RESPONSE TO REVIEW:

Big thanks to tsukikami02, HunterHQ, Guests, kaiser younes, Ulrich362, Yu fujiki, T.V. 2000 for reviewing theprevious chapter.

tsukikami02: Thank you for pointing out the repeated sentence. I'll do my best to be more careful from now on.

HunterHQ: The abusive part is actually more for comical purposes, not really serious abuse. Looks like I didn't describe it too well. And yes, Knight/Shion is fond of foods like durian and escargot.

Obviously, Divine Ignis is still alive, you'll see him later. Windy's eyes had already turned red when Ai and the others met him in the anime, and Flame mentioned that he and Lightning destroyed the Cyberse World together, so I assumed that yeah, he was already reprogrammed and attacked his partner by this time.

kaiser younes: You'll have to wait and see for yourself in later chapters.

Ulrich362: Err...I didn't expect that much of a reaction from you regarding Aoi. I'm sorry if I upset you. But I can't promise not to give the girls anymore content, because I've great plans for the girls, especially Kazue who'll have her first victory in her record soon. I have no intention to make them pathetic weaklings here. In the anime, Aoi only truly reconsider her view about the Ignis and the Lost Incident after Earth's death and learning about Miyu. In this fic, I decided to give her an early starting point that'll make her realize how insensitive she was.

Yu fujiki: Sorry, but I can't confirm nor deny that question. You'll have to continue to read the story to find out.

T.V. 2000: Knight's "cruelty" is actually not so cruel as Queen, it's more for a comical purpose rather than a serious one.

Chapter 8

Young Warrior of Light

若き光の戦士

(Wakaki Hikari no Senshi)

What lies beyond the canyon is a vast sky filled with a blond shade of yellow. For someone who just comes out of the canyon, that would be the first sight to see. It's seemingly nothing but an endless cloud-filled sky. However, if they fly a bit further forward to where the sun is, they'll eventually find six columns in the style of Roman Doric architecture that would crumble upon arrival, revealing two Roman gladiator statues.

On top of each statues' hands, stands Playmaker and his target – Bohman.

Unlike the first time they met, Bohman is adorned with graphite armor-based with a golden belt, and white sections on the segmented torso plates, the sides down the armor kilt, and the legs and waist area. The armor also sports Royal Fuchsia sections on the vambraces, knee and ankle areas, and the collar area around his neck that's connected on the back armor, and the armor sleeves on his arms are divided underneath the shoulders. The collar, large shoulder pads, inner shoulder pads, the protruding collars on the arm sleeves, the wrist section on the vambraces and the studs on the fingerless gloves have a golden colored rim.

The two of them are in the middle of a Master Duel. The one who is overseeing the Duel between them is standing on top of the statue on Bohman's side. A young boy with blond hair and orange and red highlights, the one who had previously claimed to be Bohman's younger brother.

Haru.

Unlike his older brother's avatar, Haru's is still the same as before. He still wears a blue long-sleeved shirt with a red tie and a white blazer with yellow accents, plus a large red star on his collar, orange pants with yellow and blue accents, a pink belt with silver and blue details, and yellow-white shoes with pink trim and stars.

Just like what happened the first time, Haru was instructed to watch the Duel by his master. Record the data from this Duel and see how far Bohman is progressing at this stage.

However, he then senses someone unexpected is coming closer.

Holysaber.

Though he is aware that Playmaker came to this world together with Holysaber and Soulburner, he had expected Blue Girl and Ghost Girl to give more of a fight, at least long enough until this Duel is over.

"You know what you need to do with Holysaber on his way here."

A voice came from the back of the statue's head. Haru heard the voice, but his gaze remained focused on the Duel without turning behind.

"You just need to buy enough time until this Duel is over." The voice tells him.

Hearing what the voice said irritates him. "I won't be buying time. I'll defeat him and retrieve the Divine Deck from him." Haru retorts, which is responded with a sigh from the other.

"I know about your new card. Take this as a warning, Divine cards are special. The power of the Divine only belongs to the Divine ones. Perhaps you can damage the Divine ones, but making their power your own is something beyond you. Beyond everyone. That includes me, you, and your master."

From the sound of the voice's foot, the owner of the voice was just leaning on the statue and now stands straight, indicating they're going to leave.

"Good luck."

After saying those words, like the blowing wind, the presence at the back of the statue disappears, leaving the offended Haru by himself. They didn't say it, but the implication is clear. They are certain that he won't win. They and their master consider Holysaber in high regard. Haru had seen Holysaber's Duel against Blood Shepherd, and he admits that Holysaber is a strong Duelist, but Haru is confident with his own skill. Other than his Divine Deck, Holysaber is not an equal threat compared to Playmaker and Soulburner, who have their Ignis partners by their side.

Haru turns to the direction where Holysaber is coming from.

"It's good that Soulburner is not with him. It'd be more troublesome if he comes too." Haru thinks to himself. If Soulburner also comes, it'll be difficult for him to stop them both, one may Duel him, and the other will use that opportunity to go to this place.

This Duel against Playmaker is necessary for Bohman to grow as their master wishes. Distraction or interruption are not permitted.

Haru knows immediately what he must do.

Holysaber sees two Roman gladiator statues ahead of him. As there are no other things other than those two giant statues, that must be where Playmaker is, and possibly, Bohman. With his destination in sight, Holysaber flies faster.

Alas, there's always something or someone that makes things difficult for him.

Two golem-like hands suddenly burst out from under the clouds. If not for his reflexes, Holysaber would've collided against it. The hands then open their palms, facing each other.

"Going somewhere?"

Holysaber stops when Haru arrives on his D-Board and then lands on one of the palm statues. This prompts Holysaber to jump down as well, standing on the other palm statue, facing the boy who claimed to be Bohman's younger brother, or so what he heard from Playmaker.

"Playmaker and Bohman are over there, aren't they?" Holysaber questions the boy, looking at the two gladiator statues behind Haru.

"My brother is having an important Duel right now. Wouldn't want someone to ruin it." Haru says.

"Speak no more. I must defeat you if I want to go to them, is what you're trying to say, right?" Holysaber raises his Duel Disk, knowing there is no other choice if he wants to proceed.

"That right." Haru also raises his Duel Disk in response.

"This is an unexpected opportunity for me." Holysaber wants to go help Playmaker immediately. But on second thought, this Duel is not a bad idea. Haru is Bohman's younger brother. Even if Haru doesn't have Jin's consciousness data with him, he must have other information. "I'll make you spill out everything!"

Haru is ticked off hearing his opponent's declaration. "You think you already won? Don't get cocky!"

The Duel field is formed in the gap between the two palm statues where Holysaber and Haru are standing.

"Duel!"

Holysaber LP: 4000

Haru LP: 4000

"I'm going first. When there are no monsters in the Main Monster Zone, I can Special Summon Hydradrive Booster from my hand." Haru summons a winged serpentine monster in Attack Position.

Hydradrive Booster (CYBERSE/EARTH/EFFECT/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 1)

"A Hydradrive monster. He is using Hydradrive Deck like Bohman..." What Holysaber knows about Bohman and Haru is from what Playmaker told him. Haru didn't Duel before, but Holysaber had heard about Bohman's Deck. A main focus on Hydradrive Link Monsters is that all of them are Anti-Support for the monsters' elements. How many elements that the Hydradrive Deck can handle is not yet known though. However, considering Divine is an ultra-rare element, Holysaber doubts Haru has any DIVINE-Attribute monster. That is one advantage that Holysaber has.

"But it's possible that he already came prepared against my Deck like Blue Girl and Ghost Girl did. I can't give him an opening." His opponent is the accomplice of the guy who had stolen Jin's consciousness data. He won't take him lightly.

"Appear! My circuit!" Haru summons the Link Portal, setting Booster to the Bottom Link Marker.

"Link Summon! Link 1, Coolant Hydradrive!" Haru Link Summons Coolant Hydradrive to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Coolant Hydradrive (CYBERSE/WATER/LINK/ATK: 1000/LNK: 1/LM: Bottom/LNK: 1)

"I activate Magic Card: Hydradrive Rebuild. I destroy Hydradrive monster I control." Haru destroys his Link Monster just as he summoned it, confusing Holysaber.

"When Coolant Hydradrive was destroyed by Battle of card effect, I can Special Summon a Hydradrive Token." Haru summons a Token in Attack Position to the Main Monster Zone.

"I activate Hydradrive Rebuild's additional effect. When the monster destroyed by this card activates its effect in the Graveyard this turn, I can Special Summon one Hydradrive monster from my Graveyard." Haru revives Coolant Hydradrive that he destroyed through Rebuild's effect to the Main Monster Zone in Attack Position.

"However, on the turn this effect is activated, that monster cannot attack, and its effects are negated, also it's destroyed during the End Phase." Haru adds before taking a card from his hand, "I activate Magic Card: Hydradrive Utilization. I pay 500 LP to banish a Hydradrive monster from my Graveyard and add a monster with the same name from my Deck to my hand."

HARU LP: 4000 = 3500

Haru banishes Hydradrive Booster and then adds a second copy of Booster to his hand.

"When my LP is below 4000, I can activate my Skill: Marker's Portal!" Haru raises his hand as he activates his Skill.

"Using a Skill during Master Duel?!" Holysaber is taken aback. Skill should only be used in Speed Duel. For Haru to use it during Master Duel, that makes it clear that their opponents have no intention to play fair. If Haru is capable, then Bohman certainly can do the same.

"I can activate a Link Spell Card from my Deck. Due to my Skill, this card cannot be negated or destroyed by the opponent's effect." As Haru declares so, three arrows of light fall down to his Spell & Trap Zone, revealing Judgment Arrows.

"It's here. The Link Spell that Playmaker warned me about." Holysaber looks at the Link Spell cautiously. He had expected to see the card in this Duel, but never thought that Haru would use it right on his first time.

"From my hand, I summon Hydradrive Booster." Haru summons the second copy of Booster that he just added to his hand.

"Once more, my circuit!" Haru summons the Link Portal for the second time, setting the second Booster to the Bottom Link Marker.

"Link Summon! Appear, Link 1, Flow Hydradrive!" Haru summons green lizard-like Link Monster to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Flow Hydradrive (CYBERSE/WIND/LINK/ATK: 1000/LM: Bottom/LNK: 1)

"Appear for the third time, my circuit!" Haru summons the Link Portal again, this time setting Hydradrive Token to the Bottom Link Marker.

"Link Summon! Appear, Link 1, Coolant Hydradrive!" Haru summons the second Coolant to the zone pointed by Flow Hydradrive's Bottom Link Arrow.

"Appear for the fourth time, my circuit!" Haru summons the Link Portal and then sets Flow Hydradrive to the Left Link Marker and a Coolant Hydradrive to the Right Link Marker.

"Link Summon! Appear, Link 2, Twin Hydradrive Knight!" Haru summons a humanoid knight with twin swords to the Main Monster Zone pointed by Judgment Arrows' Link Arrow in Attack Position.

Twin Hydradrive Knight (CYBERSE/LINK/EARTH/ATK: 1800/LM: Left, Right/LNK: 2)

"Because Twin Hydradrive is Link Summoned, I can activate its effect to change its Attribute to that of the original Attributes of the Link Monsters used for its Link Summon." Haru changes his Link 2 Monster to both WIND and WATER.

"I set a card and end my turn." Haru concludes.

"He changes his monster's Attribute knowing that it won't make a difference since my monsters are DIVINE Attribute. But it doesn't look like he doesn't have any plans. Is it because of that Set card?" Holysaber looks at Haru's face-down card.

"That's right. I didn't get a chance to use that card." Holysaber recalls the four cards he got from his Skill during his Speed Duel against Knight. He had used three cards back then. There is one last card that he didn't get to use because Afroditi was enough to help him win.

"Time for me to try it out." Holysaber makes his decision. But first, before he can use it, there are steps that he must do first.

"I activate Field Spell: Mount Olympus." As Holysaber activated the Field Spell, their surroundings change to that of a grassy field filled with clouds and white pillars in the shape of 12 Olympian Gods in Greek mythology.

"When Mount Olympus is activated, I can add 1 Olympios Stratos Monster from my Deck to my hand." Holysaber adds Kalimavkion to his hand.

"Once per turn, I can discard a card in my hand to Special Summon Level 5 or lower Olympios Stratos Monster from my Deck in Defense Position." Holysaber discards one card and then Special Summon Kalimavkion, the monster he previously added with Mount Olympus' effect, to the Main Monster Zone in Attack Position.

"Come forth, the circuit that lights up the future!" Holysaber summons the Link Portal. Due to Kalimavkion's effect, it's treated as two materials for Special Summon, allowing Holysaber to set it on two Link Markers, one to the Bottom-Left Link Marker, and one to the Right Link Marker.

"Link Summon! Appear, Link 2, Olympios Stratos – Pythia!" Holysaber summons a humanoid female monster dressed in an red Greek dress with golden straps, a long skirt with the hem ending just above her orange-sandaled feet, and two white sashes; a tight one under her bust to give her a tiny waist and a loosened one tied at her right side by a golden spiral pendant around her wide hips. She appears in the Extra Monster Zone.

Olympios Stratos – Pythia (CYBERSE/DIVINE/LINK/ATK: 1800/LM: Bottom-Left, Right/LNK: 2)

"He's not using Pendulum Summon?" Haru wonders. He'd understand if Holysaber refrained from using Pendulum Summon during Speed Duel due to the restriction, but in Master Duel, there's less restriction, so it shouldn't be much of a problem for the Olympios Stratos user to use Pendulum Summon.

"When a DIVINE Monster is Special Summoned, I can Special Summon Olympios Stratos – Lyra from my hand." Holysaber summons a childlike humanoid monster with a white single sleeveless Greek garb and brown sandals while holding a golden harpe.

Olympios Stratos – Lyra (CYBERSE/DIVINE/EFFECT/ATK: 400/DEF: 600/LV: 2)

"When Lyra is Special Summoned through his own effect, I can Special Summon an Olympios Token in Defense Position." Holysaber summons a small, golden ball-like monster with four, stubby legs, the front two of which he can form little "fingers" with, a long tail that ends in a thick swirl, and two feathered wings.

"Once more, the circuit that lights up the future!" Holysaber Sets Lyra to the Upper-Right Link Marker and Olympios Token to the Left Link Marker, combining the circuits.

"Link Summon! Appear, Link 2, Olympios Stratos – Delphi!" Holysaber summons a humanoid female with the same attire as Pythia, but yellow in color. She is summoned to the Main Monster Zone, in the zone pointed by Pythia.

Olympios Stratos – Delphi (CYBERSE/DIVINE/LINK/ATK: 1800/LM: Upper-Right, Left/LNK: 2)

"I activated Pythia and Delphi's effects. Once per turn, when both of these cards are co-linked with each other, I can inflict 300 damage to my opponent." Since both monsters' effects are the same, the total amount damage that will be inflicted is 600. Putting aside his conflict with Blue Girl, the strategy of chipping an opponent's LP through burn damage intrigued him. Holysaber couldn't help but want to try coming up with a strategy that can incorporate effect damage.

"Inflicting effect damage right off the bat. That's new." Based on Holysaber's Dueling record that Haru had watched, Holysaber's preferred strategy is to use Pendulum Summon to summon several monsters simultaneously to use them as Link Materials, and then overpower his enemies by increasing his monsters' ATK through the use of effects that takes advantage of his low LP. But now, not only is he not using Pendulum Summon, but he also summoned monsters that inflict effect damage. That's unusual.

Pythia and Delphi join hands, then extend their other hands forward, opening their palms together at Haru's direction. Each manifests a magic circle with a slightly different pattern. From the center of the circle, bursts of magical energies in the form of serpents shoot out, as if ready to bite off the boy.

"But that won't be enough." Haru grins at the incoming strike.

"Continuous Trap: Hydradrive Chain! Once per turn, when I control a Hydradrive monster, I can change the Attribute of one of my opponent's monsters to the same as one of the Hydradrive monsters that I control, and those monsters got their ATKs halved!" Haru opens his face-down card, changing Pythia and Delphi's Attributes to WATER and EARTH like Twin Hydradrive Knight.

Olympios Stratos – Pythia ATK: 1800 = 900

Olympios Stratos – Delphi ATK: 1800 = 900

"Due to Twin Hydradrive Knight's effect, as long as it's on the field, monsters with the same Attribute as it has their effects negated." The Trap summons black chains that deflect the serpents and immobilizes Pythia and Delphi.

"Battle! I attack Coolant Hydradrive with Olympios Stratos – Pythia!" Holysaber declares his Battle Phase.

Pythia let go of Delphi's hand to join both her hands together in prayer, emitting bright crimson light that gradually forms into the form of a raven with golden eyes.

"Due to Mount Olympus' effect, during Battle Phase, all Olympus Monsters I control gains 200 ATK for each Olympus Monsters in my Graveyard!" Holysaber has Kalimavkion, Lyra, and the monster he discarded through Mount Olympus' effect, making it three monsters in total, so Pythia and Delphi both gain 600 ATK.

Olympios Stratos – Pythia ATK: 900 = 1500

Olympios Stratos – Delphi ATK: 900 = 1500

"Judgment Arrows' effect! When this card is pointing to a monster, that monster's ATK is doubled!" Haru activates his Link Spell, increasing his Link Monster's ATK by 1000.

Coolant Hydradrive ATK: 1000 = 2000

"I activate Olympios Stratos – Lyra's effect from my Graveyard! When this card is in Graveyard, I can banish it to switch the ATK of one monster I control with the ATK of a monster that my opponent controls!" Holysaber banishes Lyra and picks Pythia and Twin Hydradrive Knight as his targets, switching their ATKs.

Olympios Stratos – Pythia ATK: 1500 = 2000

Coolant Hydradrive ATK: 2000 = 1500

The blazing crimson raven flies at the Hydradrive Link Monster, opening its beak and seemingly swallows Coolant Hydradrive, burning it without a trace.

Haru LP: 3500 = 3000

"When Coolant Hydradrive is destroyed, I can Special Summon Hydradrive Token in Defense Position!" Haru summons a Token right after Coolant Hydradrive was destroyed.

"I set a card and end my turn." Holysaber concludes. With his turn ended, Pythia and Delphi's ATKs returned to normal.

Olympios Stratos – Pythia ATK: 900 = 1800

Olympios Stratos – Delphi ATK: 900 = 1800

"If it weren't for Mount Olympus' effect, I would've received bigger damage. You made a mistake in setting that Field Spell. You should've used Pendulum Summon and summon your ace monster." Haru tells Holysaber.

"No. I don't think I should stick to only one strategy. Against you, I believe that there are other means to achieve the result I'm hoping for." Holysaber replies.

So far, he had been relying on Elpizo Harpe and his Pendulum Cards to defeat his opponents because he feels a great resonance with them. However, he is aware that Divine Deck has many possibilities. He can't just close his eyes to those possibilities and just repeat the same move. He must keep learning and improving his Deck to prevent his opponents from predicting his strategy.

Unfortunately, Haru doesn't take it that way.

"Are you looking down on me?" Haru glares at Holysaber.

Haru grits his teeth and clenches his fists intensely as he unwittingly remembers the words spoken to him before.

The words that keep following him everywhere no matter how much he wants it to just go away.

"It's unfortunate, but you're a failure."

"You don't think using your specialty against me is worth your time?" From what Haru perceived, the Olympios Stratos user believes that it's not necessary for him to use his Pendulum Cards and Elpizo Harpe because Haru is not a strong enough opponent. That infuriated the boy.

Holysaber blinks, not expecting such a reaction from his opponent. He wouldn't be doing this if he underestimated Haru. "Wait, I think you misunderstand. I want to–"

Holysaber's attempt to explain is quickly cut off by Haru, who is too angry to even bother listening to him.

"Enough excuses! I'll teach you a lesson not to underestimate me!" Haru yells furiously as he begins his turn.

"From my hand, I summon Hydradrive Bringer!" Haru summons a winged golem-like monster in Attack Position to the Main Monster Zone.

Hydradrive Bringer (CYBERSE/WIND/EFFECT/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 1)

"When Hydradrive Bringer is summoned, I can add a Hydradrive monster from my Graveyard to my hand." Haru adds Hydradrive Booster back to his hand.

"Appear! My circuit!" Haru sets the Hydradrive Token to the bottom Link Marker.

"Link Summon! Appear, Link 1, Coolant Hydradrive!" Haru once again summons another copy of Coolant Hydradrive to the zone pointed by Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker.

"I'm not done yet! Appear again, my circuit!" Haru summons the Link Portal and then prepares for his Link 2 Monster and his Effect Monster. "The summoning condition is two or more Hydradrive monsters! I set Twin Hydradrive Knight and Hydradrive Bringer!"

From the portal, a humanoid monster emerges. He wears armor on his sides with pauldrons on his shoulders and armored sleeves, with a black tight material with gold ornaments concealing his front. He's holding a golden bow paired with white arrows.

"Appear! Link 3, Archer Hydradrive Lord!" Haru summons his Link 3 monster in the zone previously occupied by Twin Hydradrive Knight, pointed by Judgement Arrows' Link Arrow.

Archer Hydradrive Lord (CYBERSE/EARTH/LINK/ATK: 2000/LM: Bottom, Bottom-Left, Upper-Right/LNK: 3)

"I activate Equip Spell: Hydradrive Impact! I equip it to Coolant Hydradrive!" Haru equips the card to his Link 1 Monster before turning to his Continuous Trap.

"I activate Hydrarive Chain's effect! I change your monsters' Attribute to the same as my monster and halve their ATKs!" Haru activates his Trap to once again change Pythia and Delphi's Attribute to WATER, the same as Coolant Hydradrive and once again halved their ATKs.

Olympios Stratos – Pythia ATK: 1800 = 900

Olympios Stratos – Delphi ATK: 1800 = 900

"When my opponent controls a monster with the same Attribute as Coolant Hydradrive, it can attack directly. And due to Hydradrive Impact's effect, all Battle Damage the equipped monster inflicts is doubled!" Haru reveals, already sporting a victorious smile.

"Battle! I attack directly with Coolant Hydradrive!" He declares Battle Phase. Due to Judgement Arrows' effect, Coolant Hydradrive's ATK is doubled.

Coolant Hydradrive ATK: 1000 = 2000

Coolant Hydradrive hisses as it looms over Holysaber, its claws raised, ready to shred the Olympios Stratos user. Even Holysaber is frozen for a second at the primal hostility displayed by the Hydradrive monster. But he quickly composes himself and presses his facedown card.

"Trap Card: Divine Evergreen! When I control a DIVINE Link Monster, all Battle Damage I receive is halved until the end of this turn!" Holysaber opens his facedown card, summoning evergreen leaves that act as a shield against Coolant Hydradrive's sharp claws. The Hydradrive Link Monster can only barely claw Holysaber.

Holysaber LP: 4000 = 2000

"Hmph. That'll only save you this turn. Before I crush you on my next turn, I'll scrap as many LP from you!" Haru is assured of his victory. He will take down Holysaber now and prove himself.

"I activate Archer Hydradrive Lord's effect! Once per turn I can change its Attribute to the same as one of the monsters that my opponent controls!" Archer Hydradrive Lord changes its Attribute to the same as Delphi, whose Attribute is WATER due to Hydradrive Chain's effect.

"Now, Archer Hydradrive, attack Delphi!" Haru declares his second attack. Due to Judgement Arrows' effect, his ATK is doubled.

Archer Hydradrive Lord ATK: 2000 = 4000

Archer Hydradrive Lord directs his arrow at Delphi, pulling the string of his bow with two arrows pointing. Once he has locked on his target, the Link 3 Hydradrive monster let go of the string, shooting the two arrows straight through the Olympios Stratos Link Monster, destroying it. However, due to Holysaber's Divine Evergreen, the damage is halved.

Holysaber LP: 2000 = 750

Despite the damage he has suffered, Holysaber smiles back at Haru, surprising and confusing the boy.

"I activate Delphi's effect! When it's destroyed by Battle or Effect, I can destroy a Trap Card that my opponent controls!" Holysaber reveals, pointing at Hydradrive Chain.

"What?!" Haru turns to his Continuous Trap Card and sees the chains start to weaken.

Delphi's spirit comes out from the Graveyard, obliterating the chains with a simple touch of her hand, freeing Pythia from its curse.

"I was hoping that you'd destroy Pythia. Had you destroyed her, your Link Magic would've been destroyed." Holysaber admits. Opposite from Delphi, if it was Pythia that got destroyed, then he can destroy a Magic Card. If Pythia was destroyed, he could pick Judgment Arrows, and following Judgment Arrows' destruction, all the monsters pointed by Judgment Arrows would've been destroyed as well, leaving Haru defenseless.

"But your Hydradrive Chain is also troublesome, so I guess this is fine." Holysaber now has one less card to worry about. And with this, he can proceed to his next step that can turn the tide to his favor.

"I end my turn." Haru concludes reluctantly. It's frustrating since he was so close. But next time, he'll wipe out that smug face.

And following the end of Battle Phase, both of his monsters' ATK reverts to normal.

Coolant Hydradrive ATK: 2000 = 1000

Archer Hydradrive Lord ATK: 4000 = 2000

"My turn. From my hand, I summon Saint Kuriboh." Holysaber summons Saint Kuriboh in Attack Position to the Main Monster Zone.

Saint Kuriboh (CYBERSE/DIVINE/EFFECT/ATK: 300/DEF: 200/LV: 1)

Haru scoffs at the summoning of the monster.

"Saint Kuriboh now? What are you going to do with that puny monster?" Haru comments mockingly, earning him a disdain look from the said monster.

"Don't mock my ace monster." Holysaber says sharply. His voice reprimanding, his eyes express his disapproval at Haru's comment.

"Ace? That thing? You must be joking." Haru can't believe that Holysaber would actually consider such a monster to be one of his ace monsters. True, Saint Kuriboh has quite a useful effect, but that only works if it has other monsters on the field. It doesn't deserve to be called an ace monster.

Holysaber wants to rebuke Haru's attitude towards not only his ace monster, but also one of his most favorite monsters. It's obvious what his opponent is thinking about Saint Kuriboh. He cannot accept his way of thinking. But he restraints himself. He knows it's useless to convey what he believes through words against such a narrow-minded person. The only way to silence that kind of person is through demonstration. And he'll make sure to rub it on Haru's face.

"Let's make him eat his words, Saint Kuriboh." Holysaber tells his ace monster.

"Kuri!" Saint Kuriboh replies determinedly.

"I activate Magic Card: Divine Link Draw. I can Draw cards from the top of my Deck equal to the Link Rating of a DIVINE Link 3 or lower Link Monster that I control." Holysaber controls Link 2 Pythia, so he draws two cards from the top of his Deck.

"When I control a Link Monster, I can Special Summon Olympios Stratos – Kyknos to the zone pointed by the Link Monster." Holysaber summons a swan-like monster that resembles Timios Kyknos, but smaller in size, having blonde pink feathers, and a pair of turquoise eyes. She's occupying the zone pointed by Pythia's Link Arrow where Delphi used to occupy.

Olympios Stratos – Kyknos (CYBERSE/DIVINE/PENDULUM/ATK: 1400/DEF: 800/LV: 4)

"Appear, the circuit that lights up the future!" Holysaber sets Pythia and Kyknos, setting Pythia to the Left Link Marker and Kyknos to the Bottom Link Marker.

"Link Summon! Link 2, Olympios Stratos – Toxotis!" Holysaber summons a humanoid male monster with fuchsia colored skin and angelic wing, wearing a light red chiton with an orange border, which is held by a round gold pin with a bow and arrow on his back.

Olympios Stratos – Toxotis (CYBERSE/DIVINE/LINK/ATK: 2000/LM: Left, Bottom/LNK: 2)

"When this card is on the field, you can only attack this monster or other monster with Attributes other than Divine. However, when this effect activates, he cannot be affected by other effects until the end of this turn." Holysaber states Toxotis' effect. This effect secured one of his prepared protections for Saint Kuriboh for the next turn. As the payment though, Mount Olympus' ATK increasing effect cannot be applied to Toxotis until the end of this turn.

"Battle! I attack Coolant Hydradrive with Toxotis!" Holysaber declared Battle Phase.

"You're attacking with that ATK?! Your monster would be destroyed too!" Haru reminds him. Since Coolant Hydradrive's ATK would be doubled due to Judgment Arrows' effect, its ATK would become 2000, the exact same as Toxotis.

Coolant Hydradrive ATK: 1000 = 2000

Toxotis, following his master's command, releases his arrow, just as Coolant Hydradrive is closing in with its claws. Contrary to Haru's expectation, Toxotis' arrow pierces through Coolant Hydradrive, destroying that Link Monster alone while Toxotis remains standing on the field.

"Have you forgotten? With Saint Kuriboh's effect, all DIVINE Monsters cannot be destroyed by Battle or Effect." Holysaber reminds Haru, smiling in satisfaction. "Looks like you haven't done your homework, since you don't remember the effect of a puny monster I have here."

Haru's face slightly reddens in embarrassment at Holysaber's sarcasm. Holysaber must hold himself back from smiling wider after seeing the boy's reaction.

"I end my turn." Holysaber concludes.

Haru's fury intensified. "Talk while you can! In the end, you only got rid of Coolant Hydradrive without even lowering my LP! I'll end you now!" Even if he had lost Coolant Hydradrive, he still has Archer Hydradrive Lord. His Link 3 Monster is more than enough to finish off the Olympios Stratos user for good this turn.

"I activate Archer Hydradrive Lord's effect! Once per turn I can change its Attribute to the same as one of the monsters that my opponent controls and destroy that monster!" Haru points to Toxotis. His plan is to first destroy the Link 2 DIVINE Monster and then destroy Saint Kuriboh through Battle once Toxotis is out of the picture.

"I'll crush his so-called ace monster!" Haru has set his eyes on Saint Kuriboh as his target. He's looking forward to seeing how Holysaber looks like when his beloved puny ace monster is destroyed...

[ERROR]

"Huh?" Haru is dumbfounded when a notification appears from his Duel Disk.

[EFFECT CANNOT BE ACTIVATED]

"What?! What's happening?!" Haru tries to reactivate Archer Hydradrive Lord's effect again, but the same notification keeps appearing no matter how many times he try.

On the other side of the field, Holysaber is as confused as Haru. He has readied himself to face Archer Hydradrive Lord's effect, but then this happens. The Hydradrive Link Monster cannot activate its effect. How come? It could activate it just fine against Delphi in the previous turn. Is there an error in the Duel Disk? No. Judging from Haru's expression, that is not the case. Then what is happening?

"Why?! Why can't I change the Attribute?!" Haru says in vexing tone. He could activate it when he used it on Delphi before. Why now it doesn't work? What has he done wrong?

'Divine Cards are special.'

Haru gasps as he recalls his earlier conversation before challenging Holysaber. That moment flows naturally in his head.

'Power of the Divine only belongs to the Divine ones. Perhaps you can damage the Divine ones, but making their power your own is something beyond you. Beyond everyone.'

"Is that it?! I can't use any effect that'll make my own monster a DIVINE Attribute?!" Haru looks at his cards and Holysaber's cards in disbelief. The only reason it was possible for him to affect Delphi before was because he changed her Attribute to WATER. But now, because he couldn't change their Attribute, because Toxotis' Attribute remains DIVINE, he can't change it.

Is this the power of the Divine Deck's programming?

Haru grits his teeth. No. He can think about that later. Even if he can't destroy Toxotis through effect, he can still destroy it through Battle. Thanks to Judgment Arrows, Archer Hydradrive Lord's ATK is higher than Toxotis. Even if Toxotis' ATK is increased through Mount Olympus' effect, it won't be enough to hold against Archer Hydradrive Lord. And Holysaber's LP is only 750. He cannot survive 1800 damage. It's a pity that he can't destroy Saint Kuriboh, but victory in his hand.

"Battle! I attack Toxotis with Archer Hydradrive Lord!" Haru declares his Battle Phase, doubling Archer Hydradrive Lord's ATK with Judgment Arrows in the process.

Archer Hydradrive Lord ATK: 2000 = 4000

The Hydradrive Link Monster releases his three arrows, together, they form golden serpent-shaped aura towards the Olympios Stratos Link Monster.

"I activate Olympios Stratos – Lykos' effect from the Graveyard! When a DIVINE monster I control is targeted for an attack while this card is in the Graveyard, I can banish this card to end the Battle Phase!" Holysaber banishes his wolf-like monster from his Graveyard, activating its effect.

"What?!" Haru exclaims, not expecting that Holysaber still has a card that can save him from this situation.

Toxotis narrowly evades the three arrows, safely surviving the Battle Phase. With that attack passes, the Battle Phase ended.

"A card that can end Battle Phase?" Haru looks at Holysaber as realization dawns in. That card was the card that Holysaber discarded through Mount Olympus' effect on his first turn. If he had that kind of card from the beginning, why didn't he use it before? He could've used it and saved himself from receiving so much damage.

"You bastard...! You really are underestimating me! You didn't use that card earlier because you're playing around with me!" Haru's rage is at its peak. In his mind, he is growing larger and larger, expanding with unbearable fury, ready to explode at any second.

"Trust me. I would never seek joy in playing around with my opponent. If I am, I won't be doing this." Holysaber replies calmly. He initially never intended to rile up Haru this far. And it's true that not even once did he underestimate Haru. Although, even if he said that, it won't lessen the rage that his opponent has towards him. Besides, he also insulted Saint Kuriboh, so if Haru wants to believe that then so be it. It's partially the boy's own fault for having a short temper.

"I activate Magic Card: Resurrection of the Dead. I Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard." Holysaber revives Pythia to the Main Monster Zone in Attack Position. With this, everything is in place. The time has come.

"From my hand, I summon Olympios Stratos – Iatros." Holysaber summons Iatros to the Main Monster Zone in Attack Position.

"Appear! The circuit that lights the future!" Holysaber sets Iatros to the Bottom-Right Link Marker.

"Link Summon! Link 1, Olympios Stratos – Gondolieris!" Holysaber summons Gondolieris to the Extra Monster in Attack Position.

Olympios Stratos - Gondolieris (CYBERSE/DIVINE/LINK/ATK: 1400/LM: Bottom-Right/LNK: 1)

With this everything is in place.

"I'm doing this to fulfill the necessary condition to summon that monster." Holysaber raises his right arm above, "Come forth! The circuit that lights up the future!"

Holysaber summons the Link Portal. He sets the Link 2 Pythia to the Bottom-Left and Bottom-Right Link Markers, and Toxotis to the Upper-Left and Top Link Markers, combining the circuit.

"God of sun who sees the future, pierce through the darkness of evil with your blinding light! Link Summon! Appear, Link 4, Olympios Stratos – Veli Apollon!" Holysaber summons a male humanoid monster with long hair resembling burning flame. He wears a red tunic with a sun in the center and a red Greek-style helmet with a yellow plume that carries white strips. He is holding a crimson-colored bow and black-colored arrows on his back.

Olympios Stratos – Veli Apollon (DIVINE/CYBERSE/LINK/ATK: 0/LM: Bottom-left, Bottom-right, Upper-left, Top/LNK: 4)

"I activate Veli Apollon's effect! Once per turn, I can change my opponent's card's Link Arrow to the same as one of the Link monsters that I control until the end of turn. In exchange, I can't attack with other Link Monster I control!" Holysaber states, pointing at Haru's Judgment Arrows. This is the moment he has been waiting for.

"What?! My Link Arrows?!" Haru is dumbstruck. He had never heard of a monster that can change the number of Link Rating. How is that even possible?

"I choose your Judgment Arrows' Link Rating and my Gondolieris' Link Arrow! Astheneia Light!" Holysaber declares.

Apollo to summon an orb of blinding light, as bright as the sun itself, changing Judgment Arrows' Link Arrow to the same as Gondolieris' Link Arrow, which is only one, the Bottom Link Arrow. Judgment Arrows' Link Arrows that previously consisted of Upper-Right, Top, and Upper-Left are now reduced to only one Bottom Arrow. And because of the change in Link Arrow, Archer Hydradrive Lord is not pointed by Judgment Arrow, meaning its ATK won't be doubled during Battle Phase.

"That's why he summoned Gondolieris of all the monsters he has! To stop me from using Judgment Arrows!" Haru seethes.

"I know that getting rid of Judgment Arrows would be difficult. That's why I came up with this countermeasure." If he can't destroy it, then he'll just lessen its effectiveness. That's the idea he came up with after he got Apollon.

"But even without Judgment Arrows, my LP is still higher than yours! Even if you destroy Archer Hydradrive Lord, I still have my LP to survive for the next turn!" Haru argues.

"No. There won't be a next turn for you." Holysaber shuts down his argument, turning to Apollon, "When Apollon is Link Summoned when my LP is below 1000, it gains ATK equal to the total loss from my original LP."

Holysaber's current LP is 750. His original LP is 4000. Counting what he had lost, Apollon's ATK increased by 3250.

Olympios Stratos – Veli Apollon ATK: 0 = 3250

"ATK of 3250?!" Haru takes a step back in shock. He is once again hit with another realization. That's why Holysaber didn't use Lykos' effect until later. He purposely let himself receive huge amount of damage to increase the points for Apollon's ATK when he summons it. He had been planning this from the very beginning.

"Battle! I attack Hydradrive with Apollon!" Holysaber declares the last Battle Phase. Due to Mount Olympus' effect, Veli Apollon's ATK is increased by 200.

Olympios Stratos – Veli Apollon ATK: 3250 = 3450

"Ilios Shot!"

Apollon points his arrows at Archer Hydradrive Lord, who is also pointing his own arrows. Both Link Monsters release their arrows at the same time. Archer Hydradrive's arrows form into a golden serpent, while Apollon's arrows form into a white serpent. The two serpents wrestle against each other with their fangs, but the white serpent quickly vanquishes the golden serpent and then swallows Archer Hydradrive Lord whole, reducing the Hydradrive Monster into ashes, pushing Haru backwards.

Haru LP: 3000 = 450

"To end this, I'll let you have a taste of the attack from my ace that you called puny." Holysaber cannot let that insult towards Saint Kuriboh slide. He is proud of having Saint Kuriboh fighting by his side. Just as Saint Kuriboh is fighting for him, he will also fight for his little friend.

"Go, Saint Kuriboh! Direct Attack!" Holysaber declares his one last attack. Saint Kuriboh's ATK is also increased by 200 thanks to Mount Olympus' effect.

Saint Kuriboh ATK: 400 = 600

Saint Kuriboh flies straight at the defenseless Haru, the halo above its head shines, enveloping Saint Kuriboh in an energy light. Saint Kuriboh curls itself into a ball, tackling Haru straight to his abdomen, throwing him back.

Haru LP: 450 = 0

Haru falls on his back, groaning in pain from the last attack. Holysaber jumps to Haru's side while the boy is struggling to sit up.

"I won. You're going to answer my questions now." Holysaber demands, looking down at the boy who finally managed to sit up, glaring back at Holysaber.

Holysaber takes a step forward, ready to interrogate him, cracks suddenly appear on the statues. Gradually, the statues start to fall apart. They are collapsing. Haru takes the opportunity when Holysaber gets distracted to summon his D-Board and jumps to it, flying towards to the direction of the gladiator statues.

"Wait!" Holysaber also summons his D-Board, chasing after Haru.

Upon his arrival, the gladiator statues also collapsing, Haru is helping his brother riding on the D-Board and Playmaker is also riding on his D-Board as the statues falls beneath the clouds.

"My brother and I will come back! Stay tuned!" Haru tells Playmaker and Holysaber before disappearing into the clouds along with Bohman, leaving Playmaker and Holysaber by themselves.

"Playmaker! Holysaber!" Soon after, Soulburner and Flame arrive, sporting the same expression as them with their surroundings begins to shake and everything starts to disappear into blue data.

"The world is vanishing!" Ai says in panic.

"The whole Wind World is destabilizing!" Flame warns them.

"We'll be in trouble if we stay here. Let's use the escape program to log out!" Soulburner suggests. He activates the program immediately after he said so, logging out from the collapsing server.

Holysaber and Playmaker nod at each other, activating the program as well, escaping before they disappear into the void along with the Wind World.

NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW:

Chapter 9 – Fumito Tohdo: Seeing everyone low in spirit due to their failure in capturing Bohman and Haru, Kazue took them to one of Hibiki Enterprise's branches for a break under the pretext of helping the company's research. While they're bonding, Kento starts to share the memory of his late best friend.

LIST OF ORIGINAL CARDS

Holysaber's Card

Olympios Stratos – Pythia (CYBERSE/DIVINE/LINK/ATK: 1800/LM: Bottom-Left, Right/LNK: 2): 2 Monsters. When this card is co-linked with Olympios Stratos – Delphi, you can inflict 500 damage to your opponent once per turn. When this card is destroyed by Battle or Effect, you can destroy 1 Magic Card your opponent controls.

Olympios Stratos – Lyra (CYBERSE/DIVINE/EFFECT/ATK: 400/DEF: 600/LV: 2): When a DIVINE Monster is Special Summoned, you can Special Summon this card from your hand. And when this effect resolves, you Special Summon 1 Olympios Token in Defense Position. When you battle an opponent's monster while this card is in Graveyard, you can banish this card to switch the attack of your monster and your opponents.

Olympios Stratos – Delphi (CYBERSE/DIVINE/LINK/ATK: 1800/LM: Upper-Right, Left/LNK: 2): 2 Monsters. When this card is co-linked with Olympios Stratos – Pythia, you can inflict 500 damage to your opponent once per turn. When this card is destroyed by Battle or Effect, you can destroy 1 Trap Card your opponent controls.

Divine Evergreen (Trap Card): When you control a DIVINE Link Monster, all Battle Damage you receive is halved.

Olympios Stratos – Lykos (CYBERSE/DIVINE/EFFECT/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1200/LV: 5): When a DIVINE monster you control is targeted for an attack while this card is in the Graveyard, you can banish this card to end the Battle Phase.

Olympios Stratos – Veli Apollon (DIVINE/CYBERSE/LINK/ATK: 0/LM: Bottom-left, Bottom-right, Upper-left, Top/LNK: 4): At least 1 DIVINE Link Monster. If this card is Link Summoned while your LP is below 1000, it gains ATK equal to the total loss from your original LP. Once per turn, you can change the number of your opponent's card's Link Arrows to the same as one of the Link Monsters that you control until the end of turn.

Haru's Card

Hydradrive Chain (Continuous Trap): Once during both player's turn, you can change the Attribute of one of your opponent's monsters to the Attribute of a monster you control until the end of turn.

Archer Hydradrive Lord (CYBERSE/EARTH/LINK/ATK: 2000/LM: Bottom, Bottom-Left/LNK: 3): 2 or more Hydradrive Monsters. Once per turn, you can target one monster your opponent controls, change this card's Attribute to that monster's and destroy that monster.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

The way the anime treated Haru has always been bothering me to this day. There were so many opportunities where they could've given Haru the spotlight, but no, they just made him another sacrificial pawn in favor of other things and completely rushed his writing. Since he and Bohman are brothers and it's evident that Haru is precious to Bohman, Haru should've been given more appearances.

This is one of those times I prefer TCG name more than OCG. Hydradrive sounds more unique and fitting for the monsters than simply Highdrive.

The next chapter is what you've been waiting for, the introduction to Kento's best friend and Kazue's boyfriend. Look forward to it~

Please do not forget to review this chapter. Your review keeps me motivated to continue writing.

TRIVIA

- Translation of the Greek names in this chapter:

1. Pythia: Based on the high priestess of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi.

2. Delphi: Based on an ancient sacred precinct and the seat of Pythia. Apollo is the patron deity of Delphi.

3. Lyra: Greek for "lyre".

4. Lykos: Greek for "wolf".

5. Veli Apollon: Veli means "arrows" and "Apollon" is how Apollo is written and pronounced in Greek.

6. Toxotis: Greek for "archer".

7. Astheneia: Greek for "illness". Apollo delivered people from epidemics, yet he is also a god who could bring ill health and deadly plague with his arrows.

8. Ilios: Greek for "sun".