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

68. Chapter 68: Unyielding Terror

Responses to Reviews

Thank you to HunterHQ, makotoxvalerie, Ethan Kironus, D3lph0xL0v3r, SakushiRyu, Big duels, Anonymous, Jason, Unnamed, Jason Liu, Noobmaster, FlameFireZero X, and Unknown for reviewing Chapter 67 of Hidden Memories.

HunterHQ: It's not that Merlin cannot see the good in people; it's that he believes the majority of people won't make the right choice in the end because of their own selfishness. So the people need someone to make the right and necessary choices for them. Also, Cam didn't tell Morningstar about Thaumiel's death. He hasn't had the opportunity to yet.

Anonymous: This is not a religious fic. I may use religious themes and imagery, but none of the main characters are actively religious. Most of the characters are either atheists or closer to agnostics. Yasutake isn't religious himself, but he appreciates the ideas he was taught, and the values Father Narahiko instilled in him.

Noobmaster: Takeru wasn't in another country; he was in another city, but still in Japan.

Unknown: If someone brought up what Merlin's wife wanted, he would get angry. Angry they are trying to use someone they never met, someone who died and whose death greatly hurt him, just to guilt trip him, and for being arrogant enough to make assumptions about a person they know nothing about. And no, Ouroboros had no hand in the tragedies of its members' lives. They took advantage of them yes, but they weren't behind any of them. Well… not in Merlin's, Thaumiel's, Techbane's, or Jester's cases.

Thank you again for reviewing Chapter 67. Now before you read Chapter 68, remember what I said at the end of 67: Not everything always happens as you expect it will. Keep that in mind and read the Author's Notes before you post a review. Oh, and I won't be making any new profiles until season 2's over; I don't have the time to spend on them.

---

Chapter 68: Unyielding Terror

In a black landscape, Morningstar and Zahhak stand back-to-back. The two walk away from each, Morningstar's eyes closed. His eyes then open and they both spin around, right arms raised. Their fists connect, generating a flash of light. When the light fades, Mirror LINK VRAINS is shown, with the title "Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories" overlaying it.

Yasutake, Sachi, and Masako are shown on one side of a picnic table, across from Yusaku, Takeru, and Aoi. Takeru talks animatedly and Masako laughs heartedly while the others lightly smile. At a nearby table, Cam and Emily are sitting and chatting with a standing Kusanagi, coffee and hotdogs in front of them. Back at the first table, Masako whispers in Sachi's ear while smirking, making the other girl blush as Yasutake and Aoi give her flat glares.

Kengo Dojun is standing in front of a grave that he places flowers on. Emma is off in the distance, holding her own flowers and watching with a frown. Yukaro is shown slumped over a hospital bed, his head in his hands and a wild look in his eyes. Akira is watching a monitor, his hands steepled and concern in his eyes. The monitor shows Go Onizuka strapped to a chair and performing an exercise. Hayami looks over Akira's shoulder nervously while Queen watches smugly in the background.

Takeshi and Katsumi appear standing outside an arcade, talking amicably with each other. Shizuka walks past them, listening to music on her headphones. She briefly stops and turns her head to look at them out of the corner of her eye, then turns and continues walking. At a nearby table, Kenshin, Ryoken, and Spectre are shown drinking coffee. Ryoken then smirks and raises his left hand. He snaps his fingers.

Morningstar and Playmaker appear, back-to-back, with Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary and Decode Talker appearing behind them. They then spiral downward and are replaced by Cassiel and Soulburner, who have Cyseraph Blazing Uriel and Salamangreat Heatleo behind them. Heatleo fills the screen with orange flames, and when they dissipate, Blue Maiden and Lilith appear, Marincess Marbled Rock and Magical Musket Mastermind Ottokar behind them. They are then replaced by Galahad and Persephone, Black Luster Soldier – Soldier of Chaos and Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss behind them.

The screen cuts to the interior of a palace, where Bohman sits cross legged, his eyes closed. His eyes open and glow. Windy is then shown, wearing a cape and eyepatch, riding Stormridership Bahamut Bomber through Mirror LINK VRAINS. Far below him, in a field of flowers, Jin Kusanagi stands with Lightning as the Ignis raises his hand, a legion of Armatos Legio Centurions and Decurions forming behind him, with Armatos Legio Magnus Dux in the center. The screen pans to show Diana and Goldie across from the Light Ignis. The duo sweeps their right arms to the side as VirtuaBeast Cryptograph Chimera appears and roars.

Techbane and Sylphid are shown back-to-back in shadows, their heads lowered. Techbane raises his head to face Merlin, while Sylphid raises hers to face Thaumiel, anger in her expression. Galahad appears riding his D-Board and plays a card. Black Luster Soldier – Soldier of Chaos appears behind him. The screen changes to Go Onizuka with Dinowrestler King T Wrextle next to him. Soldier of Chaos's blade then meets King T Wrextle's fist, making sparks fly. Galahad's and Go's faces are shown over the monsters, with Galahad shouting while Go's face remains blank.

Spectre appears and smirks, Sunavalon Dryanome growing behind him and two Sunvine Thrashers on either side. Terminus takes his place, Subterror Behemoth Fiendess and Subterror Behemoth Hydrossuary appearing behind him. The two monsters breathe blue flames and envelop the screen. When the flames dissipate, Revolver appears, Borreload Savage Dragon, Borreload Furious Dragon, and Borreload eXcharge Dragon behind him. The dragons roar and then glow with green, purple, and yellow energy.

A chain whips across the screen, before pulling back and reattaching the scythe top to its handle. Cydevil Prideful Helel swings its scythe down and connects with Cyspirit Savage Shogun's sword. Sparks fly as Morningstar and Zahhak are revealed on their D-Boards, facing each other with Morningstar's face set in a grimace. The screen changes to Cassiel, Cyseraph Guardian Michael with her, facing off against Merlin, who is supported by Witchcrafter Haine and Witchcrafter Golem Aruru.

Lilith and Terminus are then shown, back-to-back, their hands raised. They bring their hands down, and Magical Musket Sovereign Ottokar and Subterror Behemoth Fiendess appear and shoot blasts of energy and fire. The blasts impact, but when the smoke fades, Jester is shown unharmed. His mask then breaks, his face splitting into a sadistic grin as his Infinity Transformation takes hold. He raises his own arm as Life Force Trihexa forms behind him and roars.

Morningstar and Zahhak face off against each other in a field of flowers. The former raises his arm as Cyspirits Savage Shogun, Cosmic Crusader, and Martial Mameluke materialize behind him. The three Cyspirits then merge and form Cyspirit Superior Seraphim, who faces off against a massive twelve-winged figure wrapped in shadows.

Yasutake is then shown with Sachi, the two on a hill of grass and the former sleeping with his head in the latter's lap, a pine tree in the background. Sachi looks down on Yasutake's face, a loving smile on her face. Yasutake opens his eyes and both look upwards as the screen jumps to the sky and sun.

---

"Well, that was disappointing."

Bohman, Jester, and Zahhak had all gathered in the throne room and turned as one as Lightning and Jin walked in.

"I had classed Cassiel as one of the weaker members of their team, but it is obvious that classification was misplaced," Lightning continued. "Taking her out will be problematic."

"You don't need to worry about that," Zahhak said. "Leave her to me."

Lightning could swear there was a difference to the man's tone. He still sounded bored, but there was an undercurrent of excitement to it now. It seemed seeing that Link-5 had energized him.

Well, that was alright for now. He supposed if Zahhak lost to Cassiel or drew against her, Bohman could take out Morningstar and absorb Cypher. That aside…

"I've seen enough of your skills to know you're strong, but with Merlin's loss, it's just the four of us now. Us four against their six. We're at a disadvantage. So while we're at this stage, I want to test an interesting plan that won't hurt us."

Jester tilted his head. "An interesting plan? What do you mean?"

"It's funny that you are the one to ask that. I came up with this idea while watching your duel with Lilith."

"Oh?"

"Humans form bonds with each other. Bonds of love and friendship. These bonds supposedly make them stronger when they fight for each other." Lightning's eyes narrowed. "But those same bonds can also be turned against them. You showed me that when you showed Lilith her parents' murder."

"What did you have in mind?" Zahhak asked.

"Playmaker and Ai are our most dangerous opponents," Lightning continued. "So I want them to face an opponent to draw out their most dangerous emotions. Anger, sadness, and grief."

---

Cam grit his teeth. "The people in LINK VRAINS still can't log out."

"Is this a side effect of exposing the Mirror World?" Kusanagi wondered. "Or is Bohman still doing something?"

"Either or, there must be a purpose to it," Cam said. "AI don't do anything without a purpose."

"Brother…"

Cam and Kusanagi gasped as one of the screens turned to static. "Brother…"

"Jin!" Kusanagi realized, his eyes widening.

"Brother… save me… save me… come save me…"

"This is…" Cam's eyes widened. "Lightning!"

Kusanagi grit his teeth and pushed several buttons. "Cam, I'm going to leave the rest to you."

"What?!" The burlier man turned to his friend. "Shoichi, what are you doing?"

"Lightning is using Jin to call me out," Shoichi explained. "He wants me to come to Mirror LINK VRAINS."

Cam blinked and then his eyes widened further. "He's turning you against Playmaker. But Shoichi, you know-!"

"Yes, I can't trust Lightning," Kusanagi interrupted. "But I can't ignore Jin either." He smiled softly. "Don't worry, Cam; Yusaku and I expected this."

"You did?"

"Yeah. With him holding my brother hostage, this was always a possibility." Kusanagi's eyes narrowed. "Yusaku and I are prepared for this. But while I'm gone, you need to finish the program we're working on."

"…Alright," Cam said reluctantly. "But Shoichi please, don't do anything you'll regret."

"A little late for that," Kusanagi muttered. "I'll leave the rest to you, Cam." He picked up a spare Duel Disk and placed it on his wrist. "Into the VRAINS!"

Cam watched as the blue sphere formed around his friend. "This is going to suck," he muttered as he turned back to the screens.

---

Morningstar looked up as the broadcast resumed. "So who is it this time?" Cypher wondered. "Bohman and Jester just dueled, so Zahhak or… what?!"

The former bounty hunter's eyes widened. "Playmaker? And Kusanagi?!"

"Why are they dueling?!" Cassiel wondered.

Terminus grit his teeth. "The Light Ignis… he's using Kusanagi's brother against him. Unforgiveable…"

"If Shoichi Kusanagi loses, will you really erase the origin?" Bohman wondered. He, Lightning, and Jin stood on a raised platform, Jester and Zahhak some distance away.

"Of course," Lightning confirmed. "He couldn't save his best friend's loved one. That fact will damage Playmaker greatly. That'll work to our advantage in our next fight. Am I wrong?"

"Using someone's loved ones against them…" Jester chuckled. "Lightning sure learns fast, doesn't he?"

Zahhak didn't respond. He just watched the broadcast. And ignored the red sparks around his clenched fists.

Cam grit his teeth. "Be careful, you two. And don't worry, Kusanagi. I'll finish this program." A program designed to hack into Mirror LINK VRAINS. Once it was complete, he could finally talk to Yasu and Sachi again.

Morningstar watched in silence as Kusanagi and Playmaker took their turns, with the latter bringing out Decode Talker but refusing to attack. The former bounty hunter grit his teeth. "Lightning set this up solely to hurt Playmaker," he muttered. "He doesn't care who wins this duel. Just so long as Playmaker suffers, either result is fine to him."

"…I'm going to make Lightning pay for this," Cypher muttered angrily.

They watched as Kusanagi took his turn. Unlike Playmaker, he played aggressively, using his monsters to weaken Decode Talker and inflict heavy damage. Morningstar winced as the effect damage and battles knocked Playmaker around.

"Lightning is holding Jin's freedom against Kusanagi's and Playmaker's friendship," Cassiel muttered. She grit her teeth. "Kusanagi is going all out but Playmaker won't fight back." She couldn't blame him; if she had to fight her brother like this, or Yasu, she wouldn't be able to fight back either.

"…In this situation, Playmaker only has two options," Terminus said. "He can lose, which could doom humanity to the Light Ignis's scheme… or he can defeat someone who's like a brother to him." He scowled. "Even if we'll be enemies after this, I cannot condone this."

Playmaker activated a Continuous Spell Card that prevented him and Kusanagi from attacking each other. Kusanagi's response was to bring out a Link-3 monster and weaken Decode Talker further and inflict damage before destroying Playmaker's Continuous Spell Card.

"Kusanagi's being very aggressive," Morningstar noted. "Too aggressive. Is it possible…?"

"Is what- ah!" Cypher gasped on seeing a portal open and Lightning, Jin, and Bohman step out. "Lightning!"

"What are they doing there?" Cassiel wondered.

Lightning goaded Kusanagi to attack, only for Playmaker to activate a Link Cancel Trap Card to return Decode Talker and bring back its materials. Kusanagi attacked Protocol Gardna, but its effect kept Playmaker from taking damage.

"Playmaker, you'll vanish without fulfilling the promise you made with me at this location."

Morningstar blinked. "A promise?" His eyes narrowed. "So I was right."

"Right about…?" Cypher's eyes widened. "Wait, partner; are you saying Kusanagi expected this?"

"…It's a logical deduction," the former bounty hunter muttered. "Lightning wants to win and doesn't care about honor. Using a hostage to your advantage could be expected from someone like that. If Kusanagi saw this and told Playmaker…"

"…Kusanagi told Playmaker to choose the world instead of him and his brother, didn't he?"

"…Most likely." Cypher clenched his fists at that, silver sparks dancing over him.

It seemed their thoughts were right, because Playmaker let out an anguished shout before Link Summoning an alternate version of Decode Talker called Extended Decode Talker. They watched in silence as Playmaker broke out of Kusanagi's lock and then attacked directly, reducing his Life Points to 0.

They all watched, wide-eyed except for the Knights of Hanoi as Playmaker ran screaming to Kusanagi, tears in his eyes as the older man disintegrated. Ai absorbed his data as Playmaker fell to his knees.

"Tch," Morningstar grit his teeth. His fists shook.

"Playmaker," Cassiel whispered, her hands over her mouth.

They kept watching as Lightning taunted Playmaker with Kusanagi's defeat, only for the latter to reveal that Kusanagi had known Lightning would do what he did and made Playmaker promise to choose the world. This revelation that he had been predicted noticeably made Lightning lose his composure as Playmaker passed out.

"Playmaker!" Morningstar shouted in worry.

"Enough."

Morningstar blinked and looked down. "Cypher?"

"I've. Had. Enough!" the Silver Ignis proclaimed, exploding with silver lightning. His partner flinched and held the Duel Disk away from him. "Lightning! I've had enough of your games! I've had enough of you hurting my friends!" His proclamation was capped by him shooting twin streams of silver lightning upwards, impacting the barrier.

---

"Stand up, Playmaker," Lightning urged, his eyes narrowed. "Humanity's hope can't be this pathetic. Stand up and fight me."

"You say that knowing he can't!" Ai protested.

Lightning did know that. The duel he'd planned had taken its toll and done what he'd hoped. But… he'd been predicted. He had thought he'd played Shoichi Kusanagi, only for Playmaker to reveal that Kusanagi had anticipated him. A human. Had anticipated. Him. That was unacceptable. And since Lightning couldn't take out his frustrations on Kusanagi, he'll take them out on Playmaker.

"There's no fair or foul in dueling," the Light Ignis told Ai. "Defeat those who can be defeated by any means. That's-."

BA-BUM

Lightning gasped as Bohman staggered. The third generation AI's eyes widened. "Lightning-!"

"What was that?" the Light Ignis wondered. Right before a silver pulse rippled outwards through Mirror LINK VRAINS. "This is-!"

Jester chuckled. "It seems the Silver Ignis has run out of patience."

---

"Did you think this barrier would contain me?!" Cypher shouted, his eyes narrowed as his hands shot a continuous stream of lightning. "I'll admit, a self-healing protocol was smart, but you forgot one thing. One fact about who you tried to trap!" His eyes narrowed further. "I am no ordinary AI. I am the Ignis of Death! The Ignis of Destruction! All I need is time, and once I have enough, there is nothing in this world I cannot break!"

One more pulse. One more shot. With that, the barrier around Morningstar and Cypher shattered.

But not just that barrier; Cypher's attack rippled outwards, striking every corner of Mirror LINK VRAINS. Wherever it encountered the barrier program he had been determined to destroy, it erased it entirely.

The end result? A freed Soulburner, Cassiel, Terminus, and Revolver, and a very surprised Bohman and Lightning.

"Yasu? Yasu?"

Morningstar blinked. "Cam? You're back online?"

"Yeah, I'm here. At Café Nagi. Kusanagi is… unconscious, but I have his screens." Yasutake heard the undertone of sadness in his guardian's words. "I saw what you did, Cypher. Really impressive… if I hadn't been about to launch a program that would have done the same thing."

"Hmph." Cypher stretched out his arms. "I needed to let off some steam. And it worked, didn't it?"

"It did; the others are freed, and I have connections with Cassiel and Soulburner. Though… the latter isn't very happy right now."

Morningstar could see why since the broadcast was still going on. Though Bohman and Lightning apparently decided to leave, with the former taking his D-Board and the latter teleporting away.

"Can you guide me to Cassiel?" Morningstar asked. "We need to reunite and coordinate our next move."

"Sure thing. I'll tell Soulburner where you are… after he's done kicking Bohman's ass."

---

Terminus narrowed his eyes as the barrier disappeared. "Terminus, can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear, Kyoko," he said. "Is Revolver alright?"

"He is," she confirmed. "He just asked us to send a message to the Light Ignis."

Terminus frowned. "About what we discovered?"

"Yes. It seems to have drawn the Light Ignis's attention. And Soulburner seems to have taken Bohman's."

"Which leaves Jester and Zahhak," Terminus muttered, clenching his fists. He had no illusions about what the latter would do; he would go after Cassiel and Morningstar. But the former… "Guide me to Jester, Kyoko. It's time that man paid for his sins."

"Agreed." The venom in Kyoko's voice almost matched his own.

---

Zahhak turned towards the exit. "And where are you going?" Jester asked.

"Where else? I'm going to duel Cassiel." The Cyangel duelist had shown she possessed the Link-5 Cyseraph. And it was just as strong as Zahhak had hoped it would be. And now that she had mastered the Cyangel Deck… Zahhak was almost excited to challenge her.

"Ah, then I guess I should duel Morningstar and fulfill my orders," Jester said, looking back at the orb. "But…"

"What?"

"It seems there's someone else here who needs to be defeated. And I'd rather you deal with him."

Zahhak deigned to turn his head and saw the image on the broadcast. "Terminus? Are you scared of a Knight of Hanoi?" Yes, the man had given Morningstar a strong challenge at the Tower and he had defeated Thaumiel, but Zahhak wasn't interested in him. Revolver perhaps, but he was the only Knight of Hanoi who was worth his attention.

"Scared? Of course not. But he is Hitomu Hirai's brother."

…Ah. That's what Jester was annoyed with. "You think he'll get in your way."

"I don't think, I know. The man is undoubtedly annoyed with me after I defeated Lilith." Jester sighed. "But I don't care about him; Dr. Hirai was a job, it wasn't anything personal. And as much as I enjoyed crushing that girl's spirits, it wasn't personal for her either. I have no desire to entertain whatever feelings of vengeance he might have."

"What a coincidence; I have no intention of helping you with him," Zahhak snarked back. "Terminus is your mess, Jester. You clean it up yourself. I have my own opponent to face."

"And I have my mission to complete, but Terminus will stand in my way. It's more efficient for you to handle him while I face Morningstar and confirm he's holding the Link-5 Cyspirit."

"I can confirm that myself after I defeat Cassiel."

Jester sighed. "It seems I have no choice." He walked up to Zahhak, who turned back around. "Terminus is unimportant to the Final Ascension Plan, and Bohman and Lightning have no reason to face him. So if you won't handle him…" His mask's eyes glowed blue. "I'll have to persuade you."

"…So it's come to that, has it?"

"Yes. It always come to this."

"…"

"…"

"Rock! Paper! Scissors! Shoot!"

---

"We're scanning for Jester's signature, but we're not seeing him," Kyoko told Terminus. "My best guess is that he's inside that palace Lightning made in the upper parts of Mirror LINK VRAINS."

"It'll do for a start," Terminus agreed. "I'll-."

He was interrupted by a ring of red lightning circling his island. "What is this?" He looked around. "Kyoko?"

"We're seeing it too. It's a barrier of some sort, different from the ones the Light Ignis used before. And this signature…"

Terminus narrowed his eyes. "This lightning is red," he noted. "There's only one person here who uses red lightning."

"Indeed."

Terminus turned his head as Zahhak walked out of a portal. "Knight of Hanoi, I'll be your opponent."

Said Knight of Hanoi scowled. "I intend no offense Zahhak, but you are not the one I am interested in. Your teammate Jester is the one I want to duel, for what he did to Dr. Hirai, his wife, and their daughter."

"I know, which is why Jester requested I face you; he doesn't share your feelings of hatred towards him, so he asked me to handle you."

"And you're alright with that?" Terminus asked. That was surprising. Not that Jester thought little of him; that man was arrogant enough to not care about him. "I would've thought you'd go after Cassiel or Morningstar."

"I wanted to," Zahhak admitted. "But Jester convinced me to face you while he goes after Morningstar."

"And how did he convince you to do that?" Terminus hadn't seen much of Zahhak, but he got the feeling Morningstar and Cassiel were the only ones here Zahhak cared about. He had dueled Persephone, but Terminus felt that was more playing along with the Light Ignis's scheme. What reason could Zahhak have to let Jester challenge Morningstar while he fought Terminus?

"…He beat me at Rock-Paper-Scissors."

…

Terminus couldn't help it. He blinked. That… wasn't the answer he expected. "I'm sorry, what?"

"It doesn't matter. Let's get this over with." If he was quick about this, then Zahhak should arrive in time to watch Morningstar defeat Jester. His fellow Enforcer was strong, but Zahhak held no delusions; Morningstar was stronger. Neither of them would allow Jester to stand between them.

"…Kyoko, can you break this barrier?" Terminus whispered.

"Not on our end," she whispered back. "The code is entirely different from the one Lightning was using earlier. We don't have the time to break it. That aside, this is a good opportunity; we're in communication with Cameron Junpei, and any information you can get on Zahhak's Deck will be sent to him, and thus Morningstar."

…Yes, he supposed that was a consolation. This duel, if he lost, would give Morningstar a better chance against Zahhak. And Terminus did know how strong Morningstar was, and just how much the former bounty hunter cared about Masako. Even if Terminus couldn't exact his revenge, he was confident Morningstar would see the Enforcer defeated.

"Very well," he said in a normal tone. "I'll face you, Zahhak. But even if I am weaker than Morningstar, don't think to underestimate me!"

"We'll see, won't we? Do try to keep up with me."

"Duel!"

Terminus: 4000 LP

Zahhak: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn," Terminus declared. In his previous duels, Zahhak went first. I don't know if going first will give me an advantage or not… but it cannot hurt. "I activate the Field Spell Card: The Hidden Colony! When this card is activated, I can add a 'Subterror' monster from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Subterror Guru from my Deck to my hand. I Set one monster."

Terminus gestured to his field. "The Hidden Colony's effect activates! Once per turn, I can change a Set 'Subterror' monster to face-up Attack or Defense Position. I Flip Summon Subterror Guru!" A robed blue fiend carrying a massive sword appeared in Defense Position.

Subterror Guru ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"Guru's Flip Effect! I add a 'Subterror' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Subterror Cave Drawings to my hand. I activate the Spell Card: Subterror Cave Drawings! I send a 'Subterror' monster from my hand to the Graveyard, and then I draw cards depending on that monster's Level. I discard the Level 9 Subterror Behemoth Voltelluric to draw three cards! I Set two cards. I end my turn."

Zahhak's Deck is one of the most aggressive I've ever seen, Terminus thought. More than that, it is also one of the most balanced; high offense with impressive defense. This will likely be my most challenging duel yet.

"Your 'Subterror' Deck focuses on Flip Effects," Zahhak said. "At the same time, most of your monsters have incredibly high attack points. Such a combination is unusual, but effective. But we'll see how effective it is against me. My turn! Draw! I activate the Spell Card: Cydemon Exchange!" The card showed Cydemons Bishop and Rook. The latter was holding out a steel cage with a wailing soul inside, while the former was offering a heavy tome. "By sending a 'Cydemon' card from my hand or field to the Graveyard, I can add a 'Cydemon' monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll send Cydemon Earl from my hand to the Graveyard to add Cydemon Queen to my hand.

"Earl's effect activates! Once, when it is in my Graveyard, I can add a 'Cydemon' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Cydemon Shrine to my hand. And by discarding Cydemon Queen, I can activate the Continuous Spell Card: Cydemon Shrine!" Terminus's eyes narrowed. "I activate Shrine's effect! Once per turn, if I control no monsters, I can Special Summon one 'Cydemon' monster from my hand or Graveyard in Attack Position. From my Graveyard, I Special Summon Cydemon Queen!" A black-skinned demoness appeared, with a voluptuous figure covered by a black dress with red armor at the shoulders, elbows, and waist. Silky black hair trailed down her back and black bat wings shot out of her back. Her red eyes gleamed as her mouth twisted with cruelty, a scepter in her right hand.

Cydemon Queen ATK 2700 DEF 600 LVL: 8

Terminus narrowed his eye. "A new Cydemon monster. I don't know what this one does, but I won't let you get off a shot! Continuous Trap activate! Subterror Masonry! While this card is on the field, you cannot target my 'Subterror' monsters with card effects!" His eye narrowed further. "More importantly, Guru's monster effect! Once per turn, I can target another face-up monster on the field and change it and Guru to face-down Defense Position! While this normally an effect I can only use on my turn, if I control another 'Subterror' card, this effect becomes a Quick Effect! I'll target Cydemon Queen!"

"I see," Zahhak said. "My monster will be powerless if it is face-down. A pity that won't happen. I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Cydemon Shadows! I target a Dark Cyberse monster, and until the end of the turn, that monster is unaffected by your card effects. I target Cydemon Queen!"

Terminus grit his teeth. "Guru's effect resolves, and since Queen is unaffected by its effect, it remains. But Guru itself is flipped face-down." The blue fiend disappeared as a Set card took his place. "I activate Masonry's effect! Once per turn, I can change a face-down 'Subterror' monster to face-up Attack or Defense Position. Once again, I Flip Summon Subterror Guru!" The blue fiend then reappeared in Defense Position.

Subterror Guru ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"Guru's Flip Effect! I add Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide to my hand."

"Hmm. Even though you failed to affect my strategy, you still took advantage of it to gain a new card. I activate the Field Spell Card: Cydemon Pillars! While this card is on the field, my Dark Cyberse monsters gain 300 attack and defense points and are unaffected by your monster effects!"

Cydemon Queen ATK 2700→3000 DEF 600→900

"I activate Pillars' effect! Once per turn, I can send a Dark Cyberse monster from my Deck to my Graveyard. I send Cydemon Knight to the Graveyard. I summon Cydemon Bishop!" A black-robed fiend appeared.

Cydemon Bishop ATK 1600→1900 DEF 600→900 LVL: 3

"Bishop's monster effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a 'Cydemon' monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position. Come, Cydemon Earl!" A black fiend wearing a black cuirass, bloodred robe, and black shoulder cape appeared on the field and sneered.

Cydemon Earl ATK 2000→2300 DEF 600→900 LVL: 5

"Queen's effect activates! Once per turn, if there is at least one 'Cydemon' monster in my Graveyard, I can destroy one of your face-up cards." Terminus's eye widened. "I destroy Subterror Masonry!" The Continuous Trap Card shattered at the Enforcer's words. "Earl's monster effect! Once per turn, if there is a 'Cydemon' monster in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Cydemon Token in Defense Position." A small black demon with tiny wings and a red loincloth appeared and hissed.

Cydemon Token ATK 0→300 DEF 0→300 LVL: 2

"Appear, the circuit of infinite darkness! The summoning conditions are two or more Dark Cyberse monsters. I set Cydemons Bishop, Earl, and Token in the Link Markers!" Zahhak's monsters (and token) entered the left, right, and bottom-left arrows.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cydevil Lascivious Asmodeus!" The tall fiend that emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone was gray-skinned and its chest and stomach were uncovered, with black armor wrapped around his abdomen and red spikes at the sides of his abs. Red shoulder pads covered his shoulders over black armor and gauntlets, and his legs were covered by black armor with red gems at his knees. A black-and-red belt was at his waist, and similarly-patterned boots covered his feet, though they were on raised heels. The fiend's head was uncovered, showing a perfect face framed by silky black hair that fell to his waist, parted and tied in two tails behind his head. Red eyes gleamed with cruelty while four bat wings spread from his back. In his left hand, a black bow gilded in crimson formed. Its limbs were shaped like raven feathers, and the grip was wrapped in black leather. The fiend's lips split, revealing sharpened teeth in a sneer.

Cydevil Lascivious Asmodeus ATK 2400→2700 LINK-3 ←↙→

"A new Cydevil Link Monster," Terminus muttered. "And with that name… it must be the Cydevil of Lust. What's more, he now has Bishop and Knight in the Graveyard. His damage and protection combination is set."

"Lascivious Asmodeus's effect activates!" Zahhak declared. "When there are at least three 'Cydemon' monsters in my Graveyard and it points to no monsters, once per turn, I can place a Cydemon Counter on one of your monsters! I place a Cydemon Counter on Subterror Guru! Embrace of Lust!" The fiend winked and blew a kiss at Guru, which groaned as black and red marks appeared on its body.

Subterror Guru: 0 CC→1 CC

"When Lascivious Asmodeus places a Cydemon Counter on your monster, I can then take control of it."

Terminus's eyes widened. "What?!" He watched in horror as Guru went over to Zahhak's side.

"Guru may be in Defense Position, but now you are defenseless," Zahhak said. "With Queen and Lascivious Asmodeus, your Life Points will hit 0."

Terminus grit his teeth. "You're not holding back, are you?"

"I am in the sense of not using my strongest monster," Zahhak corrected. "But I have no desire to prolong this fight. I'll end you quickly and go face Cassiel." Perhaps he would even get to see Morningstar defeat Jester. "Battle! Queen attacks you directly!" The woman raised her scepter and then brought it down, firing a bolt of black-and-red energy at Terminus. "Since my Dark Cyberse monster is attacking, Cydemon Shrine's effect prevents you from activating Spell or Trap Cards during the Damage Step!" The bolt impacted Terminus, making him cry out in pain and fall to his knees.

Terminus: 4000→1000 LP

"Kenshin! Are you alright?"

"I-I'm fine, Kyoko," Terminus muttered.

"Lascivious Asmodeus's attack will drop your Life Points to 0 now," Zahhak said.

"Sorry, but I don't intend to lose this early," Terminus said, rising to his feet. "Trap activate! Subterror Spring!" The card showed a massive lake in the bottom of an even larger pit, with numerous waterfalls all spilling over into the lake. "When I take battle damage, Subterror Spring increases my Life Points by half the damage I took, then I can Special Summon a 'Subterror' monster from my hand in face-up Defense Position. Come, Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide!" A large dark blue beast covered in dark brown rocks appeared. It had a long, forked tail and the head of a dragon, which roared at Zahhak.

Terminus: 1000→2500 LP

Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide ATK 1900 DEF 2700 LVL: 10

"…I see. Stalaktide's defense points are equal to Lascivious Asmodeus's attack points. So an attack will be useless. In that case, I'll end the Battle Phase. Earl's effect activates! Once, while it is in the Graveyard, I can add a 'Cydemon' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand." Zahha took a card from his Deck. "I Set two cards. I end my turn. But during the End Phase, Lascivious Asmodeus's effect activates! Every monster on the field with a Cydemon Counter is destroyed!" The black and red markings on Guru pulsed before it exploded. "And for each destroyed monster, you take 1000 points of damage!" Terminus winced as red lightning danced over his skin.

Terminus: 2500→1500 LP

"This man really is vicious," Kyoko commented. "If he hadn't attacked with Queen first, you would have been left defenseless."

"Yeah," Terminus agreed. "He is a dangerous opponent. But… so am I. I'll make sure he doesn't think to underestimate the Hanoi again! My turn! Draw! Stalaktide's monster effect! I change it to face-down Defense Position!" The dark blue beast disappeared. "Since my face-up monster was flipped face-down and I control no face-up monsters, I can Special Summon Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist!" A massive blue and yellow fiend appeared in face-up Defense Position and roared.

Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist ATK 3000 DEF 1400 LVL: 11

"Speleogeist's monster effect! I change it to face-down Defense Position! And since my face-up monster was flipped face-down and I control no face-up monsters, I can Special Summon Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo!" A large humanoid made of black rock appeared in Defense Position.

Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo ATK 2800 DEF 2100 LVL: 10

"I activate The Hidden Colony's effect! Once per turn, I can change a face-down Defense Position 'Subterror' monster to face-up Attack or Defense Position. I change Stalaktide to face-up Defense Position!"

Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide ATK 1900 DEF 2700 LVL: 10

"Stalaktide's Flip Effect! I can target and destroy one Spell or Trap Card you control! I destroy Cydemon Pillars!" Zahhak showed no outward reaction to his Field Spell Card's destruction.

"Since Cydemon Pillars left the field, my monsters' attack and defense points return to normal."

Cydemon Queen ATK 3000→2700 DEF 900→600

Cydevil Lascivious Asmodeus ATK 2700→2400

"I activate the effect of Cydemon Knight in the Graveyard!" Zahhak continued. "I target Queen! For the rest of the turn, any damage I take that is equal to or less than Queen's original attack points of 2700 is reduced to 0!"

Terminus grimaced. He had expected Zahhak to activate that effect, but he had hoped he would wait until the Battle Phase. It seemed the Enforcer wasn't taking any chances. "Appear, our future circuit!" the Knight of Hanoi declared. "The summoning conditions are two Flip monsters. I set Stalaktide and Stalagmo in the Link Markers!" The two rock-covered monsters entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Subterror Behemoth Fiendess!" A violet dragon with black and white armor, black and pink wings, and a pink mane emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone and roared.

Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↙↘

Zahhak's Cydevil monsters punish linking. Which means that I can't make use of two of Behemoth Fiendess's effects. Out loud, Terminus said, "Behemoth Fiendess's effect activates! When it is Link Summoned, it gains attack points equal to the combined original Levels of its 'Subterror' monster materials times 100. Stalaktide and Stalagmo were both Level 10!"

Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 2000→4000

"I activate the Spell Card: Link Treasure Ticket and target Behemoth Fiendess! I now draw cards equal to its Link Rating and then send an equal number of cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard. I draw two cards and send two to the Graveyard." Terminus drew, then sent Subterror Nemesis Warrior and Discord Link to the Graveyard. "I activate the Spell Card: Book of Taiyou, which lets me flip a face-down monster into face-up Attack Position. I Flip Summon Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist!" The massive blue and yellow fiend reappeared and roared.

Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist ATK 3000 DEF 1400 LVL: 11

"Speleogeist's Flip Effect! I can target a monster on the field, change that monster to Attack Position if it is in Defense Position, and change its attack points to 0!" Terminus smirked. "With Cydemon Pillars gone, your monsters are affected by my monster effects! I target Lascivious Asmodeus!" The bow-carrying fiend groaned.

Cydevil Lascivious Asmodeus ATK 2400→0

"So… that's your play."

"Behemoth Fiendess has 4000 attack points," Terminus responded. "I'll end this in one attack. Battle! Behemoth Fiendess attacks Lascivious Asmodeus! Final Extinction!" The dragon reared its head back then fired blue flames.

"Worthless," Zahhak said indifferently. "Trap activate! Cydemon Ira!" The card showed dozens of black-skinned fiends in black armor, flying and marching with axes, swords, and hammers raised. "When my Dark Cyberse monster battles your monster, that monster's attack points are halved and my monster gains the same amount of attack points!"

Terminus's eye widened. "What?!" Behemoth Fiendess groaned while Lascivious Asmodeus laughed.

Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 4000→2000

Cydevil Lascivious Asmodeus ATK 0→2000

"I activate Bishop's effect in the Graveyard and target Lascivious Asmodeus! Until the end of the turn, it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects." Zahhak's eyeholes gleamed. "Our monsters' attack points are equal, but yours is the only one that will be destroyed. Counterattack, Lascivious Asmodeus! Luxuria Arrow!" The fiend sneered and formed a black arrow out of energy and pulled back his bow before releasing it. The arrow pierced through Behemoth Fiendess's blue flames and continued on to the dragon itself, piercing its chest. The dragon cried out as it exploded. "You can still attack with Speleogeist and destroy Queen. But due to Knight's effect, I won't take any damage."

"…You're wrong," Terminus said with a smirk. "I can still inflict damage. You just reduced it."

"What?"

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Terminal Link!" The card showed three twisters of red energy, capped by arrows, spiraling downwards at breakneck speeds. "When my Link Monster is destroyed by battle, Terminal Link lets me Special Summon that monster and one other monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Behemoth Fiendess and Guru!" The dragon reappeared, along with the robed fiend in Attack Position.

Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↙↘

Subterror Guru ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"Terminal Link then allows me to use Behemoth Fiendess and Guru to Link Summon!" Terminus continued. "Appear, our future circuit! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Subterror' monsters. I set Guru and Link-2 Behemoth Fiendess in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Subterror Behemoth Guru!" A new dragon, one with dark blue skins, white hair, and blue and white robes instead of armor, emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone and roared.

Subterror Behemoth Guru ATK 2500 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"Behemoth Guru's monster effect! When it is Link Summoned using exactly one 'Subterror Behemoth' monster, it gains attack points equal to that monster's original attack points! Terror Integration!"

Subterror Behemoth Guru ATK 2500→4500

"Behemoth Guru attacks Cydemon Queen! Terminal Extinction!" The dragon fired green flames at the fiend in a dress, making it explode.

"The damage would be 1800, which is less than 2700," Zahhak said as the flames washed over him. "Which means Knight's effect reduces the damage to 0."

"But not this damage," Terminus countered. "Behemoth Guru's additional effect! When it destroys your monster in battle and sends it to the Graveyard, I can send a Flip monster from my Deck to the Graveyard and inflict damage to you equal to that monster's attack points. I send Subterror Behemoth Ultramafus to the Graveyard to inflict 3000 points of damage! Flames of the Underworld!"

"What?" Zahhak covered his face as green flames enveloped him and pushed him back several feet.

Zahhak: 4000→1000 LP

"Down to 1000 Life Points," Kyoko said smugly. "Congratulations, Kenshin; you're officially doing better than Morningstar did when he dueled this man."

That wasn't something Terminus took much pride in. The duel was far from over. And given Zahhak's reaction when Persephone managed to damage him…

"I Set two cards. I end my turn. During the End Phase, our cards' effects end and Lascivious Asmodeus's attack points return to normal."

Cydevil Lascivious Asmodeus ATK 2000→2400

Zahhak straightened himself out. "…It seems I underestimated you," he admitted. "I did not expect you to damage me this severely so quickly." His eyeholes gleamed again. "Let's see if you can survive another turn." Terminus grit his teeth. "My turn! Draw! Lascivious Asmodeus's effect! I target Behemoth Guru!"

"Pointless!" Terminus interrupted. "Counter Trap activate! Subterror Pitfall!" The card showed Subterror Behemoth Phospheroglacier falling down a massive hole, watched by Subterror Nemesis Archer and Subterror Nemesis Warrior. "When my 'Subterror' monster is targeted for a card effect, the activation of that effect is negated! Then, I can target a 'Subterror' monster I control and for the rest of the turn, that monster is unaffected by your card effects. I target Behemoth Guru!"

"So now I can't take control of your monster, nor can I weaken it," Zahhak surmised. "In that case… I'll just overpower it. I activate the effect of Cydemon Exchange in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can add a 'Cydemon' card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Cydemon Pillars to my hand, which I'll then activate! While Pillars is on the field, my Dark Cyberse monsters gain 300 attack and defense points and are unaffected by your card effects."

Cydevil Lascivious Asmodeus ATK 2400→2700

"I activate Pillars' effect to send a Dark Cyberse monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. I'll send Cydemon Duke to the Graveyard. I activate Duke's effect in the Graveyard! Once, I can add a 'Cydemon' monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Cydemon Earl to my hand. I'll Tribute Lascivious Asmodeus to Tribute Summon Cydemon Earl!"

Terminus blinked. "You're Tributing your Link Monster?" The bow-wielding fiend disappeared and was replaced by a fiend in a black cuirass under a crimson robe.

Cydemon Earl ATK 2000→2300 DEF 600→900 LVL: 5

"Earl's monster effect! I Special Summon a Cydemon Token!" A small black demon in a loincloth appeared in Defense Position and hissed.

Cydemon Token ATK 0→300 DEF 0→300 LVL: 2

"I activate the effect of Lascivious Asmodeus in the Graveyard! Once, I can Special Summon up to two 'Cydemon' monsters from my Graveyard in Defense Position with their effects negated. Come, Cydemon Bishop and Cydemon Knight!" A black-armored fiend on a similarly colored horse appeared, alongside a fiend in black-and-red robes.

Cydemon Bishop ATK 1600→1900 DEF 600→900 LVL: 3

Cydemon Knight ATK 2200→2500 DEF 600→900 LVL: 6

Terminus grit his teeth when he realized Zahhak's plan. "Four Dark Cyberse monsters. You really are taking me seriously." Then he smirked. "But it's a pity that I already anticipated this!"

"Oh?"

"Continuous Trap activate!" Terminus declared. "DNA Transplant! I declare an Attribute, and so long as DNA Transplant is on the field, all face-up monsters become that Attribute!"

"I see. Most of my cards affect only Dark Cyberse monsters, not just 'Cydemon' monsters. By changing their Attribute, you'd make it impossible for me to Link Summon."

"That's right. I declare Earth Attribute! So now all monsters on the field are treated as Earth Attribute!" A brief orange glow appeared around Zahhak's monsters.

"…Indeed, that is a sound tactic against my Deck. But you are making the same mistake as Persephone." Terminus blinked. "We Enforcers are among the strongest duelists in the world, and I am the strongest of them all. Did you think I would not anticipate such an attempted tactic?"

"What?"

"Continuous Trap activate! Cydemon Invidia!" The card showed Cydevil Covetous Leviathan, with her chains wrapped around Warrior Dai Grepher and her right hand on his cheek as she smiled wickedly. "So long as Invidia is in play, the Attributes and Types of my monsters cannot be changed by your card effects!" Terminus gasped. "Therefore, my monsters' Attributes remain the same!" The orange light faded and a dark purple light formed around the four monsters.

Terminus grit his teeth. "I suppose it was too much to hope that would work," Kyoko muttered. It seemed it had been; Zahhak was a first-class duelist not just in terms of power, but also how he covered every weakness he might have.

"Since my monsters are still Dark Cyberse monsters, I can use them to Link Summon. Appear, the circuit of infinite darkness! The summoning conditions are two or more Dark Cyberse monsters. I set Bishop, Earl, Knight, and Cydemon Token in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the left, right, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows. "The embodiment of pride who demands obedience! Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Cydevil Prideful Helel!" A gray humanoid with eight black feathery wings emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone. He wore black armor with a black hip cape and wielded a black scythe in his right hand. Black hair framed his perfect face as he sneered at Terminus.

Cydevil Prideful Helel ATK 3000→3300 LINK-4 ←↙↘→

Terminus's eye narrowed. "The Link-4 that defeated Morningstar and Persephone…"

"Prideful Helel's monster effect! Once per turn, if it points to no monsters and I have at least four Dark Cyberse monsters in my Graveyard, I can target one of your monsters. Then, every card you control, except the targeted monster, is banished until your Standby Phase, and you cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect. I target Behemoth Guru! Reckoning of Pride!" A red aura appeared around Behemoth Guru as Prideful Helel spread his wings, which shone with crimson light. Terminus grit his teeth as Speleogeist, his Field Spell, and his Continuous Trap Card disintegrated.

"Battle! During the Battle Phase, as Prideful Helel is not linked and there are at least four Dark Cyberse monsters in my Graveyard, its attack points become double its original attack points!"

Cydevil Prideful Helel ATK 3300→6300

"An attack from that will end you, Kenshin!" Kyoko said worriedly.

"Prideful Helel attacks Behemoth Guru! Ruin of Superbia!" The demon swung his scythe, sending the head careening off, attached to the handle by a chain. The scythe spun around Behemoth Guru before impaling the dragon in the chest, making it groan in pain as the chain wrapped around it. Prideful Hele sneered before yanking back, pulling the scythe head out and shredding the dragon in a massive explosion that threatened to engulf Terminus.

"Cydemon Shrine may keep me from activating Spell or Trap Cards, but not every effect is an activated one!" Terminus declared. "If I would take battle damage, I can banish Subterror Spring from my Graveyard instead!" A blue barrier formed around him, and the explosion washed over him. When the smoke faded, Terminus was unharmed. "Furthermore, the turn this effect of Subterror Spring is used, I take no battle damage for the rest of the turn."

Cydevil Prideful Helel ATK 6300→3300

"Hmm." Zahhak tilted his head. "You survived Prideful Helel's attack. I can't even remember the last time someone did that. Still, this will not change the end result. I activate Earl's effect in the Graveyard to add Cydemon Luxuria from my Deck to my hand. I Set one card. I end my turn. Now, attempt to defeat me one last time, because I will ensure your defeat next turn."

"The card he added to his hand," Terminus muttered. "Kyoko, that was-."

"Cydemon Luxuria," she supplied. "The Counter Trap Card he used against Persephone. If he has a 'Cydemon' monster in his Graveyard, that card will negate the activation of your card and then banish it. Furthermore, it makes Zahhak's cards on his field and in his Graveyard unaffected by your card effects for the rest of the turn."

Terminus frowned. He remembered that card. At the time, Zahhak had used it to protect his Field Spell from Persephone's Synchro Monster. But if he could negate Terminus's card effect…

"I'll only get a single chance at this," Terminus muttered. "My turn! Draw!" He drew, looked, and then his eyes widened. "This is-!" …Yes, this would work. Terminus ran through the cards in his Graveyard and the cards in his Extra Deck. Yes, he did have one monster that could win this duel!

"During your Standby Phase," Zahhak said, "Prideful Helel's effect returns your cards to your field in the same zones they were previously in." The Hidden Colony, DNA Transplant, and Speleogeist all returned to Terminus's field, the latter in Attack Position.

Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist ATK 3000 DEF 1400 LVL: 11

With this, Terminus's stage was set. "Speleogeist's monster effect! Once per turn, I can change it to face-down Defense Position! Next, I activate The Hidden Colony's effect! Once per turn, I can change a face-down Defense Position 'Subterror' monster to face-up Attack or Defense Position. I change Speleogeist to face-up Attack Position!"

Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist ATK 3000 DEF 1400 LVL: 11

"Speleogeist's Flip Effect! I target Prideful Helel!"

"Due to Cydemon Pillars' effect, my Dark Cyberse monsters are unaffected by your monster effects," Zahhak reminded him.

"I know," Terminus said. "But that wasn't what I was aiming for. I activate the effect of Subterror Nemesis Warrior in my Graveyard! When a 'Subterror Behemoth' monster is flipped face-up while it is in the Graveyard, I can Special Summon it!" A red-haired man in green robes appeared in Attack Position, swinging a massive sword.

Subterror Nemesis Warrior ATK 1800 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Nemesis Warrior is not a Flip monster, so you cannot use it to Link Summon another Behemoth Fiendess," Zahhak mused. "If that had been your goal, you could have used The Hidden Colony's effect to Special Summon a 'Subterror' monster from your Graveyard. Instead, you brought this monster out. Why?" Then he stiffened in realization. "Are you-?"

"I am," Terminus confirmed. "I activate the Spell Card: Subterror Fusion! This lets me use monsters in my hand or field to Fusion Summon a 'Subterror' Fusion Monster!"

"That is the card you used to defeat Thaumiel," Zahhak remembered. "Dragossuary isn't on the field, and you have no other cards in your hand, so I suspect you're summoning something different. Even so, I see no reason to allow that. Counter Trap activate! Cydemon Luxuria! When you activate a card or effect while I have at least one 'Cydemon' monster in my Graveyard, that activation is negated, and your card is banished!" Terminus grimaced as his card disintegrated. "Then, for the rest of the turn, my cards on the field and in my Graveyard are unaffected by your card effects." Zahhak tilted his head. "So, what will you do now, Terminus?"

"The same thing I always do: the best that I can!" Terminus's eye narrowed. "I activate the effect of Subterror Pitfall in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can add a different banished card to my hand!"

"What?"

"I add Subterror Fusion to my hand." Terminus smirked. "Even if you banished my card, I was prepared to get it back." Zahhak showed no response to that taunt. "I activate the Spell Card: Subterror Fusion! I fuse Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist with Subterror Nemesis Warrior!"

The two monsters broke apart into blue and red data that spiraled into a vortex before two twisters shot up. The twisters merged into a single violet tornado. "The warrior who hunts the deepest depths! Rise to the world with a new power! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 7! Subterror Nemesis Hunter!" The tornado split apart, revealing a humanoid within. He had light green hair partitioned into spikes at the back and bangs that covered his teal-colored eyes, with pink highlights in his bangs. He wore white armor with brown segments at his shoulders and sides, covered by a dark green cloak. White and brown gauntlets covered his arms and hands, along with white and brown boots and armored pants covering his legs and feet. A massive circular shield, colored gray with a spike in the middle, sat on his back, while in his hands he held two broadswords, one smaller and more finely made while the other had more jagged edges. The man swung the swords as he stood in the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Subterror Nemesis Hunter ATK 2600 DEF 1800 LVL: 7

"…A new 'Subterror' Fusion Monster. Weaker than your previous monster, but if you chose to summon this one, it must have dangerous effects. What are you planning, Terminus?"

"I'm planning to win," the Knight of Hanoi answered simply. "Nemesis Hunter's monster effect! If it is Fusion Summoned using a Warrior, Fairy, or Beast-Warrior monster, I can add a 'Subterror' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Subterror Revolution to my hand." Terminus smirked. "It's time to end this. Nemesis Hunter's additional effect! Once per turn, I can banish a 'Subterror' monster from my Graveyard. You then take damage equal tot hat monster's Level times 100! I'll banish the Level 11 Speleogeist!"

"Pointless," Zahhak said in a bored tone. "I activate Knight's effect in my Graveyard! By targeting Prideful Helel-!"

"You cannot!" Terminus interrupted. "While Nemesis Hunter is on the field, you cannot activate monster effects from the Graveyard!"

Zahhak stiffened. "What?"

"You cannot use Knight's effect to evade this damage!" Terminus continued with a smirk. "This is the end, Zahhak! Go, Nemesis Hunter! Terror Shot!" The man's swords glowed and morphed into an oversized bow. The man pulled back, forming a large arrow of energy, and then released the arrow towards Zahhak.

"Tch!" The armored man swung out his arm. "I activate the effect of Cydemon President in my hand! When I would take effect damage while I have a 'Cydemon' monster in my Graveyard, I can reduce that damage to 0, then Special Summon Cydemon President!" The arrow sputtered out a foot from Zahhak's face. Once it was gone, a new black-skinned fiend appeared in Defense Position. This one wore a black suit and tie over a crimson shirt, its fanged hands at its sides. Its black hair was swept to the side and its red eyes and mouth were twisted in a sneer.

Cydemon President ATK 2100→2400 DEF 600→900 LVL: 5

Terminus grimaced. Damn it, he'd been so close. Still, he had suspected this would happen. "Battle!"

Cydevil Prideful Helel ATK 3300→6300

"Nemesis Hunter attacks Cydemon President! Extinction Blade!" The bow separated into the two swords as their owner leapt into the air. He brought the swords down in a cross slash, cutting the fiend into quarters and making him explode.

Cydevil Prideful Helel ATK 6300→3300

"I Set one card. I end my turn."

"You've proven to be more troublesome than I expected," Zahhak admitted. "But this duel has gone on long enough. I'll deal with you this turn. My turn! Draw!"

"Trap activate!" Terminus declared. "Subterror Revolution!" The card showed Subterror Fiendess hovering over a pit of Subterror Behemoth monsters, her right hand raised as they all roared. "If I control a 'Subterror' monster in the Extra Monster Zone, this card lets me return one card you control to the Deck!"

"What?"

Terminus smirked. "Your Field Spell Card protects your monsters from monster effects, but not Trap effects. I return Prideful Helel to your Extra Deck!" The scythe-wielding fiend disappeared at Terminus's words. "And in case you're thinking you can summon that monster again, you should know that Subterror Revolution prevents you from activating or summoning the returned card for the rest of the turn!"

He has no face-down cards, no monsters, and only one card in his hand, Terminus thought. He does have Cydemon Shrine, Cydemon Invidia, and Cydemon Pillars, but there is only so much he can do with those. His eye narrowed. If I can survive the turn, then I can win this.

"…I wasn't expecting you to evade Prideful Helel," Zahhak admittedly reluctantly. "As I said, I did not expect this duel to take so long. But you are not the opponent who can give me what I want. It's time I put an end to this. I activate Shrine's effect! Since I control no monsters, I Special Summon Cydemon Bishop in Attack Position!" The robed fiend reappeared.

Cydemon Bishop ATK 1600→1900 DEF 600→900 LVL: 3

"Bishop's effect activates! I Special Summon a 'Cydemon' monster from my Graveyard in Defense Postiion. Resurrect, Cydemon Earl!" The fiend in a cuirass and robe reappeared.

Cydemon Earl ATK 2000→2300 DEF 600→900 LVL: 5

"Earl's effect activates! I Special Summon a Cydemon Token in Defense Position!" A small black fiend in a red loincloth appeared.

Cydemon Token ATK 0→300 DEF 0→300 LVL: 2

"I activate the Spell Card: Cydemon Repetition!" The card showed a Spell Card held by a clawed black hand. Inside the Spell Card, there was another Spell Card held by an identical clawed black hand. "I return a 'Cydemon' Normal or Quick-Play Spell Card that is either banished or in my Graveyard to my Deck, then I activate that card's effect as Cydemon Repetition's effect. I return the banished Cydemon Exchange to my Deck to activate its effect, which lets me send a 'Cydemon' card from my hand or field to the Graveyard to add a 'Cydemon' monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll send Cydemon Shrine to the Graveyard to add Cydemon Rook to my hand."

Terminus blinked. "You're sending Cydemon Shrine to the Graveyard?" Of course, DNA Transplant was still on the field, so he understood Zahhak not sending Cydemon Invidia. But why not Cydemon Pillars?

"I summon Cydemon Rook!" A heavyset fiend in red armor appeared, swinging a heavy mace.

Cydemon Rook ATK 1800→2100 DEF 600→900 LVL: 4

"I may not be able to summon Prideful Helel again, but did you think Prideful Helel was the only Link-4 I possessed?"

"What?"

"Appear, the circuit of infinite darkness! The summoning conditions are two or more Dark Cyberse monsters. I set Bishop, Earl, Rook, and Cydemon Token in the Link Markers!" The four monsters entered the left, right, top, and bottom arrows. "The embodiment of rage! Let your power strike down the world! Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Cydevil Wrathful Amon!"

A black cocoon emerged from the portal before splitting open, revealing that it was actually eight wings made of black feathers with the ends tipped in crimson. Those wings were attached to a masculine humanoid with dark gray skin, wearing armor that exposed his upper arms and thighs, exposing thick muscles that ran underneath the rest of the armor. Said armor consisted of a black breast plate with large crimson shoulder pads topped by spikes facing outwards, red sides, and black and red gauntlets over his hands and forearms. A black belt was at his waist, along with two black segments lined with crimson that hung over the sides of his legs, and he wore black boots lined in red over his feet. His face was handsome but hard, with stern solid red eyes and short spiky black hair. In his right hand, he held a massive black two-handed sword, with the hilt having two crimson prongs that pointed in the same direction as the blade, and a red jewel in the pommel. The fiend spread his wings from the Extra Monster Zone, sending a gust of wind around the field.

Cydevil Wrathful Amon ATK 2800→3100 LINK-4 ←↑↓→

Terminus blinked before gritting his teeth. "Another new 'Cydevil'…"

"As you can tell, Wrathful Amon is the sin of wrath," Zahhak said. "Prideful Helel is the sin of pride. The other five sins – lust, gluttony, sloth, envy, and greed – are all Link-3s. Let me show you how dangerous it is to invoke the sin of wrath."

Zahhak gestured to his field. "Wrathful Amon's effect activates! As it points to no monsters and there are at least four Dark Cyberse monsters in my Graveyard, I can destroy one face-up monster you control and inflict damage to you equal to half that monster's original attack points, then increase Wrathful Amon's attack points by the same amount. This effect does not target!" Terminus grit his teeth. "I destroy Nemesis Hunter! Wrath's Oblivion!" Black-and-crimson flames sprung from the fiend's sword, which it swung disdainfully at Terminus's field.

"I activate the effect of Subterror Revolution in the Graveyard!" Terminus declared. "By banishing it and targeting Nemesis Hunter, that monster is unaffected by your card effects for the rest of the turn!" A blue barrier appeared around Nemesis Hunter, allowing the flames to wash over it without hurting it. "Furthermore, I take no battle damage from battles involving my Set monsters this turn!" Without Cydemon Shrine on the field, I can use The Hidden Colony's effect to negate any attack he makes against Nemesis Hunter by changing it to face-down Defense Position, Terminus thought. And if he tries something with piercing damage, Subterror Revolution's effect will protect against that.

"If you think that is enough, you are mistaken. I activate the effect of Cydemon Ira in the Graveyard! By banishing it, for the rest of the turn, Wrathful Amon's attack points become double its original attack points, and if it attacks your Defense Position monster, it inflicts piercing battle damage!"

Cydevil Wrathful Amon ATK 3100→5900

"Battle! Wrathful Amon attacks Nemesis Hunter! Sword of Ira!" The sword went alight with black flames again as the fiend charged Terminus's field.

"I activate The Hidden Colony's effect!" Terminus declared. "Once per turn, if your monster declares an attack, I can change my face-up 'Subterror' monster to face-down Defense Position to negate your attack! I change Nemesis Hunter to face-down Defense Position!" The hunter disappeared, a Set card in his place, and the sword swung through where he had been, the flames going out. "You should have sent your Field Spell Card to the Graveyard instead of Cydemon Shrine. If it had remained on the field, you would have avoided The Hidden Colony's effect."

"I know."

Terminus blinked. "You… know?"

"I planned for you to use The Hidden Colony's effect," Zahhak revealed. "Now that Nemesis Hunter is face-down, I can activate monster effects from the Graveyard. I activate the effect of Cydemon Queen in my Graveyard and target Wrathful Amon! Since Wrathful Amon attacked this turn, it can make an additional attack during each Battle Phase this turn!"

"Even if you attack, you won't inflict battle damage due to Subterror Revolution's effect!"

"Who said I planned on inflicting battle damage? Wrathful Amon attacks Nemesis Hunter!" Zahhak's eyeholes gleamed. "Wrathful Amon's monster effect! If it attacks your face-down Defense Position monster when it points to no monsters and I have at least four Dark Cyberse monsters in my Graveyard, that monster is destroyed, and you take damage equal to that monster's original attack points!"

Terminus's eyes widened. "What?!"

"Since Nemesis Hunter was flipped face-down, it is no longer affected by Subterror Revolution's effect," Zahhak continued. "Go, Wrathful Amon! Destruction of Wrath!" The fiend raised his sword above his head as it was coated with black flames. He then brought it down, sending the flames spiraling forward in a beam towards Terminus's field. They impacted the Set card, making it shatter, before continuing on to Terminus. The man breathed in raggedly before he was struck by the flames, making him scream as he was knocked off his feet.

Terminus: 1500→0 LP

"Kenshin, are you alright?"

The man grit his teeth as his exposed eye blinked again. He was lying on his back and looking up at the fake sky as the red lightning barrier disintegrated. "I'll… I'll be fine, Kyoko. I just… just need some rest."

He looked up as the sound of armored feet approached him. Zahhak loomed over him. "You lasted longer than I expected and did more damage than anyone has in a long time. Take pride in that." He held out his right hand. "And don't worry; Morningstar will have defeated Jester by now."

It was said with utmost certainty. For all his antagonism, Zahhak had complete faith in Morningstar's strength.

Terminus's lips twitched as his body turned red. "Kyoko," he whispered. "Did you-?"

"We have the data from your duel," she confirmed. "We're forwarding it to Café Nagi and Cameron Junpei. Hopefully it will be of use to Morningstar and Cassiel."

"Good. That's… good." Terminus's eye closed as he disintegrated, his data forming into a red sphere in Zahhak's right hand.

The armored man looked up "This… was more challenging than I thought it would be," he admitted. "But it's time I faced Cassiel."

He looked over Mirror LINK VRAINS, searching for Morningstar's signature. To his surprise, he still sensed Jester too.

"Hmm. It seems Morningstar is just finishing him-."

Zahhak's body tensed. "What?" he whispered. "What is…?"

…

Red lightning cascaded off Zahhak's body. "Jester," the man growled. For the first time in a long time, his apathy was overtaken by sheer. White-hot. Rage. "You BASTARD!"

In a flash of red lightning, the armored man was gone.

---

Terminus vs. Zahhak

This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.

Turn 1: Terminus

Terminus activates the Field Spell Card The Hidden Colony. As The Hidden Colony was activated, Terminus can add 1 "Subterror" monster from his Deck or GY to his hand. He adds Subterror Guru to his hand. Terminus Sets 1 monster. Terminus activates The Hidden Colony's effect to change 1 Set Defense Position "Subterror" monster he controls to face-up Attack or Defense Position. Terminus changes the Set Subterror Guru to face-up Defense Position (1600/1800/4). As Guru was Flip Summoned, Terminus can add 1 "Subterror" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Subterror Cave Drawings to his hand. Terminus activates the Spell Card Subterror Cave Drawings, which lets him send 1 "Subterror" monster from his hand to the GY, then apply 1 effect depending on that monster's Level. He sends Level 19 Subterror Behemoth Voltelluric to the GY to draw 3 cards. Terminus Sets 2 cards. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: Zahhak

Zahhak draws. He activates the Spell Card Cydemon Exchange, which lets him send 1 "Cydemon" card from his hand or field to the GY to add 1 "Cydemon" monster from his Deck to his hand. He sends Cydemon Earl from his hand to the GY and adds Cydemon Queen to his hand. As Earl is in his GY, Zahhak activates Earl's effect to add 1 "Cydemon" Spell/Trap Card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cydemon Shrine to his hand. Zahhak activates the Continuous Spell Card Cydemon Shrine by discarding Cydemon Queen. As he controls no monsters, Shrine's effect lets Zahhak Special Summon 1 "Cydemon" monster from his hand or GY in Attack Position. He Special Summons Cydemon Queen (2700/600/8) from his GY. Terminus activates his Set Continuous Trap Card Subterror Masonry. While Subterror Masonry is on the field, Zahhak cannot target Terminus's "Subterror" monsters with card effects. Terminus activates Guru's effect to target 1 other face-up monster and change that monster and Guru into face-down Defense Position, which is a Quick Effect if Terminus controls another "Subterror" card. Terminus targets Queen, but Zahhak chains the Quick-Play Spell Card Cydemon Shadows, targeting Queen, making it unaffected by Terminus's card effects until the end of the turn. Guru's effect resolves, and Guru is changed to face-down Defense Position. Terminus activates Masonry's effect, targeting the Set Guru and changing it to face-up Defense Position (1600/1800/4). Guru's Flip Effect activates, and Terminus adds Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide to his hand. Zahhak activates the Field Spell Card Cydemon Pillars. While Pillars is on the field, Zahhak's Dark Cyberse monsters gain 300 ATK/DEF and are unaffected by Terminus's monster effects (Queen: 2700→3000/600→900). Zahhak activates Pillars' effect to send 1 Dark Cyberse monster from his Deck to the GY. He sends Cydemon Knight to the GY. Zahhak Normal Summons Cydemon Bishop (1600→1900/600→900/3). Zahhak activates Bishop's effect to Special Summon 1 "Cydemon" monster from his GY in Defense Position. He Special Summons Cydemon Earl (2000→2300/600→900/5). As he has a "Cydemon" monster in his GY, Zahhak activates Queen's effect to target and destroy 1 face-up card Terminus controls. He destroys Subterror Masonry. As he has a "Cydemon" monster in his GY, Zahhak activates Earl's effect to Special Summon 1 Cydemon Token (0/0/2) in Defense Position. Zahhak uses Cydemon Token, Bishop, and Earl to Link Summon Cydevil Lascivious Asmodeus (2400→2700/3/←↙→) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Lascivious Asmodeus points to no monsters and he has at least 3 "Cydemon" monsters in his GY, Zahhak activates its effect to target 1 face-up monster Terminus controls place 1 Cydemon Counter on it and take control of it. He targets Subterror Guru (Guru: 0 CC→1 CC) and takes control of it.

Queen attacks Terminus directly. As a Dark Cyberse monster is attacking, Cydemon Shrine's effect prevents Terminus from activating Spell/Trap Cards. The attack continues (Terminus: 4000→1000 LP). As he took battle damage, Terminus activates his Set Trap Card Subterror Spring, which increases his LP by half the damage he took, then lets him Special Summon 1 "Subterror" monster from his hand in face-up Defense Position (Terminus: 1000→2500 LP). Terminus Special Summons Subterror Behemoth Stalaktide (1900/2700/10). Zahhak activates Earl's effect, adding Cydemon Ira to his hand. He Sets 2 cards. Zahhak ends his turn. During the End Phase, Lascivious Asmodeus's effect destroys all monsters on the field with Cydemon Counters and inflicts 1000 damage to Terminus for each destroyed monster. Guru is destroyed (Terminus: 2500→1500 LP).

Turn 3: Terminus

Terminus draws. He activates the effect of Stalaktide, changing it to face-down Defense Position. As his face-up monster was flipped face-down and he controls no face-up monsters, Terminus Special Summons Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist (3000/1400/11) in face-up Defense Position. Terminus activates Speleogeist's effect, changing it to face-down Defense Position. As his face-up monster was flipped face-down and he controls no face-up monsters, Terminus Special Summons Subterror Behemoth Stalagmo (2800/2100/10) in face-up Defense Position. Terminus activates the effect of The Hidden Colony to change 1 face-down Defense Position "Subterror" monster to face-up Attack or Defense Position. He changes Stalaktide to face-up Defense Position (1900/2700/10). Stalaktide's Flip Effect activates, letting Terminus destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card on Zahhak's field. He destroys Cydemon Pillars (Lascivious Asmodeus: 2700→2400) (Queen: 3000→2700/900→600). Zahhak activates the effect of Cydemon Knight in his GY, targeting Queen. For the rest of the turn, any damage he takes that is less than or equal to Queen's original ATK becomes 0. Terminus uses Stalagmo and Stalaktide to Link Summon Subterror Behemoth Fiendess (2000/2/↙↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. Behemoth Fiendess gains ATK equal to the combined original Levels of the "Subterror" monsters used for its Link Summon x 100 (Behemoth Fiendess: 2000→4000). Terminus activates the Spell Card Link Treasure Ticket, which lets him target 1 Link Monster he controls, then draw cards equal to that monster's Link Rating so long as he sends an equal number of cards from the top of his Deck to the GY. He targets Behemoth Fiendess, draws 2 cards, then sends Subterror Nemesis Warrior and Discord Link to the GY. Terminus activates the Spell Card Book of Taiyou, which lets him flip 1 face-down monster on the field into face-up Attack Position. He Flip Summons Speleogeist (3000/1400/11). Speleogeist's Flip Effect activates, letting Terminus target 1 monster on the field, change it to face-up Attack Position if it is in Defense Position, and change its ATK to 0. He targets Lascivious Asmodeus (Lascivious Asmodeus: 2400→0).

Behemoth Fiendess attacks Lascivious Asmodeus. As his Dark Cyberse monster is battling Terminus's monster, Zahhak activates his Set Trap Card Cydemon Ira, which halves Behemoth Fiendess's ATK and increases Lascivious Asmodeus's ATK by the same amount until the end of the turn (Behemoth Fiendess: 4000→2000) (Lascivious Asmodeus: 0→2000). Zahhak activates Bishop's effect in his GY, targeting Lascivious Asmodeus. Until the End Phase, Lascivious Asmodeus cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects. The attack continues and Behemoth Fiendess is destroyed. As his Link Monster was destroyed by battle, Terminus activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Terminal Link, which lets him Special Summon the destroyed monster and 1 other monster from his GY, then immediately perform a Link Summon using those monsters. Terminus Special Summons Behemoth Fiendess (2000/2/↙↘) and Guru (1600/1800/4), the latter in Attack Position, then uses Guru and Link-2 Behemoth Fiendess to Link Summon Subterror Behemoth Guru (2500/3/↙↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Behemoth Guru was Link Summoned using exactly 1 "Subterror Behemoth" monster, it gains ATK equal to Behemoth Fiendess's original ATK (Behemoth Guru: 2500→4500). Behemoth Guru attacks and destroys Queen, but Zahhak takes no damage due to Knight's effect. As Behemoth Guru destroyed Zahhak's monster by battle and sent it to the GY, Terminus can send 1 Flip monster from his Deck to the GY and inflict damage to Zahhak equal to that monster's ATK. He sends Subterror Behemoth Ultramafus to his GY (Zahhak: 4000→1000 LP). Terminus Sets 2 cards. He ends his turn. During the End Phase, Cydemon Ira's and Speleogeist's effects end (Lascivious Asmodeus: 2000→2400).

Turn 4: Zahhak

Zahhak draws. He activates the effect of Lascivious Asmodeus, targeting Behemoth Guru, but as his "Subterror" monster was targeted by a card effect, Terminus activates his Set Counter Trap Card Subterror Pitfall, negating the activation of Lascivious Asmodeus's effect, then Terminus can target 1 "Subterror" monster he controls and make that monster unaffected by Zahhak's card effects for the rest of the turn. He targets Behemoth Guru. Zahhak activates the effect of Cydemon Exchange in his GY, banishing it to add 1 "Cydemon" card in his GY to his hand. He adds Cydemon Pillars to his hand. Zahhak activates the Field Spell Card Cydemon Pillars (Lascivious Asmodeus: 2400→2700). Zahhak activates Cydemon Pillars' effect, sending Cydemon Duke to his GY. He activates Duke's effect in his GY to add 1 "Cydemon" monster in his GY to his hand. He adds Cydemon Earl to his hand. Zahhak Tributes Lascivious Asmodeus to Tribute Summon Cydemon Earl (2000→2300/600→900/5). Zahhak activates Earl's effect to Special Summon 1 Cydemon Token (0→300/0→300/2) in Defense Position. He activates the effect of Lascivious Asmodeus in his GY to Special Summon up to 2 "Cydemon" monsters from his GY in Defense Position with their effects negated. He Special Summons Bishop (1600→900/600→900/3) and Knight (2200→2500/600→900/6). Terminus activates his Set Continuous Trap Card DNA Transplant and declares Earth. So long as DNA Transplant is on the field, all monsters are treated as Earth Attribute. Zahhak activates his Set Continuous Trap Card Cydemon Invidia. While Invidia is on the field, the Attributes and Types of Zahhak's monsters cannot be changed by Terminus's card effects. Zahhak uses Bishop, Earl, Knight, and Token to Link Summon Cydevil Prideful Helel (3000→3300/4/←↙↘→) to the Extra Monster Zone. As he has at least 4 Dark Cyberse monsters in his GY and it points to no monsters, Zahhak activates Prideful Helel's effect, targeting Behemoth Guru. All cards Terminus controls, except Behemoth Guru, are banished until Terminus's next Standby Phase, Terminus cannot activate cards or effects in response to the activation of this effect, and none of Zahhak's other monsters can attack. Speleogeist, The Hidden Colony, and DNA Transplant are banished.

During the Battle Phase, as it points to no monsters and Zahhak has at least 4 Dark Cyberse monsters in his GY, Prideful Helel's ATK becomes double its original ATK (Prideful Helel: 3300→6300). Prideful Helel attacks and destroys Behemoth Guru, but as he would take battle damage, Terminus banishes Subterror Spring from his GY instead. The Battle Phase ends (Prideful Helel: 6300→3300). Zahhak activates the effect of Earl in his GY to add Cydemon Luxuria to his hand. Zahhak Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 5: Terminus

Terminus draws. During his Standby Phase, The Hidden Colony, DNA Transplant, and Speleogeist (3000/1400/11) are placed in the same Zones they were in when they were banished. Terminus activates Speleogeist's effect, changing itself to face-down Defense Position. Terminus activates The Hidden Colony's effect to change Speleogeist to face-up Attack Position (3000/1400/11). Speleogeist's Flip Effect activates, and Terminus targets Prideful Helel, but due to Cydemon Pillars' effect, Prideful Helel is unaffected. As a "Subterror Behemoth" monster was flipped face-up, Terminus activates the effect of Nemesis Warrior in his GY and Special Summons it (1800/1200/4) in Attack Position. Terminus activates the Spell Card Subterror Fusion, which lets him Fusion Summon 1 "Subterror" monster from his Extra Deck using monsters from his hand or field as material. As Terminus activated a card or effect while he has at least 1 "Cydemon" monster in his GY, Zahhak activates his Set Counter Trap Card Cydemon Luxuria, negating the activation of Subterror Fusion and banishing it. Then, for the rest of the turn, Zahhak's cards on the field and in his GY are unaffected by Terminus's card effects. Terminus activates the effect of Subterror Pitfall in his GY, banishing it to add 1 of his other banished cards to his hand. He adds Subterror Fusion to his hand. Terminus activates the Spell Card Subterror Fusion, fusing Nemesis Warrior and Speleogeist to Fusion Summon Subterror Nemesis Hunter (2600/1800/7) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. As Nemesis Hunter was Fusion Summoned using a Warrior monster, Terminus can add 1 "Subterror" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Subterror Revolution to his hand. Terminus activates Nemesis Hunter's effect to banish 1 "Subterror" monster from his GY, then inflict damage equal to that monster's Level x 100. He banishes Speleogeist. Zahhak attempts to chain Knight's effect in his GY, but while Nemesis Hunter is on the field, Zahhak cannot activate monster effects from his GY during Terminus's turn. As he would take effect damage while he has a "Cydemon" monster in his GY, Zahhak activates the effect of Cydemon President in his hand, reducing that damage to 0, then Special Summoning President (2100→2400/600→900/5) in Defense Position.

During the Battle Phase, Prideful Helel's ATK becomes double its original ATK (Prideful Helel: 3300→6300). Nemesis Hunter attacks and destroys President. The Battle Phase ends (Prideful Helel: 6300→3300). Terminus Sets 1 card. He ends his turn. During the End Phase, Cydemon Luxuria's effect ends.

Turn 6: Zahhak

Zahhak draws. Terminus activates his Set Trap Card Subterror Revolution. As he controls a "Subterror" monster in the Extra Monster Zone, he can target 1 card Zahhak controls and return it to his Deck, also Zahhak cannot activate or Summon any cards with the same original name as that card. Terminus returns Prideful Helel to Zahhak's Extra Deck. As he controls no monsters, Zahhak activates Shrine's effect, Special Summoning Bishop (1600→1900/600→900/3) from his GY in Attack Position. Zahhak activates Bishop's effect to Special Summon Cydemon Earl (2000→2300/600→900/5) from his GY in Defense Position. Zahhak activates Earl's effect, Special Summoning 1 Cydemon Token (0→200/0→200/2) in Defense Position. Zahhak activates the Spell Card Cydemon Repetition, which lets him target 1 "Cydemon" Normal or Quick-Play Spell Card that is either banished or in his GY and return that card to his Deck, then activate its effect as Cydemon Repetition's effect. Zahhak returns the banished Cydemon Exchange to his Deck and activates its effect to send 1 "Cydemon" card from his field or hand to the GY, then add 1 "Cydemon" monster from his Deck to his hand. He sends Cydemon Shrine to the GY and adds Cydemon Rook to his hand. Zahhak Normal Summons Cydemon Rook (1800→2100/600→900/4). Zahhak uses Bishop, Earl, Rook, and Token to Link Summon Cydevil Wrathful Amon (2800→3100/4/←↑↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Zahhak has 4 or more Dark Cyberse monsters in his GY and it points to no monsters, he activates Wrathful Amon's effect to destroy 1 face-up monster Terminus controls, then inflict damage equal to half that monster's original ATK and increase its ATK by that same amount. Terminus chains the effect of Subterror Revolution in his GY, banishing it and targeting Nemesis Hunter. Until the end of the turn, Nemesis Hunter is unaffected by Zahhak's card effects, also Terminus takes no battle damage from battles involving his Set monsters. Zahhak activates the effect of Cydemon Ira in his GY, banishing it and targeting Wrathful Amon. Until the end of the turn, Wrathful Amon's ATK becomes double its original ATK, and if it attacks Terminus's Defense Position monster, it inflicts piercing battle damage (Wrathful Amon: 3100→5900).

Wrathful Amon attacks Nemesis Hunter. Terminus activates the effect of The Hidden Colony, changing Nemesis Hunter to face-down Defense Position to negate the attack. Zahhak activates the effect of Cydemon Queen in his GY, targeting Wrathful Amon and allowing it to make an additional attack during each Battle Phase this turn. Wrathful Amon attacks Nemesis Hunter. As Wrathful Amon attacked a face-down Defense Position monster, at the start of the Damage Step, Nemesis Hunter is destroyed, and Terminus takes damage equal to its original ATK (Terminus: 1500→0 LP). Zahhak wins.

---

Zahhak:

Cydemon Queen
Attribute: DARK Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 2700 DEF 600 Level: 8
Once, while this card is in your GY (Quick Effect): You can target 1 DARK Cyberse monster you control that has declared an attack this turn; that monster can make an additional attack during each Battle Phase this turn. If there is at least 1 "Cydemon" monster in your GY, this card gains the following effect:
-Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up card your opponent controls; destroy it.

Cydevil Lascivious Asmodeus
Attribute: DARK Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 2400 LINK-3 ←↙→
2+ DARK Cyberse monsters
This card cannot be attacked by your opponent's linked monsters. Once, while this card is in your GY: You can target up to 2 "Cydemon" monsters in your GY; Special Summon them in Defense Position with their effects negated. If you have 3 or more "Cydemon" monsters in your GY, this card gains the following effects:
-Once per turn, if this card points to no monsters: You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; place 1 Cydemon Counter on it and take control of it. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to the activation of this effect. During the End Phase: Destroy all monsters on the field with Cydemon Counters and inflict 1000 damage to your opponent for each destroyed monster.

Cydemon President
Attribute: DARK Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 2100 DEF 600 Level: 5
Once, while this card is in your GY: You can reduce 1 instance of effect damage to 0, and if you do, Special Summon this card to your field during the End Phase, but banish it when it leaves the field. If there is at least 1 "Cydemon" monster in your GY, this card gains the following effect.
-If you would take effect damage while this card is in your hand: You can reduce that damage to 0, then Special Summon this card in Defense Position, also you take no effect damage for the rest of the turn.

Cydevil Wrathful Amon
Attribute: DARK Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 2800 LINK-4 ←↑↓→
2+ DARK Cyberse monsters
The ATK of your opponent's linked monsters on the field becomes 0. Once, while this card is in your GY: You can target up to 2 "Cydemon" monsters in your GY; Special Summon them in Defense Position with their effects negated. If you have 4 or more DARK Cyberse monsters in your GY and this card points to no monsters, this card gains the following effects:
-Once per turn: You can destroy 1 face-up monster your opponent controls, then inflict damage equal to half that monster's original ATK, and increase this card's ATK by that same amount until your next Standby Phase. If this card attacks a face-down Defense Position monster, at the start of the Damage Step: You can destroy that face-down monster, then inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's original ATK.

Cydemon Exchange Normal Spell Card
Send 1 "Cydemon" card from your hand or field to the GY; add 1 "Cydemon" monster with a different original name from your Deck to your hand. You can banish this card from your GY; add 1 "Cydemon" card from your GY to your hand. You can only use 1 effect of "Cydemon Exchange" per turn, and only once per turn.

Cydemon Ira Normal Trap Card
When your DARK Cyberse monster battles your opponent's monster: Halve that monster's ATK, then increase your monster's ATK by the same amount until the end of the turn. You can banish this card from your GY and target 1 DARK Cyberse monster you control; until the end of the turn, that monster's ATK becomes equal to double its original ATK, and if it attacks your opponent's Defense Position monster, it inflicts piercing battle damage. You can only use 1 effect of "Cydemon Ira" per turn, and only once per turn.

Cydemon Invidia Continuous Trap Card
The Attributes and Types of monsters you control cannot be changed by your opponent's card effects. Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up card on the field; until the end of the turn, that card's effects are negated, and if it is a Monster Card, that monster it is treated as a DARK Cyberse monster.

Cydemon Repetition Normal Spell Card
Target 1 "Cydemon" Normal or Quick-Play Spell Card that is either banished or in your GY; shuffle that card into your Deck, then this card's effect becomes that card's activated effect. You can only activate 1 "Cydemon Repetition" per turn.

Terminus:

Subterror Nemesis Hunter
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Warrior/Fusion/Effect] ATK 2600 DEF 1800 Level: 7
2 "Subterror" monsters
If this card is Fusion Summoned using at least 1 Beast-Warrior, Fairy, or Warrior monster: You can add 1 "Subterror" card from your Deck to your hand. Your opponent cannot activate any monster effects in the GY. Your opponent cannot target your Set monsters for attacks, also your opponent cannot target your Set monsters with card effects. Once per turn: You can banish 1 "Subterror" monster from your GY; inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's Level x 100.

Subterror Spring Normal Trap Card
If you took battle damage: Gain LP equal to half the damage you took, then Special Summon 1 "Subterror" monster from your hand in face-up Defense Position. The turn this card is activated, that monster's battle position cannot change. If you would take battle damage, you can banish this card from your GY instead. The turn this effect is used, you take no battle damage for the rest of the turn. You can only use 1 "Subterror Spring" effect per turn, and only once that turn.

Terminal Link Quick-Play Spell Card
If your Link Monster is destroyed by battle: You can Special Summon that monster and 1 other monster from your GY, and if you do, immediately after this effect resolves, Link Summon 1 Link Monster using those monsters as material. You can only use 1 "Terminal Link" per turn.

Subterror Pitfall Counter Trap Card
When your opponent targets your "Subterror" monster with a card effect: Negate the activation, and if you do, you can target 1 "Subterror" monster you control; until the end of the turn, that monster is unaffected by your opponent's card effects. You can banish this card from your GY and target 1 of your banished cards, except "Subterror Pitfall"; add that card to your hand. You can only use 1 effect of "Subterror Pitfall" per turn, and only once per turn.

Subterror Revolution Normal Trap Card
If you control a "Subterror" monster in the Extra Monster Zone: Target 1 card your opponent controls; return that card to your opponent's Deck, also for the rest of the turn, your opponent cannot activate or Summon cards with the same original name as that card. You can banish this card from your GY and target 1 "Subterror" monster you control; until the end of the turn, that monster is unaffected by your opponent's card effects, also you take no battle damage from battles involving your face-down monsters. You can only use each effect of "Subterror Revolution" once per turn.

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Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 69 – Mind Games. After the barriers come down, Cassiel and Morningstar finally reunite. But before they can take the fight to Lightning and Zahhak, Jester appears before them, with orders to reveal Morningstar's strongest monster. What is the Enforcer's plan?

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Question of the Chapter

Which canon characters do you think the current Enforcers and other Ouroboros members (Techbane, HK, etc.) should duel in season 3? If they show up for season 3, of course.

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Author's Notes

Thank you to Haoh Ryu Z-ARC and SakushiRyu for providing feedback on the OC cards introduced in this chapter.

I'll start these notes off with the assumption that I am going to get a lot of angry reviews for this chapter. Hopefully not because the duel itself was bad, but because it wasn't what most of you were expecting. But before you post those angry reviews, allow me to explain why I went this route, so you'll at least understand why. Then post those angry reviews anyway, because I'm not actually sure how many of you read these notes.

Anyway, there were in-story and out-of-story reasons for my choice, so I'll start with the in-story ones. The main reason is the nature of the relationship between Jester and Terminus. Terminus hates Jester for what he did to his family, and he will take the chance to make him pay for it while Jester… doesn't care about Terminus at all. Yes, Jester killed Hitomu and tortured Lilith, but none of it was personal for him. He did the former because he was ordered to, and he did the latter for fun. Jester has no personal hatred towards Terminus or his family, and if he has to choose between his mission and Terminus's vengeance, he'll pick the former because that's the kind of person and Enforcer he is. At the same time, Jester is smart enough to know that Terminus would interfere in his mission if he could, so he got Zahhak to take care of Terminus so he can complete his mission. How did he do this? Rock-Paper-Scissors, which is the go-to solution for disputes between Enforcers, and the results of which all Enforcers will uphold. Which is why Zahhak went along with Jester's request.

Out-of-story, I'll admit my reason was partly to subvert expectations, as I find shocking the audience to be rather entertaining. But there were two larger reasons. The first, and most important reason, is one I can't tell you yet, because it involves spoilers for Chapter 69, which will be the start of the endgame for season 2. You'll have to wait to see what happens next chapter for that question to be answered. The second reason is that I wanted to pit the final bosses of seasons 1 and 2 of Hidden Memories against each other to see how they do. And yeah, the results might have been obvious, but Terminus still gave Zahhak his most challenging duel to date, which I feel is a good send-off for the Knight of Hanoi, and arguably a better one than whatever Jester might have done. And for those of you who thought it would happen because of the opening… that was, shall we say, a Red Herring.

Besides, I need to save some duels for season 3, don't I? It'd be boring if I did too many rematches.

Now that we have that rather long explanation out of the way, let's get into the chapter itself. The first part is Playmaker vs. Kusanagi and people's reactions to it. Naturally, the heroes are unhappy about it, but Cypher and Morningstar are able to figure out that Kusanagi knew this could happen and planned accordingly. This revelation, and Kusanagi's loss, were the breaking point for Cypher, who finally lost his temper and broke the barriers. Arguably pointless since Cam and the Knights of Hanoi were about to do that, but I felt it was a good reminder of what Cypher is capable of.

Then we have the meat of the chapter: the duel between Terminus and Zahhak. While I know a lot of you likely aren't happy that you got this instead of Jester vs. Terminus, I hope you at least liked the duel itself. Terminus took the first turn, as Zahhak took the first turn in all his previous duels, and Terminus managed to inflict more damage than Morningstar and Persephone, and he managed to inflict it sooner than they did. Part of that success was knowledge of how Zahhak's Deck works, the rest was about how the Subterrors themselves operate. This got him a good amount of respect from Zahhak, and he even managed to almost defeat him. Of course, Zahhak used this duel to show that he has every weakness covered, including potential Attribute or Type changes, and to debut the Cydevils of Lust and Wrath, the latter of which is Link-4 like Prideful Helel. That leaves only the Cydevil of Sloth left to unveil. And as a reminder, Zahhak's Link-5 represents all seven deadly sins, not a single sin like the other Cydevils.

Thank you for reading Chapter 68 of Hidden Memories. I'll try to get the next chapter out before October's end. After all, you're all curious, aren't you? About what Jester could do that made Zahhak so angry at the end? Well, you'll have to wait to find out!

…I think writing fanfiction has given me a bit of a sadistic streak. I should probably worry about that.