The Gravekeepers quickly took their cue to escape into Abidos's protection. Konami let them go, his eyes focused solely on the self-proclaimed god and Pharaoh. The golden chamber flared to life as Abidos raised his arm, erecting a golden barrier to protect his kin from his upcoming battle.

"This is…?"

"The protection of Horus! Proof of our Majesty's glory!" one of the gravekeepers howled. A chant of cheers and awe erupted from the mass, each of them pumping their fists and praying for his victory.

"Spare me. Your little light show doesn't mean anything to me, Pharaoh," Konami sneered. "I'm taking that Sacred Beast one way or another! If that means going through you, so be it!"

"Hmph!" was Abidos's only reply as he lifted his golden Duel Disk. The device shone, Hieroglyphs shimmering around it as its blade jutted out. Abidos narrowed his eyes at Konami as they did, his expression stern and judging. "Release your Ka so we can start this Duel!"

Konami scoffed. "And let your men mow me down before I even draw a card? I don't think so. Tyrant Dragon's staying right where he is. Out here!"

The horned serpent hissed in agreement, expelling a plume of hot smoke. Its glowing green eyes narrowed as it stared past Abidos and at the Gravekeepers beyond.

"Hmph. So be it. If you wish to weaken yourself in this Duel, be my guest! Either way, your invasion ends here!"

TAG FORCE ALTERNATIVE: TWISTING THE TALE
LESSON THIRTEEN
LORD OF SEARING FLAMES

"LET'S DUEL!" the two men yelled.

"I'll go first," Abidos declared, drawing a sixth card into his hand. A gust of wind swept through the chamber as his golden aura shone even brighter. "By my decree, the gates to the afterlife shall once again open now! I activate the Continuous Magic card! Behold, the King's Sarcophagus!"

A golden sarcophagus manifested in front of him, its polished surface adorned with the royal insignia of the ancient pharaohs. Golden energy much like Abidos' own pulsed out from within it, causing the floor beneath their feet to rumble and quake from its awesome power.

Konami smirked as he stared at it. "Summoning your coffin already? I mean, we both know you aren't beating me, but it's a little early to start calling it quits."

"Do not belittle me, graverobber. You know not of what you speak!" Abidos sneered. His eyes narrowed. "But you will. I'll ensure it's engraved on your flesh!" He clenched his fist and spoke to the room. "I activate King's Sarcophagus! With its power, I send Duamutef, Blessing of Horus from my hand to the Graveyard. This, in turn, sends Imsety, Glory of Horus from my deck to the Graveyard!"

"A Graveyard deck from a revived Pharaoh?" Konami rolled his eyes at the thought. "What a joke. The only thing worse is if you said you ran pure zombies!"

"Oh, they might not be zombies, but rest assured, these fallen kin WILL rise again!" Abidos replied. He threw his hand forward, "Through the power of King's Sarcophagus, Duamutef and Imsety's effects activate! While I control King's Sarcophagus, I can Special Summon them both from the Graveyard!"

The King's Sarcophagus's lid opened as Abidos uttered the words, releasing two streams of golden light that flew through the room in a circle. After doing one full sweep, they crashed onto Abidos's field, revealing two ancient warriors adorned with Ancient Egyptian decor.

Duamutef, Blessing of Horus - LV8 - WATER - Beast - (0/0)

Imsety, Glory of Horus - LV8 - DARK - Spellcaster - (3000/1800)

"Hmph, alright. I'll admit your Imsety's impressive," said Konami, "but Duamutef has no Attack Points!"

"Oh, that's where you're wrong," Abidos interrupted. "While it's certainly true Duamutef is summoned with no Attack or Defense Points, his true strength is that he gains twelve hundred for each 'Horus' Monster I have on the field!"

"'Horus' Monster, you say?" Konami noted, eyeing the cards. "I see. They both have Horus in their title—"

"—Which means Duamutef has twenty-four hundred Attack and Defense Points," Abidos smirked. "A far cry from the zero you foolishly believed he had, is it not?"

The Jackal-shaped brother readied his bow with a hiss as a golden aura flared around him, almost as if he were gaining strength just by standing beside his humanoid sibling.

Duamutef, Blessing of Horus - LV8 - WATER - Beast - (2400/2400)

"Twenty-four hundred and three thousand, huh? Maybe you aren't all talk," Konami smirked. 'And based on how he summoned them, I'm betting there'll be more where that came from if that Sarcophagus isn't dealt with!'

"I end my turn. Last chance. Leave this place with your life," sneered Abidos. "Should you continue this foolish endeavor, your soul will be sent to the shadows!"

"Sent to the shadows? Newsflash, Pharaoh, my soul's been there since the start. A little realm of darkness is nothing compared to the pains I've gone through. And now… I'm going to give you a taste of what that pain feels like! It's my turn! I draw!" Konami snarled as he pulled his next card. He glanced at it quickly.

'Milord!' Lady Ninja Yae winked at him. 'I'm here to serve you!'

"Tsk!" Konami grimaced and added the kunoichi to the rest of his hand. 'She's useless without another WIND monster, but fortunately, I won't need her!'

"You might think you're pretty clever summoning a bunch of monsters in one turn, Pharaoh, but all you've done is fulfill the conditions needed to summon one of my own! While you have two or more monsters on the field, I can play this from my hand! Come forth, my raging beast! I Special Summon Burning Dragon!"

A violent howl ripped through the chamber as Konami placed his chosen card. The room rumbled as the massive serpent made of molten rock manifested before him.

Burning Dragon - LV8 - FIRE - Dragon - (2500/2100)

"Burning… Dragon?" Abidos inquired.

"That's right. And he's got an effect! If he's summoned, then all I have to do is discard a Spell from my hand, and guess what? All other Spells and Traps on the field go boom!" Konami clenched his fist victoriously. "Say goodbye to your precious coffin! Or rather, 'See you later!' because after it's been dealt with, you're next! Go, Burning Dragon! Lay waste to the backrow with Burning Land!"

Konami tossed his Mind Pollutant into the Graveyard, triggering Burning Dragon's eyes to turn red. It slithered onto its hind legs, its jagged spikes steaming as it reared back to unleash its assault.

"FIRE!" Konami roared, and without any hesitation, it did.

FWOOOOOSH!

A torrent of searing flames burst forth from the dragon's jaws, swallowing the field in an unrelenting inferno that consumed all. The golden walls of the chamber reflected the blaze, their radiant hieroglyphs flickering wildly as if they, too, were desperate to escape the fire. Even from behind their gods' protection, the Gravekeepers shrank back, shielding themselves from the heat as the sacred ground became a blazing hellscape.

"Impossible!" one of them gasped. "This heat—!"

The flames surged toward King's Sarcophagus, licking against its golden frame as the hieroglyphs upon its surface burned white-hot. For a moment, it held firm, defiant in the face of the dragon's overwhelming fury. But then—

CRACK!

A fissure ran across the sarcophagus's lid, splitting it apart. A second later, it detonated, sending molten debris flying across the chamber.

"Rrrgh…!" Abidos grunted as he braced himself, throwing an arm in front of his face as the heat from the dragon's attack washed over him. The once-regal golden aura around him flickered under the force of the assault, his pristine robes whipping violently in the resulting shockwave.

Konami let out a low chuckle, arms crossed as he basked in the aftermath of his dragon's fury. "How's that? I swear, every time this guy lights something up, it just gets better and better!"

As the last embers faded, Abidos finally lowered his arm, his piercing golden eyes locked onto Konami. His breath was steady, but the lingering heat still clung to his skin, his body remembering the touch of the flames that had nearly consumed him.

"You dare…" he muttered, his voice dripping with restrained fury. "You dare let your tainted beast defile this sacred field?!" His aura flared once more, but before he could continue, the battlefield responded first.

"KHHHH!"

A thunderous hum echoed through the walls of the chamber, coming not from Abidos—but from his godlike monsters.

The moment the King's Sarcophagus fell, the forces of Horus stirred to life. Duamutef drew back its bow, pulsing with a golden, yet vengeful light.

Abidos' expression darkened. "Fool. You have triggered the wrath of the gods! Since a card I controlled left the field, the effects of my warriors activate!"

Konami's grin faltered. "Huh? What?"

With a flick of his wrist, Abidos gestured toward Imsety, Glory of Horus. The regal Spellcaster raised his lance, a wave of dark shadow magic coiling around its point.

"Imsety's effect triggers! The moment an enemy dares to desecrate my field…" Abidos' eyes flashed with divine fury. "The flames of his own hubris shall consume him!"

Konami's heart skipped a beat as Imsety's spear launched into Burning Dragon. His dragon snarled as it pierced his chest, ejecting molten lava—its blood.

"Tch—what the hell is this?!" Konami snarled, stepping back as his own dragon writhed in agony.

Abidos slammed his staff into the ground. "Your beast will not be spared! Imsety's effect sends those who defile this land to the Graveyard!" He threw his arm forward. "Burning Dragon, be gone!"

With a final, pained roar, Burning Dragon's body fractured—before it was completely engulfed in flames and shattered into nothingness. Only a few scattered embers remained, flickering weakly before vanishing into the abyss.

Konami clenched his teeth. "Damn it! He killed it?!"

But Abidos was far from finished. The moment Burning Dragon vanished, his other warrior, Duamutef, shot an arrow into the air. It shattered on the ceiling, transforming into a pair of golden hieroglyphs that rained down toward Abidos.

"And now," Abidos continued, his tone sharp, "my loyal beast Duamutef shall grant me divine wisdom!" He lifted his golden Duel Disk. "For desecrating my field, I now draw two cards—one for each of my monsters!"

The two hieroglyphs transformed into cards that floated into his waiting hand. Abidos studied them both, then smiled. The ancient gods had rewarded his divine retribution.

Konami narrowed his eyes as he watched his opponent replenish his hand. This guy was slippery. Not only had he obliterated Burning Dragon in one move, but now he was stacking up more resources.

"Heh," Konami exhaled, running a hand down his face before his smirk returned. "Alright. Nice trick. You wiped out my dragon, but I'm not going down that easy!"

He grabbed two more cards from his hand and slid them into his Duel Disk. "I Set two cards face-down!" A pair of massive Set cards materialized on his field before vanishing as if they weren't there.

He glanced at the two remaining cards in his grip. Enemy Controller… and Lady Ninja Yae. His grin widened slightly. Despite the setback, he still had a few tricks left.

"And that's where I'll leave things," Konami declared. "I end my turn."

Abidos observed the field in silence for a moment before finally lifting his Duel Disk. The flickering flames had finally vanished, yet the chamber still felt warm—as if Burning Dragon's presence still lingered in the very air.

But it mattered not. He had repelled the invader's flames. Now, it was his turn to deliver true divine judgment.

With an elegant sweep of his hand, he drew his next card. "Then let the gods bear witness…" His eyes glowed with a dangerous light. "For your punishment continues!"

The golden aura surrounding Abidos pulsed, as if the ancient spirits themselves had deemed Konami unworthy of standing in their presence. His Duel Disk gleamed under the mystical light, and with a slow, deliberate motion, he placed his fingers on his deck.

"My move," Abidos declared, his voice unwavering as he drew his next card. A rush of divine energy swept through the chamber as if the Pharaoh had summoned the will of the gods themselves.

He glanced at his hand, his eyes flickering over the new addition—Hapi, Guidance of Horus. A faint smirk played at his lips. "It is time. My judgment shall strike deeper."

He placed a card onto his Duel Disk, causing phantom walls of spectral energy to rise from the ground behind him. Their surfaces shimmered with glowing inscriptions, ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs dancing like flames.

"I activate Walls of the Imperial Tomb!" he announced. "With this sacred edifice in place, I may invoke the wisdom of Horus and add a 'Horus' monster from my Deck to my hand!"

Golden tendrils of light slithered toward his deck, retrieving a single card before vanishing in a swirl of mystic energy.

"I add Horus the Black Flame Deity to my hand. But balance must be maintained." He pulled another card from his grip and placed it at the bottom of his Deck. "Thus, Horus' Servant is returned to the depths of the underworld."

Konami grimaced. Horus the Black Flame Deity? He'd heard of the Black Flame Dragon before, but deity? He shook his head. "So you dug up some new firepower? Hate to break it to you, but just adding a card to your hand won't win you this Duel!"

Abidos merely raised the newly acquired Horus the Black Flame Deity between two fingers, allowing the mystical flames around him to dance along its surface.

"Oh, but this is no mere addition," he corrected. "Now, witness the power of the divine! I reveal Horus the Black Flame Deity!"

At his words, the spectral walls behind him rumbled, their inscriptions glowing with light. The weight of an overwhelming presence settled over the battlefield, forcing even the Gravekeepers watching from the sidelines to step back in awe.

"By revealing Horus the Black Flame Deity while I control a Horus monster and King's Sarcophagus, I may invoke its first divine effect—a smiting decree!"

Konami frowned. "Wait—your King's Sarcophagus is already toast! So how the hell—?"

Abidos' eyes gleamed. "You assume too much. While it's true King's Sarcophagus rests in the afterlife, its spirit lives on. The Walls of the Imperial Tomb serve as its earthly replacement."

The spectral walls pulsed, confirming his words.

"Tch—so you're saying that thing counts as Sarc on the field?" Konami muttered.

"Indeed. And thus, the divine decree stands!" Abidos extended his hand. "To enact its will, I must send a card from my hand or field to the Graveyard. I offer forth this — Hapi, Guidance of Horus!"

The card in his hand vanished into golden embers, and in that same instant, a dark aura surged toward Konami's backrow. His Set Call of the Haunted crackled with electrictiy before being forcefully dragged into the abyss!

Konami growled as his card was erased from the field. "Damn it! So much for reviving my Dragon!"

Abidos gave a faint, knowing nod. "And because I have used Horus's divine decree, the Walls of the Imperial Tomb grant me further wisdom—I draw a card."

The hieroglyphs on the spectral walls flickered as he pulled another card from his deck, reinforcing his growing advantage.

Abidos now had six cards in hand, but his turn was far from over.

"You may have burned my Sarcophagus," Abidos continued, "but like the phoenix, my warriors rise from the ashes. Behold! Since Hapi, Guidance of Horus rests in the Graveyard while I control 'King's Sarcophagus'—or its replacement—it returns to the battlefield!"

The chamber trembled as a new figure materialized on Abidos' field—a majestic warrior clad in golden armor, with a baboon-like face that shimmered with a pair of red eyes.

Hapi, Guidance of Horus - LV8 - WIND - Beast-Warrior - (2400/1600)

Konami clicked his tongue. "Great. The problem I thought I solved just became worse!"

Abidos tilted his head, his expression unshaken. "It is simply the will of Horus."

Konami rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, 'divine this, divine that.' Are you actually gonna do something, or do you just like hearing yourself talk?"

The Pharaoh's golden aura flared. "If it is action you seek, then I shall grant you your punishment." He threw out his hand. "Imsety, Glory of Horus—attack Konami directly!"

The Spellcaster's eyes flared like miniature suns as he took a step back, bringing his lance upward and throwing it toward Konami. Its shining point glimmered through the golden light as it flew, lurching toward Konami, ready to pierce through the core of his flesh..

"Not happening!" Konami shouted, flipping his face-down card open. "You might've gotten rid of my Call of the Haunted, but I still have… Drowning Mirror Force!"

A colossal tidal wave erupted from the card as it flipped up, crashing down upon the lance and more, onto Abidos' field! The wave's sheer force engulfed Imsety, Duamutef, and Hapi, pulling them into its depths that swirled into Abidos's deck.

"What's this?!" the Pharaoh gasped.

"My card's effect, that's what!" Konami sneered. "When one of your monsters declares a direct attack on me, this shuffles all of your monsters back into your deck! Sorry to cut your combo short, but it looks like your pals here just got flushed!"

But instead of rage, a faint, satisfied smirk tugged at Abidos' lips. "Is that all? Fool. You have only hastened your downfall."

The floor beneath his feet began to glow, with ancient hieroglyphs forming a circular array that pulsed with golden light. A pillar of black fire erupted from the center of the chamber, stretching upward into the heavens. Its heat was unlike anything Konami had ever felt—not scorching but divine, awe-inspiring, and oppressive.

Konami took a step back, his smirk faltering as he shielded his face from the blinding light. His heartbeat quickened, an involuntary reaction to the sheer weight of the power manifesting before him. Even Tyrant Dragon, watching from behind its master, growled dangerously, shifting uneasily as if recognizing a rival of equal or greater strength.

"This… This overwhelming presence…" Konami muttered, narrowing his eyes to try and make out the figure within the flames. "What…? What the hell is this?!"

Behind him, Wisteria, hidden in the shadows of the ruins, let out a soft gasp. The pillar of fire reflected in her wide eyes, its light overwhelming even from her concealed vantage point. "Is this… truly the power of a god?" she whispered, clutching the wall for support as the ground trembled beneath her feet.

Abidos closed his eyes, his golden aura merging with the swirling flames as he began his invocation. His voice echoed through the chamber, resonating with the authority of a ruler and the devotion of a priest. "Since a face-up 'Horus' monster was sent away by an opponent's card effect… I can activate the second divine decree of great Horus," he explained. He reached for the card, closing his eyes as the pillar before him burned gold.

"Almighty god of the ancient lands, I beg of thee, heed my command. Transform thyself from meager card, and protect this mere Royal Guard. I beseech thee, grace our humble game. But first I shall... call out thy name!"

His Duel Disk burned with divine energy, the hieroglyphs upon it glowing brighter than ever before. With a final, decisive motion, Abidos placed the card upon its center.

"HORUS THE BLACK FLAME DEITY! DESCEND!"

The flames roared to life, twisting and coiling as they began to take shape. A massive silhouette emerged from the inferno, its features becoming clearer with each passing second. Its body was clad in ornate golden armor, its every surface engraved with sacred markings. Powerful wings spread wide, their edges crackling with black flames that defied all natural laws. Its head was that of a majestic, hawk-like creature, crowned with a regal crest that radiated an aura of divine authority.

The beast let out a resounding roar, its voice shaking the very foundation of the chamber. Its eyes—piercing crimson orbs—locked onto Konami with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine.

The Gravekeepers, still huddled within Abidos' barrier, fell to their knees, bowing in unison as they chanted praises to their god. "Hail Horus! Hail the Black Flame Deity! The protector of the pharaoh and the vanquisher of evil!"

Even Konami, as defiant as he was, found himself momentarily lost in the presence of the monster before him. His eyes widened as he gazed upon its majesty, its silver form shining before him; its design eerily similar to another monster long thought lost to the world.

A monster once used by the King of Games himself.

Horus the Black Flame Deity - LV8 - FIRE - Dragon - (3000/1800)

"R—Ra!" Konami gasped, staggering back in fear. "No… No! Get a grip! Powerful monster or not, I'm not losing this Duel!"

Abidos opened his eyes, the golden glow within them matching the flames that surrounded his deity. "You speak boldly for one so close to ruin," he said, his voice calm but laced with unshakable authority. "Horus is no mere monster. He is the embodiment of justice, the guardian of sacred lands, and the eternal flame that purges all who oppose the divine order."

The Black Flame Deity flared its wings, releasing a shockwave of heat that swept across the battlefield. Konami gritted his teeth as the force pushed him back a step, the air around him thick and stifling.

"And now," Abidos declared, pointing toward Konami, "Horus shall begin your judgment! Attack him directly!"

The Black Flame Deity reared back, its form radiating an intense, otherworldly energy as its wings flared wide. Its glowing crimson eyes locked onto Konami, piercing his very soul with their unyielding intensity. The chamber trembled violently as the deity unleashed its power.

"SEARING FLAME!" Abidos roared, thrusting his hand forward.

With a deafening shriek, Horus the Black Flame Deity exhaled a wave of pitch-black fire, its intensity unmatched by anything Konami had ever faced. The flames surged forward like a living entity, an infernal torrent that seemed to hunger for nothing but his destruction. They struck him head-on, engulfing him entirely in an ocean of searing heat and shadow.

"AAAAARGH!" Konami screamed as the fire consumed him. The dark flames tore at his body, their touch feeling like molten steel against his skin. His Duel Disk sparked violently under the immense heat, and even Tyrant Dragon's presence did little to lessen the blow. It roared defiantly at first, but slowly, its form shimmered and shrunk, eventually vanishing entierly beneath the blaze of Horus's wrath. Konami's screams only intensified once it faded, his body and spirit no longer capable of relying on his draconic Ka for protection.

From behind the shield, the Gravekeepers gasped in awe at their god's might, their chants growing louder as they watched Horus attack before their eyes.

"Burn, invader!" one of them cried. "This is the fate of those who dare trespass on sacred grounds!"

Wisteria, hidden within the shadows of the chamber, watched the scene unfold with cold, detached eyes. The flames from Horus the Black Flame Deity painted her pale face in flickering hues of black and purple, but there was no sign of fear or concern etched across her features. Instead, her lips curled ever so slightly into a smirk.

"Pathetic," she murmured under her breath, her voice drowned out by the roars of the inferno. She leaned closer against the stone wall, smirking cruelly as she observed Konami's struggle. "I expected more from someone boasting such raw potential. If this is the best he can do, then perhaps we overestimated him."

The blazing torrent surged forward, swallowing Konami whole in its unrelenting heat. His agonized screams echoed throughout the chamber, mixing with the chants of the Gravekeepers. Wisteria tilted her head slightly, her sharp eyes scrutinizing every movement.

"Is that all it takes to break you?" she muttered, the smirk fading into a neutral line. Her fingers tapped idly against the cold walls as she analyzed the situation. "I came here because I thought you might be worth the effort, Konami. Your darkness, your ambition—they intrigued me. But if you can't withstand this, then you were never destined to rise above mediocrity."

The ground beneath her trembled violently as Horus's flames continued to pour down upon Konami. Wisteria didn't flinch, even as the oppressive heat reached her hiding place. The pillar of fire reflected in her calculating gaze, but not once did she move to help.

Konami's Duel Disk sputtered under the strain, sparks flying as it struggled to remain functional. His body trembled as he dropped to one knee, his hands clawing at the ground to steady himself. The flames clung to him like living chains, wrapping around his limbs and biting into his flesh with every passing second.

"AAaah… Ahck..!" His lost voice struggled to scream through the air. His once-cocky smirk had long since been replaced by a grimace of pain and desperation.

Still, Wisteria showed no sympathy. "If you crumble here, you'll prove you're not worth the power you wish to wield," she said softly, her tone almost dismissive. "But if you survive…" She narrowed her eyes and licked her lips. "Then perhaps… you'll still be worth molding."

After a long moment, the flames finally came to a stop. With one last burst, they exploded in the center of the chamber, sending Konami flying back. His body rolled and skidded across the floor, slamming into the far wall. He let out a pained gasp, spit flying from his lips as his pupils faded in and out of view.

He fell to all fours, steam rising from his body as he shook beneath the weight of his injuries. A few flames still clung to him, burning not at his clothes or skin, but his very soul. His breaths came in and out as ragged gasps, his chest rising and falling unevenly.

"Turn end," Abidos said, closing his eyes victoriously. He turned away from Konami, stalking back toward his Gravekeepers. The sight before him was one he'd seen many times, and one none had ever survived.

And yet—

"Is that… the best… you've got?" Konami hissed through gritted teeth, a defiant glare slowly forming on his face despite the pain.

Abidos paused mid-step, swiveling around to face his opponent. His expression was one of mild surprise but he maintained unshaken confidence. "You still live? Impossible! No mortal can endure the black flames of Horus! And yet, here you are… defiant to the end."

The Gravekeepers gasped in unison, their chants faltering as they watched Konami crawl to his feet.

"He survived?!" "How is this possible?" "The Black Flame Deity's judgment… was not enough?"

Wisteria's smirk returned, though her eyes remained cold and analytical. "You might just make this entertaining, after all, Konami. But don't think for a second that I'll help you. If you fall here, it simply means you weren't strong enough to begin with."

Konami straightened his back, the flames around him finally flickering and dissipating. His Duel Disk sputtered one last time before stabilizing, the glowing numbers of his Life Points ticking downward.

ABIDOS - 4000 LP
KONAMI - 1000 LP

Abidos regarded him with an air of divine authority, his golden aura still alight. "Your defiance fails to amuse me, trespasser, but your survival changes nothing. Horus is eternal, and you are but a fleeting shadow in its light. Prepare yourself, for on my next turn… your end is inevitable."

Konami chuckled, each breath accompanied by a pained breath of smoke. He wiped a streak of soot from his face, his grin widening despite the pain wracking his body. "You talk a lot for someone who hasn't won yet," he shot back with an evil glare. "Next turn? Kukuku… What… makes you think you'll have one?"

"What?" Abidos breathed, Konami's words setting him on edge.

"A bluff, my Pharaoh!" the Gravekeeper's Chief howled. "That fool is on his last legs!"

Abidos narrowed his eyes. "Perhaps… let's see it then, trespasser!"

"Milord…" Yae whispered from his hand. "What are you going to do? That monster… I can't defeat it! Do you really have a plan?!"

"Of course, I do," Konami scoffed, glaring at the girl's artwork. "Just who do you think you're talking to? My deck's improved since we last talked."

"Dragons…" Yae noted, her artwork frowning at the thought. "I must admit, I never thought I'd work alongside such monstrous creatures, but… if it's to protect Nataly's son, then—"

"You really are annoying, Yae."

"Eh?"

"FINAL TURN!" Konami roared, ripping a card from his deck. Its dark trail followed his hand. He didn't need to look to know what it was.

"First! I summon Lady Ninja Yae in Attack Mode!"

A bright flash accompanied his words as the kunoichi was given flesh and blood.

"A-Attack Mode?!" Yae gasped, glancing at herself in shock. "But Milord, I can't—"

"Second! I cast Enemy Controller! By sacrificing a monster on my side of the field, I can take control of one of yours!"

"Eh?! M-Milord! This is-!"

He paid her mind as the controller appeared in his hands. He input the code.

Up, Down, Up Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A!

"Kodo-san–!" Yae squealed, pleading with him as her body vanished into light. A bolt of lightning suddenly struck the field from above, crashing directly into Horus's body and transforming into steel chains. The draconic deity screamed in pain as they wrapped around its neck, legs, and arms, prompting Abidos to glance up toward his ace monster in shock.

"What is this?!" Abidos roared, his eyes widening as he watched Horus the Black Flame Deity writhe in the grip of the sudden spell. The mighty god's roar echoed through the chamber, its massive wings flaring violently as the light overtook it.

Konami's grin widened, his breath still ragged from the assault he had endured. "That's right, Pharaoh! You're not the only one with tricks up your sleeve! Thanks to Enemy Controller, your precious deity is now under my control!"

The Gravekeepers erupted into chaos, their once confident chants turning into panicked murmurs.

"Impossible!" one shouted. "The Black Flame Deity—no one can command it but the Pharaoh!"

"What blasphemy is this?!" another cried. "He cannot take Horus!"

Abidos gritted his teeth, his golden aura flaring with defiance. "Fool! You cannot possibly hope to control the might of a god! Horus answers only to me, the chosen of the divine! Your trickery will fail!"

Konami chuckled darkly, wiping the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "Oh, don't be so sure about that. Controlling things is my specialty. Besides, I don't need to control Horus forever. Just long enough to make sure it takes you out."

Horus roared once more, but this time, the sound carried a different tone. No longer was it the triumphant cry of a god—it was a challenge, directed at Abidos himself. The great deity's blazing crimson eyes turned toward the Pharaoh, glowing with a newfound fury under Konami's command.

"You fool. It seems Horus's flames have made you mad!" the Pharaoh roared. "Even if you direct god's flames against me, I'll still have Life Points remaining! Once your control ends, Horus and I will defeat you on my next turn!"

Konami dropped his head, letting his hair fall over his eyes as he chuckled darkly. "That's where you're wrong, Abidos. Because you don't have a next turn!"

"...!"

"You and your Gravekeepers have gone on about how Horus is your protector and the vanquisher of evil… but the thing about evil is that it corrupts, and nothing's immune to that darkness!"

"Blasphemy!" Abidos breathed. "The gods are pure beings of light! Whatever you're planning, it won't work!"

"Let's just see about that! I activate my final card!" Konami roared. "Dragon's Light and Darkness! It flips the morality of a Dragon monster I control, increasing its Attack Points by 200 for each of its Levels! Now… let's see just how pure this god of yours really is! I target Horus with its effect! Let's see just how wretched it is!"

Horus let out a deafening roar, black flames surging from its body as Konami's final Spell took hold. The black flames coursed across its surface, charring its body black as a crimson aura overtook it. Abidos and the Gravekeepers watched on in shock, speechless and horrified by the vile desecration of their god.

DARK HORUS - LV8 - DARK - Dragon - (4600/1800)

"Well, would you look at that?" Konami asked, a hint of his arrogance returning to his features. "Looks like it worked out alright. Your monster's not so pure, after all…"

Abidos took a step back, sweat forming on his brow as he gazed up at the corrupted and now-unstoppable force towering over him. "No… This cannot be! Horus belongs to the divine! You cannot wield its power!"

"From now on, I'm the only one who'll wield its power!" Konami shot back, his voice dripping with venom. He thrust his arm forward, pointing directly at Abidos and the Gravekeepers beyond. "Horus— No, DARK HORUS, attack Abidos directly! Lead me straight to the Sacred Beast… with your… DARK FLAME OF JUDGMENT!"

"NOOOOOO!" Abidos screamed as the black flames surged toward him. His golden aura shattered like glass under the sheer force of the attack, his Duel Disk exploding in a shower of sparks the second his Life Points hit zero. The force of the attack sent him flying back, shattering the protection he'd conjured, leaving both he and the Gravekeepers helpless as they gazed upon the dark god.

The Pharaoh… defeated?!" one of them whispered, their voice trembling.

Abidos collapsed to his knees, his once-pristine robes scorched and tattered. He lifted his head weakly, glaring at Konami with a mix of disbelief and fury. "You… you insolent wretch… How dare you…"

Konami stepped forward, barely able to keep himself upright, but his smirk never faltered. "I told you, Abidos… You're not the only Duelist who can wield power. My power to control was simply greater than yours to burn. I win."

"No…" Abidos whispered. "You…!" He collapsed, fading into unconsciousness.

"Cur!" one of the Gravekeepers shouted. "You might have won the Duel, but now, you're weak!"

He grabbed his weapon, no doubt intending to finish what Abidos started.

"To me, brothers! If we act together, we can still accomplish our duty! End him! End the threat!"

"CHARGE!" the men shouted as one.

Konami stared at them, dead inside.

"Fools," he murmured. "Burn!"

Dark Horus unleashed yet another blaze, burning his assailants to ash.

Those who hadn't cowered in fear, huddling in the corner.

"By the terms of the ancient pact, I now claim your Sacred Beast!" he howled, lifting his hand to the sky. Horus screeched, shaking the chamber as a pillar rose from its center. Upon it sat a single gleaming card, as red as the jacket he wore.

He called it into his hand as Horus's remaining flames burned brighter. They encroached upon the huddling Spirits, keeping them trapped like mice.

"This is…" he glanced at the card, a cruel smirk pulling at his lips.

He had done it.

Finally.

The first of the Beasts was his.

A slow clap echoed behind him, souring his mood instantly.

"Wisteria."

"Darling," she purred. "I told you you'd get the Beast."

"No thanks to you," he scoffed, immediately placing the card in his deck. Wisteria pursed her lips, no doubt vexed she wasn't allowed to read what it said.

"Be that as it may, it was me who guided you to this temple. And it is me who found the way out. Shall we, my dear Duelist?"

"Hmph. Fine. I'll let you lead the way. But try anything…" he gestured at Horus, "and I'll let this burn you as well."

She felt a shiver run down her spine. Not one of fear, but of pleasure.

"He's really letting this power go to his head. Just one push. That's all he needs."

"W-Wait! You can't leave us here!" the Gravekeepers shouted, pulling even further into the corner as the flames grew. "You got the card! The Sacred Beast! So… You must let us go!"

"Hm?" Wisteria frowned, tapping her lip as she glanced back toward them. "What do you think, darling? What should we do with these… people?"

He glanced toward them lazily, his eyes as dark and empty as the flames threatening to consume them.

"Why would I care about those who attacked me? Let them burn for all I care."

"No–!"

Without another word, he made his way toward the exit, leaving the golden chamber to be consumed by Dark Horus's flames.

LESSON THIRTEEN
THE LORD OF SEARING FLAMES…
FOUND