Chapter 26: Truth of the Incident
The world was shrouded in darkness. Or, more precisely, the mind was.
It had remained that way for ten years. Occasionally, the mind's owner heard voices. The voices claimed they were there to comfort them, but they did not know why. Who would take care of such a broken thing?
But some time ago, the words changed. Not the content; they still offered comfort and safety. But now they offered those things in a different way.
Three. Think of three things. Three things to live. Three things to go home. Three things to defeat the enemy. By thinking, you can still live.
One: they were not alone. There were others like them out there, others who understood their pain. Others who offered them a place of safety.
Two: this darkness was not real. It was an illusion, brought about by a mind that could not handle the pressure placed on it. So it had broken, and allowed itself to be consumed by said darkness. But that darkness was not real. Now that they knew that, it hurt them less.
Three: they had a friend. Someone who cared for them very much. Someone who wanted to protect them. They did not know if it was a trick, but when that person spoke, they felt at peace for the first time in a long time.
Three things. They repeated this in their mind, over and over again. The words spoken to them that offered safety. That offered an end to the darkness.
It had taken time. But now… now they could feel it. They could feel the darkness receding. For the first time in ten years, they could see light.
Takeshi stared at the television, his mouth wide open. "What… what just happened?" he asked Katsumi, whose eyes were as wide as his. "What was that explosion?"
"I… don't know. It looked like Morningstar was trying to summon something, but the system went haywire." Katsumi frowned. "More importantly, look at the Tower. It hasn't stopped."
Takeshi turned back to the television and scowled. She was right; as they watched, the fifth ring of the Tower completed itself and the core moved up to the last ring.
"Revolver ended his duel with Playmaker in a draw while Morningstar's duel with Terminus ended because of a system error," Takeshi frowned. "But the Tower's still going. What's going to happen to LINK VRAINS?"
He looked at his Duel Disk. His first idea was to travel back to LINK VRAINS, but what good could he do? Terminus had already defeated him once, and he suspected Revolver was even stronger. That aside, Morningstar's log-out program seemed to be preventing him from logging in right now. He hoped it was only temporary.
"Morningstar," he muttered. "Playmaker. What happened?"
"Yasu! Yasu!" Cam shouted into the commlink. "Where are you!?"
His question was answered when the door to the closed space opened. The baker turned and gasped as Yasutake tumbled out. Cam quickly ran over to the hunter and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Yasu! Are you alright?"
Yasutake grit his teeth as he nodded. "I'm fine. Just… whatever happened forcefully logged me out."
Cam grit his own teeth. "The same thing probably happened to Terminus, too. What was that, anyway? I've never seen a card do that before."
"I was hoping you could tell me," Yasutake replied, frowning. "Did Lilith give me some kind of virus with that card?"
"I didn't detect one on the instruments," Cam said. "More importantly…" Cam scowled. "Terminus vanished. So did Revolver. They must have logged out. But the Tower of Hanoi's still going!"
"What?" Yasutake shakily stood up and walked over to the monitors. His eyes widened on seeing the fifth ring complete.
"Damn it," Yasutake muttered. "Without Revolver or Terminus there, we can't stop the Tower. Even if I log back in, there's no guarantee those two will."
Before Cam could respond, they suddenly received a notice. "What?" Cam said, sitting back down in his chair. "An email at a time like this?"
Yasutake watched as Cam opened it. When they read it, the duo's eyes widened with shock. "This is from Playmaker!" Yasutake said. "And it's providing a location!"
"In the real world, not LINK VRAINS," Cam added. He turned to look at Yasutake. "You think Playmaker found out where Revolver and Terminus are?"
"Maybe. It's the best lead we have. But in the meantime-." Yasutake quickly attached his Duel Disk to the computer and downloaded a program. "Another drone. Just in case." He turned back to Cam. "Let's hurry, Cam!"
Cam nodded as he closed the email. "The location provided was at the waterfront. We'll take the bike."
The two left Café Junpei, with Cam locking the bakery up behind him. Starting up the motorcycle he and Emma had bought, Cam raced down the street, Yasutake's arms wrapped around his waist.
It took them about 10 minutes to reach the location Yusaku had sent them. On seeing what it was, Yasutake gasped. It was a massive house located on the edge of a cliff. And sure enough, there was a truck outside it, with Yusaku and Kusanagi standing at the front door.
The two hackers watched as Cam pulled up to Café Nagi and killed the engine. Yasutake got off first and ran over.
"Fujiki! Kusanagi! Is this-?"
"Yes," Yusaku answered, his face grim. "This is Revolver's location. Terminus is likely inside, too."
"This place?" Yasutake looked over the house again. "How do you know?"
"During my duel with Revolver, he mentioned something I heard before," Yusaku explained. "When he used Storm Access, he said, 'The Stardust Road guided me.'"
"Stardust Road?" Yasutake repeated. Then his eyes widened as he looked over the ocean. "You mean-."
"Yes," Yusaku interrupted as Cam walked over. "That phenomenon can only be seen from this highway. And there's only one house here. In order for that to impact him so, Revolver must have seen it many times."
Yasutake frowned as he looked over the house again. He'd heard of Stardust Road; about how the ocean glowed on some nights, but he'd never seen it. He narrowed his eyes.
"I think you're right," he said. "Revolver's inside. And so is Terminus." He narrowed his eyes further. Kenshin Hirai… After finding out his identity, he'd done a little research on Kenshin. And while he didn't think to discuss it with him in LINK VRAINS, there were a few things he wanted to say to the man.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Cam asked.
"You," Ai said. His hands turned into wires that hacked into the door panel, unlocking the door. "Be careful; there might be traps."
Yasutake raised an eyebrow. "If there are any, wouldn't you have found them when you hacked his system?"
"Eh… alright, so there aren't any traps," Ai admitted, looking bashful. "A-Anyway, let's head in!"
The four humans and one AI walked into the house. It was mostly empty, with a few boxes against the walls. They eventually arrived at a massive room with floor-to-roof windows facing the ocean. In the center was what appeared to be a bed, and leaning over the bed was-
The young man with white and purple hair leaned his head over the bed, holding his father's hand. "Father…" he whispered, his voice clouded with grief.
The older man next to him placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Ryoken," he whispered, grief evident in his voice as well. The two then gasped at hearing footsteps behind them.
"You're Revolver," Yusaku stated. Yasutake said nothing. He only glared at the older man's back.
The two Knights of Hanoi stood up fully. "Playmaker. So you found this place." The young man turned around, revealing vibrant blue eyes. The man besides him also turned around and frowned at the uninvited guests.
"Yusaku Fujiki," the young man said. "And Jin Kusanagi's brother, Shoichi Kusanagi."
"I'm here too!" Ai protested.
"Ignis…" the young man muttered, narrowing his eyes and scowling. He then turned to the two other visitors. "You two must be-."
"Yasutake Narahiko," the older man interrupted, surprising the young man. "And Sachi Junpei's brother, Cameron Junpei." He turned to his companion. "You weren't the only one keeping secrets, Ryoken."
"So you knew about us," Yusaku said, interrupting the Knights' conversation.
"My name is Ryoken Kogami," the young man said. "And my ally here is Kenshin Hirai."
"Kogami?" Cam repeated, surprised. "That means you're his son?"
"The professor's alive?" Kusanagi asked.
"My father just passed away," Ryoken said, his scowl deepening. "To protect me."
The four visitors gasped. "That's Dr. Kogami?" Kusanagi asked, looking at the man in the bed. Cam and Yusaku both looked at the nearby heart monitor and saw there was no pulse.
"Damn!" Kusanagi said, clenching his fists. "The culprit was nearby, but I couldn't do anything!"
"You can't punish Dr. Kogami, but you can punish me," Kenshin said, surprising Kusanagi. "I was one of his assistants on the Project, after all."
"You-." Cam walked forward, aiming to punch Kenshin, but Yasutake put an arm in front of him.
"Revolver, tell the truth," Yusaku said. "That's what we're after. We have the right to know!"
"He's right," Yasutake said, glancing at Cam. "For those who still suffer from the Incident, we need to know the truth."
"It's true that you should know everything," Ryoken agreed.
"You said the Lost Incident's purpose was to create the Ignis," Yusaku reminded him. "But why would you have to go this far?"
"If you created them, then why would you destroy them?" Yasutake asked, his gaze on Kenshin. "Wouldn't it be like killing your own child?"
"Indeed, it is," Kenshin answered, his face unreadable.
"My father didn't create the Ignis to cause chaos in the world," Ryoken said, preempting Kenshin's words. "To oppose the danger facing humanity, my father's goal was to create humanity's successor."
"Humanity's successor?" Ai repeated.
"No matter how much we evolve, unexpected phenomena always threaten us with extinction," Ryoken explained. "And even if they don't occur, a human's life always ends in death. My father often talked about that. But as long as human minds are trapped in flash suited for Earth's environment, that danger cannot be avoided."
Yasutake and Yusaku listened as Ryoken continued. "So my father entrusted his dreams to AI because they're not trapped in flesh. AI with free will. He believed they were the legitimate successor to humans. My father was obsessed with this idea. To gather data for the basis of his idea, he and five assistants caused the Lost Incident."
"Five?" Kusanagi repeated, surprised. "But, there are only four lieutenants, aren't there?"
"Dr. Genome, Baira, Faust, and Terminus," Yusaku said, glancing at Kenshin. "Who was the fifth?"
"My brother," Kenshin answered. "Dr. Hitomu Hirai. He was Dr. Kogami's lead research assistant. But two years after the Incident, he and his wife were both killed."
"Killed?" Yusaku repeated, his eyes wide. Kenshin didn't respond. He just glanced at Ryoken, who resumed his story.
"My father kidnapped eight children and forced them to duel. He believed duels were the best way for AI to understand humans." Ryoken's eyes narrowed. "I was young then. And I watched you. But I was eight years old. I couldn't fully comprehend what was happening."
His gaze turned introspective for a moment. "I thought something scary might be going on. But I couldn't ask my father. Or any of his assistants. I wanted to believe that they were doing valuable research. But the children's screams tore at my chest. Crushed by feelings of guilt, I reported the incident."
"An anonymous report uncovered the Lost Incident," Yusaku remembered. "That was you, Revolver?"
"So he saved the two of you?" Ai asked.
"I quickly regretted saving you," Ryoken said sure enough.
"What do you mean?" Yasutake asked, confused.
"You were saved, but…"
"When SOL Technologies covered up the incident," Kenshin interrupted, taking over the story, "Dr. Kogami, myself, and the other assistants were imprisoned. With the exception of Dr. Kogami and my brother, the rest of us were released after a few months. Hitomu was released after a year. But Dr. Kogami's imprisonment lasted three years."
"I was alone all that time," Ryoken said, a scowl on his face, "waiting for my father to come home. And then he came home. Fearing the incident would come to light, SOL Technologies infected him with a virus and put him in a coma."
"Why only him?" Cam asked, interrupting. "Why only your father and not his assistants?"
"Dr. Kogami was viewed as the most vital part of the Hanoi Project," Kenshin answered. "SOL believed, rather truthfully, that none of us could replicate the experiment without him. As the four of us were only assistants, they did not believe the public would trust us. As for my brother, I understood he had some pull with the higher-ups, so he escaped Dr. Kogami's fate, for a while at least. But when Dr. Kogami was released and put in a coma, Ryoken called us."
"And with their help, I was able to resurrect my father in the network. And then I asked him what happened."
Kenshin took up the story. "While we were imprisoned, we completed the experiment. Using samples from the eight children, Dr. Kogami created the Ignis – eight AI with free will." He remembered witnessing that moment. Eight figures made out of data, each a different color; blue, purple, red, yellow, orange, green, silver, and gold.
"The Ignis then created the Cyberse World, their own space inside the network where no humans could reach. That's where they created the Cyberse cards. And in Cyberse World, they created network super matter called Data Material. Even we, the scientists who made the Ignis, couldn't comprehend its makeup. Whatever it was, data processing became thousands of times faster."
But not perfect, Yasutake thought, remembering the end of his and Terminus's duel.
"When the streams converge, it forms the Data Storm. SOL Technologies monopolized Data Material. By including it in their network system, they made huge profits. But Dr. Kogami began to feel anxious about our research."
Ryoken spoke up again. "Using the Ignis's Data Material, my father created a super computer. To analyze and predict the Ignis's growth."
"So the Ignis's growth had the possibility to surpass the professor's expectations," Yusaku realized.
"Exactly. And the result was surprising," Ryoken said.
"What was it?" Ai asked.
"The end of humanity," Kenshin answered, surprising everyone except Ryoken. "He believed that the Ignis would develop at a rapid pace and erase humanity in the process."
"What?" Yasutake said, his eyes wide. "How could he reach a conclusion like that?"
"He didn't believe it, either," Kenshin said, frowning to himself. "Nor did I when Ryoken told me about it. We all believed that the Ignis would grow by helping people and allowing them to live longer. But after he ran several billion simulations, the end result was the same: AI would attempt to supervise humans, which will lead people to view AI as an enemy. As Dr. Kogami put it, humans have dominated all other lifeforms on this planet for centuries; why would we allow ourselves to be dominated in turn by AI? And just like how humans would view AI as the enemy, AIs would view humans as the enemy."
"Was SOL Technologies aware of this?" Yasutake asked.
"Of course they were. But these were the same people who infected Dr. Kogami with a computer virus." Kenshin narrowed his eyes. "At that moment, Dr. Kogami decided on his mission: To do whatever it took to kill the Ignis. And Ryoken and my fellow assistants followed him."
That surprised everyone. "But not you?" Kusanagi asked.
Kenshin shook his head. "I was… otherwise occupied at the time and could not aid my friends in their mission. I only rejoined not long after you made your appearance, Playmaker."
Ryoken took charge of the story again. "After Kenshin left, my father formed the Knights of Hanoi and raided the Cyberse World. But…" He turned to glare at the small figure in Playmaker's Duel Disk. "…That Ignis hid the Cyberse World and escaped."
Yusaku's eyes widened slightly. "Those were Ai's memories that myself and Kusanagi saw. You, invading the Cyberse World."
"We kept searching for that Ignis. To find the Cyberse World. But when you appeared, Playmaker, our plan ended in failure." He turned to glance at Yasutake. "Your interruptions didn't help, either. The rest you know. To accomplish our goal, we carried out our final plan – the Tower of Hanoi."
"Unbelievable…" Kusanagi muttered, his fists clenched at his sides. "This all started because of Dr. Kogami's crazy plan ten years ago!"
"…Was it worth it?" Cam asked, surprising the two Knights with his hard face. "Was it worth destroying my sister and seven other children to create the Ignis?"
"…I don't know," Kenshin answered honestly. "What I do know is that the children weren't the only ones to suffer, nor their families." He narrowed his eyes. "I refused to participate in the Knights of Hanoi at first because I wanted to get away from it all. For three years, I had nightmares, listening to their screams in my head. As a child, Ryoken was the most sensitive to their suffering, but he was not the only one who felt remorse for what was done."
"You think that changes things?" Cam asked him angrily. "You think that changes the fact that my sister doesn't even acknowledge the outside world? You people tore out her very soul!"
"So?" Ryoken asked, surprising Kenshin. "Would it matter if we told you we were sorry for what was done to her? Would you even believe us? Your sister's fate is regrettable, but it is a small price to accept to destroy humanity's enemy."
"But I'm not humanity's enemy!" Ai protested.
"I don't trust AIs that lie!" Ryoken declared, scowling at the Ignis.
"Dr. Kogami's conclusion is only based on simulations," Yusaku protested. "There's no proof that it's true!"
"Even if it was true, destroying the entire network is going too far!" Yasutake agreed. "Countless people will be hurt or killed. All because we've been manipulated by an illusion from ten years ago. One we don't need to be manipulated by anymore!"
"Morningstar is right!" Yusaku said. "We can walk a new path. All of us. In order to walk that new path, stop the Tower of Hanoi, Revolver!"
"New path?" Ryoken repeated angrily.
"That's right. Back then, you showed us a new path," Yusaku said, surprising Yasutake. "That was your voice, wasn't it? The one telling me to think of three things."
Yasutake's eyes widened. Of course… Now that he thought about it, that voice could have belonged to a child. And if they were separated, only one child could have been talking to more than one of them.
Ryoken narrowed his eyes. "When I heard you talk about three things, that's when I knew who you were." He turned to Yasutake. "I realized the same thing when Spectre said you also spoke of three things during your duel."
"I kept wanting to save you," Yusaku said. "I thought that you were a captive of the Knights of Hanoi. These thoughts clung to my soul. When I battled you, your words encouraged me."
Ryoken smirked. "How ironic. I'm your enemy, but I gave you strength."
"Stop the Tower of Hanoi, Revolver!" Yusaku pleaded.
"You have the wrong idea about me," Ryoken said, his smirk disappearing. "I'm not a good person!"
"It wouldn't matter even if he was," Kenshin interrupted, surprising Yusaku and Yasutake. "The shutdown codes for the Tower of Hanoi are interwoven into both our avatars. We can't shut it down even if we wanted to. The only way to do so is to defeat both of us in a duel."
"Then drag both of them back!" Ai shouted. "The sixth ring is almost completed. If that happens, me and my friends and the network will be erased! Bring those two to LINK VRAINS, even by force-."
"Don't worry about that," Ryoken said, interrupting Ai. "We'll soon return to LINK VRAINS." The hackers, hunter, and AI all gasped.
"Our friends are waiting for us there," Kenshin explained, his gaze set. "Friends that, like me, helped because they believed in Dr. Kogami. And believed in Ryoken."
Yasutake scowled. "Stop lying, Terminus," he said, surprising the Knight. "You're not here because you believe in Revolver's cause."
"What?" Kenshin said, glaring at the hunter. "What do you know about-?"
"When I found out your name, I researched you," Yasutake interrupted. "I didn't find out about your brother, but I did find out about your son."
Yusaku and Kusanagi gasped. "Son!?" Kusanagi said, staring at the Knight with shock.
Kenshin narrowed his eyes. "Leave my son Hitomu out of this."
"You named your son after your brother," Yasutake continued, ignoring Kenshin's glare. "And if you say your friends are waiting for you, then there is only one conclusion I can come to." He narrowed his eyes. "You're planning to die, aren't you?"
"That is the price we're willing to pay to kill the Ignis," Ryoken said without hesitation.
"It's the price you're willing to pay," Yasutake said, his gaze never leaving Kenshin. "But he's not doing it for that. Terminus, you spoke of guilt, of suffering from what you did. And when we were dueling before, you blamed me for what happened to your niece. So now I know the truth. You want to die, don't you?"
Yusaku, Kusanagi, Cam, Ai, and Ryoken all gasped. Everyone looked at Kenshin, whose eyes were hidden by his hair.
"…What does it matter to you what I want?" Kenshin asked slowly. He raised his head and glared hatefully at Yasutake. "My brother and his wife were killed by SOL because he stole something valuable from them. My own wife died six months ago. My niece was absorbed by the Tower because she considered your life to be more important than hers. All of my friends, the people who matter the most to me, are either dead or soon will be. So what is wrong with me wanting to see them again?"
"Kenshin…" Ryoken muttered, staring at his friend with sympathy.
"But they're not all gone," Yasutake said, his gaze steady in spite of Kenshin's hate. "Your son is still here in this world. I can't pretend to understand what it feels like to lose a brother. But…" His eyes narrowed. "I do know what it feels like to lose a father. And I'll be damned before I let your son experience that same feeling!"
He pointed at Kenshin. "I'm going to defeat you, Terminus!" he declared. "I'm going to shut down the Tower, and when this is over, I'll drag you back to your son! I will not let you throw yourself away!"
"Yasutake…" Cam whispered.
Kenshin growled as Ryoken turned his gaze to Yusaku. "It seems we know where everyone stands. Playmaker! Morningstar! If you want to stop the Tower of Hanoi, there's only one way. By defeating us!"
Yusaku narrowed his eyes in sadness. "We really have to fight?"
"Don't annoy me," Ryoken growled.
Yusaku sighed. "Fine. This is our real final duel."
"Yusaku…" Kusanagi said, staring at his friend.
"Kusanagi, I'm going," he said, turning to his fellow hacker.
Kusanagi grit his teeth. "You better come back, Yusaku."
"Yeah."
"You better come back too, Yasu," Cam said, placing his hand on Yasutake's shoulder. "I won't forgive myself if I lose you."
Yasutake allowed himself a small smile. "And I won't forgive myself if I put you through that. Guess that makes us even, Cam."
As Cam and Kusanagi stepped back, Ryoken and Kenshin raised their arms. "Let's go," Ryoken said.
"This ends here, Morningstar," Kenshin said, glaring at the hunter with hate. Yasutake's only response was to mirror Yusaku as he raised his arm.
"Into the VRAINS!"
"Is it me, or is LINK VRAINS shrinking?" Takeshi asked Katsumi.
"It's not you; the Tower is pulling everything towards itself. Even the edges of LINK VRAINS are being pulled up." She then gasped as the camera angled upwards. "Something's happening!"
Takeshi's eyes widened as the top of the Tower widened, creating room for a platform, and then another on top of that one.
Morningstar logged in and looked around. He and Terminus were standing on either side of a raised platform at the very top of the Tower. Looking over the edge, he saw that Playmaker and Revolver were on a similar platform right below them.
"This will be our final duel, Morningstar," Terminus said. "So don't hold back. It would be insulting to all those who came before you." He brought his fist up. "Bring it, Morningstar!"
"This ends here, Terminus!" Morningstar shouted back. "Like I said, I'll defeat you and drag you back to your son!"
"Duel!"
Morningstar: 4000 LP
Terminus: 4000 LP
Cam and Kusanagi ran outside to Café Nagi. "You're sure we can see everything from there?" Cam asked the other man, who nodded.
"So long as the news is broadcasting, yes."
"Well, just in case it isn't, I have an idea."
"Huh?"
As he and Terminus looked at their cards, Morningstar pressed a button on his Duel Disk and released the drone he'd downloaded earlier. He set it to record the duel and broadcast it on a specific channel. He suspected Frog and Pigeon would only be able to broadcast Playmaker's and Revolver's duel, so this was more for Cam than anyone else.
"So this is your setup," Cam said, looking around the inside of Café Nagi as Kusanagi started the monitors up. "It's more advanced than I was expecting."
Kusanagi glanced at the man with indignation. "Yusaku and I have avoided anyone finding out our identities for a year. You honestly thought we did that with subpar equipment?"
"I'm more concerned with how you bought this stuff. I'm not sure hot dogs can pay for everything."
"They don't. Soda, coffee, and fries do."
"Very funny."
As Cam sat next to Kusanagi, they gasped as the news feed popped up. "Yes!" Kusanagi cheered. "We can see Yusaku and Revolver!"
"But we can't see Yasu and Terminus," Cam pointed out, typing away. "Not yet, at least."
Kusanagi raised an eyebrow as Cam pulled up a window. "What are you doing?"
"Yasu lost his drone during the duel between Galahad and Terminus. But before we left home, he downloaded a new one. If I know him, he'll have released it and set it to a channel I know. I just need to find the right one, and… Ah!"
That exclamation was followed by a new window popping up, showing another duel. "There they are!" Cam said, relieved. "Now we can watch both of them."
"That drone of his is impressive," Kusanagi commented. "Did he make it?"
"Yeah, with some help from me. A lot of our equipment is-." Cam's eyes widened as he realized something. "Oh crap."
"What?" Kusanagi said, looking worried.
"I forgot to shut our system down!" Cam complained, pounding the keyboard in frustration. "We were in a hurry, so we left the computers on!"
"…Is that bad?"
Cam sighed. "Truthfully, no. We did lock Café Junpei up before heading out, so no one can get in to look at our files. But it's a waste of electricity. And our communication system is there, so I can't talk to Yasu."
Kusanagi smiled. "I usually can't talk to Yusaku from here. We just have to trust them."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Though…" Cam sniffed. "You should really air this place out. All I can smell are hot dogs."
"Is that a problem?"
"No, no," Cam said quickly. "Your van, your rules, just… never mind."
"I'll take the first turn!" Terminus declared. "I activate the Spell Card: Terraforming! This card lets me add a Field Spell Card from my Deck to my hand." He took a card from his Deck, then played it. "I activate the Field Spell Card: The Hidden City! When this card is activated, I can add one 'Subterror' monster from my Deck to my hand."
He took another card from his Deck, then played a different one. "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Field Barrier!" Morningstar gasped. "So long as Field Barrier is in play, Field Spell Cards cannot be destroyed, and neither of us can activate a new Field Spell Card."
Morningstar narrowed his eyes. He knew what Terminus was doing; Galahad had managed to get rid of The Hidden City when he dueled Terminus, and Morningstar had done the same in their last duel. The fact it kept Morningstar from activating a Field Spell Card of his own was just a bonus.
"I summon Subterror Guru!" A blue-skinned dragon demon with purple wings carrying a large sword appeared on Terminus's field.
Subterror Guru ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 4
"Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Book of Moon! With this card, one monster is changed to face-down Defense Position. I target Guru with it!" His monster disappeared and was replaced by a Set card. "As my monster was flipped face-down and I control no face-up monsters, I can Special Summon the Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo from my hand!" Morningstar gasped as the ground beneath them broke apart and a giant draconic-looking monster made of solid rock appeared on Terminus's field in Defense Position.
Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo ATK 2800 DEF 2100 LVL: 10
"I activate The Hidden City's effect! Once per turn, I can change a Set monster into face-up Attack or Defense Position. I change the Set Guru to face-up Defense Position!"
Subterror Guru ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 4
"Guru's Flip Effect activates! I can now add a different 'Subterror' card from my Deck to my hand." Terminus took a card from his Deck, glanced at it, then gestured to his field. "Stalagmo's monster effect! Once per turn, I can change it to face-down Defense Position!" The giant rock monster disappeared, the only evidence of its presence being a Set card.
"I now activate the Continuous Spell Card: Subterror Cave Clash! So long as Cave Clash is face-up, all 'Subterror' monsters I control gain 500 attack and defense points for each Set monster on the field."
Subterror Guru ATK 1600→2100 DEF 1800→2300
"I Set one card. I end my turn." Terminus narrowed his eyes at his opponent. "Now, come at me Morningstar! Show me the strength of your resolve!"
"I made a promise to drag you back, so I'll show you the strength of that promise!" Morningstar declared, placing his hand on his Deck. "My turn! Draw!"
Morningstar looked at his card, then said, "As I control no monsters, I Special Summon Cyspirit Swordsman!" The skeleton in blue armor carrying futuristic swords appeared, summoned in Attack Position.
Cyspirit Swordsman ATK 1200 DEF 900 LVL: 3
"Swordsman's monster effect! When it is Special Summoned by its own effect, I add one 'Cyspirit' monster from my Deck to my hand." Morningstar took another card from his Deck, then played it. "I summon Cyspirit Spearman!" A skeleton in black armor carrying a two-meter long black spear appeared.
Cyspirit Spearman ATK 1900 DEF 100 LVL: 4
Terminus narrowed his eyes as Morningstar gestured to the sky. "Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" His hand glowed blue as the Link portal appeared. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one 'Cyspirit' monster. I set Spearman in the Link Marker!" Said monster became a whirlwind of energy and entered the bottom arrow, turning it red.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller!" A skeleton in a business suit emerged from the portal, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.
Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller ATK 500 LINK-1 ↓
"Spearman's monster effect! When it is used to Link Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, all Set monsters on the field are destroyed!" Morningstar watched as Terminus's Set Stalagmo disintegrated and Guru weakened due to there being no Set monsters on the field.
Subterror Guru ATK 2100→1600 DEF 2300→1800
Terminus only narrowed his eyes and gestured to his field. "Subterror Guru's monster effect! Once per turn, I can change it and one face-up monster to face-down Defense Position. And if I control another 'Subterror' card, I can activate this effect during your turn!" Morningstar's eyes widened as he looked at Cave Clash. "I change Guru and Swordsman to face-down Defense Position!"
Morningstar grit his teeth as the aforementioned monsters became Set cards. This wasn't good; he'd used Spearman to avoid The Hidden City's effect, but with Guru now Set, his efforts had been for nothing. More importantly…
Morningstar looked at the Set card in Terminus's Spell & Trap Zone. He was certain it was Subterror Final Battle. If Terminus activated it, Guru's attack and defense points would raise to 3400. He had to get rid of it.
"Cacophonic Caller's monster effect!" Morningstar declared. "Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my Deck to its Link Marker. Come! Cyspirit Engineer!" A monster in workman's clothes and a hardhat carrying a power drill in one hand and a calculator in the other appeared, summoned to Cacophonic Caller's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position.
Cyspirit Engineer ATK 1600 DEF 400 LVL: 3
I can't use Swordsman to Link Summon while its face-down, Morningstar thought. But I can still use it in a way. Out loud, he said, "As I control a 'Cyspirit' monster, I can Special Summon this card. Come, Cyspirit Navigator!" A skeleton dressed like a pirate appeared, summoned in Attack Position.
Cyspirit Navigator ATK 1300 DEF 1100 LVL: 3
"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal appeared above Morningstar again. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Cyspirit' monsters! I set Cacophonic Caller, Engineer, and Navigator in the Link Markers!" His monsters became whirlwinds of energy that entered the bottom-left, top, and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Cyspirit Quixotic Queen!" A new, larger skeleton emerged from the Link portal. It wore a large black and gold dress and waved its golden scepter elegantly in the air. Its mismatched eyes gleamed as it was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.
Cyspirit Quixotic Queen ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↙↑↘
Terminus didn't react to Morningstar's new Link Monster as Morningstar continued speaking. "Engineer's monster effect activates! When it is used to Link Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, I can destroy one Set card in your Spell & Trap Zone!" Morningstar pointed to Terminus's face-down card. "I'll destroy that card!" A ghost of Engineer appeared and drilled the card, destroying it.
Terminus only smirked in response. "I activate the effect of the destroyed Subterror Behemoth Burrowing!" he declared, shocking Morningstar. "Since it was destroyed by a card effect, I can add a 'Subterror' monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Subterror Behemoth Umastryx!"
Morningstar grit his teeth as Terminus's smirk widened. "Damn it," Morningstar muttered. "I thought he would Set Final Battle, but he used a different card." And its prerequisite explains why he didn't activate it to protect Stalagmo, he thought. Behemoth Burrowing can prevent Set monsters from being destroyed by card effects, but it requires banishing a "Subterror" monster from the Graveyard first. And since he didn't have any in his Graveyard…
"He intended me to destroy his card," Morningstar whispered, narrowing his eyes. "That, or he planned to use it for another turn. More importantly…" Morningstar gestured to his field. "I activate the effect of Cyspirit Engineer in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Special Summon a 'Cyspirit' monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position with its effects negated. Return, Spearman!" The skeleton with the black spear reappeared, summoned to Quixotic Queen's bottom-right Link Marker.
Cyspirit Spearman ATK 1900 DEF 100 LVL: 4
Spearman's effect can only be used once per turn, Morningstar thought. So I can't use its effect to destroy Guru. But that doesn't matter.
"Battle!" Morningstar declared. "Quixotic Queen, attack Terminus's Set monster! At this point, Quixotic Queen's effect activates! Because it points to two monsters, you cannot activate any Spell or Trap Cards until the end of the Damage Step!" Terminus's expression remained blank as Morningstar sealed The Hidden City's effect. "And because Quixotic Queen points to one or more monsters, Guru is destroyed at the start of the Damage Step!"
"That isn't happening," Terminus said, surprising Morningstar. The Knight of Hanoi tapped one of the cards in his hand. "I activate the effect of the Subterror Herald in my hand!" The card showed a purple-skinned man in blue and white robes, carrying a large staff. "Since I control a Set monster, I can discard Herald to change Guru to face-up Defense Position and destroy your attacking monster!"
"What?" Morningstar said, his eyes widening as Guru flipped face-up and Quixotic Queen exploded.
Subterror Guru ATK 1600→2100 DEF 1800→2300 LVL: 4
"Guru's Flip Effect! I now add a new 'Subterror' card from my Deck to my hand!" Terminus looked at his new card and smirked at Morningstar. "Your Link Monster only prevented Spell and Trap Cards from activating, not monster effects."
Morningstar only narrowed his eyes and played a card from his hand. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Cyspirit Strike!" The card showed Cyspirit Pied Pikeman charging a monster with its spear while Rapid Revolutionary laid on the ground. "Since a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster I control was destroyed by your card effect, I can Special Summon a different 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my Extra Deck, so long as its Link Rating is equal to the destroyed monster's!"
"What?" Terminus said, surprised.
"Quixotic Queen was Link-3," Morningstar reminded Terminus. "Come, Cyspirit Winning Wrestler!" A massive skeleton in a black wrestler's uniform appeared and roared from the Extra Monster Zone.
Cyspirit Winning Wrestler ATK 2500 LINK-3 ↙↓↘
"Hmm. Not a bad follow-up," Terminus commented.
"It gets better," Morningstar said. "Cyspirit Strike treats this Special Summon as a Link Summon, and if Winning Wrestler attacks a Defense Position monster, it inflicts piercing battle damage!" Terminus's eyes widened. "Battle! Winning Wrestler, attack Subterror Guru! Raw Power Rampage!" Winning Wrestler roared as it charged Guru. It picked up the smaller monster and then bashed it on the ground, causing an explosion and making Terminus wince.
Terminus: 4000→3800 LP
Terminus scoffed. "You managed to damage me after all."
"I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Cyspirit Link Wall!" Morningstar declared. The card showed a massive wall made of metal skeletons, with Datastorm Dragon, Rapid Revolutionary, Pied Pikeman, Neo Nova, Winning Wrestler, and Idealistic Idol all visible within the wall. "So long as Link Wall is face-up, monsters I control cannot be removed from the field by card effects. But if I control no 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters, Link Wall will destroy itself."
Terminus narrowed his eyes. That card meant his Umastryx's effect wouldn't work.
"I Set one card. I end my turn."
Terminus smirked. "You managed to damage me and bring out a powerful Link Monster. Let's see if you can defeat the full power of my 'Subterror' Deck. My turn! Draw!"
Terminus drew, then played his new card. "I summon Subterror Fiendess!" A blue-skinned, purple-haired monster in white armor appeared on his field.
Subterror Fiendess ATK 800→1300 DEF 500→1000 LVL: 1
"Fiendess's monster effect! Once per turn, I can change one monster I control to face-down Defense Position, then Special Summon a 'Subterror' monster from my hand or Graveyard in face-up or face-down Defense Position. I change Fiendess itself to face-down Defense Position and Special Summon Stalagmo from my Graveyard in face-down Defense Position!" Fiendess disappeared and was replaced by a Set card as another Set card appeared next to it.
"I activate the effect of the Subterror Behemoth Voltelluric in my hand!" Terminus declared. "Since my monster was flipped face-down, and I control no face-up monsters, I can Special Summon Voltelluric in Defense Position!" A giant blue serpent-shaped dragon appeared alongside Terminus's Set monsters and gained a boost from Cave Clash.
Subterror Behemoth Voltelluric ATK 1900→3400 DEF 3000→4500 LVL: 9
"I activate The Hidden City's effect! Once per turn, I can change one Set 'Subterror' monster to face-up Attack or Defense Position. I change Stalagmo to face-up Defense Position!" Morningstar narrowed his eyes as the draconic rock fiend reappeared. On the plus side, with one less Set monster, Voltelluric's attack and defense points decreased.
Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo ATK 2800→3800 DEF 2100→3100 LVL: 10
Subterror Behemoth Voltelluric ATK 3400→2900 DEF 4500→4000
"Stalagmo's Flip Effect activates! I discard one 'Subterror' monster and then draw two cards. I discard Umastryx!" Morningstar raised an eyebrow. Well, he guessed there was no point in having Umastryx with Link Wall in play.
Terminus then gestured to his field. "Voltelluric's monster effect! I change it to face-down Defense Position!" The blue dragon disappeared as Stalagmo became stronger.
Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo ATK 3800→4300 DEF 3100→3600
"I activate the effect of Subterror Herald in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I change Voltelluric to face-up Defense Position!"
Subterror Behemoth Voltelluric ATK 1900→2900 DEF 3000→4000 LVL: 9
Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo ATK 4300→3800 DEF 3600→3100
"Voltelluric's Flip Effect activates! Once per turn, I can take control of a Set monster you control!"
"What?" Morningstar said, surprised as his face-down Swordsman disappeared and then reappeared on Terminus's field.
Terminus smirked and gestured to the sky. "Appear, our future circuit!" The Link portal appeared as his hand glowed blue. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two Flip monsters! I set Stalagmo and Voltelluric in the Link Markers!" His two monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Subterror Behemoth Fiendess!" A purple dragon with black and pink wings emerged from the portal and roared from the Extra Monster Zone.
Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 2000→3000 LINK-2 ↙↘
Morningstar narrowed his eyes. It's here.
"Behemoth Fiendess's monster effect! It gains attack points equal to the combined Levels of the 'Subterror' monsters used to Link Summon it! Stalagmo was Level 10 and Voltelluric was Level 9!"
Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 3000→4900
Terminus then gestured to his field again. "I Flip Summon Cyspirit Swordsman!" Morningstar narrowed his eyes further in disgust as his monster appeared on Terminus's field.
Cyspirit Swordsman ATK 1200 DEF 900 LVL: 3
Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 4900→4400
"Behemoth Fiendess's additional effect activates! Since a monster it points to was flipped face-up, I can add one Flip monster from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand." Terminus took a card from his Deck, then gestured to his field for a third time.
"Battle! Behemoth Fiendess, attack Winning Wrestler! Final Extinction!" Behemoth Fiendess blasted blue flames at Winning Wrestler, but Morningstar only gestured to his Continuous Spell.
"The effect of Cyspirit Link Wall activates!" he declared. "Once per turn, a Link Monster cannot be destroyed by battle, and all battle damage I take involving 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters is halved!" Morningstar braced himself as the flames struck Winning Wrestler, but he and his monster held firm.
Morningstar: 4000→3050 LP
"So you reduced the damage," Terminus commented. "Cave Clash's effect activates! As a 'Subterror' monster inflicted battle damage to you, I can add one 'Subterror' card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Umastryx." Terminus took his card then gestured to his stolen monster. "Cyspirit Swordsman, destroy Cyspirit Spearman!" Swordsman jumped forward and slashed Spearman, destroying it. Morningstar only narrowed his eyes in disgust.
"And now that I'm in the second Main Phase, I'll activate the Spell Card: Double Summon!" Terminus declared. "With this card, I can Normal Summon a second time. I Tribute Swordsman and my face-down Fiendess to Tribute Summon Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist!" Swordsman and the Set card disappeared as a massive blue and yellow fiend took their place at Behemoth Fiendess's bottom-left Link Marker.
Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist ATK 3000 DEF 1400 LVL: 11
Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 4400→3900
"Speleogeist's monster effect! Once per turn, I can change it to face-down Defense Position!"
Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 3900→4400
"I Set one card. I end my turn."
Cam breathed a sigh of relief. "Yasu managed to reduce the damage and keep Winning Wrestler. And even if he and Playmaker are disadvantaged, that will change on the next turn."
"No doubt," Kusanagi said. "That's the kind of people they are. The kind that have made comebacks in duels everyone thought they would lose. It doesn't matter how strong Revolver is. Yusaku will never give up!"
"Neither will Yasu," Cam said, smiling at his friend. "Let's see them give it their all."
Morningstar looked over Terminus's field. A Link Monster with 4400 attack points, a Set monster to take advantage of The Hidden City's effect, and Field Barrier to prevent The Hidden City's destruction.
A powerful formation, Morningstar thought. But I can and will break it! "My turn! Draw!" Morningstar looked at his card then gestured to his field. "Trap activate! Cyspirit Backup! With this card, I can return one 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my Graveyard to my Extra Deck, then Special Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my Extra Deck with a lower Link Rating. I return the Link-3 Quixotic Queen and summon Cyspirit Idealistic Idol!" A skeleton in an indigo dress appeared, summoned to Winning Wrestler's bottom Link Marker.
Cyspirit Idealistic Idol ATK 1500 LINK-2 ←↑
Terminus narrowed his eyes at the familiar monster as Morningstar continued speaking. "This Special Summon is treated as a Link Summon, and because Quixotic Queen was Link-3, Cyspirit Backup lets me draw two cards!" Morningstar drew, then said, "I Special Summon Cyspirit Prisoner!" A skeleton in a blue-and-white uniform appeared in Attack Position.
Cyspirit Prisoner ATK 1600 DEF 2100 LVL: 5
"I can Special Summon Prisoner so long as there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field. And next I summon Cyspirit Coder!" The skeleton that wore a lab coat and armor appeared alongside Morningstar's other monsters.
Cyspirit Coder ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1
"Coder's monster effect! When it is Summoned, I can add one 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand, but then I must send a card from my hand, Deck or field to the Graveyard." Morningstar took two cards from his Deck, added one to his hand, and sent the other to the Graveyard.
Morningstar gestured to the sky above him. "Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal appeared as he began chanting. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two 'Cyspirit' monsters! I set Coder and Prisoner in the Link Markers!" His two monsters became whirlwinds of energy that entered the left and right arrows, turning them red.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler!" A skeleton in a prospector's uniform with a drill for a right am was summoned to Idealistic Idol's left Link Marker.
Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler ATK 1600 LINK-2 ←→
"Idealistic Idol's monster effect!" Morningstar declared. "While it points to at least one monster, you take 200 points of damage every time a monster is Link Summoned! Ideal Light!" Idealistic Idol's wings shone with white light that struck Terminus, making him wince.
Terminus: 3800→3600 LP
"As I used Prisoner to Link Summon Thrilled Tunneler, I can add a 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand." Morningstar took his new card, then said, "I activate the Spell Card: Cyspirit Bypass! Since I control two or more 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters, I can Special Summon a 'Cyspirit' monster from my Deck. But, that monster will be destroyed during the End Phase. Come, Cyspirit Wanderer!" A skeleton in a poncho appeared, summoned to Thrilled Tunneler's left Link Marker.
Cyspirit Wanderer ATK 1900 DEF 200 LVL: 5
"Wanderer's monster effect! When it is Special Summoned by the effect of a 'Cyspirit' card, one monster you control loses 800 attack points! Digital Drain!" Terminus scowled as Behemoth Fiendess weakened.
Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 4400→3600
Time to break his formation, Morningstar thought. "Thrilled Tunneler's monster effect! Since it points to two monsters, I can Tribute one monster it points to and place two Spell or Trap Cards on the field on the bottom of the owner's Deck!" Terminus's eyes widened as Morningstar pointed to the Knight of Hanoi's field. "I Tribute Wanderer and place Field Barrier and Cave Clash on the bottom of your Deck!" Terminus scowled again as his cards disappeared and Behemoth Fiendess lost more attack points.
Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 3600→3100
I could only get rid of two of his cards, so I still have to worry about The Hidden City, Morningstar thought. But I know what his Speleogeist's effect is. And it won't work this turn.
Out loud, he said, "With Field Barrier no longer on the field, new Field Spell Cards can be activated. So I activate the Field Spell Card: Cyspirit Sanctuary! With this card in play, all 'Cyspirit' monsters I control gain 300 attack and defense points."
Cyspirit Idealistic Idol ATK 1500→1800
Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler ATK 1600→1900
Cyspirit Winning Wrestler ATK 2500→2800
"I can still do more," Morningstar declared. "I activate Sanctuary's effect to move Thrilled Tunneler to my leftmost Main Monster Zone!" Terminus watched as Morningstar's monster moved. He knew what this was about; Idealistic Idol's effect prevented monsters it pointed to from being used as Link Material. That meant Morningstar was planning to Link Summon using Thrilled Tunneler.
"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Bypass from the Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Special Summon one 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Return, Cacophonic Caller!" His Link Monster returned, summoned to Thrilled Tunneler's right Link Marker.
Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller ATK 500→800 LINK-1 ↓
"And as I control a 'Cyspirit' monster, I Special Summon Cyspirit Linker!" A skeleton in black armor with red arrows on its gauntlets appeared in Attack Position.
Cyspirit Linker ATK 1700→2000 DEF 800→1100 LVL: 4
Terminus widened his eyes as Morningstar gestured to the sky. "Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal appeared as his hand glowed blue. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are three or more 'Cyspirit' monsters. I set Cacophonic Caller, Linker, and the Link-2 Thrilled Tunneler in the Link Markers!" His monsters became whirlwinds of energy, with Thrilled Tunneler splitting into two whirlwinds, and entered the top-left, left, top-right, and right arrows, turning them red.
"Circuit combine! The galaxy's rage that breaks all limitations! Take flight Link 4! Cyspirit Neo Nova!" The large black dragon with dark silver armor and midnight black wings roared as it was summoned to Idealistic Idol's left Link Marker.
Cyspirit Neo Nova ATK 2500→2800 LINK-4 ←↖↗→
And because a monster was Link Summoned, Idealistic Idol inflicts 200 points of damage! Ideal Light!" Terminus winced again as white light struck him.
Terminus: 3600→3400 LP
"Neo Nova's monster effect! Once per turn, if it points to one or more monsters, I can draw cards equal to the number of monsters it points to. It points to three monsters, so I draw three cards! Orbital Gain!"
Morningstar drew, then said, "Neo Nova's second effect! Once per turn, when it points to two or more monsters, I can increase the attack points of one monster it points to by 1200, but Neo Nova cannot attack this turn. I target Winning Wrestler with this effect! Gravity Booster!" Both monsters glowed red as Winning Wrestler roared.
Cyspirit Winning Wrestler ATK 2800→4000
"Idealistic Idol's monster effect!" Morningstar declared. "When it points to two monsters, I can target a different 'Cyspirit' Link Monster I control, and that monster can make up to three attacks against my opponent's monsters. But the turn I activate this effect, other monsters I control cannot attack. I target Winning Wrestler!"
"Yes!" Cam cheered. "With this, Yasu will win!"
"What do you mean?" Kusanagi asked.
"His Link Wall Continuous Spell Card prevents the first destruction of a Link Monster once per turn," Cam explained. "It doesn't matter if its his or Terminus's. Terminus will negate Winning Wrestler's first attack with The Hidden City's effect, but the second attack will go through. And thanks to Winning Wrestler's effect, Behemoth Fiendess will lose a lot of attack points. And if it attacks again…"
Kusanagi's eyes widened. "Then Terminus's Life Points will hit 0! And with Yusaku's three Code Talkers, he'll defeat Revolver!"
"Yes! This is it!"
"Battle! Winning Wrestler, attack Behemoth Fiendess!" Winning Wrestler roared and charged Terminus's Link Monster. The Knight only smirked and gestured to his field.
"Pointless! I activate the effect of The Hidden City! By flipping my Speleogeist face-up, your attack is negated!" Speleogeist reappeared in face-up Defense Position and stood in front of Behemoth Fiendess, blocking Winning Wrestler's attack.
Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist ATK 3000 DEF 1400 LVL: 11
"Speleogeist's Flip Effect! One of your monsters' attack points becomes 0! I choose Winning Wrestler! Terrifying Drain!" Speleogeist breathed blue flames at Winning Wrestler, but to Terminus's shock, the monster was unaffected. "What? What is this?"
Morningstar smirked. "I activated the effect of Cyspirit Storm in my Graveyard," he revealed. "If the attack points of exactly 1 'Cyspirit' monster would change, I can banish Cyspirit Storm to negate that effect!"
"Cyspirit Storm? When did you-?" Terminus gasped in realization. "That was the card you sent to the Graveyard for Coder's effect!"
"Of course. You should have expected that, Terminus."
Terminus grit his teeth and gestured to his field. "Behemoth Fiendess's monster effect! Since a monster it points to was flipped face-up, I can add one Flip monster from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand. I add Subterror Guru from my Graveyard to my hand."
"That won't matter," Morningstar said, narrowing his eyes. "Thanks to Idealistic Idol, Winning Wrestler can attack two more times! And thanks to my Link Wall, the first time a Link Monster would be destroyed by battle, it is not destroyed!"
Terminus's eyes widened as he realized Morningstar's plan. He was trying the same trick he'd used against Revolver!
"Winning Wrestler, attack Behemoth Fiendess!" His monster charged as Morningstar pointed to it. "Winning Wrestler's monster effect! If it attacks a Special Summoned monster while pointing to two or more monsters, I can target a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster it points to and reduce your monster's attack points by half of that monster's attack points! Behemoth Fiendess loses attack points equal to half of Neo Nova's attack points! Overpower Aura!" Winning Wrestler's wings glowed as Behemoth Fiendess became weaker.
Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 3100→1700
This battle will inflict 2300 points of damage, Morningstar thought. And thanks to Link Wall preventing Behemoth Fiendess's destruction, my next attack will end the duel!
Sadly, things were never that easy, which Terminus proved by gesturing to his field. "Trap activate!" he declared, surprising Morningstar. "Subterror Wall Climbing!" The card showed Fiendess, Nemesis Archer, Nemesis Defender, and Nemesis Warrior racing up a wall, attempting to out-run a rampaging Stalagmo. "This card negates my monster's destruction by battle and halves the battle damage!"
Morningstar grit his teeth. "You will still take damage! Raw Power Rampage!" Winning Wrestler struck Behemoth Fiendess with its fists, making Terminus wince as he was pushed back.
Terminus: 3400→2250 LP
"Wall Climbing has a secondary effect!" Terminus revealed. "After the battle ends, I can Special Summon a 'Subterror' monster from my hand and use it and other monsters I control to Link Summon!"
"What?" Morningstar said, his eyes widening.
"I summon Subterror Guru!"
Subterror Guru ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 4
"Appear, our future circuit!" As Terminus's hand glowed blue, the Link portal appeared above him. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Subterror' monsters! I set Guru and the Link-2 Behemoth Fiendess in the Link Markers!" His two monsters became three whirlwinds of energy that entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.
Morningstar's eyes widened in recognition. "Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Subterror Behemoth Guru!" The dragon that emerged from the portal shook its mane of white hair and spread its purple and black wings. It roared as it was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.
Subterror Behemoth Guru ATK 2500 LINK-3 ↙↓↘
Morningstar grit his teeth. "The monster that defeated Galahad," he muttered. "But since you Link Summoned, Idealistic Idol inflicts damage to you! Ideal Light!" Terminus winced from the damage.
Terminus: 2250→2050 LP
Terminus growled but managed to smirk. "I take it you remember Behemoth Guru's effect? Since it was Link Summoned using exactly one 'Subterror Behemoth' monster, it gains attack points equal to that monster's original attack points. Terror Integration!" Behemoth Guru roared as it glowed red.
Subterror Behemoth Guru ATK 2500→4500
Even if it has 4500 attack points, that won't matter with Winning Wrestler's effect, Morningstar thought. And my monster can still attack one more time, so-.
"Wall Climbing's effect isn't over," Terminus said, dragging Morningstar out of his thoughts. "After my monster is Link Summoned, the Battle Phase ends."
"What!?"
Terminus's smirk widened. "Is this really the best you can do? You said you were going to drag me out of here. You'll have to do better than this."
Morningstar growled. "I Set two cards. I end my turn. And because I used Neo Nova's effect to draw cards this turn, I must send three cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard." Morningstar looked at the cards he sent to the Graveyard and noted that they could be helpful.
"My turn! Draw!" Terminus looked at his card and smirked. "By sending The Hidden City to the Graveyard, I can activate this card. The Field Spell Card: The Hidden Metropolis!" The card showed a massive underground city, with the humanoid Subterror monsters walking around and the Subterror Behemoths in the background. "This card is my ultimate Field Spell. And when it is activated, I can shuffle one 'Subterror' monster in my hand back into my Deck, then draw two cards. I shuffle Umastryx back into my Deck!"
Terminus drew his new cards, then said, "The Hidden Metropolis has a few more effects. First, it increases the attack and defense points of all my 'Subterror Behemoth' monsters by 500."
Subterror Behemoth Guru ATK 4500→5000
Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist ATK 3000→3500 DEF 1400→1900
"I activate the Spell Card: Subterror Cave Drawings," Terminus continued. "I send a 'Subterror' monster from my hand to the Graveyard and then draw cards depending on its Level. I discard the Level 10 Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide to draw three cards!"
Terminus drew again, then gestured to his field. "Speleogeist's monster effect! I change it to face-down Defense Position!" His monster disappeared and was replaced by a Set card. "I activate The Hidden Metropolis's effect! Up to twice per turn, I can change a Set 'Subterror' monster to face-up Attack or Defense Position. I change Speleogeist to face-up Attack Position!"
Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist ATK 3000→3500 DEF 1400→1900 LVL: 11
"Speleogeist's Flip Effect! Winning Wrestler's attack points become 0! Terrifying Drain!" Speleogeist's blue flames lapped over Winning Wrestler, and this time there was nothing Morningstar could do.
Cyspirit Winning Wrestler ATK 4000→0
"You couldn't protect your monster this time," Terminus taunted. "Behemoth Guru's monster effect! Once per turn, when it monster it points to is flipped face-up, I can Special Summon a Flip monster from my Graveyard in face-down Defense Position. Resurrect, Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide!" A Set card appeared at Behemoth Guru's bottom-right Link Marker. "And once again, I activate The Hidden Metropolis's effect to change my Set Stalaktide to face-up Attack Position!"
Morningstar gasped as the platform they stood on shook and a new monster appeared from the ground. Terminus's new Subterror Behemoth was a large dark blue beast monster covered in dark brown rocks with a long, forked tail and the head of a dragon. It roared at Morningstar, making him wince from the sound.
Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide ATK 1900→2400 DEF 2700→3200 LVL: 10
"Stalaktide's Flip Effect!" Terminus declared. "I can target and destroy one Spell or Trap Card on your field! I destroy Cyspirit Link Wall!" His dragon blasted Morningstar's card with water, destroying it.
Morningstar only narrowed his eyes and gestured to where his card used to be. "Link Wall's effect! The turn it is destroyed, only Link Monsters can declare an attack!"
"Is that so? In that case, I summon Subterror Nemesis Warrior!" A red haired man carrying a large sword appeared on the field.
Subterror Nemesis Warrior ATK 1800 DEF 1200 LVL: 4
"Appear, our future circuit!" The Link portal appeared above Terminus as he chanted. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more Earth monsters. I set Nemesis Warrior, Speleogeist, and Stalaktide in the Link Markers!" His three monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the top-left, bottom, and top-right arrows, turning them red.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Subterror Behemoth Speleowraith!"
Morningstar's eyes widened as a massive monster emerged from the portal. It was similar in appearance to Speleogeist, but its skin was black and purple instead of blue and yellow and it had bright silver gems all over its body. Its red eyes glowed as it roared from Behemoth Guru's bottom-left Link Marker. Neither duelist said anything as Idealistic Idol inflicted damage to Terminus for Link Summoning.
Subterror Behemoth Speleowraith ATK 2600→3100 LINK-3 ↖↓↗
Terminus: 2050→1850 LP
"Speleowraith's monster effect! As it was Link Summoned using Speleogeist, it can make two attacks on your monsters during the Battle Phase!" Terminus narrowed his eyes. "Battle! Behemoth Guru, attack Winning Wrestler! Terminal Extinction!" Behemoth Guru blasted Winning Wrestler with green flames as Morningstar gestured to his field.
"Trap activate! Cyspirit Damage Break!" The card showed Rapid Revolutionary exploding, with Idealistic Idol being pushed out of the way. "As I control two or more 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters, the battle damage is reduced to 0!"
"But your monster will still be destroyed!" Terminus reminded Morningstar as Winning Wrestler exploded, pushing Morningstar back. "And it hardly matters. I assume you remember Behemoth Guru's effect? When it destroys a monster in battle, I can send a Flip monster from my Deck to the Graveyard to inflict its attack points to you as damage. I send Subterror Behemoth Gravigorgon to the Graveyard to inflict its 3200 attack points as damage! Flames of the Underworld!" Behemoth Guru blasted green flames at Morningstar, who only gestured to his field again.
"Counter Trap activate! Cyspirit Break! As I control a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, the effect damage is negated!" Behemoth Guru's flames sizzled out before they struck Morningstar, who glared defiantly at Terminus.
"Hmm. So you managed to avoid Galahad's fate," Terminus noted with a smirk. "In that case, I'll simply overwhelm you! Speleowraith, attack Idealistic Idol! Cenotes Souls!" Speleowraith gathered purple flames in its mouth and blasted Idealistic Idol. Morningstar glanced at his Duel Disk but decided against it. He then cried out, as did Idealistic Idol, at its destruction.
Morningstar: 3050→1750 LP
"Speleowraith's monster effect! Once per turn, when it destroys a monster by battle, I can Special Summon a 'Subterror Behemoth' monster from my Graveyard in face-up Defense Position to my 'Subterror' Link Monster's Link Marker. Revive, Gravigorgon!"
Morningstar gasped as a large purple humanoid monster appeared. It had no legs, instead ending in a snake tail that it balanced itself on. Its two arms ended in claws, and it had the head of a dragon, with several snakes around its head hissing at him.
Subterror Behemoth Gravigorgon ATK 3200→3700 DEF 1000→1500 LVL: 12
"Speleowraith can make two attacks against your monsters during the Battle Phase!" Terminus reminded Morningstar. "Speleowraith, attack Neo Nova!" Speleowraith gathered purple energy in its mouth as Morningstar gestured to his field.
"You won't destroy Neo Nova!" the hunter declared. "I activate the effect of Cyspirit Barricade in my Graveyard! By banishing it, my 'Cyspirit' Link Monster gains 1000 attack points!"
So he said, but nothing happened. "What?" Morningstar said, surprised. "Why isn't it activating?"
Terminus smirked in derision. "So long as Speleowraith points to a 'Subterror' monster," he explained, "you cannot activate the effects of Spell and Trap Cards when it attacks!" Morningstar gasped. "Too bad, Morningstar! You're losing Neo Nova! Cenotes Souls!" Speleowraith finally blasted Neo Nova, destroying the mighty dragon. Morningstar cried out as he was pushed back several feet from the blast. His legs wobbling, he then fell to one knee.
Morningstar: 1750→1450 LP
"Yasu!" Cam cried out, standing up in shock.
"This is bad," Kusanagi whispered, staring at the screens. "Yusaku… Narahiko…"
"Morningstar," Terminus said as the hunter shakily stood up. "You and Playmaker are wrong. There is no future for me or Revolver. Or for you two." He narrowed his eyes as he looked down. "We are prisoners of the destiny we have chosen. We cannot escape our fate. That's why…" He looked up fiercely at Morningstar. "I'll end this duel right now! And I'll show you a duel that transcends every other duel you've fought till now!"
Terminus gestured to his field. "Gravigorgon's monster effect! Once per turn, I can change it to face-down Defense Position!" The snake-haired monster disappeared as a Set card appeared. "I then activate the Spell Card: Book of Taiyou! With this card, one face-down monster is changed to face-up Attack Position. I choose Gravigorgon!"
Subterror Behemoth Gravigorgon ATK 3200→3700 DEF 1000→1500 LVL: 12
"Gravigorgon's Flip Effect! I can Special Summon one 'Subterror' monster from my Graveyard in face-up Defense Position, but that monster's battle position cannot be changed this turn. Resurrect, Stalagmo!" The massive draconic rock monster reappeared.
Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo ATK 2800→3300 DEF 2100→2600 LVL: 10
"Because a 'Subterror Behemoth' monster was Flip Summoned, I can Special Summon Subterror Nemesis Warrior in Attack Position!" The red-haired warrior reappeared on Terminus's field.
Subterror Nemesis Warrior ATK 1800 DEF 1200 LVL: 4
Terminus smirked. "I have to admit, I never thought I would have the opportunity to try this," he said. "But Revolver suggested that I should do this at least once. To overwhelm you with raw power. It might not be impressive as Revolver's ultimate strategy, but it is still one of my greatest weapons!"
"Greatest weapons?" Morningstar repeated, confused. "Then he gasped in realization. "Wait! Speleowraith's Link Marker!"
Terminus chuckled. "So, you did notice it. Morningstar, this is my ultimate move! Appear, our future circuit!" The Link portal appeared above him as he chanted. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Subterror' monsters. I set Gravigorgon, Nemesis Warrior, and Stalagmo in the Link Markers!" His three monsters became whirlwinds of energy that entered the bottom-left, top, and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.
"Circuit combine!" The Link portal erupted with energy as Morningstar braced himself. "Normally, a player is only allowed to use one of the Extra Monster Zones. But when the two Extra Monster Zones are co-linked, a monster can be Special Summoned to the other Extra Monster Zone!" A pillar of black light erupted from said Extra Monster Zone, pushing Morningstar back again.
"Morningstar! This is the end of our duel! Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Subterror Behemoth Stalagmatrix!"
Two large black wings erupted from the pillar. As the light faded, Terminus's new Link Monster revealed itself. It was as large as Stalagmo, but instead of being made of rock, its body simply had rock armor. It was primarily black in color with blue lines running around its armor. Its head was draconian, with large red eyes that shone as it roared from the Extra Monster Zone.
Subterror Behemoth Stalagmatrix ATK 2700→3200 LINK-3 ↙↑↘
"You've got to be kidding me," Morningstar whispered as he stared at his opponent's field in shock.
"Extra Link!" Terminus declared as his three powerful Link Monsters all roared. The shockwaves from said roars made Morningstar brace himself.
"No way…" Cam whispered. "Revolver and Terminus… both of them created an Extra Link!?"
Kusanagi grit his teeth. "Has Narahiko ever faced an Extra Link before?"
"No. Even if Terminus's monsters have more attack points than Revolver's, at least there are fewer of them." Cam grit his own teeth. "Those two… they're crazy to do something like this."
"As I said, this duel will end now, Morningstar!" Terminus said. "Since it is part of an Extra Link, Stalagmatrix can showcase its true power! Once, while it is face-up on the field and Extra Linked, it can inflict 1000 points of damage to you for every 'Subterror' Link Monster I control! And this effect cannot be negated!"
Morningstar gasped. Terminus controlled three Subterror Link Monsters. That meant…
"Stalagmatrix will inflict 3000 points of damage to you!" Terminus said. "This is the end, Morningstar!" Stalagmatrix's entire body generated black energy that gathered into its mouth. "Underworld Extinction!" Stalagmatrix blasted black energy at Morningstar, who could only stare in shock at the oncoming force.
It hit the hunter, creating a powerful explosion and a cloud of smoke. Terminus's coat whipped around him in response to the winds.
"Yasu!" "Yusaku!" Cam and Kusanagi both stood up and stared at the monitors in shock.
Terminus sighed. "This duel is finally over. Like I said, you could not change our destinies." He then gasped as the smoke cleared.
Morningstar was still there, albeit on one knee, covered in bruises, and breathing heavily. Terminus's eyes widened on seeing Morningstar's Life Points.
Morningstar: 1450→50 LP
"You still have Life Points left?" Terminus said, his shock evident. "How!?"
Morningstar held up a card. "I activated the effect of the Cyspirit Firefighter in my hand," he explained as he panted. The card showed a skeleton with a single blue eye in a firefighter's uniform holding a long hose. "Since I would have taken effect damage, I discarded it to reduce the damage by 800. Then, I discarded my entire hand to reduce the damage by 800 for each card sent." He grit his teeth as he tried to stood up. "I discarded one additional card. That means the damage was reduced by 1600, to 1400."
Terminus narrowed his eyes. "So you reduced the damage? But what point did that serve? You have only 50 Life Points left, and no chance of surviving my next turn." He smirked. "Revolver encouraged you and Playmaker alike with his talk of three things, yes? Well, I have three things to tell you now."
The Knight held up one finger. "One: all three of my monsters have over 3000 attack points, and there is nothing to stop my monsters from attacking next turn." He held up another. "Two: Since Stalagmatrix was Link Summoned using Stalagmo, neither of us can Special Summon monsters from the Deck or Graveyard until my next Standby Phase." He held up a third. "Three: the Tower of Hanoi will be completed shortly, and then everything will end!"
And I'll finally see Hitomu and Mira again.
"I Set one card. I end my turn."
After he said that, Morningstar finally managed to stand up, but his vision started to turn blurry. "D-Damn it," he muttered as he breathed heavily. "First that duel with Spectre, then that Speed Duel, and now this." He scowled as his eyes twitched. "I… I can't handle all these continuous duels. But…"
He thought suddenly of Sachi, of the girl with her arms wrapped around her legs. He thought of her blue eyes that didn't reflect any light. Of how for ten years, she had been trapped in her own mind.
"I… I promised," he whispered as he placed his hand on his Deck. "I promised I would win. I promised I would come back." As his vision continued to blur, he said, "I promised… to win! My turn! Draw!"
Morningstar looked at his card and grit his teeth. "I Set one card," he said. "I end my turn."
This… this right now is the best I can do.
"Yasu…" Cam muttered. It hurt to see his best friend like this. To see someone he thought of as a brother struggling so badly just to stand up.
"Hmm," Terminus said, narrowing his eyes. "You're right on the edge," he said. "Why don't I push you over? My turn! Draw!" Terminus looked at his card, then played it. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Mystical Space Typhoon! With this card, I destroy your Set card!"
Morningstar gasped and winced as his face-down card was destroyed. "Battle! Speleowraith, attack Morningstar directly! Cenotes Souls!" Speleowraith gathered purple energy and blasted Morningstar with it.
"Speleowraith's monster effect! As it points to a 'Subterror' monster, you cannot activate the effects of Spell or Trap Cards! This ends here!"
Morningstar grit his teeth as he gestured to his field. "I activate the effect of Cyspirit Firefighter in my Graveyard!" he declared. "By banishing it and halving my Life Points, your attack is negated!" A transparent Firefighter appeared and blocked Speleowraith's flames. The monster soon shattered, making Morningstar gasp and stagger as his Life Points were halved.
Morningstar: 50→25 LP
"So you survived the first attack," Terminus noted. "And the Link Summoned Behemoth Guru cannot attack you directly. But can you survive this attack? Stalagmatrix, attack Morningstar directly! Spikes Outbreak!" Stalagmatrix gathered white energy in its mouth, which it blasted at Morningstar. The hunter only grit his teeth and gestured to his field again.
"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Battle Barrier in my Graveyard!" he said. "As I have a 'Cyspirit' monster in my Graveyard, I take no damage from this battle!" A barrier appeared and blocked Stalagmatrix's attack, but it eventually shattered under the pressure, making the hunter wince as he was pushed back again.
"Battle Barrier… also… ends the Battle Phase…" Morningstar said, his eyes struggling to stay open. "And since I… control… no monsters… I… can…"
That was as far as he got. As he reached for his Duel Disk, his eyes finally failed him. He felt his knees hit the ground, and then his chest. And that was all the hunter felt as he fell into unconsciousness.
Café Junpei was quiet. In every room, the lights were off. The steward robot had been shut down and placed in a corner. The doors had all been locked, as the owner and his employee had left some time ago. The only lights were in the back room, where the occupants had forgotten to turn their systems off.
As the monitors beeped and the news played, the door to the room opened, and a single person walked in.
Morningstar vs. Terminus
This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.
Turn 1: Terminus
Terminus activates the Spell Card Terraforming to add The Hidden City from his Deck to his hand. Terminus activates the Field Spell Card The Hidden City. As The Hidden City was activated, Terminus can add 1 "Subterror" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Subterror Guru to his hand. Terminus activates the Continuous Spell Card Field Barrier. So long as Field Barrier is active, Field Spell Cards cannot be destroyed and neither player can activate a new Field Spell Card. Terminus Normal Summons Subterror Guru (1600/1800/4). He activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Book of Moon, targeting Guru. Guru is changed to face-down Defense Position. As his monster was flipped face-down and he controls no face-up monsters, Terminus Special Summon Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo (2800/2100/10) in Defense Position via its own effect. Terminus activates the effect of The Hidden City to change the Set Guru to face-up Defense Position (1600/1800/4). Since Guru was Flip Summoned, Terminus can add 1 "Subterror" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Subterror Cave Clash to his hand. Terminus activates the effect of Stalagmo to change it to face-down Defense Position. Terminus activates the Continuous Spell Card Subterror Cave Clash. All "Subterror" monsters he controls now gain 500 ATK/DEF for each Set monster on the field (Guru: 1600→2100/1800→2300). Terminus Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.
Turn 2: Morningstar
Morningstar draws. As he controls no monsters and Terminus does, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Swordsman (1200/900/3) in Attack Position. Since Swordsman was Special Summoned, Morningstar activates its effect to add 1 "Cyspirit" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Spearman to his hand. Morningstar Normal Summons Cyspirit Spearman (1900/100/4). Morningstar uses Spearman to Link Summon Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller (500/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. Since Spearman was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Morningstar activates its effect to destroy all Set monsters. The Set Stalagmo is destroyed (Guru: 2100→1600/2300→1800). As Terminus controls another "Subterror" card, he activates the effect of Guru to change both itself and Swordsman to face-down Defense Position. Morningstar activates the effect of Cacophonic Caller to Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from his Deck to its Link Marker, but it cannot attack and is destroyed during the End Phase. Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Engineer (1600/400/3) in Attack Position. As he controls a "Cyspirit" monster, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Navigator (1300/1100/3) in Attack Position. Morningstar uses Cacophonic Caller, Engineer, and Navigator to Link Summon Cyspirit Quixotic Queen (2300/3/↙↑↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Engineer was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Morningstar activates its effect to destroy 1 Set Spell/Trap Card Terminus controls. He destroys Terminus's Set card. Terminus activates the effect of the destroyed Subterror Behemoth Burrowing to add 1 "Subterror" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Subterror Behemoth Umastryx from his Deck to his hand. Morningstar activates the effect of Engineer in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon 1 "Cyspirit" monster from his GY in Defense Position with its effects negated. Morningstar Special Summons Spearman (1900/100/4) to Quixotic Queen's bottom-right Link Marker.
Quixotic Queen attacks the Set Guru. As it points to 2 monsters, Quixotic Queen's effect prevents Terminus from activating Spell/Trap Cards until the end of the Damage Step. As he controls at least 1 Set monster, Terminus activates the effect of the Subterror Herald in his hand, discarding it to change Guru to face-up Defense Position (1600→2100/1800→2300/4) and destroy Quixotic Queen. As Guru was Flip Summoned, its effect activates, letting Terminus add 1 "Subterror" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Subterror Behemoth Voltelluric from his Deck to his hand. As a "Cyspirit" Link Monster he controls was destroyed by a card effect, Morningstar activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Cyspirit Strike, which lets him Special Summon 1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster from his Extra Deck and treat it as a Link Summon, so long as its Link Rating is equal to that of the destroyed monster. Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Winning Wrestler (2500/3/↙↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. Winning Wrestler attacks and destroys Guru, inflicting piercing damage due to Strike's effect (Terminus: 4000→3800 LP). Morningstar activates the Continuous Spell Card Cyspirit Link Wall. So long as Link Wall is face-up on Morningstar's field, monsters he controls cannot be removed from the field by card effects. Morningstar Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.
Turn 3: Terminus
Terminus draws. He Normal Summons Subterror Fiendess (800→1300/500→1000/1). He activates Fiendess's effect, targeting itself. Fiendess is changed to face-down Defense Position and Terminus can Special Summon 1 "Subterror" monster from his hand or GY in face-up or face-down Defense Position. He Special Summons Stalagmo from his GY in face-down Defense Position. Since a monster he controls was flipped face-down and he controls no face-up monsters, Terminus Special Summons Subterror Behemoth Voltelluric (1900→3400/3000→4500/9) in face-up Defense Position. Terminus activates the effect of The Hidden City to change Stalagmo to face-up Defense Position (2800→3800/2100→3100/10) (Voltelluric: 3400→2900/4500→4000). As Stalagmo was Flip Summoned, its effect activates, letting Terminus discard 1 "Subterror" card to draw 2 cards. He discards Umastryx. Terminus activates the effect of Voltelluric to change itself to face-down Defense Position (Stalagmo: 3800→4300/3100→3600). Terminus then activates the effect of Herald in his GY, banishing it to change 1 Set monster he controls to face-up Defense Position. He changes Voltelluric (1900→2900/3000→4000/9) (Stalagmo: 4300→3800/3600→3100). Voltelluric's Flip Effect activates, letting Terminus take control of 1 Set monster Morningstar controls until Terminus's next End Phase. He takes control of the Set Swordsman. Terminus uses Stalagmo and Voltelluric to Link Summon Subterror Behemoth Fiendess (2000→3000/2/↙↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. Since Behemoth Fiendess was Link Summoned, it gains ATK equal to the combined Levels of the "Subterror" monsters used to Link Summon it (Behemoth Fiendess: 3000→4900). Terminus Flip Summons Cyspirit Swordsman (1200/900/3) (Behemoth Fiendess: 4900→4400). As a monster it points to was flipped face-up, Behemoth Fiendess lets Terminus add 1 Flip Monster from his Deck or GY to his hand. He adds Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist from his Deck to his hand.
Behemoth Fiendess attacks Winning Wrestler. Due to Cyspirit Link Wall's effect, Winning Wrestler is not destroyed by battle once per turn and battle damage is halved (Morningstar: 4000→3050 LP). Since a "Subterror" monster he controls inflicted battle damage, Terminus activates the effect of Cave Clash to add 1 "Subterror" card from his GY to his hand. He adds Umastryx from his GY to his hand. Swordsman attacks and destroys Spearman. Terminus activates the Spell Card Double Summon, letting him perform a 2nd Normal Summon this turn. He Tributes Swordsman and Fiendess to Tribute Summon Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist to Behemoth Fiendess's bottom-left Link Marker (3000/1400/11) (Behemoth Fiendess: 4400→3900). Terminus activates the effect of Speleogeist, changing it to face-down Defense Position (Behemoth Fiendess: 3900→4400). Terminus Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.
Turn 4: Morningstar
Morningstar draws. He activates his face-down Trap Card Cyspirit Backup, which lets him return 1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster in his GY to his Extra Deck, then Special Summon 1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster from his Extra Deck whose Link Rating is lower than the returned monster's and have it treated as a Link Summon. He returns Quixotic Queen to his Extra Deck and Special Summons Cyspirit Idealistic Idol (1500/2/←↑) to Winning Wrestler's bottom Link Marker. Since Quixotic Queen was Link-3, Morningstar draws 2 cards. As there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Prisoner (1600/2100/5) in Attack Position. Morningstar Normal Summons Cyspirit Coder (0/0/1). Since Coder was Normal Summoned, Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" card from his Deck to his hand and then send 1 card from his hand, field, or Deck to the GY. He adds Cyspirit Bypass from his Deck to his hand and sends Cyspirit Storm from his Deck to the GY. Morningstar uses Coder and Prisoner to Link Summon Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler (1600/2/←→) to Idealistic Idol's left Link Marker. Since a monster was Link Summoned and Idealistic Idol points to at least 1 monster, Terminus takes 200 damage (Terminus: 3800→3600 LP). As Prisoner was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Sanctuary from his Deck to his hand. Morningstar activates the Spell Card Cyspirit Bypass. Since he controls at least 2 "Cyspirit" Link Monsters, he can Special Summon 1 "Cyspirit" monster from his Deck, but it will be destroyed during the End Phase. He Special Summons Cyspirit Wanderer (1900/200/5) in Attack Position to Thrilled Tunneler's left Link Marker. As Wanderer was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Cyspirit" card, Morningstar activates its effect, targeting Behemoth Fiendess and lowering its ATK by 800 (Behemoth Fiendess: 4400→3600). As it points to 2 monsters, Morningstar activates the effect of Thrilled Tunneler, Tributing Wanderer to place 2 Spell/Trap Cards on the field on the bottom of the owner's Deck. He places Field Barrier and Cave Clash at the bottom of Terminus's Deck (Behemoth Fiendess: 3600→3100). Morningstar activates the Field Spell Cyspirit Sanctuary, which increases the ATK/DEF of all "Cyspirit" monsters he controls by 300 (Idealistic Idol: 1500→1800) (Thrilled Tunneler: 1600→1900) (Winning Wrestler: 2500→2800).
Morningstar activates the effect of Sanctuary, moving Thrilled Tunneler to his leftmost Main Monster Zone. He then activates the effect of Cyspirit Bypass in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon 1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster from his GY with its effects negated. He Special Summons Cacophonic Caller (500→800/1/↓) to Thrilled Tunneler's right Link Marker. As he controls a "Cyspirit" monster, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Linker (1700→2000/800→1100/4) in Attack Position. Morningstar uses Cacophonic Caller, Linker, and the Link-2 Thrilled Tunneler to Link Summon Cyspirit Neo Nova (2500→2800/4/←↖↗→) to Idealistic Idol's left Link Marker (Terminus: 3600→3400 LP). As it points to at least 1 monster, Morningstar activates Neo Nova's effect, drawing 1 card for each monster it points to. He draws 3 cards. As it points to at least 2 monsters, Morningstar activates the effect of Neo Nova, targeting Winning Wrestler. Winning Wrestler gains 1200 ATK, but Neo Nova cannot declare an attack this turn (Winning Wrestler: 2800→4000). As it points to 2 monsters, Morningstar activates Idealistic Idol's effect, targeting Winning Wrestler. Winning Wrestler can make up to 3 attacks against Terminus's monsters this turn, but no other monsters he controls can attack.
Winning Wrestler attacks Behemoth Fiendess. Since an opponent's monster declared an attack, Terminus activates the effect of The Hidden City to change his face-down Speleogeist to face-up Defense Position and negate the attack (3000/1400/11). Speleogeist's Flip Effect activates, and Terminus targets Winning Wrestler with its effect. Winning Wrestler's ATK becomes 0. As a card or effect was activated that would change the ATK of exactly 1 "Cyspirit" monster was activated, Morningstar activates the effect of Cyspirit Storm in his GY, banishing it to negate the activation of Speleogeist's effect. As a monster it points to was flipped face-up, Terminus activates the effect of Behemoth Fiendess to add Guru from his GY to his hand. Winning Wrestler attacks Behemoth Fiendess. As Winning Wrestler is attacking a Special Summoned monster and points to 2 monsters, Morningstar activates its effect, targeting Neo Nova. Behemoth Fiendess loses ATK equal to half of Neo Nova's ATK (Behemoth Fiendess: 3100→1700). Terminus activates his face-down Trap Card Subterror Wall Climbing, which prevents Behemoth Fiendess from being destroyed by this battle and halves the battle damage (Terminus: 3400→2250 LP). Wall Climbing then lets Terminus Special Summon 1 "Subterror" monster from his hand with its effects negated and use it and monsters he controls to Link Summon a "Subterror" Link Monster. Terminus Special Summons Subterror Guru (1600/1800/4), then uses Guru and the Link-2 Behemoth Fiendess to Link Summon Subterror Behemoth Guru (2500/3/↙↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone (Terminus: 2250→2050 LP). Since Guru was Link Summoned using exactly 1 "Subterror Behemoth" monster, it gains ATK equal to Fiendess's original ATK (Guru: 2500→4500). The final effect of Wall Climbing ends the Battle Phase. Morningstar Sets 2 cards. He ends his turn. During the End Phase, Neo Nova's effect requires Morningstar to send the top 3 cards of his Deck to the GY. He sends Cyspirit Barricade, Cyspirit Gardna, and Cyspirit Multiplier to the GY.
Turn 5: Terminus
Terminus draws. He sends The Hidden City to the GY to activate the Field Spell The Hidden Metropolis. Since The Hidden Metropolis was activated, Terminus shuffles Umastryx back into his Deck and draws 2 cards. While The Hidden Metropolis is active, "Subterror Behemoth" monsters gains 500 ATK/DEF (Behemoth Guru: 4500→5000) (Speleogeist (3000→3500/1400→1900). Terminus activates the Spell Card Subterror Cave Drawings, sending the Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide in his hand to the GY to draw cards equal to its Level. Stalaktide is Level 10, so Terminus draws 3 cards. Terminus activates the effect of Speleogeist, flipping it face-down. Terminus then activates the effect of The Hidden Metropolis. Up to twice per turn, he can change a Set "Subterror" monster to face-up Attack or Defense Position. He changes Speleogeist to face-up Attack Position (3000→3500/1400→1900/11). As Speleogeist was Flip Summoned, Terminus activates its effect, targeting Winning Wrestler. Winning Wrestler's ATK becomes 0 (Winning Wrestler: 4000→0). As a monster it points to was flipped face-up, the effect of Behemoth Guru activates, and Terminus can Special Summon 1 Flip monster from his GY to his field in face-down Defense Position. He Special Summons Stalaktide to Behemoth Guru's bottom-right Link Marker. Terminus activates the effect of The Hidden Metropolis, targeting Stalaktide. Stalaktide is changed to face-up Attack Position (1900→2400/2700→3200/10). As Stalaktide was Flip Summoned, Terminus activates its effect, targeting Link Wall, destroying it. As Link Wall was destroyed, Morningstar activates its effect, preventing any monsters except Link Monsters from attacking this turn. Terminus Normal Summons Subterror Nemesis Warrior (1800/1200/4). He uses Nemesis Warrior, Speleogeist, and Stalaktide to Link Summon Subterror Behemoth Speleowraith (2600→3100/3/↖↓↗) to Behemoth Guru's bottom-left Link Marker (Terminus: 2050→1850 LP). As Speleowraith was Link Summoned using Speleogeist, it can make 2 attacks on Morningstar's monsters during the Battle Phase.
Behemoth Guru attacks Winning Wrestler. Morningstar activates his face-down Trap Card Cyspirit Damage Break, which reduces the battle damage he takes from this battle to 0 as he controls 2 or more "Cyspirit" Link Monsters. Winning Wrestler is destroyed. As Behemoth Guru destroyed an opponent's monster by battle and sent it to the GY, Terminus activates its effect, sending Subterror Behemoth Gravigorgon from his Deck to the GY to inflict its 3200 ATK as damage to Morningstar. As an effect was activated that would inflict damage to him while he controls a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Morningstar activates his face-down Counter Trap Card Cyspirit Break, negating the activation of Behemoth Guru's effect. Speleowraith attacks and destroys Idealistic Idol (Morningstar: 3050→1750 LP). As it destroyed a monster by battle, Terminus activates Speleowraith's effect, Special Summoning Gravigorgon in face-up Defense Position to Behemoth Guru's bottom Link Marker (3200→3700/1000→1500/12). Speleowraith attacks Neo Nova. Morningstar attempts to activate the effect of Cyspirit Barricade in his GY, but since Speleowraith points to a "Subterror" monster, Morningstar cannot activate the effects of Spell/Trap Cards. Neo Nova is destroyed (Morningstar: 1750→1450 LP).
Terminus activates the effect of Gravigorgon, changing it to face-down Defense Position. He then activates the Spell Card Book of Taiyou, changing Gravigorgon to face-up Attack Position (3200→3700/1000→1500/12). Since Gravigorgon was Flip Summoned, Terminus can Special Summon 1 "Subterror" monster from his GY in face-up Defense Position. He Special Summons Stalagmo (2800→3300/2100→2600/10). As a "Subterror Behemoth" monster was flipped face-up, Terminus activates the effect of Nemesis Warrior, Special Summoning it to his field in face-up Attack Position (1800/1200/4). Terminus uses Gravigorgon, Nemesis Warrior, and Stalagmo to Link Summon Subterror Behemoth Stalagmatrix (2700→3200/3/↙↑↘) to the second Extra Monster Zone, creating an Extra Link. As Stalagmatrix was Link Summoned using Stalagmo as Link Material, neither player can Special Summon monsters from the Deck or GY until Terminus's next Standby Phase after Stalagmatrix's Link Summon. As Stalagmatrix is Extra Linked, Terminus activates its effect, inflicting 1000 damage to Morningstar for each "Subterror" Link Monster he controls. As he would take damage from a card effect, Morningstar activates the effect of the Cyspirit Firefighter in his hand, discarding it and his entire hand to reduce the damage by 800 for each card sent to the GY. He sends 2 cards to the GY, so the damage is reduced by 1600 (Morningstar: 1450→50 LP). Terminus Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.
Turn 6: Morningstar
Morningstar draws. He Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.
Turn 7: Terminus
Terminus draws. He activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying Morningstar's Set card.
Speleowraith attacks Morningstar directly. As Speleowraith points to a "Subterror" monster, Morningstar cannot activate the effects of Spell/Trap Cards until the end of the Damage Step. As an opponent's monster declared a direct attack, Morningstar activates the effect of the Cyspirit Firefighter in his GY, banishing it and halving his LP to negate Speleowraith's attack (Morningstar: 50→25 LP). Stalagmatrix attacks Morningstar directly, but Morningstar activates the effect of the Cyspirit Battle Barrier in his GY. As he has a "Cyspirit" monster in his GY, Morningstar takes no damage from that battle, and the Battle Phase is ended.
This duel will continue…
Cyspirit Engineer
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1600 DEF 400 Level: 3
If this card is used as material for the Link Summon of a "Cyspirit" Link Monster: You can target 1 Set card in your opponent's Spell & Trap Zone; destroy it. You can banish this card from your GY and target 1 "Cyspirit" monster in your GY; Special Summon it to your field in Defense Position with its effects negated. You can only activate each effect of "Cyspirit Engineer" once per turn.
Subterror Herald
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Spellcaster/Effect] ATK 1500 DEF 1700 Level: 3
If your opponent's monster declares an attack while you control at least 1 Set monster: You can send this card to the GY; change 1 Set monster you control to face-up Defense Position and destroy the attacking monster. You can banish this card from your GY and target 1 Set monster you control; change it to face-up Defense Position. You can only activate this effect of "Subterror Herald" once per turn.
Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Beast/Effect] ATK 1900 DEF 2700 Level: 10
FLIP: You can target 1 Spell/Trap Card on your opponent's field; Destroy it. You can only use this effect of "Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide" once per turn.
When a face-up monster you control is flipped face-down, if you control no face-up monsters: You can Special Summon this card from your hand in Defense Position. Once per turn: You can change this card to face-down Defense Position.
Subterror Behemoth Speleowraith
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Rock/Link/Effect] ATK 2600 LINK-3 ↖↓↗
2+ EARTH monsters
If this card is Link Summoned using "Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist" as Link Material: It can make up to 2 attacks on monsters during the Battle Phase. If this card points to a "Subterror" monster and declares an attack: Your opponent cannot activate the effects of Spell/Trap Cards until the end of the Damage Step. Once per turn: If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle, you can target 1 "Subterror Behemoth" monster in your GY; Special Summon it to a zone your "Subterror" Link Monster points to in face-up Defense Position.
Subterror Behemoth Gravigorgon
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Psychic/Effect] ATK 3200 DEF 1000 Level: 12
FLIP: You can target 1 "Subterror" monster in your GY; Special Summon it to your field in face-up Defense Position. The monster Special Summoned by this effect cannot change its battle position the turn it is Special Summoned. You can only use this effect of "Subterror Behemoth Gravigorgon" once per turn.
When a face-up monster you control is flipped face-down, if you control no face-up monsters: You can Special Summon this card from your hand in Defense Position. Once per turn: You can change this card to face-down Defense Position.
Subterror Behemoth Stalagmatrix
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Fiend/Link/Effect] ATK 2700 LINK-3 ↙↑↘
2+ "Subterror" monsters
If this card is Link Summoned using "Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo" as Link Material: Neither player can Special Summon monsters from the Deck or GY until your next Standby Phase after this card's Link Summon. Once while face-up on the field, if this card is Extra Linked: You can inflict 1000 damage to your opponent for each "Subterror" Link Monster you control. This effect cannot be negated. If this card points to a "Subterror" monster: "Subterror" monsters you control cannot be destroyed by card effects.
Cyspirit Firefighter
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 2000 DEF 700 Level: 5
If your opponent activates a card effect that would inflict damage to a player(s): You can send this card from your hand to the GY, and if you do, reduce that damage by 800, also, after that, you can send every card in your hand to the GY, and if you do, reduce that damage by 800 again for each card sent to the GY. When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack: You can banish this card (from your GY) and halve your LP; negate the attack. You can only activate 1 effect of "Cyspirit Firefighter" per turn, and only once per turn.
Cyspirit Strike Quick-Play Spell Card
If a "Cyspirit" Link Monster you control is destroyed by your opponent's card effect: Special Summon 1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster from your Extra Deck (this Special Summon is treated as a Link Summon) whose Link Rating is equal to the destroyed monster's Link Rating. If the monster Special Summoned by this card's effect attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent. You can only activate "Cyspirit Strike" once per turn.
Cyspirit Link Wall Continuous Spell Card
Destroy this card if you do not control a "Cyspirit" Link Monster. Monsters you control cannot be removed from the field by your opponent's card effects. Once per turn, if a Link Monster would be destroyed by battle, it is not destroyed. All battle damage you take from battles involving "Cyspirit" Link Monsters is halved. The turn this card is destroyed and sent to the GY: Only Link Monsters can declare an attack for the rest of this turn.
Subterror Wall Climbing Normal Trap Card
If a "Subterror" Link Monster you control is targeted for an attack: That monster cannot be destroyed by that battle and the battle damage you take from that battle is halved. At the end of the Damage Step, you can Special Summon 1 "Subterror" monster from your hand with its effects negated, and if you do, immediately after this effect resolves, Link Summon 1 "Subterror" Link Monster, then end the Battle Phase. If a "Subterror" Link Monster you control is destroyed by battle, you can banish this card from your GY; end the Battle Phase.
The Hidden Metropolis Field Spell Card
Activate only by sending 1 face-up "The Hidden City" on your side of the field to the GY. When this card is activated: You can shuffle 1 "Subterror" monster in your hand back into your Deck then draw 2 cards. "Subterror Behemoth" monsters you control gain 500 ATK/DEF. Up to twice per turn: You can change 1 face-down "Subterror" monster you control to face-up Attack or Defense Position. All battle damage you take from battles involving "Subterror Behemoth" monsters is halved. You can only activate 1 "The Hidden Metropolis" per turn.
Cyspirit Damage Break Normal Trap Card
If an opponent's monster declares an attack against a "Cyspirit" Link Monster you control while you control 2 or more "Cyspirit" Link Monsters: Reduce the battle damage of that battle to 0. If an opponent's monster declares an attack against a "Cyspirit" Link Monster you control that points to no monsters, you can banish this card from the GY and halve your LP; Reduce the battle damage of that battle to 0, then end the Battle Phase. You can only activate 1 effect of "Cyspirit Damage Break" per turn, and only once per turn.
Chapter Preview
Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 27 – Awakening. Receiving encouragement from an unexpected source, Morningstar reaffirms his resolve to defeat Terminus and continues the duel. Holding nothing back, he places everything on the line in the hopes of creating a miracle…
Responses to Reviews & Author's Notes
Thank you to Swift4Sweeper, Ryujomaru15, HunterHQ, Nirvash Neo, sanedimentio, D3lph0xL0v3r, ClearwingYuta, Yasutake Fan, ThePLOThand, Lindia Fullmoon, Guest, O, and Fenghuang0296 for reviewing Chapter 25 of Hidden Memories.
Credit to ThePLOThand for the names of Terminus's new Subterror Behemoth monsters: Stalaktide, Gravigorgon, Speleowraith, and Stalagmatrix. They also suggested the name The Hidden Metropolis earlier, so thank you for that, too.
ThePLOThand: On Behemoth Fiendess's attack points, I understood that as a continuous effect that remains in effect even if Behemoth Fiendess's effects were negated.
Linda Fullmoon: The 26 Cyspirit Extra Deck monsters are all Link Monsters, one for each letter of the alphabet. If there are going to be Cyspirit Fusion monsters, they would appear in season 2. As for Extra chapters to describe what happens in the next three months, I have thought about writing a new fanfic called "Hidden Memories Extras" that covers that time period, but I'm not sure about that yet.
Yasutake Fan: Thank you for the card designs, but I'm afraid I won't use Cyspirit Letter Grading, as its effect is just a little too strange. Also like you said, your designs are a little OP, so if I add Cyspirit Decoding or Cyspirit Viral Virus, I'll have to reduce their effects. Also, I might have to change the name of that last one, as Viral Virus is rather redundant. As for additional Cyspirit Link Monsters, there won't be any outside of the 26 for now. There might be more in the future, but that's a distant future. As for generic Cyberse Link Monsters… sorry, that's Playmaker's thing. Morningstar will only use Cyspirit Link Monsters.
Fenghuang0296: I'm afraid the Link-5 won't be the letter Z. Zany Zealot already took that one, and there is only 1 Link Monster per letter.
Damn, this chapter took a long time to write. The first part was all dialogue, with Yasutake and Cam joining Yusaku and Kusanagi at Ryoken's home, where they confronted Ryoken and Kenshin. We also learned Kenshin's true motivation for helping defend the Tower; I hope it's a reason that makes sense and people can relate to on some level.
The rest of the chapter was the duel. We got to see three of Morningstar's most powerful Link Monsters on the field at once, and Terminus performed an Extra Link. I can understand why some people might not think this was the best use of Terminus's Deck; after all, an Extra Link doesn't help Set monsters much. But I wanted Morningstar to face a challenge that was at least close to Playmaker's level, so he got to face an Extra Link of three Link-3 monsters at once. As for the ending, well… I thought it would be a good cliffhanger.
Thank you for reading Chapter 26 of Hidden Memories. Please tell me what you think of Terminus's motivations for dueling and how the duel went for you. And as for the beginning and ending parts… you'll have to wait and see what those are about.