Yu-gi-oh 5Ds: Rise of Darkness and Corruption (Athene/ImaginaryMuse & Razgriz)


"I should have figured you would play the cold bitch." Misty snarled, clearly upset that Akiza seemed to show no care for killing her brother. Her mark pulsed as her rage intensified; even if she might not get the satisfaction. "Ever since I first found you, you did not even show remorse for killing my brother. And to tell me that you're somehow better because you don't express outrage?!"

Even as she might try to show superiority, all it did was piss Misty off. "What truth is there?! I know exactly all what happened! I was there in the aftermath! My brother...." Her fists clenched, her teeth grit as the pain of that day came back to haunt. "You miserable little...Even now you refuse to admit your sin!" she practically screamed, her own mark resonating with Akiza's, both burning brightly as her emotions ran higher.

Indeed....If there was one comforting fact, it was their past would come back to haunt her. And so long as she got to witness it? To help with it? Then she would gladly tear it all down, and Akiza too with it. But even now that failed to calm down Misty....At least until Akiza began her turn, summoning the flower plant-beast to her field. And when it attacked? Misty did barely flinch, a slight cut appearing on her cheek, but no blood was drawn.

"My brother...He idolized you. Said you would help him use his powers for good....And then you killed him as if he were garbage! All because you rampaged in the Daimon Area to satisfy your sadistic bloodlust! His life cut short because you felt like you could just destroy anything without a care! No remorse, no pity, no NOTHING!"

Even now, she was barely listening, but did manage to quiet down. At least to speak in a more level voice. "But so long as I get to watch you die...I will be content. I draw!" Taking the top card of her deck, Misty then said, "I activate the Magic Card, Viper's Reverse! I target a Reptiless in my Cemetery and Special Summon, but it will be destroyed at the end of my turn! Come back to me, Reptiless Scylla!" The chimeric being returned once more...But Misty was not yet done.

"And since I have a Reptiless is on my field, I can Special Summon this card from my hand by making the Attack Power of your monster zero! Come, Reptiless Hydra!" At this a smaller - and strangely cute - monster appeared...But long her face turned evil and wicked, lunging forward and biting Lion's neck, it giving a roar as the color would drain from its body, the poison sapping its strength.

"Level 2 Hydra Dark Tunes Level 4 Scylla!"

This time, Akiza would witness the power of a Dark Signer's signature monster, the black vortex and purple rings causing a storm to rise in center of the field. "Wretched heart of the monstrous Queen! Beat once more and become the destroyer of heroes! Dark Synchro! Reptiless Lamia!" she would chant, the wicked multi-headed serpent beast appearing on Misty's field with a roar. "Lamia's effect activates! When she's Synchro Summoned, all monsters with zero Attack Points are destroyed! Death Gazer!"

All ten eyes from the monstrous creature glowed brightly, Akiza's Lion whimpering as its form turned to stone before exploding into dust. "And with each monster destroyed, I draw a card!" she would say, drawing one card from your Deck. "I then Normal Summon a second Reptiless Scylla!" To replace the one in her Cemetery came another, now two fairly strong monsters on her field.

But with two sets? Misty knew better than to give into her anger too much....If she was going to defeat this Witch, she would need measured force until she could get a clear window of attack. And if she ended up making a mistake? Then all the better for it.

"Turn end. Now, if you're so confident you can win, Witch....Let us see it."
 

"Better? I simply said I could leave this world with no regrets. You're the one making the idiotic assumption in thinking that makes me a better person. No, Misty. That's not at all what I'm saying. But by all means, keep twisting the truth. Tell yourself whatever will help you sleep at night. I know fully well that some blood is on my hands."

She even rose them, held them up so they could be examined. Of course, she also made certain that her cards weren't revealed while doing so.

"But the reason I'm acting the way I am? Goodness, Misty ... I'd think the answer would be obvious. It's precisely because I didn't kill your ototo. That was someone else's doing, and it's why I have no remorse. Whoever did that deed has to wake up, living and knowing the consequences of their actions."

Well now ... that did cause quite a few problems. Already able to Synchro Summon, and even getting out a pretty strong monster in the process. Thankfully, her sets did their job and kept her life points safe. It helped that none of them were bluffs. Aki merely stayed quiet as she drew and examined her hand. "Ask and you'll receive. I activate Miracle Fertilizer and use its effect to special summon Botanical Lion back to the field. I then equip it with Thorn of Malice."

Numerous thorns appeared all along the lion. From the man to near its claws and even along its tail.

"Battle! Botanical Lion! Attack the Hydra!"

.... Oh well.

She could use her Blossom Bombardment for another monster. It would have been nice additional damage, most certainly. But she was still putting another dent into Misty's life, and that was better than nothing. In the blink of an eye, in fact, she was down to 5900 life, while here own were still at 8000.

"Turn end."
 

"And yet you stand there as if mere acceptance can just cleanse you. Because you have no conscience to corrupt, right? I knew you were a monster, but this is low. Even for you." Misty sneered, clearly still hardset on the fact that Akiza was the last one seen leaving the Daimon Area after the Duel. The police reports even had video evidence of her Duel, something she had seen during Angela Raines' coverage of the incident. And yet no justice was wrought...She walked free.

"As for consequences, you seem awfully comfortable with your own choices. Not a single tear of regret! To hell with everyone else, isn't that right!? So long as you're okay, everyone else is just expendable to you!"

She did recoil as Lion might attack her monster, the effect of Malicious Thorn lowering her monster's ATK while still damaging her Life Points, Hydra's body then covered in a series of deep gashes as her strength left her. There it was: A perfect symbol of Akiza's remaining sadism. Her prey trapped and cornered, never allowed a sweet release of death. It must have been what Tobi felt before the rubble from her violent Duel crushed him...Something that only drove her anger higher and higher.

"That Thorn represents you perfectly: Making sure your victims stay alive long enough for you to get every drop of enjoyment from their suffering! That ends here, Witch! I draw!" Taking the top card, she then said, "I Summon the Tuner monster, Reptiless Viper!" Another smaller creature appear, giving a little hiss. "You will regret allowing my Hydra to live, for her scars will forge her evolution! Level 2 Viper Dark Tunes Level 6 Hydra!"

And once more, the animation played out, Hydra consumed in a torrent of dark and vile energy, Misty's rage fueling the transformation. "Bondbreaker of legend, shatter the chains to the doors of Hell and guide the impure to darkest depths! Dark Synchro! Reptiless Melusine!"

And once more, Misty would call forth an powerful monster. Something that actually made her do something she had not done once: Smile....Smile and laugh. "I admit, I never thought I would thank anyone for anything ever again...But I have to thank him once this is over. This monster...Represents my sorrow! My agony! And you will suffer every last drop of it! Battle! Melusine, attack Botanical Lion! Death Coil!" The giant serpent-woman then rushed forward, her body circling as her lower half might begin to ensnare her prey.

Reverse Trap! Thorn Wall!

As Akiza might trigger her trap, Melusine's Coils seemed to be stopped, a wall of thorns covering her Lion...But then Misty just smiled and said, "After all your acceptance and not throwing the Duel, this is the best you can do! Kill him!" Melusine's face then shifted, becoming more sadistic as her body tightened its grip, the thorny barrier shattering and the thorns digging into the flowery feline before it howled, Melusine's constriction killing it viciously before its image shattered.

"And because your Lion was destroyed, so goes your Malicious Thorn and Miracle Fertilizer!" The cards destroying themselves as Melusine slumped over...Apparently dead, like the suicide attack had worked in Akiza's favor...But then her body twitched, her 'skin' becoming dull and lifeless, before long its flesh being shed, Melusine reborn as she slithered back to Misty's field.

And that smile even persisted as her monster rejoined her, "And unlike you, I will be completely honest, Akiza: Since Melusine was Summoned using only Reptile-Type monsters as Synchro Materials, she cannot be destroyed by battle or any effects! In other words, even your precious Dragon cannot even hope to touch her!" Melusine then licked her finger, giving Akiza a coy grin as Misty then declared, "Turn end! But do not despair...There are many more turns to go...And I will make you savor every last drop of Tobi's pain!"
 
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Blah, blah, blah. This may as well be a pretty clear repeat of their last encounter because, for the most part, everything she was hearing from Misty? It was close enough to being the exact same words. A bunch of lame assumptions that were weak verbal assaults. The actual damage from the duel would likely be worse than any actual phrase or words that left Misty's lips. To her credit, she was definitely trying. The venom was there ... literally and proverbially. But it was so pathetic that Aki was doing nothing; flinching, grimacing, no negative reactions. When she finally did do something ... she simply shook her head and scoffed, leaving it at that much.

Hmmm ...

And indeed, the duel was turning out to be far more dangerous than any of the comments Misty tried to make thus far. However ... Aki had prepared for this. "Reverse Trap! Thorn Wall!"

Oh?

... It didn't vanish. What was the catch? When Misty revealed it ... a pensive look adorned Aki's face. "I see," she muttered, clicking her tongue in annoyance. Now something truly irritating had arrived. It just wouldn't be a silly argument that didn't actually involve her. No, it was what she found herself facing off against. Her head shook as she drew the top card off her deck.

"You're not only blinded by your rage, but deaf too. I already said it before this started. At most, you'll take my life ... if you win. Despair? Fear? None of those are bothering me now. If I have to be completely honest? Some part of you would be doing me an immense favor by winning." Aki shrugged as she allowed her confession to be heard.

"I mean .... I've really just been existing because I've been stronger than anyone else thus far. No one's waiting for me. The other Signers are occupied with their own battles. And I don't really have the best of bonds with any of them."

Hell, even the non-Signers - Yuna, Hotsuma and a few others - even they had better links with the other Signers than she did.

"There are reasons you're not seeing me shaking nor hearing me whimper in terror. But if it can't register through that skull of yours ... that's not on me. Draw! I set two more cards face down and activate my second Miracle Fertilizer. This time, though, Botanical Lion will return in face up defense."

As the lion returned, it let out a growl ... but otherwise stayed put. Clearly looking as if it wanted to lunge and bite at the beast, but knowing better than to recklessly attack. "Turn end."


Ruka, meanwhile, had heeded Crow's advice since he came back. She'd helped keep the other children calm. Even ensured none watched or heard Crow's sounds of agony when he patched himself back up after his own duel against Bommer. But now, however .... she couldn't just do nothing. For better or worse, she was one of the Chosen Ones. She was a Signer, not her brother.

And so .... she knew what needed to be done.

Was she scared? Absolutely. But there was no more avoiding this. Even if she didn't go to the Ape Tower herself, the man linked to said location would find her. It'd be better to do this on her own terms.

With Crow asleep ... now was the best time to do this. A twinge of guilt surged through her, and a knot wrapped around itself in her midsection as she silently slipped out of the hideout.

"Where are you going?"

Ruka jumped as she found herself looking up at Rally. She smiled ... and though she didn't enjoy forcing the next words to leave her lips, she uttered them anyway. "Just ... getting some air. I'll be back."

He bought the lie and simply nodded. Ruka nodded back and walked away, only changing her pace into a full-fledged run as she got out of eye and ear shot.


Fortunately, Fayth had managed to keep her pact activated long enough to rush over to Puzzle Hospital. She urged the female doctor to handle Jack first. Thankfully, the woman was very professional and listened ... but was just as adamant that afterwards, Fayth needed her own treatment. And indeed she did. But it was easy to see that compared to Jack, Fayth's injuries weren't as numerous, nor in as many lethal areas.

A low groan elicited as she sat up in her bed. Her blindfold had been back over her eyes since arriving. Her head turned as she glanced over towards Jack. "You doing okay?" she asked softly. This way, in case he was still asleep, he could continue to rest up and recover. That duel between him and Carly truly had been close as all hell ... and it made her terrified knowing, eventually, she would have to face off against someone. Whom? Hell if she knew. All she knew is, if it could be helped, she did not want it to be Kiryu.
 

Much to Jack's credit, he didn't fight Fayth when she helped him inside the small and very much dilapidated building. He did try to argue, but he had lost a lot of blood at that point, the poor Doctor rushing him to get patched up. Thankfully she still had a small cache of supplies...But getting a full blood transfusion? That was near impossible, so he accepted whatever she could allocate. It would be enough to at least put him out of the danger zone, but he was still pretty roughed up.

Fayth had slightly lesser injuries, but still needed some stitching up; the doctor was adamant about putting her on oxygen therapy for a few hours, just to get her serum levels back up. Even if she hadn't been unconscious or drowned for long, it was still imperative she be on oxygen supply for a short while. It was a miracle the woman was able to even drive in her condition...Must have been a really bad fight, she had thought. The gangs had gone awfully silent, but she heard explosions off the instance, and strange lights appearing all over the Satellite.

Thankfully, Jack was still somewhat awake, his head and middle bandaged. "I've been better....But thanks. Glad....You were able to get us here...Don't think I would have made it without." Jack said, giving a slight grunt as he tried to sit up....To no avail. The doctor was gone, having run back to get some fresh gauze to change out Jack's wound dressings. "How are you..."

At this however, he heard a strange voice...It sounded raspy....But familiar....

"Doctor...I need...help...."

At this a familiar gloved hand appeared around the entryway, followed by a familiar face covered in blood and beaten to all hell. "Y-Yusei?!" Jack said, his heart racing as he tried to sit up....Only to look on in shock as he saw who followed in behind him.

"Doctor....I don't feel so good....Hehehehehehe!"

And there was Kiryu...Walking Yusei's body along like a morbid marionette doll. The sick bastard then took hold of Yusei's arm and waved it stupidly, giving a terrible impersonatin of Yusei's voice as he said, "Jack! Fayth! Hey you guys, guess what I am! I'm a fucking dumbass weakling and lost to Kiryu! Ooop!" And just like that, Kiryu let go of Yusei....Making the boy's body fall unceremoniously to the floor. Both of them looked rather wet too...And when Jack looked again? Kiryu was holding an impact wrench in his right hand, the end of it covered in blood. Continuing with the bad voice, he then shrugged his shoulders and finished, "And now I'm dead! Why don't you both come join me?! Hehehahaha!"

Jack snarled, "Bastard...! The hell....did you do?!" Kiryu rose a brow, then just snickered, "Man, I know you look like shit and probably took a few to the head, but do I really have to spell it out, Jackie-boy?" At this Kiryu came to his bedside and sat down, placing the end of the impact wrench on Jack's knee. "The same thing I plan on doing to you two.."

*SHEEEOW!*

Jack all but screamed in pain as a heavy bolt was driven through his knee, shattering bone and tearing sinew and muscle. "Ooooh, that looked like it hurt!" Kiryu replied nonchalanly, taking the tool off as Jack might squirm and cry out, blood seeping from his knee. Kiryu then fished another bolt from his pocket, giving a low chuckle. "I tell you, I agonized over how this day would go....And to be truthful?" He paused and gave them both a laugh and wicked smile, "It's everything I ever dreamed of! The way his eyes bulged...The pain of loss in his eyes....Ahhhhh" His body shivered as he recalled the memories, "It was fucking...Beautiful. Too beautiful for words! Hehehehahahah~!"
 

"I've also been ... "

But before she could finish her sentence Fayth, too, quickly sat up. "Yusei?! What happened?!" A fight, most likely, but .... who? Her heart sank, stopped ... and then rapidly began to beat in her chest. She shook her head ... knowing a very possible answer, but not wanting to believe that was the case. Not wanting to think that he had hurt him that horribly or - gods forbid - worse. Yusei wasn't a pushover, after all. None of them were, so .... it wasn't an easy thought to envision he had actually been beaten.

But then ... that unmistakable cackle made her blood freeze.

"No .... no fucking way ... " she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why won't you ever go away?"

Her head lowered as something landed with a hard thud onto the floor. "Jack ... it's not really ... is it ... ??" She'd heard Kiryu, but now more so than ever she did not want to believe his words. He was a liar! He had to be doing so at this time! And yet ... what else could have made that noise? Jack was still in his bed. Kiryu's voice ... wasn't directly in front of them. Not yet.

"Oh god, no. No, fuck, no. YOU BASTARD!"

As quickly as the words left, Fayth's face paled as several vital realizations came to her. First and foremost ... she didn't have her deck. She had, essentially, nothing to protect herself with, let alone from Kiryu. And since he was in the room ... there it was. The same familiar sensation when Carly had been around her. Morningstar was quiet ... cut away from her once more. Which now also was forbidding her from using her pact, despite her very much wanting to use her temporary sense to help them run and get the fuck out of here.

And the third? Was the loud, pained scream from Jack. That Kiryu wasn't just here in front of them, it was exactly as Carly said. He was done fucking around. He really was going to kill them. And given how Jack sounded? Running wasn't going to be an easy option, if one at all.

Terrified as she was ... she refused to just go down without any fight. She conjured as much strength as she could and shoved Kiryu away before leaning down and trying to help Jack stand up. When he protested and winced, however, she stopped ... and slowly moved a hand down, feeling the already violent tremors surging through her body increase as she found the new wound in his knee.

Oh god, no ...

Tears streamed down her face. Fear had been one emotion she'd felt repeatedly during all of these encounters. Hopelessness, however? Never before now. But with Yusei dead, Jack seriously hurt, and her not having anything - her deck, a weapon, literally anything save the clothes on her back - it seemed like this was indeed it. This was indeed the end.

If that's really how it's going to be ...

Then she stood in front of Jack, shielding him as best as she could despite being shorter or unable to keep him fully from getting hurt anymore. But she'd be damned if she didn't try. And even with the tears still falling .... Fayth conjured enough courage to lift her head and look up towards him. Making eye contact as best as possible given her circumstances.

"I'm not just standing here. Not like I have before ... be it at the theater, the cemetery, no. No more. So ..."

Her teeth latched onto her lower lip as she forced the next words to leave her lips. "I'm not just standing aside to let you do whatever you want. And definitely not without a fight."
 

Kiryu hadn't expected Fayth to be so bold, so the push caught him off -guard...But that was about it. His wild insane eyes peered upon, a small huff of amusement leaving his lips. And thern he just chuckled as Fayth made her intentions known, "Awwww, isn't that sweet? The cheerleader wants to be a hero!" Even if she caught him off-guard...Well, that was her freebie.

Not two seconds later, Fayth then found his hand around her throat, that surprising superhuman strength making the wall behind her crack as he forced her up against it. "But you know....I am....getting real sick of you. And after I killed your boy-toy Yusei? I realized that in full: I got a second chance at life, just like you. Tell me Jack...they ever put her other self back in the ground?" But Jack was in too much pain to answer at all, his forehead covered in sweat as he started to experience the very beginning of shock.

"Huh....Guess I won't know...But that's alright...." he would say, giving the impact wrench a few whirs menacingly before he pushed against Fayth's shoulder. "Jack made such a lovely sound from this...I wonder what you'll do?"

*SHEEEOW!*

And just like with Jack, the lug nut was driven through Fayth's body. Shattering her clavicle and tearing some of the muscle tissue as the bolt pushed right through, even digging a bit into the concrete behind it, making any slumping have a bit of a hang-up before she might collapse.

"Hey....What is....OH MY GOD!"

Kiryu turned and see a raven-haired woman enter the room, her arms dropping the small amount of medical supplies, her coat white and prisitine despite the decrepit medical facility: Morphine, fresh gauze, needles and thread in case they tore their stitches. "Ah, so you're the Good Samaritan who patched my toys! Thank you oh so much for everything you do~" But then Kiryu leaped over and grabbed the doctor by her throat, making the woman gasp as she tried to claw and fight fruitlessly. "But your services are no longer required~"

*CRACK*

And with a simple squeeze and twist, the doctor's body went still as he broke her neck...A second dead-sounding *thump* echoing in the now relatively silent room, the doctor's body laying still, joining Yusei's in sweet death. She got off easy...All things considered. Giving a slight dusting of his hands, he then said, "I've always liked saying that...Brings me back to when I fought the good fight. Tried to get Sector out of our cities...But yoooou, Jackie-boy, you and Crow thought I was going too far....Thought I was a mad dog...And then Yusei did the worst and sold me out!" He then swaggered on over to Jack's bedside, "Well now, I'm still fresh as an undead daisy! And you look like you...!" He then paused and pushed a thumb into Jack's knee wound, making the blond cry out in more pain, "Are gonna die! For real! So who's the mad one now hmmm?! Certainly ain't me! Ahahahaha!"

But....Kiryu calmly wiped his bloodied finger on Jack's clothes, then went to grab a chair, and sat in it, patting his knee , "I will be kind, however! As a farewell gift, I will regale you both with the tale of how I killed Yusei Fudo, the biggest fucking asshole traitor to ever walk this godforsaken Earth!" A light grin crossed his face as he leaned forward, his voice low as he then said, "Now listen close! Because it's short, just like you are on time before you bleed out..." That mad grin growing wider as he began his tale...


12 HOURS PRIOR​

Kiryu and Yusei had been riding along for a few hours now, before long they appeared near a stretch of road. The sun was still somewhat high, but it was beginning to set. "So...This is where you wanna do battle, Yusei?!" Kiryu said, Yusei pausing alongside Kiryu on his Runner, "Yes....Kiryu, I want you to listen before we start....Everything that happened..."

"WAS ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT, JACKASS! YOU EVER THINK THAT MAYBE HAD YOU LET ME TAKE CARE OF SECTOR, NONE OF US WOULD BE HAVING TO FIGHT FOR SCRAPS!?!"

Yusei fell silent...Nothing would get through to him. But maybe....If he could just Duel....Maybe that would help open his eyes. "Now....Quit stalling, Yusei! One way or another, we're finishing this!" And without a moment to lose, Kiryu's arm raised up, the walls of fire taking the shape of the Giant, a Tower coming alive with energy. "How fitting! See that Tower, Yusei?! That's just where I wanted to be anyway! You knew it would come to this....So spare me your moralizing! And pray your Deck isn't as weak as your soul!"

Once the pair was ready, they readied their Runners....And after a quick prompt, the countdown began....

5
4
3
2
1

RIDING DUEL...ACCELERATION!

Both Runners then took off...Kiryu was eager to get the first turn, and was slowly pulling ahead. "Come on, Yusei! You can do better than this! We haven't even started and I'm already smoking you!" he would say, grinning as he gunned the throttle!
 

"Yeah, well that makes two of us," Fayth managed to quip back, biting her lip to hide a whimper as Kiryu lifted her easily up by her throat and slammed her against the wall. She continued gazing right at him, staring furiously towards where his eyes were gazing. He could feel despite her courage, Fayth was very scared. Her pulse could be detected in her neck ... and even just heard with how close Kiryu was to her. A grimace appeared as Fayth heard Kiryu ask whether her body from this dimension had been buried again.

When he didn't reply though .... that made her head turn, fear and dread overcoming her.

"Jack? Jack?!"

Her head turned back as she felt the wrench pressed against her shoulder. She tried to reach down to tug it away, but was too slow.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Her eyes widened as she screamed and writhed against Kiryu's grip, kicking frantically to try to make her release her while her arm shot up and tried to tug the tool out. She was unceremoniously dropped, though not before managing to register the nurse's voice. "No, get out! He's insane!"

But the next thing she heard - after Kiryu's taunts - was the poor nurse let her own scream out. Albeit brief, though given the sick twists and snaps she heard? It made sense why. It made Fayth gulp in horror.

Dear fucking gods, we have to get out of here! Right fucking now!

Fayth tried to push herself up, only to fall onto her side as her right shoulder gave in, completely ruined and torn apart by the wrench. Not just the clavicle, but the ball and socket joint was damaged pretty bad.

Was it even able to be repaired? The mere possibility of the answer being no caused more trembles of fear to surge through her, a healthy dose of anger not too far behind.

Why me? Why did I have to get this mark? Why did we have to at that matter? Is this really ... how strong these monsters are? That ... they can do all of this .... ??

"Get away from him!" she hissed, adrenaline more than much else at least helping her stay conscious. Giving her ample enough courage to try to move again. Damn the consequences, she wasn't going to start looking or acting like a liar. "H-huh?! HEY!"

The first thing Fayth registered were claws ... very sharp ones that just barely avoided digging into her neck as they replaced Kiryu's hand and clasped around her throat. Once again, she found herself hoisted up in the air, kept in sight of Jack. Just to help reassure him it'd be as foolish for the former King to attempt playing hero also.

And should he need any other incentives?

Infernity Destroyer used its other hand and easily tore her top in half, exposing her chest. It was still a demon, after all, and even if it didn't do anything more - yet - than simply show her off .... it gave hints it was at least having temptations. The second Fayth tried to cover herself, it growled in protest and squeezed just a bit harder, warning her that if she didn't want her own neck immediately snapped, she'd stay still.

And so, very reluctantly, she went still. Sobbing quietly and shaking furiously at, once again, being put in this type of situation.

Somewhat fortunately, it seemed Kiryu at least wanted to talk. Long enough to relay what exactly had happened to Yusei. But after that ... was that really all they had as far as time went? Fayth's eyelids closed behind the blindfold as her head fell back, despair beginning to replace the adrenaline as her body went limp in the demon's grip.


12 HOURS EARLIER .... ​

"KIRYU!"

Yusei grimaced, pushing down hard on the gas. It pained him to repeatedly see that everyone seemed to be correct. The old Kiryu he'd known ... he was far gone. Literally dead. He grit his teeth angrily ... was this really the only way? It seemed to be the case. Fueled on by frustration and determination, he sped up even more. Fortunately, the lanes created for acceleration duels ensured no innocent bystanders were ever caught or run into. It made him feel a lot more confident with going as fast as he currently was.

"Very well then. DUEL!"

And with that, Speed World was officially activated. Thanks to him catching up, he was able to get the first corner. "My turn. Draw! I summon Road Synchron and activate Tuning!"

He held out his hand as a Junk Synchron emerged from his deck and came to his hand. "Turn end!"

It was definitely not the best hand. No real support as far as spells or traps went. But this hadn't been the first time he'd been in such a predicament. He'd make it work somehow. He had to! Not just for his sake ... but Jack's, Crow's, Fayth's, and everyone else who was a Signer! Whether any of them wanted this or not, the fact was they'd all been chosen to put an end to this. So even though he was less than fond of the implications that came with this duel ... if he could somehow open Kiryu's eyes, he'd fight him. As many times as it took.

With each and every ounce of strength he could muster. But he'd never, ever give up.
 
Kiryu Kyosuke

12 HOURS PRIOR​

"Awww, little baby still think he can save me!?" Kiryu teased as Yusei and him raced for the first corner...Unfortunately, Kiryu took the turn a little too fast, allowing Yusei to catch that inside edge and gain the first move. "Tch!" he tutted, stating "Fine then! First or second, I'll crush you and drag you to hell anyway!"

And once Yusei took his turn, there came his Synchrons. A nasty deck capable of spitting out Synchro monsters if given the chance....But Kiryu had some choice cards of his own. Ones their mutual friend had given them so generously! "Not too shabby, Yusei....Seems you still at least now the basics! But I've gotten a lot stronger back then! And if there's one thing dying did teach me, it's that you have to hit first and hit hard! I draw!"

Kiryu looked at his hand as it rested in the holder on his Runner, giving a low chuckle, "And with this new Deck of mine, I'm gonna engrave the fear of Death right into your soul, traitor! I set two cards facedown! Then I summon the Tuner monster, Infernity Sage!" At this a wicked-seeming scholar of sorts came out, a multi-bladed sword in his hand as his cloak fluttered behind him, seeming to fly through the air. "Then I activate the Field Magic, Gates of Dark World!" The walls of flame turned a darker blue, the area now becoming bathed in an eerie light...A portal to the afterlife, in all reality. "Thanks to the Field Magic, all Demon-Type monsters gain 300 Attack and Defense Points each!" Sage then was surrounded in a bright blue aura, ATK rising from 400 to 700.

"Sage's effect activates! During my Main Phase, I can discard my entire hand!"

Kiryu dumped his hand, ironically containing his own God...But that was alright, he had his ways of getting it back. "I end my turn. You got foot in the grave already, traitor! So come at me!"
 

12 HOURS EARLIER .... ​

Yusei ignored the taunt, trying to keep his focus on the duel as opposed to Kiryu's words. An eyebrow rose as Yusei watched Kiryu take his turn. Infernity, huh? Only the archetype seemed to be immediately different, but a first glance made it look similar to his old Demon deck. Yusei quickly shook his head. Mistake number one would be assuming he could deal with this deck as easily as he had in the past. And if he needed anymore hints about needing to be cautious? It arrived as Kiryu discarded his whole hand.

... Isn't that reckless?

Normally, Yusei would think so. However ... for all his flaws, Kiryu did have a purpose to any and everything he did, especially in duels. While he didn't yet know the exact point of getting rid of his hand, he felt confident enough that hadn't happened on a fluke.

That damned 't' word - traitor - made his eyebrows narrowed as he revved his frustration in anger. "I swear that wasn't how it went down! Goddamnit, Kiryu ... I wish you could have been beside me that day! You would have heard me trying to argue about what happened to you, and this duel very likely wouldn't be happening!"

Not for the same reasons, anyway. Maybe it'd be on more friendly terms. But he was more than certain enough this wouldn't be happening because of a misunderstanding, nor with this amount of malice.

"Draw!"

He had set spells and traps ... likely support to keep his Sage alive. "I'll set a monster! Road Synchron, attack!"

And sure enough, a reverse card was opened, resulting in the destruction of his monster. Yusei grimaced, gripping tightly onto the handlebars of his wheeler. Well ... he'd chosen the right monster, or so he felt. It was his Sonic Chick, and he wouldn't be amazed if Kiryu summoned something too strong to beat it. Not that Sonic Chick had a huge defense; it just couldn't die from being attacked by anything with over 1900 attack.

Neither using shields nor going on the defensive were Yusei's favorite tactics ... but as things were? That was how his hand was being forced at the moment. "Turn end!"
 
Kiryu Kyosuke

12 HOURS PRIOR​

"That's cute! At least you would have had my respect by selling me out to my face!" Kiryu spat, watching as Yusei took on the first attack. Oh? Seemed the little bitch boy was serious! Good! That would make crushing him all the more worthwhile!

"I thought I told you! Victory means striking hard! I thought you were serious there for a second, Yusei!" Kiryu laughed, shouting "Reverse card, Open! Infernity Force! Road Synchron get sent to the garbage pile!" The roller-bot's form shattered, Kiryu then saying "And then one of my monsters makes its return! Come on back now! Infernity Destroyer!" A massive demonoid creature erupted from the ground next to Kiryu, and with an ATK of 2300, it was nothing to sneeze at. "Don't you forget about Gates' effect, either! He gains 300 Attack and Defense points!" What was 2300 ATK then rose to 2600.

But....There was still that damn facedown monster....Knowing Yusei? It was something annoying. "Hiding behind weaklings, is that your new style, Yusei? Can't say I'm surprised! But that wall won't protect you forever! I draw!" And when he drew his card? His eyes widened, his mouth widening into a wicked gleeful grin. "I activate this card's effect! When I draw it, and it's the only card in my hand, I can immediately Special Summon it! Infernity Demon!" A second powerful Fiend monster emerged, its ATK rising to 2100 from the field. "And when it's Special Summoned while I have no cards in my hand, I can add one Infernity monster to my hand!" A card then slid out, Kiryu grabbing it and saying "And if this card is the only card in my hand, I can Special Summon it as well! Your turn, Infernity Bishop!"

Now, Kiryu had 4 monsters on the field with just one draw. But as Yusei might see, his turn was far from over. "The real countdown to your execution begins! Level 2 Sage Dark Tunes Level Level 4 Bishop!" The black vortex reappeared, purple rings form as Sage and Bishop came together. "Embodiment of annihilation! Bring the weak to their knees and drag them screaming to the world without light! Dark Synchro! Infernity Hell Demon!"

And from the road burst another powerful monster, its body cloaked in white fire as it roared, its ATK rising from 2200 to 2500 thanks to the Field Magic. "Now, let's test your resolve! I activate the effect of Sage in my Cemetery! When it leaves the field, I can send another Infernity monster to the Cemetery with it!" Taking one of his cards, he placed it in the slot there. "Whatever you got face-down won't save you this time! Battle! Infernity Destroyer, attack his face-down monster!"

And as the battle went forward, Destroyer's claws aimed to rend it...Only to find itself deflected as the identity was revealed: Roadrunner. Kiryu slammed his fist on his Runner dashboard, snarling "I always hated that little shithead....But I got an answer for it this time! Hell Demon's effect activates! I can negate the effects of one monster my opponent controls!" Six beams of energy quickly bolted and ensnared Roadrunner, squeezing tightly as the evil arcane energies encircled. "And if my hand happens to be at zero, guess what? I can destroy it! Bye bye, ya little chickenshit!"

Hell Demon then crossed its arms, the magical binds shattering Roadrunner's image. "You got lucky this time, Fudo! But make no mistake! You'll feel real pain on my next turn! Turn End!"
 

12 HOURS EARLIER .... ​

"Tch ..."

Yusei left it at that. It was clear words wouldn't do anything good. So no matter what he thought about anything Kiryu was saying, be it about the duel or their past, he didn't voice his opinion on it. Although it didn't stop his thoughts from musing in his own head.

Don't talk like you've never had a bad hand before ...

He wasn't about to sound like he was making an excuse though. It really was a shame that Kiryu had gone from a friend and comrade to this type of monster. He'd wanted to believe he had done the right things by trying to maintain a sense of faith in him. That had been one of the few reasons he asked, borderline begged, Fuyu to save him from drowning. Why he wanted to try to forgive him for everything that had happened so far, but .... it was true, wasn't it? He was beyond any points of forgiveness, let alone deserving it.

His fists clenched tighter at the thought. Crow, Jack and Kiryu had always joked when they were Team Satisfaction that it would likely be his stubborn nature that may get him killed. Well .... that was becoming more and more of a possibility because even now, he still didn't fully want to throw the towel in.

Fortunately, Roadrunner did its job and stopped Kiryu from laying a finger on his life points. What he didn't expect, however, was seeing it so quickly eliminated by an effect.

So ... him not having a hand wasn't a fluke. Just like I figured.

If anything, he seemed to be relying on not holding any cards in his hand ... for the most part, anyway. It depended on what the effect was, given he'd been able to special summon certain cards if they were the only one. But otherwise? He was better off with zero cards in his hand. Nodding in understand, Yusei first studied Kiryu's field before drawing his card.

It would definitely be tough to deal with, and that was even if he could get Stardust Dragon or any of the Synchros out. But it wasn't yet impossible. A quick calculation revealed he didn't have enough to end the fight next turn, even if he got rid of his defenses somehow. Yusei fully intended to take advantage of that. "I summon Junk Synchron and use its effect to --"

"Not so fast, Yusei! Reverse Card, Open! Infernity Barrier!"

... And just like that, his Junk Synchron was removed from the field as quickly as it arrived. Yusei grit his teeth ... not feeling content his turn had been forced down that path. Unfortunately .. he didn't really have any other plays that could be made. "Turn end."
 
Kiryu Kyosuke

12 HOURS PRIOR​

"What's the matter, cat got your tongue?" Kiryu teased as the duo weaved through the figurative minefield that was their Dueling Arena. And when he tried to Summon Junk Synchron and use its effect, he would just laugh, "Not so fast, Yusei! Reverse Card, Open! Infernity Barrier! When you activate a card or effect while my hand is at zero, I can negate the activation and destroy it!" And sure enough, Junk Synchron cringed as the evil energies shattered.

It was here that Kiryu felt an energy erupt, looking up and seeing the Tower of the Whale, once slowly growing with energy, collapse and fade into darkness. Kiryu gave a grimace; so that asshole Bommer fucked up, did he? Well, there was still the others....And there was him! He wouldn't fuck this up! This was personal!

"Tch...Guess one of your little allies won theirs, Yusei!" Kiryu snarled, then just grinned, "But don't worry....Once I'm done with you, I'll pay them a visit and finish the job myself if I have to!" And by this point, Yusei would understand Kiryu was dead serious: He was on the warpath. And he would tear them all down. Death surrounded them all now.

"My turn!" Kiryu then said, but instead of reaching for his Deck, he then reached for the Cemetery slot, a card sliding out as he said, "I activate Infernity Pawn's effect in my Cemetery! Instead of conducting my normal draw, I can exclude this card to set one Void Spell or Trap card directly from my Deck!" Doing so, Kiryu now had another Set card and his hand was still at zero. Which means his monsters had full access to their effects as did the rest of his Magic and Trap Cards.

"I told you you were in for serious hurt this turn! But don't worry! This is just a fraction of the agony I had to endure because of you stabbing me in the back!" Kiryu shouting, grinning as he shouted, "First, Infernity Demon! Direct Attack!" Twin balls of black and red fire went into its bony hands, rushing forward and slamming them into Yusei, dropping his Life to 5900. "Next, Infernity Hell Demon! Direct Attack! Infernall Hell Blazer!" Hell Demon's mouth opened, blasting Yusei in a torrent of hellfire, scorching him as his Life plummeted even further to 3400. "And last but not least, Infernity Destroyer! Direct Attack! Hell Power Crush!"

Destroyer then charged forward, and slammed its massive clawed hand razor edge up, slashing across Yusei's Runner and body as his Life dropped to a dangerous 800. "Hahaha! Where's all your bravado now? Is this what your freedom on the outside gave you, Yusei?! Did all the comforts of not being confined to a cell make you this weak!?! I won't even need my God to finish you!" Kiryu taunted, shouting "Turn end!"
 

12 HOURS EARLIER .... ​

As Kiryu looked up, Yusei followed his gaze. He'd already been contacted by Crow ... it was where he'd been heading with Jack. But that ... was likely the confirmation that he'd beaten his opponent. It made a soft sigh of relief elicit from Yusei. It was good to know that if push came to shove, the others could move on without him. They could win and succeed where he'd failed. No, this was most certainly not his usual way of thinking. But he had to be honest with himself and right now? This duel was not looking good.

He'd done better in every other fight, even The Fortune Cup. But this? It was not only more brutal than any other duel he'd participated, but against a much more vicious and violent deck.

Yes, these Infernity monsters were much, much more devastating than his old deck. How did Kiryu even find out about these? Well ... that didn't matter, even if it didn't stop him from being curious. And .... here it was. The part Yusei had mentally prepared for. What wasn't expected, however, was the exact amount of pain.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

His tires screeched loudly in his ears as Yusei's Wheeler jerked and turned, threatening to throw him off. He held on tightly, almost letting go of the cards in his hand just to keep himself from being tossed off his ride. Blood immediately began pouring from the wounds that appeared along his body.

If this ... is what they can do ... no wonder Crow looked like shit ....

The scent of rubber burning hit Yusei's nostrils, even making him cough a bit. But finally ... he got his Wheeler back in control. His body, however, was another story. The normally hopeful blue orbs were legitimately scared for the first time in a very long time. The visor only hid them somewhat, not completely. All one needed was a good enough angle to see as much.

He didn't immediately talk back. Instead, he drew his card ... glanced up at the sky ... and closed his eyes.

This is it, huh?

His head lowered back down as he sent a quick message from his Duel Runner. It was only two words ... but they'd be easy enough to understand once Crow and Jack read it.

Sorry guys ... ​

" ... You may very well take my life here and now. But .... I'm not the only Signer left alive. And you even said it mere moments ago ... one of you has already been taken down. So ... even without me .... someone will find a way to overcome you."

The engine revved as Yusei's determination surged once again. If this was going to be his last duel, so be it. But he wasn't going to leave this world in any of the ways Kiryu would hope for. He wouldn't let despair conquer him, nor any other emotion similar to it. He'd put his faith in Jack, Crow, Fayth, Ruka and the others because .... it was likely one of the few things he could do.

It seemed, however, his deck was offering him the ability to take away some of Kiryu's life points. Not enough to win, but it'd be a nice act of defiance. Just to further cement his refusal to die while clinging onto pure fear or despair.

"I'll set one card, then I summon a second Junk Synchron. Now, as I was going for last time, I'll use its effect to special summon Roadrunner back to the field in face up defense!" So far, so good ... nothing was keeping him from making his move. "I then release Junk Synchron to special summon Turret Warrior! His effect activates as he gains 1300 more attack from being tributed with a warrior! Battle!"

He gave a nod towards the Infernity Archfiend.

"Attack the Archfiend!"

And when the attack succeeded? Yusei couldn't help but smirk just enough to watch Kiryu's life drop. As he'd guessed, his 800 versus 7600 ... it was easy to note who had the much better dose of life points. Even still ... he felt better. He hadn't gone down without putting a dent in Kiryu's life.

Sorry guys ... he mentally apologized again, repeating the same message he sent moments ago. That would be his farewell message should they never find him or his body.

"Turn end."
 
Kiryu Kyosuke::Jack Atlas::Divine

12 HOURS PRIOR​

"Feh, they just got lucky! I bet that asshole Bommer got fucking cold feet or something! Was always a sentimental little bitch!" Kiryu snarled; really, one fucking victory and they acted like they had it all in the bag? Well, he was about to even the playing field!

But indeed it seemed Yusei that was holding onto some hope he would win, giving some bullshit little speech about how there would be others to fight. Kiryu could not help but laugh, "If they have the balls to! Once I parade your corpse around the city, most everyone will lose their strength to fight!" Kiryu shouted, giving a maniacal laugh. And Yusei would know there was some truth to that; all he had to do was look around the city. At how it devolved once Team Satisfaction disbanded for good. The Duel Gangs ran rampant, the B.A.D. so infested with the worst of the worst even Sector dared not tread there unless they absolutely had to.

But it seemed Yusei was far from done; even if it was a measly 400 damage, it was indeed still something. "Feh, is that all your little mosquito has to offer?!" Kiryu said, a tearing of his cloak from the blowback the only visible indication he had suffered any damage at all.

"I exclude Bishop from the Cemetery to negate Demon's destruction!" he would then declare, pulling his second card of the Cemetery, a visual of Bishop praying over Demon's body, an aura of dark protection coming up as it was not sent to the grave. And when Yusei ended his turn? Kiryu just snickered, "You go on and on about hope...But I pray you stay alive long enough after this, Yusei! My turn, I draw!"

And while it wasn't something he needed? Well...Could never be too careful. "I'll set a card face-down! Then I activate Hell Demon's effect! I negate the effects your Turret Warrior!" That same dark energy ensnared the rocky soldier, Kiryu then sneering "And you know what happens next! Do it!" And again, Hell Demon crossed his arms, Turret Warrior groaning as its body fell to pieces. There was still Roadrunner to deal with...And Yusei might think it would save him from one attack.

But no, this was perfect! "And don't think that little wall monster will protect you! I don't even need my other two to finish you! Destroyer, attack Roadrunner and end this Duel! Hellfire Claw!" And as Roadrunner might be destroyed, Destroyer could be seen...eating its soul. "Destroyer's effect activates! When it destroys your monster in combat and sends it to the Cemetery, you take 1600 damage! Hell Lance!"

A ball of energy then formed in Destroyer's claw, one of chitin and iron...And before long it was hurled at Yusei, impaling him through the backside of his left shoulder and making him crash. His Life dropping to 0, the sound of the Duel buzzer signaling the end as Kiryu might stop near where Yusei crashed. Right next to them, that blue energy climbed out of the Tower, giving a strong local pulse that shook the landscape. A loud groan shattering the air as the Tower's energy was filled. "Before you die, Yusei...You and I are taking a little trip....I have a little...goodie bag to celebrate our last time together..." he would say, grabbing a length of iron chain from the side of his Runner.

"I cannot even begin to tell you how long I've waited for this day! The anticipation was killing me! Ahahaha!" Kiryu laughed, taking some of the length and starting to beat on Yusei with it. Heavy thuds, clunks and chinks could be heard as Kiryu whipped him again and again, his undead fortitude letting him not get tired at all. But...Once that was done, he would say, "Now then...You're coming with me~"

He wrapped the chain around Yusei's throat...And dragged him from his wrecked Runner to his sterling black one. Once there, Yusei would hear a familiar sound....The crashing of waves, the backdrop of the Giant's Tower behind them. Kiryu hauled his ass off the Runner, dragging him by the length of chain around his neck. "There's so many ways I could have killed you, Yusei...And I wanted none of them to be quick! Then it hit me....That game we had where you bitched out and let that stupid broad fight me! Though in retrospect.....I should have just taken dear Faythie with me when I had the chance. So, guess that alone isn't entirely your fault..." At this Kiryu then yanked the chain forward as he reached the end of the pier....And then jumped with himself alongside Yusei into the freezing water!

Once they landed and sunk a good ways down, he and Yusei would just float there. That maniacal grin on his face as he watched the light fade....Saw his movements to try and get breath falter...And then came the fatal breath....


PRESENT TIME​

"....And you should have seen it. Something that beautiful can only experienced in person. And...Well the rest is history!" Kiryu mused whimisically, giving the corpse of Yusei a light kick in the ass. A light snicker left him as he then asked right after, "Eh, Fudo? What do you say, ol' buddy, ol' pal? Did you enjoy it too?" And of course, Yusei was silent.

"....Ngh....You're sick..."

Kiryu looked up as he saw Jack glaring at him...Or rather trying his best to glare. His forehead was covered in sweat, his breath short as he grunted, "I knew....you were twisted...But this...this is low.....EVEN FOR YOU....NArhg...." He panted and suppressed another cry of pain as the bolt in his knee shifted, grinding against fragments of the bone. "He...He fought for you....Trusted you...Cared...about you...."

Kiryu just sighed, "And? Look at where it got him. He's a drowned rat, Jackie-boy. At least my new friends understand that we're just allies....Nothing serious about it. We're here to kill you, and then this world will scatter and fall...Yada-yada." He then strutted towards Jack, loading a third bolt in his new toy, "Me personally? I'm great! I don't think I've felt this alive in years! And I'm a dead man!" He then leaned over, and said as he was at Jack's bedside, "Ain't that a kick in the pants!" His fist then connected with Jack's knee, making the man howl in agony. Before long, Kiryu then held the impact driver to Jack's forehead, forcing him against the bed. "Oi...Destroyer. Have your fun....Then rip her guts out and spill 'em on the floor."

However...The demon known as Destroyer would seem to twitch, before long falling back and dropping Fayth as it clutched its head, crying in pain as it staggered backwards, shaking and throwing itself around. "Eh? The fuck is wrong with you, shithead?! Fuck her or whatever, then kill her! We got other bugs to stomp!" he would shout...But then Destroyed just...Disintegrated. Needless to say, this shocked Kiryu...But then his body got hit with several glowing bands of energy, pinning him against the back wall to Fayth's right...

"You too...Get out know!"

If Fayth or Jack managed to look, they would see a man who was absolutely covered in bandages, a Duel Disk on his arm. "Go now!" he would shout, giving a hard cough as blood spewed from his mouth. Kiryu's energy began to rise, straining at the binds. "I don't know who the fuck you are....But you just made a big mistake, dickhead!" At this....Both Fayth and Jack would then feel something cold splash on them both...It was kind of sticky, but it did at least stabilize their most recent injuries.

"Use that! LEAVE!"
 

Fayth had been at least partially conscious while Kiryu spoke. In truth, she was fighting between letting herself fade ... while also finding a reason to keep fighting. And when she heard that - in all irony of ironies - Yusei ended up being the one who drowned? That made her stir as a new set of shivers traveled through her body. If she hadn't known better, she'd been linked to Yusei as well as Jack during his death, but ... she knew that wasn't quite the case. Still, what were the odds that had happened - and at almost the exact same time - as her own close call?

A few gasps and weak coughs signaled to Jack that even though she'd mostly been stationary, she definitely wasn't anymore. The demon squeezed down again, but Fayth ignored the response this time.

The hell with it all ... if it's going to, so be it. But I don't wanna die, not like this ...

A disgusted look appeared on her lips as Kiryu went on and did something she'd been afraid of him permitting. Giving the demon the go ahead to do whatever it wanted with her.

"Nu-uh! No!"

Her legs weren't as strong as her arms, but they also weren't injured. This allowed her to land some kicks. Were they the most effective? Hell no. But especially as she felt it start to open her legs and spread her open, it gave her that many more incentives to keep trying.

It can't even ... can it?

Then again, part of her didn't want to find out. And fortunately, she didn't have to. It was sudden ... but compared to what she may have felt, falling onto the floor - even if it was awkwardly - was much better than the alternative. Fayth winced as she held her shoulder, lifting her head as the demon roared loudly ... signaling it ... was gone?

The words combined with a shocked whimper as something ... wet ... fell onto Fayth? She started to sniff at it ... but stopped as she felt her shoulder beginning to heal up. It was medicine, and that was a good enough hint to encourage her to stand up. Darting hastily back to Jack's bed, she looked down apologetically at him. "I'm sorry. I know this is gonna hurt, but ... one ... two ... three, come on!"

Whether he wanted to or not, she helped him stand up, wincing with him as Jack - or at least his body, anyway - groaned in response. Thankfully, she'd taken note of where both bodies were, and neither were in front of them. The hospital was relatively small ... which made backtracking simple enough. So the moment Jack was back to a vertical base?

She ran, going straight for the parking garage where The Wheel Of Fortune was waiting.
 
"Fucking...Shithead!" Kiryu growled, straining harder as Fayth might move to get Jack up. Jack meanwhile, had just coughed as some of the medicine entered his mouth; it wasn't the best tasting, but he did feel his pain subside a good deal. Enough that he could move...Even if Fayth might have to drag his ass out; he didn't know who this man was, but he just said, "Guh....Than...Thank you!" As Fayth led him away and down the stairs. The bandaged man just said, "So...You're a Dark Signer too. Interesting that you killed Yusei...I had planned on killing him myself at some point. Was getting too close to Goodwin and Akiza

Kiryu managed to break free of the bonds, but then got hit by a ball of fire. His body smoldered a bit as he glared hatefully at the bandaged man, rushing at him and using a manifestation of his God's body to slam the interloper into a wall. The man slumped to the ground, blood streaking the wall behind him. "So, you know the redheaded Signer bitch, huh? You fucking shithead...They were just my targets. Anyone who gets in my way..." A giant manifestation of Ccacc's fist appeared overhead, "Is gonna get crushed!"

Meanwhile, Jack and Fayth were going as fast as their crippled bodies would allow. "Fayth...I....I'm fine, but let me take...some of the weight off...So we can move more quickly!" Jack said; now was NOT the time to try and fight. They'd been healed but far from fixed. Kiryu outmatched them currently; if he could defeat Yusei so handedly, then they didn't stand a chance in their current form.

Soon Jack used his own shoulder to spare Fayth's as he crashed through the door, slamming it open and seeing the Wheel of Fortune standing there in the middle of the largely deserted lot, there were a few other cars here, but nothing impressive at all. But before they could get too close, a loud series of cracks could be heard, following by rumbling.

*CRRAAAAAAASH*

And just like that, a few dozen tons of concrete, rebar and ceramic crashed down on top of the Runner, utterly destroying it as Jack pulled Fayth to the side, a large piece of rebar nearly impaling her and him before it buried itself in the wall behind them. A giant blue black and blue fist blocked their view...But then it was shown that Kiryu had been slowed, but not enough for them to get away. And just beneath him was the arm of the man that tried to give them a window to escape. "Every fucking time....Someone's gotta interrupt me!" Kiryu snarled, his body putting off an extremely vile and violent energy. "I'm finishing what I came here to!" he would say, the first fist joined by the second...Yeah, Kiryu was not about to let them leave intact, if at all.

But then a powerful torrent of water hit him from above, knocking him back and into the stairwell from where they came from!
 

"I ... I mean .... I understand your logic, but ... "

Fayth let out a slightly miffed huff. She knew he was right ... and that annoyed her a bit. She was about to point out his own leg needed a reprieve too, but ... he wasn't wrong. And that was enough for her to nod and allow him to assist. Admittedly, it did feel good to give her joint a rest, but it didn't stop her from feeling guilty about making him help her out like this. Particularly now that he'd need to get a more complete blood transfusion when they got .... out of here. Likely to the hospital in The Tops. But definitely out of Puzzle Hospital.

"Please .. tell me ... it's nearby ... " Fayth muttered in between labored breaths. For now, her focus was strictly on getting to his Duel Wheeler. She had not forgotten she was now half-nude; that just wasn't her primary concern. But before Jack could reply ... that loud crash made her whimper as she pressed her head against Jack's chest, covering her left ear with her uninjured arm. As the noise began to die down, she glanced anxiously up towards Jack.

"That ... that wasn't The Wheel .... was it?"

Fayth shuddered and gulped as a very, very, very pissed off and violent sound Kiryu at least revealed that whatever had happened, the noise was definitely his doing. She shakily stood back in front of Jack, gripping on her lower lip as she cautiously moved back with him.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, now what?!

"Good thing I tracked that right before the crash."

" ... Fuyu!"

While Kiryu was blasted away by the water, she turned and gave a playful bow. "Now ... I'm as pressed for time as you two are, so .... Magic Card, Open! Magic Triangle Of The Ice Barrier!"

Within moments, both Jack and Fayth would be surrounded. The air became a bit chilly, but it was ... oddly comforting and reassuring in its own rights. "Since it's my card, only whatever I allow to go through can and will, so .... first thing's first. Fayth, you idiot ... is what I would say were it not for the butlers at Jack's place. They informed me you didn't willingly leave, so .... I'll spare you a scolding for leaving this back at the house."

Before Fayth could ask what exactly Fuyu meant, the answer would be slid onto her right arm. "Sorry. I know that probably hurts like a bitch, but you're not ambidextrous, unfortunately."

"Ahh, y-yeah. I understand. Thank you."

"Now ... in the secret compartment we got, there are three things. Two stacks ... both your decks and a single card. Get the lone one out and place it on top. It'll get you both out of here."

" .... What about you? You're coming back too ... right?"

An apologetic smile appeared on Fuyu's lips as she tilted her hand in the air. "If this goes well, yes."

"You can't be serious." The words came out in a horrified whisper. Fayth shook her head frantically as she added, "Fuyu, you've done more than enough! Get out with us, please!"

Fuyu shot an irked glare as she shook her head. "And what? Ignore Reiji's orders? I think not."

"W...what do you mean? Weren't you sent to get me out of The Facility? You already did."

"That ended up being part of it, yes. But the real purpose? To watch over and keep you safe ... by any and all means necessary. These are the kinds of risks we take as Lancers. You know this."

"But we're not in that dimension!"

"Perhaps though, that being said, you should seriously consider doing just that after getting patched up. Your disk works now. You can go back if you so desire. You both probably could, at that rate. I'll admit that I have no idea what would happen if a second Jack Atlas went in another dimension he already exists in, but .... I can see perfectly well you don't really want to leave him. Fair enough. Truthfully, as long as you live? I doubt Reiji will even care. But whatever you choose to do or not do, you have to live. That's not up for negotiation."

"Fuyu, they ... that fucker killed Yusei! How .. how am I supposed to even ... ??"

" ... Did he now?" she muttered, frowning as she watched Fayth give a shaky, affirmative nod. "Hmmm. Well .... it does allow me one saving grace. Now I don't have to hold back like I did before."

"You can't seriously mean to fight him."

"Why the fuck are you still here? Get out now!"

"And leave you with him?! Please don't do this. Come back with us."

Fayth would hear Fuyu let out a long, deep breath ... before raising her voice, just barely avoiding screaming. "GET! OUT! RIGHT FUCKING NOW! Please .... don't make this opportunity go to waste."

"Why do you have to do this?!" Fayth shot back, "You're not even in this stupid war! Reiji likely needs you for the one back home!"

"It's precisely because I'm not a Signer here that I'm fine taking this risk. Now get out .... or I'll force that disk to activate myself. In the midst of getting it fixed, I added a few new functions. With Reira and Reiji's assistance, of course. Now ... hurry the fuck up. Jack? I'm leaving the task of taking care of Fayth completely up to you now. Her life is officially and fully in your hands."

A new set of tears fell down Fayth's face as she shakily lowered her left arm, pressing down at the location hinted to her. Sure enough, a compartment did open. It would remain open long enough for him to see everything Fuyu had listed was indeed inside. But his eyes would land upon a Teleport card.

"Be damn sure to focus on where exactly you wish to go, because otherwise ... I can't promise you'll end up in a good spot."

Nodding at Fuyu's words, Fayth took a moment to think. She was torn between Jack's residence or the hospital in the Tops. But .... the answer became clear where they needed to go. As she decided on her final answer, however, a livid scream coming from Kiryu rang out. Poor Fayth damn well nearly dropped the Teleport card ... but managed to put it down right onto the disk. Right before the two fully disappeared, a frustrated and furious scream would be the last thing her and Jack heard.

" .... Oops," Fuyu mockingly replied, finally pulling the magic card off and smirking towards Kiryu. "I interrupted you too, didn't I? But hey, it's kinda okay. I mean ... we have unfinished business ourselves. And since Fayth relayed what you did ... that means I don't have to restrain myself. See, I dove in after you because Yusei asked me to. And since he was a friend of Fayth's ... I figured I'd respect her wishes, as well as his. This time ... you disappear for good if I win. How's that sound, hmm?"

Granted, she wasn't exactly allowing him to try to track Fayth or Jack down. However, knowing her own words held truth in them ... those encouraged her enough that it'd allow the two even more ample time to hide away and recover properly.
 
"God...fucking damn it!" Kiryu growled, the powerful blast of water having caught him by surprise. It wasn't so much that he was wet; hell he jumped into the ocean to watch Yusei drown right before his eyes. But it was more than he was again, interrupted. His arm got his damp cloak out of his face, his boots slipping a bit on the wet concrete of the stairwell.

Jack was barely able to keep up with everythign that was going on. "Fayth...You know her..." Jack asked; he didn't recall ever meeting with this woman. Or if he did, the blows and repeated injury were affecting his memory a bit. But regardless, he did try to interject. "No...You can't take him....He's insane, he'll kill you in a second. If you can really port us, we can all..."

Unfortunately, she seemed to be as stubborn as Yusei was...Soon the device activating as she might forceport them out, a portal opening and then slamming shut as Kiryu burst through the stairwell door. Staring angrily at the woman as she stood there...Smirking.

"Oh....Right your are! We totally do!"

Unfortunately, Fuyu would find he was very much not in the mood for playing around right now, the hand of his God materializing and squeezing hard. "I have you to thank for sending me into the Darkness right? After all you win, right?! Seems only fair I thank you!" His grin widened as his grip tightened, "You can become food for my God! He's a big guy....And you know what they say about Giants!"

At this a blank face appeared, soon the featureless surface splitting to form two rows of serrated jagged teeth. "He'll grind your bones to make his bread! Hahah!"


Jack and Fayth hurtled through the strange dimension, their bodies essentially now pure energy as the enhanced systems kicked in. The target? Neo Domino Mass General. One of the most advanced hospitals on the planet, and right in the heart of the Tops. And for the moment, it seemed like things were going to go swimmingly.

Unfortunately, it seemed something would cause the teleportation to go screwy; likely because they weren't in the 'future', the processing capabilty of sending someone via teleportation in this way wasn't 100% reliable. And instead of landing gracefully inside the main lobby of the clinic, Jack and Fayth would get shot through the doors. In a split second, Jack hugged her body close to his....And gasped as he took the brunt of the impact, crashing through the front entrance.

The doors slammed open on the inside, causing the nurses and staff and other patients to gasp as the pair rocketed into the lobby. Thankfully the way inside was clear enough, but Jack felt somethign break in him after hitting the doors at excessive speed. No doubt a few broken bones....But he hoped Fayth would be better off if he used himself as a shield, holding her tight as she might stay close to him.

"It's Atlas and Belrose!"

"Holy hell...What happened to them?!"

"Does it matter! Get some gurnies! Take them to ER right now!"

Though the words came out a slightly gargled mess to Jack, his vision swimming as he tried to mutter "F-Fa--Fayth....Oh god...." Red swam in front of his vision again, his head wound opened back up because of the crash. Needless to say....They also had to try and contend with taking a death hold of Fayth, saying in a slightly desperate and drowsy tone "P....Please don't hut her...."

"Don't worry Mister Atlas! We're getting you some hel..." And that was all he heard before his eyes rolled back, passing out as his head felt heavy..

"He's fading! Where's the damn O2?!" "Right here!"

And naturally Fayth would be getting similar treatment, emergency response teams on the scene, a mask slipped over her face as she was quickly fitted with a pulse oximeter and stabilizeed, then lifted onto a gurney, "Don't worry about him or you, Miss Belrose, you've got the best doctors on the planet....Alright, take her to ER3! Double time! Prepare saline and .5 Paracetomal!"

And with that, the duo would earn a short reprieve...The same could not be said, however, for a particular other Signer back in the Satellite...


"Come now, Akiza....You might be able to act all collected and cool, but are you even trying to win at this point? I thought you said you had no intention of giving me this win...And yet there's nothing you can play. You might as well surrender if you so accept death as inevitable in this Duel."

Came the smooth voice of Misty; through be told, Akiza did inflict some damage to her. So it was kind of an enemy threat and smarmy dialogue. At this point, Misty was done trying to make her see how her actions had destroyed her life. Taken the last thing from her that really mattered.

"I bet you didn't even acknowledge his existence when he first came to you...Probably brushed him aside like a piece of lint, or a bottlecap even. Told him 'Just listen to Divine, he will explain everything to you'. Something along those veins, yes?" Misty sneered, but just closed her eyes. "But I suppose I can at least settle with you being dead, regardless of how it turns out...I set a card and a monster face-down. Turn end."

Worst part was...She could feel her God itching to come out. But as it was, there was no environment currently where his energies would stabilize. But behind them? The Lizard Tower was almost full with energy. One more good attack would finish this...And then that would make two.
 

Fayth sobbed and trembled as she held tightly onto Jack, not caring enough about her arm. She'd teleported before, sure ... but those had always been back 'home', per se. Back in the Pendulum Dimension. This ... well ... it was a new test of sorts. So she had no idea what to expect. She trusted Fuyu in saying Reiji and Reira helped make it function. It was just every other factor she was terrified about right then and there. With all the best reasons in the world, she might add to herself.

"Agh!"

Fayth's voice was weak. Between all the screaming from two near death experiences - both way too close together as far as time went - her voice was very hoarse by now. Her head lifted as Fayth managed to find Jack's face and put her hand upon a cheek .... then felt her eyes widen in horror as her hand quickly began to get warm. He was bleeding again!

"No, no, no! Jack, please stay with me!"

Fortunately, the teleporting seemed to work well enough, because voices were quickly heard from all around her. All confirmed the card had worked, that they were inside Neo Domino Mass General. That certainly made Fayth sigh in relief, though the feelings were short-lived as Jack abruptly went silent, then still. "JACK?!"

"We're getting here. Calm down."

Her head sharply turned as she held her left hand up right before the oxygen mask went completely over her face. "Please don't separate us!" she begged in a barely stable voice. "Please! We're being hunted down! He's the only one I feel fine being around right now. Please ... "

The explanation led to hushed murmurs echoing around her. They noted the explanation and nodded among each other. "It does make sense why they're beaten as badly as they are," one doctor agreed. "Very well. We'll see about keeping him nearby, if not in the same room. Now ... take a deep breath and relax, Miss Belrose. You need the oxygen."

Somewhat reluctantly, Fayth allowed her body to go still, tensing up as a new yet familiar mask went over her face. For now, it did seem to simply be oxygen ... which made her calm down enough. But the fear of not knowing if Jack was okay, or even alive ... that still was very much alive. Right now, though, she was leaving his fate in the doctor's hands.

"Okay, she's gonna need --"

Before Fayth could hear what would be given to her, she joined Jack and passed out. Mostly from blood loss ... but a strong enough dose of fear helped out also. All she could pray for being completely losing consciousness was to wake up and hear or even see signs indicating Jack would pull through. She definitely did not want to be the only survivor from this encounter. Not if it could be helped.


Aki merely let out a "Hmph!" in between labored breaths, rolling her eyes.

Still an idiotic girl as ever, she mused, muffling a chuckle as she heard Misty's taunts but didn't reply to them. Rather than responding, she simply drew. All things considered, the duel was ... not nearly as one-sided as Misty may have hoped for. Quite the opposite in fact. 2300 versus 3400 with Misty having the higher amount of life.

Still, there were certain things that hadn't changed over the past several turns. The biggest one was that damned creature which couldn't die via card effects. That was by far the biggest obstacle in this duel. It made her Wall Of Thorns useless ... at least in some regards.

However, it could still work. Just not on that monster. Likewise ... with another card in her hand.

"I set a monster and then I activate Thunder Bolt! Turn end!"

And just in case she thought she'd seen things incorrectly ... nope. It was still on the field. Everything she'd summoned, however, vanished as they got smitten and struck down. That was something ... a start. Particularly if she could draw another monster for more offensive purposes. And she'd take something over nothing on any given day.
 

The air was tense; Akiza was only a tad worse for wear, the repeated hits to her Life having hit her somewhat hard. It seemed her power as a Psychic even while sealed was something. Even so, Misty stayed her tongue; with who was expecting her to win, she did not wish to say anything unwise.

Yet...Anyway. Even Ccarayhua knew better than to speak...And yet even with this, the God was uncharacteristically silent. For days he and Ccacc had been shouting about getting out there, destroying the Signers...But then after the display at their base, it seemed to have tempered them. Did that beast really scare them that much?

"Misty...I am still here. Worry not, I am merely letting you focus. Victory is within your grasp. Take the opportunity wisely....And crush her when you have the chance."

Misty seemed surprised her God reached out this late in the game...But it was a small comfort. She wasn't alone; even if it was for evil intent, that didn't matter. Both wanted her dead...And dead she would be. "My turn....I draw." she would say after Akiza ended her turn. As it was, Akiza was sure to run out of ploys to stall. So why not set another trap. The more she destroyed her monsters, the tighter the noose around her neck slipped after all.

"I set a monster face-down. Then I will have Melusine attack your face-down." Misty stated quite calmly, her monster squeezing its lower half around what revealed itself to be Naturia Rosewhip, before long its image shattering.

"I end my turn." Misty said. With any luck, her Set monster would bait her...And then vengeance would be hers.
 

Despite looking very beat up - even bleeding quite a bit - Aki looked oddly calm. To eerie, maybe even abnormal, degrees, in fact. This wasn't to say she wasn't in physical pain. No, far from it. But she wasn't letting it bother her compared to if anyone else were in her spot. Of course, her abilities helped. In order to unlock them, after all, she'd had to endure quite a bit of agony. No pain, no was very literally her mantra when Divine had first brought her in and took her under his wing. And ... it'd worked.

Her eyes calmly examined the field, even while Misty made her move. She took note of her opponent setting a monster ... and wondered if that was because it was the only move she wanted to make, or whether that was a bluff. For herself, it - unfortunately - had fallen repeatedly under the first option. To say she was having issues with drawing decent cards was an understatement ... which most definitely miffed her.

But on the other hand? It reassured her that this did, indeed, seem to be Karma finally coming back and paying Aki back for all the pain she'd inflicted upon everyone. Sans Tobi, whether Misty would like her thinking that way or not ... simply because she knew that wasn't her doing. But to people like Hotsuma, Yuna, Hajime, Yamichi ... all of them? Yeah, she understood perfectly why the duel was going this way.

Still, like she'd said at the beginning of the duel, she didn't intend to put her hand atop her deck and surrender. Not even now, no matter how pointless it looked.

"Draw!"

Regardless of whether Misty's set was a trap or not ... she had her own that could be used. It was what helped her decide in proceeding with her turn. "I shift Angel Trumpeter to attack mode. I set a card as well as a monster."

I can play that game too, she confidently thought, nodding after studying the field a few moments before continuing with her turn. "Angel Trumpeter, attack her set!"

She was ready to push down and activate her Blossom Bombardment that had been set since near the beginning of the duel ... but frowned as it flipped up and revealed itself to be a monster that couldn't die from battle. Well ... good thing she'd set another monster to help keep this relatively even; or so she hoped. "Turn end."
 
Misty Lola::Hotsuma Oboro​

Needless to say, Misty was elated that Akiza attack her Set monster, the image revealing to be Reptiless Naja. The tiny snake-woman gave a little 'Kya!' Trumpeter bounced off her body, a little red mark on her arm as she rubbed with a pout. Something that made Misty smile, "Sorry...But you won't be destroying this monster. And since your Trumpeter battled, her effect activates. Your little flower wilts!"

Naja then hissed, leaping at the flowering monster and biting it, her potent venom draining its color as its ATK fell to 0. And as Akiza declared her turn over? Misty just snickered, "Even if you're still as defiant as ever....Just getting to watch you die will bring me solace." Her face then fell straight, "Melusine...Finish this duel." Her larger monster gave a hearty hiss of her own, her face defiguring into something monstrous as it might then bite at Trumpeter, before long her long and muscular lower body slammed into Akiza with every ounce of force she could muster. Misty's hatred of her seeming to translate as she might get knocked down.

"Thanks to you and your weakness in the face of actual conflict...The Gods are one step closer to destroying everyone else in this world. So from the bottom of my heart, I thank you." Misty said...And strangely enough, Melusine was still here, even as the Lizard's Tower filled completely with energy, the vile pulse soon echoing across the land. Even now, both it and the Giant's Tower seemed to pulse in rhythm, calling out to the very depths of the Underworld. "As a thank you for your selfishness...I think I'm going to keep you alive. Melusine~" The snake-woman then leaned down and sank her fangs into Akiza's neck, a powerful paralytic venom pumping into her body. Something that would keep her from turning to dust and fading away, but also leave her virtually immobile save for the ability to speak and breathe.

"Normally, this Duel would have you scatter as the petals of your favorite flower would if you were defeated....But thanks to a new ally? Well...He's been very eager to find you again...And he was delighted when I told him I could track your whereabouts." She then looked up, smiling as she said, "I did my part. I hope she suffers through this as much as you said she would."

At this, Akiza would see a very familiar face staring over her, his face in a slight smile as he stared down at her: The first of two victims into Divine's experimentations, Hotsuma Oboro. "Worry not; her final end will not be a pleasant one." he would say, coming to stand beside her as his eyes - red as blood - stared down at the redhead. "Hello, Aki....Fancy seeing you here..." he would say, his light smile growing to a malicious grin. "Oh dear...Seems Misty really worked you good." Leaning down to touch her cheek, he then mused, "Hopefully you understand why I might side with them: See, I've been trying to deny what I am for a long time. But...After a nice talk with their leader? They were kind enough to take me into their ranks....Teach me what I want to know...And show me how rotten this world really is. And why it all deserves to die."

Gving a slight snicker, he then added, "And what's worse? I actually have to thank Divine, and by extension you, for giving me this power in the first place...And now, you're going to help me destroy everything. Finally, you'll serve an actual purpose! Exciting isn't it?"
 
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Well, shit. Worse than the Naga failing to die was its ability to make Aki's attack become zero. Her tongue clicked at that ... and sure enough, come Misty's turn, the duel finally reached its end. She felt ... fine. Calm. Not nearly as terrified as she probably should be. Sore and exhausted at worst, particularly in the physical department, but aside from that? Not nearly as horrible as she probably should be feeling.

"Hmm?"

Aki's eyes narrowed slightly. "And why the change of heart? What's the catch?"

She was so taken aback from hearing Misty promising to spare her that she didn't notice Melusine ... until a few seconds too late. Aki stumbled backwards, grimacing as the fangs dug into her neck ... then outright collapsing onto her back. A grimace appeared on her face as her joints were swift to get stiff, and then stuck in position. It made sense - snake venom was supposed to be potent. Even still, she thought she'd have a few more seconds, if absolutely nothing else.

Seriously, all that talk about wanting to kill me and now ... the plan changes? Why? It's not mercy ...

And then .... he walked forward. "Hot .... no. You're not even really Hotsuma, are you?"

Even Yuna, were she here, could have sensed without her powers there was a huge difference in the man standing before him. Admittedly, Aki couldn't pinpoint any exacts. But she definitely knew there was something very off about him. More so than when Divine did all the experiments on him and Yuna both.

" .... So you're here for belated Karma?"

It made sense. Honestly, she'd expected as much from Yuna, which made it a bit surprising when the leader of Yomi refused to make that move. Whatever the reason for why, it all seemed to fall into place. She'd figured Karma would come back to bite her in the rear and .... here it was. The form was both expected and not so much all at once.

An eyebrow rose then scoff elicited as Aki jerked her head away from Hotsuma's hand.

"You've given up on them all, haven't you?"

It wasn't really rocket science. Between the fact he was here instead of with Yuna and the fact he was openly admitting to siding with these Dark Signers ... well ... he wasn't being subtle about his change of heart.

"Disappointing to hear. A bit shameful, even."

Granted, Aki had eventually turned her back on Divine, yes. But even after that fallout? She simultaneously didn't completely abandon him ... not in her own rights. Divine was one of the few people on her mind, and on a high note. He'd done so much for her, after all, so it was only natural she thought about him in a positive light. It was clear, however, Hotsuma wasn't returning that favor back with any of his people, nor even Yuna. And that made him look just a bit worse than any and everything Aki had both said and done, be it to him, Yuna, or either of their comrades.

"Have you even considered what happens if you realize you're on the wrong side? Or are you that beyond caring? And before you direct that to me, yes I have. But given your recent confessions and actions ... I'm more curious about you and what you may or may not have done."

A low "Hmph" left her lips as Aki even rolled her eyes. "If I help, it certainly won't be voluntarily." Slowly, Aki closed her eyes, taking calming breaths through her nose. "Whatever you want to do, go on with it. I already adamantly told Misty ... so now it's my turn to relay it to you. I'm not scared of whatever is waiting for me."

At worst, she was taken aback, very much so. Maybe confused about why she was being spared. But full-fledged scared? No. Not even now at this very moment.


Morning would arrive. Easily for some, not so much for others. Yuna was one of the many people that fell under the latter.

"And you're certain you heard that correctly?" Yuna asked for what had to be the millionth time. Shivini grinned as she gave yet another affirmative nod. "That's what it said in front of me, Mei and Yamichi, so ... yeah."

A deep sigh resounded from Yuna. Shivini had indeed run off and relayed what Trance Demon said to her and, fortunately, managed to catch Yuna right before she completely passed out. This led to Yuna staying awake a good chunk of the night. But at least there was one huge fear that was put at ease, and that was whether Hotsuma had betrayed her or not. Hearing this wasn't the case made her feel relieved. But on the other hand? She was just as terrified.

This 'mad doctor' had to be powerful in their own rights, because for them to still have Hotsuma after all the weeks or even months that had passed since Yuna nearly died? Yeah, that was no fluke.

Yuna would arrive in tow with Shivini into the living room. Hajime would already be there, having woken up earlier himself while also helping Mei tend to Yamichi as best as possible. The demon had seemed to remain close to Yamichi. Yuna would look between everyone in the room. Including Mei as well as the demon and even Yamichi before resting her gaze down towards Mei.

"So ... before I ask my questions, I figured I should see about checking on this for you. But Mei? Do you want to try to head back to get supplies? At least one of us can accompany you."

.... Are you sure that's a wise idea?

"We were the targets. I'm not going to pretend that some of the possessions may have been taken. But there still might be some. If it really comes down to it .... I suppose we could order some newer ones, but ... then we'd have to have them shipped somewhere. And while I could be fine with using this address, I'd rather do that as a last resort, or unless we personally know who would give the supplies to us and can trust them. Otherwise? That's a really risky move. So for now ..."

Yuna nodded after contemplating her words over in her head.

"It feels like going back and looking would be one of the smarter moves to try to make. Fact is .... Yamichi needs medical attention and Mei needs tools in order to properly help him out. We're not gonna be able to help Yamichi recover if we don't figure a way to get the necessities in Mei's hands. Now ... if we do that ..."

A stoic look crossed Yuna's face.

"Then .... whoever goes with Mei should pray for the best, but expect the worst. It's not likely going to be pretty, and .... there's a chance that anyone who stayed behind didn't survive."

Hajime grimaced, knowing and understanding perfectly that scenario was a likely one. It was why he'd pleaded with Eikichi, and even felt horrible about leaving him behind. But ... his aniki had insisted to go on ahead and keep protecting Yuna. So he had ... but not without a weight upon him. Hajime gave a nod, indicating he'd be fine accompanying Mei if no one else wished to. Or even if someone else would go, but either way ... he clearly intended to help the doctor out in some form or fashion.
 
Hotsuma Oboro::Trance Demon::Yamichi Hizumara​

"Wrong again....But that seems to be in your strong suit recently doesn't it? I am very much Hotsuma...But you can blame that asshole Divine for why I'm so different. And....To set the record straight, they gave up on me. After everything I did, everything I sacrificed to keep them safe...What do they do? Kick me out because I did what had to be done to make sure Sector wouldn't dare make a move against us." Hotsuma replied, watching as she might turn her head away.

"In truth? I've been planning this for a long time. But I was just going to turn my fury against Sector. Use this power to drive every last one of them off the island, make it truly our own....But it seemed Yuna didn't have my resolve for that kind of war. But you, being a pretty Tops princess, wouldn't understand the sufferings of a dreg like me. You grew up with privilege and resources....While we had to scrounge, claw and fight for even the smallest morsel." he would add...But there was no venom in his voice. Rather, it was a weird kind of delight.

"And you have so much power....And yet for whatever foolish reason you refuse to unleash it. Voluntarily or no...." Hotsuma replied as he hoisted Akiza up by the hair on the back of her head, much like he was lifting a pillow with how much strength he seemed to have gotten, making sure her eyes would be seen by his. "I will draw every last drop of it out of you, and use it to kill everything and everyone. Then we can rebuild something greater from the ruins. If there's anything that's disappointing, it's you not being around to see the devastation your power will create...But I suppose the screams that will come from your 'release' will have to suffice, especially for Misty here."

Misty just smirked, "If it causes her even an ounce of pain before she dies, I will be content." Hotsuma then just snickered, "Even Yuna cried when Kiryu stuffed her in a box...What I have planned for you will be so much worse." He then gave a slight toss, throwing the limp-limbed redhead over his shoulder. "Well, let's be off! Gotta get this back to the others." And with that, Hotsuma and Misty walked back off to the Dark Signer main gathering area....Where Akiza's fate would be put in motion.


Yamichi was there, his leg still sore from yesterday; thankfully Mei had managed to pack some stuff away, but it wouldn't near be enough in the long run. "Ordering? Unless you have some kind of working phone, Yuna or a computer...Well, there's not really much chance for delivery services. Even before all this shit went down, most all relief supplies were flown in via helicopter. And with this battleground? I sincerely doubt they're going to be able to get anything in here until it passes...If it passes." Yamichi would say, rubbing at his cast.

"Agreed...Which makes getting back to the Facility to look for supplies a priority. And with any luck...We can salvage some electronics to have you make a computer." Mei said with a slight giggle, Yamichi flushing "That's if my tools weren't destroyed or stolen." He then pushed up, "But in any case...I'm going with. I've mapped the entirety of the Facility." Mei raised a brow, Yamichi tapping his head, "Up here; one thing he and Yuna had us do when we first took over. Know the ins and outs in case we needed an escape. Even if it's destroyed, I should be able to find the supply rooms easily enough."

Trance Demon then pulled at Yamichi's leg, "Can go with...? Can help...Detect if any Demons still around." Yamichi shook his head, "Much as I appreciate, I need you here to watch over Yuna while we're gone alright? Besides, if you can sense them, they'd likely sense you as well. Hopefully....There won't be anything there, but we need to be as silent as possible."

Once it was all decided, Hajime, Mei and Yamichi would start the long and rugged trek to the Facility....



"Sorry, Hajime..."

That was what Yamichi said after a bad step made him tweak his leg, the bluenette helping to brace Yamichi against himself. Yuna's house was fairly close, but the Facility naturally had a wide berth around it...Or at least it did. But as they approached, the scale of destruction became evident.

"Oh my god..." Mei whispered, her eyes wide in fright. Every last wall had crumbled, the once gleaming and magnificent Facility brought to a pile of ruined rubble. "Jeezus...It's like someone set off a bomb....Or several dozen." Yamichi said, trying to see if there was a way inside. Even the secret exit had been caved in....Well so much for that. "Guess we're going in through the front....Hopefully." Yamichi muttered with a slight annoyance to his tone upon seeing the blocked passage, hobbling with the rest of the group.

Once they were at the front....One thing was noticeable. "Mei....Where is everyone?" Yamichi asked, Mei shaking her head, "I don't know....Part of me is glad there's no corpses....I mean, there were children here for god's sake...But....I don't see any of them...Not even the Demons." Yamichi's eyes scanned the area, but he wasn't seeing anything but crushed concrete and a maze of rebar and steel support beams crossing up and out every which way.

"Alright...So I guess we have to just...try and get through all the rock and stuff....And hopefully we can get in to the supply rooms." Yamichi mused, looking down at his leg. If he wasn't fucking crippled, this would be a lot easier. "Hajime, do you feel....Anything? Any presence of any kind?" he would ask the bluenette.
 
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