Chapter 38: An Angel's Soul

Yasutake leaned against the side of the sealed room and sighed.

"You alright, Yasutake?" Cypher asked.

"Yes, just tired." Yasutake exited the sealed room and placed his Duel Disk on the counter. Cam wasn't there, but he'd left the computers on. Yasutake reopened the connection to Café Nagi and was rewarded with a screen of Yusaku, Takeru, and Kusanagi.

"Hey, Narahiko," Kusanagi said, smiling. "Yusaku was just filling me in. You want to jump in?"

"I will in a bit," he said, not sitting down. "Cam went out front; he should be here for this."

"Yeah," Kusanagi said, now frowning. "He mentioned a commotion in the store before he closed the video. See if he needs any help."

Yasutake nodded and headed into the bakery. And blinked.

Three boys were slumped on the ground, their heads hanging down and looks of utter despair on their faces. One of them was crying. Cam was standing over the trio, his arms crossed, a triumphant look on his face. There were a few other customers in Café Junpei, and while a couple were watching with interest while others were ignoring Cam, a few were… eating yakisoba? This was a bakery, not a restaurant; they didn't sell yakisoba. Where did they get it?

Cam let out a laugh that reminded Yasutake of every bad guy in every shonen anime ever. "Did you honestly think any of you could beat me? You're all a thousand years too early to challenge me! If you wish for my permission, you will have to pray for a miracle!"

"…Cam," Yasutake said flatly. Cam started and turned around.

"Oh, Yasu," Cam said, rubbing his head sheepishly. "Uh… how long have you been standing there?"

"N-Narahiko?" one of the boys said, raising his head. Yasutake blinked and turned to him. It was at that point he noticed that all three boys were wearing the Den Academy uniform. In fact, he recognized these three as from his class. He couldn't remember their names though. "What… what are you doing here?"

Cam smirked. "He works here," he said. "With special permission from your principal, I might add."

The other two boys raised their heads and stared at Yasutake. The leader was now crying. "Y-You work here? You… see her every day?"

Yasutake blinked. She?

Now all three were crying as they leapt to their feet. "Damn it! We can't beat him! He's too far ahead!" They ran out of the bakery as they shouted, much to the amusement of the remaining customers.

Yasutake stared flatly at Cam, who continued to look sheepish. He opened his mouth, but Yasutake held up his hand.

"Explain later," he said. "We have more important things to discuss."

Cam blinked and then frowned seriously. Nodding, he followed Yasutake into the backroom, just in time to catch Kusanagi's words.

"He had the same memories as you?"

Cam and Yasutake sat down at the desk and noted that Yusaku and Takeru had taken seats while Kusanagi was standing.

"Yeah. During our Duel, when Bohman talked about the past, it was the same as mine."

"So he knows your past." Kusanagi folded his arms. Then he noticed the new arrival. "Ah, Cam, welcome back. Did something happen?"

"Yes, but we can talk about that later. What's this about memories?"

Yasutake explained what happened during his and Yusaku's duel with Bohman and Haru, much to Cam's shock.

"Seriously? A backup? Is that even possible?"

"Theoretically, yes," Cypher answered. "It's also likely that Bohman was lying or imprinted with fake memories like Playmaker suggested."

Cam frowned. "But for him to claim that must mean he investigated you somehow, right?"

"Yeah," Yusaku agreed with a frown. "In detail, too. Though he just knew enough that I don't think he's aware of my real identity."

Takeru frowned. "So Bohman knows a lot, and to investigate you means he can get top information easily."

"He even managed to fool me," Ai interjected. "He's a very troublesome opponent."

"But he's our only lead to retrieve Kusanagi's brother's consciousness data," Yusaku said.

"But the gate has vanished," Kusanagi pointed out with a scowl. "For now, we have to wait for it to reappear."

"And if something startled that pipsqueak, there's no telling when that might happen," Cypher said.

"Sorry, Kusanagi." Everyone turned to look at Yusaku, who was looking to the side and frowning. "I couldn't find a lead."

Kusanagi smiled and placed a hand on Yusaku's shoulder. "Don't sweat it," he reassured him. "I'm just glad you all came home safe." Takeru frowned at Yusaku in concern. "Because I still need you guys! Especially tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Takeru repeated.

"I'll have a surprise for you two tomorrow," Kusanagi explained before looking back at Café Nagi's computers. "By analyzing the data we acquired near the gate, we might learn something. This'll take some work."

"I'll be able to help you with that," Cam said. "Send me what you can, and I can go through it."

"Sachi and I can help too," Yasutake said. "She's gotten a lot better with computers over the last couple months."

Cam hesitated, but then nodded slowly. "I don't want her dueling, but another set of hands back here would be useful."

"Oh, before I forget." They turned back to the screen as Takeru hooked up his Duel Disk to Café Nagi's computers. "Ghost Girl gave me the data from her duel with that AI duelist. She thought you might get some use out of it."

Yasutake frowned as he was notified of an email. "Yes, it will be. Thank you, Takeru."

Cam frowned. "What AI duelist?" he asked. "Did something happen?"

Yasutake told Cam and Kusanagi about HK-70. Needless to say, they were very surprised.

"A Duel Assassin?" Cam said, frowning. "I think I've seen a term like that on the forums before…"

"As have I," Kusanagi agreed, also frowning. "But to think it could be an AI duelist. And one that's been around for two years apparently…"

"Kitamura made AI duelists, but they were low-grade," Yasutake said. "Hanoi's AI duelists had better skills, but no personalities. HK-70 had a fully actualized personality, not unlike the Ignis. Whoever created it must have been a genius."

"…I wouldn't be certain of that," Flame said. "Its creator is certainly intelligent, but to compare it to us? That AI had no creation abilities whatsoever; its only skills were directed at combat. In that sense, it is only a mid-level AI; certainly smarter than most other AI, but not one that I'd call alive like you would us."

"Ghost Girl defeated it though, right?" Ai asked. "So we don't have to worry about it anymore."

Yasutake shook his head. "It's likely that HK-70 was part of a series of AI duelists, similarly to Kitamura's and Hanoi's AI duelists. And while she may be irritating, Ghost Girl is still a good duelist. If this thing gave her trouble, then we should be wary of it."

"…I honestly can't tell," Takeru said. "Is Ghost Girl your friend or not?"

"She is," Cypher said. "Yasutake's just a tsundere."

Said teen gave the Ignis a flat stare. "What?"

"Oh, that makes sense!" Ai pounded a fist into an open hand. Cam and Kusanagi both started laughing. Takeru looked like he wanted to join them but had managed to suppress it into a grin. Yusaku's upper lip twitched.

"What's a tsundere?" Flame asked.

"It's-."

"Not important." Yasutake cut his partner off. He glared at Cam, who managed to tone his laugh down to a chuckle. And a very stupid smirk. "And HK-70 isn't the only unknown; there's another."

"The girl who defeated Techbane?" Yusaku guessed, frowning in thought.

"You said her name was Cassiel, right?" Takeru asked. Yasutake nodded. "Do we know anything about her?"

Cam finally stopped chortling but kept smiling. "I only did a quick search before I was called up front, but no; I wasn't able to find anything about a duelist named Cassiel."

"Whoever she is, she has good taste in names," Cypher commented. "'Cassiel' is the name of an archangel and means 'Speed of God' in Hebrew. Perhaps she uses a Fairy Deck?"

"Maybe," Yasutake said. "We'll do some more searches for her. She helped me, so I don't think she's hostile, but I still don't like unknowns."

"Neither do I," Yusaku nodded in agreement. "We'll conduct our own searches. But analyzing the gate's information takes priority."

"Understood." Yasutake glanced at the screens as a notice of an email and file attachment came through. "We'll call if we have any breakthroughs."

"Or Yasu will just tell you after school tomorrow," Cam said. They all nodded as he closed the connection. "Well, now that that's all done, you should start on your homework. If Sachi isn't done with hers, you can work on it together."

"Before that, tell me; what was going on out front?"

"Oh that." Cam grinned sheepishly. "One of your classmates came here and asked for my permission to ask Sachi out."

Yasutake blinked. That… wasn't the answer he had been expecting. "What did you say?"

Cam smirked evilly. "I told him I would give him my permission if he could defeat me in a cooking duel."

Yasutake snorted. He couldn't help it. "Like in Shokugeki no Soma?" Cypher asked.

"Yeah like that, only the regular customers were the judges. Partway through, those other two stopped by for the same reason – apparently they got our address from the school directory – so I gave them the same ultimatum."

"How badly did you beat them?"

"I think you know the answer." Cam laughed. "Honestly, those three think they're worthy of my sister when they can't even cook? Cooking is an essential skill for all men to have!"

Yasutake didn't respond. He was well aware of Cam's opinions on people learning to cook. He was also aware that Cam was one of the best chefs in this part of Den City; he remembered one time a few years ago when a nearby restaurant tried to hire Cam, but he refused.

"You want to know the funniest part?" Cam said. "They didn't need my permission."

Yasutake blinked. "What?"

"Who she goes out with is up to Sachi," Cam explained. "I have no say in the matter. I'll still disapprove; that's my duty as a brother. But if she wants to go out with someone, I'm not going to stop her."

He was giving Yasutake a significant look at those words. Yasutake didn't know why, but he figured it was best to change the subject. Checking the time, he remembered something important.

"I'll go upstairs and help Sachi with her homework," he said. "What are you going to do, Cam?"

Cam briefly looked disappointed before smiling again. "I'll get a head start on this data, then go back out front. Café Junpei will be closing in a couple hours, but I can still man the front."

"…Wrong answer."

"Huh?" Cam blinked as he looked at his roommate, who gave him a flat look.

"What time is it?"

"6:30."

"And what are you doing at 7?"

"Work-." Cam's eyes widened as he remembered what happened last night. "No."

"Yes," Yasutake said. "You made me go on a date with Masako Himura; I'm making you go on a date with Emily Garcia."

"I have work."

"Sachi and I can run the store."

"I have to analyze this data."

"Kusanagi is already doing that, and Cypher can do it faster than any of us."

"Do I get a say in this?" Cypher asked. The two humans ignored him.

"I don't have time in my life for a girlfriend," Cam said. "Between this bakery, Sachi, helping Kusanagi-."

"Which is why you need to go out," Yasutake interrupted. "Cam, I'm worried about you. Kusanagi aside, your social life since breaking up with Emma has been nonexistent. I have a social life. It's a small one, but it's still bigger than yours."

Cam scowled. "Kick a man where it hurts, why don't you?" he muttered. He was touched by Yasutake's concern, but he was still reluctant to do this.

Cypher sighed. "You're going about this the wrong way, Yasutake," he said. The two humans looked at the Ignis. "Don't try to guilt him into it; you need to threaten him. Like this." Cypher turned to look Cam in the eye. "Cameron Junpei, if you don't go out with this woman, then I will upload your browser history to the forum Ghost Girl visits the most."

Cam paled. "Cypher, that's overkill," Yasutake scolded the Ignis. "I'm trying to get him to go on a date, not kill someone."

"Oh? Then what threat is sufficient for a date?"

"The threat of posting embarrassing pictures on Facebook."

"Ah! I see. Then Cam, if you don't go on this date, I will upload embarrassing pictures of you to Facebook."

Cam's eyebrow twitched. "You two are horrible." Then he sighed. "Fine. I'll go upstairs with you two to get ready."

Yasutake smirked as Cypher cackled.

"Hello, Sachi, Narahiko." Aoi smiled at the two as they met at the intersection. Sachi smiled back while Yasutake nodded.

"Hello, Aoi," Sachi said happily. "Did you have any trouble with the trigonometry homework?"

"A little. But a friend was able to help me finish it."

Emma, most likely, Yasutake thought. "Zaizen," he said. "No hard feelings?"

Aoi blinked at him and then smiled. "Yeah. We were just doing what we believed was right."

"And I suspect that's what we'll keep doing."

Aoi nodded. "You are right about that." Standing between them, Sachi smiled again. The light turned green, so the trio began walking to school. "That aside, I would like to know; do you know your friends' real identities?"

Yasutake considered lying to her but decided against it; she would probably see through him. And if she didn't, Sachi's reaction would tell her all she needed to know. "I do," he said.

"But you aren't going to tell me," Aoi guessed with a small smile.

"No. That is their secret to tell."

"Do you know them Sachi?"

Sachi gave her friend a small smile. "If I did, I wouldn't tell you. Sorry, Aoi."

"Don't worry. I understand." The two girls kept talking, this time about school and the Music Club, allowing Yasutake's thoughts to wander.

Sachi had been in the living room when he and Cam went upstairs. She'd gotten a good start on her homework, so Yasutake joined her while Cam got ready for his date. Yasutake had told Sachi about what happened, both in the restricted area and the Wind World. She was saddened to hear about Go Onizuka joining SOL's bounty hunters but was surprised by Blue Girl's and Ghost Girl's appearance. Evidently, Aoi hadn't told her about her plans. Cassiel and HK-70 seemed to worry her, though Yasutake paid said worry to them being unknowns and her being concerned for him, Yusaku, and Takeru.

Cam had come down by the time they were done talking, wearing black pants and a light blue dress shirt. He looked mildly uncomfortable, but Sachi and Yasutake assured him he looked nice. Yasutake had escorted him downstairs – to make sure he wouldn't try and run – and found out Emily Garcia was already waiting. Yasutake had seen the two off, then worked behind the counter until closing time. Cam hadn't returned by then, so Yasutake called Sachi down so she could help him with his homework. By the time Cam got back, they had finished, and Cam had looked more self-assured than Yasutake had seen him in a while. He had refused to share any details with them though; only that the date was fun.

His mind going back to Earth, Yasutake realized they had reached Den Academy. The trio went to their first class, where Yasutake saw that more than a few of his male classmates were glaring at him. Again. He guessed that the ones who had shown up at Café Junpei had spread word that he worked at the same café Sachi's brother owned. He idly wondered how they'd react if he told them he'd been living with them for over six years.

Yusaku and Takeru came in shortly after they did, followed by Shizuka Midori. The short bounty hunter didn't seem to notice Yasutake as she took the seat next to him. Of course, she was so quiet most of the time that Yasutake sometimes forgot she was sitting next to him. She was certainly an interesting contrast to Masako.

Homeroom passed without incident, as did their first class. But during the second class, Yasutake got a message on his tablet, one he shared with Yusaku and Takeru during lunch.

Yusaku frowned. "This is from Cassiel?" he asked. The trio were sitting in an unused classroom while eating. Sachi had gone to the Music Club with Aoi accompanying her. Sachi was still a little nervous around strangers and recent acquaintances.

"That's what the message claims," Cypher said. Yasutake looked down at said message.

"Morningstar, please come to LINK VRAINS this afternoon around four pm," Takeru read with a frown. "I would like to join your group and aid you against Bohman. Bring Playmaker and Soulburner. From, Cassiel." There was a set of coordinates below the message.

"It could be a trap," Flame said.

"It's absolutely a trap!" Ai said. "How did this Cassiel girl know your email address?"

"Technically, this is Morningstar's address, not my personal one," Yasutake clarified. "But I changed it after I retired; the only people I know who should have it are you two and Kusanagi." He frowned. "Ghost Girl, or a hacker of her skill level, could probably find it out on their own."

"Well what about her address? Do you recognize it?"

"No," Cypher said. "And we can't message her back. When Yasutake tried to send a message, he got a notice that the address didn't exist. She must have deleted it right after sending her message."

"…Do you think it is a trap?" Yusaku asked. "You wouldn't be showing us this if you didn't believe it was genuine."

Yasutake frowned. "I do not know," he answered. "SOL hasn't been able to find my new email address in three months, so I'm reasonably certain they aren't behind this message. But if it isn't Cassiel, it could be Bohman. Or one of SOL's bounty hunters is smarter than we thought." Blood Shepherd might be able to find it, he thought idly. But using emails to lure the target in isn't his style. And he seems to be focusing on Playmaker over me at the moment.

"I'm about 70% certain this message is real," he said. "And if it is a trap, then I'm sure we can escape it."

Yusaku frowned. "Genuine or not, I do not want to accept her offer. I am grateful she helped you, but this is a serious fight for Kusanagi's brother's consciousness. An outsider shouldn't get involved."

Takeru frowned with him. "I don't know," he said hesitantly. "She handled Techbane, right? And we can always use more help."

"Without knowing who she is or why she helped me in the first place?" Yasutake asked. "I agree with Fujiki; the three of us are enough to fight Bohman. That said, I am curious as to how she learned about him."

"As am I," Yusaku agreed. The three Ignis all nodded.

"She likely saw your first duel with him," Flame said. "But she couldn't have seen him in the Wind World, so she can't know how strong he's become."

"At the very least, we should hear her out," Cypher said. "I'd like to know where she stands in this whole conflict; Bohman, SOL Technologies, Jester and his AI friend… We don't need another unknown."

The three humans looked among themselves before nodding. "Alright, we'll meet Cassiel in LINK VRAINS," Yusaku said. "We'll find out where she stands in this conflict and then refuse her offer. Even if she isn't an unknown, she is an outsider. We can't involve her in this." Yusaku turned to Yasutake. "Do you want us to meet at Café Junpei?"

"No; you and Takeru should go to Kusanagi. He said he had a surprise for you, didn't he?"

"He did." Yusaku nodded. "Alright. We'll head to Café Nagi after school and meet you in LINK VRAINS."

As it turned out, they and Sachi ended up going the same way. Kusanagi had parked Café Nagi right outside Café Junpei and was offering a special: half off any hotdog for anyone who bought a pastry from Café Junpei. Cam in turn was offering pastries at half price for anyone who bought coffee from Café Junpei or Café Nagi. Basically, there was a line of customers alternating between the two.

Sachi frowned at the sight. "Are Cam and Kusanagi going to be able to help us with this on?" she asked. They'd told her about the message from Cassiel on the way back, and she'd been quiet the rest of the way home. Yasutake figured she was hoping this Cassiel would have good intentions.

Yusaku frowned and shook his head. "Kusanagi can't. And I don't believe Cam would want to get away from the front either."

Yasutake nodded in agreement. "Sachi, head upstairs. Takeru and Fujiki can join me in the backroom."

Sachi pouted but nodded. They briefly stopped by Café Nagi, where Kusanagi told them he would be free in about thirty minutes. Considering Cassiel's deadline was in twenty minutes, they headed into Café Junpei. Cam was looking swamped so Yasutake offered to help. He agreed, but only for ten minutes. Yasutake had called him earlier about Cassiel's offer, so he knew about the deadline. Yasutake briefly ushered Yusaku and Takeru into the backroom, left Cypher with them, watched Sachi head upstairs, then helped Cam in the store.

Fifteen minutes later, he walked into the backroom and raised an eyebrow.

"Let's do this, King of Heroes. Do you have enough weapons stored up?"

"Unlimited Blade Works?" Yasutake asked, startling Takeru, Flame, and Ai. "Why are you watching that?"

Takeru gave a nervous smile. "Ah, well-."

"I remembered that yesterday, when we were in that filthy gondola," Flame interrupted, "Cypher mentioned something called 'Crunchyroll.' I asked him what that was, and he showed us. I have never watched anime before, but the quality of the animation is simply amazing."

"I know, right?" Cypher said. "Not to mention the story, action, and the characters… there are a lot of bad animes out there, either because of animation, pacing, dialogue, or production issues, but this one clearly isn't one of them."

"I don't understand how you can watch this," Ai said. "Yeah, it looks cool, but the drama is so… tame. You should try out soap operas. Those are really fun to watch!"

"Soap operas?" Cypher repeated in confusion. "Why would I want to watch those? The characters get upset over the littlest things and the music gets way too heavy. Anime makes me laugh, learn, and think about things."

"Soap operas make you care about the characters!" Ai protested. "And since they're so long running, that means you're invested in them. Most anime these days just last twelve to twenty-four episodes. They-."

"Enough," Yusaku interrupted, looking annoyed at the two Ignis. "It is almost four pm. We should log into LINK VRAINS."

Yasutake and Takeru nodded in agreement. "Cam said he'll be back here in about ten to fifteen minutes. Kusanagi will close down around the same time and come back here to help. Until then, we're without support."

"But if the message is sincere, support won't be necessary," Cypher added as Yasutake picked up his Duel Disk. "Let's do this!"

"Yes! See you two in LINK VRAINS!"

At Takeru's words, Yasutake headed into the sealed room while Yusaku and Takeru made do with the chairs.

"Deck set! Into the VRAINS!"

The trio emerged in LINK VRAINS next to a lake on an isolated island. The island in question was covered in grass and trees with said lake and a few mountains around them.

"These are the coordinates in the message," Cypher told them.

"So now we just have to wait for her," Flame said.

"I really hope this isn't a trap," Ai said nervously.

"It isn't."

The three humans and three Ignis started as a young woman emerged from the nearby forest. She wore a dark green vest over a white dress and had short white hair pulled back into a ponytail. Green eyes looked over Morningstar, Playmaker, and Soulburner before settling on the former.

"I admit, I wasn't sure you'd come," she said. There was a note of hesitation in her voice. "Given the enemies arrayed against you, I thought you might ignore my message."

Morningstar narrowed his eyes. He remembered that when Go Onizuka had disguised himself, his Link Sense had gone off. It wasn't now. This woman was the genuine Cassiel. The same one who helped him against SOL's bounty hunters.

And just like before, she felt… familiar to him. Like he knew her from somewhere.

"You are the woman who defeated Techbane?" Playmaker asked. His gaze was neutral. Soulburner gave her a once-over before looking around to make sure they really were alone.

"Yes, I am Cassiel," she answered. "And as I said, I'd like to work with you against Bohman."

"How do you know about Bohman?" Playmaker asked.

"I watched your Speed Duel with him," Cassiel replied. "And I saw him escape to the restricted zone. When I saw you enter and SOL's bounty hunters pursued you, I followed after to help you."

"Why?" Morningstar asked. "Why do you want to help us?"

"Because I want to," Cassiel said. "You helped me before, Morningstar. And now that you're facing powerful opponents – not just Bohman, but also Jester and SOL Technologies – I want to repay the debt I owe you."

Morningstar raised an eyebrow. She knew about Jester? More importantly, they had met before? That would explain the feeling of familiarity he had, but where was it from? He had met a lot of female duelists in his time as a bounty hunter, so while it narrowed down the list, it wasn't too big a hint.

His musings were interrupted by Playmaker. "If that is your reason, then no." Morningstar turned to see his companion frown at Cassiel. Soulburner was looking at him in surprise. "We're fighting to save a friend's brother's consciousness data. I believe you have good intentions, but you do not have any relation to this problem. I am sorry, but we cannot involve you in this."

Morningstar frowned at that and opened his mouth, but Cassiel spoke up before he did. "Then what if I prove myself?" she asked. "If I defeat one of you in a duel and prove my strength, will you accept my help?"

They all blinked. "Let me get this straight," Ai said. "You think you can defeat one of them?" His finger alternated between Morningstar and Playmaker."

Cassiel frowned. "Probably not," she admitted. "But I can defeat you." She pointed to Soulburner.

"Eh? Me?" he said while blinking. "Are you saying I'm the weakest of us?"

"You are," Flame said bluntly.

"Yes, but when your teammates are Morningstar and Playmaker, that doesn't necessarily mean anything," Cypher pointed out.

"…I can't tell if you're trying to be reassuring or not," Soulburner admitted.

Playmaker frowned. "It isn't about your strength," he said. "An outsider shouldn't-."

"And what if I'm not an outsider?" Cassiel asked. "What if I am involved in the fight against Bohman?"

"Are you?" Morningstar asked.

A small smile crossed her face. "I think you'll find out. So, do you accept?"

The trio looked among themselves and all nodded. "Alright," Soulburner said. "If you can defeat me in a duel, then we'll accept your help."

"But if you lose," Playmaker said. "You'll tell us who you are."

She hesitated but then nodded. "Agreed."

Morningstar lifted his Duel Disk. A bright light blinded the others for a few seconds. When they could see again, they realized that a transparent dome had appeared around them.

"What did you do?" Soulburner asked.

"Why did you activate your Camouflage Dome?" Playmaker asked.

"To keep anyone from interfering," Morningstar said, answering the latter question. Turning to the former, he said, "This is a program designed to keep anyone from seeing what happens inside here. It also prevents anyone inside from logging out."

Cassiel frowned as she looked around but said nothing. Soulburner nodded. "Alright, then; let's go!"

"Yeah!" Cassiel lifted her custom Duel Disk as she stood opposite Soulburner. Morningstar and Playmaker had taken up positions behind Soulburner.

"Duel!" they shouted.

Cassiel: 4000 LP

Soulburner: 4000 LP

Soulburner drew while Cassiel swiped her hand in front of herself. "I'll take the first turn," she said.

"Looks like we'll get to see what she can do," Ai said.

"I am curious about her Deck," Cypher said. "Cyber Dragons are pretty rare and strong. What archetype could-."

"I activate the Field Spell Card: Cyangel Sanctum!" Cassiel declared. "While this card is on the field, all Light Cyberse monsters I control gain 300 attack and defense points."

"What?" Soulburner said, his eyes wide.

"Cyberse?" Flame repeated.

"Cyangel!?" Cypher practically shouted, eyes bugging out. "How the hell does she have that archetype!?"

"Isn't that one of the archetypes you told me about?" Morningstar asked.

"Eh? You know it, Cypher?" Ai asked. Playmaker's eyes had widened like Soulburner's.

"Of course I know it; I made it." Cypher narrowed his eyes. "Eight years ago, I created three Cyberse archetypes: the Cyspirits, the Cyangels, and the Cydemons. The Cyspirits were the only ones made into physical cards, except for Angelic Avenger and Superior Seraphim. The other two disappeared after Dr. Hitomu Hirai died."

"And now one of them has resurfaced," Playmaker said, his eyes narrowing. "Do you believe Cassiel knows something about Dr. Hirai's death?"

"I hope so," Cypher said. "That aside, Soulburner!" The duelist turned back to Cypher. "Be careful! I designed the Cyangels to be even stronger than the Cyspirits! They lack the Cyspirits' versatility but make up for it in raw power!"

Soulburner frowned but nodded in acknowledgment.

"I activate Sanctum's effect!" Cassiel declared, drawing their attention back. "Once per turn, I can shuffle a card in my hand back into my Deck and add 1 Cyberse monster from my Deck to my hand." Cassiel placed a card in her Duel Disk, then took another one. "Next, since there are no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Cyangel Cupbearer!" A gold-skinned young man in golden robes with mechanical golden wings and a silver goblet suspended above his hands materialized in Attack Position.

Cyangel Cupbearer ATK 1400 DEF 700 LVL: 3

"Sanctum's effect!"

Cyangel Cupbearer ATK 1400→1700 DEF 700→1000

"All 'Cyangel' monsters have two effects," Cypher said. "The first is one that activates if there are no 'Cyangel' monsters in their controller's Graveyard."

"I Tribute Cupbearer to Tribute Summon Cyangel Prophet!" Cupbearer disappeared and was replaced by an older gold-skinned bearded man with golden wings in golden robes wielding a golden staff.

Cyangel Prophet ATK 2200→2500 DEF 700→1000 LVL: 6

"Cupbearer's effect activates! When it is sent to the Graveyard, it is shuffled back into my Deck, and then I add a different 'Cyangel' monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Cyangel Sister to my hand."

"The second 'Cyangel' effect activates when they are sent to the Graveyard," Cypher continued. "They are shuffled back into the Deck, then a secondary effect is triggered." Morningstar and Playmaker nodded in understanding. "Although…"

Morningstar glanced at his partner. "What is it?"

"…I'm not sure."

"I Set one card," Cassiel said. "I end my turn."

Soulburner frowned as he looked over Cassiel's field. "It's surprising for her to have Cyberse cards."

"Yeah," Flame agreed. "And her archetype seems to function on keeping monsters out of the Graveyard. This gives her good recycling power. This duel may end up being very troublesome."

"You think we can't win?" Soulburner asked, an eyebrow raised.

"Of course we can win," Flame said. "Her cards may be powerful, but you have me. With my help, you'll overcome any difference in strength."

"Are you praising yourself again?" Soulburner asked in amusement. He didn't wait for an answer as he placed his hand on his Duel Disk. "Strong or not, I'm not willing to lose. My turn! Draw! I summon Salamangreat Foxy!" A blue-and-gray armored animal with its tail on fire appeared.

Salamangreat Foxy ATK 1000 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

"I just realized, we've never seen Soulburner duel," Ai noted. Playmaker nodded.

"I've seen him duel in recordings," Morningstar said. "But this is the first time I've seen him duel in real time."

"Appear! The circuit that changes the future!" A stream of fire created the Link portal above Soulburner's head. "The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster. I set Foxy in the Link Marker!" Foxy became a whirlwind of fire and entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Salamangreat Balelynx!" A cat in red and white armor with its tail on fire emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone.

Salamangreat Balelynx ATK 500 LINK-1 ↓

"Balelynx's monster effect! When it is Link Summoned, I add Salamangreat Sanctuary from my Deck to my hand." Soulburner took the card then gestured to his field. "I activate Foxy's effect from the Graveyard! Since there's a face-up Spell or Trap Card on the field, I can discard the Salamangreat Spinny in my hand and Special Summon Foxy. Resurrect, Foxy!" The blue and gray fox reappeared in Attack Position.

Salamangreat Foxy ATK 1000 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

"Then, Foxy's effect destroys one face-up Spell or Trap Card on the field." Cassiel's eyes widened. "I destroy Cyangel Sanctum!" Cassiel grit her teeth as her Field Spell disintegrated.

"Since Sanctum left the field, Prophet's attack and defense points return to normal," she said reluctantly.

Cyangel Prophet ATK 2500→2200 DEF 1000→700

"As I control a 'Salamangreat' monster, I can Special Summon Salamangreat Spinny from the Graveyard. Resurrect!" A small dinosaur with orange spines curled into a ball appeared in Attack Position.

Salamangreat Spinny ATK 1000 DEF 1500 LVL: 3

"Appear again! The circuit that changes the future! The summoning conditions are two or more Fire Effect Monsters. I set Foxy, Spinny, and Balelynx in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the top, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Salamangreat Heatleo!" A stream of fire emerged from the portal. The fire dissipated and revealed an anthropomorphic lion with dark blue skin wearing orange and red armor. Its hands were covered by gauntlets with mouths and had two large wings on its back. Heatleo roared as it was summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone.

Salamangreat Heatleo ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

"That's Soulburner's ace monster," Cypher noted.

"Since the Special Summoned Spinny left the field, it is banished," Soulburner said before gesturing to his field. "Heatleo's monster effect! When it is Link Summoned, one card in your Spell & Trap Zone is shuffled into your Deck!" Cassiel's eyes widened. "Resounding Roar!" Heatleo roared again and caused Cassiel's Set card to disappear.

Cassiel grit her teeth. "My Cyangel Shield," she muttered.

"I activate the Field Spell Card: Salamangreat Sanctuary!" A large pink magic circle with white light in the center appeared above Soulburner's field. Embers started falling down on the field. "Sanctuary's effect lets me Link Summon a 'Salamangreat' Link Monster by using a monster with the same name as Link Material."

Heatleo burst into flames and entered the magic circle. "Surging flame, awaken Heatleo's true strength with the power of purification!" A massive twister of fire exited the portal and struck Soulburner's field. "Reincarnation Link Summon! Resurrect, the king of beasts that runs through the fire prairie! Salamangreat Heatleo!" Heatleo emerged from the fire, with its wings on fire and a mane of flames around its neck.

Salamangreat Heatleo ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

"The reincarnated Heatleo's monster effect! Once per turn, when it is Reincarnation Link Summoned, I can target a monster on your field and a 'Salamangreat' monster in my Graveyard. Until the end of the turn, your monster's attack points become equal to my monster's. I target Prophet and Balelynx! Flame Possession!" An orb on Heatleo's chest emitted fire that took the shape of Balelynx. The fire charged and struck Prophet, weakening it.

Cyangel Prophet ATK 2200→500

Cassiel gasped. "Only 500 attack points?" she whispered.

"Battle! Heatleo attacks Cyangel Prophet! Heat Soul!" Flames covered Heatleo's body as it spun and charged at Prophet.

Cassiel gestured to her own field. "I activate the effect of Cyangel Sister in my hand!" she declared. "Since there are no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard and my Light Cyberse monster would be destroyed by battle, that destruction is negated, and the battle damage is halved!" The fiery tornado struck Prophet, but it remained on the field while Cassiel winced.

Cassiel: 4000→3100 LP

"Then, after damage calculation, Cyangel Sister's effect Special Summons itself!" A gold-skinned woman in black robes wearing a white habit appeared in Attack Position. Small golden wings emerged from her back as she folded her hands in prayer. She had solid blue eyes and cybernetic implants twisting under her left eye.

Cyangel Sister ATK 1200 DEF 700 LVL: 3

"Looks like she makes use of hand traps, too," Soulburner noted. "I Set one card. I end my turn."

"My turn! Draw!" On seeing what she drew, Cassiel smiled. "I summon Cyangel Cherub!" A small gold-skinned child appeared on her field. It was bare-chested, wore a white loincloth, and had small golden wings on its back. The child's smile crinkled its solid blue eyes as cybernetics twisted above its right eye.

Cyangel Cherub ATK 1800 DEF 700 LVL: 4

"Appear! The circuit of infinite light!" Cassiel's hand shone with golden light as the Link portal appeared above her. "The summoning conditions are two or more Light Cyberse monsters. I set Cherub, Prophet, and Sister in the Link Markers!" Her monsters became whirlwinds of golden energy and entered the top, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cyseraph Blazing Uriel!" A golden figure with four red-and-gold colored wings emerged from the portal. It wore ornate crimson and gold armor and had blazing red hair tied back into a ponytail and solid blue eyes with gold lights in the center. An ornate red and gold longbow formed in its left hand as it was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyseraph Blazing Uriel ATK 2500 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

Morningstar blinked. "Cyseraph?" he said, looking down at Cypher.

The Ignis chuckled. "I changed the names for the Cyangel and Cydemon Link Monsters. Since they're named for actual angels and demons, I thought it would fit better."

"Cherub's, Prophet's, and Sister's effects activate in the Graveyard!" Cassiel declared. "All three are shuffled into my Deck." She took the cards and returned them to her Deck, then said, "And now, their secondary effects activate. First, Cherub's effect lets me Special Summon one 'Cyangel' monster from my Deck in Defense Position, but that monster cannot be used as Link Material this turn. Come, Cyangel Cherub!" The golden child in a loincloth reappeared at Uriel's bottom-left Link Marker.

Cyangel Cherub ATK 1800 DEF 700 LVL: 4

"Cherub's effect lets it Special Summon any 'Cyangel' monster except its own card," Cypher said. "So long as she has two copies of Cherub, she can bring them out indefinitely."

"Second, Prophet's effect increases the attack points of one monster I control by 1000 until the end of the turn. I target Blazing Uriel!"

Cyseraph Blazing Uriel ATK 2500→3500

"Finally, Sister's effect lets me add one 'Cyangel' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand. I return the Field Spell Card: Cyangel Sanctum from my Graveyard to my hand, and then activate it! And while Sanctum is active, all of my Light Cyberse monsters gain 300 attack and defense points!"

Cyangel Cherub ATK 1800→2100 DEF 700→1000

Cyseraph Blazing Uriel ATK 3500→3800

"So this is the Cyangel strategy," Playmaker deduced.

"Yeah," Cypher nodded. "The Deck is basically a giant loop; Main Deck monsters are used to bring out Link Monsters, and when they are sent to the Graveyard, they are shuffled back into the Deck. This leaves them a near infinite supply of monsters."

"It's a simple yet powerful strategy," Morningstar acknowledged.

"Of course. I designed the Cyangels, they couldn't be anything but powerful," Cypher boasted. "But…" Morningstar looked down at his partner at the last word, but Cassiel pointed to the field before he could say anything.

"Battle!" she declared. "Blazing Uriel attacks Heatleo!" The Cyseraph pulled back its bowstring and generated an arrow of fire. Soulburner gestured to his field.

"I activate the effect of Balelynx in the Graveyard!" he declared. "If my 'Salamangreat' card would be destroyed-."

"That's useless," Cassiel interrupted. "Cherub's monster effect! When the linked Blazing Uriel attacks your monster, you cannot activate any cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step." Soulburner gasped. "Go! Holy Fire!" Blazing Uriel released its arrow, sending it straight through Heatleo's chest. Soulburner groaned from his monster's explosion and the backlash of the attack.

Soulburner: 4000→2500 LP

"Blazing Uriel's monster effect!" Cassiel continued. "When it destroys your monster by battle and I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, you take damage equal to your monster's Link Rating times 200. And if this effect activates while Blazing Uriel is linked, the damage is doubled!"

"Heatleo was Link-3," Flame noted. "And with its effect, the damage is essentially the Link Rating times 400. That means…"

"1200 points of damage," Soulburner said, gritting his teeth.

"Go! Heavenly Blaze!" Blazing Uriel raised its right hand as a fireball formed in it. It launched the fireball at Soulburner, who cried out in pain on being hit.

Soulburner: 2500→1300 LP

"2700 points of damage from one attack?" Ai said.

"Like I said, my 'Cyangel' Deck is very powerful," Cypher boasted.

"I don't think this is the time to be proud of it," Morningstar said.

"Trap activate!" Soulburner declared. "Salamangreat Resuscitation!" The card showed a mechanical gray and green wolf with a mane of fire walking through a volcanic wasteland. "Since my 'Salamangreat' Link Monster was destroyed, I can Special Summon that monster with its effects negated. Resurrect, Heatleo!" Soulburner's monster reappeared and roared.

Salamangreat Heatleo ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

"Furthermore, the second effect of Salamangreat Resuscitation increases my Life Points by half of Heatleo's attack points."

Soulburner: 1300→2450 LP

Cassiel narrowed her eyes. "I Set one card. I end my turn. And during the End Phase, Cyangel Prophet's effect ends."

Cyseraph Blazing Uriel ATK 3800→2800

"My turn! Draw!" Soulburner looked at his card, then gestured to his field. "I activate Salamangreat Sanctuary's effect! Reincarnation Link Summon! Be reborn, Heatleo!" Heatleo entered the portal, then exited in a burst of fire, its mane and wings on fire. It roared from the Extra Monster Zone again.

Salamangreat Heatleo ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

"Heatleo's monster effect! When it is Link Summoned-."

"Trap activate!" Cassiel declared, interrupting Soulburner. "Cyangel Caritas!" The card showed Cyangel Sister handing out bread to children in filthy clothes on a street. The Sister had a kind smile on her face. "By Tributing a 'Cyangel' monster, I can add a different 'Cyangel' monster from my Deck to my hand. I Tribute Cherub to add Cyangel Choir to my hand." Cherub disintegrated as Cassiel took a card from her Deck.

"She activated her Trap Card before Soulburner could use Heatleo's effect to bounce it back to her Deck," Playmaker noted.

"She did more than that," Cypher said.

"Cherub's effect activates! Since it was sent to the Graveyard, it is shuffled back into my Deck, and I can Special Summon a new 'Cyangel' monster in Defense Position. I summon Cyangel Cherub!" The child in a loincloth reappeared at Blazing Uriel's bottom-left Link Marker.

Cyangel Cherub ATK 1800→2100 DEF 700→1000 LVL: 4

"Sanctum's effect activates!" Cassiel continued. "Since a Cyberse monster in my Graveyard was shuffled into my Deck, I can target a Cyberse Link Monster on my field. Until the end of the turn, you cannot target that monster with card effects, nor can it be destroyed by card effects. I target Blazing Uriel!" Her monster glowed briefly with golden light. "Finally, Cyangel Caritas's effect also prevents you from destroying my Spell or Trap Cards with card effects for the rest of the turn."

"Clever," Flame praised. "Since Heatleo was Reincarnation Link Summoned, it could use its effect to lower Blazing Uriel's attack points. But since we can't target it with card effects, Heatleo's effect won't work."

"And thanks to her Trap Card's effect, I can't use Foxy's effect to destroy Sanctum," Soulburner said.

"This is a problem," Flame acknowledged. "Heatleo isn't strong enough to destroy her monster, and thanks to Sanctum's effect, we can't target it or destroy it with effects."

"Giving up already?" Soulburner asked, lightly smirking.

"Of course not," Flame said. "Just thinking about how impressive it will be to overcome the wall in front of us."

"Well, you're right about that," Soulburner said. "Though, I think I have a card to get around that. I Special Summon Salamangreat Beat Bison!" A large red and purple buffalo with golden horns and flames all over its body appeared in Defense Position.

Salamangreat Beat Bison ATK 2800 DEF 1000 LVL: 8

"I can Special Summon Beat Bison if I have three or more 'Salamangreat' monsters in my Graveyard," Soulburner explained before gesturing to his field. "Beat Bison's monster effect! Once per turn, I can return Fire Link Monsters in my Graveyard to my Extra Deck up to the number of face-up cards you control. Then, for each returned card, I can negate the effects of one of your cards until the end of the turn!"

"Sanctum's effect prevents you from targeting Blazing Uriel!" Cassiel reminded him.

"It does," Soulburner smirked. "But I can target Sanctum!" Cassiel gasped. "I shuffle a copy of Heatleo back into my Extra Deck and negate Cyangel Sanctum's effects!"

Cyangel Cherub ATK 2100→1800 DEF 1000→700

Cyseraph Blazing Uriel ATK 2800→2500

"Clever move," Morningstar said. "Since Sanctum's effect was negated, he can now target Blazing Uriel with his card effects."

"And since Heatleo was Reincarnation Link Summoned," Ai said, "he can change its attack points to 500 like last turn!"

"The only card in her hand is a monster called Cyangel Choir," Flame noted. "It likely has a different effect from Cyangel Sister, meaning she can't protect her monster. This is our chance to do huge damage."

"No, it is more than that," Soulburner said. "This is a chance to stop her strategy here and now. I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Salamangreat Circle! By activating its first effect, I can add a 'Salamangreat' monster from my Deck to my hand. I add the Ritual Monster Salamangreat Emerald Eagle from my Deck to my hand!"

"Ritual Monster?" Cassiel repeated in surprise.

"He has one too?" Ai asked.

"I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Rise of the Salamangreat!" Soulburner declared. "I Tribute monsters from my hand and field whose total Level equals or exceeds the Level of the 'Salamangreat' Ritual Monster I'm Ritual Summoning. I Tribute the Level 8 Beat Bison!" A dark pink magic circle appeared on the ground in front of Soulburner. Eight flames materialized around the circle's edges. Beat Bison disintegrated into red data and entered the center of the circle, which glowed with red energy. The flames merged and formed a ring of fire as Soulburner chanted.

"Ritual Summon! Rise, Level 8! Jade wings clad in flames! Salamangreat Emerald Eagle!" A large green and black mechanical bird emerged from the circle at Heatleo's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position.

Salamangreat Emerald Eagle ATK 2800 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

Morningstar pulled up data on Emerald Eagle and frowned. Is he going to…?

"Heatleo's monster effect! I target the Balelynx in my Graveyard and your Blazing Uriel! Flame Possession!" A stream of fire struck Blazing Uriel, making it cry out in pain.

Cyseraph Blazing Uriel ATK 2500→500

So no, he isn't going to use Emerald Eagle's effect.

"Battle! Emerald Eagle attacks Blazing Uriel! Emerald Flames!" Emerald Eagle was enveloped and fire and charged Blazing Uriel. It pierced the angel's chest, destroying it in an explosion and making Cassiel cry out in pain.

Cassiel: 3100→800 LP

"Oh, he inflicted 2300 points of damage!" Ai said.

"But he could have inflicted more," Cypher said. "Emerald Eagle's effect lets him Tribute a 'Salamangreat' Link Monster to destroy a monster before Emerald Eagle battles it. If he did that, Cassiel would have taken damage equal to Blazing Uriel's attack points; 2500 instead of 2300."

"Then why did he-?"

"Blazing Uriel's effect activates!" Cassiel interrupted Ai. "When it is sent to the Graveyard by your card, I can shuffle it back into my Extra Deck and Special Summon two 'Cyangel' monsters from my Deck in Defense Position. Come, Cyangel Prophet and Cyangel Sister!" The older man with a beard and the black-robed woman reappeared.

Cyangel Prophet ATK 2200 DEF 700 LVL: 6

Cyangel Sister ATK 1200 DEF 700 LVL: 3

"That's the final effect of the Cyseraph monsters," Cypher explained. "Not only do they shuffle back into the Extra Deck when sent to the Graveyard by the opponent's card, they also bring out more Cyangel monsters."

"So to continue the loop," Morningstar surmised.

Soulburner frowned as he looked over Cassiel's field. Then his eyes settled on one monster. "The battle continues! Heatleo attacks Cyangel Cherub! Heat Soul!" Heatleo burst into flames and charged Cherub, destroying it in an explosion. Cassiel grit her teeth and gestured to her field.

"Cherub's effect activates!" she declared. "Since it was sent to the Graveyard, I can shuffle it into my Deck and-!"

"ERROR."

Cassiel blinked as the message went across her Duel Disk. "Huh? I, uh, activate Cherub's effect to-."

"ERROR."

Cassiel frowned and opened a window on her Duel Disk. "Why isn't this…?" Her eyes widened. "Oh."

Cypher chuckled. "You just realized it, didn't you?" he said, grabbing everyone's attention. "Cherub's effect to shuffle itself can only be used once per turn. And you shuffled Cherub back into your Deck earlier, so you can't do it now."

Cassiel scowled but didn't reply.

"I Set one card," Soulburner said. "I end my turn."

"And with the end of our turn, Beat Bison's effect ends," Flame said. "So Cyangel Sanctum's effects resume."

Cyangel Prophet ATK 2200→2500 DEF 700→1000

Cyangel Sister ATK 1200→1500 DEF 700→1000

"I don't get it," Ai said. "He could have left her with 600 Life Points but stopped at 800. Why?"

"To halt her strategy," Playmaker explained. "The Cyangel Deck requires no monsters in the Graveyard, and since Cherub was sent to the Graveyard and unable to be shuffled…"

"Oh! I see now! He made a long term move to cripple her Deck."

"It is a smart move, considering what he's up against," Cypher agreed. "But the Cyangel Deck does have other ways to bring its monsters back. And…"

Morningstar looked down at his partner. "You've noticed it too?" he asked.

"Of course I did; I made those cards, I'd know if someone was holding back while using them."

"Eh?" Ai asked. "What do you mean?"

Playmaker frowned. "I thought so. I suspected it earlier, but her forgetting Cherub's effect can only be used once per turn confirmed it."

"Confirmed what?"

"Ai, I wasn't exaggerating when I said the Cyangels exceed the Cyspirits in strength. Used properly, there's only a few Decks that have a high chance of defeating them. And while the Salamangreats are strong, they aren't one of those Decks. But the way Cassiel's been dueling… she isn't using the Cyangels to their full potential. From what I've seen, I estimate she's only used about 30% of their strength."

"Eh? But why wouldn't she be using her Deck's full strength?"

"There are three reasons she might not be," Playmaker said. Morningstar nodded.

"One," Morningstar said, "she's intentionally holding back, perhaps as a test or because she doesn't think she needs to go all out."

"Two," Playmaker said, "her dueling skills just aren't that advanced, either because of a lack of experience or training."

"Or three," Morningstar concluded, "she's not very experienced with the Cyangel Deck, either because she just got it recently or just hasn't too many chances to use it."

Ai looked back and forth between the two humans. "Okay, you two doing that at the same time creeps me out." Ai's eyes narrowed. "But are you sure about that? Aside from Cherub's effect not working, I didn't see anything indicating she's a bad duelist."

"There was another sign, at the beginning of the duel," Cypher said. "I'm pretty sure she added Prophet to her hand with Sanctum's effect. Cupbearer isn't the only Cyangel that can Special Summon itself; she could have taken one of those, Special Summoned Cupbearer, Normal Summoned, then Link Summoned. Instead, she Tribute Summoned. That in itself wasn't a bad move but compared to what she could have done for her opener, it was lackluster."

"…So, what? Is she holding back, is she a mediocre duelist, or just not experienced with her Deck?"

"The last one is the most likely, since she forgot about Cherub's effect," Morningstar answered. "Of course, the other two are still possible. We'll only know when the duel ends."

"My turn! Draw!" Cassiel looked at her card, frowned, then played the other one. "I summon Cyangel Choir!" A gold-skinned woman with solid blue eyes appeared. She wore white robes with golden stoles over her shoulders and had short golden hair. Cybernetic implants traveled across her cheekbones and golden metal wings spread out from her back.

Cyangel Choir ATK 600→900 DEF 700→1000 LVL: 1

"Three monsters," Flame said, narrowing his eyes. "Is she going to bring back Blazing Uriel?"

"No," Soulburner said, gesturing to his field. "Continuous Trap activate! Salamangreat Friction!" The card showed Heatleo with several afterimages all imposed around its body. "Once per turn, if I would take effect damage, I can banish a 'Salamangreat' monster from my Graveyard and negate that damage."

"A counter for Blazing Uriel," Playmaker noted.

"But Blazing Uriel isn't the only Cyseraph Link Monster," Cypher said.

Cassiel frowned again but gestured to the sky. "Appear! The circuit of infinite light! The summoning conditions are two or more Light Cyberse monsters. I set Choir, Prophet, and Sister in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. "Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cyseraph Righteous Raguel!"

A golden figure, the same size as Blazing Uriel, exited the portal. It spread four metal wings that started out silver at the top and turned gold halfway through. Formfitting silver armor with gold edges covered its chest, upper legs, and upper arms. Gauntlets and boots of a silver design covered its hands and feet. Its face was feminine, with long dark silver hair tied into a braid that fell halfway down its back and solid blue eyes with gold light in the centers. A scimitar with silver edges and a dark blue and silver handle and cross-guard formed in its right hand as a set of silver scales materialized in its left hand. Righteous Raguel beat her wings from the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyseraph Righteous Raguel ATK 2400→2700 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"A new Cyseraph Link Monster," Morningstar noted.

"Yeah, but with a monster in the Graveyard, she can't use its effects," Ai said.

"Don't be so sure," Cypher said.

"The effects of Cyangel Choir, Prophet, and Sister activate!" Cassiel declared. "I shuffle all three into my Deck, and then their secondary effects activate. First, Choir's effect lets me target one card in my Graveyard. If I target a Spell or Trap Card, that card is added to my hand and I gain 1000 Life Points." She smirked. "But if I target a Monster Card, then that monster is Special Summoned in Defense Position and I gain Life Points equal to its attack points."

Soulburner blinked. "What?"

"Ressurect, Cyangel Cherub!" The gold-skinned child reappeared at Righteous Raguel's bottom-left Link Marker.

Cyangel Cherub ATK 1800→2100 DEF 700→1000 LVL: 4

Cassiel: 800→2600 LP

"Eh? She brought it back?" Ai said.

"I said the Cyangels had other ways to get monsters out of the Graveyard," Cypher reminded his fellow Ignis. "Choir's effect is one of them."

"With Cherub back on my field, I don't have any monsters in the Graveyard anymore." Soulburner grit his teeth.

"Next, Prophet's effect increases Righteous Raguel's attack points by 1000."

Cyseraph Righteous Raguel ATK 2700→3700

"Finally, Cyangel Sister's effect lets me add a 'Cyangel' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand. I add Cyangel Litany from my Deck to my hand."

After Cassiel took her card, she gestured to her field. "Sanctum's effect activates! Since a Cyberse monster was shuffled into my Deck, I can target Righteous Raguel and prevent you from targeting it or destroying it with card effects.

"Battle! Righteous Raguel attacks Emerald Eagle!" Cassiel declared. "Cherub's monster effect! Since I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard while the linked Righteous Raguel is attacking, you cannot activate any cards or effects."

Soulburner grit his teeth as Righteous Raguel's sword and scales glowed with silver light. "Go! Justice Slash!" Righteous Raguel lifted her sword upwards, then brought it downwards. A beam of silver light shot outwards and crashed into Emerald Eagle, destroying it. Soulburner grunted in pain.

Soulburner: 2450→1550 LP

"Righteous Raguel's monster effect!" Cassiel continued. "If there are no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, it can make three attacks during the Battle Phase."

Everyone else except Cypher gasped at that. "T-Three attacks?" Ai repeated.

"Yes," Cypher said. "But Righteous Raguel can only attack directly once through that effect."

"Righteous Raguel attacks Heatleo!" One of the scales in Righteous Raguel's left hand turned into energy and entered her sword, making it glow again. The remaining scale tipped as it was unbalanced. "Justice Slash!" Righteous Raguel swung her sword, sending another beam of energy at Heatleo, destroying it and making Soulburner cry out in pain. The duelist fell to one knee as he grit his teeth.

Soulburner: 1550→150 LP

"This is the end!" Cassiel declared. "Righteous Raguel attacks you directly!" The last scale disappeared into silver light that merged with Righteous Raguel's scimitar. The angel swung its sword and sent a beam of silver light at Soulburner, who gestured to his field.

"I activate Salamangreat Friction's effect!" he declared.

"You can't!" Cassiel said. "Cherub's effect prevents you from activating any cards or effects when the linked Righteous Raguel attacks!"

"Yeah," Soulburner said with a smirk. "If the linked monster attacks my monster. But when it attacks me, I can activate effects!"

Cassiel's eyes widened. She pulled up Cherub's effects and realized he was right. How had she missed that?

Morningstar narrowed his eyes. Another sign she doesn't know her Deck that well, he thought.

"By sending Salamangreat Friction to the Graveyard and banishing Emerald Eagle from the Graveyard," Soulburner continued, "I can negate the damage from this battle!" A shield made of fire appeared in front of Soulburner and blocked Righteous Raguel's scimitar. Cassiel grit her teeth. "Then, Friction's effect lets me draw two cards."

"Hey, Yasu, can you hear me?"

Morningstar blinked as Soulburner drew. "Cam? You finally made it to the back?"

"Yeah, the front was busy, but I managed to get away. Kusanagi's with me too."

"Have to say, this is a pretty nice setup." Kusanagi's voice came over Morningstar's comm. "This is giving me a few ideas for my own computers."

"Cam and Kusanagi are in the backroom," Morningstar said softly to Playmaker, who nodded in response. Morningstar then started whispering, catching Cam and Kusanagi up on what was happening.

Cassiel frowned but activated a card from her hand. "I activate the Spell Card: Cyangel Litany!" The card showed Cyangel Priest standing on the steps of a church, reading from a scroll in his hands. "Since I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, I can activate the effect of a Spell or Trap Card in my Graveyard as Litany's effect. I activate the effect of Cyangel Caritas to Tribute Cherub and add Cyangel Choir from my Deck to my hand."

Her monster disintegrated as Cassiel drew then gestured to her field. "Cherub's effect activates! Since it was sent to the Graveyard, it is shuffled back into my Deck, and I can Special Summon a new 'Cyangel' from my Deck in Defense Position. Come, Cyangel Cherub!" The child in a loincloth reappeared at Righteous Raguel's bottom-left Link Marker.

Cyangel Cherub ATK 1800→2100 DEF 700→1000 LVL: 4

"In addition, until my next Standby Phase, Litany's effect prevents you from targeting or destroying my Light Cyberse monsters with your card effects."

Soulburner frowned at that. "Since Litany is no longer on the field, we can't use an effect like Beat Bison's to get around it," Flame noted.

"I activate Sanctum's effect! I shuffle a card in my hand back into my Deck to add Cyangel Sister from my Deck to my hand."

"Hmm. She's prepared rather well for the next turn," Cypher commented.

"Litany's effect prevents Soulburner from targeting or destroying her monsters with effects," Playmaker noted.

"And since Cyangel Sister is back in her hand, she can halve any battle damage she takes," Ai said.

"Not just that," Cypher said. "Cyangel Choir can heal one instance of effect damage and prevent her from taking effect damage the rest of the turn. And even without Sister in her hand, Righteous Raguel cannot be destroyed by battle while it's linked."

"No matter how you look at it," Morningstar said, having finished talking with his earpiece. "Soulburner is at a notable disadvantage."

"I end my turn," Cassiel said. "It's your turn."

"Hmm." Flame looked at the two cards in Soulburner's hand. "We can definitely work with these, but we can't overcome her formation. We'll need a gamechanger."

"Yeah," Soulburner agreed. "I'll have to put everything into this draw." He placed a hand on his Deck. "She's good, but the two of us are better. My turn! Draw!" Soulburner looked at his card and smiled. "Yes!"

"Oh! You drew a good card!" Flame commented. Soulburner added said card to his hand before activating a different one.

"I activate the Spell Card: Link Fire's Return!" he declared. "This lets me Special Summon a 'Salamangreat' Link Monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Heatleo!" The flaming lion reappeared and roared.

Salamangreat Heatleo ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

"Then, Link Fire's Return's effect inflicts damage equal to Heatleo's Link Rating times 200! Heatleo is Link-3, so you take 600 points of damage!" Cassiel flinched from being hit by a small explosion.

Cassiel: 2600→2000 LP

"I activate the effect of Cyangel Choir in my hand!" Cassiel declared. "Since I took effect damage, I can Special Summon Choir and gain Life Points equal to the damage I took!" The woman in white robes reappeared in Defense Position.

Cyangel Choir ATK 600→900 DEF 700→1000 LVL: 1

Cassiel: 2000→2600 LP

"For the rest of the turn after Choir's effect is activated, I take no effect damage," Cassiel concluded.

"Which means we'll have to rely on battle damage to win," Flame said.

"I activate the Spell Card: Fusion of Fire!" Soulburner declared. "I send Fusion Material monsters to the Graveyard to Fusion Summon!"

"He has Fusion, too?" Ai said in surprise.

"Guess we all have Fusion and Ritual," Morningstar said.

"But you're the only one who has Synchro," Cypher said smugly.

"You only have one monster on your field," Cassiel noted. "Are you fusing with a monster in your hand?"

"No," Soulburner said. "My Fusion Material Monsters are Heatleo and one Link Monster."

"But you don't have another Link Monster," Cassiel pointed out.

"I don't," Soulburner agreed before smirking. "But you do."

Cassiel's eyes widened. "But… Litany's effect prevents you from targeting my cards!"

"Fusion of Fire doesn't target, so you can't prevent it!" Soulburner said. "I Fusion Summon using the Link Monster Cyseraph Righteous Raguel!"

"Appear!" Soulburner declared. Heatleo was surrounded by red flames while blue flames enveloped Righteous Raguel. The two flames rose into the air and struck each other. The flames merged into a fiery tornado that turned purple at the top. "The origin of a crazy soul! The magical beast whose flesh gathers the weapons of evil beasts! Fusion Summon! Salamangreat Violet Chimera!"

The purple flames receded, revealing the monster within. It was a humanoid purple metal lion with gray plating. Its right hand ended in a lance and its left ended in another mouth. Gray and silver spines sprouted from it sides as light blue flames burned on its spines, back, and head. The Fusion Monster roared from the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Salamangreat Violet Chimera ATK 2800 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"He can fuse using monsters from either field?" Ai said in astonishment.

Cypher growled. "Damn it, Flame. Why do you have to have cool ideas before me?"

"Violet Chimera's effect activates!" Soulburner said. "When it's Fusion Summoned, until the End Phase, it gains attack points equal to half the Fusion Material Monsters' attack points!"

"Heatleo had 2300 attack points," Playmaker noted. "And Righteous Raguel had 2400 attack points."

"That means Violet Chimera gains 2350 attack points," Morningstar concluded.

Salamangreat Violet Chimera ATK 2800→5150

Cassiel grit her teeth and gestured to her field. "Righteous Raguel's effect activates!" she declared. "Since it was sent to the Graveyard by your card, I can return it to my Extra Deck and Special Summon two 'Cyangel' monsters from my Deck in Defense Position. Come, Cyangel Priest and Cyangel Prophet!" A gold-skinned man in golden robes carrying a rosary and another man with a beard and staff appeared alongside Cherub and Choir.

Cyangel Priest ATK 1600→1900 DEF 700→1000 LVL: 4

Cyangel Prophet ATK 2200→2500 DEF 700→1000 LVL: 6

"Now she has four monsters on the field," Morningstar noted.

"And all are in Defense Position," Ai said. "Soulburner can't inflict any damage to her."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Playmaker said, taking notice of Soulburner's smile.

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Salamangreat Claw!" said duelist declared. "And equip it to Violet Chimera." A massive orange gauntlet with two prongs on the end materialized around Violet Chimera's left arm. "While Violet Chimera is equipped with Claw, it inflicts piercing battle damage!"

Cassiel's eyes widened as Soulburner gestured to his field. "Battle! Violet Chimera attacks Cyangel Prophet!"

"Even if you inflict piercing battle damage, Sister's effect will halve the battle damage," Cassiel reminded him. "You can't win this!"

"Are you sure about that?"

Cassiel gasped. "Violet Chimera's additional effect! When it battles a monster whose attack points are different from its original attack points, its own attack points are doubled!"

"What!?"

"Prophet's attack points are higher than normal because of Cyangel Sanctum," Soulburner reminded her. "I was able to win because of your Field Spell!"

Salamangreat Violet Chimera ATK 5150→10300

"Over 10000 attack points!?" Ai screeched.

I can't block that much damage! Cassiel thought.

"Go! Violet Soul!" Violet Chimera charged Prophet and brought its lance down, slashing the monster and destroying it in an explosion. Cassiel cried out as she was flung backwards and landed painfully on her back.

Cassiel: 2600→0 LP

"Yes!" Ai cheered. "Soulburner won!" The trio walked over to the defeated girl, who pushed herself up to her knees while looking down.

"That was a good duel," Soulburner said. "Even if you made a few mistakes, you're really strong."

"Even so, we can't let you face an enemy like Bohman or Jester," Morningstar said. "I know you want to help but leave this to us."

"Now, as we agreed before the duel," Playmaker said. "Who are you?"

"…Why?"

The trio blinked at the girl's near-whisper. "Why?" Ai asked. "Soulburner won, and you agreed-."

"Why do you keep refusing help?" Cassiel raised her head and glared at Morningstar. "Why do you keep trying to face everything alone? Why do you seem to think that you can solve everything alone?"

Morningstar blinked again. He hadn't expected an accusation like that. He opened his mouth, but Cassiel beat him to it.

"Whenever you're in trouble, you insist on facing it alone," she said, her voice growing louder. "That you don't need help, that others shouldn't get involved. But what if they want to get involved? What if they want to ease their friends' burden?"

"We don't want-."

"What if it's not about what you want?" Cassiel interrupted Playmaker. "What about the people who care about you?" She kept glaring at Morningstar. "Always, you try to face things alone, you try to shoulder every burden. Do you have any idea what that does to the people around you? How much it hurts them to watch you facing a threat alone, and for you to tell them you don't want their help? Why? Because you're too proud to accept it? Because you don't think they're strong enough to protect themselves? Because your afraid of them getting hurt? Don't you think they're afraid of the same thing!?"

Cassiel's voice raised to a shout. "Well, I'm sick of it! I'm sick of you telling me to stay on the sidelines! I can't just stand by and watch you fight without helping you! Do you have any idea how much it hurts to watch you fight, know I can do something, and for you to treat me like a little girl who can only support you from the sidelines!? Do you, Yasu!?"

…

Cassiel's face paled as the three humans and three Ignis stared at her. Morningstar's mouth started to work but no sounds came out. His brain was too busy trying to catch up to what Cassiel had just said.

And then it hit him.

A little over a dozen people knew Morningstar's real name. And only two of them called him by that nickname. One of them was sitting in Café Junpei's backroom, his eyes widening as he overheard Cassiel's rant and came to the same conclusion that Morningstar came to.

"SACHI!?"

Cassiel vs. Soulburner

This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.

Turn 1: Cassiel

Cassiel activates the Field Spell Card Cyangel Sanctum. While Sanctum is active, all Light Cyberse monsters she controls gain 300 ATK/DEF. Cassiel activates Sanctum's effect to shuffle 1 card in her hand back into her Deck to add 1 Cyberse monster from her Deck to her hand. She shuffles Cyangel Priest back into her Deck and adds Cyangel Prophet to her hand. Since she has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, Cassiel Special Summons Cyangel Cupbearer (1400→1700/700→1000/3) in Attack Position. Cassiel Tributes Cupbearer to Tribute Summon Cyangel Prophet (2200→2500/700→1000/6). Since Cupbearer was sent to the GY, its effect activates, and Cassiel shuffles it into her Deck and adds 1 "Cyangel" monster from her Deck to her hand. She adds Cyangel Sister to her hand. Cassiel Sets 1 card. She ends her turn.

Turn 2: Soulburner

Soulburner draws. He Normal Summons Salamangreat Foxy (1000/1200/3). Soulburner uses Foxy to Link Summon Salamangreat Balelynx (500/1/↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Since Balelynx was Link Summoned, Soulburner can add Salamangreat Sanctuary from his Deck to his hand. Since Foxy is in the GY and there is a face-up Spell/Trap Card on the field, Soulburner activates its effect, discarding Salamangreat Spinny to Special Summon Foxy (1000/1200/3) in Attack Position and destroy 1 face-up Spell/Trap Card on the field. Soulburner destroys Cyangel Sanctum (Prophet: 2500→2200/1000→700). Since Soulburner controls a "Salamangreat" monster other than Spinny, he activates the effect of Spinny in the GY, Special Summoning it (1000/1500/3) in Attack Position, but it will be banished when it leaves the field. Soulburner uses Balelynx, Foxy, and Spinny to Link Summon Salamangreat Heatleo (2300/3/↙↑↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Since Spinny left the field, it's banished. Since Heatleo was Link Summoned, Soulburner can target and shuffle 1 card in Cassiel's Spell & Trap Zone back into her Deck. He targets and shuffles her Set Cyangel Shield into her Deck. Soulburner activates the Field Spell Card Salamangreat Sanctuary. If he would Link Summon a "Salamangreat" Link Monster, Sanctuary's effect lets him use 1 Link Monster he controls with the same name. Soulburner uses Heatleo to Reincarnation Link Summon Heatleo (2300/3/↙↑↘). Since Heatleo was Link Summoned using Heatleo as material, Soulburner can target 1 monster Cassiel controls and 1 "Salamangreat" monster in his GY and make Cassiel's monster's ATK equal to his monster's ATK until the end of the turn. He targets Prophet and Balelynx (Prophet: 2200→500).

Heatleo attacks Prophet. As she has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY and her Light Cyberse monster would be destroyed by battle, Cassiel activates the effect of Cyangel Sister in her hand, preventing Prophet's destruction by battle this turn and halving all battle damage Cassiel takes (Cassiel: 4000→3100 LP). Sister is then Special Summoned (1200/700/3) in Attack Position. Soulburner Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 3: Cassiel

Cassiel draws. She Normal Summons Cyangel Cherub (1800/700/4). Cassiel uses Cherub, Prophet, and Sister to Link Summon Cyseraph Blazing Uriel (2500/3/↙↑↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. Since Cherub, Prophet, and Sister were sent to the GY, their effects activate, and Cassiel returns them all to her Deck, then their secondary effects activate. Cherub's effect lets her Special Summon 1 "Cyangel" monster from her Deck in Defense Position, but it cannot be used as Link Material this turn. She Special Summons a 2nd Cherub (1800/700/4) at Blazing Uriel's bottom-left Link Marker. Prophet's effect lets Cassiel increase the ATK of 1 monster she controls by 1000 until the end of the turn. She increases Blazing Uriel's ATK (Blazing Uriel: 2500→3500). Sister's effect lets Cassiel add 1 "Cyangel" Spell/Trap Card from her Deck or GY to her hand. She returns Cyangel Sanctum from her GY to her hand, then activates it. Sanctum's effect increases the ATK/DEF of all Light Cyberse monsters she controls by 300 (Blazing Uriel: 3500→3800) (Cherub: 1800→2100/700→1000).

Blazing Uriel attacks Heatleo. Soulburner attempts to activate the effect of Balelynx in his GY, but since Cherub is linked to Blazing Uriel and Cassiel has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, Soulburner cannot activate any cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step. Heatleo is destroyed (Soulburner: 4000→2500 LP). Since Blazing Uriel destroyed Soulburner's monster by battle and Cassiel has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, Soulburner takes damage equal to Heatleo's Link Rating times 200. And since Blazing Uriel points to a "Cyangel" monster, the damage is doubled (Soulburner: 2500→1300 LP). Since his "Salamangreat" Link Monster was destroyed and sent to the GY, Soulburner activates his Set Trap Card Salamangreat Resuscitation, which lets him Special Summon that monster with its effects negated and then gain LP equal to half its ATK. He Special Summons Heatleo (2300/3/↙↑↘) (Soulburner: 1300→2450 LP). Cassiel Sets 1 card. She ends her turn, and Prophet's effect ends (Blazing Uriel: 3800→2800).

Turn 4: Soulburner

Soulburner draws. Soulburner activates the effect of Salamangreat Sanctuary, using Heatleo to Reincarnation Link Summon Heatleo (2300/3/↙↑↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. Cassiel activates her Set Trap Card Cyangel Caritas, which lets her Tribute 1 "Cyangel" monster she controls to add 1 different "Cyangel" monster from her Deck to her hand. She Tributes Cherub to add Cyangel Choir from her Deck to her hand. Since Cherub was sent to the GY, its effect activates, and Cassiel shuffles Cherub into her Deck and Special Summons Cyangel Cherub (1800→2100/700→1000/4) to Blazing Uriel's bottom-left Link Marker in Defense Position. Since her Cyberse monster was shuffled from her GY back into her Deck, Cyangel Sanctum's effect activates, and Cassiel targets Blazing Uriel. Until the end of the turn, Soulburner cannot target Blazing Uriel with card effects, and Blazing Uriel cannot be destroyed by card effects until the end of the turn. The turn Caritas is activated, Cassiel's Spell/Trap Cards cannot be destroyed by Soulburner's card effects. Since he has 3 or more "Salamangreat" monsters in his GY, Soulburner Special Summons Salamangreat Beat Bison (2800/1000/8) in Defense Position. Soulburner activates Beat Bison's effect, targeting Fire Link Monsters in his GY and returning them to his Extra Deck, then negating the effects of Cassiel's face-up cards up to the number of cards returned until the end of the turn. Soulburner returns 1 copy of Heatleo to negate Sanctum's effects (Blazing Uriel: 2800→2500) (Cherub: 2100→1800/1000→700). Soulburner activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Salamangreat Circle, which lets him add 1 "Salamangreat" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Salamangreat Emerald Eagle from his Deck to his hand. Soulburner activates the Ritual Spell Card Rise of the Salamangreat, which lets him Ritual Summon 1 "Salamangreat" Ritual Monster from his hand by Tributing monsters from his hand or field whose combined Levels equal or exceed the Ritual Monster's. Soulburner Tributes the Level 8 Beat Bison to Ritual Summon Salamangreat Emerald Eagle (2800/2000/8) to Heatleo's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position. Soulburner activates Heatleo's effect, targeting Balelynx in his GY and Blazing Uriel (Blazing Uriel: 2500→500).

Emerald Eagle attacks and destroys Blazing Uriel (Cassiel: 3100→800 LP). Since Blazing Uriel was sent to the GY by Soulburner's card, its effect activates, and Cassiel can Special Summon up to 2 "Cyangel" monsters from her Deck in Defense Position. She Special Summons Prophet (2200/700/6) and Sister (1200/700/3). Heatleo attacks and destroys Cherub. Soulburner Sets 1 card. He ends his turn and Beat Bison's effect ends (Prophet: 2200→2500/700→1000) (Sister: 1200→1500/700→1000).

Turn 5: Cassiel

Cassiel draws. She Normal Summons Cyangel Choir (600→900/700→1000/1). Soulburner activates his Set Continuous Trap Card Salamangreat Friction. If he would take effect damage, he can banish 1 "Salamangreat" monster from his GY to negate that damage. Cassiel uses Choir, Prophet, and Sister to Link Summon Cyseraph Righteous Raguel (2400→2700/3/↙↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Choir, Prophet, and Sister were sent to the GY, their effects activate, and Cassiel shuffles them into her Deck. Choir's effect lets Cassiel target 1 card in her GY, and if that card is a Spell/Trap Card, it is added to her hand, but if it is a monster, she can Special Summon it in Defense Position and gain LP equal to its ATK. Prophet's effect lets Cassiel increase the ATK of 1 monster she controls by 1000. Sister's effect lets Cassiel add 1 "Cyangel" Spell/Trap Card from her Deck or GY to her hand. Cassiel targets and Special Summons Cherub (1800→2100/700→1000/4) to Righteous Raguel's bottom-left Link Marker (Cassiel: 800→2600 LP), targets Righteous Raguel for Prophet's effects (Righteous Raguel: 2700→3700), then adds Cyangel Litany from her Deck to her hand. Since a Cyberse monster was shuffled into her Deck, Cassiel activates Sanctum's effect, targeting Righteous Raguel.

Righteous Raguel attacks Emerald Eagle. Since Righteous Raguel is linked to Cyangel Cherub, Soulburner cannot activate cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step. Emerald Eagle is destroyed (Soulburner: 2450→1550 LP). While Cassiel has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, Righteous Raguel can make 3 attacks during each Battle Phase. Righteous Raguel attacks and destroys Heatleo (Soulburner: 1550→150 LP). Righteous Raguel attacks Soulburner directly. Soulburner activates the effect of Salamangreat Friction, sending it to the GY and banishing 1 "Salamangreat" monster from his GY to negate the battle damage, then draw 2 cards. Soulburner banishes Emerald Eagle and draws. As she has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, Cassiel activates the Spell Card Cyangel Litany, which lets her target 1 Spell/Trap Card in her GY and make Litany's effect that card's effect. She targets Caritas, which lets her Tribute 1 "Cyangel" monster to add 1 "Cyangel" monster with a different name from her Deck to her hand. She Tributes Cherub to add Choir to her hand. As Cherub was sent to the GY, its effect activates, and Cassiel shuffles it into her Deck, then Special Summons Cherub (1800→2100/700→1000/4) to Righteous Raguel's bottom Link Marker in Defense Position. Until her next Standby Phase after Litany is activated, Cassiel's Light Cyberse monsters cannot be targeted or destroyed by Soulburner's card effects. Cassiel activates Sanctum's effect, shuffling 1 card in her hand back into her Deck to add Cyangel Sister from her Deck to her hand. Cassiel ends her turn.

Turn 6: Soulburner

Soulburner draws. He activates the Spell Card Link Fire's Return, which lets him Special Summon 1 "Salamangreat" Link Monster from his GY, then inflict damage to Cassiel equal to its Link Rating times 200. Soulburner Special Summons Salamangreat Heatleo (2300/3/↙↑↘) (Cassiel: 2600→2000 LP). As she took effect damage, Cassiel activates the effect of Cyangel Choir in her hand, Special Summoning it (600→900/700→1000/1) in Defense Position and gaining LP equal to the damage she took (Cassiel: 2000→2600 LP). The turn Choir's effect activates, Cassiel takes no further effect damage. Soulburner activates the Spell Card Fusion of Fire, which lets him Fusion Summon 1 "Salamangreat" Fusion Monster using monsters from his hand or either field to Fusion Summon. Soulburner fuses Heatleo and Righteous Raguel to Fusion Summon Salamangreat Violet Chimera (2800/2000/8) to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. As Violet Chimera was Fusion Summoned, it gains ATK equal to half the combined ATK of its Fusion Materials until the End Phase (Violet Chimera: 2800→5150). As Righteous Raguel was sent to the GY because of Soulburner's card, its effect activates, letting Cassiel return it to her Extra Deck and Special Summon up to 2 "Cyangel" monsters from her Deck in Defense Position, but their effects cannot be activated this turn. Cassiel Special Summons Cyangel Priest (1600→1900/700→1000/4) and Cyangel Prophet (2200→2500/700→1000/6). Soulburner activates the Equip Spell Card Salamangreat Claw, equipping it to Violet Chimera. The monster equipped with Claw cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, and if it attacks a Defense Position monster, it inflicts piercing battle damage.

Violet Chimera attacks Prophet. As Violet Chimera is battling a monster whose current ATK is different from its original ATK, Violet Chimera's ATK is doubled during damage calculation (Violet Chimera: 5150→10300). Prophet is destroyed (Cassiel: 2600→0 LP). Soulburner wins.

Cyangel Sister
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1200 DEF 700 Level: 3
If you have no "Cyangel" monsters in your GY and your LIGHT Cyberse monster would be destroyed by battle while this card is in your hand: You can target that monster; that monster cannot be destroyed by battle this turn, and all battle damage you take this turn is halved, then Special Summon this card. If this card is sent to the GY: You can shuffle this card into your Deck, then add 1 "Cyangel" Spell/Trap Card from your Deck or GY to your hand. You can only activate each effect of "Cyangel Sister" once per turn.

Cyangel Cherub
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1800 DEF 700 Level: 4
If you have no "Cyangel" monsters in your GY and this card is linked to your LIGHT Cyberse Link Monster: If that monster declares an attack on your opponent's monster, your opponent cannot activate any cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step. If this card is sent to the GY: You can shuffle this card into your Deck, then Special Summon 1 "Cyangel" monster from your Deck in Defense Position, except this card. The monster Special Summoned by this effect cannot be used as Link Material the turn it is Summoned. You can only activate this effect of "Cyangel Cherub" once per turn.

Cyangel Choir
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 600 DEF 700 Level: 1
When you have no "Cyangel" monsters in your GY and you take effect damage (except during the Battle Phase): You can Special Summon this card from your hand, and if you do, gain LP equal to the damage you took. The turn you activate this effect: You take no effect damage for the rest of the turn. If this card is sent to the GY: You can shuffle this card into your Deck, then you can target 1 card in your GY; if that card is a Spell/Trap Card, add it to your hand and gain 1000 LP, and if it is a Monster Card, Special Summon it to your field in Defense Position and gain LP equal to its ATK. You can only activate each effect of "Cyangel Choir" once per turn.

Cyseraph Righteous Raguel
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 2400 LINK-3 ↙↓↘
2+ LIGHT Cyberse monsters
If you have no "Cyangel" monsters in your GY: This card can declare 3 attacks during each Battle Phase. This card can only attack directly once per turn. If this card points to a "Cyangel" monster, this card cannot be destroyed by battle. If this card is sent from the field to your GY by an opponent's card: You can shuffle this card into your Extra Deck, then target up to 2 "Cyangel" monsters in your Deck; Special Summon them in Defense Position. Monsters Special Summoned by this effect cannot activate their effects the turn they are Special Summoned., You can only activate this effect of "Cyseraph Righteous Raguel" once per turn.

Salamangreat Resuscitation Normal Trap Card
When your "Salamangreat" Link Monster is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY: Special Summon that monster to your field with its effects negated, then gain LP equal to half that monster's ATK. You can only activate "Salamangreat Resuscitation" once per turn.

Cyangel Caritas Normal Trap Card
Tribute 1 "Cyangel" monster you control; add 1 "Cyangel" monster with a different name from your Deck to your hand. The turn you activate this effect: Your Spell/Trap Cards cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects. If your LIGHT Cyberse monster is destroyed by battle, you can banish this card from your GY; both players gain LP equal to the destroyed monster's original ATK. You cannot activate this effect of "Cyangel Caritas" the turn this card is sent to the GY.

Salamangreat Friction Continuous Trap Card
Once per turn, if you would take effect damage: You can banish 1 "Salamangreat" monster from your GY; negate that effect damage. If an opponent's monster declares a direct attack: You can send this card on your field to the GY and banish 1 "Salamangreat" monster from your GY; you take no damage from that battle, then draw 2 cards.

Cyangel Litany Normal Spell Card
If you have no "Cyangel" monsters in your GY: You can target 1 Spell/Trap Card in your GY; this card's effect becomes that Spell/Trap Card's activated effect. Until your next Standby Phase after you activate this card, LIGHT Cyberse monsters you control cannot be targeted or destroyed by your opponent's card effects. You can only activate "Cyangel Litany" once per turn.

Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 39 – The Devil You Know. As Cam and Yasutake grapple with Cassiel's identity, the Knights of Hanoi reconvene and go over recent events. The next day, Nebula finishes a training session with Persephone, and has a fateful encounter…

Question of the Chapter

Which Yu-Gi-Oh! series and which Persona video game do you think would make a good/fitting crossover. I'm thinking a crossover between VRAINS and Persona 5.

Responses to Reviews & Author's Notes

Thank you to jdkeller2000, D3lph0xL0v3r, star eyes pendulum dragon, Ethan Kironus, Guest, Phantom Flame-98. HunterHQ, CyberseAlexandriteDragongirl, ZarcEternal, SakushiRyu, ThePLOThand, Guest, NewComer1, Ms aura, Ryder Blake, Lindia Fullmoon, sanedimention, DivadX, and guardian of the aura Aurasoul for reviewing Chapter 37.

NewComer1: Actually, Chapter 37 wasn't the longest chapter I've written. Chapter 6 is the longest I've written for Hidden Memories, while Chapter 9 of Fifth Circuit is the longest single chapter I've ever written. That one was over 25000 words. Yeesh!

sanedimentio: it would depend in which order they're summoned. If Bohman's and Playmaker's Link-5s are summoned first, then I'd put Superior Seraphim higher, at least because of its effects. But if Superior Seraphim is summoned first, then I'd put the others above it. Especially Firewall Dragon Darkfluid. A monster that can reach 13000 attack points on its own effects is insane.

Okay, sorry this chapter took so long. But I've really gotten into watching videos on Persona 4 & 5, and they're damn addicting. Unfortunately, I suspect the next chapter will be even longer than this one.

First, let me clarify something; the timing of Episodes 59 and 60 confused me somewhat, so I decided I would switch things around. This chapter took place in the time between 58 and 59 but includes the opening scene from 60, if only because I believe the conversation between Yusaku and Kusanagi should have happened right after they left the Wind World, not the day after.

That aside, we had the reveal of Cassiel's identity in this chapter. Some of you might think this was too early, but I didn't want to drag this out; considering who she is, it was only a matter of time before Cam and Yasutake found out. As to how she obtained the Cyangels; that will be explained next chapter.

Also, we got Soulburner's first duel in Hidden Memories. I understand if his Ritual Summoning was a little awkward; I had to rewrite the turn a few times. As for Beat Bison being able to negate Cyangel Sanctum's "no targeting" effect, I'm honestly conflicted on that. I got opinions from sanedimentio and SakushiRyu on it, but unfortunately, there aren't too many cards that have effects like Sanctum out there, so I wasn't able to find many references. But I'm pretty sure Soulburner's move would work against it. If not, well it's a little late for it.

Thank you for reading Chapter 38. I'm sorry if this seems rushed, but I'm writing after midnight and need to get some sleep. How many of you were surprised by Cassiel's identity? How many of you weren't? Do you think Yasutake is a tsundere?