章節 58: True God

[3rd POV]

Yami Marik closed his eyes and imagined himself holding a baton, mimicking the motion of a conductor in an orchestra, masterfully guiding his musicians on perfectly performing their piece of music.

*SCREAMMMM*

"Ah..." He groaned with pleasure at the torturous shriek emitting from Yuna's mouth: "Such pleasantness to the ears..."

As Winged Dragon of Ra retreated to Yami Marik's side, he eagerly observed Yuna standing weakly. Her bangs covered her eyes, hiding her stupored gaze.

"After my battle phase, I will activate Cursed of the Masked Beast." Yami Marik continued nonchalantly: "Tributing Ra, I will Ritual Summon The Masked Beast from my hand!"

[The Masked Beast: 3200 Attack, 1800 Defence]

"Since Winged Dragon of Ra was used as a tribute and sent to the graveyard, it will no longer be banished at my end phase from the effect of Return from the Different dimension."

"I will end my turn here." Yami Marik smiled: "What's the hold-up? I still haven't finished playing with you yet."

Yuna's fingers twitched, and she awakened from her daze. Her entire body was numb, and her nervous system had already shut down from the pain...

"Set one.... monster.... one.... face... down...." Yuna mumbled weakly: "End... Turn...."

"Very well, it is my turn." Yami Marik smirked with glee: "First, I will play Feather of the Phoenix; by discarding one card, I can add one card in my graveyard to the top of my deck."

"Next, I will play Pot of Greed to draw two cards," He declared, drawing the card that was added to the top of the deck moments ago: "With this, I will reactivate my Monster Reborn, reviving Winged Dragon of Ra!! In response, I will also activate my trap, Spell Reclamation; if I trigger this trap after I play a spell, I can return that same spell into my hand."

Yuna's eyes flickered when she heard the Egyptian God's name. Slowly raising her head, she gazed at the Winged Dragon of Ra, and her face contorted into an emotion that Yami Marik wanted to see the most...

Fear....

[Winged Dragon of Ra: 0 Attack, 0 Defence]

Yami Marik: "Winged Dragon of Ra, transform into your immortal Phoenix Mode!"

[Marik Ishtar: 1500 LP -> 500 LP]

[Winged Dragon of Ra (Phoenix Mode): 0 Attack, 0 Defence]

"Now, Winged Dragon of Ra, attack!!" Yami Marik shouted, his voice full of relish as if he had just tasted a three-Michelin star meal.

The Egyptian God howled and plummeted down on Yuna, setting her entire field into a sea of flames: "Now, The Masked Beast, attack her life points directly!!"

With no choice, Yuna frantically activated her Command Silencer to defend against the demon's charge. Unfortunately, in doing so, she has left herself defenceless against the Winged Dragon of Ra's final attack, and her body suffers through another round of hellish torture.

*SCREAMMM*

'Please stop this!' Yami Marik suddenly heard a voice shouting from the side. Picking his ear, he glanced at the spirit of the real Marik Ishtar, who was staring at him with a begging gaze: 'This is going too far!'

"But isn't this what you would've wanted?" He sneered: "Otherwise, how do you think I was born in the first place?"

'No...' Marik shook his head in denial: 'I would never stoop as low as you...'

"Really? All this revenge, all this hatred... Did you think that your hand is clean?" Yami Marik calmly remarked: "You're nothing but a coward, unable to kill; thus, you created me. A way out, an excuse that you can use when you're backed into a corner with nowhere left to run."

'Shut up!' Marik grasped his head and yelled.

Yami Marik shrugged: "Just sit back and relax as I perform my masterpiece." He said and brought his attention back to the girl in question.

Despite not having her life points changed in the slightest, it was obvious that Yuna could no longer continue this duel. However, ignoring this fact, Yami Marik forced her to continue. After all, he was not going to let her go this easily...

For the next few turns, Yuna truly understood the meaning of suffering. Her mind was too preoccupied with the pain even to think properly, and Yami Marik took this chance to have some "fun"...

Gaining Life points.

Revive Winged Dragon of Ra in Phoenix Mode.

Attack.

It was a merciless cycle that no one knows when it will end.

Yuna had already lost her voice from the constant screaming, and she could only moan in pain. As Winged Dragon of Ra finally stopped, with no more strength, Yuna's body struck the cold, hard ground. It was indeed a miracle she remained standing this entire time.

"I thought you could still last a few more turns." Yami Marik muttered disappointingly: "Why do the good toys always get broken so fast....."

"Oh well..." He sighed: "I will activate my trap card, Premature Burial, to pay eight hundred life points and revive the Masked Beast from my graveyard."

[Marik Ishtar: 1200 LP -> 400 LP] [1]

[The Masked Beast: 3200 Attack, 1800 Defence]

"The Masked Beast, attack." Yami Marik instructed with a sigh: "I hope the Pharoah is as fun as this..."

BANG

A dull sound suddenly echoed through the field as The Masked Beast's weapon collided with a blue transparent barrier. The area where the weapon landed glowed an ominous orange hue, and the barrier unleashed a flaming vortex that completely consumed the demon whole.

"What the hell happened!?" Yami Marik growled: "How is she still alive?!"

"I won't let you kill her...."

"What?" Yami Marik exclaimed at the strange voice in the air.

WOOOSH

Yami Marik clicked his teeth and covered his eyes when a blinding light began to emanate from Yuna's body. The particles of light solidified and began to take the shape of a woman wearing a pure white dress. Her face, except for her lips, was covered by a veil, and her white hair hung loosely behind her shoulders.

Kneeling, the woman gently lifted Yuna's wrist and tapped the button on her duel disk as the trap card Yuna placed in advance was revealed: "By activating the trap card, Mirror Force, when your monster attacks, this card will destroy all attacking position monsters you control."

"And who are you?" Yami Marik questioned, his body poised with caution.

The woman smiled wryly and slowly hoisted Yuna's head into her arms. Like a mother who would soothe a child, the woman stroked Yuna's hair. Gradually, a faint white energy gathered in her palms, and she placed her hand on Yuna's forehead.

Slowly, a warmth covered Yuna's body, and her expression momentarily softened: "I'm sorry, I can only alleviate the pain just a little; please don't give up..."

"Please...." She mumbled shakily: "Please, Yuna, wake up and fight..."

"Heh, it's useless," Yami Marik snickered: "It wouldn't be surprising if she's brain-dead already."

"Tsk..." The woman clicked her teeth at his non-stop chattering. But just like Yami Marik has said, Yuna doesn't seem to stir no matter how much she pleads.

With reluctance, the woman glanced at the Duel Disk. Resolve was etched on her face, and she slid the device off Yuna's wrist before equipping it onto her arm: "Then I will fight for her."

"You?' Yami Marik spoke in a surprised tone: "This is a shadow game. It should not be possible to interrupt it unless...." He chuckled in realisation: "I see... So she's just like that boy...."

Meantime...

Yuna's eyes snapped open, and she gasped. Sitting up, she feverishly pats her entire body, wondering if she has indeed kicked the bucket or not...

"I don't feel dead..." Yuna mumbled to herself, and she quietly hugged her knees: "But I probably am..."

*Drip Drip*

Teardrops soaked the floor as she wept. The pain that she felt was something that she couldn't possibly forget, and every time Yuna closed her eyes, she imagined herself engulfed by the divine flames burning her body.

"I don't want to do this anymore..." She whimpered: "It hurts..... It hurts so much..."

Other than the despair, Yuna also felt a profound shame. With so much confidence when she would boldly face Yami Marik, she found herself utterly crushed and tortured under his mercy...

As Yuna cried, she heard a huge form slithering around her. Nervously raising her head at the loud sound, she met eyes with a massive beast with a height as tall as the sky-scrapper.

'Will you quit the crying?' A deep voice echoed in her head, causing Yuna to flinch.

"It's you...." Yuna mumbled, remembering their first meeting with the help of the system: "Why... am I... here?"

'Because I brought you here,' The beast smirked, displaying its sharp teeth: 'Did your intelligence decrease compared to our last encounter?'

"So....what..." She sulked: "Mock... all you want.... already dead."

'But that's not the case,' The beast responded: 'Although your subconsciousness is with me, your physical vessel is still in working order.'

"How?!" Yuna asked in agitation: "Yami Marik.... have... killed me..."

'Not yet,' Slowly moving towards Yuna, the monster dragged its massive serpentine body across the ground.

With a wave of its arm, the beast created a mirage, displaying the current situation of the duel. Yuna gasped and watched the woman duelling Yami Marik with her duel disk. Despite it seeming like she was holding her ground, Yuna could tell that her skills were not enough, and she was gradually being suppressed.

Yuna subconsciously extended her arms, and the mirage vanished: 'What are you going to do now? You can accept death and exist with your failure forever, or stop whining like a child and fight.'

"I..." Yuna held her breath before smiling self-deprecatingly. All this talk with Seto on not giving up, and here she was.

"How.... can I win?" Yuna pleaded for an answer. No matter what she does, Yuna can't stop Yami Marik from summoning the Winged Dragon of Ra. Wrapping her arms around her shoulders, Yuna shivered, unable to bear the thought of being attacked by the god once more.

'Do I really have to spell it out for you?' The beast growled in annoyance: 'Use me, with me, even that gold chicken won't be able to touch you...'

"Ah..." Yuna finally remembered the card resting in her deck. Glancing at the monster, she felt embarrassed for forgetting this crucial detail.

The monster snorted: 'Hmph... Then what are you waiting for.'

Standing up, Yuna slapped her cheeks to try and get her nerves together: "Think... I'm... ready...."

'Go now,' The beast urged: 'You better not disappoint me.'

"Nn." She nodded, albeit still a little scared.

A few minutes later...

'Why are you still here?' The monster questioned, clearly annoyed by Yuna's presence.

"How... do I go... back?"

'....'

"...."

Back in Reality...

"Now, Masked Beast Des Gardius, attack the Blue Eyes White Dragon!" Yami Marik shouted, and the colossal demon rushed towards the woman's monster.

Blue Eyes White Dragon tried to resist, but its power was just weaker and was ultimately destroyed.

[Yuna Sano: 1200 LP -> 900 LP]

The woman staggered in shock at the defeat of her Blue Eyes White Dragon. Tension was apparent on her face as she desperately tried to defend against Yami Marik's onslaught.

"You or her, it doesn't matter." Yami Marik snarled: "All will fall!"

Gritting her teeth, the woman felt desperate, and she realised that she was unable to keep this up for much longer and in time, Yami Marik would win.

"What should I do... She muttered and bit her lips, on the verge of despair.

Watching her frustrated appearance, Yami Marik smiled with satisfaction. The thought of devouring this persistent obstacle filled him with ecstasy. However, that smile soon vanished, and what replaced it was an obvious disdain....

"When Blue Eyes White Dragon was destroyed, I can activate the effect of Keeper of the Shrine in my graveyard and special-summon him onto the field."

[Keeper of the Shrine: 0 Attack, 2100 Defence]

The woman's ears twitched with surprise at the familiar voice, and two arms wrapped around her from behind. An indescribable sense of relief washed over her, and she lowered her strained arms.

"Why do you only wake up now?" The woman pouted to hide the sadness in her voice.

"I'm a heavy sleeper," Yuna joked and noticed that her friend wasn't laughing; she buried her face into the woman's back: "I'm sorry..."

".....Is it painful?"

"Yes," Yuna answered without hesitation: "It hurt so much that I wanted to cry." Lifting her head to show her teary face: "But crying about it is a bit pointless, don't you think?"

"Yuna...."

Wiping her tears, Yuna's lips trembled slightly, but she swiftly controlled her expression with a small smile. Reaching for the duel disk, she slid it back onto her wrist and stepped forward as the woman watched with admiration: "Let's finish this. I will draw!"

Glancing at the new card, Yuna smile widened: "First, I will activate Monster Reborn! Reviving my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand from my graveyard!"

[Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence]

"With Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand's effect, I will target Winged Dragon of Ra in your graveyard and banish it."

"In response, I will play my second Call of the Haunted and revive Winged Dragon of Ra!!" Yami Marik shouted.

[Winged Dragon of Ra: 0 Attack, 0 Defence]

Yuna's expression stiffened at the sight of the Egyptian God, and the traumatic memories surfaced from her mind. Before being consumed by the memories, Yuna felt someone holding her hand and glimpsed at the woman smiling at her. Taking a deep breath, Yuna grinned, reassured that what she feared the most would not happen ever again.

"I will play Return of the Dragon Lords to revive Blue Eyes White Dragon!" Yuna continued with vigour, summoning the majestic dragon in white scales.

[Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 attack, 2500 Defence]

"Then, I will summon Axe Dragonute and activate Polymerisation, fusing my Keeper of the Shrine and itself to fusion summon Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!!"

[Starving Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800 Attack, 2000 Defence]

"I will play Card of Sanctity, and we will both draw until we have six cards!" She announced, replenishing her entire hand: "I will activate Polymerisation again, fusing Herald of Creation and Arkbrave Dragon in my hand to summon Mysterion the Dragon Crown!!"

[Mysterion the Dragon Crown: 2800 Attack, 1500 Defence] [2]

"Finally, by banishing Herald of Creation and Keeper of the Shrine, I summon Lightpulsar Dragon from my hand!"

[Lightpulsar Dragon: 2500 Attack, 1500 Defence]

[Mysterion the Dragon: 2800 -> 2600 Attack, 1500 Defence]

"Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, Blue Eyes White Dragon, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, Mysterion the Dragon Crown and Lightpulsar Dragon, all pieces in the puzzle were ready!!" Yuna announced.

"Yuna!" The woman smiled: "Let's do this together!"

"Yeah!" Yuna exclaimed with a beaming smile. In unison, they glared at their opponent and began to chant.

WHOOOOOSH

The energy around them intensified, and Yami Marik took a step back in shock. With each word, the darkness surrounding them began to dim, and light burst forth, illuminating the entire space.

"Oh, the lord of this realm and the one that stands beside Holoactie, the Creator of Light!

Please respond to our mortal hearts and use these sacrifices to descend from your heavenly domain!

Grant us the strength to destroy this impending evil and fill the land with your merciful grace!

I call upon you, oh Great God!

The Creator of Beginning!

The Ruler of all Dragons!

WE SUMMON YOU, TEN THOUSAND DRAGON!!"

BOOOOOOOM

A loud explosion shook the entire tower. The five monsters on Yuna's field instantly transformed into beams of light that shot towards the ceiling of the dome, creating five small holes that pierced through the darkness.

The tower trembled once more, and cracks slowly formed along the walls of the barrier: "The shadow dome... Is breaking?" Yami Marik exclaimed in disbelief.

BOOOOOOM

Before he can register everything, a massive claw bursts through the remnant of the barrier. Turning the hand, the claw easily tears away the shadow dome created by the power of the Millennium Rod, and Yami Marik was able to get a full view of the monster's proper form.

The beast's height easily outmatched the tower. Its upper body consisted of a torso, a pair of arms, wings and a head, while its lower body was long and slender, like a serpent that wrapped around the entirety of the tall structure.

The dragon's body was converted entirely of golden scales and white plating, resembling armour in each segment of its body. Its head was shaped like a dragon and a thick white mane on the back of its head.

[Ten Thousand Dragon: ??? Attack, ??? Defence]

"When summoned, Ten Thousand Dragon will have its attack and defence boosted to ten thousand and any monsters that aren't dragon-typed or have the name dragon in their name will be destroyed!"

[Ten Thousand Dragon: ??? -> 10000 Attack, ??? -> 10000 Defence]

Yami Marik watched in disbelief as Ten Thousand Dragon opened its jaw and spewed a mystical fume. The smoke spread through the entire field, and Masked Beast Des Gardius, who inhaled the gas, instantly crumbled into dust....

"Now, Ten Thousand Dragon, attack!!" Yuna shouted with energy, and the God howled: "Destroy him once and for all!!"

"It won't end like this!!" Yami Marik yelled: "I will pay one thousand of my life points, transforming Winged Dragon of Ra into its flaming phoenix mode!"

[Marik Ishtar: 1600 LP -> 600 LP]

The Winged Dragon of Ra cried and tried to spread flames across its entire body. However, the fire instantly extinguished, and the Egyptian god crashed weakly into the ground.

"What is happening?!" He uttered: "Why won't my god activate its effect!"

Yuna: "As the true God, Ten Thousand Dragon won't allow beings lower than itself to get in its way. The turn this card was summoned onto the field, all other monsters will have their effects negated, regardless if it was a God or not!"

"Impossible... IMPOSSIBLE!" Yami Marik screamed, but Ten Thousand Dragon's howl drowned out his voice.

Suddenly, golden strings appeared from the sky, binding the Winged Dragon of Ra in place. The Egyptian God was lifted into the air, and the thread slowly pulled the monster towards the dragon's jaw...

*CHOMP*

The sound of the Ten Thousand Dragon's grinding into the Egyptian God's flesh could be heard, and the Winged Dragon of Ra screeched in agony before bursting into ash...

"This can't be...." Yami Marik muttered, his face paled.

Turning its head, Ten Thousand Dragon glanced at the small man. Gazing into the blood-red pupils, Yami Marik felt himself trapped in an endless abyss and a foreboding feeling washed over him.

"Stay away..." He stammered: "Stay away from me!"

He tried to run, but the golden threads shot towards him like bullets, wrapping around each of his limbs. Yami Marik howled and thrashed as the strings slowly dragged him before the presence of the almighty dragon.

Ten Thousand Dragon roared, unleashing a golden beam from its mouth. Striking Yami Marik directly, the evil spirit shrieked as the divinity corroded his very being, gradually eradicating him from this realm.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" He screeched: "NOT LIKE THISSSSSSSSSS!!!!"

The devasting attack drowned out his voice, and the malicious spirit's eyes darted wildly towards the perpetrator of his impending doom: "YOOUUUU THINK THIS IS OVER?!! I WILL BE BACK!!!!!!! REMEMBER THIS I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE!!!! YUUNNNAAAA SANNNNOOOOO!!!!"

BOOOOOOOM

[Marik Ishtar: 600 LP -> 0 LP]

As the dust settled, there was absolute silence. The spectators gazed at the two duelists in utter shock, and none of them was able to say a single word...

*Thud*

The threads wrapping around Marik's limbs vanished, and he fell to the ground. The towering monster that annihilated Yami Marik slowly transformed into particles that floated into the sky as the afternoon sunset in once more.

Yuna's body swayed as she gasped for breath. The pain she suffered from Ra still left a lingering sensation, making her entire body numb. Despite this, all Yuna could do was smile, relieved that she managed to survive this terrifying ordeal...

"We did it..." She muttered and searched for the woman but realised that she had already disappeared.

As the tension that kept her adrenaline in action left, Yuna's legs gave out. However, before her head hit the floor, she felt her body being supported by someone. Weakly opening her eyes, Yuna smiled at the man who had caught her.

"Kai....ba...."

"Tsk...." Seto clicked his teeth at Yuna's dishevelled state: "You truly are an idiot." He scolded, and Yuna giggled at his accurate comment.

"Does it hurt?"

She paused at the question and carefully moved the joints in her body: "Not... Anymore..." Yuna shook her head and muttered as if the searing pain she was feeling earlier was a mere dream.

"I see..." Seto replied: "You did good..."

Yuna stared at him in disbelief at the praise. She felt her heart tinged with a sense of warmness, and her lips broke into a soft smile. Seeing her beaming face, Seto smirked: "Rest now, I will take it from here."

"Nn..." Yuna nodded and closed her eyes. Eventually, losing to her drowsiness, she drifted off to sleep.

Gently shifting her into a more comfortable position, Seto examined her sleeping form and gritted his teeth: "You indeed are a fool... Why do you always have to do this..."

Looking at the sky, Seto sighed deeply. There were so many questions he wanted to ask the girl that suddenly dropped into his life. Yet right now, although he doesn't want to admit it, Seto's glad that Yuna was safe...

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I hope you enjoy it!!!! What do you guys think of Ten Thousand Dragon's effect? Considering its difficult summoning requirement, I think that it befits to have these powerful effects.

[1] It was many turns after, so his life points obviously won't be the same, so I chose a believable value.

[2] Mysterion the Dragon Crown loses one hundred attacks for each monster of Yuna's banished monsters. Since two were already banished to summon Darkflare dragon, it will be weakened upon summon.