Chapter 6: The Shadow Duelist Part II

Jaden, Syrus, and Chumley arrived at the abandoned dorm, the air around it heavy with unease. The building seemed to absorb the moonlight, its windows dark and foreboding.

"This place gives me the creeps," Syrus whispered.

"Then maybe you should stay outside," Jaden teased, already pushing the door open.

Before they could step inside, Ace's voice cut through the night. "What do you idiots think you're doing here at this ungodly hour?"

The trio spun to see Ace approaching, his presence commanding as ever.

"Exploring," Jaden replied, unbothered by Ace's stern tone. "Professor Banner mentioned this place, so we figured—"

"It's not safe," Ace interrupted, his cold demeanor tinged with genuine concern. His duel spirits buzzed around him, unseen to the others but filling him with unease. "Go back before you regret it."

Syrus and Chumley seemed ready to agree, but Jaden's curiosity was unwavering. "Come on, Ace. What's the worst that could happen?"

Before Ace could retort, Alexis appeared. Her expression was tense, her arms crossed. "What are you all doing here?"

After hearing their reason, she sighed. "This dorm is dangerous. My brother was one of the students who went missing here." Her voice softened. "Please, don't go in."

Jaden hesitated for a moment but ultimately stepped forward. "I'm sorry about your brother, Alexis. But if there are answers inside, I want to find them."

Ace sighed, muttering in Russian, "Stubborn fools." He followed, unwilling to let them face the unknown alone.

Inside the dorm, the atmosphere was oppressive. The walls seemed to breathe with a life of their own, shadows shifting unnaturally.

Ace's duel spirits grew restless. Chengying materialized again, warning, "Something malevolent lies ahead."

Inside the abandoned dorm, shadows danced on the walls as the group explored. Alexis screamed, drawing their attention to a tall figure emerging from the darkness.

"Welcome to my domain," the man said with a sinister smile. "I am Titan, the Shadow Duelist."

Alexis struggled in his grasp, her eyes wide with fear. "Let her go!" Ace demanded, his voice sharp and commanding.

Titan laughed. "Only if you can beat me in a duel. But, if it's a duel you want, it's a duel you'll get. But this won't be an ordinary duel—it will be a Shadow Game!"

Ace's eyes glowed with fury, and he began speaking in Russian, his voice deep and resonant. "If it's a Shadow Game you desire, it's a Shadow Game you'll regret."

The darkness thickened around them, swallowing the light as Ace activated the shadow-infused powers of his ring. A chilling wind blew through the room, and the air turned oppressive, as though the weight of the void itself was bearing down on everyone present.

Ace activated his custom duel disk, the golden edges gleaming even in the darkness. The hum of the Shadow Game filled the room, and both duelists drew their opening hands.

[DUEL STARTS]

Titan – LP: 4000 | Hand: 5 | Monsters: 0

Ace Romanov – LP: 4000 | Hand: 5 | Monsters: 0

Turn 1: Ace

Ace drew his first card, his grip tightening on his Duel Disk. His mind burned with the memory of Alexis' kidnapping. His fury surged, and he barely contained it.

"This ends now, Titan," Ace declared, his voice full of seething anger.

"I activate Swordsoul Emergence," he continued, slamming the card into his Duel Disk. "I add Swordsoul of Taia to my hand!"

His voice cold, Ace summoned Swordsoul of Mo Ye in Attack Mode. (Level 4 / ATK: 1700 / DEF: 1600)

Mo Ye appeared in a flash, twirling her sword with excitement. "Let's show him what we can do, Ace! I'm ready to bring the pain!"

Ace's eyes flickered briefly as if reminding himself to calm down. He exhaled sharply. "Mo Ye's effect activates!" Ace revealed Swordsoul of Taia in his hand, summoning a Swordsoul Token (Level 4 / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0).

"I tune Mo Ye with the Token to Synchro Summon Swordsoul Grandmaster - Chixiao!" (Level 8 / ATK: 2800 / DEF: 1000)

The air shimmered with energy as Chixiao appeared, his sword raised high.

Chixiao's voice rang out, full of authority. "Show me your strength, Ace."

"Chixiao's effect activates!" Ace's voice was cold as ice. "I add Swordsoul Strategist Longyuan from my deck to my hand."

Ace then declared, "I activate Swordsoul Strategist Longyuan's effect!" He discarded Swordsoul of Taia from his hand and summoned Swordsoul Strategist Longyuan (Level 6 / ATK: 1200 / DEF: 2300). The field trembled as Longyuan appeared, his gaze cold and calculating.

With a determined look, Ace special summoned another Swordsoul Token thanks to Longyuan's effect (Level 4 / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0).

"I Synchro Summon Swordsoul Sinister Sovereign - Qixing Longyuan! Using Longyuan and Swordsoul Token" (Level 10 / ATK: 2900 / DEF: 2300)

Longyuan's dragon-like form materialized on the field, exuding a fierce, intimidating presence.

"Longyuan's effect activates!" Ace's voice was steely as he pointed to Titan. "Since Longyuan was sent to the graveyard as a synchro material you take 1200 damage!"

Titan's LP: 2800

"I set 2 cards face-down and end my turn."

Ace's Field:

Monsters: Swordsoul Grandmaster - Chixiao (ATK: 2800), Swordsoul Sinister Sovereign - Qixing Longyuan (ATK: 2900)

Spells/Traps: 2 set cards

Ace's Hand: 3

Turn 2: Titan

Titan drew his card with a mocking grin on his face. "You think that'll stop me? You're mistaken, boy."

Titan slammed a card onto the field. "I activate Archfiend's Roar! I summon Archfiend Commander!" (Level 6 / ATK: 1800 / DEF: 1200)

Titan's LP: 1800

With a cruel laugh, Titan activated another card. "I activate Dark Spirit's Mastery to add Archfiend Emperor, the First Lord of Horror to my hand!" He grinned widely. "I'll end my turn here"

Titan's Field:

Monsters: Archfiend Commander (ATK: 1800), Archfiend of Gilfer (ATK: 2200)

Spells/Traps: None

Titan's Hand: 1

Turn 3: Ace

Ace drew his next card, his fury still burning. "You're still going down, Titan, and I will make sure to bring pure agony the whole way through!"

"Qixing Longyuan's effect activates again!" Ace said, his voice cold as ice. "I banish Archfiend Commander from your field and deal you another 1200 damage!"

Titan's LP: 600

"No this can't be my monster" Titan screamed in agony

With a sneer, Ace pointed forward. "Qixing Longyuan, finish this duel! Attack directly!"

The massive dragon unleashed a final, devastating blast of energy, overwhelming Titan's remaining Life Points.

Titan's LP: 0

[DUEL ENDS]