The Volcano Zone shook with the fury of battle. Lava geysers erupted in the distance, painting the battlefield in a violent crimson glow. The air was thick with ash and heat, every breath burning in the lungs of those still standing.
At the center of the chaos, Kazumi, Sawatari, and Ashley fought desperately against the relentless advance of Academia's Obelisk Force. Their bodies were battered, their cards nearly spent, and their lifepoints hung by a thread. Just when it seemed their resistance would shatter completely, a familiar voice cut through the smoke.
"Stand back. I'll take it from here."
Ryuki emerged from the haze like a storm breaking through the sky. His presence alone steadied the trio's faltering spirits. Relief washed over them instantly—if Ryuki was here, they still had hope.
Ashley exhaled with a shaky grin. "Finally... our ace shows up."
Sawatari puffed out his chest, though his exhaustion was evident. "Took you long enough, Himejima. We were just fine, you know... mostly."
Kazumi, quiet and pale from fatigue, simply nodded. "We're counting on you."
Ryuki stepped between them, his gaze unyielding as he scanned the dueling fields. Sawatari wordlessly handed him the duel status display. Ryuki's eyes narrowed at the numbers:
Kazumi: 250 | Hand: 0
Ashley: 250 | Hand: 0
Sawatari: 500 | Hand: 0
Ryuki: 2000 | Hand: 4
Obelisk Force 1: 3100 | Hand: 0
Obelisk Force 2: 3000 | Hand: 1
Obelisk Force 3: 2000 | Hand: 0
Obelisk Force 4: 3500 | Hand: 0
Obelisk Force 5: 3000 | Hand: 1
Obelisk Force 6: 3000 | Hand: 1
The disparity was staggering. He winced—not at his own position, but at how close his friends had come to collapse.
His eyes flicked across the fields. Kazumi's Demon Stealth Dragon, Shiranui "Oboro" stood as his lone defender, backed by a single set card. Ashley had Sunrise Ray Knight, Gurguit, its golden armor dulled by the burns of battle. Sawatari clung to his theatrical arsenal: Abyss Actor Evil Heel on the field, Funky Comedian in the scales, and Big Star holding position.
Then his gaze hardened as it swept to their enemies. Each Obelisk Force duelist controlled the same monstrosity—Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog, six identical engines of destruction, their steel jaws dripping with molten sparks. Two set cards glimmered ominously behind them.
It was a killing field.
Ryuki exhaled sharply. They've been pushed this far... no wonder they were at their limit. He turned to his allies, his voice calm but commanding.
"Leave the rest to me."
Kazumi, Ashley, and Sawatari shared a glance before nodding as one. They didn't have the strength left to argue—and deep down, they trusted him completely.
Facing the Obelisk Force, Ryuki's expression hardened into steel. "Let's continue. Your monsters are locked on my Rampart Dragon, and as you already know—" his eyes narrowed, "—my dragon cannot be destroyed."
One of the masked duelists snarled, fists tightening. "Tch... you just got lucky! I end my turn!"
The field shimmered as Rampart Dragon dissolved into streams of energy, returning to Ryuki's deck. "At the end of your turn, Rampart Dragon returns, and I draw one card." The card slid into his hand with a snap.
Kazumi: 250 | Hand: 0
Ashley: 250 | Hand: 0
Sawatari: 500 | Hand: 0
Ryuki: 2000 | Hand: 5
Obelisk Force 1: 3100 | Hand: 0
Obelisk Force 2: 3000 | Hand: 1
Obelisk Force 3: 2000 | Hand: 0
Obelisk Force 4: 3500 | Hand: 0
Obelisk Force 5: 3000 | Hand: 1
Obelisk Force 6: 3000 | Hand: 1
Turn 10 – Ryuki
Just as he prepared to begin, new voices echoed from the ridge above.
"Ryuki!"
He turned to see Aichi, Serena, and Shun arriving with Yuya, Rin, and Kazuma close behind. They rushed down the rocky slope, their eyes wide at the state of the battlefield.
Aichi immediately dropped to Kazuma's side. "Are you all right?"
Kazuma managed a small smile. "We'll live... but a bit of rest wouldn't hurt."
Serena's gaze swept over the devastated field, then landed on Ryuki. "What's the situation?"
Rin crossed her arms, grimacing. "Bad. Kazumi, Sawatari, and Ashley would've been wiped out if Ryuki hadn't shown up when he did."
Yuya frowned. "But why are you all fighting here in the Volcano Zone?"
Shun's sharp eyes scanned the enemy ranks before he answered. "Because this is the last battlefield. The Jungle Zone has been cleared. The Ancient Ruins and Iceberg Zones are already secure as well."
The group froze for a moment, letting his words sink in. Despite the smoke and danger, a flicker of relief warmed their hearts.
"So that means..." Rin whispered.
"Yeah." Shun's tone was firm, resolute. "If we win here, Academia's invasion ends. This is the last stand."
All eyes turned back to Ryuki, standing firm against the six remaining Obelisk Force duelists. The volcanic winds whipped his coat, his hand steady over his deck. The pressure of six enemies bore down on him, but there was no hesitation in his stance.
This duel would decide everything.
Ryuki's gaze sharpened, his hand hovering over his deck. The atmosphere around him shifted—heat from the Volcano Zone seemed to converge on his stance, as though the battlefield itself awaited his command.
"Atashi no turn! Draw!!"
The card slid into his hand, and for an instant, a faint smirk tugged at his lips. A path had opened. He could see it clearly now—victory in one, decisive stroke.
"First... I activate the Spell Card—Card Destruction!"
The Obelisk Force stirred uneasily.
"With this, we all discard our entire hands, then draw the same number of cards discarded!"
The command was law. Each duelist, friend and foe alike, placed their remaining hands into the graveyard, forced to follow the flow of Ryuki's momentum. Cards fanned and scattered like burning leaves. Ryuki calmly drew five new cards, his eyes gleaming as he fanned them out in a single sweep.
Perfect.
"Now," he raised his hand high, the crimson glow of the volcano dancing across his face, "I activate the Quick-Play Spell—Scarlet Overdrive! This lets me Fusion Summon a Dragonic Overlord Fusion Monster using monsters from my hand or field as materials!"
The crowd behind him stirred—Aichi and Yuya both recognizing the tension rising in his voice.
"I fuse together my Perdition Dragon Knight, Gia, my Perdition Mage, Asticah, and my Perdition Wyvern, Boom!"
In one fluid motion, Ryuki cast the three cards into the air. Light erupted as the monsters materialized briefly on the field, surrounding him like spectral guardians before stepping into the vortex of flame.
A warrior knight, ash-black hair cascading beneath red samurai armor, gripped a blue flaming trident.
A serpentine dragon cloaked in red-violet sorcerer's robes, dark flames coiling in its clawed hands.
A wyvern gleaming with azure and violet gems, wings spread wide with a piercing cry.
They merged into a blazing vortex, the flames consuming their forms until only searing radiance remained.
Ryuki thrust out his arm, his voice carrying with the force of a declaration etched into destiny.
"From the abyss of conquest, where no rival stands unbroken...
The soul of the Overlord transcends all limits, becoming the eternal inferno!
I fuse the dragons of flame and dominion—together, let their rage ignite a new emperor!
Fusion Summon! Rise from the flames—Level 11, Perdition Emperor Dragon,
Dragonic Overlord the Great!!"
A primal roar shook the entire Volcano Zone as the flames burst apart, revealing a colossal dragon. Its scales gleamed like molten steel, its wings stretching across the sky, fire cascading off its body like a living inferno. The sheer presence of the beast forced even the Obelisk Force to stagger backward.
Perdition Emperor Dragon, Dragonic Overlord the Great
Level 11 / FIRE / Flame Dragon / Fusion / Effect / Legion
ATK: 4000 / DEF: 3000
The Great slammed its claws into the battlefield, magma cracking beneath its weight.
One Obelisk duelist hissed through clenched teeth. "Tch... what the hell is that monster?!"
Ryuki's answer was firm, resolute. "This... is the culmination of every flame I've inherited. And its light will burn away your tyranny!"
He extended his hand. "Now—The Great, Seek the Mate!"
The Great roared to the heavens, and a radiant light erupted at the center of the battlefield. Ryuki's graveyard stirred, five cards ejecting themselves and sliding back into his deck. Then, with a flash of golden brilliance, one card emerged—drawn not by chance, but by bond.
"By returning five cards from my Graveyard to the Deck, I Special Summon a certain card!" Ryuki declared, his voice unwavering.
The golden aura took form, flames bursting forth as a second dragon descended.
"Your passionate heart bursts blindingly into flame! Appear—Perdition Dragon, Dragonic Neoflame! Legion!!"
The golden "V" emblem of Legion shone above them as Neoflame materialized beside The Great—a blazing red dragon with a sharp, streamlined form, its claws brimming with raw energy. The moment it landed beside The Great, it roared in harmony with The Great, their voices uniting as one.
Perdition Dragon, Dragonic Neoflame
Level 7 / FIRE / Flame Dragon / Effect / Mate
ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000
The sight was overwhelming—two dragons bound by a golden bond, radiating heat so intense it warped the air. Together, they embodied more than strength—they were the living symbol of Ryuki's resolve.
The battlefield fell into silence, save for the rumble of lava and the hiss of fire. Everyone's eyes widened at the sight of Ryuki's newest summoning—something none of them had ever seen before.
Ashley and Sawatari froze, their jaws slack. Even the hardened Obelisk Force soldiers looked rattled, their perfect discipline cracking in the face of the unknown.
"Oi, oi, oi!" Sawatari's voice broke into a high-pitched panic as he pointed accusingly at Ryuki's field. "What did Himejima just do?! Don't tell me he's making up new summoning methods on the spot!"
"It's no bluff." A calm voice cut through Sawatari's babbling. Aichi's eyes glimmered as he watched the dragons standing together. "That's Legion—a summoning method where a monster calls its mate to fight at its side. Together, they share effects, gain new ones, and their strength becomes one."
As if to prove Aichi's words true, the two dragons—The Great and Neoflame—let out a thunderous dual roar. The battlefield trembled, magma bursting higher as if the Volcano Zone itself acknowledged their bond.
A counter display shimmered above them:
Legion: Perdition Emperor Dragon, Dragonic Overlord the Great + Perdition Dragon, Dragonic Neoflame
ATK: 6500 / DEF: 5000
Ashley took a stunned step back. "Incredible... then why haven't we heard of this before?"
Yuya answered, his tone thoughtful. "Because, according to Ryuki, only a chosen handful can perform it. And even among them, it's considered an outdated summoning style."
"Outdated?!" Sawatari nearly toppled over. "That's 'outdated' to him?! If that's what he pulls out of the history books, what the hell does he call modern?!"
No one could answer, for Ryuki's voice cut sharply across the field. "Battle will end this."
He raised a card, and golden energy surged from his Duel Disk. "I activate the Spell Card—Imaginary Gift: Force I! Since I control an Extra Deck monster, I target it. It gains 1000 ATK and becomes unaffected by card effects until the end of this turn. I choose my Legion!"
The golden sigil of Force flared beneath his dragons, bolstering them.
Legion
ATK: 6500 → 7500
The Obelisk Force muttered in alarm, their confidence eroding.
"And that's not all." Ryuki's eyes narrowed as Neoflame bared its fangs. "When Dragonic Neoflame is summoned by Legion, it destroys two Spells or Traps on my opponent's field!"
Neoflame inhaled sharply before spitting two blazing fireballs. The flames collided with the Obelisk Force's set cards, shattering them into embers. The duelists cursed under their breath—their most crucial defenses snuffed out in an instant.
"Now..." Ryuki's hand cut downward like a blade. "It's time to end this duel. Battle!"
The Great's eyes blazed with scarlet light as the Legion sigil pulsed.
"When The Great is in Legion, it can attack all monsters on the field once per turn—and gains 500 ATK for each monster you control. I count six hounds. That's an additional 3000 ATK!"
The ground cracked as the Legion's aura spiked.
Legion
ATK: 7500 → 10,500
The number alone sent shockwaves through the watching group. Even Sawatari was struck speechless, his mouth moving but no words escaping.
"Unreal..." Ashley whispered. "Ten... thousand...?"
Aichi's breath hitched, though his eyes shone with respect. "That's Ryuki-kun's strength. The fire he carries burns without limit."
The Obelisk Force staggered, visibly shaken for the first time. "Tch—don't falter! It's just one attack! We can still—"
But Ryuki's voice thundered over theirs, a declaration of judgment.
"Let the crimson flames of Perdition burn your souls... and repent in scarlet rage! Prominence Crimson Flame!!!"
Neoflame let out a piercing cry, exhaling a torrent of crimson fire that engulfed The Great's twin blades. Flames danced along the edges, transforming them into searing scarlet sabers. With a single beat of its colossal wings, The Great launched skyward.
Its descent was merciless.
Slash after slash rained down, each strike cleaving through one of the Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dogs. Sparks and molten shards scattered as the crimson-coated blades cut through their steel bodies with devastating precision.
One hound shattered.
Then another.
And another.
By the fourth strike, the battlefield was already engulfed in flames. By the sixth, the entire field was ablaze in a scarlet inferno.
The explosions chained together, shockwaves blasting the Obelisk Force backward. Their lifepoints plummeted, their bodies thrown into the air as the crimson storm consumed them.
The Great landed with a thunderous crash, wings unfurling amidst the sea of fire. Neoflame circled it, roaring triumphantly as the Legion bond pulsed with blinding light.
When the flames finally receded, only silence remained.
The lifepoint counters flickered out one by one:
Obelisk Force 1: 3100 → 0
Obelisk Force 2: 3000 → 0
Obelisk Force 3: 2000 → 0
Obelisk Force 4: 3500 → 0
Obelisk Force 5: 3000 → 0
Obelisk Force 6: 3000 → 0
The duel result glowed across the field in bold letters:
Winners: Onimaru Kazumi, Sawatari Shingo, Ashley von Hazelrink, and Himejima Ryuki.
For a moment, no one moved. Then the defeated Obelisk Force crashed to the ground, unconscious, their Duel Disks sparking out.
Sawatari finally broke the silence, his voice quivering somewhere between awe and indignation. "I... I can't believe it. He actually wiped out all six of them in one attack..."
Ashley let out a long exhale, her hands trembling slightly as she lowered her Duel Disk. "That wasn't just strength. That was... overwhelming."
Behind them, Yuya, Aichi, Rin, and Serena watched the smoking battlefield. The volcanic air shimmered with lingering heat, and at its heart stood Ryuki and his Legion dragons—burning like an eternal pyre.
Shun's eyes hardened, though a flicker of pride shone there as well. "It's over. The Volcano Zone is secure."
Ryuki silently dismissed his cards, the glow fading from his field. His gaze lifted briefly toward the horizon, but his expression betrayed nothing.
For those who witnessed it, however, one truth was clear: this battle would be remembered. Not just for its victory, but for the sight of a flame so fierce it could turn despair into triumph.
-----
The last echo of the duel still hung in the air when six Obelisk Force duelists, defeated in one fell swoop, shimmered into motes of light and vanished—transported back to Academia. Ryuki slowly lowered his arm, the glowing edge of his Duel Disk fading out as silence settled over the battlefield.
With a calm exhale, he turned toward Rin and Yuya. The pair were slumped against a cluster of rocks, both of them pale with exhaustion. Their chests rose and fell in quick, uneven breaths, sweat tracing lines down their faces.
Ryuki frowned and approached, his footsteps crunching softly against the rubble. "Why are the two of you this worn out?" His tone was firm, though not unkind.
Rin offered a weary smile as she brushed a lock of green hair out of her eyes. "We had to move... a lot. The Obelisk Force weren't just brute forcing—they went for Action Cards too. If we didn't keep pace, we would've been at a disadvantage."
Yuya gave a sheepish laugh that trailed off into a cough. "Guess we got a little carried away chasing them around. Before we knew it, we'd burned through our stamina faster than we should have."
Ryuki pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh. "You two need to conserve your energy. If this keeps up, you'll turn into liabilities on the field. With your skills, defeating that squad should've been easy—had you not run yourselves into the ground."
The sharp edge in his voice made Yuya wince. Rin's expression fell, though she gave a quiet nod of acknowledgment.
Before the weight of the moment could deepen further, footsteps echoed across the clearing. Ruri, Emi, Barret, and Fubuki emerged from the Ancient Ruins Zone. The air instantly thickened—everyone instinctively tensed. All eyes fell on Fubuki, whose Academia-issued Duel Disk gleamed like a warning.
Weapons, magical energy, and duel disks were raised in reflex, though Emi, Ruri, Serena, Barret, Ryuki, and Aichi remained calm. Aichi stepped forward with a steady voice. "Relax. He's not our enemy."
Sawatari sneered, suspicion dripping from his tone. "And what proof do you have, Aichi? For all we know, he could be here to stab us in the back."
Fubuki stepped forward, his eyes hard but clear. "I have no reason to align myself with Academia's ambitions. My presence among them was not of my own will. Darkness had me under its control. Only when Aichi defeated me was I freed. That debt is one I intend to repay in full."
The words carried weight, and for a moment the tension broke.
Ryuki turned his attention to Ruri and Emi. "Report. What's the situation in the Ancient Ruins Zone?"
Emi crossed her arms, her expression resolute. "By the time we arrived, Barret and Fubuki had already cleared the entire area. Every Obelisk Force there had been defeated."
Gasps of disbelief rippled through the group. Even the most prideful among them could not mask their awe.
"Just the two of you...?" Gongenzaka murmured, his usual booming confidence momentarily subdued.
Barret gave a short laugh and shrugged. "We got lucky with our draws. The cards fell in our favor, let us finish the duels quickly. Fubuki made sure my back stayed covered."
For a fleeting moment, relief coursed through the group. Progress was being made.
But then, a familiar figure stepped into view.
Sora.
The pale-haired duelist walked with deliberate calm, the remaining Obelisk Forces forming ranks behind him. His gaze swept the battlefield, and when it locked onto Ruri, his lips curled into a faint smile.
Sawatari spat, "Figures. You waited for us to tire ourselves out, didn't you? Now you think you can finish us off with your little army."
Sora ignored him, his eyes never leaving Ruri. "Ruri. You and I... it's time."
But before Ruri could even open her mouth, Shun stepped forward, his Duel Disk igniting. "No. That duel is mine. We have unfinished business, Sora."
A heavy silence fell—until a voice, smooth and laced with a dark amusement, cut through the tension.
"Well then... why don't I join in the fun?"
The group turned sharply toward the new arrival. From the shadows of a ruined archway, Yuri emerged. His stride was casual, almost leisurely, but the sight of him struck cold into the hearts of Rin and Ruri. Their bodies stiffened, eyes wide with horror. Memories of their kidnappings, the chains of fear that bound them, all came flooding back.
Shun, Serena, Aichi, and Ryuki exchanged sharp glances. They knew the truth—that Academia had cast Yuri aside, betraying him. Yet none of them spoke it aloud. Better to let the moment play out.
Sora's eyes lit up. "Yuri! You're here to back me up, right?"
No answer came. Yuri simply raised his Duel Disk, and in a blinding flash of energy, half of the Obelisk Force collapsed, their bodies crystallizing into cards before clattering lifelessly to the ground.
The battlefield went still.
Sora's face twisted with rage. "Y-Y-You're turning traitor too, Yuri?!"
Yuri's glare was cold and sharp as a blade. "Pot calling the kettle black. You think me a traitor? It was Academia who betrayed me first."
Gasps rippled through the group. Even Rin and Ruri, who could barely bring themselves to look at him, were shaken by the revelation.
Before the weight of his words could fully settle, new figures stumbled into the fray. Satoru, Gongenzaka, Christopher, and Kenji arrived, their faces drawn from exhaustion but their spirits unbroken.
Ryuki's eyes lingered on Satoru. There were questions he wanted answered—questions about his actions, his motives. But this was not the time.
The ground shook suddenly as a heavy thud landed nearby. Dennis dropped from atop a ruined building, landing gracefully before the remaining Obelisk Force. His ever-present smile belied the sharp gleam in his eyes.
"I'll take them on," Dennis declared.
"I, Gongenzaka, shall stand beside you!" Gongenzaka bellowed, stepping forward with his usual fiery pride.
"Don't think I'll sit back either!" Sawatari puffed up his chest, activating his Duel Disk.
"I'm in too." Shun's gaze never left Dennis, a cold warning in his eyes. "Someone has to keep an eye on you."
With the Obelisk Force occupied, Sora's attention snapped back to Yuri. His lips twisted into a grin, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Fine then. Just you and me."
Yuri didn't respond. Instead, he quietly removed his deck from his Duel Disk, slipping it back into its case. From his coat, he produced another deck, along with its Extra Deck, and slid it into place with deliberate precision.
The sound of the deck locking in echoed like a death knell.
Sora narrowed his eyes. "So you're not even going to fight me with your usual toys? Fine. Let's see what you've got."
The two duelists raised their Duel Disks in unison, energy surging as holograms flared to life around them.
"DUEL!"
Yuri: 4000 | Hand: 5
Sora: 4000 | Hand: 5
The battle was set to begin.
Turn 1 – Sora
"No way I'll let a traitor like you go first! Draw!" Sora's voice rang sharp as he snapped a card from his deck. His eyes locked onto Yuri with venom, and without hesitation, he began.
"First, I activate the Continuous Spell, Toy Vendor! Once per turn, I discard 1 card from my hand and draw 1 card. If the card I draw is a Level 4 or lower monster, I can Special Summon it! Now watch closely, Yuri! I discard one card and draw!"
The toy machine appeared, grinding to life with a mechanical whirr as Sora shoved a card inside. The toy spat out another card, and Sora smirked.
"I special summon Furnimal Bear!"
From a flash of light, a plush pink bear with button eyes and stubby wings waddled onto the field. Its smile was unsettlingly innocent.
Furnimal Bear
Level 3 / EARTH / Fairy / Effect
ATK: 1200 / DEF: 800
"Then, I activate Polymerization! I fuse my Edge Imp Scissors from my hand with Furnimal Bear on the field!"
Sora thrust his hand forward, voice carrying a twisted excitement.
"Fangs of the beast, unite with the cursed edge of the demon! Become one and carve a nightmare into reality! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 6! Horrifying beast that shreds all—Death Toy Scissors Bear!"
The plush bear and sinister scissors were sucked into a swirling vortex of rainbow energy. A new creature emerged, its stitched body grotesquely reshaped, its blades gleaming as it let out a maniacal laugh.
Death Toy Scissors Bear
Level 6 / DARK / Fiend / Fusion / Effect
ATK: 2200 / DEF: 1800
"I set one card face-down and end my turn. Now, traitor—let's see what you've got." Sora sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.
Yuri: 4000 | Hand: 5
Sora: 4000 | Hand: 1
Turn 2 – Yuri
Yuri calmly stared at Sora, but his eyes betrayed no emotion. Silence followed, heavy and tense—until the voices at the sideline broke through.
Ryuki's sharp gaze flickered toward Satoru. "Satoru... just what exactly happened to Yuri? Tsuchikage told me only fragments."
Satoru hesitated for a brief moment, then exhaled. His words fell like stones.
"The reason Yuri is being hunted... is because he lost to me. After his defeat, the Obelisk Black Ops appeared. They told him his existence was no longer necessary. Leo himself gave the order to have him eliminated."
A chill spread across the group. Even those who thought they were prepared for the truth felt their blood run cold.
But Satoru wasn't finished.
"And there's something else. The real reason I took Yuri with me after that duel... was to fulfill a promise. A promise I made to Asuna-san."
Ryuki's eyes widened. "Wait. You don't mean—Asuna? That gentle woman in Takarazuka Hospital?"
Satoru nodded.
The reaction was immediate. Rin tilted her head in confusion. "Um... who's Asuna?"
Satoru's voice grew softer, heavier. "Asuna-san... is Yuri's mother."
The words froze the air. Gasps slipped from nearly everyone's lips. Ruri's eyes widened, her breath catching. Ashley, standing behind, almost dropped the duel disk he was carrying. Christopher and Kenji alone stood stoic, though even they flickered with restrained emotion.
Ryuki, piecing everything together, clenched his jaw. "...Of course. It all makes sense now. No records. No family data. No work history in Japan. But... then how? How did she even end up in our world?"
Everyone's eyes turned to Satoru. His expression darkened as he revealed the truth.
"Asuna-san told me everything. Years ago, when she and Yuri were still together—when they were building his deck, living happily—Academia came. Leo sent the Obelisk Force to take Yuri by force."
He paused, his fists tightening.
"They ransacked their home. In front of Yuri's eyes, they beat Asuna-san half to death, crippled her legs. Then, after they'd finished... they threw her into a dimensional transporter like garbage. By chance, she landed in our world. If the Zoo Branch Chief hadn't found her unconscious by the shore... she wouldn't have survived."
The group was silent, but their silence was anything but calm. Rage boiled in their chests.
Ruri, Rin, and Emi all trembled, tears streaking down their faces. Yuto clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white—guilt gnawing at him for not knowing the depth of Yuri's suffering. Shun, who overheard as he was dealing with the Obelisk Force bit his lip, his pride shattered by the cruelty revealed. Serena staggered back, her hands shaking. She had spoken to Yuri more times than anyone in Academia—yet she had been blind to his truth.
Barret and Fubuki both seethed, their hands curling into fists. "That bastard Leo..." Barret muttered, venom dripping in his voice.
Even Ryuki—who had learned to maintain composure in nearly every situation—looked as though he wanted to punch something.
The truth had shaken them all.
Yuri, though, stood silent amidst the storm. His eyes remained locked on Sora, but behind them... there was something fragile. A flicker of pain, quickly buried beneath his usual detached mask.
Sora's mocking grin faltered for just a moment. He'd wanted this duel to be about betrayal, about punishing Yuri for turning away from Academia. But the truth that Satoru had revealed—the story of Yuri's suffering—had shaken even him.
Still, he forced the sneer back onto his face. "What's wrong, Yuri? Cat got your tongue? Or maybe you're finally realizing that no matter where you go, you'll always be a traitor!"
But in his chest, Sora felt something heavy—a sliver of doubt he hadn't expected.
The battlefield had only just begun, yet already the air was thick with grief, fury, and the weight of truths too heavy for anyone to ignore.
"Boku no turn. Draw!"
Yuri's voice carried a restrained edge as he drew his first card of the duel. His eyes flicked toward his hand, and for a moment, his fingers trembled ever so slightly before he tightened them around the cards. He drew in a deep breath, and in that quiet inhale, a single word slipped out.
"...Mother..."
It was almost inaudible, but those who stood closest to him caught it. That fragile utterance spoke volumes—it wasn't the voice of the ruthless, taunting Yuri they once knew. It was a voice searching for something more, a voice trying to redefine its path.
He slammed a card onto the field, and the sound echoed like the first strike of a blade.
"I summon Camellia Musketeer, Tamara!"
Light burst across the arena as a woman in a deep red and brown musketeer's suit appeared, bow in hand and a sheathed blade at her hip. A sharp crimson camellia adorned the wide brim of her hat.
Camellia Musketeer, Tamara
Level 4 / EARTH / Bioroid / Effect
ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1100
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Everyone watching—their eyes widened in disbelief.
"What the hell?" Barret muttered, his brow furrowing. "That's not Predator Plants..."
"Yuri?" Rin whispered, equally stunned.
Even Sora, who knew Yuri better than most, blinked hard as though he had seen a ghost.
Across the field, the Vanguard fighters felt their worlds overlap in a surreal way. Ryuki's jaw nearly dropped as he leaned forward.
"Neo Nectar?" he blurted out, eyes sharp with recognition.
"How... how did Yuri get his hands on a Neo Nectar deck?" Aichi asked in pure disbelief.
Kazumi's reaction was sharper still. His voice cracked with shock, a memory surfacing he couldn't ignore.
"Musketeer? That's Miguel's deck!"
He could still see Miguel, his old comrade from Team Diffrider, wielding those very same cards.
And then, a calm voice cut through the storm.
"I gave him that deck."
Every head turned at once—toward Satoru.
"You what?" Ryuki demanded, his tone sharpened like a blade ready to strike, but Satoru held his ground, unflinching.
"The reason I gave Yuri that deck is because Asuna-san wanted him to have it." His voice was steady, but beneath it lay weight—responsibility. "She couldn't cardfight nor duel any longer; her health simply wouldn't allow it. So, I helped her. I converted her Vanguard deck into a Duel Monsters deck, exactly as she requested. She told me, if you ever find Yuri... pass this deck to him. That was her wish."
The revelation left the group in silence. The weight of Asuna's name—her kindness, her fragility, her strength—hung heavy in the air.
Ruri broke the silence first, her brows furrowed.
"Um... Ryuki... what does Neo Nectar do?"
Before Ryuki could answer, Emi stepped forward, always eager to share knowledge, her voice clear and precise.
"Neo Nectar focuses on bolstering their strength by multiplying units that share the same name. But Yuri-kun's using the Musketeers. Their style is different. They send their own allies to the drop zone, replacing them with even stronger ones from the deck. It's about sacrifice and rebirth."
Her words fell into the arena, carrying a certain poetic resonance. Sacrifice and rebirth—wasn't that the very thing Yuri was struggling with?
Yuri didn't acknowledge the whispers, but he could feel the eyes of everyone upon him. He raised his hand and pointed toward Tamara.
"I activate Tamara's effect. Once per turn, I target one Musketeer on my field and check the top four cards of my deck. If fortune favors me, I can Special Summon one Musketeer with the same Level as the chosen monster. Naturally, I target Tamara."
The top four cards slid from his deck, and his sharp eyes scanned them. His lips curved slightly as he plucked the one he sought.
"I Special Summon—Stokesia Musketeer, Daphne!"
The field lit once more, and another musketeer strode into being. She wore a violet-and-white uniform, rapier gleaming at her side, and her feathered violet hat bore a proud Stokesia bloom.
Stokesia Musketeer, Daphne
Level 4 / EARTH / Bioroid / Effect
ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1000
"And since I've summoned a monster with the same Level as Tamara, the remaining cards return to my deck. I shuffle them back in."
The sound of his cards being reshuffled echoed rhythmically, like the cocking of muskets.
On the sidelines, Sora narrowed his eyes, watching the board carefully. Two Level 4 monsters. His gut churned with alarm.
"No way—you're going to Xyz Summon?!" he accused, pointing an incredulous finger at Yuri.
But Yuri only chuckled darkly, shaking his head.
"Xyz? Not a chance." His grin widened, confident, almost defiant. "My Musketeers have a far more elegant trick. You see, as long as I control two or more monsters of the same Level, I can conduct a Fusion Summon without needing a Fusion card at all."
The words sent a ripple of shock through the spectators.
"That's... that's just like—" Yuto began, but Ruri gasped and finished for him.
"Xyz Summoning!!"
Yuri spread his arms as if embracing their disbelief. His eyes gleamed with a mixture of pride and defiance.
"Exactly."
He raised his hand, his voice ringing across the field like a war cry.
"I fuse my Level 4 Camellia Musketeer, Tamara and Stokesia Musketeer, Daphne!"
The two musketeers leapt into a swirling violet-and-green vortex, their forms twisting together in an elegant dance. The very air vibrated as Yuri's voice dropped into a chant—solemn yet passionate, carrying the pride of an entirely new legacy.
"Bloom, eternal lily whose beauty hides the edge of steel!
Through the unity of musketeers and the bond of nature, I fuse their hearts as one!
Fusion Summon! Arise—graceful commander of the battlefield! Level 8—White Lily Musketeer, Cecilia!!!"
The vortex exploded in radiant light, and from its depths emerged Cecilia herself. She strode forth with elegance and authority, her white-and-green uniform gleaming with natural brilliance. In her hand, she carried a rapier of soft carnation pink, delicate yet deadly. Atop her wide-brimmed hat bloomed a magnificent white lily, its petals pure as snow yet sharp as a drawn blade.
White Lily Musketeer, Cecilia
Level 8 / EARTH / Bioroid / Fusion / Effect / Limit Break
ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2500
The sight of her silenced even the most skeptical voices. This was no mere monster—it was a commander, a leader born from the strength of allies.
Ruri's eyes softened, her chest tightening as she whispered,
"He... he really did it."
Ryuki crossed his arms, his voice measured yet tinged with admiration.
"Yuri's not just playing with another deck. He's wielding it like it was always meant to be his."
Kazumi clenched his fists, emotions conflicting in his chest. Seeing Cecilia again reminded him of Miguel, of a time now gone.
"Yuri..."
Even Sora couldn't keep his cynical edge. He bit his lip, his voice low.
"Tch... so that's your answer, huh? You're really not going back to Predator Plants..."
But deep down, a part of him felt relief. Maybe Yuri wasn't trying to escape his past—maybe he was choosing his own future.
And at the center of it all, Yuri stood firm, the ghost of his grin still lingering as Cecilia's presence commanded the field.
For the first time in a long time, his heart beat in rhythm with his monsters—not as tools of destruction, but as comrades.
As Cecilia's blade gleamed beneath the crimson light, Yuri's voice cut across the field, fierce and unyielding, as though he was tearing down the walls of his past.
"I am no longer Yuri, ace of Academia!" His words rang with defiance, each syllable carrying the weight of years in chains. "From this moment forth, I am Kusakabe Yuri—son of Kusakabe Asuna! And I swear upon her name that I will hunt down Academia... and I will have my revenge!"
The declaration hit like a thunderclap. Even the static hum of the Duel Disk seemed to pause, as if the system itself acknowledged the gravity of his vow.
Sora narrowed his eyes. For an instant, his usual mischievous grin faltered—but only for an instant. "So, you've chosen to bare your fangs against us, huh? Then I'll treat you the way traitors deserve to be treated." His smirk returned, sharp and cruel, though the faint tightness in his jaw betrayed that Yuri's words had struck him harder than he let on.
Yuri raised his hand with quiet, icy confidence. "You're welcome to try. But first... I activate Cecilia's effect!"
Cecilia lifted her rapier, its tip glimmering with white light as petals scattered in the wind. "When she's Fusion Summoned, I can return one Musketeer from my graveyard to the field—and that monster gains 1000 ATK. Rise once again, Camellia Musketeer, Tamara!"
The petals danced, scattering across the field before converging into a radiant pillar of light. From within stepped Tamara, her figure refined and resolute, blade drawn as if she had never fallen.
Camellia Musketeer, Tamara
Level 4 / EARTH / Bioroid / Effect
ATK: 1600 → 2600 / DEF: 1100
"And that's not all," Yuri continued, his tone carrying an edge of satisfaction. "When Cecilia is summoned, every monster you control receives a Thorn Counter."
Cecilia flicked a pristine lily into the air. The delicate flower drifted lazily before landing on Sora's hulking bear. At first, it seemed harmless, almost laughable—but the air around the beast shivered ominously, as though the flower had rooted itself deep within its core.
Death Toy Scissors Bear
Thorn Counter: 1
Sora clicked his tongue but forced a grin. "Cute trick. Let's see how far it gets you."
Yuri ignored him, eyes locked on Cecilia. "Next, I play the Quick-Play Spell—Thornfall Charge! By sending Tamara back to the graveyard, Cecilia gains 800 ATK!"
Tamara, understanding her role, bowed gracefully before dissolving into a cascade of petals. Cecilia absorbed the falling light, her blade surging with newfound brilliance.
White Lily Musketeer, Cecilia
ATK: 3000 → 3800
"And that's not all," Yuri pressed forward, voice hardening. "Any monster marked with a Thorn Counter is destroyed!"
Sora's grin finally cracked, his eyes widening. "Tch—no way I'm letting that happen! I chain my Quick-Play Spell—Fusion Cancel!"
A wave of energy surged as Sora's grotesque Scissors Bear unraveled into fragments, returning to the Extra Deck. In its place, two familiar figures stepped forth, reassembled in the glow of the spell.
Furnimal Bear
Level 3 / EARTH / Fairy / Effect
ATK: 1200 / DEF: 800
Edge Imp Scissors
Level 3 / DARK / Fiend / Effect
ATK: 1200 / DEF: 800
Sora exhaled sharply, relief masked behind bravado. "Heh. You'll need more than flowers and speeches to take me down, Yuri."
Yuri's smirk returned, calm and unnerving. "Then I'll start pruning the weeds. Cecilia—attack Edge Imp Scissors!"
Cecilia dashed forward, her rapier flickering like lightning. Each thrust pierced through the fiend's form in rapid succession, petals trailing behind each strike. In seconds, Edge Imp Scissors was riddled with holes, its shriek cut short as it shattered into shards of darkness.
Sora flinched as the Duel Disk registered the impact.
Sora: 4000 → 1400
The shockwave forced him a step back, his grin vanishing altogether. He grit his teeth, fingers tightening around his Duel Disk. "Damn it... that one stung."
Yuri, however, did not relent. His gaze was cold but resolute, his words steady. "This is only the beginning. I set two cards facedown." Two holographic panels appeared at his side, their glow casting long shadows across the battlefield.
"And with that," Yuri lowered his arm, "my turn ends."
The air felt heavier now, as though Yuri's declaration and his opening strike had already shifted the tide of battle. For the first time, Sora wasn't smiling.
Yuri: 4000 | Hand: 2
Sora: 1400 | Hand: 1