Realizing what had happened, Jaden was overwhelmed with emotion and speechless for a long time.
He didn't know how to face this other, darker self.
At first, he'd felt nothing but hatred for the Supreme King.
The first time he heard of the Supreme King, he only knew him as a byword for evil. He'd seen the suffering of the other dimension's people, the oppression.
Later, Jaden learned the Supreme King was his own opposite, and hated him even more, desperate to deny and destroy this part of himself.
But eventually, he understood—the Supreme King was the embodiment of all his past darkness. Because the Supreme King carried away all his pain and negativity, Jaden could now be so pure.
Jaden had never imagined he'd one day mourn the loss of his dark persona.
Nor had he ever imagined the Supreme King would die in this way—for his sake.
"You knew all along," Jaden said sadly. "You told me to unleash Super Polymerization, but you knew what it meant. You'd already decided to become its sacrifice..."
"There's nothing to regret."
The Supreme King's voice was weak, but still held an unchallengeable authority. Faint as it was, it still rang with power.
"You should know, I am nothing but your darkness. All your pain and regret gathered together—that's me.
Now that you've let go of your past and conquered your inner darkness, I no longer need to exist."
"But... I finally... finally understood you... finally..."
"Don't act like a coward."
The Supreme King's tone was harsh, but then softened.
"Jaden Yuki, you are the Supreme King. Now that you've conquered your darkness, you've reclaimed your own power. I belong only to the past—a dark, unbearable past. Let it go, and move on.
Step into the future, Jaden Yuki!"
His final words echoed in the darkness. For a moment, he seemed once more the ruler of twelve dimensions, standing atop the Supreme King's Castle, his cloak fluttering like a banner in the night, forever.
Jaden sat cross-legged, slowly opening his eyes.
"Jaden?"
Yubel asked with concern. She didn't know what had happened inside Jaden, but could sense the change in his aura, and noticed his mood was off.
"...It's nothing."
Jaden shook his head softly.
"I just said goodbye to an old friend."
Yubel was taken aback. She also knew about Super Polymerization, and recalled the moment in the duel when Jaden unleashed it. She now guessed what had happened.
Yubel knew she'd been saved by Super Polymerization—without its power, she would never have escaped the grip of the Light of Destruction. In a way, the Supreme King had sacrificed himself for her.
Though she knew the Supreme King was just Jaden's darkness, he had become an independent personality. She felt a deep sorrow, unsure what to say, and simply sat quietly by Jaden's side.
The two sat in silence for a long while until Jaden finally spoke.
"Yubel, was that thing that possessed you... an Evil God?"
Yubel nodded. "Yes."
Jaden: "How did you encounter it?"
Yubel thought for a moment and shook her head. "I'm not sure. I was in a terrible state—it came to me on its own."
Jaden: "How do you feel now?"
Yubel nodded. "Thanks to Super Polymerization, I'm much better. My power is full again."
She glanced to the side, where Elemental HERO Neos's spirit had appeared. Yubel nodded to him. "Sorry for my rudeness earlier. Thank you for your help."
When Super Polymerization was activated, Neos and Yubel fused into Neos Kluger. At that moment, Neos's miraculous dark energy was channeled into Yubel's body via Super Polymerization.
Neos was Jaden's closest spirit, born to counter the wave of light. His power was most effective in expelling such forces, which helped Yubel recover so quickly.
Neos, with his good nature, took no offense and responded politely.
Yubel said, "But I can sense the evil god just now was not its true self."
Jaden agreed: "It said as much before leaving, that it would remember us. When it breaks free from its seal and revives, it'll come for us."
Yubel snorted. "Let it come. This time, I was weak and it took advantage. Next time? Hmph. If it dares, let it try."
She flashed her claws, already itching for a rematch.
Jaden considered. "It's good that you're confident. But this evil god is not to be underestimated. Without the Supreme King's help, I might not have won. If it fully revives, who knows how tough it'll be."
There was something else Jaden didn't say. During the duel, the Supreme King had asked if he always intended to rely on the Duel King. His self-sacrifice was meant to inspire Jaden, who now wondered if he'd grown too dependent on Kira.
No matter what happened, no matter the challenge, he had never truly worried—because deep down, he always felt someone would back him up. No matter how big the problem, Kira could always handle it.
Maybe that couldn't go on.
He'd long since become a duelist who could stand on his own. If he didn't have the courage to move forward, how could he face the Supreme King, who'd given him so much?
"Yubel, do you think you can find where that evil god's true body is?"
Jaden asked.
"It said it wasn't fully revived, so it must be weak right now. If we find it while it's vulnerable..."
Yubel was surprised Jaden would suggest such a thing.
Taking the initiative, rather than waiting for the next attack.
But she didn't dislike the strategy.
"I can't pinpoint the exact location, only the general dimension," Yubel said. "But that's a whole spirit dimension. Even if we go there, it's like looking for a needle in a haystack."
"No problem, we'll scout around," Jaden smiled.
"I've gotten pretty good at dimension travel by now."
…
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