Night fell. The daytime noise faded, the trees in the forest interlocked like walls, blocking the sky in patchwork fragments.
Shadows stretched and twisted on the ground like ghosts.
After a day of study, Zane was walking the path back to the student dorms.
This was his last semester at Duel Academy, but after three years as Kaiser, he was feeling a bit lost.
It wasn't regret about losing his title—especially since no one thought it shameful to lose to Kira, the Duel King.
But his duel with Kira had made him think deeply—about his future, how to change his dueling style, how to break his limit and move forward.
Of course, he had joined Kira's lab without hesitation. And Kira hadn't misled him—here, he saw new possibilities for his Cyber Dragons.
Possibilities he'd never noticed before.
His horizons had broadened; he saw more paths, but didn't yet know which to choose. But he was determined—this semester, he'd find his way and break through.
Without warning, a cold mist rose, like ghostly breath from the earth, shrouding the forest.
Halfway along, he realized something was wrong. The fog grew so thick he could barely see. There was an ominous feeling to it, not like natural mist.
After his experience in Battle City, Zane had become sensitive to the darkness—he'd seen gods and other dark forces with his own eyes.
"Who's there?"
He turned suddenly.
A few seconds of silence.
Then, from behind a tree, a graceful woman stepped out, giggling. She was tall, with green hair, strange eyes, red lips, and long, shapely legs under her dress.
"Not only cute, but pretty sharp too," she licked her lips, looking him over appreciatively. "Looking closely, you're quite handsome. The genes for our baby would be good too."
Zane was startled.
Jumping straight to making babies? What is this approach?
He took a half-step back, wary. "Miss, please mind yourself. Who are you?"
"Me? I'm Camula."
She smiled, bats fluttering behind her.
She raised her arm and activated her Duel Disk.
"No need for further explanation. Unless you defeat me in a duel, you'll never get out of this fog."
Zane didn't know her background or motives, but he could guess: "A Shadow Duel?"
"Oh? You're quite knowledgeable. That's right, a Shadow Duel," Camula smiled. "So, handsome, do you dare accept?"
Zane's mind flashed back to the terrifying Shadow Duels he'd witnessed in Battle City—and the misery of the losers.
Was it finally his turn?
Of course he was scared.
But...
"Let's do it!"
Zane activated his Duel Disk.
He couldn't back down now.
Camula laughed, delighted: "Good! I love brave, strong men. Let's begin!"
"Duel!" x2
[Zane, LP 4000]
[Camula, LP 4000]
"I'll go first. Draw!" Camula said. "I summon 'Zombie Werewolf' in Attack Position!"
Under the moonlight, a werewolf with shackled hands appeared, howling at the moon.
(Anime card.)
[Zombie Werewolf, ATK 1200]
"Then I set a card and end my turn."
"My turn, draw!"
This was Zane's first Shadow Duel. He didn't know his opponent's strength, but it was the most dangerous moment of his life. He focused all his energy.
But before he could do anything, Camula suddenly acted. She let out a sharp laugh and waved her hand.
"Before you can do anything, let me block your way!"
"What?" Zane was shocked.
"I activate my set card, Continuous Trap—Dragon Capture Jar!"
The most famous anti-Dragon tool from DM days, a giant jar with a twisted dragon face appeared on Camula's field.
"As long as this card is on the field, all Dragon-Type monsters are sealed!" Camula laughed. "If you're a Dragon user, you're in trouble..."
But seeing this, Zane closed his eyes and smiled with relief.
"Just as Kira said..."
He opened his eyes and began his move.
"I activate the Equip Spell 'Future Fusion'!" Zane declared. "I can send Fusion Materials from my deck to the Graveyard to Fusion Summon a monster!" (Anime effect)
He drew three Cyber Dragons from his deck.
"I send three 'Cyber Dragons' to the Graveyard and Fusion Summon!"
He raised his arm. Three Cyber Dragons appeared, merging into a whirlpool of energy.
Steel and electricity fused; a three-headed dragon like a fortress descended!
Cyber End Dragon, Summon!
[Cyber End Dragon, ATK 4000]
A 4000-ATK monster right at the start!
But that wasn't what shocked Camula most.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"It's not a Dragon-Type!?"
She was stunned.
"Why? Aren't you a Dragon user?"
Before Zane could answer, a voice came from the mist.
"As expected. Those bats are your spies, aren't they?"
Camula was startled.
"Using bats to scout your opponent's deck before battle is clever—I don't mind it. But once you're seen through, it can backfire."
"Who!?" Camula shouted.
Kira stepped out of the fog with a smile.
Camula's pupils shrank, her expression turning ugly.
"Duel King, Fujiki Kira!?"
PS: Bonus chapters at 100