Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ XX09 ❯ Section 0.4 ( Chapter 4 )
[ P - Pre-Teen ]
By: Chibizoo 
Well, I updated.
*scratches head* You know what? I really can't remember what this chapter was about *thud*
Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Sci-fi | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 01.26.2003 | Pages: 8 | Words: 5.4K | Visits: 203 | Status: Completed
Well, I updated.
*scratches head* You know what? I really can't remember what this chapter was about *thud*
Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Sci-fi | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 01.26.2003 | Pages: 8 | Words: 5.4K | Visits: 203 | Status: Completed
Author's notes:
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-gi-oh.
Note: I have capitalized 'reality'. This helps you identify with the individual's created
world within in the Game.
****************************************
Last time:
"Game King." Seto dared his voice to mock the other. "I Challenge you."
The other responded with a firm and confident glare, followed by a curt nod of
approval.
****************************************
Entry 0.4
It really didn't matter whether or not he went first. Seto Kaiba was a cyber-
droid, programmed thousands of years ago, filled with centuries of experience. He
thrived on the Game, was tied to the Game, and only existed because of the damned
Game. There were no secrets of the Game to him - each strategy had been
meticulously programmed in his mind.
The other, the _Game King_ watched the cyber-droid, waiting patiently, the
human aspect of him unsure of what to do.
Seto ignored the other. This was a test. The cyber-droid had long lost his
feeling of emotions, though they lay stored in some remote part of his mind.
Programmed information was never deleted.
To test this human, this individual, this contestant of the game, Seto Kaiba had
to be ruthless. It didn't matter if this was the last human. For what good was a human
which would only be devoured by _it_?
"Monsters." Seto suddenly exclaimed out loud, plunging into an explanation
without even bothering to wait for the anticipated question. "You play by summoning
monsters onto the field. Since the Game is based on your imagination, you are able to
twist special effects of monsters or infuse them with extra power or strength. In fact,
you may even-"
"-Infuse parts of your Reality into the Duel itself." The other, Yu-gi-oh,
responded with a slight smirk. The strange Sennen Puzzle around his neck glowed just
the slightest.
Seto refused to goggle. Now was not the time to make assumptions. Perhaps
the Game had given the boy an extra sensitivity, or perhaps the Game had
accidentally fused too much of its power. Power meant nothing. The Game did not
quite understand power, and power could not associate with the Game. What really
mattered was-
"-The first person to lose his concentration, or, as you would call them, life
points, will lose the Duel. A Duel may also be forfeited at any time." The Game King
announced in his regal voice. It was strange how different he was from the small,
whimpering Yuugi in the real world. It was as if he was, altogether, an entirely
different individual.
Yet, that had to be impossible. At least, Seto thought it was impossible.
Usually, when humans entered the Game, living in their constructed "Reality", they
would borrow some knowledge from the Game, also called "infusing" or "changing"
themselves to fit the nature of the Game. Some people were naturally more adept into
blending with the Game than others, creating almost a second personality due to their
close relationship with the Game. Yet, was it possible to absorb enough of the Game
to create an altogether _different_ personality?
Either that, or Yuugi was a very, very fast learner. Too uncannily fast that
even his mind refused to accept it.
Colbalt-blue eyes bore into the crimson one's of his opponent. Seto Kaiba
nodded, bringing his hand to his face to snap his fingers once. It was more of a cue
than a necessary action; the patterns and data stored in his mind was already re-
assembling to their trained positions.
The melded labyrinth of stairs faded, sifting some before reconstructing itself
entirely. Now, the two opponents were in a circular arena, each standing by a stone
podium. Briskly, Seto Kaiba walked towards his podium, placing his arm on the flat
slab tapered at the top. Yu-gi-oh did the same. There was a brief click, as suddenly, a
thin metallic strap fastened both the cyber-droid and Game King's forearms, locking
them to the podium.
The Game King shifted slightly in surprise, a bit of humanistic reproach
shimmering in his eyes, fading the crimson to a soulful violet for the faintest of
seconds. Then, they disappeared, the red once again diluting his eyes, determination
replacing any further moments of hesitation.
"This," Seto Kaiba stated, pointing to his own manacled forearm, "Is to
prevent you from escaping during the Duel. However, the longer you play, the more
you'll have to deal with." The cyber-droid shrugged slightly. "You could say that it
becomes more a Duel of concentration than strategy or power."
Yu-gi-oh simply shrugged. He flickered his eyes towards the other in
restrained approval. "Will you start or do I have the honours?"
Seto responded with an equally monotonous reply. "Go ahead. I'm in no
rush."
The other simply nodded. He furrowed his brows, closing his eyes for a
moment in deep concentration. Finally, he snapped them open, suddenly thrusting his
free hand in front of him to signal his command.
"My monster will be the Blackland Fire Dragon!"
From the dark void between the two facing opponents spurted a large, reptilian
dragon. It arched its wings, roaring ferociously before taking a bristling, offensive
stance. Oddly enough, the shadowy expanse, the field between the two opponents,
began to distort and stretch until it easily housed enough room for the large monster.
Seto shrugged, returning to his methodical, emotionless façade. He simply
gazed once at the summoned monster before creating his own. The fabricated storage
networks in his mind immediately set out to "imagining" and then replicating the
creature.
"My beast is the Battle Ox, and the Duel's rules states his attack power being
1700, exactly 200 attack points above your Dragon."
Seto's beast was an uncanny blend of muscular oxen and human, the strange
creation swinging down on the Game King's dragon with an arc of his battle-axe. The
Blackland Fire Dragon barely had time to screech in retort before it was sliced in half
by the sharp blade, bursting into livid green flames, buckling weakly and
disappearing.
It was instantaneous pain. The manacle wrapped around the Game King's
wrist flared in the same green light, suddenly burning with intensity. The Game King
grunted, dropping involuntarily to one knee. His entire arm felt like it had been
wrenched by the joint. The sensation trickled through his arms and into his body,
enveloping each of his nerves in liquid fire. It was an unrivalled agony, leaving the
Game King trembling, buckling in confession to the pain. His muscles screamed and
his lungs gasped for air, frozen into numb submission. Cold sweat collected on his
forehead, trickling down his tanned-white skin.
And then, it was over. Yu-gi-oh collapsed the moment pain faded away,
though the manacle prevented him from kneeling. Instead, his once-regal form lay
drooped over the podium in exhaustion. Shivering, the Game King slowly pulled
pushed himself up from his elbows, wavering to a standing position. His breath
heaved in pained gasps, bangs clinging to the sweat by his brows.
Seto Kaiba's smile grew more sadistic. "So," He mocked, taunting the
bedraggled other, "You are a new player, inexperienced at a Duel. How could you
think of accepting my challenge? I have been part of the Game since its creation -
_nothing_ escapes my eyes." The cyber-droid's venomous words burned into the
Game King's mind. "Give up, Yu-gi-oh. Give up, and disappear. Let your human soul
take you back to true reality and never come back to this artificial Game again."
Yet, the Game King simply laughed. It was a low chuckle, growing to a loud,
sarcastic bark of laughter. "You simply caught me off guard." Was his only comment
as he dared his protesting body to straighten up and blatantly face the other. "I learn,
Seto; I will learn this Duel of yours."
The Game King pointed to a space some meters away from the Battle Ox,
calling in a strange, arcane language. A rectangular portion of the ground began to
glimmer just slightly before fading back into the deceptive darkness.
"For my next turn, I shall call upon the Mystical Elf, in defence!"
It was an impressive choice; that much Seto had to admit. The Mystical Elf, a
beautiful human-like card with uncanny blue skin and wispy blonde hair, rose to life,
bringing her hands into a prayer, chanting silent words. Yet, her power was not
hidden to the cyber-droid. He knew all her strengths and weaknesses; even the precise
points of defence and attack she held as a specified monster.
Thus, Seto found himself in an interesting position. True, his Battle Ox was
300 attack points below the cut-off line, but he could easily equip his monster and
destroy the defending creature. And then again, he could summon a stronger monster.
Yet, the higher the level or power of the monster being summoned, the more sacrifice
monsters it needed on the field. This was mainly due to the concentration factor; it
was _very_ difficult for one to maintain a high level monster and several low-level
ones on their field at the same time. Therefore, a sacrifice, in a nutshell, made
duelling, or concentrating on the Duel, simpler. It also prevented the field from over-
cluttering.
"I think I shall sacrifice my Battle Ox for my Swordstalker." Seto smirked,
watching his creature apparate into fine, dark mist, before re-solidifying and forming
a gigantic, hulking creation. It resembled a darkened humanoid beetle, wielding
another large weapon in its muscular arms. The cyber-droid regarded his opponent's
Mystical Elf, eyelids half-closed. "Swordstalker, finish the Mystical Elf."
The beast immediately complied, giving a grunt before propelling itself
towards its opponent. For a beast of its bulky proportion, it moved startlingly fast,
swinging its blade like a child's toy to slice the Elf at a downward arc.
The Game King smirked.
The impact of the attack had caused a small explosion, billowing into a
smoky-grey dust cloud. The cloud slowly dispersed, revealing the Mystical Elf, still
standing, still serenely chanting.
"You forgot." Yu-gi-oh taunted. "You said that you could play Magic or Trap
effects in this Duel." The Game King pointed an accusing finger at Kaiba. "You lost
this round. I activate my Magic effect, the 'Spellbinding Circle'."
The Game King focused his concentration, drawing upon the imagination of a
large, circular mandala, growing from the ground to snare the attacking Swordstalker
into paralysis. The Swordstalker briefly struggled, trying to escape, though
immediately stopped by the binding effects of the Circle.
"Oh, and not only does the Circle stop your monster, but it also brings its
attack and defence points down by a factor of 700." The Game King couldn't resist
taunting the other. "Surely you must have known, since you claimed so much
experience in the Game."
Seto was more amused than anything else. The other had actually managed to
outwit him for this turn, a strange defeat he had not experienced for quite a while.
Yet, this Duel was far from over. True, the Game King's unexpected knowledge of
Magic and Trap effects had surprised him, but it was not something completely
unusual. Those with more of an attachment to the Game often sported such skills.
"A minor setback." Seto claimed, planning his next move. He knew that he had
to somehow dismiss his trapped monster. "For my next turn, I simply change my
Swordstalker to defence."
It was strange, watching the gargantuan of a beast suddenly bow its head and
yield to a crouching submission. However, it was a clever tactic, preventing the
weakened monster from loosing any life points.
The Game King smirked, ever so confident. He closed his eyes, sensing for the
next monster. "Win, lose, it all starts now."
He narrowed his eyes, concentrating on shifting his creature to reality. "My
next monster is the Alpha Magnet Warrior, in attack mode, to destroy your weakened
Swordstalker!"
The monster, a strange geometrical monster sporting a tapered magnetic-
shaped head, leapt into the fray, mechanical claws sizzling with electricity as it took
the gigantic creature down. And yet, even as Seto took the damage, electric pain
coursing through his body, he seemed unfazed. Even… unaware of the pain.
Seto Kaiba snorted derisively at the Game King's surprise to the cyber-droid's
immunity towards pain. "I don't exist as a human, so physical pain means nothing to
me." His smile of contempt grew a bit wider when he noticed the other reel slightly in
indignation. For a single moment, his cold sapphire eyes seem to glimmer with
unnatural emotion, though they quickly disappeared back into the icy blue folds of
contempt.
The cyber-droid crossed his arms. "I have had enough of this fooling around,
Yu-gi-oh. This Duel shall end now." He spoke the last sentence slowly and
menacingly, lowering his gaze directly towards the other's.
At first, it seemed like nothing was happening. Without warning, the ground
began to shake, trembling with energy, dark colour paling to a startling white. The
ivory surface shook erratically, until it seemed to be not a planar battlefield but a sea
of pale electric light. There was a grating static crackle as a burst of metallic-white
shot from the electrified ground into the sky, causing an explosion of jagged
lightening.
The Game King's eyes widened in surprise. His scarlet eyes continued to gaze,
disbelieving at Seto Kaiba's monster, even as it settled itself down onto the re-
blackened ground. It was a chrome dragon, even larger than the previous
Swordstalker, its silvery-white hide glistening in the darkness. Twin orbs of pure
sapphire were embedded on each side of its tapered head, the only other colour on the
beast.
Seto Kaiba's grin grew into a full-out laugh, a distasteful, proud, and
condescending bark. "You like my pet?" His brilliant cobalt eyes bore like mirror
images to the ones his chrome dragon. "Say hello to my Blue Eyes White Dragon, a
monster of uncontested power!"
Yu-gi-oh's eyes narrowed in accusation. "You said that monsters of a high
level could only be used with a sacrifice. Your Blue Eyes White Dragon must at least
be at level seven."
"Did I now?" Seto Kaiba was now the taunting one. "I seem to have forgotten
something. You see, every player in the Game has a special monster, one that could
be summoned at any time. This monster is fabricated exactly like their mind, to match
their exact persona. That's why it doesn't take any energy for me to summon my Blue
Eyes, because it represents who I am."
"It represents your mind and soul, if you had one." The Game King stated
bluntly, mind wracking for any comeback. What monster was stronger than the
dragon? Not only that, but what monster was his to claim, one that mirrored his mind
and reality?
He tried to summon up ideas, to conjure a memory, a bit of a personality of
himself.
And he realized that he didn't exist.
No, it wasn't like that. It was the simple fact that he wasn't actually one
existence but two.
Somewhere, in the back of his mind, or maybe in a vacant corner was the soul
of a child, watching the entire spectacle with awed, frightened eyes. Here, dominating
his mind was the Game, giving him both the strength and knowledge.
"I am-"
And he was torn. He was a puppet, reflecting both the mind of the Game, and
the soul of the child. He was this child, but he wasn't. The darkness of the Game had
claimed him, changed him, forced him to understand and accept.
He was the child of darkness, the magician of the Game.
"-the Dark Magician!"
No sooner had those words escaped his mouth, had he felt something tug at his
consciousness. It seemed to swell inside his chest until the pressure became
unbearable, demanding an exit to freedom. Immediately, the Game King complied,
closing his eyes, releasing the power, releasing his freed imagination.
This monster's entrance was subtler. Tendrils of dark shadows shot from the
ground, melding into a vague frame and finally into substantial features. Slowly, the
wisps of darkness parted, revealing what seemed like a tall youth clad in ebony
armour, his costume decorated slightly with swirls of violet. Even his hair was a
strange violet-black, eyes slightly cold and listless against his fair, almost-kindly face.
The magician clenched a large stave in one hand, the orb of the item glittering with
the only luminosity.
The Game King felt the child part of him stir in wonder. This presence, though
separate in identity, rested subconsciously in his mind while he Dueled. He could feel
the child's interest and wonder, and he felt his feelings replicate those of the other's.
And it was during that single second that the child seemed to be aware of him.
Yu-gi-oh could feel the presence of the child's questioning eyes, perhaps wondering
how he came to be or what exactly he was. The Game King had no response. He
wasn't really an individual at all, but a simple, melded creation. He was simply a
mirror of the child, structured from the darkness of the Game.
A shriek from the Blue Eyes White Dragon interrupted any further probing.
The Game King snapped his eyes into reality, glaring at Seto Kaiba as defiantly as
possible. "I summon another monster in defence. That ends my turn."
"Idiot!" Seto Kaiba shouted, all but brimming with triumph. His eyes danced
with disdain. "I had thought you had more sense than that. No trap or magic cards,
and you expect to take out my Blue Eyes with your Dark Magician? You waste your
time, trying to call more monsters into the field. This is a contest of strength, not
numbers!"
Yu-gi-oh simply glared back. He felt a twinge of apprehension, not his own.
"Maybe I can't win directly against your dragon, but I will at least have back up."
"With your Dark Magician out of the Duel, there will be no monster of yours
strong enough to stand against my Blue Eyes." Seto Kaiba simply shrugged. "Truly
Game King, you disappoint me. I wouldn't have expected such a quick Duel, not with
someone of your calibre."
With a nod of the cyber-droid's head, the Blue Eyes responded, launching into
the air with a flap of its brittle white wings. It gave a screech of triumph, poising in
mid-air before opening its jaw to reveal layers of serrated white teeth. An orb of
brilliant white light built in the dragon's jaws, expanding until it burst into a beam of
electricity, arched straight towards the Dark Magician.
And then, the Game King dropped his façade. As the beam of lightning shot
down on the seemingly hapless Magician, Yu-gi-oh's grimace shifted into a smirk of
triumph.
There was an explosion of electric-white light and shadowy darkness, each
power pummelling the other until both grew silent. The devastation cleared to reveal
the Dark Magician, still standing, arms crossed in a mirror expression of superiority.
"You were right, Seto Kaiba." The Game King called out. "I could not win
with a single monster of mine against yours. Yet, who said that monsters had to
function alone?"
An empty space somewhat to the left of the Dark Magician glimmered, a
ghostly apparition that solidified into the hidden monster. It looked like a petite,
orange-haired girl, sporting a pointed hat and black fabricated garb. From its back
protruded a pair of pure-white feathery wings.
"My other monster." The Game King continued, enjoying the shock so clearly
written on the other's face. "Is the Apprentice Witch. True, her attack power of 550
may make her seem quite useless, but she also has a special effect."
Upon that cue, the Witch smiled, tilting her head in impudence against the
Blue Eyes.
"Whenever the Apprentice Witch is on the field, all Dark type monsters, such
as my Dark Magician, get a power boost of five-hundred, white all Light type
monsters, like your Blue Eyes White Dragon, get a power decrease of four-hundred."
Yu-gi-oh continued to lecture in the most obvious tone. "Surely you must have
known, Seto Kaiba, since you boast so much knowledge of the Game."
The cyber-droid's eyes widened in disbelief. It was uncalled for, and the
chances of an _amateur_ winning were nearly impossible. How could this other, this
person who had no previous knowledge of the Game defeat him this easily?
Moreover, how could he have let the other win? Was it that the cyber-droid had
actually underestimated his opponent?
It was too late now. The Dark Magician lifted his stave in one hand, bringing
it down in a slicing arc, tip pointed straight at the Blue Eyes. For one shattering
second, the entire field seemed to reverse in colour, as if the power of the Magician
had altered the scheme of Reality. With a final, defeated shriek, the Blue Eyes arched
its wings, flailing its head before disappearing into fragments of white light.
This time, there was no escaping the pain. Seto Kaiba doubled over in shock
as lancelets of darkness coursed into his mind, invisible shadowy tendrils trying to
strangle his soul-less husk. Now, the cyber-droid could feel the loss, suffering the
agony, writhing within his created, imagined body.
"Enough."
A single word from the Game King, and the sensation disappeared, carrying
with it the stage, monsters, and even the podium. Now, only the two former
combatants faced each other.
Seto Kaiba glared. "I could leave this reality right now, and abandon this
imaged body." He stated, voice contemptuous.
Yu-gi-oh simply crossed his arms, smirking ever-so-confidently. "Then why
didn't you? Why didn't you just ignore the suffering?"
"Shut the hell up!" Seto Kaiba snarled, bristling in apprehension. Something
in his tone of voice told the other had the Game King had struck a spot.
At first, it was barely noticeable, just a vague shudder of darkness, as if the
empty air around them had rippled in apprehension. The second time was not so
subtle; the ground suddenly heaved and lurched, buckling beneath the two Duelists'
feet like a monstrous leviathan. Invisible winds, uncontrolled, unseeable in this
Reality, began to whistle and shake, tearing apart equally transparent fragments in a
horrendous roar.
And seeping into the once-concealed mask of created Reality was the mastermind;
the naked, exposed flesh of the Game itself. It was a continuous, wiry network of livid
green meshes exposed on a hollow grey-black background. Garbled words and letters swirled
in this chaotic hole, repeating a continuous, bilingual pattern of "0" and "1"s.
Though this pattern remained oblivious in the Game King's eyes, Seto Kaiba
immediately recognized the language. Through the crumbling, breaking walls of their
Reality, he could clearly make out the runes floating and sliding down the
background. Ascotti, it had once been called: the language of the computers, or first
cyborgs.
Now, it spoke, in its binary language, a single word, repeating it again and
again in its malevolent, shimmering green. The background was now corroding
through the entire frame of their Reality, bearing its warning upon the oblivious Game
King and all-too aware cyber-droid.
B.E.W.A.R.E
They danced, perpetual words, escaping meaning for a few scant seconds
before returning again.
B.E.W.A.R.E
The words shook, vibrating. And all around them, the swirling, shimmering,
screeching mass came to a sudden standstill.
Absolute silence.
It was the lull before the omniscient storm.
The words faded from sight, escaping into darkness to be quickly replaced.
I.T…
Seto had thought that the Game King knew nothing of this ancient language,
but the other was clearly staring, in an expression between trepidation and awe, at the
lurking green words. These were the words of the Game itself, the words that made up
the Realities created by all.
S.E.E.S
Had Seto not been in this situation, he might have found the words
overdramatic. Yet, they were shockingly powerful: directing a simple, foreshadowing
statement.
Bang. A single thump in the silence. Silence quiet enough to make the Game
King's thumping heart beat tenfold in sound.
….Y.O.U
Then, all words disappeared together. For the longest time, there was nothing
but the thump-thump of rapidly beating hearts and a greater sense of fear.
_It_ was coming.
There was no escape.
Seto Kaiba was the first to break the trance. He fixated his colbalt-blue eyes
towards the frozen figure of the other.
"Run." He suddenly spoke the single word, voice devoid of emotion.
Surprised, the Game King found himself staring back, violet-red orbs confused
and slightly unnerved. This strange presence coming towards them; it was a suspense
building just moments before climax. He could feel the invisible eyes watching him,
waiting for him to make a move, while knowing all the time that he was helpless.
The cyber-droid's calm eyes grew into a malevolent sapphire. "Leave," Seto
snarled, lunging angrily towards the other. "Get out now!"
Part of the Game King was defiant over the sudden command; fortunately, the
greater part of him had more sense than to argue. He was immediately running,
jumping and weaving through the falling layers of Reality. The darkness was
crumbling around him, warping into points of utter chaos. Yu-gi-oh made sure to
avoid those strange, shifting masses teeming with glowing Ascotti - they were like
virtual sinkholes seeking to swallow him up for eternity. And if his mind
disappeared, then his body, even in the real world, would mean nothing…
The nearest tear in the fabricated darkness seemed to lunge straight at him, a
whirling mass of greens and murky greys. In that single second, the void of chaos was
not an insubstantial gap but an actual creature. It was formed in the shape of a
spectacular winged beast, complete with darkly luminescent feathers and shimmering
claws. The beast snapped its curved beak at the Game King, its golden eyes on fire.
And then, the apparition disappeared, to be replaced by chaos once more.
Everything was disappearing, slowly and steadily sucked up by the background of the
Game, the warp of non-existence. Now, the Game King was running on the scant
remnants of his Reality, the only substance he could exist and touch without being
infinitely destroyed or wiped out. He continued fleeing, trying to find an exit, trying
to escape the shattered walls, oozing with anarchy. Lurid, green letters flashed past his
face, growing large and more numerous with each passing second.
There was a sudden roar. The entire existence: the naked, destructive part of
the exposed Game was screaming a challenge at the Game King. The noise grew
louder and sharper until Yu-gi-oh could feel his ears literally bleed from its intensity.
It was an unbearable noise, speaking of agony, pain, death, and desire.
The shadow of the beast - it was returning again!
The Game King gritted his teeth, continuing to run. Some of the chaos tried to
suck his body in, but he agilely leapt out of the way, always desperately looking for
any shelter of fabricated Reality. This Reality was his - he had to control it before it
disappeared altogether!
But it was too late. Nothing could stop the impending chaos, the black hole of
the Game that was just seconds from consuming him entirely. _It_ controlled
everything.
He suddenly halted.
The Game King was never a great believer in ironies, and now, he regarded it
in a confused, suspicious manner. Seated only a few meters away was a glimmering
silver barrier that even the corroding layers of the Game and the fabric of dark Reality
could not touch. That was it - that was the true gate to the living world, the _real_
Reality.
But it was impossible to reach. There lay, between this heavenly gate and his
current position a large chasm of chaos. It was a sizzling, crackling mass of green-
tinted computer language, the basic, uniform pattern of the Game's bare face. The
Game King recoiled from its touch - he could not exist without a fabricated Reality to
tread on. How was he supposed to get across and escape without being sucked up by
the limitless chaos of the Game?
Moreover, he knew that _it_ was still after him. _It_ had come quickly; he had
seen it twice already, both times in the guise of a large winged beast. _It_ was the one
that had seized control of the Game, breaking all Realities, thriving on this oozing
chaos. _It_ was looking for him.
Around him, the corroded walls of the exposed Game swirled in green-tinted
eddies, threatening to swallow him up. True, he might be safe in his small patch of
created Reality, but it was shrinking by the second, quickly fading into its actual,
deleterious substance.
He was trapped. There was nowhere to run, and he could not even touch the
exit, for fear of being swallowed up by the chasm of the Game's naked data. He
would be pulled by the Game in all corners, ripped into a million pieces and scattered
as bits of data, just like the Ascotti numbers floating around the space.
The last bits of Reality were disappearing, fading and scattering back into
numerical bits of data. They were so easily and efficiently consumed, just like how
the Game King would be when the bare face of the Game touched him.
He cast a vain look at the silvery barrier, heart thumping with apprehension.
One second later, he was sprinting, forcing his legs to move against the pools of chaos
pressing against him. He could feel his body weaken, the bits of cluttered data from
the Game trying to rip his fabricated self and scatter it into fragments. Green and
black flashed in a blur around him, swirling in a dizzying pattern of anarchy.
The raw, unfabricated Game cluttered hungrily around him. Different piles of
data pushed and pulled, tugging at his flesh, forcing his limbs to submission. It was as
if the Ascotti had separated from their background to come alive into a writhing army
of runes to claw and tear chunk of his flesh for themselves.
The Game King wanted to yell, to scream from the unbearable pain. A million
daggers were being struck into his body, extracting themselves with a slow,
unbearable agony. He was paralysed; unable to move, think, or react as the glowing
runes of the Game slowly digested him, consumed him, making him its own.
He knew _it_ was watching; screeching in satisfaction as the chaos first
consumed his feet, then legs, then chest. The raw data had a voracious appetite, never
stopping its consumption, ruthless. A wave of trepidation crossed the Game King's
mind even through the roiling masses of pain. Everything had been in vain. Nothing
could stop against _it's_ infinite power. It would only be moments before-
***********
Yuugi snapped his eyes open.
There was nothing around him but an unsteady silence, soon joined by a
monotonous humming that seemed to vibrate the very air. He looked around, taking in
excessive gasps of air, one hand pressed to his sweat-drenched shirt.
More trickles of sweat dribbled down the side of his forehead; he could feel
his dampened hair pressing against the back of his neck, tingling to the touch.
Finally reassured that the darkness around him was nothing but just darkness,
the small boy sighed, collapsing back onto his bed.
He immediately jolted back up.
Wait! Where was he? This fabric - it wasn't straw, but a strange, foreign
material. It felt smooth and unnaturally even, rustling slightly as he moved it.
What had happened?
There was a dull roaring in his ears, not from any external source. He could
still taste some of the remnants of fear, the remainder of it collecting intangibly in his
mind, clouding his memories even more.
A strand of thought momentarily passed his mind.
The Game. He had seen part of the Game.
He had… he had-
A glimmer of light interrupted the boy's previous thought. Startled, he looked
up, locking eyes with the source.
It was a silvery barrier, slightly glowing. And for a single moment, he thought
he saw himself reflected on the barrier, though it cast a faint glimmer that seemed to
distort his figure. Had Yuugi continued staring, he might have seen his reflection
glancing curiously at himself, regarding the boy with serious, crimson eyes.
The Puzzle glowed some.
********************************
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-gi-oh.
Note: I have capitalized 'reality'. This helps you identify with the individual's created
world within in the Game.
****************************************
Last time:
"Game King." Seto dared his voice to mock the other. "I Challenge you."
The other responded with a firm and confident glare, followed by a curt nod of
approval.
****************************************
Entry 0.4
It really didn't matter whether or not he went first. Seto Kaiba was a cyber-
droid, programmed thousands of years ago, filled with centuries of experience. He
thrived on the Game, was tied to the Game, and only existed because of the damned
Game. There were no secrets of the Game to him - each strategy had been
meticulously programmed in his mind.
The other, the _Game King_ watched the cyber-droid, waiting patiently, the
human aspect of him unsure of what to do.
Seto ignored the other. This was a test. The cyber-droid had long lost his
feeling of emotions, though they lay stored in some remote part of his mind.
Programmed information was never deleted.
To test this human, this individual, this contestant of the game, Seto Kaiba had
to be ruthless. It didn't matter if this was the last human. For what good was a human
which would only be devoured by _it_?
"Monsters." Seto suddenly exclaimed out loud, plunging into an explanation
without even bothering to wait for the anticipated question. "You play by summoning
monsters onto the field. Since the Game is based on your imagination, you are able to
twist special effects of monsters or infuse them with extra power or strength. In fact,
you may even-"
"-Infuse parts of your Reality into the Duel itself." The other, Yu-gi-oh,
responded with a slight smirk. The strange Sennen Puzzle around his neck glowed just
the slightest.
Seto refused to goggle. Now was not the time to make assumptions. Perhaps
the Game had given the boy an extra sensitivity, or perhaps the Game had
accidentally fused too much of its power. Power meant nothing. The Game did not
quite understand power, and power could not associate with the Game. What really
mattered was-
"-The first person to lose his concentration, or, as you would call them, life
points, will lose the Duel. A Duel may also be forfeited at any time." The Game King
announced in his regal voice. It was strange how different he was from the small,
whimpering Yuugi in the real world. It was as if he was, altogether, an entirely
different individual.
Yet, that had to be impossible. At least, Seto thought it was impossible.
Usually, when humans entered the Game, living in their constructed "Reality", they
would borrow some knowledge from the Game, also called "infusing" or "changing"
themselves to fit the nature of the Game. Some people were naturally more adept into
blending with the Game than others, creating almost a second personality due to their
close relationship with the Game. Yet, was it possible to absorb enough of the Game
to create an altogether _different_ personality?
Either that, or Yuugi was a very, very fast learner. Too uncannily fast that
even his mind refused to accept it.
Colbalt-blue eyes bore into the crimson one's of his opponent. Seto Kaiba
nodded, bringing his hand to his face to snap his fingers once. It was more of a cue
than a necessary action; the patterns and data stored in his mind was already re-
assembling to their trained positions.
The melded labyrinth of stairs faded, sifting some before reconstructing itself
entirely. Now, the two opponents were in a circular arena, each standing by a stone
podium. Briskly, Seto Kaiba walked towards his podium, placing his arm on the flat
slab tapered at the top. Yu-gi-oh did the same. There was a brief click, as suddenly, a
thin metallic strap fastened both the cyber-droid and Game King's forearms, locking
them to the podium.
The Game King shifted slightly in surprise, a bit of humanistic reproach
shimmering in his eyes, fading the crimson to a soulful violet for the faintest of
seconds. Then, they disappeared, the red once again diluting his eyes, determination
replacing any further moments of hesitation.
"This," Seto Kaiba stated, pointing to his own manacled forearm, "Is to
prevent you from escaping during the Duel. However, the longer you play, the more
you'll have to deal with." The cyber-droid shrugged slightly. "You could say that it
becomes more a Duel of concentration than strategy or power."
Yu-gi-oh simply shrugged. He flickered his eyes towards the other in
restrained approval. "Will you start or do I have the honours?"
Seto responded with an equally monotonous reply. "Go ahead. I'm in no
rush."
The other simply nodded. He furrowed his brows, closing his eyes for a
moment in deep concentration. Finally, he snapped them open, suddenly thrusting his
free hand in front of him to signal his command.
"My monster will be the Blackland Fire Dragon!"
From the dark void between the two facing opponents spurted a large, reptilian
dragon. It arched its wings, roaring ferociously before taking a bristling, offensive
stance. Oddly enough, the shadowy expanse, the field between the two opponents,
began to distort and stretch until it easily housed enough room for the large monster.
Seto shrugged, returning to his methodical, emotionless façade. He simply
gazed once at the summoned monster before creating his own. The fabricated storage
networks in his mind immediately set out to "imagining" and then replicating the
creature.
"My beast is the Battle Ox, and the Duel's rules states his attack power being
1700, exactly 200 attack points above your Dragon."
Seto's beast was an uncanny blend of muscular oxen and human, the strange
creation swinging down on the Game King's dragon with an arc of his battle-axe. The
Blackland Fire Dragon barely had time to screech in retort before it was sliced in half
by the sharp blade, bursting into livid green flames, buckling weakly and
disappearing.
It was instantaneous pain. The manacle wrapped around the Game King's
wrist flared in the same green light, suddenly burning with intensity. The Game King
grunted, dropping involuntarily to one knee. His entire arm felt like it had been
wrenched by the joint. The sensation trickled through his arms and into his body,
enveloping each of his nerves in liquid fire. It was an unrivalled agony, leaving the
Game King trembling, buckling in confession to the pain. His muscles screamed and
his lungs gasped for air, frozen into numb submission. Cold sweat collected on his
forehead, trickling down his tanned-white skin.
And then, it was over. Yu-gi-oh collapsed the moment pain faded away,
though the manacle prevented him from kneeling. Instead, his once-regal form lay
drooped over the podium in exhaustion. Shivering, the Game King slowly pulled
pushed himself up from his elbows, wavering to a standing position. His breath
heaved in pained gasps, bangs clinging to the sweat by his brows.
Seto Kaiba's smile grew more sadistic. "So," He mocked, taunting the
bedraggled other, "You are a new player, inexperienced at a Duel. How could you
think of accepting my challenge? I have been part of the Game since its creation -
_nothing_ escapes my eyes." The cyber-droid's venomous words burned into the
Game King's mind. "Give up, Yu-gi-oh. Give up, and disappear. Let your human soul
take you back to true reality and never come back to this artificial Game again."
Yet, the Game King simply laughed. It was a low chuckle, growing to a loud,
sarcastic bark of laughter. "You simply caught me off guard." Was his only comment
as he dared his protesting body to straighten up and blatantly face the other. "I learn,
Seto; I will learn this Duel of yours."
The Game King pointed to a space some meters away from the Battle Ox,
calling in a strange, arcane language. A rectangular portion of the ground began to
glimmer just slightly before fading back into the deceptive darkness.
"For my next turn, I shall call upon the Mystical Elf, in defence!"
It was an impressive choice; that much Seto had to admit. The Mystical Elf, a
beautiful human-like card with uncanny blue skin and wispy blonde hair, rose to life,
bringing her hands into a prayer, chanting silent words. Yet, her power was not
hidden to the cyber-droid. He knew all her strengths and weaknesses; even the precise
points of defence and attack she held as a specified monster.
Thus, Seto found himself in an interesting position. True, his Battle Ox was
300 attack points below the cut-off line, but he could easily equip his monster and
destroy the defending creature. And then again, he could summon a stronger monster.
Yet, the higher the level or power of the monster being summoned, the more sacrifice
monsters it needed on the field. This was mainly due to the concentration factor; it
was _very_ difficult for one to maintain a high level monster and several low-level
ones on their field at the same time. Therefore, a sacrifice, in a nutshell, made
duelling, or concentrating on the Duel, simpler. It also prevented the field from over-
cluttering.
"I think I shall sacrifice my Battle Ox for my Swordstalker." Seto smirked,
watching his creature apparate into fine, dark mist, before re-solidifying and forming
a gigantic, hulking creation. It resembled a darkened humanoid beetle, wielding
another large weapon in its muscular arms. The cyber-droid regarded his opponent's
Mystical Elf, eyelids half-closed. "Swordstalker, finish the Mystical Elf."
The beast immediately complied, giving a grunt before propelling itself
towards its opponent. For a beast of its bulky proportion, it moved startlingly fast,
swinging its blade like a child's toy to slice the Elf at a downward arc.
The Game King smirked.
The impact of the attack had caused a small explosion, billowing into a
smoky-grey dust cloud. The cloud slowly dispersed, revealing the Mystical Elf, still
standing, still serenely chanting.
"You forgot." Yu-gi-oh taunted. "You said that you could play Magic or Trap
effects in this Duel." The Game King pointed an accusing finger at Kaiba. "You lost
this round. I activate my Magic effect, the 'Spellbinding Circle'."
The Game King focused his concentration, drawing upon the imagination of a
large, circular mandala, growing from the ground to snare the attacking Swordstalker
into paralysis. The Swordstalker briefly struggled, trying to escape, though
immediately stopped by the binding effects of the Circle.
"Oh, and not only does the Circle stop your monster, but it also brings its
attack and defence points down by a factor of 700." The Game King couldn't resist
taunting the other. "Surely you must have known, since you claimed so much
experience in the Game."
Seto was more amused than anything else. The other had actually managed to
outwit him for this turn, a strange defeat he had not experienced for quite a while.
Yet, this Duel was far from over. True, the Game King's unexpected knowledge of
Magic and Trap effects had surprised him, but it was not something completely
unusual. Those with more of an attachment to the Game often sported such skills.
"A minor setback." Seto claimed, planning his next move. He knew that he had
to somehow dismiss his trapped monster. "For my next turn, I simply change my
Swordstalker to defence."
It was strange, watching the gargantuan of a beast suddenly bow its head and
yield to a crouching submission. However, it was a clever tactic, preventing the
weakened monster from loosing any life points.
The Game King smirked, ever so confident. He closed his eyes, sensing for the
next monster. "Win, lose, it all starts now."
He narrowed his eyes, concentrating on shifting his creature to reality. "My
next monster is the Alpha Magnet Warrior, in attack mode, to destroy your weakened
Swordstalker!"
The monster, a strange geometrical monster sporting a tapered magnetic-
shaped head, leapt into the fray, mechanical claws sizzling with electricity as it took
the gigantic creature down. And yet, even as Seto took the damage, electric pain
coursing through his body, he seemed unfazed. Even… unaware of the pain.
Seto Kaiba snorted derisively at the Game King's surprise to the cyber-droid's
immunity towards pain. "I don't exist as a human, so physical pain means nothing to
me." His smile of contempt grew a bit wider when he noticed the other reel slightly in
indignation. For a single moment, his cold sapphire eyes seem to glimmer with
unnatural emotion, though they quickly disappeared back into the icy blue folds of
contempt.
The cyber-droid crossed his arms. "I have had enough of this fooling around,
Yu-gi-oh. This Duel shall end now." He spoke the last sentence slowly and
menacingly, lowering his gaze directly towards the other's.
At first, it seemed like nothing was happening. Without warning, the ground
began to shake, trembling with energy, dark colour paling to a startling white. The
ivory surface shook erratically, until it seemed to be not a planar battlefield but a sea
of pale electric light. There was a grating static crackle as a burst of metallic-white
shot from the electrified ground into the sky, causing an explosion of jagged
lightening.
The Game King's eyes widened in surprise. His scarlet eyes continued to gaze,
disbelieving at Seto Kaiba's monster, even as it settled itself down onto the re-
blackened ground. It was a chrome dragon, even larger than the previous
Swordstalker, its silvery-white hide glistening in the darkness. Twin orbs of pure
sapphire were embedded on each side of its tapered head, the only other colour on the
beast.
Seto Kaiba's grin grew into a full-out laugh, a distasteful, proud, and
condescending bark. "You like my pet?" His brilliant cobalt eyes bore like mirror
images to the ones his chrome dragon. "Say hello to my Blue Eyes White Dragon, a
monster of uncontested power!"
Yu-gi-oh's eyes narrowed in accusation. "You said that monsters of a high
level could only be used with a sacrifice. Your Blue Eyes White Dragon must at least
be at level seven."
"Did I now?" Seto Kaiba was now the taunting one. "I seem to have forgotten
something. You see, every player in the Game has a special monster, one that could
be summoned at any time. This monster is fabricated exactly like their mind, to match
their exact persona. That's why it doesn't take any energy for me to summon my Blue
Eyes, because it represents who I am."
"It represents your mind and soul, if you had one." The Game King stated
bluntly, mind wracking for any comeback. What monster was stronger than the
dragon? Not only that, but what monster was his to claim, one that mirrored his mind
and reality?
He tried to summon up ideas, to conjure a memory, a bit of a personality of
himself.
And he realized that he didn't exist.
No, it wasn't like that. It was the simple fact that he wasn't actually one
existence but two.
Somewhere, in the back of his mind, or maybe in a vacant corner was the soul
of a child, watching the entire spectacle with awed, frightened eyes. Here, dominating
his mind was the Game, giving him both the strength and knowledge.
"I am-"
And he was torn. He was a puppet, reflecting both the mind of the Game, and
the soul of the child. He was this child, but he wasn't. The darkness of the Game had
claimed him, changed him, forced him to understand and accept.
He was the child of darkness, the magician of the Game.
"-the Dark Magician!"
No sooner had those words escaped his mouth, had he felt something tug at his
consciousness. It seemed to swell inside his chest until the pressure became
unbearable, demanding an exit to freedom. Immediately, the Game King complied,
closing his eyes, releasing the power, releasing his freed imagination.
This monster's entrance was subtler. Tendrils of dark shadows shot from the
ground, melding into a vague frame and finally into substantial features. Slowly, the
wisps of darkness parted, revealing what seemed like a tall youth clad in ebony
armour, his costume decorated slightly with swirls of violet. Even his hair was a
strange violet-black, eyes slightly cold and listless against his fair, almost-kindly face.
The magician clenched a large stave in one hand, the orb of the item glittering with
the only luminosity.
The Game King felt the child part of him stir in wonder. This presence, though
separate in identity, rested subconsciously in his mind while he Dueled. He could feel
the child's interest and wonder, and he felt his feelings replicate those of the other's.
And it was during that single second that the child seemed to be aware of him.
Yu-gi-oh could feel the presence of the child's questioning eyes, perhaps wondering
how he came to be or what exactly he was. The Game King had no response. He
wasn't really an individual at all, but a simple, melded creation. He was simply a
mirror of the child, structured from the darkness of the Game.
A shriek from the Blue Eyes White Dragon interrupted any further probing.
The Game King snapped his eyes into reality, glaring at Seto Kaiba as defiantly as
possible. "I summon another monster in defence. That ends my turn."
"Idiot!" Seto Kaiba shouted, all but brimming with triumph. His eyes danced
with disdain. "I had thought you had more sense than that. No trap or magic cards,
and you expect to take out my Blue Eyes with your Dark Magician? You waste your
time, trying to call more monsters into the field. This is a contest of strength, not
numbers!"
Yu-gi-oh simply glared back. He felt a twinge of apprehension, not his own.
"Maybe I can't win directly against your dragon, but I will at least have back up."
"With your Dark Magician out of the Duel, there will be no monster of yours
strong enough to stand against my Blue Eyes." Seto Kaiba simply shrugged. "Truly
Game King, you disappoint me. I wouldn't have expected such a quick Duel, not with
someone of your calibre."
With a nod of the cyber-droid's head, the Blue Eyes responded, launching into
the air with a flap of its brittle white wings. It gave a screech of triumph, poising in
mid-air before opening its jaw to reveal layers of serrated white teeth. An orb of
brilliant white light built in the dragon's jaws, expanding until it burst into a beam of
electricity, arched straight towards the Dark Magician.
And then, the Game King dropped his façade. As the beam of lightning shot
down on the seemingly hapless Magician, Yu-gi-oh's grimace shifted into a smirk of
triumph.
There was an explosion of electric-white light and shadowy darkness, each
power pummelling the other until both grew silent. The devastation cleared to reveal
the Dark Magician, still standing, arms crossed in a mirror expression of superiority.
"You were right, Seto Kaiba." The Game King called out. "I could not win
with a single monster of mine against yours. Yet, who said that monsters had to
function alone?"
An empty space somewhat to the left of the Dark Magician glimmered, a
ghostly apparition that solidified into the hidden monster. It looked like a petite,
orange-haired girl, sporting a pointed hat and black fabricated garb. From its back
protruded a pair of pure-white feathery wings.
"My other monster." The Game King continued, enjoying the shock so clearly
written on the other's face. "Is the Apprentice Witch. True, her attack power of 550
may make her seem quite useless, but she also has a special effect."
Upon that cue, the Witch smiled, tilting her head in impudence against the
Blue Eyes.
"Whenever the Apprentice Witch is on the field, all Dark type monsters, such
as my Dark Magician, get a power boost of five-hundred, white all Light type
monsters, like your Blue Eyes White Dragon, get a power decrease of four-hundred."
Yu-gi-oh continued to lecture in the most obvious tone. "Surely you must have
known, Seto Kaiba, since you boast so much knowledge of the Game."
The cyber-droid's eyes widened in disbelief. It was uncalled for, and the
chances of an _amateur_ winning were nearly impossible. How could this other, this
person who had no previous knowledge of the Game defeat him this easily?
Moreover, how could he have let the other win? Was it that the cyber-droid had
actually underestimated his opponent?
It was too late now. The Dark Magician lifted his stave in one hand, bringing
it down in a slicing arc, tip pointed straight at the Blue Eyes. For one shattering
second, the entire field seemed to reverse in colour, as if the power of the Magician
had altered the scheme of Reality. With a final, defeated shriek, the Blue Eyes arched
its wings, flailing its head before disappearing into fragments of white light.
This time, there was no escaping the pain. Seto Kaiba doubled over in shock
as lancelets of darkness coursed into his mind, invisible shadowy tendrils trying to
strangle his soul-less husk. Now, the cyber-droid could feel the loss, suffering the
agony, writhing within his created, imagined body.
"Enough."
A single word from the Game King, and the sensation disappeared, carrying
with it the stage, monsters, and even the podium. Now, only the two former
combatants faced each other.
Seto Kaiba glared. "I could leave this reality right now, and abandon this
imaged body." He stated, voice contemptuous.
Yu-gi-oh simply crossed his arms, smirking ever-so-confidently. "Then why
didn't you? Why didn't you just ignore the suffering?"
"Shut the hell up!" Seto Kaiba snarled, bristling in apprehension. Something
in his tone of voice told the other had the Game King had struck a spot.
At first, it was barely noticeable, just a vague shudder of darkness, as if the
empty air around them had rippled in apprehension. The second time was not so
subtle; the ground suddenly heaved and lurched, buckling beneath the two Duelists'
feet like a monstrous leviathan. Invisible winds, uncontrolled, unseeable in this
Reality, began to whistle and shake, tearing apart equally transparent fragments in a
horrendous roar.
And seeping into the once-concealed mask of created Reality was the mastermind;
the naked, exposed flesh of the Game itself. It was a continuous, wiry network of livid
green meshes exposed on a hollow grey-black background. Garbled words and letters swirled
in this chaotic hole, repeating a continuous, bilingual pattern of "0" and "1"s.
Though this pattern remained oblivious in the Game King's eyes, Seto Kaiba
immediately recognized the language. Through the crumbling, breaking walls of their
Reality, he could clearly make out the runes floating and sliding down the
background. Ascotti, it had once been called: the language of the computers, or first
cyborgs.
Now, it spoke, in its binary language, a single word, repeating it again and
again in its malevolent, shimmering green. The background was now corroding
through the entire frame of their Reality, bearing its warning upon the oblivious Game
King and all-too aware cyber-droid.
B.E.W.A.R.E
They danced, perpetual words, escaping meaning for a few scant seconds
before returning again.
B.E.W.A.R.E
The words shook, vibrating. And all around them, the swirling, shimmering,
screeching mass came to a sudden standstill.
Absolute silence.
It was the lull before the omniscient storm.
The words faded from sight, escaping into darkness to be quickly replaced.
I.T…
Seto had thought that the Game King knew nothing of this ancient language,
but the other was clearly staring, in an expression between trepidation and awe, at the
lurking green words. These were the words of the Game itself, the words that made up
the Realities created by all.
S.E.E.S
Had Seto not been in this situation, he might have found the words
overdramatic. Yet, they were shockingly powerful: directing a simple, foreshadowing
statement.
Bang. A single thump in the silence. Silence quiet enough to make the Game
King's thumping heart beat tenfold in sound.
….Y.O.U
Then, all words disappeared together. For the longest time, there was nothing
but the thump-thump of rapidly beating hearts and a greater sense of fear.
_It_ was coming.
There was no escape.
Seto Kaiba was the first to break the trance. He fixated his colbalt-blue eyes
towards the frozen figure of the other.
"Run." He suddenly spoke the single word, voice devoid of emotion.
Surprised, the Game King found himself staring back, violet-red orbs confused
and slightly unnerved. This strange presence coming towards them; it was a suspense
building just moments before climax. He could feel the invisible eyes watching him,
waiting for him to make a move, while knowing all the time that he was helpless.
The cyber-droid's calm eyes grew into a malevolent sapphire. "Leave," Seto
snarled, lunging angrily towards the other. "Get out now!"
Part of the Game King was defiant over the sudden command; fortunately, the
greater part of him had more sense than to argue. He was immediately running,
jumping and weaving through the falling layers of Reality. The darkness was
crumbling around him, warping into points of utter chaos. Yu-gi-oh made sure to
avoid those strange, shifting masses teeming with glowing Ascotti - they were like
virtual sinkholes seeking to swallow him up for eternity. And if his mind
disappeared, then his body, even in the real world, would mean nothing…
The nearest tear in the fabricated darkness seemed to lunge straight at him, a
whirling mass of greens and murky greys. In that single second, the void of chaos was
not an insubstantial gap but an actual creature. It was formed in the shape of a
spectacular winged beast, complete with darkly luminescent feathers and shimmering
claws. The beast snapped its curved beak at the Game King, its golden eyes on fire.
And then, the apparition disappeared, to be replaced by chaos once more.
Everything was disappearing, slowly and steadily sucked up by the background of the
Game, the warp of non-existence. Now, the Game King was running on the scant
remnants of his Reality, the only substance he could exist and touch without being
infinitely destroyed or wiped out. He continued fleeing, trying to find an exit, trying
to escape the shattered walls, oozing with anarchy. Lurid, green letters flashed past his
face, growing large and more numerous with each passing second.
There was a sudden roar. The entire existence: the naked, destructive part of
the exposed Game was screaming a challenge at the Game King. The noise grew
louder and sharper until Yu-gi-oh could feel his ears literally bleed from its intensity.
It was an unbearable noise, speaking of agony, pain, death, and desire.
The shadow of the beast - it was returning again!
The Game King gritted his teeth, continuing to run. Some of the chaos tried to
suck his body in, but he agilely leapt out of the way, always desperately looking for
any shelter of fabricated Reality. This Reality was his - he had to control it before it
disappeared altogether!
But it was too late. Nothing could stop the impending chaos, the black hole of
the Game that was just seconds from consuming him entirely. _It_ controlled
everything.
He suddenly halted.
The Game King was never a great believer in ironies, and now, he regarded it
in a confused, suspicious manner. Seated only a few meters away was a glimmering
silver barrier that even the corroding layers of the Game and the fabric of dark Reality
could not touch. That was it - that was the true gate to the living world, the _real_
Reality.
But it was impossible to reach. There lay, between this heavenly gate and his
current position a large chasm of chaos. It was a sizzling, crackling mass of green-
tinted computer language, the basic, uniform pattern of the Game's bare face. The
Game King recoiled from its touch - he could not exist without a fabricated Reality to
tread on. How was he supposed to get across and escape without being sucked up by
the limitless chaos of the Game?
Moreover, he knew that _it_ was still after him. _It_ had come quickly; he had
seen it twice already, both times in the guise of a large winged beast. _It_ was the one
that had seized control of the Game, breaking all Realities, thriving on this oozing
chaos. _It_ was looking for him.
Around him, the corroded walls of the exposed Game swirled in green-tinted
eddies, threatening to swallow him up. True, he might be safe in his small patch of
created Reality, but it was shrinking by the second, quickly fading into its actual,
deleterious substance.
He was trapped. There was nowhere to run, and he could not even touch the
exit, for fear of being swallowed up by the chasm of the Game's naked data. He
would be pulled by the Game in all corners, ripped into a million pieces and scattered
as bits of data, just like the Ascotti numbers floating around the space.
The last bits of Reality were disappearing, fading and scattering back into
numerical bits of data. They were so easily and efficiently consumed, just like how
the Game King would be when the bare face of the Game touched him.
He cast a vain look at the silvery barrier, heart thumping with apprehension.
One second later, he was sprinting, forcing his legs to move against the pools of chaos
pressing against him. He could feel his body weaken, the bits of cluttered data from
the Game trying to rip his fabricated self and scatter it into fragments. Green and
black flashed in a blur around him, swirling in a dizzying pattern of anarchy.
The raw, unfabricated Game cluttered hungrily around him. Different piles of
data pushed and pulled, tugging at his flesh, forcing his limbs to submission. It was as
if the Ascotti had separated from their background to come alive into a writhing army
of runes to claw and tear chunk of his flesh for themselves.
The Game King wanted to yell, to scream from the unbearable pain. A million
daggers were being struck into his body, extracting themselves with a slow,
unbearable agony. He was paralysed; unable to move, think, or react as the glowing
runes of the Game slowly digested him, consumed him, making him its own.
He knew _it_ was watching; screeching in satisfaction as the chaos first
consumed his feet, then legs, then chest. The raw data had a voracious appetite, never
stopping its consumption, ruthless. A wave of trepidation crossed the Game King's
mind even through the roiling masses of pain. Everything had been in vain. Nothing
could stop against _it's_ infinite power. It would only be moments before-
***********
Yuugi snapped his eyes open.
There was nothing around him but an unsteady silence, soon joined by a
monotonous humming that seemed to vibrate the very air. He looked around, taking in
excessive gasps of air, one hand pressed to his sweat-drenched shirt.
More trickles of sweat dribbled down the side of his forehead; he could feel
his dampened hair pressing against the back of his neck, tingling to the touch.
Finally reassured that the darkness around him was nothing but just darkness,
the small boy sighed, collapsing back onto his bed.
He immediately jolted back up.
Wait! Where was he? This fabric - it wasn't straw, but a strange, foreign
material. It felt smooth and unnaturally even, rustling slightly as he moved it.
What had happened?
There was a dull roaring in his ears, not from any external source. He could
still taste some of the remnants of fear, the remainder of it collecting intangibly in his
mind, clouding his memories even more.
A strand of thought momentarily passed his mind.
The Game. He had seen part of the Game.
He had… he had-
A glimmer of light interrupted the boy's previous thought. Startled, he looked
up, locking eyes with the source.
It was a silvery barrier, slightly glowing. And for a single moment, he thought
he saw himself reflected on the barrier, though it cast a faint glimmer that seemed to
distort his figure. Had Yuugi continued staring, he might have seen his reflection
glancing curiously at himself, regarding the boy with serious, crimson eyes.
The Puzzle glowed some.
********************************