The skies above the Iceberg Zone were heavy with frost and silence. Riding atop the gleaming form of Dimensional Robo, Daidragon, Satoru, Gongenzaka, and Christopher braced against the biting winds. Kenji kept his balance with practiced ease, while Yuri sat apart from them, silent, his eyes clouded in turmoil—still reeling from the shattering realization that Academia had cast him aside.
Gongenzaka finally broke the uneasy quiet, his booming voice tinged with suspicion.
"Satoru! Why bring him with us? That one was our enemy... or would've been, had Academia not decided to dispose of him."
Satoru, calm yet firm, didn't flinch under the weight of the question. "Because I made a promise," he said evenly. "A promise to bring him to someone."
Both Gongenzaka and Kenji blinked, startled by the cryptic reply. Before they could probe further, Christopher's eyes widened in realization. "Wait... the person you promised—could it be... a woman named Asuna?"
"Yes," Satoru confirmed.
A moment of silence followed before Christopher let out a breath, nodding. "Then it all makes sense. That's why you insisted on facing Yuri alone."
"Asuna?" Gongenzaka tilted his head, confusion etched on his face. "Who is she?"
Satoru's answer was blunt, his words striking like a hammer. "She's Yuri's mother."
The statement froze the air more than the arctic winds ever could. Even Kenji faltered, his composure cracking as everyone turned sharply toward Yuri, whose expression twisted between shock and disbelief.
Daidragon began its descent, its mechanical wings releasing jets of light as it found solid ground amidst the jagged ice. The group leapt down one by one, boots crunching against frost. Once they were safely off, Daidragon's form shimmered before vanishing back into the ether.
Christopher's eyes lingered on Kenji. "You didn't even duel... How did you manage to summon Daidragon at all?"
Kenji folded his arms. "Here, it's different. As long as the Action Field is active, we can summon monsters freely. No duels needed."
That revelation hit the others like a thunderclap.
"Wait—seriously?" Christopher muttered.
"Without dueling?" Satoru frowned, cautious yet intrigued.
Gongenzaka, ever the man of action, immediately tested it. With a commanding sweep of his arm, he summoned Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei, its massive frame shaking the ice beneath their feet. At Gongenzaka's order, Big Benkei raised its colossal blade and cleaved through a towering ice pillar, the shards crashing down in a crystalline avalanche.
His eyes gleamed with both wonder and unease. "Unbelievable..." he rumbled before recalling the monster.
Christopher quickly relayed the discovery to the rest of their allies, his communicator flickering with bursts of static.
Meanwhile, Yuri had regained his bearings. He looked around at the group surrounding him—no chains, no threats, yet no freedom either. His voice, when he finally spoke, was weary, hollow, like that of a man who had already resigned himself.
"So... what are you planning to do with me?"
Christopher sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Nothing. You're not our prisoner."
Satoru's gaze softened. "Are you alright?"
Yuri barked a laugh devoid of humor. "Alright? After losing... after hearing the Professor's orders to dispose of me? Oh yes, I'm perfectly fine." His sarcasm dripped like venom, but beneath it lay unmistakable pain.
"What will you do now?" Satoru pressed gently.
"I don't know." Yuri looked down at his hands. "I'm a wanted man now. Cast aside by the only place I ever knew."
The silence that followed was broken only by the moaning of the wind. Then Yuri's voice wavered, quieter this time. "Tell me... my mother. What became of her?" His eyes, sharp yet fragile, sought an answer he dreaded yet longed for.
Satoru's tone was steady, though heavy with sorrow. "She's alive. But she can no longer walk. Her legs... were crippled."
Yuri's breath caught. The memory of a flashback resurfaced—of the Obelisk Force descending on his mother, their merciless boots and strikes shattering her body while he was forced to watch. His fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms, blood almost threatening to bead.
Christopher and Kenji were aghast. "What?!" Christopher exclaimed. "They brutalized a woman like that?"
"Unforgivable!" Gongenzaka roared, his usually steady voice cracking in outrage.
Satoru continued grimly. "After that, Academia threw her into a Dimensional Transporter. Their intent was clear—they wanted to ensure she would never see Yuri again. She was exiled into our world, where fate had her wash ashore. The Branch Chief of Zoo found her half-dead on the coast. According to the doctors... had she arrived mere minutes later, she wouldn't have survived."
The words weighed on the group like lead. Yuri stared at the ice below his feet, his reflection fractured in its cracks. Relief flickered in his eyes, fragile yet undeniable. "...She lived. Against all odds, she survived."
"Yes," Satoru said softly. "But she has been confined to the hospital ever since. With no personal data, no family ties in our world, and her body crippled, she has nowhere else to go. The hospital is... the only safe place for her now."
The news sank into Yuri like a blade, equal parts solace and torment. He closed his eyes, silent, as the storm in his heart raged louder than the winds howling across the Iceberg Zone.
Christopher broke the silence as they trekked across the frozen ground, his voice cutting through the cold air. "Kenji, one question—why are you even here in the Iceberg Zone?"
The Emperor folded his arms, his presence as imposing as ever. "Because the Jungle Zone has already been secured. It is no longer under Academia's control." His eyes narrowed, his tone calm but weighted. "Ryuki, Shun, Aichi, and Serena are already en route to the Volcano Zone. Yuto, Emi, and Ruri have taken to the Ancient Ruins Zone to back up Barret."
The news was sobering, yet it carried a quiet reassurance. The war was being fought on all fronts, and little by little, Academia's grip was loosening.
At that moment, Satoru turned to Yuri, stepping closer with deliberate care. From his coat pocket, he withdrew a small green deck box, worn yet carefully preserved. Without a word, he pressed it into Yuri's hands.
Yuri frowned, confused. "What's this?"
"A deck," Satoru answered simply. "Your mother's deck."
The world seemed to stop. Yuri's eyes widened, his breath catching as he stared at the box in disbelief. His fingers trembled as he slid the top card free, revealing a card that he didn't know.
White Lily Musketeer, Cecilia
Level 8 / EARTH / Bioroid / Fusion / Effect / Limit Break
ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2500
The sight of the elegant warrior clad in white, rapier in hand, nearly undid him. His chest tightened as though the card itself radiated his mother's presence.
Christopher gave a low whistle, peering over Yuri's shoulder. "Well, well... Neo Nectar. A plant deck, eh? Asuna must've been a Musketeer player. They're all about sending troops to the grave, then summoning stronger comrades straight from the deck. A whole army of replacements that grow stronger the more of them you field. Ruthless... but beautiful in their coordination."
Yuri tore his gaze from the card just long enough to look at Satoru. "Why... why would you give this to me?"
Satoru's voice was steady but heavy with memory. "Because Asuna-san cannot duel—or cardfight—any longer. Her condition makes it impossible. But she asked me to preserve her deck. To... change it." He drew in a slow breath before continuing. "I worked in secret, using equipment from FIVA. In return, I had to resume my position as Dark Zone's Branch Chief—something I never wished to do again. But I owed her that much."
The explanation struck Yuri harder than any duel could. He held the deck close, almost afraid it might vanish if he let go.
Satoru's eyes softened. "She helped me refine the effects. Every choice, every ability in those cards carries her hand. And before we parted, she asked one thing of me—'If you find Yuri, give him my deck. Let him decide whether to use it or not.'"
Yuri could no longer mask the turmoil within him. He lowered his gaze, staring at the deck as though it were a lifeline. And then, without warning, his surroundings blurred.
The cold ice melted away. He stood now in a lush, verdant garden hidden deep within an ancient forest. Sunlight filtered gently through a canopy of green, illuminating blossoms of every color. The air was warm, alive, filled with the scent of lilies and roses.
And there—walking toward him with serene grace—was a woman clad in flowing white and green. A lily adorned her wide-brimmed hat, a crimson rapier gleaming in her hand. It was her—White Lily Musketeer, Cecilia.
She smiled faintly, placing a gentle hand upon his cheek. The touch was warm, maternal, achingly familiar. Yuri's own hand rose, trembling, to cover hers. For a fleeting moment, he was not a castaway soldier nor a weapon of Academia—he was simply a son yearning for his mother.
The vision shattered like glass. He blinked and found himself once more in the frozen expanse, staring down at Cecilia's card in his hand. His resolve solidified. For the first time since his exile, Yuri knew what path lay before him.
"...I understand now." His voice was quiet, yet carried a certainty none had heard from him before.
The others exchanged glances but chose not to press further.
Breaking the silence, Gongenzaka's deep voice rumbled, "What is our next course of action?"
Yuri lifted his eyes, determination flickering within them. "The Volcano Zone."
Kenji raised a brow. "Why there?"
"Before I was betrayed," Yuri explained, his tone sharp and calculated, "Academia issued orders to surround the Standard Duelists in one place. The plan was to snuff them out swiftly. If we move ahead to the Volcano Zone, we can turn their strategy against them. By drawing them into hostile terrain, we'll exhaust our pursuers before they can regroup."
The logic was undeniable. Christopher crossed his arms, a grin tugging at his lips. "Not bad, Yuri. Using their own tactics against them... I can get behind that."
One by one, the others nodded in agreement.
Their decision made, the group gathered their bearings. The icy winds howled as they departed the Iceberg Zone, leaving behind the shattered spires of frozen stone. Ahead lay fire, ash, and battle—the Volcano Zone awaited, and with it, the chance to strike at Academia where it least expected.
For Yuri, however, the path was no longer just about survival or revenge. With his mother's deck in hand, he carried a bond, a purpose—one that would define the battles yet to come.
-----
The Volcano Zone burned with heat and fury, a battlefield of molten rivers and jagged obsidian. The air shimmered, stifling, every breath thick with ash. On one side of the battlefield, Kazuma and his elder brother Kazumi stood shoulder to shoulder, locked in combat with six Obelisk Force soldiers.
The brothers did not run or scramble for advantage. They dueled stationary, rooted like stone, their faith placed wholly in their cards. Each command was precise, every move steady, as though their decks themselves were an extension of their will.
Across the blazing fields, Rin and Yuya fought their own battle against another six Obelisk Force soldiers. Unlike the brothers, their style thrived on motion. They darted across the battlefield, springing from boulders and ledges, leaping over gouts of lava as they snatched up Action Cards. Their momentum and creativity pushed the enemy into misplays, forcing them to trip over their own aggression.
Despite the differences in their styles—rigid trust versus fluid improvisation—both battles ended in tandem. The Obelisk Force were struck down simultaneously, their duel disks sparking red as their monsters faded into light. Without warning, their bodies vanished, forcefully recalled to Academia the instant they were defeated.
For the four duelists, it was a moment of respite. The oppressive silence following victory felt like a breath of air after drowning.
Kazumi wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes shifting toward his younger brother. "Kazuma... can you still continue?"
Kazuma groaned, swaying on his feet. "Barely. I've already fought nine of those grunts back-to-back. Same decks, same patterns... I swear, it's getting boring." He forced a smirk, but his exhaustion was obvious.
Yuya turned toward Rin, concern etched on his face. "What about you? Can you keep going?"
Rin flicked her wrist dismissively, a defiant smirk tugging at her lips. "I can handle a few more."
As if the heavens mocked her words, three new figures emerged from the smoke. Unlike the faceless rank-and-file Obelisk Force, these men moved with precision and purpose. Their uniforms were darker, their duel disks sharper, their presence suffocating.
Rin's expression hardened. "Obelisk Black Ops..."
Yuya tensed, remembering Barret's warning. These duelists weren't simple enforcers—they were predators. The kind who sought not victory, but absolute annihilation.
The three Black Ops activated their duel disks in unison. The air vibrated with their menace. Yuya and Rin braced themselves, sliding their duel disks into place as the battlefield roared back to life.
The duel began.
Meanwhile, at the edge of the Jungle Zone, Ryuki, Aichi, Shun, and Serena pressed forward. The path twisted from verdant greens into charred black stone, the air growing hotter with every step. Suddenly, a shadow flickered across their path, and a figure materialized in their midst with the silence of a ghost.
"Tsuchikage," Ryuki greeted, his tone controlled but expectant. "Report."
The shinobi bowed slightly. "Academia has turned its sights inward. They are openly hunting Yuri after his defeat at the hands of Enishi Satoru. More troubling—" his gaze darkened—"Akaba Leo has issued orders to the Obelisk Black Ops and the rest of his soldiers. Yuri is to be eliminated permanently."
Serena gasped, her eyes wide. "Leo wants Yuri... dead?"
Shun's fists clenched, his jaw locking. "Even his own soldiers aren't spared from his cruelty..."
Ryuki, calm though visibly disturbed, pressed on. "Any further intelligence?"
"Yes." Tsuchikage's voice was cold, deliberate. "I uncovered the identity of the one who disabled the 8000 Life Point safeguard and the rescue mechanic. The saboteur is a duelist named Dennis Macfield."
The name cut through the air like a blade. Ryuki quickly pulled up his duel disk's database, the display flickering to life with Dennis's portrait. When Shun's eyes fell on the face, recognition struck him like lightning.
"That man..." Shun's voice trembled with rage. "He was at Heartland. Before the invasion... before everything." His breath grew ragged, his fury boiling over. "So he was Academia's agent all along!"
Serena's brows furrowed, torn between disbelief and disappointment.
But Tsuchikage raised a hand, steady. "There is more. The reason Dennis serves Academia is not loyalty—it is coercion. They are holding someone important to him hostage."
That revelation pierced through Shun's anger, forcing him to pause.
"Her name," the shinobi continued, "is Layla. I overheard Dennis muttering to himself. He despises the things he has done, yet insists he has no choice. The girl's life hangs over him like a blade."
Serena's eyes widened in realization. "A girl... Then—there was one! In Academia's private hospital wing. No one is permitted entry except the doctors. That girl must be Layla."
Shun turned sharply to Tsuchikage, his voice a mixture of suspicion and desperation. "Is what you say the truth?"
The shinobi did not falter. "It is."
Shun exhaled, his rage bleeding into something quieter, heavier. "So... he's still guilty for Heartland. For everything. I can't forgive him." His voice wavered, but steadied with resolve. "...But if his hands are bound by chains he cannot break... then I will let him go. For now."
It was not absolution, but it was enough to keep his fury from consuming him.
Ryuki's sharp eyes turned back to Tsuchikage. "Anything else?"
"Yes. Yugo and Yuzu are no longer in the Standard Dimension."
Serena stiffened. "What?! Where did Yugo take her?"
Aichi frowned, his gaze sliding toward Ryuki. "Explain."
Ryuki remained calm, though his words were edged with gravity. "A contingency plan. Should Yugo and Yuzu face overwhelming odds, Yugo was instructed to take her and escape with Clear Wing Synchro Dragon. They will remain outside the Standard Dimension until the timer on the Action Field runs out. Once Academia withdraws, they can return safely."
Aichi's frown deepened. "That's far too risky. Leaving your comrades behind—"
"It was necessary," Ryuki interrupted, his tone resolute. "A painful choice, but one made to preserve Yuzu's safety above all else."
Shun growled under his breath, torn between outrage and reluctant understanding. "Comrades should never abandon one another. But..." He closed his eyes briefly, exhaling. "...if it prevents Academia's plans from succeeding, then it is a burden we must carry."
The group fell into silence, the weight of strategy and sacrifice pressing on them.
At last, Tsuchikage inclined his head. "That is all I have gathered."
"You have done well," Ryuki said firmly. "Continue your mission."
With a flicker of shadow, Tsuchikage vanished into the wind, leaving no trace he had ever been there.
The four duelists exchanged looks—each understanding the gravity of what they had learned, yet each unwilling to voice the doubts clawing at their hearts. There was no time for hesitation.
With their resolve hardened, Ryuki, Aichi, Shun, and Serena pressed onward, their steps carrying them from the Jungle Zone's dying embers into the blazing maw of the Volcano Zone—where battles already raged, and where their choices would soon be tested in fire.
-----
The Ancient Ruins Zone looked as though a hurricane had torn through it. Great stone pillars had collapsed, carvings of forgotten gods now lying broken in the dust. At the center of the devastation stood two duelists—Barret and Fubuki—panting heavily, their duel disks sparking from overuse. Their bodies were bruised, uniforms torn, but their stances held defiant pride. Around them lay the fading holographic remnants of countless destroyed monsters, the evidence of their grueling battle.
They had won. The last squadron of Obelisk Force soldiers and the shadowy Obelisk Black Ops had been forced into retreat, their monsters scattered to data. The battlefield was silent save for the ragged breaths of the two warriors.
Just then, a trio approached—their footsteps echoing through the shattered ruins. Yuto, Emi, and Ruri rushed onto the scene, halting at the sight of the wreckage.
"My god..." Emi whispered. "They went all out."
Ruri covered her mouth, unable to hide her shock. The battlefield looked less like the aftermath of a duel and more like the ruins of war itself.
Yuto stepped forward, his sharp eyes scanning the two exhausted duelists. "You handled all of them? Alone?"
Barret chuckled dryly, pushing himself up on one knee. "Heh. We're not called soldiers for nothing." His body wavered, but his will refused to yield. He glanced at Fubuki, who was still seated on the ground, chest heaving. "Though... I'll admit, it was close."
Fubuki managed a weak grin. "Closer than I'd like. I don't think my body's taken this much punishment since my days with Darkness."
Yuto quickly moved to help Barret stand, while Emi knelt beside Fubuki. "You two shouldn't even be standing after this," Emi said softly. "But... thank you. If you hadn't been here, Academia would have overrun this entire Zone."
Barret grunted in acknowledgment, brushing dirt from his arm. "Enough thanks. We've wasted enough time here. What about the others? Where's Serena?"
Emi straightened, recounting the situation. "Serena is with Ryuki-kun, Shun, and Aichi. They're heading to the Volcano Zone. Kenji-san headed to the Iceberg Zone, as the Jungle Zone has already been cleared."
"Then our path is clear," Barret said firmly, forcing strength into his voice despite the ache in his limbs. "We regroup at the Volcano Zone. That's where the real fight will be decided."
Fubuki pushed himself upright with Ruri's aid, determination flashing in his weary eyes. "Then let's not waste any more time. If Academia is committing their Black Ops there, our friends will need every ally they can get."
Together, the group departed the shattered ruins, their steps heavy but their resolve burning brighter than ever.
Meanwhile, the air in the Volcano Zone shimmered with oppressive heat. Rivers of molten lava bubbled and burst below the jagged cliffs, their glow painting the battlefield in red and gold. Atop a rocky plateau, Yuya and Rin stood shoulder-to-shoulder, their bodies slick with sweat and fatigue. Their duel disks glowed faintly, both duelists running dangerously low on stamina.
Across from them stood three Obelisk Black Ops soldiers, their faceless masks gleaming in the firelight. Their movements were precise, mechanical, as though they were no longer human but extensions of the Professor's will.
The duel had turned into a nightmare.
Rin: 2000 | Hand: 1
Yuya: 2000 | Hand: 0
Obelisk Black 1: 2600 | Hand: 1
Obelisk Black 2: 1500 | Hand: 2
Obelisk Black 3: 2000 | Hand: 3
Rin's field held her Blue Sky Knight, Altmile, and Knight of Favorable Odds, Ascanius, alongside a lone set card. Yuya clung to his strategy with his Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, while Magician of Astromancy and Magician of Chronomancy pulsed in his Pendulum Zones. He had two facedowns, his last lifeline.
On the enemy side, however, all three Obelisk Black Ops had successfully summoned Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dogs through their terrifying Breakthrough Fusion. Their snarling machines loomed over the battlefield, their presence alone enough to crush morale. Worse still, their effects had already halved Yuya and Rin's Life Points, leaving them hanging by a thread.
It was the third Obelisk Black's turn. His voice, monotone and devoid of humanity, echoed across the volcanic plain.
"I activate Ultimate Hound Dog's effect. Once summoned... you lose half your Life Points."
The beast's cannons swiveled, locking onto Yuya.
Yuya: 2000 → 1000
Yuya grit his teeth, sweat running into his eyes. His body trembled from exhaustion. Still, he raised his voice. "I... won't give up. Not now."
The Obelisk Black ignored his defiance. "Battle. Ultimate Hound Dog, attack Blue Sky Knight, Altmile. Ultimate Hound Dog can attack three times this turn. Spells and traps are negated."
The metallic beast roared, flames building in its cannons. Rin braced herself, prepared to watch her knight fall—when suddenly, a new voice rang out across the battlefield.
"Not so fast! If a monster declares an attack, I can Special Summon this card from my hand! Come forth, Holy Mage, Lavinia!"
Magic circles burst into existence, spiraling around Altmile. A radiant figure stepped forth—an elven sorceress with flowing crimson hair, a golden robe, and an azure grimoire clutched tightly in her hands. Her magic pushed back the Hound Dog's cannons, shielding Altmile in a barrier of light.
Holy Mage, Lavinia
Level 4 / LIGHT / Elf / Effect / Unite
ATK: 0 / DEF: 0
Rin's eyes widened. She knew that monster. And she knew the man it belonged to.
"Ashley...?!" she gasped.
Behind them, a tall figure strode forward. A knight clad in golden armor, his red hair blazing like fire, his eyes filled with unshakable resolve. It was Ashley von Hazelrink, heir of the Hazelrink lineage and a member of the Knight of Duelists whose blade burned with justice.
The duel disk on his arm crackled as a mechanical voice chimed:
"Intrusion Penalty: 2000 LP."
Sparks shot across his wrist as his Life Points dropped.
Ashley: 4000 → 2000
Rin spun toward him, her shock evident. "Ashley! What are you doing here?! This battlefield—"
"Is exactly where I need to be," Ashley interrupted, his voice steady and commanding. He planted himself firmly at their side, eyes never leaving the enemy. "Akaba Reiji ordered me to assist you. I've been briefed. Save your breath for the duel."
He raised his hand toward Lavinia, whose magic circles pulsed brighter. "If Lavinia is summoned this way, your Battle Phase ends immediately. Furthermore, I draw one card for every LIGHT monster currently on the field. I count three—Lavinia, Altmile, and Ascanius." His blade flashed as he drew. "I draw three!"
The Obelisk Black Ops froze, their stoic demeanor cracking for a moment. Their relentless assault had been cut short.
Ashley's hand swelled to seven cards. He lowered his arm, golden armor gleaming under the volcanic firelight. His very presence shifted the battlefield's momentum. For Yuya and Rin, who had been teetering on the edge of despair, it was like a surge of fresh air filling their lungs.
The third Obelisk Black finally lowered his hand. "...Turn end."
Rin: 2000 | Hand: 1
Yuya: 1000 | Hand: 0
Ashley: 2000 | Hand: 7
Obelisk Black 1: 2600 | Hand: 1
Obelisk Black 2: 1500 | Hand: 2
Obelisk Black 3: 2000 | Hand: 3
Rin exhaled, gripping her duel disk tighter. "Ashley... you really came."
Yuya, sweat still dripping, gave a tired smile. "Guess our encore just got another performer."
Ashley lifted his blade toward the Obelisk Black Ops. His tone was calm, but his eyes burned with righteous fury.
"Your tyranny ends here. As long as I stand, no comrade of mine will fall."
"Since when did you get a sword that shiny?" Rin asked jokingly.
"After I got this deck from Ryuki, I asked the headmaster to renew my armor to match my deck. They really went above and beyond, and even added a sword. But it looks good overall." Ashley said shyly as he returned his gaze to the Obelisk Black Ops.
The battlefield trembled—not from the volcano's roar, but from the clash of wills about to ignite.
Turn 6 – Ashley
"My turn! Draw!"
Ashley's voice rang with resolve as he slid his hand across his deck. The top card gleamed as it left the stack, a radiant trail of light following it as if destiny itself answered his call.
He looked at his teammates. "Rin, Yuya... I'll be borrowing your monsters for a bit. I hope that's alright."
Rin gave a bright smile, confident and unwavering. "Sure, Ashley. They're all yours." Beside her, Altmile and Ascanius raised their weapons in salute, their bodies shimmering faintly with approving light.
Yuya nodded with an encouraging grin. "Take them down, Ashley." Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon reared back and released a deep, rumbling growl, as if giving its master's approval.
Ashley exhaled slowly, steadying himself. "Thank you... all of you." His grip on the drawn card tightened. "Then let's begin! I activate the Spell Card—Glorious Advance! With this, I can Special Summon one LIGHT monster from my hand or graveyard. But since there's a LIGHT Synchro Monster on the field, I can Special Summon two instead! Rise, Player of the Holy Harp, Nimane! And stand proud, Knight of Insolation, Carinus!"
Twin beams of light struck the field in front of Ashley, piercing the heavens themselves. From one emerged a young warrior maiden clad in radiant golden armor. Her short blue hair gleamed under the light, and she hefted a colossal hammer that seemed almost impossible for her frame to wield, yet she carried it with effortless poise.
Beside her, the second figure descended with an angelic grace: a girl draped in a gold-and-white dress, her long pink hair flowing like silk in the breeze. A white lily adorned her hair, and in her hands was a resplendent harp that pulsed with holy radiance.
Knight of Insolation, Carinus
Level 3 / LIGHT / Warrior / Effect / Unite
ATK: 1300 / DEF: 800
Player of the Holy Harp, Nimane
Level 1 / LIGHT / Spellcaster / Tuner / Effect / Unite
ATK: 100 / DEF: 100
"Nimane's effect activates!" Ashley declared. "When she's Special Summoned, I gain 500 Life Points for every LIGHT monster I control! With three on my field, that's a total of 1500!"
Nimane strummed her harp, and its soothing melody washed over Ashley like a healing wave. A soft green glow enveloped him as his strength surged back, his wounds mending under the gentle hymn.
Ashley: 2000 → 3500
"Next, Carinus's effect!" Ashley raised his hand as Carinus slammed her hammer into the ground. Golden shockwaves rippled outward, binding the foes before them. "If my opponent controls more than two monsters, their ATK is cut in half! Your three Ultimate Hound Dogs... lose half their power!"
The metallic beasts howled in protest as shimmering chains of light coiled around them. Their hulking frames staggered under the weight of the binding power, their flames dimming and their strength waning.
Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog x3
ATK: 2800 → 1400
Ashley pressed on. "Now I activate the Spell Card—Shining Tune! With this, I can target one Level 4 or lower LIGHT monster I control and treat it as a Tuner. I choose Lavinia!"
A radiant yellow aura engulfed Lavinia, her staff resonating with new harmonics as mystical rings encircled her. "Lavinia is now a Tuner monster!"
He then turned back to Carinus. "And I activate Carinus's other effect! Once per turn, her Level increases by one!"
Carinus's body glowed brighter, her aura intensifying as her presence expanded.
Knight of Insolation, Carinus
Level 3 → 4
Ashley's eyes sharpened. "Now it's time to call forth a champion of light! I tune my Level 4 Holy Mage, Lavinia, with my Level 4 Knight of Insolation, Carinus!"
The field erupted in brilliance. Lavinia leapt high, her body dissolving into four shimmering Synchro rings that hovered in the sky. Carinus stepped forward with unyielding courage, leaping through the radiant circles. Her hammer dissolved into fragments of light, and as she passed through, her form was bathed in divine radiance.
Ashley raised his hand and chanted with all his heart:
"Light that guides the noble, and courage that shields the weak!
With wings of valor and the blade of radiance, strike forth and illuminate the battlefield!
Gather, O sword of golden glory—Synchro Summon!
Shine, Level 8—Golden Holy Sword, Gurguit!"
From the storm of light descended a knight unlike any other. His armor gleamed like polished gold, every plate etched with sacred symbols. A dark blue mantle flowed majestically behind him as though carried by unseen winds. His auburn hair blazed like fire under the sun's rays, and in his hand he wielded a sword that shone like a fragment of the dawn itself.
Golden Holy Sword, Gurguit
Level 8 / LIGHT / Warrior / Synchro / Effect / Unite
ATK: 2800 / DEF: 2200
The battlefield trembled as Gurguit landed with a heavy step, his golden blade radiating waves of valor that emboldened Ashley and his allies.
"Wow..." Yuya muttered in awe, his voice tinged with both admiration and unease as Ashley's latest monster radiated in holy light.
Ashley's expression hardened, his tone resolute as he declared, "When Golden Holy Sword, Gurguit is Synchro Summoned, I can Special Summon one LIGHT monster from my hand or graveyard, and that monster gains 500 attack! Rise again, gallant warrior who heralds the dawn—Knight of Morning Sun, Edadus!"
A ripple of golden energy tore across the field as a young knight appeared, clad in ornate armor that gleamed like a sunrise. In his hands, he carried an enormous axe that dwarfed his own body, slamming it against the ground with a resounding quake.
Knight of Morning Sun, Edadus
Level 4 / LIGHT / Warrior / Effect / Unite
ATK: 1500 → 2000 / DEF: 1500
Ashley thrust his arm forward. "Now, Edadus—let your power shine like the sun and illuminate this battlefield! Unite!"
The word resonated like a commandment. His monsters raised their weapons in unison, their bodies glowing with radiant energy as if answering a sacred vow.
Yuya tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. "Unite?"
Ashley allowed a small smile to form, but his eyes remained sharp. "A keyword unique to my deck—and the heart of my knights' bonds. Unite can be activated if two or more monsters were Special Summoned during my turn! And with it... Edadus' true might awakens! He gains 200 attack for every ally with 'Unite' standing beside him! I count three!"
The energy gathered around Edadus' axe, blazing like the dawn itself.
Knight of Morning Sun, Edadus
ATK: 2000 → 2600
Ashley pressed on. "And now, Gurguit answers as well! Golden Holy Sword, Gurguit's Unite! When I've Special Summoned two or more monsters this turn, I can call forth yet another comrade from my deck! Appear before me—Knight of Sunny Day, Salonius!"
The ground cracked as a new knight strode forth in golden armor, his cape of blue feathers billowing behind him. A golden horn rose from his helm, and the blade in his hand shimmered with azure brilliance.
Knight of Sunny Day, Salonius
Level 4 / LIGHT / Warrior / Effect / Unite
ATK: 2000 / DEF: 2000
"And because Salonius carries the banner of Unite, he does not stand on defense!" Ashley raised his hand as golden light swirled around the warrior. "Instead, he rises in attack mode—and his sword shines brighter, for he gains 1000 attack!"
A wave of holy aura surged, forcing Yuya to take a step back from the intensity.
Knight of Sunny Day, Salonius
ATK: 2000 → 3000
Ashley continued. "Salonius' effect activates! When he is summoned, I can return one card from my graveyard back to my hand! I reclaim Holy Witch, Lavinia!" He slipped the card from his graveyard, his grip tightening as though reforging his resolve.
Then, his gaze snapped toward his harpist. "And now, Nimane plays her final note for this turn! I target Salonius, reducing his level by one! In exchange, Nimane's tune lifts her own level higher!"
A resonant chord rang across the field as Salonius' aura dimmed slightly, his stance shifting.
Knight of Sunny Day, Salonius
Level 4 → 3
Player of the Holy Harp, Nimane
Level 1 → 2
Ashley swept his arm dramatically. "Now I tune my Level 2 Player of the Holy Harp, Nimane with my Level 8 Golden Holy Sword, Gurguit!"
Nimane plucked her harp once more, her form shattering into two radiant rings of light. Gurguit crossed his blade, bowing his head in solemn respect before leaping into the circles, his body dissolving into pure radiance.
Ashley's voice thundered across the field, each word like a prayer made battle-cry.
"Shine, brilliance of the heavens! Burn away the shadows with a blade of eternal resolve! By the oath sworn to the very sky, the knight of radiant law descends! Synchro Summon! Take flight, Level 10! Holy Sword of Heavenly Law, Gurguit!"
The entire Volcano Zone seemed to tremble as a pillar of solar light struck down from above. When it dimmed, a transformed knight stood proudly. His armor shone brighter than ever before, etched with intricate golden markings. A radiant gem gleamed at the center of his chestplate, pulsing like the sun itself. Four massive blue wings stretched outward, feathers glittering like crystalline light, while a halo of six points blazed behind him, shaped like a radiant sunburst. His blade now gleamed with solar brilliance, and in his other hand he carried a golden banner that rippled as though touched by divine wind.
Holy Sword of Heavenly Law, Gurguit
Level 10 / LIGHT / Warrior / Synchro / Effect / Unite
ATK: 3300 / DEF: 2800
The battlefield trembled. Even the Obelisk Black Ops, hardened duelists trained for infiltration and domination, instinctively staggered back as the holy radiance of Ashley's newly-summoned knight pressed against them like a divine weight.
The brilliance emanating from Holy Sword of Heavenly Law, Gurguit was suffocating, but it wasn't just light—it was resolve. Conviction. A knightly presence that declared: This duel ends now.
Yuya pushed himself up, steadying his duel disk at his side. His body still ached from the earlier assaults, but Ashley's unwavering presence reignited his own determination.
"Are you good to go, Yuya?" Ashley asked, his tone calm despite the storm of power radiating around him.
Yuya nodded firmly. "Yeah. Thanks for buying us time to recover. Now... me and Rin are ready to support you!"
Ashley's lips curved into a rare smile. He wasn't fighting alone anymore. His knights, his comrades, and now his friends—they were all here. That was more than enough.
"Then let us finish this together," he declared.
Ashley extended his arm, Gurguit's banner unfurling behind him like a golden sunrise. "When Holy Sword of Heavenly Law, Gurguit is Synchro Summoned, I check the top seven cards of my deck. Any 'Unite' monsters revealed are Special Summoned to the field, and each gains 500 attack!"
He swiftly drew and revealed the cards. Out of the seven, two gleamed with the word that defined his strategy.
"I Special Summon Knight of Trembling Prowess, Druis and Knight of Autumn Light, Regan!"
Two radiant pillars struck down onto the field. From one emerged Druis, a burly warrior with short brown hair and golden armor, hefting a shining hand axe with both hands. From the other stepped Regan, a female knight with flowing lavender hair, clad in light golden armor, twin flails whirling menacingly in her grip.
Knight of Trembling Prowess, Druis
Level 5 / LIGHT / Warrior / Effect / Unite
ATK: 2300 → 2800 / DEF: 1300
Knight of Autumn Light, Regan
Level 4 / LIGHT / Warrior / Effect / Unite
ATK: 1600 → 2100 / DEF: 1000
Ashley raised his hand as Druis tightened his grip on his axe. "Druis' effect activates! He gains 200 attack for every LIGHT monster in my graveyard. I count three—so Druis rises by 600!"
Knight of Trembling Prowess, Druis
ATK: 2800 → 3400
"And that's not all. Edadus' Unite! Since I summoned two more 'Unite' monsters, Edadus' strength climbs higher by 400 attack!"
Knight of Morning Sun, Edadus
ATK: 2600 → 3000
Ashley's voice sharpened like a command on the battlefield. "Salonius' Unite! If a Gurguit Synchro Monster stands among us, then all Unite warriors rise together—they each gain 1000 attack until the end of the turn!"
A surge of holy energy exploded outward, each knight glowing brighter as their aura resonated with Gurguit's divine presence.
Knight of Morning Sun, Edadus
ATK: 3000 → 4000
Knight of Trembling Prowess, Druis
ATK: 3400 → 4400
Knight of Autumn Light, Regan
ATK: 2100 → 3100
Knight of Sunny Day, Salonius
ATK: 3000 → 4000
Holy Sword of Heavenly Law, Gurguit
ATK: 3300 → 4300
"And lastly—Gurguit's Unite! For every Unite warrior I command, he gains 400 attack. And in turn, all my comrades gain 200 more! With a full army on the field, that means Gurguit rises by 2000—and the rest by 1000 each!"
The field erupted in blinding brilliance as banners of light flared above each knight. Their armor glowed as though forged anew, a force of will solidified into divine radiance.
Knight of Morning Sun, Edadus
ATK: 4000 → 5000
Knight of Trembling Prowess, Druis
ATK: 4400 → 5400
Knight of Autumn Light, Regan
ATK: 3100 → 4100
Knight of Sunny Day, Salonius
ATK: 4000 → 5000
Holy Sword of Heavenly Law, Gurguit
ATK: 4300 → 6300
Yuya clenched his fists, his heart racing at the overwhelming display. "Incredible... his whole army is surging together as one!"
Ashley wasn't done. His eyes locked with Yuya's, filled with the confidence of a commander rallying his ally. "Now, Yuya—lend me your dragon's power. I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Haos and Darkus Diagnum! If a LIGHT monster is on my field and a DARK monster stands opposite, I can target that monster and copy its name and effects. I target your Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"
Yuya's eyes widened, but then he grinned. "So you're giving your knight my dragon's soul... smart!"
Light and darkness intertwined, swirling around Gurguit's radiant body. His golden armor shone with an additional aura as he briefly mirrored the majestic form of Odd-Eyes.
"Which means," Ashley announced, "Gurguit is also treated as Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"
The battlefield shook as both monsters roared in unison, their power syncing.
Ashley thrust his hand forward. "Battle! Holy Sword of Heavenly Law, Gurguit—attack the central Ancient Gear Ultimate Hound Dog!"
But before the knight could charge, Yuya snapped his arm down. "Not alone! Trap activate—Odd-Eyes Frenzy! When an Odd-Eyes monster declares an attack, and its level is higher than the opponent's, it can attack all monsters on the field! And since Gurguit is Level 10—he can cut through every one of them!"
Ashley's lips curved into a victorious grin. "Perfect. Together, we end this. Gurguit—Sunrise Waltz!"
The knight raised his blazing sword, wings spreading wide as the battlefield bathed in golden dawn. Then, with speed defying comprehension, he dashed forward.
The first Hound Dog never stood a chance—Gurguit's blade carved it cleanly in half, the metallic beast exploding in sparks. Without pausing, he pivoted seamlessly, cleaving the second in a brilliant upward strike. The third mechanical monstrosity snarled and lunged, but Gurguit's momentum carried him beneath it—his blade slicing upward in a radiant arc that tore the machine asunder.
In a single sweeping dance of light, the enemy army was annihilated.
Obelisk Black 1: 2600 → 0
Obelisk Black 2: 1500 → 0
Obelisk Black 3: 2000 → 0
Winners: Yuya Sakaki, Rin Kazehaya, and Ashley von Hazelrink
Silence fell. Then, with mechanical precision, the Obelisk Black Ops' duel disks activated the emergency recall program. One by one, their bodies shimmered with digital distortion before vanishing from the Standard Dimension entirely.
Ashley lowered his arm, Gurguit's banner fading as the battlefield's overwhelming glow dimmed to nothing. For a moment, all three duelists simply stood there, breathing heavily, the tension of battle still clinging to them.
Finally, Yuya let out a deep breath, a grin spreading across his face. "We... we did it."
Rin sagged slightly, pressing a hand against her chest as relief washed over her. "Thank goodness..."
Ashley, though still composed, allowed his smile to linger. He glanced at his allies, then at his knights fading into light, returning to his Extra Deck. "...Well fought, comrades. The battle is over—for now."
The three duelists stood shoulder to shoulder, gazing at the empty space where their foes had been. The war wasn't over, but in this clash, their unity had brought victory.
And for Ashley, that unity meant more than numbers on a field. It meant trust. It meant bonds. It meant hope.
-----
The battlefield finally fell into silence. As the last traces of Yuya, Rin, and Ashley's monsters dissolved into particles of fading light, the two duelists dropped to the ground, exhaustion overtaking them. Rin let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through her hair as she muttered under her breath.
"Okay... note to self: never, ever jinx things again."
Her remark, though quiet, was sharp with regret. Yuya chuckled weakly beside her, even in fatigue managing to find humor in her grumbling.
"Guess that's one lesson you won't forget," Yuya said, voice rough but warm.
Rin shot him a look, but couldn't help a faint smile tugging at her lips.
As Ashley approached the two of them, it wasn't Yuya or Rin who greeted him first—but Kazuma. The swordsman's eyes narrowed in appraisal before softening with recognition.
"I saw your duel with Yuya and Rin," Kazuma began, his voice steady and earnest. "The way you're wieldin' that deck... it reminds me of Taiyou."
Ashley tilted his head slightly, his golden armor glinting faintly under the volcanic glow. "Taiyou?"
"My teammate," Kazuma explained, a faint shadow crossing his expression. "That deck—it was his originally. But seeing you use it... you're wieldin' it the way it was meant to be used."
Kazuma stepped closer, raising his fist and giving Ashley's armored shoulder a firm but friendly tap. The gesture was simple, yet weighty.
Ashley placed a hand over his chest, his posture straight and voice unwavering. "On my oath as a knight, I will honor this deck. I shall use it with the justice and conviction it deserves."
The sincerity in his tone carried the weight of a vow, and for a moment even Rin was quiet, acknowledging the gravity of Ashley's words.
It was Rin, however, who broke the silence. "But... why are you here, Ashley? You weren't qualified to keep competing in the tournament. What brought you back?"
Ashley exhaled deeply. "Reiji called for me—and another. He asked us to assist in the ongoing battles. And when I saw what Academia has done, when I witnessed with my own eyes my comrades... my fellow knights... turned into cards—" His voice faltered, teeth gritting as he steadied himself. "My pride as a knight cannot condone such cruelty. To stand idle would be unforgivable."
Yuya's expression dropped. His fists clenched on his knees, his voice thick with guilt. "I'm sorry, Ashley. I... I failed to save your friends."
But Ashley stepped forward firmly, his armored boots striking the scorched ground with purpose. "Do not blame yourself, Yuya. My comrades—they did not know the truth of the war they were fighting. What matters now is not regret, but action. The best thing we can do is minimize further casualties. We must prevent Academia from taking more lives, more souls."
Yuya looked up, meeting Ashley's resolute eyes. The knight's conviction was unshakable, and in that moment Yuya found the strength to nod.
Kazumi interjected, his practical tone cutting through. "Then let's get to it. Ashley, I'll need your help guarding them. Yuya, Rin, and Kazuma are spent. If they don't take time to recover, they'll be useless when the enemy strikes again."
Ashley gave a sharp nod, unsheathing his sword in one smooth motion before planting it firmly into the ground beside him. "Then rest. I shall keep watch. No enemy shall approach without crossing my blade."
Yuya and Rin exchanged a tired glance before leaning back, finally allowing themselves to breathe and conserve what little strength they had left. The war was far from over, but for the moment, they entrusted their safety to the knight who had sworn to protect them.
Elsewhere, in another corner of the Volcano Zone, the atmosphere was far less restful. The ground trembled faintly beneath bursts of magma as Christopher, Gongenzaka, Kenji, Satoru, and Yuri reached their destination. Each of them bore the marks of battle—dust-stained clothes, cuts, sweat—but their eyes remained sharp.
The group halted, forming a loose line as they waited. They all knew it was only a matter of time before the Obelisk Force and the dreaded Obelisk Black Ops arrived to pursue them.
The silence was broken by a voice. Low. Cold. Resonant like steel dragged across stone.
"Who would've thought you'd betray Academia, Yuri."
The words froze the group in place. Slowly, they turned.
Standing behind them was a lone figure. His presence carried the weight of authority, an oppressive aura that bore down like a storm cloud. Dark teal hair framed his stern face, his entire attire—from shirt to coat, from pants to duel disk—drenched in shadowed black. The sight alone made Yuri's eyes widen.
"Kaiser..." Yuri muttered, his voice uncharacteristically strained.
Satoru blinked. "Kaiser? Who—?"
Yuri's tone sharpened, almost warning. "Kaiser. Real name—Marufuji Ryo. An Academia alumnus... and one of the strongest duelists to ever walk its halls."
The revelation was enough to silence even Gongenzaka, whose fists clenched instinctively. They were not facing a mere enforcer. This was a predator.
Ryo's eyes swept over them, sharp as blades. "Now... which of you has the courage to stand against me?"
Christopher stepped forward without hesitation, his eyes narrowing with determination. "I will."
The others glanced at him in surprise, but the Singapore champion stood tall, unfazed by the oppressive presence before him.
"Based on what Yuri just said, you're one of Academia's finest. That's exactly why I want this duel. As a champion myself, I want to measure my strength against yours."
For the first time, Kaiser's lips twitched into the faintest shadow of a smirk. "A champion, you say? Interesting... then this duel may not be a waste after all. Tell me, boy—your name."
"Christopher Lo," he replied firmly. "Leader of Team SIT Genius and the Singapore Champion."
The confidence in his voice rang clear. Without hesitation, Christopher activated his GIRS. The duel system flared to life, projecting a green holographic grid beneath his feet. His deck, encased in shimmering light, appeared before him.
Ryo responded in kind, activating his own darkened duel disk. The oppressive black energy from his system made the air feel heavier, as though gravity itself bent toward him.
Both duelists raised their decks, the weight of their resolve pressing against each other even before the first card was drawn.
"DUEL!"
Christopher: 4000 | Hand: 5
Ryo: 4000 | Hand: 5
And so, in the heart of the Volcano Zone, the Champion of Singapore faced one of Academia's most fearsome alumni. The clash between Christopher Lo and Kaiser Ryo was about to begin—and the battlefield trembled in anticipation.