Chapter 28: Signers Assemble!

A few days later, Yusei and Akiza were called to Goodwin's mansion. When they got there, they found Leo, Luna, and Jack waiting for them.

"Hey guys!" Leo greeted them. "You got the call to action too?"

"Leo, for the last time, he only wanted me," Luna said in exasperation.

"Yeah, well wherever you go, I go! So there!"

Before their argument could continue, Lazar opened the door to the mansion, beckoning them in.

"Sorry to keep all of you waiting. The Director will see you now."

Leading them all into the elevator, they traveled for a long time until they reached the bottom of the shaft. Stepping out into the room, they were surprised to find an ancient Inca temple waiting for them, with Goodwin standing before it.

"Signers, and Leo. Welcome."

"HEY!"
Goodwin ignored Leo's outburst and began his exposition.

"Welcome, my friends, to the Stairway to the Dragon Star!"

"Dragon Star?"

"Guys, look at that symbol!"

Everyone followed Luna's finger to the engraving of a dragon biting its own tail.

"It looks like our marks," Yusei noted, to which Goodwin nodded.

"The symbol of The Crimson Dragon. The very symbol of your status as protectors of the world!"

On cue, all four of their marks began to glow, surprising everyone. Then, The Crimson Dragon appeared behind Goodwin momentarily.

"From the day you were born, The Crimson Dragon had chosen the four of you to be its vassals, to fight back the darkness that would one day return."

"Cut the chit chat, Goodwin!" Jack snapped. "We came here for answers, not spill the beans!"

Goodwin sighed, but nodded.

"Of course, you all deserve to know what you're in for."

Suddenly, a flash of light enveloped the room, and when it died down they were no longer in front of the temple, but floating midair over a set of geoglyphs in the ground.

"5,000 years ago, a war was fought between forces of light and the forces of darkness. Fortunately for us, the forces of light, led by The Crimson Dragon, prevailed, and trapped the darkness deep within the ground. What those unaware of the truth call The Nazca Lines were the only lingering proof they ever existed. Until now…"

Just then, a geoglyph resembling a spider began to glow purple, much like during the duels with Hunter and Carly.

"Many years ago, te original Ener D reactor exploded. You are of course aware of the splitting between New Domino City and The Satellite, but a more dire event occurred from this event: the opening of the gates to the underworld."

Suddenly, all of the geoglyphs began to glow, as did their birthmarks.
"Now the forces of darkness are free once more, and are increasing their numbers. Much like The Crimson Dragon has chosen you to be its avatars, so has The King of the Underworld chosen them to be his."

"Them?"

"The Dark Signers, agents of chaos, meant to take down The Crimson Dragon and plunge the world into 5,000 years of darkness. And the only ones who can stop them are the five signers!"

"Hold on," Leo spoke up. "If there's five signers, then why are there only four here?"

"Leo's right," Luna added. "Shouldn't the fifth one be here as well?"

Rex closed his eyes.

"Indeed, you are correct. Rest assured, the fifth signer is ready to join our fight, but for their own protection I can't disclose their identity. Just know that when you need them, they will appear."

This didn't do much to put their minds at ease, but they could tell Goodwin wasn't going to tell them much more.

"I understand this is a lot to take in, but the fate of the world is at stake. If you do not close the gate to the underworld before the King gets through, the world as you know it will cease to exist."

"I'm in," Yusei said immediately.

"Me too," Akiza agreed. Jack scoffed, but didn't back down.

"Those Dark Signers won't know what hit them." He said bluntly. After a moment, Luna nodded her head.

"I don't know if I can be of much help, but I'll do all I can."

"Yeah, and I'll be right there with you!"

Goodwin nodded.

"I don't envy you. You have a long and arduous task before you, Signers. Get some rest, for you'll be in for the fight of your lives."

As Akiza walked out of the mansion, Mina came up to her.

"Excuse me, Akiza?"

"Yes?"

Mina slipped a letter into her hands.

"This showed up addressed to you. It says it's from your mother."

Akiza was surprised, but decided to open it.

"Thank you, Mina."

Mina bowed and left, leaving Akiza to read the letter in peace.

Akiza,

Your father told me everything. There's so much I wish to tell you that I can't in a letter, but first and foremost I want to say I'm sorry. We should've tried to help you, but instead we pushed you away. And while I know nothing I can say or do will ever make up for that, I hope one day you can forgive me. Just know that I support you.

Love,

Miss Izinski