"Ten thousand years ago, I realized that many things cannot be changed just because you wish them to."
At this moment, in the real world, at the headquarters of Doma, the duel between Dartz and Yugi and the others had already begun.
However, unlike the animation, here Dartz was facing off against Yugi, Kaiba, and Jonouchi simultaneously, the three warriors chosen by the Legendary Dragons.
It might be because he's concurrently dealing with Youyu, his strength is somewhat discounted, and facing three at once, Dartz isn't as courageous as in the original animation.
Although it's three against one, instead of using free-for-all rules, team battle rules are employed. Dartz is one team, and Yugi's side is another team of three. Both teams take turns, and for Yugi's team, a different person must play each time it's their turn.
This way, although it's three on one, from a rules perspective, Dartz's disadvantage is actually reduced compared to the original work.
"I once thought I could save humanity from darkness, I once was willing to do whatever it takes," Dartz said to the three, "But in the end, I realized that it was of no use... it was meaningless.
Because humanity doesn't want to be saved. The power of Orichalcos ignites the darkness within people, but it is merely a catalyst. That darkness ultimately stems from humanity itself.
In the end, it's the flaws inherent in this race. Humans have no potential to overcome the darkness within themselves. A long span of ten thousand years has only solidified this belief; humans will make the same mistakes over and over, concluding always in tragedy...
"Lord Dartz!"
At this moment, a resonant voice came from outside the door. Everyone turned to look and found that it was Rafael, the golden-haired strong man from before.
Speaking of which, when Paradius Corporation collapsed before, Yugi distinctly saw this uncle fall from the roof, never expecting him to look as if nothing was wrong. Not only was he not injured, but in a blink of an eye, he had chased Yugi and the others to Doma Headquarters.
"Rafael! Are you okay?" Yugi exclaimed in surprise.
Until just now, he had thought this uncle had died.
Rafael nodded and turned to Dartz saying, "Stop all of this, Lord Dartz! We were wrong! The darkness within people can be overcome; I have already succeeded!"
Dartz glanced at him sideways, closed his eyes slightly, and seemed to smile unsurprisingly.
"Ah, I know. Indeed, sometimes, people can indeed conquer the darkness within their hearts by their own will."
Rafael was stunned: "You... you know? Then why...?"
"Indeed, hatred, spite, despair within the human heart; sometimes it seems there can be victories over these, but that is only because these are not the true faces of humanity."
Dartz folded his hands behind him and began preaching, seizing the opportunity.
"The human heart is not that easy to change. Over the years I have already realized that. Darkness has existed since the birth of humanity, since the first moment of understanding the world. As long as there is a deep feeling of unfairness in one's heart, darkness will always exist.
The poor and the wealthy, the talented and the loathed... Nowadays people simply cannot overcome these. Darkness is constantly nurtured by this cruel reality; even if it's momentarily conquered, it can never be eliminated."
Dartz turned his head to look at Rafael, showing a meaningful smile.
"Rafael, you indeed have a spiritual power that ordinary people do not possess. I can see you are not lying, and perhaps now you have indeed eliminated the darkness in your heart. Your experiences grant you extraordinary willpower; from the beginning, you could embrace and accept the darkness within yourself..."
He paused, his gaze shimmering slightly.
"...but that is something I bestowed upon you."
"What?" Rafael was startled.
"Amelda harbors resentment against the Kaiba Group because of his brother's death... but have you ever thought, was it really Kaiba Gozaburo who let his brother die on the battlefield?"
Rafael suddenly froze.
In that instant, it was as if he understood what Dartz was saying.
But he dared not face that truth, even the mere speculation made cold sweat trickle down his spine.
"The church where Valon grew up, why was someone going to set it on fire? Did Valon really find the mastermind behind it? And... Rafael."
Dartz squinted his eyes, seemingly keen on scrutinizing Rafael's reaction.
"Why did the sea ship your family was traveling on coincidentally pass through a seafloor volcanic eruption route?
Why did the volcano erupt just as you were passing by?
Why were you the only survivor on the entire ship?"
By this point, there were no mysteries left.
"There can only be one answer," Dartz said calmly, "because from the beginning, you were destined to become a knight of Doma, destined to sacrifice for the Evil God's resurrection plan!"
The paper-thin window of truth was pierced, and the cruel truth was laid bare in front of Rafael, shaking everything he had believed in so far.
"Ahhh Dartz!!!!"
He felt himself losing control. Fury flared up from the deepest corner of his heart, as if boiling his blood in every vein.
Rafael's mind was emptied instantly. He seemed to hear Yugi calling him — but that was no longer important.
Everything he believed in, everything he pursued in his life had become an illusion. Dartz, the man who once represented his most devout belief, now seemed, in a blur, to transform into a clawing demon, stretching an invisible hand from the void, manipulating the helpless ship his family had boarded back in those days.
Anger, hatred, malice, all the emotions he once thought eradicated, uncontrollably filled his mind.
The mark of Orichalcos, which he had once, in the duel against Yugi, supposedly eradicated through his will, returned in full with all these dark and negative emotions. The hexagram curse reappeared on his forehead, drawing out his soul before he could react, absorbing it as a sacrifice for the Evil God.
Seconds later, Rafael's image appeared on a previously blank stone slab in the Soul Hall.
...
In the Spirit Realm, facing Youyu, Dartz also shook his head, with a sorrowful yet unsurprised expression.
"Rafael, indeed, he is a standout among humanity, a representation of the strongest will and the finest spirit." It seemed as if speaking to himself, "But precisely because of that, he further proves that I am correct.
Humans ultimately cannot transcend the darkness within themselves; present-day humanity cannot achieve this. Thus, I must correct this flaw, I must create humans capable of overcoming this deficiency..."
"So your method to prove this argument is to manipulate others' destinies artificially, crafting inner darkness with your own hands?" Youyu asked.
Dartz shrugged, "That was Rafael's destiny all along, I merely exerted a little force to make him serve me."
"A little force, huh?" Youyu remarked, "And you say you want to create humans capable of overcoming inner darkness, how're you planning on doing that? Create puppets that all obey you, followers who've all been brainwashed by you?"
"With the power of Orichalcos, anything is possible."
"Is that so? Then why can't you eradicate the darkness within human hearts?"
Dartz raised an eyebrow: "It seems you have your own views on this issue?"
"No. I'm just puzzled, why are you able to brainwash so many people into going crazy with you, believing inner darkness is some sort of sickness?
The human heart naturally has darkness, but I don't find that a strange thing. Where there is light, there must be shadows, not just in humanity; it's the most fundamental truth of the world.
But while trying to persuade others, you have always deliberately ignored one thing, Dartz, that alongside the darkness in everyone's hearts, there also exists light. Even if it's just a tiny bit in endless darkness, it's light that cannot be ignored.
Just as you say that the darkness of the heart can create demons, the light within humanity equally holds potential for similar possibilities..."
At this point, Youyu shook his head.
"Alright, telling you all this means I probably am not very normal either."
Dartz is an old monster who's lived for ten thousand years; trying to win a debate with this ancient, Youyu figured perhaps only someone as persuasive as the prince from the neighboring Konoha Village could stand a chance.
"Whatever, I have no need to debate with you." Dartz said, "Now your Life Points are as fragile as a candle in the wind. In the next turn, you will become a soul for the God of Orichalcos' resurrection."
"Not necessarily," Youyu chuckled.
Dartz furrowed his brow.
"Haven't you heard? As long as the Duelist still has cards in the deck, hope will never disappear," Youyu said, "Moreover..."
...Moreover, at this moment, my skill has already been triggered!
Skill, activate!
When Life Points are below 1000, instead of drawing as usual, add an "Obelisk the Tormentor" from outside the Card Deck to your hand!
Divine Wrath!!!