"Damn it... can't move it at all!"
Joey pressed both hands and his chest against the massive boulder blocking the exit.
"Hrragh—!!!"
Tristan's face flushed red, thick arms bulging with veins as he shoved his shoulder hard against the cold rock.
"Nngh...!"
Yuto clenched his teeth, pouring every ounce of strength into his arms.
The three strained together, muscles taut, feet grinding shallow dents into the floor!
However, the giant stone sealing the passage seemed fused with the mountain itself, unmoving, only the dull scrape of stone and their harsh breathing echoing in the corridor.
"Huff... huff... No good!"
Joey gave out first, sweat soaking his bangs. He let go abruptly, stumbling back a few steps before dropping heavily to the ground.
"I'm... I'm beat! This stupid rock... it's like a mountain!"
Yuto wiped the sweat from his forehead, eyes on the immovable boulder, and made a decision.
"We have to find another way. Let's head back to the Duel arena and keep going deeper down the passage. There might be another exit."
"Yeah... guess that's all we can do."
Tristan panted and nodded reluctantly.
With no other choice, the six turned around, dragging their tired bodies once more into the dark, eerie depths of the cavern.
They carefully crossed the arena where the earlier battle had taken place and followed the single corridor forward.
Gradually, the texture beneath their feet changed—the slick natural rock gave way to neatly cut stone tiles.
The rough cave walls smoothed into man-made stonework.
It felt as if they'd stepped from a primal cavern into some kind of underground facility.
Just as the oppressive air grew heavier—
"Ah! Everyone, look! Up ahead... there's light!"
Téa's delighted voice rang like music, her finger pointing to the corridor's end!
Sure enough! A faint yet distinct glow pierced the darkness ahead!
Hope flared through their exhaustion!
"An exit?!"
"Come on! Let's check it out!"
All six brightened and quickened their pace, nearly running toward the light!
As they burst from the corridor, the view opened wide!
They stood outside a spacious stone hall.
At its center rose a Duel arena—but this one was different, built with four Duel platforms.
Most striking of all, on the massive curved wall opposite them, two enormous Chinese characters were painted in different colors, their faint glow lending an ominous mystery.
The left read "Para".
The right read "Dox".
"Paradox...?"
Yugi read the words softly, brows furrowing as a quiet foreboding crept over him.
This strange hall and eerie arena were clearly no friendly place.
"What is this creepy place supposed to be?"
Joey was the first to step into the vast yet inexplicably oppressive hall, eyes wary as he scanned the bizarre arena and the giant characters on the wall.
Swish! Swish!
Before anyone could react, two figures shot from the shadows at either side of the hall like ghosts!
They landed solidly in front of the arena, blocking the group's path!
The newcomers were a pair of oddly dressed bald brothers!
The one on the left wore a bright yellow outfit, and on his shiny head was boldly inked a huge black character—"Para"!
The one on the right wore dark green, his equally hairless scalp emblazoned with an equally huge character—"Dox"!
Moving in perfect unison, they dropped into horse stances with a deep thud, arms sweeping into a classic Chinese martial arts opening pose!
Then, in powerful, strangely rhythmic voices, they shouted in unison:
"We are the guardians of this place—the Underground Labyrinth!"
"Together we are—the Paradox Brothers!"
Their voices boomed through the hall, carrying an odd... comedic flair?
Because right now the most eye-catching—perhaps even blinding—things in the room were those two gleaming heads marked with the giant words "Para" and "Dox".
Whether it was the peculiar angle of the overhead lights or simply their excessively polished scalps, the Paradox Brothers' heads shone like overpowered lightbulbs, reflecting an almost dazzling brilliance.
The sudden entrance and glaring reflections left Yuto's group momentarily dumbfounded.
"Paradox... Brothers?"
Joey instinctively squinted, trying to avoid the twin "spotlights."
Being the shortest, Yugi's view wasn't completely blocked by their blinding heads. His sharp eyes caught something as the brothers raised their arms in that stance—
A Duelist Glove on each wrist, each set with Star Chips!
"You're... Star Chip hunters?!"
"My, my..."
The yellow-clad brother, marked "Para", dragged out his words, his gleaming head reflecting dim light.
"To meet living souls in the pitch-black depths of this underground labyrinth... truly a rare sight."
His tone carried mock surprise and mischief.
"Lost little lambs!"
The green-clad brother, marked "Dox", immediately followed, his loud voice cold and hollow.
"You look so confused... Would you like to know—which path leads to the light of day?"
Like a practiced routine, the brothers stepped aside in perfect synchrony!
As they moved, the group finally realized—the giant characters on the wall were not mere paint, but two enormous, tightly sealed stone doors engraved with those words!
"Want to know the answer?"
The "Para" brother narrowed his eyes, the character on his scalp seeming to twist.
"It's simple!"
The "Dox" brother's voice boomed as he pointed toward the central arena.
"All you have to do is—"
"Defeat us both in a Duel!!!"
They shouted as one, then flipped backward in flawless unison, landing firmly at opposite Duelist stations!
Their agile moves stood in sharp contrast to their ridiculous appearance.
"See for yourselves!"
The "Para" brother gestured to the stone doors behind him.
"One of these doors leads to life, to sunlight!"
"And the other..."
The "Dox" brother's face curved into a cruel smile.
"Step through it, and you'll fall into an eternal labyrinth of darkness! Forever lost, wandering in despair until you become nothing but bones!"
The chilling words hung like a curse, thickening the air.
Almost before they finished—
Tap, tap, tap...
Clear footsteps broke the silence.
Yuto's expression was calm as still water as he strode onto the arena, each step deliberate.
He stopped at one side of the platform, gaze sharp as a blade, locking on the Paradox Brothers.
"If we win, you'll keep your promise—you'll tell us which door leads to the light?"
"Precisely!"
The yellow brother grinned, baring white teeth.
"Well said!"
The green brother clapped.
"However... this Duel follows special 'Tag Duel' rules! Two Duelists per side!"
He extended a finger toward the group below.
"You'll need another Duelist to join you against us!"
"A tag match, huh?"
Joey frowned, instinctively stepping forward, fists tightening as heat surged through him.
Abruptly, then the next second, Yugi stepped up first.
"All right! I'll be your second opponent!"
Looks like the Pharaoh's dueling itch kicked in.
Yuto watched the suddenly taller Yugi and thought exactly that.
...
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