For her initiation Rini had to face her girlfriend Violet. Both having expected this to happen they added some new monsters to their Decks. Rini was nervous at first but gained some confidence during the Duel, winning from Violet in the end.

Jack will now focus on his own ritual to become the new embodiment but Hermaeus Mora has put a bounty on Jack's soul and someone eager has come to collect.

6. The Mace of Molag Bal.

Jack's desk was full with papers, Leo and Juliet sat on the other side of the desk, Jack himself was reading the files and taking notes.

'So this ritual what is it exactly?' Leo curiously asked.

'Not sure yet.' Jack replied without looking up: 'Jill gave me everything she knew, she was involved when Jurgen accepted Akatosh but that was only one part of the ritual.'

Jack took a paper that was written in dragon language.

'Riddles mostly.' He muttered.

He grabbed his head in frustration and let out a sigh.

'Calm down love.' Juliet spoke Jack looked up.

'Okay, I know I need three things, for the ritual you need someone you trust with your life, you need some of your own blood, cut in the hand with a ritualistic dagger.'

Jack placed a heavily ornamented dagger with an ivory hilt and a curved blade on the table. 'At least Jurgen had that in his possession.' Jack said with a sigh of relieve in his voice.

'Jill told me that as an embodiment you need to trust the host, that is why someone you trust with your life must make the cut with the dagger, this is the only part of the ritual Jill knew since she was the one who made the cut.' Jack looked up he looked Juliet deep in her eyes, Juliet nodded she knew what Jack wanted he didn't need to ask.

'That part is decided, first thing you need is easy, the host in this case Akatosh needs to ask you to become the embodiment or the former embodiment needs to choose you, Jurgen chose me before he died.' Jack said.

'So two down, this seems easy...' Leo replied.

'Third one is a problem though.' Jack interrupted his friend.

'A soul is needed, you know that the embodiment takes their place at the side of the host when they die, now when the old embodiment is dying their last moments are spent at the altar when they pass the soul is fulfilled old embodiment takes his place at the side of Akatosh and the new embodiment takes the place of the old one.'

Jack stood up: 'If the old embodiment doesn't want to be involved anymore he can deny the host, this means the old host goes to the afterlife they believe in as a respect for the old embodiment's decision the soul requirement will be dropped for the new embodiment.'

Jack stared out his window.

'So Jurgen died his soul should be with Akatosh, I'm sure you can make a deal with Akatosh he isn't a Daedric Prince after all.' Leo optimistically said but Jack shook his head. 'Jurgen's soul got taken after his death by Tamamo, if we defeat Tamamo his soul should be freed so that he can take his place at Akatosh's side, for now this means the soul part of the ritual isn't fulfilled.' Jack spoke.

'This means you need to kill someone?' Juliet gasped.

'I already have an idea.' Jack said his voice sounded resolute but his body language said otherwise.

'Seril, Hermaeus Mora's embodiment, Hermaeus knows when I fulfill the ritual he can't get to me any more, Hermaeus will try to kill me and he has his embodiment do so.' Jack sat down again: 'I will lure him to the altar there the Duel takes place, since Hermaeus want to kill me it'll be a Duel to the death, I win the Duel Seril dies, normally he would be taken by Hermaeus Mora to be revived but I asked Rao if she could use her magic to guide a soul to a different place, she can so when Seril dies due to the Duel his soul will be guided towards Akatosh thus fulfilling the third requirement.'

Leo said nothing Juliet shook her head.

'I don't like it either Juliet.' Jack said: 'But Hermaeus is known to torture those who fail him, in that moment Seril is dead anyway, by his own doing as well, if anything sending his soul to Akatosh is saving him from a long time of torture.' Jack closely watched Juliet.

'In any other situation I'd be done with you Jack.' Juliet harshly spoke: 'Nobody has the right to decide what happens to a soul, but the threat of Tamamo is real, very real and Akatosh might be just who we need to take her down, one soul for the rest of the world.' She added.

Jack grabbed her hands to reassure her. 'Of course, I'm not doing this to avenge Jurgen or to get rid of Hermaeus Mora, I want Tamamo gone so does Ushiwaka, I discussed this with him as well this seems to be the only option we have.'

'So.' Jack said as he stood up from his desk. 'Couple of us are going to hit the town tonight?'

Juliet nodded: 'Sure you don't want to come with us Jack?' She asked.

'No most of you are gone, Violet and Rini are in the pool privately, don't want to disturb them and since Tamamo's attack I don't want headquarters to be empty, besides I just got a message from Sector Security patrol of four didn't check in at the designated time, another patrol went out to look for them, three of the four were found unconscious along the patrol route without their car, minutes later they got a call from a concerned citizen, when that patrol went to the location they found the missing officer, butchered inside the patrol car, ''Sector Security'' was crossed out and a skull was painted on the hood of the car presumably with the blood of the killed officer.'

Juliet was shocked she grabbed the desk while Leo helped her sit down, he himself was clearly shaken.

'Who?' Leo stammered.

'They don't know yet, a mysterious note was found inside the car as well, cryptic, the officers think it's some sort of riddle they're not willing to share it with other authorities.' Jack replied as he poured Juliet a glass of water, gratefully she took the glass.

'Word among Sector Security is that this matches the case files they have on Sara, they even considered it would be her if she wasn't dead.'

Leo scratched his head a habit he had if he was deep in thought. 'Is Errol busy again? He might have brought her back.'

Jack shook his head: 'That patrol group who found the body are Aware and they know of Errol, first thing they checked was the morgue where they keep Sara, body was still there, they keep that body under heavy security in case a necromancer tries to resurrect her.'

When Juliet had emptied her glass of water she wanted to stand up, Jack carefully pushed her back down. 'You're still shaky Juliet, I know you dislike it but need some blood? I've heard it made vampires feel better.' Jack kindly suggested.

'Yes that would be nice right now.' She replied.

Leo and Jack were pondering things while Juliet was sipping from a bag of blood, the Blade's initiative to have people donate blood was paying out, they had recently made a deal with blood banks, some people want to donate blood for the good cause but can't because their blood is not good for human to human transfusion, these people instead could donate blood that went to vampires, this way those people could still donate if that makes them feel better and vampire related crimes, mostly human being assaulted in back alleys in that being completely drained of their blood have significantly dropped, vampires can't get any diseases so if the blood contains a disease the vampire who drunk the blood wouldn't even notice.

'I got it I think.' Jack finally spoke up, Leo and Juliet looked up.

'When Tamamo attacked she told me that her host Kena was too weak to host her, she then said that Kena's replacement was Sara who got killed by Richard but that she had a back-up in case anything happened to Sara and that that host was almost ready.' Jack stood up.

'This got me wondering what would make a good host, I've read Richard's files, before he got promoted he had some run-ins with Sara, the first time she got arrested Richard was involved, that was Sara's plan to get arrested and start a huge prison riot, Richard was involved in quelling that riot though he didn't took down Sara there and the final time was when he confronted her the third time when she tried to bomb New-York which leaded to her arrest once again and Richard's promotion, after Sara was arrested she was forced to see a psychologist, in one of their sessions Sara proudly told him that she had a fan who looked up to her, no name given.'

When Juliet was done drinking she gave the bag to Leo to dispose of correctly when she stood up she wasn't shaking anymore.

'You think it's that fan Sara mentioned?' She asked.

'I think so yes, she and Sara have the same mindset, Kena the former host of Tamamo was involved in some of the events prior to Richard's promotion she was closely related to the events involving Sara it is unknown if she was the host of Tamamo by that point or not, but a fan of Sara who probably closely follows everything her idol does, Tamamo needed her as a host so she couldn't take any risks that put her in danger.' Jack spoke he hugged Juliet his girlfriend placed her head against his shoulder.

'When turned out Sara was sick Tamamo couldn't use her as a host any longer so Sara cut loose ending in her dead, her fan must be angry at Richard for killing her idol, since she can't fight Richard she turns to the next best thing Sector Security in the hopes of luring him out the fan does what she had learned from her idol, so same Mo as Sara.' Jack concluded.

'One thing doesn't make sense.' Leo replied: 'Why now? Tamamo is without a host that fan of Sara is the only one she has left.'

Juliet let go of Jack. 'I don't think she needs a host any more, Ushiwaka said that Tamamo is a shapeshifter, when they cut her tails off she had barely any power left so she needed that host to survive, she doesn't have her tails yet but she got Jurgen's soul I can only imagine what kind of boost in power a powerful soul like his would give a being like Tamamo, my guess is Tamamo is hunting down her tails so she can reunite with them and with that power she gained from Jurgen's soul she no longer needs a host to survive, thus she no longer needs Sara's fan I can imagine Tamamo restricted what she was allowed to do in order to protect the fan and thus her host body...' Juliet started.

'...But without the need for a host she no longer protects Sara's fan who is now on the loose to get her revenge.' Leo finished.

'Exactly my conclusion, this no longer is a case for Sector Security alone, I will give them a warning and start a full...' Jack was cut short when for a few seconds the power cut out then the alarm started blaring through the building.

Jack immediately rushed to his computer one by one the security cameras activated on the screen he quickly activated the intercom. 'Blades, this is an emergency, not a drill! We're being attacked.' While he was addressing his team he found the intruder they were stuck in the lobby, calmly sitting on the ground probably waiting for someone to show up.

'The new security system is working, intruder is stuck in the lobby, I can't see who it is, everyone gather at the main lobby but wait for me to open the security doors.'

Rini and Violet were just getting comfortable in the swimming pool both had build a fortress with swimming equipment and were assaulting each other with water guns, then the alarms went off Rini was startled diving under water, Violet quickly responded she swam to her girlfriend gently pulling her back to the surface.

Rini was shaking all over, then Violet's phone went off she carefully guided Rini to the side of the pool where the water wasn't too deep, that's where her phone was as well.

'Jack.' Violet answered the call: 'Can't make it Jack, Rini got a relapse, it's pretty bad.' She awaited Jack's answer.

'Thank you Jack, I'll calm her down and we stay here, be careful.' With these words she hung up the phone.

Rini was staring at the wall her eyes widened she was shaking all over her body.

Carefully Violet grabbed her shoulder gently she guided Rini to one of the underwater platforms on the side of the shallow part of the pool, she sat down then pulled Rini close to her, Rini sat down on Violet's lap and Violet gently started to stroke her back. 'Our team got this Rini.' Violet said in a kind voice this calmed Rini down a bit. 'We're safe here, we can stay here.'

Rini placed her head against Violet's chest. 'I'm sorry Vi, I'm a Blade now I shouldn't be scared like this.' Violet heard she was nearly crying.

'Rini don't blame yourself, it's not been long since you had a extremely traumatic experience, nobody thinks less of you. Jack has accepted you he knew this could happen, he wouldn't have said yes if he hadn't accepted this.' Rini lifted her head. 'Thank you Vi.' She replied.

'We can't help the rest right now, Jack deals with it, attacks like this happen on a monthly basis. Now let's swim a few laps shift your focus on doing that for a bit.' Violet kindly said while she gently pushed Rini towards the competitive swimming pool.

Jack arrived at the hallway that lead to the reception area where the intruder was stuck in, only Juliet, Leo, Michelle and Don were with him, the rest were out already. 'How are Violet and Rini?' Juliet asked.

'They're safe in the pool, Violet keeps it locked, Rini had a relapse Violet's tending to her right now.' Jack replied while he put in the code to unlock the doors, slowly the security door opened up this allowed Jack to open the real door, when The Blades entered the lobby the intruder was calmly sitting in the middle of the room.

The intruder, clearly female, had shoulder-length, brown hair she was wearing a black, tight-fitting top it had no sleeves and stopped at her shoulders leaving her neck and top of her shoulders bare, the top also showed most of her stomach, for the rest she wore a black, shoulder-length glove on her left arm, a pair of black, tight-fitting shorts, a belt with a skull as a buckle where her Duel Disk and a Deck holder hung from, some dark-gray boots with black knee-high socks and a pair of black sunglasses.

Slowly the intruder lifted her head she cracked a smile showing her teeth.

'Vampire.' Jack noticed the intruder started to clap as she slowly stood up, she removed her sunglasses revealing her yellow eyes.

'Wait, Saida?' Juliet gasped as she recognized the vampire.

'Crimson.' The vampire snapped back.

'Molag Bal's embodiment?' Michelle asked confused.

'Indeed.' Jack answered the question: 'What does Molag Bal want?' He then asked the vampire.

Saida let out a chuckle, she took her Duel Disk and strapped it on, it was a standard model Duel Disk, she put her sunglasses back on as they served as her D-Gazer.

'There is a rumor in the Daedric Realms that the embodiment of Akatosh bit the dust, now a little birdie told old Hermaeus Mora that his favorite Dragonborn Jack had agreed to become the new embodiment.' Her Duel Disk activated as did her D-Gazer.

'Now Mora wants your soul Jack and he has put a bounty on your head, any who claims it can ask Hermaeus Mora for one thing, now I can think of a few things that my master wants, so I'm here to kill you Jack send your soul to Hermaeus Mora then my wish for Hermaeus Mora is that he grants any one wish to lord Molag Bal.'

Juliet and Leo stepped to the front. 'Stop.' Jack demanded his two friends looked at him. 'I'll leave this to Don and Michelle.'

Don showed a grin while Michelle looked worried.

'Saida I'm not going to waste my time with you, beat Don and Michelle and I will face you personally.' Jack stated as he walked towards the exit.

'Now wait a second!' Crimson shouted as she wanted to give chase but Michelle blocked her path. 'You've heard Jack only unless you beat me and Don.' She said with a growl quickly Michelle activated her Duel Disk and D-Gazer. 'If you need my help just let me know Michelle!' Don shouted from the back. 'Will do.' Michelle replied.

(Michelle: 8000) - (''Crimson'' Saida: 8000)

'So Saida, how does it feel?' Michelle spoke with a hint of a sneer in her voice. 'I mean you came all the way over here to see Jack and he turns you down, must suck doesn't it?'

Michelle only got an angry glare from Crimson as a reply, she shrugged it off. 'Anyway I start with Giant Rat.' Michelle stated out of a hole in the wall came dashing a blue-furred man-sized beast, it took a leap landing in front of Michelle, the rat stood on its hind legs, it had rows of sharp teeth and glaring, yellow eyes in, in it's right claw it held a small skull. (1400 ATK) 'I end my turn.' Michelle stated.

Crimson drew her card she smiled as she added her new card to her hand, placing it next to another copy of the same monster.

'I normal summon Goblin Zombie.' A ball of black smoke appeared before the vampire two glaring red eyes peered from out of the ball, then a humanoid creature leaped out its skin was completely black a yellowish bone-like material formed armor on its skin, it had a blue orb etched in its left shoulder, the beast had a monstrous head, in its left hand it held a small sword with a golden hilt. (1100 ATK)

'I equip it with Axe of Despair.' Crimson stated as she quickly played another card. Goblin Zombie dropped the sword in mid-air appeared a wicked-looking axe, it had a single blade that was stuck in a fiendish-looking head made of wood, the head was stuck on a crooked, wooden hilt when the Goblin Zombie grabbed the axe its power skyrocketed. (1100- 2100 ATK)

'Attack the Giant Rat!' Crimson shouted, with incredible speed the zombie leaped forward with one quick slice it beheaded the giant rat, the Goblin Zombie landed against the wall using its momentum it leaped back to Crimson's field.

(Michelle: 8000- 7300) - (''Crimson'' Saida: 8000)

Then all of a sudden Michelle let out a scream she reached for her neck, her eyes widened she started to gasp for air, immediately Juliet started to chant casting spells, slowly Michelle calmed down.

'Sorry.' Crimson said in a kind voice: 'All the damage that is done to your monsters you feel, I can only imagine it felt like someone chopped your head off, only it didn't come off you still felt the pain your monster would have felt, oh and if you think this hurt wait for a direct attack.'

When Juliet was done casting Don wanted to step to the front. 'No.' Michelle said she turned her attention back to Crimson.

'Saida, you caught me by surprise, now I know it's coming.' Michelle then took the top card from her Deck and discarded it for the effect of Goblin Zombie.

'Now the effect of Giant Rat allows me to special summon X-Saber Palomuro.' Michelle stated footsteps sounded through the hall as calmly a humanoid reptilian warrior stepped to the front, his skin was covered in green scales, he had a snake-like head, his legs, hands and shoulders were covered in armor in his hands he held a staff the X-Saber insignia - a yellow circle with a red ''X'' in it - was painted on the hilt of the staff. (200 ATK)

'So you replace a weak monster with a weak monster?' Crimson said with a sneer in her voice. 'Suit yourself.' She added with a shrug then she played a spell. 'I activate my Spellbook Organization, I can see the top three cards of my Deck then place them back in any order I want.' She explained it didn't take the vampire long to place the cards back in a different order. 'I end my turn.' Crimson stated after she placed a card in her Duel Disk it appeared as a face-down spell or trap.

Michelle drew her card. 'She's all over the place, can't tell what her strategy or even what her Deck is.'

Michelle looked over her cards. 'Better end it as soon as possible.' She said with a sigh. 'I start by summoning Double X-Saber Boggart Knight!'

Another warrior marched onto the field, this one was a humanoid creature, he was muscular with a brown skin, horns grew out of his elbows, his legs, wrists, shoulders and head were covered in skeleton-like armor, a red cape was draped over his shoulders in his claw-like hands the warrior held a rapier. (1900 ATK)

'Boggart Knight allows me to special summon an X-Saber from my hand, I special summon X-Saber Uruz!' Another knight marched onto the field, this one was clad in heavy red and light-gray armor hiding his body completely, a brown, furry cape was draped around his shoulders, in each hand he held a sword with the X-Saber insignia on the hilt. (1600 ATK)

'Next I tune level one Palomuro with level four Uruz!' Michelle shouted Palomuro started to glow with a green light the reptile warrior changed into a green ring, Uruz leaped through changing into four glowing orbs.

'Six shooter of justice, strike true and swiftly! Synchro Summon, from the Wild-West into the modern age! Appear X-Saber Wayne!' She chanted.

The sound of a man whistling sounded through the hall followed by heavy footsteps, slowly a man appeared wearing a black bodysuit with blue, tattered clothes over it, his head was largely hidden in the shadow of an old-fashioned western hat, the right shoulder of the cowboy was covered by a square plate of armor with the X-Saber insignia on it, his right hand was resting on a six shooter with a nasty blade at the end of the barrel. (2100 ATK)

'Wayne allows me to special summon a warrior from my hand, so here is X-Saber Galahad!' This time a chameleon-like humanoid warrior appeared with a green skin, the warrior wore brown knight-like armor with golden decorations he had long, blue hair tied in a tail behind his head, in his hands he held a spear with a golden tip, he also had a belt around his waist with the X-Saber insignia on the buckle. (1800 ATK)

'And now that I control at least two X-Sabers I can special summon Double X-Saber Faultroll!' This time a futuristic mechanical-looking warrior marched onto the field, the body was made of red, metal armor, it had a blue orb etched in the stomach with the X-Saber insignia on it, in its hands it held a heavy, two-handed sword. (2400 ATK)

'And finally with Faultroll once per turn I target an X-Saber in the Graveyard and special summon it.' The mechanical warrior slammed its sword in the ground which cracked open, out of hole crawled X-Saber Uruz. (1600 ATK)

'And this people is why Michelle is the only one who I fear in a Duel.' Don muttered as he looked at the five monsters his friend now had on the field.

'It's time Saida, Faultroll attacks Goblin Zombie!' Michelle shouted the mechanical warrior took a leap heaving the gigantic sword above its head.

'I activate Dimensional Prison!' Crimson replied, her face-down card turned right-side-up a void opened in front of Faultroll the mechanical warrior disappeared into it then the void closed and the monster was gone.

'In that case Galahad attacks!' The chameleon warrior hurled his spear at the zombie hitting it right in the chest.

'When Galahad attacks he gains three-hundred attack points during the damage step, which make our monster equal in power.' Michelle explained, while her warrior leaped at the zombie to pull his spear out of the chest, when he tried Goblin Zombie stabbed the chameleon with his own sword, with his face in pain Galahad pushed Goblin Zombie away pulled the sword out of his body and beheaded the zombie before he himself collapsed.

'Goblin Zombie is destroyed which allows me to add Skull Conductor to my hand.' Crimson stated she took her Deck and searched out the card then she shuffled her Deck before placing it back, the image of the monster card appeared as a hologram above her head.

'You're open now Saida, my monsters direct attack!' Michelle shouted, with lightning fast reflexes the cowboy Wayne drew his gun and emptied six shots in Crimson, the vampire staggered backwards, she had black dots on her skin where the bullets hit, then Boggart Knight leaped forward slicing Crimson across her chest with his weapon leaving a red imprint where the weapon hit her skin, Crimson gasped as she fell to her knees but before she hit the ground both her shoulders got pierced by the large swords Uruz used, when the warrior in red pulled the swords out Crimson hit the ground, the swords had left large, red marks on her shoulders.

(Michelle: 7300) - (''Crimson'' Saida: 8000- 5900- 4000- 2400)

'Hurts doesn't it?' Michelle asked with a sneer in her voice, Crimson sat on her hands and knees, her head bowed down as she loudly coughed up some blood. 'You'll pay.' The vampire hissed as she slowly dragged herself back on her feet when she stood Michelle saw she was swaying on her feet a bit, quickly the vampire drew her card.

'I discard Skull Conductor which allows me to special summon two Zombie monsters with a total combined attack points of two-thousand, for example two Burning Skull Heads!'

Two small fires erupted in front of Crimson, inside the flames was a human skull visible with glowing, purple lights in the eye sockets. (1000 ATK x2) 'And when Burning Skull Head is special summoned from the hand it deals thousand points of damage.' Crimson explained before Michelle knew what happened her entire body lit up, it felt she was burning up from the inside her screams filled the lobby when the fire stopped Michelle fell flat on her stomach.

(Michelle: 7300- 5300) - (''Crimson'' Saida: 2400)

'Michelle!' Don roared from the sideline.

'Next I activate Polymerization.' Crimson continued as if nothing had happened, the vortex opened on the field and the two flaming skulls were sucked in. 'Souls of the decayed feed the hunger of the destroyer of souls! Fusion summon, arise from the pits of hell into this cursed world! Dragonecro Nethersoul Dragon!' Crimson chanted out of the vortex appeared a demonic beast, a snake-like dragon with purple skin and bone-like armor all over its body, the arms of the beast were completely covered in armor, they ended in sharp nails, it had large pauldrons shaped like a claw with three fingers with large claws, it had two bat-like wings, the mighty beast barely fitted inside the lobby. (3000 ATK)

'Dragonecro attacks Wayne!' Crimson commanded her mighty beast let out a bloodcurdling roar purple flames spewed from its maw, Michelle opened her eyes she wanted to scream but all the air in her lungs was gone, when the ice cold feeling left her body she gasped for air.

(Michelle: 5300- 4400) - (''Crimson'' Saida: 2400)

'Dragonecro doesn't destroy monsters instead after damage if the attack target had an original level loses all its attack points then if it is still on the field I get a Dark Soul Token with the same level and attack power as the monster I attacked.'

The purple flames around Wayne disappeared the once mighty cowboy was weakened, barely managing to keep standing. (2100- 0 ATK)

Next to Dragonecro an all black, almost shadowy figure of Wayne appeared, it had glowing red eyes. (2100 ATK)

'Now the Dark Soul Token attacks Uruz!' With lightning quick reflexes the Dark Soul Token emptied the revolver in the warrior in red armor, since all bullets got stuck in the armor Michelle felt no pain.

(Michelle: 4400- 3900) - (''Crimson'' Saida: 2400)

'I end my turn.' Crimson stated with a malicious grin on her face.

'I change my monsters to defense mode.' Michelle stated after she drew her card, both of her monsters knelt on one knee Boggart Knight shielded himself with his weapon while Wayne sank on his hands and knees barely managing to keep himself conscious (Boggart Knight: 1000 DEF, Wayne: 400 DEF)

'Enough Michelle!' Don then suddenly roared. 'Jack told us to take her out, you look like you're half dead!'

Crimson gave a glare to Don who was approaching her from the side.

'Two on one? Really?' Crimson spoke her voice sounded cold.

'No I'm taking you on alone, your fight is with me now.' Don stated from the corner of his eyes he saw Michelle falling back.

(Don: 8000) - (''Crimson'' Saida: 2400)

'Let's see how you deal with my Deck shall we.' Don stated as he drew his opening hand. 'I shall start with Ancient Rules.' He quickly played the spell. 'I special summon Cosmo Queen!' Behind Don a giant portal appeared a giant woman peaked through, she had purple skin, the top half of her head was hidden in the shadow of a gigantic headpiece, she wore a large green and golden armor-like piece on her shoulders for the rest she wore a red and black dress. (2900 ATK)

'Cosmo Queen attack the Dark Soul Token!' Don commanded Don's monster started to cast a spell then suddenly she unleashed it a blast of dark magic tore through the Dark Soul Token first then it shot at Crimson where it exploded in her face, the blast knocked her on her back, quickly the vampire leaped back on her feet her face was clearly in pain.

(Don: 8000) - (''Crimson'' Saida: 2400- 1600)

'Now I normal summon Gene-Warped Warwolf!' A streak of white dashed past Don it ran behind Crimson only to leap over her and landing in front of Don, a man-sized, humanoid creature with four arms, it was covered in white armor, it had long, black hair reaching to his back the front of it's face was covered in armor, it had two small horns growing out of its head. (2000 ATK)

'I end my turn Saida.' Don stated knowing that using her real name would agitate her.

Crimson drew her card. 'You guys really start to annoy me.' She scoffed then she showed a smile. 'At least I can make this entertaining again for myself at least.' She quickly played a card a black spider creature appeared it had a humanoid face with a pale skin, blue, pointy hair, it had two small arms with human-like hands, the other six arms ended in a vice claw, three of the claws held a hammer and two cleavers. (1000 ATK)

'I tune level two Dark Tinker to level eight Dragonecro Nethersoul Dragon!' The spider creature exploded in a black mist quickly it started to swirl around Dragonecro.

'The dead, the living all will be devoured by the corrupter of souls! Synchro summon! Dragocytos Nethersoul Dragon!'

Dragonecro started to change, it grew even larger, the horns on its head became smaller while its chest expanded, first a giant mouth appeared in the chest followed by two glowing, yellow eyes above it, the skin color of the beast became a darker purple while the bone-like armor became more white, the beast unleashed a mighty roar. (4000 ATK)

'Dark Tinker's effect, I can look at the top card of my Deck and decides if I keep it on top or send it to the bottom.' Crimson explained she took a quick look and placed the card back.

'Dragocytos kill Cosmo Queen!' Crimson commanded the mouth on the chest opened unleashing a deadly miasma that enveloped Cosmo Queen, as Don's monster slowly choked to death Don couldn't breath either, just before he started to panic he could breath again.

(Don: 8000- 6900) - (''Crimson'' Saida: 1600)

'Since Dragocytos destroyed a monster I can attack again! This time I target Gene-Warped Warwolf!' Crimson shouted.

Don fell on the ground as this time one of the massive claws of the dragon tore his monster apart, the pain Don felt was unimaginable, it was only thanks to Juliet's quick spells that he stayed conscious.

(Don: 6900- 4900) - (''Crimson'' Saida: 1600)

Don took a few minutes to catch his breath, Michelle was still recovering Leo and Juliet knew the situation was bleak, now they could interfere but that would start them off with half their life points and it would become Crimson's turn, they couldn't take that risk.

'My turn.' Don growled as he drew his card quickly he placed a card on his Duel Disk it appeared as a face-down spell or trap. 'Nothing more I can do here then to end my turn.' He stated.

Crimson silently drew her card.

'It's my standby phase that means the effect of Dragocytos activates, I halve the attack power of one of your monsters and deal the attack power it lost as damage to you.' She explained the eyes in the chest of the dragon started to glow.

'Then I activate my trap!' Don shouted as his face-down card opened up: 'Curse of Anubis it changes all effect monsters to defense mode, for the rest of the turn their defense becomes zero and their battle positions cannot be changed!'

Quickly Crimson played a card of her own. 'I chain Book of Moon!' She shouted her dragon disappeared and got replaced by a face-down card.

As soon as Don's trap card had disappeared she quickly flipped her monster face-up with a terrifying roar Dragocytos reappeared. (4000 ATK)

'Kill that Cosmo Queen!' Crimson roared Don braced himself, he screamed as the dark magic cast by the dragon ripped through his and his monster's body.

(Don: 4900- 3800) - (''Crimson'' Saida: 1600)

'So far your party trick.' Crimson said with a smile, she quickly played a card which appeared behind her monsters before she gestured the end of her turn.

From the corner of his eyes Don saw Michelle standing up, he shrugged.

'You got me, that was the only trick I had, only thing I can do now is this.' He spoke as he placed a single card in his Duel Disk, it appeared in a vertical position on the field.

'Don.' Michelle said drawing Crimson's attention: 'Retreat, rest a bit I'll take it from here.'

Don shook his head he took a position next to Michelle. 'We do this together.' He spoke in a resolute tone.

(Don: 3800 & Michelle: 3900) - (''Crimson'' Saida: 1600)

Both Boggart Knight (1000 DEF) and Wayne with his zero attack points thanks to the effect of Dragonecro appeared. (400 DEF)

Quickly Michelle played two cards they appeared behind her monsters. 'I end my turn.' She stated.

'You make it too easy for me.' Crimson said with a smile on her face she drew her card.

'The effect of Dragocytos activates and I target Boggart Knight!' Dragocytos let out a terrifying roar the eyes on its chest started to glow, Boggart Knight sank to his knees as his power faded. (1900- 950 ATK, 1000 DEF)

'Now I shall deal the damage to you.' Crimson said while looking at Don, the Blade braced himself as the dark magic from Dragocytos ripped through his body.

(Don: 3800- 2850 & Michelle: 3900) - (''Crimson'' Saida: 1600)

While the attack was going on Don fell on his knees, he was breathing hard, it felt like his heart was about to explode.

'I equip Dragocytos with Fairy Meteor Crush giving it piercing damage.' Crimson stated as she quickly played the spell card.

'Dragocytos destroy Wayne!' Right before the attack struck Michelle quickly activated one of her two cards. 'If this goes through we win! Go Dimension Wall!' Michelle shouted, a barrier appeared between the battling monsters, Dragocytos' reflection was visible in the barrier behind it stood Crimson.

'Reflecting the damage you would take to me? Nice try but I activate Dark Bribe!' Crimson replied, Michelle got the notification on her Duel Disk that she had to draw a card when she did the barrier between the monsters exploded and the attack continued.

Michelle closed her eyes she knew this was going to hurt, the pain ripped through her body giving her the feeling her entire was pulled apart small piece by small piece, she felt her legs give way, Juliet was casting spell after spell to ease the pain.

(Don: 2850 & Michelle: 3900- 300) - (''Crimson'' Saida: 1600)

Michelle's head was throbbing, Juliet's spells slowly make her feel better.

'And now for the kill, Dragocytos kill Boggart Knight!' Crimson shouted Michelle now knew the reason she gave the effect damage to Don Saida had expected to kill her this turn.

'Not yet.' Michelle whispered her second face-down card opened up. 'Defense Draw!' She shouted Wayne violently exploded a barrier appeared around Michelle protecting her from the magic, when the storm of dark magic stopped Michelle drew her extra card.

'Stalling? Pathetic, fine I'll allow you to have another turn.' Crimson said with a sigh as she signaled the end of her turn.

Michelle gave Don a look. 'Retreat.' She whispered, Don shook his head as he refused. 'Not yet.' He whispered back.

Slowly he drew his card his hand was trembling. 'I activate Card of Demise.' As soon as the spell card appeared Don drew three cards, then he played two as both appeared as face-down spells or traps then he discarded the last one as he ended his turn.

Michelle felt she was blacking out, with her willpower alone she managed to keep standing she didn't know for how long Michelle looked at the two face-down cards Don had on his field

'No monsters?' Crimson curiously asked: 'Smart move now I can't use Dragocytos' effect, but I can attack directly!' She looked at Don.

'I activate Waboku!' Don shouted as one of his two face-down cards activated., three priestesses in blue robes appeared before him blocking the dark magic the dragon spewed forth.

'You really start to annoy me now!' Crimson cursed: 'Fine I shall end my turn!'

Michelle said nothing with shaking hands she managed to place two cards in her Duel Disk, right after they appeared she collapsed.

'Michelle!' Don howled as he saw his friend fall, quickly he ran up to her to check her pulse. 'Leo, Juliet she's alive! Get her to safety!' Don shouted the other two Blades sprung to action immediately.

'What about you Don?' Juliet asked Don heard she was worried.

'I'll manage.' Don replied Leo had removed Michelle's Duel Disk he lifted her from the ground.

'Saida, no Crimson.' Don said as he turned his attention to his opponent.

'She passed out you didn't beat her so you won't get her soul.' Don stated.

Crimson shrugged.

'I say we up the ante.' Don continued.

'What did you have in mind?' Crimson replied with genuine interest.

'I take my friend's Duel Disk as well as my own, I'll continue with only her Life Points and I combine our fields.'

Crimson's eyes narrowed. 'You're plotting something, a last ditch effort to pull a victory perhaps? What's in it for me?' She asked.

'If you win you get both of our souls, if you win now you'll only get mine.' Don replied.

'Her Deck is build around X-Sabers your Deck is not the chance those two cards she played can help you are slim, so yes we have a deal here.'

Crimson gave Don a minute to swap Duel Disks and add his own cards to Michelle's field and replace her Deck with his own.

(Don: 300) - (''Crimson'' Saida: 1600)

'Michelle collapsed in the middle of her turn, only fair I get to finish this turn.' Don said he looked over his hand he kept the cards close to his face, his vision became more blurry by the minute.

'Can't use the cards Michelle played yet, need to survive.' Don quickly played two cards one appeared as a face-down monster and another face-down card behind it.

Crimson let out a cackle as she drew her card. 'Did your brain give up? My monster can deal piercing damage! Dragocytos finish it!'

As the dragon charged its attack Don's face-down monster disappeared a Gene-Warped Warwolf appeared in its place, the beast sat down on one knee, used two arms to shield itself and had the other two on the ground to further brace itself.

'I activate Dust Tornado!' Don shouted as another face-down card disappeared, Crimson's Fairy Meteor Crush card was swept away by a powerful wind then Gene-Warped Warwolf violently exploded when the dark magic hit.

'Your Dragocytos can only attack a second time when attacking a monster, which I have not.' Don said Crimson growled some curse words.

'I end my turn.' The vampire stated.

'Then I activate Birthright!' Don shouted another one of his face-down card activated, the air shimmered and the image of the giant Cosmo Queen appeared behind Don. (2900 ATK)

'And now my gamble.' Dons stated as he drew his card: 'Let's see what you left me Michelle.' Don said to himself he pressed the button to activate the card on the left to his surprise it was a Monster Reborn.

'Right she probably wanted to use that with that other face-down card, so if I were Michelle I would special summon Wayne!' Don muttered to himself the holy symbol appeared and from the light underneath it the cowboy appeared. (2100 ATK)

'I activate the second face-down card whatever it may be!' Don shouted a grin formed on his face when he saw Gottoms' Emergency Call.

'Good call summoning Wayne because now that have an X-Saber I can special summon two more!' Left and right of the cowboy appeared Boggart Knight first. (1900 ATK) He was followed by Uruz. (1600 ATK)

'This gives me the two tributes I need to advance summon another Cosmo Queen!' Don shouted, two purple hands grabbed Uruz and Boggart Knight then another giant lady appeared next to the first one. (2900 ATK)

'This allows me to build the overlay network!' Don roared both Cosmo Queens changed into two black orbs they swirled around each other until they reached the ceiling.

'Divine lightning given the form of a ferocious beast! Xyz summon, rank eight! Thunder End Dragon! Don chanted lightning struck the ground leaving scorch marks where they did, luckily for Jack this was created by the D-Gazer and not real, after seven lightning strikes a larger one hit the middle of the field and with it appeared a dragon the size that Dragonecro was, the dragon had a long neck with a snake-like head, a humanoid body with arms that ended in sharp claws, the beast stood on its hind legs keeping itself standing with its mighty tail, it had two very large, black wings, its belly was covered in black scales the neck with blue scales, its back, head and spine were covered in white armor, electricity crackled around the beast, two yellow orbs were circling around the beast . (3000 ATK: 2 ORU)

'Dragocytos cannot be destroyed by battle, but it can be destroyed by card effect, I detach a material from Thunder End Dragon to destroy all other monsters on the field!' (2- 1 ORU)

Don's dragon roared blue electricity gathered around it. 'Blue Lightning Wave!' He roared Wayne was struck down with one jolt, it took much more to take out Dragocytos, with every strike more of the dragons skin got torn off until nothing remained.

'And now attack direct...' Don started then he stopped he clutched his chest, right before his vision became black he saw his dragon created an orb of blue lightning in its right claw.

Crimson watched as her opponent dropped on his stomach, he had been overenthusiastic with summoning his monster and calling out its attack, at first a smile formed on her face then she noticed Thunder End Dragon didn't stop, before she knew it many bolts of lightning struck her everywhere on her body, before she could even scream she was send flying across the lobby where she landed hard on the ground.

(Don: 300) - (''Crimson'' Saida: 1600- 0)

Next time:

With the Duel against Saida ending both Duelists are knocked out who has survived? With Saida knocked out the way for Jack's ritual has been cleared, to take his place as Akatosh's embodiment he needs to go to the Shrine of Akatosh.

Hermaeus Mora knows this as well, the Daedric Prince isn't planning on giving up on obtaining Jack's soul without a fight. ''The Ritual'' coming next.