The Phantom Duelists (Persona 5/Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V)
Chapter 3: The Prodigal Son
[~][~]
Ren Amamiya looked down on his defeated opponent. The Duel Soldier's battle-scarred chest rose and fell with each breath. It's the only indication that he's still alive. Although he is an enemy, Ren is relieved that he's still alive. To his relief, the wounds he had the Three Musketeers of Face Cards inflict didn't draw blood.
The thing about monsters made from Solid Vision with Mass is that they can inflict serious injury on a duelist. Enough to kill a person if they aren't careful. If he and his fellow Rebels hadn't modified their duel disks to be 'non-lethal' then they would've been no better than Academia's Duel Soldiers, specifically Obelisk Force.
"Death would've been the easy way out for you," Ren muttered disdainfully. He didn't care if the Duel Soldier was unconscious to hear him. After everything he did, he won't let him run from the consequences.
Getting on his knees, Ren searched the Duel Soldier's person. What kind of Duelist would wear an outfit without any pockets? His eyes trailed to the Duel Soldiers Duel Disk. Removing it from his arm, he studied it. Developed with advanced technology compared to his Duel Disks. No doubt this is one of the first to have the Solid Vision with Mass technology integrated. He and his fellow rebels had to jury-rigg older models.
He was tracing the Duel Disks frame when he accidentally pressed a button. A slot on the side of the wrist ejected a deck's worth of cards onto the ground. At first, he thought that the Duel Soldier was keeping an Extra Deck in case he got bored of using his Antique Gear Deck. Until he saw one of the cards lying face up.
His blood froze when he saw the image of a girl no older than ten on the image box. Her face is an expression contorted in terror. Slowly, with a trembling hand, Ren flipped over several more cards. Each card depicted various people of various ages. They all have the same expression on their faces.
"These must be his victims," Ren growled. "The lucky ones."
Back then Human Sealing Technology was in development. It has a twenty-five percent chance of successfully sealing a person in a card. On the off chance that it fails, and is most likely to, the results can be messy. But Academia didn't care if they got to test the technology to perfect it. Obelisk Force didn't care so long as they get to use it on Rebel scum.
"I'm sorry," Ren mournfully apologized to the carded victims. "I don't know how to free you from your prison."
As he started to gather up the cards, he heard a loud noise in the distance. Almost immediately he recognized it as police sirens. The tell-tale flashing red and blue gives it away. Someone must've heard the commotion the duel was making and made a noise complaint. Hell, they might've seen the whole thing.
This is bad. Normally, one would be relieved to see the police coming. Unless you are a criminal, which unfortunately he sort of is. And escaping from juvie is still a criminal offense even if you are running for your life. It would no doubt extend his sentence, but what was he supposed to do when a crazy Duel Soldier was attempting to card him? And how is he going to explain everything without sounding like a lunatic?
His eyes trailed to the Briefcase. Now that he got his memories back, he knew what it did. Contrary to the human eye, it's a portable interdimensional transporter designed by Academia Scientists who defected to the Rebellion. Some of them happened to be friends of his mother who believed the truth about the ARC Area Project and were outraged by her murder. They're all connected to the main transporter back at Rebel HQ. The initial plan was to use them as gateways back to Fusion once they've established a forward operating base in the other three dimensions.
Until everything went FUBAR when Academia attacked. Everyone rushed to escape the besieged base. Comrades suddenly turn on each other…
Shaking his head at those thoughts, he directed his focus on his options. On one hand, he could use it to prove his sanity. All he had to do was demonstrate his Duel Disks capabilities and the interdimensional transporter. He could even identify the Duel Soldiers Duel Disk as the murder weapon with its proto-human sealing technology. But on the other, there's a chance that he won't be able to see them again. He won't be able to go back to Fusion and find out what happened to his fellow Rebels. That's not discounting the possibility that the technology would fall into the wrong hands. The Phantom Thieves have plenty of experience of power being in the hands of the wrong people.
Slowly, he made up his mind. But before he could act on it, he still needed to do something about the Duel Soldier. Given his injuries during the duel, he won't be going anywhere for a while. He'll be in excruciating pain when he wakes up. Not that he gave a damn. He'll leave him alone to sort it out with the police.
Actually…this gave him a great idea. Giving the carded people another apology, he quickly gathered them up into a neat. Then he proudly displayed them face up on the Duel Soldier's chest. That way, when the police arrive, the first thing they see is them. If the Duel Soldier has been carding people over the years, then there's bound to be some missing persons or strange murders. And given how he was in a hurry to find him back in the detention center, he must've left some carded people behind. The moment they check their information, they'll know that he's the one responsible. He may not be able to free the people who have been carded, but he can give them justice.
"You're going to be spending a lot of time in this piece of shit dimension," Ren snidely said to the Duel Soldier. He looked at the Duel Soldier's Duel Disk, which he still held in his hand. Without a moment's hesitation, he threw it on the ground. Then, with all the anger he could muster, he stomped on it repeatedly. He didn't stop until it was reduced to an unusable hunk of junk.
Knowing that it was no longer functional, he walked over to the briefcase. Taking out 'Arcana Knight Joker' from his Extra Deck, he inserted it into the card reader. Now that he had his memory back, he knew that it was the key to opening the briefcase's lock. A small red light lit up as it read his card.
"Access granted," an artificial female voice spoke as the light turned green and the lock clicked. Opening it, he found himself staring at complex machinery. At the center, a projector aperture opened, and light lit up, the particles passing through the opened lens. The light converged to form a holographic screen, like one would find on an RPG.
Activate Interdimensional Transporter?
Y/N
Ren's finger hovered over the 'Y' option before he stopped himself. He found himself turning to look at the Tokyo skyline. Even though he's an alien in this dimension and unintentionally usurped his counterpart's life, he still finds it in himself to call this place home. All without having to worry about getting into a Duel with his life on the line. Compared to three years ago, he had a peaceful life until the day he ran into Shido.
But as much as he wanted to stay here, he couldn't bring himself to just forget about everything and move on. It would be spitting in the face of the Rebels who stayed behind to ensure the others got away. To warn the other dimensions and prepare them for war. A war that is more than likely happening. But even so, he couldn't let the Professor get away with everything.
Not after what he did to his parents.
With a steely resolve, he jabbed his finger on the 'Y' option. The screen disappeared as the transporter began to hum. The noise grew in intensity. Electricity sparking as it did so. Ren found himself slowly backing away from the transporter. Then, the light flickered for a few seconds before there was a loud boom. A red portal opened above the transporter. Its elevation is enough for him to walk through without having to jump.
Before he took a step to the portal, he turned to give Tokyo one last look. One more to burn into his memory. Given what could happen on the other side, it may be the last time he gets to see a sight. Most important are the life and friends he made in this dimension. The adventures they had as the Phantom Thieves. They saved the world twice from a manifestation of a god.
"I'm sorry everyone…" Ren whispered. "This isn't goodbye."
With that said, he turned around and ran straight into the portal. The moment he disappeared into the unknown, the portal closed. The transporter deactivates and closes itself. The lock clicked, securing the briefcase, and the card reader flicked the 'Arcana Knight Joker' Ren left behind.
Silence engulfed the construction site like a blanket. Then a shadow walked into the area. It barely gave the Duel Soldier a passing glance as it approached the Interdimensional Transporter. Bending down, it grabs the handles and picks it up. Scanning the area, it picked up the fallen 'Arcana Knight Joker' off the ground. It stared at the card for a moment, before turning to the direction of the sirens. Quickly pocketing the card, the shadow left the scene before the police arrived.
[~]
When Ren Amamiya stepped through the portal, an indescribable yet familiar sensation overcame him. The closest thing he could think of to compare it to would be electricity coursing through his body, making his skin crawl. He wondered if the other departure groups had experienced the same thing. Hopefully, the only difference would be that they got to the right dimension instead of the wrong one.
The feeling only lasted a moment as he reached the light at the end of the tunnel. After his feet found the surface, he scanned his surroundings which were briefly illuminated by the portal.
Rebel HQ had been an offshore facility for Duel Academia, long before the Professor took over. Whatever the purpose the facility had is long lost to history. When the Rebellion began, Academia escapees fled here. It didn't take long to turn the facility into a fully functional Rebel base. It helped that there a various clubs who have their skills to bring to the table.
The facility is so vast that there are rooms to set up. For this one, it housed the Interdimensional Transporter. Before the room got repurposed, it was most likely meant to serve as a recreation hall. Its size is beneficial as after construction, the transporter took up most of the space. The fact that they built this before Academia is enough to lord it over Academia.
The last time he was in this room was when he was running from Academia forces who had infiltrated HQ. Friends have turned into enemies so suddenly no one had time to ask why. After all his group at the time had more things to worry about. Like getting to the Transporter and leaving the Fusion Dimension. But he was the only one who made it, aside from the Duel Soldier who followed him back to—he hadn't come up with a name for the dimension he was stranded in. Would 'Stranded' make a good name?
But that was three years ago. Now that he's back, it's clear that the room had fallen into disrepair. For one thing, it is awfully quiet. Too quiet for his liking. The air is old and stale, maybe with mildew. Glass windows are lackluster in their appearance. Mold has stained the walls. Bits of the ceiling have fallen into piles of rubble, exposing the steel rebar that provided the foundation for the building.
Looking at the state of the Transporter, it is a miracle that it's still working. Years of inactivity have done a number on it. Its chassis looks rusted and worn out. He's no tech wizard, but he could imagine the inner workings being compromised from lack of maintenance. He could've sworn that he heard a creaking of metal somewhere. It's far from the most grandiose achievement that the Rebellion had accomplished.
As he stepped off the transporter, the portal closed behind him. The room is plunged into darkness. Luckily, his Duel Disk has a flashlight function which he activated. A cone of light shot from underneath the arm blade, illuminating his path. He had to be ready to duel in case Duel Soldiers were lurking around the facility ready to jump out. Especially Obelisk Force. Once representing the dueling elite of Duel Academia, now they are the Professor's lapdogs. Ready to carry out his will like the heartless monsters they became.
Now that he thought about it, he hadn't seen any sign of Academia's presence. Academia was winning their assault on HQ. It didn't help that there were turncoats among them. Surely after their victory, they would've wanted to hang around the transporter, take it apart, and study it for their nefarious purposes. Not that he's complaining. If there had been an Academia presence, he'd probably be facing a group of hostiles right about now. Plus, the place would've been well-kept.
Ren knew a few people who could hold off a horde of Obelisk Force Duelists and live to tell the tale. One of them was able to beat fifty in a row, with one Duel being one against four, with a deck filled with weak monsters. But the one who could mop the floor with Obelisk Force without breaking a sweat happens to be the greatest duelist in their class. They were all part of his group, the one meant to deploy at Standard, but they slowly split apart to hold off Academia forces and ensure Operation Exodus' success.
And in the end, he's the only one in his group who made it.
Ren stepped past the doors. However, the correct term would have to be stepping on the doors as they have been broken off their hinges. Outside the transporter room is a hallway with a window side. His eyes wandered to the floor, seeing Duel Monsters cards scattered like someone played fifty-two pickup and forgot to finish. Yet he didn't see any bodies, neither from Academia nor Rebel.
"Could Ryo have driven them off?" Ren wondered as he made his way to the window, which had long since been shattered. What he saw outside made his heart fall. The facility is a high-rise building and gave him an excellent view of the world below. It's also built near an island, giving the area a tropical look. There are numerous docks to receive ships. It led to speculation that the facility was built to be a resort for the esteemed faculty of Duel Academia.
Such a view is no more due to the battle three years ago. Everywhere he looked, the facility was lifeless and abandoned. Marked by the battle that claimed so many lives on both sides. It was still nighttime, which made the view even more dreadful. The realization that he is standing in a massive graveyard didn't help matters.
Ren stared at the view for a few more seconds before turning away. As much as he dreaded continuing, he must. He had to see everything.
It wasn't that hard to navigate HQ as it's been the same as when he had left it. Aside from the battle scars it sported. A few times he had to go around fallen ceilings. Some of the stairs have been rendered inaccessible including the fire escapes. The elevators are inoperable, making it very difficult to go down. Thankfully, he circumvented this through convenient openings made by past battles.
It was about fifth teen minutes later that Ren found the operations center. This was the nerve center for the Rebellion operations before the battle. Big screens hung from the ceiling, some of them having fallen. Computer hardware sat on rows of tables unused and gathering dust from unuse. Ren could see people seated at their stations, providing updates to Rebel operatives while monitoring everything via drones.
Ren was just moving through the room when he stepped on something. He carefully removed his foot and looked at what he stepped on. His eyes widened with horror when he saw what it was. Slowly, Ren knelt and gingerly picked up a pair of horn-rimmed glasses. One of the lenses is missing while the other one is cracked. The state of the glasses mattered little to the owner, whom he knew on a familial level.
"Dad…" Ren mumbled, never taking his eyes off them. There is no way he could ever forget his dad's glasses. It took everything he had not to break down at what he had unintentionally done. Tearing his gaze away from the memento of his father, he looked around the room. But he didn't see any sign of his body. Not even a skeleton. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
As he put away the glasses, an idea popped into his head. Getting up, he approached a table with radio equipment. He rubbed his head as he tried to remember how to operate it. Once he had a vague idea, he flipped a switch that would've turned it on. As one would expect, it didn't turn on. Frowning, he examined the equipment to see what was wrong.
Ren was looking at the ports when he remembered something. There is no power in this room! Thinking back to when Academia attacked, the facility unexpectedly lost power due to sabotage by Academia moles. It might've been an attempt to stall Operation Exodus and cripple their nerve center. Regardless, the effort proved fruitless as the transporter operated on its internal power source. Plus, they had some portable power stations to hook up their equipment. It's a shame that it wasn't enough to fend off Academia.
Shaking those thoughts out of his head, he looked around for a power station while activating his Third Eye. A trail of power cables snaking around on the floor became highlighted. Following the cables, he found one of the portable power stations. To his dismay, it's out of power. He could tell because the switch indicated that it was turned on, but the lack of power in the room said otherwise.
Fortunately, Ren knew where he could find one to replace it. Relying on his memory, he walked to where a storage area was. He is greeted by the sight of empty trampled boxes. The people at Ops must've been in a rush to restore power to counterattack Academia. Scanning the boxes, he spotted the items he needed. Some of them are stacked and wrapped in plastic.
Mentally thanking the person who had the foresight, he ripped the wrappings off. Turns out, making the area functional is a hard chore. The power station unit is designed to be easily carried while providing enough power. There's also a ladder that he used to replace the fluorescent lightbulbs. Replacing frayed cables with fresher ones. He'll have to admit that jury-rigging the power station to electrical wiring is difficult and would've been dangerous if there had been any electricity running through them. It took less than half an hour, but he managed to get the job done. With the flick of a switch on the new power station unit, there is light.
"The saying was 'let there be light' I believe," Ren says with a wry smile as he flipped the switch. It took a few seconds before the lights came on. Several computer monitors powered on followed by the hum of running hardware. Seeing that everything was running, Ren went back to the table with the radio equipment. Tuning to a frequency that only Rebel equipment could pick up, he gripped the new microphone he replaced.
"To any surviving Rebels this is Ace, can you hear me?" Ren said, using his old codename. All he got was static. Then he remembered that no Rebel would be stupid enough to announce their presence on an open frequency. Who else may be listening?
"To anyone listening, you can chase the White Rabbit," Ren spoke. "I repeat, you can chase the White Rabbit."
Still nothing.
"Well, it was worth a shot," Ren sighed sadly, sinking into a chair. Who was he kidding about getting his hopes up? His fellow rebels are most likely exterminated at this point. Part of him denied that. He wanted to believe that his comrades were alright. Most of them were his classmates. But he knew that he had to be prepared to face reality set in.
Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion overtook him. Surprisingly, it took this long for his body to scream that he needed rest. He had been running for his life, dueling an Academia lap dog, traversing a facility in ruins, and getting an operation center up and running again by himself. His body felt heavy. His eyes closed as he surrenders himself to the blissful oblivion of sleep.
[~]
Instructor Chronos de Medici was the one who found him while he was still in shock. He had been sitting in the hallway outside class hours. When the Instructor saw him, he became excited at another excuse to give him detention. Yet that faded when he noticed the lack of reaction to his voiced thoughts of the possibility of expulsion. Normally, he would've done something devilish like feigning innocence or runaway. Yet Ren didn't move an inch. Because it's against school rules to touch a student he had to grab a passing student to fetch the Academia nurse.
"Are you certain you had nothing to do with this, Instructor Chronos?" Emi Ayukawa asked with a sharp glare. Ren sat on the edge of his bed, still not saying or doing anything, listening to the adults bicker. She came rushing the moment she heard about him. Fubuki told him that students would fake injuries just for a chance to visit the nurse's office and get a glimpse of her beauty. But like Chronos' attempts, she wasn't having any luck either.
"No! As I said before senorita Ayukawa, I found him like this," Chronos insisted. Emi just narrowed her eyes at him in disbelief. She softened her features before she walked over to Ren. Kneeling at eye level, she gave the boy a gentle and reassuring smile.
"Ren, it's alright," Emi said softly. "I notified your father in advance before I left my office. He should be here any moment."
As soon as she said that, the sound of fast footsteps reached their ears. Running down the hall and towards them is Tetsurō Amamiya. Beads of sweat ran down his face. His breath is ragged as if he had just run a marathon.
"I came as soon as I got your message Emi," Tetsurō said in worry. "What happened?"
"That's what I'm trying to find out," Emi said. "Instructor Chronos found him in the hallway outside of class hours in a state of shock…or so he claims."
"Mama Mia, I swear I didn't do anything!" Chronos insisted, sweat increasing as Tetsurō rounded on the instructor. "If I wanted to punish him for playing hooky, do you think I would do something that would result in this?"
"I wouldn't put it past you," Emi muttered a little too loudly.
Tetsurō ignored Emi as she began reading Chronos the riot act on why he would be suspect number one. He made his way over to his son and knelt so he could grasp his shoulders and stare straight into his eyes.
"Ren, what's going on?" Tetsurō asked gently. At his father's voice, Ren's head snapped up as if he had broken out of a stupor. Slowly, Ren lifted his chin to look at his father. With trembling lips, he tried to speak, to tell him what he had witnessed, but no sound came out.
"Ren…do you copy?"
[~]
"Ace, do you copy? Over."
Ren's head snapped up as he became fully awake in the operations center ruin. Wiping drool hanging off the corner of his mouth, he turned his attention to his radio. Shock registered on his face when he realized what was coming out of the speakers.
"Ace for Blaze, do you copy? Over," the voice repeated. Not only has someone picked up his transmission, but they are also a surviving Rebel. There are survivors! It took him a few seconds to shake his head off the initial disbelief.
"Blaze?" Ren muttered in recognition before he grabbed the microphone to speak into it. "Blaze for Ace. I copy. You can chase the White Rabbit…"
"Or run with the Red Queen. Over," Blaze responded. It was an old pass phrase among the rebellion. The radio was silent for seven long seconds before Blaze spoke again.
"Ace, I'm going to be reading the minutes of our last Duel Club meeting," Blaze spoke, followed by the sound of paper. "I'll need you to confirm them. Over."
"Understood, over," Ren responded. It has been three years since he left the Fusion Dimension. After three years in another dimension, of course, nobody would believe that he's still alive. Knowing Blaze, he suspects that he's an imposter sent by Academia to root out surviving rebels. Fortunately for him, he knew exactly how the last Duel Club meeting ended.
"10:30 AM: read minutes of the previous meeting. 10:31: debated so-called 'editorial slant' of minutes. Much nonsense from Ace."
"NONSENSE?!" Ren yelled, not bothering to end his sentence with over. That is not what happened.
"10:32, Nimbus offers a reasonable solution," Blaze continues uninterrupted. "Ace takes needless exception."
"REASONABLE SOLUTION?! HE TOLD ME TO GO JUMP IN THE OCEAN!"
"10:33: both parties' duel. Ace receives comeuppance."
"Ha! I beat Nimbus fair and square in that duel! These minutes are nothing but a bunch of lies!"
"Call me a liar, will you?" A new voice spoke on the radio. Even though it sounded older, Ren recognized who he was talking to.
"By golly, I'll call you worse than that chowderhead!"
"Moron!"
"Ogre!"
"Airhead!"
After a couple more exchanges of name-calling, both parties stopped talking to take a couple of breaths. On the other line, he could hear Nimbus do the same thing. After a few seconds, Blaze took over the conversation again.
"Damn, it is you," Blaze said. "We picked up your transmission, but we couldn't believe it. Gods Ace, we thought you were dead."
"I thought the same for everyone," Ren admitted with barely disguised relief. "When I came back I assumed the worst."
"It's a long story, Ace," Blaze answered. "I assume the same can be said for you. But I'd rather have this discussion face to face. We're approaching the island. ETA seven minutes. Can you make your way to the docks?"
"I'm on my way," Ren declared, shooting up out of his chair. He ran out of the command center with renewed energy. He must've been sleeping long because sunlight was pouring in through the windows.
After coming to the ground floor, he ran across the lobby floor toward the broken glass doors. The wind met his face as he came bursting out. The sky is now a heavenly blue with white clouds decorating it like sheep on a pasture. He's no meteorologist, but that's usually a good sign that the weather will be all clear for the moment. That's more of Nimbus' thing.
As he made his way to the docks, he noticed the wreckage of many sea vessels. During the attack on HQ, Academia ensured that they wouldn't be able to escape by taking out their water transports. The Professor is determined to ensure that every Rebel is eradicated and the sadistic bastards of Obelisk Force we're more than happy to oblige. But the fact that there are survivors raises questions. Like how did they get off the island?
A low rumble, growing steadily louder, vibrated through the water. Ren's head turned to a spot on the water where it was churning. A dark shape, long and sleek, began to breach the surface, spray cascading down its metallic hull. The conning tower, the only part yet visible, emerged slowly, revealing letters painted in bold white – a silent identifier finally breaking the anonymity of the surfacing submarine.
Luckily, he wasn't on the right dock, so he didn't get wet. That is good because he didn't have a change of clothes on him. As he made his way over to the dock, the hatch squeaked as it opened. Climbing out is a dark-skinned young man his age sporting a red tank top and black vest. Hanging from his neck is a golden pendant. Holstered at his waist is a device that can easily be mistaken for a gun. Of course, that would be a correct assumption as it's the secondary function of his Duel Disk, except it shoots cards instead of bullets.
The guy landed on the dock and approached Ren. He carries himself with a cool demeanor. But on the dueling field, things heat up. Ren walked until both were standing only a foot away. They stared at each other in silence for a few seconds. Then he extended a hand towards him.
"It's good to see you again Ace," Austin O'Brien, callsign Blaze, greeted.
"You too Blaze," Ren replied as he took it. Austin jerked his head towards the hatch.
"Come inside. We've got a lot of catching up to do."
[~]
"Hard to believe we had a submarine," Ren muttered in awe. He stood in the control room of the submarine. The central hub is packed with instruments and gauges to help with steering, diving, navigation, and communication. In the heart of the room is the periscope, offering a glimpse of the world above. The crew is composed of people who Ren can not only his fellow rebels but also his classmates back before the Professor's takeover. They sat at designated stations, some controlling the rudder and dive planes for precise maneuvering, while others monitored depth, and speed, and kept an eye on vital systems.
"I know right?" Johan Anderson, callsign Gemstone, asked over his shoulder. He is an excitable and energetic teal-haired young man dressed in a blue above-waist-length jacket "Academia may have taken out our transports, but they've barely scratched the surface. Turns out, North Academy had the foresight to hide some of these subs away from HQ."
"Which is how most of us were able to escape the island," Amon Garam, callsign Nimbus, added. He is a swarthy-skinned, young man whose sleeveless brown jacket showed off his muscular arms. His magenta hair stood up in wavy spikes. Kind and soft eyes are hidden behind large ovular spectacles. Around his neck is a necklace of large black beads with a blue tassel.
"As per the Doomsday Protocol that your old man set up, we relocated to another offshore facility," Amon said, pushing his glasses up. "Which happens to be another tropical. It has everything. Food, and water, and is completely off the grid. Academia wouldn't be able to find us unless they knew where to look. And I'm proud to say for three years they still don't know. I'm proud to say that we've built up our little community."
"Sanctuary…" Ren said, letting the word roll off his tongue. "So, who else in our group is still kicking?
"You mean aside from us, funny boy?" James "Jim" Crocodile Cook, callsign Fossil, asked in a heartfelt manner as he adjusted his black vest and orange bandanna. He's a guy who is well-versed in earth science as much as dueling. Despite being indoors, he wore a slouch hat. Curiously, his right eye is covered in bandages. That had always been a talk among Rebels as to what happened. Jim never gave a hint to the true story behind his injury.
"We lost a lot of people that day," Jim said somberly. "The only people we haven't seen hide or hair of are Kaiser Boy, Darkness Boy, and Thunder Boy. We're keeping an eye out for them but…we're prepared to face the worse. Don't get the wrong idea, Ren, I—we want them to still be alive as much as you do. But after three years of no clue…we're prepared to be disappointed."
Jim let that sentence hang in the air. Ren looked at everyone else. Their faces told him they were of the same mindset This made him want to protest. He wanted to berate them for giving up on their friends just as easily. They were among the most powerful Duelists in the Rebellion. With the Kaiser standing at the top of the pyramid. If it weren't for them, Operation Exodus would've been a failure. None of the groups would've made it to the other dimensions. If he made it back alive, why not everyone else?
But he had been away from Fusion for three years, therefore he had no right to judge. They must've been searching relentlessly for their friends. Then after they kept getting no results, they gave up. It must've been hard on them. But if there is any chance, any sign at all that they're still alive and kicking, he'll pursue it.
"I understand," Ren said with a hint of resignation. "But what about my father…did he…?"
Ren couldn't finish that sentence. He didn't want to finish it. Luckily, the others caught on to what he wanted to ask. Suffice it to say, they didn't want to answer that question either. He could tell by the expressions on their faces. But they knew he had to know.
"I'm sorry, Ren," Austin said, patting his shoulder. "He was the best coach anyone could ask for. If it weren't for him, none of us would be standing here right now."
Ren didn't say anything. No one could blame him. It took every strength he had not to collapse at that very moment. Then felt something big and leathery lean against his leg. Looking down, he found Jim's crocodile, Karen, looking up at him with sympathetic unblinking yellow eyes. Jim refused to call her his pet. As far as anyone is concerned, she is his family.
"Thanks, Karen," Ren whispered as he bent down to stroke the crocodile's head. Like a cat, Karen purred in content. He wasn't sure if it was wrong to use a mammal as an analogy to a reptile. She also has an excellent judge of character, which helped cast away any remaining doubts about his identity.
"But enough about us, Ren," Johan said. "Where've you been all this time? And what brings you back from the dead?"
Johan is trying to change the subject and Ren is more than happy to oblige. Standing up while clearing his throat, he spoke.
"As you know, the purpose of Operation Exodus is to utilize the Interdimensional Transporter to send groups of Rebels into the other dimensions. Once they've made landfall, they are to establish a forward base and warn the inhabitants of each dimension of the Academia Invasion. They are to help prepare for the upcoming invasion in any way they can."
"That's if they don't get thrown into the looney bin," Amon interjected. "I mean I can't be the only one who knows that nobody's going to believe anything about a dimensional war. All that would do is get us labeled crazy and accomplish nothing."
"You wouldn't be wrong about that," Austin admitted. "It would be difficult to accept something hard to prove until it's too late. Even if no one listens, that doesn't mean you can't do something to stem the tide. Regardless, Xyz got hit hard."
"Wait, Academia invaded Xyz?" Ren yelped in shock. Austin nodded in grim confirmation.
"The correct word would be occupied," Austin corrects as he folds his arms across his chest. "While you were gone, Academia launched their holy mission to complete the ARC Area Project. The Xyz Dimension is the first to be brought under their heel. Calling it a war wouldn't be the closest thing to describe it. It's a one-sided slaughter. Not even their military stood a chance against Academia's Duel Soldiers."
"Don't forget the Human Sealing Technology," Amon spat out with venom. "The data that Academia gathered after kicking our butts was enough to perfect it. The good news is that there won't be any sealing malfunctions that would result in a gory death. The bad news is, that Academia sealed up millions of people for slaughter. Even as we speak, that number is increasing as Academia is hunting the remnants. Duel Soldiers have taken to calling Xyz their hunting ground."
Heavy silence reigned again. It was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Ren felt himself gripping a fist in a rage he swore would be enough to draw blood. Rage at the fact that millions of people are going to be slaughtered for the twisted desires of a madman. Looking at his friends' faces, even the ones who were facing the sub's instruments, he could see their sheer fury at the callous disregard for life Academia was showing. Going as far as to treat the people of the Xyz Dimension as beasts is sickening.
"What about the team that was sent there? Surely they would've attempted to make contact?" Ren asked quietly. To his dismay, Austin shook his head.
"We hadn't heard anything about them," Austin admitted. "Either they're good at keeping under Academia's radar or they've been carded like the rest of Academia's victims. We have no way of knowing and any attempt to reach out to them is too risky. Besides, each P.I.T. is linked to only one transporter. I can't imagine anyone who would be dumb enough to come back to what's left of HQ. Except for you of course. You're lucky that Academia wasn't watching. They've got eyes in the sky."
Although he felt offended by that remark, Austin did have a point.
"Back to the subject at hand," Jim spoke up. "How was Standard, funny boy? What amazing sights have you witnessed? Aside from the standard summoning method?"
"Yeah, about that," Ren said, rubbing the back of his head quite unsure how to break it to them. "As it turns out, I didn't end up in Standard."
"What?" Jim whipped his head around. "Did you end up in Synchro then?"
"Nope, not Synchro either. I doubt that I would've lasted long in Xyz from what you've told me," Ren said, preparing to drop the biggest bombshell on everyone. "Nope, I ended up in another dimension…and it wasn't any of the four dimensions."
Everything became still. Even the instruments stopped making noise. Slowly, everyone in the control room turned to stare at Ren. Even the normally cool and composed Austin is in shock at what he heard.
"By that, you mean that you didn't end up on Standard, Synchro, Xyz, or even by some miracle Fusion," Johan said slowly. "You ended up in another dimension entirely?"
"I know it's hard to believe," Ren said, having fully expected disbelief from them. "But I spent three years suffering amnesia after getting hit by a car upon arrival. That's the reason I couldn't make it back to Fusion. I only got my memory back when the Obelisk Force goon who followed me realized that he got the wrong guy. By which he carded and killed countless people before he found me last night. He chased me around the city before I got my hands on my Duel Disk. I defeated him in a duel not only to avenge those slain by him but to prevent him from leaking out that Dimension's location to Academia. So, believe me when I say that I saved millions of lives and possibly the rest of the multiverse."
Ren made sure his tone left no room for any jest. That must've been enough to convince the severity of his argument because nobody raised any objections. He'll have to thank Toranosuke Yoshida for his help in speechcraft. Deep down, part of them wanted to disprove the notion but couldn't.
"Damn…the Prof is going to have a field day with this," Johan muttered.
"That's putting it lightly…" Amon ran a hand through his hair. "God, if Academia learns that the Multiverse Theory is true…and that there are more dimensions out there…"
"Then they'll be salivating for more hunting grounds," Austin said grimly, brow creased in anger. "And it won't be just the dimension that Ren came from. There could be thousands more that Academia won't hesitate to invade just to satiate their hunger for new prey."
Everyone looked at one another. A silent oath is exchanged between them. Under no circumstances could they allow this information to get out. As far as Academia is concerned, there are only Four Dimensions. That's all they need to know, and the Rebels need to keep it that way.
"We're approaching Sanctuary," Jim suddenly said as he turned back to the instruments. "Academia's got eyes in the sky, so we're taking the underwater entrance. It's a shame that we don't have a front window. The coral would be beautiful to look at underwater. But I wouldn't say the same for the rocks we have to navigate."
"So, what's this new dimension like?" Johan asked curiously as everyone resumed their stations. Ren couldn't help a wry smile.
"Eyes on the controls Johan," Ren pointed out, raising a finger. "Aside from losing my memory to a car, I didn't have to worry about being carded the entire time. I ended up getting mistaken for my dimensional counterpart and took his place in his family. So, I feel an enormous amount of guilt over taking over his life. Especially when I got arrested a year ago."
"Wait…you got WHAT?" Johan yelped causing everyone to grimace. "What did you do?"
"I stopped a drunken asshole from having his way with a helpless woman," Ren answered bluntly. "The asshole in question happened to be a politician who used everything in his power to make my life miserable. Kind of like somebody we know."
"You can say that again," Jim said with a low growl. "Won't you agree Karen?"
In response, Karen gave a low-threatening growl. Ren is certain that she and Shido are in the same room at the time, he would be in her stomach in a heartbeat. And if he remembered correctly, the same could be said for the Professor. He didn't recall any incident where Karen did that.
"But it wasn't all that bad," Ren continued fondly. "I got to see new places, make new friends, have a fun school life, and go to prison. Plus, I got to play Duel Monsters with the inmates. Fun fact, they call the game Yu-Gi-Oh there."
"Yu-Gi-Oh?" Jim wondered.
"Yu-Gi-Oh?" Austin muttered
"Yu-Gi-Oh?" Amon said, stroking his chin while nodding in approval. "Japanese for King of Games. You know, that's not a bad name if we want to rename Duel Monsters."
"It just might work," Johan agreed. "I mean Duel Monsters is the best game to play in the Four Dimensions. Besides, doesn't it just roll off the tongue easily?"
[~]
As Amon explained, they must travel through a jagged scar sliced through the seabed, a volcanic vent long dormant. Its obsidian maw, veiled by a curtain of bioluminescent plankton, marked the entrance to Sanctuary. The sub had to thread the needle, navigating a treacherous path between razor-sharp rock teeth before reaching a hidden, air-filled cavern nestled within a volcanic complex.
When the submarine crew exited the hatch, they were met with silence and dimly lit darkness. Jim had to carry Karen on his back thanks to a special harness. The source of the light came from cleverly set up flood lights with extending cords hooked up to portable power stations. One by one, they descended the rungs of the wet ladder, and their feet touched the dirt-covered floor. They followed a pathway to where they boarded a utilitarian elevator, its industrial gray paint scraped and scarred by hears of use. A thick metal grate served as a window, offering a glimpse of the pitted shaft that climbed hundreds of meters upwards. Rusted gears groaned as the pilot threw a series of levers, engaging the counterweights with a satisfying clunk. It wasn't a smooth, silent ride—the elevator juddered and swayed with each revolution, the groan of the machinery a constant reminder of the immense pressure it held back.
"Would it have killed the guys to have this elevator updated?" Ren couldn't help but ask.
"That's what I said," Austin said with a grunt. "This thing is a death trap waiting to be sprung, but it works."
"Which is good for you but not for the rest of us," Johan retorted. Something in his tone told Ren what Austin most likely has been using it for. Ren knew that Austin's father was a mercenary and trained him in the art of survival. He applies this by putting himself in life-threatening stunts to master his drawing technique. He recalled the times when he hung himself upside down from a wire on a cliff. Scared a lot of the faculty when they found out.
Finally, the elevator stopped. Its passengers stepped off the rickety elevator and walked into a tunnel. It was narrow but didn't impede their progress. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Ren had to shield his eyes to give them time to adjust. When he can look properly, he is taken aback by what he is seeing.
What lay before him is a jungle. The air is thick with humidity and the cacophony of a thousand unseen insects. Sunlight filters through the dense canopy, casting dappled patterns on the wooden walkway beneath his feet. It wasn't just any jungle – it was a hidden world carved from the heart of the island. A treetop village, a network of interconnected houses woven from salvaged materials and living vines, stretched out before him. Below, the jungle floor is a tangle of roots and vibrant undergrowth, secrets hidden in its depths. A flicker of movement catches his eye—a blue lizard darts across a vine bridge, sending a tremor through the entire structure. It's a far cry from the city of Tokyo, but here, amidst the symphony of the jungle and the ever-present whisper of the ocean, the refuge is found.
Ren felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Johan giving him a smirk. "Well, Ren… Welcome to Sanctuary."
The others led him across the walkway. A laugh rings out from somewhere above. Ren briefly paused, tilting his head, and listened to the telltale whirring of someone working on his Duel Disk. From his right came the rhythmic hammering from a workshop further down the vine bridge. As they passed by, he found an elderly man fixing a leak in a salvaged water collector. Below, on a platform next to a mango tree, an adult woman is showing a group of younger kids how to braid fishing nets. Their nimble fingers fumble with the thick twine, but her laugh is warm and patient as she guides them.
To say overwhelmed would be an understatement. Seeing all of this, people go about their day without fear of being Carded by Academia.
"Are you alright?" Jim asked with a smirk. "You're looking like you've never seen a treetop village before."
"It's nothing…it's just…" Ren struggled to find the right words. "How is this possible?"
"Some of the survivors we brought over were members of the construction club," Amon explains smugly. "Industrial Tech Club found or built the necessary tools and equipment. The Construction Club helped with the schematics and…well, you know that the name is what they do. The Electric Club helped with the wiring so expect some electricity running. And even more, clubs who have a lot to offer at the table. Without them, we wouldn't have been able to build our humble abode. Of course, this is only the top. Wait till you see what we've got below."
"We've got a nice network of underground workshops," Johan piped in while patting Austin on the shoulder. "You should see the War Room he set up."
"One has to be prepared in case Academia comes knocking," Austin insisted. Ren didn't say it out loud, but he knew Austin was correct. While Sanctuary seems peaceful, it could shatter at any moment. It is just a matter of when not if. But he didn't voice these thoughts out loud. Not yet.
"How do you feed everybody?" Ren asked.
"By living off the land," Austin explained as if it were obvious. "There's fruit and vegetables. The local wildlife gives us plenty of meat so long as we don't upset the Nature Club. They get agitated for good reasons. Fortunately, we can still fish."
"I can imagine," Ren said. "With the sub?"
"Oh, gods no," Jim laughed. "But that would be very interesting. I should bring it up with the tech boys. When we need to go fishing we have a secluded cove that serves as a harbor for salvaged and modified boats Academia was kind enough to part ways with."
"Don't you mean to steal them," Ren said with a smirk. Jim just shrugged his shoulders, but Ren wasn't complaining.
"Let's head to the main hall," Amon said. "I'm sure the Village Leaders will want to meet you. Otherwise, you'll only be seen as a stranger in Sanctuary."
"Village leaders? Now you're talking like we're in a video game," Ren joked. His former classmates gave a slight chuckle. They have crossed another bridge at the same time as another man clad in the prestigious Obelisk Blue uniform. His blue hair is sectioned in two layers with a section above the bridge of his nose grayish white. While walking, he is shuffling a deck of cards. So focused on his task he failed to prevent his collision with Ren.
Which is what happened. With a startled cry of surprise, he collided with Ren. The act caused his cards to slip out of his hands and fall to the bridge. Quickly, he began to pick up his scattered cards.
"Here let me help," Ren offered, feeling partly responsible. As he helps the man pick up his cards, he can't help but notice that the cards aren't part of a Duel Monsters deck but a Tarot one. He could tell because some of the cards were face up, revealing some of the Major Arcana. Just what is it with the Tarot? Igor and Lavenza use it to help with his Persona abilities. Chifuyu uses it during her fortune teller gig. It's like the whole world revolves around it.
"Here, it's the last one," Ren said as he held out a card, this one had the image of a jester laughing very close to a cliff, accompanied by a dog at his heels. It looks like he's holding the last one because the man is holding a deck of cards. The man was reaching out for it when he stopped. Violet eyes stared at him for so long that Ren wondered if there was something on his face. Before he could ask, the man spoke.
"May I be so kind as to ask your name?" The man asked all to calmly. Ren couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable at his scrutiny. The man didn't seem hostile but neither friendly. His presence seemed to be mysterious.
"Sure…it's Ren Amamiya. May I have yours?"
Instead of replying, the man took the card and stood up to leave. While walking around the group, the man kept his eyes on Ren. Only when he was a few feet away did he break his gaze. Ren stared at the man's retreating.
"That's Takuma Saio if you want to know," Amon answered. "He and his younger sister have a knack for fortune telling."
"What's scary is how their fortunes come true," Johan adds with a shiver. "One time I went to him to get my reading I ended up using an insect deck without knowing. Took me a week to find my Gem Beasts."
"What's wrong with using bugs?" Jim asked. While the others turned on their heels to leave, Ren stared after Takuma. He reminded me of a certain fortune teller back in Shinjuku. Chihaya's fortunes had a one-hundred percent chance of coming true and believed that fate is absolute. Of course, he proved that mindset wrong by reversing the ill tidings that she informs clients of. She accepted that fate can be changed and helps her clients more with their problems.
After a few minutes, the other led him to a magnificent Banyan tree. Below, its aerial roots dig deep into the earth, forming a network of natural arches and buttresses. A latticework of emerald leaves filtering the sunlight, stretching outwards like a protective hand, acted as a canopy. Rope bridges connect various platforms built around the colossal trunk, where various people have gathered.
They walked across the bridge to one of these platforms. A woman stood over a table with her back to them. She is dressed in a long coat variant of an Osiris Red uniform.
"Ms. Hibiki," Austin called out, the name making Ren's eyes widen. "We're back."
"I know. Communications have informed me of your arrival," Hibiki said as she turned around. "Did you find out if—"
Midori stopped talking. Her eyes, wide in surprise, have zeroed in on Ren among the group. Ren couldn't help but gulp. Midori Hibiki stepped forward until she was right in front of Ren.
"Ren?"
Ren chuckles weakly as he rubs the back of his head, "Hello Ms. Hibiki."
"You're not a ghost are you?"
"Um, no?" Ren asked.
"Good…" Midori said as, without warning, clocked Ren on the head with a book she somehow got out of nowhere. Ren felt a bump on his head grow from the impact. From the corner of his eye, he saw onlookers watching them, but they quickly turned away to focus on their work. The same can be said for the others as they turned their heads to practice whistling.
"For three years…I thought you were dead for three years!" Midori seethed, her waist-length dark hair framing her face. Ren instinctively shriveled under her gaze.
"You're not supposed to hit your student," Ren mumbled like a scared kid. During his years in Duel Academia, Midori Hibiki served as the Osiris Red Dorm Professor. Unlike the other teachers, she's one of the few people who made sure he didn't get away from the consequences of his pranks.
"But you're not my student anymore," Midori countered ominously with a smile that was too good to be genuine. "Just like I'm no longer your Dorm Professor. Which means I can dish out as much punishment as I want. You know what that means right?"
Clenching his eyes shut, Ren braced himself for the worst. Midori's punishments are always worse as he uses the scale of the offense to determine the severity. One time, she made him clean the Osiris Red bathroom, make it dirty, and then clean it again on repeat. In his defense, it wasn't his fault he had been stranded in another dimension for three years. But the aura around Midori made it clear that she wasn't in the mood to hear that. He silently wished that her brother was here as he waited for the hammer to drop. Midori seemed to be calm whenever he was around.
What he didn't expect was for her to gently rub his hair. Opening his eyes, he found Midori giving him a good-natured smile.
"Welcome back."
Seeing that she wasn't mad, Ren felt himself deflate. Despite her harsh disciplinary attitude, she cares about her students. Even the ones who aren't in her dorm. If it weren't for her, Chronos would've expelled him a long time ago.
"Look at you! ~" Midori cooed as she squished his cheeks. "You've gotten so tall and handsome! Where is the little imp of a student that used to cause nothing but trouble at Academia?"
"I don't always cause trouble," Ren protested. The guys were chuckling at his expense which further added to his embarrassment.
"And you've gotten so mature too," Midori praised as she released him. "What sort of trouble have you been up to this time that made you become a proper gentleman?"
"It's a long story," Ren said. "Chapter One, I got hit by a car and lost my memory for three years. Want to hear the rest?"
"Wait…you what?" Midori asked in shock.
"I strongly recommend holding this conversation in private," Austin adds, his tone tense while glancing at the wandering eyes. "This information could be disastrous in the wrong ears. Especially if it somehow makes its way to Academia."
Midori looked between the boys, picking up the severity of what they were implying. "All right. I was going to put that conversation on hold for later anyway. You boys must be tired from the journey, and I prefer to have it when we're all well-rested and fed. Johan, can you check if we have any treehouses available for Ren?"
"We're expanding every day," Johan grinned with a thumbs up as he took off. "If we didn't, the builders would be bored. I'm sure there's a treehouse Ren can use."
"I'm going to check on the Canteen, to see what the cooks are planning for dinner," Amon said taking his leave. "Gods know I could use some good grub."
"Could I help out? I learned a good coffee and curry recipe," Ren offered as he made to follow. He didn't get a chance to walk a single step as Austin grabbed him by the arm.
"Before you go anywhere else, there's one more place we need to show you," Austin said. Ren didn't know what he meant, but Midori seemed to know. Her face became sympathetic pity directed at him, yet he didn't know why.
"I would go with them Ren," Midori said. "I believe it's important you visit that place."
Ren stared at her, wondering what place they could be talking about. There seemed to be only one way to find out.
"Alright."
[~]
He should've asked where they were going first. After that conversation, Ren followed Austin and Jim to the world below. Regretfully, Midori couldn't come with them as she had other duties. They lead him down a winding path through the foliage of the jungle. Due to the heat, he took over his blazer and tied it around his waist. Of course, that only left the bugs to worry about. Several times he slapped a few crawlers on his skin, leaving blood splatters to be wiped off.
"I don't want to complain," Ren spoke. "But would there happen to be a club that produces insect repellent?"
"We do, funny boy," Jim answered. "It's just that the old ladies keep going through it like water on a hot day. But it's not that bad when you get used to it. Right, Karen?"
On his back, Karen made a noise that said otherwise.
"We're here."
Their destination is a clearing. Sunlight, dappled and muted struggles to penetrate the dense canopy overhead, casting it in a perpetual twilight. The air here is thick with the scent of humid earth and the cloying sweetness of plumeria flowers that bloom in silent vigil around the perimeter.
In the center of the clearing, a single, gnarled banyan tree stands sentinel, its moss-draped branches heavy with hand-carved wooden plaques. Each plaque, weathered and worn, bears an etched name and a Duel Disk. As Ren got close to reading the names, he recognized some of them. His eyes grew wide with realization.
"Are these…"
"Yep. This is a Memorial Garden," Austin confirmed with a solemn nod. "Back then, we couldn't recover the bodies for fear of Academia wiping us out. Then one day, this guy stumbled upon this area and got the idea to create this memorial. Everyone pitched in by adding names the names of their friends and family. Any personal effects they have in their possession they put here."
"Eventually everyone forgot about their bodies," Jim said. "Not that it would matter. Because by now the terminal effects of the failed sealing tech would've reached the final stage."
Ren didn't say anything. The names on the plaques are members of the Rebellion. The people who died during its final days. Some of them he knew personally as his classmates and teachers. Beneath some of them are numerous objects. Worn leather belts, deck boxes, and various others that seemed related to them. They've been here for a long time acting as silent testaments to the lives cut short. The hopes and dreams that have been snuffed out by Academia.
"There's something else too," Jim said, gesturing towards a winding path of smooth river stones leading through the garden, lined with low-growing ferns and vibrant orchids. Following it to its end, a small freshwater spring spills into a crystal-clear pool, its surface reflecting the plaques like a distorted mirror. The gentle murmur of the water is the only sound that breaks the peaceful silence, a constant elegy for those lost.
Here, beside the spring, is a hand-built shrine that stands testament to a particular sort of people. Carved from the same weathered wood as the plaques, it features two ornately designed segments. One, adorned with a single white Duel Disk and a vibrant red rose. The other is etched with a simple quill and a single fallen tear. Placed before each segment are Fresh frangipani flowers. Ren read the names of the shrine and could barely suppress his shock.
Tetsurō and Harumi Amamiya.
"Father…Mother…" Ren could barely manage to get the words out.
"Me and the boys got together to set this up. Even the people who knew your parents well" Jim said. "Back then we still thought you were dead, so we added your name as well. Guess it'll have to be removed."
"Like I said, we couldn't recover their bodies," Austin said with a tinge of regret. "This was the only thing we could do. I'm sorry."
Ren didn't say anything. Austin and Jim looked at each other and nodded. This was a good time to make themselves scarce. They respectfully let Ren alone. Ren didn't do anything as he heard them leave, thankful that they were giving him some privacy. He continued to stare at the shrine without speaking a word.
"You lied."
The words that came out of his mouth were mixed with hurt. They are directed at his father's segment. The pain still ached in his heart as he recalled bitter painful memories. After his mother was murdered, Tetsurō was the only family he had left. When Academia attacked HQ, the last words he said to him were for him to go ahead to Standard and he would be right behind him. But that was a lie. The last words from his father were a lie.
"You lied," Ren spoke again. "You said that you would be behind me. I didn't look back because I trusted you. After Mom died, you were all I had left…and you left me all alone."
He took out his father's glasses.
"But if you hadn't…I wouldn't be alive," Ren admitted. "You were just performing your last duty as a father. If you hadn't stayed behind, nobody would've been able to escape Academia's onslaught. They wouldn't have been able to build Sanctuary. If it weren't for you, there wouldn't be a haven from Academia's machinations. As well as the others who gave their lives to ensure Operation Exodus' success."
Gently, he placed the glasses right in front of the segment. It felt right to place them there as if they were a recovered missing piece.
"So, on behalf of the Rebellion and the people of Sanctuary…thank you. I…I'm going to miss you. There would've been so much to talk about…my time in another dimension…the mischief I've committed…the friends that I've made…"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt something wet dripping from his eyes. It took him a moment to realize that he was crying. For the first time as far as he could remember, he was crying. It was only a few seconds before he finally let it all out. Waterfalls of tears followed by sobbing. He didn't know how long he continued to cry. Crying for the lives of the people who paid the price in daring to fight against the darkness that destroyed everything.
[~]
Inside the treehouse he shared with his sister, Takumo Saio sat at the table. Ever since the encounter with Ren Amamiya, he had been engrossed with his cards. Something about him seemed to trigger a change. In his hand, he held the card that Ren had given to him.
"The Fool Arcana landed face up in the upright position," Takumo muttered mostly to himself. "This would mean a new beginning. Yet this has been picked up by Ren Amamiya. If I'm correct, it would make him the Fool who would usher in a new beginning. But the beginning of what exactly?"
Takumo then set the card on the table. Surrounding the Fool are various other cards of the Major Arcana. He and his sister utilize the tarot to give their readings to the rest of the sanctuary. The Arcana is how all is revealed. Yet he never had a spread such as this before.
"Most of the Major Arcana have gathered around the Fool. The Magician, The Priestess, The Empress, The Emperor, The Lovers, The Chariot, The Hermit…and even this one."
Takumo picked up one of the cards and examined it. The picture depicted a religious man sitting on a throne carried by two men in chains. Anyone looking at the image would earn misunderstanding as to what it represents. From the second floor came the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs.
"Takuma, it's almost time for dinner. We'd better hurry to the canteen," A woman with dark hair arranged in a flowing ponytail called out as she approached the table. She is dressed in the ceremonial red and white clothes of a Miko.
"Mizuchi, did you by any chance add this card to the deck when I wasn't looking?" Takumo asked, holding up the card for her to see. Mizuchi Saio bent down to get a closer look, eyebrows scrunched together in concentration before shaking her head.
"No…I don't think I have," Mizuchi said. "I've never seen an Arcana like that before. What is it?"
"The Faith Arcana," Takumo answered. "A rare arcana found in the Visconti di Modrone tarot deck. In the upright position, it represents belief in others and oneself."
"Sounds very…uplifting," Mizuchi said. She noticed the other Arcana. "This isn't one of our usual spreads. What sort of reading is this?"
"I suspect that there is going to be a new beginning upon us," Takumo answered. "I've yet to determine why they are gravitating around the Fool. But given the upright position, I can safely assume that this new beginning will be for something beyond sanctuary. Especially when the Fool is Ren Amamiya."
"Ren Amamiya?" Mizuchi wondered out loud, her eyes widening as it dawned on her. "Wait…isn't he the son of Harumi and Tetsurō Amamiya?"
"The very same," Takumo said with a nod. "The son of the professor who sought to expose the truth of the ARC Area Project and paid the price. His father was the greatest leader of the Rebellion who died to ensure the survivors escaped and created Sanctuary. Once believed to be dead only to return. Perhaps fate has plans for him…but I can't tell for sure as his future remains elusive."
Mizuchi knitted her eyebrows. In all their life, they never had a problem with their readings. It's how they made a living even before moving to Sanctuary. So, what did this mean? Any further thoughts are broken when Takumo's stomach lets out a growl.
"But I suppose our ruminations can wait until after we have our meal," Takumo chuckles as he stands up from his chair.
As he walked with Mizuchi, he didn't notice the Tarot card lying on the ground. Portrayed on the face is a woman holding a sword and balance. It is hard to tell if it landed upright or upside down. Not that the Saio siblings looked as they exited the treehouse.
Nor would they have foreseen what happened back in the ruins of Rebel HQ. The Interdimensional Transporter that remained sparked back to life, creating another corridor between dimensions.
[~][~]
Greetings and Bienvenu readers.
I apologize that it has taken me so long to update. I've been helping out with family matters and didn't have much time to write.
To summarize, Ren has returned to Fusion to discover the fate of the Rebellion and the survivors. Even a tearful moment at the shrine dedicated to his parents. Some of the characters that I will be using are ones from previous franchises and other forms of media.
Let me know what you guys think and thank you for reading.
Until next time.