Charmcaster's field in Attack Position.

Invoked Elysium ATK 3200 DEF 4000 LVL: 10

"There it is." Chevalier narrowed his eyes. "Charmcaster's ace monster has finally come out to play at long last."

Charmcaster cackled. "It's time to claim victory! I activate Elysium's effect! Once per turn, during either of our turns, I can target one "Invoked" monster on my field or in my Graveyard and banish it. By doing so, I can banish every monster you control with the same attribute!" Brawler's eyes widened. "I banish the Earth Talos from my Graveyard to banish all Earth monsters you control! Elemental Elimination!"

The spikes on Elysium's walls lit up and fired lasers at Giga Spinosavate, causing it to scream as it turned into particles, leaving Brawler's field bare.

"Battle!" Charmcaster declared. "Invoked Elysium, attack Brawler directly! End of Eden!"

A beam of blue energy shot out of Elysium's core that hit Brawler in his chest and knocked him to the ground.

Brawler: 850→0 LP

Charmcaster walked up to Brawler as he was looking up at the sky. Brawler looked at Charmcaster standing over him with a big smile on her face.

"That was a very fun duel!" Charmcaster said. "We should do it again sometime!"

Brawler smiled and stood up. "Maybe we will someday," he said. "That is if we manage to beat the Syndicate."

"Charmcaster!"

The girl turned around. Chevalier was running up to him, followed by Seraph.

"That was an amazing duel!" he said, congratulating her. "For a moment, I thought you were going to lose."

"It was close," Charmcaster said. "Without Remove Trap, Brawler would have won."

"But enough about our duel," Brawler said. "It's time for the two of you to show us how much you've improved."

Seraph and Chevalier nodded as they took their positions and activated their Duel Disks. Serapah's Duel Disk was a new model colored black with an elongated hexagonal shape and a gray wristband that bore a purple stripe. Chevalier's Duel Disk was also a new model colored gold with silver outlines and a black top.

"Between the two of them, who do you think has a better chance at winning?" Charmcaster asked Brawler.

"It's hard to say. Chevalier and Seraph are both incredible duelists," Brawler answered. "And I would know. I fought alongside them when we worked for Roget. But in the end, the two of them will provide a good challenge for one another."

"Duel!" Chevalier and Seraph shouted.

Chevalier: 4000 LP

Seraph: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first move," Seraph said, taking two cards from his hand. "I summon one monster in Defense Position and place a card face-down. With that, I end my turn."

Brawler was surprised by Seraph's play. "That's it?" he asked. "He must've had a bad hand."

"That's not it," Charmcaster said, narrowing her eyes. "I think he's baiting him."

Back at the duel, Chevalier was thinking very similar thoughts. Well, I won't know until I attack.

"My turn! I draw!" Chevalier drew, looked at his cards, then took one of them from his hand. "As you control a monster and I don't, I can Special Summon Lord Gaia the Fierce Knight!"

A blue armored knight wielding long red lances appeared, riding on the back of a yellow dragon in Attack Position.

Lord Gaia the Fierce Knight ATK 2300 DEF 2100 LVL: 7

"Following that, I summon Artillery Catapult Turtle!"

A green and black armored tortoise with red eyes appeared. The tortoise had a black and red launcher on its back.

Artillery Catapult Turtle ATK 1000 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"I activate Catapult Turtle's effect! By Tributing a monster, I can Special Summon a "Gaia the Fierce Knight" monster or a Level 5 Dragon monster from my hand or Deck. I Tribute Catapult Turtle itself to Special Summon Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight!"

The armored tortoise disintegrated, and in its place rose a green warrior in blue armor carrying two red lances riding a purple horse in Attack Position.

Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight ATK 2300 DEF 2100 LVL: 7

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Fairy Meteor Crush and equip it to Swift Gaia. Now, if Swift Gaia attacks your Defense Position monster, it inflicts piercing battle damage!"

"Two monsters with 2300 attack points, and one can inflict piercing battle damage," Brawler noted.

"Chevalier's really going all out," Charmcaster said in awe.

"Swift Gaia, attack Seraph's face-down monster!" Chevalier shouted. "Spiral Shaver!"

Swift Gaia charged the face-down monster and struck it with one of its lances, which revealed itself as a male angel clad in white armor under a torn cloak. He had light blue eyes, two crimson wings sprouting from his back, and he held an ornate staff in his right hand, which had a green orb on its tip.

Archlord's Messenger ATK 1200 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

The angel cried out as it soon exploded, as did Seraph when he was thrown back from the force of Swift Gaia's attack.

Seraph: 4000→3200 LP

"The monster you destroyed was Archlord's Messenger," Seraph revealed. "And when it's destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I'm allowed to Special Summon a Light Fairy monster with 1500 defense points or less from my Deck. Come on out, Archlord's Archer!"

A female angel appeared from the sky onto Seraph's field in Defense Position. She wore a brown tunic, white breastplate, shoulder plates, and poleyn. She had two green-feathered wings attached to her back and held an ornate bow in her hands.

Archlord's Archer ATK 1600 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"Archer's effect now activates!" Seraph continued. "When summoned, I can banish a Light Fairy monster from my Graveyard to add a Spell or Trap Card that specifically lists "The Sanctuary in the Sky" in its text from my Deck to my hand. I banish Messenger to add Divine Punishment to my hand."

"So what? My battle phase isn't over!" Chevalier said. "Lord Gaia attacks Archer!"

The knight on a dragon swooped down, its lance aimed straight for the female angel.

"You thought it would be that easy?" Seraph said. "I activate the Trap Card: Card Defense! By discarding a card from my hand, your attack is negated, and I get to draw a card!"

Following his words, a swarm of cards surrounded Archer and protected her from Lord Gaia's lance.

"That's not all," Seraph continued as he drew his card. "Since the card I discarded was Cards of Compensation, I get to draw two more cards."

"Oh well," Chevalier said. "I'll just have to get you next turn. I place three cards face-down and end my turn."

"Then it's my turn!" Seraph said. "I draw!" He drew and smiled. "First, I discard a monster known as Zeradias, Herald of Heaven." As Seraph discarded his card, a creature appeared in front of him for a moment. It was a man with blue pants, brown boots, a red face, fully yellow eyes, a green helmet with two red horns, a red silk belt with a yellow gem, green forearm armor pieces, and two green feathery wings. He was wielding a double-bladed javelin. "By doing this, I can add The Sanctuary in the Sky from my Deck to my hand," Seraph smirked, then played the card he added to his hand. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Solemn Kingdom!"

Chevalier, Charmcaster and Brawler gasped as the area around them started to shake as a flash of light appeared and enveloped the entire field. When the light died down, the four youths were suddenly in a new world, one made in a sea of clouds under a clear blue sky.

What was more eye-catching than the cloud cover was the colossal structure floating on an island, clustered together by several forms of temples worn down by the ages, with the foremost one neatly stacked with its tall pillars, being the most presentable. Its crowning jewel would be the massive pillar that may hold the temples together, with a marble sphere resting on a horned pedestal.

"This card isn't The Sanctuary in the Sky!" Chevalier protested.

"Due to its effect, Solemn Kingdom is always treated as The Sanctuary in the Sky," Seraph explained. "Moving on with my turn, I Tribute Archlord's Archer to Tribute Summon Archlord's Virtue Vach!"

The monster vanished and was replaced by a new golden-armored humanoid angel wielding a massive hammer.

Archlord's Virtue Vach ATK 2200 DEF 1800 LVL: 6

"Furthermore, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Burden of the Mighty!" Seraph continued. "With this, your monsters lose attack points equal to their Levels times 100!"

The two knights groaned and slumped over.

Lord Gaia the Fierce Knight ATK 2300→1600

Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight ATK 2300→1600

"Battle! Virtue Vach attacks Lord Gaia! And in case you're thinking of using your face-down cards, you should know that you cannot activate any Spell or Trap Cards when Virtue Vach attacks."

The monster charged as it slammed its mallet into Lord Gaia, destroying it in an explosion and pushing Chevalier back with a grimace.

Chevalier: 4000→3400 LP

"At this moment, I'll activate Virtue Vach's second effect!" Seraph continued. "When he destroys your monster in battle while I control "The Sanctuary in the Sky," I can banish a Light Fairy monster from my Graveyard to allow it to attack again."

"Are you serious?" Chevalier gasped.

"That's not all. Since Archlord's Archer was banished, I get to destroy a card on your field." Seraph revealed. "Say goodbye to your Swift Gaia!'

Virtue Vach's mallet transformed into a golden bow before firing an arrow at Swift Gaia, destroying it.

"I activate the Trap Card: Destruction Reward!" Chevalier abruptly declared. "Because you destroyed the Level 7 Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight, I can draw two cards!"

He drew his cards, then said, "Furthermore, I activate the Trap Card: Soldier's Cross!" The card showed Marauding Captain kneeling on the ground, his sword impaled on the ground and his hands on the hilt, his head bowed over it. "Since my Warrior monster was destroyed, I can Special Summon that monster in Defense Position with its effects negated!"

Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight ATK 2300→1600 DEF 2100 LVL: 7

"Soldier's Cross also lets me draw a card!"

"So you won't go down without a fight," Seraph said with a smirk. "Well, you're not the only one who can activate an effect. I activate Solemn Kingdom's second effect! Since a Fairy monster was banished, I can add a Level 8 "Archlord" monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Archlord Razichel." He took the card from this Deck. "And don't forget that Virtue Vach can attack again. Attack his Swift Gaia!"

The previous scene was repeated once more as Virtue Vach destroyed Genome with its hammer, leaving Chevalier's field bare.

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Chevalier said. "I draw!" Looking at his hand, she smiled. With the cards he had, there was a chance he would win this turn.

"I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed!" Chevalier drew his two cards. "And since I control no monsters, I can Normal Summon Gaia the Magical Knight without Tributing."

A blue-skinned man on a red horse materialized, his cape violet and red and his lances gilded with gold.

Gaia the Magical Knight ATK 2300→1600 DEF 2100 LVL: 7

"Gaia's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 5 Dragon monster from my hand or Graveyard in Defense Position. Come, Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon!"

A dragon made of yellow and red bone appeared, its eyes glowing red.

Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon ATK 2000→1500 DEF 1500 LVL: 5

"Curse of Dragon's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned, I can add a Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand, so long as it lists Gaia the Dragon Champion in its text. I'll add Spiral Fusion to my hand!"

Seraph gritted his teeth. "Fusion." That's right, he thought. Chevalier has mastered all of the summoning methods.

He gestured to his field. "I activate the Counter Trap Card: Divine Punishment! Due to its effect, whenever a Spell, Trap, or monster effect is activated while the Sanctuary in the Sky is on the field, I can negate the activation and destroy the card!"

"If you believe that's enough to stop me, think again," Chevalier said. "I activate the Counter Trap Card: Counter Counter! And just as its name suggests, it negates the activation of a Counter Trap Card and destroys it!"

Seraph gasped as his Trap Card shattered while Chevalier smirked at the same time. "Now, if there are no further interruptions, I activate the Spell Card: Spiral Fusion! This card lets me Fusion Summon a Dragon Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck using monsters from my hand or field as Fusion Materials. I fuse Gaia the Magical Knight and Curse of Dragon!"

The monsters turned into red and blue particles that swirled into a vortex. Blue and red twisters shot upward before merging into a single violet tornado.

"I Fusion Summon! Take flight, Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion!"

Emerging from the tornado was a blue knight riding a red dragon made of bones. The dragon roared from Chevalier's field in Attack Position.

Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion ATK 2600→1900 DEF 2100 LVL: 7

"Sky Galloping Gaia's effect activates!" Chevalier declared. "When this monster is Special Summoned, I can add one "Spiral Spear Strike" from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand." He added a card from his Deck to his hand. "And so long as Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion is on the field, its name is treated as Gaia the Dragon Champion!" he added, making Seraph gasp. "And when Gaia the Dragon Champion is Fusion Summoned using Spiral Fusion, it gains 2600 attack points and can attack your monsters twice during the Battle Phase!"

Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion ATK 1900→4500

"From there, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Spiral Spear Strike! Thanks to its effect, any time Gaia the Fierce Knight, Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight, or Gaia the Dragon Champion attacks a monster in Defense Position, it can inflict piercing battle damage!"

Chevalier gestured to his field. "Battle! Sky Galloping Gaia, attack Archlord Virtue Vach!"

The dragon-riding knight charged the monster with the hammer. "Sky Galloping Gaia's effect activates! When it attacks your monster, I can change its battle position!"

"What!?" Seraph gasped as his eyes widened.

"I change your Virtue Vach to Defense Position!"

The armored angel placed both of its arms in front of itself as it switched to Defense Position.

"And because Sky Galloping Gaia is treated as Gaia the Dragon Champion, it can inflict piercing battle damage due to Spiral Spear Strike!"

Sky Galloping Gaia was enveloped in flames and pierced Virtue Vach, destroying it in an explosion. But when the smoke around Seraph cleared, it was revealed that he hadn't taken any damage.

"Why didn't you take damage?" Chevalier asked him in a shocked voice.

"Thanks to Solemn Kingdom's effect," Seraph explained, "If all the monsters in my Graveyard are Fairy-type, I don't take any battle damage."

Chevalier frowned. "Since there's nothing else for me to do, I have no choice but to end my turn."

"My turn! I draw!" Seraph looked at his card and smiled a small smile. "I activate the Spell Card: Spellbook Inside the Pot, which lets the both of us have to draw three cards!"

After drawing their cards, Seraph placed another card on his Duel Disk. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Celestial Transformation! It lets me Special Summon a Fairy monster from my hand by halving its attack points. Come on out, Archlord's Harpist!"

Emerging from a coat of glass was a female angel clad in an elegant vanilla dress. She had light blue skin and warm orange eyes, as well as white-feathered wings on her back. She held a golden harp in her hands, whose cords glowed with light blue energy.

Archlord's Harpist ATK 1200→600 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

"Harpist's effect activates! When Normal or Special Summoned, I can add one "Archlord" monster from your Deck to your hand. I add Archlord Raphael to my hand. But it won't be staying there for long because by banishing a Light Fairy monster from my hand, field, or Graveyard, I can Special Summon Raphael."

"No way!" Chevalier gasped.

"I banish Harpist to Special Summon Raphael!"

Following Seraph's words, Archlord's Harpist burst into particles and was replaced by a male angel clad from head to toe in gray armor and a crimson shawl wrapped around his head and neck. He had bright red eyes, as well as four blue-feathered wings sprouting from his back. Lastly, he held a white staff, a pointed, crimson jewel on its tip in his left hand.

Archlord Raphael ATK 2800 DEF 2300 LVL: 8

Brawler stared at Seraph's monster with wide eyes, then laughed. "Impressive. First, Chevalier ended his turn with a 4500 attack point monster, and now Seraph brought out a 2800 attack point monster with ease. Let's see if Chevalier has what it takes to face Seraph's upcoming onslaught."

"Since I banished Harpist, its effect activates, letting me draw one card," Seraph continued. "Next, I activate Solemn Kingdom's effect! Once per turn, by discarding a card from my hand, I can Special Summon a banished Fairy monster. Return to me, Archer!"

The female angelic archer reappeared on Seraph's field.

Archlord's Archer ATK 1600 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"Since Archer was successfully summoned, I can banish the Nova Summer I just discarded to add the Spell Card: Archlord's Ascendance, which I'll immediately activate!" The card showed Herald Arc of Light evolving into Herald of Ultimateness. "By Tributing a Fairy monster I control, I can Special Summon a Fairy monster from my hand. However, if I control "The Sanctuary in the Sky," I'm allowed to Special Summon a Fairy monster from my Deck instead. I Tribute Archer to Special Summon Archlord Michael!"

Archer vanished and was replaced by a male angel clad in white armor with black trims, wing ornaments attached to his helmet, and a lion-head accessory on his left shoulder. Two halos, one on top of the other and one smaller than the other, glowed above his head, and his eyes were purple. He held a flaming sword in his right hand with six orange angelic wings attached to his back.

Archlord Michael ATK 2800 DEF 2300 LVL: 8

Chevalier narrowed his eyes. "I have to say that I'm very impressed that you were able to bring out two strong monsters with ease, but their attack points don't match up to Galloping Gaia's.."

"I beg to differ," Seraph countered. "I activate the Spell Card: Block Attack! With this, I'll change Sky Galloping Gaia to Defense Position!"

A blast fired out of Block Attack, which hit Chevalier's Fusion Monster and forced it to kneel.

"Following that, I activate Archlord Michael's effect!" Seraph continued. "Once per turn, I can target an "Archlord" monster I control and grant it the effect that whenever it destroys a monster in battle, you take damage equal to half the destroyed monster's original attack points. I target Archlord Rapahel!"

"What?" Chevalier gasped.

"Battle!" Seraph shouted as he gestured to Raphael. "Archlord Raphael, attack Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion!"

Raphael lifted his staff in the air, then pointed it at Galloping Gaia. A blast of light erupted from it and struck the Fusion Monster, destroying it.

"Raphael's gained effect activates! As it destroyed your monster in battle, you now take half of Gaia's attack points as damage!"

An orb of light was launched from Raphael's palm, striking Chevalier's chest and forcing him back as he grunted in pain.

Chevalier: 3400→2100 LP

As Chevalier recuperated from the damage, he took a card from his hand. ''I activate Arbitrator's effect from my hand!'' he declared. ''When a card I control is destroyed during Battle Phase, I can discard this card to end the Battle Phase!''

"How stubborn…" Seraph muttered. "I place one card face-down and end my turn. Now let's see if you're capable of making a comeback."

"You're going to regret those words," Chevalier said. "It's my turn! I draw!" He looked at his card, smiled and gestured to his field. "I Special Summon Spell Strider!"

A white-haired warrior in blue and red clothes carrying a staff and knife appeared on his field in Attack Position.

Spell Strider ATK 1800→1400 DEF 600 LVL: 4

"Special Summon?" Seraph repeated. "How-?" He gasped in surprise. His Field Spell, as well as Chevalier's Spiral Spear Strike, both crumbled into darkness and disappeared. "What did you do?"

Chevalier smirked. "I can Special Summon Spell Strider by banishing two face-up Spell Cards," he explained. "One from each side of the field. If you hadn't activated Solemn Kingdom, I wouldn't be able to summon it."

Seraph gritted his teeth as Charmcaster smiled. "He got rid of Seraph's Field Spell easily and got a monster out of it," she noted. "Very clever."

"Summoning Spell Strider isn't all I can do, "Chevalier stated. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Ritual Sanctuary. Through its effect, I can discard a Spell Card to add a Ritual Spell Card from my Deck to my hand. I discard Cards of Compensation to add the Ritual Spell Card: Super Soldier Synthesis to my hand. And thanks to the discarded Cards of Compensation's effect, I draw two cards. Next, I activate Super Soldier Synthesis! This card lets me Ritual Summon any "Black Luster Soldier" Ritual Monster from my hand or Graveyard, so long as I send a Light and a Dark monster from my hand and Deck to the Graveyard whose Levels equal 8. I send the Level 4 Beginning Knight in my hand and the Level 4 Evening Twilight Knight in my Deck to the Graveyard to Ritual Summon!"

A green magic circle formed on Chevalier's field, joined by two knights – one wearing blue and gold armor carrying a curved blade and a shield, and the other in white and light blue armor, carrying a similar sword and shield. Eight green flames formed around the circle, and the two monsters disintegrated. Their data particles entered the circle, which emitted a pillar of light.

"Now the soul of the sacrificed shall merge with both the light and the darkness!" Chevalier chanted. "And between the light and the darkness, the gateway to chaos is opened! I Ritual Summon! The Chaos Soldier descends! Level 8! Black Luster Soldier!"

A jagged blade cut apart the pillar. Said sword was wielded by a man in dark blue armor with golden accents running along it. The armor had a pair of golden spikes on its upper back and a red gem embedded into its chest. A long dark red ponytail flowed from the back of its helmet. The knight roared in Attack Position.

Black Luster Soldier ATK 3000→2200 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

Seraph grimaced. "First Fusion Summoning and now Ritual Summoning. This is going to be unpleasant."

"Since Black Luster Soldier was Ritual Summoned by Tributing Beginning Knight and Evening Twilight Knight, it gains additional effects," Chevalier explained. "Beginning Knight allows him to banish a monster you control and attack twice if it destroys a monster through battle, while Evening Twilight Knight also allows Black Luster Soldier to banish a monster from your field, in addition to banishing a random card from your hand until your next End Phase." Seraph's eyes widened. "I banish Archlord Raphael and Archlord Michae! Chaos Eradication!"

The Ritual Monster pointed its sword at the two Archlords and zapped them with red energy. Raphael and Michael shouted with pain as they disappeared from the field and left Seraph defenseless.

"Time to battle!" Chevalier exclaimed. "Black Luster Soldier! Attack Seraph directly! Chaos Blade!"

"It won't be that easy!" Seraph declared. "I activate the Trap Card: Half or Nothing! When this card is activated, you can choose one of two effects. You either end the Battle Phase immediately, or the attack points of all monsters you control become halved until the end of your Battle Phase."

Chevalier was silent for a moment as he contemplated the available choices. Finally, he said, "I'll choose the second effect."

Black Luster Soldier ATK 2200→1100

Spell Strider ATK 1400→700

The knight charged forward and slashed Seraph with its sword, making him stumble.

Seraph: 3200→2100 LP

"Here comes the second attack!" Chevalier said. "Spell Strider, attack him directly!"

The white-haired warrior dashed forward and struck Serpah's chest with its dagger, making him grunt in pain.

Seraph: 2100→1400 LP

Chevalier smiled. "Even if I wasn't able to defeat you this turn, I did deal damage. You really are strong, Seraph."

"As are you, Chevalier," Seraph said, smiling back at him. "This duel so far has been really exciting. Even so… I will be victorious in this duel!"

"Like I said before, the real fun's just getting started! I place one card face-down and end my turn. And since it's the End Phase, Half or Nothing's effect wears off, and my monsters' attack points return to normal."

Black Luster Soldier ATK 1100→2200

Spell Strider ATK 700→1400

"My turn!" Seraph announced. "I draw! I activate the Spell Card: Card of Demise. Through its effect, I can draw cards until I have five in my hand. However, during my fifth Standby Phase following this card's activation, I have to send all cards from my hand to the Graveyard. Then, I activate the Spell Card: Archlord Faith's Edge!" The card showed an archangel blasting a stream of lightning bolts from his hand while his wings were molting. "Since I control no monsters, I'm allowed to Special Summon two Level 6 or lower Non-Effect monsters from my Deck. Come forth, two copies of Sacred-Wing Pegasus!"

Two white horses with golden trims and two wings sprouting from their backs appeared on Seraph's field in Attack Position. Their wings contained celestial energy, which glowed with beauty.

Sacred-Wings Pegasus ATK 2600 DEF 2000 LVL: 6 x 2

"But they won't be out for long because I'm sacrificing them to summon Archlord Razichel!"

A beautiful female angel in a white dress with silver armored stockings, long blonde hair, green eyes, and a nice smile. She had six wings, a halo over her head, and a little book in her hand.

Archlord Razichel ATK 2500 DEF 2900 LVL: 10

"Since Razichel was successfully summoned, I can add a card that lists "The Sanctuary in the Sky" in its card text from my Deck to my hand!" Seraph said as he added the card to his hand. "But it won't be staying there for long because since Razichel was Tribute Summoned, I can Special Summon an "Archlord" monster from my hand by ignoring its summoning conditions. Rise and fight, Archlord Zerato!"

A flash of light appeared, and emerging out from it was a male angel wearing a red scarf with large white wings and a mask over his face. He carried a cutlass sword with him.

Archlord Zerato ATK 2800 DEF 2300 LVL: 8

"Battle!" Seraph exclaimed. "Razichel attacks Spell Strider! Angelic Force!"

Archlord Razichel formed and unleashed a stream of light energy from its hands directly at Strider.

"And whenever Razichel battles a Special Summoned monster, she gains 500 attack points!"

Archlord Razichel ATK 2500→3000

The energy blast then pierced through Spell Strider and destroyed it, with Chevalier almost being thrown back by the force of the shockwave.

Chevalier: 2100→500 LP

Archlord Razichel ATK 3000→2500

"This duel is over, Chevalier!" Seraph declared. "Archlord Zerato, attack Black Luster Soldier directly with Sacred Surge!"

"It will never be that easy, Seraph!" Chevalier shouted. "I activate the Trap Card: Half Unbreak! "Thanks to its effect, Black Luster Soldier cannot be destroyed by battle, and any damage I receive from battles involving it is halved for this turn!"

Following Chevalier's words, Zerato's wings glowed yellow and released a barrage of green feathers that struck Black Luster Soldier, generating a wave of energy that struck Chevalier, causing him to double over in pain.

Chevalier: 500→200 LP

"I was hoping to destroy that troublesome Ritual Monster, but it looks like it won't be that simple…" Seraph muttered. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"It's my turn!" Chevalier announced. "I draw!"

"I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Soulstone Binding!" Seraph abruptly declared. "Through its effect, I target Black Luster Soldier!"

A large crimson crystal appeared around the Ritual Monster, imprisoning it within its confines.

"My monster!" Chevalier shouted out in worry. "What did you do to it!?"

"Thanks to the effect of Soulstone Binding, your monster's effects are negated. It cannot be tributed, and it cannot attack or change its battle position," Seraph explained. "Furthermore, during each of your End Phases, Soulstone Binding will inflict 500 points of damage to you."

"Smart move," Brawler commentated. "Since Black Luster Soldier gained effects through Beginning Knight and Evening Twilight Knight, it'll make things even harder for Chevalier."

"If you think your little Trap Card is enough to stop me, then you're sorely underestimating me." Chevalier let out a sly smile. "Besides, I've already come up with a plan to destroy both of your monsters. Since you control more monsters than I do, I can Normal Summon Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight without Tributing a monster!"

A blue-armored knight carrying blue lances and riding a purple horse appeared alongside Lord Gaia.

Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight ATK 2300→1600 DEF 2100 LVL: 7

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Gaia's Will!" The card showed Gaia, the Mid-Knight Sun, kneeling before a shadowed throne. "Since I control a "Gaia the Fierce Knight" monster, I can excavate the top card of my Deck. And if the card is a Level 3 or lower monster, I can Special Summon it and draw cards equal to its Level. But if it's not, it's placed on the bottom of my Deck."

He drew, then revealed it to Seraph. "The card I drew was Torapart! It is a Level 2 monster, so it is Special Summoned, and I draw two cards!"

A black and purple jester attached to a disk with another version of itself attached to the other side appeared on his field as Chevalier drew two cards.

Torapart ATK 600→400 DEF 600 LVL: 2

"Appear! The circuit of champions!" Chevalier declared. "The summoning conditions are three different named monsters. I set Torapart, Charging Gaia, and Black Luster Soldier in the Link Arrows!"

Black Luster Soldier broke out of his prison as it Torapart and Charging Gaia entered the top, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows.

"Light and darkness intertwine to open the gates of chaos! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Black Luster Soldier – Soldier of Chaos!"

A pale-skinned warrior wearing blue armor gilded with gold emerged from the portal. He wielded a curved silver-and-gold blade in his right hand and a gilded shield in his left. A red cape fluttered from his waist, and blue hair fell down his back. The warrior roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

Black Luster Soldier – Soldier of Chaos ATK 3000 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

Charmcaster blinked. "A "Black Luster Soldier" Link Monster!"

"This is my new dueling, the dueling I have obtained through my strength!" Chevalier declared. "Since Soldier of Chaos was Link Summoned using a Level 7 or higher monster as material, it cannot be targeted or destroyed by your card effects. Furthermore, I activate the effect of Soldier's Cross in the Graveyard! By banishing it from the Graveyard, all of my monsters gain 1000 attack points until the end of the turn!"

Black Luster Soldier – Soldier of Chaos ATK 3000→4000

"Battle!" Chevalier exclaimed. "Soldier of Chaos, attack and destroy Archlord Razichel! Luster Blade Attack!"

"Don't get ahead of yourself!" Seraph stated. "Since Razichel is battling a Special Summoned monster, her attack points increase by 500!"

Archlord Razichel ATK 2500→3000

"Even with that attack boost, my monster's still stronger!" Chevalier pointed out. "Continue your attack, my soldier!"

With a rapid swing of its sword, Soldier of Chaos generated an energy wave that cleanly bisected Razichel, destroying her and pushing Seraph back a meter.

Seraph: 1400→400 LP

"One down, one to go," Chevalier said. "Since Soldier of Chaos destroyed your monster, I can activate one of three effects. I activate its second effect, which allows it to attack a second time." Seraph's eyes widened. "Finish this, Soldier of Chaos! Attack Archlord Zerato with Luster Blade Attack!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Defense Draw!" Seraph declared as the Link Monster bisected Zerato with its sword. "Through its effect, the damage is reduced to 0, and I can draw a card from my Deck."

Chevalier frowned. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn, meaning Soldier Cross' effect ends and Soldier of Chaos' attack points return to normal."

Black Luster Soldier – Soldier of Chaos ATK 4000→3000

He narrowed his eyes. "Now then, can you still keep on fighting, Seraph?"

"You bet," Seraph smirked. "It's my turn! I draw! During the Standby Phase, I activate Archlord Razichel's effect from my Graveyard! By banishing her and another "Archlord" monster, like Zerato from my Graveyard, I can draw two cards!"

Upon looking at the cards he drew, a smile formed on Seraph's face. "Yes! Just the cards I need to attain my victory!"

"This can't be too good," Chevalier muttered.

"By banishing two Light Fairy monsters from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon this monster from my hand," Seraph said. "I banish Archlord Michael and Archlord Raphael to Special Summon Archlord Gabriel!"

A male angel clad in golden armor and a dark green waist cape emerging from its waist. A halo glowed above his head, and his eyes were crimson. Six yellow angelic wings emerged from his back, and he held a large, ornate trumpet in his right hand.

Archlord Gabriel ATK 2900 DEF 2300 LVL: 8

"I activate Gabriel's effect!" Seraph continued. "By discarding a card, I can Special Summon a banished Fairy monster by negating its effects. Arise once again, Archlord Raphael!"

The armored four-winged angel reappeared beside Gabriel.

Archlord Raphael ATK 2800 DEF 2300 LVL: 8

"Next, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Sword of the Archlord Star and equip it to Gabriel, increasing its attack points by 800!"

Gabriel's trumpet vanished and was replaced by a long, shining silver blade, and a golden aura formed around him, showcasing his growing strength.

Archlord Gabriel ATK 2900→3700

"Battle!" Seraph roared. "Gabriel, attack Soldier of Chaos!"

Archlord Gabriel flew high up into the air as he swooped down at a tremendous speed.

"This isn't good," Charmcaster muttered. "Chevalier only has 200 Life Points. If this attack hits-."

"I activate the Trap Card: Intrigue Shield!" Chevalier declared. "I target and equip this card to Soldier of Chaos!" A golden shield with two horses emblazoned on it appeared in the Link Monster's left hand. "The Attack Position monster equipped with Intrigue Shield cannot be destroyed in battle once per turn, and I take no battle damage from attacks involving it!"

Gabriel's sword hit the shield, making a scraping noise, but the shield held.

"Not bad, but don't think for a second that you're out of the woods," Seraph stated. "You see, Sword of the Archlord's Star has another effect. After the equipped monster attacks, I'm allowed to summon my most powerful monster! Come to me, Archlord Morningstar!"

A pillar of light appeared between Gabriel and Raphael. As the light faded, a male angel clad in white armor that had golden trims and a transparent waist cape emerged from its waist. A halo glowed above his head, and his eyes were yellow. Six brown angelic wings emerged from his back, and he held a bright gold and silver shield and a glowing sword.

Archlord Morningstar ATK 3000 DEF 2800 LVL: 8

"Next, Sword of the Archlord Star equips itself onto Morningstar."

The sword vanished from Gabriel's hand and replaced Morningstar's shield.

Archlord Morningstar ATK 3000→3800

Archlord Gabriel ATK 3700→2900

Seraph smirked. "You fought well, but this is where the duel ends. Archlord Morningstar, attack Soldier of Chaos! Heavenly Grace!"

Morningstar raised its right hand, with light blue energy enveloping its sword. It brought the sword down on the shield, shattering it along with the Black Luster Link Monster.

"You may destroy my monster with this attack," Chevalier said. "But thanks to Intrigue Shield, I don't take any damage!"

"But you will take damage from this attack!" Seraph stated. "Raphael attacks you directly!"

Raphael crossed its hands, generating an orb of bright white energy at Chevalier. It hit him and caused a massive explosion. Everyone waited to see what happened and was surprised when the smoke cleared, and Chevalier stood there, unharmed. No, more than that. There was a monster on his field. It was a sentient suit of armor colored red and white with a set of metallic wings.

"What is that?" Seraph asked, not understanding what happened. "Where did the monster come from?"

Chevalier smiled at him. "It's because your attack let me activate my Trap Card! It's called Aura Armor!" he explained. "Since you attacked me directly while my Life Points were less than 2000, I can pay half my Life Points to end the Battle Phase and Special Summon a Player Token whose stats are equal to my Life Points."

Chevalier: 200→100 LP

Player Token ATK ?→100 ?→100 LVL: 4

"Amazing!" Brawler said, his eyes wide and a smile on his face. "They keep going back and forth! Their skills are almost equal!"

"So close, and yet so far." Seraph let out a small laugh. "Looks like I wasn't able to reach it… I place a card face-down and end my turn."

Chevalier closed his eyes as he pondered his next move.

I only have one card in my hand. That being The A. Forces, which I can't do anything with. He placed his hand on his Deck. I need a certain card to turn this around, he thought. I'll pour all I have into this draw, so open the path to victory!

Chevalier opened his eyes. "My turn! I draw!"

"At this moment, I activate my face-down card!" Seraph shouted. "The Continuous Trap Card: Spirit Barrier! Thanks to its effect, as long as I control a monster, I receive no battle damage!"

"Which means Chevalier needs to destroy all three of Serpah's monsters to stand a chance at winning," Charmcaster stated.

Upon seeing his drawn card—Chevalier let out a confident smile. It seemed he was still in the game.

"Let's do this, Serap!" he declared. "This will be the final turn!"

"You seem to have drawn something good judging from your expression." Seraph let out a challenging smirk. "In that case, bring it on, Chevalier!"

"Don't mind if I do! I activate the Spell Card: Card of Variation! It lets me draw two cards, but during my End Phase, I must discard a card or take 3000 points of damage."

"A risky gambit," Charmcaster noted.

Upon looking at his drawn cards, Chevalier could help but grin.

"I activate Ritual Sanctuary's effect!" he declared. "By discarding The A. Forces from my hand, I can add the Ritual Spell Card: Chaos Form, which I'll activate!" A large metal portal appeared behind him, eight marks around its edges. "This card allows me to Ritual Summon any "Chaos" or "Black Luster Soldier" Ritual Monster from my hand by Tributing monsters from my hand or field whose combined Levels equal or exceed that of the Ritual Monster I intend to summon."

"Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you have no other monsters you can Tribute," Seraph pointed out. "The only monster you have out is your Player Token. And it's Level 4, meaning you can't fulfill the requirements for your Ritual Summon."

"You are right on the first point," Chevalier conceded. "But you are wrong on the second. I activate the effect of Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight from my Graveyard! If I would Ritual Summon a "Black Luster Soldier" Ritual Monster, I can banish Arisen as one of the required monsters."

"What?" Seraph said in surprise. "Ritual Summoning by banishing a monster from the Graveyard?"

Chevalier smirked as he gestured to his field. "I banish the Level 7 Arisen Gaia and Tribute the Level 4 Player Token from my field!"

Following his declaration, Arisen Gaia reappeared next to the suit of armor. The two monsters then soon disintegrated in light and entered into the eight marks on the portal, emitting a pillar of dark blue light.

"The contract has been made," Chevalier chanted, his Duel Disk's screen glowing blue. "Almighty knight that has obtained the power of chaos. Rise forth with an unyielding blade! I Ritual Summon! Rise, Black Luster Soldier - Chaos MAX Soldier!"

The pillar's light faded, revealing a tall knight wearing dark blue armor decorated with a crimson red lining in a sectional pattern. Dark purple edges protruded from the shoulder blades and kneecaps of the armor. Gold plates were decorated on the helmet, which covered the top of its head but still revealed his blue face and sharp eyes. Long red hair was flowing from behind his helmet, giving off a deep, dark glow. He carried a dark blue blade, with a golden hilt attached, in his right hand and a dark blue shield, decorated with crimson metal edged on the sides, in the other. The knight roared as it was Ritual Summoned in Attack Position.

Black Luster Soldier - Chaos MAX Soldier ATK 4000 DEF 0 LVL: 8

Seraph blinked in shock. "Another Black Luster Ritual Monster?"

"Chaos MAX Soldier…" Charmcaster let out a sly smirk. "Seriously, you never fail to entertain, Chevalier."

"Didn't foresee this, did you?" Chevalier snarked. "Chaos MAX Soldier is the pinnacle of my dueling. The sign that I will never give up! No matter who or what stands in my way! Let me show you what I mean! As Chaos MAX Soldier was Ritual Summoned, it's unaffected by your card effects. And since it was Ritual Summoned using "Gaia the Fierce Knight" monster, I can banish one of your cards once per turn!" Seraph's eyes widened. I banish Spirit Barrier! Chaos Deletion!"

Chaos MAX Soldier raised his shield and blasted Seraph's Trap Card with multicolored light, shattering it.

"Battle!" Chevalier declared. "Chaos MAX Soldier attacks Archlord Morningstar! Imperial Chaos Blade!"

The man swung his sword to the side, where it lit up with black light. The man leaped into the air and brought the blade down on Morningstar, but Seraph gestured to his field.

"I activate the effect of Honest from my hand!" he declared as a male angel with long blonde hair and multi-colored wings appeared. "When a Light monster I control battles an opponent's monster, I can send this card to the Graveyard to have that monster gain attack points equal to the attack points of the monster it's battling! It's your loss, Chevalier!"

"No, not yet!" Chevalier shouted. "I activate the effect of Raging Fire and Summer Leaf from my hand!" The card showed a cute little girl with long, fiery autumn-colored hair wearing a white kimono dress with sleeve ends and kimono ends resembling leaves. Right beside her was a crimson red fox with its paws and tail lit up in flames."Whenever the effect of a monster from the hand, or a Quick-Play Spell or Normal Trap Card is played, I can send this card to the Graveyard to negate its activation and destroy it!"

Following Chevalier's words, the autumn-haired girl and crimson fox appeared. Seeing Honest, the girl and fox conjured up a storm of flames and aimed it at Honest, causing him to disintegrate into nothingness.

"Chaos MAX Soldier's attack continues! Imperial Chaos Blade!"

Chaos MAX charged Archlord Morningstar, its blade alight with purple fire. Morningstar raised its sword as it glowed blue before firing a stream of energy at the Ritual Monster, but its shield protected it. With a yell, Chaos MAX cut through the angel, destroying it in an explosion as the ensuing shockwave sent Seraph flying.

Seraph: 400→0 LP

"Yes!" Charmcaster cheered, running up to Chevalier with Brawler following behind. "You did really well out there."

"Indeed, you did," Seraph said, walking up to them and holding out his hand. "You won fair and square. And I can see that you and Charmcaster have certainly improved since your duel against Glacia and Astro."

Chevalier smiled. "Thanks. So have you and Brawler." He turned to Charmcaster. "We should celebrate. Why not the four of us go get a bite to eat?"

"That sounds tempting, but I have to finish a report for school," Charmcaster said. "Let's have it once we defeated the Syndicate. See you guys later."

Following her words, Charmcaster logged out.

"Well, that sucks," Chevalier frowned before turning to Brawler and Seraph. "Guess it's just the three of us."

Brawler rubbed his head. "Sorry, Chevalier. But we also have things to do," he said, causing Chevalier's frown to deepen.

"But as Charmcaster said, once this is all over, we'll have that little lunch date," Seraph said. "Until then."

Brawler and Seraph soon logged out, leaving Chevalier alone.

"Man, I just can't catch a break today," he sighed. "But they're right. I should focus more on the Syndicate and not on making lunch plans." He then looked at the clock on his Duel Disk, and his eyes widened. "Gosh, look at the time. If I don't leave now, then I'll miss the start of the Looney Tunes marathon."

And with that, Chevalier logged out of LINK VRAINS.

Several hours later…

"So this is what you wanted to show me, Yuji?"

"Yeah. Though I had to get the exact date from Varis of when this certain event would occur, I wanted you to see it at least one time should we fail to defeat the Syndicate."

Yuji said as he and Ena gazed their eyes to the ocean in front of them. The stars and full moon were reflected in the water, glowing with a soft, ever-changing blue light. It was like looking at a galaxy being born right in front of him.

"So this is the Stardust Road?" Ena said. "You weren't wrong when you said it was an amazing sight. I wished the others were here to see this."

"Me too," Yuji said. "But if remember, Theo said he couldn't meet us since he had a date with Kiko tonight while Skye's at Lily's house trying to finish a group project for school."

Ena smiled. "I can't believe they still have time to do other activities that don't involve the Syndicate."

"No joke…"

The two youths fell silent then, both not sure of what else they should talk about. Yuji then realized that this was the first time after all these months that both of them were alone. That thought made him nervous, so he tried to force what he was feeling into words as he turned to the sky.

"The moon…is very beautiful tonight…"

Seriously!? That's the best you could come up with, you blasted idiot!?

Yuji mentally scolded himself as Ena spoke.

"Yes, that's true. However, you look like you want to say something else. What is it?"

"Well, here goes something…" Yuji sighed and then said. "You know, I've been thinking lately…"

"Something in particular? Or perhaps someone?"

Ena said so with a sly smile, causing Yuji's mouth to twitch.

"…Why do I get the feeling you're having fun at my expense?"

"Me? No, that's totally not the case. Absolutely not."

"You're so not making this easy…"

"When have I ever made things easy for you?" Ena's smile became wider. "After all, you like challenges, don't you? Regardless, you were about to say something."

"Alright then, first things first." Yuji bowed his head. "Thank you, Ena. As you already know, ever since I was a kid, I never thought I needed friends. I always believed it was because I preferred being alone, but subconsciously I knew I wanted to have a friend. But when we met that day, I could tell my whole life was going to change. Every time I felt I couldn't do something, you egged me on and refused to let me give up. I wouldn't be the person I am today or meet the people I've met if it weren't for you, so I'm grateful, perhaps more than you can understand."

"It was my pleasure," Ena said. "I also get the satisfaction of saying I told you so. But if I'm being honest, I can't take all the credit. After all, there are two other people you should be thanking."

"There are?" Yuji questioned. "And who's that, if you don't mind me asking."

"Although they aren't here with us anymore, they're within our hearts," Ena said as he put her hand on her chest. "I'm referring to Yuya and Zuzu."

Hearing those names, Yuji smiled and turned his gaze to the illuminated ocean. "Yuya and Zuzu," he repeated. "Even though it's been months since we last saw them, it still feels like they left yesterday."

"No kidding," Ena agreed. "If they and their friends have never showed up, I don't think we would stand a chance against Roget and the Arbiters."

"And here we are. Fighting a new enemy without their assistance," Yuji noted. "While we have gathered a great number of allies and trained nonstop, a part of me still feels like it won't be enough to stop the Syndicate."

"And there you go again doubting yourself," Ena pouted. "The Syndicate could have an army of a million, billion, or trillion soldiers, but we can't let their numbers intimidate us. Otherwise, we'll be playing right into their hands."

"I know. But-"

"But nothing!" Ena shouted, startling Yuji. "You're not the only one who is worried about the outcome of this battle. All of our comrades have something to fight for or protect, and if we show even the littlest sight of weakness, then they will too."

Yuji gritted his teeth and lowered his head. Ena was right; he couldn't let his fears get the best of him, otherwise, he would become a burden and slow the team down. Especially his fear of Enoch. While he was close to beating him in his last duel, he still felt he was far behind, no matter how much he improved himself. Because of that, he's afraid that if he loses to him again, he will let everyone down.

Yuji sighed, lifted his head and looked at Ena. "Sorry about that. I know that our fight against the Syndicate is going to be an uphill battle, but no matter what they throw at us, I won't back down!" he declared. "Even if it's futile, I choose to be on my feet fighting rather than cowering in a hole somewhere."

"Well spoken, Yuji," Ena said with a smile. "As long as you have that determination, then defeating the Syndicate should be a piece of cake."

"I don't know if I would go that far," Yuji chuckled before widening his eyes upon remembering something. "I almost forgot. There was also another reason I brought you here."

"What is it?" Ena asked.

Yuji, having the bracelet he got for Ena a while ago in his back pocket, looked away from Ena. He had never done this before. How exactly he should give it to her? No, the main question was, why was it so difficult for him to give her this bracelet? It wasn't like anyone was seeing them together like this and would tease him. Ena was his childhood friend, so he just needed to act normally...like always in his sarcastic and condescending way...wait, that didn't sound right either.

"Oh, whatever! I'll give it to her!"

Yuji finally faced Ena who had been looking at him with confusion, wondering why he was uncharacteristically being silent and avoided eye contact with her.

"…Seeing your face makes me want to laugh." Yuji suddenly said, forming veins on Ena's face by the remark.

"Did you really bring me all the way down here just to pick a fight with me?" Ena retorted. Scratched what she thought before, Yuji was still infuriating as always.

Just when she was about to retort, Yuji held her hand and placed something on her palm. Ena blinked at Yuji's awkward and nervous form before staring at the cutely wrapped gift she was holding. There was a card attached to it. She opened the card. Yuji handwrote a message.

With this, we're even. Don't be picky.

Ena carefully opened the gift. Her expression softened, and all her annoyance disappeared when she saw what the gift was. It was a bracelet. The bracelet was white in a shade of yellow, similar to the color of the moonflowers she cared for in a flower bank when she and Yuji were kids. She mesmerized it before wearing it, placing it on her right wrist. If all he wanted was to give him this bracelet, he should have done it sooner.

"…Idiot…" she whispered before narrowing her eyes at Yuji. "What's this for?"

"You helped me when I was down, so I thought I should do something for you when you were down. But to be fair, the others forced me to get you this." Yuji sheepishly admitted.

Before Ena could say anything, Yuji's Duel Disk suddenly rang.

"Oh, wondering who could be calling me at this hour?" He muttered as he took it out. "Hello!?"

[Greetings, Storm Rider. Am I perhaps interrupting something?]

"Varis?" Yuji raised an eyebrow at hearing the Hanoi leader's voice. "Kind of, but I feel like this call is important… So, what can I do for you?"

[We've finally finished our game plan, and all preparations have been made.] Varis said.

A wide smile appeared on Yuji's face as he spoke.

"Does that mean what I think it means?"

[Indeed.] Varis confirmed. [However, there's still one thing I need to deal with, so we can't leave immediately. How about we arrange our departure three days from now at noon? Is there a problem with that?]

"None whatsoever." Yuji. "I hope you and your knights prepared yourself just like me and my friends. It'd be embarrassing if lost to the Syndicate because your skills are rusty."

[I will return those words back to you.] Varis said. Although Yuji couldn't see him, he was smiling. [I will be waiting for you and everyone else in LINK VRAINS' Central Station. Have a pleasant night.]

With those words, Varis signed off. Ena then spoke.

"So, the time has finally come then. The final battle against the Syndicate."

"Yes. This means for the next three days, we need to practice like we've never practiced before." He turned around and faced the ocean. Watch out Syndicate. Yuji thought. We're coming for you and bringing your reign of terror to an end.

After saying so, Yuji extended his hand to the moon and made a fist.

"Wait for me, Enoch. This time, we'll decide who's the strongest without a doubt!"