A/N: Sup guys, IWAEHypeMan here and I want to get this out of my chest and put this out. That way, I can focus on my other fic. I made another chapter along with this one so....yeah....
A heavy silence loomed within the marble pillars of the Academia throne room. The chandeliers above flickered with an almost ceremonial glow, casting long shadows across the vast chamber. Leo was sitting on his throne with a slightly displeased face.
He leaned on the armrest with one hand, fingers lightly tapping a rhythmic beat. His eyes, cold and calculating, observed the five duelists kneeling before him—his elite squad, handpicked for precision and loyalty.
"We failed to secure them," said the squad's leader, a tall man with jet-black hair and a silver mask covering the right half of his face. His voice, though calm, trembled beneath the weight of failure. "Ruri and Rin were extracted before our strike team arrived. We suspect the intruder had prior intelligence."
Akaba Leo didn't flinch.
The leader bowed deeper. "We believe the operation was compromised from the beginning. The intruder's skill, combined with his unfamiliarity in our records, suggests an outside factor... one beyond our dimensional data net."
A long pause followed. The throne room held its breath.
Finally, Leo spoke. "I see. A disappointment, but not an irreversible one." He stood slowly, the folds of his long academic robes falling into place with regal precision. "This will be the last time I allow such a lapse without consequence. I trust you understand?"
The squad answered in unison, "Yes, Professor."
With a wave of Leo's hand, they stood and departed, boots echoing across the stone floor until the massive doors shut behind them.
From the side corridor, a man in a lab coat approached. Thin-framed glasses perched on his nose and a tablet clutched in his hands, Dr. Yanagi—head of Academia's Research Division—bowed respectfully.
"Professor" Yanagi began. "There's something you need to see."
Leo turned slightly. "Go on."
Yanagi tapped the tablet. A holographic projection emerged—Ryuki, in the middle of his duel against Yuri. The flames of Dragonic Overlord – The Ace flared across the screen, roaring as it unleashed its finishing blow.
"We analyzed the Duel Energy output from the battle," Yanagi continued. "At its peak... it reached a threshold five times higher than any standard Duel Energy signature in this dimension—including Yuri's."
Leo narrowed his eyes. "Five times?"
"Precisely. We triple-checked. Not even Obelisk Force elites have ever produced readings like these. Not even Serena-sama or Barett-sama when they're at their best. It's beyond natural-born resonance... It's something else."
Leo's expression was unreadable, but Yanagi sensed the growing tension behind those calculating eyes.
"Do we have anything on him?" Leo asked.
Yanagi shook his head. "Nothing. Not in our global records, nor in the archives of the other three dimensions. He's a complete unknown."
A cold breath escaped Leo's nose.
"And Yuri? What's his situation"
"Injured," Yanagi reported. "Severe depletion of Duel Energy reserves. His psyche showed signs of decoupling from the previous duel, which is... concerning. He's stable, but unconscious. Our projection estimates a recovery time of at least a month."
Leo turned his back to the scientist, walking toward the massive window that overlooked the training fields below. The glass reflected his stern features against the landscape of fire-forged steel and brutalist towers. Soldiers trained below, unaware of the man's troubled thoughts.
The scientist hesitated before asking, "Should we pursue the girls? If they cross to another dimension—"
Leo raised a hand, silencing him.
"If they head for the Standard Dimension, let them. It is, after all, our next target. Whether they run or hide, they cannot change the course of fate."
Yanagi frowned. "Even so, they could—"
"Infiltrating Standard will take time," Leo said. "It's been nearly 3 years since the operation began. Our agents are already embedded. Once I picked who'll go to Standard, then we make our move. But for now, we wait."
With a bow, Yanagi turned. "Understood. I will keep you updated on Yuri's condition."
As the doors shut behind him, silence reclaimed the throne room once more.
Leo remained at the window for several moments before stepping away. From within his inner coat, he retrieved a small item—a photograph. Its edges were worn, its colors faded with age. In it, a smiling young girl stood beneath a cherry tree, the sunlight captured in her eyes.
"Ray..."
He held the photo close to his chest, as if afraid the air might steal it from him.
His mind drifted back—brief flashes from the earlier duel on the security recordings. A presence, almost invisible, yet unmistakably real.
As Ryuki fought, there was a moment when the projection shimmered—only briefly—but Leo had seen it clearly. A faint outline. A hand, translucent and gentle, overlaying Ryuki's as he played his cards.
"Was that you...?"
He tightened his grip on the photo, a storm stirring in his chest.
"Did you bring him here to stop Zarc once and for all? Or is this your way... of defying me?"
He closed his eyes. The room grew darker, as if the weight of his thoughts dimmed even the chandeliers above.
The Flame Monarch... the cards Ryuki used... the overwhelming duel energy...
They weren't coincidences. They were signs.
"Whatever your reasons, Ray..." Leo murmured. "I'll find out. And if this man stands between me and the restoration of our world... I will crush him."
Outside the throne room, the sun set behind the smoggy towers of Academia. But within, a colder light had begun to burn.
A father's ambition.
A daughter's rebellion.
And a fire that refused to be extinguished.
-----
Far from the steel towers and oppressive skies of Academia, the land changed. The further they traveled, the more the roads gave way to untamed fields, vibrant trees, and skies not tainted by ambition. With Asuka Tenjoin leading the way, Ryuki, Ruri, and Rin moved silently through the outskirts of the Fusion Dimension's mainland.
It had been hours since their escape. Though they'd taken great care to cover their tracks, tension still lingered in the air.
Ryuki walked near the back, one hand tucked in his coat pocket and the other resting on the hilt of his deck case.
He glanced around, then spoke. "This place... doesn't look like a battlefield."
Ruri looked around as she was observing the civilians actions. "It's like they're used to it."
"That's because it isn't," Asuka replied without looking back. "Not here. The civilians living on the outskirts know what's happening in Academia... but they've chosen to remain neutral."
"Neutral?" Rin echoed. "Even after everything that is happening right now?"
Asuka nodded. "They provide Academia with basic necessities—food, medicine, tools—but that's it. No troops. No weapons. They stay out of it. It's... their way of surviving."
Ryuki's eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't blame them—fear made people do all sorts of things. But it didn't sit right with him either. "Well, if that's the only way they can survive, then I don't blame them."
After what felt like another hour of walking through scattered rural streets and dense foliage, a structure finally came into view.
It was... quaint.
A two-story building stood nestled between gently sloping hills. The sign hanging above its entrance swayed in the breeze, painted in cheerful colors:
"You Show Duel School"
The moment they reached the gate, Ruri stopped. Her eyes widened, and for a moment, Ryuki could feel her breath hitch.
"This place..." she murmured, voice trembling. "It's... just like home. Back in Heartland"
Ryuki turned to look at her.
"You've been in this kind of place before?" he asked.
"Not exactly," she said, shaking her head. "But I've seen something like it in my dreams. Smiling kids, bright classrooms... duels filled with joy, not hatred."
The front doors opened with a soft chime. Inside, the air was warm with laughter and conversation. Children dueled in makeshift arenas, their holographic monsters clashing with exaggerated flair. Unlike Academia's cold, militarized environment, there was energy here—lively, chaotic, and undeniably human.
Rin exhaled slowly. "It's... beautiful."
They were approached by a man in a red vest and long black coat. A calm, welcoming smile adorned his face beneath a well-trimmed beard.
"Welcome," he said. "I'm glad you made it."
The moment Ruri saw him, she gasped. "S-Sensei!"
She rushed forward and embraced him tightly.
"Ruri," the man said warmly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's good to see you safe."
Ryuki raised an eyebrow.
"That's Sakaki Yusho" Asuka explained. "The founder of You Show Duel School... and he's been helping us in fighting against Academia for the past few months now."
Yusho looked up at Ryuki and Rin. "Let's talk in my office. I'm sure you have questions."
The office was modest but organized—shelves filled with books, a desk scattered with papers, and duel disks of various eras displayed like artifacts. Yusho sat behind the desk while the others took seats or leaned against the wall.
"Let me explain," Yusho began. "I wasn't born here. I come from the Standard Dimension."
Ryuki's eyes narrowed, and Rin blinked. "So you're from another world too?"
Yusho nodded. "Nearly 3 years ago, I was suppose to head here in the Fusion Dimension with a help of a friend to stop Leo. But instead, I was pulled into the Xyz Dimension by accident. While I was there, I saw the people of the Xyz Dimension enjoying dueling. But not the way that I envisioned. So I stayed for a while. I taught people the real meaning of Dueling—the joy of it."
Ruri smiled faintly. "You always did say that dueling was about smiling."
Yusho looked pained as he continued. "When Academia invaded the Xyz Dimension, I fought back. I helped form the Resistance. We tried everything... but Leo's forces were overwhelming. I was injured during one of the final raids. And before I knew it, I was brought to this dimension."
He pulled back his coat, revealing a wrapped leg beneath his long tunic. A brace supported his knee, metallic and cold.
"I can still duel," he said. "But not like before."
There was a silence, filled only by the quiet hum of the duel arenas outside.
"I had no idea," Ruri whispered.
Yusho smiled. "You don't need to carry my burden. What matters is that you're safe. And you're here."
Ryuki folded his arms. "So... what's your mission now?"
Yusho turned serious. "Some of Academia's students—brilliant ones—rebelled. They couldn't accept what Leo was doing. We've gathered as many as we could. We're trying to stall Academia's progress in any way possible."
"Are you waiting for someone?" Ryuki asked.
Yusho smiled but shook his head. "That answer will have to wait. There are some truths better revealed at the right time."
Ryuki accepted the answer without pressing further. Then, he stood.
"I think it's fair I share something as well. Since Yusho-san told his, I'll tell you all mine. But it depends if you believe it or not."
Everyone turned to him.
"I'm not from this world either. Or any of the Four Dimensions."
Rin blinked. "Wait, what?"
"I come from a different reality. A place where Duel Monsters... doesn't exist."
The room went still.
"I was a cardfighter," he continued. "A world-class fighter. My game—Cardfight!! Vanguard—was what defined my life. I had no idea what Duel Monsters even was until I met someone who taught me everything."
Ruri's eyes were wide, stunned by the revelation. Rin stared at him in disbelief.
"You... really aren't from here," Rin whispered. "That's... insane."
Ryuki smirked. "Yeah. Took me a while to believe it too."
"But then how did you duel like that?" Yusho asked.
"Ray," Ryuki said simply. "She brought me here. Told me what I needed to do. And then... my Vanguard deck transformed. It became this Duel Monsters deck—similar in spirit, if not in mechanics. And as for my cardfighting skills, if I remember, I'm currently rank 5 in the World Rankings."
Ruri and Rin exchanged looks. Their views of Ryuki had already shifted after his duel with Yuri, but now...
Now it was awe.
Ryuki then began to recount everything: Ray's warning, the mission to stop Leo and save Zarc, and the need to reunite the dimensions before irreversible destruction occurred.
By the time he finished, Rin was trembling. Ruri sat down, knees shaking. "No....tell me that this is a joke...."
"This is too much," Rin said, her voice cracking. "We were just... prisoners. And now you're telling us we're part of something this big?"
Yusho slammed his hand on the desk, teeth clenched. "Leo... What have you done? To think that Yuya is a part of something this big..."
Asuka's fists tightened at her sides.
"So everyone at Academia is just... soldiers now?" she whispered. "The friends I used to know... turned into emotionless weapons?"
Ryuki looked at each of them in turn. "Not all of them. But they're basically fighting for Academia against their will and they have no say. And I'm not asking you to fight my battle. But I'll see this through, no matter what."
Yusho stood slowly. "You won't be doing it alone. I promise you—this school, our people... we'll help you however we can."
Asuka crossed her arms. "We have a way to get you to the Standard Dimension. It's not active yet, but in a week, we'll be able to open a gate."
Ryuki nodded. "That gives us time to prepare."
Yusho smiled. "Then you'll stay here. All of you. The School isn't just a training hall—it's a dormitory too. You'll have rooms."
Asuka led the trio down a quiet hallway. She stopped before a wooden door and opened it, revealing a spacious room with three beds, a shared dresser, and a view overlooking a small garden courtyard.
"This is the only room big enough to accommodate more than one person," she said. "Sorry for the inconvenience."
Ryuki looked between the two girls. "Are you both okay with this?"
Ruri and Rin exchanged glances, then turned away, flustered.
"We... trust you," Ruri said softly. "Just don't do anything weird."
Ryuki raised a hand. "You have my word."
Asuka chuckled. "You'll be fine. Get some rest. You've earned it."
As the door closed behind her, silence settled over the room.
Rin sat on the edge of her bed, still deep in thought.
Ruri lay back and stared at the ceiling. "From a different world, huh?"
Ryuki sat down, his voice calm. "One where fire never stops burning."
Rin chuckled. "Sounds familiar."
They all smiled, weary but no longer alone.
And in the quiet corners of the hideout, the flame that refused to die began to burn brighter.
-----
The days passed quietly after Ryuki, Rin, and Ruri settled into the You Show Duel School. They got along with the students there along with Asuka and Yusho. And amidst the calm, the three began to share stories of their lives—finally beginning to understand one another as more than comrades, but as people. And their bond has gotten close in a fast rate.
Ruri spoke first, her voice soft with nostalgia. She talked about her peaceful days in the Xyz Dimension, where she was considered one of the top duelists at her school. She spoke fondly of her friends, her passion for dueling, and most warmly, of her older brother—someone she admired deeply.
Rin followed, her words contrasting sharply with Ruri's. Her story painted a grim picture of the Synchro Dimension. She spoke of the divide between Topsiders and Commons, where the privileged lived in luxury and the rest fought for scraps. "Security would arrest Commons for no reason," she said bitterly. "I've seen people taken from the streets, never to be heard from again." Despite the pain in her voice, she ended on a firm note. "That's why I duel. I want to be number one—so I can change the system. So Commons can live with dignity."
Both Ruri and Ryuki were visibly moved. "Don't worry, Rin. We're here for you," Ruri said, clasping Rin's hand. "We'll help make that dream real. You have our word." Ryuki nodded silently, but the conviction in his eyes was unmistakable.
Then it was Ryuki's turn.
He spoke quietly at first, revealing how he came from another world—one where Duel Monsters didn't exist. Instead, he had been a Cardfighter. He shared his story of perseverance: how he rose from obscurity to become one of the strongest fighters in his reality, and how, at just 16, he earned the prestigious title of Clan Master of the Kagero Clan. "I'm 18 now," he added casually.
The girls blinked in surprise. "You're older than us?" Rin asked. "We're only 15!"
Despite the age gap, the three laughed, a rare lightness breaking through the tension of their new reality.
But the levity didn't last.
"Ryuki, I challenge you to a duel," Rin suddenly declared, her fiery spirit reigniting. Ryuki nodded. "Then let's go. Remember, I'm not holding back against you."
Rin showed a grin as she pulled out her deck—but her smile vanished. Her cards... were blank.
"What... what is this?" she muttered. Panic set in. She fanned through the cards again. Still blank.
"No. No, no, no!" she cried out.
Ruri checked hers. The same. Blank. Every card. The girls were crushed.
"Ryuki... do you know what's happening?" Rin asked, her voice trembling.
But Ryuki could only shake his head. Their decks—everything they had trained and fought with—were gone. Not physically, but spiritually. Hollow. Voiceless.
Just as despair threatened to overwhelm them, a knock came at the door.
A student stepped in, carrying a large silver briefcase. "This just arrived. For Ryuki. And umm...am I interrupting something?"
Perplexed, Ryuki accepted the case. "No need to pry on this, both of them are just a bit down. Now move along now." He took the case inside and on top of the case was a folded note.
He unfolded it and recognized the elegant, precise handwriting. It was from Ray.
Ryuki,
I know what happened to Rin and Ruri. Their decks have gone silent. During their abduction by Yuri, the trauma severed their bonds with Wind Witch and Lyrical Luscinia. Without their duel spirits, the decks could no longer sustain themselves.
And because of that... Zarc's fragments awakened. Dark Rebellion and Clear Wing went on a rampage.
Their counterparts tried to stop them—but were overpowered.
...They're gone.
So I reached out to the one force I knew would understand.
The clans of Planet Cray heard my call. Harmonics Messiah helped lend her assistance.
A gift. A lifeline.
Let them choose... and perhaps... be chosen in return.
Hopefully this helps.
—Ray
With a quiet breath, Ryuki opened the case.
Inside were 24 decks, each neatly labeled and bearing the sigils of Cray's clans—Royal Paladin, Shadow Paladin, Kagero, Narukami, Aqua Force, and more. The colors shimmered with energy, like a chorus of spirits waiting to be heard.
Ruri and Rin looked at the case, mesmerized.
Ruri asked softly, "What... is this?"
Ryuki met their eyes. "A second chance. A gift... from my world. I know that this won't replace your deck that easily, but at the very least...you can have a back-up for now."
Despite their hesitation, Rin stepped forward. "I'll try," she whispered, reaching for the Royal Paladin deck, as it was responding to her.
Ruri followed, drawn to the Aqua Force deck like it was calling to her.
But the moment their fingers touched the cards—
Their bodies froze.
Their eyes dulled, like flickering lights losing power.
"Ruri? Rin?" Ryuki called out, panic rising in his voice. "Hey!"
No response.
Ryuki activated his PSYqualia and touched both of their shoulders. And he was shocked on what he saw. He let go of the girls and turned his PSYqualia off. "To think that they would offer their help...let's hope they get something there."
The girls stood there, motionless. Expressionless. As if...
As if something else had taken hold.
And then—quietly—energy began to swirl around them.
-----
The world around Rin was silence—then blinding light.
Her eyes fluttered open.
She stood in a vast, radiant courtyard of marble and white stone, surrounded by towering arches and banners embroidered with shining swords and golden lions. The air shimmered with divine energy.
"This place..." she whispered. "Where am I?"
A regal voice echoed through the chamber.
"You stand in the White Monastery," it proclaimed. "The sacred home of the Royal Paladins, and the capital of the United Sanctuary."
Rin turned and beheld a man clad in shining armor, a sword at his side, his presence commanding and noble. Behind him stood ranks of knights and mages, their armor gleaming like starlight.
"I am Alfred," the man declared, "King of Knights... and ruler of the Royal Paladin Clan."
Rin took a hesitant step forward. "Why am I here?" she asked, her voice cracking with anxiety.
Alfred's expression turned solemn. "Because we hold the answers you seek."
At that, one of his retainers stepped forward. Rin gasped.
"Winter Bell...?"
Blaster Blade gently held the fragile form of Wind Witch – Winter Bell in his arms. The spirit that once danced with elegance now lay broken—her clothes torn, body scorched, and one of her eyes... gone.
Rin's heart shattered.
"No... What happened to her?!"
Winter Bell stirred weakly, her voice barely a whisper. "Rin... it's okay..."
"Winter Bell, what happened to you?! Who did this!?"
A bitter pause.
"...Clear Wing Synchro Dragon."
Rin froze.
"That's... Yugo's dragon."
Winter Bell nodded. "When you were taken by Yuri, Darkness took over Yugo. Clear Wing lost control... We tried to stop him, Rin. All of us... the Wind Witches... we tried to calm him down."
Tears welled up in Rin's eyes as Winter Bell continued, "But he... he killed them. Every last one of them. I was the only one left. I would've died too, if not for... Messiah."
Alfred stepped forward. "Messiah brought Winter Bell here, to the United Sanctuary. A final act of grace. And it is not Yugo's fault, it's the darkness inside him was the reason. Without you anchoring his darkness, it overtook him without him noticing."
Rin fell to her knees. Her body trembled as her hands gripped her sides.
"My deck... my friends... all gone... because of Yugo..."
Her cries echoed through the marble halls like shattered glass.
The Royal Paladins stood in silence, lowering their heads in mourning.
Minutes passed.
Then, through tears, Rin whispered, "What... what will happen to Winter Bell?"
Alfred knelt beside her, voice gentle. "She can no longer fight by your side. Her spirit is too fractured... her bond, too wounded. She will remain here, under our protection."
Rin closed her eyes.
Another part of her... lost.
"But you are not alone," Alfred said firmly. "The Royal Paladin Clan is willing to stand beside you. If you so choose, we will become your new strength."
Rin looked up in disbelief. "You would do that... for me?"
"Yes. And to show it to you, you may come in now." A new figure stepped forward, clad in silver and blue armor, the emblem of hope etched across his chest. His eyes radiated calm confidence.
"I am Blue Sky Knight, Altmile," he said, kneeling. "And I offer you my sword. I pledge myself—and my troops—to your cause, Kazehaya Rin. We are yours to command."
"I..." she stammered. "This is too much. I don't deserve this."
But Alfred smiled. "You do. Altmile chose to aid you. I had intended to send Blaster Blade. But Altmile volunteered."
Rin looked at the knight, his aura serene but unbreakable.
She breathed deeply.
Then nodded.
"Alright. I accept. I'll fight with you."
Altmile stood, placing a hand over his chest. "Then from this day on, we fight together."
Rin turned to Alfred one last time. "What now? I've never fought with your clan's style before..."
"Fear not," Alfred said. "Ryuki will teach you everything you need to know. In time, your bond with our world will flourish."
She gave a solemn bow. "Then... please take care of Winter Bell. She was my partner... and my friend."
As the light began to envelop her, Rin turned back one final time, watching the Royal Paladins salute her as a knight of their realm.
As Rin faded away, Alfred turned to Blaster Blade as he gave his orders. "Blaster Blade, contact the Angel Feathers. Tell them that I require their assistance. And take Winter Bell to the medical room so that our magicians can heal her in any way they can."
Blaster Blade bowed as he picked up Winter Bell in his arms. As Blaster Blade left the throne room, Alfred's general, Gancelot asked his king if it was wise to send Altmile to her.
"Are you sure about Altmile, my king? He is still rough around the edges." The general shared his opinion and the king nodded as he looked at the clear blue sky.
"I can tell that Altmile has grown a lot, all thanks to his avatar, Shion. But Altmile might be able to grow even further with Rin as his vanguard in her reality."
"I see. Then we have to fill in his shoes for the time being. I'll inform the rest of Altmile's departure." Gancelot left the throne room as he debriefs the other clansmen.
-----
Darkness.
Then... water.
Ruri's eyes snapped open—and panic surged through her chest.
She was submerged, deep underwater. Bubbles escaped her mouth in frantic bursts as she flailed, her limbs reacting on instinct. She tried to swim, to breathe—
But she could breathe.
Her heartbeat slowed.
Wait... this isn't right.
She was underwater—yet her body felt light, calm, natural. Her movements were unrestrained. She could swim as if she were flying. The pressure of the deep didn't crush her. The cold didn't bite her skin.
"This place..." she muttered, floating upward.
All around her, an underwater city spread like a dream. Towering coral spires, crystalline domes, and streets of bioluminescent stone stretched into the depths. It was something out of a fantasy movie.
"Where... am I?"
A voice cut through the current. "You're in our domain. The underwater country of Magallanica."
An entire battalion of sea-hardened warriors emerged from the streets below, riding creatures of tide and storm. Among them stood a lone figure in commanding blue armor with a flowing cape—his eyes sharp as the sea itself.
Thavas, commander of the Aqua Force, and Magallanica's leader.
Ruri tensed. Her eyes darted between the approaching troops.
"What is this?! Who are you people!?"
She prepared to defend herself.
But the warriors lowered their weapons.
Thavas raised a hand and offered a surprisingly calm smile. "We mean no harm, Ruri Kurosaki. You've been through much. Come—we have answers. Somewhere safer."
Still cautious, Ruri followed.
They swam through the shimmering halls of the Aqua Force's stronghold, the ocean bending and rippling around them with serene grace. But the silence weighed on her heart like a stone.
Thavas didn't speak until they reached the heart of the headquarters—a chamber glowing in soft blue light, where arcane devices hummed quietly.
He didn't waste time with pleasantries.
"This way," he said, leading her into the medical ward.
There, floating in a stasis tank connected to countless wires and pulsing orbs of light... was Lyrical Luscinia – Assembly Nightingale.
Her feathers were torn. Her wings were broken. A massive wound pierced through her abdomen—like a spear had gone clean through her. Tubes snaked across her body as a medical team of merfolk and healers surrounded her.
Ruri's heart stopped.
"No... Nightingale..."
Her knees buckled, and she pressed her hand to the glass.
"What... what happened to her?! Who... who did this!?"
Thavas looked away for a moment.
"Before I answer that," he said gravely, "are you prepared to hear the truth?"
Ruri's voice trembled. "Tell me."
Thavas sighed, his voice like waves breaking on stone. "It was Dark Rebellion."
Ruri's eyes widened. "What...? No. That's—That's Yuto's dragon!"
Thavas nodded solemnly. "It was."
He stepped closer.
"After your abduction, Yuto lost himself. The sorrow... the rage... the darkness... it overtook him. Dark Rebellion became a beast of destruction. He started turning Academia duelists into cards—indiscriminately. Mercilessly. The very thing he swore to fight against."
"No..." Ruri's voice broke. "Yuto would never—"
"He did," Thavas said firmly. "Your deck—your Lyrical Luscinia—tried to stop him. Tried to bring him back."
He looked toward Nightingale.
"But he... slaughtered them."
Ruri's breath hitched. "He... killed them?"
"All but one," Thavas said. "Assembly Nightingale. Messiah intervened at the last moment and brought her to us. But the damage... was done."
The silence that followed was suffocating.
"We've done everything we can," Thavas said softly. "But her life... hangs by a thread."
Ruri collapsed to her knees.
Her spirit shattered and lost consciousness. Thavas ordered one of his men to bring her to one of the vacant rooms as the Aqua Force commander makes his decision.
She awoke some time later in a modest chamber of coral and pearl. The tears came the moment her eyes opened. She sobbed into her arms.
"This... is all my fault... If I wasn't so weak....this wouldn't have happened..."
The door opened, and Thavas stepped in.
"Are you going to keep drowning in your sorrow?"
Ruri looked up, furious. "What do you want from me?! If someone you cared about ended up like that, wouldn't you—?!"
Thavas' gaze hardened. "I'd fight. I'd avenge them."
Ruri trembled. "I'm not like you. I'm just... a decent duelist. I lose more than I win. I don't have the strength."
"That's where you're wrong," Thavas said, folding his arms. "You do have strength. You just haven't seen it yet. And we're willing to help you find it."
"Why?" Ruri whispered. "Why would you help me?"
Thavas looked toward the medical ward.
"Because she asked us to. Before she slipped into the coma, Nightingale begged us... to protect you. To help you grow strong."
Thavas began to remember Assembly Nightingales last word before she fell into a coma as it still lingered in his mind. "I ask of you...help Ruri...please..."
Ruri covered her mouth, tears flowing anew.
"We will uphold that promise," Thavas declared. "And if you truly wish to honor her... you'll fight with us."
Ruri sat in silence for a moment, trembling.
Then... she stood.
"I'll do it. I'll fight."
Thavas gave a satisfied nod. "Then you're one of us now. If you wish to learn the Aqua Force's art, ask Ryuki. He's earned our trust—and our respect. And from now on, the Aqua Force is yours to command"
The ocean shimmered around her as her body began to fade.
Ruri took one last look at the wounded form of Assembly Nightingale.
"Wait for me... I'll get stronger. I promise."
The world around them shimmered like ripples across still water.
As Ruri vanished, Thavas called his lieutenant, Diamante. "Diamante, have Assembly Nightingale prepared for transfer."
"Where to, commander?" The soldier asked and Thavas just placed his hand on top of the stasis tank and told his soldier where to go. "Prepare for a trip to the United Sanctuary."
-----
Ruri and Rin opened their eyes to the gentle stillness of a quiet night. Both were back in their respective beds within the safety of the You Show Duel School. For a long moment, neither spoke. They simply stared at the ceiling, listening to the silence they had longed for during their trials.
Then they noticed something.
Their decks—resting by their beds—had changed.
Rin sat up slowly, picking up her Duel Disk and sliding out a card. Her eyes widened. Royal Paladin monsters now filled her Extra Deck. Gleaming knights clad in radiant armor, bearing swords that shimmered like hope itself.
Ruri did the same, her fingers trembling as she pulled free one of her cards—Aqua Force. Warriors of the tide, clad in sleek marine armor and wielding hydro-propulsion weapons.
A tide of awe swept over both of them.
"...We weren't dreaming," Ruri whispered.
"No," Rin replied, a quiet smile touching her lips. "We've changed."
As their eyes turned toward the corner of the room, they spotted him—Ryuki, fast asleep in a chair, arms crossed and head bowed, still wearing the faintest look of focus.
He had been watching over them.
Rin's cheeks turned slightly pink. "Idiot..."
Ruri giggled softly. "He didn't leave our side."
The two girls looked at each other as they decided to give Ryuki a reward for keeping an eye on them. They kissed Ryuki on the cheek, Ruri on the right and Rin on the left. After that, they both quietly tucked themselves in again with a blush on their faces, and slowly but surely, their feelings for the Flame Monarch started to bloom.
And tomorrow... would be the first step of their new journey.
The Next Morning
Ryuki stirred awake as sunlight filtered through the windows. He blinked, stretching before catching sight of the girls' new decks resting beside their beds. He picked them up carefully, studying the cards.
Royal Paladins... Aqua Force...
These decks were worlds apart from the Wind Witch and Lyrical Luscinia that they're used to.
"They're not just new cards," he muttered, "They're new mindsets. They need a training regimen."
Thirty minutes later, Ruri and Rin were up, energized and curious—until they spotted Ryuki holding their decks.
"Ryuki—" Rin began.
"You two need to listen closely," he interrupted, voice firm. "These decks aren't toys. Royal Paladins fight for unity. Aqua Force strikes with formation and precision. They demand discipline. And I'm going to make sure you're ready."
The girls exchanged glances.
Ruri gave a confident nod. "We're ready."
Rin smirked. "Bring it on."
"Very well." Ryuki calmly said. then happened the door as he reminded them of breakfast. "But before that, let's have some breakfast. can't train on an empty stomach, right?"
The girls stomach grumbled as both of them blushed. They got off the bed as they follow Ryuki to the cafeteria. And after that, their training begins.
The Week of Training
The days that followed were a flurry of sweat, strategy, and sleepless nights. Ryuki spared no effort.
For Rin, the training was about timing and synchronization. The Royal Paladins required her to lead from the front, positioning allies to unlock their potential. She trained under bright skies and open fields with students playing support. She sparred against Asuka's Light-themed deck, learning to maintain morale while balancing aggressive pushes.
For Ruri, it was all about waves—flowing momentum and rapid strikes. Aqua Force demanded movement, patience, and perfect combo chaining. Ruri learned to read enemy patterns and attack in coordinated sequences, often dueling in mock naval arenas crafted by the facility's systems.
"Think like the ocean," Ryuki would say. "Relentless. Calculated. Never still."
Even Asuka got involved—offering counter-strategies, explaining card interactions, and running support drills.
Both girls stumbled.
Both doubted.
But neither quit.
The Day of Departure
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
Ruri and Rin stood by the portal chamber dressed in fresh uniforms tailored for travel. Their decks were secured at their sides—no longer unfamiliar, but extensions of their hearts.
Ryuki packed the last supply bag. "Food, canteens, ration kits... Should last us a week."
Yusho approached them with three envelopes. "Before you go..."
He handed one to Ryuki. "Give this to my wife, Yoko."
Then one to Ruri. "And this to my son, Yuya."
And finally, one addressed to Reiji Akaba.
Ryuki hesitated. "Leo Akaba's son...? Why would you trust him?"
Yusho smiled softly. "Because Reiji's nothing like his father. In fact... he's the one who's helped me the most. You'll see."
Ryuki took the letter and gave a firm nod. "Very well, I'll deliver them."
As the dimensional portal hummed to life behind them, casting brilliant light across the chamber, the trio stood side by side.
Ruri clenched her fist over her heart. "This time... I'll protect what matters."
Rin smirked. "And I'll cut down anything in my way."
Ryuki placed a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Then let's show Standard what real strength looks like."
Together, they stepped into the light.
The portal closed behind them.
And a new story began.
To be Continued....