Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories

by scififan599

10 years ago, 8 children were kidnapped. One of them was Yasutake Narahiko, who today works as Morningstar, a bounty hunter in LINK VRAINS hunting criminals and hackers for companies like SOL Technologies. One day, he fights the Knights of Hanoi and encounters Playmaker, who was involved in the same incident. Follow him as he must decide whether to be Playmaker's ally, or his enemy

39. Chapter 39: The Devil You Know

Update

I realized I forgot about a certain monster's effects, so I went back and made a change for the last turn of the duel in this chapter. Sorry.

---

Chapter 39: The Devil You Know

10 years ago…

A woman stood in front of an orphanage. She frowned to herself and worried about her charges. When will they get back? She received the phone call from the police an hour ago; they should be here by now.

Her frown turned into a smile when she sees the police car approach. It parked in front of the orphanage and the backdoor opened, allowing a young man with short dark green hair wearing a purple shirt to exit. The officer driving the car exited as well.

The matron smiled as the officer approached her. The young man remained by the police car, reaching into the backseat. "Thank you for bringing her back, officers," she said.

"It's not a problem, miss," the officer said. He frowned. "But…"

She frowned. "What is it?"

"…You'll see soon enough."

He stepped to the side as the young man walked up to her, carrying a small girl with green hair.

The matron smiled at them. "Sachi, I'm so glad you're back. Your big brother was worried about you."

The girl didn't respond. Blinking, the matron stepped closer. "Sachi?" She looked at the girl's eyes and hers widened. They were blank, reflectionless. "Sachi?" The girl didn't react to the matron's words or her placing a hand on her forehead.

"Oh God," she whispered. "Give her to me, Cameron." The boy didn't resist as the matron took his sister. Looking at him, she noticed that his eyes were red, and his face was set in an expression of utter despair.

Noticing movement behind him, the matron stepped to the side so she could see the second child behind Cameron. It was a boy, likely Sachi's age. He had black hair and red bangs that were longer on the right side. His hazel eyes were looking up at her with uncertainty. And… pain. Even more pain than Cameron's eyes carried.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she said, addressing the boy. "I didn't notice you before. What's your name?"

"…Yasutake Narahiko," the boy said. His voice was small, barely above a whisper.

"His father died of a heart attack a few months ago." The matron turned to Cameron, who was speaking for the first time. "He was in the same place Sachi was. He doesn't have any other family. I told him he could stay here."

The matron smiled. "That's fine," she said. "All children are welcome here." She turned her smile to the younger boy. "Welcome to our humble home, Yasutake. I know it's not much, but I hope you'll get along with everyone."

"Ma'am." She turned back to the officer. "There a few other details we need to go over. And Ms. Junpei and Mr. Narahiko need to have a checkup at the hospital within the week."

"Of course," she nodded. "I understand. Come, Yasutake, let's go inside. We'll get you settled."

She walked in, carrying Sachi, followed by the police officer. Yasutake glanced at Cameron and took his hand. The older boy jumped and looked at the smaller one. The boy stared emotionlessly back. Cameron gave a small smile and squeezed the boy's hand. They followed the adults into the orphanage, though Cameron's thoughts were a world away.

Father… Mother… I'm sorry.

---

Present day…

"WHAT!?"

Cam glared at the monitors as Morningstar's cry echoed over the earpiece. She couldn't be… Cassiel couldn't be…

"Cam," Kusanagi said. The older man was sitting in the seat next to him, looking at him with concern. "Calm down. You-."

Cam abruptly stood up and marched out of the backroom. He barely noticed the surprised looks he got from the remaining customers or the automated greeting from the steward bot as he rounded onto the stairs and took them two at a time until he reached the third floor.

He took long strides over to the door to Sachi's room and knocked as loudly as he could. "Sachi!" he shouted. "Open up!"

No response.

Cam opened the door and his eyes widened at what he saw. Sachi was lying on her bed with her eyes closed, a green and white Duel Disk on her left wrist, and a soft blue light encompassing her. The same blue light that appeared around Yasutake, Yusaku, and Takeru when they went into LINK VRAINS.

It's really her, Cam thought. Sachi really is Cassiel. He clenched his fists as his temper rose again. I'm going to kill her.

---

"EH!?"

Morningstar's cry was echoed by Ai's, who was staring at the kneeling Cassiel with wide eyes. Everyone else was mirroring his expression, though Soulburner's jaw had also dropped.

"She's Cam's sister?" Ai said. "Seriously?"

Cassiel hesitated then opened her mouth, but Morningstar put his hand up. He frowned to himself as Kusanagi spoke over his earpiece.

"Kusanagi just told me that Cam went upstairs," he said. Cassiel winced at his words. "We'll discuss this in the real world."

She hesitated again but nodded. Morningstar pressed a button and disabled his Camouflage Dome. The second he did so, Cassiel logged out. The three boys did so a split second later.

---

Yasutake opened his eyes and left the sealed room. He saw Takeru and Yusaku stir but had left the room before either could say anything.

Takeru looked unsurely at Kusanagi. "Should we go after him?"

Kusanagi and Yusaku looked at each other and shook their heads. "This is a family matter," Yusaku said. "We'll leave it to Cam and Narahiko for now. We can ask Narahiko about it tomorrow after school."

Kusanagi nodded. "We'll keep an eye on Cam and Yasutake, and if they need our help, we'll give it. But this is something they have to deal with on their own." Then he smiled as his mood brightened. "That aside, I have something to show you two."

---

"-reckless and stupid!"

Yasutake hesitated on reaching the third floor, if only because Cam's shouting had reached the stairway. But he overcame that hesitation and walked into the kitchen, where Cam and Sachi were standing and glaring at each over.

"Why?" Cam asked loudly. "Why would you do something like this?"

"Because Yasu needs help," Sachi said defiantly. "Bohman, SOL, this Jester; he, Fujiki, and Takeru can't fight them alone."

"They aren't alone, they have me and Shoichi. And Ai, Cypher, and Flame."

"The Ignis can't duel, and you and Ksuanagi are needed out here. They need help in LINK VRAINS, and I can provide that."

"Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should! What if you go against someone like Blood Shepherd, or Revolver? There's no way you can win against them."

"Even if I can't defeat them, I can still fight. I defeated Techbane, didn't I? And I almost defeated Soulburner. With Yasu's help-."

"No," Cam said with finality. "I'm not letting my little sister get herself hurt like this. Yasu is one thing, but you-."

"What about me?" Sachi asked loudly. "Why is me going in no different than when he went in three years ago? And I'll have friends backing me up while Yasu went in alone. He fought for what he believed three years ago. Why can't I fight for what I believe now?"

"You're my little sister, that's why. I'm not going to let my last family get hurt. It's my job as your big brother to protect you-."

"AND I HATE YOU FOR THAT!"

Cam and Yasutake both blinked at Sachi's shout. Unshed tears were clinging to her eyelids and she was glaring at Cam.

"Ever since the Lost Incident, no, ever since our parents died," Sachi said, her voice low and even, "you have always looked after me. And I love you for that. But you've never stopped seeing me as a little girl. All these years, and you still just see a six-year-old girl who can't take care of herself. Even when I'm standing in front of you, even though I'm sixteen, I've always been a little girl in your eyes. AND I'M SICK OF IT!"

The tears flowed freely now. "Treating me like a child, like I can't take care of myself, like I'm just a burden. Do you have any idea how that feels? To be treated like you can't do anything for yourself, or to help the people you care about? It hurts. It hurts to watch Yasu go in and fight, knowing I can help and you telling me I can't, all because I'm your little sister. It hurts knowing that all you see when you look at me is who I used to be and not who I am now! It hurts knowing you don't trust me!"

She paused to catch her breath, swallowed, then said in a soft voice, "It hurts, knowing that no matter what I tried to do to show you I've grown up, you still refuse to see me as more than a child."

Sachi turned on her heel and ran back to her room.

"Sachi-!" Yasutake said as he took a step in. The girl ignored him and returned to her room, slamming the door in the process.

…

Cam sighed heavily and fell back onto a chair. He frowned, looking far older than he actually was.

"What are you doing?" Cypher asked. "Go after her! I need to know where she got the Cyangels!"

Yasutake ignored the Ignis and walked over to Cam. He sat in the chair next to him and leaned back. The two sat in silence for a while until Cam broke it.

"Is she right?" he asked. "Do I just see the little girl I pulled from that fire thirteen years ago? Do I just see the little girl who came out of the Lost Incident?"

"…I don't know," Yasutake answered. "I don't know, Cam."

Cam sighed. "I was afraid that's what you would say."

---

Later that night…

"An Ignis who named itself Flame."

"And its duelist, Soulburner."

"So there's a new Playmaker."

Faust frowned. He, Spectre, and Dr. Genome were standing in Hanoi's fortress, looking over photos of recent events.

"While we were creating the Tower of Hanoi, someone destroyed the Cyberse World."

"How unexpected," Spectre said. "Someone other than us wants to destroy the Cyberse? Did that person take the Ignis?"

"Not necessarily," Faust replied. "The duelist named Soulburner has the Fire Ignis. It's likely the Ignis we want to kill have scattered."

"Oh? How troublesome," Dr. Genome said, holding his chin.

Spectre frowned. "The duelist working with the Ignis must be like me, a Lost-."

"I've already checked him out."

The three turned as Revolver walked into the room, Terminus at his side.

"His real name is Takeru Homura. A Lost Incident victim."

"Master Revolver," Spectre said, bowing slightly before glancing at Revolver's partner. "And Terminus. I hadn't expected for you to join us again."

"I'm not," Terminus replied. Spectre, Faust, and Dr. Genome all raised an eyebrow. "Not on the front lines, at least. I'm just handling logistics from now on; I'm just here to help my friends." A small smile crossed his face. "I have to set a good example for my son, after all."

Revolver nodded. "Do not worry, Terminus," he said. "We all understand." Faust and Dr. Genome nodded, but Spectre looked amused. "Back on topic, the Fire Ignis escaped from the Cyberse World and went to the person it's based on."

"But Master Revolver," Spectre frowned. "No Ignis has come to me."

"Of course not," Dr. Genome smirked. "The Knights of Hanoi want to kill the Ignis. If you're one of us, an Ignis won't come to you."

Spectre smiled. "That's true."

"The Fire Ignis isn't the only one," Revolver said, opening a new image. "The Silver Ignis has also reappeared."

"The only one that wasn't at the Cyberse World five years ago, having disappeared three years prior," Faust said. "And the one with the fastest evolution after the Gold Ignis."

"I had thought it deleted," Dr. Genome said. "But it clearly wasn't."

"From what I was able to gather, the Silver Ignis created the Cyspirit cards that Morningstar uses," Terminus said. "Upon the cards' completion, it split and hid itself among five of the Cyspirit Link Monsters. It wasn't until Morningstar summoned Cyspirit Superior Seraphim against me that the Silver Ignis was able to recompile itself."

Dr. Genome smirked. "A rather clever plan. But also a dangerous one. Had Morningstar not used Superior Seraphim, it would still be trapped in the cards."

I can thank Masako for that, Terminus thought, remembering Morningstar saying Lilith had given him Superior Seraphim and Angelic Avenger.

Yusaku Fujiki, Yasutake Narahiko, and Takeru Homura," Faust said, bringing Terminus's mind back to the discussion. "We've identified their locations. We should act immediately and take the three Ignis-."

"No!" They all looked at Revolver. "What happens in the network, we take care of in the network! That's how I do things! Stay away from them in the real world!"

Faust bowed. "I apologize."

"And we know more than anyone that Playmaker and Morningstar won't be easily defeated." Terminus narrowed his eyes at Revolver's words.

"Yes. Fully."

"No need to be impatient. Let's just observe the Ignis for now." Revolver turned and looked down as the photo changed to Ai. "The three Ignis may contact the other Ignis." The screen changed to Flame and then Cypher.

"So let them go on purpose," Spectre said.

"Yes. And I'm more intrigued by the mystery duelist that Playmaker is pursuing."

"Yes. His name is Bohman," Faust said as the picture changed. "Bohman stole consciousness data from Jin – Shoichi Kusanagi's younger brother. Jin Kusanagi is also a victim of the Lost Incident. After the Lost Incident, he was hospitalized in a facility."

Revolver frowned. "He's a victim of our crime."

"It's not your fault, Revolver," Spectre assured.

Dr. Genome smiled. "Jin's brother Shoichi is Playmaker's partner. So Playmaker won't stay quiet."

"Shoichi Kusanagi has also struck up a friendship with Cameron Junpei, Morningstar's caretaker and the brother of Sachi Junpei, another Lost Incident victim," Terminus said. "Morningstar will not hesitate to aid Playmaker in his mission."

"Have you learned anything about Bohman?" Revolver asked.

"Unfortunately, nothing," Faust answered.

"We do know his avatar is a high-quality program," Dr. Genome supplied.

"Looking at the security footage at Jin Kusanagi's facility," Dr Faust said, "he stole consciousness data directly from his body. His method is superior to Baira's computer virus."

"So the one who created this avatar is someone special," Revolver deduced.

"Yes," Faust agreed. "And we should be most careful about Judgment Arrows." Faust frowned, contemplative. "A Spell Card with Link Markers. This card may become a big threat to us."

"I've never seen a card like that before," Spectre said. "I'd like to have one myself. Can Bohman be SOL Technologies' assassin?"

"Most likely not," Revolver replied.

"According to SOL Technologies' logs, Bohman escaped through that mysterious gate," Faust said. A map of LINK VRAINS came up. "The gate was located here. But before Bohman went inside, the logs say SOL Technologies' research team entered the gate and faced distress."

"Meaning SOL Technologies can't control this," Dr. Genome reasoned.

And SOL Technologies' bounty hunters, including Go Onizuka, have begun searching for the Ignis," Faust continued. "And they didn't know about the gate's existence."

"I can't believe SOL Technologies hired him," Spectre commented.

"Go Onizuka," Revolver mused. "He doesn't care about prestige or rank. He's always looking for a fight."

The screen changed to show Soulburner defeating Go Onizuka with Salamangreat Emerald Eagle.

"Soulburner defeated Go Onizuka," Spectre said. "We must not underestimate him."

"Go Onizuka isn't the only bounty hunter of note," Terminus said as the images changed to Techbane and Sylphid. "These two are also interesting."

"Techbane, a mid-tier bounty hunter of two years," Faust said. "In real life, his name is Yukaro Saiba of Tokyo, and he's the heir to the Cyber Dragon Deck."

"An interesting opponent to have, certainly," Spectre said. "But this Sylphid girl has no history. Despite that, she uses a Dragunity Deck. She may be just as dangerous as the others."

"Playmaker, Soulburner, and Morningstar," Faust said. "And Go Onizuka, Techbane, and Sylphid pursued them. Everyone headed to the mysterious gate. If SOL Technologies were behind this, Bohman wouldn't need to escape through the gate."

"I see," Spectre said. "And SOL Technologies is careless. There's a new gate they can't control, but they conceal its existence and open a new LINK VRAINS."

"The public never knows the truth," Revolver said. "There's always an eerie darkness in the shadows." He scowled. "I'll destroy SOL Technologies to avenge my father. And those obsessed with money!"

"We've been analyzing the gate-," Faust began.

"It's already finished," Revolver interrupted. "An Ignis algorithm created the gate."

"Ignis?" Faust repeated. "So there's no connection to SOL Technologies. No one working there has the skills."

"But there's one man that intrigues me," Dr. Genome spoke up. "SOL Technologies hired a man named Blood Shepherd. Among cyber treasure hunters, he's infamous for his excellent hacking techniques and doing whatever it takes to capture his prey."

"Blood Shepherd," Faust mused. "I've heard rumors about him."

"I read up on him too," Terminus said. "Before Morningstar retired, Blood Shepherd was considered his rival."

"An AI derailed his life," Dr. Genome said. "There's no one who hates AIs more than him."

"But it's unconfirmed whether he has the intellect and skills that rival Dr. Kogami," Faust pointed out.

"Only a few can solve an Ignis algorithm," Revolver said. "Only my father, me, and the Ignis."

"I see," Spectre said. "So the ones who made the gate…?"

"The Ignis," Revolver confirmed.

"I see," Faust said. "So they took Jin Kusanagi's data to lure out Playmaker and Morningstar?"

"It's too early to reach that conclusion," Revolver said. "But they may have formed a secret party on the other side of the gate."

Spectre smirked. "Then I'd like to participate in the next party."

"If the Ignis begin creating their own world, it'll be a second or third secret Cyberse World."

"That would make it even harder to find the Ignis," Faust grimaced.

"They're evolving faster than anticipated," Revolver said. "As my father predicted, they may have already started a new plan. And we must be wary of Playmaker's, and Morningstar's, growth as duelists, since they are helping the Ignis."

Terminus frowned. "The Silver Ignis has given Morningstar a new Skill, one similar to Storm Access called Hurricane Heavensgate. With it, he has mastered Fusion and Synchro Summoning. And on top of that, he also mastered Ritual Summoning."

"As for Playmaker, in addition to Link Summoning, he has mastered a Ritual Summoning that unites with Link Summoning," Revolver said. "And he's mastered Fusion Summoning. Playmaker and Morningstar will definitely stand in our way again."

"Playmaker truly is our greatest enemy," Spectre agreed. "We must form a counterplan immediately."

"Playmaker and Morningstar are dangerous, but they are known dangers," Terminus said. "We have two other unknowns that are of concern."

The screen changed to show a man in gold armor. Faust frowned.

"Jester, the mysterious duelist who faced Morningstar," he said. "Someone who could disperse and strengthen the Data Storm to the point where it's impossible to use a Skill like Storm Access or Hurricane Heavensgate. And make use of a unique Rank-Up-Magic card."

"Link Summoning, Synchro Summoning, and an Xyz Summoning from a Synchro Monster," Dr. Genome mused. "Do we have any information on him? With the weapons at his disposal, he clearly has some powerful backers."

"None," Revolver said with a frown. "Only rumors that go back about thirteen years."

Spectre frowned. "So before the Lost Incident. So he has nothing to do with the Ignis?"

"He sought the Silver Ignis from Morningstar," Terminus reminded him. "Even if he lacks a connection to the Lost Incident, he still clearly desires the Ignis. And…"

"What is it?" Revolver asked.

"…I am not sure. It is just a feeling, but something about Jester reminds me of Thaumiel."

Revolver's frown deepened. "You think there is a connection there? Or are they just similar?"

"I do not know. I will do some investigating, but I do not know what I will find."

"Moving on," Faust said as the image changed. "There is another new player. A woman calling herself Cassiel."

"She uses a Cyberse Deck called the Cyangels," Spectre said. "And she defeated Techbane, SOL's bounty hunter. Does that mean she is on Playmaker's side?"

"Possibly," Revolver said. "We observed her meeting Playmaker, Morningstar, and Soulburner earlier today, but Morningstar's Camouflage Dome prevented us from learning anything new."

"If they have formed an alliance, we'll know soon enough," Dr. Genome said. "As for her identity, we'll find that out eventually."

"But before that, there's one thing we must do," Revolver said. He turned to Terminus. "Is everything ready?"

Terminus nodded. "Yes."

Revolver nodded back. "Let's go." The five men turned and walked out of the room.

---

Next morning…

Yasutake walked to school alone. Sachi hadn't come out of her room all of yesterday, and when he knocked on her door this morning, she hadn't responded. He knew she was in there; he heard shuffling within. Considering what had happened, he and Cam both decided to call Sachi in as sick for today.

As for Cypher, Yasutake had left the Ignis and his Duel Disk back at Café Junpei. The Ignis had been annoyed with Yasutake for giving Sachi her space, as he wanted to ask her about the Cyangels. The Ignis also lambasted Cam for not wanting Sachi to duel, but that was just because the Cyangels were incredibly powerful and Cypher thought it wasteful that their owner couldn't duel.

In the end, Yasutake wanted to be alone with his thoughts. Not just his thoughts about what happened with Sachi and Cam, but also the news he received last night.

Dr. Kyoko Taki had been broken out of prison. The only possible culprit was Revolver. Ryoken Kogami. He had called Yusaku after hearing about it. Yusaku was concerned but admitted there was nothing they could do about it now.

Yasutake had thought about going to see Kenshin Hirai but decided not to. If he was no longer with Hanoi, then he wouldn't know anything. And if he was still with them, then he wouldn't share anything. Simply put, going to see the bookstore owner would be pointless.

He did feel some measure of solace though; Kenshin and Ryoken hadn't said anything about his or Yusaku's identities to the other Knights until they confronted them in the real world. They had likely told the others by now, but it was obvious Ryoken wanted to keep things to LINK VRAINS. At least Yasutake wouldn't have to worry about being attacked on his way to school.

"Hello, Narahiko."

Yasutake blinked and looked up. Aoi was standing at the crosswalk, waiting for him.

"Sachi sent me a message," she said when he approached. "It said she wouldn't be going to school today. That she had a fight with her brother."

"…You knew, didn't you?" Aoi raised an eyebrow. "You knew she was Cassiel."

Aoi blinked and then smiled. The light turned green and they both walked across the street. "Yes, I did," she said softly. "But it was her secret to tell, not mine."

Yasutake remembered that yesterday, he had said the same thing about Yusaku and Takeru. "I take it you got her the Duel Disk?"

"And helped her make her avatar, yes. Though she wouldn't tell me where she got her cards."

"Hmm." A small smile crossed his face. "I remember that when we first walked to school, you told me everyone tried to get close to you for a Duel Disk or a job. I thought you hated that."

Aoi laughed lightly. "I remember that too; but Sachi didn't ask for a new one. When she told me about her plan, she asked if she could use one of my old Duel Disks. Instead, I offered to buy her a custom one."

"…You really are a good friend to her," Yasutake said. "But… why? Why did you help her?"

Aoi's small turned a little sad. "When I started out as Blue Angel, I didn't do it to entertain anyone. I did it because I wanted my brother's attention. He was always busy with work and couldn't spend time with me. So I felt like I was a burden to him; I wanted to prove to him that I was strong, that I could stand on my own two feet. Thanks to you, Playmaker, and Emma, my reasons changed. Now, I want to duel for everyone, to find a way that's best for everybody, not just myself.

"Sachi… when she told me what she was planning to do, I saw my old self in her. She was trying to prove herself to her brother. And to you. She wanted to prove that she could stand alongside you and fight with you. As her friend, I decided I would help her with her goal. But now…" Aoi frowned. "She told me a little about last night. What happened?"

Yasutake told her about Cam and Sachi's shouting match. Her frown deepened. When he finished, she said, "I see. I got the impression things between her and her brother had blown up, but not like that."

"…It's funny, though," Yasutake said. "Both are them are right."

Aoi raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What do you mean?"

"Sachi was right about Cam, about me, treating her like she was a child. That we weren't taking her feelings into consideration with how we acted. But when you know about the Lost Incident, and how they lost their parents when Sachi was three, is it any surprise Cam is so protective of her?"

Aoi gave a sad smile. "I know better than anyone about overprotective brothers. And how frustrating it feels to get them to see you as more than a child. But what about you? Where do you stand on this, Narahiko?"

"…Yasutake." Aoi blinked. "I think we've known each other long enough. Call me Yasutake."

She blinked again and smiled. "Alright Yasutake. Then you call me Aoi." The boy nodded. "But you dodged the question; where do you stand with Sachi and her brother?"

"…I don't know yet," he answered reluctantly. "I'm hoping I'll know by the time school is over."

---

Cam frowned as he leaned over the counter and looked at his hands. He hadn't slept well last night. What with Sachi refusing to leave her room, and the recurring nightmares of that damn fire, he had barely got a wink of sleep. Not to mention the conflicting thoughts going through his head.

"Hey there, stranger."

Cam blinked and looked up. Emily Garcia was standing in front of the counter, smiling down at him. She was wearing red this time, with her purse tucked under her right arm.

"Oh, hey, Ms. Garcia." Cam pushed himself to his full height and smiled. "What can I get you?"

"An iced caramel mocha. Large. With a cinnamon apple scone, please."

Cam nodded and moved over to the mixer. "Did something happen?" He looked up at the woman. "I don't mean to pry, but you have that look about you; like something's bothering you and it's got you down."

Cam gave a thin smile. "…Something did happen, but it's my problem. Not yours, Miss. Garcia."

"Maybe not," Emily conceded. "But sometimes getting a second opinion can help." A thoughtful expression crossed her face before she smiled again. "Why don't you join me? You have a steward bot? It could man the counter while we talk."

Cam opened his mouth to decline but then closed it. Actually, a break didn't sound bad. And talking to someone unrelated to this mess might help get his thoughts in order.

"Alright. Just give me a couple minutes. And that'll be 1000 yen."

Emily smiled as she handed over the money and Cam gave her the coffee and scone on a plate.

A few minutes later, he joined her at a corner table, his own coffee and a blueberry muffin in front of him.

Emily took a sip of her mocha and smiled. "Back in San Diego, there was a coffee shop two blocks away from where I grew up. For two years, I would go there every Sunday morning and order an iced caramel mocha. The owner would always make it himself, and he'd always say the same thing when he served it: 'Here you are, miss. I hope you enjoy it.' He didn't have too many regular customers; most people preferred brand products because they were cheaper, but his coffee always felt… richer." She raised her cup. "This reminds me of his. It isn't as good, but it's closer than any other I've had."

Cam smiled. "I'll take that as a compliment. Is that shop still open?"

She shook her head. "He retired a year after I got my current job. That was… eight years ago." She chuckled. "Funny how time flies. It feels like it's only been a few months since I visited that coffee shop."

Cam nodded. "I know what you mean. There used to be a burger place downtown; it was the only place in Den City you could find turkey burgers. But it closed down a year ago. I think some vegan restaurant took its place."

Emily smiled. "I think the reverse happened to a restaurant in Asahikawa a year ago; a vegetarian restaurant got taken over and became a sushi bar. A pity; I liked that one too."

Cam smiled nostalgically. "Everything keeps changing, doesn't it? We like things to stay the same, but they don't stay that way. Owners retire, businesses get bought out, entrepreneurs change professions. Kids grow up…"

They sat in companionable silence until Emily broke it. "So which change has you worried?"

Cam frowned. "…Do you remember my sister?"

"Sachi? Yes." Emily smiled mischievously. "Did she find the courage to confess to a certain someone?"

Cam chuckled. "She found courage, but not to do that." His frown returned. "She… did something brave. Stupid and reckless, but brave. Because she wanted to help a friend. And I was… less than considerate about her feelings."

Emily frowned. "What happened?"

"…Ten years ago, Sachi was kidnapped," Cam said. Emily's eyes widened. "The police found her eventually, but that experience… it changed her. She only started getting over it three months ago. And I'm glad she's moving on, becoming a stronger person; she deserves it after everything that happened. But…"

"But that experience didn't just change her," Emily guessed. "It changed you too."

Cam nodded. "Yeah. Or rather, it just reinforced the kind of person I already was. Three years before she was kidnapped, our parents died in a fire. We were sent to an orphanage, and while we were there, I promised to protect her. She's the only family I have left in this world. Her being kidnapped, and then… doing what she did; it made me angry. Angrier than I've been in a while."

He sighed. "Yasu told me I was right to be angry at her. But he also said Sachi was right that I refused to see how much she'd grown. And now… now I don't know what to do. Whether to support her or forbid her from doing it again."

…

"If you did try to stop her," Emily said softly, "would you actually succeed?"

Cam frowned. "Maybe. Probably. But only for a while." He didn't know how Sachi got a Duel Disk. If he confiscated her current one, she could probably get another. And even if he took away the Cyangel Deck, she would just find another Deck online.

"Teenagers do stupid things all the time," Emily said. "I know I wasn't any different, and I suspect you weren't." Cam smiled innocently at that. "I don't know what your sister did, but if she's determined enough, she'll keep doing it whether you want her to or not. Wouldn't it be better for her to do it when you can supervise and help her?"

Cam's frown returned. "I… I don't know." He was conflicted. He knew that if Sachi truly wanted to go to LINK VRAINS, he couldn't stop her. And she wasn't necessarily wrong that Yasutake, Yusaku, and Takeru would need help. But still… "I think I need more time to think on this."

Emily nodded. "Whatever you decide to do, don't do it just for her," she said. "Do it for both of you."

---

"Beatrice, attack Nebula directly! Paradiso Force!"

A woman in pink robes and silver armor spread her arms. Golden light danced across her skin before shooting out as lightning, hitting the girl in black and white and forcing her to one knee.

Nebula: 1400→0 LP

"Ow…" Nebula groaned as she looked up. Persephone walked up to her, her Xyz Monster fading from existence. "I still can't get you to fight seriously," she muttered.

"Maybe not, but you're definitely improving," Persephone assured her. "We've only had three sessions, and yet you've become much stronger since our first duel. I would dare to say that in a month or so, you might be able to defeat me."

"Really?" Nebula smiled at the praise and pushed herself up.

"Yes," Persephone nodded. "Your Deck is very strong, Nebula; the only real difference between you and me is experience. And you're overcoming that difference at a fast rate. You've improved your strategies and are paying attention to your opponent's moves. So long as you don't get overconfident, you'll be just fine."

Nebula's smile widened. Persephone smiled back until her Duel Disk beeped. Looking at it, she saw she received a message. "Excuse me," she said. Nebula nodded as Persephone walked a short distance away. While she read the message, Nebula looked around.

She and Persephone had taken over one of LINK VRAINS's isolated islands for their training sessions. She had suggested LINK VRAINS's central area, but Persephone wanted a more private area where they wouldn't get interrupted. Remembering just how many fans Persephone had, Nebula admitted the older girl had a point.

As Nebula's gaze swept over the other nearby islands, she blinked in surprise. What the…?

"I'm sorry Nebula."

The girl blinked again as she turned back to Persephone, who was smiling apologetically. "I'm afraid we'll have to end today's session here; I promised I'd meet a friend in real life, and if I don't leave now, I'll be late."

Nebula smiled. "Don't worry, it's fine. I understand. I'll see you tomorrow for our next session?"

Persephone nodded. "Yes, tomorrow at 4pm. Don't be late." The Charisma Duelist logged out, leaving Nebula alone.

Or rather, mostly alone. Nebula looked back over at the other islands and saw the figure she'd noticed hadn't budged. It looked awfully familiar…

Her curiosity getting the better of her, Nebula called up a white and black D-Board and rode it over to the other occupied island. She leapt off a few meters away from the cloaked figure that was looking out over LINK VRAINS. Up close, she realized they were really tall – taller than anyone she'd met before.

"Excuse me." The figure didn't react to her presence, which annoyed her. "Excuse me!"

This time, the figure did react. They turned their head slightly in her direction. "What?" The voice was masculine and deep. And cold. Something in his tone made Nebula very nervous.

"W-Who are you?" she asked. "I saw you before; you were watching Soulburner's duel. And you had some weird skeleton guy with you."

"Who I am is not your concern," he said. "Now leave." His head returned to its previous position.

Nebula scowled. "Hey! You don't need to be so rude! I just asked you a question."

He ignored her as her temper grew. "Alright, how about this? I challenge you to a duel!"

"I refuse."

Nebula blinked. She hadn't expected such a quick response. "Eh?"

"I don't have time for weaklings like you."

"W-Weakling?" Nebula repeated. "I-I'll have you know I'm Nebula, an aspiring Charisma Duelist and apprentice to Persephone, the Traveler of LINK VRAINS! I am not a weakling!"

"Yes, you are," the man said indifferently. "All of you are."

Nebula growled. "You think you can insult me and my teacher so easily?" A thought struck her, and she smiled. "Well, if you're refusing to duel me, doesn't that make you the weakling?"

He didn't react, so she continued, "After all, I am just an apprentice. If I am just a weakling, then you could beat me easily. But you refusing makes it seem like you're scared of me. Like you're weak in turn."

"Hmm." He grunted at her. Then he turned around fully. Her eyes widened on seeing a soft red glow under his hood. "How pathetic. I insult your pride, so you resort to baiting me. But you fail to understand; I do not speak in hyperbole. Before me, you are nothing. And your pathetic attempts to anger me amount to less than nothing." The glow seemed to intensify. "But, if you truly insist on learning your place, I will educate you."

Nebula felt a chill run down her spine. The man hadn't raised his voice or even changed his tone. But that tone was steeped in condescension and indifference. Some base instinct was telling her to get as far away from him as possible.

But he had insulted her and Persephone. She couldn't let that insult slide. "S-So you accept my challenge?" she said, trying to keep her own tone stable.

"…Fine," he said. "If nothing else, you can provide me a distraction." His lower arms emerged from within the cloak. He wore black metal gauntlets with red claws. Red lines ran up and down the sides of the gauntlets. A black Duel Disk with red claws on the edges was on his left wrist. "My name is Zahhak. Can you keep up with me?"

Nebula grit her teeth and raised her own Duel Disk. "I'll show you how strong I really am!"

"Duel!" "Duel."

Nebula: 4000 LP

Zahhak: 4000 LP

Nebula drew her opening hand. "I'll let you take the first turn," she said. She remembered what Persephone had told her about her Deck; how her monsters were best suited for the second turn when she could attack.

"Hmm. Very well." Zahhak tapped a card. "I Set one card. I end my turn."

Nebula blinked. "Huh? That's it?" She narrowed her eyes. "You're not taking this seriously, are you?"

"Why should I?" he asked. "All you are is a pest. I have no need to use any real power against you."

Nebula grit her teeth. "How arrogant of you. I'll make you pay for it! My turn! Draw! I summon Photon Advancer!" A humanoid monster with white and red armor and blue sections on its arms, legs, and chest appeared.

Photon Advancer ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"As I control a 'Photon' monster, I can Special Summon Photon Vanisher!" A humanoid with glowing blue skin appeared in Attack Position. It wore silver and black armor over its legs, chest, upper arms, and head, and carried a sniper rifle.

Photon Vanisher ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"Vanisher's monster effect! When it is Special Summoned, I can add Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon from my Deck to my hand. In addition, since I control another 'Photon' monster, Advancer gains 1000 attack points!"

Photon Advancer ATK 1000→2000

Nebula waited for Zahhak to say the obvious: That since she had two monsters with 2000 attack points, she would Tribute them to summon Galaxy-Eyes. But he didn't. He just stood there, silently watching her, masked in an aura of indifference.

She grit her teeth in annoyance. "I overlay my Level 4 Photon Advancer and Photon Vanisher!" A bolt of blue energy burst out of her Duel Disk and traveled upwards. It struck the sky and exploded into a ring of blue energy that traveled downwards, changing the environment to a midnight sky. Streams of blue data traveled downward.

"With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" A large blue "X" with four red points appeared beneath her two monsters, both of whom broke into blue data and entered two of the dots. The corners of the "X" fired beams upwards, creating a shining galaxy that exploded with power.

"The light that pierces the midnight sky!" Nebula chanted as her Duel Disk glowed. "Shine forth from the dragon's eye! Xyz Summon! Descend! Rank 4! Starliege Photon Blast Dragon!" A blue-skinned dragon with white and gold armor emerged from the exploding galaxy. It roared from the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position as two orange lights circled behind it.

Starliege Photon Blast Dragon ATK 1800 DEF 2500 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"Blast Dragon's monster effect! When it is Xyz Summoned, I can Special Summon a 'Photon' monster from my hand," Nebula continued. "I summon Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!" A larger light blue dragon with dark blue armor materialized in Attack Position and roared.

Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

"In addition, since I used Vanisher to Xyz Summon Blast Dragon, any monster it destroys by battle is banished." Nebula took another card from her hand. "I activate the effect of the Photon Orbital in my hand! During my Main Phase, I can equip it to my 'Photon' or 'Galaxy' monster. I equip it to Blast Dragon!" Said monster glowed at her words. "While Orbital is equipped, Blast Dragon gains 500 attack points and cannot be destroyed by battle."

Starliege Photon Blast Dragon ATK 1800→2300

"While the Xyz Summoned Blast Dragon is on the field, you cannot target or destroy my monsters with your card effects, so long as my monsters' attack points are above 2000," Nebula said. She gestured to the field. "Battle! Blast Dragon attacks you directly! Radiance Stream!"

The dragon fired light blue energy at Zahhak, who simply grunted. "How pointless," he said as he gestured to his field. "Trap activate. Cydemon Acedia."

"What?" Nebula blinked at his Trap Card. "Cydemon?" The card showed a red and black fiend with a dark gold circlet on its head. It was muscular, with bat wings and glowing red eyes. It was sitting on a black throne, its head resting on one of its hands, its eyes barely open.

"Since I control no monsters, I can discard a Dark Cyberse monster to negate your attack," Zahhak said. "I discard Cydemon Duke." A blood red barrier materialized around Zahhak and blocked Blast Dragon's attack.

Nebula grit her teeth. "Even so, Galaxy-Eyes can still-."

"Acedia's second effect," Zahhak interrupted. "Since the monster I discarded was a 'Cydemon' monster, the Battle Phase ends."

Nebula gasped. "N-No way," she whispered. His Trap Card had an effect that powerful? More than that, he said his monster was a Cyberse monster. Isn't that the same Type of monsters Morningstar and Playmaker use?

"Are you done?" Zahhak asked. "You have yet to show anything interesting. If I continue being bored, I shall take my frustration out on you."

Nebula grit her teeth. So condescending. "I Set two cards," she said. "I end my turn."

One of my cards is Photon Current, she thought. If he attacks, my monster will gain attack equal to his monster's attack points. And since Blast Dragon is on the field and equipped with Orbital, he can't target or destroy my monsters with card effects.

"My turn. Draw." Zahhak drew, then played two cards. "By discarding Cydemon Knight, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Cydemon Shrine." The card showed an altar made of black stone with skulls lined up against it. Two monsters covered in shadows were in the background, their red eyes glowing in the dark. "Once per turn, if I control no monsters, I can Special summon one 'Cydemon' monster from my hand or Graveyard in Attack Position. From my Graveyard, I Special Summon Cydemon Duke."

A dark red magic circle appeared on Zahhak's field. A red and black demon emerged from it and roared. Cydemon Duke was large and muscular, with black skin, glowing red eyes, and razor-sharp teeth. It had no hair but did have pointed ears and a pair of curved yellow horns poking out of a dark gold circlet on its head. It wore black armor with red edges on its torso, forearms, and calves and had a pair of black bat-shaped wings with blood red spines. It held a massive black battle axe in its right hand, which it planted in front of itself.

Cydemon Duke ATK 2600 DEF 600 LVL: 7

Nebula's eyes widened. "No way," she whispered. "He got a monster with 2600 attack points out just like that?"

"Battle." Nebula was shocked out of her stupor by Zahhak's declaration. "Cydemon Duke attacks Blast Dragon." Duke hefted its battle axe above its right shoulder as said weapon started glowing with dark red power.

Nebula gestured to her field. "Trap activate!" she declared. "Photon-."

"It's pointless," Zahhak interrupted. "When my Dark Cyberse attacks, Cydemon Shrine prevents you from activating any Spell or Trap Cards." Nebula's eyes widened. "Go, Cydemon Duke. Gremory's Rage." Duke brought the axe down, generating a stream of dark red energy that struck Blast Dragon and caused an explosion.

"Since Orbital is equipped to Blast Dragon, it can't be destroyed by battle!" Nebula reminded Zahhak while wincing from the damage.

Nebula: 4000→3700 LP

"You only inflicted 300 points of damage," Nebula said. "You'll have to take this more seriously if you want to beat me!"

Zahhak grunted. "How impudent. Cydemon Duke's effect activates. After it attacks your monster, it inflicts damage to you equal to the attack points of your strongest monster."

Nebula's eyes widened. "What?"

"Your strongest monster is Galaxy-Eyes, with 3000 attack points," Zahhak said. "Which means you take 3000 points of damage. Astaroth's Fury." Scores of magic circles appeared all around Cydemon Duke. The demon seemed to smile as the circles shot out bolts of dark red energy, all of which struck Nebula. She cried out in pain as she was knocked onto her back, wincing from the force of the explosions.

Nebula: 3700→700 LP

"I end my turn," Zahhak said. "Do you understand now? The difference in strength between us? An insect like you can't even touch me, so spare me the trouble and surrender."

Nebula gasped for breath as she pushed herself to a sitting position. "Surrender?" she repeated. "If I did that, I'd disgrace my teacher." She pushed herself up so that she stood up straight. "Maybe I can't beat you, but it would shame me as a duelist, and my teacher as one, if I surrendered now. A duel is not over until the last card is played! And I have plenty of cards to play. My turn! Draw!"

Nebula gestured to her field. "Orbital's effect activates! By sending it to the Graveyard, I can add a 'Photon' or 'Galaxy' monster from my Deck to my hand." The glow around Blast Dragon disappeared.

Starliege Photon Blast Dragon ATK 2300→1800

"I add Photon Slasher to my hand. And since there is a face-up Xyz Monster on the field, I can Special Summon Photon Slasher!" A white-armored warrior with white wings and a large light blue and dark blue sword appeared in Attack Position.

Photon Slasher ATK 2100 DEF 1000 LVL: 5

"Appear! The circuit of radiance! The summoning conditions are two Light monsters, including one with 2000 or more attack points. I set Blast Dragon and Slasher in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows. "Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Galaxy-Eyes Solflare Dragon!" A dragon with a similar appearance to Photon Dragon, but with yellow skin instead of blue and four wings emerged from the portal. It roared from the right Extra Monster Zone.

Galaxy-Eyes Solflare Dragon ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↙↘

"Solflare Dragon's monster effect! When it is Link Summoned, I can add a 'Photon' or 'Galaxy' monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I add Photon Advancer to my hand. Then, I Normal Summon Photon Crusher!" A large humanoid wearing green and silver armor wielding a double-sided club appeared.

Photon Crusher ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"Since there is a 'Photon' monster on the field, I can Special Summon Photon Advancer." Her monster reappeared in Attack Position.

Photon Advancer ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"And as before, since there is a 'Photon' monster on the field, Advancer gains 1000 attack points."

Photon Advancer ATK 1000→2000

"Now, with my Level 4 Photon Advancer and Photon Crusher, I build the Overlay Network!" The bolt of blue energy burst out and created the blue "X". Her monsters disintegrated into blue data and entered the red dots. The ends of the "X" fired beams and created the exploding galaxy.

"The light that pierces the midnight sky!" Nebula chanted. "Shine forth from the dragon's eye! Xyz Summon! Descend once more! Rank 4! Starliege Photon Blast Dragon!" Another blue dragon in silver and gold armor emerged from the galaxy, roaring from Solflare Dragon's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position while being circled by two orange lights.

Starliege Photon Blast Dragon ATK 1800 DEF 2500 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"Hmm," Zahhak finally commented. "So you have more than one of those monsters."

"Battle!" Nebula declared. "Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon attacks Cydemon Duke! Photon Stream of Destruction!" Said dragon blasted Duke with a stream of light blue energy, destroying it in an explosion. But when the smoke cleared, Zahhak was unmoved and his Life Points untouched.

Nebula's eyes widened. "But how-?"

"I activated the effect of Cydemon Knight in my Graveyard," Zahhak explained. "Once, while it is in the Graveyard, I can target a Dark Cyberse monster I control. And for the rest of the turn, any damage I take that is equal to or lower than that monster's original attack points become 0. As I targeted Duke for its effect, any damage that is 2600 or less automatically become 0."

Nebula grit her teeth. Damn it. Solflare Dragon has 2000 attack points while Blast Dragon has 1800. I can't beat him with them. Then she smirked. But I can beat him with something else.

"Trap activate!" she declared. "Eternal Galaxy! Since I control a 'Photon' or 'Galaxy' monster, I can Rank Up my Xyz Monster into a 'Photon' or 'Galaxy' Xyz Monster that is 4 Ranks higher!"

"Oh?" Zahhak said, his tone changing slightly. "That is an interesting effect."

"With Starliege Photon Blast Dragon, I rebuild the Overlay Network!" The blue "X" reappeared, except this time only Blast Dragon disintegrated and entered the top dot. The beams created the exploding galaxy as Nebula chanted.

"Radiant galaxy, here and now become the striking light, and show yourself! Rank Up Xyz Change! Descend! Rank 8! Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!" A massive red dragon with three heads emerged from the exploding galaxy. It roared from Solflare Dragon's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position as an orange light circled it.

Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon ATK 4500 DEF 3000 RNK: 8 OU: 1

"Eternal Galaxy's last effect transfers Blast Dragon's Overlay Units to Neo Galaxy-Eyes." Two more lights started circling the large dragon.

Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon OU: 1→3

This is it! Nebula thought. Neo Galaxy-Eyes has 4500 attack points. I'll take out his Life Points in one hit!

"Neo Galaxy-Eyes attacks you directly!" she declared. "Ultimate Photon Stream!" The dragon's three heads shot bursts of red cosmic energy at Zahhak, who didn't flinch or try to flee. The blasts struck the man, causing a massive explosion that filled the island with smoke.

"Neo Galaxy-Eyes had more attack points than Cydemon Duke," Nebula said as the smoke slowly cleared. "That means its attack would inflict damage. And since you didn't have any Set cards, you couldn't have negated my attack. This duel is mine."

"…How presumptuous." Nebula gasped at the words coming from the smoke. "For a weakling such as you to assume victory… it's almost laughable." The smoke finally cleared, revealing Zahhak unharmed and unmoved, his Life Points intact.

"H-How?"

"Cydemon Acedia can activate its effect in the Graveyard as well," Zahhak told her. "All I needed to do was banish it and discard Cydemon Marquis. Thus, your attack was negated. And since I discarded a 'Cydemon' monster, your Battle Phase was ended."

Nebula stared at him, her mouth slightly open, before gritting her teeth. "I end my turn," she said reluctantly.

"Hmm. I allowed you to survive last turn out of the belief that you might show me something interesting," Zahhak said. "Certainly your Trap Card was amusing, but I'll be ending this duel now."

"Don't be so arrogant," Nebula said. "Solfare Dragon has 2000 attack points, Galaxy-Eyes has 3000, and Neo Galaxy-Eyes has 4500. How can you hope to best that?"

"Easily," Zahhak said. "I had everything I needed to win since my last draw. My turn. Draw." Zahhak gestured to his field. "Cydemon Shrine's effect activates. Since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Cydemon Knight from my Graveyard in Attack Position."

Another dark red magic circle appeared. A black horse emerged from the portal. It had solid red eyes and wore red plate armor on its head, legs, and body. A fiend in black armor sat on its back. Its pauldrons were red, as were its thigh guards, gloves, and boots. The upper part of its breastplate was blood red, as were the spines its black bat wings. The demon had black skin, pointed ears, and solid red eyes with sharp teeth. Its long and stringy black hair fell down its back. For a weapon, it carried a long black cavalry saber.

Cydemon Knight ATK 2200 DEF 600 LVL: 6

Nebula looked up Knight's effects and her eyes widened. "No way," she muttered. "If this monster attacks a monster from the Extra Deck, it can banish that monster?"

"Yes." She looked up at Zahhak, who had evidently heard her. "And then inflicts that monster's attack points as damage. One attack is all it will take."

"It will take more than that!" Nebula declared as she gestured to her field. "Solflare Dragon's monster effect! By discarding Photon Lead, I can destroy one of your Special Summoned monsters! Solar Disruption!" Solflare Dragon's wings glowed with yellow energy, which it projected at Knight. The demon cried out in pain as it was destroyed.

"Hmm. So, you intend defiance till the end," Zahhak said. "Very well. I will acknowledge your defiance by demonstrating true power. I summon Cydemon Bishop." A thin black-skinned demon appeared. Instead of armor, it wore robes that were blood red on the inside and black on the outside. An elaborate dark red hexagram adorned the robes. The demon had sharp teeth, pointed ears, glowing red eyes, and no hair. Instead, it wore a black miter with gold lines on it. The demon's black hands poked out of the robes, where it held a short black scepter with a dark red jewel in its blood red claws.

Cydemon Bishop ATK 1600 DEF 600 LVL: 3

"Bishop's monster effect. Once per turn, I can Special Summon a 'Cydemon' monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position. Come, Cydemon Marquis."

Another magic circle appeared, which produced a demon in a black military uniform with blood red buttons and epaulets. This demon had the same black skin, red eyes and claws, pointed ears, black bat-like wings, and sharp teeth as its predecessors, along with black hair pressed into a wing that curled at the sides. The fiend laughed and swung the fencing saber it held in its left hand.

Cydemon Marquis ATK 2400 DEF 600 LVL: 6

"That monster is stronger, but it is in Defense Position," Nebula said. "It can't defeat me."

"How characteristic of weaklings," Zahhak said. "You put focus only on attack points and fail to see the end in front of you. Marquis's monster effect. Once per turn, if there is at least one 'Cydemon' monster in my Graveyard, I can take control of one of your monsters until the end of the turn."

Nebula's eyes widened. "What!?"

"I take control of Solflare Dragon." Marquis spread his wings and lifted his right hand. A dark red magic circle made of three concentric circles appeared in front of its hand, which then rotated until it stopped and glowed. A similar magic circle appeared on Solflare Dragon's forehead before it disappeared and then reappeared on Zahhak's field.

"N-No way," Nebula whispered.

"The monster stolen by Marquis's effect can't declare an attack," Zahhak continued. "But until the end of the turn, it is treated as a Dark Cyberse monster." A purple aura manifested around Solflare Dragon.

"B-But what's the point of taking control of my monster if it can't attack?"

"The point is to put an end to this farce." Zahhak raised his right hand, which crackled with red lightning. "Appear, the circuit of infinite darkness." The Link portal appeared above him. "Arrowheads confirmed. The summoning conditions are two or more Dark Cyberse monsters. I set Cydemon Bishop, Cydemon Marquis, and Solflare Dragon in the Link Markers." His monsters turned into whirlwinds of dark red energy and entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. "Circuit combine. Link Summon. Appear. Link-3. Cydevil Covetous Leviathan."

The monster that emerged from the portal was feminine in appearance, with wide hips, a narrow waist, and slender legs. Said legs were covered in black armor with red gems at the knees and she wore black armored heels with red centers over her feet. Her torso was held within black armor with red segments on her sides and chest, and she wore black gauntlets with red claws on her hands. Her forearms were protected by black vambraces and her upper arms were covered by black rerebraces. Four black bat-shaped wings with blood-red spines spread out from her back as long lustrous, wavy black hair fell down to her mid-back. Her skin was light gray, she had pointed ears, and her eyes were a solid red. Her face was inhumanly beautiful, but the look she gave Nebula was filled with as much condescension as possible. Black chains rattled as they were draped over the monster's shoulders and arms. Covetous Leviathan gave a light laugh as she was summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone.

Cydevil Covetous Leviathan ATK 2500 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

Nebula's eyes widened. "Cydevil?" she whispered. She hadn't been expecting this. More than that… this monster gave her a very uneasy feeling. "E-Even if your monster is stronger, it isn't strong enough to defeat me," she said, her voice wavering. "Galaxy-Eyes and Neo Galaxy-Eyes have 3000 and 4500 attack points respectively. You would have been better off leaving Solflare Dragon on my field."

"What do you know about the seven deadly sins?"

Nebula blinked at the question. "Uh, n-not much."

"They are the greatest of sins, said to give birth to all other sins. And each of them is represented by a demon. Leviathan is the demon of envy. Invidia. To look at what others have, and desire it for yourself above all others. And that's what Leviathan does. She envies. She craves what others have. And so she takes what she envies for herself."

Zahhak gestured to his field. "Covetous Leviathan's monster effect. Once per turn, if I have three or more 'Cydemon' monsters in my Graveyard and Covetous Leviathan points to no monsters, I can equip your monster to it. I equip Galaxy-Eyes to Covetous Leviathan."

Nebula's eyes widened again. "What did you say?"

"Grasp of Envy." Covetous Leviathan's face morphed into a sneer as she raised her arms. As if possessing a will of their own, her chains snaked outwards and seemed to expand. The chains wrapped themselves around Galaxy-Eyes' neck, lower chest, and upper arms. The dragon roared in protest and struggled against the chains, but it could do nothing as it was dragged across the field until it was in front of the demoness.

Covetous Leviathan gave the dragon a comforting look. Then she opened her mouth. It was filled with teeth sharper than a shark's. She bit down on the dragon's neck, eliciting a scream of pain and protest. The dragon's light started to fade as its body lost muscle and mass. Before long, all that was left of the dragon was its skin and bones, and that soon disintegrated. Covetous Leviathan licked her lips and leered at Nebula, who had a tinge of green to her pale face.

"While a monster is equipped to Covetous Leviathan by her effect," Zahhak continued, "she gains attack points equal to that monster's original attack points."

Cydevil Covetous Leviathan ATK 2500→5500

Nebula gasped. "5-5500 attack points!?" As panic set in, she started to hyperventilate.

"Now, do you understand? The difference in power between you and me?" Nebula reluctantly turned her horrified gaze from the monster to the man himself. He seemed to grow larger as a red glow appeared beneath his hood. Before she knew it, he, and dark red flames surrounding him, were all she could see. "Someone as weak as you could never hope to excite me. So… apologize to me, that a weakling like you would dare to waste my time."

Nebula kept hyperventilating. "I-I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm sorry."

"Covetous Leviathan attacks Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon. Invidia's Soul."

The demoness leered as her chains snaked around the glowing red dragon. The dragon cried out in pain as the chains crushed its wings, necks, and chest. A large dark red magic circle appeared in front of Covetous Leviathan. A massive blast of dark red energy shot out of the circle, blasting the dragon. The dragon disintegrated in the explosion, and Nebula cried out in pain as she was sent flying backwards.

Nebula: 700→0 LP

Zahhak's demoness and Continuous Spell Card disappeared as he walked up to the unconscious girl. He looked down on her with a dispassionate gaze.

"Dueling you wasn't worth the time it took," he said. Then he raised his right hand. "But we don't destroy what we can use. And even the weak have their uses." His hand glowed red, as did Nebula before turning into data that gathered into his hand.

"Statement: As always, it is a pleasure watching you eliminate the meatbags, Master."

Zahhak turned around as a rust-colored skeletal humanoid walked out of a portal.

"HK. So your repairs are complete."

The AI duelist nodded. "Confirmation: My memory core has been uploaded into this new body. I am now HK-71."

"Hmm. I expected your repairs to finish somewhat sooner."

"Confession: They did, master. However, when I departed, I witnessed your duel, and thought it best that I wait until your victory. I do not regret doing so; watching the girl's confidence turn into despair was most enjoyable."

Zahhak grunted. "Now that you're here, we can resume our scouting operations."

"Affirmative: Yes, master." HK-71's eyes blinked, then it looked to the left. "Statement: Master, I am detecting an Ignis program some distance from here."

"An Ignis program?"

"Affirmative: Yes, master. However, there is something… strange about its algorithm."

---

Yasutake entered the third floor of his house. It had been an interesting day at school. Takeru and Yusaku had asked him about what happened, and after hearing about it, both agreed with Yasutake; that Cam and Sachi were both right with their concerns.

His family drama aside, Yasutake had also noticed Aoi's looks towards Naoki Shima in class. He presumed they were because when they arrived, Naoki had said he had Playmaker's acknowledgment, so Aoi was investigating whether Naoki knew Playmaker's identity. Normally, Yasutake would tell her Naoki knew nothing, but he suspected Naoki could hold Aoi's and Emma's attention for a while; it meant less distractions for him.

And on top of that, Takeru had told Yasutake about Kusanagi making a room for him in Café Nagi. He had also told the duo to tell Yasutake that he would have made one for him, but there wasn't any more room. Yasutake was alright with that; he preferred to use Café Junpei's backroom anyway.

All those thoughts aside, Yasutake had something important to do. Something that needed to be done. Walking up to the door to Sachi's room, he knocked. "Sachi, we need to talk," he said.

No one answered. But he heard shuffling on the other side, so he knew she was in there. "I'm coming in," he said, opening the door slowly.

The lights were off and the blinds on the window were closed. What little light filtered through revealed Sachi, wearing a light green tank top and blue shorts, sitting on her bed. Her undone hair hung around her face like a curtain. She was looking down at the floor, not meeting Yasutake's eyes. Her own eyes were red, which told Yasutake just what she had been doing in her room.

Yasutake hesitated, but then closed the door and sat down next to Sachi on her bed. He would have taken the chair, but they had taken it out a month ago. That chair was now in the living room, and Cam and Sachi both liked resting in it when they had nothing else to do.

"…I'm sorry I yelled at you and Cam."

Yasutake turned his head to look at the girl next to him. She hadn't moved her head and her voice was soft, but it was definitely her. "I know you want me to be happy and safe. It wasn't right of me to go off on you like that."

"…Maybe not, but you weren't wrong, either," Yasutake said, just as softly as he turned his head back. "About either of us. Cam hasn't been able to stop seeing you as the little sister that needs protecting." A sad smile crossed his lips. "And I can't stop using you as an ideal."

…

"When I first met you two, I was wallowing in my own despair," Yasutake said. "Father Narahiko had died, and I didn't have anyone else. I kept thinking that I wanted nothing more than to join that old priest in heaven; I was too young to realize I was contemplating suicide."

He sighed. "But as I lived in that orphanage with you and Cam, I saw how he always took care of you. He would stay at your side as long as he could, feed you meals, help the matrons with whatever you needed. Through Cam, I understood what it meant to have family. And when I approached him and asked if I could help him take care of you, I started experiencing that feeling myself. I understood what it felt like to have an older brother looking after you, and even if we were the same age, I considered you a younger sister."

Sachi's frown grew at that admission, but Yasutake didn't notice. "Eventually, I made a decision: I would do everything I could to bring you back to the world, back to Cam. In my head, I constructed an image of you, an ideal that I was constantly pursuing. I held that image so deeply that when you awoke, I failed to see the girl behind that ideal." He closed his eyes. "I treated you not as a person, but as something to protect, whose only purpose was to satisfy my own desire. I didn't see the real you; the frustration you felt, the anger, I didn't see those. I'm sorry."

"…I don't dislike that image you have of me," Sachi said. "But I don't want it to stay the same. I want it to be me. Not the me I was for ten years or the girl I was before; the me I am now. The me that is glad to know you, to live with you, to… be your friend." Sachi seemed to stumble over that last part and pink dusted her cheeks. As his eyes were still closed, Yasutake didn't notice.

"…Yeah. I suppose I want that too," Yasutake said. He opened his eyes but Sachi's face had returned to its normal coloration. "There is something I need to know though. Where did you get the Cyangel cards?"

"…Masako Himura."

Yasutake blinked and turned to her. "Masako? When did you-?" His eyes widened. "…You met her the day she came here." The same day she left.

Sachi slowly nodded. "I… I was eavesdropping," she admitted. "I was listening from the stairway, and when you went downstairs, Masako noticed my feet." She looked down at her bare feet, pouted, and wiggled her toes. "I was… terrified; she was the first person I met that I didn't live with. But she was nice. She spoke softly and encouraging. And when I told her my name, she knew who I was; that I was a survivor of the Lost Incident. She apologized to me for her father's actions. And before she left, she gave me a hard drive. The Cyangel cards were on it. I don't know where she got them; probably the same place she found Angelic Avenger and Superior Seraphim. But I didn't do anything with the cards until a month ago."

"At which point Aoi got you a Duel Disk and helped design your avatar," Yasutake nodded. This time, he did notice the look Sachi gave him. Taking a guess at what she was confused by, he said, "I told Aoi to call me Yasutake, and she said I should call her by her first name too."

Sachi smiled. "That's good; I was always wondering why you called her Zaizen. Now you just need to call Fujiki by his first name."

Yasutake chuckled at that. The two sat in companionable silence for a while before the boy broke it. "You'll need training, you know."

"…What?"

"Cypher said you weren't using the Cyangel Deck to its full strength. You'll need training to get better. Cypher and I can give that to you. Fujiki and Takeru can help too. Convincing Cam might be difficult, but-."

THUMP

Yasutake blinked from his new position. Sachi had tackled him to her bed and was hugging him tightly. "Thank you," she whispered heartfeltly. Her head was pressed into the crook of his neck and her chest was pressed against his. "Thank you, Yasu."

The teen's heartbeat started to increase like crazy. "Y-You're welcome," he said back. His voice was thicker than it usually was. He awkwardly hugged Sachi back, idly noting that her tank top had ridden up, revealing her stomach and allowing him to feel her back. Her skin was soft, smooth, and cool to the touch. Her legs tangled with his as he started to notice a pleasant softness on top of his chest.

Sachi lifted her head and looked him in the eye. Her royal blue eyes were half-closed and still red from crying. More unshed tears were hanging at the edges. And yet Yasutake was sure he'd never seen a more beautiful sight.

Her cheeks were red, and she was breathing heavily. Sachi's eyes closed further as she leaned closer to Yasutake-.

RING RING

The two teens yelped at the tone, which seemed louder than it usually was. Sachi quickly sat up and rearranged her tank top, her face resembling a tomato. Yasutake wasn't in any better condition as he sat up and pulled his phone out. He didn't bother to check the caller ID before he answered.

"Hello?" He instantly hated how his voice cracked on that word.

"Yasu, I need you down here." The boy blinked. It was Cam. And his next words made Yasutake blink again and frown.

"The gate's reappeared?" he repeated.

"Yeah. It's on one of the floating islands at the top of LINK VRAINS. Yusaku and Takeru already left. Get down here and you can join them."

"R-Right," Yasutake said. He ended the call before Cam could ask about his voice. He gasped for breath, recomposing himself.

Sachi refused to look at him. "So you're going after Bohman again?" There was a hitch to her voice as well.

Yasutake nodded. "Yes," he replied. He hesitated, then said, "If we need help, I'll have Cypher send you an email. Cam didn't take the Duel Disk, right?" He was glad to hear that his voice was returning to normal.

She shook her head. "No, I still have it. And the cards. And… thank you."

Yasutake nodded again, not trusting himself to speak right now. He left the girl's bedroom, closing the door behind him.

---

The teen entered the backroom, where Cam was frowning at the screen. He turned that frown to his partner and opened his mouth, but the boy spoke first.

"Later," he said, his voice back to normal. "After we deal with the gate." He didn't wait for Cam's response before he grabbed his Duel Disk, entered the sealed room and pulled out his Deck.

"Deck set! Into the VRAINS!"

"There you are, Morningstar!"

The hunter angled his D-Board and joined Playmaker and Soulburner. He nodded at Ai. "Sorry I'm late."

"Had another talk with Cassiel?" Soulburner asked.

"…Something like that."

The fire duelist turned and blinked. "Eh Morningstar, are you feeling alright? Your face is a little red."

"I'm fine," the former hunter insisted. "Let's focus on the gate. Where is it?"

"It should be just up ahead," Cypher informed him. "Now let's get this over with so we can go back, and I can ask Cassiel about the Cyangels."

Morningstar smiled at that. "You really know your priorities, Cypher."

"Oh! There it is!"

The trio looked up at Ai's words. A light blue portal was floating in front of one of the islands.

"It looks a bit different than last time," Soulburner noted with confusion.

"But it's about the same size," Ai pointed out. Flame grunted in agreement.

"At any rate, we have to go," Playmaker said.

Morningstar frowned as they got closer. Something about this… felt off.

"Yasu!" Cam shouted over the earpiece, startling the duelist. "Get away from that! It's-!"

SNAP

"Huh?" Cypher blinked. "What was-? Woah!" The Ignis screamed as the portal suddenly started acting like a wormhole, sucking them in.

Playmaker, who was closest and resisting, asked, "What's this?"

"It's pulling us in!" Ai screeched.

Morningstar's eyes widened as he saw a figure in the portal. "Blood Shepherd," he muttered, his eyes narrowing. So… this was the kind of game he wanted to play? Alright, then.

"Playmaker!" Soulburner cried out as the said hacker was pulled in. Soulburner charged his D-Board in to intercept.

"Cypher," Morningstar shouted. "Activate Non-Duel Binary Mode! Target Lock!"

"Eh? Oh!" Half a second later, his Duel Disk's circle changed to blue.

Morningstar fired his Data Anchor's cords at Playmaker and Soulburner, latching onto their wrists. "High-Speed Mode, activate!" Cypher declared. The silver sides dipped downwards and extended outwards. The D-Board increased its power as Morningstar flung the duelists with as much strength as he could muster. It was enough to knock them to the sides, out of the vortex's path. Unfortunately, that left Morningstar in the whirlwind.

Seeming to sense that it had failed, the suction increased, preventing Morningstar from escaping and even pulling him off his D-Board. The former hunter cried out as he was pulled through the portal.

"W-What the hell is this?" Cypher shouted, looking around at the blue environment.

"Morningstar!" Playmaker and Soulburner shouted. They watched in shock as the portal disappeared and was replaced by a large sphere crackling with blue lightning.

The wind gone, the duo parked their D-Boards in front of the sphere. Playmaker grit his teeth. "Morningstar…"

---

Nebula vs. Zahhak

This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.

Turn 1: Zahhak

Zahhak Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: Nebula

Nebula draws. She Normal Summons Photon Advancer (1000/1000/4). As she controls a "Photon" monster, Nebula Special Summons Photon Vanisher (2000/0/4) in Attack Position. Since Vanisher was Special Summoned, Nebula activates its effect, letting her add Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon from her Deck to her hand. Because there is another "Photon" monster on the field, Advancer gains 1000 ATK (Advancer: 1000→2000). Nebula overlays her two Level 4 monsters to Xyz Summon Starliege Photon Blast Dragon (1800/2500/4) to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. As Blast Dragon was Xyz Summoned, Nebula can Special Summon 1 "Photon" monster from her hand. She Special Summons Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon (3000/2500/8) in Attack Position. As Blast Dragon was Xyz Summoned using Vanisher, any monster that it destroys by battle is banished instead of being sent to the GY. Nebula activates the effect of the Photon Orbital in her hand, targeting Blast Dragon and equipping it with Orbital, increasing its ATK by 500 (Blast Dragon: 1800→2300) and preventing it from being destroyed by battle. Due to Blast Dragon's effect, Zahhak cannot target monsters Nebula controls with 2000 or more ATK with his card effects and they cannot be destroyed by his card effects.

Blast Dragon attacks Zahhak directly. Since Zahhak controls no monsters, he activates the Trap Card Cydemon Acedia, which lets him discard 1 Dark Cyberse monster to negate the attack. He discards Cydemon Duke. Since he discarded a "Cydemon" monster, Cydemon Acedia also ends the Battle Phase. Nebula Sets 2 cards (Eternal Galaxy and Photon Current). She ends her turn.

Turn 3: Zahhak

Zahhak draws. By discarding Cydemon Knight from his hand, he can activate the Continuous Spell Card Cydemon Shrine. Since he controls no monsters, Zahhak activates the effect of Cydemon Shrine to Special Summon 1 "Cydemon" monster from his hand or GY in Attack Position. Zahhak Special Summons Cydemon Duke (2600/600/7) from his GY.

Cydemon Duke attacks Blast Dragon. Nebula attempts to activate one of her Set cards, but the effect of Cydemon Shrine prevents her from activating any Spell/Trap Card when a Dark Cyberse monster attacks. Blast Dragon isn't destroyed due to Photon Orbital's effect (Nebula: 4000→3700 LP). Since Cydemon Duke attacked Nebula's monster and Zahhak has at least 1 "Cydemon" monster in his GY, he activates Duke's effect to inflict damage to Nebula equal to the ATK of the monster on the field with the highest ATK. Nebula takes damage equal to Galaxy-Eyes' ATK (Nebula: 3700→700 LP). Zahhak ends his turn.

Turn 4: Nebula

Nebula draws. She activates the effect of the equipped Photon Orbital, sending it to the GY (Blast Dragon: 2300→1800) to add 1 "Photon" or "Galaxy" monster from her Deck to her hand. Nebula adds Photon Slasher to her hand. Since there is a face-up Xyz Monster on the field, Nebula Special Summons Photon Slasher (2100/1000/5) in Attack Position. Nebula uses Blast Dragon and Slasher to Link Summon Galaxy-Eyes Solflare Dragon (2000/2/↙↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Since Solflare Dragon was Link Summoned, Nebula can add 1 "Photon" or "Galaxy" monster from her GY to her hand. She adds Photon Advancer from her GY to her hand. Nebula Normal Summons Photon Crusher (2000/0/4). Since there is a "Photon" monster on the field, Nebula Special Summons Photon Advancer (1000/1000/4) in Attack Position. Advancer gains 1000 ATK as there is another "Photon" monster on the field (Advancer: 1000→2000). Nebula overlays the Level 4 Advancer and Crusher to Xyz Summon Starliege Photon Blast Dragon (1800/2500/4) to Solflare Dragon's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position.

Photon Dragon attacks Cydemon Duke. Zahhak activates the effect of Cydemon Knight in his GY, targeting Cydemon Duke for its effect. Until the end of the turn, any damage equal to or lower than Cydemon Duke's original ATK becomes 0. Cydemon Duke is destroyed. As she controls a "Photon" or "Galaxy" monster, Nebula activates her Set Trap Card Eternal Galaxy, which lets her target 1 Xyz Monster she controls, then use it as Xyz Material to Xyz Summon 1 "Photon" or "Galaxy" Xyz Monster that is 4 Ranks higher than that monster. Nebula performs a Rank-Up Xyz Change with Blast Dragon to Xyz Summon Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon (4500/3000/8) to Solflare Dragon's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position. The effect of Eternal Galaxy transfers Blast Dragon's Overlay Units to Neo Galaxy-Eyes (OU: 1→3). Neo Galaxy-Eyes attacks Zahhak directly. Since Zahhak controls no monsters, he activates the effect of Cydemon Acedia in his GY, banishing it and discarding Cydemon Marquis to negate Full Armor Photon Dragon's attack. Since the discarded monster was a "Cydemon" monster, Nebula's Battle Phase ends. Nebula ends her turn.

Turn 5: Zahhak

Zahhak draws. Since he controls no monsters, Zahhak activates the effect of Cydemon Shrine to Special Summon Cydemon Knight (2200/600/6) from his GY in Attack Position. Nebula activates the effect of Solflare Dragon, sending Photon Lead from her hand to the GY to target the Special Summoned Cydemon Duke. Cydemon Duke is destroyed. Zahhak Normal Summons Cydemon Bishop (1600/600/3). Since Zahhak has at least 1 "Cydemon" monster in the GY, he activates Cydemon Bishop's effect to Special Summon 1 "Cydemon" monster from his GY in Defense Position. He Special Summons Cydemon Marquis (2400/600/6). As Zahhak has at least 1 "Cydemon" monster in his GY, he activates Cydemon Marquis's effect to take control of 1 monster Nebula controls until the end of the turn. Zahhak takes control of Galaxy-Eyes Solflare Dragon. The monster targeted by Cydemon Marquis's effect is treated as a Dark Cyberse monster and cannot attack this turn. Zahhak uses Cydemon Bishop, Cydemon Marquis, and Solflare Dragon to Link Summon Cydevil Covetous Leviathan (2500/3/↙↓↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Since he has 3 or more "Cydemon" monsters in his GY and it points to no monsters, Zahhak activates Covetous Leviathan's effect to target Galaxy-Eyes. Galaxy-Eyes is equipped to Covetous Leviathan, which gains ATK equal to Neo Galaxy-Eyes' original ATK (Covetous Leviathan: 2500→5500).

Covetous Leviathan attacks and destroys Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon (Nebula: 700→0 LP). Zahhak wins.

---

Cydemon Duke
Attribute: DARK Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 2600 DEF 600 Level: 7
Once, while this card is in your GY: You can target 1 "Cydemon" monster in your GY; add that target to your hand. If there is at least 1 "Cydemon" monster in your GY, this card gains the following effect:
-After damage calculation, if this card attacked an opponent's monster: You can inflict damage to your opponent equal to the ATK of the monster on their field with the highest ATK.

Cydemon Knight
Attribute: DARK Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 2200 DEF 600 Level: 6
Once, while this card is in your GY (Quick Effect): You can target 1 DARK Cyberse monster you control; until the end of the turn, any damage lower than or equal to that monster's original ATK becomes 0. If there is at least 1 "Cydemon" monster in your GY, this card gains the following effect:
-At the start of the Damage Step, if this card attacks an opponent's monster that was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck: Banish that monster, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's original ATK.

Cydemon Marquis
Attribute: DARK Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 2400 DEF 600 Level: 6
Once, while this card is in your GY: You can target 1 Spell/Trap Card in your GY; add it to your hand. If there is at least 1 "Cydemon" monster in your GY, this card gains the following effect:
You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; take control of that target until the end of the turn, and if you do, treat that monster as a DARK Cyberse monster until the End Phase. The targeted monster cannot declare an attack this turn. You can only activate this effect of "Cydemon Marquis" once per turn.

Cydemon Bishop
Attribute: DARK Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1600 DEF 600 Level: 3
Once, while this card is in your GY (Quick Effect): You can target 1 DARK Cyberse monster you control; that monster cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects until the End Phase. If there is at least 1 "Cydemon" monster in your GY, this card gains the following effect:
-You can target 1 "Cydemon" monster in your GY; Special Summon it in Defense Position. You can only activate this effect of "Cydemon Bishop" once per turn.

Cydevil Covetous Leviathan
Attribute: DARK Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 2500 LINK-3 ↙↓↘
2+ DARK Cyberse monsters
Linked monsters cannot declare an attack. Once, while this card is in your GY: You can target up to 2 "Cydemon" monsters in your GY; Special Summon them in Defense Position. If you have 3 or more "Cydemon" monsters in your GY, this card gains the following effects:
Once per turn, if this card points to no monsters: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; equip that target to this card. (You can only equip 1 monster at a time to this card by this effect.) This card gains ATK equal to the original ATK of the monster equipped to it by this effect. If this card would be destroyed, destroy that equipped monster instead. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect's activation.

Cydemon Acedia Normal Trap Card
If your opponent's monster declares an attack while you control no monsters: Discard 1 DARK Cyberse monster; negate the attack. If you discard a "Cydemon" monster with this effect: End the Battle Phase. Once per Duel, if this card is in your GY, you can activate the above effect by banishing this card from the GY.

Cydemon Shrine Continuous Spell Card
Activate this card by sending 1 "Cydemon" monster from your hand to the GY. If there are no "Cydemon" monsters in your GY, destroy this card. If a DARK Cyberse monster you control attacks, your opponent cannot activate Spell/Trap Cards until the end of the Damage Step. If you control no monsters: You can Special Summon 1 "Cydemon" monster from your hand or GY in Attack Position. You can only activate this effect of "Cydemon Shrine" once per turn.

---

Chapter Previews (I'm doing multiple previews again this one time. I might do it again, but no promises. I don't want to jinx anything.)

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 40 – Hunter's Trap. Morningstar has fallen into Blood Shepherd's trap. While Cam and Kusanagi work to free him, Playmaker and Soulburner face off against SOL's bounty hunters. As they do so, they receive help from an unexpected source…

Chapter 41 – Hunter vs. Hunter. Going through Morningstar's memories, Blood Shepherd relives his past with the former bounty hunter. When he awakens, Morningstar faces Blood Shepherd in a showdown for Cypher and to determine who is the superior hunter…

Chapter 42 – Family and Pride. SOL Technologies has developed a new weapon in its attempt to capture the Ignis. Go Onizuka and Techbane, both of whom want power to defeat their enemies, face each other in a duel to determine which of them will wield this weapon…

Chapter 43 – Can You Keep Up With Me? Lured into LINK VRAINS, Morningstar faces a dangerous new opponent. His opponent goads Morningstar with a question, and at the end of the duel, Morningstar gives him his answer…

---

Question of the Chapter

What themes do you think fit the Hidden Memories OCs the most? I only have ones for Morningstar and Zahhak so far. For the former, it has to be Unlimited Blade Works' Emiya Theme. Why? Because it is badass, and I imagine Morningstar as being voiced by Noriaki Sugiyama. For Zahhak, it has to be either Escanor's Theme from Nanatsu no Taizai or This Day And Never Again from fate/Zero. In this case, it is because both songs are about someone who is astronomically more powerful than everyone else around him, and I think that fits Zahhak. Also they're freaking awesome.

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Responses to Reviews & Author's Notes

Thank you to ZarcEternal, Daemon of Wrath, tsukikami02, HunterHQ, Lyrissa Artemick, guardian of the aura Aurasoul, jdkeller2000, SakushiRyu, ThePLOThand, Guest, Ms aura, D3lph0xL0v3r, thirdegree101, Nirvash Neo, SoulMatter, DivadX, Ms choco, Guest, Guest, Phantom Flame-98, Lindia Fullmoon, 0713MM, pokemonking0924, NewComer1, SolanaLeonhart, Guest, and Ethan Kironus for reviewing Chapter 38.

Ms aura: I'm not showing any duel schools as they aren't relevant to the plot. Also, Yasutake was told the priest died while he was with the police, being debriefed about the Lost Incident.

DivadX: Cypher has not seen Bakugan (yet). And I did get your private message, but I can't access the link. My browsers just do Google or Bing searches for it and turn up nothing.

pokemonking0924: Are you psychic or something? You are literally the only person to guess the truth.

NewComer1: You are right, it is too early to say whether Cypher will get a human form or even if he will survive. Stay tuned to find out!

Okay, this was Chapter 39. Unlike most of my other chapters, I planned this one with a list of scenes in mind. Or at least a list I wrote down first instead of just keeping in my head. First, we got a flashback to Cam returning to his orphanage and bringing Yasutake with him. This is both to establish how they met and how Cam's protectiveness of Sachi is largely a result of his inability to protect her when it mattered.

Then we had Cam and Sachi's fight. I have nothing to say about it, actually. Except that it gave Cam and Yasutake a chance to reflect on their behavior. We also had the Knights of Hanoi scene. Unlike last season, Terminus will be in the background, not the front lines. This is both his and Revolver's decision; his because he wants to spend more time with his son, and Revolver because he doesn't want to give the man more opportunities to get himself killed. Don't worry, though; I have at least one Terminus duel planned.

Now to the reveal of how Sachi got the Duel Disk, avatar, and Deck; she got the first two with Aoi's help, and the last from Masako. I set this up back in Chapter 28 and DAMN it felt good to pay it off. I had Aoi and Masako help her because I wanted to show just how strong Sachi's friendship with Aoi is and what kind of person Masako can be when she wants to be. Also led to a rather nice scene that I am very happy with.

Two things left. First, the ending: Some may feel like Morningstar is stealing Soulburner's thunder by getting trapped instead. That is not the case; I have simply decided to give them different spotlights. Soulburner will help Playmaker fend off SOL's bounty hunters, and both he and Playmaker will get to show off something new. As for Morningstar, I felt this was the best way for him and Blood Shepherd to face each other. The two are rivals and have been for a long time. There's a lot of history between them and this felt like a good way to delve into that history.

And last, we have Zahhak's "duel" with Nebula, the unveiling of the Cydemons, and the aftermath. Mechanics-wise, the Cydemons are a sort of inverse to the Cyspirits and Cyangels. Unlike the latter, they gain effects from monsters being in the Graveyard and can activate their own effects from the Graveyard. And unlike the former, they can only activate their effects when they aren't linked and in fact have effects that punish linking. This in essence allows them to counter the Cyspirits and Cyangels rather effectively. It also, of course, means that Zahhak will never be making an Extra Link. Design-wise, the Cydemons are fiends from the depths of hell, with the Cydevils appearing more human and even beautiful. At first. The Cydevil Link Monsters are also based on the seven deadly sins, with Leviathan's being envy.

Now, why did I choose this chapter to give a glimpse of the Cydemons? Because I wanted to demonstrate Zahhak's power before he had a major duel, and Nebula was the best girl to face him. Don't worry though; Nebula, or at least her consciousness data, will be making a return. This also allowed me to delve more into Zahhak's personality and just how arrogant and proud he is; another reason why I think Escanor's and Gilgamesh's themes fit him.

Thank you for reading Chapter 39. Did Zahhak's monsters freak you out? How frustrated were you with Cam for interrupting Sachi and Yasutake? Which preview from above are you most excited for?