[3rd POV]
Inside the headmaster's office, Yuna greeted the man across from her with a warm smile.
"Thank you for coming today," she said.
"Anytime." Pegasus chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "If Miss Sano asks, how could I refuse?"
Yuna let out a small sigh, shaking her head. "I've told you, that's not my name anymore." Pegasus only smiled and shrugged, clearly enjoying himself.
"I do wish Kaiba-boy were here. Talking with him is quite amusing," Pegasus muttered with feigned regret.
Yuna giggled.
Despite having settled their differences, Seto still found his business partner's attitude deeply unsettling. Simply sharing a room with Pegasus was enough to give him a headache. Pegasus knew this well and found it far too entertaining to resist toying with the young man whenever the opportunity arose.
While such teasing usually only irritated Seto for a short while, there was one thing that never failed to set him off...
Suddenly, Pegasus felt a gentle tug at the corner of his trousers.
"Well, if it isn't my favourite little princess!" Pegasus exclaimed cheerfully as he scooped her up into the air. "Don't worry, I've already prepared the most extravagant gifts for you!"
Knowing this was bound to happen, Yuna could only smile in resignation, grateful that Seto wasn't here to witness it. In truth, Pegasus tended to spoil Miyuki at every opportunity. To the baby, he had long since become the cool uncle who appeared now and then, always bearing gifts and indulgent smiles.
Laughing, Pegasus finally set Miyuki down. She quickly crawled back to Yuna's side, content once more.
"Sorry," Pegasus said with a grin as he straightened up. "I got a little distracted. Now then, what was the purpose of our meeting today?"
"Actually," Yuna replied, sliding a document across the desk, "I wanted you to take a look at this."
Pegasus's eyes scanned the page, and he let out a soft, appreciative exhale. "How delightful," he said, clearly impressed. "You wish to recreate Duelist Kingdom, just like the one I held all those years ago."
"Of course, the rules will be updated to match the modern Duel Monsters format," Yuna continued, "but everything else will remain the same. More importantly, it'll be a perfect outlet for students who are itching to duel."
"Indeed, that shouldn't be a problem," Pegasus replied easily. "The island hasn't seen much use anyway, and I've made sure it will be safe this time."
He laughed, and the two of them shared a knowing look as memories of the island's first tournament came rushing back.
"I'll trust you on that," Yuna said with a relieved sigh. "Naturally, we'll compensate you for borrowing the island."
"Ha ha ha, of course," Pegasus replied. "I take it Kaiba-boy isn't fond of owing me any favours?"
Yuna answered with a knowing smile.
"Thank you," she said sincerely.
Pegasus gave a casual wave, and after exchanging a few more words, he eventually departed to attend to his personal affairs.
Left alone in the office, Yuna let out a quiet sigh and turned her gaze toward the academy grounds below, sunlight stretching across the campus.
Unlike the standard Duel Academy uniforms, several students now stood out, dressed entirely in white. Sartorius's influence had already begun to spread at an alarming rate, quietly persuading students to join the Society of Light, an organisation he had created to further his own designs.
Yuna was painfully aware that her students were being corrupted. Still, at Seto's insistence, she had not acted. Any premature move risked alerting Sartorius, driving him into hiding or worse, allowing him to escape beyond their reach.
That was precisely why Duelist Kingdom presented the perfect opportunity. Isolated from the outside world, Sartorius would be cut off from external support, leaving him with nowhere to retreat when the time came to act.
"Maybe… the second year will be quieter than I expected," Yuna murmured to herself, returning her attention to the work before her.
A week later
Yuna's announcement of a recreated Duelist Kingdom sent the academy into an uproar. Excitement spread rapidly among the students; no one even considered refusing. It was an opportunity too rare to pass up.
By the time they arrived at Duelist Kingdom, the professors had already taken their positions within the central castle. From there, they observed as students dispersed across the island, duels breaking out one after another beneath the open sky.
Much like the original Duelist Kingdom, the tournament was planned to span two days, requiring the students to camp on the island. Fortunately, the island had no predators, making it far safer than any typical campsite.
Inside the main castle, Yuna slowly turned around as Pegasus appeared behind her.
"Is everything ready?" She asked.
Pegasus nodded in response.
Following him, Yuna was led into a vast, empty hall. She waited in silence for several minutes before the doors on the opposite side slowly opened. Sartorius entered, flanked by Pegasus's employees.
The moment his gaze fell upon her, his expression hardened. Pegasus and his staff withdrew at once, and the doors behind them slid shut, sealing the chamber completely.
"Good afternoon, Sartorius," Yuna said calmly, keeping the anger from her voice. "You're certainly more audacious than the last time we met."
"Indeed, and as you can see, I am quite different from the man you once knew," Sartorius said, a smirk curling across his face.
A pale, whitish light began to emanate from his body, washing over the hall. His skin blanched as dark veins surfaced beneath it, and his pupils burned with a sinister yellow glow.
Unfazed by the display, Yuna folded her arms. "This could have been resolved far more diplomatically," she said coolly. "But you've crossed the line."
Her expression darkened, and a palpable tension settled over the room. "You harmed my students," Yuna said evenly. "And that is something I will not tolerate."
"Your students?" Sartorius scoffed. "They have already fallen under my control. It will not be long before your school follows."
To his irritation, Yuna's sneer never faltered. With a faint smile, Yuna calmly reached into her chest pocket and produced a radio.
"Eliminators," she said evenly, "report."
A brief pause followed.
"Task completed," a familiar voice replied. "I must admit, I'm disappointed. I had hoped the students of our academy would show stronger resolve."
"I'm finished as well, Yuna-san," another voice chimed in. "Being an Eliminator was… unexpectedly enjoyable."
"Yo," a third voice added lightly. "Everything's clear on my end. Smooth operation all around."
"Thanks, everyone. Just a few more to go." Yuna nodded to herself, then turned her gaze back to Sartorius.
"All corrupted students are being dealt with as we speak," she said calmly. "Before long, every one of your allies will be removed."
Sartorius let out a sharp laugh. "Do you truly believe that will stop me? My influence has already spread far beyond this academy!"
"Of course," Yuna agreed smoothly. "But with your sister's assistance, KaibaCorp is already in the process of seizing all of your assets and companies."
"Do you understand now?" she continued coolly. "You have nowhere left to run."
Sartorius snarled, displeasure flashing across his face. His fists clenched as he glared at her with barely restrained, murderous intent. Then, just as quickly, the tension drained from him. He straightened and smiled.
"Since our last encounter, I never imagined I would be cornered like this," Sartorius said quietly. "But…"
His eyes glinted with malice. "As long as I draw breath, I can rebuild everything that was taken from me."
"Which is precisely why this ends here," Yuna replied, her voice steady and resolute. "Consider this my final warning. Surrender now."
An oppressive presence suddenly flooded the room. Yuna's gaze shifted, and the air itself seemed to press down on Sartorius. Sweat beaded along his face as he struggled to remain standing.
"Such… spiritual energy," he muttered, a note of awe creeping into his voice.
Sartorius's pupils quivered with exhilaration as the darkness within him began to stir. The white light surrounding his body swelled outward until two yellow, inhuman eyes slowly formed within its glow.
"So you've finally revealed your true self," Yuna said, her voice steady as she addressed the presence looming above him.
"The Light of Destruction."
The Light of Destruction was the true antagonist of the second era, an existence shrouded in obscurity. Little was known of its origins, only that it had endured for an immeasurable length of time.
Unlike Zorc Necrophades, a force of raw devastation akin to a walking natural disaster, the Light of Destruction was far more insidious. It behaved like a parasitic tumour, slipping quietly through civilisation, selecting hosts that caught its interest.
Through manipulation and possession, it worked patiently toward its singular end goal: the annihilation of the world.
Unfortunately, the only proven way to destroy the Light of Destruction required the involvement of Jaden Yuki. That, however, did not mean Yuna was powerless.
As her spiritual energy surged, the Light of Destruction shuddered in exhilaration. Its gaze fixed upon her with unmistakable greed. If it could claim her, she would become its strongest host yet.
Overcome with anticipation, the entity drove a single, frantic command into Sartorius's mind. The message struck like an arrow, piercing straight into his consciousness.
'WIN…'
That single word sent a tremor through Sartorius's body. Slowly, a smile spread across his face as the last traces of reason were swallowed by darkness. He straightened, regaining his footing, and the Duel Disk on his arm snapped into place with a sharp click.
"I see…" Yuna murmured, a note of both exasperation and quiet sorrow in her voice.
"I made a promise to your sister to save you," she continued calmly. "So stand still, and I'll simply beat the dark spirit out of you."
At that, Sartorius snarled.
"Damn it… Why can't I ever fight a normal villain?" Yuna muttered under her breath. With a tired exhale, she shrugged off her coat and let it fall to the floor.
"Alright," she said quietly, eyes hardening. "Let's get this over with."
Twenty Minutes Later...
'Terrifying...' That was the word that came to mind when Sartorius stared at his opponent.
BOOOOOM
The explosion thundered through the castle as a massive blue fist slammed into Sartorius's monster, hurling it across the hall. Smoke and debris billowed outward, the shockwave rattling stone and steel alike.
As the dust began to settle, claws slowly retracted from the haze. Sartorius's gaze locked onto the towering, demonic beast that now stood before him.
Raviel, Lord of Phantasms…
One of the three Sacred Beasts, demonic entities created in imitation of the Egyptian Gods themselves. Sartorius had heard of Kagemaru's desperate bid to obtain their power and how even he had ultimately failed to control them.
Yet this woman…
For the first time, the Light of Destruction fell silent, regarding Yuna with unmistakable wariness.
With a single, effortless gesture from Yuna's hand, Raviel fell silent, as though the earlier violence had been nothing more than an unruly pet's momentary outburst.
At its side, two more nightmarish beings stood in perfect stillness. One was a crimson, winged serpent coiled with searing heat; the other, a skeletal dragon wreathed in crackling lightning. Each radiated the same suffocating presence.
Uria, Lord of Searing Flames…
Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder…
"Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder, destroy Arcana Force XXI – The Sun!" Yuna ordered calmly.
The demon lunged forward, electricity crackling along its massive frame.
"I discard Arcana Force XIV – Temperance from my hand!" Sartorius shouted, his voice edged with panic. "By doing so, I take no damage from this battle!"
Hamon bellowed as lightning surged from its limbs. Its tail swept through the air and struck the Sun dead centre, and the monster erupted in a blinding explosion, vanishing without a trace.
Expecting the attack to end there, Sartorius's eyes widened as the tail continued its arc toward him. He barely had time to grunt in shock before the impact sent him flying into the wall.
"Kugh…."
He groaned as he struggled to stand, the sharp, lingering pain leaving his thoughts hazy.
[Sartorius: 1300 LP -> 300 lP]
"When Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder, destroys a monster through battle, you will take one thousand damage no matter what," Yuna explained calmly. The Sacred Beast let out a low growl behind her, as if quietly savouring Sartorius's misfortune.
"Finally, Uria, Lord of Searing Flames! Destroy the Seventeenth Arcana, The Moon!"
Gathering flames within its jaws, Uria unleashed a deafening roar and fired a blazing beam across the field.
[Sartorius: 300 LP -> 100 LP]
Sartorius gasped, his body battered and trembling, worn down by the relentless toll of the Shadow Game.
"Give up, Sartorius," Yuna said, a trace of concern breaking through her composure. "It's over."
Struggling to rise, he let out a low, furious growl as the Light of Destruction within him writhed in open displeasure.
How weak… Pathetic…
The spirit's contempt cut like a blade, carving deep into his already-fractured resolve.
"Brother!"
The doors behind Yuna burst open as Sarina rushed into the hall, her face tight with panic. She took a step toward him, only to be stopped short as Yuna extended an arm in front of her.
"Stop," Yuna warned quietly. "It's dangerous."
"But my brother…" Sarina bit her lip, glaring at Yuna in frustration.
As the two spoke, a low, unsettling laugh drifted through the hall. Yuna frowned, her attention snapping back to Sartorius as he slowly forced himself upright.
Behind him, the Light of Destruction flared violently, its presence pressing down on the room. A sudden, dreadful premonition tightened in Yuna's chest.
You've failed, a voice whispered inside Sartorius's mind. His fingers trembled as he clenched them into fists.
But there is still a way, the voice continued, burrowing deeper. That card… Use it. Even if your body shatters, it means nothing, as long as you drag her down with you.
"It's my turn…" Sartorius rasped, his breath ragged.
His face twisted into something grotesque. Sarina hiccupped in shock as his hair lifted wildly, as though seized by an unseen force, and his teeth lengthened, sharpening into something no longer human.
"I activate Monster Reborn and summon the Fifth Arcana Force monster, The Hierophant, from my Graveyard!"
[Arcana Force V – The Hierophant: 1500 ATK]
"When The Hierophant is summoned, I can flip a coin!" Sartorius declared that a massive coin materialised above the field. It spun wildly through the air before crashing down, the image of Blue-Eyes White Dragon gleaming upward.
"Since it landed on heads, I can Special Summon another Arcana Force monster from my deck!"
He lifted his arm sharply. "I summon, Arcana Force XV, The Fiend!"
[Arcana Force XV – The Fiend: 2500 ATK]
"Then, using the Hierophant, the Fiend, and the Moon Token left behind by the Moon, I will Tribute Summon, using all three as sacrifices!" Sartorius shouted.
"I will bring forth true evil! Even if I die here, I will drag you down with me! I call upon one of the gods of the underworld!"
"Arise, The Wicked Eraser!"
For the first time in the duel, Yuna was left speechless.
Sartorius screamed as searing pain tore through his body. This was nothing like the summoning of an Egyptian God; his sacrificed monsters shrieked in agony as their forms warped and melted, collapsing into a churning mass of darkness.
From within that blackened pool, something began to rise.
Its pupils flickered as it unfurled vast wings, and when it let out a roar, the sound was so violent it shattered every window in the castle.
[The Wicked Eraser:? ATK]
"When The Wicked Eraser is summoned, it gains attack equal to the number of cards currently on the field multiplied by one thousand!" Sartorius declared.
He cast a quick glance across the field, his grin widening as the Wicked God's power surged violently upward.
[The Wicked Eraser:? -> 9000 ATK]
"A Wicked God…"
Sarina glanced to the side, startled by the colour draining from Yuna's face. No matter how many scenarios she had accounted for, this was something she had never anticipated.
Yuna inhaled sharply, forcing herself out of her daze. The moment passed, and her expression hardened, years of experience replacing all traces of composure.
"Wicked Eraser! Destroy that pathetic demon!" Sartorius roared, pointing straight at Uria, Lord of Searing Flames.
"Damn it!" Yuna clicked her tongue. "I activate my set card, Super Polymerisation! Using my three Sacred Beasts as materials, I summon Phantasm Emperor Trilojig!"
[Phantasm Emperor Trilojig: 4000 ATK]
"Because I used three of my monster cards, your Wicked Eraser will lose exactly three thousand attack points!"
[The Wicked Eraser: 9000 ATK -> 6000 ATK]
"It doesn't matter!!" Sartorius roared in fury as the Wicked God twisted its gaze, redirecting its murderous intent toward the newly summoned fusion monster.
BOOOOOOM
As the two titans collided, Yuna grunted, forcing herself to endure the backlash. Pain rippled through her body.
[Yuna Kaiba: 4000 LP -> 2000 LP]
"It's meaningless!" Sartorius cackled. "The Wicked Gods are beyond defeat! Struggle all you want, your end is already decided!"
"Then it's fortunate I intend to end this turn," Yuna muttered coldly. "I will activate the true power of the Sacred Beasts."
"I activate my spell, Dimension Fusion Destruction, and banish the three Sacred Beasts from my Graveyard!"
The ground split apart as the three beasts erupted upward, their roars tearing through the air as they howled toward the sky. Their massive forms began to dissolve, flesh and flame collapsing into pure black mass.
The darkness twisted, compressed and merged, forming a single, colossal being where the three once stood.
When the darkness finally receded, a single towering figure remained. It was as though the three demons had been crushed together and reforged into a grotesque entity bearing the unmistakable traits of all three Sacred Beasts.
[Armityle, the Chaos Phantom: 0 ATK]
The air around the fused monstrosity warped, pressure crashing outward as if the world itself were recoiling. Even standing at a distance, Sarina felt her breath catch, her instincts screaming danger.
[The Wicked Eraser: 6000 -> 7000 ATK]
The Wicked God swelled with malignant force, its presence thickening as the Light of Destruction urged it onward. Cracks spider-webbed across the stone floor beneath its weight.
Yuna raised her hand slowly, her voice calm, almost detached. "During my turn, Armityle, the Chaos Phantom gains ten thousand attack points."
The darkness coiled violently around Armityle's form, its silhouette expanding as power surged into it without restraint.
[Armityle, the Chaos Phantom: 0 -> 10,000 ATK]
"Now, Armityle, finish this! Destroy the evil god!"
The combined Sacred Beast answered with a deafening roar as it raised its left arm. Along its limb, Uria's jaws split wide, snapping open as a catastrophic beam erupted forth—flames, thunder, and pure darkness fused into a single annihilating force.
BOOOOOOM
[Sartorius: 100 LP -> 0 LP]
Panting, Yuna stared into the thick black smoke that still hung in the air. As it slowly thinned, she caught sight of Sartorius, standing unsteadily for a brief moment before his legs finally gave out and he collapsed to the floor.
Without warning, a streak of white mist burst from his body, hurtling toward her like a fired bullet.
Yuna reacted instantly. Pulling Sarina into her arms, she summoned her spirit in a flash of golden light. A pair of massive, draconic wings unfurled before them, intercepting the mist and stopping it cold.
Screeching in fury, the Light of Destruction shot upward in a desperate attempt to escape. Before it could flee, Blue Eyes White Dragon descended from above and unleashed a searing beam, striking the fleeing spirit head-on.
A sharp, shrill squeal pierced the air, like a kettle left to boil dry. Yuna frowned as the sound echoed through the hall. To ensure it ended here, she fully summoned Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. The dragon surged upward, releasing a brilliant blast that struck the fleeing spirit from below.
The Light of Destruction hissed violently as its form began to collapse, shrinking under the overwhelming force. It cast one final, venomous glare toward Yuna before its body scattered into nothingness.
As the final remnants dissolved, light slowly returned to the room.
Yuna took a steadying breath before gently releasing Sarina. She stooped to retrieve the walkie-talkie from the floor.
"Yuna! Are you there?!" Seto's tense voice crackled through the device. "What was that explosion just now?!"
"It's nothing... Situation has been handled," Yuna replied, her gaze lingering on Sartorius's unconscious body.
A brief silence followed.
Her eyes shifted to the castle floor, where the Wicked God card lay motionless on the ground...
"But we have a new problem," she added quietly, "It has become more difficult than we anticipated..."
----------------------------
I decide to skip a large part of the duel since I was still a bit troubled in writing them again.