Chapter 23: Knightrise
Revolver and Terminus walked into a dark room. In the center were three beds. Dr. Genome, Baira, and Faust all lied in these beds, their minds having become part of the Tower. A fourth bed, perpendicular to them, had appeared. In it laid a young man with blonde hair and white clothes. Revolver and Terminus walked up to the bed and looked down on him.
"Spectre," Revolver said. "You fought well. We won't let your battle go to waste."
"No," Terminus said, his face set. "We won't."
The two turned to look at the other three coffins as Revolver frowned. "This is my fault," he said. "Because I was obsessed with Playmaker, they fell."
Terminus shook his head. "They made their choice," he said. "As did I. And I know they would tell you they regret nothing. And neither do I. To defeat the Ignis, we can only move forward. Without doubt or regret."
Revolver's frown deepened. "I know you're right, Terminus," he said. "But that doesn't make it easier, does it?"
Terminus shook his head. "No, it doesn't."
The two stood in silence until it was interrupted.
"Where you able to uncover Playmaker's identity?"
The two turned as Dr. Kogami teleported into the room.
Revolver shook his head. "No, I wasn't," he said. The doctor turned to Terminus.
"What about Morningstar?" he said. "Did you learn anything, Terminus?"
Terminus frowned and shook his head. "No," he lied. His business with Yasutake Narahiko was personal. He didn't want his identity to be known by the others until it was necessary.
Dr. Kogami looked over the two men and closed his eyes. "Since we started the Tower of Hanoi, neither of you need to be obsessed with Playmaker's or Morningstar's identities." He then opened his eyes and looked over the four coffins. "When this plan is over and the people learn of our crime, they may say our motivation was to get revenge on SOL Technologies. But I believe they will eventually learn the truth. Our goal is to kill the Ignis. No matter how many victims we create, we must accomplish this goal. We're the only ones who currently understand what it truly means for an AI to have free will."
The doctor returned his gaze to Revolver and Terminus. "The plan will soon be complete. Those trapped in the Tower of Hanoi can no longer escape. Once the Tower of Hanoi is completed, all the data in the world will be destroyed."
"Yes," Terminus said, frowning again. "Including my niece."
Revolver and Dr. Kogami looked at Terminus with sympathy in their eyes. "I'm sorry, Kenshin," Dr. Kogami said sincerely. "But there's nothing we can do about Lilith now. Even I can't restore her. Only the Tower collapsing will do that."
"…I know," Terminus said, smiling sadly. "This is our destiny, isn't it? In the end, we're all prisoners of fate. And I'll go to my end gladly knowing I'll see my brother and his family again."
Before Revolver or Dr. Kogami could respond to that, an alert sounded. The three men turned as a screen appeared, showing the half-completed Tower. As well as two people approaching it.
Revolver frowned. "Playmaker and Morningstar may be the largest threat," he said. "But it looks like we have other opponents to deal with."
The ground beneath Morningstar and Playmaker collapsed. The two duelists and Ai all screamed as they fell.
"They fell!" Pigeon screamed.
"Morningstar! Playmaker!" Frog cried out.
Morningstar growled and pressed a button on his Duel Disk. His Data Anchor shot out and latched itself to an upper ledge. Morningstar grunted as he hit the nearby wall and then breathed a sigh of relief as he hung. He was about to press another button to retract his Data Anchor and pull himself up when-.
"We're falling! We're falling! We're falling!" Ai screamed repeatedly, waving his arms.
As he fell, Playmaker gasped. What was this feeling?
Beneath him, a Data Storm suddenly appeared and caught Playmaker. It threw him upwards, where he landed safely on the ground.
Looking down, Morningstar's eyes widened as the Data Storm caught him and then threw him in the air before he landed.
"The hell-?" Morningstar muttered.
"They're back!" Pigeon said, relieved.
"Did you do this?" Playmaker asked Ai.
"Huh? Of course not."
"Then what did I sense…?" Playmaker wondered.
"Playmaker!"
The two turned as Morningstar approached them. The hunter glanced at the AI.
"Did you call the Data Storm?" he asked Ai, who shook his head.
"It wasn't me." Morningstar frowned at that. "More importantly, look at that."
The hunter and hacker turned to the Tower of Hanoi as Ai spoke. "The third level is complete. If we don't hurry, there will be major trouble."
"When the sixth level is completed, it's over," Playmaker said.
"So we have three hours to find Revolver and Terminus and defeat them," Morningstar said. "Let's go!" The two turned and began to run for the Tower, with Frog and Pigeon following them.
As they ran, Morningstar thought about what Spectre said to him and decided Playmaker should know.
"Playmaker," he said, drawing the hacker's attention. "I need to tell you something. It's about Spectre."
"Can't it wait?" the hacker asked, his irritation evident. "We can't waste time."
"I'd prefer to get this out of the way," Morningstar said. "Spectre said he was one of the children from the Lost Incident."
Playmaker's eyes widened as he stopped in his tracks. He stared at Morningstar in surprise.
"Spectre?" he repeated. "Was one of us?"
Morningstar nodded. He told Playmaker what Spectre had told him. About how he enjoyed the incident and sought out Revolver.
"So Revolver was active back then?" Ai asked.
"Seems so," Morningstar answered the AI.
"How?" Playmaker asked, caught on one point. "How could someone who experienced the incident feel anything but hatred for Hanoi?"
"I don't know," Morningstar said, scowling with Playmaker. "I got the sense that Spectre wasn't right in the head. There was something very wrong with him. But that doesn't change the facts."
"…Because of that incident, I've felt like time has stopped moving for me," Playmaker said.
"I understand," Morningstar nodded. "I've felt that way too. But from what he said, it seems the incident made Spectre feel like time started moving for him." He glanced at the Tower. "I'm sorry for bringing this up now, but we have to hurry. I've wasted enough of our time."
Playmaker refocused and nodded. "Right!" The two duelists resumed their pace, heading for the Tower. And Revolver and Terminus.
Go and Galahad walked through the ruins of LINK VRAINS. This close to the Tower, the pavement had turned to sand. Their tracks were visible behind them, showing just how much of LINK VRAINS had been affected so far.
"This is insane," Galahad muttered. "I can't believe Hanoi is willing to go this far."
"Neither can I," Go said. "But it doesn't change why we're here, does it?"
Galahad smiled. "No, it doesn't. To protect the people we care about."
"…Yes."
Galahad looked at Go, who looked uncertain. "Is something wrong?"
"No, it's just…" Go sighed as he stopped walking. Galahad stopped just ahead of him. "I've been thinking lately. About my time as a Charisma Duelist." He frowned. "Until now, all my duels have been in front of large crowds. Even my duels with Playmaker, Morningstar, and Dr. Genome. To entertain the many children who root for me, I tried to make duels more exciting. But…"
Galahad frowned as Go continued. "…I realized I'm all alone." He looked Galahad in the eye. "There are no fans rooting for us here. And in the end… no matter who supports us, we always duel alone. In the end, we always fight for ourselves, not for anyone else."
"…You're not thinking of quitting, are you?" Galahad asked Go. "Of leaving the Charisma Duelists?"
Go frowned again. "I'm… not sure. I know I enjoy dueling for the children. I enjoy being their hero. But… I also like winning. I want to prove that I'm the strongest. And there are people out there like Morningstar and Playmaker who stand far above people like you and me. That fact, that they are stronger than me… it bothers me. More than I'm willing to admit."
Galahad and Go stood in silence. Then Galahad placed a hand on Go's shoulder. While Galahad was shorter than Go, at that moment he seemed taller.
"There's nothing wrong with wanting to win, Go," he said. "Every duelist wants that. But… I don't think wanting to win just to win is enough. I think having a reason beyond that is essential." Galahad narrowed his eyes. "I duel for two reasons. The first is to make my younger brother proud of me. I want to be his hero just like you are the hero of children. And the second is to surpass a certain person."
Go gasped. Galahad smirked. "No, that person isn't you. Though I would like to defeat you myself one day. There's always been a person who I feel has been beyond me. And my goal is to reach her level and then surpass her. And I know one day, I will. Until then… I will fight to protect what I care about. So why don't we face Hanoi with our convictions and return to the people who care about us victorious?"
Go thought in silence and then smiled. "Yes!" he said. "I promised the children that I would return. So let us both return as the heroes of LINK VRAINS!"
The two then continued walking to the Tower. Until two people shrouded in the dust stood in their way. As the wind blew the dust away, one of them spoke.
"We can't let you go any further," Revolver said.
"Are you Revolver?" Go asked.
"You're Go Onizuka," Revolver stated, then he turned to Galahad. "And you're…" After three seconds, he said, "Who are you?"
Galahad cried out and face-faulted. He soon stood up, a vein popping on his forehead. "I'm Galahad!" he shouted. "The Knight of LINK VRAINS! Number 4 among the Charisma Duelists!"
"Oh," Revolver said, looking disappointed. "So Numbers 1, 2, and 4 came here, but not 3? That's sad."
Galahad growled, but then the person besides Revolver stepped forward. "It's been some time, Galahad," he said. "How's your brother?"
Galahad growled again, glaring at the man with hatred. "Terminus…" he muttered, clenching his fists.
Before Galahad could shout at Terminus, Go spoke up. "You're using that Tower to destroy everything. What's your goal?"
Revolver smirked. "What's the point of discussing that?" he asked. "Neither of you has any intention of understanding our goal."
"That's true," Go admitted. "I won't listen to the nonsense of a villain!"
"Villain?" Revolver repeated, amused. "Well, I guess I appear to be a villain."
"Silence!" Go shouted. "No matter your cause, this can't be forgiven!"
Revolver scoffed. "But you shouldn't have come here. The Tower of Hanoi absorbed Blue Angel and Lilith. If you don't want that to happen to you, leave."
"What?" Go said, surprised. "Blue Angel?"
"And Lilith?" Galahad said, surprised. He'd seen her duel against Terminus, and while she had lost, she had been strong. "Was that your doing, Terminus?"
Terminus scowled and shook his head. "No," he said. "Blue Angel was defeated by Revolver's subordinate Spectre while Lilith defeated her opponent. But then she got into the middle of Spectre's duel with Morningstar and became a casualty. Unfortunate… but nothing can change that fact now."
"Morningstar may have defeated Spectre, but Playmaker is on his way here as well," Revolver said. "My opponent is Playmaker, not you, Go Onizuka."
"And despite what you feel, Galahad, Morningstar is mine," Terminus said to the Charisma Duelist.
"Stop playing!" Go shouted. "If Morningstar defeated your subordinate, then I'll defeat you, Revolver!"
"You are the reason I am here, Terminus," Galahad said, scowling at the Knight. "I'm not leaving until I defeat you!"
Revolver sighed. "Oh well then. You had the skill to defeat one of Hanoi's lieutenants, Go Onizuka. Since you insist, I'll duel you!"
Terminus sighed alongside his leader. "I understand your hatred of me," he said to Galahad. "If dueling me will make you relent, then very well. I shall be your opponent!"
Go smirked. "They're so arrogant."
"That arrogance isn't unjustified," Galahad warned Go. "I watched Terminus duel Morningstar. It ended in a draw. And Revolver is likely even stronger. Don't underestimate him."
"He is the one who shouldn't underestimate me," Go said. "I've powered up my Gouki Deck for a new duel!" Galahad sighed. There was nothing more for him to say.
"Let's go!" Go said, smiling confidently as he adopted a fighting stance.
"Duel!" he and Revolver shouted.
"Galahad," Terminus called out. "Let's give these two some space."
Galahad and Terminus walked over some distance so that they were out of sight of Go and Revolver.
"I was sincere in my question," Terminus said. "How is your brother?"
Galahad scowled at the Knight. "What do you care about my brother?" he asked. "What is one life compared to the billions who will be affected by the Tower?"
"…Revolver and I are well aware of how much the Tower will hurt people," Terminus finally said. "We have no illusions that what we are doing is one of the most heinous crimes in the history of the world. But I would like to believe that despair and suffering are not the only legacies I leave behind. If I managed to help one person find happiness… then I can face my fate with my head held high."
"…"
Galahad glared at Terminus and then said, "My brother is having his operation as we speak. I won't know if he survived until this is over."
Terminus frowned. "I see. For what it is worth, I believe your brother will survive. And even if he must continue on without you, he will know his brother was a hero."
"…Thank you," Galahad said. "For those words and… for giving me the opportunity to save him. But…" Galahad narrowed his eyes. "That does not change the fact that you used me to fight Morningstar and held my brother against me. I cannot forgive such dishonor. Nor can I forgive the creation of the Tower."
"I know," Terminus said, smirking. "I don't expect you to go down easy, you know. I expect you to come at me with everything you have."
"Of course I will!" Galahad said, clenching his fist. "As much as I dislike you, I can see you are an honorable and strong duelist. I will show you my respect by going at you full force!"
"Duel!" they shouted.
Galahad: 4000 LP
Terminus: 4000 LP
"I shall go first!" Galahad said, waving his hand to reveal his cards. He frowned as he looked at them.
Terminus's Subterror Deck revolves around Flip Summoning, Galahad thought. A Deck like that is incredibly difficult to defeat. But… there are weaknesses I can exploit. I just need to draw that card…
After watching Morningstar's duel with Terminus, Galahad had added a card to his Deck that he knew would greatly aid him against Terminus. Unfortunately, he hadn't drawn it yet. That just meant he would have to hold off until he got it.
"I activate the Field Spell Card: Gateway to Chaos!" Galahad declared. "When I activate this card, I can add a 'Black Luster Soldier' Ritual Monster or 'Gaia the Fierce Knight' monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier!"
After taking the card from his Deck, Galahad said, "I summon Charging Gaia the Fierce Knight!" A green-skinned knight in blue armor riding a purple horse appeared on his field. "Charging Gaia may be Level 7, but I can Normal Summon it without Tributing by making its attack points 1900."
Charging Gaia the Fierce Knight ATK 2300→1900 DEF 2100 LVL: 7
"I now activate the Continuous Spell Card: Charge of the Fierce Knight!" Galahad continued. "And because I control a monster with 2000 or more attack points, I Special Summon Overlay Booster!" A red-and-blue armored warrior with white panels on its back appeared in Attack Position.
Overlay Booster ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 4
Terminus frowned in thought. The Gaia the Fierce Knight and Black Luster Soldier archetypes are among the smallest in Duel Monsters. Galahad must supplement them with monsters like this one.
"Appear! The circuit of champions!" The Link portal appeared above Galahad. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two Warrior monsters! I set Charging Gaia and Overlay Booster in the Link Markers!" His two monsters became whirlwinds of energy that entered the bottom-left and bottom arrows, turning them red.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Curse Gaia, the Underworld Knight!"
A skeleton knight wearing black armor and carrying an aging lance appeared out of the portal. Instead of a horse, it rode on the back of a three-headed emaciated dog. The three heads all howled as it was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.
Curse Gaia, the Underworld Knight ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↙↓
Terminus narrowed his eyes. A new Gaia Link Monster.
As Morningstar and Playmaker ran through the wreckage, they heard someone call out to them. "Hey, Playmaker! Morningstar!"
The two duelists turned as Frog and Pigeon approached them. "What is it, you two?" Morningstar asked them.
Frog pointed to a spot in the distance. "Someone's dueling over there."
"Two duels!" Pigeon added. "There were two bright lights."
"Seriously?" Ai asked.
"Blue Angel and Spectre are gone," Playmaker said, frowning.
"As is Lilith…" Morningstar said, frowning with him. "And if there are two duels, that must mean…"
"Go Onizuka and Revolver," Playmaker concluded, narrowing his eyes. "The other two must be Galahad and Terminus."
Morningstar nodded. "I'll leave Go and Revolver to you. I'll check on Galahad and Terminus."
Playmaker nodded and turned to Frog and Pigeon. "It's dangerous here," he said. "You should leave."
"No, can't do that!" Frog protested. The two duelists each raised an eyebrow as the reporters closed their eyes. "We know you're risking your lives to protect LINK VRAINS."
Pigeon took up Frog's train of thought. "So we'll also risk our lives for the truth-." The duo opened their eyes and gasped. Morningstar and Playmaker had resumed running. "They left."
"Stop dawdling!" Frog shouted. "Go after him!"
"Okay!"
"Charge of the Fierce Knight's effect activates!" Galahad declared. "The first time I summon a monster from the Extra Deck using a 'Gaia the Fierce Knight' monster as material, I draw two cards!" He drew, then gestured to his Field Spell. "Gateway to Chaos's effect activates! Whenever a monster is sent from the field or hand to the Graveyard, it gains a Spell Counter for each monster!"
Gateway to Chaos: 0 SC→2 SC
"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Overdone Burial! By discarding one monster, I can Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard so long as its Level is lower than the discarded monster's and equip it with Overdone Burial. I discard the Level 8 Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier to Special Summon the Level 7 Charging Gaia!" His knight reappeared, summoned to Curse Gaia's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position.
Charging Gaia the Fierce Knight ATK 2300 DEF 2100 LVL: 7
"The monster summoned by Overdone Burial has its effects negated," Galahad revealed to Terminus. "And now Curse Gaia's effect activates! For every monster it points to, it gains 300 attack points!"
Curse Gaia, the Underworld Knight ATK 2000→2300
"Curse Gaia's monster effect!" Galahad continued. "Once per turn, I can Tribute a monster it points to and Special Summon a 'Black Luster Soldier' or 'Gaia the Fierce Knight' monster from my hand or Graveyard, so long as it is the same Level or one higher. I Tribute the Level 7 Charging Gaia to Special Summon Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier from my Graveyard!" Charging Gaia disintegrated, and in its place rose a warrior in red armor carrying a sword and shield. It was summoned in Attack Position to Curse Gaia's bottom-left Link Marker.
Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier ATK 3000 DEF 2500 LVL: 8
"You summoned a Ritual Monster without a Ritual Spell Card," Terminus said, smiling to himself. "Not bad."
"I'm not done!" Galahad said. "When Charging Gaia is Tributed, I can add a 'Black Luster Soldier' monster from my Deck to my hand!" He looked at his Deck and grinned as he took the card. "And because another monster was sent to the Graveyard, Gateway to Chaos gains a Spell Counter."
Gateway to Chaos: 2 SC→3 SC
"I Set one card," Galahad said. "I end my turn."
"Impressive," Terminus said. "You Link Summoned and summoned a 3000 attack point monster on your first turn. I suppose I'll just have to rise to the occasion."
Morningstar and Playmaker ran up to a ledge and gasped. They were looking over a duel between Go Onizuka and Revolver. Go Onizuka had four monsters on his field while Revolver had none.
"He's full of vigor!" Ai said, cheering for Go.
"Revolver…" Playmaker muttered. Morningstar only frowned.
Go turned to look at the duo. "You're too late, Playmaker," he said. "I'll be the one to defeat Revolver. Stay quiet and watch!" He then turned to Morningstar. "As for you, Galahad is dueling Terminus over there." He pointed over another ridge. "I imagine he would appreciate your company."
Morningstar nodded and turned towards the aforementioned ridge.
"Distracted by bystanders when you're facing me?" Revolver asked Go. "You must be very confident. My turn! Draw!"
Morningstar ran over the ridge and his eyes widened. Before him, Galahad and Terminus were dueling, with Galahad controlling two monsters and a Set card while Terminus had nothing on his field.
Both duelists turned to look at Morningstar, but only Galahad smiled. "It's good to see you, Morningstar!" he said. "I know you have your own reasons for wanting to face Terminus, but this is my fight! Allow me to finish it!"
"Hmm," Terminus said, narrowing his eyes. "Focus on your opponent," he told Galahad. "My turn! Draw!"
Terminus looked at his card, then played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Terraforming. This lets me add a Field Spell Card from my Deck to my hand."
Morningstar narrowed his eyes. "A Field Spell…" he muttered. He had a pretty good idea which Field Spell it would be, but first…
Morningstar activated the drone in his Duel Disk and set it to broadcast mode. "Cam, can you send this feed out to the broadcast networks?" he whispered.
"I can, but are you sure about this?" Cam asked. There was static on the comm from the Tower, but their hardware was strong enough to keep the static at a minimum.
"I am. Frog and Pigeon are broadcasting Go's duel. Galahad deserves to have his shown, too."
"Alright. Just give me a second…"
Katsumi sat in the hospital room and frowned at the unconscious Takeshi that sat next to her. He'd entered LINK VRAINS from right here in his brother's room. She'd decided to stay here and watch over him. Hopefully, he would get back before his brother's operation was done.
She then turned to the television as her frown deepened. It was currently showing the duel between Go and Revolver, but Katsumi was worried that she couldn't see Galahad. She suspected he was probably dueling Terminus right now, but-.
Katsumi gasped as the screen split. On the left was Go and Revolver's duel, but the right side showed…
"Takeshi," she muttered as she narrowed her eyes. Galahad had a Link Monster and a Ritual Monster on his field along with a Continuous Spell Card and a Set card. Terminus had nothing.
She didn't know who was broadcasting this duel, but she was thankful to them for it. Now she could see Galahad fight at his strongest against a powerful opponent.
"I now activate the card I added to my hand," Terminus said. "The Field Spell Card: The Hidden City! When this card is activated, I can add one 'Subterror' monster from my Deck to my hand." Terminus took his new card, then said, "I summon Subterror Guru!" A blue-skinned fiend with purple wings, a blue coat, and a large sword appeared on Terminus's field.
Subterror Guru ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 4
Terminus narrowed his eyes at Galahad. "You are a highly skilled duelist," he said. "But my true fight is with Morningstar. That's why I'll end this quickly." As Galahad narrowed his own eyes, Terminus gestured to his field. "Guru's monster effect! Once per turn, I can change it and one other face-up monster to face-down Defense Position!"
Galahad gasped as Terminus smirked. "Link Monsters cannot exist in Defense Position," he said. "But your Super Soldier can!" Guru and Super Soldier both disintegrated as face-down cards appeared on the field.
Super Soldier may be face-down now, Morningstar thought. But it still has 2500 defense points. And Curse Gaia's effect doesn't care if the monster it points to is face-down or not. He narrowed his eyes in thought. But weakening Galahad's field isn't what Terminus is after.
"With Guru being Set, I control no face-up monsters," Terminus said. "And that means I can Special Summon this monster. Come, Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo!" Galahad and Morningstar both braced themselves as the ground shook. Behind Terminus, the ground broke apart.
Go, Revolver, and Playmaker all gasped as the ground suddenly shook.
"What is this!?" Ai asked. "An earthquake in LINK VRAINS!? Is this because of the Tower!?"
Playmaker looked over the ridge and gasped again. "No. Look!"
Ai and Go both followed Playmaker's gaze. Go gasped as Ai screamed.
"What… what is that?" Go asked, his eyes wide.
Revolver smirked. "My lieutenant Terminus is the strongest of my allies," he said. "Against him and his Subterror Behemoths, Galahad has no chance."
Galahad stared with wide eyes as a massive giant made of stone emerged and roared in Defense Position.
Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo ATK 2800 DEF 2100 LVL: 10
Morningstar grit his teeth. Terminus didn't use that monster against me, he thought. So I don't know what it can do.
Terminus gestured to his field again. "Stalagmo's monster effect! Once per turn, I can change it to face-down Defense Position!" Stalagmo disintegrated as a Set card appeared. "And because another monster was Set on my field, I can Special Summon this monster. Emerge, Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist!" Morningstar and Galahad both braced themselves as the ground broke apart again and a demonic blue and yellow monster appeared in Defense Position.
Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist ATK 3000 DEF 1400 LVL: 11
Katsumi frowned with concern. Takeshi had told her about Terminus's Subterror monsters. Because of their effects, Terminus could bring out multiple high-Level monsters very quickly. The only downside to such a strategy was that they could only be Special Summoned in Defense Position, meaning they could not attack. But there were ways around that.
"Speleogeist's monster effect!" Terminus declared. "Once per turn, I can change it to face-down Defense Position!" Like Guru and Stalagmo before it, Speleogeist disintegrated and a Set card appeared. Terminus smirked as he continued speaking. "And now it is time for me to finish this. I activate the effect of The Hidden City to change Stalagmo to face-up Attack Position!" One of the Set cards disappeared as the rock giant reappeared.
Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo ATK 2800 DEF 2100 LVL: 10
"Stalagmo's Flip Effect! When it is Flip Summoned, I can discard one 'Subterror' monster to draw two cards." Terminus discarded Subterror Nemesis Warrior and then drew and smirked. Before he could speak, Galahad gestured to his field.
"Because a monster was sent from the hand or field to the Graveyard, Gateway to Chaos gains one Spell Counter!" he reminded Terminus.
Gateway to Chaos: 3 SC→4 SC
"I now activate the Spell Card: Book of Taiyou! With this, I can flip one face-down monster to face-up Attack Position!" Galahad grit his teeth as Terminus pointed to one of his Set cards. "I Flip Summon Speleogeist!" The blue and yellow demon reappeared, this time in Attack Position.
Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist ATK 3000 DEF 1400 LVL: 11
"Speleogeist's Flip Effect! When it is Flip Summoned, I can make the attack points of one monster on the field 0, and if it is in Defense Position, it changes to Attack Position." Terminus smirked. "Curse Gaia may not be in Defense Position, but I can still target it. Terrifying Drain!" Speleogeist breathed blue flames at Curse Gaia. The three heads of the dog whimpered as Curse Gaia's attack points decreased.
Curse Gaia, the Underworld Knight ATK 2300→0
"If Speleogeist attacks Curse Gaia, Galahad will take 3000 points of damage," Cam noted.
"But's that not Terminus's goal," Morningstar whispered in return. "He said he wants to end this quickly. And with two high-Level Flip monsters…"
Terminus gestured to the sky. "Appear, our future circuit!" His hand glowed blue as the Link portal appeared again, this time above him. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two Flip monsters! I set Speleogeist and Stalagmo in the Link Markers!" His two monsters became streams of energy and entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows, turning them red. Galahad grit his teeth. He knew what was coming.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Subterror Behemoth Fiendess!" A large purple dragon with black and pink wings emerged from the portal. The armor on its chest and waist gleamed as a long mane of purple hair fell down its back. Behemoth Fiendess roared as it was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.
Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↙↘
Galahad and Morningstar both covered their faces as Behemoth Fiendess's roar pushed them back a few feet. It's only Link-2, Galahad thought, narrowing his eyes. But it's insanely powerful.
Once the roar subsided, Galahad gestured to his field. "Two more monsters were sent to the Graveyard," he reminded Terminus. "Which means Gateway to Chaos gains two more Spell Counters!"
Gateway to Chaos: 4 SC→6 SC
Gateway to Chaos can only have a maximum of six Spell Counters, Morningstar thought. So it can't gain any more.
"Hmm," Terminus scoffed. "It doesn't matter how many Spell Counters your Field Spell gains." He gestured to his own field. "Behemoth Fiendess's monster effect! When it is Link Summoned, it gains attack points equal to the combined Levels of the 'Subterror' monsters I used times 100! And since Stalagmo was Level 10 while Speleogeist was Level 11…" Behemoth Fiendess roared again as its attack points increased.
Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 2000→4100
"I'm ending this now," Terminus told Galahad. "Battle! Behemoth Fiendess, attack Curse Gaia! Final Extinction!" Behemoth Fiendess charged its attack, then released blue fire at Curse Gaia.
"Since Curse Gaia has 0 attack points, Galahad will lose if this hits!" Morningstar noted, gritting his teeth.
"Takeshi…" Katsumi muttered, frowning with concern.
Galahad growled and gestured to his field. "Trap activate! Shield of the Fierce Knight! This halves the battle damage and protects my Curse Gaia from being destroyed by battle!" Behemoth Fiendess's flames scorched Curse Gaia and sent Galahad back several feet, but his monster remained, and he remained standing.
Galahad: 4000→1950 LP
Terminus scowled in annoyance. Katsumi breathed a sigh of relief.
"Galahad kept himself from losing, but he lost over half his Life Points," Morningstar said as he frowned. "A high price to pay."
"Since the Battle Phase ended, I must send the top card of my Deck to the Graveyard," Galahad told Terminus. He looked at the card and smirked. Oh, that was perfect.
Terminus gestured to his field. "Behemoth Fiendess's monster effect! Once per turn, I can send a Flip monster from my Deck to my Graveyard and Special Summon a monster from my hand in face-down Defense Position to Behemoth Fiendess's Link Marker. I send Subterror Behemoth Phospheroglacier to the Graveyard to Special Summon Subterror Behemoth Voltelluric." A Set card appeared at Behemoth Fiendess's bottom-left Link Marker. "I Set one card. I end my turn."
Morningstar narrowed his eyes. "Galahad had a strong lead, but now he's falling behind," he said.
"Maybe, but he still has his Super Soldier," Cam reminded Morningstar. "If it destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard, Terminus will take its attack points as damage."
And that would be helpful if not for The Hidden City, Morningstar thought as he scowled. That card had been one of the primary reasons Lilith had lost, and it had impeded Morningstar himself during his duel with Terminus. But Galahad knows that. So how are you going to get around that?
Galahad scowled as he looked at the cards in his hand. He had a way to get rid of Behemoth Fiendess, but not one to get rid of The Hidden City. And so long as that Field Spell remained in play, he was in trouble. But that was an obstacle he could overcome. He just needed the right cards. Wait for me, Katsumi.
"My turn! Draw!" Galahad looked at his card and frowned. This wasn't what he needed, but it would be useful. "First, I Flip Summon my Super Soldier!" The red-armored knight reappeared on Galahad's field and roared in indignation.
Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier ATK 3000 DEF 2500 LVL: 8
"And now I activate the Spell Card: Spellbound Blessing!" The card showed a green book glowing with energy. "This card lets me remove all the Spell Counters from a card on my field, and for every three counters removed, I gain 500 Life Points and draw one card! I target Gateway to Chaos!"
Morningstar frowned. "Gateway to Chaos has six Spell Counters," he said. "Which means he gains 1000 Life Points and draws two cards."
Gateway to Chaos: 6 SC→0 SC
Galahad: 1950→2950 LP
Galahad looked at his new cards, blinked, then smirked. This was perfect.
"Your Field Spell is powerful, Terminus," he said, surprising the Knight of Hanoi. "But… it is easy to get rid of." He 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 DEF 600 LVL: 4
"Special Summon?" Terminus repeated. "How-?" He gasped in surprise. His Field Spell, as well as Galahad's Charge of the Fierce Knight both crumbled into darkness and disappeared. "What did you do?"
Galahad 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 The Hidden City, I wouldn't be able to summon it."
Terminus grit his teeth as Morningstar smiled. "He got rid of Terminus's Field Spell easily and got a monster out of it," he noted. "Very clever."
"Summoning Spell Strider isn't all I can do," Galahad said as he gestured to the sky. "Appear, the circuit of champions!" The Link portal appeared above him again. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more monsters! I set Spell Strider and the Link 2 Curse Gaia in the Link Markers!" His two monsters became whirlwinds of energy, with the later splitting into two, and entered the left, bottom, and right arrows, turning them red.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Gaia Saber, the Lightning Shadow!" A mechanical knight riding a blue and white horse appeared, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.
Gaia Saber, the Lightning Shadow ATK 2600 LINK-3 ←↓→
"Two monsters were sent to the Graveyard. That means Gateway to Chaos gains two Spell Counters."
Gateway to Chaos: 0 SC→2 SC
"I activate the Spell Card: Return Link!" Galahad continued. "Since Gaia Saber was Link Summoned, using only Warrior monsters, I can Special Summon those monsters from the Graveyard!" Curse Gaia and Spell Strider reappeared on Galahad's field.
Curse Gaia, the Underworld Knight ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↙↓
Spell Strider ATK 1800 DEF 600 LVL: 4
"Curse Gaia and Spell Strider cannot attack, their effects are negated, and they are destroyed during the End Phase. But that doesn't matter right now." Galahad played another card from his hand. "I activate the Spell Card: Link Treasure! With this, I draw cards equal to the number of Link Monsters on the field. There are three, so I draw three cards!"
Galahad drew, and his eyes widened in surprise. He then smiled to himself. Yes, he thought. It's here. Now I just need to flip his two face-down monsters face-up, and this duel will be mine.
"I summon Squire of Gaia!" A young man with green skin wearing blue armor appeared.
Squire of Gaia ATK 800 DEF 1200 LVL: 2
"Appear! The rings of the champion!" Galahad shouted as his outstretched hand glowed green. Squire of Gaia leapt into the air, and in a flash of light, transformed into two green rings. "Materials confirmed! The summoning conditions are one Tuner and one or more non-Tuner monsters! I tune the Level 2 Squire of Gaia to the Level 4 Spell Strider!" Spell Strider jumped into the rings. His monster then disappeared, becoming four stars in a line. A surge of light passed through the rings.
"Synchro Summon! Charge forth! Level 6! Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth!" A mechanical warrior and horse appeared, summoned to Gaia Saber's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position.
Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth ATK 2600 DEF 800 LVL: 6
"And once more, Gateway to Chaos gains two Spell Counters!"
Gateway to Chaos: 2 SC→4 SC
"And because Squire of Gaia was used to Synchro Summon Gaia Knight, it gains 600 attack points until my next Standby Phase!"
Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth ATK 2600→3200
Terminus maintained a calm expression. "An impressive lineup," he said, looking at Galahad's four monsters. "But my Behemoth Fiendess has 4100 attack points. And none of your monsters can match it."
Galahad smirked. "I don't need to match your monster's attack points," he said, confusing Terminus. "I would have thought you'd realized it by now; I never do what my opponent expects."
That's true, Morningstar thought, narrowing his eyes. On paper, Galahad's Deck was simple; it revolved completely around powerful monsters and battle damage. But in reality, he supplemented his Deck with cards that had unusual effects that disabled or circumvented his opponent's tactics, leaving them surprised and unsteady.
"More important is the card I sent to the Graveyard with Shield of the Fierce Knight," Galahad continued. "It was the Dark attribute Curse of Dragonfire."
"And how does that benefit you?"
"Because I also have the Light attribute Charging Gaia in the Graveyard," Galahad said, his smirk widening. "And when I Tributed Charging Gaia for Curse Gaia's effect, I added a 'Black Luster Soldier' monster to my hand. A very particular 'Black Luster Soldier' monster."
Morningstar's and Terminus's eyes both widened in shock.
"It can't be…" Morningstar whispered. Could Galahad be…?
Galahad gestured to his field. "I banish the Dark Curse of Dragonfire and the Light Charging Gaia the Fierce Knight from my Graveyard!" he declared. The two monsters appeared on his field, then disintegrated as their energy coalesced. "Doing so lets me Special Summon one of the most legendary monsters in Duel Monsters! Come forth, Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning!"
The energy finally took on a humanoid shape and broke apart. A green-skinned warrior in blue and gold armor appeared and roared a challenge. It carried a curved blade in its right hand and a small shield in its left. It swung said sword as it took its place in Attack Position.
Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning ATK 3000 DEF 2500 LVL: 8
"…Envoy of the Beginning?" Terminus said, awe evident in his voice. "I never thought I would face such a legendary monster." He grit his teeth. He now understood what Galahad had meant by subverting expectations.
"Envoy of the Beginning's monster effect!" Galahad declared. "Once per turn, I can banish a monster on the field! I'll banish Behemoth Fiendess! Slash of Destruction!" Envoy of the Beginning slashed at the ground, creating a fissure of energy that struck Behemoth Fiendess. The Link Monster screamed in pain as it disappeared.
"Ha ha!" Cam cheered. "Yes! He got rid of it!"
Two left, Galahad thought. Out loud, he said, "Envoy of the Beginning cannot attack the turn its effect is activated. And because of Return Link, Curse Gaia cannot attack either. But Gaia Knight, Gaia Saber, and Super Soldier can all attack." Galahad gestured to his field again. "Battle! Gaia Knight, attack the face-down Subterror Behemoth! Spiral Force!" Gaia Knight charged Terminus's Set card, which flipped upwards.
A massive blue serpent with four wings emerged from the card and roared a challenge to Gaia Knight. "My monster is called Subterror Behemoth Voltelluric," Terminus explained to Galahad.
Subterror Behemoth Voltelluric ATK 1900 DEF 3000 LVL: 9
"3000 defense points," Galahad said, smiling. "Perfect."
"Yes. It is." Galahad gasped at Terminus's words as the Knight of Hanoi gestured to his field. "Trap activate! Subterror Final Battle! With this card, I can activate one of four effects. I choose to activate its third effect and make Voltelluric's attack and defense points equal to its combined attack and defense points until the end of the turn."
Subterror Behemoth Voltelluric ATK 1900→4900 DEF 3000→4900
"What?" Galahad said, his eyes wide. Gaia Knight's lance struck Voltelluric, but the behemoth flung it aside and blasted blue lightning at Galahad. The knight yelled out as he was pushed back a few more feet.
Galahad: 2950→1250 LP
"After Final Battle has been activated, it is Set on the field instead of going to the Graveyard."
Katsumi scowled. That had been a dirty trick.
Galahad chuckled to himself. "Neat trick," he said. "If not for Spellbound Blessing, my Life Points would be in the red. As it is, I have to be careful. But…" Galahad smirked at Terminus. "You can only use Final Battle once per turn." He pointed at another monster. "Super Soldier, attack the Set Subterror Guru! Superior Chaos Blade!"
Super Soldier charged Terminus's other Set card and slashed downwards. Subterror Guru reappeared and screamed as it was cut in half. Gateway to Chaos glowed as it gained another Spell Counter.
Gateway to Chaos: 4 SC→5 SC
"Guru's Flip Effect activates!" Terminus declared. "I add one 'Subterror' card from my Deck to my hand." He did so as Galahad smirked.
"Guru isn't the only monster with an effect!" he said. "When Super Soldier sends a monster to the Graveyard, you take damage equal to its attack points!"
"What?"
"Go, Super Soldier! Double Destruction Slash!" Super Soldier slashed the air twice, creating two blades of energy that struck Terminus, making the Knight of Hanoi yell in pain.
Termiuns: 4000→2400 LP
Galahad smirked. "I Set one card. I end my turn. And with that, Curse Gaia is destroyed by Return Link's effect, and Gateway to Chaos gains another Spell Counter." The aforementioned Link Monster disintegrated as the Field Spell glowed.
Gateway to Chaos: 5 SC→6 SC
Terminus clutched his burning shoulder as he said, "During the End Phase, the effect of Final Battle also ends, so Voltelluric's attack and defense points return to normal."
Subterror Behemoth Voltelluric ATK 4900→1900 DEF 4900→3000
Terminus smiled as the damage to his avatar healed itself. "Not bad," he said. "You've earned your place among the Charisma Duelists. You give an image of a fool who focuses only on attacks, but your strategic skills are on par with Morningstar's."
"You flatter me," Galahad said, his face blank. "But my skills are nothing compared to #3's. If you were facing her, there's no question what the outcome would be."
"Oh?" Terminus said, raising an eyebrow. "You say that like you know her. If you're so confident in her skills, why are you here and not her?"
"Because I have personal reasons for this," Galahad answered. "I'm not facing you just because of my brother, or because of the Tower." He narrowed his eyes. "No, I'm-."
Before he could continue, a bright light from the across the ridge broke out. Morningstar turned around and covered his eyes. "What the-?" he said.
"…the hell?" Galahad said, covering his own eyes as he turned to Terminus. "Terminus, what is that?"
Terminus didn't answer immediately. Instead, he watched with the other two as a series of explosions broke out over the ridge and a pillar of light went up to the sky. Once it finally faded, he turned to Galahad.
"Mirror Force," he answered, surprising Galahad and Morningstar. "Revolver's newest weapon."
Morningstar gasped. He remembered what Ghost Girl and Playmaker had said. That Revolver had a terrifying card. He also remembered Revolver having a face-down card during their duel. A card he hadn't activated against Winning Wrestler. That card had been Mirror Force?
"I feel I should thank you," Terminus said, redrawing Morningstar's attention. "Revolver was inspired to use Mirror Force seeing you use it against Fatumare. He realized that since Link Monsters are always in Attack Position, it is the perfect card for them. So thank you for bringing about Go Onizuka's destruction."
"…Then why?" Galahad said, scowling, his face lowered so they couldn't see his eyes.
"Huh?" Terminus asked, confused.
"If Revolver got the idea of Mirror Force from me…" Galahad raised his head, his expression furious. "THEN HOW COME HE DIDN'T KNOW WHO I WAS!?"
Morningstar and Terminus both sweatdropped. "I-I think you're missing the point, Galahad," Morningstar said, staring at the Knight through half-lidded eyes.
"I…I think Revolver was toying with you," Terminus said, shrugging, not sure what else to say. "Anyway… My turn! Draw!" Terminus looked at his card and smiled. But before he could do something, Galahad laughed.
"Apologies, Terminus," he said. "To you and Revolver. But…" He smirked as wide as he could. "This duel is over now. And I'm about to make a larger light show than your boss."
"What are you talking about?" Terminus asked, frowning. "My strategy is flawless. There is no way you can defeat me at this point."
"You're wrong," Galahad said, making the Knight gasp. "Your Deck is very powerful. But it has a major flaw. I couldn't use this if you had a Set monster, but now your Voltelluric is face-up. So…"
Galahad gestured to his face-down card. "Continuous Trap activate!" His card revealed itself and created a burst of light.
Morningstar and Terminus both covered their eyes. "Not again…" Morningstar grumbled. "What's Galahad doing?" As the light dimmed a bit, he looked closely at the card and gasped.
Katsumi smiled to herself as the right side of the screen burst into light, just like the left had before. "You've done it, Takeshi," she whispered. "You've won."
As the light finally died down, Terminus looked at Galahad's card and gasped. "No… no way. That's…"
Galahad smirked again. "Light of Intervention!" he declared. "While this card is face-up, no monsters can be Set or flipped face-down! And if a monster would be Set, it is summoned in face-up Defense Position!"
Morningstar stared at Galahad in shock and surprise. "Terminus's Deck revolves completely around Flip Summoning," he muttered. "With a card like that…"
Galahad laughed. "The only weakness this card has is it doesn't flip monsters face-up," he said. "Which was why I had to flip your monsters face-up myself." He smirked at Terminus, who was looking dismayed. "So, Terminus. Do you still think you can win?"
Galahad vs. Terminus
This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.
Turn 1: Galahad
Galahad activates the Field Spell Card Gateway to Chaos. Since Gateway was activated, he can add 1 "Black Luster Soldier" Ritual Monster or 1 "Gaia the Fierce Knight" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier to his hand. He Normal Summons Charging Gaia the Fierce Knight without Tributing by making its ATK 1900 (2300→1900/2100/7). Galahad activates the Continuous Spell Card Charge of the Fierce Knight. The first time he Special Summons a Fusion, Link, Synchro, or Xyz Monster from the Extra Deck using at least 1 "Gaia the Fierce Knight" monster as Material, he can draw 2 cards. As Galahad controls a monster with 2000 or more ATK, he Special Summons Overlay Booster (2000/0/4) from his hand. Galahad uses Charging Gaia and Overlay Booster to Link Summon Curse Gaia, the Underworld Knight (2000/2/↙↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. Since he Link Summoned using Charging Gaia, Galahad draws 2 cards. Because Monster cards were sent to the GY from the field, Gateway to Chaos gains 1 Spell Counter for each sent monster (Gateway to Chaos: 0 SC→2 SC). Galahad activates the Equip Spell Card Overdone Burial, discarding Super Soldier to do so and targeting the lower Level Charging Gaia. Charging Gaia is Special Summoned (2300/2100/7) in Attack Position with its effects negated to Curse Gaia's bottom-left Link Marker. Curse Gaia gains 300 ATK for each monster it points to (Curse Gaia: 2000→2300). Galahad activates the effect of Curse Gaia, Tributing the Charging Gaia it points at to Special Summon a "Black Luster Soldier" or "Gaia the Fierce Knight" monster that is the same Level as Charging Gaia or 1 higher, ignoring its summoning conditions. He Special Summons Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier (3000/2500/8) to Curse Gaia's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. Since Charging Gaia was Tributed, Galahad can add 1 "Black Luster Soldier" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning from his Deck to his hand. Gateway to Chaos gains 1 Spell Counter (Gateway to Chaos: 2 SC→3 SC). Galahad Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.
Turn 2: Terminus
Terminus draws. He activates the Spell Card Terraforming, which lets him add 1 Field Spell Card from his Deck to his hand. He adds The Hidden City to his hand. Terminus activates the Field Spell Card The Hidden City. Since The Hidden City was activated, Terminus can add 1 "Subterror" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo from his Deck to his hand. Terminus Normal Summons Subterror Guru (1600/1800/4). Terminus activates Guru's effect, targeting itself and Super Soldier. Guru and Super Soldier are both changed to face-down Defense Position. Because a face-up monster Terminus controls was flipped face-down and he controls no face-up monsters, Terminus Special Summons Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo (2800/2100/10) in Defense Position. Terminus activates the effect of Stalagmo, changing it to face-down Defense Position. Because a face-up monster Terminus controls was flipped face-down and he controls no face-up monsters, Terminus Special Summons Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist (3000/1400/11) in Defense Position. Terminus activates the effect of Speleogeist, changing it to face-down Defense Position. Terminus activates the effect of The Hidden City to change the face-down Stalagmo to face-up Attack Position (2800/2100/10). Since Stalagmo was Flip Summoned, its effect activates, and Terminus discards 1 "Subterror" monster to draw 2 cards. He discards Subterror Nemesis Warrior (Gateway to Chaos: 3 SC→4 SC). Terminus activates the Spell Card Book of Taiyou, targeting the face-down Speleogeist and changing it to face-up Attack Position (3000/1400/11). Since Speleogeist was Flip Summoned, its effect activates, and Terminus targets Curse Gaia for its effect. Curse Gaia's ATK becomes 0 (Curse Gaia: 2300→0). Terminus uses Speleogeist and Stalagmo to Link Summon Subterror Behemoth Fiendess (2000/2/↙↘) to the Extra Monster Zone (Gateway to Chaos: 4 SC→6 SC). Behemoth Fiendess gains ATK equal to the combined Levels of the "Subterror" monsters used to Link Summon it x 100 (Behemoth Fiendess: 2000→4100).
Behemoth Fiendess attacks Curse Gaia, but Galahad activates his face-down Trap Card Shield of the Fierce Knight, which halves all battle damage from battles involving Warrior monsters and prevents Warrior monsters from being destroyed by battle this turn (Galahad: 4000→1950 LP). At the end of the Battle Phase, Galahad must send the top card of his Deck to the GY. He sends Curse of Dragonfire to the GY. Terminus activates the effect of Behemoth Fiendess, sending Subterror Behemoth Phospheroglacier from his Deck to the GY to Special Summon Subterror Behemoth Voltelluric from his hand to Behemoth Fiendess's bottom-left Link Marker in face-down Defense Position. Terminus Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.
Turn 3: Galahad
Galahad draws. He Flip Summons Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier (3000/2500/8). He then activates the Spell Card Spellbound Blessing, targeting Gateway to Chaos. All of Gateway's Spell Counters are removed, and Galahad gains 500 LP and draws 1 card for every 3 Spell Counters removed. He draws 2 cards (Gateway to Chaos: 6 SC→0 SC) (Galahad: 1950→2950 LP). Galahad activates the effect of the Spell Strider in his hand, banishing Charge of the Fierce Knight from his field and The Hidden City from Terminus's to Special Summon it (1800/600/4) in Attack Position. Galahad uses Curse Gaia and Spell Strider to Link Summon Gaia Saber, the Lightning Shadow (2600/3/←↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone (Gateway to Chaos: 0 SC→2 SC). Galahad activates the Spell Card Return Link. Since he Link Summoned using only Warrior monsters, he can Special Summon the Link Materials to his field in Attack Position, but their effects are negated, they cannot declare an attack, and they are destroyed during the End Phase. Galahad Special Summons Curse Gaia (2000/2/↙↓) and Spell Strider (1800/600/4). Galahad activates the Spell Card Link Treasure, drawing 1 card for each face-up Link Monster on the field. He draws 3 cards. Galahad Normal Summons Squire of Gaia (800/1200/2). He tunes the Level 2 Squire to the Level 4 Spell Strider to Synchro Summon Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth (2600/800/6) to Gaia Saber's bottom Link Marker (Gateway to Chaos: 2 SC→4 SC). Since Squire was used to Synchro Summon a Warrior Synchro Monster, that monster gains 600 ATK until Galahad's next Standby Phase (Gaia Knight: 2600→3200). Galahad banishes Charging Gaia and Curse of Dragonfire from his GY to Special Summon Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning (3000/2500/8) in Attack Position. Galahad activates the effect of Envoy of the Beginning, targeting Behemoth Fiendess. Behemoth Fiendess is banished, but Envoy of the Beginning cannot attack this turn.
Gaia Knight attacks the face-down Voltelluric, flipping it face-up (1900/3000/9). Terminus activates his face-down Trap Card Subterror Final Battle, targeting Voltelluric and selecting the 3rd effect. Voltelluric's ATK/DEF becomes equal to its combined ATK/DEF until the end of the turn (Voltelluric: 1900→4900/300→4900). Instead of being sent to the GY, Subterror Final Battle is Set on the field. The attack continues, and Voltelluric isn't destroyed (Galahad: 2950→1250 LP). Super Soldier attacks and destroys the Set Guru (Gateway to Chaos: 4 SC→5 SC). Because Guru was Flip Summoned, its effect activates, letting Terminus add 1 "Subterror" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Subterror Nemesis Defender from his Deck to his hand. Because Super Soldier destroyed a monster and sent it to the GY, it inflicts damage equal to that monster's original ATK (Terminus: 4000→2400 LP). Galahad Sets 1 card. He ends his turn, the effect of Final Battle ends (Voltelluric: 4900→1900/4900→3000), and Curse Gaia is destroyed by the effect of Return Link (Gateway to Chaos: 5 SC→6 SC).
Turn 4: Terminus
Terminus draws. Galahad activates his face-down Continuous Trap Card Light of Intervention. While Light of Intervention is on the field, Monster Cards cannot be Set or flipped face-down, and if a Monster Card would be Set, it must be Normal Summoned in face-up Defense Position.
This duel will continue…
Curse Gaia, the Underworld Knight
Attribute: DARK Type: [Warrior/Link/Effect] ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↙↓
2 Warrior monsters
This card gains 300 ATK for each monster it points to. Once per turn: you can Tribute 1 monster you control that this card points to; Special Summon 1 "Gaia the Fierce Knight" monster or "Black Luster Soldier" that is the same Level or 1 higher than the destroyed monster from your hand or GY, ignoring its summoning conditions, to the same zone. This card cannot declare an attack the turn you activate this effect.
Spellbound Blessing Normal Spell Card
Target 1 card on your side of the field with Spell Counters on it; Remove all Spell Counters from it, then for every 3 Spell Counters removed by this effect, gain 500 LP and draw 1 card. You can only activate "Spellbound Blessing" once per turn.
Chapter Preview
Next Time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 24 – Knightfall. With a single card, Galahad has crippled Terminus's moves and pushed him into a corner. Undaunted, Terminus fights back with everything he has. Determined to protect what he loves, Galahad performs an impossible summon…
Responses to Reviews & Author's Notes
Thank you to HunterHQ, Ryujomaru15, sanedimentio, Yasutake Fan, Guest, Lindia Fullmoon, Tiny Pink Kitten, bladeWriter3, Vrains Fan, and ThePLOThand for reviewing Chapter 22.
Guest: No, Fifth Dimension will not be a crossover with VRAINS, but it will draw heavily on it.
Yasutake Fan: I won't answer that question. Spoilers. But as for it being tame, I believe that's because Morningstar doesn't have an Ignis. I believe Ai and Flame have Skills that are more powerful than regular Skills.
Lindia Fullmoon or Fullmoom: Yes, all Cyspirit monsters are Light monsters. For now, at least. And no spoilers for season 2. Also, you don't need to provide lyrics. Just the name of the song. But I'm glad you're passionate about it.
Credit to mekyaku for the creation of Curse Gaia, the Underworld Knight. It was originally Link-3, but I made it Link-2 so it would be easier to summon and added a restriction to its effect.
This chapter was the beginning of the duel between Galahad and Terminus, which will conclude in the next chapter. The chapter is short, but since it takes place in the timespan of one episode instead of two or three, I think that's fair. Plus it lets me use a great cutoff.
We also had the greatest weakness of Flip Decks in this chapter: Light of Intervention! I've wanted to use that card against Terminus, and considering how Galahad uses old cards, I thought he would be the best person to use it.
Also, a little note on summoning chants: I'm going to keep using the summoning chants I came up with for Fusion, Ritual, Synchro, and Xyz Monsters until the end of season 1, if for no other reason than it's easier. I will be using new summoning chants in season 2 to reflect the anime's chants, however.
Update on Fifth Dimension: Frost190 has informed me that there are actually two fanfictions already called Fifth Dimension, one by SSB Vegito and one by Scalchop Warrior. So I'm considering giving it a different name. If anyone wants to suggest names for it, please do so in either a PM or review.
Thank you for reading Chapter 23 of Hidden Memories. Please tell me what your favorite moment was. Mine was Galahad being angry at Revolver for pretending not to know who he was.