Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted May 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 I went back and read it not long after you started this. Oh okay, vaguely remember you saying that back at the time you were gonna go read it. So you read the entirity of it (back in the days when chapters weren't as long as they are now)? Only asking as I think that means that of the four 'regular' commentors I still have, that's two who have read Armageddon and two who haven't. (3-3 if Fusion and Hiro are still here/come back). This is nice as will hopefully helping me get the treats/hints for original readers plus sense/good story for new readers balance right :) Speaking of chapter length, here is the new one, and you are forewarned now this is the longest of the 30 or so I've written so far (31 might nudge it later). Not by a huge margin over some other chapters, and the subsequent chapters between now and the arcs end are more regular length. But with two duels reaqching their climax, along with the Katas Masquerade party arc of the section as a whole to conclude, I hope the length dedicated to this important chapter is understandable. I'm off to work shortly for a most likely horrible double-wedding shift, not to mention... a lot of issues going on here at the moment that are giving me problems. So I could really use the motivation of coming back and seeing some level of response... So; phone off, drink ready, annoying family members incapacitated, etc. Do what you need to do, and read on... One more thing. Some of you may have noticed that several of the chapter titles in this fic relate to names of the Major Arcana/the tarot; even if that's sometimes only coincidental or me trying to be cool doing that, and are not the primary reason for the styling. I mention this as looking at the tarot card this chapter is named after might give you an indication of why it's so named, and what's to come... [spoiler=Another hint at what's to come]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzntZLHcYy0[/spoiler] [spoiler=Chapter 22]Chapter 22: The Tower “Camilla, tell me you set something that can deal with that?” Camilla didn’t reply to Gaius’ anxiety. She was too awestruck by the monster Tessera had summoned and was floating towards them. The angel Master Hyperion was humanoid in shape but huge in size, dressed in a white tunic and gold armour and headdress. In its open palms it made a ball of fiery energy, the power of the sun in the palm of its hands. The angel stopped just above Tessera (Lv8, ATK 2700). The lord looked smugly across at them. “Impressive isn’t he? A lot more than your pathetic creatures that are not worthy to be in his presence” he boasted. “And on that note, I think there’s something we can do about that. Hyperion’s effect. By banishing one Light Fairy-type from my graveyard, one card on the field can be destroyed.” A beam of light shot out of the miniature sun, blasting Gearfried in the chest before it could even react. Tessera continued and reached out to his divine destroyer. “And that’s not all. Because Sanctuary in the Sky is in play, this effect can be used twice. I target the lady’s left face down. And let’s not forget that my Skull Invitation is still active and will activate twice as well.” Camilla gasped as Wall of Thorns exploded in a blast of sunlight. She felt scorched by that impact alone. She wasn’t given time to worry about that though as his trap activated again, continuing the relentless bombardment of effect damage to them as they were forced to suffer together by Tessera’s warped game (LP 700). Gaius emerged shaking badly, almost vomiting from the latest assault, and now she had fallen to her knees as well. She shook, she couldn’t stand. But also as the barrage ended, with her defence gone and Gaius open... Sweat trickled down the back of her neck. Tessera meanwhile just admired his silk gloves. “Fortunately for you my dear, only effect damage is being dealt to the pair of you” he said lazily. He was still a nobleman, playing with his toy. One he was now bored of. “As for you though Gaius, I’m afraid this is as far as you will go. So sad, but I’m sure there’ll be some mourners weep for you. Maybe. Hyperion...” The angel moved its hands apart slightly, the fireball expanded in size accordingly. Gaius shut his eyes, as Tessera waved dismissively in his direction. “Obliterate him with your direct attack!” The fireball exploded, shooting another laser tearing towards Gaius. At that moment, he knew he was dead. He had no idea why he thought it, not that he had time to think. People dying in duels were long a thing of the past even before the Purge, a rare occurrence with the advance of duel disks, but he had no doubt that wouldn’t matter here. This direct attack, from that angel, would kill him, he was certain. His life flashed before his eyes. His upbringing in the more peaceful capital in noble conditions, training for selection, the battles of the war, promotion ceremonies. All about to be erased by the destroying angel. “Trap activate!” Gaius gasped and both men’s attentions snapped (well, Tessera’s lazily rolled) to Camilla who suddenly responded. Yes, there was a brief glimmer of hope. But it was only brief; removed by a cold fear when he saw the dreadful look on her face, and the identity of her card. “I activate Staunch Defender. This redirects all attacks this turn to a monster I control. Obviously my choice is Queen Angel of Roses.” “But then... Camilla no!” Gaius croaked in protest, but was ignored as she stared defiantly at Tessera. “Oh? That’s interesting. How very noble to throw yourself into battle to protect your comrade, even at risk of your own life. The code of a true knight I suppose. However you do realise this act is going to cost you your life right, or did you simply miscalculate in your angst to save your friend thinking it would save you both? Staunch Defender is sent to the graveyard, which Skull Invitation in this duel will inflict three hundred more points of damage to both of you for, then you will take a further three hundred points of battle damage before your angel also goes to the grave...” Camilla swallowed, and nodded (LP 700). “I know full well what I am doing, and I am prepared” she snarled, somehow keeping her voice steady. As promised Skull Invitation went off again, the twin forks of black lightning struck them both for a brief moment. By this time they’d both taken so much abuse from it, and so preoccupied by what Camilla was doing, they were pretty numb to the effect. Or maybe their bodies had given up on feeling now. She emerged breathless as she knelt, but didn’t let up her fierce dogged stare at him. “Now just do it.” Gaius tried to protest, but he was an ignored spectator to their face-off. Tessera merely shrugged and dismissively waved her away. “So be it. Hyperion, erase the lady first. Heavenly Judgement!” The fireball exploded and shot a new, redirected fiery laser with the power of the sun at the floral angel, striking her in the chest. This time Camilla shut her eyes and waited for the end... “NO!” Gaius screamed in his head. This was not going to happen. Desperately he tried to find a solution. There had to be a way to stop it. He looked at his graveyard, and suddenly remembered. The card he’d discarded with Dark World Dealings, so caught up in everything he’d forgotten about it. Knowing he had mere seconds, he acted. “I activate the effect of Shield Warrior in my graveyard. By banishing this card from play, one monster on our field is not destroyed by battle this turn, although damage still applies.” The ghost of a dark-skinned warrior holding a long shield appeared in front of the angel and in the path of the attack, deflecting some of it away. Not all of it, but enough. Some of it still got through to Camilla, glanced in the stomach by the sunbeam enough to fall sideways. The attack ended then and her angel mercifully survived, as did her life points. Gaius moved across and knelt beside his comrade. Her floral jade dress was burned clean away where the attack had struck her, killing the trail of rose heads. She was trembling, struggling for breath as her chest rose and fell as she looked shakily up at him (LP 100). “Why?” he croaked, barely able to get the word out. “What’d you do a stupid thing like that for?” “Why? Oh you really are an idiot aren’t you?” Camilla coughed, but smiled slightly at him as she laid back. “I thought the same as you; you wouldn’t have survived a direct attack from that. It... scared me...” The admission took him aback. “But... Camilla...” She shook her head. “Don’t get used to hearing me say that. I didn’t think... I just acted. We’re both war veterans, and we’ve known each other long enough. You’ve already done the same for me. You’re my comrade... I trust you.” She ignored the look he was giving her and groaned. “I... think I’ll be okay in a minute. I just need a moment to recover. If you could kill him in the meantime, I’d be ever so grateful.” Gaius nodded and stood to face Tessera again. He had been largely forgotten about while he made sure she was okay, but now he was more furious to see the lord was laughing so hard he was almost crying. “Oh how touching. This is way too much” he gasped between tears, wiping them away. “I do love a good laugh, and you two are so very entertaining, trying to protect each other and getting all tearful. I’d have been surprised too, had you got up after taking the full force of Hyperion’s power, but don’t you realise your reprieve is merely prolonging the inevitable? But don’t worry; you’ll both be free soon. Free of all those painful thoughts of hate and revenge for your buffoon mentor and suffering in this duel. All gone.” Gaius shook as he pointed at Tessera. “You’re going to pay for this pal.” “Oh really?” he sniggered. “Well, seeing as you two insist on playing the hero at the moment and those types have an annoying habit of drawing things at the right moment to save their necks; I suppose I will need to re-establish my defences for the next two turns. I activate the spell Magic Planter. By sending Skull Invitation to the graveyard, I draw two new cards.” The trap that had inflicted so much pain and taken them so close to the brink was mercifully released, albeit questionably. He guessed Tessera expected him to draw something that would destroy it anyway, and the one card in his hand became two. He gave them a quick look and smirked. “I’ll set both of these. Turn end.” “Alright” Gaius’ voice shook slightly as he went for his deck. His rage at Tessera clashed with his fear of what nearly just happened. ‘We can’t take that again, I must draw well. Camilla, I’m going to make him pay for hurting you, along with everyone else...’ “I will bring you to justice for this. Draw!” He tipped the card, revealing a red-headed woman in a tight black suit. ‘This card?’ Gaius nearly gasped at the sight of what he’d just got. ‘This is... a sign. I know what to do.’ “I summon Marauding Captain.” Tessera grimaced as the battle-scarred veteran appeared and revealed his judgement had been off (Lv3, ATK 1200). “Then Captain’s effect activates” Gaius continued shakily, holding his drawn card aloft. “When he comes out, I can special summon one level four or lower monster from my hand to join him. With this card... I will make you pay for everything. I summon Rose, Warrior of Revenge!” ... Meanwhile, a breathless, scared as hell Erin was running through the upper corridors. Just running. Running from the world. Running from Clove’s body she had ashamedly left in a linen room after killing her. Running from a terrible darkness she felt was pursuing her, like a relentless all-consuming shadow trying to envelop her. But mostly at the moment running from the many servants Tessera had unleashed to kill off the guests, and some of whom were back on her tail and she was trying to escape from. ‘Just keep going. Find Vardus. Find Alex. Get the hell out of here. Try to explain. They’ll know what to do.’ She pelted along for a hiding place from the mob she could hear behind her. There were so many of them; why on earth did Tessera need such a large force of servants for? Thankfully the mansion also had plenty of places to hide. It was a maze simply due to size and depth. Erin couldn’t shake the feeling of unease this building gave her, although that was probably due to the events that had transpired. Still, she got the feeling like someone, or something, was within these walls. She tried to shake it off. As she turned a corner, she almost tripped over a large pot that had been knocked over and smashed. Nothing too out of the ordinary given what was going on, but it was lying opposite a door that unlike the others rooms in here did not have a sign engraved on it. Suddenly curious about this, she put her ear to the door. She could faintly hear people inside, then a loud smash. She froze, what was that? Anxious she looked through the keyhole. She could see very little, nothing that told her what was going on. The sounds of footsteps and shouts reminded her she was still being chased. The mob was still coming and was just a few seconds behind her. She had no time to hide anywhere else in this long straight passage, except to brave whatever was inside here and hope she had more chance of dealing with that than the large group following her. Without a second thought or prayer she pushed the door open and went inside just before the group of servants appeared and shut it again. At once the sound of the mob outside was muffled. Pressing her back to the door, she found herself in a grand room of marble and gold that housed trophies, prizes and relics. Her attention however was more on the faces that snapped to look at the sudden intruder. The man dressed all in white glared darkly at her, his strange pearl and gold duel disk glowing with an odd aura. He stood behind a large, ugly violet dragon with red frills, which also turned its head to look with disgust as some black flame flickered around its lips. On the opposite side of the room, there was the apparent cause of the smash she’d heard, as lying in the shattered remains of another cabinet was... “Vardus!” she shouted, and ran over to her fallen leader. He was groaning and shivering, and bore many bloody gashes from where the glass cabinet had cut him, covered in shards of the razor stuff flecked with his blood. Erin carefully started picking bits off him. She noticed amongst the wounds that his exposed skin was also burned and blistering in places, and his fine red outfit had black scorch marks. “What on earth is going on? Who is this guy?” “Uh... Erin?” Vardus groaned as he opened his eyes and looked up at her. “Thank goodness you’re alright. I didn’t know what had happened to you three. This man is an ally of Tessera. The others saw him at the temple; he was acting on his behalf to steal the Tetragram I sent them for. They... ugh... have some sort of plan that involves its use that I stumbled upon a diagram of. Something terrible.” “It’s okay Vardus, you’ll be alright” she tried to convince them both as she swept the remaining glass of the back of his jacket, continually glancing back at this enemy who was watching her carefully, but without interruption. In a few moments she’d removed all she could. “What are they planning?” “That I don’t know yet” Vardus grumbled, glaring furiously at the dragon user. “But I intend to find out and beat the information out of him, if you could give me a hand standing.” “Pfft, another one of your little rebel minions Vardus?” Armonia scoffed as Erin helped him up, wedging herself under his broad shoulder and supporting his weight with difficulty. Their hateful glares were very amusing. “What company you keep. Take a look at yourself man! You can barely stand without the help of this girl. You really think you can bring down the Empire with these kids of yours, while you hide and plot? You’re a shadow of the man I was told about Vardus. This legendary figure described to me as a major threat to our plans if he got involved; the most learned scholar who turned military general on the frontline, taking over the world in Nero’s name. Now reduced to conspiring in two-bit schemes using women and children as part of your arm and believing your own cleverness hiding behind such a fragile crystal strategy. You’re pathetic Vardus. You’re nothing!” “Thank you for the support Erin” Vardus growled quietly. His voice made Erin shiver. The burning anger that was slowly bubbling up and rising within him made her tremble; she did not want to be faced by his wrath. If he found out... “Now please stand back and watch where he can’t attack you. I will continue.” She tentatively let him go. He immediately wobbled and in alarm she went to catch him, but he steadied himself and waved her away. So she stepped back to watch the fight without further interference unless asked. She wanted to help, but she knew he wouldn’t let her. Vardus turned to his opponent as he wiped some of the drying blood away and stood fully upright under his own steam. “Are you done?” “Huh... so you still wanna do this?” Any thoughts of a premature surrender Armonia might have hoped for were dashed by the look Vardus gave him. “Such a proud man you are, so arrogant... and so foolish. Oh well, guess if you’re not gonna crawl back under your rock, I’ll have to bury you under it. I activate the effect of Dragon Ravine. By discarding one card from my hand, I can send any dragon-type monster in my deck to the graveyard.” The transaction took place without Armonia feeling obliged to reveal the milled dragon or Vardus too intent to look and avert his gaze from the man. “I end my turn with that. So what you gonna do now Vardus? What can you even hope to do in this situation? You have nothing left. You have no cards on the field or in your hand. You have barely a small handful of life points, which my Exploder Dragonwing will be very quick to erase along with the rest of your little Resistance. How do you expect to stop me and give me this beating you promised me huh? Come on old man, face reality. Your Resistance is weak, and so are you. Now you will be crushed for it.” “We’ll see about that. But you forget who I am and what I do” Vardus grimaced. “Every day I fight an impossible fight against a great adversary who has every advantage, whereas I have almost nothing to fight with other than my young friends who believe in the same cause as I do, and a desire ever burning to change the world for the better and restore the lives of everyone...” Erin gasped as her leader went for his deck. “You think that you or your oversized lizard can extinguish such a desire so easily? Draw!” Armonia: LP 2000, Hand empty, Field of Exploder Dragonwing, Dragon Ravine Vardus: LP 700, Hand empty, Field empty ‘Excellent’. “I activate Cards of Adversity. Because you control a monster and I don’t, I can draw two cards.” It was a start at least, but he’d need more than that. He still looked at the two cards he snatched out of his gold shield with an awkward hopeful glance. He knew it would be difficult and would need a bit of luck to turn this around. One of these might help, the other... well it should give him another turn. “I set one monster in defence mode.” A reverse card appeared horizontally in front of him, the only barrier between him and the destructive purple dragon. “With that I end my turn.” “Aw, after all that stirring big talk about fighting” Armonia mocked smarmily. “And all you can do is hide in defence again. Is that the kind of leader you want to show to your little girl over there? Hardly the kind of response she was hoping for from her trusted leader was it now.” “Do you have something that can do anything about my defence?” Vardus snapped a little testily and making Erin flinch. “Because it’s face down in defence, your dragon cannot use its effect on me. So what are you going to be able to do about it?” Armonia’s expression soured as he acknowledged that as it was, he couldn’t do much about defeating him with his dragon. He drew silently, revealing a small olive green dragon with long wings. The draw caused a dark smirk. “During my standby phase, I activate the effect of the Totem Dragon I previously sent to the graveyard. Because all the monsters in my graveyard are dragon-types, it can resurrect itself, although it will be banished when it leaves the field. Then I summon Delta Flyer.” A small brown dragon with a long neck appeared (Lv2, ATK 400); followed by the olive scaled dragon he’d drawn (Lv3, ATK 1500). Armonia clenched his fist and shook it at Vardus. “I elect not to use the effect of Delta Flyer. Instead I’m going to tune it right away. With Dragonwing, to Synchro Summon once again.” Erin gasped; even Vardus gulped, as the dragons turned to intertwining rings and stars that caught ablaze. A fiery portal opened up, much larger than most Erin had seen, and from the beyond came a low ominous rumble. Something far away in another world got the summons, something of horrible power. The rumbling grew louder, and three sets of flaming eyes opened behind the veil. Armonia stood beneath it, chuckling darkly as the creature, his mightiest dragon, awakened. “Burn. Burn them all down. Set the entire world ablaze with your great might. Come, Trident Dragion.” Through the portal emerged a huge crimson red dragon with three heads, snapping and biting at each other as it floated through on its long leathery wings, spitting flame from each of its three maws each time any of them opened. Erin trembled on behalf of her leader being lined up by this fearsome three headed monstrosity (Lv10, ATK 3000). This thing was even stronger than the last dragon, and Armonia was laughing at him in a slightly deranged way. The white panels on his strange duel disk started glowing even more intensely than before. How could Vardus be so calm? “Trident Dragion’s effect activates” he cried deliriously. “When she is Synchro Summoned, I can target a number of cards on my field and destroy them, namely the sacrificial Totem Dragon and Dragon Ravine. Then she gains one additional attack for each of the destroyed cards. Meaning that no matter what your set card is, it has enough power to erase it, and then attack you directly.” Vardus still wasn’t moved as Armonia punched toward him, his dragon screaming overhead. “Dragion, kill his face down monster!” The left head shot a burst of intense flame down at the face down. Erin backed away from the intense heat of the blast. If Vardus took a direct attack from that... there was no way he could survive! Flipping face up, a small robot emerged as all to protect him (Lv1, DEF 0). It was easily erased. “No, Vardus!” “It’s too late girl!” Armonia screamed over the roar. “But don’t worry; you’ll soon join him in hell! Now Trident...” The right head started line up its fatal attack. “Destroy them both!! Finishing Hell Flame!!” The dragon roared and released its second attack. Erin screamed as the attack tore through the marble floor, leaving a black trial of ruin as it accelerated towards Vardus, who was just stood there calmly unmoved, and towards the little robot that was rising through the floor in front of him in... Armonia and Erin both blinked as the attack slammed into the second robot, destroyed it easily. But it had successfully intercepted the blast, and Vardus emerged unharmed. “My face down monster was Clear Cube” he explained smoothly. “When one leaves the field, another is summoned from the deck in its place. Meaning I can protect myself against all three attacks.” A third cube rose on cue (DEF 0). Armonia twitched. He looked now on the verge of a nervous breakdown. “You... Why won’t you just... Trident!” he snapped, and the dragon hastened to obey, the central head obliterated the third and final robot, it too growling in frustration at its failure. Its master was ready to explode. “You sneaky, little, man. You think you’ve got all the answers. That everyone else is beneath you. Well you’re nothing! Soon you will be little more than ash when my dragon gets at you. You have no understanding, none of you!” “So enlighten me” Vardus replied with his authoritative calm. “What is it I have no understanding of here.” Armonia simply chuckled in reply in a creepy, menacing way, his eyes bulging. “That your world’s gonna end” he cackled darkly. Erin flinched. What?! “Well, not entirely. But the world as we know will end. The world corrupted and sickened will die and be reborn, pure anew. The Empire will disappear. The cities will lie in ruins. All the wars will end as every soldier falls dead. Every dirty soul of humanity will be cleansed and wiped from the earth. Only those who bring the rebirth will be spared and rewarded for our acts. We’re close now, too close for you to stop us. There’s nothing you can do.” “Oh really?” Vardus reacted little more than to raise an eyebrow to these wild claims. “You seem very confident. And what makes you so certain in your belief? Sounds a bit fanciful to me.” “Pah, that’s because you’re ignorant” Armonia scoffed. “The most learned man, and yet you are blind. All you can do is scurry around in the dark with your little toy soldiers. And you think I’m being fanciful, you’re the one thinking you can change the Empire and make it better with your weak little rebels. You should just give up and lie down now. There’s nothing you can do here except lay down and die.” “You might dismiss my allies, but I assure you none of us are weak” Vardus replied sternly. “They are all exceptional young people who I trust fully, regardless of age or experience. They are fighting with me as they believe in what I do, in achieving a better future for everyone, and I could not ask for more effort or commitment from any of them. I don’t think Tessera is able to say the same about the people he allies himself with, clearly. I’m very proud of my young friends and what they strive to achieve together.” Erin swallowed as he looked back at her. “I’d like to think I’ve helped them become fine young people, with strong values and stronger arms. But they have also inspired me. They have all fought impossible odds and won. That is what we strive for in our movement; to topple an impossibly strong adversary in the Empire. Now as their leader, I must draw on that inspiration and show them the way by example, showing that even the most impossible situation can be overcome if you don’t give up and keep true to your commitment, by winning this duel and defeating you.” As he went for his deck, he knew this was it. It was now or never. Something resonated with his thoughts. With his heart. “I will never give up on my beliefs no matter how desperate a situation looks, least of all because someone like you or Nero tells me to. Watch me closely Erin and take heart from this. This is what it means to stand up and resist. DRAW!!” He drew the card in an impressive arc, and flipped it. There it was. His key ace and most trusted ally. The card he had shown Erin when he first met her, when she doubted his motives. The one who appeared as a spectre over his shoulder, to enforce his will when dissention rose amongst his allies. His prized friend, and now his key to overcome the odds. “I activate the spell Clear Sacrifice. By banishing Clear monsters from my graveyard, I can summon a Clear monster of an appropriate level without tribute this turn.” The ghosts of a Clear Cube and Clear Vicious Knight rose and vanished, and in their stead from the earth rose up a mightier, thicker crystal, as Vardus held up his drawn trump card. “Now appear my noble ace, I normal summon without tribute, and light the path to a truly clear and just world. Clear Vice Dragon!!” The crystal exploded, setting free a massive brilliant blue dragon, fanning its long wings and craning its neck, staring down at the stunned Armonia with its piercing sapphire eyes (Lv8, ATK ?) The sight of this beautiful, majestic creature took Erin’s breath away. It had a somewhat similar effect on Armonia, as he was reduced to a fearful, gibbering wreck. “You have a... dragon? But... its attack is not determined...” “The attack points of Clear Vice Dragon are not determined until its attacks” Vardus explained as the dragon took a deep breath, building a great blue ball of energy in its jaws (ATK 6000). “But when it does attack, its strength becomes double to that of its target! Now my noble dragon, finish this upstart! Clean Malicious Stream!” The dragon fired, the energy ball became a jet of blue light that made Erin shield her eyes to its blinding radiance, firing at incredible speed at the bigger Dragion. It had just enough time to register amazement on its three faces, but none to counterattack as it was instantly obliterated. The beam tore on across the ground towards the panicking Armonia, the blast launched him screaming through the air. He hit the far wall back first with a heavy thud, knocking a stand with a large gold trophy on it. The prize wobbled, fell, and landed on his head with a crack. He groaned as his eyes went out of focus, and slumped over (LP 0). Vardus watched him collapse with disdain as he petted his mighty creature. “Thank you my friend. That was a close one.” The dragon screeched its approval before it faded away into the ether. Fight over; he turned to the awestruck Erin as she joined him. “Thank you for your support too, I needed all the help you could give me to stand there. His duel disk seemed to react to his Synchro monsters and elevated their power by deadly levels. At least we’re safe now. Tell me, have you seen the others? Are they safe?” “Oh...” Erin froze, her mind going to pieces as Vardus looked at her expectedly. What did she say now? How could she best explain? She tried to get her thoughts straight, but he was stood there waiting for an answer. She had to say something. Suddenly words came tumbling out without her control... “Clove’s dead. She... was killed by Tessera’s men. I... couldn’t get to her in time to stop them. I’m sorry.” Vardus didn’t seem to accept what she’d just said for a few moments. He just stood there, blinking with an astonished look and his mouth hanging slightly open, unable to speak. After about half a minute, he found his voice and sighed. “Clove... Another good honest girl lost. Now the entire family is gone. Did... did you get those responsible?” She slowly realised she was nodding. Like she was in a trance, or was in another body watching herself tell him this bare faced lie. Vardus sighed again and turned his back to her. “Thank you Erin, I’m sure you did everything you could.” She suddenly felt sick. But she still didn’t stop. Another girl was in control at the moment and keeping her urge to tell the truth down and silent. She gulped as his fists clenched. “Clove... I swear I’ll make that responsible bastard Tessera pay for you... Let’s go Erin.” Hurrying to obey she followed as he marched over to the man in white who was slowly coming to with a groan. Vardus grabbed him and punched him hard in the side of the head, and he fell silent again. Erin winced, but Vardus ignored her as hoisted the man over his shoulder and shuffled ahead, still clearly wounded. She checked outside; the mob following her had moved on now. They left, her following his forced pace back towards the centre of the mansion, wondering in silence. ‘Just what have I become...’ ... Camilla looked up in disbelief as a red-haired woman in a tight fitting black costume, armed with a short dagger, leapt onto the field beside the experienced warrior (Lv4, ATK 1600). Its appearance had taken Tessera by surprise, although he might still have just been irritated by his over caution, but it completely threw her. “But that’s one of... Gaius, since when did you have that card? Why do you have that?” “Um... not long” Gaius admitted cautiously, not turning to look at her. “I just... well it’s just a monster. Another warrior type that I... just wanted to include was all...” Tessera smirked at his awkward response. Well he could soon wipe that away. “But more importantly, I included it because Rose Warrior of Revenge is a level four tuner monster. So I will use it to call on a new swordsman who will bring the sword of righteousness to you Tessera, you detestable psychopath. I will see you executed for all this madness. I tune Rose Warrior and Marauding Captain. Synchro Summon!” The two watched as Gaius’ monsters turned to golden rings and stars. From the flash emerged a warrior armoured in gold plate covering his entire body, with two massive shoulder shields and a helmet with a gold plume, swinging a silver blade in each hand (Lv7, ATK 2300). “I summon Seven Swords Warrior.” “Grr...” Tessera scowled with a curled lip. “How irritating.” “I equip my Warrior with Divine Sword - Phoenix Blade, raising his attack slightly.” A phoenix-handled broadsword replaced the warrior’s standard weapons (ATK 2600). “Now his effect activates. Once a turn when Seven Swords Warrior is equipped with an equip card, you take eight hundred points of damage!” “Gnnnnnnnnh!!!” Tessera clamped his jaw as a shockwave erupting from the warrior’s swipe with the blade hit him in the chest, silencing any screams (LP 1400). “Bah, is that all you got?” “Far from it! I activate another effect of Seven Swords Warrior. Again once per turn, I can send a card that is equipped to him to the graveyard. Then whenever he loses a weapon, he can target a monster on the field, and destroy it.” The warrior leapt, dodging desperate blasts before hurling the blade at the herald’s head, plunging straight between its eyes. The angel fell backwards and sunk into the fiery portal opening beneath it, Tessera watched open mouthed as it went. Gaius drew his own sword and pointed at him. “Now Warrior, show Camilla what we can do and strike him down for all he has done! Attack!” Tessera frowned as the warrior lunged for him with its twin swords. “You still really think you’re going to get me? I activate Call of the Haunted. This resurrects Hyperion and brings him back to the field.” “Damn it!” Gaius cursed as the same hellish portal opened back up and the angel remerged, stronger than his warrior. “I guess I’ll have to cancel this attack. I activate the effect of Phoenix Blade from my graveyard. By banishing the two Gearfried cards I can add it back to my hand, then re-equip it to Seven Swords Warrior. Now if you use Hyperion’s effect to destroy him, he’ll be coming down too.” It was all he could do. Reluctantly, he conceded his turn. ‘Well, I gave it everything I had, but it was just short. I have a little defence against him now, but it’s not much, not enough to stop him. But it’s more than Camilla has to protect herself at the moment.’ He glanced back at his partner, but didn’t meet her gaze long as she was still staring at him with the same astonished look. ‘All I can hope for now is Camilla is able to do something. That she draws strength from my actions, and from that card. I hope...’ Camilla just continued to stare up at the back of his head. “Damn it. Don’t screw me around Gaius! Why do you have that card in your deck?” “I said already..., I just needed more tuners” Gaius shrugged evasively. “I found it in the archives we hold all our seized cards in, and I just... thought I should use it. Would you rather I hadn’t?” “Well... given you almost beat him with it, I can hardly complain.” She pushed herself up into a seated position. “But that’s still not an explanation. You know it’s one of my discards. Is that why?” There was an awkward pause as she stared at her fellow knight, but his only reply was a shrug. “Gaius...” Silently he reached back to her. This irritated her, but as she diverted her gaze at first, she was more irritated to see Tessera making sarcastic gagging actions. ‘Obnoxious creep.’ She grabbed Gaius’ wrist and pulled herself up with as minimal help as possible, dusting herself off. “Don’t get used to it big boy. But I do appreciate the confidence booster you’ve provided.” Gaius grumbled something inaudible as she went for her deck. This was desperate and she sounded it; she needed something. “I draw!” Tessera: LP 1400, Hand empty, Field of Master Hyperion, Sanctuary, Call of the Haunted, Face Down Gaius: LP 400, Hand empty, Field of Seven Swords Warrior (+Phoenix Blade) Camilla: LP 100, Hand 1, Field of Queen Angel of Roses “During my standby phase, Queen Angel of Roses’ effect activates, destroying the weakest monster on the field. That is currently her.” The paralyzed angel disappeared in a whirl of petals, then she looked at her draw. Rose Archer. She’d need more than that. “Then I activate the effect of a card I discarded to my graveyard earlier called Glow-Up Bulb. By sending the top card of my deck to the grave, it is special summoned.” A small bulb appeared (Lv1, ATK 100). This time her luck was in though, as two small fluffs of dandelion appeared beside it (Lv1, DEF 0). “The milled card was Dandylion, which summons two tokens when it goes to the graveyard. I summon Rose Archer (Lv3, ATK 1000), and tune her and my tokens with Glow-Up Bulb. Synchro Summon!” Two vines burst out through the floor, clamping into the ground. They pulled up after them a blonde woman in a dress of light and dark green halves after them, slim and elegant, the thorny vines grew out from her back and shoulders (Lv6, ATK 2200). “My own new ace appears, Splendid Rose.” “Another Synchro monster?” Tessera sneered. “So this is really your ace monster then? Is this supposed to be the symbol of your united strength or something? Of your spirit to avenge your imbecile mentor or of your soppiness for each other, or some other kind of crap?” “This is the monster that is going to defeat you, that is all” she replied stiffly. “Me and Gaius are soldiers in arms. We fight together to keep the Empire safe and at peace as we have been charged by Nero, to protect people from maniacs like you. That I get to hurt you personally is just a bonus after what you did to us.” Gaius smirked at the appearance of the floral woman, and exchanged a nod with his comrade. “Dress it up as whatever you want. This is our strength, and it will be just enough to defeat you. Splendid Rose’s effect activates. By banishing a plant from my graveyard, the strength of your monster is halved until the end phase.” Hyperion’s attack dipped (ATK 1350). “Next I activate Spell Shattering Arrow. This destroys every spell card face up on your field, which is currently just Sanctuary in the Sky. Then you take five hundred points of damage for it.” Tessera winced as an arrow pierced his field spell (LP 900). “With it gone, you’re now prone to battle damage” Camilla cried. “Splendid Rose, put Hyperion down for good.” Thorny whips shot forward, striking the weakened monster faster than it could defend itself. It fell for the second time, and from the follow up Tessera was sent skidding backwards across the open floor, forced to shield himself with his duel disk against the continuing vine whips with his duel disk, emerging no longer so immaculate and composed. He was scratched and wearing an ugly grimace (LP 50). “Very good Lady Camilla. But you’re a little short.” “Splendid Rose’s second effect activates.” Camilla’s declared venomously. “When it attacks, I can banish a second plant in my graveyard, and reduce her attack by half. Then she can make one more attack!” The plant woman’s strength fell, but this would be enough (ATK 1100). “Finish it Splendid Rose! Strike down this fiend with everything you can!” A second barrage of vines shot towards the livid and open Tessera. “Bah, it’s not over yet. I activate the second effect of a monster in my graveyard!” The two knights both gasped in shock as the little rainbow crested fiend that she’d only just gotten rid of rose up out of the ground, floating in front of him (Lv1, DEF 200). “When under a direct attack, I can summon Rainbow Kuriboh from my graveyard to take the hit, although he will be banished afterwards.” The thorny vines lacerated the fiend easily, but the damage was done, or not. Tessera had survived again. “Damn it, typical rich lord. Always got some hole you can wriggle through and crawl away to avoid the consequences of your actions!” Camilla snapped. Her monsters strength was restored as her turn ended (ATK 2200). “Sorry Gaius, I thought I had him.” “Hey, it’s alright” her partner said, watching the young lord carefully as he dropped his head and swayed slightly. ‘Our attacks must have taken as equally heavy toll on him by now. It looks like he could pass out any second.’ Indeed, he did seem quite beat up and ill. “He won’t survive any more attacks. We just need one more. We’ve almost got him.” Camilla didn’t respond as positively as he’d hoped, merely nodding as she focused on their enemy who was managing to regain his balance, although he kept his head down. As he did, he started to chuckle. A quiet, slightly deranged sounding chuckle as he drew. “Excellent. This has been so much fun. I activate the trap card, Reckless Greed” he said as soon as he’d drawn. “This cancels my next two draw phases, for the advance of two cards now.” Camilla frowned as he took them and studied his refreshed hand. ‘Just what is he planning? Why is he grinning like that...?’ Slowly he looked up at her and her partner, and the strange, eerie way he was grinning at them, she felt a chill run through her spine. He looked disturbingly pleased about something. But what? “So this is your true power?” he asked quietly, looking up at the gold warrior and Splendid Rose floating above her. “Are they what represent everything you stand for? Your spirits as soldiers of war, protectors of the people, and now righteous avengers of your fallen allies? This is the power you call upon to unite and face me with?” Neither felt inclined to reply. The creepy laughter continued as he looked at them with a sorry, almost pitiful expression behind the all-knowing smirk, as he picked a card from his hand. “Spell card; Celestial Transformation. This special summons one fairy-type monster from my hand, but it will lose half its attack points and be destroyed in the end phase. The monster I call is a bit different to what you’ve seen so far. A monster called Guardian Eatos.” A woman with an eagle headdress and silver wings floated before him, glistening with a light aura (Lv8, ATK 1250). Tessera grinned evilly as he revealed his last card. “And because her attack has been halved and now falls below fifteen hundred, I can activate Inferno Reckless Summon. This enables me to summon two more copies of Eatos; one from my deck, and the one I discarded to my graveyard earlier. And they come out at full strength.” “Grr, what’s the point?” Camilla snapped as two more warrior fairies appeared (ATK 2500). “You might be able to defeat me and my Rose with them, but Gaius’ monster is still stronger with its equip spell. He can attack you or use its effect next turn, either way you’re finished. You might take me down, but I’ll go happy knowing you won’t be far behind me.” She yelled at him, hoping to gain some reassurance from her partner and make him stop worrying so wetly about her in order to finish the job. But Tessera still looked at them with his all-knowing belittling grin and chuckled. “Heh heh heh, you ignorant children. You are so hopelessly blind and stupid it’s almost not fun anymore. Well in that case I’ll just have to finishing playing with you and show you now. It’s about time he was woken up anyway and started pulling his weight...” He laughed more freely at their confusion, and pointed up at the three guardians. “You looked as far as their attack points, but what you failed to notice is that my three guardians have, obviously being the same monster, a matching level of eight. Therefore I can call on my own power. I overlay my three level eight Guardian Eatos’! Xyz Summon!” “You'll do what?” “A what summon?” The knights exclaimed, watching in disbelief as the three fairies bodies turned to green sparks and shot upwards in intertwining arcs, bouncing off the drawing room walls and around Tessera. He was laughing more manically every second as he held his arms aloft. The gold slot panels on his duel disk were starting to glow with a dark aura, losing their shine and turning pitch black to match the card that was forming over the three that had slid over each other. “Oh, you’ve never seen this have you?” Tessera grinned. “It’s very simple, I’m sure even idiots like you could do it. Instead of messing around with tuners and things for your pathetic Synchro monsters, I only need monsters whose levels match. They then become the source power, known as overlay units, which serve as the fuel for a higher power that I can call upon known as the Xyz Summon. These Xyz monsters have always existed, but were forgotten in our world somehow; long before the Empire was established, lost to the ages. Now I will call upon one that has slumbered for an eternity in wait... here! Right in the middle of this city under that repulsive fool Nero’s nose! Waiting for the right time and the right master to serve, in order to achieve their aims. I am so close now, it is time. Watch as I awaken him now...” While he was speaking, a hole was forming, literally just appearing where it wasn’t before, in the far wall behind him. This new window opened, revealing the night sky outside, and the three sparks flew out of it. Gaius and Camilla tensed, waiting for something to appear. Nothing did, immediately. The seconds passed, and still nothing joined them and Tessera on the battlefield, not that he seemed worried. They exchanged fearful, confused looks. ‘Just what is going on? What’s he supposed to have summoned...?’ The tea set Tessera had left on the far table started to vibrate. Everything did, as somewhere from outside there was a rumble, and the whole room started to shake. Paralysed by fear, the knights were transfixed, although Tessera seemed unaffected as he stood smugly. Suddenly there was a second noise, a huge boom, and the whole room lurched sideways, Gaius nearly fell on top of Camilla. They looked around in panic, but still saw no source. That didn’t stop a second boom, and the room lurched back. “What the hell is going on?” Gaius demanded as he caught Camilla. “What did you do Tessera?” Tessera just grinned evilly. “He’s waking up...” ... The man in front of him gurgled through the blood in his throat, and collapsed as the gold sword was pulled from his chest. Vardus wiped it on his tunic and pressed on, Erin exhausted behind him, leaving a small pile of bodies in their wake. He’d barely taken a few steps when there was a dull booming sound from somewhere, then without warning the whole corridor shook and tilted violently sideways. “Whoa!” Erin yelped as she lost her balance, before a second boom knocked her back into Vardus who was just about keeping his footing and looking around in puzzlement. “What the heck is that?” “Tessera...” groaned the unconscious man draped over Vardus’ shoulder. Armonia was still out, but it seemed somewhere in his slumber he could still sense what was going on. His expression darkened and he shivered, reacting to the shakes as if he felt he was in a nightmare, unnerving them both. “You can’t wake him up... you can’t possibly control him that fully... please don’t wake up that... that thing...” Vardus and Erin exchanged a look, and redoubled their pace towards the top of the mansion. Elsewhere Demon had found the library where Vardus had been earlier when he felt the rumble, and sensed the quake before it happened, able to keep his balance when the floor violently shifted. ‘Well that’s odd’ he thought, looking around for a source. None was evident, and the room shook again. ‘Time to leave I think.’ He put the book he was reading down, and went to find an exit. ... Around the grounds of the great estate, people looked out of their windows or came into the streets in panic to find the cause of the fearful noise, and they soon saw it. From the outside, it was a lot easier to see. Guards were fighting along the wall, alerted to what was happening from the inside and summoned to help. A few guests had escaped in their intervention, with the archers positioned on the walls caught by the soldiers. But as the ground began to shake, the guards and escapees saw the servants suddenly become fearful, and immediately they stopped fighting and fled back towards the buildings. Confused, some guards gave chase, while most took caution from their retreat at the shaking ground as their time to leave. They had barely got through the gates and into the streets beyond when the first boom went off like a cannon, followed by the second, and then there was a terrible crumbling, wrenching, ripping noise. All who saw it gasped, pointed, held whoever was closest by; all transfixed by the huge something that was tearing itself out the earth! Even in the royal palace the stricken Nero was disturbed, and cursing “...the infernal ruckus?” he went to his balcony and froze. He could not believe what he saw... Wrenching itself out of the ground was a creature, a juggernaut of an impossible size, gold and black in colour. Those far away or high enough to capture its entirety, as Nero was, could say it looked like a giant tortoise, carrying the entire Katas estate on its back. The lights throughout the citadel illuminated the estate, lighting up the night sky. Nero watched in horror as this thing, this abomination, rose up as it pulled its two huge front legs out of the ground, then unfolded its plated head. The monster craned its long neck and bellowed, shaking the buildings as it roared harshly. Somewhere inside the mansion at the base of the beasts neck, his two brave knights had to cover their ears to the noise as they lurched around, while Tessera revelled in the awakening and shouted gloriously over the din (Rk8, ATK 2800). “Behold the power of Xyz, and my moving, living fortress. Grandopolis, the Eternal Golden City!” “Moving fortress?” Camilla repeated worriedly. “Your entire house is built on the back a duel monster?” “No, my entire house is the duel monster” Tessera grinned. “He’s a strange beast, I don’t know all there is about him. I don’t know what world or what time he comes from, or why he chose to hibernate here in this city. All I know is my dear old daddy loved the idea of living in a duel monster when he discovered it and moved us here, but he did so simply for the novelty and his own ego. Foolish old man. But now I have tamed this unstoppable fortress and he serves me, and his first job will be to eradicate the pair of you.” As he clenched his fist, a couple of cannons appeared out the gap in the wall, pointing at them. “Camilla...” Gaius whispered. He knew it was useless to try and run. If they truly were in the belly of the beast as it were, the doors behind them would not open. As a soldier, he knew. “I think this might be it.” She nodded. “Yeah...” “Sorry I couldn’t do more. If I’d just been a bit stronger, or a bit better...” “Save it you big lug.” She seemed snappy at first, but it was a bit softer this time as she shook her head. “We’re knights remember. Even if he is going to kill us, we’re not going to act like snivelling weaklings before him, or at least I’m not. You did your best, as did I. There is nothing to regret. If it wasn’t enough and we go down in battle here, then so be it. Just don’t give him the satisfaction of seeing you afraid.” Gaius wanted to say something to this. There was a lot he wanted to say. But he didn’t. It didn’t matter now. He just nodded, as Camilla stepped forward and waved tauntingly at the smug lord. “Alright then, looks like I won’t get revenge on you. I’ll just hope someone else does. Now bring it you infernal scum.” He smirked at her contempt, as the cannons whirred behind him. “Gladly. Goodbye Lady Camilla.” People in the streets and houses far below saw the flash at the top of the main house, and yelled as the cannon sounded, shaking the world. There was a blast of light and Splendid Rose was blown to pieces as the blast shot right through her, then smashing into Camilla. She didn’t have time to scream. She was lifted straight off her feet and slammed into the far wall, pinned there for a few moments, before she was released to slump into an bloody, twitching heap; burned all over her body and inside, and if she wasn’t already dead as close to it as was possible to be. Gaius couldn’t tell from here if she was gone or not. He was too messed up from watching. He assumed the worst. Screaming murder and vengeance he threw hell to the duel and charged at Tessera, swinging his sword blindly over his head with tears in his eyes, screaming vengeance. So maddened with anger and sorrow he slashed blindly at the lord and it was pretty easy for him to avoid such wild uncontrolled attacks. Ducking under one wild miss that had come a little bit too close, he reluctantly decided that his playtime was over. “Such a pathetic brute to not accept defeat to the better man and cry like a little baby. You’re already a dead man walking now. Because when Grandopolis attacks a duelist and reduces their life to zero, then the life points of all other combatants to myself are instantly erased as well!” Gaius didn’t hear the explanation. He didn’t see Seven Swords Warrior try to dive in the way at the last second and intercept a small amount of the blast before it was blown into nothing. He just kept swinging as the man danced out of his reach and a second barrage of light swept right through him. It was painful, agonisingly so, the burning light tore through every part of him. He too was launched, colliding with the wall side on and being let to slump down beside Camilla. As he fell, his sword fell from his grip. Tessera stood over the pair and frowned. It seemed that Grandopolis had not yet reached full power, on account of either needing time to warm up after its aeon of years asleep, or due to the precise nature of its effect that he had bended a little to finish Gaius off. Well, he’d attacked him first anyway. It was not much of a problem now, and easily dealt with. But he would have to do so later. With Grandopolis now awake and looming over the city, he wanted to be in control at this stage. He gave the knights one last look as he felt some of the aching parts of his body. ‘Humph, what dogs you both were. Loyal, snivelling, useless lapdogs. And yet you thought you almost had me. How hilariously pathetic you both were.’ ... As Erin and Vardus sprinted as best they could despite the shaking building towards the top rooms of the mansion, they almost bumped into another of Tessera’s servants bursting out of another corridor. It was the first one they’d seen since the tremors started. Erin was about to attack him when he gasped and quickly removed his mask to reveal their identity, and she relaxed. “Oh guys. Thank god you’re alright. I’ve been looking everywhere” Alex wheezed. “You too Alex” she replied. She was so relieved to see him that she embraced him quickly. Vardus just nodded, the unconscious Armonia hanging over his shoulders. Erin quickly explained who he was. “Ah right. Could be a useful” he said. He was visibly anxious. “This place is a madhouse. I got stuck with a group of these masked villains. I couldn’t get away from them, and they were... I had to...” He trailed off and mumbled something. He seemed jumpy as he cast around looking for something that was invisible to them. Before Erin and Vardus could press him for his story, he regained his focus and asked them. “Where’s Clove? We got separated into different groups. Is she okay?” Erin bit her lip as Alex looked expectantly between her and Vardus. A bloody vision clouded her mind. “Clove’s dead Alex... Tessera’s cronies killed her. They must have discovered her identity. I’m sorry...” Alex looked like he’d seen a ghost. He looked blankly at Vardus, who glumly nodded. “No... No... No that can’t be right.” There was another boom, and the building rocked and tilted violently. All three lost their footing and slid across the foyer. Alex barely even registered it had happened. Vardus regathered first and slapped the young boy to regain him his senses. “Sorry Alex, but we’ll talk later. We need to get out of here now.” He was still pale, but the situation went in. The trio fled along through the foyer and across to the main balcony over the entrance hall. It was littered with bodies. As the two guys went to descend the stairs, Erin chanced a look back the other way through an open door opposite the top of this wide staircase. She was looking into a drawing room with all the furniture pushed back, and on the floor was... “Guys quick, come back.” Without a second thought she sprinted inside, and knelt beside the fallen Camilla. Or what was left of her. She was covered with blood and severe burns that ruined her features, deformed in places the strange wound were so bad, and deep savage wounds were visible through her torn apart dress. Gaius lay on the other side of the door, in a similar condition. Erin resisted the urge to vomit and bent over to listen for her breath, but couldn’t tell anything. ‘Oh my god, this is horrible. What on earth could do something like this to them?’ A new fear gripped her. What was here that could do this to them both? All differences forgotten she checked her pulse. It was there, but it was very faint. Vardus entered, quickly assessed the scene, and bent down to check Gaius in a similar fashion. “By the gods, this is...” His expression was dark, but if he was as upset by it as Erin was, he hid it well. Diagnosis complete, he chucked his hostage to Alex. “He’s dead. What about Camilla?” Both teens gasped, but Erin shook her head and said she was still alive. “Alright. But she won’t be much longer without serious medical aid. We take them with us. If we can pull her through, we need to find out anything she knows and what did this to them. I don’t know what Tessera did, but clearly they got close enough to something for him to want them dealt with. Erin, can you carry Lady Camilla?” She had no idea, but she nodded. As Vardus grunted and heaved the massive dead weight of Gaius over his shoulder, struggling but persisting anyway, she was amazed. ‘He’s going to take them with us. Even if it is for his benefit, after all they’ve done to us, he’s still going to. Why would I ever question this man?’ Quickly she wedged herself under Camilla and hoisted her up in a fireman’s lift. “Hold on Camilla. We’re going to get you to safety okay? Just keep holding on.” She didn’t answer, but hopefully she heard her. With passengers in tow the trio flew down the stairs to the main entrance. The building swayed again. “Geez, what the f*** is this?” Alex asked in exasperation. “And which way?” “Front door” Vardus shouted, and kicked the door open. It was then they realised what was causing the shaking. About a hundred and fifty metres right in front of them was the back of a massive head, shaking and bellowing as it fought to get free, the buildings ahead dipped in and out of sight. Unknown to them, the reason the estate was shaking so much was the monster was struggling to get its hind leg free from the earth it had been buried in for so long. The rebels looked at the scene in amazement, trying to get a grip on what to do with the fact they were some huge distance off the ground above the city. “Er... any ideas anyone?” Erin asked tentatively. Even Vardus didn’t have one this time, however there was an engine roar to their left. Right on cue two large vehicles came around the corner of one of the other builds, pursued by an angry hoard of servants. They didn’t give much chase though as the giant roared and shook violently; knocking them down. They watched these two machines approach and stop at the base of the steps. They were old military trucks from the war, only official Empire vehicles got expensive automated engines nowadays, and looked like transporters that could carry a good few people. They’d obviously been updated since their last use in a war zone; they were more armoured and faster than the vehicles Erin had seen on the news as standard army transport. The door of the nearer vehicle flew open, and Nataka appeared and waved at them. “Don’t just stand there, get in.” They quickly obeyed. Erin piled in with him, Alex and Vardus ran to the other truck Chetema was driving. Vardus deposited Gaius’ body with them, before returning to squeeze in the cabin with her and Nataka. “Good timing my friend” he blurted, casting a worried glance back at the restarting mob. “Now go! Go!” Immediately the two transporters shot off. Heading down the path Erin had walked down with her leader at the start of the night that had been adorned with jugglers and fire breathers and lit up by fireworks was now a crumbling shaking trail of cold stone and blood. In seconds they were upon the broken gate she had entered through that was just off of the creatures mighty shoulders. She screamed for Nataka to stop, but the leaders both ignored her as Vardus told her to hold onto Camilla and for him to punch it. They shot forward, closely followed by the second transporter, out the gate, into space... They fell fifty metres, and landed heavily on the bent front leg of the behemoth. Before they could catch their breath from the impact they flew sideways as the creature roared, and fell another forty feet into the roof of the nearest house. The transporter crashed through it, through a bedroom and its floor, and came to an abrupt halt in someone’s sitting room. Everyone groaned as they recovered, before there was a second thud as the second transporter landed beside them. “Ugh... everyone still in one piece” Vardus asked as Nataka groggily sat up, clutching his shoulder. “I think so” Erin groaned. She checked Camilla. She was still alive too, somehow. Clearly these old war machines could take some punishment. “I’m never leaving headquarters again.” In a room that stuck out of the top of the mansion, Tessera was stood at a sort of control panel. This room was a bridge of sorts. His valet Severus was standing faithfully nearby, wringing his knotted hands together, while he tried to control the raging colossus. As he leaned over the panel a shadow appeared in the stairwell. The silhouette of a woman appeared, only the hem of her deep blue dress visible clearly. “Tessera, the rebel group have fled Grandopolis by stealing two of your transporters” she said, her voice sharp and bitter, and slightly croaky. There was a tap, as the end of a wooden staff struck the floor. “They had those pesky knights’ bodies with them, but they also had Armonia. We must go back for him.” “Humph, forget Armonia” Tessera replied carelessly, not diverting his attention from the panel and his view of the city ahead. “We don’t need him now. An arrogant, reckless and greedy man like that would only let us down in the end. Did you know he was in the trophy room when our guests tried to escape?” The woman blinked, then swore under her breath. “I have no doubt what he was doing, but don’t worry my good lady. Like I’d be as careless as that fool to leave my precious pieces in there.” Tessera flicked his gaze to the three triangular objects placed in a locked cabinet to his left, before going back to wrestling with his beast. “Speaking of, we must find the last piece, quickly. You two get on it, and get someone to take Armonia’s place as head dogsbody. That new guy... get him involved. Now can you leave me to this please? Grandopolis, is being a bit slow, to wake up, and is kind of difficult to steer.” The lady bowed and exited the room, leaving Tessera and his valet to it. Tessera punched something, trying to get his colossus to respond. “I’m at the controls of my own giant moving fortress stomping all over the capital... This is the most fun thing I’ve ever done in my life!” he laughed excitedly to himself as he tried another control at random, releasing some sort of electric shock. He looked up and saw the royal palace swing into view. Somewhere inside would be Nero. He wondered if he was watching this. What kind of reaction it had stirred in him. “Heh heh heh, and my dear Emperor. The fun is only just beginning...” As he laughed maniacally on the bridge, people screamed and fled the streets as Grandopolis lumbered round and took its first giant steps. Entire houses and the people inside were crushed instantly under its mighty feet. It left only ruins in its footprints, along with the enormous crater it had risen from. The men below tried futilely to stop it with arrows and catapults and every defence placed along the walls, but nothing deterred it from its pace. In just a few strides the colossus was crashing through the east wall of the city, reducing a large chunk of it to rubble, and disappearing over the horizon. The rebels watched it go from where they had climbed out of the wreckage of the house they’d fallen into. All were shaken, cut or bruised from the fall, but just about alive as were the two unconscious bodies with them. “I... think we have a serious problem here” Vardus said simply as he stared at the trail of destruction. “Clove...” Alex sighed. Behind him, Erin said nothing and tried not to look at him. Nataka and Chetema exchanged worried glances. Slowly, before the guards regrouped, they traipsed over to the one of the vehicles that was still working, Chetema managed to steer it out of the wreckage, and they headed for a place to get underground. To take in everything that had happened on this awful, life-changing night.[/spoiler] [spoiler=One final note]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzntZLHcYy0[/spoiler] So... what do you think...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brinolovania Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Well. That was decidedly unexpected. [spoiler=I can't think of anything witty to name this spoiler] Camilla trying to sacrifice herself to save Gaius I did not see coming, but I suppose it works. I mean, shipping them at least had a lot more buildup than you-know-what from the original Armageddon. The end of the duel was nice too. Although, it does seem like Tessera getting rid of Skull Invitation when Camilla would die if here or Gaius played a single card was a bit dumb. It was necessary for plot, I guess. As for the Vardus vs Armonia...Armonia sorta forgot about the whole "I must evolve beyond power!" thing. He threw away all of his cards to summon Trident Dragion, when he could've easily gone for game with just Delta Flyer and Exploder. The idea was that he was going a bit crazy by the end, and he also wanted to be sure he could destroy Vardus' set monster, right? Tessera's plan. Well. Hm. Taking over the empire/world with his giant house turtle thing. Didn't see that one coming at all. Using Grandopolis as a card doesn't really make much sense, given that nobody's playing matches. Unless it's effect is just different, beyond Tessera messing with it to kill Gaius? It's obviously ignoring the machine-type material restriction already (speaking of it's effect, your link to it is broken). Well, it'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Will Nero have to get involved? Who's gonna deal with the giant mech that apparently lived under the capitol? Lastly, Vardus telling Erin and Alex to take the knights with them. I guess they ARE the good guys...but it's not like they've been avoiding letting imperials die. What actual reason is there to save Camilla? So yeah, that was a good chapter. Quite the plot twist, Grandopolis. Looking forward to how this all plays out. [/spoiler] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted June 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2014 Sigh.... there's little point waiting around when there's questions to be answered. Well. That was decidedly unexpected. [spoiler=I can't think of anything witty to name this spoiler] Camilla trying to sacrifice herself to save Gaius I did not see coming, but I suppose it works. I mean, shipping them at least had a lot more buildup than you-know-what from the original Armageddon. The end of the duel was nice too. Although, it does seem like Tessera getting rid of Skull Invitation when Camilla would die if here or Gaius played a single card was a bit dumb. It was necessary for plot, I guess. As for the Vardus vs Armonia...Armonia sorta forgot about the whole "I must evolve beyond power!" thing. He threw away all of his cards to summon Trident Dragion, when he could've easily gone for game with just Delta Flyer and Exploder. The idea was that he was going a bit crazy by the end, and he also wanted to be sure he could destroy Vardus' set monster, right? Tessera's plan. Well. Hm. Taking over the empire/world with his giant house turtle thing. Didn't see that one coming at all. Using Grandopolis as a card doesn't really make much sense, given that nobody's playing matches. Unless it's effect is just different, beyond Tessera messing with it to kill Gaius? It's obviously ignoring the machine-type material restriction already (speaking of it's effect, your link to it is broken). Well, it'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Will Nero have to get involved? Who's gonna deal with the giant mech that apparently lived under the capitol? Lastly, Vardus telling Erin and Alex to take the knights with them. I guess they ARE the good guys...but it's not like they've been avoiding letting imperials die. What actual reason is there to save Camilla? So yeah, that was a good chapter. Quite the plot twist, Grandopolis. Looking forward to how this all plays out. [/spoiler] [spoiler=Answers to questions]Thanks for nice comments. I think this duel has been one of the better of this fic largely because there's been a genuine attack for game every turn since turn 2, and getting thwarted and all sorts. Plus some of the tag play like Gaius' Swords at Dawn felt nice. I realised most people wouldn't sacrifice Skull Invitation in that situation, and had to half-justify it with Tessera being very cautious/defensive and making his second fourth-wall breaking remark of the duel with "You're playing the hero you're gonna ass-pull MST now anyway" :D I'm enjoying writing Tessera in this fashion. As for Armonia, he was getting frustrated/irate at this point, and Trident three attacks would get past any defences that two attacks might not suffice. I had Tessera pencilled in for 'Xyz summon. Surprise!' for a while, but was really struggling to pick anything really impactful for him to summon among the Rank 8's (originally it was gonna be a case of Message in a Bottle/GQL Hyperion into it, but this was later changed). Grandopolis however solved multiple problems in one swoop, and seemed a fun if slightly ridicuolous idea to include. Yes the machine Xyz bit was... not so much ignored, Tessera did think to himself he'd bent the effect slightly, but as the duel had kind of forfeited when Gaius lunged for him he felt entitled to order Grandopolis to make the attack. As for why the effect killed Gaius and not Camilla with the attack, rustiness on Grandopolis' part with its first shot after millenia is the given reason. Vardus decided to take Camilla with them so that if she recovers, they can get any information out of her they might need regarding what Tessera is doing/what attacked them/etc[/spoiler] Hope this clears some stuff up. Thanks for commenting :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ren✧ Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 I do apologize for my lack of commenting. I have been caught up with some of my own projects in the RP section in addition to end of the year stuff for school. Last bit of finals are in the morning, so that will be a relief, and once a few more things straighten themselves out I should have more time to dive back into the story. Currently in the middle of chapter 19 right now, actually. I've had open in a tab for like the past three days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGATHODAIMON BANGTAIL COW Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 [spoiler='The spoils of -- WOAH WHAT IS THAT THING?!']Erin, you sneaky little liar. :P Anyway, it's a shame that Clove won't be around for the action-packed interaction she could have had with Camilla, since she is the one directly responsible for Skaro's death. But I am looking forward to seeing how she is going to react to the Resistance taking care of her. Will she side with them (to side against a bigger threat, to make sure they don't kill her for being loyal to Nero, or something like that)? Or will she leave them sooner rather than later? And I'm STILL waiting for her to play Tytannial. It was funny to see Tessera mocking Gaius and Camilla during the "I love you" scene. In fact, he was being completely silly during the whole duel, which was amusing. And then he surprised people both in the story and people reading it by Xyz Summoning. I don't think we've really gotten enough of Gaius yet, but there's still some hope for him yet since Camilla's still alive and kicking (albeit barely). And now that Grandopoilis is stepping on everyone, Nero's reaction is going to be amazing when he finds out who's behind it all. Or, if he isn't told the truth, his reaction when he finds out that it's Tessera is going to be awesome.[/spoiler] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted June 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 I do apologize for my lack of commenting. I have been caught up with some of my own projects in the RP section in addition to end of the year stuff for school. Last bit of finals are in the morning, so that will be a relief, and once a few more things straighten themselves out I should have more time to dive back into the story. Currently in the middle of chapter 19 right now, actually. I've had open in a tab for like the past three days. No worries, you gotta do what you gotta do and stuff has higher priority than this (I mean, I've got so much on myself at the moment to deal with that I really can't grant myself any time to writing this, and it's only because I'm so far ahead that I'm keeping it updated in the hope stuff gets sorted out soon) ... you've had your computer switched on for three days solid? :o [spoiler='The spoils of -- WOAH WHAT IS THAT THING?!']Erin, you sneaky little liar. :P Anyway, it's a shame that Clove won't be around for the action-packed interaction she could have had with Camilla, since she is the one directly responsible for Skaro's death. But I am looking forward to seeing how she is going to react to the Resistance taking care of her. Will she side with them (to side against a bigger threat, to make sure they don't kill her for being loyal to Nero, or something like that)? Or will she leave them sooner rather than later? And I'm STILL waiting for her to play Tytannial. It was funny to see Tessera mocking Gaius and Camilla during the "I love you" scene. In fact, he was being completely silly during the whole duel, which was amusing. And then he surprised people both in the story and people reading it by Xyz Summoning. I don't think we've really gotten enough of Gaius yet, but there's still some hope for him yet since Camilla's still alive and kicking (albeit barely). And now that Grandopoilis is stepping on everyone, Nero's reaction is going to be amazing when he finds out who's behind it all. Or, if he isn't told the truth, his reaction when he finds out that it's Tessera is going to be awesome.[/spoiler] [spoiler=Responses]Sneaky seems harsh on Erin, as that would suggest she intended everything she's done here. At the moment she's kind of lost/confused and barely knows what she's doing and it's all half-subconcious. Good point about lack of Clove/Camilla confrontation and having some potential there. It's something that maybe could have happened, and then the whole 'blame Erin for not killing me beforehand' thing would have probably come out then too. Not really given it any thought tbh :mellow: Still bloody-mindedly playing lacklustre Rose deck. I know... I know... I enjoy writing Tessera in a theatrical fashion. He does that better than some early writings where he was dark/sinister/preachy. Gaius' development... probably hasn't been fulfilled as much as it could have been. There was a long um'ing and ah'ing about whether who/both/either of the knights would make it out of this sector alive and there was a long pro/con argument for either of their continued involvement in the story. We'll see if the right decision was made in time I guess. I think on reflection Gaius as a whole has been a mix of cliche jobber and wasted potential, I dunno how well he has been recieved in general =/ Nero's reaction will be explosive, knee-jerk, and fairly imminent to be fair.[/spoiler] Thanks for commenting and glad you enjoyed. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ren✧ Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 I have FINALLY finished chapter 19. In all honesty, I got through half the chapter and began to contemplate skipping it and going to the next. However, I am glad I didn't. The chapter took a while to grab my full interest, but once it did I was in it for the long haul. The scene between Erin and Camilla is quite possibly my favorite overall so far. It showed both Gaius and Camilla in a very different light than we are used to at this point. Demon's appearance was intriguing as well, and I am interested to see how thing play out from here. Using the house as a gas chamber will definitely prove difficult for the resistance to overcome. How will they do it?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted June 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 I have FINALLY finished chapter 19. In all honesty, I got through half the chapter and began to contemplate skipping it and going to the next. However, I am glad I didn't. The chapter took a while to grab my full interest, but once it did I was in it for the long haul. The scene between Erin and Camilla is quite possibly my favorite overall so far. It showed both Gaius and Camilla in a very different light than we are used to at this point. Demon's appearance was intriguing as well, and I am interested to see how thing play out from here. Using the house as a gas chamber will definitely prove difficult for the resistance to overcome. How will they do it?! Woo :) Well, now actiony enough/too slow I take it? Glad you saw it out though as I enjoyed Chapter 19. Camilla and Gaius and Demon were fun, as was Vardus, to write about in this chapter. Indeed. How will they? Ps: I'm really making things easy here, but it's hardly the biggest spoiler/surprise if I point out that a part of Chapter 17 slots very neatly in to replace regarding the ballroom/gas chamber thing. ... I'm out all day tomorrow, and I want to get this arc finished this week, so I'm putting Chapter 23 now for people to read. Obvious arc finale build up is obvious, as we drop in on various different camps. Still, enjoy it yo. Oh, and I'm sure no-one is participating in this now, but surprise me and see if you can spot a guest appearance from one of the original Armageddon's bigger characters... [spoiler=Chapter 23]Chapter 23: The Gathering Storm ‘Let’s see. 15th Centaury druids of the northern territories of what is today’s modern Empire coveted gold as a precious commodity, but rather than use it as a material valuable for trade, their devil-possessed mystics and shamans kept them as items of great symbolic significance; be it for religious or cultural purposes, or for use as a tool for their dark magic. Thus the discovery of basic gold artefacts in druid burial grounds such as cups or crowns has not been uncommon, along with other precious metal ores and stones. Some nomadic tribes show particularly advanced extraction techniques and were able to create a more malleable, early kind of metal from their ore, in what might be seen as an almost alchemy like process. How the druid mystics of this period could achieve anything resulting in such a golden form from the original ore is unexplained, and must have required an otherworldly power to have accomplished such feats. Scientists believe they druids summoned spirits from the otherworld to complete the task of extracting and refining the gold ore for them to create such pieces...’ Turning the page, there was a diagram of one of the triangular pieces with the gold edging, with another coloured plate in between the frames. ‘One of the most impressive looking pieces created was this item of unknown name, function or origin; although it is thought to be of this period despite contradictory evidence. A drawing of this item; made from the gold extract and combined with other precious stone extracts, in this example sapphire, was found in the book of a high shaman of a thousand strong druid tribe believed to have existed in the 14th century. These materials create an alloy that does not correlate with its period, thus again it is thought to be the creation of dark magic or the work of otherworldly spirits. The item is also seen in various drawings as a tool of spiritual use for the shamans in various mystic ceremonies, primarily concerning the calling of and communicating with spirits. Unfortunately the location of this or any similar artefacts has not been discovered by this author...’ Vardus sighed, rubbed his eyes, and threw the book of ‘Ancient Artefacts that define and defy the world of the Empire’ into the ever increasing pile in front of his desk, before picking up a thick and musty and very fragile book of his steadily emptying bookshelves, one almost millennia old and that when he gently blew the dust off, a few pages fell apart as a result. Carrying the book to his desk, he flopped heavily into his chair, rubbed his reading glasses and squinted through them with bleary, bloodshot eyes, and began to pour over the minute, barely legible text. His hair was messy and unkempt. His body ached, still baring the cuts and scars he had barely considered since his return almost twelve hours ago. Mia had tended the best she could to him while he worked. He hadn’t eaten. He hadn’t slept. He hadn’t stopped, except for the coffee his secretary bought at his hourly order, gulping it down as he continued his marathon study of the ancients and their treasures relentlessly. And he wouldn’t stop. Not until he found something that revealed to him the location of the artefact that he had seen in the book in Tessera’s library with such detailed notes added to it and which now lay open under his desk lamp, as the only lead he had. Either that, or their guest kindly revealed to them its location and significance instead. ... “aaahh... aaaaa.... aaaaa.... aaaaaa....” “YYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!” The cycle of quiet, ragged breaths followed by shrill screaming had been going for some time. Long enough for Nataka to have tuned out the latter. The sounds came from the young tanned man who was stripped naked and heavily chained to a chair in the middle of this dimly little room they had converted for his stay. Chetema also ignored the screaming, kneeling as he was in front of the man’s shackled and spread legs, tightening the wooden boards wrapped ‘around his feet’. Similar appliances were in use ‘around his fingers’, which were trembling violently in their restraints to the arms of the chair as they were slowly being crushed. His perfect body was unblemished when they’d started, but that was long ago. There were brand marks, the iron that had given him them currently being reheated in the grate they’d got going into a fireplace. They had been stung further by the scalding. And of course there were bruises and blood, primarily across the head, from where the barbarian had simply resorted to hitting him. Nataka ignored another barrage of screams and curses as his associate further tightened the screws around his more breakable appendages, calmly wiping some of the sweat away from his brow as he picked the branding tool off the fire. The sweat on the poor white-haired man must be increasing the agony as the salty liquid trickled across his wounds. The samurai studied him as he held up the branding implement. Armonia cried in pain, but still managed to glare at him with the most burning hate. “That’s enough Chetema. For now.” Immediately the dreadlocked man stood, and moved somewhere behind the young man where he couldn’t see, as much as Armonia tried to follow him with his panicky, erratic gaze. He tried to spit at him too, but his saliva had long dried up. Patiently Nataka pulled up a chair, sat in front of him, and sighed. “I hope you realise that the longer this goes on, the more impatient Vardus is going to get with you” he said simply. “Enough to come down here in the end and do this himself. I can assure you he is not above getting his hands dirty when need be, and I’d also assure you that the methods he will take will be much more severe than mine...” He raised the poker to the prisoners face, slowly letting the point drift an inch in front of his face from eye to eye. Armonia tried to back his head away, but the brace around his neck didn’t let him go far. “I’m... ah.... gaaaah... I’m telling you nothing...” he panted defiantly between ragged snatches of air, trying to divert his eyes anywhere away from the poker and trying to see what Chetema was doing behind him. “Are you sure?” Nataka asked, barely blinking as he rapped the man on the shoulders with the hot poker then slapped him across the cheek with it, pressing into the side of his face as he screamed and thrashed against his binds. He let the man catch his breath after a few seconds, the mark permanently engraved on his cheek. “Vardus has already told me you were plotting to defy Tessera and steal something from him that he needed for your own scheme, for you to steal the glory for yourself in your own words. Why should you take this kind of punishment for him?” “Bah... I might not be loyal to Tessera, but I’m still loyal to the cause!” Armonia snapped insistently. “Our goals are the same and I still believe in them. If I can’t achieve the glory myself then so be it, but I might still be rewarded for what I did as part of the cause along with Tessera when the...” Armonia caught himself and bit his lip, before having another futile attempt at staining Nataka’s garb. “I see” the old warrior sighed wearily, looking over Armonia’s shoulder to where his partner was stood. Chetema held up something that looked like a drill. His fidgeting increased as Nataka nodded at the implement he couldn’t see, before he stood and stepped to the side of him. “I think you have come to terms with the fact Tessera is not going to rescue you?” he asked. Armonia tensed, then reluctantly nodded, straining all the more as Nataka waved to the big man and bended down to whisper in his half mutilated ear. “Well then you might also want to accept that you will not escape by dying either. You do not die until Vardus says you do, and there is no God I know of who I think would take any mercy on you and defy his orders. I certainly won’t.” Armonia shivered as a finger traced along his back through the gaps in the back of the chair they’d made. “I can keep you in this state, but very much alive, for days. Weeks even, if need be. So you can either talk, or be prepared for a very long and uncomfortable stay.” The white haired man groaned, but shook his head. Nataka sighed again, halting the trail he’d drawn with his finger at a precise spot in the small of the man’s hip. Chetema nodded, kneeled down and put the tip of the drill where Nataka indicated was the spot. The screaming was just as horrific as the method. ... ‘Citizens of the Empire, this is an important public address made on behalf of his Excellency Nero VIII. Last night it emerged that Lord Tessera Katas, a once faithful servant of the Emperor, revealed himself to be a dangerous duel spirit conspirator and destructive traitor to the state by allying himself with the giant duel spirit monster which destroyed various sections of the city in a senseless act of destruction and slaughter against the people. He also attempted to use the cover of a generous party in the Emperor’s name to attempt to murder many beloved state officials, although we are relieved to tell you that he failed in this endeavour and all city personnel escaped unharmed, thus causing him to flee from the city with his accomplice and leave a path of ruin in vengeance to his failure. City officials and the Royal Guard are doing everything they can to shelter and care for those who lost their homes or loved ones to this vindictive and dangerous criminal, and citizens are urged to do everything in their power to help and support their neighbours affected by his acts. We also ask at this time for all citizens to exercise extreme vigilance and alert the authorities if they believe to encounter any of Tessera’s co-conspirators and other individuals who sympathise with these destructive and dangerous monsters. The Empire seeks to capture and bring justice to this enemy of the state as swiftly as possible, and anyone having any information that might be of help to the Emperor in this righteous endeavour is urged to come forward.’ Above ground, this was the statement put out to the people by the Empire’s propaganda news channel and its host Wanda Anika. Meanwhile in the more luxurious confines of the Royal Palace, the great and benign Emperor she portrayed in Nero was trying to work out his response. Or to put it another way, the full extent of his immense rage that would crash down on the little maggot who had dared to commit such atrocities against him after all those years of having the cheek to drink with him, pretending to be a fancy well to do aristocrat and throwing events in his name. Since he had been awoken by the sound and then sight of the mighty abomination breaking free from its earthly bind and stamping its way out of the city, Nero was thrust into action, alerting everyone he could to spring into a response. Any of his top dignitaries who had been uninvited, unable to attend, or had actually been at Tessera’s mansion last night and managed to escape with their lives before the estate took off were summoned to join him in his war room. Contrary to what Anika told the mass public, there weren’t too many of these left. About a dozen men sat with him, a few clutching various nasty wounds. “Bah, where’s Tectum? This is his responsibility. He’s always late” the Emperor snapped. “Tectum... was at Tessera’s mansion last night” one of the nobles holding a seeping bandage to his head replied solemnly. “He didn’t make it.” The Emperor was stunned for a moment, but quickly composed himself and moved on from the news of the demise of his usual verbal punch bag. “Damn Tessera. I always knew he had a darker side. I should have had him dealt with along with the rest of that squad he had put together. This is exactly why those people couldn’t be allowed to live. Right, give me options people! Where is Tessera now?” “Orders have been sent to every city, village and outpost to look for him. Any sighting of the... the thing, are to be communicated to us right away.” Nero scowled to say that wasn’t good enough. “Bah, how are the Royal Guard managing all this? Who’s taken charge of them? Have they captured anyone whilst they went in and helped some of you out?” “The men now in charge of the army and guard who did attend escaped sir, and are getting themselves reorganised and sending out scouts all across a hundred mile radius, as well as trying to calm the people in the city and help those who lost their homes” an older man with his arm in a sling replied. He was tall and dark skinned, with a shaven head and jaw and several piercings in each ear. He was still strong and quick witted enough when the ballroom doors were forced open to grab the first thing he might be able to fashion into a weapon, and was just about able to fight his way out past Tessera ‘s rudimentary skilled but overwhelming number of forces alive. Escape had been difficult because of the line of archers placed around the perimeter to deal with any who might get that far, and it was only after the guard took care of some of them that he got out. “I’m afraid captives from Tessera’s mansion are scarce though. Anyone they came close to capturing immediately killed themselves before they could be taken. They’re talking to everyone who they managed to help escape, although how much we’ll learn from that...” “Damn it. Enough of that Rufinus” the Emperor spat, interrupting the man. “I don’t care about what they’re doing about cleaning up Tessera’s mess. People who refuse to wield a sword for us can sort themselves out for all I care right now. All I want to know is what are they doing to find Tessera NOW?!” “They’re doing everything they can” Rufinus replied a little testily. “But while we haven’t found him, the clean up and supporting those who lost their homes or lives is just as important.” “Bah! You’re all useless! I want Tessera found, today! I want every single one of those foreign slaves of his who committed these acts for him slaughtered! I want that oversized pet of his destroyed! I want him dragged back here, by any means necessary, and put on the executioners block, and so help me if I have to I will swing the axe myself!” The Emperor stood up violently and stormed off, shouting at the nearest maid in his irate temper. “And where the bloody hell is that vizier when I send orders for him? I want him in my chamber as soon as he bothers to answer my command!” His explosive exit signalled the end of the meeting, and the other advisors took their leave to return to their offices, medical facilities, or in the case of the visiting dignitaries of other cities like the big round man with the handlebar moustache using a crutch to walk with to make arrangements of return to their homes. The noble Rufinus however sat where he was for a while watching them go, and shook his head. The Emperor was driven by rage for retribution, and although he was certain he wouldn’t stop until Tessera was found and dead, by then it might be too late. As a man of many experiences in his long life, he knew there were forces at work here. Dark forces. Tessera wasn’t like any other enemy of the state he’d ever known before; he felt he was more than that. With that giant monster he saw rise up behind him under his control, he shuddered. The man was dangerous, if he wasn’t found soon... He made his decision. Making his way quickly out of the palace, he needed help, and he thought he might know someone who just might be able to help in this sort of strange situation. A young man he’d met several years ago who seemed to revel in the unbelievable, who until a few months ago he thought he’d never see again. ‘I hope you will help me in our hour of need my old friend. I know you have no love for it now, but the Empire needs you again.’ ... Thankfully the thick stone walls of the underground chamber were great natural sound proofers. The young sandy haired Rain barely noticed as she wandered past the room that had been sealed off and turned into the torture chamber that morning, heading towards the medical bay that was up a floor from the other rooms on a higher level. She climbed the stairs up and knocked on the door. After a minute’s wait it opened a crack, and Doyle nervously peeked around. “Ah... hello? I’m sorry, but I really could do with not being disturbed today. Do you need something urgently Rain?” “Oh” she blinked. “No... no, it was just a headache was all. I can manage if you’re busy Sir. It’s just been hurting for a couple of days now, so I thought maybe I should see you...” Doyle grumbled, then told her to wait a moment and shut the door. Rain was a little surprised at first, but then she realised why he must be being so evasive. But being a young and naive girl just shy of fifteen, she was still the lesser to curiosity. When he quickly emerged with a couple of tablets, she tried to sneak a look in the gap he’d opened. She could only see a little of one bed, and someone in armour was lying upon it, but nothing more. Doyle scowled and plugged the gap to block her view. “Take two of these now with water, then two more when you go to sleep. If the pain still persists by the morning, come see me again and I’ll check you over properly.” Rain took the pills and shifted awkwardly, unable to help herself. “Um... Is she going to be okay?” Doyle was about to scowl and reproach her, but gave into his better nature. He, just like everyone else, had stayed up late last night until the group involved in attending Tessera’s party had returned. When they did, at just after two in the morning, covered in blood and bruises, plus a hostage, a causality and a dead body, and to their despair minus one of their own, Vardus decided it was best to get all the group as a whole together and explain what had happened. Only the two youngest non-members Chou and Mel weren’t involved. So he, Rain, and the others learned of the nature of the party of slaughter. How Tessera planned to trap and murder all his guests. How Vardus had already slipped away, and Clove and Alex were mixed in with the servants and armed just in case, and Erin’s lucky escape thanks to the two mystery guests. How Vardus had discovered strange notes in his library about items he was collecting with some unknown yet grave purpose, and stumbled upon their captive who was aiding his ambition. How they re-grouped and escaped. How Tessera’s mansion had risen from the earth to reveal a great duel monster sleeping underneath it, carrying Tessera away. How it carried Clove’s dead body with it. The tale filled Doyle with many unimaginable horrors. To be honest with himself, if he wasn’t so busy and engrossed in the work Vardus had bought for him, he feared it would drive him mad. “It’s too early to say” was his most wary, but not dishonest response to the young girl looking nervously up at him. He couldn’t blame her, but he certainly did not wish to be as open and forthcoming as Vardus was. “She’s stable, but her condition has not improved and shows no sign of waking up if I were to try to bring her out of the coma I’ve induced her in yet. Whatever happened to her, it...” He shuddered, as the unspeakable thought of ‘it damned near killed them’ was silenced. Rain was still expecting an answer. He smiled in a fragile way. “They just need time and rest to recover. They’ve had a heck of an ordeal, one we need to know about and hopefully as soon as possible. Now you run along and get some water to take with those. I... I have to get back to my patient.” Rain nodded and ran off as orded, thank goodness. Doyle closed the door and locked it behind him, before turning back to his work. His patient was laid to the bed, almost entirely wrapped in bandages, looking most distressed in their sleep. As he’d said, she had been placed in a medically induced coma for now, and wouldn’t be awoken until he was sure she’d recovered, but she seemed in no more immediate danger now. Instead he turned to the other bed, picking up a bottle of spray and embalming tools off his desk for his more immediate task, thankful that young Rain had not seen this. ‘I don’t have the faintest idea what is going on in the world any more... but God help us...’ ... As Rain ran past to find a drinks fountain, Erin leaned back into the shadows. She was stood in the mouth of one of the entrance tunnels that entered the great underground citadel with her back pressed against the wall, looking down, arms folded, shrouded in semi-darkness. She wanted to be alone. Alone with her thoughts. Her room was too obvious, as were many other rooms people would look for her. To try and talk to her. Wanting to listen. But she couldn’t leave the safety of here and go hide in the city, not that she wanted to go anywhere out there right now either, it wasn’t safe to go above ground right now. Not until things calmed down topside, and the situation was clear. Vardus had forbidden anyone going outside unless it was under direct orders, and right now the last thing she wanted to do was disobey him. So she just hung around in the entrance, staring blankly into the water current a little way beneath her, trying to pour her thoughts and her guilt into it so it could be washed away. ‘How many people died last night?’ Shadows of a hundred dead faces crossed her mind from the giant ballroom that became a poisonous tomb, the corridors soaked in blood, and of the knights they’d found in Tessera’s drawing room, limp and lifeless. The answer was grim. ‘High two hundreds? Three hundred? More than that even. All those people walked so happily into that house, watching the fireworks and the dancers and laughing and full of life. And almost none of them ever left.’ She remembered how their host had come to the balcony during the party. How he had smiled and waved to his guests and greeted them all so graciously. How people had raised glasses and cheered to him, mere moments before he had the doors locked behind him and tried to choke and poison them all. His face clouded her vision as it appeared reflected in the water, laughing heartily. Laughing at her, for being so ignorant and stupid for walking right into his clutches. She didn’t move as the reflection goaded her, just stood and stared back at it until he disappeared in the blink of an eye. That Tessera. How could he smile and joke like that with them knowing he was going to kill them all a minute later? What kind of person could do that... ’ Another ghostly voice whispered in her ear. ‘You did Erin...’ “Clove?” She gasped suddenly and whipped round, and the people in front of her recoiled in shock. A couple of metres away from her, Aerial and Mel were stood at the corner of the canal, staring at her with their mouths slightly open. Nobody moved for a moment. Slowly, Erin became very disturbingly aware that her hand was grasping the handle of the sword at her hip. The sword that all night she’d... Trying to shake the ghost out of her head, she retook her stance against the wall and ignored them. It didn’t stop them approaching, albeit a bit more cautiously after the reaction to Aerial’s initial “Erin?” “Hey sis... um... are you alright?” Mel asked nervously from a safe distance. She shrugged in reply. “Um... Aerial told me a little bit about what happened last night. Said you all had a real late meeting.” “Please don’t start Mel. You were already asleep” she sighed before he could moan about it. Mel recoiled at her weary reaction, and shied away behind the young archer who took a few tentative steps towards her. “And you shouldn’t have told him anything that was discussed last night.” “Sorry Erin, but I had to” Aerial tried to explain. “He was really worried about you. We all were when you were late back. But it’s kind of hard to hide everything. What with stuff all over the Empire’s news channel on TV, the panic topside, with the people you bought back and... um... didn’t...” His voice trailed off. The ghost he alluded to appeared in front of him in Erin’s eyes, she bit her lip and resisted the urge to lunge at the spectre and swat it away. Thankfully the bloody illusion was dispelled when he took another step forward. “You look awful Erin. Have you slept?” She hadn’t. She’d returned to her room after Vardus briefed everyone about what had happened, a meeting which lasted about an hour. Thankfully he did all the talking and she was not asked for exact details about Clove’s demise at the hands of Tessera’s bloodthirsty army... yet. Mel was fast asleep when she’d returned; she had no idea if he had tried to stay up to wait for or not but she guessed the latter, but that had allowed her to get stuff done during the night. First she had got out of that dress, the dress she found so wonderful and pretty to be in and was now covered in blood, took it outside, and burned it. And thrown the ashes of it in the river to be carried away. She had washed out the silver in her hair that Lavender had done so beautifully for her, until it returned to her natural colour. Then she had spent the rest of the night cleaning her sword. The sword which just wouldn’t lose the blood... “Erin?” She blinked as she realised Aerial was still speaking. On the outside, she remained blank, composed and wholly detached as she stared past them. To him and Melanc anyway. “Do you need to talk?” There was a long pause as she looked past them and into the water. At the ghosts they reflected in her eyes, staring accusingly back at her. “No. I need to be alone right now.” Aerial and Mel were stunned as she stood up and brushed past them, marching off back into headquarters without a second glance back. ‘How am I ever going to get over what I did?’ she thought as she wandered aimlessly. She could feel a shadow behind her again, but made no attempt to outrun it. It would just catch up anyway when it was ready to. When she was most vulnerable to be made to pay. ‘I didn’t mean it Clove... really I didn’t. It was an accident... right? But if Vardus finds out... oh s*** Erin what is wrong with you?’ She wandered around the grand hall without thinking about where she was going or replying to Chou or the armourer as she passed them, unconsciously following sounds of battle ahead of her that she wasn’t sure were real or in her head. After a few minutes she looked up and realised she had ended up, to a small yelp of fright inside her, approaching the main duel training area, where the rest of the young rebels - Lavender, Klasse, and Alex - were having a training match it seemed. She shuddered as she looked across the arena. Another reminder, given the last duel she’d had here two days ago, and another stab of guilt from the whispering ghost in her head. Trying to shake it away and focus on something else she went to retreat, but then realised Chou was still behind her and looking at her with a curious expression. Turning around would probably not appear well in the eyes of others regarding her state of mind, so she was stuck here. Cursing herself and the ghost mocking her by leading her here, she composed herself and tried to look as calm and neutral as possible, sitting on the pathway dangling her feet over the edge to watch the duel on the platform below. From the looks of it, the duel being contested by the three was either a three way battle royale with everyone against each other, or the two newer duelists against their senior Alex in a handicap match. Either way, Lavender and Klasse were in much stronger positions than he was. Lavender currently had her key monster ‘The Creator’ out, the thunder god towering above everything else on the field, along with the fairy dragon she recognised as ‘Majestic Mech - Goryu’ beside it (she hadn’t seen her use that during her training before, but wondered for a second if she’d seen that monster before somewhere). Either way she cast the thought aside. Klasse also had two monsters out, and it seemed to be his turn as he summoned a small cylindrical machine that floated across the field (Lv5, ATK 1800), joining his Jinzo (Lv6, ATK 2400). His monsters weren’t as strong as Lavenders, but their effects combined crippled Alex. The Jinzo crushed one of his X-Sabers, before the floating machine fired a laser at a strange insect like swordsman (Lv4, ATK 1300). Alex grunted as he took a small amount of damage from each hit (LP 1000). “The effect of Emmersblade activates when destroyed by battle, summoning an X-Saber from my deck.” Both Klasse and Erin were surprised when the chosen monster was revealed to be the muscular silver armoured beast warrior ‘Boggart Knight’ (Lv4, ATK 1900). ‘Why the hell did he summon that for? Sure it has more attack points than that other monster, but it’s not much use beyond that...’ Klasse ended his turn there and Alex swiped at his deck, adding a fourth card to his hand. His field was now bare apart from the knight and a face-down Erin knew he couldn’t activate whatever it was, and half his hand could well be useless to him too. It was a very steep ask for him to turn this around and he’d been forgiven for looking a bit irritated by it, but from where she was sitting, Alex looked more than that. But then in her eyes he didn’t look entirely focused either. He seemed... distant somehow. She watched as he snatched at a monster and quite wildly slammed it onto his duel shield. “I summon ‘XX-Saber Fulhelmknight, then since I have two X-Sabers out I’ll use ‘Saber Slash’ to destroy two cards.” “Wow, that was careless” Klasse smirked in his slightly smarmy way as both girls blinked in disbelief. “You do realise the monster I just summoned is ‘Spell Canceller’, and surely you don’t need me to explain to you what a monster by that name does?” Indeed, the spell fizzled out harmlessly. Erin watched Alex blink a couple of times, as if it hadn’t really registered with him somehow, before scowling and pressing on without comment about it. “I tune Fulhelmknight with Boggart Knight. Synchro Summon.” The two warriors joined forces to become a powerful silver plated knight (Lv7, ATK 2500). “Now ‘Souza’ destroys Jinzo.” The masked psycho was slain with slight damage, and Alex immediately capitalised. “Still battle phase. I activate ‘Gottoms Emergency Call’, to summon two X-Sabers from my graveyard to join Souza.” The snarling figures of ‘Gardestrike’ and ‘Uruz’ who had been defeated the turns previous came roaring back onto the field. “Now Gardestrike, destroy his other monster.” “Trap activate” Lavender countered as soon as the beast-warrior leapt forward, springing her now freed face down. “I use ‘Lumenize’ to negate one attack.” The sword wielding cat was stopped by a bright light that is shied away from. “And then after that happens successfully, one of my Light monsters gains the attack of the monster that was stopped in addition to its own strength until the end of my next turn.” ‘Nice move Lavender’ Erin thought to herself as the fairy dragon with the piercing effect gained strength (ATK 5000), despite everything quietly pleased with her trainee. Alex looked blank and shook his head at the monsters before him as if he was in a daze. ‘And unlucky Alex. That was a bit better, but you still seem...’ “I... I er... spell card... ‘Wild Nature’s Release’...” “What?!” everyone exclaimed as he inexplicably placed another spell into his shield’s spell and trap slot. Erin and Lavender were speechless at this. Thankfully (or maybe not) Klasse quickly regained enough composure to cut Alex off. “Um... Alex? One: I’ve still got Spell Canceller on the field, so your spell cards are still negated.” Alex blinked again in an unfocused sort of way as the machine stunned his spell card with its laser, as if he could barely see the monster was still there. “And two: that just saves your monster, since the battle phase was already over. Why would you even try to activate that now? What... I don’t... what were you even doing with that?” “I thought... um...” Alex stopped and started with an explanation. Seemingly he didn’t know himself. After a few seconds he growled and gave up on any reasoning he might have had behind his misplay, slammed his final card face down into his duel shield, and no sooner than Lavender had drawn flipped it a rage. “What do you idiots even care for? ‘Ceasefire’. When this activates, you both take damage equal to the six effect monsters on the field times five hundred!” Erin was surprised by that card’s appearance as the powerful burn trap pulled open and let fire at the two stunned rebels opposite him, reducing whatever their life points had been by enough for him to just about claw to the win, somehow (LP 0). She sighed and stood up as the six various monsters all faded out of reality together as the combatants deactivated theirs shields, taking the stairs down to join her comrade and her dejected looking students. Lavender looked disappointed by losing from a position of such control, but Klasse was quite irked. “Tsk, I didn’t calculate for you having a burn card. What a lucky win. I was expecting much better from someone of your rank in terms of fighting.” Alex hadn’t looked particularly jubilant in victory anyway, but something twitched in response. “Bah! What would you know about fighting you snivelling creep! You’ve got no idea! You go up against real enemies in a real battle and lose like that then the result will be a lot more severe. You’re not cut out to fight with us!” Klasse looked about to respond quite angrily, but before he got more than two curses out Alex punched him in the jaw. Lavender and Erin gasped as he went to the floor, rubbing his mouth. “Alex what’s the matter with you?” Erin jogged down behind him, but he just turned and without even noticing her barged past, shoving her to the floor as well without a second glance. He threw his duel shield down in front of the storage rack as he stomped past, before running up the steps and out towards the exit. “Alex, come back!” “Geez, what’s eating him?” Klasse grumbled from where he was sat, picking up his dislodged glasses. “You could have been more sensitive” Lavender scolded him as she hoisted him up. “And do you really need to ask? He’s obviously hurting from what happened last night. What should we do now Erin?” she asked as she turned to her teacher. Erin frowned and picked herself up. “We’d better go find him before Vardus finds out he’s left against his orders. That or before he does anything stupid. Hopefully he’ll calm down quickly.” Klasse grumbled, but complied as he detached his small metal shield and set off quickly in pursuit. Erin was just about to run after him, but was stopped by his duel partner. “Could you wait a sec Erin?” “Hmm? What is it Lavender?” she asked as the other girl held back. She knew Lavender was a few years older than her and was a young woman really, despite their mentor student relationship, although they were similar heights and body types. Her student swept her long hair out of her face and approached her nervously. “I know Alex must be going through something bad, but you were there too last night. Are you okay?” “What? Oh... um... no, I’m fine” she quickly lied. Lavender didn’t seem to believe her, but thankfully didn’t press her. What she did do was tentatively take her hand for a second though. “Well... alright. But you still look troubled. You have a lot of times recently I’ve noticed. If you... um, if you ever need to talk about anything, or if you just want to get anything off your chest at all and need someone to listen for a bit... then I just want you to know you can come to me about anything. You’ve been really good to me since I got here, and Klasse and Rain. So if you ever need anything...” “Um... sure” Erin interrupted a little uncertainly, withdrawing her hand. Still the offer sounded genuine enough, and despite her initial distance towards the three recruits Lavender seemed nice enough during training and when she helped do her hair the night before. She guessed there was no harm. “Thanks.” Lavender smiled tentatively and passed her to go after Klasse. Erin took a moment to react, but quickly followed after them, picking up some cloaks for disguise, and the three went topside to look for Alex. ... Thankfully he hadn’t gotten too far when they found him. The streets were quite empty for midday, no doubt because of the events of last night that were now very public, people didn’t want to go out if they could help it until it was safe. After about five minutes they found him, and immediately cringed. He had got into a fight with some kid in the middle of a street of houses, a young guy with messy black hair and a faded jacket over a plain shirt and trousers who clearly didn’t look like someone who would have started anything with a young and powerfully built guy like Alex was, who had just punched him in the face. The young boy went to ground in similar fashion to how Klasse had done, albeit clutching a much more severely bleeding nose. Not that it was stopping Alex as he picked the kid up by the scruff of the jacket and pinned him against the side of a house and lining up another one, the boy’s emerald eyes closed in fear. Erin gulped as she realised Alex’s sheathed twin swords were still slung across his back, and looking down the street to their right as they peeped around the corner of the house they were stood outside, two patrolling guards were heading their way and about to walk in on the assault. “Lavender, distract them” Erin quickly ordered, the girl nodded and crossed the street, putting on a faked panic as she ran up to the guards and started giving them some story. As soon as the coast was clear Klasse took the chance to run straight at Alex and, without giving him the option of backing off himself, jumped on his back between his swords and clung to him in an improvised headlock. Alex swore and tried to grab him, releasing the boy. “Get out of here kid. We’ll take care of him.” The bloody faced boy nodded and ran, coming towards and passing Erin as she hung back to survey both situations. As he passed, the boy glanced up at her. She caught his eyes and glanced back. Their eyes met for a split second... before he and the moment passed. Erin watched him go for a second unable to react, but then what was he to react to? Checking her hood as she thought about if the boy might have recognised her, thankfully her eye-catching hair was covered, she quickly forgot about him and went to help Klasse calm Alex down. Lavender soon rejoined them after. “I sent the guards to investigate a store burglary a few streets away. That should give us a few minutes.” “Good. Alex. Alex! Stop fighting and calm down Alex, it’s us.” Alex slowly stopped struggling and thrashing at Klasse and came to a halt, slowly looking up at her. He was very red in the face. Clearly once he had been out of their sight underground, he had let himself go and his emotions out in a flood and looked thoroughly awful. The trio steered him into the nearest alley where they wouldn’t be as visible and made him sit on an overturned bin, Klasse releasing him once he was assured he was safe from retaliation. Erin told the others to keep watch for any more guards, but they understood that she wanted to talk to Alex in private. As they stood either end of the alley, she crouched down in front of the guy who looked on the verge of weeping again. “Ok. What happened to you last night? This isn’t just about what happened to..., is it?” She had suspected there was more to it than that, and Alex made a fifty-fifty kind of indication to confirm it. “I thought so. You were acting strange as soon as we found you in Tessera’s mansion. Talk to me Alex. What did they make you do?” He needed a few moments and shaky breaths. Eventually he calmed down enough to speak to her in a croaky voice. “When the.... when me and Clove followed the other servants out of the ballroom, we had weapons shoved in our hands and put into groups. We didn’t know what was going on, but we couldn’t do anything or get away by then. So we got split up, and I was caught in this group of six other guys patrolling the rest of the house. That’s when the guests all started coming towards us, all running and screaming and everything. Before I realised what was going on they...” He trailed off for a second, before continuing. “I just stood there and watched those guys attack those defenceless nobles. Then the one leading our group looked at me, and I was scared. He was looking at me as to work out why I was holding back and not doing as they’d all been ordered. So I... I had to...” He lost the thread again, but Erin understood. “Oh Alex... You did what you had to keep yourself alive.” “I know that, but it’s still terrible” he protested in despair. “It’s not the same as fighting the guard. Those people weren’t armed to fight. A lot of them were old, they couldn’t do anything. I know that all the guests were Empire supporters and higher society that aren’t suffering like us poor people, but we’d have never done anything like that here. Vardus wouldn’t have had us do that. Not the way they were catching people, and were just exe... making me execu... execu...” Erin didn’t press him to complete the word, she knew what he meant. He meant execute. They’d made him execute people he had no desire to fight. “I slipped away as soon as I could. They noticed, but I lost them. Then I found you and Vardus, and then when you told me about Clove as well...” The two sat and knelt in silence for a moment. Shakily, Erin put her hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry about what happened to Clove Alex.” Sniff... “It’s not your fault Erin” Alex grunted as he stood up, ignoring her failure to get up after him. “She would never have let herself be put in the position I weakly let myself be. That’s... that’s why they must have discovered who she was and turned on her. She’d have rather fought all of them and die in the process than be used to murder people like that. I should thank you Erin. Thank you for getting the murderous bastards who did her in like that. But it’s not over yet...” His fists clenched. “Now we gotta get that guy who led that slaughter and had Clove killed. He’s the one responsible for her death. I’m going to get that Tessera. Doesn’t matter to me what he’s doing, he’s the one guy in my life I will be happy to kill when I get him. I’m going to kill him for what he did to all of us.” He walked off towards the end of the alley Klasse was guarding to apologise, leaving Erin shaken, unable to move until Lavender brushed past her. As they rejoined the boys and headed for home, she couldn’t look at the boy whose despair was now turned to bloody resolve for vengeance against Clove’s murderer, little knowing how the true culprit was right behind him. ‘I’m so sorry Alex’ she though sadly as they found an abandoned house where they had a hatch down to their base. ‘You’re wrong...’ ... They got back safely and it seemed their brief absence had gone unnoticed by the others, so to keep it that way the foursome agreed not to speak of what happened. They each went off and spent the rest of the day either in their bedrooms or other areas like the common room, waiting for news or orders as to what to do. It wasn’t until dinner that night, in the sullen atmosphere of the mess hall where everyone had gathered to eat, that Vardus and Mia walked in with a couple of heavy books under their arms and the leader stood on a table to gain their attention. He looked absolutely exhausted, and downbeat as every one of umpteen gazes focused upon him. “Alright everyone, I’m sorry to have kept you all waiting so long for news on what we are to do following what happened last night. If I knew more I’d tell you, but I am just as in the dark as you are in regarding certain aspects of what is happening, such as Tessera’s actual goal or his motive for inviting several hundred influential figures to his home to kill them all beyond needing them out of the way for his yet unknown calling. Our guest has, despite the best and most through efforts of our two senior generals, not been co-operative in providing us any answers as to where he has gone in that giant fortress of his or why, and the royal knight Camilla who we also found grievously injured and bought back here, although thanks to our medic Doyle is for now no longer in an immediate life threatening condition, is still not awake and therefore cannot tell us anything they might know either.” He rubbed his bloodshot eyes, but smiled slightly when he next spoke. “However, there has been some progress just now. It has been bought to my knowledge courtesy of an old nobleman who was also at the party last night and managed to escape with his life, an old acquaintance of mine called Rufinus who I have come into contact with, that the giant monster that carries his home on its back has been spotted.” The room immediately burst into a murmur, but Vardus held up his hand to quell the muttering. “Like I said, I don’t know what Tessera’s intentions are.” That wasn’t strictly true, he had a vague idea given some of the harrowing things Armonia had said to him last night, but he didn’t tell them that. No need to cause complete panic amongst the ranks. “But we must assume they are of the worst kind and that he is a dire threat. We must find out what he is doing, and almost certainly stop him. The Emperor has got a search going across the entire kingdom for him in his fury, and about an hour ago messages came in to the palace from two outpost villages to the north west of here that they had seen a giant tortoise like creature passing them by carrying a small city on its back, passing them in a way that indicates it is now travelling south-west from its previous bearing, having turned back on its immediate escape out of the city and looped around. According to Rufinus, Nero is trying to mobilise as much of a response as he can from the nearest city, which is Sennen’ Yama, and the creature is heading a course just off to the north of it from the two sightings, if taken as the crow flies. Tessera may not be heading so directly, but I think he has a destination in mind that matches his course given another discovery I’ve made.” Mia opened a book she was carrying to the marked page to show a picture, which Erin, Alex and Aerial all immediately recognised from either seeing it in another book, or from firsthand experience. They exchanged worried glances. “We believe Tessera is, for whatever reason, seeking objects like this that make up an item called the Tetragram. It is an artefact used millennia ago in religious ceremonies and rituals. He seems to have a worrying interest in this item. I have found in this book an old site where one of these ancient cities dwelled much like our present home, at the northern tip of the mountain range to the west, where an ancient society was based before it was wiped out by an earthquake and landslide which destroyed it. I believe all these things are linked, and this is where he is heading, in belief that one of these pieces is there. Given the testimony of some of our group from their previous encounter with the man Armonia, we believe Tessera already has three of the four pieces. So we must get there first and stop him getting this one to complete the set for whatever purpose he aims. I know it all sounds mad, but I have no doubt Tessera is mad, and is also extremely dangerous. We have to go after him.” “Can we catch him up if he’s heading further from where we are?” Doyle asked. Vardus nodded. “If his base continues as its estimated speed given the time between the sightings and without stopping, it will reach the destination I predict he’s going for by dusk tomorrow. If we go now in the armoured truck we acquired last night and are similarly non-stop going to the same destination, we might get their first. It depends on the terrain and the damage to the truck. But we must go quickly.” Despite the gravity of the situation he couldn’t help but yawn. “I’ll be going, and so will Nataka. Chetema will stay here and look after things as we can’t commit to taking everyone and leaving the place empty, not now. We will take Alexander, Erin, Lavender, Klasse, Kaisa and Hester. Get your stuff ready. We leave as quickly as possible.” Those selected quickly got ready, the two newer recruits looked nervous to suddenly be thrust into such an important mission, but the two older soldiers Kaisa and Hester reassured them and helped them to get ready for the journey and possible battle ahead. Aerial looked dejected to not be included, as did the other male soldier who had been a frontline comrade of Vardus, but he spoke to him immediately and gave him his reasoning of needing a trained sword hand to stay behind like Chetema was doing. Just in case. Erin felt bad for Aerial and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder and asked if he could look after Mel while she was gone. “Okay, just come back safe alright?” he said as he put his arm round her little brother. Mel looked up at her with a terrified expression. She hugged him, but neither felt much better. She had a bad feeling about this. Once everyone was fully equipped and armoured, the group made their way through the waterways to climb up to the old warehouse where they had hidden the truck; Goro and the other soldier came with them that far to help them carry provisions and weapons to the truck, as did Mia who came chasing after them with blankets. Once the truck was loaded and checked for damage, the electro generator engine similar to those of duel runners in its limitless supply of regenerating energy mercifully intact and able to take them the distance, they all climbed in. Nataka took the first shift driving with Klasse up front with him, the rest in the back, Goro opening the door to the lift for them, and having ascended to the ground floor they trundled into the setting sun over the capital, many of them about to leave its walls for the first time. Vardus yawned something about his old ally having already made arrangements for more easily bribed guards to be placed on the western gate for when they arrived at it to leave through without commotion, before he pulled up a blanket in a quiet corner of the truck and finally collapsed into long overdue sleep, snoring slightly as the truck started the long journey towards the coming storm.[/spoiler] Sorry, haven't got time to put hyperlinks in the duel section. I'm sure you all know how to use the wikia. Now don't be a lemon. Be a commentor bud :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ren✧ Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 Well, now actiony enough/too slow I take it? Pretty much, I have the attention span of a squirrel, coupled with a busy couple of weeks, made it difficult to get through the first part of that chapter. And yes, I forgot to talk about Vardus. It was interesting to see the other side of his character! Glad we see more into his life. In all honesty, up until this point I had been thinking that any connections to the Empire were completely gone, but obviously not as we see him don the title of Marcellus and take to the ballroom. A lot of improvement there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted June 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2014 Pretty much, I have the attention span of a squirrel, coupled with a busy couple of weeks, made it difficult to get through the first part of that chapter. And yes, I forgot to talk about Vardus. It was interesting to see the other side of his character! Glad we see more into his life. In all honesty, up until this point I had been thinking that any connections to the Empire were completely gone, but obviously not as we see him don the title of Marcellus and take to the ballroom. A lot of improvement there! Tell me about things being busy. My last couple of days have been mental. Glad Vardus is improving in the eyes of the general public as his character and background and expanding upon it was one of the major pulls of writing this fic, and this does not appear to have come off as well as I hoped so far. Just to clarify that 'Marcellus' is a real and existing nobleman currently in Nero's court who is of similar physical description to Vardus. In Chapter 17 he swiped his ticket on delivery and got the real Marcellus out of town for a bit to pose as him (something that was later suggested to be Tessera's intention). This is not to say that Vardus doesn't have contacts inside the Empire's circle, as you will see in Chapter 23. Speaking of Chapter 23, I'm sorry I didn't have time to advertise it properly and have been away from a couple of very busy/angsty days, but has no one seen this? Hoping to post Chapter 24 tomorrow and bring this section of the story to a close, but I would like some feedback on the above please. Particularly the development of Erin/Nataka/Armonia/Lavender/Alex/etc or guest appearance guesses? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brinolovania Posted June 7, 2014 Report Share Posted June 7, 2014 Oh, s***. I read chapter 23 like 2 days ago, get distracted after finishing it and never came back to comment. Sorry! [spoiler=Spoiler spoiler spoiler Spoiler spoiler] Torture! Didn't see that one coming. I never thought of the Resistance as a group that would do that sort of thing...interesting to get a glimpse of their darker side. Well, the dark side beyond Erin. Armonia's being surprisingly resilient. I wouldn't have expected him to hold up under the kind of torment he's apparently being subjected to... Not too much to say about the part with Alex, except that that's gotta suck. Also, the sentence “I’m sorry about what happened to Clove Alex.” is missing a comma. Oh, and I'm guessing the guy he was beating up was the guest appearance? I don't remember the descriptions from Armageddon well enough to know exactly who, but I'd guess Juruo? At first it seemed a bit convenient that they knew exactly where Tessera was going, but I suppose his mode of transportation isn't exactly subtle, and Vardus would know, if he has connections with the Imperials. We don't really know much about what he's actually planning to do, but it's probably not good given that he's fairly insane... Sorry I can't say much about the character development stuff you mentioned, I'm bad at commenting on like actual writing stuff. [/spoiler] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted June 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2014 Oh, s***. I read chapter 23 like 2 days ago, get distracted after finishing it and never came back to comment. Sorry! [spoiler=Spoiler spoiler spoiler Spoiler spoiler] Torture! Didn't see that one coming. I never thought of the Resistance as a group that would do that sort of thing...interesting to get a glimpse of their darker side. Well, the dark side beyond Erin. Armonia's being surprisingly resilient. I wouldn't have expected him to hold up under the kind of torment he's apparently being subjected to... Not too much to say about the part with Alex, except that that's gotta suck. Also, the sentence “I’m sorry about what happened to Clove Alex.” is missing a comma. Oh, and I'm guessing the guy he was beating up was the guest appearance? I don't remember the descriptions from Armageddon well enough to know exactly who, but I'd guess Juruo? At first it seemed a bit convenient that they knew exactly where Tessera was going, but I suppose his mode of transportation isn't exactly subtle, and Vardus would know, if he has connections with the Imperials. We don't really know much about what he's actually planning to do, but it's probably not good given that he's fairly insane... Sorry I can't say much about the character development stuff you mentioned, I'm bad at commenting on like actual writing stuff. [/spoiler] It's fine. I had to post it in a rush cuz work and stuff and didn't change the tabs or anything, so it was a fairly unannounced chapter unfortunately. [spoiler=Many spoilers]I enjoyed writing the torture scene and thought it would be the most notable aspect of this chapter. Armonia explained himself that he still believes in what Tessera... aims for, he just wanted to hurry up and do it/grab the glory himself. Armonia's a pretty messed up guy to do what he does. What that specifically involves... who knows? I love the way you say "oh he's dead/dying/being tortured/etc. Sucks to be him" :D Points to you, that is exactly right. Young Juruo Daisuke has made his appearance, and this is where... well you saw, I'm not gonna say anything more about this and potential spoilers for Rene/ABC but you are correct. Originally I couldn't think of an idea of how to get him to appear and I was going to go for Erin bumping into his mum (who disapproves of resistance) and making a bitchy comment, but that later felt more like something Armageddon Erin would say and Ice Queen Erin now would be all submissive and apologetic and stuff. So this works. Exactly, somebody is gonna notice Grandopolis eventually. As for where they are heading and what to do and the consequences of... see you tomorrow :D [/spoiler] It's fine like, I wanted to use this chapter to set up the next one and build up other characters who haven't had as much screen time yet like Lavender and Klasse et all, but glad it was somewhat enjoyable as the calm before. No problem :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted June 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2014 Well, here we go. Time for Chapter 24. Vector hopefully the changes you've suggested make this as strong as possible. Everyone else, here you are. [spoiler=Chapter 24]Chapter 24: The Wheel of Fate It was dusk the next evening when the Resistance neared the site. With the red sun starting to dip below the northern point of the long mountain range that ran hundreds of miles down the length of the Empire, casting shadows over the plain beyond, the truck came out of a wooded area on a hill from the east about three miles away and stopped to survey the area. It made for grim viewing. “Oh my...” Lavender gasped as the rebels all peeked out for a look at the battlefield emerging before them. “That’s... just...” Words failed her. A few blurry images on the news and descriptions by Vardus did little to prepare her and the others seeing the thing for the first time, even from this distance. Because at the base of the mountains, the gargantuan monster Grandopolis was already there, its golden frame reflected in the setting sun. It was stood at the front of a little pass between two mountains, and seemed reluctant to accept it was not going to fit through the gap, continually ramming and stopping as it attempted to force through the pass. Eventually it gave up and bowed its front legs, kneeling to lower down a bit as what looked like from this distance to be some kind of chutes were fired from the side; no sooner had they reached down to the ground then little figures started to emerge from them to attack the gap on foot. All the while the massive tortoise was absorbing a lot of incoming fire from the range. Catapult shots and flaming launchers were raining down on it from where the guard had positioned itself in wait for the creature they’d managed to work out the heading off, along with - what was hard to tell for sure - but it looked like the troops from the city of Sennen’Yama had a few duel monsters users trained in their division as well, that were swooping into the city or if incapable of flight were attacking its broad legs. They could hear Grandopolis’ frightening bellow from here as it retaliated, firing gold rain back down at wherever each blast came from, parts of the mountainside exploded. The troops Tessera was sending out continued, there was so many of them, heading towards the pass under the beasts covering fire. “This is bad. We’re here last” Erin gulped, before turning to Vardus. “How are we going to get past?” Vardus frowned and studied the map he had bought of the area. It was old, but showed the area in great detail. Vardus put his thumb over where Grandopolis stood barring the way, and looked around. “There must be another entrance to the ruined settlement. There’s another pass to the north of where they are going in, which climbs up and cuts over the range. We’ll have to gamble on that. Let’s go.” The truck roared back into life, and drove to skirt around Grandopolis in search of this other passage. Ignored by the battle they were under the cover of the rocky terrain quickly, covering the last few miles without being noticed by the otherwise engaged monster and troops, and found the old dusty road that led up into the range that the guard thankfully didn’t appear to have come far over enough to cover. The road carried on straight but uphill, all eyes were peeled for another way down towards the settlement that was in here, somewhere. Every minute seemed to pass in the blink of an eye, as with each one that passed Tessera was getting closer to his goal, and they were still just trying to get in. “The settlement is buried in the basin between this little grouping of mountains, burrowing inside them” Vardus explained as the road took them along a pretty sheer rock face that they could barely see the top of. The explosions coming from the fire-fight were getting louder, and they could hear the screams of both sides, Grandopolis near shook the mountain with each roar. “It’s literally inside this cliff face here. The thing is half a mile across, there must be more than one entrance to it hidden somewhere.” “We must have bridged over Tessera’s ground troops somewhere” Alex grumbled. He was fidgety and looked desperate to get into action, swords and shield already in hand armed and ready and had been for some time long before the others who were in the back with him now. “Come on, come on...” “Don’t worry Alex. We’ll get in there somehow” Erin tried to reassure him as she put her own tanned leather breastplate over her top. He grumbled and otherwise ignored her. “Wait Vardus, what’s that?” the older army woman known as Hester suddenly exclaimed and pointed out of the back of the truck. Everyone’s attention snapped up to look. In between the rocks they had just passed was a little passage, impossible to see ahead driving the way they’d came, only just visible from this opposite direction. The truck stopped, and she and the leader jumped down to investigate, Vardus with map in hand. They climbed up into the gap and disappeared for about a minute, before the powerfully built and battle weary woman re-emerged and waved for them to follow. Everyone grabbed what they needed, abandoned the truck, and clambered into the narrow and densely overgrown path she led them down. It was a single file track and they were lucky to have found it, so innocuous it could really have been nothing, but Hester was adamant about her instincts as she led them to Vardus. As they emerged in a wider space before the sheer cliff face, they were amazed to see the boulders shuddering apart to reveal a dark tunnel inside. Vardus emerged from a little ledge above where they ground to a halt, having found the key to the secret passageway already with a forced smile. “Once you’ve broken into a few of these old ruins, it gets easier to find the entrances.” “By the gods, this is a great fortune that has smiled upon us” Nataka muttered gratefully to the sky, blessing himself before unsheathing one of the many long blades slung over his back, his shield armed. “Let us hope it stays that way” Vardus replied a little more grimly. “Well we’re in, that’s a start. Let’s hope this entrance gives us a head-start over the others and they get caught up fighting one another. Come on everyone.” The eight rebels hurried into the tunnel, hoping this luck would continue to hold, Nataka and Alex leading the way. The passage was pitch black and required the use of torches carried by Lavender and the other older warrior Kaisa, even when this place was populated a few thousand years ago it didn’t seem the most used tunnel and just carried on straight and slightly downwards, perhaps an alternative or emergency exit. It started to flatten out as they got to the bottom a minute later, spitting them out into another tunnel that stretched in either direction left and right, this one having torch brackets in the walls and rotten wooden doors built into the rock much as their base did. As they emerged, another light appeared to their right, reflecting black and gold trimmed uniforms. A few people gasped. “Get them!” Vardus shouted before Tessera’s servants could react. Nataka, Alex, Kaisa and Hester were already on it, charging in with their weapons before the twelve invaders could even react to the sudden appearance of this third group, half of them were cut down dead before they got their act together. Erin was slower to react, but she led the follow up with her two students as there were a few clangs of metal in the gloom ahead, someone chanted something, and there was a small flash of movement. A horrible scraping noise filled the entire tunnel as a great rusty metal dragon carved from boulders and clockwork gears, the Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon, was summoned by one of the minions who had a standard duel disk on their arm, cursing wildly at the group as he hid behind it. A second similar flash heralded the activation of another disk by their other duel monster user, grinning as he disappeared behind the emerging bulk of horrid purple skin and bat like wings, Vampire Genesis. Erin yelled as she saw the two creatures, just about managing to block the sword that came flying out of the dark at her head at the same moment. However no sooner had the two powerful monsters emerged before their users, a blast of crystal light shot over her and everyone else fighting’s heads straight into the face of the dragon, and another dark suited warrior leapt over where Lavender and Klasse were struggling with one larger servant and Alex was battering another down with his shield, driving the blade in its gauntlet through the heart of the vampire, obliterating it before it had chance to counter. “Finish them before they summon anything else” Vardus ordered from behind her. Nataka got their first, dancing and slashing his way past the Ancient Gear user who’d been too stunned by the loss of his most powerful creature, whereas his own Clear Vicious Knight swiped at the gibbering young man whose Vampire it had just killed. The man fell down clutching his perfectly intact throat, writhing violently. Erin swore, deflected the second strike that came her way and countered, there was a gurgling choking noise and some hot liquid splashed against her face as the person she was fighting fell at her feet. It was only then she realised she’d been fighting a woman who was in Tessera’s uniform. She was a young woman of eastern description, her face contorted with fear as she clutched her bloody throat, before she finally fell still. Erin stopped and looked at her face for a moment, and blinked when another similar expression of a ghost flashed in front of her eyes in her place. “Gyaaaargh!!!” Erin snapped out of it as a roar of pain and a frightened cry alerted her, dispersing Clove’s dead reflection. The biggest servant had dropped his weapons with a clatter and was clutching blindly at his burning face as Lavender, in total panic, had shoved her flaming torch into it, and she was standing next to him almost paralysed by the sight as he came blundering back at her. The girl recovered her senses just in time and stabbed him in the chest with her short sword. The man spat blood in her face as her blade went through him, before he too fell back, leaving her frozen in place. Klasse, who had been fighting him with her, was sat against the tunnel wall clutching his arm and cursing in pain. A little way in the distance, Alex was finishing off the last opposition standing, bashing them over the head with one of his swords until he collapsed, before coming back to join the others. Behind Vardus the mighty Clear Vice Dragon that had hunched over to fit inside and help faded away. With the battle over, Nataka knelt down by where a couple of the group had fallen together and examined them. “My word... these people...” he gasped. “What is it my friend?” Vardus asked. The old warrior looked up at him with an appalled expression. “They are... these are my countrymen. All of them are.” Nataka checked a few more bodies to be sure, but he was right. “No, I’m certain of it. All of this group anyway, they are all from my old country. This is... why is this so? Why? What has Tessera done to them? How could my countrymen fight for him?” “Settle down my friend” Vardus quickly put his shoulder round his distressed lieutenant’s shoulder. “He must have promised them something. I don’t know what, exactly, but he must have tricked your people into believing in him somehow.” “Do you think it might be revenge against the Empire perhaps?” Hester asked as she wiped her sword. “That he promised them? If he went there after the war looking for those who still harboured hate towards the Empire and spun them enough promises, they would be very vulnerable to his deception.” “Possibly, but let’s not assume anything yet” Vardus said calmly. “Well we could ask this guy” Kaisa interrupted. He was stood over the man who Clear Vicious Knight had attacked. He was still twitching and snatching for breath, as if he was completely convinced his throat had been slashed through. Vardus, his second in command and Alex joined him standing over the man. “I have two questions for you to answer” Vardus said to him calmly. “What is Tessera aiming to do? What has he promised you that would make you kill hundreds of innocent people for him?” The man’s eyes darted around wildly as he realised the four men were looming over him and speaking to him, before he started to gibber incoherently. “You... you have no idea... Lord Tessera is our saviour and will bring us back from the ashes, and reduce the Empire to nought but. His intention is pure and golden, as is our service to him and our goddess. She will destroy the Empire for us... just like Nero destroyed our kingdom. She will wipe out all our enemies and restore this kingdom. You cannot stop her. We will die for our cause if we must, but we’re as good dead anyway. You cannot stop our divine order. All who oppose Tessera oppose the G... ack...” “His mind is broken” Nataka concluded wearily as the man lost his voice and his eyes rolled into the back of his head. “Tessera must have played on the desires of the weak and vengeful and brainwashed them. No wonder your monster had such a devastating effect on him sir.” “Good to know when we run into more of them” he replied. Beside him, Alex scowled at the dying man. Suddenly he lunged and drove his sword down through his neck, seeing him out. Vardus looked at him in surprise. “Hey! Alexander, what was the meaning of that?” he asked as the young man backed away. “Humph, guy was dying anyway” he retorted. “He deserved it for joining that guy.” Vardus was about to rebuke him, but Alex turned his back on him and started to head down the tunnel. “Sigh, someone grab him and pull his head in. Now let’s move on. We still need to find the place this item might have been left in, if it’s even here anymore. Let’s move everyone.” The others set off as Erin tended to Klasse, Vardus having seemingly not noticed the newer recruits wound. He had been cut pretty deeply across his sword arm, and winced when Erin bandaged it. “Okay, now we know they’re more susceptible to the effect of duel monsters, you should stick to using them to fight.” He grimaced, but nodded and stood, following the others into the darkness with his shield arming and leaving her with Lavender. The woman still stood fixed to the spot where she was, seeing through the space in front of her where the dead brute with the burned face now slumped at her feet had been. Nervously, Erin put her hand on her shoulder. “I know how you feel. It’ll be okay.” Lavender nodded. “I know... we have to do it” she answered shakily. “Erin? Does it... does it get easier?” Erin paused before she answered. Pausing as she tried to ignore the ghostly eyes in the back of her head that would be judging her answer. “No. It doesn’t.” Lavender sighed, but accepted this reality with a grim nod, and they gave chase after the others. ... The girls rejoined them in another crossroads in the network of tunnels, where another fight had broken out. They exchanged glances as they discovered that this time they were against the Royal Guard. It seemed those who had not been killed by Grandopolis had followed the advanced foot soldiers into the ruins. A pair of metal suited warriors had already fallen, and now there were pretty equal numbers left fighting each other. Against the greater skill and experience of the trained soldiers this fight was a lot harder, even Vardus had got involved into sword to sword action this time to combat this gulf. Klasse had taken up Erin’s advice and his Jinzo was throwing its psychic shocker attacks in wherever it could help out. However in the mad melee, one lance wielder darted around it and approached him directly. “Lavender, you use monsters too” Erin ordered, trying to keep her less experienced friend out the fight as she charged at the man going for Klasse, Lavender nodded as she put her torch in an empty bracket and went for her deck. There was a rumble and roar as the fairy dragon Goryu suddenly appeared in the midst of the battle, distracting many of the soldiers with its sudden and grand appearance and giving the rebels the upper hand. Erin herself slashed across the exposed throat of the man that had been about to spear Klasse before he turned to look at the golden dragon suddenly amongst them, killing him before running at and attacking another man. However Alex got to and finished him off first. “Which way now?” he shouted, twin swords bared, as the crossroads split into three directions. “Hold on” Vardus shouted in reply as he drove his own golden sword into the ribs of his opponent. The man fell at his feet, while the last of the soldiers were finished off around him and Goryu and Jinzo took their leave. “We need to get to find some sort of treasure room or place of ritual, or the priest might have kept the item in his quarters. These places could be more or less anywhere.” “Alright, so let’s split up then” Alex suggested. “We’ll cover more places quicker.” Vardus, and everyone else, looked at him in amazement. “We’re not splitting up. We’ve already had two fights against significant numbers and experience. We can’t let ourselves get spread out at all when platoons of both Nero’s and Tessera’s private armies are all over this place by now. We stick together as one team in here. You need to calm down and think about that, and what you’re doing.” Alex scowled, but perked up as they heard sounds that started coming out of the left passage. There were shouts coming from that tunnel, and the faint clashes of steel and the roar of batting monsters. “That passage heads deeper towards the heart of the settlement, and the open ground at the centre between the peaks” Vardus said, approaching the tunnel that was opposite the one they’d come out of. The path ahead curved into darkness, but was all quiet down it. “We must avoid fights where we can and use the conflicts to search as undiscovered from now as possible. Let’s head this way.” Immediately the older war veterans and the younger duelists set off into the tunnel he had indicated, retaking their torches and heading off, checking doors on their way as they came across them. Vardus waited though as Alex hung back, staring into the darkness of the other tunnel from which the sound of fighting came, his expression grim and fixed. “Are you coming Alex?” he asked, with an ominous tone. “Yes sir...” They caught up and the group pressed on. There were a few rooms this way, but little of significance in them, before the tunnel came to another crossroads similar to the one they had just left behind. At least they hadn’t run into any more trouble. “Hmmm... I suspect from the layout we’ve seen so far and the detail of the mountains shown on the map, and how they form a basin between , this civilization must have built its home quite symmetrically” Vardus commented. “Impressive given the dating.” “We need to find something quickly. All the rooms we just passed were little more than living quarters. I fear we must head deeper in sir.” Everyone looked to the left tunnel that Nataka had reluctantly nodded towards. As they looked, the sounds of more fighting could be heard from within. Alex peered into the blackness ahead, and scowled. “Screw it! I’m going that way.” “Alex, wait!” Erin pleaded, Vardus ordered and various others shouted simultaneously, but he ignored the lot. A couple of duel monsters in hand at the ready and second sword tucked under his arm as he placed them on his duel shield, Alex was already charging off into the darkness. “Come on, we’ve got to help him!” Erin was in the tunnel following him without looking to see if the others had agreed and were behind her, plunging herself into darkness and blindly chasing after her friend who’d disappeared. The path went at a slight decline, taking them towards a light at the end that she couldn’t see into the room ahead at this angle. She saw Alex’s shadow emerge about thirty metres ahead of her, followed by a pair of his X-Sabers, the way down was safe then. Swapping her sword to her other hand for the moment so she could get monsters ready if she needed, she flew in after him. She found herself running into a warzone. In this larger and more open crossroads - better lit by the trio of headless bandaged wrapped entities with flaming suns where their heads should be that were floating overhead, blasting at the other monsters across the cavern like the huge red dragon which was plated in silver armour and metal claws and wings and the great metal sentry with turret weapons and gauntlets that were returning their solar fire with their own - it was chaos. Army soldiers were piling in from the left, and Tessera’s army were coming in from the right and eagerly joining battle. The army of the Emperor were much better swordsmen and cut through the black and gold clad women and men that went for them in suicidal fashion with ease, but there was a lot more of the latter coming wave upon wave to take their place and overwhelm their numbers. Tessera’s group seemed better users of the duel monsters as well, as the three solar beings fired down upon the dragon and armoured warrior; their male, blonde haired summoner stood above the ground on a rock and giggling madly to himself. Closer to her, another figure was commanding a wild woman with blue hair and a fierce sword against another two soldiers, laughing at them as they struggled against her warrioress. Her scorn was cut short though as the figures of Urbellum and Hyunlei leapt out at her monster, and Alex himself came flying out of the crowd and swung. Erin gasped as her head rolled across the floor, joining the bodies already littering it. The Amazon faded out of reality with her master’s demise. “Erin, give us a hand” Alex shouted at her over the din. “Take out the Helios!” “Are you mad? They’re the only reason anyone can see anything!” she yelled back, deciding she’d rather not to plunge this melee into the added confusion of blind darkness. Alex swore at her and beheaded a second man who had stumbled over his friend’s dead body trying to charge him. Erin quickly joined him a little way from the entrance and into the fight, stabbing another woman who came flying at her in the chest. Casting around the battle, something caught Alex’s eye. Something that made him frown. On the opposite side of the battle, in the entrance of that far tunnel, a figure in a long black hooded cloak was surveying the battle he was staying out of. Then they turned and fled into that passage. “Tessera...” he growled, nudging Erin who just glimpsed the figure very briefly before they disappeared from sight. “Give me covering fire! He must know where he’s going. I’m going after him!” “Not alone, you’re not!” Erin replied as something screamed to their left, and the bulk of Clear Vicious Knight, Legendary Six Samurai Shi En, Majestic Mech Goryu, and Jinzo entered the fray as the rest of the Resistance came out of the tunnel and joined the fight. She waved at her leader. “Vardus! We spotted Tessera going that way, on the opposite side!” Whether he heard or not she wasn’t sure, but he got the gist of her pointing before engaging with the soldier who’d just charged him thinking this new group were more allies of their enemy. All six of them were pinned in their tunnel at the moment, and a swelling press of bodies stopped Erin and Alex getting back to them. As their monsters blasted or slashed away, Alex took the decision upon himself and leapt into the path that Goryu had just opened up for him, his Urbellum and Hyunlei giving him protection as he sprinted through the gap that had parted in the crowd. “Alex wait up!” she shouted before more bodies swelled in and swallowed him up. “Damn it. Brionac! The ice dragon screamed as she appeared behind her, releasing an icy breath that sent forces of both sides scattering as it cleared the path towards the tunnel she could just seeing Alex disappearing into. Erin covered her head with her shield and dived for the path, ducking under the graceful female skater that launched a flying kick on a winged skeleton king carrying a massive sword, blocking another slash at her, just evading a stray psycho shock from Jinzo with an urgent halt, swinging blindly at a dying man trying to grab her leg and catching him in his mutilated face, leaping out the way of Brionac’s second ice blast that split up a fight between a great watery dragon and a muscular adventurer with an eye patch, before putting her head down and sprinting the distance until she plunged into the far tunnel. She didn’t stop there, she just kept running, but glancing back nobody from any side seemed to have followed her. So with a deep breath she had to go on alone for now. Further along, Alex was doggedly pursuing the figure ahead, not really gaining or dropping off down this straight long passage. The battle was far behind now, the sounds long faint again. But that was more because of how directed his focus was fixed straight ahead on the hooded figure ahead, who was quickly approaching the end of the tunnel and disappearing into the growing sunlight of the outside at the end. ‘I’m going to get you Tessera... I’m going to get you for what your Extermination Squad did to Khan. For what your minions did to my friend Clove. My best friend Clove. I’m going to stop you, and get revenge for them and everyone else, for those people you made me kill for you, and now I’m going to kill you...’ He flew into the open grounds beyond, and blinked as his eyes readjusted to coming out of the dark web of caverns. Ahead of him in the dusky light was a round bowl of grassy covering, surrounded entirely by a small cliff face that wrapped around the grounds about two hundred metres in diameter. The trio of surrounding peaks ascended behind the skirting wall on each side which was broken only by a sizeable chasm that stretched across the grassy plain about half the way across, presumably a scar of the natural disaster that had led to the demise of this place. On the other side of the scar was a raised altar that was led up to by a flat pyramid of steps, not so high or steep so that everyone in the grounds could see the top from anywhere they stood around the base. This must have been an outdoor ritual ground. He didn’t think or care about it much, barely glancing at the surroundings before resuming the hunt for the prey he was chasing. “Tessera!” he roared when he saw him skirting around the scar to the right ahead of him and heading back towards the base of the steps. He was ignored, so he gave chase after him again. As he reached the bottom of the steps and started his charge up Erin emerged from the tunnel, stopping to gather herself and the scene as he’d had to. But he was focused only on the back of the hood of the cloaked Tessera who was over halfway up ahead of him, who was similar ignorant of the rebels behind him and focused solely above him, at the top of the altar, where a stone table with a case was resting upon it. ‘That must be it’ Erin thought as she saw it. The Tetragram must be in there. Tessera was well ahead of Alex, disguised in his darker trousers and hood as he was that could be seen under his shroud. She had to slow him down before he got to it. She was about to summon Brionac again when someone screamed behind her, making her spin round. One of the other servants had followed her after all and was lunging for her with a serrated blade, Erin had to dance out of the way and counter with a slash with her sword. The woman fell down after a few blows, but it had done the damage. When she turned back to the altar again the hooded figure had reached the top, and quickly broken into the sealed chest on the top table. There was a glint of dull gold in the setting sun, before the piece was quickly stashed into his belt as Alex caught up with him. “Wait Alex, don’t!” she shouted, but he was too far away to hear. Too enraged. “I’ll get you Tessera, you murderous bastard!” he roared, vaulting the last few steps and leaping into battle with both swords. With surprising agility Tessera drew two swords of his own from inside the cloak, and with a clash of locked steel their furious fight began, with Erin a distant and horrified viewer. ‘Oh god Alex. Just... just hold on. Just hold him off until I can get there and back you up.’ She set off to join him, running towards the end of the chasm that blocked the most direct path. But actually Alex was more than holding his own. With passionate and vengeful fury he battered his sworn enemy with attack after attack with his twin swords, forcing him to block and counter furiously swinging both of their blades, creating a blur of swords that rang through the air as the two clashed like demons, fighting furiously with each cut and thrust. Attack, block, counter, parry, with all his training Alex fought. “I’m... gonna... get... you...” he panted and swore between breathes, his shorter opponent was too breathless to reply. He was sweating, but adrenaline and righteous fury spurred him on as he slowly forced Tessera backwards. He was wearing him down. He was winning. “I’ll... make... you... pay!” Tessera tried to sidestep him, but he caught sight of it and stepped forward, making his upper-cutting swing miss. Over-committed, his opponent lost his balance as Alex stepped and they passed each other. Trying to get it back, his other sword thudded into Alex’s shield with surprising strength, but not enough given his momentum going the other way. Sensing his chance Alex gave a mighty shove and knocked the enemy staggering, and he eventually lost his footing. As he fell, his hood slipped off. Suddenly Alex stopped and started, just as Erin began her climb of the steps behind him, unable to see what he could from her angle. “... What?!” he started, lowering his guard in his surprise. Erin looked up just as it happened. The hoodless man moved in a blur, springing up on the distracted Alex before he could react, swinging his swords together. In a heartbeat the tip of a steel blade drove through, and punctured through Alex’s neck. There it stopped; sticking through his throat, gleaming with blood in the dying sun. Below Erin froze, too numb to even scream as Alex hung there; held up by the sword. Choking as his head rolled forward, his sight going out of focus as he stared disbelievingly at the swordsman holding him up, trying to process what was before him. In one sudden movement, the steel disappeared as he withdrew it and swung the other blade in an upper-cutting motion, tearing through the front of Alex’s leather armour with a ripping, blood-spurting sound, and the force threw him back off the altar. Erin watched as Alex fell, bouncing down the steps towards her then passing her by, landing on his back at the base. His glassy eyes stared emptily up at her. He was dead before he’d hit the first step. Tearing her gaze out of his dead eyes, shaking with fury, she glared up at his murderer standing on top of the altar looking down at them. But as she looked up, her anger was completely washed away in an instant as her eyes met Alex’s killer’s, and in that second her heart stopped beating. Frozen in time as fates came full circle, staring into the deadened, grey eyes looking so emptily and pitilessly down at her. “No...” she eventually managed to croak, as her eyes welled up. “No. You can’t be...” Dorian didn’t speak. He just looked down at her with an indifferent expression, watching her tremble and well up as she looked up at him, his re-fused dual blades coated in Alex’s blood hanging by his side. His dark hair swept away and blew across his face slightly in the little wind. He didn’t move at all as she stood at the base of the altar looking down at her. The world didn’t move for a moment, as Erin shook as she stood with Alex’s dead body below. She didn’t understand. This... this didn’t make any sense. As if hypnotised she found herself slowly climbing the last few steps toward him. As she was drawn closer he let her climb uninterrupted, just watching her silently until she eventually joined him at the top. “No...” she repeated, hazily studying him through her teary eyes desperately looking for any proof that it couldn’t be, shaking her head in denial. He looked exactly as he did the last time she was with him, back in the city before she’d even heard of Tessera. The same face, the same haunting grey eyes, only slightly deadened now as they held her teary gaze. “No no no. You can’t be him!” she repeated. He said nothing. He just stood there patiently, waiting for her to realise the truth. But she couldn’t accept it. Especially when she looked back down towards Alex’s body, lying in a pool of blood. Her fists balled and began to shake as the weight of the cruel world crushed her, her mind going into meltdown. “YOU’RE NOT HIM!” she yelled, and suddenly she lunged, swinging her sword at the accursed imposters face. The supposedly fake Dorian seemed to have expected this, and stepped back and parried away her reckless swing effortlessly, the second blade swinging back up to catch her in the ribs. Her armour thudded and she cried in pain from the strike, but she kept swinging. Swinging wildly at his face as if she could try to tear it off and reveal Tessera’s smug pretty face underneath. Dorian blocked each strike with more and more ease as she got more and more ragged, before she lunged too far and lost her balance, and he took the chance to kick her in the stomach. She staggered and fell down a few steps on the side the chasm ran along the base of before she managed to stop herself, but he made no attempt to follow her, instead standing on the top and looking down. Blind with rage, she went for her duel shield. “Who are you?! You’re not my friend you murderer! He’d never do this. I demand you reveal yourself!” Again Dorian didn’t speak, simply cocking his head and blinking his grey eyes at her a few times. Furious she snatched at her deck and thrust Brionac’s card onto the blade. The great white serpent appeared behind her, snarling at the fake. “I’ll make you pay for killing Alex you monster! Kill him Brionac!” That made him move. Dorian disappeared from her sight as he leapt backwards out of the way of Brionac’s stream of icy breath, chasing him across the altar as he dived over the table and down the other side of the altar. Taking her chance to get back on her feet Erin clambered back up to the top, where he emerged from the other side as Brionac ran out of breath. Even now he hadn’t changed his expression of stoic calm as he stared at her, making her tense as he went to his belt for something out of sight. “Come on then, fight me then!” she kept yelling. “Damn it, say something you murderer!” He didn’t. Silently he pulled out the item he’d reached for, a small flat panel with a gold rim around the edge and spidering like a web across the reddish panels in the shape of duel disk slots. The item crackled with static as he threw it into the air before her and Brionac, inelegantly taking the shape of a duel disk as it sprouted its parts. The man shouldered his dual sword before raising an arm for it to clamp onto at the end of its flight. Erin was taken aback at first, but then she remembered the device Armonia used against Vardus. This device must be similar. It was an acceptance of her challenge to fight at least. “Right, let’s do this!” she swore. “I’ll kill you for daring to masquerade as my friend, and for Alex. And Gaius, and Clove, and everyone else Tessera’s caused the death of!” “Duel!” “I’ll go first.” Erin blinked as Dorian finally spoke, simply to announce his turn as he drew his sixth card and little more. Well this guy sounded exactly like the Dorian she knew as well as looked like him, but still she didn’t believe it was the same person she’d watched fall slipping through her fingers into the crevasse torn apart in the city square. Brionac faded out behind her, growling as it swore to return and help her, as she inched her way to the right so that she wasn’t backing onto the unnerving similar hole. Just in case. Her opponent did nothing to prevent this, calmly stepping to her left around the altar table, never taking his eyes off her as he selected a card. “Normal summon; Tuned Magician.” The familiar emerald robed magician floated past him (Lv4, ATK 1800). Still, that didn’t prove anything, as Dorian revealed two more cards. “Next I’ll activate the spells White Elephant's Gift and Last Will. As my magician is not considered an effect monster at the moment, I can send it to the graveyard to draw two cards. Then because I’ve lost a monster to the graveyard, Last Will’s effect lets me summon any monster from my deck with fifteen hundred attack or less in its stead. I choose Gemini Summoner.” The magician sank as Dorian drew two cards, then another spellcaster emerged in its place. A thin man in a deep blue coat and horned hood, a pair of amber eyes glowing beneath the strange headdress, armed with a wand (Lv4, ATK 1500). Two more set cards appeared behind it. “Turn end” Dorian finished. ‘That bastard’ she thought venomously. ‘He’s not even gonna protest and try to convince me he’s somehow the real Dorian. It can’t be him, it’s impossible. He’s... he’s...’ “Damn you! I draw, and activate Magic Triangle of the Ice Barrier. By revealing Strategist, Dewdark, and now Grunard of the Ice Barrier in my hand, one card on your field is destroyed. Then I can summon one of the revealed monsters.” Dorian merely winced as one his face downs was revealed to be the dangerous Bottomless Trap Hole and exploded in a blast of ice, and from the ice sprang a young man in crystal armour, the leader of the Ice Barrier tribe. “Help me get him, General Grunard!” (Lv8, ATK 2800) “Alright. Now he’s out, I’m going to put him to use. Because when General Grunard is on the field, I can normal summon one more Ice Barrier during my turn, in addition to my regular summon. So I’ll call out both Strategist of the Ice Barrier and the tuner monster Dewdark of the Ice Barrier using Grunard, and tune them together to Synchro Summon straight away. Come back and punish this imposter, Brionac!” The great ice dragon returned in a blizzard of snow, screaming furiously (Lv6, ATK 2300). “Hmm... so you got better Erin. Or at least more aggressive anyway.” Erin gasped as Dorian suddenly commented, eyeing up the great ice hydra. Distracted by the sudden remark, she didn’t react as his other face down opened. “I activate Fiendish Chain. This wraps around one monster on the field, and as long as it’s equipped to it, that monster can neither attack nor use its effect.” Dark chains sprang from the ground and lashed around the furious Brionac, pulling it down onto the altar where it struggled, but couldn’t get up. “Now Brionac knows how Gungnir felt that time...” “Why you...” she growled, as she remembered the duel he was referring to. Still, that proved nothing. “But you’ve got nothing to protect you from this! Grunard, attack!” An icy sword formed in the hand of the general who lunged, driving it through the chest of the sorcerer opposite. The wizard cringed as ice seeped through its veins, but to Erin’s fury it refused to die. Instead it clung on until Grunard pulled its sword back and withdrew, the wound partially sealing itself over. Behind it, Dorian winced slightly (LP 2700). But somehow the monster remained. “What? What gives? It should have been destroyed.” “Once a turn, Gemini Summoner can survive being destroyed by battle” he explained, a tad breathlessly. “Damn it!” Erin swore as she looked at the two cards in her hand. “I’ll set these two cards and end my turn then. I’ll get you next turn though. I’ll make you pay you monster! You’re not Dorian!” “During the end phase, the second effect of Gemini Summoner activates” Dorian interrupted, ignoring her accusation completely. “By paying another five hundred life points, I can normal summon a Gemini monster from my hand. I’ll summon Evocator Chevalier this way.” Erin mentally cursed as a swordsman in red armour appeared in a burst of flame beside the summoner, evading her set traps (Lv4, ATK 1900). But then she thought as he took a self-inflicted hit (LP 2200); this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. ‘You’re not Dorian. If you were really him and not one of Tessera’s goons, you’d have had the sense to wait until I used Brionac’s effect and discarded my cards before using Fiendish Chain you idiot. Instead you’ve let me set both Torrential Tribute and Torrential Reborn. When you summon that Gemini again to gain its effect, or something else from your hand, I will bring everything to waste, and overcome you. I will make you pay for everything you’ve done. You’re not my Dorian.’ “You still don’t believe it, do you Erin?” Erin gulped as Dorian, almost reading her mind, spoke again. It wasn’t an accusation or anything; he’d said it in the same flat, emotionless tone as he looked impassively at her. Almost obediently she shook her head furiously. He didn’t respond much, except to go to his deck. “Draw!” As he snatched his card, and looked at her so heartlessly, Erin suddenly didn’t feel so angry any more. Suddenly, she felt afraid. Very afraid... “I activate the equip spell Supervise, and equip it to Chevalier. This immediately grants my Gemini monster its effect.” There was a flash underneath the swordsman’s feet as it was imbued with its hidden power. “An effect I’ll activate now. By sending the equip spell Supervise to the graveyard, one card on your field is targeted and destroyed.” Erin cursed as her Torrential Tribute was lanced and obliterated. “And now the second effect of Supervise activates when it is sent to the graveyard. Now I can target a normal monster in my graveyard and special summon it.” Tuned Magician was chosen, and Erin cursed. Great, Brutdrago was on its way. However instead of unleashing his part-time tuner, another monster emerged unspectacularly from his hand, taking the form of a warrior in dark plate armour with long white hair (Lv4, ATK 1600). Behind his wall of monsters, Dorian grimly placed his hand on his extra deck. “What are you doing?” Erin demanded half angrily. Half terrified. “You don’t have a tuner to summon Brutdrago with at the moment.” “Don’t need one, since I’m not going for him” Dorian shrugged. “I overlay my two warrior type monsters; Evocator Chevalier and Gemini Scorpion. Xyz Summon!” “You’ll do what?!” Erin gasped as the two monsters bodies turned not to rings and stars like normal, but into twin sparks of black and red in colour that spiralled up together, before crashing down into the stone pyramid between them. She threw her arms up to deflect the powerful blast that took her aback, trying to see what was coming. What was coming? “What the hell is this?” “Another kind of summon for another kind of monster” Dorian said simply, seemingly immune to the blast of the vortex opening before him. “An old and powerful kind that somehow fell out of use in our history and was forgotten about over time. A power that Tessera has trusted me with. Now by simply having two monsters on the field with the same level, specifically warrior types in this case, I can call on a new monster that uses those monsters as the source of its power called overlay units. Appear now...” The vortex exploded with renewed vigour, as a taller, broader swordsman emerged, covered entirely in bronze and silver plate. Towering above her and her two monsters, the swordsman looked down on her mercilessly, brandishing a massive cleaver. “The Xyz monster, Heroic Champion - Excalibur!” (Rk4, ATK 2000). “That thing is...” Erin was awestruck at the sight of the great warrior. “Bah, it’s not strong enough.” “Not yet it isn’t. So on that note, I’ll activate Excalibur’s effect. Right now, the two monsters used to Xyz summon him are attached to him on the field as its overlay units. However by detaching both of them and sending them to the graveyard, Excalibur’s attack is doubled for this turn.” Indeed two little comets orbited the swordsman, but they weren’t there for long as they plunged into the hilt of its sword, and Erin shivered as its attack skyrocketed (ATK 4000). “And let’s not forget I’ve got another two level four monsters on the field. So I’ll overlay them as well. Xyz Summon!” The process was gone through again, and from it emerged a winged warrior in green plate, carrying two bladed shields (Rk4, ATK 1800). “Rise up and fight nobly, Daigusto Emeral!” “Emeral’s effect” Dorian continued as Erin watched on helplessly. “It detaches an overlay unit, and then can activate one of two effects. I choose the one that allows me to summon a non-effect monster from my graveyard. So Tuned Magician is born once again.” The spellcaster was pulled back out of the depths, and Dorian revealed his last card. “Then by paying one thousand life points I activate Instant Fusion (LP 1200), to instantly summon one level five or lower Fusion monster from my extra deck for the turn. I call out Mavelus to the field.” A small firebird appeared beside the magician (Lv4, ATK 1300). “Not again!” Erin gasped as she realised, but too late, as the two monsters went through the same process of turning to green sparks and crashing into the opening vortex together. Dorian flatly shouted over her and the crashing din as the phantom of a screaming bird made entirely of forked blue lightning emerged (Rk4, ATK 1900). “By overlaying my two wind attribute monsters I summon Lightning Chidori, whose first effect activates immediately upon summoning. When Xyz summoned, one set card on the field is returned to the base of your deck.” Her other trap Torrential Reborn was blasted away in a jolt of electricity. Now she was starting to panic. Her two monsters were stronger than two of his, she’d definitely lose one of them, and Brionac’s power was sealed. Dorian unrelentingly held up a hand towards his monster. “This will finish it. Lightning Chidori’s second effect. By detaching an overlay unit, one face up card on your field is returned to the top of your deck!” Erin went numb as Grunard was blasted away into ether. That was it. Her last hope had just been blown away, powerlessly returned to her deck. Just as powerless as she was. At a wordless command, Excalibur swung at Brionac, the serpent screamed as the warrior drove its sword through her chest before turning into a million snowflakes. Erin fell to her knees as her beloved monster’s remains floated down onto her, caressing her face, unable to protect from what was about to come (LP 2300) as Dorian looked down at her with the same emotionless, pitying, unsmiling stare, his two remaining winged monsters beside him. “End it. Attack her directly.” Too unresponsive to defend herself with her shield, the two blasts of wind and lightning struck her one after the other in the chest. Erin cried as she was lifted and thrown backwards by the attacks over the edge of the altar, bouncing down the steps and crashing to the grassy field at the bottom. Groggily, she tried to sit up, but strength failed her (LP 0). Just as miserably as she’d failed to avenge anyone. Failed to do anything. She couldn’t even get up. She couldn’t tell anything from where she was, staring up at the fiery dusk sky above her between the mountains, the chill of the evening breeze touching her bare face as she felt the soft grass beneath her. It seemed that in defeat and being on the verge of death alerted her senses and made her feel more in tune with the world, for a moment. The world she was about to depart. Deactivating his shield as the three powerful monsters faded from atop the altar, Dorian deftly trotted down after her. She felt herself being picked up by the scruff of her jumper, but was too weak and exhausted to respond as he propped her back against the steps, leaning over her with his dual blade back in hand. “Whatever... it takes... Erin” he breathed slightly after his efforts, staring coldly down at her as he raised the blade, pinning her by her throat as she tried feebly to struggle out. He sounded weary and bitter. “Just like we promised, remember? You promised too. That’s why I’m doing this. Whatever it takes!” “Dorian...? I’m... sorry.” At the end, she finally truly accepted it was him. But it was too late. She sobbed, trying weakly to wriggle free. He kept her firmly in place as he held up his sword. “Dorian please...” “Goodbye, Erin.” She looked into his eyes, begging him not to do it. But there was no mercy in them. Whatever joy and life there had been there before in the guy she knew, it was gone now, extinguished somehow. She pleaded his name again, but to no more avail. Unable to bear it any longer, she closed her eyes and waited for the taste of blood and last rattling breath to leave her, and the end. “Dorian...” There was an enraged roar to her right, and suddenly it was met by a gasp above her and the grip round her neck was released, and was followed by a clash of steel. Confused, Erin opened her eyes. Dorian was backing off her with a look of surprise of his own, as from nowhere Vardus had emerged from the battle in the caves and onto the scene, and had leapt into battle with his former charge and a furious sword fight. He advanced at him with every hack and slash, forcing him backwards as Dorian cursed and lost ground with his every block as he was once more forced into all out defence. Vardus panted and swore between furious strikes. “What necromancy and witchcraft are you devil?! Who are you?!” Dorian was too busy trying to protect himself from the forceful blows to give any answer. Just as Vardus seemed to be wearing him down and winning though, there was another intervention. Vardus managed to raise his shield just in time when Dorian jumped out of the way and a blast of magical energy crashed towards him, forcing him skidding back to where Erin lay at the base of the stone altar. From the tunnel behind him another group of Tessera’s uniformed followers were standing together, along with an old and stooped man with thinning combed over hair, who looked rather out of place amongst the young adult to middle aged group as he peered at the two of them. The young blonde haired man with the duel disk removed his card, it was the Helios user from before, and the monster he’d summoned had disappeared after the attack. Taking the chance to escape Dorian scrambled back towards them, taking deep ragged breaths as he waved at them to go. To Erin’s right, the rest of the Resistance was emerging on the scene as well, all battle scarred and weary, and astonished at what lay before them. “Sir. Do we kill them off?” the Helios user saluted and asked Dorian as he ran over, eager for battle. “No, no, retreat. Retreat now” Dorian puffed between breaths, revealing the stolen item from his belt as proof of his success. Vardus scowled as the purple amethyst triangle with the gold rim glinted in the dull light, and went for his duel shield, Clear Vice Dragon suddenly appearing him behind him and roaring in furious rage. “We got what we came for. Let’s go guys.” The group reluctantly followed his advice, the doddery old man taking a look over the rebels before he hobbled off after them. The angry young man hung back with his duel disk armed to protect Dorian from the crystal dragon as he turned to speak. “I knew you’d come Vardus. You’re a smart and righteous man, and I still respect that. I really am who you see, whether you want to believe it or not.” Vardus adamantly shook his head at him and growled. Erin whimpered behind him as Dorian looked at her. “You believe it’s me Erin. I’m... glad I could see you again... and I’m sorry I can’t be with you two anymore, and that we couldn’t work things out the way we wanted. But don’t fight me or Tessera anymore. You can’t beat him. Just like you can’t beat the Empire. You just leave that to me now. Now we have all four pieces of the Tetragram...” He held the amethyst piece aloft and admired it in the setting sun. “... The rebirth will solve everything.” “Liar!” Vardus roared, his dragon doing the same behind him. “Attack them! Clean Malicious Stream!” “Sir, run!” the blonde man shouted. Dorian nodded, tapping him on the shoulder before disappearing into the tunnel after the others as the henchman went to his duel disk. From the quickly opening portal emerged the three small bandaged wrapped bodies of the solar creatures, flying straight into the path of the vicious crystal dragon’s breath to intercept it and all obliterated instantly. The other rebels charged the young man in pursuit of his friends, their monsters flying to attack him. More monsters appeared in a blur to combat them, each a spectre of the elements in the forms of a blazing demon, an aquatic maiden, an eagle headed creature, and an armoured man with mottled green skin and an axe, each intercepting their attacks, then behind them the form of the great golden warrior Golden Homonculus rose in a barrier like stance. As they absorbed the attacks, the blonde man smirked as he stood in the entrance to the tunnel, pulling out a small bundle of dynamite from his uniform and lighting it... “Stop him!” Vardus shouted, as the fuse lit and reached the dynamite. There was an explosion, and everyone hit the deck as the man blew himself to bits, his monsters disappeared instantly. But his objective was achieved. The tunnel behind him collapsed, sealing off the path after Dorian and the others. Coughing, spluttering and covered in dust, everyone groggily sat up. “Ugh... everyone still alive?” Vardus asked, the other five groaned and nodded as they helped each other before he turned to Erin. “Where’s Alex?” “Alex...?” she gasped, confused by the question. She glanced around, but there was no sight of the body, despite she was sure she had fallen down the same side his body had been before she climbed up. Then she realised what must have happened and she cried. “Oh no! They must have taken his body while I was fighting Dorian. I’m so sorry Vardus. He got here ahead of me... and fought... Dorian killed him. Those others must have run off with him. Oh god Vardus... what’s happened? What’s going on?” For once, he didn’t know. He didn’t know anything. None of them knew anything. They would have to leave quickly though, before any of Nero’s remaining guards found them. Dead bodies littered the caves of the ancient grounds, but there could still be survivors looking for them, especially after the explosion. As they trudged out of the basin into another tunnel back to their truck, with Lavender supporting her as her and Klasse held up and carried her, Erin looked sadly back over the ritual grounds and the crumbled rocks that sealed the opposite path. Separating her from the horde making off with Alex’s body, another friend she had let down and abandoned to death. And from their former ally who they had thought was dead; the resurrected Dorian who was now allied with Tessera in his scheme for... she had no idea what. Somewhere on the other side of the mountain, they could hear the heavy earthshaking footsteps of the monstrous Grandopolis as it stood and took their enemies away. And with them the boy who she felt so strongly for, and had cried so much over the loss of when he disappeared from her life into that abyss many months ago, after she let him down back then too. Now he was back, and alive, and was fighting them along with dangerous madman Lord Tessera. Her world was turned completely upside down. At that moment, her heart was broken. Her heart that would in time become as cold as ice, and would never be restored. --END OF ARC THREE-- [/spoiler] Need to get a crack on with writing again having stalled recently due to IRL stuff. We'll see what happens I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ren✧ Posted June 8, 2014 Report Share Posted June 8, 2014 Oh...my...God... That is literally the only thing in my head after reading chapter 20. Oh...my...God... Shocked, I guess could be the word to describe what I am feeling...but, just...OH...MY...GOD. OH MY GOD! (alright, I think I've made my point). As you can tell I am shell shocked by this turn of events. That ending...I just, I can't even deal with it. Erin! What the actual Hell?! This is by far the most shocking thing you have included so far in your story and it kinda overshadows just about everything else in the chapter. That being said, I liked the first part of Vardus' duel. His opponent throwing out a whole bunch of powerful monsters only to see them destroyed was a bit disappointing, but Vardus' deck is definitely unique. (Although, I am pretty sure I know where you got the inspiration of it from ;)) I am interested to see what Tessera and this dragon-using amateur are planning. Up until now my sights have been focused on Demon, although they obviously should have been on this shady noble you've created. In all honesty, I still can't form a coherent thought about this ending, which, in its own right, is probably a good thing. I mean you don't pull a stunt like that unless you are wanting to make your audience shit themselves :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brinolovania Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 A plot twist I actually expected? What is this madness?! [spoiler=i so smrt] I KNEW IT! When a character as significant as Dorian "died" by falling into a pit where nobody actually saw his dead body, there was no way he wouldn't come back later. The way he did it was quite the thing, though. Working for Tessera and killing a Resistance member...wow. From what I can tell from what he said to Vardus, Tessera's plan is to use the Tetragram to awaken some sort of ancient death machine and basically f*** up Nero's day. So Dorian's gonna go along with him to overthrow the emperor, and then (maybe?) take down Tessera after Tessera deals with Nero. Beyond THAT happening, there's not too much to say about the duel. Chidori doesn't make that much sense as an Xyz for Dorian to use, but whatever. It made the duel work. This does certainly give more insight into why Erin does the thing in Armageddon...although after thinking about it, she pretty much did the same thing Dorian did. Except more voluntarily. Probably. Assuming Dorian didn't join Tessera entirely of his own free will. [/spoiler] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ren✧ Posted June 11, 2014 Report Share Posted June 11, 2014 I just finished chapter 21, and thank the Lord it was not as shell-shocking as chapter 20, because I am not sure I could have handled it. Seeing Armonia give up Five-Headed Dragon was an interesting internal conflict and the back story on him really is quite interesting. To think he defended his nation single-handedly(albeit with the help of a massive lizard) is actually pretty cool and if he wasn't such a douche, I could really like this guy. Although, I have a bit of a bone to pick with you about the mechanics set up in the duels. As we saw in Tessera's duel with the knights, effect damage inflicts the same sort of real pain that Vardus received from Exploder Dragonwing. So, assuming that the real damage comes as a result of their special, golden duel disks, why haven't Armonia and Vardus been feeling real pain as a result of Clear World's effect damage? This, of course, is all based on the idea that the real pain is a result of the same thing. If Armonia's power comes from a different source, then my argument falls. Anyway, back to the chapter as a whole. Lots of dueling, and I am happy to see Camilla back in dueling status. Although, I fear that she may not get much longer in the spot-light. Now that I know your not afraid to kill off characters(still reeling at the loss of Clove), I would say that Camilla and Gaius might actually be facing their end here directly. Either that, or one of the Resistance members save them and they ultimately end up helping the Resistance stand up to Tessera. But those are just my predictions. I really want to see more of Erin at this moment. Her justification for killing Clove was really kinda creepy and makes me wonder who this girl turns out to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted June 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 Sorry for slow responses. I took a four day break from YCM in order to try and get through my last week of nights at the hotel I worked for (and I've now left; hooray :D) Oh...my...God... That is literally the only thing in my head after reading chapter 20. Oh...my...God... Shocked, I guess could be the word to describe what I am feeling...but, just...OH...MY...GOD. OH MY GOD! (alright, I think I've made my point). As you can tell I am shell shocked by this turn of events. That ending...I just, I can't even deal with it. Erin! What the actual Hell?! This is by far the most shocking thing you have included so far in your story and it kinda overshadows just about everything else in the chapter. That being said, I liked the first part of Vardus' duel. His opponent throwing out a whole bunch of powerful monsters only to see them destroyed was a bit disappointing, but Vardus' deck is definitely unique. (Although, I am pretty sure I know where you got the inspiration of it from ;)) I am interested to see what Tessera and this dragon-using amateur are planning. Up until now my sights have been focused on Demon, although they obviously should have been on this shady noble you've created. In all honesty, I still can't form a coherent thought about this ending, which, in its own right, is probably a good thing. I mean you don't pull a stunt like that unless you are wanting to make your audience s*** themselves :D This is basically why I love writing, getting this sort of reaction. Thanks for helping me get my mojo for this back somewhat. I think I may have said, can't remember so I will again anyway, that the duel from Dead Zone was basically ripped off inspired this here *shifty eyes* Was hell to write as Dion said it would be, but satisfied with how it turned out. It's a very good thing. I'm glad for this reaction :D A plot twist I actually expected? What is this madness?! [spoiler=i so smrt] I KNEW IT! When a character as significant as Dorian "died" by falling into a pit where nobody actually saw his dead body, there was no way he wouldn't come back later. The way he did it was quite the thing, though. Working for Tessera and killing a Resistance member...wow. From what I can tell from what he said to Vardus, Tessera's plan is to use the Tetragram to awaken some sort of ancient death machine and basically f*** up Nero's day. So Dorian's gonna go along with him to overthrow the emperor, and then (maybe?) take down Tessera after Tessera deals with Nero. Beyond THAT happening, there's not too much to say about the duel. Chidori doesn't make that much sense as an Xyz for Dorian to use, but whatever. It made the duel work. This does certainly give more insight into why Erin does the thing in Armageddon...although after thinking about it, she pretty much did the same thing Dorian did. Except more voluntarily. Probably. Assuming Dorian didn't join Tessera entirely of his own free will. [/spoiler] [spoiler=Major spoils, don't look] Yes, all of the obvious was coming. I was pretty much relying on people forgetting about him over time for them to be really shocked. Yeah, Chidori was a bit awkward. Excalibur is also a bit questionable but maybe gets away with it alright due to the amount of Warrior-type Gemini and his earlier plot device use of Heroic Gift (coincidence and nothing that pre-planned by the way). Emeral is obviously perfect in Gemini decks. I hope this approach worked a lot better than other worfing duels in the past (looking at you here Death <_<) by getting it in early and having him crush Erin herself rather than a major supporter, as well as not exactly walking all over Alex before killing him suddenly. Poor Alex :( Interesting speculations. Some good some not so... Anyway, glad you enjoyed this[/spoiler] I just finished chapter 21, and thank the Lord it was not as shell-shocking as chapter 20, because I am not sure I could have handled it. Seeing Armonia give up Five-Headed Dragon was an interesting internal conflict and the back story on him really is quite interesting. To think he defended his nation single-handedly(albeit with the help of a massive lizard) is actually pretty cool and if he wasn't such a douche, I could really like this guy. Although, I have a bit of a bone to pick with you about the mechanics set up in the duels. As we saw in Tessera's duel with the knights, effect damage inflicts the same sort of real pain that Vardus received from Exploder Dragonwing. So, assuming that the real damage comes as a result of their special, golden duel disks, why haven't Armonia and Vardus been feeling real pain as a result of Clear World's effect damage? This, of course, is all based on the idea that the real pain is a result of the same thing. If Armonia's power comes from a different source, then my argument falls. Anyway, back to the chapter as a whole. Lots of dueling, and I am happy to see Camilla back in dueling status. Although, I fear that she may not get much longer in the spot-light. Now that I know your not afraid to kill off characters(still reeling at the loss of Clove), I would say that Camilla and Gaius might actually be facing their end here directly. Either that, or one of the Resistance members save them and they ultimately end up helping the Resistance stand up to Tessera. But those are just my predictions. I really want to see more of Erin at this moment. Her justification for killing Clove was really kinda creepy and makes me wonder who this girl turns out to be. Armonia's backstory was me writing on the spot thinking I had to give him some history as to why he joined Tessera, but it was pretty enjoyable to create. Think it often works to not overplan every character detail and do things off the cuff as the need arises like that, given how hard 24 got to write sometimes. He is a douche though, in all honesty :D The real damage thing isn't something that affected all cards, and wasn't a two-way street. Vardus' cards didn't have anything like the effect Exploder Dragonwing had on Armonia until Clear Vice got up to 6000 ATK, and even then he got fortunate with the pot falling on his head. The duel disks are somewhat inspired by Zexal's D-Pads and the Barian Sphere-Cube things Girag and Misael used, and although they are part of the cause of the real damage there's more to it. Not going to say how it explicitly works yet as it gives too much away, but you might work out more after reading Chapter 22. Knew you'd be happy to see Camilla back in action, and really glad to see people wanting the attention put on the leading lady Erin. Usually main characters are not the strongest/favourites, so glad she's getting positive comments atm. ... So, one week on from the arc finale, and one comment on it *dies a little inside* :( I was gonna put off responding until I finished the Arc 3 summary/decklists, but putting them in this post would be too clunky I think as spoilering them has proved awkward in past. Will put them up in next post when I'm finished. Just to let you all know I'm starting a new job on Monday. The hours are Mon-Fri daytime (well, evenings) and I hope I'm getting all day Saturdays too, so my life should be a lot more structured and balanced (and hopefully happier) now, and as things stand I'll have mornings to get a lot of writing done. Writing Arc 4 is actually moving quite steadily at the moment, although I've not got as much done as I'd have liked this weekend due to wanting to finish the bios and fatigue from long haul of nights. I'll be taking another break from this site while I keep going and while I focus on learning the new job and impressing the new boss, but I'll maybe pop in next weekend after work. Maybe. Priorities and all that. If people would like to comment on Chapter 24 or Arc 3 as a whole in the meantime, that would be - you know - kinda awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ren✧ Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 Making steady progress through the chapters, just finished chapter 22(in one sitting, *gives self a pat on the back*). I thought the set up of the chapter was perfect. Just when I was getting a little bored of specific scene, it would switch to another perspective which allowed me to be thoroughly entertained throughout the entire chapter. I have to ask though, even though I think I know the answer, why the hell would Tessera get rid of Skull Invitation? He should have known leaving it on the field would make it so that Gaius couldn't synchro summon, as it would send monsters to the grave, he could fusion or tribute summon, for the same reason. If he hadn't used Magic Planter, he could have won the duel right there. I think that situation could have been handled better. Maybe having one of the knights destroy the trap card or at least give Tessera a better reason than gaining some hand advantage. After all, the card pretty much locked down any move his opponent could make. However, I realize that plot reasons dictated that Gaius and Camilla could freely synchro summon. Moving on, I am glad that Erin lied about killing Clove. Is that terrible of me? It seemed like the best option for her, regardless of whether it was moral or not. However, if Tessera really does have cameras all over his house, is it possible that he got a recording of this event. Do I sense a possible blackmail? Now let's discuss the real jaw dropper of the chapter. Xyz Summon! When this happened I literally had to check if I was reading the right fanfic. Bahamut including an Xyz Summon? What? No...it can't be. But it was, and pulled off quite well. The explanation that Tessera gave was a decent excuse as to why they hadn't been present yet in the fic, although I think he could have been a little more definite in his dialogue at that point. This chapter threw me through a loop. Not as much as Chapter 20 mind you, but still quite a shocking turn of events. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted June 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 Text removed since I'm sure this will break the post character limit otherwise :mellow: Well done for getting through that in one go. Finished writing Chapter 32 last week, which along with 31 has become the longest. Anyway; glad you enjoyed. The slightly bad reason was Tessera only had Magic Planter left in hand, and with Rainbow Kuriboh still engaged on the field at the time thought he was still at risk. (Tbf 3 of the 4 Trap cards he used were continuous, so Planter wasn't an awful inclusion in itself). He kinda broke fourth wall in the same way Gear did in previous chapters trying to poke fun at the anime and saying "oh you're the hero now right you're just gonna ass-pull MST anyway." Oh the suspicious mind games are starting :D Bahamut who wrote the first fanfic on this site to predominantly feature Xyz Summon after their release, and use Numbers as a plot device. But yeah I see your point, glad it dropped a bombshell. And it was a pre-existing excuse... (spoilers?) Shocking is good. :) ... As promised, Arc 3 characters bios. Spent all day between bits and bobs finishing these profile sections, so hopefully they are of actual use. [spoiler=Returning Characters Part One] [spoiler=Erin Kazoku]“You’re not a jinx... are you...? You’re a curse! That’s... what you are... Erin. You’re a curse on everyone around you...” Clove on Erin Age and Occupation: 17, Resistance Member Family: Melanc (brother). Associates: Vardus, Aerial, Alex, Clove, Doyle, Lavender and Klasse Description: Teenager in late puberty, tall and slim, very pale skin, long light-blue hair and blue eyes Clothing: White top and jumper and blue trousers and work shoes, standard issue Resistance cloak In the months that have passed since her friend Dorian fell into the abyss made by Alpha and Omega’s explosive butlers, Erin has become more detached from the rest of the Resistance, as well as becoming violent and angry. Plagued by random haunting visions of the boy in her mind, she tends to freak out. Her change in personality forced Vardus to drop her from active Resistance operations for some time and made her stay underground training their new recruits, which she eventually took to take her mind off things. Her return to duty was as Vardus’ escort to Tessera’s party, where another loss of control sparked by Clove questioning her about her meeting with Demon caused her to kill her fellow rebel. Now her conscious is plagued by her ghost as a replacement for Dorian’s, as he has since emerged... Deck: Erin still uses an Ice Barrier-Spellcaster variant, but it is changed from what it once was. When she previously used the Ice Barriers to combine and maintain a steady defence, now she has become a much more aggressive duelist who Synchro Summons as quickly as possible, and also has incorporated much stronger monsters, and even burn damage cards to her deck as she becomes more secluded and violent. Main Deck (40): Monsters: Blizzard Dragon, Blizzard Falcon, Blizzard Princess, Caravan of the Ice Barrier, Cryomancer of the Ice Barrier, Dai-Sojo of the Ice Barrier, Deep Sea Diva, Dewdark of the Ice Barrier, General Gantala of the Ice Barrier, General Grunard of the Ice Barrier, Geomancer of the Ice Barrier, Mermaid Archer, Mother Grizzly, Necro Gardna, Pilgrim of the Ice Barrier, Prior of the Ice Barrier Salvage Warrior, Shock Troops of the Ice Barrier, Strategist of the Ice Barrier Spells: Cold Wave, Card Destruction, Lemuria the Forgotten City, Magic Triangle of the Ice Barrier, Medallion of the Ice Barrier, One-Shot Wand, Pot of Avarice, Premature Burial, Salvage, Shrink, Surface, Water Hazard Traps: Damage Polarizer, Defence Draw, Destruct Potion, Graceful Revival, Limit Reverse, Magicians Circle, Ready for Intercepting, Torrential Reborn, Torrential Tribute Extra Deck (5): Fusion & Synchro Monsters: Supreme Arcanite Magician, Arcanite Magician, Brionac Dragon of the Ice Barrier, Gungnir Dragon of the Ice Barrier, Sea Dragon Lord Gishilnodon Record: Gaius (win), Gaius & Camilla (no result), Camilla (win), Pikeru & Curran (win w/ Dorian), Demon (no result), Klasse (no result), Clove (win), Dorian (loss)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Melanc Kazoku]“Hey, you can’t talk about my big sister like that!” Age and Occupation: 8, none Family: Erin (sister) Associates: Chou is his friend in the Resistance Description: Small for age, puny even, with similar hair and eye colour to his older sibling. Clothing: White and red T-shirt and long green shorts. Having now been in Resistance headquarters for several months, Melanc seems to have come to terms with his reality now and is trying to do his part in an effort to help his big sister and her allies. Vardus and his lieutenants have indulged him by letting him do little errands, such as tidying the training areas or placing him on guard duties; where he can still feel involved but in reality not bother anyone. This did not go down well with Erin when she found out after one of her episodes. Mel is just taking things day by day for now, doing his best to try and help out. Deck: Mel uses a sub-type of monsters called Toons, which he received from his father, whereas Erin got her deck from their mother. The Toon monsters are easy to summon and can attack directly for massive damage, making them look powerful in the eyes of an inexperienced duelist, but their slow nature and vulnerable reliance on Toon World expose them. Mel often makes mistakes through either panicking or not paying attention or understanding, and also doesn’t appear to be above cheating to get his way. Main Deck (11): Dandylion, Manga Ryu-Ran, Toon Gemini Elf, Goblin Attack Force, Toon Summoned Skull Mystical Space Typhoon, Pot of Duplicity, Toon Table of Contents, Toon World, Vengeful Bog Spirit The Huge Revolution is Over Record: Dorian (loss), Chou (win)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Vardus Jackson]“I will never give up on my beliefs no matter how desperate a situation looks, least of all because someone like you or Nero tells me to. Watch me closely Erin, and take heart from this. This is what it means to stand up and resist. DRAW!!” Age and Occupation: 32, Leader of the Resistance Family: Known to have two brothers. Associates: Nataka, Chetema, and rest of his Resistance ‘family’ Description: Powerful dark skinned man, his body is covered in tattoos and his face has a horrific scar down the side. Clothing: Open purple coat, smart green trousers, adorned with many gold rings and jewels Vardus fell into a deep despair in the wake of Dorian’s death; shutting himself away in his office and rarely venturing out like before. He later decided to suspend all active Resistance operations during the winter; using the time to regroup for a more substantial assault in the spring. However various events - such as his junior’s run-in with a mysterious man in white, and the suspicious death of Longinus his old friend from his days as the royal historian - he decided to take his troops to Tessera’s party, along with attending himself. There he met the man in white, Armonia, and during a duel in which he took real and grave damage discovered they had stumbled something dark at work. His forces raced desperately to try and stop this unknown threat, and there he found himself face to face with his deceased favourite. Deck: Vardus uses a multi-functional deck that primarily orientates around the field spell ‘Clear World’. By using this spell, his slower and more methodical strategy is based on turning the traditional strengths of each monster’s attribute against them, or forcing the issue by getting his Elemental Mistress Doriado on their side of the field. He wins by whittling his opponent away to a certain demise, or if the need is grave by summoning the heavy hitting Clear bosses that are unaffected by the crystal’s power. After a life of worldly travels, his deck contains rarer and more powerful staple cards than his charges. Main Deck (20): United Resistance, Card Trooper, Clear Cube x3, Clear Vice Dragon, Clear Vicious Knight, Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands, Elemental Mistress Doriado Advanced Ritual Art, Card of Adversity, Clear Sacrifice, Clear World, Creature Swap, Heart of Clear Water, Preparation of Rites Curse of the Circle, Fuh-Rin-Ka-Zan, Mind Crush, Mirror Force Record: Armonia (win)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Nataka and Chetema]“There is no God I know of who I think would take any mercy on you. I certainly won’t.” Nataka Age and Occupation: 61 and 31, Senior Resistance Figures Family: Unknown. Associates: Vardus, Resistance youths Nataka: An ancient warrior with a long white beard and bushy eyebrows, dressed in ceremonial robes Chetema: A grizzly, dreadlocked warrior who wears minimal clothing over his massive dark bulk Two experienced warriors from lands outside the Empire who Vardus met in his army service and on his young worldly travels respectively, and has since recruited as his second’s in command. During their leaders seclusion, they became more active topside in recruitment and supply work in additiom to their training and tactical duties, and it was then they discovered Tessera’s mansion and about the party. Assigned the job of breaking in during the party, they were able to commandeer two disused army trucks from Tessera’s estate and rescue their fellow’s rebels. Now the Resistance are trying their best to discover Tessera’s aim and stop him, and as has been seen they will go to any length to do so... Decks: Nataka uses a deck centred on the ‘Six Samurai’ archetype, a warrior clan who can quickly swarm in great numbers and can take apart most enemy strategies with cunning and strength. Chetema uses the ‘Gladiator Beasts’ archetype, fierce animals who ‘tag’ in and out of the deck after battle to activate various effects, and calling out their most powerful beasts via the power of fusion. Nataka’s Extra Deck (1): Six Samurai - Shi En Record: Clove (win) Chetema’s Extra Deck (1): Gladiator Beast Gaiodiaz Record: Alex (win)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Clove]“...I don’t wanna die...” Age and Occupation: 17, Resistance Member Family: Skaro (brother). Associates: Vardus, Erin, Dorian, Alex, Aerial Description: Shorter girl, with a slightly pinched face and flat nose, cropped black hair, and brown eyes Clothing: A light green shirt and loose brown trousers, with standard Resistance cloak. Clove was promoted to the rank of junior commander during the Resistance’s winter period, a rank previously held by her brother Skaro. She has taken the promotion as a change to lead from the front, but also belittle Erin who she perceived as Vardus’ favourite, and her rival. Several fights ensued, along with a duel to try and determine who was stronger. Erin won but unconvincingly - when Clove made the decision to leave herself open and summon her boss Naturia Exterio, which Erin couldn’t beat. Clove snuck into Tessera’s party by posing as his servant staff, smuggling in the group’s weapons, and found Erin in the carnage. However this proved fatal to her, as her innocent question about the man she had seen him with twice was perceived as a threat, and Erin stabbed her in the back and killed her. Deck: Clove used a pure-Plant variant of the Naturia archetype. By regenerating Naturia Pineapple as tribute fodder for the restricting Bamboo Shoot, or as a non-tuner for the summon of powerful Synchro monsters like Naturia Beast, she would try to limit or even lock entirely various enemy options to attack safely and aggressively. She supports this strategy with the majority of her spells giving her drawing or recycling options, and she has a knack of utilizing the phases of battle and the games mechanics with a much better understanding than many of the other rebels, yet she still ends with a poor win record. Main Deck (24): Gale Dogra, Naturia Bamboo Shoot, Naturia Cosmobeet, Naturia Eggplant, Naturia Hydrangea, Naturia Marron, Naturia Pineapple, Naturia Pumpkin, Naturia Ragweed, Naturia Rosewhip Barkion’s Bark, Cup of Ace, Hand Destruction, Leodrake’s Mane, Magic Planter, Magical Mallet, Miracle Synchro Fusion, Monster Gate, Seed of Deception Breakthrough Skill, Exterio’s Fang, Limit Reverse, Nature’s Reflection, Urgent Tuning Extra Deck (4): Naturia Exterio, Naturia Barkion, Naturia Beast, Naturia Landoise Record: Nataka (loss), Pikeru (win), Urusula (loss), Erin (loss)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Alexander]‘For what your Extermination Squad did to Khan. For what your minions did to my best friend Clove. For those people you made me kill for you. Now I’m going to kill you...’ Age and Occupation: 21, Resistance Member Family: Deceased brother called Khan. Associates: Vardus, Erin, Dorian, Clove, Aerial Description: Tall and broad shouldered, short blonde hair and light stubbly beard Clothing: Leather armour covering smart if tight fitting shirt and tunic Alex was promoted to the rank of junior commander during the Resistance’s winter period, the rank previously held by Dorian. He took his new role very seriously and was determined to repay Vardus’ faith in him, and after an unsuccessful first venture for the leader when sent to find a rare artefact he redoubled his efforts in training. Along with Clove he infiltrated Tessera’s party as part of the servant staff, but was separated from the others during the chaos. The only way he could keep his cover was to join the army of brainwashed servants in murdering the party guests. This - along with the revelation that Tessera was the one who assembled the Extermination Squad that killed his brother Khan - drove him into a berserk vendetta against the traitorous noble. As he mistakenly assumed an enemy to be Tessera he fought him furiously, only to fatally drop his guard when faced by his friend Dorian... Deck: Alex used the X-Sabers; a tribute to his brother after he gave him his deck before he was taken. Focusing on swarming the field for an all-out aggro assault his strategy is fairly straightforward; attack whatever is in front of you. His aces are summoned mostly by Synchro - his preference Hyunlei - and his deck includes a lot of direct Synchro support in its inadequately supported form, along with burn cards working off its high swarming capabilities. Main Deck (18): X-Saber Airbellum, X-Saber Paashul, X-Saber Uruz, XX-Saber Boggart Knight, XX-Saber Emmersblade, XX-Saber Faultroll, XX-Saber Fulhelmknight, XX-Saber Gardestrike Fire Formation - Tenki, Mystical Space Typhoon, Reinforcement of the Army, Saber Slash, Wild Nature’s Release Ceasefire, Gottom’s Emergency Call, Skill Drain, Synchro Barrier, Synchro Deflector Extra Deck (3): X-Saber Souza, X-Saber Urbellum, XX-Saber Hyunlei Record: Chetema (loss), Curran (win), Somorrakh (loss), Lavender & Klasse (win)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Aerial]“I just got here by a fluke really... cuz I’m such a klutz...” Age and Occupation: 15, Resistance Member Family: Grandma (deceased). Associates: Erin, Dorian, Clove, Alex Description: Shortest of the group, thin and modest build, has long green braided hair and emerald eyes Clothing: Loose ill-fitting tunic, emerald green and brown Recruited by the Resistance as their most skilful archer, Aerial has struggled in recent months as the group began to lose its momentum and went into a time of rebuilding. He assisted Alex and Clove in a personal mission for Vardus finding a rare collectable, only to encounter the associates of Demon. In a best of three contest and faced by former pro turbo duelist Gear Roberts, he panicked at the sight of his allies in trouble and recklessly tried to inspire them into a comeback, only to get easily slaughtered by an OTK. This sparked a downward spiral in which he lost increasingly badly against Erin’s trainees, and was subsequently dropped from active operations until he recovered his happiness and form. According to Clove, his state of mind is not helped by feelings he has for Erin. Deck: Aerial uses a Wind Synchro deck; primarily including members of the Mist Valley archetype. Most of these monsters work around returning cards to players hands and making gains from quick combos, although having only seen a small portion of his deck, this description is not to be considered definitive. Main Deck (7): Droll and Lock Bird, Genex Ally Birdman, Mist Valley Baby Roc, Mist Valley Thunderbird One for One, Star Changer Icarus Attack Extra Deck (2): Mist Bird Clausolas, Mist Valley Thunder Lord Record: Gear (loss), Rain (loss)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Emperor Nero VIII]“I want Tessera found! I want every single one of those foreign slaves of his slaughtered! I want that oversized pet of his destroyed! I want him dragged back here, by any means necessary, and put on the executioners block, and so help me if I have to I will swing the axe myself!” Age and Occupation: 68, His Supreme Excellency Lord Emperor of the Empire Family: Unknown. Associates: Demon, Longinus, Rufinus, formerly Tessera Description: Powerful and relatively athletic for age, dark skin, and white hair and beard. See Imperial Order. Clothing: Wears royal robes of mostly velvet lilac and scarlet Celebrating the 48th anniversary of his ascension to the Empire throne, Nero has not had much to be happy about recently as he did during the Resistance’s hibernation during a bleak winter. His army chief and advisor Longinus was found dead with a note renouncing the Empire, and his personally assigned judge and doctor delivered a verdict of suicide (having been bribed by Tessera). During the week of his celebrations he fell mysteriously ill and had to miss out on the party Tessera held in his honour, which was later revealed to be Demon’s doing. This proved lucky for him, as he watched in horror as the whole Katas estate rose out of the earth on the back of the monstrous Grandopolis, and flattened parts of the city on its escape. He is now adamantly putting all his resources into finding and executing Tessera. Deck: Two years ago, Nero outlawed all duel-related aspects. Of course he doesn’t have a deck... right?[/spoiler] [spoiler=Gaius fon Rausenberg]“Gearfried the Swordmaster, come forth and wield the sword of justice against him!” Age and Occupation: 30, General of the Royal Guard Family: Unknown. Associates: Longinus, Camilla Description: Very tall and broad, scarred face, black ponytail and pointy goatee beard Clothing: Wears heavy bronze armour, and carries a large two-handed sword and a large bronze shield. At party wears a tight, cheapish bronze suit and white shirt, and generally scrubs up neat as possible. After the sudden death of his mentor Longinus, a verdict of suicide was declared by an official inquest. Gaius refused to accept this verdict and conducted his own investigation with Camilla. They discovered various witnesses saying he had gone into Tessera’s mansion the night prior, and that some people had been bribed into lying about seeing him alive the next day. At this time both knights received invitations to Tessera’s party; something they’d never normally get. Suspicious; they decided to attend so that they could confront him. There they found themselves in a duel with the crazed noble where every count of damage inflicted real pain to both them and their partner. When Camilla went down from a devastating attack from Grandopolis Gaius thought she was dead, and flew into a passionate rage at her loss, wildly attacking Tessera and forcing him to order Grandopolis to finish him with his effect, killing him. Deck: Gaius used an “Equip Warrior Gearfried” deck. It is entirely comprised of warrior type monsters and many sword based equip spells; the use of which trigger the effects of his most legendary fighters. His deck also contains more staple cards than the rebels can salvage, having access to a hidden vault for the guards use for fighting them. During the winter he added a strong Synchro monster called Seven Swords Warrior that supported his equip theme, and in need of a tuner to summon it, he found one of Camilla’s old tuner monsters, and decided to add it so that he would always have a reminder of her. Main Deck (16): Gearfried the Iron Knight, Gearfried the Swordmaster, Gilford the Legend, Marauding Captain, Rose Warrior of Revenge, Shield Warrior Assault Armour, Divine Sword - Phoenix Blade, Lightning Blade, Monster Reborn, Reinforcement of Army, Release Restraint, Shield Crush, Swords at Dawn Dark Bribe, Mirror Force Extra Deck (1): Seven Swords Warrior Record: Erin (loss), Erin (w/Camilla; no result), Tessera (w/Camilla; loss)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Camilla fon Rallis]“I will make sure you suffer for what you did...” Age and Occupation: 28, General of the Royal Guard Family: Unknown. Associates: Longinus, Gaius Description: A slim, blonde beauty with a thin face, piercing emerald eyes and highly styled features Clothing: Fine silver armour with red robes underneath, armed with a silver sword and shield. At party wears a slimming emerald green dress with no back and adorned with a vine of roses, and many jewels. Like Gaius, Camilla was aghast to discover the death of her mentor Longinus, and did not believe he had committed suicide. She led a private investigation into the inquest with her comrade, and came to learn that Lord Tessera had murdered him during a visit to his estate and covered it up, although they did not find out the reason. They went to Tessera’s party to arrest him, and bumped into Erin of the Resistance. Gaius didn’t recognise her, but Camilla did, but decided not to cause a scene as she was not the enemy here. The knight’s fought their way through Tessera’s army of swordsman, only to find the noble openly admit to the murder, but also packing a strange power from his custom duel disk. The knights fought well, but were defeated by his incredible Xyz monster. She survived the attack on her, presumably only down to Grandopolis’ rustiness after a long hibernation, and is in a medically induced coma with Doyle. Deck: Camilla utilises a “Crippling Rose Token” strategy. Using cards like Black Garden, her deck aims to weaken her opponent’s monsters and destroy them with her ace Queen Angel of Roses, summoned and protected via the summoned tokens and paving the way for direct attacks. Her deck also features heavy draw power, several burn strategies, and the all-powerful Rosaria as an easily summonable alternative. Since her duel with Erin she has seemed to have added tuners and Synchros to her arsenal, although they may have already existed in her deck. Main Deck (18): Dandylion, Glow-Up Bulb, Lonefire Blossom, Queen Angel of Roses, Regenerating Rose, Rosaria the Stately Fallen Angel, Rose Archer, Rose Fairy, Rose Tentacles Black Garden, Dark World Dealings, Fragrance Storm, Sacred Sword of Seven Stars, Spell-Shattering Arrow Blossom Bombardment, Raigeki Break, Staunch Defender, Wall of Thorms Extra Deck (1): Splendid Rose Record: Erin (w/ Gaius, no result), Erin (loss), Tessera (w/Gaius, loss)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Longinus]‘Humph, what dogs you both were. Loyal, snivelling, useless lapdogs.’ Tessera on the Knights Age and Occupation: 64, Honorary Chief General of the Royal Army Family: Unknown. Associates: Nero, Gaius, Camilla Description: Old warrior, still in decent health if gone slightly to seed in age, long hair and bearded Clothing: Ceremonial dress robes and warriors tunic, usually navy blue and light violet Under pressure from Nero to increase army recruitment in an enforced conscription, Longinus had to go to the other richest families in the Empire for help funding the initiative. Visiting Tessera’s household in person and feeling curious, he stumbled upon a strange letter addressed to the young lord with ominous tones that suggested feelings against the Empire, along with a mysterious piece of metal and gemstone. Mistakenly believing Tessera to be a Resistance supporter and deciding to inform the Emperor of his discovery he turned to leave... and walked straight into Tessera. He murdered the army chieftain and managed to bribe and threaten an inquest into a verdict of suicide. Deck: Longinus did not duel.[/spoiler] [/spoiler] [spoiler=Returning Characters Part Two] [spoiler=Demon]“Make your choice Erin. Take the leap of faith. I know you will land on solid ground.” Age and Occupation: 33, Royal Vizier to the Emperor Family: Unknown. Associates: Alpha and Omega, Urusula, Gear, Somorrakh, Nero Description: Fairly tall, with pale skin and a gaunt, sunken looking face and misty-eyes with shaded pupils. Has slicked black hair. Clothing: Bulky black hooded cloak, heavy boots, concealing goodness knows what? The dark and sinister advisor to Emperor Nero, Demon appears shortly after Dorian’s fall, stopping Alpha and Omega from murdering Erin and Aerial after the duel’s conclusion. Instead he wishes to explore a new possibility, and appears before a distraught and confused Erin with an offer. Put her faith in him instead of Vardus, and together they could achieve the impossible and bring down the Empire, so she and her brother could live in happiness. They duel, and through their match he tries to convince her in his unshakable faith. He decides to leave their introduction ‘in the balance’. He continues his charm offensive at Tessera’s party, but Erin refuses to leave the Resistance. She tries to take it back when the host tries to kill everyone, but Demon won’t take her on “desperate promises made to save her skin”, and only helps as he agrees Tessera, his rival for Nero’s attention is a problem he needs to investigate. Deck: Demon uses a Ritual deck; summoning powerful dark attribute Ritual monsters using the versatile Contract with the Abyss spell and minimal tributes to lessen their toll on hand advantage, along with some Synchro elements. The monster he used against Erin, Dark Master Zorc, has a dice effect; which along with Reasoning and other luck or opponent’s choice related cards he had an uncanny ability to always work in his favour purely by the strength of his ‘faith’. When duelling he seems most unafraid when under attack; never defending himself against it and always taking the attack head on with glee. Main Deck (10): Dark Tinker, Mist Archfiend, Ritual Raven, Dark Master Zorc Contract with the Abyss, Magic Planter, Reasoning, Share the Pain, Twister Discord Extra Deck (1): Dark Highlander Record: Erin (no result)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Alpha and Omega]“It doesn’t look like they’re going to thank us for saving their miserable lives does it?”“Ungrateful worms. But what can you expect from these wretched vermin?” Age and Occupation: Unknown, Servants of Demon Family: Unknown. Associates: Demon, Gear, Urusula Description: Alpha is tall, and wears all white robes and a happy ceramic theatre mask. Omega is shorter and broader, wears black hooded robes and an unhappy mask. Staggered by the failure of their pawns Pikeru and Curran to eliminate the Resistance duelists and trying to salvage the situation themselves, the mysterious masked sorcerers are aghast to find their master appearing before them. However he does not seem to mind their failure and lets them off, having had an idea he’d like to pursue instead. The sorcerers later appear at the Tessera party, where they naturally fit into the masquerade ball as Demon’s gentlemen in waiting. Alpha seems to have an extra responsibly of medicating Demon in moments of stress and pain. When Tessera tries to gas the ballroom, Demon orders them to make ventilation for the gas to escape out of; they do so to Erin’s horror by summoning Light and Dark End Dragon. The other guests are not exactly grateful to their saviours, distrustful of duelists due to Nero’s propaganda, and the pair disappear. Decks: Pikeru and Curran received cards from their friends to help them get stronger to beat the rebels. These cards were later proved to be the Light End and Dark End Dragons, when Alpha and Omega used them to knock out the skylight, an act normally beyond most duel monsters to physically interact with inanimate objects.[/spoiler] [spoiler=Urusula]“Come on honey, can’t you stand already? I’m not finished playing with you yet.” Age and Occupation: 30, part of Demon’s group and former Extermination Squad member Family: Unknown. Associates: Demon, Alpha and Omega, Gear Description: Slim, attractive blonde woman, or would be if not for the cracked skin with pronounced veins and black eyes that blink from the sides. Clothing: Dark olive green dress with low neckline, long lace black gloves and stockings, and green boots. Another dedicated follower of her Lord and Master Demon, Urusula appears again during the rebel’s trip to the north, where she has assumed the role of leader of the group looking for the same trinket on behalf of the dark vizier. When the Resistance interrupt, Gear tells her to take care of them, but she is stunned to find she cannot call on the swarm of insects that live inside her body while inside the temple. Instead the group have to take matters into duel stakes, and Urusula fights against Clove. She comes very close to defeat compared to her allies, and only just turns it around with her side already 2-0 up. However while they are distracted and fighting Armonia swipes the Tetragram piece from them all. Deck: Urusula, obviously, uses an insect deck without a specific archetype prominent, however a lot of her cards have a recurring them of forcing her opponents monsters into defence mode and weakening them from there, or inflicting piercing damage to them. Some of her cards are also either quite anti-meta, such as Koa’ki Meiru Beetle, or directly anti-Synchro; presumably as a nod to her days in the Extermination Squad when she may have altered her deck in order to take down specific targets. Main Deck (13): Beetron, Cross-Sword Beetle, Grasschopper, Infernity Beetle, Koa’ki Meiru Beetle, Pinch Hopper, Relinquished Spider Dragged Down to the Grave, Greed Grado, Insect Imitation, Spider Lair Gorgon’s Eye, Synchro Ejection Extra Deck (1): Underground Arachnid Record: Clove (win)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Gear Roberts]“Everything I wanted or cared about was ripped from me, along with half my body! Now I’m just kept going by all these cold gears and wires, and I can’t stand it!” Age and Occupation: 20, part of Demon’s group and former Extermination Squad member Family: Unknown. Associates: Demon, Alpha and Omega, Urusula Description: Lanky, with unkempt, grizzly brown hair and badly shaven jaw. Has a mechanical right wrist. Clothing: Wears an old sleeveless biker jacket and torn jeans A member of Demon’s group of followers of unknown purpose, Gear is a former professional duelist, specialising particularly in turbo duels. During the encounter with the Resistance in a northern temple built for a duel monster; Aerial remembered it was during a championship final that Gear suffered a horrific crash, which resulted in his robotic arm replacement, life supporting heart monitor, and metal skin grafts. Now a bitter and angry young man, Gear has a bleak look on everything including his metal body, which he takes no care of and is covered in rust. He is however still an arrogant duelist, believing himself superior to everyone, and successfully stomps Aerial as part of the best of three contest. Deck: In this story, Gear is to be found using a Scrap deck; an archetype that recycles a production line of monsters from the graveyard by destroying other Scraps by their effects, in particular having strong Synchro monsters in the likes of Scrap Dragon. Despite his attitude he is quite a methodical and forward planning duelist, who harbours a special hatred towards ‘ass-pull’ draws, for some reason. Aerial noted the Scraps were a change from his Championship deck, which he referred to as being a ‘machine’ deck. Main Deck ( :cool:: Scrap Breaker, Scrap Beast, Scrap Chimera Foolish Burial, Limiter Removal, Scrap Lube, Scrapstorm Widespread Dud Extra Deck (1): Scrap Dragon Record: Aerial (win)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Somorrakh]“You... fought... very... bravely... But not quite... well... enough.” Age and Occupation: Unknown, part of Demon’s group Family: Unknown. Associates: Demon Description: Not much is known, other than being tallest and broadest member of Demon’s group Clothing: An all concealing wrap of blood red cloth; with a low hood, gloves, and all features obscured The final and most mysterious member of the group led by Demon, Somorrakh is a towering being who doesn’t speak much, breaking what appeared to be many years worth of silence to commend Alex for an excellent duel, before ruthlessly defeating him. Not much is known about her, other than Somorrakh is female, physically extremely powerful and athletic, and seems a very honourable yet merciless duelist. Deck: Somorrakh duels using the Volcanic archetype; a series of powerful pyro-type monsters that can cause mass destruction and burn damage by sacrificing the ability to attack, making her defence less susceptible to standard staple trap cards as Alex found to his cost. She seems a very knowledgeable and experienced duelist if her fight with him is anything to go by, as well as a respectful player - compared to Urusula and Gear at least. Her biggest boss is the dangerous Volcanic Doomfire. Main Deck (12): Royal Firestorm Guard, Volcanic Doomfire, Volcanic Hammerer, Volcanic Rocket, Volcanic Scattershot x3 Blaze Accelerator, Soul of Fire, Tri-Blaze Accelerator Firewall, Needlebug Nest Record: Alex (win)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Pikeru and Curran]“Besides, I’m not letting some obnoxious little girl get her filthy hands on that card...” Alpha Age and Occupation: Unknown, Princesses Family: Unknown. Associates: Alpha and Omega Physical Description: See the cards Clothing: See the cards! Two duel spirits who travelled to the human world in order to find a way of breaking the duel spirits ties to duelists and encountering Alpha and Omega, the twin princesses disappeared at some point during the explosion caused by the rabbit and ram butlers created for them by the sorcerers magic. Nothing has been seen or heard of them since then, other than Vardus reading about how the giant hole ripped open in the square near the Uria amphitheatre, into which Dorian fell, has been repaired and sealed up. Decks: Both princesses use burn decks that search out a low level monster and try to win with its effect. Pikeru uses an “Anti-Cure” deck; using Nurse Reficule or Bad Reaction to Simochi to turn cards that would increase her opponent’s life points into damage while increasing her own, then calling on the Ancient Sacred Wyvern for maximum attack power. Curran uses a “Rapid-Fire Spell Burn” deck; quickly seeking out Rapid-Fire Magician then burning through a spell heavy deck and her opponent’s life points using as many draw and searching spells as possible for potential OTK. Combined the twins duel expands and utilises many aggressive combinations, although they are hardly flawless at working as a team. Pikeru’s Main Deck (27): Barrier Resonator, D.D. Unicorn Knight, Effect Veiler, Marshmallon, Nurse Reficule the Fallen One, Prime Material Dragon, Trust Guardian, Volcanic Queen Ancient Leaf, Cards from the Sky, Graceful Charity, Magic Planter, Nitro Unit, Pot of Duality, Rain of Mercy, Savage Coliseum, Soul Taker, Terraforming, Upstart Goblin Aegis of Gaia, Appropriate, Bad Reaction to Simochi, Breakthrough Skill, Brutal Potion, Call of the Haunted, Dark Cure, Destruct Potion Extra Deck (2): Ancient Sacred Wyvern, Light End Dragon Curran’s Main Deck (29): Dark Resonator *2, Masked Chameleon, Morphing Jar, Plaguespreader Zombie, Rapid-Fire Magician, Summoner Monk, Toon Cannon Soldier Allure of Darkness, Dark Room of Nightmare, Gather Your Mind *3, Magical Stone Excavation, Monster Reborn, Nightmare Steelcage, Pot of Duality *2, Premature Burial, Resonator Call, Toon Table of Contents *3, Wave Motion Cannon Call of the Haunted, Chthonian Blast, Dark Bribe, Fiendish Chain, Ring of Destruction Extra Deck (2): Dark End Dragon, Dark Strike Fighter Record: Alex (loss), Clove (loss), Erin & Dorian (loss)[/spoiler] [spoiler=The Resistance]“You might dismiss my allies, but I assure you none of us are weak. They are all exceptional young people who I trust fully, regardless of age or experience. I’m very proud of my young friends and what they strive to achieve together.” Vardus on the younger Resistance members The rest of Vardus’ Resistance; who serve below ground in stricter roles to the cause rather than going into the city on active anti-Empire operations. Mia is Vardus’ secretary and PA, and is quite a stern and formal woman. She was invited to take part in the trip to Tessera’s party as a somewhat more passable date for a man of Vardus’ age, but she declined and he took Erin instead. Doyle is the group’s medic. A nervous and shy man with good intentions, he tries his best to help anyone who needs advice or a friend to talk to, and also had the grizzly job of patching up Camilla and embalming Gaius. Goro is a cook who looks after the army’s stomachs, as well as his daughter Chou, who has enthusiastically befriended Mel and seems to have finally succeeded in bringing him out of his surly shell. There is also a man referred to as ‘The Armourer’ who assists Chetema, but who keeps himself in the background. Wonder who he is... Decks: None of these people duel in any official sense. However Chou has been introduced to the game by Mel when he thinks the Resistance elders aren’t looking. Chou’s Deck (Borrowed): Majestic Mech - Okha, Skill Drain. Record: Mel (loss)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Lord Tessera Katas]“You two wish to fight together, then you will suffer and die together!” Age and Occupation: 25, Noble Family: Parents and sister known to be deceased. Associates: Nero (formerly), Armonia, Severus Description: Moderate size and build, although maybe quite thin. Has a pretty, feminine looking face, golden-ish eyes, and long, silver hair Clothing: Wears an all golden attire of large coat, suit, boots and silk gloves, and much jewellery A young and rich noble who was orphaned when his family died at their summer holiday home when he was a teenager and inherited a vast fortune, Tessera has since emerged as a deeply disturbed individual. He was a favourite of Nero, who kept him as a drinking buddy and party host and treated him like an entertaining pet. He also had uses to the Empire; serving them by assembling the Extermination Squad that conducted the Duelist Purge. However he has now emerged as unsatisfied with his lot and Nero and the Empire as a whole, and according to Dorian he intends to bring it down. His ally Armonia suggested his goal was even more extreme, and world threatening. To achieve either aim, he has researched into an ancient relic called the Tetragram and has collected all four pieces of it, along with amassing a huge army of people whose nations were destroyed by war with the Empire and murdering many who could oppose him. He is violent, unpredictable, and perhaps most worryingly his ambitions are yet unclear. Deck: Tessera primarily uses the Agent archetype: a fairy type series of monsters that each represents a planet of the solar system, and work towards summoning their powerful boss monster Master Hyperion. During his duel against the knights, he used the trap card Skull Invitation to somehow inflict real damage to all of them continuously through unexplained means, pushing them near to the brink. However to Gaius and Camilla’s terror, Tessera’s true power comes from an old and forgotten summon technique called Xyz Summon, easily calling forth his powerful fortress Grandopolis and decimating them both. Main Deck (17): Guardian Eatos x3, Master Hyperion, Nova Summoner x3, Rainbow Kuriboh, The Agent of Mystery - Earth Celestial Transformation, Inferno Reckless Summon, Magic Planter, The Sanctuary in the Sky Call of the Haunted, Powerful Rebirth, Reckless Greed, Skull Invitation Extra Deck (1): Grandopolis, the Eternal Golden City Record: Gaius & Camilla (win)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Dorian]“Whatever... it takes... Erin... Just like we promised, remember? Whatever it takes!” Age and Occupation: 19, Resistance Member Family: Deceased. Associates: Tessera, Severus Description: Handsome teenage boy with longish dark grey hair, cold dark eyes, and a sad smile. Clothing: Dark red shirt, and black trousers and boots. Has a long matching coat with a large collar Having disappeared in the autumn when he tried to save Erin’s life and ended up falling into a chasm, Dorian has returned seemingly from the dead, and not as the boy he once was. Having before been a proud and whole-hearted if slightly extreme member of the Resistance, he is now sombre, subdued, and merciless. It appears that after Armonia’s capture, Tessera promoted him into the vacant role and sent him to lead the assault on the ancient site the final Tetragram piece lay in wait. Mistakenly believing him to be his nemesis Tessera in disguise, Alex gave chase and fought him furiously, only to drop his guard in shock at his opponent and let Dorian counter, killing him. Erin witnessed this in horror, then furious and unable to accept this Dorian as the real boy she knew tried to fight him as well. He beat her by using the unknown Xyz monsters and would have killed her, but for Vardus’ enraged intervention. He escaped, but not before an ominous warning to his former allies that he and Tessera would take care of everything... Deck: Dorian still primarily uses the powerful Gemini sub-type of monsters. Lurking beneath a docile surface, he unleashes their hidden powers to quickly swarm the field with many powerful abominations, along with the help of new support monsters. Dorian is a very aggressive duelist who attacks with these buffed up monsters; being able to summon aces using most methods. Now by aligning with Tessera he has got access to these strange new Xyz monsters. With them, he OTK’d Erin without flaw or mercy. Main Deck (10): Evocator Chevalier, Gemini Scorpion, Gemini Summoner, Tuned Magician Instant Fusion, Last Will, Supervise, White Elephant Gift Bottomless Trap Hole, Fiendish Chain Extra Deck (4): Mavelus, Daigusto Emeral, Heroic Champion - Excalibur, Lightning Chidori Record: Melanc (win), Pikeru and Curran (win w/Erin), Erin (win)[/spoiler] [/spoiler] [spoiler=Arc Three Debuting Characters] [spoiler=Armonia]“The Empire will disappear. The cities will lie in ruins. All the wars will end as every soldier falls dead. Every dirty soul of humanity will be cleansed and wiped from the earth. Only those who bring the rebirth will be spared and rewarded for our acts. We’re close now, too close for you to stop us.” Age and Occupation: 28, Former Prince and now Right-Hand Man to Tessera Katas Family: Both parents are known to be deceased. Associates: Tessera Description: Athletic and tanned build, with spiky white hair. Has gold piercing in eyebrow. Clothing: Similar coat and smart jacket, trousers and large boots to Tessera, but all white. The heir to the throne of a small island nation, Armonia spent his youth in an idyllic paradise and grew up a spoilt brat, being taught that power and control were the most important things in life by the king. When Nero’s army came; he used duel monsters to drive their forces away, but a traitor stole his shield and the invaders capitalised. Ashamed of his weakness, Armonia swore revenge against the Empire as Nero took control of the world, and one day encountered Tessera. Upon hearing about his similar desire to bring down the Empire, he befriended the noble and signed up to his plan. Since then he has been the right-hand man; finding the pieces of the Tetragram hidden across the world. It appears however their alliance was cagey. Believing his ally was too cautious, Armonia tried to steal the pieces and finish the plan and take the glory himself, whereas Tessera didn’t seem particularly bothered about his capture by Vardus. He is now being kept in Resistance HQ at Vardus’ pleasure, but has resisted interrogation so far. Deck: Perhaps fitting given his proud and egotistical nature; Armonia plays a power-centric Disaster Dragons deck. With such mighty, legendary creatures to do his bidding, including many of the strongest that exist in the duel monsters game for pure attack points, Armonia uses an almost entirely power based strategy that swarms high level dragons with high attack powers to overwhelm his enemies, although his ability might not truly be as good as he believes he is. He also predominantly uses Synchro type dragons when he gets a chance, whose powers seem to be enhanced by his modified duel disk. Main Deck (23): Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Bright Star Dragon, Dark Armed Dragon, Decoy Dragon, Delta Flyer, Eclipse Wyvern x3, Influence Dragon, Red-Eyes Dark Metal Dragon, Totem Dragon Advance Draw, Dark Hole, Dragon Ravine, Dragon’s Mirror, Forbidden Lance, Future Fusion, Transmodifiy Dimensional Prison, Reckless Greed x3, Waboku Extra Deck (4): Five-Headed Dragon x2, Exploder Dragonwing, Trident Dragion Record: Vardus (loss)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Severus]“The Lord of the house is not in at the moment.” Age and Occupation: 70, Butler and Head of the Katas Household Family: Unknown. Associates: Tessera Description: Decrepit old man with slightly hunched back, thinning balding hair, poor eyesight, knotted hands, you get the idea here... Clothing: Traditional butler uniform; smart and old-fashioned, with some gold. The long serving head servant of Tessera Katas; Severus is in charge of his large servant staff and is his personal attendant. Severus is seen as a pompous and dislikeable by Longinus on his encounters with him. He is usually seen in close proximity to his young master, but was also briefly seen with the group of servants during the battle at the ancient ritual settlement, where his men and women helped Dorian to escape. Deck: It is currently unknown whether Severus duels or not, but likely to go with doesn’t[/spoiler] [spoiler=Lavender and Rain]“If you... um, if you ever need to talk about anything... then I just want you to know you can come to me about anything.” Lavender Age and Occupation: 22 and 14, New Resistance recruits Family: Auntie and Niece. Lavender’s older brother, Rain’s dad, was killed in war. Associates: Erin, Aerial, Klasse, Alex, Clove Lavender: A mild and unassuming young girl with long brown hair and understated if fair features, wears an old hand-me-down dress comprised of many ribbons Rain: Small girl with thin, mousey brown hair and slightly oversized teeth. Wears second hand clothes. Lavender and Rain were recruited along with Klasse and several of Vardus’ old army associates during the Resistance’s winter hibernation. Both presumably joined out of personal grudge against the Empire having lost family members to Nero’s relentless lust for war against other countries, and also for their own safety from the oppressors. They have been trained predominately by Erin while she tries to work her way back into Vardus’ good books, and although both started with very little knowledge of fighting with either duel monsters or traditional weapons, they are showing steady improvement; Rain even beating an albeit heavily out-of-form Aerial. Vardus has been impressed by their progression and has started using Lavender in active operations, but Rain is not allowed to participate until she turns fifteen. Lavender is a shy and gentle girl, who seems very friendly towards her mentor Erin. Rain is a curious young girl who is still slightly naive about the world, and apparently has a love of food. Lavender’s Deck: Lavender has received a Creator deck to fight, which contains many high level light monsters that are cycled through and summoned by the thunder god’s effect. One of those monsters is the most powerful Majestic Mech known as Goryu, so it is possible that she has been given the deck that was used by Chou in her earlier duel with Mel. Main Deck (4): Majestic Mech - Goryu, The Creator, The Creator Incarnate Luminize Record: Rain (no result), Alex (w/ Klasse, loss) Rain’s Deck: Rain uses an archetype of monsters called Cloudians; a water based series that share the effect of being unable to be destroyed by battle as long as they are in attack position, taking damage but not yielding. She seems to direct most of her focusing on swarming the field with the low level normal monster Cloudian Smoke Ball, and then powering them up with mass effect spell cards. Main Deck (7): Cloudian Smoke Ball x3, Cloudian Poison Fog Diamond Dust Cyclone, Triangle Power, Tri-Wight Zone Record: Lavender (no result), Aerial (win)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Klasse]“Ah, I see. It was all part of a double bluff. Very clever” Age and Occupation: 18, New Resistance recruit Family: Unknown. Associates: Erin, Lavender, Rain, Doyle Description: Thin and lanky, wears thick spectacles up close to his eyes, has neatly slicked curtained hair Clothing: A marshal uniform of buttoned jacket, pressed trousers and hard boots The third junior recruit taken in by Nataka and Chetema and assigned to Erin to train in fighting primarily with duel monsters, Klasse is the only one who she believes to be somewhat competent at the start of training. Klasse’s creepy appearance and know-it-all attitude tend to rub her and others up the wrong way sometimes, finally resulting in getting punched by Alex when he inadvisably criticised him while he was badly shaken by the events of Tessera’s party, but he is a genuinely hard worker and tries his best to help out Vardus and Erin, and has now be trusted to participate on missions. His back-story is not known as much, but like most of the Resistance youths he has probably become an orphan in some way. Deck: Klasse plays a Jinzo deck, which uses various machine type monsters with powerful negation based effects to shut down opponents and prevent them from using many of their cards. Main Deck (4): Jinzo, Jinzo - Returner, Spell Canceller Hand Destruction Record: Erin (no result), Alex (w/ Lavender, loss)[/spoiler] [spoiler=Kaisa and Hester]“Do you think it might be revenge against the Empire perhaps? That he promised them?” Hester Age and Occupation: Mid-forties, New Resistance recruits Family: Unknown. Associates: Vardus, Nataka, Chetema, Lavender, Klasse Kaisa: Tall and well built former war veteran, fairly thick moustache and beard, wears old army uniform Hester: Largely built woman, roundish face, brown hair tied back for battle, wears old army clothes Two army veterans who have since come back into contact with their former regiment leader Vardus and decided to join his cause against the Empire, along with another male soldier. They have all been bough in to add experience and wisdom to the ranks, along with strong sword arms. Both Kaisa and Hester were involved in the chase after Tessera and the fight against his and Empire forces at the ancient settlement near the city of Sennen’Yama, their ally left behind with Chetema to carry on the Resistance if things went wrong and no-one returned. Deck: None of these recruits duel, having been hired by Vardus to add more experience with regular weapons to the Resistance’s forces.[/spoiler] [spoiler=Lord Rufinus]‘I hope you will help me in our hour of need my old friend. I know you have no love for it now, but the Empire needs you again.’ Age and Occupation: 55, Advisor to Nero in the Royal Court Family: Unknown. Associates: Nero, formerly Tessera, Vardus Description: Tall and dark skinned, still fairly athletic, with a shaven head and many ear-piercings. Clothing: Rich scarlet jacket, smart shirt and dark trousers. Currently has injured arm in a sling. A member of the capital’s upper classes who are fortunate not to be afflicted by the same plight as the rest of the city, Rufinus is a respected and wise old head in Nero’s inner circle. Like many others who fall into that category, he received an invitation to a party held by Tessera to celebrate the Emperor’s 48th year at the helm, but unlike the majority of the others he was able to fight his way out of the intended massacre thanks to his instincts and some intervention from the alerted royal guard. Believing Tessera to be a highly dangerous threat to the Empire that they need all the help they can get with, he makes contact with his old friend Vardus via unconfirmed means; giving him information about the the moving fortress’ whereabouts and posting easier to bribe guards so the Resistance can move about unhindered. Deck: Despite going to Vardus for aid, Rufinus is a senior figure of the Empire and does not duel.[/spoiler] [spoiler=Grandopolis the Eternal Golden City]“Behold the power of Xyz, and my moving, living fortress. Grandopolis, the Eternal Golden City!” Tessera Age and Occupation: Unknown. Living Household, fully functioning estate, armed mobile fortress, and duel monster. Associates: Tessera, Armonia Description: See the card. Clothing: Clothing? What clothing? It’s a giant f***ing turtle for god’s sake, it doesn’t wear anything! A gigantic juggernaut of destruction, Grandopolis is a duel monster that appears to have been in hibernation under the Katas estate for millennia, waiting for the right moment to awaken. Tessera’s industrialist father discovered him, and excited by the grandiose of living in a small citadel that was actually a duel monster, the Katas family moved in. However it was Tessera that worked out how to awaken him, and has put him to use as his moving fortress as well as stronghold for his army of devoted followers. Grandopolis is an Xyz monster; a kind of monster that has been long forgotten in the Armageddon universe, and is also a rare kind of monster that falls into the category of match-winners; able to eliminate all of Tessera’s enemies in one swoop in a formal duel setting.[/spoiler] [/spoiler] ... What I'm thinking is the best thing for me to do right now is ask: any questions on what's happened so far? Anyone need anything clearing up? (No spoilers obviously) :mellow: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ren✧ Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Chapter 23, while well written, was not overly exciting. And seeing as it was meant to be a build up chapter for the arc finale, that is understandable. Alex's state of mind, I believe, was portrayed accurately and I thoroughly enjoyed reading through his portion of the chapter. Unfortunately, I don't really have too much else to say. I am interested in this boy that Erin made eye contact with on the street though. Part of me says that he was just meant to be a cameo appearance, but another part of me says that he'll play a part in the story later on. So I guess we'll see. ALMOST CAUGHT UP! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted June 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Chapter 23, while well written, was not overly exciting. And seeing as it was meant to be a build up chapter for the arc finale, that is understandable. Alex's state of mind, I believe, was portrayed accurately and I thoroughly enjoyed reading through his portion of the chapter. Unfortunately, I don't really have too much else to say. I am interested in this boy that Erin made eye contact with on the street though. Part of me says that he was just meant to be a cameo appearance, but another part of me says that he'll play a part in the story later on. So I guess we'll see. ALMOST CAUGHT UP! Short comment is short, but appreciated. Just trying to take stock of the events of the whole Tessera's Murder Masquerade thing, and build up the newer characters like Lavender and Klasse for the future at the same time. That boy was the guest/cameo appearance, as rightly identified by Pac as Juruo Daisuke; aka Armageddon's main protagonist. In his earlier role as a 14yo dweeb getting beaten the fuck up by Alex. :D No rush, as it will be a week or maybe two before the next arc starts. Trying to settle into the new job and all you know. Going alright so far though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ren✧ Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Trying to settle into the new job and all you know. Going alright so far though. Glad to hear :D Hopefully things keep on the up and up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ren✧ Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Finally read chapter 24, and I am disappointed in myself for not expecting that. I mean, I had suspected since his 'death' that we would be seeing Dorian again, I just wasn't expecting it now. I think the twist may have been more effective if I wasn't still traumatized by chapter 20(I know it has been weeks, but dear God, how are people not still talk about that?!). I am a bit disappointed in the way you have thrown in Xyz Monsters. I was fine with Tessera revealing one that he had stashed away because it made sense that if they are a piece of the game that has been lost to the ages, that a man like Tessera could get his hands on one. But Dorian just dished out three! I realize that he had been given all three of them by Tessera, but dear Lord! I think it needed some pacing. Would have much rather his brought out one Xyz Monster to deliver a final blow than to overpower Erin by swarming the field with them. Now that a good portion of the main cast has been killed off, I find myself invested in these new recruits. I didn't think I would, but I am hoping that Lavender, Rain, and Klasse get to see some more screen time in this next arc(same goes for Aerial!) And Camilla! The end to the arc was decent, not as great as some of the other chapters we have seen recently, but aside from the onslaught of Xyz Monsters it wasn't bad. The chapter as a whole probably could have been paced better. I found that the chase scene mixed with all the duel monsters was a tad bit confusing and could use some polishing up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted June 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 Finally read chapter 24, and I am disappointed in myself for not expecting that. I mean, I had suspected since his 'death' that we would be seeing Dorian again, I just wasn't expecting it now. I think the twist may have been more effective if I wasn't still traumatized by chapter 20(I know it has been weeks, but dear God, how are people not still talk about that?!). I am a bit disappointed in the way you have thrown in Xyz Monsters. I was fine with Tessera revealing one that he had stashed away because it made sense that if they are a piece of the game that has been lost to the ages, that a man like Tessera could get his hands on one. But Dorian just dished out three! I realize that he had been given all three of them by Tessera, but dear Lord! I think it needed some pacing. Would have much rather his brought out one Xyz Monster to deliver a final blow than to overpower Erin by swarming the field with them. Now that a good portion of the main cast has been killed off, I find myself invested in these new recruits. I didn't think I would, but I am hoping that Lavender, Rain, and Klasse get to see some more screen time in this next arc(same goes for Aerial!) And Camilla! The end to the arc was decent, not as great as some of the other chapters we have seen recently, but aside from the onslaught of Xyz Monsters it wasn't bad. The chapter as a whole probably could have been paced better. I found that the chase scene mixed with all the duel monsters was a tad bit confusing and could use some polishing up. [spoiler=Renegade months after Chapter 20] [/spoiler] Sorry couldn't resist :D I know right? :( But anyway, glad you managed to catch up during the break and are sticking with it, despite the story kinda... going in the overly-extravagant direction that's steered it away from the original aims. I'll concede that and there's been a lot of wasted potential here lost in the big ideas I've got lost in. Commited now though. Xyz are a gripe of people which... well... we'll see (they did appear in the original Armageddon in a somewhat similar role as exclusive monsters with the same reasoning behind them, so they did already exist in the canon in my defence). As for the chase, you mean the melee towards the middle with Erin going after Alex and running into guards and Tessera's mob in a big fight? Because well, to be fair that was a melee so confusing is probably what is would be to be there. But yeah, thanks for commenting though and I hope this story does manage to pull through positively for the most part from now on. All of said characters will get used throughout the fourth arc. Speaking of: Tentatively pencilled in the return and Chapter 25 for Monday as I try to finally finish another chapter today, and ambitiously another by Sunday as I've hopefully got through the long stuff now. So yeah, look forward to that guys. Also; a question I would like responses to, particularly from those who've read both original and prequel (Dion, Barty, Pac, looking at you here) If I were to talk to a friend of mine who does a lot of creative drawings of groups of people (examples being casts of Breaking Bad, Batman, WWE, mates, etc), and IF he took up an idea I've had to do a drawing of some of Armageddon's cast from both stories, who would you like to see included in it? Because obviously it won't be the entire cast because I'm not asking him to do 50-60 odd people some of whom are of limited significance. I'm thinking 20-22 tops would be the limit of what I could ask in a sort of three tier, school/cast photograph style shot. So, who here would like to see who included. I've got 22 in mind, although there are notable omissions which if everyone who responds wants then I'll change it to which characters got over. So yeah this is kinda important to me as I'd like people here to see it. Answers in either thread or PM. If you've only read one or other like Renegade/ABC/Neos/Sage/Akiyuki/Batchismo you're also welcome to be involved as well of course and maybe submit a shorter list of Ice Queen characters you'd like to see bought to... er... paper? Chapter 25 on Monday, hopefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brinolovania Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 [spoiler=Response to question] Drawings of characters? Sounds cool. I guess the most important ones would be: -Juruo -Erin -Mel -Hikari (That was her name right?) -Sabin -Yuma (btw, I was highly amused reading about a...well-equipped young lady with the same name as Zexal's main character. Funny image.) -Demon -His dad (don't recall his name) -Vardus -Gear -Urssula (spelling is hard :C) -The other Demon guy, 'cause I'm too lazy to check names -Dorian -Vardus' brother -Luca -Tyranna -Clove That's all right off the top of my head, probably there are more I'll think of later. [/spoiler] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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