Update
I've made a change to the effect of Cyspirit Barricade so its effect of increasing a monster's ATK by 1000 only lasts until the end of the turn.
Chapter 27: Awakening
8 years ago…
"Are you sure about this, Hitomu?" Kenshin asked, his concern for his brother showing on his face. "I understand wanting to get away, but to Tokyo?" The two were entering the train station, heading for Hitomu's train to Tokyo. His wife and daughter had already departed earlier in the day while Hitomu was busy going over a few things.
"Masako was born there, and Asuna can be with her family there," Hitomu said simply. "And… I need some distance. Not just from SOL, but from… all of this."
Kenshin frowned. "Dr. Kogami's still in custody?" he whispered.
"Yes," Hitomu replied. "I managed to get out, but he's still imprisoned." He stopped walking and turned to face his brother. "Make sure to take care of Ryoken, please."
"I will. So will Aso and Kyoko." Kenshin's frown deepened. "If you're this worried about him, why don't you take him with you? Masako may be a few years younger, but he could use a friend."
"…I think it would be best Masako have as much distance from this part of my life as possible," Hitomu admitted. That statement hurt Kenshin a little, but he understood Hitomu's reasoning. "But… promise me something, Kenshin."
"What's that?"
"Move forward." Kenshin's eyes widened in surprise. "I know those children have been giving you nightmares. I've had them too. But don't let the guilt consume you. You're 23, after all. You still have a life to live. Fall in love, have children, own a business… There's so much you can do."
Kenshin laughed nervously. "Funny you should mention that. I actually… met someone a few days ago."
"Oh?" Hitomu said, grinning mischievously. "What's her name?"
"Mira. She's working at a local bookstore I frequent. I asked her out and she said yes. I'm taking her out to coffee later today."
"Well, you're one step closer to happiness. So, when should I expect a nephew?"
Kenshin sputtered as Hitomu laughed. The two looked up as an alarm sounded. "Oh, that's my train. Goodbye, Kenshin. I'll see if I can come visit you and Mira soon."
"You better," the younger brother said, smiling as his brother walked away. "Goodbye, Hitomu."
Once Hitomu got on the train, his cellphone started ringing. Seeing the caller ID, he answered it in a hushed tone. "Hello?"
"It's Tagoma," the person on the other end said. "The arrangements went through."
"Good," Hitomu said, sighing in relief. "Thank you for agreeing to this, Tagoma."
"No problem. I can use a helper. But out of curiosity, why me? Doesn't she have an uncle to take her in?"
Hitomu frowned. "I don't want to involve Kenshin in this. If something happens to me and Asuna, then Masako needs to have as much distance between herself and the Hirai family as possible. She cannot come into contact with any of my past co-workers. She and they will all become targets."
"Of who? SOL Technologies?"
"Possibly," Hitomu said evasively. "Should the worst come to pass, you are the best person to look after Masako, Tagoma. You already agreed to this, no?"
Tagoma sighed. "Yes, I did. And I don't back out on a contract. But… what did you do? What makes you think someone might be after you?"
Hitomu's frown deepened. "I… stole something that's valuable to a lot of people. But I'm going to need it to complete my work."
"And what would that be?"
"The ultimate weapons," Hitomu said simply. "And atonement for what I have done."
Present day…
"Yasu!" Cam shouted. He watched with horror as Morningstar collapsed in the middle of the duel. "Yasu! Wake up! Wake up!"
"He can't hear you!" Kusanagi said, putting a hand on Cam's shoulder. "Calm down!"
"I need to get to him," Cam said, panicking. "I need to-."
"You need to calm down!" Kusanagi made Cam look him in the eye. "Remember, that's his mind in LINK VRAINS, not his body. Even if you rush back to the house, you won't be able to help him. And I don't have any spare Duel Disks to log into LINK VRAINS with."
"But…"
"I hate this feeling too," Kusanagi said. "This feeling of being helpless. But… there's really nothing we can do. We just have to trust in those two." He sat back down, with Cam joining him after a few seconds. "If a person falls unconscious in LINK VRAINS, they are logged out after five minutes. You just to have faith that he wakes up before then."
"…Yeah," Cam said, his voice low. "I know I can't help him. But… that doesn't make it easier."
"…No. No, it doesn't."
Terminus watched as Morningstar collapsed in front of him. As the hunter fell, the Knight looked over the field.
Morningstar: 25 LP
Terminus: 1850 LP
The only card Morningstar had on his field was the Field Spell Card Cyspirit Sanctuary. Terminus, on the other hand, had the Field Spell Card The Hidden Metropolis, one Set card, and three Link Monsters on the field: Subterror Behemoths Guru and Stalagmatrix in the Extra Monster Zones, and Subterror Behemoth Speleowraith in his center Main Monster Zone, all empowered by The Hidden Metropolis's effect.
Subterror Behemoth Guru ATK 5000 LINK-3 ↙↓↘
Subterror Behemoth Stalagmatrix ATK 3200 LINK-3 ↙↑↘
Subterror Behemoth Speleowraith ATK 3100 LINK-3 ↖↓↗
LINK VRAINS automatically logs a person out if they've been unconscious for five minutes, Terminus thought. So long as he doesn't wake up, this duel is over. And even if he doesn't, he only has 25 Life Points left.
Terminus closed his eyes. It's almost over. The Tower will soon be complete. Hitomu… Asuna… Mira… Masako… Kiyoshi… I'll soon be reunited with all of you. And I'll finally have paid for my sins.
"They're not all gone. Your son is still here in this world."
Terminus opened his eyes and scowled at the collapsed hunter. You're right, Morningstar, he thought. I am abandoning my son. But I am not leaving him alone. He has his aunt Maria, and she will take care of him. He deserves a family far better than mine. He deserves a far better father. And he'll have that with Maria and her husband. With this… he will not be burdened with the sins of his father. Not anymore.
"yasu… yasu…"
A muscular man faces him, his gaze challenging and daring. "What about you, Morningstar? Will you fight with us?"
A blue-haired girl looks at him, nervous and hopeful. "I think… I would like to fight for everyone. But… I think fighting for your friends is good, too, don't you?"
A knight in shining armor lies on the ground, his face apologetic. "Sorry, Morningstar. I did my best, but it wasn't enough."
A red-haired girl in a cage smiles at him, at peace with herself. "Morningstar… thank you. For making me feel real."
"Yasu… Yasu…"
A young man, twisted by pain, determined to make a new future. "We can walk a new path. All of us."
An older brother, desperate to protect the ones he loves. "You better come back too, Yasu. I won't forgive myself if I lose you."
A younger sister, sitting in the dark, alone with her thoughts. "Yasu always wins. No matter what… I have faith in Yasu."
"Yasu! Yasu! Wake up!"
Morningstar gasped and slowly opened his eyes. Where was he? What was going on? And who was talking to him?
"Yasu! Yasu! Stand up! You can't give up now!"
A girl's voice. It sounded familiar, but how?
"Who… who is that?" Morningstar whispered. Whoever it was, they breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh, thank goodness! I wasn't sure I pressed the right buttons. But Yasu, you have to get up! You can't lose here! Not before I repay the favor!"
"F-Favor?" Morningstar repeated. "What… favor?"
"You saved me," she said. "So now it's my turn to save you. Three, Yasu. 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."
Morningstar gasped at her words. Three things… "One: you are not alone. Even if you are dueling alone, many people are counting on you and are with you in spirit."
…He remembered. He was dueling. He was dueling Terminus.
"Two: you don't give up. You've fought for me for three years, and in all that time, you've never wavered from that path."
He was dueling atop the Tower of Hanoi. Terminus had used an Extra Link to push him to the edge.
"Three: you promised to come back. You promised to get justice for what was done to us. And I know you'll do it."
He had 25 Life Points left and less than half an hour to win. He had promised to bring Terminus back to his son. And he had promised to a girl, lost in darkness, that he would come back to her.
It couldn't be…
"Sachi?" Morningstar whispered, his voice breaking. It couldn't be. She couldn't be…
"I'm finally awake, Yasu," Sachi said over the comm. "With three things, you woke me up. You and Cam never gave up on me. So I won't give up on you. I know you can win this duel. I know you can save everyone! So stand up, Morningstar! Stand up and fulfill your promise!"
Morningstar gasped as his eyes fully opened. That was right. He had made promises. Promises he had to keep. He couldn't lose now. He refused to lose now!
Morningstar braced his hands against the ground and pushed himself up, his head swimming. Ignore it, he thought. Push through the pain. It doesn't control you. If Sachi can free herself from the darkness, then I can withstand this!
As the hunter shakily got to his feet, Terminus looked disappointed. "So you still desire to fight," he said. "It's pointless. In your situation, all you can do is lose."
"No!" Morningstar said, scowling and glaring at the Knight as he finally stood up straight. "I won't lose! I made a promise. A promise that must be kept." He narrowed his eyes. "I promised to drag you back to your son. I won't let you kill yourself like a coward!"
"C-Coward?" Terminus repeated, outraged. "How dare you-!?"
"Yes, I dare," Morningstar interrupted. "I won't let you choose the easy path out. This duel is still going on!" He pointed to his field. "The effect of Cyspirit Battle Barrier activates! I draw cards equal to the number of monsters you control. You control three, so I draw three cards!"
Morningstar drew as Terminus growled and gestured to his own field. "Continuous Trap activate! Lockdown Draw!" The card showed a card wrapped in chains with a no symbol over it. "Since you added cards to your hand outside of the Draw Phase, those cards are shuffled into your Deck!" Morningstar's expression didn't change as he put his cards back into his Deck. "And so long as Lockdown Draw is active, neither of us can add cards to our hands outside of the Draw Phase."
"Don't get so excited," Morningstar deadpanned, irritating Terminus.
"It is still my turn, hunter!" the Knight reminded him. "And since my Standby Phase has come and gone, Stalagmatrix's effect preventing either of us from Special Summoning is no longer in effect. Thus, I activate the effect of Subterror Cave Drawings in my Graveyard! I banish it to Special Summon a 'Subterror' monster from my Graveyard in face-down Defense Position. I resurrect Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide!" A Set card appeared at Behemoth Guru's bottom-right Link Marker. "I end my turn."
Cam breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness he stood up." He turned to look at Kusanagi. "Sorry for overreacting."
"That wasn't overreacting," Kusanagi assured his friend. "If that had been Jin, I would have behaved the same way."
Cam smiled. "Good to know." He then frowned in confusion. "But, it kind of looked like he was talking to someone before he got up. I wonder who?"
"My turn! Draw!"
"It's pointless, Morningstar," Terminus told the hunter, glaring at him. "With Lockdown Draw in effect, you cannot replenish your hand. And before my Extra Link, and particularly my 5000-attack-point Behemoth Guru, you are absolutely powerless! Give up!"
"No!" Morningstar shouted back, his determination set. "A duel is not over until a player's Life Points hit 0! So long as I have Life Points, no matter how few, it doesn't matter what obstacle is in my way. I will overcome it! And as for your Extra Link…" The hunter smirked. "I'm going to show you just how frail your formation actually is!"
"What?" Terminus said, his eyes widening in surprise.
"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Break in my Graveyard!" Morningstar declared. "By banishing it, I can Special Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Cyspirit Idealistic Idol!" A skeleton in an indigo dress with white metal wings appeared on his field.
Cyspirit Idealistic Idol ATK 1500 LINK-2 ←↑
"And thanks to the Field Spell Card: Cyspirit Sanctuary, Idealistic Idol gains 300 attack points!"
Cyspirit Idealistic Idol ATK 1500→1800
"I now activate the effect of Cyspirit Wanderer in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Special Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my Graveyard! Come, Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller!" A skeleton in a tattered business suit carrying a cellphone and a radio appeared next to Idealistic Idol.
Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller ATK 500→800 LINK-1 ↓
"I refuse to give up!" Morningstar said, narrowing his eyes. "That's why I'll pour everything I have into this move. Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" His hand glowed blue as the Link portal appeared on the ground in front of him. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters! I set Cacophonic Caller and the Link-2 Idealistic Idol in the Link Markers!" His monsters became three whirlwinds of energy that traveled upwards before diving into the left, top, and right arrows, turning them red.
Terminus's eyes widened in shock. "This is-!"
"Circuit combine!" A pillar of fire erupted from the circuit, making Terminus wince as he covered his eyes.
"The heaven's wrath that strikes down all opposition! Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Cyspirit Angelic Avenger!" Large silver wings burst out from either side of the pillar, fire dripping from them. The pillar dissipated, revealing a large skeleton warrior in red and gold armor with two swords strapped to its hips and long blonde hair made of fire that wreathed its face. It roared from its nonexistent mouth as it was summoned to Stalagmatrix's top Link Marker.
Cyspirit Angelic Avenger ATK 2700→3000 LINK-3 ←↑→
Terminus took an unconscious step back. "The monster that defeated Spectre," he muttered, his eyes wide. He quickly recomposed himself. "I-Impressive," he said. "But before my monsters, this is nothing."
"Yes, Angelic Avenger isn't as strong as your monsters," Morningstar agreed. "But I'm assuming you remember Angelic Avenger's effects from my duel with Spectre?"
"T-That doesn't matter," Terminus growled. "You need three monsters to use that effect, and you can't Special Summon any more. Nor can you add cards to your hand to Special Summon monsters thanks to Lockdown Draw. You wasted your turn!"
"No, it wasn't a waste," Morningstar calmly assured the Knight. "I activate the effect of Cyspirit Coder in the Graveyard! By banishing it, I can treat a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster I control as pointing to a number of monsters equal to its Link Rating!"
"What!?" Terminus said, his eyes widening in horror. He watched as a transparent skeleton in a scientist's coat and armor briefly appeared over Angelic Avenger before the Link Monster glowed.
"Like I said, your formation is feeble! Angelic Avenger's monster effect! Since it is treated as pointing to three monsters, I can return all monsters it points at to the owners' hands, then negate the effects of all Link Monsters except Angelic Avenger and make their attack points equal to their original attack points!"
Angelic Avenger unfurled its wings, which shone with an intense light that made Terminus's three Link Monsters cry out in pain. "Go! Holy Revision!" Stalagmatrix whimpered as it glitched out and then disintegrated, returning to Terminus's Extra Deck. Behemoth Guru and Speleowraith likewise whimpered as they became weaker, but they remained on the field.
Subterror Behemoth Guru ATK 5000→2500
Subterror Behemoth Speleowraith ATK 3100→2600
"I-Impossible," Terminus whispered, shaking in shock. "Y-You couldn't have…"
"Yes!" Cam cheered. "Ha ha! He broke the Extra Link!" Kusanagi ignored Cam and focused on Playmaker's duel.
"Your Extra Link is now broken!" Morningstar declared. "I told you I would overcome any obstacle in my path. And now I'll destroy all your monsters!" He gestured to his field. "I activate the effect of the Cyspirit Multiplier in my Graveyard! By banishing a 'Cyspirit' monster, I can equip it a 'Cyspirit' monster I control. I banish Cyspirit Linker and equip Multiplier to Angelic Avenger." He narrowed his eyes. "The monster equipped with Multiplier can make two attacks against your monsters during each Battle Phase. So Angelic Avenger will destroy both of your remaining Link Monsters right now!"
"Morningstar," Terminus growled.
"Battle! Angelic Avenger attacks Behemoth Guru!" Angelic Avenger soared upwards as Morningstar gestured to his field. "I activate the effect of Cyspirit Barricade in my Graveyard! By banishing it, Angelic Avenger gains 1000 attack points until the end of the turn!" Angelic Avenger glowed as flames encompassed its body.
Cyspirit Angelic Avenger ATK 3000→4000
"Go, Angelic Avenger! Heaven's Wrath!" Angelic Avenger drew both its swords and divebombed Behemoth Guru. As it got closer, Angelic Avenger's body became pure energy, which passed through Behemoth Guru, making it cry out in pain. Angelic Avenger reformed on the opposite side of Behemoth Guru and sheathed both its sword. The moment it sheathed its swords, Behemoth Guru exploded, making Terminus cry out in pain.
That was for Galahad, Morningstar thought as he glared into the smoke.
As Angelic Avenger returned to Morningstar's field, the smoke cleared, revealing a very angry Terminus. "Thanks to The Hidden Metropolis's effect, all battle damage I take from battles involving 'Subterror Behemoth' monsters is halved."
Terminus: 1850→1100 LP
Morningstar narrowed his eyes as Terminus gestured to his field. "I activate the effect of Subterror Wall Climbing in my Graveyard!" the Knight declared. "As my 'Subterror' Link Monster was destroyed by battle, I can banish Wall Climbing to end the Battle Phase!"
"Hmm," Morningstar grunted. "I figured you would have a trick like that. I Set one card. I end my turn. And since it is the End Phase, Cyspirit Barricade's effect comes to an end."
Cyspirit Angelic Avenger ATK 4000→3000
"Do you see, Terminus?" Morningstar asked his opponent, glaring at him. "This is the strength of my determination. I broke your Extra Link and destroyed your most powerful monster. I will not fall so easily!"
Terminus was silent but then he started laughing, surprising the hunter. "My most powerful monster?" he repeated, sneering at Morningstar. "Behemoth Guru is powerful, but it is not my most powerful monster! But since you think so highly of yourself, why don't I show you! My turn! Draw!"
Terminus looked at his card, then gestured to his field. "I activate the effect of Lockdown Draw! During my Standby Phase, I can destroy this card!" Lockdown Draw shattered as Terminus scowled at his opponent. "Now we can both add cards to our hands again. But more importantly…" Terminus gestured to his field again. "I Flip Summon Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide!" A dark blue beast covered in rocks with a dragon's head appeared on Terminus's field.
Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide ATK 1900 DEF 2700 LVL: 10
"And thanks to The Hidden Metropolis's effect, Stalaktide gains 500 attack and defense points!"
Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide ATK 1900→2400 DEF 2700→3200
"Stalaktide's Flip Effect! I can target and destroy one Spell or Trap Card on your field! I'll destroy your Set card!" Morningstar didn't react as his face-down card disintegrated. "And since a 'Subterror Behemoth' monster was flipped face-up, I can Special Summon Subterror Nemesis Warrior from my Graveyard!" A red-haired man with a giant sword appeared in Attack Position.
Subterror Nemesis Warrior ATK 1800 DEF 1200 LVL: 4
"Nemesis Warrior's monster effect!" Terminus declared. "I can send a 'Subterror' monster from my Deck to my Graveyard, then Tribute Nemesis Warrior and one other monster, and if their combined Levels are equal to or greater than the sent monster's, I can Special Summon that monster!"
Morningstar's eyes widened as Terminus took a card from his Deck and placed it in his Graveyard. "I Tribute the Level 4 Nemesis Warrior and the Level 10 Stalaktide! Since their Levels are greater than the Level 12 Ultramafus, I Special summon it in face-up Defense Position!" The hunter flinched as a massive monster made of rocks and lava appeared on Terminus's field, taking the place of Nemesis Warrior and Stalaktide.
Subterror Behemoth Ultramafus ATK 3000→3500 DEF 1800→2300 LVL: 12
Morningstar's eyes narrowed. "So?" he asked. "This monster's Flip Effect doesn't work on Link Monsters!" Then his eyes widened in realization. "Wait, you can't be-!"
Terminus laughed. "Yes, I am, Morningstar!" He gestured upwards as his hand glowed blue. "Appear, our future circuit!" The Link portal appeared above him. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Subterror Behemoth' monsters! I set Ultramafus and the Link-3 Speleowraith in the Link Markers!" His two behemoths became whirlwinds of energy, with the latter splitting into three, and entered the top-left, bottom-left, top-right, and bottom-right arrows, turning them red. The portal glowed with energy as Terminus continued his chant.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 4! Subterror Behemoth Infinimafus!"
Terminus's most powerful Link Monster was humanoid in nature, but it was just as large as his Subterror Behemoths. Its skin was dark brown, with red lines of magma running across its arms and legs. It wore armor the color of lava, with said armor covering its forearms, lower legs, chest, shoulders, and head. Red spikes protruded from its shoulders and back as a yellow circle glowed on its back. Red eyes gleamed out of its helmet while the rest of its face was shrouded in darkness. It carried a massive flame-red shield in its right hand, with a yellow circle in the center. In its left hand, it held a large spiked mace that seemed to drip lava. (Morningstar noted that said mace was actually a morning star, a medieval weapon. A small part of him appreciated the irony.) The Link 4 monster roared as it was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.
Subterror Behemoth Infinimafus ATK 3000→3500 LINK-4 ↖↙↘↗
Morningstar grit his teeth. "A Link 4…" he muttered.
"Don't worry, Yasu," Sachi assured him. "It doesn't matter how powerful it is. I know you can beat it."
The hunter smiled to himself. "Of course I can. But thank you for the faith."
"This monster is the pinnacle of my dueling!" Terminus declared. "And you're about to see why! When Infinimafus is Link Summoned using Ultramafus as material, I can Special Summon a 'Subterror' Link Monster to its Link Marker with its effects negated. Resurrect, Subterror Behemoth Fiendess!" The purple dragon with black and pink wings emerged, summoned to Infinimafus's bottom-left Link Marker.
Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 2000→2500 LINK-2 ↙↘
"Behemoth Fiendess cannot attack, and it is destroyed during the End Phase," Terminus continued. "But that hardly matters! Infinimafus's monster effect! When a monster is Summoned to its Link Marker, I can destroy one card on the field!" Morningstar gasped as Terminus sneered. "Say goodbye to Angelic Avenger!" Infinimafus swung its weapon at Angelic Avenger, but Morningstar only gestured to his field.
"I activate the effect of the Trap Card: Cyspirit Shift in my Graveyard!" he declared. The card Terminus had destroyed reappeared, with it showing Cacophonic Caller jumping in front of Pied Pikeman. "Since you targeted a 'Cyspirit' monster with a card effect, I can banish Cyspirit Shift to change the target to another appropriate card. Your Infinimafus will now destroy Cyspirit Sanctuary instead of Angelic Avenger!"
The morning star continued its swing, but it went past Angelic Avenger as Infinimafus leapt towards Morningstar's Field Spell, shattering it on impact. Terminus growled in frustration even as Angelic Avenger was weakened.
Cyspirit Angelic Avenger ATK 3000→2700
"It doesn't matter!" Terminus shouted, his eyes wide with anger. "You only have 25 Life Points! One attack will end this farce! Battle! Infinimafus, attack Angelic Avenger! Ragnarok Eruption!"
The spikes on Infinimafus's armor glowed with intense heat as they formed fireballs at the tips. The yellow circles on its shield and back both lit up, as did the veins of magma on its skin. Infinimafus raised its morning star, which shone with red light. The fireballs leapt from the spikes to said weapon, creating an even larger fireball above it. Infinimafus roared as it brought its morning star down, and the fireball split into multiple streams of fire that all shot towards Angelic Avenger. Morningstar only glared in defiance as the fire struck, creating a massive explosion that engulfed his entire field.
As he watched the smoke rise, Terminus breathed a sigh of relief. "Finally," he said, closing his eyes and smiling. "Finally. I will be reunited with Hitomu and Mira. This duel is over."
"Are you sure about that?"
Terminus opened his eyes and gasped as the smoke cleared. Morningstar was still standing defiantly, his Life Points intact albeit halved.
Morningstar: 25→13 LP
"W-What did you do!?" Terminus shouted, spit spraying from his mouth. "How are you still alive!?"
"I banished Cyspirit Damage Break from my Graveyard," Morningstar explained. "Since you attacked a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster that pointed to no monsters, I could banish Damage Break to reduce the battle damage to 0 and end the Battle Phase. And the only price I had to pay was halving my Life Points."
Terminus growled and clenched his fist. "So, you want to prolong your suffering? Very well, I'll indulge you! I activate the Spell Card: Monster Reborn! With this card, I Special Summon Subterror Behemoth Gravigorgon from the Graveyard!" Morningstar watched emotionlessly as a humanoid monster without legs and several snakes around its dragon head appeared, summoned to Infinimafus's bottom-right Link Marker in Attack Position.
Subterror Behemoth Gravigorgon ATK 3200→3700 DEF 1000→1500 LVL: 12
"Gravigorgon's monster effect! I change it to face-down Defense Position!" The monster disappeared and a Set card took its place. "I now activate The Hidden Metropolis's effect to change Gravigorgon to face-up Attack Position!" His monster reappeared and roared at Morningstar, who didn't flinch.
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 it cannot change its battle position this turn. Resurrect, Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist!" A massive blue and yellow fiend appeared, summoned in Defense Position.
Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist ATK 3000→3500 DEF 1400→1900 LVL: 11
"But summoning a new monster isn't all I can do," Terminus declared. "Infinimafus's monster effect! When a 'Subterror' monster it points to is flipped face-up, I can halve your Life Points!" Morningstar's eyes widened as Infinimafus struck the ground with its weapon, creating a stream of fire that struck Morningstar, making him wince.
Morningstar: 13→7 LP
"Yasu!" Sachi shouted, her concern evident.
"Don't worry," Morningstar said, gritting his teeth in pain. "I'm not letting something like that stop me."
"I end my turn," Terminus grumbled, looking displeased. "And during the End Phase, Infinimafus's effect destroys the Special Summoned Behemoth Fiendess." The purple dragon screamed as it disintegrated into light.
"Why?" Terminus demanded. "Why won't you give up!? Why do you keep fighting!? Your Life Points are 7, you have no cards on the field or in your hand, and you have less than ten minutes before the Tower is completed. Why can't you see how hopeless your situation is!?"
Morningstar scowled at the Knight. "Do you even have to ask?" he said. "I made promises, promises I have to keep. I promised I would come back. I promised I would drag you back to your son. And I will not fail those promises!"
Terminus growled. "Why?" he asked. "Why do you care so much about what I want to do? I'm your enemy! It shouldn't matter to you whether I want to die or not!"
"Because I understand that feeling you have!" Morningstar shouted back, surprising Terminus. "You were listening to my story when I told it to Spectre, weren't you? You know what I lost when I was freed from the incident."
The hunter closed his eyes. "When I found out the priest died, I felt like I couldn't continue onward. Like there was no point to it." He opened his eyes and looked at his opponent with sympathy. "I was too young to realize it, but I wanted to die so I could be with that priest again. I felt like he was the only person who mattered, and with him gone, there was no point in me remaining in this world."
He then looked at his Duel Disk and smiled. "But I was wrong. After the incident, I was taken in by Cameron Junpei, whose sister was even worse off than me. Living with those two, caring for his sister… they helped me realize just how valuable life can be. They saved me from my own despair. Without them… I wouldn't be here right now!"
Terminus gasped at Morningstar's words as the hunter glared at him. "But you're different from me. Unlike me, who lost the one person who cared about me, you still have someone out there who cares about you. Someone who needs you." He narrowed his eyes at his opponent. "Just as I was saved from despair, I'll save you from that same despair! "
"Don't make me laugh!" Terminus shouted back. "You can't save me! I've made my choice! I will be together with my brother again and-!"
"Is that what he would want?" Terminus gasped at the question as Morningstar's glare intensified. "Tell me, would your brother really want you to throw your life away?"
Move forward.
Terminus gasped at the memory. Promise me something, Kenshin. Move forward. I know those children have been giving you nightmares. I've had them too. But don't let the guilt consume you. You're 23, after all. You still have a life to live. Fall in love, have children, own a business… There's so much you can do.
Hitomu, Terminus thought. You told me to move on with my life, but… how can I when almost everyone I know is gone?
Kenshin.
Terminus gasped as he looked to his right. For a split second, he thought he saw Hitomu, his black and silver hair moving in the wind. His brother looked at him but didn't say a word. All he did was shake his head.
Terminus gasped again as tears started to fall from his exposed right eye and his brother disappeared. "Hitomu," he whispered, coming back to reality.
"I know nothing about your brother," Morningstar said, bringing the Knight's attention back to him. "But if your connection to him is anything like my connection to Cam, then I can say this: he would want you to live. He would want you to keep moving forward."
"…Morningstar…" Terminus muttered.
The hunter only looked at his opponent as he raised a hand. "One," he declared. "This will be the last turn of this duel. Two: I will overcome the hurdles in front of me and seize victory with my own hands. Three: I will bring you back to your son so you can move forward!" He placed his hand on his Duel Disk. "My turn! Draw!"
"I applaud you for stopping my attacks last turn." Playmaker looked up from his drawn card at Revolver as he spoke behind his five Link-4 monsters. "But this duel's outcome is set. Since I created the Extra Link, you can't win. Give up, Playmaker. You, Morningstar, and that Ignis will perish with me and Terminus!"
Playmaker looked at Revolver before looking at his Duel Disk. "Ai," he said. "Can you make a call?"
"Eh?" Ai asked. "A call? To who?"
"Huh?" Sachi said as Morningstar looked at his card. "Uh, Yasu? Someone is calling you."
Morningstar looked at his Duel Disk and saw that someone was. "Indeed."
"Eh… do I have to do something? What button do I push?"
"You don't have to do anything, Sachi," he assured her. "I can answer it myself." He pressed a button on his Duel Disk, connecting the call. "Cam? Is that you?"
"Not exactly."
Morningstar raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Playmaker? Aren't you dueling right now?"
"Yeah. I'm in a tight bind."
"That's putting it lightly!" Ai cried over the line. "Revolver has five Link-4 monsters and created an Extra Link! And we only have 25 Life Points!"
"An Extra Link?" Morningstar repeated. "Huh. Terminus did that, too. But it was with three Link-3 monsters and I managed to break it."
"Ah, you lucky bastard," Ai muttered. "Why does he have to get the easy opponent?"
"Morningstar," Playmaker interrupted. "Can I ask you something?"
Morningstar raised an eyebrow again. "Sure, but this isn't exactly the best time."
"I know. But I feel I need to say it." Playmaker took a deep breath. "Do you think we could be friends?"
Morningstar didn't respond, his brain processing Playmaker's question. "Come again?" he asked.
Playmaker gave a light chuckle. "I understand that response. The thing is… my heart has always been alone. Ever since the incident, I've never had a friend. But it isn't by choice. I feel like I can't escape what happened, like I can't connect with anyone, or choose a new path."
Morningstar remained silent as Playmaker continued. "It's like a deep abyss that can't be crossed. A giant darkness that leaves me stranded. That's how badly my heart was torn apart. But… you live in the same world as me, don't you? You experienced the same hell as me. I feel like because of that, I can tell you my weaknesses and suffering. Just like Revolver, who reached out to me by crossing that abyss, you were trapped in that same darkness. That's why, I can tell you and Revolver how I really feel. I can connect with both of you like I can't with other people."
"EH!?" Ai said, shocked at Playmaker's words. "Are you serious, Playmaker? You want Morningstar to be your friend? And Revolver, too!? If they become your friends, does that mean they'll become my friends?"
"That's right!" Playmaker assured the AI, making him scream.
"Ha ha ha…" Morningstar started chuckling. Playmaker and Ai fell quiet on hearing the hunter laugh louder and louder. "You… you have to be kidding me," the hunter said, trying to get control of himself. "You… you could become friends with Zaizen, Onizuka, or even that idiot Shima, and your first choice for friends are your greatest enemy and the bounty hunter sent after you? You… you really are crazy, Playmaker."
"Well… when you put it like that." Playmaker found himself laughing along with Morningstar, confusing both of their opponents.
"B-But," Morningstar said, finally getting a hold of himself. "I think… I think I would like to be your friend."
"…Really?"
"Yeah. There are worse things that can happen. And I can think of worse people to be friends with. Like that senior who I can't seem to remember."
"Achoo!" Takeshi sneezed, startling Katsumi. "What the…? I could swear someone's talking about me."
"…Thank you, Morningstar," Playmaker said gratefully. Then after a pause, he said, "Hey, when this is over, do you want to duel again?"
Morningstar blinked. "Are you sure? If you lose, you'll have to say goodbye to Ai."
"I'm okay with that."
"I'm not!" Ai protested.
Morningstar smiled to himself. "That sounds like it would be fun. You're the only person to defeat me in a duel. I can't exactly let that stand."
Playmaker laughed softly. "Then I'll look forward to dueling you again. Of course, I have to get out of this situation first. Think you can handle yours?"
Looking at the card in his hand, Morningstar's smile grew. "Yes. I think I can manage."
"Then good luck, Morningstar." Playmaker ended the call after that.
"That was Playmaker, right?" Sachi asked. "He sounds a lot friendlier than I was thinking he would."
"I guess he's finally starting to move forward on his own," Morningstar said to her.
"Are you done?" Terminus asked Morningstar. The hunter noted Terminus's voice was rather subdued and that violent hatred that had appeared earlier had faded. "In case you haven't noticed, this duel is still going on."
"Yes. I have noticed," Morningstar responded, his face grim. "And like I said, this will be the last turn!" He played the card he just drew. "I activate the Spell Card: Cyspirit Infinity Link!" The card showed a monster floating in the air, outlined in light, with four wings on its back. Kneeling before it were Bombastic Bombardier, Cacophonic Caller, Egregious Electrician, Hallowed Healer, Idealistic Idol, Jubilant Jester, Legendary Legionnaire, Odd Outlaw, Pied Pikeman, Quixotic Queen, Rapid Revolutionary, Thrilled Tunneler, Winning Wrestler, and Zany Zealot.
"I can only activate this card if I control no other cards and have less than 1000 Life Points," Morningstar continued. "And now, by halving my Life Points, I can Special Summon as many 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters from my Graveyard as possible with their effects negated!"
"What?" Terminus said, his eyes widening in shock. Morningstar's Spell Card glowed as pillars of light erupted from all of Morningstar's Main Monster Zones.
"Come, resurrect to the battlefield, my monsters! Angelic Avenger! Cacophonic Caller! Idealistic Idol! Neo Nova! And Winning Wrestler!" When the light faded, all five of the hunter's Main Monster Zones were occupied.
Morningstar: 7→4 LP
Cyspirit Angelic Avenger ATK 2700 LINK-3 ←↑→
Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller ATK 500 LINK-1 ↓
Cyspirit Idealistic Idol ATK 1500 LINK-2 ←↑
Cyspirit Neo Nova ATK 2500 LINK-4 ←↖↗→
Cyspirit Winning Wrestler ATK 2500 LINK-3 ↙↓↘
Terminus's eyes widened. "Five 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters?" he said in amazement.
"Infinity Link's effect prevents the Special Summoned monsters from attacking," Morningstar continued. "And during the End Phase, they will be destroyed, at which point I'll take 1000 points of damage for each destroyed monster."
Terminus's eyes widened. He's risking 5000 points of damage just to win!? A pity it won't work!
"Infinimafus's monster effect!" Terminus declared. "When a monster is summoned to its Link Marker, I can destroy one card on the field! Say goodbye to Neo Nova!" Infinimafus flung its morning star at the dragon, but Morningstar only gestured to his field.
"Due to Infinity Link's effect, monsters Special Summoned by its effect cannot be destroyed by card effects!" Infinimafus's weapon bounced off a barrier that appeared in front of Neo Nova and sent it flying back to its master.
Terminus grit his teeth. "Even so, what are you planning? If they cannot attack, then-." Terminus gasped as he remembered his Speed Duel with Morningstar. "Wait, you can't be…"
"It seems you realized it, Terminus," Morningstar said, closing his eyes. He then opened them wide as he gestured to the sky. "You should know that Lilith was the one to give me both this card and Angelic Avenger. Thanks to her, I will defeat you! Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!"
As his hand glowed with blinding blue light, the Link portal above beneath them. As in right beneath them. Terminus gasped on realizing the Link portal covered almost the entire field, with it centered on the empty Extra Monster Zone to his left.
"Arrowheads confirmed!" Morningstar continued. "The summoning conditions are three or more 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters! I set Angelic Avenger, Cacophonic Caller, Idealistic Idol, Neo Nova, and Winning Wrestler in the Link Markers!" All five monsters became whirlwinds of energy that traveled upwards into the sky before diving towards the ground. The whirlwinds struck the top-left, top-right, bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows, turning them red. At the contact, the entire circuit lit up and created a pillar of energy that engulfed the top of the Tower.
On the level below them, Playmaker and Revolver both looked up and gasped as a light seeped over from the edges of the platform above them.
"What is that?" Revolver wondered. "What's happening up there?"
"Eh? Playmaker?" Ai said, startled. "Are you feeling that?"
"…Yes, I am," Playmaker said, his eyes wide. His Link Sense was going off like crazy, like it had earlier with Angelic Avenger. But he wasn't rage, or sadness, or a desire to protect. No, what he felt was…
"Hope," Playmaker whispered. "Whatever monster Morningstar is summoning… it is radiating hope and light."
The light from the circuit finally dimmed enough for Terminus to look around the field. The pillar had contracted to the Extra Monster Zone, while orbs of light remained floating in the air around them. On the other side of the field, Morningstar stood, seemingly unaffected by the light show in front of him.
"Circuit combine!" he chanted. "The supreme authority that reigns over the closed world! Link Summon! Appear! Link 5! Cyspirit Superior Seraphim!"
Four beautiful wings erupted from the pillar. Like the other Cyspirit Link Monsters, they were made of metal, but were gold instead of silver. On the right side of the pillar, a large gold skeletal hand shot out, carrying a large golden staff. The light then dissipated, revealing the rest of the monster.
Superior Seraphim was huge; at least twice the size of Infinimafus. Its body was skeletal in nature, but it was only possible to tell because of its hands and head. The rest of its body was covered in long golden robes with several silver lines running up and down the sides and edges. It wore an elaborate golden headdress over its skull, which was made of a darker shade of gold. Unlike other Cyspirit Link Monsters, both of its eyes were blue, though a red light seemed to shine within them briefly. Superior Seraphim spread its wings, which shone with radiant light, as it settled in the Extra Monster Zone.
Cyspirit Superior Seraphim ATK 3300 LINK-5 ↖↙↓↘↗
Terminus stared at the majestic monster. "What… what is this? This feeling… I've never felt anything like this before…" Unlike Morningstar and Playmaker, Terminus did not have a Link Sense. But even he could feel the power and authority that Superior Seraphim radiated.
"…Holy shit," Cam breathed, staring at the monitors, his and Kusanagi's mouths both wide open in shock. "I… I didn't know Yasu had a monster like this."
"…I didn't even know such a monster existed," Kusanagi muttered. Even without being in its presence, Superior Seraphim was making Kusanagi feel many things. Awe at its majesty, shock at its beauty, intimidated by its power.
Similar thoughts went through Terminus's mind as he took a few steps back from the Link-5 monster. Morningstar was likewise awed by his own monster, but he was standing still, processing what he had done. The two were so caught up in Superior Seraphim's presence that neither noticed the screen on Morningstar's Duel Disk had started to glow silver.
"…Amazing," Terminus finally said, bringing himself and Morningstar out of their stupors. "Simply amazing, Morningstar. I have never seen, nor have I even heard of a Link-5 monster being summoned. If nothing else, you have made dueling history. But…"
The Knight's eyes narrowed. "Your monster only has 3300 attack points. Infinimafus has 3500 attack points. And I know the pattern of the 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters. Without any monsters to point to, all it has are its attack points. And that is not enough."
"…Yes. You're right," Morningstar said, his head lowered. "Its attack points aren't enough. But…" He raised his head and showed a smirk. "Who said this monster followed the pattern of the 'Cyspirits'?"
Terminus gasped as Morningstar gestured to his field. "Superior Seraphim is unlike any other 'Cyspirit' Link Monster! Instead of gaining power from the number of monsters it points to, it gains power from the number of monsters used to summon it!"
"What?"
"Superior Seraphim has a number of effects," Morningstar explained. "But there are only three of them that matter right now. Superior Seraphim's first effect!" He held up one finger. "When it is Link Summoned using five monsters, I can Special Summon up to three 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters from my Graveyard to its Link Markers with their effects negated! Cyberse Resurrection!"
At his words, Superior Seraphim tapped its staff on the ground, making a sound like a gong. Three circles appeared in the Main Monster Zones behind it, out of which three monsters appeared.
"Return to me, Idealistic Idol, Neo Nova, and Winning Wrestler!" The skeleton in an indigo dress appeared at Superior Seraphim's bottom-left Link Marker and seemed to sparkle. The skeleton in a black wrestler's uniform appeared at Superior Seraphim's bottom-right Link Marker and roared. At Superior Seraphim's bottom Link Marker, a black dragon with dark silver armor appeared and roared.
Cyspirit Idealistic Idol ATK 1500 LINK-2 ←↑
Cyspirit Neo Nova ATK 2500 LINK-4 ←↖↗→
Cyspirit Winning Wrestler ATK 2500 LINK-3 ↙↓↘
"While my monsters may have returned, Superior Seraphim's effect also prevents monsters it points to from attacking," Morningstar continued. He then held up a second finger. "Superior Seraphim's second effect! If it is Link Summoned using four or more monsters, the effects of all face-up cards except itself are negated, and the attack points of all monsters besides itself become equal to their original attack points!"
Terminus's eyes widened as Morningstar said, "Go! Spiritual Supremacy!" Superior Seraphim tapped its staff on the ground again, but this time was different. Its blue eyes changed to red and a pulse of golden energy swept over Terminus's field. The Knight gasped as his three monsters all whimpered, and they, along with his Field Spell Card, turned gray.
Subterror Behemoth Gravigorgon ATK 3700→3200 DEF 1500→1000
Subterror Behemoth Infinimafus ATK 3500→3000
Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist ATK 3500→3000 DEF 1900→1400
Morningstar held up a third finger. "Superior Seraphim's third effect! For each monster it points to, it gains 500 attack points. It points to three monsters, so it gains 1500 attack points! Sacred Integration!" Superior Seraphim glowed gold as its eyes became blue once more.
Cyspirit Superior Seraphim ATK 3300→4800
"That is only the first half of this effect," Morningstar continued. "Superior Seraphim can also attack a number of times per turn equal to the number of monsters it points to." He narrowed his eyes. "But that doesn't matter here, does it?"
Terminus looked over the field. His Life Points were 1100, his strongest monsters had 3000 and 3200 attack points, and Morningstar had a monster with 4800 attack points. It didn't take a genius to realize the outcome.
Terminus closed his eyes as Morningstar gestured to his field one last time. "Battle! Superior Seraphim, attack Infinimafus! Sacrament of the Closed World!"
Superior Seraphim blinked, making its right eye change from blue to red. It tapped the ground with its staff for a third time, creating a ring of energy that drained the color from the world. Another pulse appeared, this one restoring the color. The staff glowed once again, charging energy at the top until it formed a golden sphere. Superior Seraphim brought its staff down one last time, blasting Infinimafus with golden light. Infinimafus cried out as the light disintegrated it.
As he faced the oncoming attack, Terminus thought he saw something. In front of him was a man in a lab coat, with black and silver hair. The man turned his head and smiled at Terminus. A single tear fell from Terminus's eye as the light struck him.
Terminus: 1100→0 LP
Cam breathed a sigh of relief and fell back in his chair alongside Kusanagi. "It's over," he muttered. "It's finally over." They didn't stay that way for long, however, as they got up and left the van, running for Ryoken's house.
The light from the attack finally faded, revealing Terminus still standing, his eyes closed, even though his Life Points had hit 0.
"…I lose, Morningstar," he said, opening his eyes and looking at the hunter. "And by the looks of it, Revolver lost too. That means the Tower of Hanoi stops." His body turned green and he started to disintegrate, logging out. But before that happened, he smiled at the hunter. "You were right, in the end."
When Terminus disappeared, the rings of the Tower stopped moving. The core at the center of the sixth ring broke apart, releasing golden lights. Morningstar looked over the city and smiled.
"It looks like everyone's been freed," he said.
"Mmm." Tagoma looked up from his laptop as Masako stirred.
"Tagoma?" she said, her eyes blurry. The bald man breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's over, little girl," he said, smiling at her. "It's finally over."
As the Tower started to disintegrate, Sachi said, "You did it, Yasu! You won!"
"Yeah, I did," he said, smiling. "Hey, you'll be waiting for me and Cam to get back, right?"
"Of course," she said. He could hear the tears in her eyes. "After ten years… I can finally repay him for all the pain I've caused him."
"That wasn't your fault," Morningstar assured her. "But I know he'll be happy to see you." He logged out after saying that.
"Yasu!" "Yusaku!"
Cam and Kusanagi ran into the room overlooking the ocean. They stopped on seeing its occupants. Yasutake and Yusaku were at the window, watching a boat cut through the water.
"So Revolver left," Kusanagi said, the two walking up behind the hunter and hacker.
"But he'll return someday," Yusaku said. "To fulfill his purpose."
"Terminus, too?" Cam asked.
"No."
The four turned to look as Kenshin Hirai limped into the room, his expression pained. Cam and Kusanagi stood protectively in front of Yasutake and Yusaku, but the former placed his hand on Cam's shoulder and shook his head.
Kenshin looked at Yasutake and then closed his eyes. "You were right," he said. "I didn't join Hanoi because I believed the Ignis needed to die. I joined because I wanted to be punished for what we did. Because I wanted to see my family again. But…"
The man opened his eyes. "My family is still here, My son, his aunt, and… my niece." He frowned as he thought about what he had done. "Masako Himura. Lilith. I made her an Another, for however brief a time. What I have done to her, to you, to Sachi Junpei, to all the children, it is unforgivable."
He turned from Yasutake to Cam and Kusanagi. "If you wish to punish me for my crime, go ahead," he said. "I'll confess my crimes to the authorities and tell them what Dr. Kogami did."
Cam and Kusanagi both gasped, but Yasutake spoke first. "No," he said, surprising the Knight of Hanoi. "I told you, didn't I? That I would bring you back to your son. He can't be with you if you are in prison." The hunter turned to Kusanagi. "Kusanagi, I know you were searching for the truth, but could you please leave Mr. Hirai's name out of it?"
Kusanagi stared at Yaustake before turning to Yusaku. When his partner nodded, Kusanagi smiled and turned back to Yasutake. "Alright. We won't reveal Kenshin Hirai's involvement in the incident. But…"
Kusanagi turned to look at Kenshin. "There is one thing I want from you." Kenshin opened his mouth to ask what that was, but before he could speak, Kusanagi buried his fist in Kenshin's face.
Kenshin staggered back, holding his nose. The other three people in the room said nothing; Yusaku and Yasutake just watched with disinterest while Cam stared at Kusanagi with surprise.
Kenshin sighed and brought his hand down, revealing a bloody and broken nose. "I suppose that's the least I deserve," he said, his voice sounding nasally.
As the four intruders turned to leave, Kenshin said, "Morningstar." The hunter turned to look at the Knight. "Thank you." Yasutake just nodded and followed after his friends.
Cam sighed after they stepped outside. "This day was exhausting," he complained as he stretched. "I'm so looking forward to getting home and going to sleep."
"…Not yet," Yasutake said, surprising Cam. "There's something we need to do first, Cam."
"Huh? What's that?"
"You'll see when we get back to Café Junpei." The hunter walked towards his and Cam's bike but stopped at hearing his name called.
"Narahiko." Yasutake turned and looked at Fujiki as he walked up to him. "Thank you," he said. "For fighting alongside me."
Yasutake gave a small smirk. "I didn't do it for your thanks," he said. "I did it because it was necessary. And one of SOL's higher-ups offered me a fortune to shut the Tower down."
Yusaku chuckled. "Of course." He smiled before saying, "Three days from now?"
Yasutake thought about it and nodded. "Sounds perfect. SOL will probably be shutting LINK VRAINS down soon. But it should remain open for at least a week before they do so."
Yusaku smirked and extended his fist. Yasutake extended his own and bumped fists with the hacker before he and Cam left.
"What's three days from now?" Kusanagi asked his partner.
"Our rematch," Yusaku answered, surprising Kusanagi. "Before the final turn, I asked him if he wanted to duel again."
I wonder… Yusaku thought. When we duel, will it be like last time… or will I enjoy it as much as I enjoyed dueling Revolver?
Takeshi leaned back in his hospital chair and sighed. "It's over," he said. "They won."
Katsumi smiled and took his hand. "Yeah. Thanks to all of you, the world is safe. I'm proud of you, Takeshi."
Takeshi chuckled. "You shouldn't thank me. I didn't do anything but lose."
"That's not true. Even if you lost, you gave it everything you have. And I would like to think that you gave Morningstar the knowledge he would need to win."
Takeshi thought about her statement and smiled. "Maybe."
Their conversation was interrupted by the door opening. The two looked up as one of the doctors entered the room.
"Ah, good," the doctor said, looking relieved. "I was afraid I'd have to go hunting for you two."
Takeshi stood up and walked over, his face grim. "What is it, doc? Is there a problem?"
The doctor shook his head. "I thought you would like to know brother's operation has ended."
Takeshi felt his throat go dry. "…And?"
The doctor smiled at him. "There were a few complications, but the operation was a success. Your brother will live."
Takeshi felt all the strength leave his legs as he fell to the floor.
"Oh, thank God," he muttered, clutching his head, trying to keep his tears of relief from falling. "Thank God… thank God…"
"Your brother isn't completely out of the woods, but the worst is over," the doctor continued, smiling down at the blonde-haired senior. "We'll need to keep him here a few more weeks, both to observe him and for him to regain his health. But eventually, he'll be able to go home."
Katsumi smiled as she stood up. "Thank you," she said to the doctor. "This is the best news we could have hoped for."
Takeshi, she thought, looking down at her boyfriend on the floor. You've fought so hard to keep what was left of your family intact. This is fate rewarding you for that determination.
"Wow! So this is the Stardust Road! It's beautiful!"
Yusaku was sitting on a bench, Ai next to him in his Duel Disk. The two were watching over the ocean as it reflected the light from the stars.
Yusaku took out a card and inserted it into the Duel Disk.
Noticing this, Ai asked, "What's that?"
"The lock's removal program," Yusaku answered.
"What lock?"
"Yours." Yusaku turned back to the ocean. "You're free. Go wherever you like."
"Eh? You're freeing me? But what about your promise to Morningstar?"
"I promised to duel him. You don't need to be there for that." The hacker turned to look at the AI again. "More importantly, Hanoi has perished. Your role is over."
"Playmaker…" Ai muttered, his eyes glowing.
"Go. Before I change my mind," Yusaku said.
"Hmm. Nope! Not yet!" Yusaku gasped at Ai's words. "Don't get me wrong; I'm glad to be free. But I want to be there for your duel with Morningstar."
"Why? If he wins, he'll turn you over to SOL."
"Maybe," Ai said, crossing his arms. "But… before he left, I felt something. And if I'm not mistaken… then you're going to need me more than ever for that duel."
"What do you mean?"
"Okay, what are you hiding, Yasu?" Cam asked his friend. The two had finally returned to Café Junpei and were outside the front door. Cam took out the key and put it in the lock. "You said we still had work to do."
"Not work, exactly," Yasutake said, confusing Cam even more. "You'll see once we're inside."
Cam sighed as he unlocked the door, walked inside and reached for the light switch. "Honestly, I don't like this 'mysterious' side of you. What could be so important that you can't tell-."
Cam had hit the switch mid-sentence, and when he saw who was in the room, he stopped talking and stared. Yasutake looked around him and found himself smiling.
A girl was standing just outside the door to the back room. She wore a white nightgown, the same clothes she'd been wearing the entire day. She had long dark green hair the same color as Cam's that went down to her waist, with lighter green bangs spread to the sides of her radiant blue eyes. Yasutake noted that this was the first time he'd seen those eyes reflect any light.
"C-Cam?" Sachi asked, her voice timid. "B-Big Brother?"
"…S-Sachi?" Cam said, his voice shaking, his eyes watering. He stepped forward until he was in front of her, with Yasutake walking in after him, closing the door. "I-Is that really…?"
"I-I'm sorry!" Sachi said, bowing suddenly at a 45-degree angle. "I'm sorry for worrying you so much. For not waking up sooner. For not-."
That was as far as she got before Cam reached out and hugged her. Sachi gasped as tears finally fell from Cam's eyes.
"You're awake," he said, burying his face in her shoulder. "You're awake. After all these years… it's finally over. All the suffering, all the worrying… it's over. It's over."
At his words, Sachi started crying as well as she wrapped her hands around Cam and buried her own face in her brother's shoulder. Yasutake stood back, watching the two siblings speak for the first time in ten years with a smile on his face.
"It's heartwarming to watch, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is." After saying that, Yasutake blinked, wondering who'd spoken. He looked behind him, but the door was closed, and no one was outside.
"Down here, genius."
Yasutake looked down at his Duel Disk. And blinked.
A black figure had emerged from the top, which glowed silver. Silver lines covered its body and converged on its chest, creating a circle with a line down the middle. It had orange eyes, which were slightly narrowed, giving it a slightly arrogant appearance. It had three spikes on its head, with one on each side and one on top, all pointing backwards and up.
Yasutake stared at the figure, which seemed to close its eyes and bow. "A pleasure to see you again, Yasutake Narahiko. You can call me-."
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Morningstar vs. Terminus
Morningstar has 25 LP, no cards in his hand, and the Field Spell Card Cyspirit Sanctuary in his Field Zone. Terminus has 1850 LP, 0 cards in his hand, Subterror Behemoth Guru (5000/3/↙↓↘) and Subterror Behemoth Stalagmatrix (3200/3/↙↑↘) in the Extra Monster Zones, Subterror Behemoth Speleowraith (3100/3/↖↓↗) at Guru's bottom-left and Stalagmatrix's bottom-right Link Markers, the Field Spell Card The Hidden Metropolis in his Field Zone, and 1 Set card in his Spell & Trap Zone.
Turn 7: Terminus
Due to the effect of Cyspirit Battle Barrier, Morningstar draw cards equal to the number of monsters Terminus controls. Terminus controls 3 monsters, so Morningstar draws 3 cards. Since Morningstar added cards to his hand outside of the Draw Phase, Terminus activates his Continuous Trap Card Lockdown Draw. Morningstar must shuffle all cards he added to his hand back into his Deck, and while Lockdown Draw is active, neither player can add cards to their hand outside of their Draw Phase. He then activates the effect of Subterror Cave Drawings in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide in face-down Defense Position to Behemoth Guru's bottom-right Link Marker. Terminus ends his turn.
Turn 8: Morningstar
Morningstar draws. He activates the effect of Cyspirit Break in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster from his GY. He Special Summons Idealistic Idol (1500→1800/2/←↑). Morningstar then activates the effect of Cyspirit Wanderer in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster from his GY. He Special Summons Cacophonic Caller (500→800/1/↓). Morningstar uses Cacophonic Caller and the Link-2 Idealistic Idol to Link Summon Cyspirit Angelic Avenger (2700→3000/3/←↑→) to Stalagmatrix's top Link Marker. Morningstar activates the effect of Cyspirit Coder in his GY, banishing it and targeting Angelic Avenger. Angelic Avenger is treated as pointing to a number of monsters equal to its Link Rating until the end of the turn. Since it is treated as pointing to 3 monsters, Morningstar activates Angelic Avenger's effect, returning all monsters it points at to the owner's hands, negating the effects of all Link Monsters except itself, and making their ATK equal to their original ATK. Stalagmatrix returns to Terminus's Extra Deck (Behemoth Guru: 5000→2500) (Speleowraith (3100→2600). Morningstar activates the effect of the Cyspirit Multiplier in his GY, banishing Cyspirit Linker to equip Multiplier to Angelic Avenger. Angelic Avenger can now make 2 attacks against Terminus's monsters during the Battle Phase.
Angelic Avenger attacks Behemoth Guru. Morningstar activates the effect of Cyspirit Barricade in the GY, banishing it to increase Angelic Avenger's ATK by 1000 until the end of the turn (Angelic Avenger: 3000→4000). Behemoth Guru is destroyed, but due to The Hidden Metropolis's effect, all battle damage Terminus takes from battles involving "Subterror Behemoth" monsters is halved (Terminus: 1850→1100 LP). As a "Subterror" Link Monster he controls was destroyed by battle, Terminus activates the effect of Subterror Wall Climbing in his GY, banishing it to end the Battle Phase. Morningstar Sets 1 card. He ends his turn, and the effect of Cyspirit Barricade ends (Angelic Avenger: 4000→3000).
Turn 9: Terminus
Terminus draws. During his Standby Phase, he activates the effect of Lockdown Draw, destroying it. Terminus Flip Summons Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide (1900→2400/2700→3200/10). As it was Flip Summoned, Terminus activates the effect of Stalaktide, targeting Morningstar's Set card and destroying it. Since a "Subterror Behemoth" monster was flipped face-up, Terminus activates the effect of the Subterror Nemesis Warrior in his GY, Special Summoning it in Attack Position (1800/1200/4). Terminus activates Nemesis Warrior's effect, sending Subterror Behemoth Ultramafus from his Deck to the GY. He then Tributes Nemesis Warrior and Stalaktide, and as their Levels exceed Ultramafus's Level, Ultramafus is Special Summoned in face-up Defense Position (3000→3500/1800→2300/12). Terminus uses Ultramafus and the Link-3 Speleowraith to Link Summon Subterror Behemoth Infinimafus (3000→3500/4/↖↙↘↗) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Infinimafus was Link Summoned using Ultramafus as Link Material, Terminus activates its effect to Special Summon 1 "Subterror" Link Monster to a zone it points to with its effects negated. Terminus Special Summons Behemoth Fiendess (2000→2500/2/↙↘) to Infinimafus's bottom-left Link Marker. As a monster was Special Summoned to its Link Marker, Terminus activates Infinimafus's effect to destroy 1 card on the field. Terminus would target Angelic Avenger, but Morningstar activates the effect of the Trap Card Cyspirit Shift in his GY, banishing it to change the target to another appropriate card. Terminus targets Sanctuary, destroying it (Angelic Avenger: 3000→2700).
Infinimafus attacks Angelic Avenger. Morningstar activates the effect of Cyspirit Damage Break in his GY, banishing it to reduce the battle damage to 0 and end the Battle Phase at the cost of halving his LP (Morningstar: 25→13 LP). Angelic Avenger is destroyed. Terminus activates the Spell Card Monster Reborn, Special Summoning Subterror Behemoth Gravigorgon (3200→3700/1000→1500/12) in Attack Position to Infinimafus's bottom-right Link Marker. Terminus activates Gravigorgon's effect, changing it to face-down Defense Position. Terminus then activates the effect of The Hidden Metropolis to change Gravigorgon to face-up Attack Position (3200→3700/1000→1500/12). As Gravigorgon was Flip Summoned, Terminus activates its effect to Special Summon 1 "Subterror" monster from his GY in face-up Defense Position. He Special Summons Speleogeist (3000→3500/1400→1900/11). As a "Subterror" monster it points to was flipped face-up, Terminus activates the effect of Infinimafus, halving Morningstar's LP (Morningstar: 13→7 LP). Terminus ends his turn. During the End Phase, the effect of Infinimafus destroys Behemoth Fiendess.
Turn 10: Morningstar
Morningstar draws. As he controls no cards on the field and has less than 1000 LP, he activates the Spell Card Cyspirit Infinity Link. By halving his LP (Morningstar: 7→4 LP), he can Special Summon as many "Cyspirit" Link Monsters as possible from his GY with their effects negated. He Special Summons Angelic Avenger (2700/3/←↑→), Cacophonic Caller (500/1/↓), Idealistic Idol (1500/2/←↑), Neo Nova (2500/4/↖←↗→), and Winning Wrestler (2500/3/↙↓↘). The monsters Special Summoned by Infinity Link cannot attack, and they are destroyed during the End Phase, at which point Morningstar will take 1000 damage for each destroyed monster. As a monster was Special Summoned to a zone Infinimafus points to, Terminus activates its effect to destroy Neo Nova, but the effect of Infinity Link prevents the monsters Special Summoned by it from being destroyed by card effects. Morningstar uses Angelic Avenger, Cacophonic Caller, Idealistic Idol, Neo Nova, and Winning Wrestler to Link Summon Cyspirit Superior Seraphim (3300/5/↖↙↓↘↗) to the Extra Monster Zone. Because Superior Seraphim was Link Summoned using 5 monsters, its effect activates, letting Morningstar Special Summon up to 3 "Cyspirit" Link Monsters from his GY to zones it points to with their effects negated. He Special Summons Idealistic Idol (1500/2/←↑) to its bottom-left Link Marker, Neo Nova (2500/4/↖←→↗) to its bottom Link Marker, and Winning Wrestler (2500/3/↙↓↘) to its bottom-right Link Marker. Since Superior Seraphim was Link Summoned using 4 or more monsters, its effect activates, negating the effects of all face-up card on the field except itself, and changing the ATK of all other face-up monsters to their original ATK (Gravigorgon: 3700→3200/1500→1000) (Infinimafus: 3500→3000) (Speleogeist (3500→3000/1900→1400). Superior Seraphim gains 500 ATK for each monster it points to and during the Battle Phase, can attack a number of times equal to the number of monsters it points to (Superior Seraphim: 3300→4800).
Superior Seraphim attacks and destroys Infinimafus (Terminus: 1100→0 LP). Morningstar wins.
Subterror Behemoth Infinimafus
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Pyro/Link/Effect] ATK 3000 LINK-4 ↖↙↘↗
2+ "Subterror Behemoth" monsters
If this card is Link Summoned using "Subterror Behemoth Ultramafus" as Link Material: You can target 1 "Subterror" Link Monster in your GY; Special Summon it to a zone this card points to with its effects negated. The monster Special Summoned by this effect cannot attack this turn and is destroyed during the End Phase. Once per turn, if a monster(s) is Normal or Special Summoned to a zone this card points to: You can destroy 1 card on the field. "Subterror" monsters and Set monsters this card points to cannot be destroyed by card effects. Once per turn: If a "Subterror" monster(s) this card points to is flipped face-up: Halve your opponent's LP.
Cyspirit Superior Seraphim
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 3300 LINK-5 ↖↙↓↘↗
3+ "Cyspirit" Link Monsters
This card can only be Special Summoned by Link Summon, and only to the Extra Monster Zone. This card gains 500 ATK for each monster it points to. This card's number of attacks each turn is equal to the number of monsters it points to at the start of the Battle Phase. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to the activation of this card's effects.
This Link Summoned card gains these effects depending on the number of monsters used to Link Summon it.
3 or more: If this card declares an attack while it points to a "Cyspirit" Link Monster: Your opponent's cards and effects cannot be activated until the end of the Damage Step. This card cannot be destroyed or removed from the field by your opponent's card effects.
4 or more: When this card is Link Summoned: Negate the effects of all face-up cards on the field, except this card, and change the ATK of all face-up monsters, except this card, to their original ATK.
5: When this card is Link Summoned: Target up to 3 "Cyspirit" Link Monsters in your GY; Special Summon them to zones this card points to with their effects negated. Monsters this card points to cannot declare an attack.
Lockdown Draw Continuous Trap Card
If your opponent adds cards to their hand outside of their Draw Phase: Shuffle those cards back into their Deck. Neither player can add cards to their hand outside of their Draw Phase. During your Standby Phase: You can destroy this card.
Cyspirit Shift Normal Trap Card
When your opponent targets a "Cyspirit" monster you control (and no other cards) with a Spell, Trap, or Effect Monster's effect. Target another card you control that would be an appropriate target; that effect/Spell/Trap now targets the new target. Once per Duel, if this card is in your GY, you can activate the above effect by banishing this card from the GY.
Cyspirit Infinity Link Normal Spell Card
If you control no cards and have less than 1000 LP: Special Summon as many "Cyspirit" Link Monsters from your GY as possible with their effects negated. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this card's activation. The monsters Special Summoned by this effect cannot be destroyed by card effects and cannot declare an attack. During the End Phase: destroy every monster Special Summoned by this effect and take 1000 damage for each monster destroyed by this effect.
Chapter Preview
Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 28 – Aftermath. The Tower of Hanoi has fallen, and Yasutake, Cam, Kenshin, and Masako all must deal with the aftereffects and choices they have to make. After three days, Morningstar confronts Playmaker for one final duel…
Responses to Reviews & Author's Notes
Thank you to ZarcEternal, Nirvash Neo, HunterHQ, sanedimentio, D3lph0xL0v3r, ThePLOThand, Ethan Kironus, Lindia Fullmoon, and Lyrissa Artemick for reviewing Chapter 26 of Hidden Memories. Credit to ThePLOThand for the creation of Subterror Behemoth Infinimafus. I changed a lot of things about the card, but I hope you like the role it played here.
Nirvash Neo: We might see Sachi duel in season 2, but not as a bounty hunter in training. Considering what happened to her in the Hanoi Project and how he reacted to Emma finding out, I don't think Cam wants Sachi anywhere near LINK VRAINS.
Lindia Fullmoon: The word "Terminus" is defined as a final point in space or time, or an end or extremity. I didn't fully know that when I chose the name, I just chose it because I thought it sounded cool. Also, those binary numbers translate to "Almost." Considering the ending of this chapter, maybe people will figure out what that means. Even if they don't, I'll explain next chapter.
I finished this chapter early, so I decided to post it early. This chapter was the culmination of the final duel between Morningstar and Terminus. There is so much I want to talk about. As some of you guessed, Sachi was the one who woke Morningstar up. It might seem a bit contrived, but I want Sachi to play a larger role in season 2 and this seemed like the best way to bring her into the fold. This led to Morningstar breaking the Extra Link, then to Terminus's Link-4, and the reveal of the Link-5 Cyspirit: Superior Seraphim.
Make no mistake: Superior Seraphim is Morningstar's most powerful monster, and it will remain that way for quite some time. And considering how powerful it is, it is undoubtedly one of the most powerful Cyberse monsters out there, as well as one of the most powerful original monsters that will appear in Hidden Memories.
We also have development for Terminus, who finally experienced some closure for what happened to his brother and his wife. I will say that Kenshin Hirai will not be rejoining the Knights of Hanoi in season 2, but neither will he be opposing them. I do have a few ideas for directions for him to take in season 2 and beyond, but I'll wait until the season is over before I nail those ideas down.
Then there's the part between Morningstar and Playmaker, where Morningstar agrees to be Playmaker's friend and duel him again. I feel this is a great step for both of them, as they are rather alike. It also helps put their duel in the next two chapters in a different light, doesn't it?
We also had Masako wake up and Takeshi's brother make it through the operation. I did consider having Eiji die, but I don't think anyone wants that, do they? And then there was the reunion between Cam and Sachi, which was a delight to write. And the ending… I bet you readers weren't expecting that.
Thank you for reading Chapter 27 of Hidden Memories. Please tell me your favorite moment of the chapter. What did you think of Superior Seraphim? Do you think I handled Sachi's part well, or does it feel forced? What are you hoping to see in Morningstar's duel with Playmaker?