The four corridors that spiraled from the heart of the Obsidian Tower each pulsed with energy unique to the duelist who entered. As the stone walls shifted behind them, locking the paths until the trials were completed, an oppressive silence filled the air—dense, watchful, and ancient.
Kaito's Path
Kaito walked with calm precision, his Blue-Eyes White Dragon card glowing faintly in his hand. The corridor shimmered with spectral blue light, and before him materialized a floating dueling platform. At its center stood a figure draped in dark armor, face obscured, its Duel Disk already active.
"You carry the legacy of dragons," the figure intoned. "But do you carry the burden?"
Kaito narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
"I am the Harbinger of Sovereigns. Defeat me, or be consumed by the will of your monster."
The duel disk locked into place, and the room transformed into a glowing arena surrounded by spiraling ethereal glyphs. The duel had begun.
Kaito - 4000 LP
Harbinger - 4000 LP
Kaito's first move was swift—he summoned Maiden with Eyes of Blue and set two cards. As the Harbinger attacked, Maiden's effect activated, allowing Blue-Eyes White Dragon to emerge in a flash of sapphire light. But the Harbinger wasn't phased—he summoned Darkflare Dragon and activated a strange spell card that twisted the arena into a void field, neutralizing tribute summons.
Kaito grimaced. "So that's how it is…"
With calm resolve, he Synchro Summoned Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon, protecting his Blue-Eyes and initiating a counterattack that shattered Darkflare Dragon. When the dust cleared, the Harbinger was gone—vanished in black mist.
A new doorway opened at the end of the corridor.
Jaden's Path
Jaden strode down his path with characteristic confidence, though the air was heavier than usual. The walls pulsed with chaotic color—reds, purples, greens—as if reflecting his energy. Ahead, a dueling ring formed out of living vines.
From the center rose a duel spirit cloaked in crimson moss, with glowing green eyes and clawed hands holding a duel disk.
"You rely on bonds. Let us see if they are more than sentiment."
The spirit drew its cards. Without hesitation, Jaden activated Polymerization, fusing Elemental HERO Avian and Burstinatrix to summon Flame Wingman.
Flame Wingman roared.
But the Harbinger spirit countered with Wicked Rebirth, summoning a twisted clone of Flame Wingman—corrupted and draped in thorns.
Jaden gritted his teeth. "You're using my own cards against me?"
"You duel from the heart. But what if your heart betrays you?"
The battle raged fiercely. Jaden eventually summoned Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman, launching a final attack that obliterated the twisted clone. As the vines retracted and the path ahead lit with golden light, the Harbinger whispered, "One heart still remains chained."
Jaden frowned. That didn't feel like a victory.
Alexis's Path
The cold corridor was lined with mirrors, each one reflecting twisted versions of Alexis—some wearing Obelisk Blue, others dressed in shadowy robes. As she walked, each image whispered doubts, fears, insecurities.
"You were never meant to lead."
"He will never choose you."
"You are only strong when others fall."
She clenched her fists. "You're not real."
From the end of the hall, a duel platform appeared, and a Harbinger stepped forth, wearing a mask identical to her own face.
"We are all your reflection. Show us who you truly are."
The duel began. The Harbinger used a deck of mind control and mirror cards, turning Alexis's own Cyber Angels against her. But Alexis adapted, using Machine Angel Ritual and Cyber Angel Dakini to regain control.
With a final strike, her reflection shattered, and the mirrors faded into dust.
She stepped through the new doorway with a stronger resolve.
Bastion's Path
Bastion found himself in a chamber of shifting equations—numbers and formulas floated through the air like constellations. A Harbinger materialized as a figure of pure data, eyes flickering like processors.
"You seek to understand. But will logic help you grasp the incomprehensible?"
They began a duel that challenged Bastion's entire strategy. The Harbinger changed field conditions with every turn—turning fire to water, earth to wind—making Bastion's calculations unreliable.
But Bastion adapted, activating DNA Surgery and using elemental fusion to create Water Dragon Cluster, flipping the tide.
"Knowledge isn't just about control," Bastion said as the Harbinger dissolved into light. "It's about growth."
At the Heart of the Tower
One by one, the four reunited at the central sanctum. In the middle of the room floated a sealed card—blank, yet pulsing with forbidden energy. Above it, runes activated.
Kaito narrowed his eyes. "This is what they were guarding."
Jaden reached for it, but the moment his hand drew close, the card burst with black lightning, knocking them all back.
From the shadows, a voice boomed:
"You are not ready."
The floor beneath them cracked—and they were plunged into a blinding light.