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

58. Chapter 58: Allegiances Revealed

Responses to Reviews

Thank you to Jasom, DivaDix, HunterHQ, Anonymous, Noobmaster, Jason, GuestKingOfGuest, Unnamed, E.T. 2000, Unknown, thirdegree101, Jason Liu, FlameFireZero X, ZarcEternal, D3lph0xL0v3r, SakushiRyu, Jason, Ambiguous, savagemaster1999, makotoxvalerie, jdkeller2000, ZeroShadow-01, Drake-san, TheBlazingButterfly777, Diane, Divadix, and Guests for reviewing Chapter 57. Some of you reviewed Chapter 56, but that was fanfiction dot net's fault.

Drake-san: Hidden Memories will have 3 seasons, though season 3 will be significantly longer than the anime.

I hope you all enjoy Chapter 58. I'll admit this probably isn't the best I could do, but I wanted to get this chapter out, so I hope you think it's okay.

---

Chapter 58: Allegiances Revealed

"You sure this is alright boss? Leaving him like that?"

"All of his reactions are annoying," Frog said dismissively to Pigeon's question.

The two were in the bushes of LINK VRAINS's central area, hiding from a teen in blue-green armor.

At one point, the duo had been the highest-rated show in LINK VRAINS-related media for their coverage of the Tower of Hanoi. Times had been good, and the bonuses had been even better. But alas, all good things must come to an end, and with Playmaker disappearing for three months, so too did their fanbase. It had not helped when they had come across Brave Max, the duelist who claimed to be Playmaker's soulmate.

At the time, Frog and Pigeon had been desperate and believed the teen and his claims. So they followed him around in the hopes that Playmaker would show up and they would get the limelight back. But as it turned out, they had been conned. After numerous shows with Brave Max, they hadn't a single sighting of Playmaker. Thus, those shows consisted of Brave Max walking around LINK VRAINS, commenting on their surroundings, dealing with angry comments, and… losing to preschoolers in duels.

Those episodes were the ones Frog was most ashamed of.

Nowadays, the only ones watching their shows were Frog, Pigeon, and Brave Max themselves. Even with Playmaker returning, they had no clues or hints as to where he was or what he was doing. Everything truly seemed hopeless for the duo, and all because they listened to Brave Max.

And what was the truly sad thing, at least in Frog's opinion? He was pretty sure Brave Max hadn't tried to con them; he seemed to legitimately believe himself to be Playmaker's best friend and all of his reactions were completely genuine.

It was hard to hate someone who didn't even realize how much they sucked.

But even Frog's patience had limits. So now, no more following Brave Max around. He and Pigeon would go back to looking for Playmaker on their own. Even if they had no leads, they would persevere! For they were the boldest and greatest reporters within LINK VRAINS! And nothing would stop them!

At least, such thoughts sounded good in Frog's head. But without any leads-

"Boss! Behind you!" Frog blinked as Pigeon brought him back to reality. He turned, looked, and gasped. Playmaker and Soulburner soared through the air above them, followed by Morningstar and a woman in green and white.

"Playmaker's here!" Frog cheered. "Let's go! Don't let him escape!"

"What about Brave Max?" Pigeon asked as Frog went off running.

"Forget him!" Frog yelled back. "Hurry up or you're fired!"

"Okay!"

The two chased after the two duelists, with Pigeon carrying Frog as always. But unlike before, back in the original LINK VRAINS, there was a problem.

"Boss, I can't catch up," Pigeon said as he flapped his wings. The new D-Boards had all been given upgrades to their speed and maneuverability, while Pigeon hadn't been able to afford any. "He'll escape!"

"Don't worry," Frog assured his partner. "I thought this might happen, so I prepared a new weapon!"

"Huh?"

Frog twisted the head of his microphone and made it glow. "C'mon!" Pigeon screeched as a rocket formed on his back and latched around his waist. The rocket ignited, propelling the duo forward at much faster speeds.

"What is this?" Pigeon wondered.

"I borrowed our next bonuses to get it!" Frog told him. "Full speed ahead!"

In any other situation, Pigeon would have probably lambasted his boss for doing something as foolish as borrowing their future bonuses without asking his opinion. Right now, though, he was just happy to be able to catch up. "Okay!"

---

Playmaker, Soulburner, Morningstar, and Cassiel leapt off their D-Boards and landed on an island. Blue Maiden, Ghost Girl, Lilith, Persephone, and Galahad were already there, the sole male with his arms crossed.

"Why did you call for us?" Ghost Girl asked the newly arrived quartet. Before any of them could answer, their attention was grabbed by a screech. Looking up, they all blinked in confusion as something shot past their island at incredible speeds before crashing at a nearby island in an explosion.

"What was that?" Blue Maiden asked in confusion.

Ghost Girl shrugged apathetically. "Some idiot must have illegally modified his D-Board."

Lilith nodded in commiseration. "I've met a few guys like that. They usually wounded up getting their accounts banned."

Galahad frowned. Why did that scream sound… familiar?

Persephone shrugged and turned to look at the new arrivals. "So what did you want to talk about, Playmaker? You're the one who called us all here, right?"

"I did," Playmaker confirmed. "Last night, Revolver contacted me, saying he wanted to talk."

Everyone else gasped in surprise, with Galahad unfolding his arms.

"Revolver?" Soulburner repeated. "The Hanoi?"

Playmaker nodded. "What did he want?" Morningstar asked. Though he, Cassiel, and Soulburner had entered LINK VRAINS with Playmaker, he hadn't told them why he wanted to have a meeting.

"I don't know," Playmaker answered.

"Maybe he wants to ask us something," Ai suggested.

Galahad growled. "Well whatever it is, he can shove it," he said angrily. "I haven't forgotten what he and Terminus tried to do with the Tower of Hanoi."

Personally, Soulburner agreed with that opinion. But something else bothered him. "How was he able to contact Playmaker?" he asked.

"Because he knows Playmaker's identity," Ai answered.

"What?!" Soulburner gasped.

"He knows mine as well," Morningstar confirmed. "Lilith's too. And he undoubtedly knows Cassiel's and Soulburner's too."

"What?! How would he-?!"

"Calm down, Soulburner," Flame urged him. "Revolver is the leader of the Knights of Hanoi. Since you're a victim of the Lost Incident, it wouldn't be surprising if he knew your identity."

"It's the same for me, probably," Cassiel said.

"Why does he know Lilith's though?" Galahad asked. The bounty hunter just shrugged.

"I have an in with the Knights of Hanoi," she answered. "But it's two-way, and I didn't hear about this meeting."

"Even if he knows your identities, you don't have to worry," Cypher said. "Morningstar, Playmaker, Ai, Cassiel, Lilith and I all know Revolver's identity too, so we're equal in that regard."

Blue Maiden blinked as the others gasped. "You know Revolver's true name?"

"Who is he?" Ghost Girl demanded to know.

"Slow down," Ai urged, raising his hands. "Why don't you ask him yourself?"

"Is it possible this is a trap?" Aqua asked.

"There is the chance of that," Cypher conceded.

"But I don't think he wants to fight us right now," Ai said.

"Revolver is pragmatic," Morningstar said. "Extreme yes, but pragmatic. I don't think he would pick a fight with us while Lightning's still around."

"He also gave Playmaker a program to keep Lightning from attacking us through the network," Cassiel remembered with a frown. "Like how he took his origin's consciousness data."

"Back then he said, 'the enemy of my enemy is a friend,'" Ai said. "So maybe he wants to team up?"

Galahad scoffed. "Just because we have the same enemy doesn't make us friends. For all we know, he could decide we're easier pickings than Lightning and it would be better to take us out now."

"Galahad is not wrong," Aqua said. "There's no guarantee this isn't a trap."

"But if it is, you'll know right away," Blue Maiden pointed out. "Won't you, Aqua?"

"Hmm. I'll know it soon, yes."

"Why will Aqua know it?" Persephone asked.

"I have the ability to discern truth and lies," Aqua answered, making Persephone's and Galahad's eyes widen.

Blue Maiden frowned and turned to Ghost Girl. "What do you think?"

The older woman shrugged with a smile. "I'm willing to meet him. We have a lot of history."

Morningstar frowned at that reminder.

Galahad scowled. "I… I won't pretend I'm okay with this, but I'll hear him out if the rest of you will."

Persephone nodded. "My opinion is the same as Galahad's."

Lilith shrugged. "The whole Tower of Hanoi thing aside, I don't really have any issues with the Knights of Hanoi." After all, she was related to one. Even if he was being tight-lipped about certain things. "I'll hear him out."

Morningstar and Cassiel shared a look before nodding in agreement. "I don't have any objections to this meeting."

"Me neither," Cassiel agreed. "And besides, there's something I want to say to Revolver."

"What about you, Soulburner?" Flame asked. The duelist frowned unhappily but remained silent.

The nine humans and four Ignis were so engrossed in their discussion that they didn't notice Frog and Pigeon had survived their crash landing and were hiding behind a nearby rock.

They all looked around and then up as a light shimmered above. The light traveled downward, and they looked to the sides, they saw light coming up from the bottom to form a cage around them.

"What's this?" Blue Maiden wondered.

"Someone created a barrier," Aqua answered.

Morningstar's eyes narrowed. "It's similar to a Camouflage Dome," he said. "Programmed to keep others from outside listening in or watching us."

"Exactly." Everyone turned as a portal opened some distance away. And a young man in white and green with gray and red hair walked out.

"You're all here," Revolver said.

"Revolver," Soulburner muttered. Galahad grit his teeth and glared at the Knight of Hanoi.

"So Morningstar is right about this barrier?" Ghost Girl asked.

"He is," Revolver confirmed. "The program will keep others from listening in."

"There's no doubt," Flame said. "All transmissions to the outside have been cut." Soulburner frowned.

"Revolver, why did you gather us here?" Playmaker asked.

Revolver smiled. "It's the only way to get your help."

"And why do the Knights of Hanoi want our help?" Lilith asked.

"Our goal is to kill the Ignis," Revolver explained. "We'll eventually have to fight each other. But the immediate enemy is the Light Ignis's team. On that, our interests are aligned."

Blue Maiden frowned. "Well, Aqua?" she asked her partner.

"He's not deceiving us," the Water Ignis said.

"The Knights of Hanoi have been working alone so far," Morningstar said. "What's changed?"

"Two things. To prepare for the fight against the Ignis, I tried to recruit Blood Shepherd." Morningstar and Ghost Girl both stiffened at the mention of the bounty hunter. "But he wouldn't accept my way of thinking. So I gave him a hint on how to fight the Light Ignis."

Cypher's eyes narrowed. "You told him about Judgment Arrows. I did think it was a little weird how he had a plan to counter it."

Revolver nodded in confirmation. "But despite my hint, Blood Shepherd was defeated. He made no mistakes in his duel with the Light Ignis. But the Light Ignis's dueling was superior. If we do nothing, Blood Shepherd's fate will also be our fate." Ghost Girl frowned and looked down while Lilith's eyes widened.

"You're scared of him," Lilith realized. "You're scared of the Light Ignis."

Revolver frowned but didn't deny it. "You said that was the first thing," Playmaker said. "What is the second?"

"The Knights of Hanoi have a spy in SOL Technologies." Blue Maiden, Galahad, and Persephone all gasped at the revelation, while the others didn't react. "Two days ago, someone broke into SOL's databanks and stole the remainder of the Earth Ignis's data."

Cypher's eyes widened. "You think it was Lightning?"

"The identity of the thief remains unknown. That implies a high level of hacking skills. The Light Ignis is a prime suspect. Unless someone here stole it." Playmaker and Morningstar both shook their heads. "Then it is likely Bohman has the Earth Ignis's data now. And he will be stronger for it."

Revolver frowned. "That incident aside, I know the rogue Ignis are planning something. Waiting for something. The more time we give them, the further we're at a disadvantage. We need to find them as soon as possible."

Morningstar frowned. Revolver was right, and yet-

"Work together? You must be joking!"

Everyone turned to look at Soulburner. "Did you forget what you did to us? I lost my parents because of the Lost Incident! You messed up my life!"

Revolver frowned. "I know."

"No, you don't! Let's duel, Revolver! We're ending this here!"

Playmaker and Morningstar both frowned. "What?" Cassiel gasped. "Soulburner, you don't have to-!"

"Sorry, but all of you stay out of this!" Soulburner growled. "This is my problem! I'll crush you and get revenge for my parents!"

"But Soulburner, he didn't-!"

Morningstar placed a hand on Cassiel's shoulder, interrupting her. She turned to look at him questioningly, only for him to incline his head towards Revolver. She turned to look at the leader of the Hanoi, who closed his eyes and frowned.

"Fine. Let's duel, Soulburner."

Cassiel frowned as Morningstar led her away to the side, followed by Playmaker and the others.

"Revolver! If I win, I'll hold you responsible for everything!" Soulburner declared. "If I lose, I'll give you Flame!" Said Fire Ignis looked at his partner in panic.

"Fine. I have no objections."

"I do!" Cassiel protested. "Morningstar, why are you letting this happen? If Soulburner loses-!"

"It's fine, Cassiel," the former bounty hunter assured her. "Soulburner needs this."

"Needs it?" Blue Maiden said, looking at Morningstar. "What do you mean?"

"At the Tower of Hanoi," Everyone turned to look at Playmaker, "Morningstar and I received closure for the Lost Incident. We uncovered the truth and were able to sort out our feelings. But Soulburner never got that same closure."

Morningstar nodded. "Until he duels Revolver, he won't be able to sort out his feelings. Like how I needed to duel Terminus, and how Playmaker needed to duel Revolver too."

"There's also the issue of why Revolver called us here," Lilith piped up, drawing their attention. "He asked us here to work together. If Soulburner is itching for a fight, they won't be able to do that."

"That too," Playmaker confirmed.

Galahad sighed. "Can't say I blame him. I still want to hit Revolver for the Tower of Hanoi." He frowned. "But if this goes bad, then Soulburner will lose Flame. That won't help anything."

Morningstar frowned and looked over at Revolver. "…I get the feeling that this duel won't go how you're thinking."

The Charisma Duelist blinked and turned to Morningstar. "What do you mean?" But the former bounty hunter refused to answer, so Galahad turned back to the duel.

Soulburner took the first turn and brought out Salamangreat Heatleo. And then for his turn, Revolver… did nothing.

Everyone except Morningstar was surprised. The former bounty hunter just grimaced in confirmation.

If anything, Soulburner was just incensed by Revolver's action and brought out Salamangreat Jack Jaguar. Cassiel gasped as Heatleo attacked Revolver directly, but the others just grimly watched.

Soulburner was about to attack with Jack Jaguar before he stopped himself and just screamed in frustration. He fell to his knees, and then his monsters disappeared.

"I knew he couldn't attack," Ai said.

"He wanted to duel Revolver for satisfaction," Morningstar confirmed. "But Revolver didn't give him any."

Lilith frowned. "Did you know he was going to do that, Morningstar?"

"…I had a feeling," he admitted. "Nothing more."

Cassiel frowned in pity.

Revolver walked up to Soulburner. "Satisfied?"

"Of course not!" Soulburner shouted angrily. "I don't even know your real name! And I can't duel you! What am I supposed to do?"

Morningstar remembered this feeling. The feeling of impotence, that there was nothing you could do to change anything. He had tried to run from it, while Playmaker had tried to fight it.

"…My name is Ryoken Kogami," Revolver said. "The son of Dr. Kiyoshi Kogami, the man who started the Lost Incident."

"What?!" Soulburner gasped. Galahad, Persephone, Blue Girl, and Ghost Girl all shared his reaction.

"He finally revealed his own identity!" Ai said in surprise.

"I can't say I saw that coming," Cypher mused as he crossed his arms. "Did you, partner?"

"No, I didn't."

Soulburner grit his teeth and pushed himself to his feet. "Just because I know your identity doesn't mean-."

"Soulburner." He turned as Playmaker approached him. "Revolver was eight years old during the Lost Incident. Only two years older than us."

"He was the one who reported the incident," Morningstar added.

"Yes," Playmaker confirmed. "He felt guilty about Dr. Kogami's actions."

"In other words," Cassiel said. "Revolver was the one who saved us."

"What?" Soulburner asked.

"And the perpetrator – Dr. Kogami – is already dead," Playmaker continued.

"Dead?"

"Revolver isn't responsible for the Lost Incident," Cypher said calmly.

Soulburner glared at them and them covered his face with his hand. "Damn! What's going on?"

"Calm down, Soulburner!" Flame urged.

"I know!"

"Soulburner." They all turned to Revolver. "We'll only be working together until we defeat the Light Ignis. If we survive, we'll eventually have to fight each other with your Ignis on the line. Can you keep your anger down until then?"

"Revolver…"

Revolver turned to the group. "And what about all of you? Do any of you have anything to say?"

Cassiel frowned and stepped forward. "Yes, I have something to say. Something that, as a victim of the Lost Incident, I feel I need to say."

Revolver frowned at her. "And what would that be?"

She looked him in the eye, and then, to everyone's shock, bowed to him. "Thank you."

"…What?" Revolver gasped. He instinctively stepped back, away from the girl. "You're… thanking me? But my father-."

"Is not you," Cassiel interrupted, straightening out. "Morningstar told me who you were, and what you did for us back then. He told me you regretted saving us, because it meant your father was taken away from you."

She frowned. "I can't blame you for feeling like that. I know that I hated my kidnappers for taking me away from my brother. And while I don't hate Dr. Kogami anymore, I know I won't be forgiving him anytime soon."

"You don't hate him?" Soulburner asked in surprise.

"What point is there in hating the dead?" Cassiel asked. "They cannot respond to your emotions. But Revolver… even if you regret your actions, I cannot help but be grateful for them. You put an end to our suffering and reunited me with my brother." A small smile crossed her lips. "And while I will never see what we went through back then to be a blessing, it was because of the Lost Incident that I became so close to Morningstar. It's because of the Lost Incident that I got to meet Playmaker, Soulburner, Blue Maiden, and everyone else. Even if I wish I hadn't gone through the Lost Incident, I cannot regret what I gained because of it.

"That's why I want to say thank you, Ryoken Kogami. Thank you for saving me, Playmaker, Soulburner, and Morningstar." She bowed low before him.

Revolver stared at her before a small frown finally crossed his face. "You… you are welcome, Cassiel."

Cypher chuckled as he looked up at his partner's face. "She really knows just what to say, doesn't she?"

A small smile flit across Morningstar's face. "Yes. She does." Playmaker and Blue Maiden had similar smiles on their faces, while Soulburner and Galahad looked conflicted.

Revolver closed his eyes, breathed in and out, then opened his eyes and turned to the rest of the group. "What about the rest of you? Will you agree to work with the Knights of Hanoi?"

Blue Maiden frowned as the conversation took a turn. "Aqua, what do you think?"

"His heart is calm," the Water Ignis said. "He isn't trying to deceive us."

Her partner nodded. "I trust Aqua. I'll go along with this alliance. And what about you, Ghost Girl? Lilith? Persephone? Galahad? Soulburner?"

Persephone, Galahad, and Soulburner all grimaced, but Lilith and Ghost Girl just shrugged.

"I'm okay," Ghost Girl said.

"Same here. I don't have any problems with Revolver," Lilith added.

"Well I do." Everyone turned to the growling Galahad. "Look, I believe you want to team up with us, and I agree the Light Ignis is a threat. But do you really think I can just forget what the Knights of Hanoi tried to do? Do you actually think I'm willing to forgive the Tower of Hanoi?"

Morningstar, Playmaker, and Revolver all grimaced. "The Knights of Hanoi nearly wrecked the whole planet. I'm not willing to just forget that! And I'm willing to bet you aren't even sorry for that, are you?"

Revolver's expression didn't change. "I regret that we felt such means were necessary," he said.

"Regretting it doesn't change the fact that you still went through with it. You would have torn the entire world apart if not for Playmaker and Morningstar." Galahad shook his head. "I'm sorry, all of you, but I can't accept this. The enemy of my enemy isn't my friend; they're just another enemy. After what the Knights of Hanoi have done, there's no way I'll be working with them. If you're going to work with Revolver, then I'm out."

"Galahad!" Blue Maiden gasped.

"You don't need to go that far!" Ai protested.

"You forget, I didn't join up with you because of the Ignis. I joined up with you to help Go. And I've done that. And if you're working with the Knights of Hanoi, with Revolver and Terminus, then you clearly don't need me."

Morningstar frowned. "Even so-"

BA-BUM

Morningstar's eyes widened as he looked up, an action mirrored by Playmaker. "What was that?"

"Huh?" Galahad blinked. The others all stared at the duo. "What was what?"

Playmaker's eyes narrowed. "Something's coming!"

Revolver turned to look up and his eyes widened. "Take cover!"

A bolt of green lightning impacted the side of the barrier. The barrier held for a second before shattering. Following that bolt was numerous D-Boards, each with a dual-toned rider.

"This is our big moment!" A BitBoot declared.

"You will all fall before our glorious combination!" Another BitBoot shouted.

"These guys?" Soulburner said in surprise.

"The Light Ignis," Revolver growled. "How did he know about this?"

"We can worry about that later," Morningstar said. "We need to scatter; we can't let them pin us down."

"Agreed." Playmaker nodded. "Get moving!"

The ten duelists all ran to the edges and summoned their D-Boards and rode off in different directions, each pursued by a BitBoot.

"Boss!" Pigeon said panickingly. "We're under attack!"

"Stay down!" Frog said, just as distressed as his partner. "If they don't notice us, they'll leave us alone."

---

As it turned out, they were being pursued by twenty BitBoots, and while they were stronger than they had been, they were still far weaker than their opponents.

"Electric Varrel Sword Slash!"

"Tempest Attack!"

"Violet Soul!"

"Abyssal Slash!"

"Stardust Stream!"

Five BitBoots fell apart under the attacks and disintegrated. And they were soon joined by another.

"Blazing Uriel's effect activates! Heavenly Blaze!" A stream of red flames tore through BitBoot, making it disintegrate. Cassiel breathed a sigh of relief before frowning.

"Cam, can you hear me?"

"I can," her brother confirmed. "When that attack destroyed the barrier, it restored communications. Yasu told me what's happening. And that he's suspicious."

"So am I," Cassiel agreed. "There's strength in numbers, but if this was a serious attack, wouldn't Lightning, Windy, or Bohman themselves be here? An attack like this will only annoy us; it isn't enough to defeat us."

"Indeed it isn't." Cassiel blinked as another D-Board drove alongside her. Though this one wasn't being ridden by an AI. "This attack serves two purposes. The first is a test to study how you handle surprise attacks." The rider was a tall white-haired man in a dark green kimono. A black belt with an infinity symbol atop it circled his waist. "The second… is a declaration of war."

"A declaration of war?" Cassiel repeated. "Who are you?"

The man smiled and bowed lightly. "I am Merlin, Enforcer No. V of Ouroboros."

Cassiel gasped. "An Enforcer? Then you're like Jester and Zahhak?"

"Indeed, I am a colleague of theirs," Merlin confirmed.

The girl's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here? And with BitBoot?" The answer to her question hit her within the next second, making her eyes widened. "Wait, you-!"

"You really are a sharp young woman," Merlin said, his smile growing. "Your suspicion is true; Ouroboros and the Light Ignis have joined forces."

"Why?" Cassiel asked. "Lightning wants to enslave humanity! You're human, aren't you? Why would you work with someone like that?!"

Merlin shrugged. "Well, we each have our own reasons. I know that me and Jester are doing so because we were ordered to. Zahhak wishes to duel Morningstar again, though I imagine he has other reasons." His smile turned tight. "And I imagine Thaumiel wishes to cause as much chaos as possible."

Cassiel's eyes widened in horror. "T-Thaumiel? Then that red lightning that saved him before… He's an Enforcer?!"

"Yes. Enforcer No. X in fact."

Cassiel stared at him before gritting her teeth. "If you've allied with Lightning, then that makes you an enemy! I'll defeat you here and now!"

Merlin chuckled. "You have a great spirit, young lady. Truthfully, my Deck is weaker than Zahhak's and Jester's, but I am quite confident in my skills. Come, and show me the strength of your conviction!"

"Speed Duel!"

Cassiel: 4000 LP

Merlin: 4000 LP

"I shall take the first turn," Merlin declared. "I summon Witchcrafter Genni!" A blonde girl in green robes with a wooden staff appeared.

Witchcrafter Genni ATK 300 DEF 500 LVL: 1

Cassiel frowned. "Do you have anything on a 'Witchcrafter' archetype, brother?" she asked.

"No," Cam said, the disquiet in his voice evident. "There's no information on that archetype."

"I activate the Field Spell Card: Secret Village of the Spellcasters! This card's effect depends on whether or not I control a Spellcaster monster. Since I do, you cannot activate any Spell Cards." Cassiel's frown deepened at that. It looked like Merlin had done his homework on her. That card would prevent her from activating her Field Spell Card, and that card was a core component of her dueling.

"Genni's effect activates! By Tributing it and discarding a Spell Card, I can Special Summon a 'Witchcrafter' monster from my Deck." Genni glowed with light as Merlin sent a card to the Graveyard. "Come, Witchcrafter Haine!" The light faded, revealing a silver-haired woman in black with a golden scepter that had two orbs floating above it. The woman posed in Attack Position.

Witchcrafter Haine ATK 2400 DEF 1000 LVL: 7

"I Set one card. I end my turn. And during the End Phase, since Witchcrafter Collaboration is in the Graveyard while I control a 'Witchcrafter' monster, I can add it to my hand." Merlin took the card from his Graveyard."

Cassiel frowned. That was the card he discarded for Genni's effect. Out loud, she said, "My turn! Draw! Since there are no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Cyangel Cupbearer!" A young man with golden skin in golden robes appeared in Attack Position, holding a silver goblet above his hands while small golden wings sprouted from his back.

Cyangel Cupbearer ATK 1400 DEF 700 LVL: 3

"I activate the effect of Cyangel Flagbearer in my hand! By returning a Light Cyberse monster I control to my hand when I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon it!" Cupbearer disappeared and was replaced by a gold-skinned man wearing medieval armor and carrying a large blue banner with a symbol of golden wings on it. A set of wings sprouted from his back, and his eyes were a solid blue while silver cybernetics circled his right eye. The man hefted the banner upward as he was summoned in Attack Position.

Cyangel Flagbearer ATK 1500 DEF 700 LVL: 4

"I summon Cupbearer!"

Cyangel Cupbearer ATK 1400 DEF 700 LVL: 3

"Appear, the circuit of infinite light! The summoning conditions are two Light Cyberse monsters. I set Cupbearer and Flagbearer in the Link Markers!" Cassiel's monsters entered the top and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyseraph Ophanim!" An angel in crimson robes and a gold tunic with four wings emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone.

Cyseraph Ophanim ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↑↓

"Cupbearer's and Flagbearer's effects activate! When they are sent to the Graveyard, I can shuffle them into my Deck. Then, I can add a 'Cyangel' monster from my Deck to my hand and destroy a Spell or Trap Card you control!" Merlin raised an eyebrow. "I add Cyangel Trumpeter to my hand and destroy Secret Village of the Spellcasters!"

Merlin smiled as his Field Spell Card shattered. "A clever move, young lady. But I'm afraid such a strategy will have consequences. "Trap activate! Witchcrafter Trade!" The card showed Witchcrafters Edel and Haine haggling over a stand. "I now add two 'Witchcrafter' Spell Cards from my Deck to my hand. In addition, for the rest of the turn, my Spellcaster monsters cannot be destroyed by battle or your card effects." Merlin took two cards from his Deck and then gestured to his field.

"Haine's effect activates! By discarding a Spell Card, I can destroy one of your face-up cards!" Cassiel's eyes widened. "I discard Witchcrafter Creation to destroy Cyseraph Ophanim!" Cassiel grit her teeth as her monster exploded. "So, what will you do? I know that your monster can return itself to your Extra Deck. Will you do so now?"

"No," Cassiel answered, making her opponent blink in confusion. "Destroying Ophanim may have slowed me down, but it won't stop me. Especially now that I can activate my Spell Cards. I activate the Spell Card: Cyangel Hymn!" The card showed an open book with weathered light brown pages and a golden cover, sitting on a golden lectern with four candles on the sides. "Since I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, I can Normal Summon a 'Cyangel' monster!"

Merlin blinked. "Another Normal Summon?"

"Come, Cyangel Trumpeter!" A gold-skinned man in a white toga appeared and played a tune on a golden trumpet.

Cyangel Trumpeter ATK 1300 DEF 700 LVL: 3

"Trumpeter's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned and I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, I can add Cyangel Sanctum to my hand." Merlin blinked again and then smirked. Clever girl.

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

Cyangel Trumpeter ATK 1300→1600 DEF 700→1000

"Cyangel Sanctum's effect! Once per turn, I can shuffle a card in my hand into my Deck and then add a Cyberse monster from my Deck to my hand." She placed a card in her Deck, then took a different card from her Deck. She then raised her right hand. "Appear, the circuit of infinite light! The summoning condition is one Light Cyberse monster. I set Trumpeter in the Link Marker!" Trumpeter entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Cyseraph Throne!" A gold-skinned man in a dark blue robe emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone. He was strapped to a six-spoke wheel, with the end of each spoke on fire. His eyes were a solid blue but gleamed with a golden light.

Cyseraph Throne ATK 700→1000 LINK-1 ↓

Merlin frowned. A new Cyseraph Link Monster? Even if it was Link-1, it could be problematic.

"Trumpeter's effect activates! From my Graveyard, I shuffle it into my Deck and Special Summon a 'Cyangel' monster from my hand. Come, Cyangel Priest!" A bald man with golden skin wearing golden robes appeared in Attack Position.

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

"Furthermore, Cyseraph Throne's effect activates! When it is Link Summoned, I can return a card in my Graveyard to my Deck. I return Cyseraph Ophanim to my Extra Deck!" Merlin blinked and chuckled. Well-played. "Appear again, the circuit of infinite light! The summoning conditions are two Light Cyberse monsters. I set Priest and Throne in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the top and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyseraph Ophanim!" The Link Monster reappeared at the right Extra Monster Zone.

Cyseraph Ophanim ATK 2000→2300 LINK-2 ↑↓

"Priest's and Throne's effects activate! I shuffle them into my Deck and Extra Deck, then one of your monsters loses 800 attack points, and I can add a 'Cyangel' card from my Deck to my hand. I lower Haine's attack points and add Cyangel Guard to my hand."

Witchcrafter Haine ATK 2400→1600

Merlin couldn't help but chuckle. "You not only got your monster back, but you weakened mine in the process and gained a new card. Well-played, young lady." She had adapted well to his attempt to slow her down, and while it had cost her resources, she had recouped them nicely. It seemed like he would have to take her more seriously than he had intended.

"Since I control a Light Cyberse monster, I can Special Summon Cyangel Guard!" A man with golden skin wearing a silver cuirass over a red, orange, and blue uniform appeared at Ophanim's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. His eyes were solid blue and cybernetics traveled down his left cheek. Golden wings spread behind him.

Cyangel Guard ATK 1900→2200 DEF 700→100 LVL: 5

"Ophanim's effect activates! When a monster is Summoned to its Link Marker, I can add a 'Cyangel' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand." She took the card from her Deck and then raised her hand. "Appear for a third time, the circuit of infinite light! The summoning conditions are two or more Light Cyberse monsters. I set Guard and Link-2 Ophanim in the Link Markers!" Cassiel's monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cyseraph Righteous Raguel!" A golden angel with four silver-gold wings emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone. She wore silver armor with gold edges and had long dark silver hair in a braid that fell down its back. She swung a silver and dark blue scimitar in her right hand and a set of silver scales in her left.

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

Merlin's eyes narrowed. "A Link-3 'Cyseraph' monster…"

"Guard's and Ophanim's effects activate! They are shuffled into my Deck and Extra Deck. Then, I draw a card and gain 1000 Life Points!" She drew, a trail of gold following the card.

Cassiel: 4000→5000 LP

"Sanctum's effect activates! Once per turn, when a Cyberse monster in my Graveyard is shuffled into my Deck, I can target a Cyberse Link Monster I control. For the rest of the turn, it cannot be destroyed by card effects or targeted by your card effects. I target Righteous Raguel! And since I control a Light Cyberse Link Monster, I activate the Spell Card: Cyangel Prayer! This lets me add a 'Cyangel' monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Cyangel Sister to my hand. I Set one card."

Cassiel pointed to her field. "Battle! Righteous Raguel attacks Haine! Justice Slash!" Righteous Raguel charged Haine and brought her sword down. Haine raised her staff to intercept the attack. Sparks flew as the weapons made contact.

"The turn I activate Witchcrafter Trade," Merlin reminded her, "my 'Witchcrafter' monsters cannot be destroyed by battle or your card effects!"

"But you will still take damage!" Cassiel shot back. A pulse of energy shot out from the impacting weapons and struck Merlin, making his D-Board wobble.

Merlin: 4000→2900 LP

Cassiel smirked. "Righteous Raguel's effect! If there are no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, it can attack up to three times during the Battle Phase!" Merlin's eyes widened. One of the scales disintegrated as the angel's sword glowed silver. "And even if your monster can't be destroyed, you will still take damage! Righteous Raguel attacks Haine! Justice Slash!" Righteous Raguel brought her sword down again. Once again, Haine blocked the attack with her staff, but the shockwave of the blow traveled outwards and struck Merlin, making him wince.

Merlin: 2900→1800 LP

The remaining scale disappeared into light as Righteous Raguel's scimitar lit up with silver fire. "The last attack! Righteous Raguel attacks Haine! Justice Slash!" She swung the sword and blasted the mage with silver fire. The woman survived the blast, but some of the fire continued on and struck Merlin, nearly knocking him off his D-Board.

Merlin: 1800→700 LP

Merlin panted as he steadied his D-Board. "I'm getting too old for this," he said self-deprecatorily.

"I end my turn. During the End Phase, Priest's effect ends."

Witchcrafter Haine ATK 1600→2400

Merlin chuckled. "Very impressive, Cassiel. You managed to reduce my Life Points by a significant amount. More than that, you overcame my attempt to sabotage your strategy. It's clear to me how powerful the Cyangels are." Then he thought about it and shook his head. "No, there is more to it than that. No matter how powerful a Deck is, it is useless if its duelist cannot take it to its full potential. Your moves are not just a testament to the strength of your Deck, but your own skill and experience."

Cassiel narrowed her eyes. "I'm not sure how I should feel receiving a compliment like that. Particularly from a comrade of Zahhak and Jester."

The old man shrugged. "Take it however you wish. And while I do understand your dislike of Zahhak, know that I bear you no ill will. I am simply acting in my role as an Enforcer. In any case, I believe it is my turn. Draw!"

Merlin gestured to his field. "Haine's effect activates! I discard Witchcrafter Holiday to destroy Righteous Raguel!" Haine fired magical energy at the angel, but Cassiel gestured to her own field.

"I activate the effect of Cyangel Prayer in my Graveyard!" she declared. "If my Light Cyberse monster would be destroyed, I can banish Cyangel Prayer instead!" A barrier of light formed around Righteous Raguel and absorbed the blast.

Merlin smirked. "I looked at the effect of your card when you played it; I knew you would do that. So now that your card is out of the way, I can destroy Righteous Raguel the old-fashioned way." Cassiel's eyes widened. "I activate the effect of Witchcrafter Genni in my Graveyard! By banishing it and a 'Witchcrafter' Spell Card from my Graveyard, I can activate that Spell Card's effect as Genni's! I banish Witchcrafter Creation, which lets me add a 'Witchcrafter' monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Witchcrafter Golem Aruru to my hand. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Witchcrafter Artisans!" The card showed Witchcrafters, Edel, Pittore, and Schmietta all in a workshop, each working on a project. Edel was cutting a gemstone, Pittore was painting on parchment, and Schmietta was bringing a hammer down on an anvil. "By revealing a 'Witchcrafter' monster in my hand, a 'Witchcrafter' monster on my field gains attack points equal to that monster's attack points until the end of the turn, and if it inflicts battle damage, then I gain Life Points equal to the damage. I reveal the 2800-attack-point Withcrafter Golem Aruru and target Haine!"

Witchcrafter Haine ATK 2400→5200

"I activate the Spell Card: Witchcrafter Collaboration! By targeting Haine, it can now attack twice during the Battle Phase, and if it attacks, you cannot activate any Spell or Trap Cards until the end of the Damage Step." Cassiel frowned. "Battle! Haine attacks Righteous Raguel!" The woman summoned several daggers in the air. The daggers shot off towards the angel.

Cassiel took a card from her hand. "I activate the effect of Cyangel Sister in my hand! When my Light Cyberse monster would be destroyed in battle while I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, I can prevent my monster's destruction by battle and halve the battle damage!" Righteous Raguel held her sword horizontally in front of her and blocked the daggers. However, one of the daggers spun upward before coming down on Cassiel, striking her and making her D-Board wobble.

Cassiel: 5000→3750 LP

Merlin: 700→1950 LP

"Then, Cyangel Sister is Special Summoned!" A woman with gold skin appeared at Righteous Raguel's bottom Link Marker in Defense Position, wearing a black robe and white habit.

Cyangel Sister ATK 1200→1500 DEF 700→1000 LVL: 3

Merlin clapped politely. "Well done, Cassiel. If you had not done that, your Life Points would have been cut in half. Even so, they still will be. After all, Haine can attack twice. Once again, Haine attacks Righteous Raguel!" More daggers materialized and shot off towards the angel.

"Sister's effect lasts until the end of the turn!" Cassiel said. "So the battle damage is halved and Righteous Raguel isn't destroyed!" Even without Sister's effect, Righteous Raguel can't be destroyed by battle when it is linked to a "Cyangel" monster.

The daggers struck Righteous Raguel's sword, creating a wave of sound. The monster withstood the wave, but Cassiel winced from the shock.

Cassiel: 3750→2500 LP

Merlin: 1950→3200 LP

"I end my turn. As I control a 'Witchcrafter' monster, Witchcrafter Holiday's effect lets me add it from my Graveyard to my hand. In addition, Witchcrafter Artisans' effect ends, so Haine's attack points return to normal."

Witchcrafter Haine ATK 5200→2400

"My turn! Draw!"

"Haine's effect activates!" Merlin declared, surprising the girl. "I discard Witchcrafter Holiday to destroy Cyangel Sanctum!" A bolt of magical energy shot out and shattered Cassiel's Field Spell, making her gasp.

Cyangel Sister ATK 1500→1200 DEF 1000→700

Cyseraph Righteous Raguel ATK 2700→2400

Cassiel blinked. "Why destroy my Field Spell? Why not Righteous Raguel?"

Merlin smirked. "Because I know what happens when Righteous Raguel is sent to the Graveyard by my card. It Special Summons two new 'Cyangel' monsters from the Deck and returns itself to the Extra Deck. With Sister on the field, you would just bring it back out. Your Field Spell Card, on the other hand, is far more irreplaceable."

The girl frowned. "Well, I can't argue with that logic." Then she smirked. "But just because it's harder to replace doesn't mean I can't get it back." Now it was Merlin's turn to blink. "I activate the Spell Card: Cyangel Litany! Since I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, I can target a Spell or Trap Card in my Graveyard and activate its effects as Cyangel Litany's. I target Cyangel Hymn, which lets me Normal Summon a 'Cyangel' monster from my hand. Come, Cyangel Cherub!" A gold-skinned winged child wearing a white loincloth appeared at Righteous Raguel's bottom-left Link Marker.

Cyangel Cherub ATK 1800 DEF 700 LVL: 4

Merlin raised an eyebrow. "Why would you use your Spell Card to Normal Summon this monster instead of just Normal Summoning?"

Cassiel smirked. "Because when Cyangel Litany is activated, you cannot target or destroy my monsters with your card effects until my next Standby Phase!" The old man blinked and then laughed uproariously.

"So you had another way to protect your monsters! Well done, Cassiel! Well done!"

"It's too early for you to be impressed," Cassiel declared. "Appear, the circuit of infinite light! The summoning conditions are two Light Cyberse monsters. I set Cherub and Sister in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the top and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyseraph Ophanim!" The angel wearing crimson robes emerged from the portal at Righteous Raguel's bottom Link Marker.

Cyseraph Ophanim ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↑↓

"Cherub's and Sister's effects activate! They are shuffled into my Deck, and I can now Special Summon a 'Cyangel' monster from my Deck in Defense Position and add a 'Cyangel' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand." Merlin blinked and then smiled at that last part. Of course. The Cyangel Deck was truly resourceful. "Come, Cyangel Prophet!" An old man with gold skin wearing gold robes and wielding a staff appeared at Righteous Raguel's bottom-left Link Marker.

Cyangel Prophet ATK 2200 DEF 700 LVL: 6

Cassiel took a card from her Graveyard and then played it. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Cyangel Sanctum! My Light Cyberse monsters gain 300 attack and defense points!"

Cyangel Prophet ATK 2200→2500 DEF 700→1000

Cyseraph Ophanim ATK 2000→2300

Cyseraph Righteous Raguel ATK 2400→2700

"Prophet's effect activates! Once per turn, if there are no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, I can halve the attack points of one monster on your field!" Prophet zapped Haine with golden light, making her cringe.

Witchcrafter Haine ATK 2400→1200

"Battle! Righteous Raguel attacks Haine!" The angel swung her scimitar to the side while Merlin smirked.

"I activate the effect of Witchcrafter Golem Aruru in my hand!" he declared. "When my Spellcaster monster is targeted by an effect or for an attack, I can return a card you control or a 'Witchcrafter' Spell Card in my Graveyard to the hand and Special Summon Golem Aruru! I return Witchcrafter Holiday to my hand and Special Summon Aruru!" A pale woman in a violet and white outfit appeared in Attack Position. She wore a purple hat on her head and held a glowing blue hammer in her right hand.

Witchcrafter Golem Aruru ATK 2800 DEF 0 LVL: 8

Cassiel frowned. "Righteous Raguel continues its attack! Justice Slash!" The angel's sword lit up with silver light as it cleaved Haine in half, making Merlin wince.

Merlin: 3200→1700 LP

The older man smirked. "None of your monsters are strong enough to defeat Golem Aruru. So how do you plan to overcome this conundrum?"

"Like this," Cassiel answered. "Trap activate! Cyangel Humilitas!" The card showed numerous Cyangel Guards kneeling before Cyseraph Guardian Michael, who stood in front of Notre Dame Cathedral, his wings spread out and his sword held in front of him, point down towards the ground. "When my Light Cyberse monster inflicts battle damage, all monsters you control lose attack points equal to that damage until the end of the turn!" Merlin's eyes widened.

Witchcrafter Golem Aruru ATK 2800→1300

"Since there are no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, Righteous Raguel can attack three times. This is the second attack! Righteous Raguel attacks Golem Aruru!" One of the scales broke apart as the angel's sword glowed. "Justice Slash!" Righteous Raguel brought the blade down and cleaved Golem Aruru in half. The monster exploded, pushing Merlin back.

Merlin: 1700→300 LP

"This is the end! Righteous Raguel attacks you directly! Justice Slash!" The last scale broke apart and Righteous Raguel swung its sword, blasting Merlin with silver fire.

The older man just smirked and gestured to his field. "I activate my Skill! Infinity Soul!" The belt on his waist with the infinity serpent glowed with green light. "When you attack me directly, that attack is negated, and the Battle Phase ends!" A green barrier appeared and blocked the silver fire. "Then, I can Special Summon a monster from my Deck whose attack points are less than or equal to the damage I would have taken. Come, Witchcrafter Edel!" A girl with blue-pink hair appeared in Defense Position. She wore a strapless indigo dress and carried an oversized caliper that was the same size as her.

Witchcrafter Edel ATK 2000 DEF 2300 LVL: 5

Cassiel scowled. "That Skill is rather overpowered," she muttered.

"I saw it," Cam said over the com. "Must be because of Ouroboros or something."

"I end my turn."

"My turn! Draw!" Merlin looked at his card and smirked. "I activate the Spell Card: Witchcrafter Holiday, which lets me Special Summon a 'Witchcrafter' monster from my Graveyard. Come, Witchcrafter Haine!" The woman in black reappeared in Attack Position.

Witchcrafter Haine ATK 2400 DEF 1000 LVL: 7

"I summon Witchcrafter Potterie!" A small blonde girl wearing a blue dress and green cloak appeared and swung a small wand with a blue crystal.

Witchcrafter Potterie ATK 0 DEF 2000 LVL: 2

"It would appear I can no longer afford to hold back against you, my dear," Merlin said. He raised his right hand. "Appear, the circuit of craftmanship! The summoning conditions are two or more Spellcaster monsters. I set Edel, Haine, and Potterie in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Witchcrafter Madame Venicia!" A tall woman with blue eyes emerged from the portal in the Extra Monster Zone. She had light blue hair tied in a French braid, with dark blue highlights through it, and wore gold earrings in the shape of the Witchcrafter crest – scissors crossed with a hammer surrounded by a caliper. She wore a deep blue coat over a strapless light blue dress that billowed out around her knees, while her legs and feet were covered by indigo knee-height high-heeled boots. In her right hand, she held a wooden staff engraved with vines. The bottom end had a small sapphire gem, while the top had a larger sapphire embedded in a golden cap.

Witchcrafter Madame Venicia ATK 2500 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

Cassiel blinked. "A 'Witchcrafter' Link Monster?"

"Madame Venicia's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned, I draw a card!" Merlin drew and smirked at his card. "I Set one card. Since I have no cards in my hand, I can banish Witchcrafter Potterie from my Graveyard to add a 'Witchcrafter' card in my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Witchcrafter Collaboration to my hand, which I'll now activate! By targeting Madame Venicia, it can attack twice during the Battle Phase, and if it attacks, you cannot activate Spell or Trap Cards."

Merlin gestured to his field. "Madame Venicia's additional effect activates! Once per turn, when I activate a 'Witchcrafter' Spell Card, it gains 1000 attack points until my next Standby Phase!"

Witchcrafter Madame Venicia ATK 2500→3500

Merlin smirked. "In addition, when Madame Venicia destroys your monster the turn it activates this effect, that monster is returned to your Deck instead of going to the Graveyard." Cassiel's eyes widened. "Battle! Madame Venicia attacks Ophanim!" The woman spun her staff before striking down, blasting the angel with blue energy. The angel exploded, making Cassiel wince.

Cassiel: 2500→1300 LP

Cassiel scowled as Ophanim's card returned to her Extra Deck. Her monsters may return to her Deck when their effects activated, but in order to activate those effects, they had to go to the Graveyard first. So an effect like Madame Venicia's could be a serious hindrance to the Cyangel Deck.

"Madame Venicia attacks Righteous Raguel!" Another bolt of blue energy traveled towards the archangel, but Cassiel gestured to her field.

"Since Righteous Raguel is linked to a 'Cyangel' monster, it cannot be destroyed by battle!" Cassiel declared. The blast struck Righteous Raguel's sword, parting the energy. Some of the beams traveled past the angel and struck Cassiel, who grit her teeth in pain.

Cassiel: 1300→500 LP

"I end my turn."

Cassiel frowned as she looked at the field. Their Life Points were about even now, and while Madame Venicia was the strongest monster on the field, Cassiel had the means to win the duel. But something was bothering her. Something she'd noticed halfway through the duel, but hadn't thought to bring up until now.

"You're not like Jester, or Thaumiel or Zahhak," she said, drawing Merlin's attention. The older man raised an eyebrow in confusion. "I never met Jester in person, but I saw a recording of his duel with Morningstar. He was smug and condescending. Zahhak was arrogant and cold. Thaumiel… he was sadistic and cruel. You're none of those things. So why are you working with men like them?"

"…" Merlin smiled softly at her. "You are quite right. I am a very different man than my colleagues. I have also been an Enforcer for far longer than they have, so it might be that I am the way I am because of age. But I think it is simply a result of circumstances."

He closed his eyes. "No two humans are exactly alike. Even if two people appear to be similar, there are small differences between them. And for an organization like Ouroboros, which recruits from across the world, is it so surprising that I would be so different from my fellow Enforcers?"

"…When you put it like that, perhaps not." Cassiel's frown deepened. "But even if you're a better person than they are, that doesn't change the fact that you've allied with an AI who wants to enslave humanity. An AI who looks down on everyone else. An AI who wants to hurt my friends!"

Cassiel's right hand glowed gold. "For the sake of my friends, and to achieve the peace that we envision, I'll defeat you here and now! I activate my Skill! During my Draw Phase, if my Life Points are 1000 or less, I can add one 'Cyangel' card from my Deck to my hand! Go! Sacred Draw!" She drew, a stream of gold trailing her card.

"Appear, the circuit of infinite light!" Cassiel declared. "The summoning conditions are two or more Light Cyberse monsters. I set Prophet and Link-3 Righteous Raguel in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the left, right, top, and bottom arrows. "The commander of the armies of heaven! Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Cyseraph Guardian Michael!" A golden cocoon emerged from the Link portal. The cocoon unfolded, revealing a golden angel in white armor trimmed in gold with eight wings. The angel swung a longsword in his right hand and spread his wings from the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyseraph Guardian Michael ATK 3000→3300 LINK-4 ←↑↓→

Merlin narrowed his eyes. "The monster that defeated HK-71," he muttered. "Its power is equivalent to Prideful Helel's."

"Prophet's effect activates!" Cassiel said. "I shuffle it into my Deck, and until the end of the turn, one of my monsters gains 1000 attack points until the end of the turn!" The archangel glowed with golden light.

Cyseraph Guardian Michael ATK 3300→4300

"Guardian Michael is stronger than Madame Venicia now," Cassiel said. "I activate the effect of Cyangel Humilitas in my Graveyard! By banishing it, all cards in my Graveyard are returned to my Deck. Then, I draw a card!" She took the cards and placed them in her Deck, then drew.

The girl in white and green pointed to the field. "Battle! Guardian Michael attacks Madame Venicia!" Guardian Michael lifted his sword so that it was in front of his face. He then leapt upwards, his wings spread, and sword raised.

Merlin smirked. "I watched your duel with HK-71, so I know what Guardian Michael is capable of. Which is why I came prepared. Trap activate! Witchcrafter Enchantment!" The card showed Witchcrafter Schmietta's gear-staff on a table, with Witchcrafters Haine, Madame Verre, and Madame Venicia standing around the table, their hands up and glowing with blue light. "When my 'Witchcrafter' monster battles, its attack points are doubled, and it becomes unaffected by your card effects until the end of the turn!"

Cassiel blinked. "Since it would be unaffected by my card effects, Guardian Michael's effect wouldn't work." She then smirked. "But unfortunately for you, I came prepared as well. From my hand, I activate the Counter Trap Card: Cyangel Castitas!" The card showed Cyangel Sister standing among several mountains, while two lions roamed the bases of the rocks. Each lion had a golden shield strapped to their back. "I can activate this card from my hand if I control a Light Cyberse Link Monster in the Extra Monster Zone. And since you activated a card or effect while I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, the activation of that card is negated and it is destroyed!" Merlin blinked as his Trap Card shattered. "This is the end! Lightning of the Heavens!" A bolt of lightning came down and struck the sword, making it spark with power. Guardian Michael tucked his wings in and dived downward, his sword held above his head.

Merlin chuckled ruefully. "Very impressive. To think I would have to use this combo. I activate the effect of Witchcrafter Trade in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can banish a 'Witchcrafter' card from my Graveyard!"

Cassiel blinked. "You're banishing your card? Why?"

"Because the card I am banishing is Witchcrafter Enchantment. And when Witchcrafter Enchantment is banished, its effect activates! All of my banished cards are returned to my Deck, and for each banished card, we both take 300 points of damage!"

The girl's eyes widened. "What?!"

"Take pride in the fact you forced me to make this a draw," Merlin said. Guardian Michael's sword impacted with Madame Venicia's staff. Sparks and blue light traveled outwards from the impact and struck both duelists, making Cassiel and Merlin cry out in pain.

Cassiel: 500→0 LP

Merlin: 300→0 LP

Cassiel fell to her knees and panted. "Damn it," she whispered. "He's tricky."

Merlin, who was likewise kneeling, chuckled. "Thank you for that. My Deck lacks the raw power my colleagues have, but I try and make up for it with effects."

"Cassiel!"

The two turned as two D-Boards rode up to them.

"Morningstar! Playmaker!" Cassiel smiled in relief.

"Are you alright?" Ai asked.

"I'm fine. Thank you, Ai."

The two duelists narrowed their eyes as they took in Cassiel's opponent. "You're Merlin, right?" Morningstar asked. "Cassiel and I have a mutual friend on the outside, and he overheard you."

The old man chuckled. "Indeed, I am Merlin. Enforcer No. V of Ouroboros. And I must say, it's a pleasure to meet all of you."

"So it's true," Playmaker muttered. "Ouroboros has joined forces with Lightning."

"Why?" Cypher asked incredulously. "You're human! Why would you work with someone who wants to enslave you?"

Merlin smirked at the Silver Ignis. "I'm afraid I can't answer that. If you want answers, then you'll have to come to us. Though I suspect you'll be doing so with fewer numbers."

Morningstar's eyes narrowed. "What do you-?"

ROOOOOAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRR

The three humans gasped and turned as a roar echoed through the air. Off in the distance, they saw a long and thin dragon coil around two D-Boards.

Merlin chuckled. "It seems my apprentice is about to win his duel. Techbane has really come a long way."

Morningstar's eyes widened as he whipped back to face Merlin. "Techbane?! What do you-?!" Only to watch as the older man logged out.

"We have to go!" Cassiel declared, steering her D-Board towards the dragon. Without a second's hesitation, Morningstar and Playmaker went after her.

---

"Battle! Imperial Chaos Blade!" Black Luster Soldier – King of Chaos leapt into the air, blade alight with black light. It brought the sword down, cutting through BitBoot and making the combined AIs scream as they were forcibly torn apart. Fortunately, their pain didn't last long, as they soon disintegrated into data.

Galahad looked around and frowned. He could see the others and their duels off in the distance, and it looked like they were winning. He had already defeated two of these things, so they weren't that tough. Which raised the question: What was the point of this attack?

If it had been to eliminate them, wouldn't the Light Ignis have sent more skilled fighters? Or was this a diversion of some sorts? Or-

"Hey!"

Galahad blinked and looked behind him. He was being chased by a new D-Board, but this one didn't have an AI riding it. In fact-

He blinked again in surprise. "Aren't you one of SOL's bounty hunters? Techbane, right?"

The man in silver armor smirked as he rode up to Galahad's side. "SOL was my former employer, yes," he said. "But I'm working for someone new now. And that someone wants you out of their way."

Galahad narrowed his eyes as he absorbed that. "I see. So you're working with the Light Ignis? You do know what he has planned, don't you?"

"I don't work for the Light Ignis," Techbane denied. "I work for another group. And they've given me enough reasons to trust them." He raised his Duel Disk. "Let's get this over with, Galahad. I've always wanted to duel you, but it is a pity it's under these circumstances."

"Hmm. Fine." Galahad raised his own Duel Disk. "Whoever you're working for, they've got another thing coming if they think they can get rid of me!"

"Speed Duel!"

Galahad: 4000 LP

Techbane: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" Techbane declared. "By discarding Cyberdark Claw, I can add a 'Cyberdark' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Cyberdark Inferno to my hand."

Galahad narrowed his eyes. He never dueled Techbane, but he saw his duel with Morningstar. He was pretty sure the bounty hunter had used Cyber Dragons. What was this Cyberdark archetype?

"I activate the Field Spell Card: Cyberdark Inferno! While this card is on the field, my 'Cyberdark' Effect Monsters that are equipped with an Equip Card cannot be targeted or destroyed by your card effects."

A card that protects monsters equipped with Equip Cards? So this new Deck must be similar to Sylphid's Deck.

"I summon Cyberdark Horn!" A dark brown mouth with mandibles on its sides appeared and roared.

Cyberdark Horn ATK 800 DEF 800 LVL: 4

"Cyberdark Horn's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can equip a Level 3 or lower Dragon monster from my Graveyard to it. I equip Cyberdark Claw to Cyberdark Horn!" A dark green monster with six silver claws on its body appeared. Cables came down from Cyberdark Horn and attached themselves to Cyberdark Claw. "While Cyberdark Claw is equipped to Cyberdark Horn, Cyberdark Horn gains attack points equal to Cyberdark Claw's original attack points."

Cyberdark Horn ATK 800→2400

"Appear! The circuit of mechanical evolution! The summoning conditions are two Dark monsters." Techbane smirked. "Alternatively, I can Link Summon this monster by sending a 'Cyberdark' monster equipped with an Equip Card to the Graveyard!" Galahad's eyes widened. "I send Cyberdark Horn equipped with Cyberdark Claw to the Graveyard!" The monster and its Equip Card turned into dark brown energy that entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyberdark Wyvern!" The monster that emerged from the portal had the body of Cyberdark Keel, except with Cyberdark Edge connected to its back. The dragon roared from the right Extra Monster Zone.

Cyberdark Wyvern ATK 1000 LINK-2 ↙↘

"Cyberdark Claw's effect activates! When it is sent to the Graveyard while equipped to a monster, I can add a 'Cyberdark' monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Cyberdark Horn to my hand. In addition, since Cyberdark Wyvern was Special Summoned, I can equip a Dragon or Machine monster in my Graveyard to it. I'll equip Cyberdark Claw to it!" Cyberdark Claw reappeared and was connected by cables to Cyberdark Wyvern. "Cyberdark Wyvern then gains attack points equal to Cyberdark Claw's original attack points."

Cyberdark Wyvern ATK 1000→2600

"I Set one card. I end my turn." Techbane gestured to his field. "Cyberdark Wyvern's effect activates! If it is equipped with an Equip Card during the End Phase, I can add a Dragon or Machine monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Cyberdark Cannon to my hand!"

Galahad frowned. A powerful monster, good protection for it, and an almost full hand. It seemed this Cyberdark Deck was rather formidable. Thankfully, he had made a few changes to his Deck that would help out here.

"My turn! Draw! I activate the Field Spell Card: Galloping Gaia! During the Battle Phase, if I control Gaia the Dragon Champion in my Monster Zone, you cannot activate cards or effects." Techbane frowned at the card. "I activate Galloping Gaia's effect! Once per turn, by revealing a 'Gaia the Fierce Knight' monster in my hand, I can add a Level 5 Dragon monster from my Deck to my hand. I reveal Gaia the Magical Knight, which is treated as a 'Gaia the Fierce Knight' monster, to add Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon to my hand."

Galahad smirked as he took the card from his Deck. "Since I control no monsters, I can Normal Summon Gaia the Magical Knight without Tributing." A blue-skinned man on a red horse materialized, his cape violet and red and his lances gilded with gold.

Gaia the Magical Knight ATK 2300 DEF 2100 LVL: 7

"Gaia's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 5 Dragon monster from my hand or Graveyard in Defense Position. Come, Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon!" A dragon made of yellow and red bone appeared, its eyes glowing red.

Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon ATK 2000 DEF 1500 LVL: 5

"Curse of Dragon's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned, I can add a Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand, so long as it lists Gaia the Dragon Champion in its text. I'll add Spiral Fusion to my hand!"

Techbane grit his teeth. "Fusion." That's right, he thought. Galahad has mastered all of the summoning methods.

"I activate the Spell Card: Spiral Fusion!" Galahad declared. "This lets me Fusion Summon a Dragon Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck using monsters from my hand or field as Fusion Materials. I fuse Gaia the Magical Knight and Curse of Dragon!" The monsters turned into red and blue particles that swirled into a vortex. Blue and red twisters shot upward before merging into a single violet tornado. "The champion of knights awakens! Let wind and lightning become your power! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 7! Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons!"

A knight in blue armor with a purple cape and wielding red lances gilded with gold emerged from the tornado. He rode on the back of a dragon made of yellow bone with red skin. The dragon roared from the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons ATK 2600 DEF 2100 LVL: 7

"So long as Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons is on the field, its name is treated as Gaia the Dragon Champion!" Galahad said, making Techbane gasp. "And when Gaia the Dragon Champion is Fusion Summoned using Spiral Fusion, it gains 2600 attack points and can attack your monsters twice during the Battle Phase!"

Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons ATK 2600→5200

"And that's not the only effect I can use! When Curse of Dragon is sent to the Graveyard, I can target my Gaia the Dragon Champion, which Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons is treated as via its effect." Galahad smirked. "And until the end of the turn, all monsters you control whose attack points are equal to or lower than that monster have their effects negated!" Techbane gasped as his Cyberdark Wyvern groaned.

Cyberdark Wyvern ATK 2600→1000

Techbane growled. He could see how this would go: Galahad's Fusion Monster would attack and destroy Cyberdark Wyvern, inflicting 4200 points of damage. Then he smirked. He hadn't planned it quite like this, but he had prepared for his monster being weakened.

"Trap activate!" he declared. "Cyberdark Virus!" The card showed several mechanical viruses, each colored black, brown, and gray, and each one had the kanji for "Dark" on them in light blue. "To activate this card, I must Tribute a 'Cyberdark' monster with 1000 or less attack points. I Tribute Cyberdark Wyvern!" The dragon disintegrated. Galahad's eyes widened as its particles turned into black spores that traveled over to his field. He gasped as his Fusion Monster writhed in pain.

"What the-? What's going on?"

Techbane's smirk widened. "When Cyberdark Virus is activated, you take no damage for the rest of the turn, and then all monsters on your field and in your hand with 1500 or more attack points are destroyed!" Galahad gasped as Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons exploded. Once it was gone, the Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight in Galahad's hand likewise disintegrated. "Then, Cyberdark Virus forces you to destroy three monsters in your Deck whose attack points are 1500 or less!"

(Note: I originally had Techbane using the Crush Card Virus, but I forgot that the monsters it destroys in the Deck must also have 1500 or more ATK. Rather than rewrite much of the duel or give Galahad a new card, I decided it was easier to give Techbane a new "Cyberdark" card.)

Galahad grimaced as a list of the cards in his Deck appeared. This was a rather nasty Trap Card. Although… perhaps this part of its effect would work to his advantage. He selected three cards, all of which shattered.

Galahad looked up at Techbane's smirking face. Well, he wouldn't be smirking for long. "I Set two cards. I end my turn." Galahad smirked. "I activate the effect of Envoy of Chaos in my Graveyard! By banishing a Light monster and a Dark monster from my Graveyard, I can add Envoy of Chaos to my hand!" Techbane's smirk disappeared in surprise. "I banish the Light Beginning Knight and the Dark Evening Twilight Knight from my Graveyard. And since Beginning Knight and Evening Twilight Knight were banished from my Graveyard, their effects also activate! I now add a Ritual Spell Card and a Ritual Monster from my Deck to my hand!"

Techbane grit his teeth as Galahad took the two cards from his Deck. It seemed Ritual Summoning would be up next turn. Still, he could inflict a great deal of damage this turn. He just needed to play his cards right. "My turn! Draw! By discarding Cyberdark Cannon from my hand, I can add a Machine 'Cyberdark' monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Cyberdark Edge to my hand. I summon Cyberdark Horn!" A brown dragon's head and mandibles appeared.

Cyberdark Horn ATK 800 DEF 800 LVL: 4

"Horn's effect activates! I equip it with Cyberdark Cannon!" A violet monster shaped like a tube appeared and was connected to Cyberdark Horn via cables.

Cyberdark Horn ATK 800→2400

"I activate Cyberdark Inferno's effect! Once per turn, I can return my 'Cyberdark' monster to my hand and then Normal Summon a 'Cyberdark' monster. I return Cyberdark Horn to my hand and Normal Summon Cyberdark Edge!" The dragon's head disappeared and was replaced by a set of dark green and silver wings.

Cyberdark Edge ATK 800 DEF 800 LVL: 4

"Cyberdark Cannon's effect activates! When it is sent to the Graveyard while equipped to a monster, I can draw a card!" Techbane drew, then said, "Cyberdark Edge's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can equip a Level 3 or lower Dragon monster in my Graveyard to it and increase its attack points by that monster's attack points. I equip Cyberdark Claw to Cyberdark Edge!" Claw reappeared and was ensnared by Edge's spines.

Cyberdark Edge ATK 800→2400

Galahad grit his teeth. At the rate things were going, he was going to take heavy damage. But still… "Trap activate!" he declared. "Spiral Reborn! This lets me Special Summon a Level 7 or lower Dragon monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons!" The knight riding a dragon reappeared and roared in Attack Position.

Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons ATK 2600 DEF 2100 LVL: 7

"While it is on the field, Gaia is treated as Gaia the Dragon Champion. And since I Special Summoned Gaia the Dragon Champion with Spiral Reborn, it cannot be targeted or destroyed by your card effects!"

Techbane grimaced. "Even if you bring your monster back, Cyberdark Edge can attack you directly while halving its attack points."

"Continuous Trap activate!" Galahad declared. "Spiral Discharge! While Gaia the Dragon Champion is in my Monster Zone, your monsters can only target Gaia the Dragon Champion for attacks!" Techbane gasped and then grit his teeth. "You don't have a choice anymore; you have to attack my monster!"

Or just not attack, Techbane thought. But I still have a move to make. "I activate the Spell Card: Power Bond! This lets me Fusion Summon a Machine Fusion Monster using monsters from my hand or field. I fuse Cyberdark Edge on my field with Cyberdark Horn and Cyberdark Keel in my hand!" Horn reappeared, joined by a long thin dragon. The three monsters broke apart into red, blue, and green data and swirled into a vortex. Three twisters spiraled upwards before joining into a single violet tornado. "The dark machine whose power is beyond reproach! Arise from the abyss and let all hear your roar! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! Cyberdark Dragon!" A large dragon that was a combination of Cyberdark Edge, Cyberdark Horn, and Cyberdark Keel emerged from the tornado and roared from the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Cyberdark Dragon ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 8

Galahad frowned. "A Fusion Monster with only 1000 attack points?"

"Since I Fusion Summoned Cyberdark Dragon using Power Bond, it gains attack points equal to its original attack points!"

Cyberdark Dragon ATK 1000→2000

"And since Cyberdark Claw was sent to the Graveyard while equipped to a monster, I can add a 'Cyberdark' monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Cyberdark Edge to my hand. Cyberdark Dragon's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned, I can equip a Dragon monster in my Graveyard to it and increase its attack points by that monster's attack points. I equip Cyberdark Cannon to it!" Said monster reappeared and configured itself into a cannon, only to be held against Cyberdark Dragon's stomach by cables.

Cyberdark Dragon ATK 2000→3600

"Finally, Cyberdark Dragon gains 100 attack points for each monster in my Graveyard. There are four, so it gains 400 attack points!"

Cyberdark Dragon ATK 3600→4000

"I Set one card. Battle! Cyberdark Dragon attacks Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons! Full Darkness Burst!" The dragon opened its mouth and fired black energy at Galahad's monster.

The Knight of LINK VRAINS glared at the beam. And then he smirked. "Spiral Discharge's effect activates!" Techbane raised his head in surprise. "When an attack is declared involving Gaia the Dragon Champion, I can target and destroy one card on the field!"

Techbane gasped. "I can't target your Cyberdark Dragon because of your Field Spell. But I can target its Equip Card! I destroy the equipped Cyberdark Cannon!" The cannon on Cyberdark Dragon's underside disintegrated. "Your monster might gain 100 attack points because another monster is in the Graveyard, but it still loses far more!"

Cyberdark Dragon ATK 4000→2400→2500

The bounty hunter grit his teeth. "Since Cyberdark Cannon was sent to the Graveyard while equipped to a monster, I draw a card." He drew, and underneath his mask, his eyes widened.

"Strike back, Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons! Magic Dragon Lance!" Green wind gathered around the knight's lances. It jabbed the lances forward, releasing the wind in a burst. The wind struck the beam of black energy and tore through the energy and struck Cyberdark Dragon, tearing it apart in an explosion. Techbane winced from the blast.

Techbane: 4000→3900 LP

"Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragon's effect activates! When it destroys your monster by battle, it gains 2600 attack points!"

Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons ATK 2600→5200

Techbane frowned but took a card from his hand. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Cyberdark Shadow!" The card showed Cyberdark Dragon encased in a black shadow, with chains hanging around it. "This lets me Special Summon a 'Cyberdark' monster from my Graveyard while ignoring its summoning conditions. Resurrect, Cyberdark Dragon!" The large dragon reappeared and roared in Attack Position.

Cyberdark Dragon ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 8

"The monster Special Summoned by Cyberdark Shadow cannot be destroyed by card effects. And since it was Special Summoned, Cyberdark Dragon equips Cyberdark Claw from the Graveyard to it!" Said monster reappeared and was trapped by Cyberdark Dragon's mandibles. "Cyberdark Dragon gains 100 attack points for each monster in my Graveyard and attack points equal to Cyberdark Claw's attack points."

Cyberdark Dragon ATK 1000→2600→3000

"I end my turn. And since I activated Power Bond this turn, I take damage equal to the attack points that Cyberdark Dragon gained from its effect." Techbane grimaced and winced as his body glowed red.

Techbane: 3900→2900 LP

"My turn! Draw!" Galahad looked at his card, then at Techbane's field. "I don't know why you'd work with the Light Ignis. And frankly, I don't care. Right now, you're an enemy. An enemy I have to beat! Gaia's effect activates! Once per turn, by reducing its attack points by 2600, I can target and destroy a card on the field!" Techbane gasped.

Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons ATK 5200→2600

"I can't destroy Cyberdark Dragon, but I can destroy your Set card!" Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons gathered wind around its lances and then blasted it at Techbane's Set card. The card's owner only smirked.

"If you're going to destroy it, then I might as well activate it. Trap activate! Cyber Breakdown!" The card showed Cyber Dragon Nachster with blue shockwaves rolling off of it. "This card destroys a Spell or Trap Card you control, then lets me add a Machine monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll destroy your Field Spell Card!" Galahad gasped as Galloping Gaia disintegrated. "And I'll now add Cyber Valley to my hand."

Galahad grit his teeth. With the card activated, Gaia's effect had done nothing except weaken itself. And with his Field Spell Card gone, Techbane could once again activate cards during the Battle Phase. Well, there wasn't anything Galahad could do about that. He could only continue with what he had been planning to do.

"I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Super Soldier Synthesis!" he declared. "This card lets me Ritual Summon any 'Black Luster Soldier' Ritual Monster from my hand or Graveyard, so long as I send a Light and a Dark monster from my hand and Deck to the Graveyard whose Levels equal 8. I send Level 4 Gaia, the Polar Knight from my hand and Level 4 Gaia, the Mid-Knight Sun from my Deck to the Graveyard in order to Ritual Summon!" A green magic circle formed on Galahad's field, joined by two knights – one in white armor riding a black horse, and the other in black armor riding a white horse. Eight green flames formed around the circle and the two monsters disintegrated. Their data particles entered the circle, which emitted a pillar of light.

"The contract has been made!" Galahad chanted. "The knight who commands light and darkness inherits these two souls. Ritual Summon! Rise, Level 8! Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier!" The pillar was cut apart by a jagged blade. Said sword was wielded by a man in red armor gilded with gold who also held a diamond-shaped shield in his left hand. The knight roared in Attack Position.

Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier ATK 3000 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

Techbane grimaced. "First Fusion Summoning and now Ritual Summoning. This is going to hurt."

"At the start of the Battle Phase, I activate the effect of Envoy of Chaos in my hand!" Galahad declared. "By discarding it, Super Soldier gains 1500 attack points until the end of the turn!"

Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier ATK 3000→4500

"Battle! Super Soldier attacks Cyberdark Dragon! And since Super Soldier was targeted by Envoy of Chaos's effect, Cyberdark's attack points become its original attack points during damage calculation!" Techbane's eyes widened.

Cyberdark Dragon ATK 3000→1000

The bounty hunter grit his teeth as the knight leapt into the air. "Since the monster equipped with Cyberdark Claw is battling, I can send a monster from my Extra Deck to the Graveyard. I'll send Cyber End Dragon to the Graveyard. In addition, when my 'Cyberdark' monster battles, I can banish Cyberdark Shadow from my Graveyard to halve all battle damage I take from battles involving 'Cyberdark' monsters for the rest of the turn!"

Galahad narrowed his eyes. Even if this attack wouldn't finish Techbane off, it would still deal a large amount of damage. "Go, Super Soldier! Superior Chaos Blade!" The man swung his blade and blasted Cyberdark Dragon with red energy.

"If Cyberdark Dragon would be destroyed by battle," Techbane said, "I can destroy the equipped Cyberdark Claw instead!" Cyberdark Dragon twisted so that the Cyberdark Claw in its grasp blocked the attack. The monster exploded in Cyberdark Dragon's grasp.

"You will still take damage!" Galahad pointed out. The shockwave of the attack struck Techbane making him gasp and dropping him to a knee.

Techbane: 2900→1150 LP

The bounty hunter breathed in and out. "Since damage calculation is over, Cyberdark Dragon is no longer affected by Envoy of Chaos's effect. And since another monster is in my Graveyard, it gains 100 attack points."

Cyberdark Dragon ATK 1000→1500

"Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons attacks Cyberdark Dragon! Magic Dragon Lance!" Galahad gestured to his field. "At this point, Spiral Discharge's effect activates! I target and destroy Cyberdark Inferno!" Techbane's Field Spell disintegrated.

Its owner gestured to his field. "When Cyberdark Inferno is destroyed by your card effect, I can add a 'Polymerization' or 'Fusion Spell Card from my Deck to my hand." He took a card from his Deck. At the same time, Galahad's Fusion Monster resumed its attack.

The knight blasted the dragon with green wind, while the dragon it was riding breathed red fire. The combination of wind and fire struck Cyberdark Dragon, destroying it and knocking Techbane back.

Techbane: 1150→600 LP

"Gaia's effect activates! As it destroyed your monster by battle, it gains 2600 attack points!"

Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons ATK 2600→5200

Galahad pointed to his field. "I activate my Skill! Second Charge! By banishing three Warrior monsters from my Graveyard, I can conduct my Battle Phase again!" Techbane gasped. "I banish Gaia the Magical Knight, Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight, and Gaia, the Polar Knight. And with a second Battle Phase, Super Soldier will attack you directly! Superior Chaos Blade!" The knight leapt upwards and raised his blade.

Techbane smirked. "I activate the effect of Cyber Breakdown in my Graveyard! By banishing it while I control no monsters, I can Special Summon a Machine monster from my hand. Come, Cyber Valley!" A small silver dragon with red orbs on its body appeared in Defense Position.

Cyber Valley ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"In that case, Super Soldier will attack Cyber Valley!" The blade brought his blade down as Techbane gestured to his field.

"Cyber Valley's effect activates! When your monster attacks it, I can banish it, draw a card, and then end the Battle Phase!" Galahad gasped as Cyber Valley disintegrated and Techbane drew. Super Soldier continued its descent, but then leapt back to Galahad's side.

The Charisma Duelist grit his teeth. "I end my turn. During the End Phase, I banish the Light Attribute Gaia, the Mid-Knight Sun and the Dark Attribute Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon to add Envoy of Chaos to my hand."

Techbane drove his D-Board in front of Galahad. "I always admired you as a Charisma Duelist," he admitted. "You had your head on straight. You knew what you wanted and what you were willing to do to get it. I envied that drive and focus of yours." His fists clenched. "But now, I know what I have to do to achieve my goals. And right now, that is defeating you! My turn! Draw! I summon Cyberdark Edge!" The set of wings appeared.

Cyberdark Edge ATK 800 DEF 800 LVL: 4

"Cyberdark Edge's effect activates! I equip it with Cyberdark Cannon!" Said monster reappeared and was trapped by Cyberdark Edge's pincers and attached to it via wires.

Cyberdark Edge ATK 800→2400

"I activate the Spell Card: Overload Fusion! By banishing monsters from my field or Graveyard, I can Fusion Summon a Dark Machine Fusion Monster! I banish Cyberdark Edge on my field along with Cyberdark Claw, Cyberdark Horn, Cyberdark Keel, and Cyberdark Wyvern in my Graveyard!" All five monsters materialized on Techbane's field. They broke apart into red, blue, green, orange, and yellow data and swirled into a vortex. Five twisters shot upward and merged into a violet tornado. "Dark machine that lies dormant in man's heart! Take flight from the abyss and rain doom on the unworthy! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 10! Cyberdarkness Dragon!" A large dragon that looked like an amalgamation of the five Main Deck Cyberdark monsters broke free of the twister and roared from the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Cyberdarkness Dragon ATK 2000 DEF 2000 LVL: 10

Galahad's eyes narrowed. "This must be his new ultimate monster…"

"Cyberdarkness Dragon's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned, I can equip a Dragon or Machine monster from my Graveyard to it and increase its attack points by that monster's original attack points."

And Techbane had sent a Machine monster with 4000 attack points to the Graveyard last turn. Fortunately, Galahad had prepared for such an eventuality. "Gaia's effect activates!" he declared. "I reduce its attack points by 2600 to destroy Cyberdarkness Dragon!" The Magical Knight of Dragons blasted green wind at the dragon, tearing through it and making it explode. Techbane gaped as his newest Fusion Monster was easily destroyed.

Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons ATK 5200→2600

"…Well, that's kind of disappointing," Techbane admitted after regaining his voice. "But even if I lost my dragon, I can still activate Cyberdark Cannon's effect since it was sent to the Graveyard while equipped to Cyberdark Edge. I draw a card!"

Techbane drew, and upon seeing what he now held, smirked. It looked like he could win this after all. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Burial from a Different Dimension, which lets me return up to three banished monsters to the Graveyard. I return Cyberdark Claw, Cyberdark Horn, and Cyberdark Wyvern to my Graveyard. And finally, I activate the Spell Card: Cemetery Link!" The card showed a Link portal embedded in the ground, but instead of arrows, eight tombstones sat around the edges. "By banishing monsters from my Graveyard, I can perform a Link Summon!" Galahad's eyes widened. "Appear, the circuit of mechanical evolution! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Cyberdark' monsters. I banish Cyberdark Claw, Cyberdark Horn, and Link-2 Cyberdark Wyvern!" The three monsters appeared and entered the left, right, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Cyberdarkness Wyvern!"

The dragon that emerged from the portal, like Cyberdark Wyvern, Cyberdark Dragon, and Cyberdarkness Dragon, was a combination of Cyberdark monsters. Its main body was Cyberdark Kell, with the wings of Cyberdark Edge attached to its back. Cyberdark Claw was attached to its stomach, its blades spread apart. Cyberdark Cannon sat atop its back, stiffened in the shape of a cannon. The dragon let out a long and loud roar from the right Extra Monster Zone.

Cyberdarkness Wyvern ATK 2000 LINK-4 ←↙↘→

Galahad grit his teeth. "He had another ace up his sleeve?"

"Techbane!"

The two duelists turned as Morningstar, Playmaker, and Cassiel rode up to them. "Ah, Morningstar," the bounty hunter said with a crooked smile. "I was wondering if I'd get the chance to see you again."

"Is it true, Techbane?" Morningstar wondered. "Did you really join Ouroboros?"

Galahad gasped and turned to the bounty hunter, who only had a small frown on his face. "So you already met Merlin. And you defeated him?"

"No," Cassiel admitted with a frown. "Our duel ended in a draw."

"I see. But yes. I have joined Ouroboros."

"What?" Galahad growled. "You joined the same group who used Nebula as a science experiment? Who treat people as pawns?"

"I don't know who Nebula is," Techbane said. "And treat people as pawns? That couldn't be further from the truth. Ouroboros has helped me achieve my full potential. They have given me the chance to achieve the goal I have spent the last two years on. For that, I'll do what I must."

"Even if that means allying with Lightning?" Playmaker demanded to know. "Even if it means allying with someone who wants to rule over humanity?"

"There is a plan in motion," Techbane said. "I don't know the details of it, but I trust Merlin. If he says everything will be alright, then I'll believe him."

"You're crazy," Galahad said. "To trust people like that and work with the Light Ignis? I didn't think too much of you before, but you're clearly worse than whatever I was thinking!"

"We don't all have the benefit of morals, Charisma Duelist," Techbane said. "We can't just dismiss opportunities as they come to us. Sometimes we have to make compromises. Sometimes we have to do what must be done." He gestured to his field. "Let's finish this duel! Cyberdarkness Wyvern's effect activates! As it was Special Summoned, I can equip a Dragon or Machine monster in my Graveyard to it. I equip Cyber End Dragon to Cyberdarkness Wyvern!" The three-headed mechanical dragon appeared and was trapped by Cyberdarkness Wyvern's claws. "My monster then gains attack points equal to Cyber End Dragon's ATK!"

Cyberdarkness Wyvern ATK 2000→6000

"6000 attack points?!" Ai squeaked in surprise.

"I've never heard of this Cyberdark Deck," Cypher said.

Galahad grit his teeth. It's alright. If he attacks Super Soldier, I can use Envoy of Chaos's effect to change his monster's attack points back to normal. And if he attacks Gaia, then I can use Spiral Discharge's effect to destroy his Equip Card. He can't win!

"Battle!" Techbane declared. "Cyberdarkness Wyvern attacks Super Soldier!" The cannon on the dragon's back glowed with red energy.

The Charisma Duelist smirked. "I activate Envoy of Chaos's effect in my hand! By discarding it-!"

"You cannot!" Techbane interrupted with a sneer. "So long as Cyberdarkness Wyvern is equipped with an Equip Card, you cannot activate cards or effects during the Battle Phase!"

Galahad gasped. "W-What?!"

"But if he can't activate any cards or effects-!"

"Then he can't stop the attack," Morningstar said, finishing Cassiel's thoughts.

"Continue the attack, Cyberdarkness Wyvern! Supreme Darkness Burst!" The cannon fired red and black energy, engulfing Super Soldier. The knight cried out in pain as it exploded. Galahad cried out in similar pain as he and his D-Board were knocked backwards.

Galahad: 4000→1000 LP

Techbane's sneer widened. "It's time to end this! I activate my Skill! Cyberdark Rush! When my monster attacks your monster, it can attack your monster again! And since Cyberdarkness Wyvern had an Equip Card equipped, I can either inflict piercing battle damage or double the battle damage. I choose to double it!"

Playmaker's eyes widened. "But with a second attack-!"

"It's over! Cyberdarkness Wyvern attacks Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons! Supreme Darkness Burst!" The cannon on the dragon's back fired another black of red and black energy. This one tore through Galahad's Fusion Monster before striking the man himself. Galahad screamed as he was knocked off his D-Board.

Galahad: 1000→0 LP

As he fell through the air, Galahad could only whisper. "Katsumi… I'm sorry." The Charisma Duelist's body broke apart into green data. Data that traveled over to Techbane's Duel Disk.

The bounty hunter frowned as he observed the captured consciousness data. This wasn't something he was okay with, but Merlin had assured him that it would only be temporary. And if it meant his grandfather's life… then he would swallow his discomfort.

"Techbane!" He turned to look back at the other three. Morningstar and Playmaker were glaring at him, their teeth gnashing against each other. Cassiel had a mournful look on her face.

He smiled softly at them. "I regret that our chosen paths have made us enemies," he said. "But I will do what I must to achieve my goal. Just as you will do what you must for yours. I won't ask for or expect forgiveness. But know that I have chosen this." He logged out after saying this.

Morningstar growled and clenched his fists. "Techbane…"

---

Cassiel vs. Merlin

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Merlin

Merlin Normal Summons Witchcrafter Genni (300/500/1). He activates the Field Spell Card Secret Village of the Spellcasters. If Merlin controls a Spellcaster monster, then Cassiel cannot activate Spell Cards, but if he does not control a Spellcaster monster, Merlin cannot activate Spell Cards. Merlin activates Genni's effect, Tributing it and discarding Witchcrafter Collaboration to Special Summon 1 "Witchcrafter" monster from his Deck. He Special Summons Witchcrafter Haine (2400/1000/7) in Attack Position. Merlin Sets 1 card. He ends his turn. During his End Phase, as he controls a "Witchcrafter" monster while Witchcrafter Collaboration is in his GY, its effect activates, and Merlin adds it to his hand.

Turn 2: Cassiel

Cassiel draws. As she has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, she Special Summons Cyangel Cupbearer (1400/700/3) in Attack Position. As she has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, Cassiel activates the effect of Cyangel Flagbearer in her hand, returning Cupbearer to her hand to Special Summon it (1500/700/4) in Attack Position. Cassiel Normal Summons Cyangel Cupbearer (1400/700/3). Cassiel uses Cupbearer and Flagbearer to Link Summon Cyseraph Ophanim (2000/2/↑↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Cupbearer and Flagbearer were sent to the GY, their effects activate, and Cassiel shuffles them into her Deck, then she can add 1 "Cyangel" monster from her Deck to her hand and target and destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card Merlin controls. She adds Cyangel Trumpeter to her hand and destroys Secret Village of the Spellcasters. As Cassiel Link Summoned, Merlin activates his Set Trap Card Witchcrafter Trade, which lets him add 2 "Witchcrafter" Spell Cards from his Deck to his hand, and for the rest of the turn, his Spellcaster monsters cannot be destroyed by battle or Cassiel's card effects. He adds Witchcrafter Creation and Witchcrafter Holiday to his hand. Merlin activates Haine's effect, discarding Witchcrafter Creation to target and destroy 1 face-up card Cassiel controls. He destroys Cyseraph Ophanim. Cassiel activates the Spell Card Cyangel Hymn, which lets her Normal Summon 1 "Cyangel" monster as she has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY. She Normal Summons Cyangel Trumpeter (1300/700/3). As Trumpeter was Normal Summoned while she has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, Cassiel adds Cyangel Sanctum from her Deck to her hand. Cassiel activates the Field Spell Card Cyangel Sanctum, which increases the ATK/DEF of her Light Cyberse monsters by 300 (Trumpeter: 1300→1600/700→1000). Cassiel activates Cyangel Sanctum's effect to shuffle 1 card in her hand into her Deck and add 1 Cyberse monster from her Deck to her hand. She shuffles Cyangel Elixir into her Deck and adds Cyangel Priest to her hand. Cassiel uses Trumpeter to Link Summon Cyseraph Throne (700→1000/1/↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Trumpeter was sent to the GY, its effect activates, and Cassiel shuffles it into her Deck, then she can Special Summon 1 "Cyangel" monster from her hand. She Special Summons Cyangel Priest (1600→1900/700→1000/4) in Attack Position. As Cyseraph Throne was Link Summoned, Cassiel can target and return 1 card in her GY to her Deck. She returns Cyseraph Ophanim to her Deck. Cassiel uses Cyangel Priest and Cyseraph Throne to Link Summon Cyseraph Ophanim (2000→2300/2/↑↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Priest and Throne were sent to the GY, their effects activate, and Cassiel can shuffle them into her Deck and Extra Deck respectively, then she can target 1 monster Merlin controls and lower its ATK by 800 for the rest of the turn and add 1 "Cyangel" card from her Deck to her hand. She targets Haine (Haine: 2400→1600) and adds Cyangel Guard to her hand. As she controls a Light Cyberse monster, Cassiel Special Summons Cyangel Guard (1900→2200/700→1000/5) to Ophanim's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. As a monster was Summoned to Ophanim's Link Marker, Cassiel can add 1 "Cyangel" Spell/Trap Card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Cyangel Prayer to her hand. Cassiel uses Guard and Link-2 Ophanim to Link Summon Cyseraph Righteous Raguel (2400→2700/3/↙↓↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Guard and Ophanim were sent to the GY, their effects activate, and Cassiel shuffles them into her Deck and Extra Deck, then she draws 1 card and gains 1000 LP (Cassiel: 4000→5000 LP). As a Cyberse monster in her GY was shuffled into her Deck, Cassiel activates Cyangel Sanctum's effect, targeting Righteous Raguel. Until the end of the turn, Merlin cannot target Righteous Raguel with card effects, and Righteous Raguel cannot be destroyed by card effects. As she controls a Light Cyberse Link Monster, Cassiel activates the Spell Card Cyangel Prayer, which lets her add 1 "Cyangel" monster from her Deck to her hand. She adds Cyangel Sister to her hand. Cassiel Sets 1 card.

As Cassiel has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, Righteous Raguel can declare up to 3 attacks during each Battle Phase this turn, but it can only attack directly once. Righteous Raguel attacks Haine, but Haine cannot be destroyed due to Sorcerer's Bargain's effect (Merlin: 4000→2900 LP). Righteous Raguel attacks Haine (Merlin: 2900→1800 LP). Righteous Raguel attacks Haine (Merlin: 1800→700 LP). Cassiel ends her turn, and Priest's effect ends (Haine: 1600→2400).

Turn 3: Merlin

Merlin draws. He activates Haine's effect, discarding Witchcrafter Holiday to target and destroy Righteous Raguel. As her Light Cyberse monster would be destroyed, Cassiel banishes Cyangel Prayer from her GY instead. Merlin activates the effect of Genni in his GY, banishing it and Witchcrafter Creation to activate Witchcrafter Creation's effect and add 1 "Witchcrafter" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Witchcrafter Golem Aruru to his hand. Merlin activates the Spell Card Witchcrafter Artisans, which lets him target 1 "Witchcrafter" monster he controls and reveal 1 "Witchcrafter" monster in his hand. Until the End Phase, the monster on his field gains ATK equal to the ATK of the monster in his hand, and if it inflicts battle damage, Merlin gains LP equal to that damage. He targets Haine and reveals Golem Aruru (Haine: 2400→5200). Merlin activates the Spell Card Witchcrafter Collaboration, targeting Haine for its effect. Haine can make a second attack during each Battle Phase this turn, and if it attacks, Cassiel cannot activate Spell/Trap Cards until the end of the Damage Step.

Haine attacks Righteous Raguel. 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, targeting Righteous Raguel. Righteous Raguel cannot be destroyed by battle this turn, and all battle damage Cassiel takes this turn is halved. The attack continues (Cassiel: 5000→3750 LP) (Merlin: 700→1950 LP). Sister's effect then Special Summons itself (1200→1500/700→1000/3) to Righteous Raguel's bottom Link Marker in Defense Position. Haine attacks Righteous Raguel, which isn't destroyed by battle (Cassiel: 3750→2500 LP) (Merlin: 1950→3200 LP). Merlin ends his turn. During the End Phase, as Merlin controls a "Witchcrafter" monster, he adds Witchcrafter Holiday to his hand via its effect, and Haine's ATK returns to normal (Haine: 5200→2400).

Turn 4: Cassiel

Cassiel draws. Merlin activates Haine's effect, discarding Witchcrafter Holiday and targeting and destroying Cyangel Sanctum (Righteous Raguel: 2700→2400) (Sister: 1500→1200/1000→700). 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 activate its effect as Cyangel Litany's, then until Cassiel's next Standby Phase, Merlin cannot target or destroy Cassiel's Light Cyberse monsters with his card effects. She targets Cyangel Hymn, which lets her Normal Summon 1 "Cyangel" monster from her hand. Cassiel Normal Summons Cyangel Cherub (1800/700/4) to Righteous Raguel's bottom-left Link Marker. Cassiel uses Abbot and Sister to Link Summon Cyseraph Ophanim (2000/2/↑↓) to Righteous Raguel's bottom Link Marker. As Cherub and Sister were sent to the GY, their effects activate, and Cassiel shuffles them into her Deck, then she can Special Summon 1 "Cyangel" monster from her Deck in Defense Position, though that monster cannot be used as Link Material, and add 1 "Cyangel" Spell/Trap Card from her Deck or GY to her hand. She Special Summons Cyangel Prophet (2200/700/6) to Righteous Raguel's bottom-left Link Marker and adds Cyangel Sanctum to her hand. Cassiel activates the Field Spell Card Cyangel Sanctum (Ophanim: 2000→2300) (Prophet: 2200→2500/700→1000) (Righteous Raguel: 2400→2700). As she has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, Cassiel activates Prophet's effect, targeting Haine and halving its ATK until the end of the turn (Haine: 2400→1200).

Righteous Raguel attacks Haine. As Merlin's Spellcaster monster was targeted for an attack, he activates the effect of Witchcrafter Golem Aruru in his hand, Special Summoning it (2800/0/8) in Attack Position, then he can either return 1 card Cassiel controls to her hand or return 1 "Witchcrafter" Spell Card in his GY to his hand. He returns Witchcrafter Holiday to his hand. A replay occurs and Righteous Raguel attacks and destroys Haine (Merlin: 3200→1700 LP). As her Light Cyberse monster inflicted battle damage, Cassiel activates her Set Trap Card Cyangel Humilitas, which reduces the ATK of all monsters Merlin controls by the damage until the end of the turn (Golem Aruru: 2800→1300). Righteous Raguel attacks and destroys Golem Aruru (Merlin: 1700→300 LP). Righteous Raguel attacks Merlin directly. As he is being attacked directly, Merlin activates his Skill, Infinity Soul, which negates the attack and ends the Battle Phase, then Merlin can Special Summon 1 monster from his Deck whose ATK is less than or equal to the damage he would have taken. He Special Summons Witchcrafter Edel (2000/2300/5) in Defense Position. Cassiel ends her turn.

Turn 5: Merlin

Merlin draws. He activates the Spell Card Witchcrafter Holiday, which lets him Special Summon 1 "Witchcrafter" monster from his GY. He Special Summons Haine (2400/1000/7) in Attack Position. Merlin Normal Summons Witchcrafter Potterie (0/2000/2). Merlin uses Edel, Haine, and Potterie to Link Summon Witchcrafter Madame Venicia (2500/3/↙↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Madame Venicia was Special Summoned, Merlin can draw 1 card. He Sets 1 card. As he has no cards in his hand, Merlin activates Potterie's effect in his GY, banishing it to add 1 "Witchcrafter" card from his GY to his hand. He adds Witchcrafter Collaboration to his hand. Merlin activates the Spell Card Witchcrafter Collaboration, targeting Madame Venicia and letting it attack twice during each Battle Phase this turn, and if it attacks, Cassiel cannot activate Spell/Trap Cards until the end of the Damage Step. As Merlin activated a "Witchcrafter" Spell Card, he activates Madame Venicia's effect to increase its ATK by 1000 until his next Standby Phase (Madame Venicia: 2500→3500), also for the rest of the turn, if Madame Venicia destroys a monster by battle, that monster is returned to Cassiel's Deck instead of going to the GY.

Madame Venicia attacks and destroys Ophanim (Cassiel: 2500→1300 LP). Ophanim is returned to Cassiel's Extra Deck instead of being sent to the GY due to Madame Venicia's effect. Madame Venicia attacks Righteous Raguel, but as Righteous Raguel points to a "Cyangel" monster, it cannot be destroyed by battle (Cassiel: 1300→500 LP). Merlin ends his turn.

Turn 6: Cassiel

During her Draw Phase, Cassiel activates her Skill Sacred Draw. As she has 1000 or less LP, instead of drawing, Cassiel can add any 1 "Cyangel" card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Cyangel Castitas to her hand. Cassiel uses Prophet and Link-3 Righteous Raguel to Link Summon Cyseraph Guardian Michael (3000→3300/4/←↑↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Prophet was sent to the GY, its effect activates, and Cassiel shuffles it into her Deck, then she can increase the ATK of 1 monster she controls by 1000. She targets Guardian Michael (Guardian Michael: 3300→4300). Cassiel activates the effect of Cyangel Humilitas in her GY, banishing it to shuffle all cards in her GY into her Deck, then draw 1 card.

Guardian Michael attacks Madame Venicia. As his "Witchcrafter" monster is battling, Merlin activates his Set Trap Card Witchcrafter Enchantment, which lets him double that monster's ATK and make it unaffected by Cassiel's card effects until the end of the turn. As Merlin activated a card effect while she has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY and controls a Light Cyberse Link Monster in the Extra Monster Zone, Cassiel activates the Counter Trap Card Cyangel Castitas from her hand. The activation of Witchcrafter Enchantment is negated, and it is destroyed. Merlin activates the effect of Witchcrafter Trade in his GY, banishing it to banish 1 "Witchcrafter" card in his GY. He banishes Witchcrafter Enchantment. As Witchcrafter Enchantment was banished, Merlin activates its effect, shuffling it and the banished Potterie, Genni, Witchcrafter Trade, and Witchcrafter Creation into his Deck to inflict 300 damage to both players for each shuffled card. He inflicts 1500 damage to him and Cassiel (Cassiel: 500→0) (Merlin: 300→0 LP). The duel ends in a draw.

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Galahad vs. Techbane

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Techbane

Techbane activates the effect of Cyberdark Claw in his hand, discarding it to add 1 "Cyberdark" Spell/Trap Card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyberdark Inferno to his hand. Techbane activates the Field Spell Card Cyberdark Inferno. While Cyberdark Inferno is on the field, "Cyberdark" Effect Monsters he controls that are equipped with an Equip Card cannot be targeted or destroyed by Galahad's card effects. Techbane Normal Summons Cyberdark Horn (800/800/4). As Cyberdark Horn was Normal Summoned, Techbane can equip 1 Level 3 or lower Dragon monster in his GY to it. He equips Cyberdark Claw to Cyberdark Horn. Cyberdark Horn gains ATK equal to Cyberdark Claw's original ATK (Cyberdark Horn: 800→2400). Techbane sends Cyberdark Horn equipped with Cyberdark Claw to the GY to Link Summon Cyberdark Wyvern (1000/2/↙↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone via its effect. As Cyberdark Claw was sent to the GY while equipped to a monster, Techbane can add 1 "Cyberdark" monster in his GY to his hand. He adds Cyberdark Horn to his hand. As Cyberdark Wyvern was Special Summoned, Techbane can equip 1 Dragon or Machine monster in his GY to Cyberdark Wyvern, and it gains ATK equal to the original ATK of that monster. He equips Cyberdark Claw to Cyberdark Wyvern (Cyberdark Wyvern: 1000→2600). Techbane Sets 1 card. He ends his turn. During the End Phase, as Cyberdark Wyvern is equipped with an Equip Card, Techbane can add 1 Dragon or Machine monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyberdark Cannon to his hand.

Turn 2: Galahad

Galahad draws. He activates the Field Spell Card Galloping Gaia. While Galloping Gaia is active and Galahad has Gaia the Dragon Champion in his Monster Zone, Techbane can't activate cards or effects during the Battle Phase. Galahad activates Galloping Gaia's effect, revealing Gaia the Magical Knight in his hand to add 1 Level 5 Dragon monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon to his hand. As he controls no monsters, Galahad Normal Summons Gaia the Magical Knight (2300/2100/7). As Gaia the Magical Knight was Normal or Special Summoned, Galahad can Special Summon 1 Level 5 Dragon monster from his hand or GY in Defense Position. He Special Summons Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon (2000/1500/5) from his hand. As Curse of Dragon was Normal or Special Summoned, Galahad can add 1 Spell/Trap Card that lists Gaia the Dragon Champion in its text from his Deck to his hand. He adds Spiral Fusion to his hand. Galahad activates the Spell Card Spiral Fusion, which lets him Fusion Summon 1 Dragon Fusion Monster using monsters from his hand or field as Fusion Material. He fuses Gaia the Magical Knight and Curse of Dragon to Fusion Summon Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons (2600/2100/7) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons is treated as Gaia the Dragon Champion while it is on the field. As Gaia the Dragon Champion was Special Summoned by Spiral Fusion's effect, it gains 2600 ATK and can make up to 2 attacks on Techbane's monsters during each Battle Phase (Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons: 2600→5200). As Curse of Dragon was sent to the GY, Galahad activates its effect, targeting Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons treated as Gaia the Dragon Champion and negating the effects of face-up monsters Techbane controls with ATK less than or equal to it until the end of the turn (Cyberdark Wyvern: 2600→1000). Techbane activates his Set Trap Card Cyberdark Virus, which lets him Tribute 1 "Cyberdark" monster with 1000 or less ATK. He Tributes Cyberdark Wyvern. Now, Galahad takes no damage until the end of the turn, and all monsters on Galahad's field and in his hand with 1500 or more ATK are destroyed, and Galahad must destroy 3 monsters with 1500 or less ATK in his Deck. Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons is destroyed, as is Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight in Galahad's hand. Galahad then destroys Envoy of Chaos, Beginning Knight, and Evening Twilight Knight in his Deck. Galahad Sets 2 cards. He ends his turn. During his End Phase, he activates the effect of Envoy of Chaos in his GY, banishing the Light Beginning Knight and Dark Evening Twilight Knight to add it to his hand. As Beginning Knight and Evening Twilight Knight were banished from Galahad's GY, he can add 1 Ritual Spell Card and 1 Ritual Monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Super Soldier Synthesis and Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier from his Deck to his hand.

Turn 3: Techbane

Techbane draws. He activates the effect of Cyberdark Cannon in his hand, sending it to the GY to add 1 Machine "Cyberdark" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyberdark Edge to his hand. Techbane Normal Summons Cyberdark Horn (800/800/4). As Horn was Normal Summoned, its effect activates, and Techbane equips Cyberdark Cannon to Cyberdark Horn (Cyberdark Horn: 800→2400). Techbane activates Cyberdark Inferno's effect, targeting Cyberdark Horn. Cyberdark Horn is returned to Techbane's hand, and then he can Normal Summon 1 "Cyberdark" monster. He Normal Summons Cyberdark Edge (800/800/4). As Cyberdark Cannon was sent to the GY while equipped to a monster, Techbane can draw 1 card. As Cyberdark Edge was Normal Summoned, Techbane can equip 1 Level 3 or lower Dragon monster in his GY to it, and then Cyberdark Edge gains ATK equal to that monster's ATK. He equips Cyberdark Claw to Cyberdark Edge (Cyberdark Edge: 800→2400). Galahad activates his Set Trap Card Spiral Reborn, which lets him Special Summon 1 Level 7 or lower Dragon monster from his GY. He Special Summons Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons (2600/2100/7). As Galahad Special Summoned a monster treated as Gaia the Dragon Champion with Spiral Reborn, Techbane cannot target or destroy it with his card effects. Galahad activates the Continuous Trap Card Spiral Discharge. So long as Gaia the Dragon Champion is in Galahad's Monster Zone, Techbane's monsters can only attack Gaia the Dragon Champion. Techbane activates the Spell Card Power Bond, letting him Fusion Summon 1 Machine Fusion Monster using monsters from his hand or field as Fusion Material. He fuses Cyberdark Edge on his field with Cyberdark Horn and Cyberdark Keel in his hand to Fusion Summon Cyberdark Dragon (1000/1000/8) to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. As Cyberdark Dragon was Fusion Summoned using Power Bond, it gains ATK equal to its original ATK (Cyberdark Dragon: 1000→2000). As Cyberdark Claw was sent to the GY while equipped to a monster, Techbane can add 1 "Cyberdark" monster in his GY to his hand. He adds Cyberdark Edge to his hand. As Cyberdark Dragon was Special Summoned, Techbane can equip 1 Dragon monster in his GY to Cyberdark Dragon and it will gain ATK equal to that monster's original ATK. He equips Cyberdark Cannon to Cyberdark Dragon (Cyberdark Dragon: 2000→3600). Cyberdark Dragon gains 100 ATK for each monster in Techbane's GY (Cyberdark Dragon: 3600→4000). Techbane Sets 1 card.

Cyberdark Dragon attacks Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons. As an attack was declared involving Gaia the Dragon Champion, Spiral Discharge's effect lets Galahad target and destroy 1 card on the field. He destroys Cyberdark Cannon (Cyberdark Dragon: 4000→2400→2500). As Cyberdark Cannon was sent to the GY while equipped to a monster, Techbane draws 1 card. The attack continues and Cyberdark Dragon is destroyed (Techbane: 4000→3900 LP). As Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons destroyed Techbane's monster by battle, it gains 2600 ATK (Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons: 2600→5200). Techbane activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Cyberdark Shadow, which lets him Special Summon 1 "Cyberdark" monster from his GY, ignoring the summoning conditions. He Special Summons Cyberdark Dragon (1000/1000/8). The monster Special Summoned by Cyberdark Shadow cannot be destroyed by card effects. As Cyberdark Dragon was Special Summoned, its effect activates, and Techbane equips Cyberdark Claw to Cyberdark Dragon (Cyberdark Dragon: 1000→2600→3000). Techbane ends his turn. During the End Phase, Power Bond inflicts damage equal to the ATK Cyberdark Dragon gained by its effect (Techbane: 3900→2900 LP).

Turn 4: Galahad

Galahad draws. He activates the effect of Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons, reducing its ATK by 2600 to target and destroy 1 card on the field (Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons: 5200→2600). He targets Techbane's Set card. Techbane activates his Set Trap Card Cyber Breakdown, which lets him destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card Galahad controls, then Techbane can add 1 Machine monster from his Deck to his hand. He targets and destroys Galloping Gaia, then adds Cyber Valley to his hand. Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons' effect resolves without a target. Galahad activates the Ritual Spell Card Super Soldier Synthesis, which lets him Ritual Summon any "Black Luster Soldier" Ritual Monster from his hand or GY by sending 1 Light monster and 1 Dark monster (from his hand and Deck) to the GY whose total Levels exactly equal 8. He sends Level 4 Gaia, the Polar Knight from his hand and Level 4 Gaia, the Mid-Knight Sun from his Deck to the GY and Ritual Summons Black Luster Soldier – Super Soldier (3000/2500/8) in Attack Position.

Galahad activates the effect of Envoy of Chaos in his hand, discarding it and targeting Super Soldier. Super Soldier gains 1500 ATK until the end of the turn (Super Soldier: 3000→4500), and for the rest of the turn, any monster it battles has its ATK become its original ATK during damage calculation only. Super Soldier attacks Cyberdark Dragon (Cyberdark Dragon: 3000→1000). As the monster equipped with Cyberdark Claw is battling, Galahad activates the effect of Cyberdark Claw to send 1 monster from his Extra Deck to the GY. He sends Cyber End Dragon to the GY. As his "Cyberdark" monster is battling, Techbane activates the effect of Cyberdark Shadow in his GY, banishing it to halve all battle damage he takes from battles involving "Cyberdark" monsters for the rest of the turn. As Cyberdark Dragon would be destroyed by battle, Techbane destroys Cyberdark Claw instead (Techbane: 2900→1150 LP) (Cyberdark Dragon: 1000→1500). Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons attacks Cyberdark Dragon. Galahad activates the effect of Spiral Discharge, targeting and destroying Cyberdark Inferno. As Cyberdark Inferno was destroyed by Galahad's card effect, Techbane activates its effect to add 1 "Polymerization" Spell Card or "Fusion" Spell Card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Overload Fusion to his hand. The attack continues and Cyberdark Dragon is destroyed (Techbane: 1150→600 LP). Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons' effect activates (Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons: 2600→5200). At the end of the Battle Phase, Galahad activates his Skill, Second Charge, which lets him banish 3 Warrior monsters from his GY to conduct a second Battle Phase. He banishes Gaia the Magical Knight, Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight, and Gaia, the Polar Knight from his GY. Super Soldier attacks Techbane directly. As he controls no monsters, Techbane activates the effect of Cyber Breakdown in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon 1 Machine monster from his hand. He Special Summons Cyber Valley (0/0/1) in Defense Position. A replay occurs and Super Soldier attacks Cyber Valley. As Cyber Valley was attacked, Techbane activates its effect, banishing it to draw 1 card and end the Battle Phase. Galahad ends his turn. During the End Phase, he activates the effect of Envoy of Chaos in his GY, banishing the Light Gaia, the Mid-Knight Sun and the Dark Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon from his GY to add Envoy of Chaos from his GY to his hand.

Turn 5: Techbane

Techbane draws. He Normal Summons Cyberdark Edge (800/800/4). As it was Normal Summoned, Cyberdark Edge's effect activates, and Techbane equips Cyberdark Cannon to it (Cyberdark Edge: 800→2400). Techbane activates the Spell Card Overload Fusion, which lets him Fusion Summon 1 Dark Machine Fusion Monster by banishing its Fusion Materials from his field or GY. Techbane banishes Cyberdark Edge from his field, and Cyberdark Claw, Cyberdark Horn, Cyberdark Keel, and Cyberdark Wyvern from his GY to Fusion Summon Cyberdarkness Dragon (2000/2000/10) to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. Galahad activates Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons' effect, reducing its ATK by 2600 to destroy Cyberdarkness Dragon (Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons: 5200→2600). As Cyberdark Cannon was sent to the GY while equipped to a monster, Techbane draws 1 card. Techbane activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Burial from a Different Dimension, which lets him return up to 3 banished monsters to the GY. He returns Cyberdark Claw, Cyberdark Horn, and Cyberdark Wyvern to his GY. Techbane activates the Spell Card Cemetery Link, which lets him Link Summon by banishing Link Materials from the GY, but he cannot Special Summon for the rest of the turn, except Link Monsters. Techbane banishes Cyberdark Claw, Cyberdark Horn, and Link-2 Cyberdark Wyvern to Link Summon Cyberdarkness Wyvern (2000/4/←↙↘→) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Cyberdarkness Wyvern was Special Summoned, Techbane can equip 1 Dragon or Machine monster in his GY to it and increase its ATK by that monster's original ATK. He equips Cyber End Dragon to Cyberdarkness Wyvern (Cyberdarkness Wyvern: 2000→6000). While Cyberdarkness Wyvern is equipped with an Equip Card, Galahad cannot activate cards or effects during the Battle Phase.

Cyberdarkness Wyvern attacks and destroys Super Soldier (Galahad: 4000→1000 LP). As his monster attacked Galahad's monster, Techbane activates his Skill Cyberdark Rush, letting that monster attack Galahad's monster again. And since that monster has an Equip Card equipped, Techbane can choose to either inflict piercing battle damage or double the battle damage. He chooses to double the battle damage. Cyberdarkness Wyvern attacks and destroys Gaia the Magical Knight of Dragons (Galahad: 1000→0 LP). Techbane wins.

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Cassiel:

Cyangel Flagbearer
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1500 DEF 700 Level: 4
If this card is in your hand and you have no "Cyangel" monsters in your GY: You can target 1 LIGHT Cyberse monster you control, except "Cyangel Flagbearer"; return that monster to the hand, and if you do, Special Summon this card. If this card is sent to the GY: Shuffle this card into your Deck, and if you do, you can target 1 Spell/Trap Card your opponent controls; destroy it. You can only activate each effect of "Cyangel Flagbearer" once per turn.

Cyseraph Throne
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 700 LINK-1 ↓
1 LIGHT Cyberse monster
When this card is Link Summoned: You can target 1 card in your GY; return it to your Deck. If this card is sent from the field to the GY: You can shuffle this card into your Extra Deck, and if you do, you can add 1 "Cyangel" card from your Deck to your hand. You can only activate each effect of "Cyseraph Throne" once per turn.

Cyangel Guard
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1900 DEF 700 Level: 5
If you control a LIGHT Cyberse monster: You can Special Summon this card (from your hand). If this card is sent to the GY: Shuffle this card into your Deck, and if you do, you can draw 1 card. You can only activate each effect of "Cyangel Guard" once per turn.

Cyangel Hymn Normal Spell Card
If you have no "Cyangel" monsters in your GY: Immediately after this effect resolves, Normal Summon 1 "Cyangel" monster from your hand. You can banish this card from your GY and target 1 card in your GY; return that card to its owner's Deck. You can only activate 1 effect of "Cyangel Hymn" per turn, and only once per turn.

Cyangel Humilitas Normal Trap Card
When your Light Cyberse monster inflicts battle damage: Until the end of the turn, all monsters your opponent controls lose ATK/DEF equal to that damage. You can banish this card from your GY; shuffle all cards in your GY into your Deck, and if you do, draw 1 card. You can only activate 1 effect of "Cyangel Humilitas" per turn, and only once per turn.

Cyangel Castitas Counter Trap Card
When your opponent activates a card or effect while you have no "Cyangel" monsters in your GY: Negate the activation of that card or effect, and if you do, destroy it. If you control a LIGHT Cyberse Link Monster in the Extra Monster Zone, you can activate this card from your hand.

Merlin:

Witchcrafter Madame Venicia
Attribute: DARK Type: [Spellcaster/Link/Effect] ATK 2500 LINK-3 ↙↓↘
2+ Spellcaster monsters
When this card is Special Summoned: You can draw 1 card. If this card would be destroyed by battle or card effect: You can banish 1 "Witchcrafter" card from your GY instead. Once per turn, if you activate a "Witchcrafter" Spell Card: You can increase this card's ATK by 1000 until your next Standby Phase. The turn you activate this effect, if this card battles an opponent's monster: Return it to the owner's Deck after damage calculation.

Witchcrafter Trade Normal Trap Card
When your opponent Link Summons: Add 2 "Witchcrafter" Spell Cards from your Deck to your hand, also for the rest of the turn, your Spellcaster monsters cannot be destroyed by battle or your opponent's card effects. If this card is in your GY, except the turn it was sent there: You can banish this card, then target 1 "Witchcrafter" card in your GY; banish it. You can only use each effect of "Witchcrafter Trade" once per turn.

Witchcrafter Artisans Normal Spell Card
Target 1 "Witchcrafter" monster you control and reveal 1 "Witchcrafter" monster in your hand; until the End Phase, the targeted monster gains ATK equal to the revealed monster's ATK, also if it inflicts battle damage, you gain LP equal to that damage. During your End Phase, if you control a "Witchcrafter" monster, while this card is in your GY: You can add this card to your hand. You can only use 1 "Witchcrafter Artisans" effect per turn, and only once that turn.

Witchcrafter Enchantment Normal Trap Card
When your "Witchcrafter" monster battles: Until the end of the turn, make that monster's ATK equal to double its original ATK, also it is unaffected by your opponent's card effects. If this card is banished: You can return all of your banished cards to your Deck; inflict damage to both players equal to the number of cards x 300. You can only use each effect of "Witchcrafter Enchantment" once per turn.

Techbane:

Cyberdark Wyvern (name credit to SakushiRyu)
Attribute: DARK Type: [Machine/Link/Effect] ATK 1000 LINK-2 ↙↘
2 DARK monsters
You can Special Summon this card from your Extra Deck by sending 1 "Cyberdark" monster you control that is equipped with an Equip Card to the GY. (This Special Summon is treated as a Link Summon.) If this card is Special Summoned: You can target 1 Dragon or Machine monster in your GY; equip that monster to this card. Gains ATK equal to the original ATK of the monster equipped to it by this effect. If this card would be destroyed by battle, destroy the monster equipped to it by its effect, instead. During your End Phase, if this card is equipped with an Equip Card: You can add 1 Dragon or Machine monster from your Deck to your hand.

Cyberdarkness Wyvern (name credit to SakushiRyu)
Attribute: DARK Type: [Machine/Link/Effect] ATK 2000 LINK-4 ←↙↘→
2+ "Cyberdark" monsters
You can Special Summon this card from your Extra Deck by sending 2 "Cyberdark" monsters you control that are equipped with Equip Cards to the GY. (This Special Summon is treated as a Link Summon.) If this card is Special Summoned: You can target 1 Dragon or Machine monster in your GY; equip that monster to his card. Gains ATK equal to the original ATK of the monster equipped to it by this effect. If this card would be destroyed by battle or card effect, destroy that equipped monster instead. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects during the Battle Phase while this card is equipped with an Equip Card.

Cyberdark Virus Normal Trap Card
Tribute 1 "Cyberdark" monster you control with 1000 or less ATK; your opponent takes no damage until the end of the turn, also, you look at your opponent's hand and all monsters they control, and if you do, destroy the monsters among them with 1500 or more ATK, then your opponent must destroy 3 monsters with 1500 or less ATK in their Deck. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this card's activation.

Cyberdark Shadow Quick-Play Spell Card
Target 1 "Cyberdark" monster in your GY; Special Summon it to your field in Attack Position, ignoring its summoning conditions. The monster Special Summoned by this effect cannot be destroyed by card effects. When your "Cyberdark" monster battles: You can banish this card from your GY; for the rest of the turn, all battle damage you take from battles involving "Cyberdark" monsters is halved. You can only activate 1 effect of "Cyberdark Shadow" per turn, and only once per turn.

Cyber Breakdown Normal Trap Card
Target 1 Spell/Trap Card your opponent controls; destroy that target, then you can add 1 Machine monster from your Deck to your hand. If you control no monsters, you can banish this card from your GY; Special Summon 1 Machine monster from your hand in Defense Position. You can only activate each effect of "Cyber Breakdown" once per turn.

Cemetery Link Normal Spell Card
Immediately after this effect resolves, Link Summon 1 Link Monster by banishing monster(s) from your GY as material, also you cannot Special Summon monsters for the rest of this turn, except Link Monsters.

Galahad:

Galloping Gaia Field Spell Card
Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects during your Battle Phase while "Gaia the Dragon Champion" is in your Monster Zone. You can activate 1 of the following effects.
-You can reveal 1 "Gaia The Fierce Knight" monster in your hand; add 1 Level 5 Dragon monster from your Deck to your hand.
-You can reveal 1 Level 5 Dragon monster in your hand; add 1 "Gaia The Fierce Knight" monster from your Deck to your hand.
You can only use this effect of "Galloping Gaia" once per turn.

(Note: This is a real card in the OCG/TCG, but when I wrote the duel, I forgot its 1st effect applied during the opponent's turn as well. Rather than rewrite the turn, I decided to make it an "anime version" where its 1st effect only applies during the controller's turn. Lazy I know, but I'm chomping on the bit here.)

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Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 59 – Settling the Score. Playmaker's group and the Knights of Hanoi have joined forces to bring down the alliance of Ouroboros and Bohman. However, before they can work together, a question must be answered. A question of skill. To answer this question, Morningstar challenges Revolver to a duel…

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Question of the Chapter

Honestly, I find writing Witchcrafter duels to be exhausting, and this is only the second one. I'm thinking of giving Merlin a hybrid Deck combining the Witchcrafters with the Magistus archetype. Should Merlin run a Witchcrafter/Magistus Deck or solely Witchcrafter Deck?

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Author's Notes

Thank you to SakushiRyu and HunterHQ for providing feedback on the cards in this chapter. That aside, I admit I'm a little ambivalent about the duels here. I know they aren't the best I can come up with, but I wanted to get this chapter over with. Honestly, I've been pretty tired this whole month. Between the election, the fallout, and finishing my recovery, November has been a hell of a month.

This chapter is pretty straightforward and adapts most of Episode 83 and part of Episode 84. But the stars of this chapter were undoubtedly Cassiel, Galahad, and Techbane. First is Cassiel. She is the deuteragonist of season 2, and a major theme of this season is how she develops from Yasutake's motivation in season 1 into a strong character in her own right. And one aspect of her character is that she is the nicest person in this entire story. She proves that by thanking Revolver for what he did. She did it so sincerely that Revolver didn't know how to react. Another part of her development is her increased skill in dueling. When she started out, she was pretty much coasting on her Deck's natural power. Now, she is skilled enough with it to not only match but surpass Merlin. And while he is the weakest of the Enforcers, he is still no slouch.

Second is Galahad. I know there are some people who might be annoyed with him for his responses to Ryoken, but one thing I want to show about Takeshi Akino is that he has a keen sense of right and wrong. Most of the characters in this story are morally gray, like in the VRAINS anime. Galahad is one of the few who thinks in terms of black-and-white, or at least whiter than the rest. Thus, he is the one with the most problems working with the Hanoi. Unlike the others, he can't set aside the past to work together, as he believes working with them is morally wrong.

And lastly, we have Techbane. Techbane is basically the Shadow Archetype of Galahad: someone with a sick relative who they care deeply about and are willing to go to great lengths for. The main differences between them are their own innate morals and the people who help them. In Galahad's case, he was approached by Terminus, and the deal was one-time only. In Techbane's, he was approached by Merlin, and the deal is more long term. As for their morals, as stated above, Galahad has a clear sense of right and wrong and finds it very hard to compromise. But as a bounty hunter, Techbane's morals are far looser and he's willing to take harder measures for what he wants.

Thank you for reading Chapter 58. I admit this isn't my best chapter, but I think it's okay. And next chapter we get the rematch between Morningstar and Revolver, and finally answer the question of who is stronger.