In the end, the heartbroken Tania decided to temporarily stay in Bastion's dorm.
From Youmi's observation, Tania seemed to be the type who held considerable affection for both Youmi and Bastion. It was just that, because Youmi existed in a state similar to that of a Card Spirit, she felt a stronger sense of closeness toward him.
Perhaps due to some kind of warrior's sense of honor, after Youmi spoke those classic lines of Jack's, Tania appeared to truly believe them and turned around to start clinging to Bastion instead.
And Bastion… seemed not to be entirely without feelings toward Tania either…
"Mmhn, the atmosphere around you two suddenly feels like it's glowing… By the way, Bastion, didn't you have Professor Banner's class today? What was it about?"
Youmi really could not stand the rapidly heating atmosphere between Tania and Bastion any longer and hurriedly cut in.
"Ah, it was about the legendary God of Duels—Abidos the Third. Supposedly, in past history, he was an absolutely undefeated, extraordinary Duelist."
Bastion recalled the lesson, then tossed Youmi a notebook. "You skipped that class today, right? I already took notes for you. Remember to return them later."
Youmi nodded thoughtfully. "I see. The God of Duels—Abidos the Third… If I remember correctly, that should be a Deck that uses First Sarcophagus, Second Sarcophagus, and Third Sarcophagus to Special Summon Spirit of the Pharaoh. So next up, is it going to be him?"
Bastion suddenly remembered something he had long meant to ask Youmi. "Huh? I've wanted to ask this for a long time now… As a legendary Duelist, that Seto Kaiba said you're an existence that transcends time and space."
"Tania also said you're in a state similar to a Card Spirit… Youmi, just who in the world are you, that you even know the Deck of a Pharaoh from several thousand years ago?"
"That? That's a secret."
"In any case, I'm not sure whether the Deck will still use Spirit of the Pharaoh, but based on the info I got earlier, the next 'Seven Stars' might be that Abidos—no, scratch that, why is he already here in broad daylight?"
Just as Youmi was trying to maintain some sense of mystery, the sky suddenly turned pitch-black. A golden barge slowly descended from the heavens—it was the very chariot Youmi remembered as belonging to the Pharaoh Abidos the Third.
"That is… the Golden Barge… Is that the next 'Seven Stars,' Youmi?!"
"Looks like it. Then we'd better—Bastion, watch—"
"Bastion, dear!"
Sensing the unnatural tremor in the ground, Youmi was just about to warn Bastion to be careful of the mummies about to burst up from underground. Tania, however, moved faster. In the form of Amazoness Pet Liger King, she pounced on Bastion, preventing him from being grabbed by the suddenly emerging mummy.
Then, turning back, she tore the mummy clean in half with a single swipe of her claw.
Although Bastion's head slammed hard into the ground and throbbed with pain, he quickly grasped the situation. "Mummies, of all things!? Tania, that was a huge help."
"They can't be allowed to take my Bastion, dear," Tania said, then turned to Youmi. "How about your side, Youmi-kun?"
Youmi summoned Fallen of Albaz, who had returned to the Deck, and the two of them each took a small dagger, pinning the mummies to the trees one by one.
"No real problem here. They're probably trying to capture us and bring us before the Pharaoh. They're all charging at us like that… But since they've come knocking on our door, we might as well go meet them head-on."
Youmi pulled Sprind the Irondash Dragon from his Deck and exchanged a glance with Fallen of Albaz. "We're flying up!"
Special Summoning Sprind the Irondash Dragon as a means of transport, Youmi led everyone straight up onto the Golden Barge.
"Wahoo~"
After ascending above the Golden Barge, Youmi recalled Sprind the Irondash Dragon and landed on the deck with a superhero-style landing.
As a battle-oriented race, Tania landed steadily as well.
Fallen of Albaz, having long since gotten used to being thrown around by Youmi over the past few months, went fully limp and slammed face-first onto the deck.
Tania reached out and caught Bastion, preventing him from falling as miserably as Fallen of Albaz.
"To think that, in this era, there exist warriors who dare to voluntarily enter my domain. In that case, the holders of the Seven Stars Gate Keys have gathered."
"Let us begin a sacred Duel. I am the undefeated Pharaoh Abidos the Third. Any warrior who wishes to Duel me, step forward!"
From the central seat of the Golden Barge, Abidos the Third stepped forward, wearing a golden mask and speaking in a deep, regal voice.
Youmi glanced behind him.
Jaden, Chazz—who had taken over for Professor Banner—Professor Crowler, Zane, and Alexis had all been captured by mummies and teleported here as well. Everyone was present, after all.
"So that's how it is. You plan to defeat all of us one by one to seize the keys?" Jaden Yuki nodded and stepped forward. "Then let me Duel you~!"
"That won't do. Up until now, all of the Seven Stars have been defeated by you students. As a teacher, I must set an example here, y'know!"
Grabbing Jaden and pulling him back, Professor Crowler stepped forward. "O Pharaoh, the first to Duel you shall be I, Vellian Crowler, y'know!"
Removing his mask to reveal a youthful face, Abidos the Third showed his respect for his opponent. "It matters not who it is."
"Come, let us begin the Duel. However, allow me to state this in advance: I am extremely powerful."
"If you wish to flee, it would be better to throw away the keys now."
"I swear upon the name of the Pharaoh that I will not hinder or harm any warrior who chooses to leave. The same goes for you. As a warrior who has stepped forward of your own accord, it would be regrettable if you were to fall here."
"There's no need for that, y'know! I am a teacher of Duel Academy. For the sake of my students and for the sake of the world, I have no reason to abandon my duty, y'know!"
"Oh~ How admirable. I sincerely apologize for having earlier sullied your warrior's soul. Now then, let us begin!"
"DUEL!" ×2
TURN.1
"It is my turn. Draw! First, I activate Pot of Greed and draw two cards from my Deck. Then I activate the Continuous Spell, King's Sarcophagus!"
A golden King's Sarcophagus gradually rose up from the ground, standing before Abidos the Third.
Back when Youmi crossed over, the information for version 1202 had not yet fully released, so he did not know this card's exact effect. "It's not First Sarcophagus, but King's Sarcophagus instead. What kind of card is that?"
Next, Abidos the Third discarded a card from his hand to the Graveyard, activating King's Sarcophagus's effect.
"I discard one card from my hand to activate the effect of King's Sarcophagus. From my Deck, I send one Horus monster to the Graveyard. The one I send is—Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6!"
Seeing the card sent to the Graveyard, Chazz cried out in surprise, "It's an LV monster?!"
"Next, I activate Monster Reborn and Special Summon Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6 from my Graveyard! Winged dragon that governs black flames, guardian of royal authority, soar upon my field and unleash your supreme radiance! I then activate Level Up! Evolve, Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8!"
A pillar of flame shot skyward, illuminating the eerie darkness. Modeled after the hawk of ancient Egypt, the Black Flame Dragon appeared on Abidos the Third's field.
...
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