The two skeleton soldiers slowed as they drew near. They realized the so called sacrifice had no intention of running.
"A sacrifice for the ritual? You mean me?" Yugen asked.
"Of course. Who else?"
Yugen thought for a moment. If the landing points were close, Judai Yuki might also be nearby.
"Fine. Lead the way. Where's the venue?" he said.
The skeleton soldiers looked at each other in confusion. Why was today's sacrifice so cooperative?
Still, it saved them trouble. They escorted him between them, one in front and one behind, as if to prevent escape. Soon they realized the concern was unnecessary. Not only did he not try to flee, he even started chatting.
"A ritual… let me guess. A sacrifice to the great god Orichalcos?" Yugen asked casually.
Both skeletons trembled and turned to stare at him.
"Why would you say that name?" one demanded. "How do you know the true god's title?"
So they were servants of that snake again.
The taller skeleton looked at his shorter companion in alarm. "Boss, could he also be a believer of our true god?"
"Don't talk nonsense. Impossible." The shorter skeleton waved a hand, though he sounded uncertain. "No matter how he learned the true god's name, he carries none of the god's blessing."
The taller one nodded but still eyed Yugen suspiciously.
"Must be tough work around here. The place looks rough," Yugen continued. "By the way, have you seen another sacrifice? Same race as me, Jellyfish Hair, red uniform, likes to shout a lot."
The skeletons said nothing.
After passing through several doors, they entered a vast, dark, and damp hall that felt like the entrance to an underworld. Thick moss covered the walls, and at the center stood a massive circular altar filled with grim ritual items. Complex magic patterns were drawn on the floor around it, each position set with glowing gems that gave off a cold light.
Several pillars supported the ceiling, carved with ancient runes. Skeleton soldiers like his escorts stood in formation around the hall. Yugen also noticed prisoners in chains, dirty and exhausted.
On the altar stood a priest in gray black robes, white bones visible beneath his hood. A device similar to a Duel Disk formed on his arm from swirling black mist.
Opposite him knelt a blond warrior in armor, wearing a similar device. He clutched his chest and coughed up blood.
"With this, it ends! The soul that loses in the ritual of battle shall become food for the god!"
The robed skeleton shouted.
A phantom separated from his body, forming a towering mass of bones. Dark magic surged forward like a vortex of the undead and swallowed the warrior.
The warrior screamed and fell backward. Green light burst from the altar, and his soul was pulled from his body, spiraling upward into the sky.
Only then did Yugen recognize the priest. It was the Bone King.
Bone King was a one star Zombie-Type monster belonging to a Skull Servant Deck.
Even a sacrifice ritual had to be done through a card game. That was very Yu-Gi-Oh!.
The method seemed risky. If the priest lost the Duel, would he be sacrificed instead?
"Another soul offered to the great god."
The mark of Orichalcos appeared on Bone King's forehead, and green light flickered in his hollow eyes.
"Take him away. Next!"
Another chained warrior was pushed onto the altar. Before each duel, the skeleton soldiers removed the prisoner's shackles. Once freed, golden light gathered on the arm and formed a device like a Duel Disk.
"Be grateful. The god only enjoys the souls of warriors who fall in battle. You are granted the chance to fight for your lives."
Bone King raised his Duel Disk and spoke coldly.
"Of course, the ending is already decided."
"Don't be so arrogant," the warrior growled, activating his Duel Disk.
After watching another duel, Yugen was certain. Bone King was indeed using his Skull Servant Deck.
His opponents were weak. The Deck itself was not powerful, and there was no strong sense of destiny power. They were probably around the level of average outside Duelist, even worse than students of Duel Academy.
If all opponents were like this, Bone King was unlikely to lose.
After only a short time, the second warrior fell as well. His soul rose into the air in a column of green light.
"Next!" Bone King called.
The two skeletons escorting Yugen turned to bring him forward, only to freeze. The sacrifice was gone.
They looked up and saw that after the previous offering, he had already climbed onto the altar on his own.
The skeletons were stunned. The other followers stared at the tall and short pair as if asking where they found such an enthusiastic sacrifice.
The taller skeleton opened his mouth before whispering to his companion, "He really is a believer of the true god."
To devote himself so willingly for the ritual made the taller skeleton feel ashamed of his own faith. The figure of Yugen on the altar seemed taller in his eyes.
Even Bone King paused at the sight. Yugen activated his Duel Disk and waited. After a moment, seeing no reaction, he grew impatient.
"Hey, are we doing this or not? If not, I'm leaving."
Bone King fell silent.
Bone King thought that ever since it pledged itself to the great Dark God and was given this duty, it had overseen countless ritual sacrifices. Still, someone this eager to climb onto the altar was rare.
But now that the challenger stood on the altar, it had no choice but to continue the ritual. It only needed to end this quickly.
"Duel!" x2
Yugen, Life Points 4000 Bone King, Life Points 4000
"I'll go first. Card Draw." Bone King spoke in a flat tone.
"I set one monster, then set two cards. End of turn."
The skeleton soldiers let out a string of strange noises, as if they were part of the ceremony.
"Then My Turn!, Card Draw."
Before stepping up, Yugen had observed the previous two Duels. With the help of the Spirit, he understood that the altar beneath them carried a green six pointed star mark, giving off a fluctuation similar to The Seal of Orichalcos.
However, it did not boost ATK or merge monster and spell zones like a true barrier. It was simply a Duel field, but it carried an effect like The Seal of Orichalcos. The loser's soul would be taken.
"I Summon Breaker the Magical Warrior!"
Breaker the Magical Warrior, ATK 1600
"When Breaker is Summoned, place one Spell Counter on it to gain 300 ATK. By removing that counter, I can destroy one Spell or Trap Card on the field."
Yugen pointed directly at the back row.
"Destroy the left set card."
Breaker's blade slashed down, sending a crescent wave forward. But the set card reacted at once.
"Useless. I chain the card you selected," Bone King's skeletal jaw moved. "Trap Card - Needlebug Nest! Send the top five cards of my Deck to the Graveyard."
Five cards flew from the top of its Deck, carried by black mist into the Graveyard. Breaker's attack struck nothing.
"Then Breaker attacks the set monster."
The sword cut cleanly through the card. A brittle skeleton appeared and was split apart.
Wightmare, DEF 200
"I set one card. End turn."
"Heh, a harmless attack. But you have already taken another step toward the abyss."
"My Turn!, Card Draw! I activate Pot of Greed and draw two cards."