Aeonar:
The Spellcaster victory at Redcliffe was a major defeat for the Warrior Faction. Their strength had been weakened after their failed defeat at Andoral's Reach but now the Spellcasters had united many of the Bufferlands against them and now the Spellcasters were on the offensive. Now that Redcliffe had been taken, the Spellcasters had a path into Warrior territory.
At Redcliffe, Grand Enchanter Fiona watched as the Warrior leader, Ser Karras was loaded into a prison cart. "Chains will not hold me!" he snarled "You spellcasters will fall before the might of the Warriors!"
"You have failed you scumbag!" Anders hissed and he shoved Karras roughly into the prison cart "You are responsible for many crimes committed against the people and you will pay. You shall spend the rest of your life in prison where you belong! Take him back to Cumberland!" The cart pulled away with Karras and several highly trained Spellcaster guards to keep him from escaping. They were taking no chances as Karras was the Third in Commander so his defeat was a major victory for the Spellcasters.
Fiona went back into Redcliffe castle where Solona was waiting along with a few others and soon Anders joined them "So what is the next step?" Anders asked
"The only way this war is going to end is for one faction to be defeated." Fiona stated "The Warriors or the Spellcasters. It will not be us, for this war to end; we must defeat the Warrior faction."
Solona decided to cut in as she remembered something that Evangeline had told her, "Grand Enchanter, we may not have to completely defeat the Warrior Faction, we just have to defeat Meredith."
"Explain?" Fiona questioned.
"Well when I was with Evangeline, she told me about a force of Warrior Faction members who turned against Meredith." Solona stated "They didn't agree with this war and claimed Meredith desecrated the grave of the Warrior Faction's founder."
"She did." Fiona stated "I know for a fact that Meredith desecrated the grave of Ser Brandis, founder of the Warrior Faction and stole his deck."
Solona pulled out the card that Evangeline and Teagan had given her which was a Synchro monster known as Trishula Dragon of the Ice Barrier. "I was given this card which Meredith was wanting."
"The Ice Barrier Dragons were legendary." Anders stated "Stories say Ser Brandis rode them against hordes of fiends and Zombies during the Wars. No wonder Meredith wants them, she sees herself as a saviour of the world. But she is not, not after what she has done."
"We could make allies of these Rebel Warriors." Fiona stated "Although many might not be happy, we'll just have to see what happens. But first of, we have to get into Warrior Territory and the first fortress we'll have to take is going to be heavily guarded as it is also their prison."
"That's where the Warriors have taken our friends." Solona stated
"It is." Fiona replied "This prison is heavily guarded, it was once a prison for the Dragon Faction, isolated in the mountains made it hard to find, taking the prison by force won't be easy, there is only one way to the fortress and I have no doubt it will be guarded heavily. But that's what the Warriors believe, some of my scout's uncovered ancient drawings of the prison which there are a series of underground caverns under the fortress."
"So I guess we'll be using these then to attack the fortress?" Crowler asked
"We would but there is a problem." Fiona replied "These tunnels are like a maze, we don't know where they all go. We need to try and find some more information as to where they go."
Solona sighed "I just hope my brother as well as Aedan and Kallian are alright." She stated worrying about how her brother was doing.
...
Aeonar Prison was located in the mountain range at the edge of the Warrior Territory. This prison had become a major fortress for the Warrior Faction before the war and had been used as the starting point for the Warrior's invasion of the Bufferlands, with its isolated position, it made the idea place for a headquarters and was not too far from the front. It had also been the place where prisoners were first transported since Aeonar had once been a prison. The cells underground were not just used for prisoners but legends say that during the Ancient Wars, a faction of Demon and Fiend duellists took the prison and performed horrific experiments on people. The screams could still be heard to this day and so the prison itself had not been used by the Warrior Faction until the war started as the cells could help break prisoners.
Commander Meredith was in her office along with her second in Command, Otto Alrik "Commander," Otto stated "Despite our best efforts, my scouts have been unable to located Thrask and his band of traitors."
"These traitors must be found!" Meredith snarled "I've received word that the enemy has retaken Redcliffe and Karras has been captured."
"Karras was loyal to us through and through." Otto stated "His loss is a big blow to us as is the fall of Redcliffe."
"And it seems the Spellcasters have used their foul magic to convince the many Bufferlands Factions to join them. Now they will move on us here." Meredith added
"What will we do now Commander?" Otto questioned "You know I will fight until the end for the Warriors."
"And that is what you shall do." Meredith stated "I'm leaving for Kirkwall, with the threat of invasion; I'll need to be back in the capital in order to build our forces to prepare for our new invasion. Aeonar is strong and I'm sure you will hold it and defeat the Spellcasters. Even if you don't, you will inflict heavy losses on them."
Otto nodded and saluted "I serve the Warriors and your orders." He stated "But what of Thrask?"
"Don't worry about him and his band of traitors!" she sneered "I'll have Cullen hunt them down."
"Cullen?" Otto questioned "Are you sure that's wise considering what Thrask knows about him?"
"Cullen is loyal to us." Meredith smirked "He wants revenge against the Spellcasters."
"But what if Cullen learns the truth that Thrask knows?" Otto questioned "He might betray us."
Meredith shook his head "Cullen wouldn't believe it. He has become loyal to us after serving us for many years."
"If you say so." Otto stated but deep down he was unsure "What of the prisoners?"
"They still have valuable information about that dragon girl." Meredith replied "Keep getting the information and if you can't, then do something to encourage him."
Alrik had a nasty smile on his face "I sure will." He stated "I have just the idea for that."
...
Not far from Aeonar prison, a duel was going on, one person was a Warrior Duelists as he wore armour engraved with the Warrior Faction's symbol of a flaming sword and he had a King's Knight on the field. The person facing him had tanned skin, a thin moustache and wore spellcaster robes. It was Professor Dorian and he was in the middle of a duel and had his Brotherhood of the Fire Fist Coyote on the field along with his Fire Formation Yoko spell card.
"This is the end for you." Dorian smirked "I summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist Boar in attack mode." Dorian's muscular warrior with the boar spirit appeared on the field (Level 4 Attack 1100 Defence 1400). "And now my Coyote will attack that Knight." King's Knight was defeated in a fight with the man with the Coyote spirit.
Dorian: 3500
Opponent: 800
"And now my Boar will finish this." Dorian stated and the Boar spirit went straight through the duelist and knocked him to the ground.
Dorian: 3500 (Winner)
Opponent: 0000
"These people don't seem to give up." Dorian stated
"They don't indeed." Dorian's friend Cassandra stated as she walked towards him "We've been fighting these Warrior duelists since we first arrived and we're no closer to finding Aristide or any of the others."
"We better find them soon otherwise we may be too late to save them." Dorian stated
"Well while you were duelling, I saw a camp nearby." Cassandra replied "I doubt it's these Warriors since they have this tower here. And hopefully these people are much friendlier than the people we've already seen."
"I sure hope so as well." Dorian stated as he took a deep breath "All these duels are exhausting me; I don't know much longer I can go on duelling like this. I need a break."
"If these people are not friendly then I guess we may have to fight our way out of here." Cassandra stated and then the two of them made their way towards the camp.
...
Otto Alrik stood at the widow in his office and Commander Meredith left Aeonar. Meredith had given Alrik an order and he always obeyed Meredith's orders, he had to hold Aeonar against the upcoming attack and try and get some information from the prisoners about the dragon girl and so he smirked and looked at one of his guards "Bring the prisoners here to my office, I'll interrogate them myself!"
"As you command." The guard stated and left the room with Alrik laughing about what he had planned, Alrik loved to show prisoners who was boss around here and the only way to handle prisoners was to be rough with them. He was going all out with this and he was looking forward to it.
...
Daylen Amell sighed as he kicked a stone against the wall in frustration. "Daylen, would you stop doing that." Aedan groaned "It's starting to get on my nerves."
Daylen let out a loud groan "I don't know how much longer this can go on." He stated "My sister and our friends are out there fighting and now not only is Solona a target for the Venatori but these Warrior Faction people want her as well."
"Your sister is a strong lass." Zevran stated "There's no way that she'll loose to these warriors."
"Agreed." Alistair added "Solona knows how to duel and she's been in tough situations before. Even when pushed to the limit, she never gives up."
"And I've heard from the guards recently that the Spellcasters have retaken Redcliffe." Kallian added "Solona will come for us soon."
Leliana smiled but then sighed "That's what worries me." She stated "I remember seeing the guards take prisoners and they never returned."
"Knowing the Warriors, they must have been turned into crystals." Aedan sighed "But there is no way they'll do that with us, we're strong and they have to duel us first before they can crystallize us."
Daylen agreed but was worried. Several times he had been taken to Commander Meredith's office and questioned. He never answered a single question and had been beaten a few times but there was no way he would betray his sister even if he had to be in pain.
Alistair then groaned as he looked at the door "Oh boy, here they come again."
Daylen wondered what Alistair meant and then he got his answer when he saw a group of guards enter the cell "Let's go, the commander wants a word with you all."
Knowing that defying them would do nothing except cause more problems, Daylen and the others stood up and followed the guards, they were surrounded so they couldn't just try and make a run for the door.
They soon arrived in the main office where the man who Daylen recognised as Otto Alrik, the Warrior Faction's Second in Commander was waiting for them.
"Well, I see you still haven't broke yet." He sneered "None of you have, normally the nightmares in those cells will drive people to the brink of insanity."
Daylen knew what he was talking about, they all struggled to get some sleep because of the ghost like screams that sounded through the cells but they were still able to get some sleep after they got used to it "It will take a lot more than that to break us!" he hissed "And my answer is the same as before, I'm not telling you anything. I would never betray my own sister."
Alrik sneered "It seems you don't care about yourself but you care for your friends, what you would do if I start crystallizing them one by one."
Daylen's eyes widened in horror "You can't!"
"Oh yes I can." Alrik sneered "I'm in charge here and Meredith ordered me to get the information by any means possible." Alrik placed his duel disk on his hand "You are important but your friends are not. But you know, I like a challenge so I'm going to duel one of your friends. I'll show them who's in charge around here when I beat them bad and then I will crystallize them. Let's see how many friends you lose before you start talking."
Daylen shared a look of horror with his friends but they all stood strong. Aedan, Zevran and Alistair just glared at Alrik. Leliana held Alistair's hand while Kallian held Aedan's hand. Alrik looked at them and then pointed at Alistair.
"You, you will be my first." He stated "Bring him forward, restrain the others nearby, I want them to watch."
The guards dragged Alistair forward and dragged Daylen, Aedan, Kallian, Zevran and Leliana and restrained them against the wall with chains attached to their legs. Alistair was dragged in front of Alrik. Alistair glared at him "I'm not scared of you!" he hissed
Alrik laughed "We'll see about that," he stated "I haven't had a good duel for a while, let's see how well you do, give him a duel disk."
The other guards attached a duel disk to Alistair's arms while Alrik took one off his desk. Alistair took his deck from his belt pocket and placed it in the holder and Alrik did the same with his after they shuffled them.
"DUEL!"
Alistair: 8000
Alrik: 8000
"Since I'm in charge here, I'll go first," Alrik declared as he drew his starting hand. "I'll summon Noble Knight Borz in attack mode." A stout warrior holding a cup with both hands appeared on Alrik's field. (Level 4: 1700 ATK, 900 DEF). "Now while he has no equip spells equipped to him, he counts as a normal monster."
"So he's kind of like a Gemini monster," Alistair said.
"In a way, yes." Alrik replied slowly with a curled lip. "Now since I have a normal monster on my field, I can also special summon Noble Knight Gawayn from my hand in defence mode." Alrik sneered as a proud knight ran onto the field, but knelt down with his sword across his chest. (Level 4: 1900 ATK, 500 DEF) "Next I'll equip Borz with Noble Arms – Gallatin to give him an extra 1000 attack points.
(Borz: 1700-2700 ATK)
"Now that Borz has an equip spell, he's now an effect monster so now I can use his ability. I select 3 Noble Arms Spells from my deck to show them to you, then you choose one of them at random to add to my hand, while the other two will go to the graveyard," Alrik said as he put the cards from his hand into his pocket. He then chose this three cards which were revealed Noble Arms – Caliburn, Noble Arms – Excaliburn and Noble Arms – Arfeudutyr.
Alrik then shuffled the 3 cards in his hands so Alistair couldn't tell which card was which, "Now choose, left, right or middle!"
"It would help if I could see them," Alistair muttered to himself and then spoke up, "Let's go with the one in the middle."
"Very well, then the other two cards get sent to my graveyard," Alrik said.
"So many warrior decks seem to rely on their equip spells, this one more than others," Daylen said.
"I'm sure Alistair can exploit this weakness," Zevran replied.
"Now I'll equip Borz with the card you gave me, Noble Arms – Caliburn. So he gains another 500 attack points.
(Borz: 2700-3200 ATK)
"Also, once a turn when Caliburn is equipped to a monster, I gain 500 life points." Alrik sniggered as Borz shone a light making Alrik relax
Alistair: 8000
Alrik: 8500
"Oh look, it's the very first turn and I'm already beating you chum. I'll place a card face down end my turn."
"I wouldn't get too far ahead of yourself," Alistair said in retaliation as he drew his card. "I'll kick things off by activating the Field Spell, Gateway to Chaos." The prison surroundings changed to a glistening white and light blue area with a white circle in between the two duelists.
"What is this, some kind of light show?" Alrik said in annoyance.
"Of course not!" Alistair said as he continued, "When this card is activated, I can add a Black Luster Soldier monster from my deck to my hand like Black Luster Soldier - Super Solider." Alistair revealed the card to Alrik.
"So you use warriors too eh? Interesting but mine are far superior to yours." Alrik sneered
Daylen, Kallian and Aedan knew the deck Alistair used when he faced Neria back at Duel Academy under the name Black Soldier. "Hopefully, he doesn't fall back into darkness after what happened earlier this year," Kallian said to the others.
"I don't think he will. Remember what Atticus told us, he as brainwashed along with you two," Daylan said as he looked at Zevran and Leliana.
"Next I summon Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands," Alistair said as a monster with multiple hands appeared on the field (Level 4: 1400 ATK, 1000 DEF) "When he's summoned, I can add 1 Ritual Spell from my deck to my hand like Super Soldier Ritual."
"Alright, he's searched out the ritual monster and ritual spell. He's set things up perfectly," Aedan said.
"Now I'll use Super Soldier Ritual, I offer up the Manju that's on my field along with the Evening Twilight Knight in my hand to Ritual summon Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier!" Alistair shouted as 8 purple flames lit up around a chest as Super Soldier leaped onto the field. (Level 8: 3000 ATK, 2500 DEF)
"Impressive," Alrik said as he mockingly clapped, "But he's still far weaker than my Borz,"
"You'll eat your words with this!" Alistair said, "Whenever a card is sent from my hand or field to the graveyard, I can place 1 Spell Counter on Gateway to Chaos."
(Gateway: 2 counters)
Here's where it gets interesting, when Evening Twilight Knight is used to Ritual Summon a Black Luster Soldier monster, that monster gains 2 additional effects which will activate right now! They are that when the ritual monster is summoned, I can banish one of your monsters from your field along with a card at random in your hand. So I'll choose Borz as well as the far right card in your hand."
Borz disappeared and Alrik's card to Alistair's far right also disappeared. "Since Borz is gone, both of my Noble Arms cards are destroyed. But that's ok, if I happen to have a Noble Knight monster on my field, I can re-equip those cards to him, so both Gallatin and Excalibur get equipped to Noble Knight Gawayn." Alrik said
(Gawayn, 1900-3400 ATK)
"That move is kind of pointless because Gawayn is in defence mode," Daylen said to the others.
"Now, Super Soldier attack Noble Knight Gawayn with Super Blade Attack!" Alistair commanded as Super Soldier overpowered Gawayn's stance and destroyed him. "Oh, and don't think that you're out scot free since your monster was in defence mode, when Super Soldier destroys a monster by battle, you take damage equal to your monsters attack points," he said as Super Soldier took a whack at Alrik and knocked him to the ground hard.
Alistair: 8000
Alrik: 5100
"Nicely done Alistair," Kallian cheered.
"Bet that knocked Alrik's ego down a touch," Leliana said
"That," replied Zevran "is doubtful."
"Your friends are overconfident, a great weakness," Alrik sniggered as he got up.
"I'm not the one to be over confident," Alistair replied. "After all, the duel is only just beginning. I'll place 2 cards face down and end my turn."
"Then I'm up," Alrik declared as he drew his card. "I activate Pot of Greed to draw 2 cards. Then I summon Noble Knight Drystan in attack mode." A knight in a silvery armour appeared on Alrik's field. (Level 4: 1800 ATK, 800 DEF) "Then I'll equip him with Noble Arms of Destiny. Next, I'll activate Drystan's ability, if he's equipped with a Noble Arms card, I can send it to the graveyard to destroy one of your monsters. So bid farewell to your precious Super Soldier." Alistair's Super soldier disintegrated while Drystan's equip card disappeared.
(Gateway: 3 counters)
"When Super Soldier is destroyed, I can summon Charging Gaia the Fierce Knight from my deck," Alistair said as a warrior riding a black horse appeared on Alistair's field. (Level 7: 2300 ATK, 2100 DEF)
"He won't be there for long because now I activate the trap Shockwave!" Alrik shot back. "Since I have less life points than you, I can destroy one of your monsters and then we'll both take damage equal to its attack points." An aftershock wave shook Charging Gaia off his horse causing the monster to be destroyed. Suddenly, Alistair felt electricity racing through his body and yelps in excruciating pain while Alrik felt nothing
Alistair: 5700
Alrik: 2800
(Gateway: 4 counters)
"Alistair!" yelled Leliana. She tried to run to Alistair but she couldn't because of the leg chains.
"What trickery is this!?" growled Daylen as he glared at Alrik who was smirking wickedly
"Oh yeah, forgot to mention, every time you take damage, your duel disk will zap you with electricity, giving you a lovely electric shot," Alrik said with a sadistic laugh.
"Then how come you are not suffering the same shock when you took damage earlier?" growled Kallian
"It's a devise that is only fitted into his duel disk that does the job. I obviously would not put myself vulnerable to electric shocks," Alrik sniggered. "And, now, Noble knight Drystan, attack him directly," he said in mock sympathy as Druid sliced at Alistair who was still lying on the ground in pain.
Alistair: 4100
Alrik: 2800
Leliana covered her eyes as she watched Alistair suffering another electric shock. Aedan widened his eyes and growled, "This is no interrogation! This is torture!"
Alistair finally got up, though felt weak. "Are you seriously trying to murder me or something," Alistair said.
"Since you're in our way to finding the dragon girl, you will pay the price!" Alrik shouted "I place 1 card face down and end my turn. You're up weakling."
"Wait! Before you end your turn, I activate my trap card The Beginning of Heaven and Earth. Now I choose 3 warrior type monsters in my deck and you choose 1 at random. If you pick a Black Luster Soldier or a Gaia the Fierce Knight monster, it gets added to my hand. If you don't, then all 3 warriors will go to the graveyard. I'll choose Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Evening Twilight, Black Luster Soldier - Sacred Soldier and Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight." Alistair said.
"But, they are all three of those are either Black Luster Soldier or Gaia the Fierce Knight monsters," Alrik said.
"That means no matter which card he chooses, Alistair will get one of them into his hand," Daylen told the others.
Alrik decided to pick the left card which turned out to be Black Luster Soldier - Sacred Soldier while the other two get sent to the graveyard. "Now it's my turn, I'll start by using Gateway of Chaos' effect, by removing 3 Spell Counters; I can add a ritual Spell card from my deck to my hand, like Super Soldier Synthesis." Alistair said.
"Then I'll use Trade In, discarding Sacred Soldier to draw two cards. Then, since you have a monster on the field and I don't, I can summon Lord Gaia the Fierce Knight." A warrior riding a fire breathing dragon flew onto Alistair's field. (Level 7: 2300 ATK, 2100 DEF) "Now Lord Gaia, attack Drystan with Lordship Fire Blast!" Lord Gaia sent a fireball Drystan's way, engulfing him.
Alistair: 4100
Alrik: 2300
"That's it for now." Alistair said.
"Then it's my move," Alrik drew his card "I summon Lady of the Lake," he said as a young blond haired girl wearing blue clothing walked onto Alrik's field. (Level 1: 200 ATK, 1800 DEF)
"I'm not fooled by its attack points, there has to be a reason why you summoned her," Alistair said.
"You're not like those other fools who believe in weak monsters are you? A a warrior yourself, you know they work together," Alrik sniggered as he pulled a hair from his mustache.
"That maybe, but unlike you, I'm not a git!" Alistair responded. Alrik wasn't fazed by Alistair's insult
"Now when Lady of the Lake is summoned, I can bring back Noble Knight Garwayn from my Graveyard," Alrik said. (Level 4: 1900 ATK, 500 DEF) "Oh and another thing, Lady of the Lake is a Tuner Monster."
"So he can Synchro Summon too?" Zevran said. He and Leliana then remembered that Lucius from the Venatori used a Synchro monster in his duel with Dorian. "Do you think this Warrior faction is working alongside the Venatori?" he asked to others.
"I doubt it, Synchros are a regular thing here," Aedan said to him.
"And it's not the only the new summoning method they can use," Daylen said as Leliana and Zevran widened their eyes in shock as Lady of the Lake turned into a circle of light, surrounded Borz who turned into 4 white lights.(1+4=5)
"Noble Warrior, carrying the blood from the battlefield, emerge and show off your pride! I Synchro Summon, Ignoble Knight of High Laundsallyn!" Alrik yelled as a knight dressed in blood red swung its sword to show he meant business. (Level 5, 2100 ATK, 900 DEF) "When he is Synchro summoned, I can choose a Noble Arms equip Spell in my deck and equip it to him, I'll choose Noble Arms – Clarent. Now I'll use Clarent's, by paying 500 life points, the equipped monster can by-pass your Lord Gaia and attack you directly, so go, whip him apart!"
Alistair: 4100
Alrik: 1800
"Not this time, I activate the trap Malemont Catastrophe! Since you declared an attack, all Spell and traps on the field are destroyed, including your Clarent!" Alistair responded as his field spell and High Laundsallyn's equip card got destroyed.
"With his equip spell gone, Alrik's monster can't attack him directly this turn," Aedan said as Alrik realised his plan had failed.
"Curse you and your tricks! I'll end my turn."
"I draw," Alistair said. "First, I'll activate Offerings to the Doomed, by skipping my next draw phase, I can destroy your High Landsallyn!"
"I don't think so, remember when you used Malemont Catastrophe last turn. You destroyed my face down card which was Skill Prisoner, now by banishing it, Offering to the Doomed is negated," Alrik sniggered
"Alright then, Lord Gaia, destroy High Laundsallyn!" Alistair yelled as another fireball from Lord Gaia came out of its mouth, destroying Alrik's monster.
Alistair: 4100
Alrik: 1600
"I end my turn," Alistair said.
"Then it's my move" Alrik sneered as he drew his card. "I activate Card of Santity, now we each draw until we have 6 cards in our hand." Alistair and Alrik did just that and both had refreshed hands. "Next I'll activate Shrink so now your monster's attack points get cut in half." Lord Gaia coughed as he felt weakened by the spell (Lord Gaia: 2300-1150 ATK)
"Next I summon Noble Knight Brothers!" Alrik commanded as a monster consisting of three knights who all looked identical came out onto Alrik's field. (Level 4: 1200 ATK, 2400 DEF)
"Now, I'll activate his special ability, when he's summoned, I can summon 2 more Noble Knights from my hand so say hello to Noble Knight Gwalchavad and Noble Knight Medraut," Alrik sniggered as two more knights stood alongside Noble Knight Brothers, effectively forming a team. (Gwalchavad: Level 4: 1500 ATK, 1800 DEF) (Medraut: Level 4: 1700 ATK, 1000 DEF)
"Thanks Alrik," Alistair replied, "You've triggered Lord Gaia's special ability, once a turn, if you special summon a monster with greater attack points than his own, Lord Gaia gains another 700 attack points to compensate that." (Lord Gaia: 1150-1850 ATK)
"Even with Shrink, his Lord Gaia is still stronger than every one of Alrik's Noble Knights," Kallian said to the others.
"Now I'll activate Noble Knight Brother's second ability, by shuffling 3 Noble Arms Equip Spells from my Graveyard back into my deck, I can draw 1 card," Alrik said as he scratched his beard in pride. He Shuffled Noble Arms – Arfeudutyr, Noble Arms Excalliburn and Noble Arms Clarent into his. "Now then weakling, you ready to go to the next level?"
"Bring it," replied Alistair.
Meanwhile, Daylen realised something about the Alrik's monsters. "Watch yourself Alistair!" he yelled to him.
"Now I overlay my Level 4 Noble Knight Brothers and Noble Knight Gwalchavad to build the overlay network!" Alrik shouted.
"What is he doing?" asked Lelianna?
"Remember when I told you about these Warriors using another new summoning method, this is it," Daylen said, "It's called XYZ Summon." As he said this, Alrik's two Noble Knights dived into portal
"Behold as two brave and noble warriors join forces to form the most ancient and noble royalty! I Xyz Summon Artorigus, King of the Noble Knights!" Alrik chanted as a warrior wearing white armour and black haired showed off his thick sword as he descended onto the field. (Rank 4: 2000 ATK, 2000 DEF)
Everyone looked on in fear, including Zevran and Leliana who have just seen an Xyz summon for the first time. Alistair tried to remain focused, knowing that the duel was going to be trickier than ever.
"Now I activate his special ability, now I can equip up to three Noble Arms Equip Spells in my graveyard and equip them to him, I'll choose Noble Arms - Caliburn, Noble Arms - Gallentin and Noble Arms of Destiny. So he gains 1500 attack points," Alrik declared
(Artorigus: 2000-3500 ATK)
"Now Artorigus, attack Lord Gaia the Fierce Knight!" Alrik yelled.
"I don't think so, by sending Sphere Kuriboh from my hand to the graveyard, your Artorigus changes to defence mode," Alistair responded as Sphere Kuriboh let out a sound, forcing Artorigus back and knelt down.
(Artorigus: 2000 DEF)
"Don't think you're out of the woods yet, I activate Ego Boost so Medraut gains another 1000 attack points
(Medraut: 1700-2700 ATK)
"Now Medraut, attack Lord Gaia and finish him off for good this time!" Alrik shouted as Medraut sliced from Lord Gaia's dragon body, causing him to bleed to death, destroying him as Alistair received another blast of electricity from his duel disk.
Alistair: 3250
Alrik: 1600
Alrik looked at Alistair and smiled wickedly as Alistair was gradually getting physically weaker. Suddenly…
BANG!
"Hey! What was that noise?" Alrik said to the prison guards.
"Sounds like it's coming from the basement," one of the guards said.
"What are your orders sir?" asked another guard.
"I want you all to head down to the basement and investigate that noise. It could be the Spellcasters scum." Alrik ordered.
"And what about our prisoners," a guard pointed out.
"Leave them here, they're not going anywhere, I'll take care of them myself!" Alrik responded. "Now go!" The guards did as they were told and left the room. Daylen, Aedan, Kallian, Zevran and Leliana wondered what the noise was. Was it good or bad?
"Now I'll use Caliburn effect so I regain 500 life points." Alrik said
Alistair: 3250
Alrik: 2100
"Now, I'll place two cards face down and end my turn and Medraut's attack points return to normal." (Medraut: 2700-1700 ATK)
"I'm up then, but since I used Offerings to the Doomed last turn, I can't conduct my draw phase," Alistair replied. "First I'I activate Super Soldier Ritual's effect from my graveyard, the I activate Pre-preparation of Rites, so now I can by banishing it as well as a Dark and a light attribute monster from my graveyard, I can summon a Black Luster Soldier Ritual monster regardless of summoning requirements. I'll banish Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands and Evening Twilight Knight to summon the original Black Luster Soldier!" Alistair's strong soldier appeared on Alistair's field (Level 8: 3000 ATK, 2500 DEF)
"Now since Evening Twilight Knight was banished, I can add a Ritual Monster from my deck to my hand such as my second Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier. Then I'll activate Black Luster Ritual!"
"Are you sacrificing one soldier for the other?" Alrik asked.
"Actually no, I activate the effects of Sphere Kuriboh and Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight from my graveyard," Alistair responded, "If I happen to be ritual summoning a Black Luster Soldier monster, I can banish both Level 1 Sphere Kuriboh and Level 7 Arisen Gaia from my graveyard and they count as monsters required for the ritual summon. So come out Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier!" Super Soldier spun around and raised it's blades ready to fight. (Level 8: 3000 ATK, 2500 DEF)
Alrik remembered what happened at the start of the duel with the first Super Soldier. "My Artorigus is in defence mode but with 3500 attack points," he thought, "If super Soldier destroys him, I'll take damage equal to Artorigus' attack points which will wipe me out. I can't let that happen!" Realising he had to act, Alrik responded, "I activate the trap Deep Dark Trap Hole, if you summon a level 5 or higher monster, I can banish it so looks like Super Soldier won't be sticking around."
Super Soldier vanished into thin air but Alistair wasn't done yet. "I banish Black Luster Soldier Sacred Soldier and Black Luster Soldier- Envoy of the Evening Twilight to summon Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning!" Alistair's rarest of his Black Luster Soldiers raised its blades high into the air. (Level 8, 3000 ATK, 2500 DEF)
Daylen, Leliana, Zevran, Aedan and Kallian gasped in awe as they knew how rare Envoy of the Beginning was. "That card is one of the rarest cards ever," Kallian said.
"Let's hope he puts it to good use," Aedan said.
"Now Envoy of the Beginning, attack Artorigus with Envoy Blade Attack!" Alistair commanded as Envoy of the beginning launched itself at Artorigus to try to destroy him.
"I activate the trap, Impenetrable attack, so now Artorigus can't be destroyed in battle this battle phase," Alrik responded with a laugh.
"Well that sucks, because now I can't use Envoy of the Beginning's ability. I'll just take care of the other one instead, Black Luster Soldier, attack Noble Knight Medraut with Luster Blade Attack!" Alistair shouted as the original Black Luster soldier sliced Medraut in half, destroying him. Alrik was knocked to the ground
Alistair: 3250
Alrik: 1000
"How do you like that for some punishment!" Alistair shouted.
"I may have been knocked out but it's nothing compared to what you've been suffering," Alrik responded as he got up.
"I have taken some hits but unlike you, I use my warriors to do what's right, however you use yours to inflict pain and suffering. Even innocent civilians!" Alistair yelled.
"No, I use them to do what's right for this world, extinguish the dark magic of the spellcasters," Alrik sneered.
"You're blinded by power, that leads to everyone's downfall," Aedan shouted from the sidelines.
"You know nothing!" Alrik snapped back, "And don't disturb this duel again, all of you!" Alrik pointed at Aedan and his friends. "Or I'll turn you all into a crystal right now!" These words stung Daylen, Leliana, Zevran, Kallian and Aedan in the stomach.
"Not when I'm standing here, I place two cards face down and end my turn," Alistair said as he ended his turn.
"I draw," Alrik growled, "First during my stand by phase, Artorigus loses 200 attack points due to the effect of Noble Arms – Gallitin.
(Artorigus: 3500-3300 ATK)
"Then I'll switch him into attack mode. Next, I activate Pot of Desires, I banish the top 10 cards from my deck face down, to draw two cards. Then I'll use another Pod of Greed to draw 2 cards. Then, I'll activate Artorigus' second ability, by using one overlay unit, I can destroy as many spell or traps on your field equal to the number of Noble Arms equip spells he has, he has 3 so both of your face down cards are destroyed."
"I activate the trap, Super Soldier Shield, now while I have a Black Luster Soldier monster on the field, your monster's effect is negated and destroyed." Alistair said
"Nice try, but thanks to Noble Arms of Destiny, Artorigus can't be destroyed by battle or by card effects once per turn," Alrik responded as the coming blast from Alistair's trap extinguished.
"But your monster's effect is still negated," Alistair said.
"Maybe, but I'll plough on. I'll activate Caliburn's effect to gain another 500 life points.
Alistair: 3250
Alrik: 1500
"I activate Megamorph! Since I have less life points than you, Artorigus' original attack points are doubled!" Alrik yelled as Daylen, Aedan, Leliana, Zevran and Kallian watched in disbelief at how strong Alrik's monster had become. (Artorigus: 3300-5300 ATK)
"Now, Artorigus, attack Envoy of the Beginning!" Alrik commanded as Artorigus whacked his sword into Envoy of the Beginning armour, disintegrating him. Alistair felt his most powerful electric shock yet leaving him in extraordinary pain.
Alistair: 900
Alrik: 1500
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" Alistair screamed in pain from the electricity. His friends could only watch on.
"Now you're feeling the anguish of being overpowered! I'll set a card and end my turn. Your move, if you can get up that is."
"Alistair," said Leliana,
"SILENCE! Stupid girl! One more word and you're dead!" Alrik shouted at her.
Alistair finally was able to get himself up, though his vision started to blur. "It's my turn, I draw!" he yelled. "Aedan was right, power really does lead to your downfall," Alistair said as he smiled.
"What are you talking about?" Alrik sneered.
"Look at your monster," Alistair said as he pointed at Artorigus who had suddenly started huffing and puffing.
(Artorigus: 5300-2300 ATK)
"What have you done to my most ancient Noble Knight!?" Alrik yelled.
"Don't blame me, you did that yourself, you forgot about the downside of Megamorph. Since your life points are now higher than mine, the original attack points of your monster gets cut in half," Alistair said in response. "I activate Pot of Extravagance! By banishing 6 monsters from my extra deck at random, I can draw 2 cards. Then, I'll use my own Pot of Desires, banishing the top 10 cards from my deck face down, to draw two cards. Next I'll use Foolish Burial to send Armageddon Knight to my graveyard. Now Black Luster Soldier, attack Artorigus now!" Artorigus managed to stay strong but not enough to prevent the damage.
Alistair: 900
Alrik: 800
"Don't forget, due to Noble Arms of Destiny, my monster can't be destroyed in battle or by card effects by this battle."
"I already know that, that's why I was saving this trap for this moment, I activate Super Soldier Rebirth!" yelled Alistair, "By sacrificing Black Luster Soldier, I can resurrect Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier from my graveyard!" BLS disappeared and super Soldier rose again. (Level 8: 3000 ATK, 2500 DEF)
"This will win it!" whispered Daylen to the others.
"I activate the trap Oficant Horn, by banishing Megamorph, I can destroy your Super soldier," Alrik responded as Super Soldier disintegrated.
"You should know that when super soldier is destroyed, I can summon a Gaia the Fierce Knight monster from my deck, I choose Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight!" A warrior riding a very fast horse appeared on the field. (Level 7: 2300 ATK, 2100 DEF)
(Artorigus: 2300-3300 ATK)
"Now I activate Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Noble Arms – Caliburn." Alistair said as one of Artorigus' equip cards disappeared.
(Artorigus: 3300-2800 ATK)
"Now Swift Gaia, attack Artorigus and end this duel!" Alistair shouted.
"Fool! Your Gaia is still weaker than my monster!" Alrik shouted
"Not with this, I activate the special ability of Envoy of Chaos from my hand!" Alistair said in determination. "Now my monster gains 1500 attack points right now."
(Swift Gaia: 2300-3800 ATK)
"Oh, and when this card is activated, your monsters attack points become the same as its original attack points," Alistair said
(Artorigus: 2800-2000 ATK)
"It's over Alrik!" shouted Alistair.
"You're right, this duel is over, for you, in damage calculation, I activate Honest from my hand. Since you are attacking a Light attribute monster, Artorigus gains attack points equal to your monster's attack points." Alrik laughed wickedly
"SAY WHAT!?" Alistair yelled
(Artorigus: 2000-5800 ATK)
"Oh no!" Alistair's friends gasped when they saw what happened.
Leliana widened her eyes "Alistair's going to lose!"
"You're right, he is." Alrik yelled in triumph "Now Artorigus, strike back at Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight and finish the rest of his life points!" Swift Gaia ran into Artorigus' armour, destroying himself, knocking Alistair backwards onto his back as he was zapped with a hugely powerful electric shock for the final time.
Alistair: 0000
Alrik: 800 (winner)
"ALISTAIR!" Daylen, Aedan, Kallian, Zevran and Leliana yelled at the same time.
Alrik let out a loud laugh and began to walk forward towards the fallen Alistair "Well, I haven't had a duel like that in a long time, but taking you down just shows how strong we Warriors are."
Alistair groaned and tried to push himself up but was unable to "Oh shut your mouth!" he groaned which earned him a kick from Alrik.
Alrik had a nasty sneer on his face and he looked at Daylen before back at Alistair and he raised his duel disk above him.
"NO STOP!" Leliana yelled and she tried to run forward but the chain on her leg held her back
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Daylen added
Alistair narrowed his eyes and looked at Daylen "Daylen, don't worry about me, don't tell this bastard anything!"
"Alistair!" Zevran gasped
"No!" Leliana added
Alistair just closed his eyes as he was engulfed in a bright purple light, the last thing that Alistair heard was his friends yelling out.
The light faded and Daylen watched in horror as Alistair was no longer lying on the floor and a purple crystal lay in Alistair's place. Everyone had a look of shock and horror on their faces and then both Leliana and Kallian fell to their knees crying.
Aedan was beyond furious "You're going to pay for that!" he yelled
Alrik laughed and looked at Daylen "So, what is it going to be now boy?" he demanded "Are you going to watch as I turn more of your friends into crystals or are you going to tell me about your sister?"
Daylen glared at the man "That does it!" he yelled "No one messes with my friends you coward! If you want the information then you're going to have to duel me for it."
"Daylen no!" Aedan yelled
Alrik just smirked "So be it, once I win, you will tell me everything about your sister and those dragons."
"That's if you win." Daylen growled as Alrik released the chain on his leg. Daylen walked over and picked up the duel disk Alistair used. He took Alistair's deck out of the disk and picked up Alistair's crystal before putting them in his pocket. "Now let's do this." The two of them prepared to activate their duel disks but then they heard a loud bang from behind the door which made everyone look towards the door. Then the door was kicked in and what they saw was not who they expected, it was Grand Enchanter Fiona and standing with her were Crowler, Zane and Solona.
Chapter End:
Notes: Well another chapter complete and we've witnessed the loss of a character, Alistair. Now I did plan on doing this back when I started writing this story and I had begun to question whether or not I should do this but in the end, I did. But don't worry, you won't have to wait until the end of this story to see Alistair again. Once again, my brother wrote the duel but I will be writing the duels in the next couple of chapters and we're approaching the end of the first major arc of this story.