"Why."
The D dropped to his knees like a classic Conan pose, and the cards in his Duel Disk spilled everywhere with a clatter—almost as if scattering your deck on a loss were some kind of curse.
"I even summoned Plasma," he muttered to himself. "I even sold my soul—why? How can I still not win!?"
"So even like this, I'm still not the strongest?"
"Am I—Wrrrrrrrry!"
His expression twisted; he screamed in pain.
The Plasma card fell to the floor, and from its lower edge poured a vast white light. That light writhed through the air, morphing into a monstrous form that brandished razor claws, a dragon-headed component as a weapon grafted to its arm, and slowly unfurled bone wings behind it—a dim, feral echo of Plasma.
It flailed and howled, mad and ravenous, as if it hated the world and thirsted to devour everything.
Aster looked at the Plasma he had chased his whole life, stared at that terrifying demon—a shape that seemed cursed—and for no reason felt fear… and sorrow.
"So this is Father's life's work—the last card he left behind," Aster murmured. "This kind of monster…"
"No, Aster."
Kira's voice rang out. Aster glanced at him, puzzled.
Kira walked up beside him and patted his shoulder.
"That isn't the card your father left. It's just a cuckoo stealing the nest—a monster that usurped his power. But don't worry, it's a paper tiger—formidable on the outside, hollow within."
The Plasma formed by the Light of Destruction roared in fury. It raised its dragon head, and a cloud of blood mist took shape as a flying dragon head, roaring as it lunged at Kira.
But Kira didn't react at all; he didn't even blink.
A sword light flashed.
The Black Luster Soldier drew his blade. The aura of chaos howled as it cleaved the blood-red, surging dragon head to pieces—then, without losing momentum, it cut straight through to Plasma.
Plasma roared but still couldn't stop its body from being sliced in two. The sundered form quickly unraveled, reverting into white light. The light briefly congealed into a hideous giant face, like a resentful demon bellowing one last time, then dissipated completely.
When the white light faded, The D's eyes went dull as well, as if his soul had been sucked out. He toppled over, motionless.
"I-Is it over?"
Aster was still a little dazed.
But he had truly felt the power of that strike. He'd never seen such formidable spirit power—or no, not just the extraordinary power of a spirit. Even during the duel, the Black Luster Soldier had displayed exceptional strength.
Like the first Duel King's ace, Dark Magician—on its face just a normal, mortal card, yet the related spells, traps, endless new forms and "re-skins" all testified to the monster's potential.
And the Black Luster Soldier—at least from Aster's perspective—had shown only part of its abilities in that duel, yet was already at the apex of current Duel Monster standards.
So this is the power of the Duel King's ace?
Aster drifted only for a moment, then reeled his thoughts back in. He didn't have time for this right now.
Kira stepped forward and picked up the fallen Plasma.
Aster's heart clenched.
In that duel, he had clearly seen it: his father's soul sealed within Plasma.
An illusion?
But his father had unmistakably spoken to him, revealing information about the Light of Destruction. If that was an illusion, it was far too real.
So now that the evil power had been cut down by the Black Luster Soldier, what about Father?
Did he die?
Aster knew in his heart that his father had actually died years ago. What remained within Plasma was an unfreed spirit. Yet even so—
Kira walked toward him.
Kira reached out—and handed him the card.
Aster froze.
"I believe this is yours," Kira said. "Your father's most important card, and your father's… soul? I think so."
Aster blinked twice.
After a moment, his pupils contracted; his eyes widened despite himself.
"Y-You mean he's still…?"
Kira looked puzzled. "Didn't you just see him and speak with him? Of course, his soul is still in this card. It's bound for now, but I have the world's top laboratory, backed by both KaibaCorp and the Industrial Illusion. We can support it scientifically and supernaturally.
I think it's not impossible to release Mr. Phoenix from this card's curse."
Aster's eyes went wide.
Ten years ago, the moment his father died, his time stopped—stalled in darkness. Over the years, the search for truth and revenge had been his greatest goal, but even that ultimate purpose lay in darkness.
This might be the first time in ten years he'd seen hope.
But the hope was too beautiful, too dreamlike; he didn't dare believe. It felt like a shimmering bubble—if he reached out, it would pop.
Can I really believe?
Could I truly see Father again outside a dream?
"Of course, I can't be sure how hard this will be. I only think it's possible—and worth trying."
Kira paused, glanced at The D collapsed on the ground.
"Also, I think that guy only used the tip of Plasma's power. There are greater secrets and potential hidden in this card. Plenty to develop and excavate—this is the most precious legacy your father left the world, and it merits our care and development."
At that, Aster's expression dimmed a little.
"Father's most precious… legacy?"
"What is it?"
"No, it's nothing. It's just…"
Aster hesitated.
"It's just that this card's birth not only took Father's life—it's brought curses and disaster ever since. Who knows how many people have suffered because of it…"
"That was the Light of Destruction," Kira cut him off.
"The card's spirit is innocent—or rather, also a victim. Are you really going to pin the crimes of a mad force from the cosmos on your father's legacy, his final life's work?
Or will you use this card from now on to do the right thing—to prove the card isn't wrong, only the evil men who scheme to misuse it?"
Aster's gaze flickered; waves crashed in his heart.
"Right now, my lab has an opening—a perfect chance—and we're missing a key person. So the question is—"
Kira once more held Plasma out to Aster.
"Will you come?"
Aster drew a deep breath.
He knew he had decided.
...
PS: 2 Bonus chapters at 1000 PS