The dimensional passage opened, and entering it felt like being tossed into a blender set to maximum speed. It was like a leaf caught in a whirlpool, tossed by the raging current, completely out of control.
Moments later, Kaiba Seto landed firmly on solid ground, crouched, the hem of his trench coat falling behind him.
Kaiba had seen it all. Even though he was on enemy turf, completely unaware of what traps or preparations awaited, he had no fear.
It didn't matter what tricks there were—he would crush them with sheer power. That was his creed.
Total darkness surrounded him—he couldn't even see his hand in front of his face. But he didn't care, and strode straight ahead into the blackness.
He'd entered with Kira and the others, but now he found himself alone—no sign of anyone else.
"Divide and conquer, huh?" Kaiba sneered. "If that's your plan, you'll be disappointed. I never planned to stick together from the start. Even if you all gang up on me, it won't matter."
He raised his Duel Disk, blue transparent currents bursting out to sweep away the darkness.
"Whatever you're plotting," Kaiba said coldly, "it all comes down to beating the cards in my hand."
But as the darkness cleared and light shone, to his surprise, what appeared was not a deadly trap or a cunning foe.
It was… a girl?
She had dreamy blue hair, skin as white as snow, and clear, innocent eyes that seemed to speak.
Kaiba was shocked. "Kisara?"
Kaiba had never believed in Yugi's talk of past lives, always trusting science. But when Atem had sought his memories in the Pharaoh's Memory, Kaiba had inadvertently entered as well.
There, he saw his incarnation from three thousand years ago—High Priest Seto—and the deep bond he'd formed with the girl Kisara, who sacrificed herself to protect Seto with her immense spirit power. That spirit became the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, bound to Kaiba through two lifetimes.
He instinctively moved forward. But as he approached, darkness surged, swallowing the girl. The blackness condensed into a twisted, grinning face, mocking Kaiba from above, laughing wildly.
Kaiba stopped, arms crossed, eyes narrowed. "Wicked Gods? What a childish trick."
"Long time no see, Seto Kaiba. Just a little joke—and a test, too."
The Wicked God sneered.
"Last time we met, you were stubborn, rigid, believing only in your so-called 'modern science' and denying everything beyond your understanding—even the existence of spirits.
But the only supernatural you ever believed in was your Blue-Eyes. Interesting, isn't it?"
Kaiba stared, arms folded, silent.
"The truth is, what you believe in isn't science, but your own science.
Seto Kaiba, you only believe in yourself. You think you're the center of the world, only accept what you know, and bring everything under your control at any cost.
Like a dictator, right?"
Kaiba watched the twisted face for a moment, then snorted with laughter.
"You seem to know me well."
"Of course."
The darkness surged forward, coalescing into a pitch-black human shape—its features indistinct, but on its arm appeared a uniquely-shaped Duel Disk with a deck already loaded.
"Because we're the same type of person. That's why I chose to deal with you. Everything you have, everything you control… will become mine."
The Wicked God smiled.
"Remember my name—Dreadroot.
And soon, your inner darkness will be forever marked by my fear."
Kaiba sneered. "I've heard enough empty boasts. You call yourself a Wicked God? Let's see if you're any different from the rest."
"Duel!" x2
[Kaiba, LP 4000]
[Dreadroot, LP 4000]
"I'll go first. Draw!"
For his duel of vengeance, Kaiba's presence was like a blade ready to be drawn at any moment; even sheathed, his edge could not be hidden.
"I activate the Spell Card, 'Graceful Charity'—draw three cards, then discard two."
Kaiba discarded two cards, then announced:
"Since our last encounter, my Blue-Eyes has undergone a complete evolution. Let me show you!
Among the cards I discarded is—
The White Stone of Legend!"
He revealed the card he'd just sent to the graveyard—a monster card depicting a pure white, jade-like orb glowing with golden light.
"'The White Stone of Legend'—when sent to the Graveyard, I can add one 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' from my deck to my hand!"
This card was a later addition to the Blue-Eyes lineup, mainly used for Synchro Summoning. But in this pre-Synchro era, it was just an ordinary effect monster.
His deck auto-searched and spat out a Blue-Eyes. Kaiba picked it up and flashed it.
"With 'Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon' in hand, by revealing 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon,' I can Special Summon it!"
He swept his arm down.
"My strongest servant—evolved to the next level—
Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon, summon!"
Countless bolts of white lightning converged; silver-white scales armored its body. The Blue-Eyes variant raised its proud head, spewing white destruction that split the darkness and shot skyward.
[Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon, ATK 3000]
"Heh, never seen a Blue-Eyes like that in my day," the Wicked God said. "Looks like you've kept busy."
Kaiba replied, "Enough talk. I've long since surpassed my old self—and you. This duel will prove it.
I set one card and end my turn."
He raised his Duel Disk, and from his graveyard shot a brilliant golden light.
"In the End Phase, the other card I discarded—'The White Stone of Ancients'—its effect activates!
When sent to the Graveyard, during the End Phase, I can Special Summon a 'Blue-Eyes' monster from my deck.
Banish the darkness with endless light—my strongest servant—
BLUE-EYES WHITE DRAGON!!!"