Tongshiyi.
The airport in Tongshiyi seems busy yet solemn under the twilight glow. At the end of the runway, a silver trail gradually approaches from afar, piercing through the clouds, landing on the long runway.
"..."
"...Just a few minutes ago, the plane from the Egypt Archaeology Bureau has already landed at Tongshiyi Airport."
A female reporter broadcasts to the camera lens.
"This time, the Archaeology Bureau is led personally by Director Isis Ishudal."
"Director Isis was also known to the audience as a contestant in the first Duel City Tournament, having reached the top eight in the god-filled initial Duel City."
"Her brother, Malik Ishudal, is even more famous as the runner-up of the first Duel City, and the former holder of the Phantom God Card 'Winged Divine Dragon of Ra'..."
"..."
"...Rumor has it that the Egypt Archaeology Bureau is here specifically for a collaboration on a significant project with Kaiba Group, with speculations of major discoveries in the field of duel archaeology."
The television screen shows Isis Ishudal's image.
Isis has now crossed thirty years. Her chocolate-colored skin is well-maintained, looking almost the same as before, with just a hint of mature charm added.
Facing the reporters' camera and the microphone handed to her, she scans calmly before speaking serenely.
"Egypt is considered by many to be the origin of Duel Monsters, and our Egypt Archaeology Bureau always considers digging up precious relics and vigorously promoting the development of the Duel Monsters Realm as our duty."
"We will continue to maintain a close collaboration with Kaiba Group to jointly advance the progress of duel civilization..."
"..."
In the presidential suite of the hotel, Malik Ishudal reclines on a soft sofa, watching his sister's responses on TV, teasingly saying, "Sister really knows how to handle the camera, becoming increasingly adept at dealing with these reporter interviews."
Malik flips through the schedule.
"There's quite a bit planned for these days. Let me see... banquets, banquets, opening ceremony, banquets... oh, and golf."
Isis Ishudal says faintly, "We're not here to have fun, Malik."
"I know."
Malik puts away his smile, gazes out the window, and loses himself for a moment.
It's already late, with the starlit sky outside, and the roads bustling with cars; the city remains busy, even at night.
"The Three Phantom Gods have left this world." Malik says, "With the Phantom Gods gone, the soul of the Pharaoh has returned to the Netherworld. I really believed this was the end of the curse our Tomb Guardian Race has borne for three thousand years, believed everything would end."
He looks at Isis, whose expression remains calm and undisturbed.
"But nothing ever truly ends, does it, sister?" he says, "Whenever you think you've escaped the past, it comes back again. Our Tomb Guardian Race... can never truly await the fate of ceasing battle, can we?"
Isis gently closes her eyes; after a moment, she smiles slightly.
"It's not destiny, Malik." she says softly, "We fight because we choose to fight. Because we are warriors, and regardless of the era, the world always needs warriors."
"Alright, I kind of guessed you'd say that." Malik sighs, "But sister, I think you know too, that darkness is returning. And this time, there's no Pharaoh to stand before that darkness anymore."
"Indeed. The Pharaoh is gone."
Isis smiles softly.
"But don't worry, there will always be a new king in this world."
...
...
In the mountains, dense forest.
Heavy black clouds cover the sky like a deep night, swallowing the last ray of sunlight. The clouds churn like boiling ink, black lightning gathering within them, each flash accompanied by deafening thunder, as if harboring divine wrath.
This is the gathering place of the Descent Sect.
High above, a jet approaches the area.
"There's strong interference ahead, along with unusual storms and lightning."
The pilot apologetically says to Yugen.
"I'm sorry, but we're afraid we can't proceed further."
"It's alright."
Yugen is already wearing a jet glider. He taps a button to open the hatch door, smiling at the pilot.
"You've done your part, leave the rest to me."
Saying this, he leaps, disappearing into the cloud sea.
...
Numerous Descent Sect followers gather in the woods, surrounding the altar.
The Archbishop stands at the center of the altar, presiding over the sacred ceremony. The followers look solemn, gaze devout, chanting ancient spells in unison.
Then, following the Bishop's command, they raise their hands together.
In an instant, everyone feels as if a part of their soul is drawn away. In mere seconds, they feel utterly exhausted, as if they've had a high-intensity duel lasting the entire night; those with weaker physiques collapse directly to the ground.
This is the sacrificial ritual. Sometimes the offering is a living soul, sometimes it's an Elf, and sometimes their own energy is required.
Of course, the Evil God is rather considerate; when drawing life from his followers, he at least leaves them with a breath. They might feel fatigued, but they won't perish.
After all, if all the followers perish, the Evil God would have to find new people to work, which is quite troublesome. The Evil God still has some awareness of sustainable development.
And as recompense, the Evil God occasionally shows them miracles.
Commonly a lightning strike, or delivering a few bolts of lightning. Sometimes he will smite a tree, or occasionally possess the Bishop or other high-ranking members, delivering divine messages.
Hmm, "divine message" is the nicer term, bluntly, it's assigning them new tasks.
But today, things went a bit beyond expectations.
It was an exceptionally striking celestial thunder, descending with divine wrath, directly striking on the altar. At the moment it touches the altar, there's no expected explosion; instead, it forms a swirling vortex of lightning hovering above the altar.
All the followers stare wide-eyed in astonishment, seeing a faint... humanoid figure within the lightning?
Stunned for several seconds.
Then, someone leads the shout: "Evil God? Is it the Evil God appearing?"
Everyone instantly shivers, quickly growing excited.
Yes, the Evil God, it must be the manifestation of the Evil God! Or at least an avatar of him.
This is the first time. Previously, the Evil God merely conveyed messages through the Bishop or other high-ranking figures, never before having an avatar personally descend.
Thus, everyone bow down together.
Meanwhile, landing at the center of the altar, the newly stood Yugen brushes the dust off, surveying the devout kneeling followers below.
Then he bursts out laughing.
He solemnly raises a hand.
"You may rise."