"What a pity, Kaiba-boy~, the duel is over, and you've lost~~"
Pegasus's voice was smooth as silk, carrying the slow, deliberate pleasure of a victor.
Gracefully, he picked up the cards on the field one by one, as though arranging precious collectibles.
Then, his slender fingers reached into the fine lining of his tailored suit, drawing out a card that radiated a sinister aura.
"Surely, you already know."
He smiled, his gaze as sharp and cold as a probe, locking onto the frozen figure before him.
"The fate of the loser; the loser… will lose everything. Wealth, status, treasured possessions…"
His voice dropped, filled with undeniable cruelty.
"Even his very existence."
With a flick of his wrist, Pegasus turned the card face-up, revealing it clearly to Kaiba.
The background was a vast, abyssal cosmos, as though devouring everything, countless dim stars drifting within.
Its name—Soul Prison!
"Now then."
Pegasus's smile turned cold and final. The Millennium Eye flared with a blinding, eerie radiance, as though connected to an unfathomable abyss.
"Join your dear Mokuba-boy, and accept this eternal 'gift'! Let your souls slumber forever in this stardust abyss!"
As his last syllable fell, the light of the Millennium Eye pierced into the Soul Prison card like chains made real!
The starry sky on the card twisted and whirled violently. A clear image of Seto Kaiba—stern and unyielding as ever—was forcibly branded into the starfield, writhing in agony before being frozen in place!
Hummm—!
An invisible, bone-chilling wave swept across the arena.
When the glow faded, Pegasus still stood there, elegant as ever, holding between his fingers the Soul Prison that now shimmered with imprisoned starlight—and Kaiba's soul.
On the other end of the Duel Table—
Seto Kaiba, once so arrogant and indomitable, still stood tall.
Albeit those falcon-sharp eyes were now hollow, lifeless.
All his spirit, will, and pride… stripped away entirely.
What remained was nothing except a cold, soulless shell.
A faint breeze stirred the hair at his brow, but could no longer awaken even the smallest ripple of life.
Pegasus's lips curled in satisfaction. Once more, he reached into his coat and withdrew another faintly glowing card—the Soul Prison that held Mokuba's soul.
With gentle motions, like handling rare treasures, he placed the two cards side by side.
Fingers brushing the surface, Pegasus's gaze carried cruel amusement as he whispered:
"Look, the brothers… two cards so close, they can almost feel each other's outlines."
His voice turned cold, laced with infinite mockery.
"Yet their hearts… will never, ever touch again. This despair of being worlds apart within arm's reach… is truly an exquisite work of art."
He looked away, slipping the paired soul-prisons back into his inner pocket as though they were trivial chips.
"Take that useless shell away."
Pegasus turned, speaking as casually as if ordering trash to be disposed of.
"Today's haul is quite the fine addition to my collection."
His eyes swept the space where the two cards had just been, lips curling with amusement.
At his words, two bodyguards in sharp black suits silently emerged from the shadowy passage Kaiba had entered earlier.
Expressionless, precise, and efficient as machines, they lifted Kaiba's soulless body with ease, carrying away the once-mighty man now reduced to dead weight.
No resistance. No sound. Only the hollow echo of polished shoes on the floor.
Seto Kaiba was dragged off, swallowed by the darkness of the passage, as if he had never existed.
From the stands, silence reigned—until Joey's strained voice broke it.
"Even Kaiba… has ended up like Mokuba…"
His fists clenched white around the railing.
Yugi stared blankly at where Kaiba had been taken, his eyes brimming with grief and anger.
"Kaiba-kun… he… he risked his life in this duel, all to save Mokuba…"
His voice trembled.
"Damn you, Pegasus!"
Joey slammed the railing with a thud.
As grief and powerlessness spread through the group, Yuto stepped forward, placing himself at the front of the railing.
His eyes blazed as he pointed down at Pegasus, his voice ringing with battle spirit, shattering the heavy air.
"Pegasus! Listen well! Your tricks of toying with hearts—before me, Yuto Tenshou, they're worthless!"
He raised his arm, aura surging.
"Mark my words! I will personally deliver your defeat!!"
Pegasus's steps faltered. He half-turned, the Millennium Eye glinting with sinister light in the shadows.
His voice still carried that detestable ease and mockery, yet lacked its former certainty.
"Heh… If you want to challenge me, Yuto-boy~, then first win tomorrow's finals."
With those drifting words, Pegasus vanished into the passage's shadow, leaving only the duel arena's cold lights and the burning resolve in the stands.
"Everyone, please follow me."
A calm voice rose behind them.
At some point, the silent old butler had appeared once more, like a ghost.
"It is nearly dinner time. Please rest well, for the finals will take place here tomorrow morning."
He bowed slightly, gesturing the way.
"Among those who reach the finals… only the strongest will earn the honor of facing Master Pegasus in the ultimate duel."
Led through ornate yet cold corridors, Yuto and the others were guided to a brilliantly lit, lavish dining hall.
A long table large enough for a dozen was already covered with an array of exquisite dishes, their aroma quickly dispelling the heavy gloom.
Hunger surged, and everyone took their seats.
"I'm digging in!" "I'm starving!" Cries echoed as they dove into the feast.
"Whoa! This is amazing!"
Joey's mouth was stuffed full as he spoke, eyes wide with emotion as though on the verge of tears.
"So good…"
Beside him, Tristan's voice caught, actual tears glistening at his eyes.
Aside from the two overeating buffoons, Yugi, Yuto, and Mai Valentine ate more reservedly—though fast enough—but at least maintained some table manners.
The butler stood silently at the far end of the table—next to the seat that should have belonged to Pegasus.
Hands folded at his tailcoat, he stood as a dutiful silhouette.
"Please, duelists, rest well tonight."
The butler's calm voice broke the clatter of cutlery.
"Be at your best for tomorrow's matches. If you need anything, tell me now."
For a moment, the table fell quiet, only the sound of utensils tapping plates.
When no one spoke up, the butler nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping the bowls before them. In his level tone, he added:
"Also, as you enjoy your soup, please pay a little attention to what you find inside."
"Attention? What's there to—"
Joey had just scooped a large spoonful of thick soup into his mouth. At the words, he chewed reflexively, then froze.
His face stiffened. His brows knitted. With a garbled grunt, he suddenly spat something wet and gleaming gold onto the table with a splat!
"Cough—cough—wha… what the hell is this?!"
Grimacing, Joey pinched up the round, soup-drenched object between thumb and forefinger, lifting it for a closer look. As he saw its shape clearly, his eyes went wider than when he'd first seen the feast.
It was none other than a miniature, finely crafted Millennium Eye!
...
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