Greiger's Duel Runner took a massive hit. The mighty punch from the god nearly flipped the triangular vehicle as it spun out of control across the pavement, its huge tires screeching, metal scraping and spraying clear sparks.
"Ahhhhh—!"
Greiger—or rather, the evil god inside him—roared in fury and frustration.
Greiger's large body was thrown from the Duel Runner, rolling several times along the ground before slamming hard into the outer barrier of the track.
It should be said that Greiger's human body had long been dead. Now, he was a Dark Signer, a living corpse bolstered by the power of the evil god. Otherwise, for an ordinary human, being thrown like that would have shattered every bone in his body.
Of course, the dark duel had already summoned an Earthbound Immortal. Even if the physical trauma wouldn't have killed him, the aftermath of the duel almost certainly would.
At least—for now.
This is why they say Earthbound Immortals are perhaps the "best bosses" in Yu-Gi-Oh! history: they grant the dead new life as Dark Signers, a second chance. Even when a Shadow Duel is lost and the soul is seemingly forfeit, death is only temporary.
Once the Dark Signer arc concludes and the Earthbound Immortal faction is defeated, everyone who died comes back to life—sacrificed or lost in a duel, in the end they all return, safe and sound, to their ordinary lives.
Of course, before the fall of the Earthbound Immortals, the Dark Signers themselves had no idea there would be a chance at resurrection.
Just like now—Greiger felt, to him, his story was truly over.
"I'll remember you…"
The evil god, through Greiger's eyes, glared hatefully at Kira. Those words seemed to drain the last of its lingering power from Greiger, as the sinister aura gradually separated and faded away.
Greiger's eyes slowly regained clarity. But his body was still sprawled in the corner of the racetrack, with no strength left to rise.
"Hey! You—!" Fudo Yusei quickly leapt onto the track, running toward Greiger. "Are you okay?"
Greiger closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.
"I lost… utterly and completely."
At this moment, Kira's Duel Runner also stopped beside Greiger. He dismounted and walked over slowly.
Greiger raised his head with effort, looking at "Director Goodwin," and said with difficulty, "Sorry, Director… I… cough was easily deceived by the words of evil.
"When I saw the tragedy of my homeland, thought of my murdered siblings, my mind went blank. I was overwhelmed by vengeance, consumed to the core, not even bothering to verify the facts. I just believed the smear campaign against you so simply… cough"
"It's alright," Kira replied calmly. "When it comes to family, everyone easily loses themselves. It's perfectly understandable."
Greiger gave a bitter smile. "Luckily, Director, your strength… actually, that's an understatement. It seems you're the kind of living legend that legends talk about. I always thought my dueling skills were top-tier, never imagined there'd be anyone this strong, or monsters so mighty.
To have divine power like that… maybe, in your eyes, 'Earthbound Immortals' really are just fake gods."
Kira said, "You don't have much time left. Let ask a question quickly."
Greiger nodded. "Ask me anything I know… cough"
"Your revenge—was it entirely your own will? Was anyone else behind it, especially anyone NOT a Dark Signer pushing you?"
Ever since the last battle with the Skeleton Knight, Kira suspected a 'manipulator behind history' was focusing on him. Skeleton Knight had seen through his disguise as the real Director Goodwin, so the manipulator probably knew too. Maybe Greiger was sent by that very power.
But Greiger shook his head. "No, it was all for revenge—my own actions. Not even the other Dark Signers knew."
He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. "I was blind! My true enemies were right beside me, yet I knew nothing. I even went along with them, nearly… nearly hurt the good guys!"
Rage boiled in his heart. He now hated the other Dark Signers, craved revenge—but he also knew the rules of the Shadow Duel: lose, and your body begins to crumble, like decay speeding up before your eyes.
No matter the hate, there'd be no chance for revenge anymore.
"It doesn't matter," Kira replied steadily. "The souls absorbed by the Earthbound Immortals didn't vanish. They're being gathered for the final ritual to open the door to the Netherworld.
Defeat the Earthbound Immortals, and your siblings' souls will return."
At that, Greiger's heart pounded. He stared wide-eyed at "Director Goodwin".
"Director, are you serious? Are you sure?"
"Of course," Kira nodded.
"Then… my siblings…"
"They're still alive, yes."
Greiger wept with joy—the towering man of two meters shed tears like rain, sobbing like a child.
"That's wonderful… truly wonderful…"
He closed his eyes. For now, all hatred was forgotten. Ever since learning his home was gone, revenge was his only aim in life. Now, knowing his lost ones lived, all that anger faded away—nothing else in the world seemed to matter.
And the one who defeated the Earthbound Immortals was standing before him—Goodwin, his mortal enemy just a moment ago, now became his savior.
"You don't need to worry about the other Dark Signers, either," Kira added. "Their end is guaranteed. Trust me."
Greiger nodded, and let his eyes close in peace.
Through the duel, he had come to believe completely.
The Dark Signers were finished.
Because this "Director Goodwin" said so, it was as good as done.
"Thank you…"
With his final breath, Greiger's body finally collapsed, dissolving into smoke.
For the first time, Yusei and Jack saw someone killed by a duel, and were left in awe.
"Goodwin!" Jack demanded, "What happened to him?"
Kira turned, clasping his hands behind his back, facing both of them. "He was a Dark Signer, your destined enemy as Signer duelists.
Dark Signer duels stake life and death. If he doesn't die, you would. Soon, you'll likely face this moment yourselves—be prepared."
With that, he turned to leave.
"Wait up!" Yusei called after him, "What does it mean—destined battle? What about this city, Satellite, what's coming next?"
Kira stopped, glanced back at them and smiled.
"You haven't awakened yet. Especially you, Yusei—your Dragon Mark isn't permanent, is it?"
Yusei looked at his arm, now completely bare.
He was different from the others. Only in the presence of another Signer, or during a duel with a Dark Signer, would the Dragon Mark appear and glow.
That meant Yusei's awakening was behind the others.
"If you want to know, just keep entering the Fortune Cup, and keep winning."
Kira spoke.
"Win your way to the top—when you reach the peak of this city's dueling world, you will learn the truth."
He hummed a little tune and strode away.
…