"Wait for me, Yubel."
Jaden also activated his Duel Disk, speaking earnestly.
"We've been separated once before, when I didn't understand anything. But now, I won't let that happen again."
"Just as we promised, we'll never, ever part again."
"Duel!" x2
[Jaden, LP4000]
[Yubel, LP4000]
"Then I'll go first," Yubel said.
"My turn—draw!"
Yubel drew her card and immediately revealed one from her hand.
"Spell Card: Graceful Charity! Draw three cards, then discard two from my hand."
She discarded two cards to the graveyard.
"Then, I activate the Field Spell—Mausoleum of the Emperor!"
The scenery shifted, as eerie black mist swallowed the area. When it cleared, a long corridor appeared, leading to a throne, with clay soldier statues lining both sides.
"Mausoleum of the Emperor's effect: Pay 1000 Life Points to substitute for a tribute when Tribute Summoning.
[Yubel, LP4000 → LP3000]
"I pay 1000 Life Points to replace a tribute for a Tribute Summon." Yubel declared, "With endless pain forged into a thorned armor, I now summon myself to the field—
—Yubel, come forth!"
Two clay soldiers soared from the pits, dissolving into light, which coalesced into a demonic form. Vast black wings spread, mismatched eyes gleaming coldly in the darkness.
Yubel, summoned!
[Yubel, ATK 0]
Like a fragment split from the original, even her gaze was as somber as her true self, full of unspeakable pain.
"Yubel..."
Jaden now recalled some of his past life, and had heard much from Kira. He knew the vows he and this spirit once made. Now, to meet again as enemies, swords drawn, brought him a deep sense of sorrow.
"Jaden, do you know what is the most painful thing for a guardian?"
Jaden paused.
"What?"
"To have someone you must protect, something more important than your own life, but not the strength to protect them."
Yubel's cold voice softened.
"To gain the power to protect, I was willing to pay any price, even the dearest things to me," Yubel said. "That's why I became what I am now—why Yubel was born."
Jaden fell silent.
Fragments of memories from countless lifetimes flashed through his mind.
"Yubel, to protect the boy with the rightful dark power, you will need strength."
A weathered voice echoed.
"But power brings great pain. And your beautiful young body will become a hideous form with two faces. Are you still willing?"
"I am."
A crisp voice replied without hesitation.
"This is my mission. If it's to protect him, I'll accept any form."
Jaden was deeply moved.
This was why Yubel became what she was and, through many lifetimes, remained by his side as a spirit.
"...Set three cards face-down. End my turn."
Yubel's voice pulled Jaden back to the present.
"End Phase: the 'Samsara Lotus' I discarded with Graceful Charity—if it's in my graveyard at the end of the turn, I can Special Summon it in Attack Position."
Yubel's golden partner, Samsara Lotus, bloomed on her field, a vibrant lotus flower.
"Also, Yubel's effect: If I don't Tribute a monster at the end of my turn, I must destroy myself. I'll Tribute Samsara Lotus to sustain my existence."
Samsara Lotus dissolved, its essence absorbed by Yubel.
"Turn End. Your move, Jaden."
Jaden shook his head, forcing himself to focus on the duel, not the past.
"My turn—draw!" Jaden declared. "I activate the Spell: Convert Contact!
If I have no monsters on my field, I can send one 'Neo-Spacian' from my hand and one from my deck to the graveyard, then draw two cards!"
Jaden picked a card from his hand, and his deck automatically ejected another. He sent both to the graveyard.
"Send two 'Neo-Spacians' to the graveyard, draw two cards!"
Next, he summoned a monster.
"Summon—Neo Space Connector!"
A streak of starlight flashed above the mausoleum. A petite, childlike Neo-Spacian descended. Her large blue eyes sparkled, a blue crystal on her chest, and her silver-white body bore red stripes.
[Neo Space Connector, ATK 800]
"Neo Space Connector's first effect: When summoned, I can Special Summon a 'Neo-Spacian' or 'Elemental HERO Neos' from my hand or deck in Defense Position."
Another card popped from his deck. As he drew it, the night sky seemed to flash, and a blazing ball of light crashed down, revealing the silver-white form of a HERO.
Elemental HERO Neos, summoned!
[Elemental HERO Neos, DEF 2000]
Neos landed, sized up the field, and exchanged a look with Jaden.
"Looks like today's opponent is really something," Neos said.
Jaden nodded. "Yeah. She's my friend, but now trapped in darkness. No matter what, I have to save her. Neos, I need your help again."
"Of course—our hearts are one, Jaden. Use my power as you need," Neos replied.
But Yubel, unamused, darkened. "So, while I was gone, you found yourself a new partner, huh? And just what's your relationship with this Neos guy?"
…