Kira woke unusually early the next day.
He'd slept well, feeling refreshed. But recalling last night's dream—the reclusive master Yugi and the unscientific dream-gift card—seemed even more bizarre in hindsight. He began doubting its reality.
"Silent?"
He summoned Silent. She knelt obediently on the bedside, tilting her head awaiting orders.
"Did you come to my dream last night?"
Silent nodded.
"We met Yugi Muto? It was all real?"
Silent nodded again, then pointed her small hand at the bedside card holster.
Kira got it: Check the gifted card. He grabbed the holster, opened it—the top card was the one from the dream.
But as he drew it, it shimmered with golden light like a veil, blurring the artwork and text. He could faintly make out a figure and effects, but nothing clear.
Kira sighed.
"Another card of unknown meaning..."
Big Eye floated nearby, displeased. "Who're you calling unknown?"
Kira figured since it was from Yugi, it held special meaning—likely tied to fighting the Evil Gods, given Yugi's history.
Then again, Yugi gave Jaden Winged Kuriboh: precious partner, but low combat value. Hard to say.
Regardless, he pocketed it, planning to consult Kaiba Corp or Industrial Illusions later for tech analysis.
After washing up and a simple hotel breakfast, he headed downstairs. Marik and Ishizu were waiting in the lobby.
Marik politely asked, "Sleep well last night?"
"Perfectly," Kira replied. "Even chatted with Mr. Yugi."
They thought it a joke at first. But when he recounted the dream and revealed the glowing golden card, their smiles faded to awe, murmuring in amazement.
After a while, Marik said, "After all these years unseen, Mr. Yugi's realm is beyond our imagination."
Ishizu added, "If he gave you this card, it'll help with what's ahead. Keep it."
"That's what I wanted to ask," Kira said. "What's the plan? Strike first and hunt the Evil Gods?"
"Exactly," Ishizu confirmed. "Their seals are breaking soon. Even ignoring them is just delaying—longer waits let them grow stronger. Since we're clearing obstacles, better strike early while they're not fully restored. Might be easier."
Marik continued, "The issue is locating the seal sites. Probably only the guardian spirit remembers."
Kira glanced at his Duel Disk. The eye floated out nervously. "Eh? Me? But I can't remember anything..."
Marik went on, "The tomb guardians recorded ancient rituals. Some commune with spirits or awaken/evolve their powers. We studied them and found one that might help recover memories."
The eye widened in shock, then anxiety. "Will... will it hurt?"
Kira ignored it. "Fine, lead the way. Let's wrap this up quick."
The eye protested: "Ignoring the subject's feelings!?"
"This way—the car's waiting outside," Ishizu said. "The ritual needs the family altar. I had it prepped last night."
The three turned to leave the lobby. But after a few steps, a man blocked the door.
A burly thug in black, tiger-backed and bear-waisted, face full of savage flesh but pallid as a corpse. His muscles rigid like a zombie's, expressionless—contrasting eyes brimming with murder, darkness surging like an endless abyss.
All veteran duelists, they sensed the malice sharply. They halted, eyes locked on him.
Marik growled, "Who are you?"
No answer. Kira narrowed his eyes. "Figured it wouldn't be that easy."
He paused. "Let me guess—Evil God?"
Marik and Ishizu tensed, scrutinizing the man.
"Last time was Eraser," Kira continued. "So which are you? Dreadroot? Or the Wicked Avatar in person?"
The brute said nothing. After two seconds of silence, he activated his Duel Disk.
He stepped back, then spoke: "You're right. I am the Avatar of the supreme Evil God. However..."
His face grew more sinister, voice low.
"For mere humans, no need for full Evil God power."
"Is that so? Looking forward to it."
Kira signaled the others back, activating his own Duel Disk.
Marik and Ishizu exchanged looks, knowing they couldn't match him, and retreated silently.
"Duel!" x2
[Kira, LP 4000]
[Evil God, LP 4000]
Kira: "I'll go first. Draw!"
He drew, then flipped a hand card.
"Spell Card 'Pot of Greed'—draw two more from the deck."
He drew again. The Evil God mumbled incoherently.
"Set a monster face-down in defense. Set another card face-down. Turn end."
Kira placed his backrows and ended.
Evil God: "My turn. Draw."
He drew slowly, frowned, and revealed two hand cards.
The front one was unmistakably a waifu card.
"Monster effect of Darklord Ixchel. Discard this card and another Darklord from hand to draw two from deck."
He revealed the hidden one—another Darklord.
"Send two Darklords to GY, draw two."
The hand refresh seemed mundane, but Kira's expression grew serious.
Darklords, huh.