The duel ended.
The victor was the human side.
Tori Meadows, seeing Yuma win, excitedly mimicked cheerleader moves to celebrate for Yuma.
Besides her, everyone present also felt relieved.
E-Ra.
The source of countless sins, this thing that at first glance seemed to care about humans but was actually always venomous, had finally been eliminated.
Yuma panted heavily, slowly releasing from the merged state, watching E-Ra disperse into radiance on the horizon. But his face didn't show the excitement of victory.
E-Ra was dead.
But E-Ra wasn't dead either.
E-Ra was immortal.
She was the resentment left behind after living beings' pursuit of hope failed. So long as there was still sorrow in the world, she would always have a day of revival.
This too was something Yuma had just learned.
During ZEXAL, during the merger in this world, Yuma had sensed part of Astral's memories and known his mission.
Seal E-Ra!
As the watchman, forever seal this existence!
But wasn't that too sad!?
Astral still had many memories to recover. The Barian World matters hadn't been resolved either.
So he didn't accept this matter.
Even if he had to forcibly take Astral away, he wouldn't accept it.
He believed there would always be a way. A way to resolve this world, this despairing world!
So before everyone had celebrated for long, Yuma directly voiced his thoughts to Astral.
Astral was composed and clearly didn't intend to listen to Yuma.
Sealing E-Ra, sealing despair, was one of Astral's missions. He had to do this.
For this, even if he had to duel Yuma, he wouldn't hesitate.
"That's not necessary." At this moment, Hikaru suddenly spoke, interrupting those who'd abruptly fallen into a sad atmosphere.
"Eh? What do you mean!" Yuma hurriedly pressed.
Hikaru smiled, shook his head, and explained.
From what Yuma said, Astral sealing E-Ra seemed to be the Z4 manga version's plot and setting. After all, E-Ra herself was immortal. There had to be an immortal watchman to watch her, prevent her from awakening. Only then could people feel at ease.
But that was the manga Z4 situation!
In this world where countless dimensions were connected, where dimensional travel had developed down a brand-new path, there were other choices different from the original.
First, find a righteous person similar to Astral who could stay in this world forever to watch E-Ra.
Second, find a super-villain similar to E-Ra who could devour dark power and would be happy to supervise E-Ra.
Third, directly eliminate E-Ra.
Yes, though E-Ra was undying, forever able to reincarnate, in the countless dimensions, sooner or later an existence that could completely eliminate her could be found.
Not strange. Infinite dimensions, infinite possibilities.
Setting aside other things, if Darkness were alive, with E-Ra beaten to reincarnate, Darkness could definitely easily devour all of E-Ra's authorities and directly, completely replace E-Ra's despair divinity.
But finding this kind of person definitely wouldn't do.
After all, there was no guarantee such an existence wouldn't suddenly act, seize E-Ra's power, and then stir up trouble.
"But if we find someone like Astral, won't he still have to spend his life here!" Yuma didn't accept this.
Hikaru raised a finger and lightly shook it: "No, I said three possibilities. This second possibility is actually more suitable for you."
"This..."
Hard to trust, right?
"Evil existences aren't few." Hikaru casually said. "In my world, there are the Three Phantom Demons. In Yusei's world, the Earthbound Immortal series would also happily take the watchman role."
"Then I'll ask Wiraqocha to come?" Crow raised his hand. "He's a bit tired of the Synchro world too. He should easily handle this job."
"After finally escaping one prison just to sit in another somewhere else?" Hikaru waved his hand, not teasing, pointing at the place where E-Ra died, at those scattered cards. "The answer is in those cards.
Azathoth."
He had all the time in the world, was reclusive, and extremely, extremely patient.
More importantly, E-Ra had stolen his lost body and claimed it as her own until today. He'd certainly happily teach E-Ra a lesson.
Everyone, hearing this, exchanged glances, recalled the giant eyeball in the sky, and suddenly felt things had become simpler.
Of course, just in case, Astral still decided to observe here for a while. Hikaru spread his hands, not persuading him either.
Once he sent A-Boss's body back, if A-Boss really extended tentacles into this despairing world, Astral would naturally understand.
After chatting about these things, everyone started doing more important matters.
E-Ra's legacy.
E-Ra had plenty of cards acquired from various places. Even without counting the broken fake cards at the level of Rhongomyniad, Heraldry Crest, and A-Boss, there were still plenty of quality cards.
Besides this, cards like Dyson Sphere, Gimmick Puppet of Strings, and quite a few other cards, as well as cards belonging to Yuma and other Xyz Dimension friends, had to be recovered.
Especially for Quattro, E-Ra had nearly a whole deck of cards in hand, all originally belonging to their family but now stolen. The more he checked, the more furious he grew. Only regrettable he hadn't just participated in the duel, otherwise he definitely would have beaten E-Ra hard.
Besides this, there were plenty of cards very important to Astral, either his own memories or memory switches. There was also Hikaru's specifically picked-out Contract with Don Thousand that he had them pay attention to, truly a treasure trove.
Hikaru even saw a The Last Warrior from Another Planet in E-Ra's deck. He thought E-Ra really maxed out her sealing mindset.
But Hikaru had long ago gotten one from Magical Scientist, so he wasn't too excited after seeing it.
E-Ra was a pure Xyz Dimension god. Though she also collected cards from other systems, there weren't that many. She was just about to collect Akiza when she got kicked at the door.
So most of the cards actually had nothing to do with Hikaru.
However, when Hikaru checked his own cards, his mood lifted considerably.
First was Absolute Axon Kicker. The originally minimal card had instantly completed halfway.
Not only that. Some other cards that were gathering energy also leapt forward. Besides Fiendsmith's Lacrima, most cards had grown substantially. Even Lacrima had completed one-tenth.
From whatever angle you looked, it was a harvest of energy.
Especially, Hikaru had noticed Visas was already starting to flicker with light. Clearly, it wouldn't be long before he could obtain a brand-new card from the radiance.
Not only that. Hikaru had even seen a brand-new card.
Ultra Beetrooper Absolute Hercules!
Hikaru was stunned seeing it.
Even Link-series cards could show up. Though it was a Fusion Monster.
But after being stunned, what Hikaru focused on was certainly still the card itself.
Ultra Beetrooper Absolute Hercules. A Level 11 EARTH Attribute Insect-Type Fusion Monster. On the turn Fusion Summoned, until the end of my next turn, unaffected by other cards' effects. Also, at the end of my or the opponent's Battle Phase, target 1 Insect-Type monster with 3000 or less ATK in my Graveyard to activate. Special Summon that monster.
The second effect was so-so, but the first effect was very useful in specific situations.
After all, 4000 ATK/DEF with full landing immunity was very useful at many times.
Besides that, its Fusion condition was also very loose. Only required 4 Insect-Type monsters.
Though Hikaru didn't have a dedicated Insect-Type system of cards, this Fusion material made Hikaru cheer inwardly.
4 Insect-Type.
What did that represent?
Though Hikaru's current mastery over Super Polymerization could already let him easily use some non-Fusion cards, for his hobby and own ideals, Hikaru himself silently followed these restrictions.
4 Insect-Type, that represented... Hikaru could run 3 Maxx "C"!
Exaggerated.
Just this Fusion condition alone was much stronger than Hikaru directly beating Weevil Underwood dry of his energy to grind out Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth.
Though Hikaru hadn't yet seen anyone besides Visas use Maxx "C", better to be prepared. Making stockpiles in advance wasn't bad either.
There was still plenty of time. Everyone found an empty spot in E-Ra's world to sit and rest, quietly watching this world grow more and more empty.
With E-Ra's death, this world's tombstones began slowly transforming into orbs of light, rising one by one.
These lives from different eras, different countries, different planets, after E-Ra's death, could finally find release, completely leaving this world.
Their figures became scattered points of starlight, waving at Hikaru and the others, and thanking them. After waves of thanks, this world's pitch-black darkness was gradually replaced by starlight. The entire world transformed into a beautiful world like a starry sky.
Hikaru watched them leave. His mood was already great from finally resolving the smelly troublemaker E-Ra. Now even more cheerful, he enthusiastically bid farewell to those people.
After this farewell, there was still a new farewell to come.
They had to bid farewell to everyone from the Xyz Dimension.
Once they left this world and returned to the human world, the Xyz Dimension people would most likely leave the Synchro Dimension.
For one, Kite's most important goal in coming to this world had been accomplished. He wanted to take Hart back to the Xyz Dimension as soon as possible to find his father for a detailed full-body examination.
Similarly, Quattro was quite worried about his brothers. And he had to go back to tell his brothers about father's matters. He couldn't stay long in the Synchro Dimension.
The most reluctant was probably Yuma.
His age wasn't high. He was the youngest present, and the most emotional. Though he hadn't known them long, he already considered himself good friends with Hikaru, Yusei, and the others. He truly couldn't bear to part with friends he'd only just met.
Seeing him like this, Hikaru couldn't help laughing.
He recalled a line he'd once said, fitting for the moment, a bit hellish, but something he hoped wouldn't happen.
"Yuma." Hikaru closed his eyes, speaking as gently as possible, without excess emotion. "Life always comes with partings. Let's start with... getting used to parting with us."
"Mm..." Yuma's and Tori Meadows' moods both lowered somewhat. The others' moods were more stable.
But Hikaru's words weren't just for Yuma.
He glanced around at the newly met friends and slowly spoke again: "Regardless, I only hope that this parting isn't a final farewell. I hope that at the next multi-dimensional joint exchange meeting, everyone can gather again."
"Mm!" Yusei and a few others also nodded along.
Yuma wiped his tears and nodded at Hikaru: "Mm!"
Everyone had been near-strangers before. For the same reason, the same enemy, they'd gathered here, facing the same enemy, all for justice, for hope.
This parting, besides the matter ending, was also because everyone had their own careers, their own convictions, their own aspirations, their own futures.
But regardless of where.
So long as there was still a common point, there would sooner or later be a chance to meet again.
That common point was dueling!
So long as everyone aimed to be the strongest duelist, then one day, everyone would meet again!
With the final farewell spoken, this world slowly dispersed before everyone. After a dragon's cry, the surroundings gradually transformed back into the Synchro Dimension.
Without realizing it, possibly through Crimson Dragon's power, they'd returned to the Synchro Dimension.
The moment they returned, everyone saw Akiza who'd rushed over last. She didn't know what had just happened, only that Yusei and the others had suddenly vanished. Now seeing Yusei return, she was worried, afraid, and excited. She rushed up to hug Yusei, buried her head in his chest, saying over and over "Yusei, where did you go?"
Crow and Jack exchanged glances, smiled at each other. Crow put his hands behind his head, Jack also silently followed and left.
They didn't bring up Yusei's satisfaction at seeing Rhongomyniad in the duel. Because Yusei was always this reserved, he wouldn't casually tell others his thoughts.
Yuma invited Quattro to leave together. Quattro shook his head and said there was still much to handle in this base. He'd go find Yuma and the others later.
Of course, there was another matter. He still had to express gratitude to Hikaru.
Though Hikaru hadn't done anything extra, for Quattro, Hikaru had rescued his father, resolved the hateful E-Ra. He was his benefactor.
Also, Hikaru had slightly eased the physical toll he'd suffered from the despair Rank-Up. He had to seriously thank him somehow.
By his own account, he could in the coming period help Team 5D's connect with other teams. Also, he'd specially thank Hikaru.
But Hikaru lightly declined.
Connecting was naturally fine. But thanks weren't necessary.
"If you really want to thank me, give me one of your cards."
"Hmm?" Quattro felt puzzled for the first time.
His cards were all under severe self-restraint, more severe than Hikaru's trio's Xyz, Synchro, Fusion self-restrictions.
But Hikaru smiled and said he shouldn't mind.
Fusion was like this. Inclusion was what he pursued.
"Gimmick Puppet Nightmare... mm, it's yours." Quattro didn't dwell.
It wasn't a particularly rare card, just his exclusive one. He himself still had several. Giving it as thanks to Hikaru actually made him a bit embarrassed.
After all, this thing had a Special Summon turn where after that turn, he could only Special Summon Gimmick Puppet monsters.
Honestly, even if Hikaru wanted a Number card, he might find a way to get Hikaru one. But he'd only wanted Nightmare. Truly left him puzzled.
Maybe it was just a face-saving gesture.
But he didn't know that after Hikaru saw this card, he showed a very satisfied expression.
As expected, Branded without this would be incomplete.
...
STONES PLzz đź’Ž
Read upto 15 chapters ahead@ keepsmiling818 p2reon