A palace.
A resplendent palace, so magnificent that every inch of space seemed plated in a sheen of gold. Beneath the towering dome at the center of the grand hall stood imposing statues in varied poses—some holding scepters, others with eyes closed in contemplation. Across the surrounding walls and thick pillars were carved intricate ancient murals and indecipherable mysterious script.
A pitch-black jackal sculpture lay quietly in the very center of the hall. Its eyes looked as if they might come alive at any moment, as though peering through the void to appraise every soul that dared approach this forbidden domain.
Kira strode into the palace and stopped at the center of the forbidden area.
A moment later, a figure appeared ahead.
"Welcome," the man said. "The new king of the modern age—Fujiki Kira."
He wore black clothes and a black robe, a hood covering his head; most of his face was hidden in shadow, making his features hard to see.
But when he stepped forward and slowly removed his hood, a smooth, round bald head was revealed. His skin was dark; in the dim light he looked like a freshly peeled soy-braised egg.
On his face were striking markings—apparently tattoos. Some resembled abstract mural-like images; others were ancient words and symbols. Though their meaning was unclear, even from a distance one could imagine what inhuman pain he must have endured to carve them onto himself, and what willpower it took to finish the work.
With such distinctive traits, Kira recognized him at once.
It was Odion.
Odion of the Tomb Keeper clan—Marik Ishtar's most trusted confidant in the world.
Odion had not originally been of the Tomb Keeper clan, but was adopted. From childhood he had been ordered to serve Marik—Marik's servant, and also his most important friend.
When Marik was young, because of the Tomb Keepers' cruel rules, he had to be tattooed with a full set of markings related to the Pharaoh's memories. The process involved immense pain, and the hatred that grew in the young Marik gave birth to a dark personality—Yami Marik, who would later run wild in Duel City wielding the Winged Dragon of Ra.
To share Marik's pain, Odion had voluntarily had the same tattoos inked onto his own body—even his face—and said that although he couldn't lessen Marik's suffering, he was willing to bear it together with him.
Such loyalty moved Marik deeply. With Odion's help, he managed to suppress the dark persona—this was why that darkness had been restrained for years without erupting.
But now, seeing Odion appear before him as a servant of the Tomb Keepers, Kira couldn't help but wonder why.
"I'm sorry to disturb you so abruptly," Odion said.
"I represent the Tomb Keeper clan, who have safeguarded the Pharaoh's secrets for generations in Ancient Egypt. If it weren't necessary, our clan would never wish to interrupt the king's life."
Kira said, "So, something happened?"
"Exactly. However, I'm only a lowly servant. I've been ordered to invite you to visit the Tomb Keeper clan. The clan's successor will explain the details to you."
The successor of the Tomb Keepers—Kira understood. That likely referred to the Ishtar siblings.
"But before that, I was also entrusted with another task. Of course, this isn't mandatory—it's just that…"
Odion raised the Duel Disk on his arm.
Kira had already noticed it. "A Duel?"
Odion nodded.
"Of course, if you'd rather not, that's fine. It's just… I personally have always wanted a chance to ask you for guidance, so…"
"Sure," Kira said with a smile.
Naturally, he had no reason to refuse.
Besides, he'd long wanted an opportunity to pay a visit to the Tomb Keeper clan. It was just that the Ishtar siblings were far away in Egypt, travel wasn't convenient, and there had never really been a chance.
Not only because many of the cards Kira liked to use—including Lava Golem—had come from Marik, and in a sense Marik was the founding ancestor of modern-day toxic duelists.
But also because the Tomb Keeper clan possessed a super-weapon like "Exchange of the Spirit".
In real Yu-Gi-Oh history, this card had left behind a legendary FTK ("first-turn kill") deck with an almost 100% going-first win rate—still talked about today as the famous "Exchange of the Spirit" legend.
And who would have thought that in later generations, an entirely new archetype would be released themed around "Exchange of the Spirit"?
And because that archetype had excellent synergy with a certain beautiful, ageless, undying powerful existence, it hitched a ride on that person's express train, together forming the deck that would be recorded in history: Tearlaments Deck.
Still recognized to this day as the strongest deck in Yu-Gi-Oh history.
So it would be well worth visiting Ishizu, the owner of "Exchange of the Spirit."
"Then let's do it. Just a friendly match—no going too far," Kira said as he unfolded his Duel Disk.
After all, they were both duelists with dark power, and even the territory they stood in—Kira recognized it—was a scene materialized under dark power from the Spell Card "Temple of the Kings."
This was only sparring. It wouldn't be good if someone got hurt.
Odion nodded.
"Duel!" ×2
[Kira, LP 4000]
[Odion, LP 4000]
"I'll go first. Draw."
Odion had the first turn.
He drew, studied his hand for a moment, and quickly selected two cards.
"I set two cards to my field," Odion declared. "My turn ends!"
Only setting—no monster summon. If an ordinary person faced that setup, they'd feel uneasy; it was strange.
But Kira was fine.
Not only because he himself sometimes liked opening like this to pressure the opponent—setting only backrow with no frontline was like openly saying, "There are traps here, come step on them."
And moreover, this trick was originally Odion's invention.
Odion was probably the first person in Yu-Gi-Oh history to play a "pure trap deck." In the anime duel against Joey during Battle City, his strategy was basically "five backrow set, please advise"—and Joey got trapped to death, learning firsthand how dangerous the world of dueling could be.
That's why the DM Tomb Keepers were truly "sunny."
Sunny big boy Marik goes without saying—being the owner of Lava Golem already made him the ancestor of the underworld. His sister Ishizu's "Exchange of the Spirit" was even heavier. And Odion simply played an all-trap pit deck—basically the human pillar of red traps.
And precisely because Kira knew Odion's style, he chose this deck without hesitation.
"My turn. Draw."
Kira directly revealed the Spell Card in his hand.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Law of the Cosmos.'
My opponent may choose one Trap Card from their hand or Deck and Set it in their Spell & Trap Zone."
Odion froze.
What?
No conditions—search any trap from the deck… and you're gifting it to me?
Is there really such a good deal?
He couldn't hide his surprise.
What kind of line is this—opening by handing the opponent a massive benefit?
Especially for Odion, who ran an all-trap deck, this opportunity was even more precious.
Is this the so-called king's confidence?
But before he could search, Kira smiled and continued.
"Of course, in exchange—if you choose to Set a Trap—then I can Special Summon a 'Jinzo' directly from my Deck."
Odion: "!!!"
You're summoning… what?
…