Turn 6 – Gastille
Gastille exhaled slowly, almost theatrically, as the atmosphere in the Volcano Zone thickened. Sparks from the earlier clashes still lingered in the air like embers, casting strange glows across the fighters' faces. The duelists gathered on the sidelines felt it—this wasn't just a game anymore. Every move from here on carried the weight of destiny.
"Stand and draw." Gastille's voice cut through the heavy silence. With a casual motion, he righted his resting units, sliding the top card from his deck and glancing at it with a predator's smirk.
"This is it, everyone," Aichi said from the sidelines, his usually calm tone brimming with urgency. "This is where Vanguard takes it to the next level. Gastille's about to show the peak of what these fights can become."
Gastille raised his hand high, his words echoing like an invocation.
"Ride! Alter Ego Messiah!"
The battlefield shimmered as Awaking Messiah dissolved into radiant light. Out of that brilliance emerged a divine dragon, its form towering and ethereal. Its sweeping, crystalline wings refracted the light like stained glass, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the molten ground. Long, flowing golden hair crowned its head, and on each shoulder hovered two luminous orbs—one glowing blue-green, representing Earth, and the other shimmering with otherworldly hues, symbolizing Planet Cray.
The sight left the audience speechless.
Alter Ego Messiah
Grade 3 / Twin Drive / Messiah
POWER: 11000 / Critical: 1
"Alter Ego Messiah... so it's finally here," Ryuki muttered under his breath. His eyes narrowed. He could feel the tide of battle about to surge against him.
But Gastille wasn't done. His smirk widened as he slid a card from his hand into his drop zone.
"Stride... Generation! Genesis Dragon, Flageolet Messiah!"
At that declaration, the very Volcano Zone seemed to quake. A deafening hum filled the air as the sky above split open. Blinding light poured forth, forcing even hardened duelists like Shun and Barret to shield their eyes. When the radiance subsided, the figure that replaced Alter Ego Messiah left everyone in awe.
Descending from the heavens was an enormous white dragon, its body shimmering like polished ivory. Long, flowing hair cascaded around its neck like a celestial mane. The twin planets now hovered majestically on its massive shoulders, glowing with divine authority. Every flap of its massive wings sent ripples of light through the battlefield.
Genesis Dragon, Flageolet Messiah
Grade 4 / Triple Drive / Messiah
POWER: 26000 / Critical: 1
The crowd inside the Volcano Zone erupted with gasps. Even those who'd fought wars before, like Aichi and Christopher, were taken by its presence.
"It's like a god descended onto the battlefield..." Emi whispered, eyes wide as this was her first time seeing Messiah up close.
At the command center, Reiji and his tech team watched the projection with hawk-like focus. "Scan those cards immediately," Reiji ordered. "If these are real and not mere illusions, we'll need contingency plans and possibly mass production. This... could change everything."
Back in the Zone, Ryuki's jaw tensed. He'd seen G-Units before, but Flageolet radiated oppressive power. Gastille knew it too—his smirk was that of a predator about to spring.
Christopher composed himself and began explaining for the benefit of those still catching up.
"What you just saw is a G-Unit. They're Grade 4 units—extremely powerful, carrying abilities that can decide a game instantly. But summoning one isn't easy. Both fighters need to have Grade 3 Vanguards, and to Stride, you must discard a Grade 2 or 3 from your hand. They only stay for one turn, returning to the G-Zone at the end phase."
He adjusted his glasses and added, "But don't let that fool you. Even one turn is enough to completely reshape a fight."
Gastille's cold chuckle interrupted Christopher's explanation.
"Alter Ego Messiah's stride skill activates. I Lock Neon Messiah on my field and the Diaperno on your left. And with that, Flageolet gains 5000 POWER."
As he declared it, a red glow engulfed both player's fields. Neon Messiah and the left Diaperno were suddenly imprisoned within floating, crimson orbs. Sparks crackled around the locks, like cages forged of raw energy.
Genesis Dragon, Flageolet Messiah
POWER: 26000 → 31000
"What's that?!" Rin shouted, startled.
"Wait," Yuri recognized, eyes narrowing. "It's the same ability my Cecilia 'Яeverse' uses."
Christopher nodded gravely. "Correct. Lock is Link Joker's specialty—an ability exclusive to them. When a unit is locked, it's sealed in those orbs. The fighter can't use that unit for the rest of the turn. The 'Яeverse' cards you saw in our world came from Link Joker's invasion attempt."
The duelists around them felt a chill run down their spines. The word invasion wasn't lost on anyone.
"But don't panic," Aichi interjected calmly. "Link Joker is no longer an enemy. They've integrated with the clans of Cray. Lock is just another tool now—dangerous, yes, but not inherently evil."
Gastille ignored the chatter. His focus was entirely on dismantling Ryuki.
"Call. Arrester Messiah!"
Another light shimmered beside Flageolet, manifesting into a smaller dragon bearing a staff. Though dwarfed by Flageolet's size, Arrester radiated its own quiet menace.
Arrester Messiah
Grade 2 / Intercept / Messiah
POWER: 9000 / SHIELD: 5000 / Critical: 1
Gastille extended a hand forward.
"Battle. Arrester Messiah attacks your Vanguard. Arrester's skill—when my Vanguard is Grade 3 or higher Messiah, Arrester gains 2000 POWER."
Arrester Messiah:
POWER 9000 → 11000
Arrester swung its staff, conjuring a burning sphere of cosmic energy and launching it toward Chronofang Tiger.
"Guard!" Ryuki called, slamming a card into his Guardian Circle.
Chronospin Serpent appeared, the gears around its neck spinning violently. A whirlwind formed, dispersing Arrester's fiery projectile before it could connect.
Vanguard SHIELD: 11000 + 5000 → 16000
Gastille's smirk didn't falter. "Hm. Then let's tighten the vice. Arrester's skill—Lock! Both Arrester and your Chrono Tigar are now sealed."
At his words, more crimson orbs materialized, locking Chrono Tigar and even Arrester itself. The field on Ryuki's side looked increasingly crippled—two of his units now frozen in glowing cages.
Ruri, Rin, and Emi exchanged worried looks. "This is bad... if Ryuki's field keeps getting locked like this—" Rin started, but the fear on her face said more than words.
Gastille wasn't done. His voice boomed with authority.
"Flageolet Messiah attacks your Vanguard!"
The celestial dragon raised its massive claw, summoning a colossal fireball of pure cosmic energy. It hurled the attack like a miniature sun toward Chronofang Tiger. Ryuki gritted his teeth, throwing up his shield as his Vanguard braced for impact. The collision shook the entire field.
But Gastille's tone turned venomously triumphant.
"Flageolet's skill! I unlock Arrester and Neon Messiah... and then I Omega Lock both Diaperno and Chrono Tigar!"
At those words, the red orbs shuddered violently. Gastille's Arrester and Neon were freed—but Diaperno and Chrono Tigar's orbs deepened to a darker shade, layered with pulsating black seals.
Christopher's face paled. "That's Omega Lock—even worse than regular Lock. When a card is Omega Locked, it's unusable for not just one, but two of your turns."
A ripple of dread passed through the gathered duelists. Ryuki's board was being systematically dismantled.
Gastille, basking in his control, pressed further.
"Triple Drive." He revealed his three drive checks with a flourish. Out of the trio, one card pulsed with radiant light.
"Get. Heal Trigger. Arrester gains 5000 POWER, and I recover one damage."
Arrester Messiah:
POWER 9000 → 14000
Gastille: Damage 3 → 2
A faint glow surrounded Gastille as the damage healed, almost mocking Ryuki's struggle.
"Arrester Messiah, finish the assault—attack the Diaperno on your right!"
The small dragon released another fire blast, engulfing Diaperno in flames. Ryuki didn't even try to guard; the locked and battered unit crumbled, disappearing into his drop zone.
Gastille exhaled calmly, closing his eyes as though the devastation he caused was routine. "I end my turn."
The Volcano Zone fell silent for a moment. Gastille's field glowed with unchallenged dominance. Ryuki stood across from him, fists clenched, his board in tatters. But his eyes still burned with defiance.
Gastille:
Damage: 2 | Hand: 5
Ryuki:
Damage: 3 | Hand: 4
Turn 7 – Ryuki
Ryuki's gaze swept over his field. Two of his rear-guards were still locked, their holograms shimmering faintly with Messiah's binding light. A flicker of frustration crossed his eyes, but he steadied his breathing. My options are tight... but this isn't over. I don't need to win right now. I just need to survive, stack my resources, and set the stage. Three Zodiacs are already in the Bind Zone. If I can add more this turn and the next, I'll reach the threshold. But until then, I have to hold my ground and make sure my defenses don't crumble.
His hand tightened around his deck. "Stand and draw!"
Only one unit stood back up: Chronofang Tiger, its feral eyes glowing as it roared, gears grinding in its joints. Ryuki drew his card and exhaled slowly, calculating his next move. Across the field, Gastille stood unwavering, his eerie presence almost taunting Ryuki.
"I don't know what scheme you're weaving in this dimension," Ryuki said, his voice firm, "but I promise you this: it ends here. I'll shatter your ambitions and break through your madness!
"First, I activate Chronofang Tiger's skill! I bind Chronoethos Jackal from my hand and I send your Neon Messiah to the bottom of the deck!"
Ryuki sent Chronoethos to the Bind Zone as Neon Messiah was returned to the bottom of the deck
"Now...Transcend! Deus Ex Machina, Ergos!"
He discarded a card from his hand to the drop zone. The air around him rippled with golden light as the space behind him tore open. Emerging from that rift came a towering bronze-colored colossus. The mechanical giant was lean but deadly, its design almost ritualistic. Three mask-like visages gleamed on its chest, each humming with restrained energy. Its massive claws dug into the ground as it landed, shaking the earth beneath Ryuki's feet. The presence of the Gear Colossus was overwhelming, as if time itself bent around it.
Deus Ex Machina, Ergos
Grade 4 / Triple Drive / Gear Colossus
POWER: 26000 / Critical: 1
"Anarchia Idea-drone's skill activates!" Ryuki declared sharply. "By sending one Gear Colossus from my drop zone, one from my soul, and Anarchia itself back to the deck, I can draw three cards! One goes to my hand, one to my soul, and the last gets bound face-up!"
With precise movements, Ryuki returned Dioperna from the drop zone, Kaigomai from the soul, and Anarchia from the field into his deck. The cards shimmered as they vanished into the temporal rift above Ergos. He then drew three cards in quick succession, his eyes scanning each one. With a calm nod, he slotted one card into his hand, sent the second into his soul, and placed the third into the bind zone.
The card revealed itself with a flash: Chronovolley Rabbit. Another Zodiac for his plan.
"Next, I call Chronospin Serpent!" Ryuki announced.
A swirling portal opened beside him, and a long, green-scaled serpent emerged, coils twisting mid-air. Its golden eyes glowed with primal focus, letting out a low hiss as it slithered to Ryuki's front row.
Chronospin Serpent
Grade 2 / Intercept / Zodiac Time Beast
POWER: 9000 / SHIELD: 5000 / CRITICAL: 1
Gastille watched silently, his lips curling into a faint, sinister grin. "Stack all you like, little monarch. The void will swallow everything soon enough."
Ryuki ignored him. "Battle! Ergos attacks your Vanguard!"
The three masks on Ergos' chest rotated and locked into alignment, unleashing six concentrated beams of temporal energy. The lasers spiraled together, striking Alter Ego Messiah head-on. The Messiah unit staggered mid-air before crashing back with a thunderous explosion of light.
"Triple drive check!" Ryuki flipped the top three cards with deliberate tension. The crowd watching the duel from afar could almost feel the suspense. First check—no trigger. Second—none. Third—still nothing. His expression didn't falter; he had already committed to a long game.
Gastille took the attack, a card sliding neatly into his damage zone.
Gastille's Damage: 2 → 3.
"Ergos' skill activates! I bind the top card of my deck face-up!" Ryuki revealed the top card: Chronodoze Sheep, sliding it into the bind zone.
The gears of his strategy clicked further into place. "Next, Ergos returns Steam Breath Dragon from my bind zone to my hand. When it does, I can bind one more card."
He held up the second card as its edges glowed before sliding it into the bind zone. Chronoclaw Monkey.
Two more Zodiacs secured. His setup was progressing exactly as planned.
Ryuki took a step back, his voice calm but carrying a quiet determination. "That's all for now. I end my turn." He exhaled slowly, eyes briefly shutting as if centering himself for the storm to come. His hand was strong, defenses ready.
Across the field, Gastille tilted his head slightly, amused. "The monarch plays carefully. But will caution save you when despair arrives?"
Ryuki's grip on his cards tightened, unshaken. Try me.
Gastille:
Damage: 3 | Hand: 5
Ryuki:
Damage: 3 | Hand: 7
Turn 8 – Gastille
The atmosphere within the Volcano Zone had reached a fever pitch. Eight turns. Eight brutal, unrelenting turns of strategy, pain, and raw determination. In most cardfights, a swift and dazzling finish was what the audience craved—an explosive finale to captivate the crowd. But this duel was different. This fight had shattered expectations. It had become a war of endurance, of willpower, of who could outlast the other when all seemed lost.
Every spectator in the Maiami arena held their breath. The same questions gnawed at their minds: Will they guard? Will they take the hit? Will they endure? Or will one of them finally fall? The uncertainty made hearts pound harder with every passing second.
Back in the scorched battlefield of the Volcano Zone, Gastille's expression remained cold and calculated. The obsidian glow of his field reflected in his eyes, and a twisted grin tugged at his lips as he prepared his next move.
"Stand and draw," Gastille declared, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. He straightened his locked cards and drew with a fluid motion. As his gaze fell on the new card, that grin sharpened.
"Stride Generation! Genesis Dragon, Flageolet Messiah!"
A deafening roar shook the Zone as the familiar form of Flageolet Messiah descended once more. The majestic dragon's wings spread wide as it emerged from a rift of shimmering light, landing with an earth-shaking impact. Flames danced across the cracked volcanic ground as its radiant aura filled the arena.
Genesis Dragon, Flageolet Messiah
Grade 4 / Triple Drive / Messiah
POWER: 26000 / Critical: 1
"Stride skill," Gastille continued with chilling composure. "I Lock Arrester on my field, and I Lock your Chronospin Serpent. Flageolet gains 5000 power."
Gastille's units shimmered with chains of ethereal energy. His Arrester froze in stasis, while Ryuki's Chronospin on the opposite side of the field was sealed away, powerless.
Genesis Dragon, Flageolet Messiah
POWER: 26000 → 31000
A wave of unease rippled through the spectators.
"This is bad... really bad," Satoru muttered, his voice tight with worry. "Ryuki's front row is locked. He can only swing with his Vanguard next turn..."
"Call! Lady Battler of the Black Dwarf and Sacrifice Messiah!"
Two new figures materialized at Gastille's command. One was a sleek, white-haired warrior clad in a black-and-white exosuit, her eyes glowing with a cold determination. The other was a small celestial dragon with an aura of quiet, unyielding resolve.
Lady Battler of the Black Dwarf
Grade 2 / Intercept / Cyberoid
POWER: 9000 / SHIELD: 5000 / Critical: 1
Sacrifice Messiah
Grade 1 / Boost / Messiah
POWER: 7000 / SHIELD: 5000 / Critical: 1
"With Sacrifice boosting, Black Dwarf, attack his Vanguard!" Gastille barked.
Lady Battler of the Black Dwarf
POWER: 9000 → 16000
Sacrifice Messiah spread its ethereal wings and surged forward, carrying Black Dwarf on its back like a comet streaking across the volcanic sky. At the peak of their arc, Black Dwarf leapt off, spinning midair before landing a vicious kick against Ryuki's Vanguard, Chronofang Tiger. The impact rang out like a thunderclap.
A card slid from Ryuki's deck into his Damage Zone.
Ryuki: Damage – 3 → 4
Gastille's smirk widened. "Black Dwarf's skill! When she attacks a Vanguard during the battle phase, she Locks herself. I target Flageolet Messiah! It gains 5000 power! And Sacrifice Messiah's skill activates too—Lock it and Flageolet gains another 3000!"
Chains of light snapped around Black Dwarf and Sacrifice Messiah as they locked themselves willingly. The radiant energy surged back into Flageolet, its power swelling even higher.
Genesis Dragon, Flageolet Messiah
POWER: 31000 → 39000
Gastille raised his arm, his voice resonating like a battle hymn. "Flageolet Messiah, attack the Vanguard! At the same time, I activate its skill!"
He flipped a card in his G-Zone with a dramatic flourish. "Arrester, Black Dwarf, Sacrifice—Unlock! Chrono Tigar, Chronospin, Diaperno—Omega Lock!"
The freed energy from Gastille's field erupted, while Ryuki's units were engulfed by oppressive chains of glowing sigils. Omega Lock—an even crueler imprisonment. Ryuki's remaining options vanished before the stunned eyes of his friends.
Gasps filled the Volcano Zone. Kazuma gripped the railing, his knuckles white. "H-He locked everything...! Ryuki can't do anything next turn! This... this could end it all!"
Gastille's grin turned into a predator's leer. "Since three units were unlocked, Flageolet gains +1 Critical!"
Genesis Dragon, Flageolet Messiah
Critical: 1 → 2
"If this hits, it's over!" Kazuma cried. Panic rippled through the crowd, their hope wavering.
But Ryuki—despite the crushing pressure—remained steady. His gaze locked with Gastille's, the flames of determination still burning in his eyes. A quiet confidence radiated from him, unnerving Gastille just slightly.
He wasn't finished yet.
"Guard! Steam Scalar, Emellana—Quintet Wall!" Ryuki's voice rang with unwavering resolve as he slapped the card down onto the Guardian Circle.
A shimmer of chrono-energy erupted. A young woman appeared, long brown hair tied neatly into twin braids, her dark green dress trimmed with faint golden gears that glowed faintly in the air. A wide witch's hat crowned her head, and in her hand, she gripped a staff adorned with interlocking cogs that rotated in unison. Behind her, five translucent chrono-constructs materialized, their forms aligning in a tight defensive phalanx. The wall radiated an aura of absolute resistance as they locked shields.
Vanguard SHIELD: 46,000
The crowd gasped in unison. Even Gastille's smug composure faltered as the impenetrable barrier solidified.
"That... that's enough to block everything I threw at him!" Gastille hissed, narrowing his eyes. He clenched his jaw—his only hope now lay in the heart of his deck.
"Triple Drive!" he roared, driving his hand through his deck.
The first card revealed—Lady Battler of the Gravity Well, a Grade 2. No trigger.
Gastille's lip curled in irritation as he flipped the second. The silver light of a trigger sparkled across the card face. "Heal Trigger! Power to Arrester!"
Arrester Messiah surged with radiant energy as the boost flooded its frame.
Arrester Messiah
POWER: 9000 → 14,000
But the heal effect fizzled, the damage zone remaining untouched.
"Huh? Why didn't he heal any damage?" Yuya's confused voice broke through the tension from the sidelines.
Kenji crossed his arms with a knowing smirk. "It's not that he didn't—it's that he can't. Since Gastille has only three damage and Ryuki's sitting at four, the condition for Heal Triggers doesn't activate. As long as Ryuki maintains more damage, Gastille's recovery is locked out."
The realization rippled through the spectators. Ryuki had effectively sealed one of Gastille's key survival options with careful play and precise damage control.
"Third check!" Gastille's voice grew tense as he revealed his final drive check. A Grade 3—no trigger.
The powered attack crashed into Ryuki's defenses, but Emellana's summoned barrier stood firm, the interlocked wall dispersing the attack in a shower of chrono-light.
"Emellana's skill activates," Ryuki stated calmly, like a master clockmaker adjusting gears. "I bind one card from my drop zone, then return two cards from my drop zone to the deck and shuffle."
Chronospin Serpent shimmered as Ryuki moved it to the Bind Zone. Two other cards slid back into his deck with a flick, restoring his resources for the grind ahead.
Gastille's frown deepened. His rear-guards were his last shot.
"Black Dwarf, one more time! Attack!" The hulking machine unleashed another blast of dark energy.
"Guard." Ryuki placed Alithinos Idea-drone on the Guardian Circle. The shimmering mechanical sentinel intercepted with a blazing shield.
SHIELD: 16,000. The attack nullified.
Gastille's irritation flared. "Tch! Black Dwarf and Sacrifice's skill—activate again! Lock! Arrester Messiah gains an additional 8000 power!"
The twin units locked themselves with a metallic click as Arrester Messiah pulsed violently with energy, the air rippling around its frame.
Arrester Messiah
POWER: 9000 → 17,000
"Arrester Messiah, strike his Vanguard!" A torrent of fire erupted from the Messiah unit, a decisive, searing blast aimed to end the duel.
But Ryuki's eyes burned like tempered steel. "Guard!" He slid Chronovolley Rabbit into the Guardian Circle. The nimble rabbit warrior materialized, somersaulting midair and delivering a lightning-fast kick that dispersed the fiery onslaught.
Vanguard SHIELD: 11,000 + 10,000 → 21,000
The arena erupted. The Maiami Arena's stands thundered with applause and awe, the sheer defensive mastery leaving even seasoned fighters in shock. Three consecutive game-ending assaults, all nullified.
In the Volcano Zone, Sawatari collapsed onto his back, eyes wide. "What... what even is that defense?!" His voice was somewhere between amazement and despair.
A few cardfighters nearby chuckled knowingly. "That's standard when you're dueling someone like Ryuki," Christopher of them explained. "This is what top-level play looks like."
Back at the arena, Ryuki lowered his hands, the glow of his Guardians fading. His voice cut through the cheers, calm but carrying an edge that made Gastille grit his teeth.
"That was a good attempt," Ryuki said, meeting Gastille's glare without flinching. "But not good enough."
The words stung like a blade. Gastille clicked his tongue sharply. There was no more fuel left for this turn. "Tch... I end my turn."
His rear-guards faded slightly as the turn cycle completed. The tempo of the duel shifted, the crowd sensing the tide turning.
Gastille:
Damage – 3 | Hand – 5
Ryuki:
Damage – 4 | Hand – 4
The atmosphere was electric. Gastille had unleashed his might, but Ryuki's unyielding defense stood as a testament to why he was called the Flame Monarch. And with his turn about to begin, all eyes turned to see how he would strike back.
Turn 9 – Ryuki
The battlefield had gone eerily quiet. The volcanic air shimmered with heat, and the smell of ozone from earlier attacks lingered faintly in the air. Ryuki's eyes didn't leave Gastille's. The duel had escalated to a razor's edge—every card, every choice mattered now.
Slowly, Ryuki turned his head toward Yuya, Aichi, and the others watching from the sidelines. His voice was calm, but the weight behind it made everyone straighten.
"From this point on... I want to play in silence," he said firmly. "This is where the fight truly begins, and I need every ounce of focus."
The spectators exchanged nervous glances but nodded in unison. They understood. This wasn't just a game for Ryuki—it never had been.
Ryuki drew his next card with a swift motion.
"Stand and Draw."
The card gleamed under the volcanic light as his gaze locked onto Gastille. His lips curled into the faintest trace of a challenge.
"Let's see if you can withstand this. Transcend! Appear, renegade of time that protects all timelines—Chronotiger Rebellion!"
Chronofang Tiger roared as its form dissolved into a vortex of red gears and luminous clockwork. A portal ripped open behind Ryuki, and from it emerged a fearsome beast of steel and temporal energy. Cannons hissed as they locked into place, thrusters igniting with an otherworldly hum.
Chronotiger Rebellion
Grade 4 / Triple Drive / Gear Beast
POWER: 26000 / Critical: 1
The sheer aura radiating from Rebellion made the air vibrate. Gastille's eyes narrowed. He could sense the storm about to come.
"Chronotiger Rebellion's skill! For every two cards in my Bind Zone, Rebellion gains +5000 power!" Ryuki declared.
Gasps echoed faintly from the spectators despite Ryuki's request for silence.
"There are seven cards in my Bind Zone," he continued, his voice steady. "Which means... +15000 POWER!"
Chronotiger Rebellion:
POWER: 26000 → 41000
The pressure was palpable. The sheer offensive potential made even hardened fighters like Shun and Gongenzaka glance at each other with unease.
"And I'm not done," Ryuki pressed on with surgical precision. "I call Anarchia Idea-drone!"
A sleek, menacing drone shimmered into existence, circuits pulsing with violet energy.
"Anarchia's skill— I return one card from my drop zone, one from my soul, and this card itself back to the deck. Then I draw three. One goes to my hand, one to the soul, and one to the Bind Zone. I bind Chronotherapy Hamster."
His movements were sharp and precise as he executed the sequence. The Bind Zone now glowed even brighter with another card added.
"That makes eight cards bound. Rebellion gains another +5000 POWER."
Chronotiger Rebellion:
POWER: 41000 → 46000
"I call Chronocharge Unicorn! And with its skill, Rebellion gains an additional +3000 POWER."
A mechanical teal-green steed galloped forward, its violet scarf whipping like a battle banner, energy sparking from its hooves.
Chronotiger Rebellion:
POWER: 46000 → 49000
The crowd outside the battlefield dared not breathe. Even without speaking, the sheer numbers flashing above Rebellion were terrifying. If this attack went through, it could decide everything.
Ryuki's voice was low, almost like a blade sliding from its sheath.
"Chronotiger Rebellion attacks your Vanguard! And at this moment, I activate Rebellion's skill!"
The air cracked as Ryuki pushed further.
"I bind one card from my field and one from my hand! Chronocharge Unicorn—return to the flow of time!" The Unicorn disintegrated into a scatter of gears as Ryuki sent a card from his hand away as well. "Now, Rebellion gains +1 Critical and +1 Drive! And with ten cards bound, that's another +5000 POWER!"
Chronotiger Rebellion:
POWER: 49000 → 54000 / Critical: 1 → 2 / Drive: 3 → 4
The oppressive energy emanating from Rebellion made the volcanic arena quake. The cannons on its back aligned toward Gastille's Vanguard like a predator ready to end the hunt.
Gastille's teeth clenched. He felt the weight of the strike before it even landed. "Tch... You think I'll just let you end it here?!" he roared, slamming down cards with desperation.
"I guard with Asteroid Wolf! And I call Generation Guard! Appear—Death Star-vader, Demon Maxwell! Genesis Beast, Destiny Guardian!"
Asteroid Wolf leapt into the Guardian Circle with a defiant howl, joined by a massive metallic golem carrying a colossal shield and a radiant, otherworldly bird spreading its wings before Alter Ego Messiah. The barrier shimmered with layers upon layers of defenses.
Vanguard SHIELD: 11000 + 10000 + 15000 + 15000 → 51000 SHIELD
Gastille wasn't done yet. His eyes burned with resolve as he pushed his defense to the limit.
"I activate Demon Maxwell's skill! I lock Sacrifice Messiah for +5000 SHIELD! Destiny Guardian's skill! I unlock your Chrono Tigar and my Sacrifice Messiah for +10000 SHIELD! And Alter Ego Messiah's skill—I take a card from my soul to the drop zone to draw!"
He furiously chained the abilities, sweat dripping from his brow. Another draw. Another Guardian thrown forward. He repeated the combo one more time. His entire deck seemed to fight for its life alongside him.
Vanguard SHIELD: 51000 + 10000 + 5000 + 5000 + 5000 → 76000 SHIELD
A monstrous wall stood before Ryuki's attack, the guardians bracing themselves as Rebellion's cannons charged with blinding light. Even the spectators felt their hearts stop. The numbers on both sides were beyond what most duelists would ever witness.
"Quadruple Drive."
Ryuki's voice remained steady, betraying none of the pressure in the moment. One by one, he revealed the top four cards of his deck. Not a single trigger appeared. He calmly added them to his hand.
For a heartbeat, the arena was silent. Then a collective exhale echoed from Yuya and the others. No triggers—Gastille had survived.
Gastille himself staggered back slightly, panting heavily. His entire body trembled under the weight of what it had taken to defend against that colossal strike. He had emptied nearly everything. The cost was immense, and everyone knew it.
Ryuki, however, didn't flinch. His expression remained as calm and sharp as a blade honed over years of battles.
"I end my turn," he said quietly.
Gastille's hands tightened around his remaining cards. His chest heaved as he glared across the battlefield at Ryuki. Both fighters knew it—survival came at a price, and now the counterstrike would be everything.
Gastille:
Damage: 3 | Hand: 3
Ryuki:
Damage: 4 | Hand: 5
The duel had crossed the point of no return. One wrong move, one failed defense, and it was over. The tension hung over the arena like a storm cloud ready to burst. Everyone watched in utter silence, their hearts pounding, waiting for the next card to be drawn.
Turn 10 – Gastille
"Stand... and... draw..." Gastille's voice rasped as he slowly raised his trembling hand, upright cards quivering with him. His movements were sluggish, like a puppet nearing the end of its strings. Ryuki's sharp eyes caught the faint twitch at the corner of Gastille's lips—the host body he possessed was already at its breaking point.
He's almost finished physically. But mentally... he's still dangerous. If I slip now, I lose everything. Ryuki thought, his expression icy as ever.
"Damn it... this body is weak!" Gastille growled inwardly, his forehead slick with sweat. "Unfortunately, this is the only vessel that fit my requirements! That means I have to end this right now... before this shell collapses!"
He slammed his hand onto the table, his voice booming with mad conviction.
"Stride Generation! Genesis Dragon, Excelics Messiah!"
A surge of radiant energy erupted, washing over the entire Volcano Zone. A celestial roar echoed through the battlefield as light engulfed the arena. When the brilliance dimmed, a colossal white dragon descended from beyond the stars. Orbs resembling miniature planets orbited its radiant body, its wings stretching like the fabric of the cosmos itself.
Genesis Dragon, Excelics Messiah
Grade 4 / Triple Drive / Messiah
POWER: 26000 / Critical: 1
The spectators instinctively held their breath. Even Ruri and Rin, who had stood confident in Ryuki all duel, felt their hearts tighten at the sight.
"I can tell," Ryuki thought coldly, tightening his grip on his remaining card. "He's going all in to finish this here and now. And I have no choice but to meet him head-on."
"Stride skill!" Gastille barked, his tone twisted with manic glee. "I lock Arrester Messiah in my field and Chrono Tigar in yours! POWER +5000!"
Both Arrester Messiah and Ryuki's Chrono Tigar were locked down once again, metallic chains of radiant light snaring them.
Genesis Dragon, Excelics Messiah
POWER: 26000 → 31000
"And that's not all!" Gastille's grin stretched unnervingly wide, veins bulging along his neck. "Sacrifice Messiah's Generation Break! Since I've got at least one G-Unit face-up, I'll lock Sacrifice Messiah, and my Black Dwarf gains +3000 POWER!"
Lady Battler of the Black Dwarf
POWER: 9000 → 12000
Gastille thrust his arm forward like a tyrant delivering a final decree. "Excelics Messiah... attack your Vanguard! And I activate its skill! ALL CARDS on the field UNLOCK! And if my opponent has any cards unlocked... they are ERASED!"
A cataclysmic pulse radiated from Excelics. Ryuki's Arrester and Sacrifice unlocked safely, but his own Diaperno, Chronospin, and Chrono Tigar vaporized under the surge, erased as if they had never existed. Only his Vanguard, Chronofang Tiger, remained.
"Ryuki's field is gone!" Emi cried from the sidelines, her voice trembling. "He only has Chronofang left..."
Ruri's fists tightened. "Gastille planned this perfectly. He wants nothing left standing."
"My UNLOCKED units gain +3000 POWER each! And since three or more were unlocked, Excelics Messiah gains an extra Critical!" Gastille roared.
Arrester Messiah
POWER: 9000 → 12000
Sacrifice Messiah
POWER: 7000 → 10000
Genesis Dragon, Excelics Messiah
Critical: 1 → 2
Gastille's laughter turned guttural, devolving into a crazed cackle that sent chills through the air.
"Kukukukuku... KUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! THIS IS THE END, FLAME MONARCH!"
Excelics Messiah shot upward into the sky, a divine comet blazing against the blackened clouds. It dove like a spear of judgment toward Chronofang. The spectators felt the oppressive weight of its presence—it was an attack meant to obliterate body and soul.
But Ryuki did not so much as flinch.
"GUARD! Steam Scalar, Emellana! QUINTET WALL!" Ryuki's voice thundered, steady and unyielding. Time warped around him as Emellana appeared once again, summoning five Gear Chronicle units in a dazzling formation. Their combined shields shimmered and interlocked like rotating clockwork, forming an impenetrable bulwark.
Vanguard SHIELD: 11000 + 10000 + 5000 + 5000 + 10000 → 41000
Gastille snarled, "Then let's see you survive this! TRIPLE DRIVE! First check!" He revealed the top card with a violent flick.
A Grade 1 Perfect Guard.
"Second check—Critical Trigger! ALL effects go to my Lady Battler!" he spat.
Lady Battler of the Black Dwarf
POWER: 12000 → 17000
"Third check—Critical Trigger AGAIN! All effects to Arrester Messiah!"
Arrester Messiah
POWER: 12000 → 17000
Ruri's heart sank. Two triggers back-to-back. "Now both of his rear-guards are lethal..."
Ryuki remained unmoved. "Emellana's skill activates. I bind Chronofang Tiger from the Drop Zone... and send two cards back to the deck."
He calmly placed another copy of Chronofang Tiger in the Bind Zone. Now eleven of the Zodiac Time Beasts waited there. One more, and his ultimate condition would be fulfilled. His eyes gleamed faintly. Almost there... just a little more...
Gastille's smirk returned. "Then Lady Battler attacks with Sacrifice Messiah's boost! Feel the weight of inevitability, Monarch!"
Black Dwarf leapt onto Sacrifice's back, riding the luminescent entity like a war steed. They charged with dazzling speed—but Ryuki had prepared for this exact scenario.
"Generation Guard! Interdimensional Beast, Pandora Chimera!" Ryuki's call rang out like the toll of a clock tower. A golden, twin-headed mechanical hound burst forth, its engines roaring. "Skill activate! Sacrifice Messiah returns to the bottom of your deck!"
A vortex of gears spiraled open. Sacrifice Messiah was wrenched off the field, sent whirling into the depths of Gastille's deck before its attack could even connect.
Vanguard SHIELD: 11000 + 15000 → 26000
Gastille grit his teeth. "Tch... then Arrester Messiah will end you! ATTACK!"
But his desperation reeked through the motion. Ryuki's voice sliced through like steel. "Guard." He placed a copy of Chronovolley Rabbit on his Guardian Circle. The defensive aura flared, halting the assault effortlessly.
Vanguard SHIELD: 11000 + 10000 → 21000
Gasps erupted across the battlefield. Against all odds, Ryuki had nullified Excelics Messiah's crushing triple threat without a single point of damage slipping through.
Rin exhaled, her lips curling into a grin. "That's Ryuki for you. Unshakable to the very end."
Across the field, Gastille's confidence cracked. His eyes widened, sweat dripping down his jawline. Impossible... I had double criticals... a Stride attack... and he STILL blocked everything?!
Ryuki's icy gaze locked on him, carrying the weight of a predator about to strike back. Gastille felt the air around him tighten.
"T... turn end..." he muttered, the manic bravado gone from his voice, replaced by disbelief.
Gastille:
Damage: 3 | Hand: 6
Ryuki:
Damage: 4 | Hand: 1
Ryuki slowly exhaled, lowering his hand. He could feel his own pulse pounding, but his resolve never wavered. The duel had reached a razor's edge. Gastille had thrown everything at him and failed. Now, the flame of the Monarch would blaze in response.
Turn 11 – Ryuki
"You know," Ryuki began, his voice carrying a gravity that made even the Obelisk Force if they were here hesitate, "when I first came to Japan four years ago, my whole world turned upside down."
His words were met with puzzled looks. Even his allies glanced toward him, wondering why he would reminisce in the middle of such a dire battle. But there was a sharpness in his eyes—a story that demanded to be told.
"For the longest time, I believed Vanguard was just a game. You played with all your heart, fought to be the best, celebrated victories, and endured losses. Simple as that." Ryuki let out a dry chuckle, glancing at the lone card on his field. "But I was completely, utterly wrong."
He paused, letting the silence weigh on everyone. His fingers tightened slightly around the card in his hand, the memories rushing back like a tide.
"When Myoujin-san lost himself to his own obsession and tried to rewrite the future... that's when it hit me: this isn't just about fun, or pride, or tournaments." His tone grew harder. "That's when I realized I had to become stronger. Stronger than I ever imagined."
The name Myoujin made several of the cardfighters grimace. The memory of the former FIVA chairman's madness still lingered like a scar.
Ryuki's gaze darkened, though his voice stayed steady. "Then two years ago, when Fuchidaka Saori declared war on the Dragon Empire Branch... I thought he was bluffing. Who wages war over a card game? But when I fought one of your fellow Apostles, when I stood face to face with the Zeroth Dragons, I understood." His voice trembled just slightly—rage, awe, and determination mingling. "Every time I fight, the fate of not just Earth, but Cray itself, hangs in the balance."
He shifted his eyes to his lonely vanguard. It stood there alone, battered yet unbroken—a mirror of Ryuki himself.
"And then," he continued, softer now, "when I fought on the frontlines alongside Aichi and the others, I learned something even greater. Being a cardfighter isn't about the spotlight. It isn't about the title. It's a responsibility. One you shoulder whether you want to or not."
Ryuki drew in a slow breath and placed his right hand over his deck. His PSYqualia began to stir, golden-red sparks dancing faintly in his irises.
"And now," he said, his voice rising with conviction, "you appear in this dimension, one already drowning in its own war, and you dare to drag it deeper into chaos? I won't allow it. Not while I still stand!"
His shout echoed like a war cry.
"Stand and draw!"
With that, Ryuki's lone rear-guard stood ready, and he drew his next card in one smooth motion. The moment his fingers brushed it, a surge of energy erupted around him. His PSYqualia flared violently, visions flooding his mind.
He saw it: a colossal golem descending from the heavens, its shadow covering the battlefield. Around it, twelve radiant beasts—the Zodiac Time Beasts—circled like stars in orbit, their roars shaking the fabric of space-time itself. The vision vanished as quickly as it came, leaving Ryuki breathless. He opened his eyes and looked at the card, exhaling slowly.
"...Conditions complete," he whispered.
With a sudden motion, he revealed the card to everyone. Chrono Dran—the final piece.
"He... he did it." Satoru's voice trembled with awe. "He gathered all twelve Zodiac Time Beasts."
Ruri turned to him, eyes wide. "Satoru... what does that mean?"
Satoru's lips curled into a grim yet hopeful smile. "When all Zodiac Time Beasts are assembled, Gear Chronicle summons one of its strongest guardians—an ancient warrior who transcends time itself."
The enemy's expressions faltered for the first time, but Ryuki's focus never wavered. His eyes burned with purpose.
"Chronofang Tiger's skill—bind Chrono Dran!" Ryuki declared.
The small Zodiac dragon vanished into the shimmering Bind Zone, joining its brethren. As the twelfth beast entered, the Bind Zone exploded with light, resonating with the cards in Ryuki's G-Zone. A single card hovered upward, glowing, as though answering an ancient call.
The very air felt heavier, the sky above the Volcano Zone swirling with violent winds and blinding rays. The battlefield trembled, as if aware of what was about to arrive.
Ryuki's voice rang out like a summoner's chant, infused with a power far beyond an ordinary cardfight.
"Ancient soldier of time and space! Awaken from your eternal slumber! Let your might transcend the very laws of time and stand as the guardian that oversees the future itself!"
He slammed the chosen card onto Chronofang's vanguard circle with unrelenting force.
"Transcend!"
The cloudy skies above split open. A beam of divine light lanced down, piercing the battlefield. From beyond the veil of time descended a titanic figure—gleaming white and gold armor covering its vast frame, a monumental mechanical ring studded with multicolored gems whirring behind it. Its every step shook the ground, and its eyes shone with an otherworldly radiance, like twin suns.
The tempest above calmed instantly as its presence dominated the field. The clouds parted fully, revealing clear skies—as if time itself bowed before this being.
Ryuki raised his arm high, voice thundering:
"Deus Ex Machina, Demiurge!"
The name carried across the battlefield like the toll of a divine bell. Even those unfamiliar with Gear Chronicle shuddered instinctively, feeling its overwhelming presence.
Deus Ex Machina, Demiurge
Grade 4 / Triple Drive / Gear Colossus
POWER: 26000 / Critical: 1
The titanic golem stood ready, the twelve Zodiac Time Beasts' silhouettes flickering around it in a radiant halo. Ryuki's aura burned brighter than ever, his PSYqualia resonating in sync with Demiurge. The final act of the duel had begun—and all watching knew this was no longer just a card game.
Meanwhile, in the command center, alarms blared and warning lights flashed wildly. The systems monitoring the battlefield were thrown into complete overload under Demiurge's overwhelming presence. Streams of data became incomprehensible static, screens flickered violently, and several technicians scrambled frantically over their consoles.
"President! The scans are going haywire! We're losing all synchronization!" one operator reported, panic evident in his voice.
"Shut all scanning systems down before the overload fries the circuits," Reiji ordered calmly but firmly. His voice cut through the chaos like a blade, restoring some order to the panicked room. The staff obeyed at once, rushing to kill the data feeds.
Within moments, the room dimmed slightly as the systems powered down. But before anyone could even breathe a sigh of relief, another technician shouted in alarm. "President Akaba! Reports are coming in—every single record of the cards used in this fight... they've been wiped! It's like they never existed!"
Reiji's brows furrowed as he turned to the man. "Deleted? How?"
The technician shook his head helplessly. "We don't know. The files just... collapsed. There's no trace left."
Reiji was silent for a moment, then exhaled slowly. "So, even our technology cannot grasp Demiurge..." He straightened, composed despite the chaos. "We'll have to rely on Ryuki's own account later. For now, focus on stabilizing the remaining systems. Nakajima, you have command until I return."
"Yes, sir," Nakajima replied, saluting. Reiji turned and strode purposefully out. There was no hesitation in his step; his place was now at the Volcano Zone, to witness with his own eyes what no machine could comprehend.
Back on the blazing battlefield of the Volcano Zone, the ground trembled under Demiurge's oppressive aura. Lava surged around the edges of the dueling ground like the heartbeat of some ancient beast. Across the field, Gastille braced himself, his expression tightening. He could feel it—Ryuki was about to unleash something beyond the grasp of mortals.
Ryuki's voice rang out, calm yet commanding, like the voice of fate itself. "I activate Demiurge's skill. I send all twelve Zodiac Time Beasts with different names from my Bind Zone to my Drop Zone."
In response, twelve glowing silhouettes materialized behind Ryuki, each representing one of the legendary Zodiac Time Beasts. One by one, their forms began to dissolve into streams of light, spiraling around him in a radiant dance before vanishing into his Drop Zone. The sight was mesmerizing—divine, almost ritualistic.
"And now..." Ryuki's eyes glimmered with unwavering resolve. "I place all twelve Zodiac Time Beasts on top of my deck, in any order I choose. Behold, Evil God Bishop, Gastille. This is the future I have envisioned."
One by one, Ryuki carefully placed the cards atop his deck, his movements deliberate and precise. Each placement felt heavy, as if it carried the weight of destiny itself.
Yuya, watching from the sidelines, widened his eyes as the realization struck him. "Wait... if he returns them in any order, then—!"
"That's right, Yuya-kun," Aichi interjected, his voice tinged with awe. "Ryuki-kun has manipulated his future. During his drive check... every single card will be a trigger."
Gasps erupted among the spectators. To manipulate fate so completely—it was beyond anything they had seen. Gastille's smirk faltered, a shadow of doubt crossing his face for the first time.
"Battle," Ryuki declared softly, yet the authority in his tone made the entire zone fall silent. "Deus Ex Machina, Demiurge... attack Alter Ego Messiah."
Demiurge moved. Its titanic form loomed, gears of light spinning violently as its core pulsed with divine power. But Ryuki's voice cut in once again, cold and absolute. "At this moment, Demiurge's other skill activates. When all twelve Zodiac Time Beasts have been returned by its ability, you cannot call any Grade 1 or higher to the Guardian Circle."
Gastille's eyes narrowed. His hand trembled as he looked down at his cards. His options were slipping away, but he would not kneel to fate so easily. "Hmph... If fate wishes to bind me, then I'll resist it with all I have! GUARD! INTERCEPT!"
He slammed down his Blink Messiahs, followed by Lady Battler of the Black Dwarf and Arrester Messiah. Their forms appeared, shielding Alter Ego with all their might.
Vanguard SHIELD: 11,000 + 10,000 + 10,000 + 5,000 + 5,000 → 41,000
Gastille clenched his teeth. "Come, Demiurge! Show me if you can surpass my resolve!"
Ryuki's expression did not change. He began his triple drive, each motion deliberate.
"First check..." He revealed the top card without hesitation. "Draw Trigger. All effects to Demiurge. I draw." Chronodoze Sheep appeared, its energy flowing into Demiurge.
Deus Ex Machina, Demiurge
POWER: 26,000 → 31,000
"Second check." Ryuki flipped the next card. "Critical Trigger. All effects to Demiurge." Chronovolley Rabbit's symbol shone brilliantly.
Deus Ex Machina, Demiurge
POWER: 31,000 → 36,000 / Critical: 1 → 2
"Third check." Ryuki's final motion felt like the tolling of a great bell. "Critical Trigger. All effects to Demiurge." Another Chronovolley Rabbit, as if destiny itself bowed to his will.
Deus Ex Machina, Demiurge
POWER: 36,000 → 41,000 / Critical: 2 → 3
The field trembled. Ryuki closed his eyes, not in arrogance, but in solemn acceptance. The future he envisioned was now unfolding.
Demiurge's chest opened, gears spinning violently, and a colossal beam of searing orange light erupted forth. The attack tore across the battlefield like a judgment from the heavens, slamming into Alter Ego Messiah. Gastille's field shattered under its might, his guardians disintegrating as the beam struck his vanguard.
"Impossible..." Gastille muttered as three cards from his deck were flung into his damage zone. Not a single trigger appeared. His resistance ended there.
Gastille: Damage 3 → 6
Winner: Himejima Ryuki
The battlefield fell into silence. Even the roaring lava seemed subdued, as though nature itself acknowledged the victor. Ryuki opened his eyes slowly, his expression calm yet solemn, carrying neither boast nor malice—only the quiet dignity of one who had seized destiny by his own hands.
-----
he duel field finally fell silent, the echoes of the clash fading into the distance. Ryuki exhaled slowly, his chest heaving from both exhaustion and lingering adrenaline. Gastille lay unconscious on the cracked Action Field, the mockery of his sworn brother's deck still clutched loosely in his hand.
"Using his deck against me... you really don't know when to stop mocking me don't you?" Ryuki muttered under his breath. The sight of the Messiah deck flickering and crumbling into motes of light confirmed what Ryuki suspected—it wasn't real. A one-time projection, created solely for Gastille's cruel theatrics. Within seconds, it vanished completely, as though it had never existed.
Near the fading holograms, Gastille's borrowed body began to destabilize, his form breaking apart like static caught in a storm. The recall program had been triggered. Despite his defeat, his cruel grin never faltered.
"Splendid, Monarch..." Gastille's voice echoed, warped as his body faded. "But enjoy this minor victory while it lasts. Next time will be different. Much... different." His laughter cut the tension like broken glass. "Soon, the four dimensions will know silence... true silence."
His voice dissolved into a hollow whisper as his body disintegrated into streams of dark energy, leaving only the distant hum of the collapsing Action Field. And just like that, Gastille was gone.
Ryuki stared at the spot for a moment, silently committing that threat to memory. He'd been called the Monarch for years, but Gastille's words made it clear—the true storm had yet to come.
Before anyone could speak, Yuya took a step forward, his eyes wide with questions. "Ryuki... just what was that? And why did Gastille have—"
He never finished. A blaring siren pierced the air, followed by a cold, robotic voice resonating across the battlefield.
"Time limit reached. Twelve-hour mark confirmed. Action Scramble... complete."
A dull tremor shook the ground as the cityscape projection began dissolving piece by piece, the vibrant Action Field breaking apart into cascading shards of light. Relief began to wash over the defenders as the system confirmed what they'd fought so hard for: the city had been successfully protected from Academia's assault.
Yuya glanced around, panting slightly, trying to spot familiar faces amidst the fading holograms. His heart stopped when he realized someone wasn't there. "Wait—Yuzu?!" His voice cracked in panic. "Where's Yuzu?!"
Almost at the same time, Rin's face paled. "Yugo's gone too! He was just here a moment ago!"
Before Ryuki could answer, a flash of light streaked across the sky, followed by the roar of an engine. A familiar blue D-Wheel skidded into view, kicking up sparks as it braked. Perched on it—albeit awkwardly—were Yugo and Yuzu, both looking a little worse for wear.
Yuzu stumbled off the D-Wheel first, clutching her helmet under one arm. "I... I swear, I am never letting him drive through Sector Security headquarters again."
Yugo hopped off right behind her, looking equally frazzled. "Hah! And I swear I'm never getting chased by thirty Sector Security patrols at once. Not my best idea, okay?"
Despite the tension, a few of the Lancers couldn't help but chuckle at the absurd image Yuzu and Yugo painted. But the levity was short-lived. As Yuzu turned her head, her eyes locked on Yuri standing silently nearby, and all the color drained from her face. Her breathing hitched—an instinctive fear rooted in everything Yuri had done before.
"Yuri...?" she whispered, almost stumbling backward.
Yugo's eyes narrowed. He stepped forward, fists clenching, and without hesitation drew his arm back, ready to sock Yuri across the jaw. "You've got some nerve showing your face here after—"
Ryuki moved like lightning, intercepting Yugo's punch mid-swing. His calm but commanding voice cut through the tension. "Enough. Yuri is one of us now."
Both Yugo and Yuzu froze, their disbelief plain as day. "One of you?!" Yugo snapped, yanking his arm back. "After everything he's done, you expect us to just—"
"You'll get your answers," Ryuki interrupted firmly. "But not here, and not now."
Before the brewing argument could escalate further, a slow, deliberate set of footsteps echoed across the dissolving Action Field. All eyes turned as Reiji approached, his scarf flowing behind him. His expression, as always, was unreadable, though the glint in his eyes told them he had been watching everything.
"I've seen all I needed to," Reiji said simply, his voice calm but carrying the weight of authority. "Every duel that transpired... I observed them all."
Sawatari, as usual, seized the moment with a proud grin. He stepped forward, pointing dramatically at himself and Ashley. "Then you saw it, right? We destroyed those Obelisk Force goons! If that doesn't qualify us for the Lancers, I don't know what does."
The statement earned him a round of confused stares from most of the duelists present. Only Serena, Barret, Shun, Yuto, Ryuki, Ruri, and Rin remained impassive—they already understood the weight behind Sawatari's words.
Reiji's next words confirmed it. "The Action Scramble was more than a defense mission. It was a test—a brutal one, yes, but necessary. Those who survived proved they have the strength needed. The survivors... will become part of the Lancers."
Yuya's head snapped toward him, his fists trembling. "A test?!" His voice cracked with fury. "You're telling me all of this—people fighting, people dying—was just some kind of recruitment trial?!"
The raw emotion in Yuya's voice made several duelists flinch. The truth was harsh, and for Yuya, it felt unforgivable. Reiji didn't answer immediately, his silence heavy. Ryuki, standing beside him, saw the fire in Yuya's eyes—the same fire he himself once carried.
Ryuki and Reiji exchanged a glance, unspoken understanding passing between them. Both knew what needed to happen next.
This was just the beginning.
To be continued...