Several moments earlier, within the grand Maiami Arena, the energy of the crowd was steadily unraveling into confusion. Thousands had gathered for the Maiami Championships Junior Division, eager to witness the passion and spectacle of dueling—but instead, the arena's massive screens had gone dark. The broadcast had been abruptly cut, leaving nothing but static and silence.
Whispers rippled through the stands, nervous parents clutching their children close, duelists frowning as unease gnawed at them. The explanation soon filtered in: the feed had been severed to shield the city from Academia's invasion. The powers in charge had chosen caution over clarity.
But the silence did not last long. Suddenly, one of the feeds flickered back to life, its grainy resolution sharpening to reveal a battlefield cloaked in volcanic heat—the Volcano Zone. Gasps echoed through the arena as the flames illuminated a sight that none expected.
"Isn't that... Ryuki?!" a spectator cried.
Indeed, standing defiantly amidst the molten rock was the Flame Monarch himself, Ryuki Himejima, but he was not alone. Several figures—outsiders to the tournament—stood on the edges of the battlefield. Their very presence raised confusion in the crowd. What business did they have in a championship meant for children?
Among the audience, familiar faces reacted with alarm.
"Yuya..." Yoko Sakaki, clutching her chest, stared at the screen with maternal dread. Her son appeared utterly drained, sweat pouring down his face as if he had been through hell itself.
Beside her, Shuzo Hiiragi, Yuzu's father, clenched his fists. "What in the world is happening out there?!"
The feed panned across the burning battlefield, fixing upon Ryuki as he squared off against a figure none recognized—a cold, alien menace that exuded malice in every gesture.
At the Command Center...
Nakajima's hands flew across the controls. "Reiji-sama, we've got a problem. Someone's hacked into the Volcano Zone's camera system—it's being broadcast across Maiami!"
"Cut the signal. Now." Reiji's voice was sharp, commanding.
"We're trying, but—" one of the technicians stammered, "—someone's preventing us from overriding it!"
Reiji slammed his palm against the panel, the sharp crack startling the room. For the first time, the composed prodigy found himself outmaneuvered. His lips pressed into a hard line, and after a moment's silence, he let out a low sigh.
"So be it. If they want the city to watch... then the city will watch." His eyes narrowed, calculating already. "Prepare a contingency. Once this battle ends, we move immediately."
Back to the Volcano Zone, the oppressive heat rose in waves, yet the greater tension came not from the lava but from the two figures who now raised their decks. Ryuki's eyes burned with unwavering resolve, his aura already pulsing with restrained fury. Opposite him, the Apostle Gastille smirked through the stolen body of one of Academia's elite duelists.
"Stand up! Thy Vanguard!" Ryuki's voice carried with the full force of his will.
"Stand up. Z Vanguard." Gastille's tone was laced with menace, as his chosen unit took form.
Before the crowd of duelists gathered on the sidelines, their starting units materialized.
"Chrono Tigar!" Ryuki declared.
The familiar form of Chrono Tigar emerged—the little red tiger ready to be at his partner's side.
Chrono Tigar
Grade 0 / Boost / Gear Beast – Zodiac Time Beast
Power: 5000 / Shield: 10000 / Critical: 1
Gastille revealed his own with a smirk. A dragon-like creature wrapped in a transparent crystalline glow appeared, its presence alien and oppressive.
Neon Messiah
Grade 0 / Boost / Messiah
Power: 5000 / Shield: 10000 / Critical: 1
The reaction was immediate.
"Link Joker?!" Kazumi's eyes widened.
"No way! Where did he get that deck?!" Kazuma shouted.
"Weren't we told by Ibuki-san that Gastille used Dark Irregulars?!" Christopher's voice cracked with disbelief.
Kenji pointed sharply at Ryuki, his voice low. "...And that unit..."
The air grew heavier. Aichi's expression darkened, realization dawning as his gaze locked on Ryuki's eyes—eyes burning with something primal, furious.
"You bastard... WHY ARE YOU USING MY BROTHER'S DECK?!" Ryuki's roar shook the very zone, his PSYQualia flaring to life. The aura around him surged, twisting into a dark crimson flame that distorted the very air.
Gastille's smirk widened. "Simple. Before I made my escape from Cray, I harvested a few samples... fragments of Messiah's very essence. With them, I replicated this deck."
The words were gasoline on Ryuki's fury. His aura flared higher, searing the ground beneath him.
On the sidelines, Ruri, Rin, and Emi stiffened, their worry mounting. This was no ordinary anger—they had never seen Ryuki like this.
"This isn't good..." Rin whispered, her playful tone gone.
Back at the Maiami Arena, the audience shuddered at the sight.
"This is the first time I've ever seen Ryuki-sensei like this," Tatsuya muttered, his voice trembling.
"He looks... terrifying," Ayu whimpered, clutching her brother's arm.
"I'm getting the shivers—but not the good ones!" Futoshi stammered, trying and failing to laugh it off.
The tension threatened to drown the spectators, but Aichi and Christopher stepped forward, their voices steady as they explained for the uninitiated.
"What you just saw were their starting Vanguards," Christopher said, adjusting his coat. His voice carried calm clarity despite the oppressive atmosphere.
"In Vanguard," Aichi continued, "units are ranked by grade. Grade 0 is the lowest, Grade 4 the highest. Both players begin with a Grade 0 at their Vanguard Circle. Each turn, you advance step by step—Grade 1, then Grade 2, then Grade 3. That's how the game flows."
"Provided your hand allows it," Christopher added. "The ideal opening hand includes a Grade 3, a Grade 2, and a few Grade 1s. Otherwise... you'll need to rely on your draws."
Serena, watching intently, nodded slowly. "So it's about building up your forces step by step..."
Kazumi crossed her arms. "Yes, but it's not that simple. Every move counts. Without the right balance in hand, you're at the mercy of chance."
Turn 1 – Ryuki
Ryuki's eyes narrowed, his fury sharpening into focus.
"Atashi no turn! Draw!" His voice thundered as he drew his card, the mere motion kicking up a sudden gust of wind. Those nearby could feel the heat of his wrath radiating outward.
"Ride! Voltaro Idea-drone!"
A massive shadow fell over the volcanic ground as the summoned unit manifested. A hulking yellow colossus of gears and pistons clanked into being, its mechanical limbs grinding as they locked into place. Its chest bore a glowing mask-like crest, and with a screech of metal, its right arm transformed into a gatling cannon that spun ominously.
Voltaro Idea-drone
Grade 1 / Boost / Gear Colossus
POWER: 7000 / SHIELD: 5000 / Critical: 1
"Oi, oi!" Sawatari jabbed a finger at the monstrous unit. "Now that I noticed—doesn't the cards Himejima is using look like what he used against Reiji?!"
Christopher nodded solemnly, the truth finally spilling into the open. "That's because Ryuki's so-called Duel Monsters deck was never truly Duel Monsters at all. What you faced... was Vanguard. His Kagero deck from our world reshaped itself into Duel Monsters when he crossed dimensions. Every ability you saw mirrored the effects of its original Vanguard form."
The realization hit like a hammer. Those who had stood against Ryuki before paled as the weight of their defeats resurfaced in their minds.
So that's why we were crushed so easily... his deck wasn't just unusual. It was from another world entirely.
Back on the battlefield, Ryuki gestured firmly, his eyes locked on Gastille with unwavering hatred.
"I move Chrono Tigar to the rear guard." The small gear beast leapt back, taking position to support Voltaro.
"I end my turn." His voice was low, restrained, yet every syllable dripped with venom aimed at Gastille.
Gastille
Damage: 0 | Hand: 5
Ryuki
Damage: 0 | Hand: 5
The moment Ryuki ended his turn, silence fell like a suffocating shroud. The very air in the Volcano Zone seemed to tremble with the sheer weight of his fury. Every duelist present—whether friend, ally, or enemy—could feel it pressing against their skin, hot and unyielding.
Even the ground beneath their feet quivered faintly as if his emotions had seeped into the land itself.
"Aichi..." Ruri's voice was small, concerned, as she clutched her arms. "Ryuki mentioned Gastille is using his brother's deck. What did he mean by that?"
Aichi's expression softened, though there was an unmistakable gravity in his eyes. He gave a small nod and answered quietly so the others could hear.
"Well, Ryuki-kun and Ibuki-kun aren't related by blood. But Ryuki sees Ibuki as the brother he never had. Back before Ryuki became the Kagero Clan Master, the two of them—and Kai-kun as well—fought side by side. They dominated countless tournaments, even championships. To Ryuki, those days forged an unbreakable bond." He paused, his voice darkening. "And the deck Gastille is using now... that's not just any deck. That's Messiah. A deck only Ibuki-kun himself could truly wield."
The realization settled heavily among the group. The anger Ryuki radiated wasn't just because of the invasion, or the battle—it was personal. Gastille wasn't just fighting him; he was desecrating the very bond Ryuki cherished.
"Ryuki may be furious," Kenji muttered, eyes narrowing as he watched Chrono Tigar growling like a beast ready to pounce, "but it's not just him. His units... they're sharing his rage."
The small tiger's metallic eyes glowed red, its body shuddering as it echoed its master's wrath. Even Ryuki's summoned machines seemed to carry his emotions.
Gastille, however, only smirked wider, delighting in the storm he had provoked.
Turn 2 - Gastille
"Draw. Ride. Asleep Messiah."
With a fluid motion, Gastille placed his card on the Vanguard Circle. A luminous white dragon appeared, far smaller than the monstrous colossi Ryuki had summoned, yet its aura was serene and chilling. Its wings glimmered like crystal prisms, and its gaze radiated an alien detachment.
Asleep Messiah
Grade 1 / Boost / Messiah
POWER: 7000 / SHIELD: 5000 / Critical: 1
"I move Neon Messiah to the rear." With a gesture, the tiny transparent dragon floated back, hovering directly behind Asleep Messiah like a star orbiting its sun.
"I call Destiny Dealer to the left."
A flash of scarlet light burst beside Gastille, giving form to a sleek cybernetic bird. Its metallic wings stretched wide, feathers tipped in glowing crimson. The mechanical beast gave a sharp, piercing cry as it settled into formation.
Destiny Dealer
Grade 1 / Boost / Cyber Beast
POWER: 7000 / SHIELD: 5000 / Critical: 1
Christopher raised his voice, his teacher's tone guiding those who were still learning the rules. "As you can see, Gastille summoned another card beside his Vanguard. That's called a Call. In Vanguard, you can call reinforcements to the Rear-Guard Circles surrounding your Vanguard."
Ashley tilted her head, brow furrowed. "How many rear-guards can someone call at once?"
"As many as you have room for," Christopher explained patiently. "But caution matters. Every unit you call comes from your hand, and those cards are also your lifeline for defense. Wasting too many early can cost you the game."
Aichi added with calm precision, "And there's one more limitation—you can only call units that are equal to or lower in grade than your current Vanguard. So, since Gastille's Vanguard is Grade 1, all the units he can call right now must also be Grade 1 or lower."
Ashley nodded thoughtfully, quickly piecing the system together, while Serena folded her arms, her sharp eyes fixed on Gastille's formation.
Gastille's smirk widened as he entered his battle phase.
"Now," he purred, "let me give you what you mortals call... a taste of your own medicine."
He raised a hand toward the glowing figure behind his Vanguard. "Neon Messiah, boosts. Asleep Messiah, attack the Vanguard!"
At once, Neon Messiah shone brightly, its energy flowing into Asleep Messiah like liquid light. The white dragon's wings flared wide as its strength surged.
Asleep Messiah
POWER: 7000 → 12000
Christopher's voice carried across the field, clear and informative. "That's called a Boost. When a unit stands directly behind another, it can transfer its power forward. The boosting unit rests—turns sideways—to lend its energy to the attack."
Yuto tilted his head, eyes narrowing. "Then why did Gastille place his cards sideways? It's just like putting a monster in defense mode in Duel Monsters."
"Close," Christopher corrected gently. "That motion is called Rest. Units that attack or boost are turned sideways to show they've acted. It marks their strength as expended for the turn."
Ashley's eyes lit up with curiosity, her analytical mind already spinning. "So... if every unit in the front row can attack, and the back row can boost, that means you can attack with at least three units every turn?"
Aichi nodded smoothly. "Exactly. The Vanguard itself always attacks once. And with at least two rear-guards, that's three minimum. Certain abilities even allow extra attacks—re-standing units or unlocking more potential. But three is the base rhythm of the game."
All eyes shifted back to Ryuki as the luminous Messiah charged forward, its wings slicing through the volcanic haze.
Ryuki's grip on his cards was steady, his eyes sharp despite the anger raging within him. He assessed the numbers, then closed his eyes briefly.
"No guard," he declared flatly.
Yuya blinked, startled. "No guard? Doesn't that mean he'll just... take the attack?"
Christopher nodded firmly. "Correct. In Vanguard, you can guard against incoming attacks by discarding units from your hand with enough shield value. Unlike Duel Monsters, there are no Spells or Traps hidden in the background. Your hand, your deck, your field—that's all you have. The units themselves become your defense."
Shun's brow furrowed, disbelief flickering across his face. "So they block using their own monsters?"
"Exactly," Christopher confirmed. "You sacrifice your forces to shield your Vanguard. Every decision is a balance between keeping your offense strong and keeping enough cards in hand to survive."
The explanation sent ripples through the group. Most were stunned by the simplicity of it—no backrow tricks, no hidden traps, just raw clashes of power and calculated choices.
Yet one among them clenched his fists with uncharacteristic intensity. Gongenzaka, who prided himself on a style of dueling reliant only on monsters, felt a spark deep inside. His eyes gleamed with a fire that surprised even himself.
"A style... with nothing but monsters," he whispered, his voice carrying conviction. "This... this is true dueling!"
Gastille raised his hand with a flourish, his voice silky and cruel.
"Drive Check."
The top card of his deck slid free in a shimmer of light. He revealed it to all—a Grade 2 unit—then tucked it neatly into his hand. No Trigger. His smirk didn't falter; the duel had only just begun.
Ryuki's eyes hardened. He lifted the top card of his own deck with steady hands.
"Damage Check."
The card glowed faintly as it revealed itself: a Grade 1. He silently placed it into his Damage Zone.
Ryuki: Damage – 0 → 1
The Messiah units glimmered faintly, their otherworldly light mocking Ryuki as Gastille's voice rang out again.
"Destiny Dealer, attack!"
The cybernetic bird shrieked and launched forward, crimson trails sparking from its wings as it dove at Voltaro.
Ryuki didn't flinch. "No guard."
Once again, his machine absorbed the hit, gears grinding under the impact.
"Damage Check."
The top card flared red in Ryuki's hand. A Draw Trigger.
"Get. Draw Trigger. I draw one card."
The words left his mouth firmly, but the faintest edge of satisfaction flickered in his eyes as he slid a fresh card into his hand, the glowing trigger drifting into the Damage Zone beside the first.
Ryuki: Damage – 1 → 2
Christopher raised his voice, ensuring every spectator—both here and across the broadcast—could follow.
"What you just witnessed are Trigger Checks and Damage Checks. When the Vanguard attacks, the player reveals the top card of their deck. If it's a Trigger, its effect activates immediately. Likewise, when a Vanguard takes damage, that player checks the top of their deck. If it's a Trigger, its effect still activates. It adds an extra layer of unpredictability."
Fubuki leaned forward, eyes glinting with excitement. "So there are different kinds of Triggers?"
"There are four in total," Christopher replied crisply, raising a finger with each one. "Draw, which lets you replenish your hand. Stand, which reactivates a resting rear-guard for another strike. Critical, which adds pressure by increasing damage. And Heal, which can turn the tide by reducing your own damage. Each one is a game-changer."
Aichi's tone grew solemn, his voice steady but heavy with meaning. "And the win condition is simple but absolute: deal six damage to your opponent's Vanguard before they do the same to you. That is the essence of Vanguard."
The explanation struck Sawatari like an invitation. He crossed his arms with a grin, puffing out his chest. "Six damage? Hah! That sounds too easy. I could win a fight like this in no time!"
Christopher slid his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, unimpressed. His voice was calm, almost cold. "What you're seeing now is merely the prelude. These are only the opening turns. Once both players reach Grade 3... you'll understand. At that point, Vanguard transforms. It becomes a whole different game entirely."
Sawatari's grin faltered, the weight of Christopher's words pulling at his pride.
Gastille gave a sharp, cruel smile, satisfied with the display. "And with that," he purred, "I end my turn."
The battlefield shimmered faintly as his units lowered their stances, their alien glow still taunting Ryuki.
Gastille:
Damage: 0 | Hand: 4
Ryuki:
Damage: 2 | Hand: 6
The second turn had ended—but the atmosphere only grew heavier, the spectators already sensing it: the true battle was only about to begin.
The Volcano Zone rumbled faintly, molten currents glowing brighter beneath the obsidian platforms as Ryuki drew his next card. His expression, once thunderous, had settled into a chilling calm. The spectators noticed the shift immediately—his fury hadn't vanished, it had crystallized.
Turn 3 - Ryuki
"Atashi no turn. Draw."
The card slid smoothly into his hand. He didn't look at Gastille when he spoke, but his voice carried like steel scraping against stone.
"You surprised me by using Messiah against me of all people. But that's fine. In this fight, I'll show you the truth—you'll never be as good as Ibuki at wielding the Messiah's power. Ride! Kaigomai Idea-drone!"
Voltaro's massive frame dissolved in sparks of amber light, replaced by a new titan of bronze and steel. The golem stood with a heavy cannon mounted on its left arm, its eyes glowing like molten cores.
Kaigomai Idea-drone
Grade 2 / Intercept / Gear Colossus
POWER: 9000 / SHIELD: 5000 / Critical: 1
Ryuki wasted no time. "I then call Anarchia Idea-drone to the back row left, and two Diaperno Idea-drones to the front."
More mechanical soldiers materialized. First, a yellow-and-white golem with elaborate steampunk plating, gears whirring across its chest. Then, two identical war machines crashed into the front row, each with a massive, piston-driven right hand and a drill the size of a battering ram mounted on its left. They slammed their drills into the ground, ready for battle.
Anarchia Idea-drone (Critical)
Grade 0 / Boost / Trigger / Gear Colossus
POWER: 4000 / SHIELD: 10000 / Critical: 1
Diaperno Idea-drone ×2
Grade 2 / Intercept / Gear Colossus
POWER: 9000 / SHIELD: 5000 / Critical: 1
The field around Ryuki filled with the heavy, grinding hum of clockwork. His army looked less like warriors and more like an industrial war machine brought to life.
On the sidelines, curiosity bubbled among the observers.
Rin tilted her head, brows furrowed. "Does anyone know exactly what kind of deck Ryuki's using? It's Gear Chronicle, obviously, but... it feels very—"
"Different?" Satoru finished for her, his tone grim but steady. He crossed his arms. "Yeah. Very. What Ryuki is piloting isn't the usual Time Beast or Zodiac builds you've seen. This is Gear Colossus—a subrace of Gear Chronicle. Its focus is binding units. In Duel Monsters terms... think of it as banishing. But every time Ryuki banishes a card, his units grow stronger. It's relentless, systematic."
Satoru's eyes narrowed, as though old memories weighed on him. "And that deck... it used to belong to Myoujin Ryuzu. My former boss."
The spectators stilled. Even without knowing the full story, the name carried an unmistakable gravity.
Ryuki lifted his hand sharply. "Battle. My Diaperno on the right attacks your Vanguard. And at this moment, I activate its skill. Counterblast."
A card in his Damage Zone flipped face-down, glowing briefly. The drill-wielding colossus whirred, its gears spinning faster.
Christopher immediately raised his voice for the others. "What Ryuki just did is a Counterblast. Certain unit abilities require costs. If a player has cards in their Damage Zone, they can flip them face-down to pay. The more cards used, the more powerful the effect."
Ryuki continued firmly, his voice like the turning of gears. "I bind the top card of my deck. And if my Vanguard is a Gear Colossus, this unit gains +2000 Power."
The top card slid into the Bind Zone, glowing faintly before vanishing. The right-side Diaperno roared, its drill revving to a shrill scream.
Diaperno Idea-drone (Right)
POWER: 9000 → 11000
Gastille didn't even flinch. "I guard with Asteroid Wolf."
A card slid into his Guardian Circle, manifesting as a massive, cybernetic white wolf with cold eyes. It lunged forward, intercepting the strike and deflecting the drill's assault with its own claws. Sparks flew as the two clashed.
Vanguard SHIELD: 10000 + 7000 → 17000
"So that's how guarding works," Gongenzaka muttered, eyes gleaming with understanding.
Aichi nodded, his tone calm and instructive. "Exactly. As long as the total SHIELD value of the guardian and Vanguard is enough to surpass the attacking unit's current power, the attack is nullified. The Vanguard takes no damage."
The duel pressed forward.
"Kaigomai attacks your Vanguard—with a boost from Chrono Tigar!"
The cannon-arm titan roared as the small mechanical beast at its side channeled energy into its frame. Flames spewed from the cannon's barrel in a wide arc.
Kaigomai Idea-drone
POWER: 9000 → 13000
Gastille's smirk didn't waver. "No guard."
The flames engulfed Asleep Messiah, scorching its wings as Kaigomai pressed forward with relentless fire.
Ryuki drew the top card of his deck. "Drive Check."
The card pulsed with green light. His eyes narrowed. "Get. Heal Trigger. I recover one damage—and grant an additional 5000 power to my left Diaperno."
The glow washed over his units. Ryuki plucked the healed damage from his zone and slid it to the Drop Zone, his aura of composure unshaken.
Diaperno Idea-drone (Left)
POWER: 9000 → 14000
Ryuki: Damage – 2 → 1
Gastille checked the top card of his own deck. A Grade 2, no trigger. He wordlessly slid it into his Damage Zone.
Gastille: Damage – 0 → 1
The spectators held their breath.
"The left Diaperno attacks your Vanguard. And once again—I activate its skill. I bind the top card of my deck. Power +2000."
The drill roared again, energy gathering around its spiraling edge. Another card flicked into the Bind Zone—this time Chronotimer Leghorn.
Diaperno Idea-drone (Left)
POWER: 14000 → 16000
Gastille didn't raise a hand to guard. His smirk widened as if daring Ryuki to keep going. The colossus's drill struck true, punching Asleep Messiah backward in a shower of sparks.
A card flew into Gastille's Damage Zone, another Grade 1. His counter climbed.
Gastille: Damage – 1 → 2
Ryuki's voice cut through the noise, steady and sharp. "Now that Diaperno's attack landed, I activate its second skill. I send one card from my deck to the Drop Zone... and I bind the top card of my deck."
He slid a card smoothly into the Drop Zone, then revealed the next card—Chronodash Peccary. The binding light consumed it, vanishing alongside the first.
The battlefield pulsed with the energy of banishment, like time itself had swallowed the cards whole.
"And since the card I bound is a Zodiac Time Beast, Countercharge."
Ryuki flipped back the card he just flipped earlier as everyone understood what Countercharging is without Christopher explaining.
Gastille's eyes narrowed. The Messiah units stirred faintly at his back.
Ryuki exhaled, his calm expression unmoved. "I end my turn."
The whirring, steaming army behind him stood resolute, like an engine waiting for its next command.
Gastille:
Damage: 2 | Hand: 4
Ryuki:
Damage: 1 | Hand: 3
The field shimmered faintly as Ryuki's turn ended, his colossi looming over the battlefield. The rhythm of the duel had shifted. From Gastille's smirk to Ryuki's measured calm, the true clash of ideologies—the Messiah against the Colossus—was only beginning to unfold.
Turn 4 – Gastille
"My turn. Draw."
Gastille's fingers slid across the top card of his deck with practiced elegance. As he added it to his hand, his lips curled into a knowing smirk aimed at Ryuki.
"That was a splendid strike, Monarch," he said, his voice smooth and sharp, like a blade concealed in silk. "But allow me to return the favor. Ride! Awaking Messiah!"
The battlefield trembled as the petite form of Asleep Messiah dissolved into a storm of radiant energy. In its place emerged a much larger, more imposing cybernetic entity. Its frame gleamed with white alloy plates streaked in black lines, two dark-violet orbs floating ominously at its shoulders like captive stars ready to detonate.
Awaking Messiah
Grade 2 / Intercept / Messiah
POWER: 9000 / SHIELD: 5000 / Critical: 1
Gastille's tone carried an almost theatrical delight. "Awakening... is always the most beautiful moment."
He waved his hand, and the cybernetic bird shifted positions. "I move Destiny Dealer to the back row. And now—I call Lady Battler of the Gravity Well!"
The ground shimmered as a new figure stepped forward: a tall woman with flowing white twin-tails, clad in a skintight white exo-suit traced with black conduits of energy. Her gaze was cold and unwavering, as if measuring the very gravity of Ryuki's will.
Lady Battler of the Gravity Well
Grade 2 / Intercept / Cyberoid
POWER: 9000 / SHIELD: 5000 / Critical: 1
Gastille extended an open palm toward Ryuki, his voice silky yet cutting. "Shall we? Let's resume this dance of destiny. With Neon Messiah boosting, Awaking Messiah—attack the Vanguard!"
Awaking Messiah's orbs pulsed violently as streams of cosmic energy spiraled around it.
Awaking Messiah
POWER: 9000 → 14000
Ryuki crossed his arms, resolute. "No guard."
"Drive check," Gastille announced, flipping the top card. A Grade 1. Without pause, he added it to his hand, his smirk never faltering.
The cosmic tackle slammed against Voltaro with crushing force. A sharp gasp escaped from the onlookers as Ryuki checked the top card of his deck. The revealed image glinted—Chronojet Dragon.
Ryuki's jaw tightened as he slid it face-up into his Damage Zone.
Ryuki: Damage – 1 → 2
Kazuma's expression darkened. "Damn it. This is bad. Chronojet Dragon just hit the Damage Zone..."
Shun, watching with hands stuffed in his pockets, arched an eyebrow. "And that's a problem because?"
Kazuma quickly explained, his tone heavy. "Cards in the Damage Zone are locked out of play unless you recover them with a Heal Trigger. Chronojet is one of the linchpins in Ryuki-san's deck strategy. Without it, his plays will suffer."
The realization rippled through the spectators. Even those unfamiliar with Vanguard's depth began to grasp the gravity of the situation.
Gastille's eyes glimmered with satisfaction. "It seems fate is already aligning with me. But let's not stop there. Destiny Dealer boosts—Lady Battler, strike the Vanguard!"
Lady Battler of the Gravity Well
POWER: 9000 → 16000
The white-haired warrior spun, manifesting a dense sphere of compressed cosmic energy between her hands. With a fluid kick, she launched it like a blazing comet. Voltaro braced against the impact, but the force rattled Ryuki as another card flew from the top of his deck into the Damage Zone.
Ryuki: Damage – 2 → 3
Fubuki clutched the edge of her seat. "The damage is 2 to 3. Gastille's barely warmed up..."
Christopher pushed up his glasses, his analytical tone steady. "Gastille's field is efficient and relentless. If Ryuki doesn't find a way to stabilize next turn, this could snowball fast."
The oppressive aura of Gastille's units hung heavy over the battlefield. Ryuki said nothing, his eyes locked on his cards, face unreadable. Yet those who knew him could sense the pressure mounting.
Gastille exhaled softly, as if savoring the tension, and closed his eyes. "And with that... turn end."
The field fell quiet, the hum of Messiah units subsiding for now.
Gastille:
Damage: 2 | Hand: 4
Ryuki:
Damage: 3 | Hand: 3
Turn 5 – Ryuki
The battlefield had become a crucible of tension, each clash reverberating like a thunderclap across the arena. No one had even reached Grade 3 yet, and still the atmosphere was already thick with intensity. Every spectator could feel it—the mounting suspense of what would happen once those legendary Grade 3 units finally took the stage. Even the seasoned fighters among the audience leaned forward, knowing that the tide of battle could turn violently once true trump cards entered the fray.
That moment arrived now. All eyes turned toward Ryuki.
He glanced down at his Damage Zone, where Chronojet Dragon rested face-up. A pang of frustration crossed his face. "Looks like I won't be using you today, Chronojet," he muttered under his breath. He closed his eyes briefly, steadying himself. "But as long as Chrono Dran is still in the deck, I can win this. I just need to draw him and push forward."
Straightening his posture, Ryuki raised his voice for all to hear. "Atashi no turn! Stand and draw!"
The familiar sound of cards sliding filled the air as Ryuki stood his rested units and drew his next card. The second his eyes landed on it, his lips curled into a smile. Destiny had answered him at the perfect time.
"See the world through your own eyes, and crush your way down the path to redemption! Ride thy Vanguard! Chronofang Tiger!"
A massive red tiger, its body armored and its left paw encased in an enormous gauntlet, descended with a deafening growl. Power radiated from it, a primal yet dignified force.
Chronofang Tiger
Grade 3 / Twin Drive / Zodiac Time Beast
POWER: 11000 / Critical: 1
"There it is! Ryuki's Chronofang Tiger!" Rin exclaimed, eyes wide with excitement. For those familiar with Ryuki's deck, Chronofang wasn't just a unit—it was his partner, his trump card.
"Ryuki will pull this through," Ruri said confidently, her voice calm but unwavering. She had seen Ryuki fight enough to know he thrived when his back was against the wall.
"Kukukukuku..." Gastille's chuckle slithered across the field like a cold wind, earning a glare from Ryuki. The Apostle's mocking smile only widened.
"What are you laughing at?" Ryuki asked, his voice low and sharp. He wasn't in the mood for Gastille's games.
"Oh, nothing," Gastille replied with venomous amusement. "It's just... who would have thought you'd form a bond with a criminal."
Ryuki's brows furrowed. "Criminal? You're calling him that?"
Sawatari tilted his head in confusion. "Wait, the tiger's a criminal? What is he talking about?"
Before Ryuki could answer, Aichi stepped forward, his tone solemn. "The units Ryuki uses aren't ordinary cards. They're alive. They come from another planet—Cray. All of our units came from Cray as well"
The arena collectively gasped. Even those who had witnessed Ryuki's fights before hadn't fully grasped the truth. The realization that every card he called had its own will, its own life, left them stunned.
"And you," Ryuki snapped at Gastille, "have no right to judge him. You're the real war criminal here."
"War criminal?!" Barret's soldier instincts perked up immediately. He glanced at Aichi for clarification.
Aichi's expression hardened. "Gastille is one of the Apostles—fanatics who served Gyze, the Dragon Deity of Destruction. Their goal was to plunge every world into silence. Gyze and his Apostles waged war across Cray and to our world as well. Many of us fought on the front lines to stop them: me, Chris, Mitsusada-san, Satoru-san, Kazumi-san, Kazuma-san, and Ryuki-kun. Together, we ended the war, defeated Gyze, and dismantled the Apostles... except for Gastille, who survived."
The revelation hit the spectators like a thunderbolt. Their gazes shifted toward Ryuki, now seeing him not just as a skilled fighter, but as someone who had survived a war most couldn't even imagine. Barret, as a soldier himself, felt a surge of respect ignite within him. He understood what it meant to carry scars of battle and to keep fighting despite them.
Gastille sneered. "And yet, you fight with a criminal."
"Enough!" Ryuki's voice cut through like a blade. "Me and Tigar have forged our bond with blood and resolve. He doesn't deserve to be chained by his past. And I'll make sure he gets to live the life he truly deserves!"
His words rang with conviction, resonating not only with his allies but also with the very spirit of the tiger at his side. Both Chrono Tigar and Chronofang Tiger roared, the sound shaking the battlefield. It was a declaration of defiance against fate itself.
"Chronofang Tiger's skill activates! I bind one card from my hand—Chronobeat Buffalo! And I send Destiny Caller to the bottom of my deck!"
He flicked Chronobeat Buffalo into the Bind Zone as Destiny Caller slid to the bottom of his deck. Each movement was precise, confident.
"Battle! With a boost from Chrono Tigar, Chronofang Tiger attacks your Vanguard!"
Chronofang Tiger
POWER: 11000 → 16000
Chronofang leaped forward, gauntlet glowing as Ryuki's voice roared above the crowd. "Twin Drive! First check... second check!" He revealed two Grade 1 units and added them to his hand, his advantage growing.
Chronofang's gauntleted paw smashed into Awaking Messiah with earth-shaking force. A burst of light signaled the damage as a card slid neatly into Gastille's Damage Zone.
Gastille: Damage 2 → 3
Ryuki didn't let up. "Next, Diaperno attacks your Vanguard with a boost from Anarchia!"
Diaperno Idea-drone
POWER: 9000 → 14000
The whir of Diaperno's drill-like weapon echoed as it lunged for Gastille's Vanguard. But Gastille wasn't caught off guard. "Guard," he intoned, placing down Blink Messiah. The small, majestic white dragon appeared and raised a shield of pure energy.
Vanguard SHIELD:
10000 + 9000 = 19000
The drill struck the shield and was deflected harmlessly. Gastille remained impassive.
"Diaperno attacks Lady Battler." Diaperno then charged towards Lady Battler as the golem punched her as she was retired from the field and straight to the Drop Zone.
"Tch." Ryuki exhaled sharply, but he didn't look disappointed. He knew Gastille's defense would tighten now that Stride was within his opponent's grasp. "I end my turn."
He leaned back slightly, releasing some of the tension in his body. He had done what he could, and now it was Gastille's move. The real danger was about to begin.
The scoreboard gleamed:
Gastille:
Damage: 3 | Hand: 3
Ryuki:
Damage: 3 | Hand: 5
Across the field, Gastille's grin widened ever so slightly. The Apostle's fingers hovered over his cards, and the atmosphere shifted again. The crowd murmured; even those unfamiliar with Stride could feel that the next turn would unleash something monstrous.
But Ryuki didn't flinch. His gaze locked on Gastille with unyielding determination. He had fought through war. He had faced beings far worse than this Apostle. No matter what came next, he would not falter.