Cherreads

Chapter 1 - Ch. 1 Haven't we been here before?

POV: Deven

"So, care to explain what's going on here?" I asked the man, or at least I think it was a man, as he was completely pitch-black; the only reason I could see him was his two glowing yellow eyes.

"Huh, this is different..." The man said calmly, yet I didn't see his mouth move. In fact, since I woke up here, I hadn't heard or seen anything else but this man.

"What do you mean by that, and can you please answer my question and explain?" I asked, trying to keep the poker face I had always maintained in unknown or stressful situations.

"Ok, first thing you should know is you are dead..." the man said far too calmly, but I nodded and motioned for him to continue, "That it? you're not gonna ask why or how and start crying and begging me to bring you back to life, nothing?" the voice asked, sounding surprised, and yet I felt there was some recognition.

"No point in crying over spilled milk, besides, I'm pretty good at telling when im being lied to, so right now all I need to know is what happens now, and if you would be so kind as to explain who you are and what this place is?" I said, and the man nodded.

"My name is Limbo, and your soul has unfortunately ended up between realms, which happen to be my realm, don't ask me how, though," he said and extended a hand which I took, only now noticing my translucent body.

"Thank you, Limbo. My name is Deven, so what happens now will I wander your realm for all eternity or something?" I asked, and the shadowing figure shook its head.

"Nothing like that normally I would just consume and absorb the souls that end up here but sometimes I put them back on the path to a afterlife," he said shrugging but then he pointed at me "But you reminded me of another interesting soul that ended up here so I'll give you the same deal I gave him beat me in a game and I'll I'll reincarnate you but if you lose I'll devour your soul," Limbo said.

I stood there looking at Limbo, digesting the information he had given me, and after some thought, I nodded and crossed my arms.

"Alright, Limbo, I'll accept. So, what game shall we be playing, chess, checkers, or something?" I asked, and a yellow smile appeared on Limbo as his arm morphed like smoke to form a Duel Disk, like from the anime I hadn't watched in years. A wave of nostalgia filled me.

"The last guy liked a game called Yu-Gi-Oh, and looking through your mind, I saw you also like this game, so how about will you duel for your soul?" Limbo asked as suddenly I was standing on a silver disk in the void, and standing on the opposite side was a humanoid made of darkness, the only light given off by its dull yellow glowing eyes and a glowing yellow smile.

"I already accepted your deal, Limbo, so let's get this duel started!" I said, looking at my arm, and in a flash of light, a classic Duel Disk appeared.

Limbo looked surprised, his small, yellow, glowing eyes widening, but his smile only grew bigger.

"Two interesting humans in such little time, but let's see if you're as intriguing as the other," He said, and the shadows coiled around his Duel Disk, and a deck of cards appeared, looking down I focused, and in a flash of light, a deck appeared for me.

Both: "Let's Duel!"

Turn 1

Deven: 4000

Limbo: 4000

"I'll go first, I summon Magician's Rod and activate its effect, adding one spell/trap card to my hand," he said, and on the silver field, the transparent visage of the iconic Dark magician floated with the wand in hand.

Monster - Magician's Rod

Attribute - Dark

Level - 3

Spellcaster / Effect

Attack- 1600

Defense- 100

I felt the flood of nostalgia once again as I saw the monster stand in front of me and I couldn't hold back the wide smile on my face as I anticipated my coming turn.

"Next, I activate the spell card Dark Magical Circle, and I can add one card to my hand and arrange the top two cards of my deck," he said, and on the field, a circle with golden runes covered the entire field.

'Typical Dark Magician deck play, but like any deck, it has its weaknesses,' I thought as I looked at the cards in my hand.

"Now I set two cards face down and end my turn," he said, and I nodded and drew my card and smiled.

[Turn 1]

Deven: 4000

Limbo: 4000

"My turn first, I draw now since I don't have any monsters on the field, I special summon Proton Thrasher," I said in a flash of colors. The monster appeared, hoisting its weapon, ready to attack.

Monster - Proton Thrasher

Attribute - Light

Level - 4

Warrior / Effect

Attack - 2100

Defense - 0

"Next, I special summon Proton Vanisher and activate its effect, which lets me add one Galaxy-Eyes Proton Dragon to my hand," I said, as the monster appeared, a glowing card extended from my deck, and I took it and added it to my hand.

Monster - Proton Vanisher

Attribute - Light

Level - 4

Warrior / Effect

Attack - 2000

Defense - 0

"Interesting monsters, unlike the other soul, you chose the light instead of the shadows..." he said as if he was deep in thought, then nodded his head. "...Let's do something about that. I activate the trap card Eternal Soul!" He shouted out.

A black stone obelisk rose from the ground; on it was the picture of the Dark Magician that glowed a soft blue.

"Activating its effect, I special summon the master of the dark art of magic, the Dark Magician," he said, and from the obelisk, he appeared like a ghost phasing through a wall.

Monster - Dark Magician

Attribute - Dark

Level - 7

Spellcaster / Effect

Attack - 2500

Defense - 2100

I stood there stunned. I had been expecting his appearance since the first move, but to stand and see the Ace monster of the King of Games in real life sent shivers down my spine... It's too bad I need to destroy him.

But as the Dark Magician landed on the ground, the Magic circle glowed, and I knew what was coming next.

"With Dark Magician summoned to my field, Dark Magic Circle's effect activates. I can banish one of your monsters, and I choose Proton Thrasher," he said, and a void opened up from below. My monster Thrasher tried to move away, but black chains attached themselves to Thrasher's body and dragged my monster into the darkness.

As I looked at where Thrasher once stood, I noticed I was clenching my hand tightly, and I had to take a few deep breaths to calm myself down. 'Now I see why Duelists would get so emotional when their monsters are destroyed,' I thought, and glared at Limbo.

"If you think that's done anything to stop me, you're mistaken. All you've done is pissed me off," I said, taking a card from my hand "...I special summon Proton Advancer!" I shouted out.

Monster - Proton Advancer

Attribute - Light

Level- 4

Warrior / Effect

Attack - 1000

Defense - 1000

"Now with both my Proton monsters, I create the overlay network, and XYZ summon Rank 4 Starliege Lord Galaxion!" I shouted out as my two monsters became balls of golden light and flew into a swirling void where a massive golden explosion lit up the darkness.

Monster - Starliege Lord Galaxion

Attribute - Light

Rank - 4

Warrior / XYZ / Effect

Attack - 2000

Defense - 2100

As the light from the explosion dissipated, there floating was a Warrior with two golden orbs orbiting him. It looked at me and nodded its head, much to my surprise, but I nodded back, not letting it show.

"Next, I activate Starliege Lord Galaxion's effect by using both of its overlay units to special summon Galaxy-Eyes Proton Dragon," I said, and from my deck, a card extended out, but it had a multicolor glow like a nebula.

"Yes, come show me if you're worthy of reincarnation!" he shouted, the first time I heard him show any emotion.

"The Embodiment of Light descends upon the battlefield by my side. Come Galaxy-Eyes Proton Dragon!" I shouted, and above me, a black hole appeared only to suddenly collapse in on itself, and in a flash, appeared the mighty dragon of Yu-Gi-Oh Zexal.

*RRROOOAAARRR*

The roar of Galaxy-Eyes shook the silver disk and seemed to cause the void around us to vibrate. I swear I could see the darkness around us ripple like water.

Monster - Galaxy-Eyes Proton Dragon

Attribute - Light

Level - 8

Dragon / Effect

Attack - 3000

Defense - 2500

"Such a powerful monster of light, just like the last one..." he said, then nodded to me.

"Go Starliege Lord Galaxion Attack Magicians Rod Proton double slash!" I shouted out, and my Warrior followed my command, shooting forward and bringing his two laser swords down on the visage of the Dark Magician, destroying it in a satisfying explosion.

Limbo: 4000 - 500 = 3500

"Now I activate the quick play spell Proton Trident and equip it to Galaxy-Eyes, giving him an extra 700 Attack points!" I said, and a Trident glowing with power appeared and was absorbed by said Dragon, its already powerful aura increased tenfold.

Monster - Galaxy-Eyes Proton Dragon

Attribute - Light

Level - 8

Dragon / Effect

Attack - 3000 + 700 = 3700

Defense - 2500

"Now Galaxy-Eyes attack PROTON STREAM DESTRUCTION!" I shouted, and Galaxy-Eyes leaned back before unleashing a blast of blue multi-colored energy.

Dark Magician held up his wand, creating a barrier to the stream of energy connected, and for a few moments, the Barrier held before cracking and breaking.

Limbo: 3500 - 1200 = 2300

"But I'm not done yet because I inflicted battle damage this turn. I can destroy one spell/trap card, and I choose Dark Magic Circle," I said, and the Magic Circles around the field suddenly broke like glass "...And with that, I set two cards and end my turn, your move," I said.

[Turn 2]

Deven: 4000

Limbo: 2300

Limbo: "Draw, first I activate the spell card Dark Magic Curtain and sacrifice half my life points to special summon another Dark Magician," said, and from behind him a large curtain appeared, and out from it came the iconic monster.

Limbo: 2300 ÷ 2 = 1150

"Next, I activate the spell Bond Between Teacher and Student, which lets me special summon Dark Magician Girl and set one spell/trap card," he said as a pink pillar of light appeared and the beautiful girl appeared on the field.

Monster - Dark Magician Girl

Attribute - Dark

Level - 6

Spellcaster / Effect

Attack - 2000

Defense - 1700

"...And now I activate the face down I just placed the quick Plat spell Dark Burning Magic!" he said, and both magicians crossed their wands and pointed them at me, and from them came a massive explosion.

The shockwave alone almost sent me flying backward, but I was able to keep my feet planted, if barely.

Looking back to the field, I saw all my cards were gone, and I saw Limbo look disappointed, his smile now a frown.

*Sigh* "I thought for sure I got luck with another interesting mortal...oh well..." he said before pointing at me "...Attack both of you and end this duel," he shouted, and both magicians nodded and raised their wands, each cracking with power.

"This duel isn't over!" I shouted out as both Magicians unleashed their magic, "...I activate my Kuriphoton from my hand!" I shouted out as both magical attacks collided with a blue force field that dispersed them.

Monster - Kuriphoton

Attribute - Light

Level - 1

Fiend / Effect

Attack - 300

Defense - 200

"Kuriphoton's effect is I take no damage for the rest of this turn," I said, but then purple lightning sparked across my body. "...But I take 2000 points of damage in return..." I said as I suddenly felt a wave of tiredness wash over me like a wave, and I barely stayed awake.

Deven: 4000 - 2000 = 2000

Limbo looked at me, his mouth gone. If I had to guess, he looked surprised, but then his eerie smile returned.

Turn 2

Deven: 2000

Limbo: 2300

"I...DRAW!" I shouted out, and with all my strength, I drew what could be the last card of the duel...I look at the card.....and....I....smile.

Limbo leans forward, and I can't help but wonder if he is looking at my hand somehow, but shake the thought away and decide my next moves.

"First, I activate the spell Galaxy Zero, which allows me to bring one Proton or Galaxy monster from my graveyard to the field, and I choose Galaxy-Eyes Proton Dragon!" I shouted, and the dragon appeared with a mighty roar.

"Once again impressive, but it won't win you this duel or your new life," he said, and I nodded.

"You'd be right if my Galaxy-Eyes were alone. I activate Galaxy-Eyes Afterglow Dragon effect since Galaxy-Eyes Proton Dragon is on the field, I can special summon Afterglow to the fields in Defense mode," I shouted, and in a blinding pillar of light, the ethereal blue dragon appeared, its arms crossed.

Monster - Galaxy-Eyes Afterglow Dragon

Attribute - Light

Level - 8

Dragon / Effect

Attack - 3000

Defense - 2500

Suddenly, both Dragons started to glow golden, and with a flap of their wings, they began to fly into the air, leaving a golden trail behind them.

"Now I create the overlay network and combine my two mighty beasts to create one of almost universal power..." said as the two balls of light disappeared into the darkness.

As I looked into the void, I felt a new weight in my hand and looked down to see a black longsword with glowing red runes in my hand. Suddenly, my body moved on its own, and with all my strength, I threw the sword into the darkness where the two lights of the monsters went.

For a moment, I stood confused at what had just happened, only for a second to pass, and a colossal explosion lit up the darkness, and I felt something overtake me as I opened my mouth and spoke.

"Come and witness my hope appear, Number 62: Galaxy-Eyes Prime Proton Dragon," said an understanding washing over me as I spoke the summoning chant and felt a connection between me and the dragon form.

Monster - Number 62: Galaxy-Eyes Prime Proton Dragon>

Attribute - Light

Rank - 8

Dragon / XYZ / Effect

Attack - 4000

Defense - 3000

Limbo, for the second time, looked utterly stumped before his smile returned, and he nodded at me, and I nodded back.

"I activate Number 62: Galaxy-Eyes Prime Proton Dragon's effect by using one of its overlay units, its attack increased by 200 from the rank of every XYZ monster on the field, so in total it gains 1,600 Attack points!" I shouted out.

Monster- Number 62: Galaxy-Eyes Prime Proton Dragon

Attribute - Light

Rank - 8

Dragon / XYZ / Effect>

Attack - 4000 + 1600 = 5600

Defense - 3000

"End this Duel Number 62 Goooo Prime Proton Blast! I shouted and pointed at Dark Magician.

*RRRROOOAAARRRR*

The dragon leaned back as the energy built up in its body before energy blasted out of its wings like the burning from jets before take off, but instead of fuel, it was burning pure energy. Then it opened its mouth and unleashed a beam of pure energy.

Dark Magician and his Apprentice tried to create a barrier, but unlike last time, this one didn't even last a second before shattering, and Dark Magician was evaporated.

Limbo: 2300 - 3100 = 0

[Turn 2]

Deven: 2000 (Winner)

Limbo: 0 (Losser)

As the smoke cleared and I watched my monsters turn to golden dust, Limbo suddenly appeared in front of his glowing yellow smile, still on his face.

"Another loss for me, I'm starting to not like this game," he said, nodding to himself. "Maybe I just need more practice," he said, talking to himself.

I was about to speak, but I felt myself become extremely tired and had to force my eyes to stay open.

"Oh, do enjoy yourself, and maybe I'll introduce you to the other guy once you catch up to him," he said before my vision turned black.

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