Chapter 15
Fenris tore through the corridors of Pegasus's island, his breath steady despite the furious pace. His eyes burned with the primal rage of a warrior on the hunt. The bastard who harmed Jasmine was running, but he wouldn't run forever.
Not from Fenris.
Not from the Champion of the Norse Gods.
The thief moved with unnatural speed, his dark cloak billowing as he darted through the halls. But Fenris was faster. His divine instincts, given to him by the Norse Gods and sharpened by countless battles, guided his path.
He wasn't just chasing a man—Fenris was hunting prey.
Then, in a flash, the thief made a mistake. He pivoted too sharply around a corner, and Fenris seized the moment.
'Now!'
With a powerful leap, Fenris lunged forward, crashing into the thief and sending them both skidding across the plains. The Winged Dragon of Ra tumbled from the thief's grasp, but with unnatural reflexes, he snatched it back, flipping onto his feet in an instant.
"Tch. Persistent, aren't you?" The thief sneered, brushing off his cloak. His voice dripped with condescension.
Fenris rose to his feet, his piercing gaze locking onto the thief. The dim lighting flickered, casting eerie shadows across the field.
"You're not walking away from this, coward," Fenris growled, cracking his knuckles. "You hurt Jasmine. And you stole something that doesn't belong to you. You think the gods will let that slide?"
The thief chuckled and spun the Winged Dragon of Ra card in his fingers. The artifact pulsed with divine energy as if resisting its captor.
"The Egyptian Gods?" The thief scoffed. "They are relics of a dying age. Power belongs to those who seize it, since unlike the Pharoh, who isn't even aware or worthy of said power, and now I have taken what is mine."
A low rumble echoed through the corridor. The air grew heavy.
Then, behind Fenris, a powerful presence manifested.
A towering figure emerged from the shadows, his imposing frame clad in gleaming golden armor, his lone eye burning with divine judgment.
Odin.
The Allfather of Asgard stepped forward, his spear Gungnir in hand. His gaze, filled with centuries of wisdom and wrath, locked onto the thief.
"Mortal," Odin's voice boomed, shaking the very foundations of the island. Do you dare steal the power of a god and harm one under our protection? You will answer for your crimes."
The thief stiffened. Even he wasn't foolish enough to underestimate the Allfather.
But rather than flee, the thief smirked, his golden eyes glinting in the dim light.
"Then let's see if your champion is worthy." The thief said as he lifted his hand, revealing a Duel Disk now strapped to his arm. "Fenris, Champion of the Norse Faction. I challenge you to a Shadow Game."
Fenris's lips curled into a dangerous grin. He raised his arm, and in a flash of golden light, his own Duel Disk materialized, divine energy crackling around it.
"You want a duel? Fine." Fenris slammed his Deck into place, his eyes never leaving the thief. "But when I win, you're not walking away. You're crawling."
Odin folded his arms, his presence an unspoken decree.
This battle would decide more than just a stolen card.
It would decide justice.
Pegasus was rushing to where the Winged Dragon of Ra card was, thanks to a special tracker he placed on its card sleeve to ensure that the card could be traced to any possible thief.
"Once I get my hands on the one responsible for daring to harm my daughter in a Shadow Game, they will know what true wrath is from a very calm parent," Pegasus said to himself as he recalled seeing his daughter defeated on the ground, physically unharmed but emotionally and mentally is another story since the Shadow Games harmed her soul that the intruder forced her to participate in.
Ishizu stayed behind to tend to Jasmine's soul and ensured that her soul would be safe before Issei, Sona, Vivian, Yugi, and Duke spread out across the grounds when they saw cloaked individuals, thinking they were working for the intruders.
Pegasus ordered the guards to find the intruders and bring them in for questioning. However, Pegasus knew that the other cloaked people were just decoys meant to keep the others busy while the real mastermind escaped. Pegasus saw that the thief stopped, which made the creator think someone intercepted them until he made it to the area and saw the cloaked individual.
The intruder was wearing a purple hooded robe with the Eye of Anubis on it and a long purple cape with a gold chain at the front. They wore golden earrings, three bands of neckwear, an armband on each arm, and five bracelets on each arm starting from close to their elbows down to their wrists. They had dark skin, purple eyes and white-gold hair that occasionally appears as more light gray hair in real light.
Pegasus saw that Fenris was dueling him and smiled, seeing that while he wanted to punish the one who harmed his daughter, Fenris was doing that for him.
"Destroy him and show no mercy, Fenris," Pegasus said as his Millennium Eye began to glow a bit as he saw the staff in the intruder's cloak.
'So he's aware of the Millennium Items as well? I'll have to talk to Ishizu about this.' Pegasus thought as he watched the battle.
"Since I am in a hurry, why don't we make this a Speed Duel?" Marik said, much to Fenris's annoyance. While he wanted to crush him with his full power, a Speed Duel limited him because the players only had two thousand life points and half their Deck.
"What's wrong? Scared you can't beat me in a real duel?"
"I am in a hurry, so unless you accept it, I'll be on my way," Marik said, with Fenris growling at this before going along with it.
"Fine. I accept the Speed Duel." Fenris said as the Duel began, Marik smiling.
"Excellent, now let's duel!" Marik said as he smiled, looking at his hand. 'And little does the fool know I added Ra to my deck, meaning I'll unleash its true power on him.'
Marik looked at his hand and made his move.
"First, I play Double Summon, and then I'll Normal Summon one monster in defense mode and Bowganian in Attack Mode. And then I'll place two cards facedown. That's all for now. And as you know, Bowganian deals the opponent 600 points of damage during my standby phase." Marik said while Fenris didn't say anything, and then he smiled at his hand.
"Normally, I'm not a fan of these ridiculous Speed Duels, but if you're trying to weaken my life points so soon, you have another thing coming," Fenris said as he pulled his first card.
The air crackled with energy as Fenris narrowed his eyes, scanning his opening hand. He wasn't thrilled about this Speed Duel format, but it didn't matter—he would crush Marik all the same. The fact that his opponent had already placed two facedown cards and a monster in Defense Position alongside Bowganian meant he was planning a burn strategy to whittle down Fenris's Life Points.
Marik smirked, twirling a card between his fingers.
"Your move, Champion of the Norse Gods. Let's see if you're worth the title."
Fenris ignored the taunt. He drew his first card, his Duel Disk glowing with divine energy.
"First, I activate my Field Spell—Yggdrasil, The World Tree!"
A deep rumble shook the battlefield as massive golden roots burst through the ground, coiling around the arena. A towering tree emerged, its branches stretching beyond the sky, blocking out the stars. The divine power radiating from the sacred tree was overwhelming.
Yggdrasil, World Tree
Field Spell
Effect:
•Once per turn, you can Special Summon 1 Level 5 or higher "Norse" monster from your Deck.
•"Norse" monsters you control require one less Tribute for Tribute Summons.
•As long as this card is on the field, no other Field Spell cards can be activated.
•Any opponent's monsters destroyed on the field or by battle are banished instead of being sent to the GY.
Marik's expression flickered, sensing the immense energy.
"Tch… so this is what the Norse gods have blessed you with?"
Fenris grinned. "Damn right. And thanks to Yggdrasil's effect, I can summon a Level 5 or higher 'Norse' monster from my Deck! So I choose—Viking Berserker, Æsir's Wrath!"
A muscular warrior clad in battle-worn armor materialized onto the field, his axe gleaming with divine fire. The berserker's eyes glowed red, his rage barely contained.
Viking Berserker, Æsir's Wrath
Level 7
FIRE Warrior
ATK 2800 / DEF 2200
•If this card is destroyed by battle, inflict 1000 damage to your opponent.
•If you control another "Norse" monster, this card cannot be destroyed by battle and can attack again.
•Once per turn, you can banish 1 "Norse" monster from your GY to allow this card to attack twice during the Battle Phase
"But that's not all! Yggdrasil also makes it, so I need one less tribute to summon my high-level monsters! So I'll Normal Summon another warrior—Hamingja, Shieldbearer of Asgard!"
A towering female warrior clad in silver armor and wielding a massive shield appeared beside the berserker. She slammed her shield into the ground, sending a powerful shockwave across the battlefield.
Hamingja, Shieldbearer of Asgard
Level 5
EARTH Warrior
ATK 2100 / DEF 2500
•When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, you can target one face-up "Norse" monster you control; both that monster and this monster cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects this turn.
•If this card is sent to the GY, you can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Norse" monster from your GY
Marik narrowed his eyes. "Two high-powered monsters already? Impressive, but raw strength alone won't win this Duel."
Fenris smirked. "That's why I'm not done yet. Hamingja's effect lets me protect one of my monsters from being destroyed in battle, and card effects this turn!"
A golden aura encased Viking Berserker, Æsir's Wrath, reinforcing his already fearsome form.
"And now, I'll enter my Battle Phase! First, Viking Berserker attacks your facedown monster!"
The berserker roared, charging forward, cleaving through Marik's hidden monster with a single strike! The card flipped up, revealing a Cobra Jar, which was destroyed instantly.
Marik chuckled. "You may have destroyed my monster, but Cobra Jar's effect summons a Poisonous Snake Token onto my field in Defense Position!"
A slithering black serpent materialized, its fangs dripping with venom.
Poisonous Snake Token
Earth Reptile
ATK 1200/ DEF 1200
Fenris scoffed. "That won't save you. Hamingja, destroy Bowganian!"
The Shieldbearer raised her weapon and charged, slamming her shield into Bowganian and sending the mechanical archer flying before it shattered into pixels.
"I don't think so since I played my trap card, Mirror Force! Say goodbye to your monsters!" Marik said as the trap activated, but both Norse warriors were unharmed, much to Marik's shock until he asked.
"How? Mirror Force destroys all monsters in attack mode!"
"That's simple since my Shieldbearer's ability prevents her from being harmed by spells, traps, and monster effects this turn as well. Too bad for your Mirror Force." Fenris said with a smirk as Marik sweated bullets and flinched as his Life Points dropped to 1400 from the attack.
"Ah! Why, you little worm!" Marik said with anger as his body began to be consumed by the shadows in the Shadow Game.
Fenris wasn't done. "And thanks to Yggdrasil's secondary effect, any monster you control that's destroyed in battle is banished instead of going to the Graveyard! So say goodbye to Bowganian forever!"
Marik's confident smirk faded for a split second. "Banishment, huh…?"
Fenris's eyes glowed with a primal fire. "That's right. You don't get to recycle your cards, Marik. And next turn, I'll make sure you don't even get a chance to summon Ra! Actually, you won't even have another monster since Viking Berserker, Æsir's Wrath's ability lets him attack again, so go, but not before giving him the Quick Play Spell: Rune Enhancement!"
Rune Enhancement
Quick Play Spell.
Target 1 "Norse" monster you control; it gains 1000 ATK until the end of the turn and cannot be destroyed by card effects this turn.
Also, if the monster is destroying a defense position montsr then the difference is given to the opponent as damage.
"Basically, this spell gives my warrior an additional thousand attack points, and when he destroys a defense monster, the difference is given to you as damage, which is more than enough to end this duel!" Fenris declared as Marik gritted his teeth, staring at the field as Fenris stood tall, his warriors ready to strike again next turn. The Duel had just begun, but Fenris was already dominating the battlefield.
And about to destroy his life points.
"I WILL NOT LOSE!" Marik shouted as he pulled out the Millennium Rod and tried to mind-control Fenris, which paused him from declaring the attack. However, just when Marik was about to give an order, a chuckle made Marik freeze.
As if he made a foolish choice.
The shadows flickered, and Marik turned his head to see Loki, the God of Mischief and Betrayal.
"You really thought you could control Fenris with a pathetic excuse of mind control? My boy, you have far more to learn than just depending on the power of an ancient stick," Loki said before summoning his staff and pointing it at Marik's forehead. The staff blasted Marik's spirit out of his body, shocking Marik as his body laughed with amusement before looking at Loki.
Marik's spirit staggered back, his translucent form flickering as he realized what had happened. His body, now controlled by someone else, stretched with an amused chuckle, rolling its shoulders as if testing the fit.
"Well, now," Loki mused, flexing his stolen fingers. "I must say, you have a rather interesting mind, Marik. All that darkness, all that ambition… but you lack true cunning. A shame, really."
Fenris's eyes narrowed, his Duel Disk still raised. "Loki," he growled. "What are you doing here?"
Loki smirked, twirling the Millennium Rod in his hand. "Oh, don't be so serious, dear Fenris. I couldn't resist stepping in when our dear Marik here got too bold. Mind control? On you? How deliciously foolish."
Marik, now a disembodied spirit, snarled. "You think you can just steal my body? I'll take it back and destroy you both!"
Loki tilted his head, pretending to consider the threat. "Oh, I could let you have your body back… but where's the fun in that?" He then tapped the Millennium Rod against his chin. "Then again, I have no real interest in keeping this vessel. It's so mortal and… well, not nearly as charming as me."
With a casual wave of his staff, Loki released Marik, sending his spirit snapping back into his body like a rubber band. Marik gasped, stumbling as he regained control.
"Ugh… you… wretched… trickster…" Marik seethed, gripping his head as he steadied himself.
Loki merely chuckled. "Consider that a lesson. If you're going to wield power, know who you're challenging." He turned to Fenris, his grin widening. "Now, do be a dear and finish this Duel. I so enjoy watching you crush people."
Fenris smirked. "Gladly."
He turned back to Marik, whose expression twisted with frustration. The Egyptian duelist had hoped to use his Millennium Rod as a trump card, but now he was back to square one—except now he was rattled.
"Viking Berserker, finish this!" Fenris commanded.
With a battle cry, the berserker charged, his flaming axe cutting clean through the Poisonous Snake Token. The enhanced attack effect kicked in, and the difference in attack power slammed directly into Marik.
Marik LP: 0
The moment his Life Points hit zero, the Shadow Game took its toll. Marik cried out as the darkness wrapped around him, punishing him for his failure. His body convulsed before he collapsed, unconscious.
Fenris lowered his arm, his Duel Disk powering down as he stepped over to Marik's fallen form. He reached down, grabbing the Winged Dragon of Ra card from Marik's limp hand.
"Not yours," he muttered, slipping the card into his pocket.
Odin stepped forward, his towering form radiating divine authority. "Justice has been served. The thief has fallen."
Pegasus, who had been watching from the shadows, finally stepped into the light. His Millennium Eye gleamed as he observed the defeated Marik. "Well done, Fenris," he said, voice laced with both approval and restrained fury. "I trust you'll be handing Ra back to me?"
Fenris eyed him for a long moment before finally holding out the card. "Just make sure it doesn't get stolen again."
Pegasus took it, his fingers tightening around the card as he exhaled. "Rest assured, after what happened to Jasmine, I will be making sure of that."
Loki yawned, stretching in his spirit form. "Well, this has been fun. A little bit of trickery, a duel, and a soul-crushing defeat. Truly a delightful evening."
Fenris shot him a glare. "Stay out of my fights next time."
Loki smirked. "No promises."
As the shadows of the defeated Shadow Game faded, Fenris turned away from Marik's unconscious body. The battle was over—but something told him this was only the beginning.
Because if Marik had dared to steal the Winged Dragon of Ra, then who else would have been after the power of the gods?
"Oh, we're not done yet."
Marik's body stirred, rising from the ground—but something was different. A dark aura coiled around him like living smoke, his eyes now glowing with a sinister, golden light. His smirk stretched wider, more wicked than before.
Fenris tensed, his instincts immediately flaring with warning. Pegasus, too, took a cautious step back, his Millennium Eye glowing as he tried to make sense of what was happening.
"Impossible…" Pegasus muttered, knowing that if one loses a Shadow Game, one's soul is lost forever.
The man before them chuckled darkly. "Did you really think that pathetic fool was the true master of darkness? Please. He was nothing more than a weakling, clinging to power he barely understood. But thanks to you, Fenris…"
He flexed his fingers, rolling his neck as if testing his newfound freedom. "…I no longer have to share a body with that sniveling coward."
Fenris narrowed his eyes. "Who the hell are you?"
The figure's grin widened. "Call me Yami Marik—the true darkness of Marik Ishtar." He looked down at his own hands, admiring the golden glow that now pulsed from his body. "And I must say… being free from that fool's restraints feels wonderful."
Then, his eyes flickered toward the Winged Dragon of Ra, still clutched in Fenris's grasp. His smirk deepened.
"But before I celebrate, I'll be taking that off your hands."
Before Fenris or Pegasus could react, the shadows surged forward like living tendrils, slamming into them with the force of a tidal wave. The divine warrior barely managed to brace himself before he was hurled backward, skidding across the stone floor. Pegasus, despite his magical prowess, was also sent staggering, barely keeping his footing.
"Tch—!" Fenris growled, trying to push forward against the encroaching darkness, but the pressure was immense and unnatural. His fingers tightened around the card, refusing to let go.
But it wasn't up to him.
As if willed by an unseen force, the Winged Dragon of Ra card trembled, then violently ripped itself from his grasp, soaring through the air in a golden blur.
Fenris tried to reach for it, but the shadows began to electrocute his being and his soul, which made Pegaus try to help Fenris until he saw Ra head toward Yamai Marik.
"No—!" Pegasus reached out, but it was too late. The card landed perfectly at Yami Marik's feet.
He smiled. Slowly, he bent down, picking up the sacred Egyptian God Card with deliberate reverence. The moment his fingers touched the card, the very air rumbled with energy, as if reality itself recoiled from his touch.
"Ahhh… there it is. My Ra," Yami Marik purred, holding the card up to the dim sunlight. "You have no idea how long I've waited to claim you for myself."
The shadows around him pulsed, growing darker and heavier. He cast a glance at Fenris and Pegasus, his expression unreadable for a moment—then, with a smirk, he tilted his head.
"As a token of my… gratitude for freeing me, I'll let you both live." His voice dripped with mock kindness. "But the next time we meet?"
His golden eyes burned with promise. "I won't hesitate to destroy you."
Then, before either of them could retaliate, the shadows exploded outward. The entire field was consumed in writhing darkness, an unnatural wind howling through the plains.
When the shadows finally receded, Yami Marik was gone.
And so was Ra.
Fenris slammed a fist into the ground, cursing under his breath. "Damn it…!"
Pegasus exhaled, adjusting his coat as his Millennium Eye slowly dimmed. "This is… worse than I feared." His usual playful demeanor was nowhere to be found—only grim understanding remained.
Fenris rose to his feet, his fists clenched. He had won the Duel, but the real battle had just begun.
Because now, Yami Marik had the power of a god.
He also failed to get justice for Jasmine.
However, before Fenris could try anything, his body felt so heavy that he collapsed on the field just as he heard a familiar voice call out to him.
"FENRIS!" The voice shouted from Sona Sitri herself as she ran towards him until Fenris closed his eyes and let the darkness take him.
Three Days Later...
A dull ache throbbed in Fenris's head as consciousness slowly returned to him. His body felt heavy, weighed down as if he had just fought a thousand battles without rest. He let out a low groan, his senses gradually sharpening. The sterile scent of medicine filled his nostrils, and the soft hum of a nearby machine confirmed one thing—he was in a medical room.
As he stirred, he became aware of a weight against his arm. Turning his head slightly, he saw Sona Sitri fast asleep beside him. Her glasses were resting on the bedside table, and faint traces of exhaustion marred her usually composed expression. She had been here for a while.
Fenris felt a pang of guilt. She must have been worried.
Before he could say anything, the door to the room slid open. A familiar presence entered her calm but firm steps, echoing slightly in the quiet space.
Ishizu Ishtar stood in the doorway, her serene yet relieved gaze locking onto him. "You're awake," she said, stepping forward with an almost imperceptible sigh of relief. "Thank Ra."
Fenris shifted slightly, trying to sit up, but his muscles protested with a dull ache. "How long was I out?" he asked, his voice rough from disuse.
"Three days," Ishizu answered. "Your body was under extreme stress, both physically and spiritually. Whatever Yami Marik did in that Duel… it drained you more than you realized."
Fenris clenched his fists at the reminder. Marik. No—Yami Marik. He had taken Ra. And worst of all, Fenris had failed to get justice for Jasmine.
Ishizu seemed to read his thoughts. "I know what you're thinking, but don't let despair cloud your judgment. You fought bravely. More importantly, you forced Yami Marik to reveal himself fully. Now, we know what we're dealing with."
Fenris exhaled sharply, his frustration evident. "Knowing is one thing. Stopping him is another."
A small rustling sound drew their attention. Sona stirred beside him, blinking as she slowly woke up. The moment her eyes focused on Fenris, she immediately sat up, pushing her glasses back onto her face.
"Fenris… you're awake." There was no mistaking the relief in her voice, though she quickly composed herself. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I got hit by a truck," Fenris muttered. "Then ran over by a second one for good measure."
Sona exhaled, shaking her head. "You pushed yourself too far. Again." Her tone was mildly scolding, but the concern in her eyes softened her words. "You're lucky you didn't suffer worse consequences."
Fenris managed a small smirk. "What can I say? I don't like losing."
Sona narrowed her eyes but didn't argue. Instead, she glanced at Ishizu. "Has there been any word on Marik?"
Ishizu's expression darkened. "Yami Marik disappeared after taking Ra. His whereabouts are unknown, but I have no doubt he is preparing for his next move." She folded her arms. "And that means we must prepare as well."
Fenris flexed his fingers, determination hardening his features. He had failed to stop Yami Marik once—but he wouldn't make that mistake again.
This wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.
Fenris took a deep breath before asking, "What about Pegasus and Jasmine? Are they alright?"
Ishizu gave him a reassuring nod. "They're both fine. Yami Marik didn't take their souls—only drained their energy. It was fortunate. If he had gone further, the damage could have been irreversible."
Fenris let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He had feared the worst, but at least they were safe. "And the tournament? What happened while I was out?"
Ishizu folded her arms. "The duels continued. Jasmine and Duke Devlin faced off, but Duke forfeited when he saw how exhausted Jasmine was. He knew she was too worried about you to focus properly, and since he had no real interest in the title of King of Games, he gave her the win."
Fenris smirked slightly. "Guess Duke's not just about dice and charm, huh?"
Ishizu allowed a small smile. "Indeed. After that, Sona and Issei had their match. Issei won."
Fenris turned to Sona, arching a brow. "You lost?"
To his surprise, she didn't seem the least bit bothered. "I wasn't focused," Sona admitted. "I realized I cared more about your condition than the Duel itself. Winning or losing didn't matter at that moment."
Fenris blinked, caught off guard by her honesty. Then, a small grin formed on his face. "Didn't expect that from the ever-competitive Sona Sitri."
Sona adjusted her glasses. "Even I have my priorities."
Ishizu continued, "The tournament concluded this morning. Jasmine and Issei dueled in the final match, and Issei won. He's officially the tournament champion."
Fenris scoffed lightly. "Of course he did." Then, a thought crossed his mind. "Where is he now?"
"He wanted to come see you the moment the duel ended," Ishizu said, glancing toward the door. "He should be on his way as we speak."
Fenris leaned back against the pillows, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, this should be interesting."
The door swung open, and before Fenris could react, Jasmine rushed in and practically tackled him onto the bed in a crushing embrace.
"FENRIS!" she sobbed, holding onto him as if he might disappear again. "You're alive! I thought— I thought—" Her words broke off into muffled cries as she buried her face into his shoulder.
Fenris winced at the near bone-crushing grip but chuckled softly, patting her back. "Easy, Jasmine… I just got out of a duel with a madman. Don't make my back give out, too."
Jasmine sniffled and pulled back slightly, looking up at him with teary eyes. "I was so scared, you idiot! You just collapsed, and I didn't know if you were ever gonna wake up!"
Fenris gave her a warm smile. "Sorry for making you worry. But hey, I'm here, aren't I?"
She nodded rapidly before hugging him again—this time, a little more gently.
That was when Fenris noticed Issei standing in the doorway. The guy looked hesitant as if he didn't want to ruin the moment. But after a second, he took a deep breath, stepped forward, and extended something toward Fenris.
A trophy.
Fenris blinked in surprise. "Wait… what?"
Issei gave him a serious look. "Take it. The title, the money—everything. It doesn't feel right."
Fenris frowned, sitting up a bit. "What are you talking about?"
Issei sighed. "I won, yeah… but you weren't there. And that left a bitter taste in my mouth. I wanted to fight you in the finals, not win because you were stuck in bed." He pushed the trophy forward again. "So I'm giving it to you. You should've been the real champion."
Fenris looked at Issei for a moment, then shook his head and gently pushed the trophy back. "No. You earned this, Issei."
"But—"
"I get it, man. You wanted to fight me, and honestly, I wanted that too. But it didn't happen, and that doesn't change the fact that you won fair and square." He smirked. "Besides, Jasmine and Sona agree, don't they?"
Sona nodded. "You played your duels, you made it to the top, and you won. That makes you the rightful champion, Issei. Whether or not Fenris was there doesn't change that."
Jasmine wiped her eyes and nodded as well. "Yeah! You dueled hard and won, so stop trying to throw it away!"
Issei still looked uncertain, but Fenris placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Tell you what—when I'm back on my feet, you and I will duel, just us. That way, we settle things properly."
Issei blinked, then grinned. "Yeah? You serious?"
"Dead serious."
Issei let out a chuckle and finally accepted the trophy, holding it properly this time. "Alright. You better not back out, though."
Fenris smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Issei smiled, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders as the others seemed to acknowledge his efforts. Ishizu, with a soft smile, gave him an approving nod. "I'm glad you decided to do the right thing," she said. "It speaks volumes about your character."
Before Issei could respond, the door to the medical room swung open again, this time revealing Kaiba and Yugi. Both of them entered the room, their expressions a mixture of gratitude and respect.
"Fenris, Issei," Yugi started, his voice sincere. Thank you. Not just for saving my grandpa but for stopping Pegasus and Marik. We owe you both a lot."
Issei and Fenris exchanged a glance before Issei shrugged, smiling modestly. "Eh, it was nothing. Just doing what had to be done."
Fenris nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we're glad we could help."
Yugi smiled at the pair. "Still, it means a lot. You saved my grandpa—he's everything to me. Thank you."
Fenris offered a reassuring smile, "You're welcome, Yugi."
Kaiba, who had been silent up until now, turned his gaze to Issei with a raised eyebrow. "I'll admit, you're not entirely incompetent."
Issei couldn't help but let out a small laugh at Kaiba's backhanded compliment. "Is that a compliment? Coming from you, that's a win in my book."
Kaiba's lips curled into a smirk. "Don't get too comfortable. Once I finish organizing my tournament back in Domino City, I'll send you an invite, Issei. I'm looking forward to challenging you. See how you fare in a real tournament, not one of these impromptu duels. And I will reclaim the title as the King of Games."
Issei gave Kaiba a playful grin. "I'll be ready, Kaiba. Don't worry about that. I look forward to facing your dragons since I'm a fan of dragons myself."
With a smug nod, Kaiba turned to leave, but Ishizu, who had been watching him closely, stood up, her expression hardening as she walked toward him.
"Kaiba," she called out, her voice sharp.
Kaiba stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow at her. "What is it now, Ishizu? If you're going to lecture me about my 'lack of consideration,' save it."
Ishizu narrowed her eyes, her posture tense as she approached him. "I need to speak with you," she said, her voice cool but determined. "It's important."
Kaiba sighed, looking slightly irritated, but nodded. "Fine, I'll spare you a few minutes." He glanced over at Yugi, who gave him a reassuring nod before he and his friends exited the room.
Once they were alone, Ishizu gestured for Kaiba to follow her outside, away from the others. "This is something that can't wait, Seto. We need to discuss your plans more carefully."
Kaiba smirked, his arms crossed. "You've always got something on your mind. I'm listening."
Ishizu's expression grew more serious. "It's not just about the tournament, Kaiba. There are other forces at play. And you need to be prepared for what's coming next."
Kaiba raised an eyebrow, clearly not thrilled to be pulled into another mysterious conversation, but he knew better than to dismiss Ishizu outright. "Alright, you've got my attention. Let's talk."
As they walked away, Issei and Fenris looked at each other. Neither of them knew exactly what Ishizu was planning to discuss with Kaiba, but whatever it was, it seemed important. They were certainly not done with this adventure yet.
For now, though, it was time to focus on their journey. And Fenris couldn't wait for the rematch with Issei.
Scene!
The Duelist Kingdom Arc is completed, and don't worry; Fenris and Issei will have their battle. However, I was also thinking of Kaiba having some love since I like his character and how much he shows his human side when it comes to his brother and the one other person who can fire back at his sharp tongue as well: Ishizu Ishtar.
Oh, and Marik isn't dead, but he won't have a body, so he'll need to...borrow one to find his body.
Anyway, Issei and Fenris will have their Duel since I wanted them to have their Duel in the finals. However, I know how draining the Shadow Games are, so I had it to the point where Yamai Marik harmed Fenris, knocking him out for a while. Thus, the two will have their first real Duel in the Battle City Tournament.
For now, it'll be a brief break as the duo go back home and enjoy a break from the chaos before the second arc begins.
Oh, and if anyone asks about the pairings:
Seto Kaiba X Ishizu Ishtar, since I like their dynamic, and she's the only female who can bring out his human side and fire back with her sharp tongue as well.
Issei x Vivian Wong and Mai Valentine.
Fenris x Sona Sitri and Jasmine Pegasus.
Yugi Moto X Rebecca.
See you all next time. Bye bye!~