Duel Terminal
By 7th Librarian
A/N: Hello, everyone! Back from hiatus and real life! As a reminder. FanFiction now requires you to opt-into email alerts every six months AND you may have to whitelist the bot FanFiction uses to your email to ensure you get updates. This is to cut back on server traffic due to dead or abandoned accounts receiving all the updates and alerts, etc.
In other news - there is no other news. Just story! So enjoy!
Chapter 14: The Puppet Strings Pull Both Ways
Wembley Stadium was big. Big in size at nearly one kilometer in circumference, big in capacity at being able to hold ninety thousand rabid fans for whatever event it was hosting and big in service given it had more than two thousand toilets.
All of which added up to one, very, very big security nightmare.
Fortitude had done military service before branching into private security for over a decade and stadiums were, in his opinion, were right up there with skyscrapers and tunnels being the worst places to try and keep someone safe. Let alone ninety thousand people.
The stadium wasn't an airport; there was no way they could have gates and scanners at all the entrances; all it would take was one overzealous fan being denied his big foam finger or Yugi Mouto hair wig and a riot would form. Worse still was that because the stadium was built for the audience and not security, you had only maybe ten or so guards per one thousand people. And while Dark Virtue's guards were very visible in body armor and weapons that could let them one-v-one a tank, one hundred people would leave that armor feeling like cardboard if someone got the wrong idea in their heads.
"You really need to enjoy the tournament, sir." The man speaking to him was his aide - brisk in tone, professional in a three-piece-suit and slightly unnerving in his unfailing pleasantness. "The European Championship went over just fine last month. And we had both of the Pegasi in attendance along with the potential Signers. The only trouble there was a few fans trying to get backstage."
"Look, Aide," Fortitude wasn't being mean, he honestly didn't know the man's name and he hadn't known the last one's, either. None of the Virtues knew the names, but the 'Aides' all seemed to come from the same family tree, so he could only hazard that the DV's higher-ups had something to keep the Virtues themselves on a leash. Or maybe the job risk was too high for normal people - every Virtue had a few stories about losing an Aide to violence. "My job here is to provide security for the venue, not watch a tournament. I know the British are good with their security details around this, but if magic starts flying, all of that will go out the window."
"Fair enough, sir." Aide didn't seem bothered by the rebuttal. "I was just trying to assuage some of your stress. There are no major or notable names in Duel Monsters or in Britain here today."
Fortitude frowned as he stared out at the stadium full of people. That was one of the rubs of running security - you had to prioritize things. You had to assign human life a value and pay more attention to the people with the better value. It was one thing in the private sector - you were paid to by the person to save them and not be a hero. But in public spaces like this - he might as well have told people that if a crisis happened, they had to pay their way out.
Not that weren't some people out there whose money he'd never take; too tainted. "I don't think Vivianna and her little cadre would appreciate you considering them 'unimportant' names, Aide. If something goes wrong and they die, the Luxiel Church might as well announce a holy war against their killers."
Now it was Aide's turn to frown in annoyance. "The Luxiel Church is a step backwards, in my opinion, sir. Their doctrine is built on 'othering' and the denial of magic and anything that isn't 'native' to Earth. And while they haven't done anything wrong - that we can prove beyond doubt - I do feel that our job would be much easier if the Church was lessened."
"You're not wrong. But we can't persecute anyone for what they believe just because they believe in it. It's our job to protect all of humanity, not just the portions we like." Fortitude replied, moving away from the windows and popping the fridge to grab a drink. He ignored the fine whiskeys and vodka, seizing something orange and carbonated. "Do we at least know why they're bothering to be here?"
Aide consulted his tablet. "It appears to be just as they say it to be - they're showing up to be spectators and be more active in the public eye. The Darkborn attacks in Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro have put everyone on edge. And there was that recent Rare Hunter strike just the other day in Hamleys. Witnesses reported there was a Ghoul among them and they escaped in a dark cloud of mist."
Fortitude nodded absently, popping the lid off his drink with that pleasant hiss. "I think the Luxiellians know something we don't. They did approach Hester Sandwich the other day." He took a strong chug of his drink and nearly spat it out as the sugary concoction hissed over his tongue. "Land alive, what am I drinking?"
"That would be Iron-Bru, sir. I would have warned you, but I felt the Virtue named for courage would fine sampling foreign drinks." Aide said with that brisk, amusement-tinged tone. "And do you think Ms. Sandwich is going to use her finals match to declare herself for the Luxiel Church or something like it?"
"I didn't say I didn't like it - I asked what it was." To prove his point, Fortitude took another swing and felt he managed to keep most of his reaction off his face. "But no, I don't think Hester is going to announce she's a Luxiellian. But she is Britain's Number One Duelist. Maybe they were recruiting or testing the waters - trying to collect some duelists to go after Bellerophon Pegasus."
Aide's eyebrow rose. "That is pure speculation, sir. We have no evidence that the Luxiel Church wants to make any kind of moves against the Pegasus family. And what would they gain if they did?"
"Vivianna is the mother of Verthandi Von Schroeder, one of our confirmed Signers. Both Vivianna and Belldandy are Luxiel Church's Icons and they regard all foreign magical powers like the Crimson Dragon as 'Aberrations'." Fortitude reminded the other. "The ascent of the Crimson Dragon has to be something they dread."
"And how would recruiting ordinary duelists - talented, yes, but normal humans - help that?"
"Just a theory Charity thought up. One I don't like, but only because it's scarily possible." Fortitude explained. "It's like this. Everything big in the last few decades - the Orichalcos, the troubles at Duel Academy, Darkness, what-have-you, all of it comes back to Duel Monsters. And while it's been the medium to fight those things, there's an argument to be made that none of that would have happened if Duel Monsters didn't exist. And there's only one man to blame for the game existing."
Aide's eyes widened slightly. "You don't mean to think that the Luxiel Church is going to demonize the Pegasus family and - and - launch a coup against them?"
"Maybe, maybe not. People always want someone to blame, a face and a name. It's been that way since humanity crawled out of the ocean. Give something a name, a face, an identity and suddenly, your big, broad, scary problems become that much more manageable. You have a target to focus on and an end that can be met if you kill it." Fortitude said as he drank.
"But the Pegasus family owns Duel Monsters - owns the very patent! If you remove them -"
"Then the Luxiel Church has complete control of the largest game on the planet and the weapon by which humanity defends itself." Fortitude finished for him. "And while I don't think they can just pull a Bride Tournament to try and force their way in, public pressure might be more effective. Imagine the world's reaction if dozens or hundreds of the world's greatest Duelists talk about how they love the game, how passionate they are - but the Pegasus family is behind the times and unfriendly to the very people who make the game their livelihood."
"Sir, that is quite the theory, yes, but…" Aide trailed off and shook his head. "No. The Pegasus family is too entrenched in the game; they are its foundation."
"Sure. But what happens when the public finds out that Bellerophon Pegasus and his wife are servants to a very real, very powerful god that is in our Solar System? That his religion allows for polygamy? That he can call on that god whenever he wants? Or he has to obey it?" Fortitude stared out at the jam-packed stadium. "Think about all the things we have to do and mitigate the sheer idea of ninety thousand people panicking here. One lit cigarette, one person pulling the fire alarm, one bad fight - and they become a stampeding tidal wave of destruction. Except the Luxiel Church wants the Pegasus family to try and resist the whole world."
His aide went silent for a long moment before returning attention to his tablet and making some new notes on it. "But if they were to fail at that, the Luxiel Church would ruin their reputation and public goodwill. Moreover, that would give us direct cause to move against them in force. Though I suppose they have considered those outcomes, too…"
"Probably. But like I said, it's just a theory. And it revolves around keeping the public happy, one way or another. In that, Dark Virtue and the Luxiel Church are the same. Trying to keep the public puppets dancing to our tunes while making sure they don't strangle us with them."
"Such a positive outlook, sir."
"I'm Fortitude, not Joy."
There was an amusing smirk again. "I would have thought in the face of such cynicism, it would be the courageous thing to be happy, anyway."
Fortitude laughed. "You got me there. I'll try to keep it in mind in the future."
"Already added to your daily alerts, sir."
"Thanks." Fortitude rolled his eyes. The Aides were damn good at their jobs, even if not one of the Virtues could figure out where Dark Virtue was getting them from. But sometimes their all-professional all-the-time attitudes were a bit ridiculous.
Out on the playing field, the semi-finals were starting. The announcer was warming up the crowd, there was a pleasant buzz in the air and more talking about the World League Tournament happening next year. There were whole sections of at least a few hundred fans dressed in colors for their favorites, one whole section was holding up those silly posters that formed a picture of Ancient Gear Golem with the words 'Ancient Gear's Best Gear is Victory!' on it.
Fortitude couldn't enjoy the festivities. His eyes were always scanning, always looking, trying to find something out of place or not right. That little shift in the wind that heralded a sudden storm. He knew it was coming; years of practical experience had ingrained that skill in him.
And like every time before, he hoped he could weather it enough to keep people alive.
TTTTTTT
"Why are you naked?!"
"You told me to pick my own swimsuit, so I did. My all natural one." Jackie smirked, Lero trying not to stare too openly and Verthy's expression was stunned. "You got a problem with it?"
"Ja! Ja!" Verthy said briskly as she marched up to her. "It is unbecoming and insulting! To appear in front of me like this! I cannot even find words!"
"Tough tits." Jackie crossed her arms. "You wanted me in a swimsuit, this is me in a swimsuit!"
"Oh, I can see that!" Verthy huffed. "But why would you go naked when there is an incredible selection of swimsuits for you to frame yourself in!"
"Wait, what?"
"Come with me, my dear - as flattering as your nudity is, a secret is better hidden than revealed. I can find something to stuff you in that will make our boyfriend stare at you even harder than he already is."
"I am not staring," Lero replied automatically and quickly switched his gaze to the pool where Artemis was happily doing laps.
"Do more than that - Sky Horse - " Jackie lunged for him, but Verthy caught her by the upper arm and began to pull her into the mansion. "Aggghh! Noooooo! I don't want to be fashionable! I want to be rude and upsetting!"
"Trust me, I have things in my closet that will allow you to be all the things, Jackie. Ooooh, with that your skin, probably something in white and with a lot of string…"
Lero watched them go, musing that Verthy looked a lot frailer than Jackie, but that month of training with him had given the German woman some hidden strength - Jackie was looking more like a windsock than a person resisting.
Thoughts of his training brought to mind his deck. He had left it at the dojo, per his master's request. He hadn't been banned from using the Cyber Style cards, but Zane had insisted that the actual cards of Lero's deck carried a lot of negative energy and bad emotions with them. To be frank, Lero couldn't argue. It was the deck he'd built nearly ten years ago and had sat collecting dust and resentment during that time. And when I finally got to use it again, it was to duel to save Rosie, then my guests at the Bride Tournament, then trying to survive against Chrysaor and then losing when I was defending Verthy's honor.
No, that wasn't quite right - he hadn't been defending her honor; he'd been trying to satisfy his own pride with that duel. There had been no reason to duel Selinde, even if their Signer Marks had been glowing. Hell, that had been a better reason to just leave the area and go away. Yet I still dueled her to somehow prove to her I was worthy of Verthy's attention and love.
And his deck had refused to cooperate, its spirit as stiff and unyielding as his plays during that duel had been. A tool he had been using for far too long, ignoring how it was rusting away right in front of his eyes.
Lero closed his eyes, catching a vague memory from so many years ago. He and his Dad building his first tournament quality deck. How much fun it had been to dig through the cards and mix'n'match stacks of them for combinations and ideas. His Dad's excitement at Lero's enthusiasm and Lero's own child-like admiration when they had dueled and his Dad had beaten him with a deck built out of the scraps of their efforts.
It was so simple, then. He had been having a good time with Duel Monsters, doing things for the sake of doing them and the enjoyment that brought him.
Zane had been right; Verthy was right; he needed this to be fun for him again. And that meant chasing up silly ideas until they worked. His 'Cyber Space' deck wasn't bad, but only to a point - an OTK deck only had so many ways to press the 'I Win!' button.
Sitting up, he grabbed the nearby laptop and opened it. He pinged Plato to bring him a fizzy drink, then opened up the I2 database and a spreadsheet before getting to work. First things first, three Cyber Dragons. And then he needed to tap into one of those structure decks that would be released alongside the New Dimensions campaign.
He was going to need some Union monsters.
TTTTTTTT
In truth, no matter how alert someone was, it was always - always - more likely that when disaster struck, you had to survive its first move and hope you could mitigate the damage before it got worse. Always reactionary, always defensive.
Thankfully, Fortitude had some of the best reactions in the business.
The moment the Wembley Stadium's open dome had been engulfed in the creeping black mist and the first screams of panicked awareness began to erupt from the crowd, he'd been in motion and pressed the button on his mic that let him override the PA system. "Do not panic; remain in your seats and wait for security to let your section out of the stadium! Leave all non-essential belongings!"
Such requests normally only reached a few ears and calmed even fewer people. But being a Dark Virtue wasn't just for nothing; the magic in his voice resonated and echoed across the stadium, stalling the explosion of panicked fear of ninety thousand people.
For the moment.
His next decision was dictated by a fountain of black mist in the center of the pitch. The duelists and referee had already cleared the area, but they wouldn't have had a choice given he saw - was that a castle spire emerging? "Aide - "
"Teams have been dispatched, but all our exits are blocked by the mist. Reinforcements are on the way, but they'll have to tunnel to reach us." Aide said quickly. "The mist is confirmed to be identical to several other attacks where multiple Numbers were present."
That didn't make any sense; Dark Virtue and I2 had already found the duelists with Numbers and quietly removed them from the tournament via accusations of cheating or sudden illness. That meant the mist only showed up in secure locations, where a combat team and magic would repel it; it never got further than being creepy. Had they missed some Numbers somehow? Had a duelist managed to restrain their desire to battle and was hiding in the crowd? Had-?
Had someone else knowingly brought Numbers here?
Fortitude's gaze jumped from the rising castle to across the stadium where he knew the Luxiel Church members were seated. He couldn't truly see that far, even with his enhancements, but there was an auspicious gap in the seats.
Would they really put people in danger to further their aims? Or was it mere bad luck? Dark Virtue hadn't gotten all of the Numbers present in England before the tournament reached this stage; it had been assumed once word got around the holders were being targeted, the Numbers fled. Yet, if the Luxiel Church had also been collecting them and had come here to deal with more of what they thought of as Aberrations and brought the ones they had…
He grit his teeth. He was never going to get an answer to those questions and right now, they weren't a priority. That castle was. And his influence over the crowd would wane if he didn't take charge further.
If he didn't have the courage.
But Fortitude had never lacked that.
He shoved the skybox window open and jumped out, sliding briefly down the side before landing on the railing strung between two sections. He ran down it, leapfrogging with inhumane grace and motion to clear the second level and skid down the first level's railings like some kind of roller blade trick, minus the roller blades.
By the time he flipped his way onto the pitch, the castle had risen out of the mist. Dark gold stone spires and uneven walls gave the fortress a rugged, natural look as if it had been carved free of something rather than built.
"I want everyone on the first level to evacuate to either the second level or the concourse." Fortitude ordered into his microphone. "Remain calm and do so after the guards have confirmed it's safe for you to do so. If we all keep it together, we'll all get out of this safe."
He'd barely finished speaking before he could see three sections of people stand up at the urging of their guards and move away; it looked like some of them were pausing to let the wheelchair-bound or elderly through first. Though Fortitude didn't know whether to ascribe that to his ability's effects or sheer ingrained British politeness.
The mist swirled out of the castle, casting an ankle-keep layer of black mist across the pitch. There was a stir of movement at the castle's base, followed by the clank of metal boots in formation as figures began to spill from it like a magician yanking a sheet off of a surprise.
Duel Spirits. Lizard Soldiers, Troop Dragons, Soldier Dragons, at least a hundred in total if not more.
And at the back, standing atop a Serpent Night Dragon, was a skeleton wearing a crown. He raised both his arms, the little army stopping in perfect formation as his voice echoed, magically amplified and deep despite lacking vocal cords. "Humans! I am Schelderoi, King of Skull Servants and with me are soldiers of New Dawn! We have come here to seek recompense for your destruction of our world!"
That sent a ripple through the crowd and Fortitude frowned. Declarations like that are never good…
" What we desire - and what you will give us - is your Barian energy! The energy of conflict and war!" Schelderoi lowered his arms and his troops began to spread out. "And here, in this place you have built for battle, we shall have it! Fight, resist and wage against us all that you can! It is the least you can do for the death you have caused upon our home!"
Another ripple, heavier this time and the tension in the stadium rose. Fortitude stepped forwards, a muttered spell causing a soft flare of blue light around him that scattered the mist like a small bomb. The troops instantly stopped spreading out and focused on him, Schelderoi's dragon hissing in warning. "If you want Barian energy, then you can have it! But you and I both know that more energy is created from a duel than an actual war!"
Schelderoi made a grand gesture and his dragon snaked over his troops, lowering its head enough to loom over Fortitude. "And what's this, human? Are you proposing that you duel all of my soldiers and myself instead of the rest of the beings here? No one can possess that much energy!"
"I'm not proposing anything, Schelderoi. I'm demanding." Fortitude swept out his hand and blue flames ignited in front of the hallways leading off the field. "I am the Dark Virtue, Fortitude. And so long as my will remains firm, you will never be able to pass."
Schelderoi stared at him, then tilted his head back as his shoulders shook in silent laughter. "What a firm will, human! You may be worth more than the other souls here! And yet, if you are so determined to protect them, champion, then I'm sure a few hundred missing will temper your will even sharper!" He lifted a finger and his dragon reared up. "Nightmare Sonic Blast!"
"No!" Fortitude reached out with his hand and his magic, blue flames leaping up from the ground, but not spreading fast enough or tall enough to protect everyone. The dragon shrieked, the noise ringing in his ears as energy crescents leapt from in an indiscriminate barrage.
Before they could impact, translucent barriers edge in soft glowing light sprang up in front of the screaming crowds. The blasts slammed into the barriers, some of them cracking and others wavering like flags but none of them fell.
"Hear me, Aberration! The Luxiel Church stands against all that threaten humanity!"
Fortitude twisted his head, watching in frustration as in a burst of soft light, Vivianna Schafer arrived. She was sitting atop her Siege Perilous, the chair itself atop a small dias and looking for all the world like she owned the place. He could see other members of the Church, all wearing the same steel-colored robes stitched to look like battle armor. All of them looked strained as they held up their barriers, but none of them looked like they were willing to back down. The strain on them has to be immense…
"Eh? Another champion to battle?" Schelderoi gestured and his dragon wriggled higher into the air to let him look at Vivianna. "And Abberations? How insulting - I may be undead, but I have a life!"
Vivianna ignored him, sweeping her hand through the air. As she did, she pulled a war banner out the ether, three golden crowns resting on an azure background. She slammed it into the dias, generating a sharp ringing that swept across the mist like a heavy wind. "In the name of King Arthur, of Britannia and humankind, we stand against you, Aberration! Return from whence you came or be impaled upon our blades!"
Schelderoi threw his head back in that silent laugh again. "You -! You are an interesting human! Very well, champions! We will battle and claim what we are owed! The New Dawn rises!"
His dragon wove its way over to Vivianna and Fortitude started to move after them, only to have to leap back as roots spilled out of the turf.
"Your battle is with me, human." The soldiers parted to reveal a tall woman clad in a simple ballgown adorned with playful ribbons. Her eyes were too bright, her hair spun gold. "I am Queen Bouquet and you will be the sacrifice."
She looks like a doll brought to life. Fortitude stowed the thought away and pulled out a Pocket Disk, putting it on. "I am no one's sacrifice, Your Majesty. I will not let you harm the people under my care."
"Is that so? Then we are the same - committed to our goals to the utmost, no matter how great a folly they are." Queen Bouquet lifted her arm, a Duel Disk made of flowers blooming there. "There is aught but to walk the path now, human."
"Couldn't have said it better myself."
"DUEL!" (QBLP:8000) (FLP:8000)
TTTTTTT
The isolation tank wasn't nearly as bad as Lero thought it was going to be. Oh, it was still rather suffocating, given its intended purpose, but the interior was comfortingly warm and there were some waterproof switches for both interior lights and popping open the hatch if it got too much for him.
No one had told him about the boredom.
Lero closed his eyes and tried to relax. There was no sound except of his own breathing, he could barely feel the water around him and there was no smell. He just had to focus on nothing and left himself to drift…on an ocean…atop Jackie in that white bikini…
God dammit!
He could feel something else, now. Verthy and Jackie reached through their link, supporting him, comforting him, encouraging him to do this. That, more than anything, helped him relax. He wasn't alone in here, not really. And if this worked, he wouldn't be alone inside his own head anymore, either.
He lost track of everything. Sensation. His own breathing. Even the awareness of his body. There was nothing at all.
And then in that nothing, the all-encompassing nothing that was his being, there was something greater.
The air was saturated with the smell of popcorn and sticky with half-melted chocolate. A charge coursed through him, drawn in like he was a magnet and the collective energy, desires and willpower of a hundred thousand people were iron shavings. It made the hairs on the back of his neck prick as he stepped through the dark entryway and was blinded in equal measure by the blazing lights and the crowd's roar.
Another step and he was past the false curtain, bathing in the thick blanket of cold meant to ensure that all the advanced technology didn't overheat and that the duelists didn't suffer from drowsiness or heat exhaustion.
But the stadium was empty and his next footstep echoed impossibly loud in the hollowness. No cheering crowd in the seats, no hawking vendors, no booming announcer, no giant-sized holograms hyping everyone up.
Yet the charge of power was still there and as Lero scanned the vacant seats, he realized the music was as well..
"You think I've got it all? Everyone thinks I've got it made. Well, how come the only friends are the ones I've paid? No one understands what I'd do to change my life for just one day!"
Lero heard the lyrics and could not help but laugh. His old theme song? That was something he'd completely forgotten about in the last ten years. And hearing it placed this location for him. It was the first stadium he'd entered as a professional duelist, during the finals of his very first tournament.
The source of the music was easy to find. It was a woman standing in the center of the arena floor. Her platinum hair flew wildly as she rocked out hard on an electric guitar, eyes closed as she poured her soul into the lyrics. "Don't say if I were you or tell me what'd you do, how things would be if you were in my shoes 'cause you're not me! Please take me as I am! This isn't what I planned!"
Lero waited until she'd finished, the last strains of the rock music echoing before he joined in with the phantom audience giving her wild applause. She ate it up, blowing everyone double-handed kisses as she strode back and forth, waving like a maniac.
Finally, she tossed her hair over her shoulders and unslung her guitar as she approached Lero. "You have an interesting soul, Signer King. I would have not thought of you at home on the field of battle."
"And I wouldn't think a deity would be into cringey teenage rock." Lero responded in amusement. "Assuming you are, of course, the Crimson Dragon."
"Indeed that I am! In the language of the Ushbaki Taiyu, I am Ultimaya Tzolk'in, but you may address me as 'Maya'." Maya said, placing her guitar on a standrest that hadn't been there a moment before. "Now, our time together will be all too brief, Signer King. So it is best that we get to it. There is much to discuss - the state of the Ushbaki Taiyu, the return of Bishbalkin, the Crimson Devil and your progress towards confirming your Signers among other things."
The good mood he'd had initially evaporated and Lero sighed before he nodded. He hadn't come here just for a social visit. The enormity of what this meeting represented seemed to darken the stadium and sucked the energy like someone had popped a balloon.
Then the scent of melted butter and parmesan cheese slammed him into his senses like a slap and he blinked, twitching backwards to avoid the cup that was being shoved towards him. "Uhhh…"
Maya shook the cup, a few white kernels bouncing free to hit the ground. "Popcorn?"
"...thank you?" Lero took it, a little worried suddenly that a jack-in-the-box might pop out. It is my soul after all… "...are we going to watch a movie?"
"Sort of," flopping into the nearest row of stadium seats, Maja patted the one next to her. "A cinema date…that's what you call them with your girlfriends?"
Cheeks warming, as he remembered how many of his cinema dates were less about movie watching and more about making out in the back row, Lero sat down and popped a few kernels in his mouth. There was just the right amount of melted butter and parmesan that he liked. All he was missing was a large coke. To his bemusement, Maja pulled a remote from the seat next to her and poked a few buttons seemingly at random. Where the massive false curtain hung was now projected an image, just like a movie screen. It was monolithic, huge in that unmistakable way that brought it into the category of Godzilla and King Kong. That size made its unnaturality all the more apparent, with its elongated head, overly broad shoulders and long, sharp ears. Its limbs should have been too small to support its weight, to possess strength of any kind. And above all, the tendrils - from its back, from the bands on those skinny arms and legs, they swarmed and lashed with purpose - to take, to conquer, to seize all that they could.
A joke about the entity skipping leg day emerged from Lero's brain, but didn't quite make it out of his lips. This was without a doubt the Crimson Devil, its design basic, its shape simple, its motive easy and yet, Lero could feel his heart seize at the otherworldly cruel hunger in those small golden eyes. "At least his name's on point…"
"That is useful - most mortals scream when they see it," Maja commented. "The Crimson Devil and I are what is left of another world in another galaxy. We are both trapped - he in this planet and I upon my comet and we each seek to subsume the other until we are free. That is why the Signers and Speakers must battle - they take the little pieces of the opposing side and give them to us. If the Devil is ever freed, he will devour this planet as he did our homeworld."
She pressed another button on the remote and the image disappeared, showing instead an image of the Earth with the comet appearing on the periphery. It struck Lero as a terribly lonely image.
"You both lost your home?"
"Yes." Maya calmly, but she munched down her next mouthful of popcorn with a bit more ferocity than necessary. "But that was countless years ago and it was wrought by our own hands and those of our brethren. All that needs to be said of it is that I will not let it repeat itself upon your home."
In spite of the resolve in her voice, Lero was sure that after millennia trapped in a lump of space rock with no way to vent or grieve properly, this was still in many ways a fresh trauma. Beating the crap out of each other isn't useful therapy…and I should know.
"So if we don't destroy the Crimson Devil our world goes the same way?"
"You cannot destroy it, Signer King. To kill one of us is like trying to kill water by punching it. You simply spread it around. Rather, each victory the Signers claim over the Devil drains him of himself. At some point, he will be too weak to continue to exist and will simply disappear. But the reverse is also true - each victory he claims over me reduces me." Maya explained. "For countless eons, we have remained locked in this race, though I maintain an edge. In each battle, we put more of ourselves into our Signers and Speakers, desperate to gain whatever slight advantage we can. But this time, the rules have changed."
Lero frowned at her. "How?"
"The Usbaki Taiyu - my people - have been slain. Perhaps by Speakers', perhaps by another source. No matter the cause, their deaths have weakened my influence on this world greatly and left you without your greatest resources, Signer King. And to my further frustration, the war has started one hundred years too early." Maya said in between popcorn bites, flipping one into her mouth and crushing with a particularly viscous chomp. "I am not even in your Solar System yet."
Lero sincerely hoped that she was not going to ask him to fix that. He could just picture Sumire's face if he asked her to design some kind of technology that would drag a comet into their vicinity…she would ask how much budget she had and then gleefully blow it to get results.
"To compound the issue, that upstart Bishbaalkin survived and has not only started stealing some of the Signer candidates, but stolen some of my divinity, leaving me even weaker." Maya said, side-eying Lero pointedly. "He will need to be dealt with, Signer King. Immediately."
TTTTTT
Schelderoi and Vivianna stared at one another, then the skeleton swept his hand in front of himself and pulled a hand of Duel Monsters cards out of the air. "I feel like you're going to spend most of this duel looking down on me, so I'll take the first turn to make up for your pettiness, human." (SLP:8000)
"I care not what you think, Aberration. But know you have sealed your fate by challenging me." Vivianna lifted a finger from the armrest of her throne and five Duel Monsters cards appeared in front of her, larger than she was. (VLP:8000)
"You cannot make me any more dead than what awaits me at home, human - either way, I die because of one of your species!" Schelderoi said, seizing a pair of cards from his hand. They appeared in front of him in soft flashes of light. "I set one monster face-down and one card face-down. This ends my turn."
"Draw." Vivianna didn't have to move, a sixth card just joined the rest. Then that new card floated into the playing field and flipped itself around, spilling out white light. "The spell card An Unexpected Dai activates as I have no monsters in play; special summoning Celtic Guardian from my deck." The light resolved into a green-armored warrior with pointed ears and a silver longsword. (1400/1200)
A second card flipped over, this time the light became a warrior in green leather armor, a quiver on his back and a silver longbow in his hands. "Then I normal summon my Elf Archer. This monster allows all of my 'Elf' monsters, including Celtic Guardian, to deal piercing damage. Attack, Celtic Guardian! Silver Sword Slash!" (1500/1000)
Schelderoi watched as the elf leapt forwards, the attack revealing itself to be a skeleton in purple rags that easily sliced in twain by the blow. "That was my Skull Servant. Pity he was the last one; I could never have enough of those guys." (300/300) (SLP:8000-6900)
An arrow pierced his eye socket so forcefully his head popped off. He managed to snatch it before it got too far and then yank the arrow out before wedging it back into place. "I see you're not one for banter, human." (SLP:6900-5400)
"Does a hunter listen to the howling of the wolves before they slay them?" Vivianna replied, snapping her fingers. One of her cards flipped itself onto the field face-down behind her monsters. "Turn over."
"I don't know what a wolf is, but if you treat it like anything else you humans do, it's dead. Before your turn is over, I activate my set card - The First Sarcophagus - Stone!" Schelderoi's card lifted, transforming into a simple elongated stone box with the rough shape of a man carved into its lid. "And since this card is face-up during your End Phase, it activates The Second Sarcophagus - Marble from my deck!"
Vivianna watched as a second sarcophagus rose up alongside the first, this one pristine white marble with finer detailing and more care put into it. "I have heard of these cards - you'll not survive long enough for them to work."
"So you say, but I know better. I draw." Schelderoi drew for his turn and the stone sarcophagus began to glow. "My First Sarcophagus allows me to special summon a level two or lower normal Zombie from my deck! Come forth, Pharaoh's Servant!" In a soft flash of light, a mummy with an elaborate golden headdress and a simple, practical scythe appeared. "But why stop at one when two is better?" (900/0x2)
A second zombie appeared alongside the first and then the Duel Spirit held out a spell card. "Next, I activate the continuous spell card Negative Energy! Now all Level 2 or lower Dark Zombies I have have their attack scores doubled!" The spell crackled with energy that lanced its ways into the zombies, making them writhe and jerk sharply as their power surged. "With my army strengthened, I attack! Cut down those pointy-eared knockoffs!" (900-1800x2)
Both of his monsters sprinted forwards, scythes flashing as they cleaved through armor, flesh and bone like a hot knife through butter. Both elves exploded into digital dust, crashing over Vivianna but doing nothing more than ruffling her clothes. (VLP:8000-7600-7300)
"Now that's settled, let's move onto something better - with my two level two monsters, I open the Overlay Network!" Schelderoi raised his hand to point at his two monsters. They both faded into the ground as a swirling portal opened beneath them. "Break the false wishes of enemies! Cut apart the die of fate and bring forth victory! Rank 2! Xyz Summon! Number 65: Djinn Buster!"
His new monster rose out of the vortex, an armored humanoid wielding a twisted-looking sword and a wing-shaped shield decorating his opposing arm. As the two overlay units circled him, he raised his sword into the air and then leveled it to point at Vivianna. (1300/0)
"Another one of those twisted constructions." Vivianna's eyes narrowed at the sight of the monster. "Their existence is a plague."
"No - the Numbers are the servants of our Radiant Sun! Their strength will shatter the power of the darkness and bring about our New Dawn!" Schelderoi retorted, his bony frame rattling as he thrust a fist into the air.
"Only the dawn of your demise, Aberration." Vivianna lifted a finger from an armrest, a new card flickering to existence in front of her. "I summon my Celtic Guard of Noble Arms in attack mode." The card flipped around and flashed with light, resolving into an older looking Celtic Guardian, wielding twin longswords. (2100/700)
"I use my monster's ability, special summoning another Elf monster from my hand - " Vivianna began to point at one of the cards in her hand, pausing as Djinn Buster bellowed a warning. "What?"
"Didn't you hear me when I summoned my Number? Djinn Buster breaks the wishes of the enemy - so your monster's ability is wasted!" Schelderoi cackled, DJinn Buster seizing one of the orbs and hurling it at Celtic Guard of Noble Arms. The elf cried out as his colors grayed out, dropping to one knee and heaving for breath. "Not only do I expend one Overlay Unit to negate your monster, you take five hundred damage!"
Vivianna just ignored the blast of energy, watching it impact harmlessly against a barrier a foot from her throne. "Clever. Like a child playing pretend." (VLP:7300-6800)
She gestured and one of her other cards flipped around to activate. "I activate Song of Traversal, letting me special summon an Elf monster from my deck but it returns there at the end of my turn." A jaunty, quick melody began to play as light formed on her field. When the glow faded, it resolved into a lean, wiry elf in simple clothes and standing in front of an anvil with a hammer. "I summon Forger Elf in defense mode." (800/2000)
The elf began to hammer at his anvil, sparks flying. "I use his ability to -"
"A wasted effort, human. Djinn Buster's ability is not limited to once per turn!" Schelderoi said and his Djinn moved, seizing his last Overlay Unit and hurling it into Forger Elf. The elf sagged in weakness, colors graying out as he collapsed on his anvil for support. (VLP:6800-6300)
"I was merely waiting for your monster to expend his powers, Aberration. I am more than familiar with how your Numbers work." Vivianna retorted calmly. "As I now have two Elves in play, I can summon this monster from my hand. Descend, Elf Sage of the Forest."
Vines and other plants sprouted next to her other two monsters. He looked faintly older than the other two, with a goatee and patterned robes that made him look more like a tree brought to life than flesh and blood. (1000/2400)
"And what does this one do?" Schelderoi asked in amusement. "He's not much stronger than your Forger."
"Strength does not always come from material strength. With Elf Sage in play, all my elves may battle while in defense mode and use their defense scores to do it! Thus, all three of my monsters attack Djinn Buster!"
Celtic Guard of Noble Arms led the charge, both of his blades lashing the Xyz monster across the chest. Then Forger followed, Djinn Buster raising his wing-shield just in time to catch the blow; only for it to shove him backwards and right into the massive of roots and vines that shot up from behind, paused long enough to form a giant hand and slap him down. (SLP:6900-6100-5600-4300)
"When Celtic Guard of Noble Arms deals you damage in battle, I draw cards equal to the number of elves I control." Vivianna waved her hand, three more cards appearing in front of her. Her eyes alighted on one and she gave Schelderoi a thin-lipped smile. "It seems the gods are ready to destroy you, Aberration. I activate Quick Summon, allowing me to immediately summon one monster from my hand! I tribute all of my monsters!"
"A god?!" Schelderoi suddenly was bracing himself as a wind kicked up in a wild swirl around Vivianna's throne, leaving his tattered clothes tearing here and there while the dark mist from the class was shoved away and piled against the playing field walls in heaps. "Gah - the power - !"
"His heart knows only virtue. His blade defends the helpless. His might upholds the weak. His words speak only the truth. His wrath undoes the wicked. The Once and Future King returns from Avalon!" Light spilled from the dias around Vivianna's throne, transforming her part of the field into a beach lapped at by gentle waves and shrouded in mists. "I summon King of Avalon - Pendragon!"
Solid regal footsteps echoed through the mists, a figure striding across the water like it was nothing at all. One by one, Vivianna's monsters faded and when the last did, the new figure stepped onto the shoreline with purpose as the mists roiled away. White marble armor gleamed despite the darkness surrounding the arena, the dragon-shaped helm did nothing to hinder the sheer presence and might the god held. (4000/4000)
Schelderoi's bony frame rattled slightly; in fact, it couldn't seem to stop rattling. The sheer presence of the deity was such an oppressive weight upon him that he wasn't sure if he could stay upright. "That thing - it rivals the Disasters - !"
"Pendragon attacks! Knights of the Round" Pendragon lifted a gauntleted hand to point at Djinn Buster. A trumpet sounded and twelve armored knights carrying banners and blades galloped out of the mist at the king's back. One by by one, they slashed their phantom blades into Djinn Buster. The Xyz didn't stagger or fall, but Schelderoi did as the twelve different backlashes hit him like sledgehammers. (SLP:4300-2600)
Vivianna watched him lay there, fingertips steeped together as smoke and energy drifted off the skeleton's form.
"You know, human…"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Schelderoi lifted a damaged hand; two fingers were broken, one was cracked like cheap porcelain and the remaining two had quit working entirely. There was a grunt of concentration and energy spilled out of the damage done to Schelderoi's arm, off-red tendrils that slithered into place like a nervous system and twisted together to become new fingers. "...we had gods, too. Mine was Exodia. The unstoppable force of destruction. The light of his wrath was the light of creation. That roar that shook infinity was life's battle cry against the nothingness that life exists in."
He sat up, the same red energy layering itself over his skull to patch the cracks and oozing through the jaw to replace a few teeth. "He is the god of destruction. Not of life, but of fate. The universe was fated to be remain empty and he defied that by existing. By letting all of creation exist. That is why I chose to follow him, to believe. To persist long after my body had failed me."
The skeleton stood up with creaks and rattles, flakes and chunks of him wafting away along with tears of his cloak in the energy Pendragon radiated. And wherever any of it was cast away, the Barian energy patched. Not healed; but bound back together. "The King of the Skull Servants. The King of Nothing and No One, they called me. But I did not care; I was doing the work of my god. Persisting. Existing. Living. Then, the Lswarm came. That virus consumes everything and anything. All because of you. Because of humans. Human hands enslaved my god, humans foolishness unleashed the Lswarm and human weakness turned my god into the virus' puppet."
Fingers clenched, red spilled out of him and into an aura. It was the dense flames of sheer rage given mass and form and life. "So let's how you feel when I kill your god!
Vivianna's lips thinned. "You will die trying."
"The last time someone told me that, they were right - and then my bones got right back out of my body and killed them!" Schelederoi pointed at his field and a light spilled out of his field, resolving into a golden coffin decorated with jewels and flawless artistry. "During your End Phase, my First Sarcophagus - Stone, activates the Third Sarcophagus - Gold from my deck!"
He drew for his turn, then a card slid out of the ether to float in front of him. "When I have all three Sarcophagi, the First Sarcophagus allows me to special summon The Spirit of the Pharaoh from my deck!" Golden light twisted around on his field, resolving into a seven-foot-tall being. The death mask he wore was beyond elaborate, his blue skin laden with strength and augmented by the decorated armor of pearl, ivory and beads he wore. (2500/2000)
"When the Spirit of the Pharaoh is special summoned, he revives his servants from the graveyard!" Schelderoi watched his monster lift his staff, three copies of Pharaoh's Servant appearing there. Instantly, dark mists twisted around the field and snuck in under their wrappings, suffusing them with dark energy. "And my Negative Energy doubles their attack points!" (900-1800x3)
The aura around Schelderoi warped as he lifted up a card from his hand. "I activate Limited Rank-up Magic Barian's Force, ranking up my Djinn Buster! When darkest wishes blight the world, sink into wrath and shatter them! Rank 3! Chaos Xyz Summon! Number C65: King Overfiend!"
Djinn Buster warped like a desert mirage, growing taller as his weapons were replaced by a shield and warhammer. A cape formed out of the Barian energy and solidified into a thick weave that seemed to be more armored scales than fabric. (1600/0)
"You words are naught but mad barking, Aberration." Vivianna started to stay, but her eyes widened as Pendragon suddenly collapsed to one knee, the golden luster of his armor dulling away under a bleak tarnish while his aura collapsed in on itself so hard it seemed to harm him. "My god -!"
" - is suffering under the effects of King Overfiend! So long as he has a Djinn Buster as a material, the effects of all your monsters are negated!" Schelderoi revealed in satisfaction. "The effect of the Third Sarcophagus states that my Pharaoh gains all of the attack points of his Servant while on the field! Now take this blow and feel your faith die along with your god!" (2500-7900)
The Spirit of the Pharaoh lifted his staff again and a beach-ball sized golden sphere appeared above him. It began to shift and unfolded, fire igniting around in licks and spurts until it was a blazing phoenix. It grew larger and larger until it nearly dominated the duel field and then with a screech of divine wrath, it tore towards Pendragon.
Vivianna watched as the phoenix blazed forwards, the grass dying and the soil glassing under the sheer heat of the monster. "My god will not fall to mere trickery! Reverse card open! Armory Call equips Pendragon with Excalibur from my deck!" A sword crashed down out of the sky in front of Pendragon. He seized it, the mere act seeming to restore some of his strength as he rose to full height. Pulling it free, he drew it back as golden light began to gather along its length. "This card doubles his attack points! Counterattack! Excalibur Holy Wave!" (4000-8000)
A roar ripped from the Once and Future King, his blade's power roaring back twice as loud as he slashed it down. Fire and light clashed in a grinding slam, neither pushing back nor gaining ground.
"You don't get out of it that easily, human! I activate Concentrating Current from my hand!" Schelderoi held up the card and it dissolved into light while the phoenix of his attack increased in size by half again. "My Pharaoh's defense is added to its attack!" (7900-9900)
Vivianna grit her teeth, lashing energy from the collision tearing through the air and leaving ozone in its wake. Pendragon himself seemed to falter, armored heels digging furrows in the ground as the beam war began to slide in favor of the attacking Pharaoh. "I activate Card Guard, discarding one card to prevent Pendragon's destruction!"
An explosion ripped through the dueling field, the shockwave of dust and light sending the stadium audience in the front rows scrambling for cover as some of the Church's barriers shattered. Pendragon went skidding backwards so hard he had to dig Excalibur into the ground to halt his momentum. (VLP:6300 - 4400)
The collision of energy rippled away like a tattered curtain to reveal Schelderoi; more Barian energy was winding its way around him to keep him standing. He looked at the last remaining card in his hand and then tossed it onto the field where it settled face-down. "My turn is over."
"For all your bluster, Aberration, Pendragon still stands. All you've done is delay the inevitable." Vivianna waved her hand to draw. As she did, Excalibur blew to dust in Pendragon's hands while the good himself stood tall once again. Light gleamed from his arm, wiping away the tainting black from the effect negation like water.
Schelderoi didn't respond. Pendragon was back to four thousand attack points and it was clear that even a Number could only negate a deity's might for a single round. And yet her opponent didn't seem at all concerned that she could kill him by attacking anyone of his Pharaoh's servants.
His three Sarcophagi were still there, too. Did they have lingering effects? The Third Sarcophagus was powering up Spirit of the Pharaoh and the First Sarcophagus let him special summon more servants. So perhaps the Second Sarcophagus was a means to protect those servants?
If it was, it put her in a bad spot. The Spirit of the Pharaoh surpassed Pendragon's might by nearly twice over. And while her god has his own special powers, Vivianna was unable to use it at the moment.
"I activate the effect of the Elf Forger in my graveyard. By banishing him, I can pick up cards equal to the number of Elves in the graveyard. Then I pick one equip card among them, add it to my hand and then rearrange the rest to my choosing." The cards floated in front of Vivianna and her lips lifted in a slight smile. "My faith has rewarded me. I equip Pendragon with Solitary Sword of Poison." A new sword appeared in Pendragon's hands, a demonic blade with bat-winged cross-guard and dripping something nasty off the tip. "Battle! Knights of the Round!"
Schelderoi watched as Pendragon pointed with the sword, the stampede of knights charging out of the mist one more. "The effect of the Second Sarcophagus! I choose your attack targets and I choose for you to battle The Spirit of the Pharaoh!" His monster twirled his staff, flames lingering in the air and twisting into yet another phoenix.
"When a monster equipped with my Solitary Sword attacks, his attack score is doubled." Vivianna smiled in dark satisfaction. "And Pendragon's own ability activates - whenever a monster's score is changed, he copies that score change! King's Glory!"
"What - no!" Scheledori stared in horror as the monster's score flashed above the charging knights. (4000-8000-16000) "I will not let it end like this! I will defy this fate! I will persist!"
His set card lifted, showing a trap card, but whatever explanation about what it did was lost as Pendragon's knights hit his field. Swords and axes flashed as the swarm of warriors crashed about the playing field.
Vivianna watched as the attack faded away, fingers gripping the arms of her throne to keep her shock from erupting from her throat. Scheledroi's field was bare - no spells or traps, no Pharaoh or servants, nothing but the form of Chaos King - Schelderoi himself wasn't even then except for a few tattered scraps of purple cloth - so how was there still life points?! (Schelderoi: 100)
"I…activated…Rank-Up Magic Quick Chaos…"
And where was that voice - from Chaos King itself? Vivianna watched as the Number monster twitched and jerked, pale blue light poking out from seams and cracks from the armor to flow into the red aura. The monster was soon shedding both colors like blood from wounds, but it remained strong even as its armor crumbled away.
It revealed golden skin underneath, the helm bursting into dust to expose a hard-lined face with blazing red eyes. And when the new figure spoke, it was with Schelderoi's voice. "I ranked up my Number C65 into Number iC65: High King Overspirit!" (2100/0)
"Imaginary Number? You Aberrations are persistent to the point of incredulity." Vivianna barked, steeping her fingers in front of her. "You fused yourself with your monster?"
"The Numbers are nothing but a shell of existence in the first place - they gain greater power from outside sources. If we of the New Dawn can infuse them with Barian energy, then why not the very energy of our souls?" Schelderoi lifted his blade, slashing it through the air and the action kicked up a wave of wind that left Pendragon and Vivianna shielding themselves. "If you destroy this form, I will die, but humanity has already ruined my world! I will not let you take the choice of my death from me as well!"
"Boldly spoken…" Vivianna allowed. "But fools often are. I take it your new special abilities kept you from losing?"
"I can expend one Overlay Unit to set my life points to one hundred if they would fall to zero." Schelderoi explained; indeed, there was only one circling orb of light around them as opposed to two. "And I retain the Numbers battle immunity!"
"I see." Vivianna frowned slightly. Given how bare her opponent's field was, summoning this 'Imaginary Number' must have cost him everything else he had. And if he was suicidal, he wouldn't have bothered with this trick to prolong his pain. "I set one card. End turn."
"I draw." Schelderoi did so, the bleeding auras coming off him intensifying. "Now we'll see whose faith in their god is greater, human! I attack Pendragon! Blade of Obliteration!"
"Pendragon, counterattack!" Vivianna watched as the Knights of the Round Table surged forwards, a metallic clanging as all twelve slammed into Schelderoi and both parties ground to a halt. "Now what?"
"First, I retain the power of King Overfiend! Your god weakens!" Schelderoi pointed through the melee with is blade and Pendragon sagged to one knee as the dark taint washed over his armor again. "Then I use my last effect! I expend my Overlay Unit and then gain the attack of all monsters that I have negated alongside their effects! King's Glory!" (2100-6100-10100)
Vivianna watched as the twisting currents of energy around Schelderoi intensified, two abrupt slashes with his sword scattering the Knights of the Round. He charged through their evaporating bodies in an armored blur, blood spurting across the dias of her throne as Pendragon was ran through bodily. The god skidded backwards and held his ground, one gauntleted hand wrapped around the stabbing blade.
Schelderoi did not appear to be savoring his victory, his face a mask of grim determination. Even with nearly three times as much attack as Pendragon, it didn't seem to lend him any further physical might. He pushed and strained against the fellow king, both of them trading a few steps forwards and back. "H…ow…?"
"I activated a trap card." Vivianna gestured to the card…and then to Pendragon's own sword skewering Schelderoi in return. "Divine Mandate. This card can only be used when I possess a Divine monster in play. But in exchange, I negate one card on the field of my choosing. Like yours."
"You…cannot…" Energy spilled out of Schelderoi's mouth like blood as Pendragon rotated his sword so it was vertical. "I…won't…you…take…"
One strong exertion of physical strength and energy tore Schelderoi in half, the backlash shredding across the field and tearing apart the misama around the castle. The impact shook the stadium, cracking the giant stone structure and casting a rain of debris. For a moment, there was silence.
Pendragon lifted his sword and bellowed a victory cry. As if it were prearranged signal, the crowd erupted into cheers and cries of their own. Even as it picked up for a second round, the army of dragon Duel Spirits were lifting their weapons and charging.
Vivianna lifted her own hand and the mists of her throne swirled thickly in front of her before peeling back. They unveiled two rows of armored soldiers eight across, their shields blazing with the symbol of the Luxiel Church. "Make the people safe! Death to Aberrations! The gods will be done!"
"We are the gods' will!" The soldiers bellowed back and locked shields, meeting the rampaging charge in a crash of screaming metal and louder battle cries. The football pitch descended into a whirling melee of flashing steel, energy and blood.
Vivianna watched the battle unfold, the sword in her shining sharply as Pendragon himself took to the field, his blows sending attackers fines in twos and threes. He crushed Aberrations under his feet and those that tried to run were quickly crushed by gauntleted hands.
Yes. Let the gods' will be done.
TTTTTT
Next time, Fortitude duels Queen Bouquet and Lero continues his meeting with his own god. But getting answers isn't the same as getting satisfaction.
Next time: Crimson Words, Crimson Blood
CREATED CARDS
Schelderoi
The First Sarcophagus - Stone
Continuous Trap Card
Effect: Once per turn, during your opponent's End Phase: Place 1 'The Second Sarcophagus - Marble' or (if one is already in play) 'The Third Sarcophagus - Gold' from your Hand, Deck or Graveyard face-up in your Spell & Trap Zone face-up. If you control 'The First Sarcophagus - Stone', 'The Second Sarcophagus - Marble', and 'The Third Sarcophagus - Gold', you can Special Summon one 'Spirit of the Pharaoh' from your Hand, Deck or Graveyard. Once per turn, you can special summon one Level 2 or lower Zombie Normal monster from your Hand, Deck or Graveyard. If this card is destroyed, destroy all face-up 'Sarcophagus' cards you control.
The Second Sarcophagus - Marble
Continuous Spell Card
Effect: Your opponent cannot target any monsters you control with card effects or attacks, except 'Spirit of the Pharaoh'. If this card was placed on the field by the effect of 'The First Sarcophagus - Stone', apply the following effect: 'Spirit of the Pharaoh' cannot be destroyed by card effects or battle while this card is face-up on the field.
The Third Sarcophagus - Gold
Continuous Spell Card
Effect: All 'Spirit of the Pharaoh' you control gain ATK equal to the combined ATK of all face-up Level 2 or lower Normal Zombie monsters. If this card is placed on the field by the effect of 'The First Sarcophagus - Stone', apply the following effect: You can add one 'Thousand Energy' or 'Triangle Power' from your Hand, Deck or Graveyard to your hand once per turn.