Sunday — 2:00 PM. Lyon, Parc des Berges.
Second day of the tournament.
The air is heavier, the tension palpable. Spectators crowd along the canal as the remaining teams warm up. The commentator's voice booms through the speakers:
> — "Next match: TEKKANDAN Crew… versus Storm Spikers!"
Yugo tightens the straps on his gloves. Kael adjusts his helmet visor. Natsuo, as impassive as ever, spins his deck between his fingers. Armin, meanwhile, watches the central screen.
— "Storm Spikers? Who are they?" Kael asks.
— "According to the bracket... They're top 5 nationally. And they use an ultra-aggressive style," Natsuo replies.
— "Perfect. We get to test our limits," Yugo says with a determined smile.
---
2:20 PM — Starting line.
The sky darkens. Today's course is winding, scattered with gravel shards, long straights interrupted by sharp turns and metal tunnels. A real technical sprint track.
Opposite them: two riders in black and red suits. Their bikes are streamlined, lighter than average. They've got tilted side bars for aerodynamics, and their screens are built into their helmets.
— "They look cool… but kinda scary," Armin whispers.
Yugo and Kael mount their saddles.
Starting signal.
The bikes launch forward.
The Storm Spikers immediately take the lead with a speed boost. But Kael and Yugo keep up, their pedals hammering the ground.
On screen, the duel begins.
---
Phase 1 — Storm Incoming
— "I summon Meteorite Skeleton," declares the left Spiker.
A creature with a fractured, lightning-struck design appears. It deals no damage… but triggers a storm on the virtual field.
— "Storm activated?!" Yugo exclaims. "We've got weather effects now?"
— "Special tactic. Their deck is weather-based. During storms, all our effects are cut by 50%," explains Natsuo over the intercom.
Kael clenches his teeth.
— "Alright. I summon Unyielding Knight and launch a Double Challenge. Even at 50%, we can force them to attack."
The attack is launched. But the virtual rain slightly distorts the interface, and the real speed of the course makes everything harder.
A sharp left turn approaches.
— "Heads up! Tight left turn!" Yugo shouts.
Kael skids slightly, recovers at the last second with a hip movement. One of the Spikers, too confident, clips the canal edge and loses speed.
---
Phase 2 — Regaining Control
Yugo begins to find his rhythm. He activates Black Cyclone, a card that absorbs the enemy's weather.
— "Fog's cleared!" Kael shouts.
— "Now! I activate Synchro Fusion — Mirage Dragon!" Yugo yells.
A massive, black and bluish creature rises above their screen. In the race, Yugo pushes on his pedals. He overtakes the wounded Spiker.
But the second opponent counters with Reaction Volcano — a card that deals direct damage if the enemy summons a level 8 or higher monster.
Kael wobbles on his bike. The virtual shock is so intense he misses a real obstacle: a slippery metal bridge.
— "Kael!" Yugo yells.
Kael brakes hard, steadies himself, and… barely makes it through.
— "I'm good!" Kael responds. "Keep dueling!"
---
Phase 3 — Final Stretch
The duel nears its end. The Spikers are fast, but Yugo and Kael are smarter.
— "I combine Mirage Dragon with Counterattack Flash!" Yugo shouts.
— "And I play Deflector Wall to block their ultimate combo!" adds Kael.
The impact is brutal. The Spikers' screen flashes red.
Victory.
---
3:00 PM — Rest zone.
Everyone's sweating, muscles aching. Kael slumps against a wall. Yugo, panting, looks up at the gray sky.
— "They were good," Armin comments.
— "Very good… just not good enough," Natsuo smiles.
Kael reaches out to Yugo.
— "Bro. We're ready for the semifinals."
Yugo grabs his hand without hesitation.
— "We were born ready."