The forest was quiet as Konami walked back, obscured by the darkness of the night. Only his flashlight illuminated his path, casting long shadows that danced among the trees. His body ached with every step, still reeling from the injuries incurred against Abidos, but his lips twitched with grim satisfaction. Despite the pain, he'd won. He'd defeated the Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh and claimed the first Sacred Beast. And now, he was one step closer to settling things with the North for good.
Ahead, nestled in the overgrowth of the abandoned SAL lab, his camp came into view. The faint glow of a fire flickered through the building's cracked windows, casting an inviting warmth against the cold night air. Konami exhaled as he approached, eager to collapse and finally rest. But as he drew closer, his eyes narrowed, catching movement near the entrance. A figure stood in the doorway, arms crossed and illuminated by the glow of his flashlight.
His heart sank as he recognized her.
"Kami," he muttered under his breath.
TAG FORCE ALTERNATIVE
TWISTING THE TALE
LESSON FOURTEEN: STRIKING THUNDER
"Do you have any idea what time it is? Where the hell have you been?!"
Konami raised a hand, trying to deflect her anger. "Relax, Kami. I was just handling something—"
"Handling something?" she cut him off, her emerald eyes narrowing. "Without telling anyone? Without telling me?" Her voice rose slightly, and Konami winced. "Do you know how reckless that was? You know how dangerous these forests can be! What if—" Kami froze mid-sentence, her gaze shifting past him, and her eyes immediately darkened. "And what is she doing here?" she demanded, her voice now laced with venom.
Konami sighed, turning his head around as Wisteria stepped into view. She looked as calm and composed as ever, and her lips curled into a faint smirk as she moved to stand closer to Konami.
Too close.
Kami growled at her, baring her fangs.
"Surprised?" Wisteria asked. "Sorry for dropping by unannounced. Konami and I had some… unfinished business."
"What business?" Kami thundered.
Wisteria tilted her head and smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Kami's glare darkened, her fists clenching at her sides as she stared down the Northerner. "Actually, I would like to know. After all, he's my boyfriend. And it's far too late for a business meeting, so why don't you explain yourself, Sponsor?"
Wisteria raised an eyebrow, her smirk faltering as she folded her arms. "Finally succumbed to his charms, did you? Cute… if it weren't so pathetic. Besides, aren't there supposed to be laws and regulations against that sort of thing? A heiress in a relationship with her product simply screams 'Conflict of Interest.'"
"What I do in my personal time is no business of yours," Kami huffed. "And if that's the angle you're going to take, have you already forgotten that you're one of Konami's sponsors, too? Roaming around with him in the middle of the night when he's already in a relationship? I'd say you're the pathetic one here, and the one who should explain why she's here, too!"
Wisteria scoffed. "You just explained it yourself. I'm one of his sponsors. Why wouldn't I want to check in on my product and make sure his dueling's in tip top shape?"
"Dueling?! This late at night?!" Kami's eyes snapped to Konami.
"Oh, yes," Wisteria praised, laughing into the back of her hand. "You should have seen it. I'd say my darling was quite… remarkable."
"Don't call him that," Kami snapped, stepping between the two of them with a glare.
Wisteria merely smirked, clearly unbothered by the Obelisk's irritation. If anything, she seemed to enjoy it. "Why not? Don't tell me you're jealous. Worried your precious boytoy found someone better to spend all his time with?" Her eyes narrowed. "Well, you should be. We had quite the fun tonight, he and I."
"What?!" Kami growled.
'Enough, Wisteria. You're not helping, so shut it."
Konami's words earned a scowl from the girl, but she quickly hid it behind a dark smile.
"What? Can't you let a girl have her fun? She looks so cute when she's jealous. Don't worry though," she turned back to Kami, "We didn't do anything. Not yet."
Kami's face darkened further, her lips pulling back into a snarl. "You're disgusting," she snapped, her hands curling into fists as her eyes burned holes into Wisteria. "And you've said your piece. Thanks for bringing him back. You can leave now."
Wisteria's smirk only widened as she brushed a lock of hair from her face. "Oh, I don't think I will," she replied, clasping her hands together sickeningly sweetly. "Besides, you just said the forest was dangerous! You wouldn't send me out there to die, would you?"
Kami's eye twitched at her obvious sarcasm, "Oh, believe me. I would."
"Hmph. Rude," Wisteria scoffed. "And here I thought we were sisters in arms. Doing our best to support our darling in his pursuit of the Duel Monsters' throne."
As if the words reminded her that he was there, Kami whirled around to face Konami. "That reminds me, what exactly does she mean by 'dueling' this late?! Do you seriously think I'll buy that nonsense? What exactly are you hiding from me?!"
Konami met her gaze. "Nothing you need to worry about," he said evenly. "Wisteria and I had an agreement. That's all." He glared at Wisteria. "And I'm not your darling."
"An agreement?" Kami repeated, her voice rising. "You sneak out to duel without telling anyone, come back with her, and expect me to believe it's all part of some… deal?!"
"Yes. Because it is," he replied, brushing past her to enter the building. "Now, if you'd excuse me, I'm tired. And I could really use some sleep."
Kami gritted her teeth. "Konami—!"
"Oh, enough already. Let the boy go. Trust me, if you saw what I did, you'd know darling's earned a full rest," Wisteria said, placing a hand on Kami's shoulder to stop her from interfering further. Kami scowled and wrenched herself free.
"Trust you? With him? You wish," she sneered. "You've been after Konami since the second you met! Don't think I don't know what you're doing."
"Oh?" Wisteria smiled sultrily. "And what am I doing, exactly?"
"Trying to steal him from me," Kami growled. "And I won't have it!"
"Steal him?" Wisteria laughed. "Please. That makes it sound like you're competition. Konami's a big boy, Kami. He can make his own choices."
"And he's smart enough to know better than to get in bed with a parasite like you," Kami spat. "But you're right about one thing. I'm not competition. After all, you're nothing to him. You're just a leech, clinging to his power."
Wisteria's smirk didn't falter. On the contrary, it grew wider, her pale red eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, Kami," she purred, "you're so protective. It's almost sweet. But let's not pretend you're any better. You might have convinced yourself into thinking you're with him because you're in love, but we both know why you're really here. The strength he brings Umi no Corp."
"That's not—" Kami started, but Wisteria continued, cutting her off.
"Spare me. You think you're special because you've wormed your way into his heart?" she scoffed. "Please. For the record, I know Konami better than you ever could."
Kami grimaced, no longer content to let Wisteria have her way. She stepped forward, the space between them narrowing dangerously. "You don't know a damn thing about him. And you don't know what we've been through. You don't know what he's like when it's just us."
"Oh, I can imagine," Wisteria countered, closing her eyes as if imagining it. She leaned in, her lips curling into a dark and cruel smile. "But while it may be true that you've seen sides of him I haven't… yet, it's also true that I've seen a side of him you don't even know exists. A part of him that doesn't care about your petty little affections. A part that craves power, no matter the cost."
Kami's eyes narrowed, but her resolve didn't waver. "You're delusional," she shot back. "You think it's a secret that he's power-hungry? Please. I knew that day one! Face it. Konami doesn't need you or want you. All you are is a liability."
"Is that what you think?" Wisteria straightened, brushing an invisible speck of dirt from her sleeve. "Then why hasn't he sent me away? Why did he let me follow him back here? Face it, Kami. He needs me." She smirked. "I can give him things you can't."
"I don't care what you think you can give him," Kami snapped. "You don't belong here. You don't belong with him. And if you think for a second I'm going to let you sink your claws into him, you're dead wrong."
Wisteria didn't flinch. If anything, she seemed pleased by Kami's reaction.
"Oh, Kami," she said softly. "You really think you can stop me? Fine. If you want to play Konami's precious guard dog, go ahead. But know that I'm not going anywhere. Not until Konami decides it. And when that day comes…" Her smirk turned wicked. "I wouldn't want to be in your shoes."
With that, Wisteria pushed past Kami and made her way into their camp, leaving Kami seething in her wake.
"You—Hey, get back here!"
-GX-
Far from the tension of the abandoned lab, Atticus clenched his fist. The Atmosphere screeched victoriously above him, flapping its brilliant wings over the smoking destruction it had just wrought.
From the sidelines, Alexis and the others tensed and stared into the smoke.
"Did that do it?" one of them asked. Atticus thought it was the small one… Syrus?
Alexis frowned, her fists clenched at her sides. "Well, it was a direct hit," she murmured. "If it was me, I wouldn't have survived."
"Here's hoping this guy didn't either," Chazz grunted.
"Sorry to disappoint you," Nightshroud's eerie voice cut through the smoke. "But it will take more than one Battle Phase to get rid of the likes of me."
The sound sent a shiver through the group.
"No way," Chazz whispered, eyes widening. "He's still standing?!"
The smoke parted like a curtain, revealing Nightshroud's dark silhouette. His long coat rippled in the aftermath, and though his posture had slumped slightly, he still remained on his feet. A thin red glow flickered behind his mask, and his Duel Disk still burned with power.
ATTICUS - 4000 LP
NIGHTSHROUD - 500 LP
Despite the setback, Atticus's smirk remained in place. "Sure you don't wanna call it quits? It's not too late to back down."
Nightshroud straightened, brushing off his cloak as if shaking off the last remnants of Atticus's attack. Then, he let out another chuckle. "Back down? When I'm already this close to winning? Hmhmhm… I think not. You are skilled, someone worthy of being one of Sheppard's enforcers… However, you're not skilled enough."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Atticus asked, furrowing his brow.
"It means that while you may be skilled enough to rule over children like them, the world of spirits is another matter—kukuku… shall I show you despair?"
"Atticus!" Alexis shouted.
"Don't worry, sis. He's bluffing," Atticus smirked, shooting her a thumbs up. "But just in case, I'll Set down one more card before ending my turn!"
He slid Floowandereeze and the Dreaming Town into his Duel Disk, smiling as its back briefly appeared on the field before vanishing from view. However, instead of looking worried or annoyed by his act, Nightshroud's chuckle echoed through the forest.
"Then let me bring this game to a close," he said. "It's my turn. I Draw!"
A shining light flew from his Duel Disk, trailing his fingers as he drew the next card from his deck. He looked at it, the crimson eyes of his mask glowing intensely. Then, his cold laugh filled the air.
"Uh, you alright there, pal?" Jaden asked.
"Oh, I'm more than alright," Nightshroud responded with a smirk, "because the time has come to open the gates of despair and end this Duel!"
"Open the gates?" Zane inquired.
"Yes. The Spirit Gates," Nightshroud grinned. "And I just drew the perfect card to do it: Opening of the Spirit Gates!"
Atticus sucked in a breath. "Opening of—"
"—the Spirit Gates?" Zane finished.
"Yes. I'm sure Sheppard told you all about them, didn't he?" Nightshroud chuckled. "And now, you shall bear witness to them again as they rise tonight!"
He slammed the card onto his Duel Disk, creating a massive explosion of light. It ripped through the forest, shaking the ground and making the group grab onto anything nearby to keep themselves balanced.
"W-What's going on?!" Syrus screamed.
"T-The forest! It's changing!" Chazz roared.
"No, it's opening," Nightshroud chuckled, turning around.
An explosion of dirt and grass met him as he turned his back to the group, instead focusing on the massive pillar slowly rising from the ground. The clouds spun and twisted as it did, blotting out what little moonlight remained. By the time the pillar had reached its peak, they were once again shrouded in darkness.
Nightshroud smirked as he approached the pillar and threw his hand into its base.
"H-Hey! What're you doing?" Atticus shouted after him.
Nightshroud glanced back at the boy and smirked. "What do you think? Winning. When Opening of the Spirit Gates is activated, I can add one Sacred Beast to my hand. And I have just the one in mind to end you once and for all."
"What?!"
Nightshroud turned his gaze back to the pillar, his fingers clasping something inside. Beneath his mask, his eyes widened.
"Come to me," he roared, "Hamon!"
A bolt of lightning fell from the heavens, striking the pillar's tip. It surged down its surface, empowering the vessel and delivering what Nightshroud desired. With a strong roar, the masked duelist tore his hand free from the stone.
A single card appeared in his grip.
It shone with a golden light.
"T-That's—!" Atticus choked.
Zane stepped forward. "Atticus, run!"
"Too late," Nightshroud grinned. "By sending three Spells I control to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon this card from my hand! And," his eyes darted down to his field. "Would you look at that? I have them!"
He grabbed the three cards, pulled them off his Duel Disk, and slid them into his Graveyard.
"I send Starry Knight Sky, Starry Knight Ceremony, and, yes, Opening of the Spirit Gates to the Graveyard!"
The moment the third card vanished, a violent burst of golden lightning cracked through the night. The heavens split open, revealing an endless plane glowing with electrical energy. Nightshroud laughed and raised his new card high above his head toward it, sending streaks of electricity surging from its surface onto the field beyond.
"Now, bear witness to a power that surpasses even the gods!" he roared. "Come forth, my Sacred Beast—HAMON, LORD OF STRIKING THUNDER!"
A deafening roar shattered the night as the sky split apart with a scream, jagged bolts of golden lightning ripping through the field as he placed the card down. The very air trembled as a colossal shadow materialized above the battlefield, its jagged, skeletal form flying through the oncoming storm like a moving mountain of electricity.
Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder - LV10 - DIVINE - Divine Beast - (4000/4000)
As another beam of light erupted and lit the sky, the creature loosed a powerful roar, shaking the trees and grounds. Atticus shielded his face as a wave of static rolled across the field, his Duel Disk and other electronics sparking from the sheer force of Hamon's presence. Behind him, Zane, Alexis, Jaden, Syus, and Chazz covered their ears, wincing in pain from the volume the Sacred Beast's voice reached.
"W-What is that thing?!" Syrus managed through the static.
"My—My head…!" Chazz grunted. "Feels like it's splitting…!"
As the volume died, the creature loosed one final rumbling growl, then planted its feet behind Nightshroud as the trees around it withered and died. Atticus braced himself as the pressure around them grew unbearable. He gritted his teeth. "What is this? The forest… it's like it's… dying!"
Nightshroud spread his arms wide, exalting in his monster's arrival. "Beautiful, isn't it? This is the power bestowed upon users of a Sacred Beast! With their summoning, the battlefield itself bends to our will!"
Another card materialized on his Duel Disk as the forest shone with ominous pressure.
"Behold—" he laughed. "FALLEN PARADISE! Gaze upon the lost Eden!"
The ground trembled violently as the last of the forest around them dissolved, giving way to an ominous void of purple skies and dead trees.
"Fallen Paradise…?" Atticus echoed worriedly. "Oh, I get it. The field changed! Again."
"And that's not all," Nightshroud smirked, lifting his hand as he spoke. "With this Field Spell in play, so long as Hamon remains under my command, it cannot be targeted or destroyed by card effects. And better yet, I get to draw two cards!"
A flick of his Duel Disk sent the newly drawn cards whipping into his grip. His crimson gaze flickered with amusement as he studied them.
Atticus clenched his fists. "Tch... No problem! You might have a powerhouse, but I still have my Set card!" He thrust out his hand. "I activate Floowandereeze and the Dreaming Town—!"
"You do nothing."
Nightshroud's voice cut through Atticus's words. The Obelisk's Duel Disk flashed red, his card fizzling out before it could even activate.
His eyes widened. "What?!"
Nightshroud laughed darkly. "Did you really think I would let you stop me? If a Sacred Beast is summoned, you are forbidden from activating Spell and Trap Cards for the rest of the turn!"
Atticus's stomach dropped.
"N-No way..." Syrus murmured from the sidelines, his eyes wide in shock..
Zane narrowed his eyes, his fists clenching beneath his folded arms. "Atticus… he's completely locked him out of defending himself!"
"Atticus!" Alexis gasped.
Atticus gritted his teeth, but still managed a small smile for his sister. "I'm not out yet. Even if he attacks, he'll have to get through the Atmosphere! I just have to hold on until the next turn, and then—"
"Are you confused, child? There won't be a next turn," Nightshroud interjected, lifting his hand. "Not when I can activate the Graveyard effect of Starry Knight Rayel! By banishing her from my Graveyard, I can bring back another deceased Starry Knight! You've met them before, but say hello again to my… Starry Knight Ciel!"
A brilliant light flared onto the field as the celestial knight re-emerged, its axe glowing brightly as it flapped its wings beneath the towering Hamon.
Starry Knight Ciel - LV4 - LIGHT - Fairy - (1700/800)
"But Ciel won't be here for long…" Nightshroud extended his hand, his Duel Disk processing another command. "Because I'm tributing it to activate the last card I need. Reflect Energy!"
A pulse of light exploded from Ciel as its body shattered into golden particles, its energy transferring into Hamon. Bolts of lightning raced across its body as it roared, illuminating the twisted sky of Fallen Paradise.
Atticus staggered back. "Reflect Energy…?!"
Nightshroud's crimson eyes flashed. "Indeed. With this card, Hamon gains the ability to attack you directly!"
Atticus's breath caught.
"Wait, WHAT?!" Chazz barked from the sidelines.
Alexis's heart pounded. "No, Atticus—!"
"This is the end for you, boy!" Nightshroud declared, his Sacred Beast glowing with light.
Atticus stared at the battlefield, racking his brain for a way out. His hand curled into a fist, finding none. "Damn it…! Am I finished?"
Nightshroud chuckled darkly, his arm slicing through the air as he issued his final command.
"Hamon, END THIS! Attack with STRIKING THUNDER!"
The Sacred Beast roared, its body pulsing with divine electricity as it reared back. Then, with a mighty surge, Hamon unleashed an earth-shattering bolt of lightning directly at Atticus.
The air tore apart from the sheer magnitude of the ensuing blast. Blinding light consumed the field, ripping through the trees, and sending waves of light screaming into the darkness beyond! Atticus let out a shrill cry as the deadly bolt slammed into him, his body overloading with energy the second the attack hit.
"AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"Atticus!" Alexis screamed from the sidelines.
She ran toward him, but Zane caught her by the arm, holding her in place.
"Stop! You'll get caught in the blast!" he warned.
"I don't care! Atticus!" she screamed.
They heard his Life Points plummet.
ATTICUS - 3000 LP
NIGHTSHROUD - 500 LP
ATTICUS - 1567 LP
NIGHTSHROUD - 500 LP
ATTICUS - 843 LP
NIGHTSHROUD - 500 LP
ATTICUS - 9999 LP
NIGHTSHROUD - 500 LP
ATTICUS - 0 LP
NIGHTSHROUD - 500 LP
And then… Silence.
Smoke rose from the ground, sparks of electricity floating where Atticus had once stood. Now? He laid motionless on the ground, breathless from the deadly attack.
Across from him, Nightshroud exhaled, lowering his arm as he revelled in his victory.
"And just like that…" he murmured, "The first of Sheppard's lights is extinguished."
"Atticus… Atticus!" Alexis screamed, ripping free from Zane's grip. She raced toward her brother thoughtlessly, immediately crouching beside him to shake him awake. "Atticus! Atticus, wake up!"
"Foolish girl. He won't wake. His soul belongs to the shadows now…. As will who oppose my power," Nighshroud said.
"You… You monster!" Alexis hissed. "Give Atticus back!"
"Or what? You'll duel me?" Nightshroud chuckled. "Don't make me laugh. Atticus was one of Sheppard's strongest pupils… and he only managed to bruise me. What chance does a single freshman have?"
Alexis bit back a snarl. In her fury, she didn't care how much stronger Nightshroud was than her. All that mattered was beating him, and restoring life to her brother! But before she could so much as lunge his way—
A blur of movement shot past her.
Zane rushed forward, his coat billowing as he lunged straight toward Nightshroud. His fist lashed out, aiming for the figure's face…
Only to pass right through.
Zane's eyes widened as his entire arm sank into empty mist, dispersing Nightshroud's form like smoke in the wind.
"W-What?!" Chazz's eyes widened. "Impossible! His body—!"
Nightshroud's laughter echoed eerily through the now empty forest. "Resorting to violence so soon, boy? And here I was told you were stoic."
Zane glared in every direction, searching for the source of the voice. "I don't care what tricks you're using," he growled. "You're not leaving here with his soul."
"A bold declaration." Nightshroud chuckled, "And one I'd love to indulge. However…"
A plume of black mist swept past Atticus's corpse.
"As much as I enjoy breaking Duelists, this one did manage to… scratch me. I won't deny it. He left a mark. Just large enough for me to feel. And now that I've acquired Hamon, I must ensure it doesn't happen again. But for that, I need time. We'll settle this some other time."
Zane took a step forward, his eyes sharp as he glared into the darkness. "No. You're not going anywhere. Come out and face me, coward!"
Nightshroud's laughter deepened, growing more sinister with each second. For the briefest of moments, he did reappear, standing at the edge of the forest.
"You want to duel?" he inquired. "Then come and catch me… if you can."
His entire body unraveled at that, dissolving in an explosion of black mist. The shadows whipped through the air, swirling like a tornado before rushing into the darkness of the trees. His laughter echoed through the night, growing fainter, fainter—
Until it was gone.
Zane stood still, his fists still clenched, his entire body tense with rage. His eyes burned into the empty space where Nightshroud had stood, his breathing controlled but clearly furious.
"Bastard…" he muttered.
Behind him, Alexis collapsed beside Atticus, her hands shaking as she gently lifted her brother's head into her lap. "Atticus, please," she whispered, desperation seeping into her voice. "Wake up… You can't go… Please, don't leave me alone…!"
Syrus, Chazz, and Jaden approached, their faces etched with unease.
"Alexis… I–-" Chazz stammered, not knowing what to say.
"Jaden, what do we do?" Syrus asked.
"I… I dunno, Sy," Jaden said. "But one thing's for sure." His fists clenched as he stared at Atticus's unconscious body. "Next time, there's no way we can let that 'Nightshroud' escape!"
TAG FORCE ALTERNATIVE
LESSON FOURTEEN: STRIKING THUNDER
END
Nightshroud is a dirty cheat!
Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder - LV10 - DIVINE - Divine Beast - (4000/4000)
This card cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. This card must first be Special Summoned (from your hand) by sending 3 Spells you control to the GY. This card's Summon cannot be negated. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this card's Summon. If this card is Summoned using its own procedure: Your opponent cannot activate Spell/Trap Cards until the end of this turn. When this card is Special Summoned: Place 1 "Fallen Paradise" on your field from outside your Deck. If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the GY: Inflict 1000 damage to your opponent. While this card is in face-up Defense Position, monsters your opponent controls cannot target monsters for attacks, except this one. If this face-up card you control leaves the field: You take no damage this turn. Control of this face-up card cannot switch.