Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Duellist League ❯ Battle Stage 32: Saints of Death! The Decay of Absolution ( Chapter 32 )

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who's reviewed.

 

 

Battle Stage 32: Saints of Death! The Decay of Absolution

 

Yuugi stared into Phoenix's gleeful eyes as his body screamed in pain, Anzu placed her hand on Yuugi's shoulder falling tears striking his jacket, “Yuugi, you're not strong enough, I can do this…”

 

Yuugi patted her hand, “I know that, but if you died… it would be worse than death for me, your life is too precious to be extinguished.”

 

Anzu smiled weakly, “You stole my argument…” She replied kissing him on the cheek. Before Anzu could leave the arena Yuugi grabbed her hand pulling the brunette into a deep lingering kiss. After a few moments the kiss was broken Anzu blushed hard looking him in the eyes, “Don't die, ok?”

 

Yuugi smiled taking the duel disk from Anzu allowing her to step out. Phoenix smiled, “What an affectionate display, it had me almost shedding a tear.”

 

Yuugi snapped his head around to look at Phoenix, his expression changed from warmth to anger, “Let's do this!”

 

Phoenix smirked darkly, “As you wish.”

 

The announcer reappeared for the penultimate time, “A record bet has been submitted and finalized, the death match BEGINS!”

 

Yuugi Mutou LP: 8000

James Carlstrom LP: 8000

 

::Yuugi::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Breaker the Magical Warrior (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/4 ATK/1600 DEF/1000) in attack mode;

 

2. It's effect activates adding a Spell counter to Breaker to increase its attack three hundred points (ATK/1900);

 

3. I play two cards face down and end my turn.”

 

::Phoenix::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Opticlops (Dark/Fiend/4 ATK/1800 DEF/1700) in attack mode;

 

2. I play three cards face down and end my turn.”

 

::Yuugi::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Kuriboh (Dark/Fiend/Effect/2 ATK/300 DEF/200) in attack mode;

 

2. I activate Magic Box of Death (Spell) this card destroys your monster and gives you my Kuriboh;

 

3. Breaker the Magical Warrior attack!”

 

“I activate Shrink (Quick Play/Spell) to half the attack of your monster (ATK/950)!”

 

Breaker the Magical Warrior's attack destroyed Kuriboh.

 

Yuugi Mutou LP: 8000

James Carlstrom LP: 7350

 

Breaker's attack cut into James's skin, the blood seeping through his white shirt. James grinned, “Not bad, shall we stop dancing around and get down to business?”

 

Yuugi grinned, “You're the one down on life points and you're telling me to get serious?”

 

“I can tell you're holding back, don't, I want to see the Yuugi Mutou that conquered battle city and duellist kingdom. I want all of it.”

 

“Fine, let's get serious.” Yuugi agreed relaxing into a battle stance.

 

Meanwhile Anzu had made it to the stage to be greeted by the group, Serenity levelled a contemptuous glare at her rival. Anzu ignored it for the moment turning back to watch the match, Jyoonouchi scowled, “What is he doing?”

 

“What Yuugi does and there's nothing we can do…” Anzu responded quietly a worried expression crossing her tender features.

 

::Phoenix::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I play one card face down in defence mode;

 

2. I play another card face down and end my turn.”

 

::Yuugi::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I sacrifice Breaker the Magical Warrior to summon Cybernetic Magician (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/6 ATK/2400 DEF/1000) in attack mode;

 

2. I play one card face down;

 

3. Cybernetic Magician attack!”

 

“Your attack flips my Night Assailant (Dark/Fiend/Effect/3 ATK/200 DEF/500) face up in defence mode activating its effect destroying your monster.”

 

Cybernetic Magician's attack destroyed Night Assailant.

 

Electrical discharges hit James hard, his clothes smouldering as her was fried. What gave Yuugi pause though, was through the pain James simply smiled at him until the discharges subsided.

 

::Phoenix::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Double Coston (Dark/Zombie/Effect/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1650) in attack mode;

 

2. I attack!”

 

Double Coston's attack inflicted 1700 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

James Carlstrom LP: 7350

Yuugi Mutou LP: 6300

 

Double Coston, the two black blobs of goo surrounded Yuugi spinning up and down around the spiky haired duellist closing in to use him as a punching bag. The two creatures knocked Yuugi about until he was knocked to the ground and then to his back returning once they'd performed seventeen combined hits. Rising gingerly Yuugi felt blood in his mouth from a split lip.

 

::Yuugi::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Skilled Dark Magician (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/4 ATK/1900 DEF/1700) in attack mode.”

 

“Not this turn, I activate Forced (Trap) this negates the normal or flip summoning of your monster and returns it to your hand.”

 

2. “Clever, I play a card face down and end my turn.”

 

::Phoenix::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I sacrifice Double Coston to summon Dark Ruler Ha Des (Dark/Fiend/Effect/6 ATK/2450 DEF/1600) in attack mode;

 

2. Dark Ruler Ha Des attack!”

 

”Not on this turn, I activate Magic Cylinder to reverse your attack back onto you!”

 

Dark Ruler Ha Des's attack inflicted 2450 points of direct damage to the player.

 

Yuugi Mutou LP: 6300

James Carlstrom LP: 4950

 

Ha Des's hell fire attack hit James like a brick wall engulfing him in flame. His clothes singed and burning under the waves of flames. As it subsided James dropped to a knee his breathing laboured, fresh burns scared his face.

 

::Yuugi::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Skilled Dark Magician (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/4 ATK/1900 DEF/1700) in attack mode;

 

2. I add Horn of the Unicorn (Equip/Spell) to increase Skilled Dark Magician's attack eight hundred points (ATK/2700);

 

3. Skilled Dark Magician attack!”

 

“Get real, I activate Sakuretsu Armour (Trap) to destroy Skilled Dark Magician.”

 

“Damn should have seen that coming.” Yuugi swore quietly.

 

::Phoenix::

 

“Yes you should have, now its time to pay, I draw;

 

1. Dark Ruler Ha Des attack!”

 

Dark Ruler Ha Des's attack inflicted 2450 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

James Carlstrom LP: 4900

Yuugi Mutou LP: 3850

 

Ha Des's hell fire attack struck for a second time, this time on its intended target. The flames burnt their signature into Yuugi, leaving the young duellist screaming for a full minute before the flames subsided.

 

On the stage his friends, rivals and lovers watched Yuugi collapse in a smouldering heap on the floor of the arena. Anzu screaming his name attempting to run to his aid, only Seto's hand on her shoulder stopped the brunette running to him. Anzu shook his hand away giving him a malicious glare. Meanwhile Serenity stood between paralysing fear and desperation watching the man she loved shaking in pain.

 

Slowly Yuugi pulled himself to his feet smirking, “R-rack them up, let's go again…”

 

James blinked, “You're eager to die, I'm more than happy to accommodate you.”

 

“What, do you have a quota or something, one murder a day?”

 

James smirked, “Killing Magnum was business, this is very much personal.”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

James pulled the jacket away from his left shoulder revealing the mangled scared flesh beneath, Yuugi blinked, “I'm sorry, but I don't know what that has to do with me?”

 

“Don't you, if you hadn't put that damn puzzle together my brother would still be here.”

 

“Your brother?”

 

“Yes, my younger brother Malcolm, I think I can say that he was one of your biggest fans, he adored you. He was a fan of Duel Monsters when it was Magic and Wizards. The first match he ever saw as you versus Seto Kaiba at Death-T after that he was hooked. He watched every match you were ever in, studied your record and your deck. He was such a fan he assembled an exact replica of your Dark Chaos deck down to the last card. When he heard the rarest of your cards was on the market he begged me to get it.” James explained, shame etched on his features.

 

“What card?” Yuugi whispered hoarsely, he feared he knew the answer.

 

James raised his head, “You should know, Winged Dragon Ra. I'd heard the rumours but I thought nothing would happen… it was just a copy…”

 

“Something happened?” Yuugi guessed.

 

James growled, “Yes something happened, he died is what happened. It was two years ago, his first duel with Ra, it was fine until he summoned it…”

 

“The skies filled with black clouds, lightening rained down…” Yuugi continued under James's contemptuous glare, James picked up after a moment, “The lightening struck him, I tried to get in the way, that being how I got these scars, but it wasn't enough… he's dead, he never woke up and now you're going to pay for your part in this.”

 

“How…”

 

“It was your card, your Pharaoh, you're the nexus around which all of these events have been made manifest, without you none of this would have occurred. Without you my brother would be alive and I do believe in repayment, in full.”

 

Yuugi frowned, “You can try and try but too many people have tried to kill me for me to feel overwhelmed by your threats. But if you can, you'll have had better luck than your contemporaries, let's go!”

 

“Lets.”

 

James Carlstrom LP: 4900

Yuugi Mutou LP: 3850

 

::Yuugi::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Obnoxious Celtic Guard (Earth/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/1400 DEF/1200) in defence mode;

 

2. I add Horn of Light (Equip/Spell) to increase Obnoxious Celtic Guard's defence eight hundred points (DEF/2000);

 

3. I play one card face down and end my turn.”

 

::Phoenix::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I already know its pointless to attack your monster at the moment, so I won't, instead I'll play two cars face down and end my turn.”

 

::Yuugi::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I play Black Magic Ritual (Ritual/Spell);

 

2. And send Dark Magician Knight (Dark/Warrior/Effect/8 ATK/2500 DEF/2100) from my hand;

 

3. To summon Magician of Black Chaos (Dark/Spellcaster/Ritual/8 ATK/2800 DEF/2600) in attack mode;

 

4. Magician of Black Chaos attack!”

 

“I activate Shadow Spell (Continuous/Trap) this card reduces Magician of Black Chaos's attack seven hundred points (ATK/2100) this card also stops Magician of Black Chaos from attacking or changing battle position.”

 

Magician of Black Chaos's attack failed; Magician of Black Chaos was destroyed.

 

James Carlstrom LP: 4900

Yuugi Mutou LP: 3200

 

::Phoenix::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Wall of Illusion (Dark/Fiend/Effect/4 ATK/1000 DEF/1850) in defence mode;

 

2. I play one card face down and end my turn.”

 

“What, you've forgotten how to attack?” Yuugi stabbed smirking.

 

“Please and fall into a Trap set behind your indestructible Obnoxious Celtic Guard, I'm not that stupid. Remember my brother had every card in your deck.”

 

“Don't go there, I've had enough pain recently with people claiming they know my deck better than I do.” Yuugi responded scowling, Jyoonouchi and Anzu looked away frowning.

 

“Whatever you say, its your move.” Phoenix responded.

 

::Yuugi::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I sacrifice Obnoxious Celtic Guard to summon Dark Magician Girl (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/6 ATK/2000 DEF/1700) in attack mode;

 

2. I play Sage's Stone (Spell) when Dark Magician Girl's on the field I can summon Dark Magician (Dark/Spellcaster/7 ATK/2500 DEF/2100) in attack mode;

 

3. This allows me to play Thousand Knives (Spell) when I have a Dark Magician on the field I can destroy one monster on your side of the field in this case Wall of Illusion;

 

4. Dark Magician attack;

 

5. Dark Magician Girl attack (ATK/2600)!”

 

Dark Magician's attack destroyed Dark Ruler Ha Des; Dark Magician Girl's attack inflicted 2600 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

Dark Magician Girl's attack hit James in the chest, exploding on impact it threw the brunette duellist so hard it cracked the lexan in the wall behind him. As James struggled to his feet with blood trickling from his mouth he smiled, “Let's go again.”

 

Yuugi Mutou LP: 3200

James Carlstrom LP: 2250

 

::Phoenix::

 

“I draw;

 

1.I activate Gift of the Mystical Elf (Trap) to increase my life points three hundred for every monster on the field (LP: 2850);

 

2. Ryu-Kishin Powered (Dark/Fiend/4 ATK/1600 DEF/1200) in defence mode;

 

3. That's it.”

 

Yuugi Mutou LP: 3200

James Carlstrom LP: 2850

 

::Yuugi::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I play one card face down;

 

2. I play Dedication Through Light and Darkness (Quick Play/Spell) by sacrificing Dark Magician I can summon Dark Magician of Chaos (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/8 ATK/2800 DEF/2600) in attack mode;

 

3. Dark Magician Girl attack Ryu-Kishin Powered;

 

4. Dark Magician of Chaos attack!”

 

“Bad move, Magic Cylinder (Trap) reverses the attack back onto you!”

 

Dark Magician Girl's attack destroyed Ryu-Kishin Powered; Dark Magician of Chaos's attack inflicted 2800 points of direct damage to the player.

 

James Carlstrom LP: 2850

Yuugi Mutou LP: 400

 

In a moment Yuugi was consumed by black magic. Pain burned into every synapse of his brain, James could see the electricity sparking behind his Amethyst eyes as his life points dropped. When the attack subsided Yuugi collapsed grasping his head his breathing ragged and blood soaked. Yuugi pulled himself to his feet but before he could regain his balance he staggered sideways dropping to a knee, “O-ok, I think I'll stay like this, I can't stand anymore…”

 

::Phoenix::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Archfiend Soldier (Dark/Fiend/4 ATK/1900 DEF/1500) in defence mode;

 

2. I play one card face down and end my turn.”

 

::Yuugi::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I activate Forced Ceasefire (Trap) by discarding one card from my hand I can prevent your Trap cards from being activated this turn;

 

2. Dark Magician Girl attack Archfiend Soldier;

 

3. Dark Magician of Chaos attack!”

 

Dark Magician Girl's attack destroyed Archfiend Soldier; Dark Magician of Chaos's attack inflicted 2800 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

Yuugi Mutou LP: 400

James Carlstrom LP: 50

 

James was hit by the black magic same as Yuugi, suddenly James felt the pain roar through his brain ripping and shredding at the nerves and synapses. James clutched his head screaming as a fire raged inside his brain, blood stained tears ran down his cheeks. James breathed hard barely being able to stand after the attack subsided.

 

::Phoenix::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I play Final Ritual of the Ancients (Ritual/Spell);

 

2. I send Invader of Darkness (Dark/Fiend/Effect/8 ATK/2900 DEF/2500) from my hand;

 

3. To summon Reshef the Dark Being (Light/Fiend/Effect/Ritual/8 ATk/2500 DEF/1500) in attack mode;

 

4. I end my turn.”

 

Yuugi's eyes narrowed, “I don't want to kill you…”

 

“To bad the feeling isn't mutual, if you won't, I guarantee I will.”

 

::Yuugi::

 

“I have no choice then… I draw…”

 

“I activate Last Turn (Trap) when my life points are under one thousand I can activate this card I select Reshef the Dark Being while you send all the cards in your hand and field to the graveyard and select one card from your deck to battle my monster. Which ever monster remains on the field at the End Phase wins the duel.”

 

“What happens if it's a draw?”

 

“No one dies.” James responded quietly, Yuugi's eyes widened.

 

“I summon Dark Executioner (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/8 ATK/2500 DEF/2100) in attack mode.”

 

The two monsters launched their respective attacks towards each other, colliding in the middle of the arena causing a massive explosion to engulf the arena in a cloud of smoke.

 

The smoke cleared to find both monsters gone and the announcer in the middle of the arena, “Ladies and Gentleman both monsters were destroyed, therefore this match is a draw; the winners of the King of Duellists Tournament are Team Mutou!”

 

The crowd booed as Yuugi's friends ran to the arena, Anzu made to embrace him but stopped, stepping aside to allow Serenity to embrace her boyfriend. Yuugi looked over Serenity's arms to watch Amy embrace her partner sadly shaking it away to hug Serenity back lovingly.

 

Meanwhile as his team stood to one side watching, Seto Kaiba loomed over a kneeling James Carlstrom smirking, “You're full of shit, your blood lust wasn't nearly as strong as you led Yuugi to believe and Reshef's special ability would have given you victory quite easily, so one might wonder why you didn't…”

 

James rose unsteadily to his feet smiling looking from Yuugi back to Kaiba, “One might wonder that Seto Kaiba, but any conclusions as to my motives would be sheer speculation, wouldn't they?” James responded walking away.

 

Seto frowned turning away, “I suppose they would.”

 

Later that day as the sun set over the Shuba Region Yuugi, escaping Serenity's attempts to have more celebratory sex and Amy who wanted to mother him found himself outside watching the sun sink below the horizon. Yuugi smiled and without looking around spoke, “You haven't said anything to me since we were in the arena.”

 

Anzu jumped having been hiding near the entrance since Yuugi walked out, emerging sheepishly from the shadows Anzu could see a half hidden smile on his face, “Sorry, I didn't know if you wanted to be alone.”

 

Yuugi shook his head, “It were anyone but you I would, but you're ok.”

 

Anzu smiled, “Gee thanks, how are you?”

 

Yuugi half shrugged, “Sore, very sore, but I'll be ok eventually.”

 

Anzu nodded, “You have to promise me you won't do that to us again, I was terrified I'd… we'd lost you.”

 

Yuugi walked over to Anzu taking her hand in his, “You'll never lose me Anzu, despite everything that's happened, I still love you…”

 

Anzu was crying now placing her hands on Yuugi's shoulders, “No, I can't do it Yuugi, you have Serenity, I have Amy… I want to be with you so badly but we can't do it to them.”

 

Yuugi was about to respond but he felt a presence nearby, “Anzu, go back inside, I'll join you in a moment.”

 

Anzu blinked, “Yuugi what's…” Anzu began but seeing the look in Yuugi's eyes she fell silent and nodded, “I'll see you inside.”

 

Anzu re-entered the dome, as soon as he was alone he spoke, “We're alone, time to stop hiding in the shadows.”

 

From behind the trees James “Phoenix” Carlstrom emerged exhaling a puff of smoke, “How did you know?”

 

“The same way I knew Anzu was hiding, I could smell you, Anzu always wears the same sutble Apricot perfume I first bought Anzu for her birthday last year, now she only wears that brand. As for you, if you want to conceal yourself, don't smoke…” Yuugi scolded pulling the cigarette from James's lips crushing it under his heel, “What do you want anyway?”

 

James frowned staring at the smouldering ashes of his crushed cigarette before returning his gaze to Yuugi's eyes, “I want you to come with me, I have something you need to see.”

 

“Like I haven't heard that before…”

 

To Be Continued…