A thick fog rolled across Duel Academy as the sun dipped below the horizon. The aftermath of Reina's possession still echoed across the school—students murmured in hallways, professors doubled down on protective spells, and Chancellor Sheppard deployed duel spirits to patrol the grounds.
Kaito stood alone on the dorm's rooftop, staring into the fog. In his hand, the Azure Monarch card pulsed faintly.
"They're coming faster now," he muttered. "Each one stronger than the last."
Behind him, Zane joined in silence. For a long moment, neither said a word.
"Sheppard said the Tyrant's power originates from before the Shadow Games," Zane finally said. "Something ancient. Something that wants to be reborn in this world."
Kaito nodded. "Then we stop it before it finds a body strong enough to contain it."
The next morning, the group reconvened in Banner's hidden chamber beneath the library. The walls glowed with runes and relics pulsed with life. A central projection displayed three marked points across the island.
Banner pointed. "These are the Tyrant's Legacy Sites—ruins where its essence was scattered and sealed long ago. One of them was the site you found Reina. The second is the Sea Shrine. The third… is still hidden."
Bastion adjusted his glasses. "If the Tyrant's power is collecting at these sites, we must secure the next one before another vessel is awakened."
"Agreed," said Alexis. "We'll split into teams."
Kaito, Jaden, and Bastion took the Sea Shrine—a forgotten structure deep underwater off the island's east coast.
They reached the cliffside cave and descended with scuba gear enhanced by magic cards. As they entered the shrine, an eerie silence engulfed them. Coral covered old stone, and strange symbols glowed in dull crimson.
Jaden frowned. "This place gives me major creeps."
Kaito's Duel Disk lit up. "Something's here."
A figure emerged from the central altar—a tall boy with sunken eyes and tattered Ra Yellow robes. He held his Duel Disk high.
"I am Kael… and I remember everything. The Tyrant showed me the truth."
Kaito stepped forward. "You're another vessel."
Kael nodded. "But I'm not here to duel you. Not yet. I'm here to awaken the seal."
He placed a card into the altar. It burst into light—and from it emerged a terrifying crimson artifact: The Tyrant Sigil.
Bastion's eyes widened. "That's a key fragment! With it, the Tyrant can break the final seal!"
Kael vanished in a swirl of mist.
Kaito stepped toward the altar, but the shrine began to collapse. They barely escaped the cave before it was swallowed by the sea.
Back at the academy, Sheppard grimly analyzed the data.
"The Tyrant's Sigils are the keys. If all three are united, the Tyrant can fully manifest—no longer needing a vessel."
Jaden frowned. "Then Kael's going after the third one."
Banner nodded. "And we don't even know where it is."
Kaito held up his Azure Monarch card. "Then we find it first."
That night, Kaito meditated alone, focusing on his bond with the Azure Monarch. Visions flooded his mind—a temple of glass, floating above storm clouds, and a voice whispering:
"Find me where sky meets sea. The final key awaits."
The next morning, the team flew via dueling blimp to the remote Sky Pillar, an ancient structure untouched since the academy's founding. Lightning cracked around it. Duel energy surged unnaturally.
Inside, they found the third Sigil—guarded by a puzzle duel platform. A holographic guardian activated, and Kaito stepped forward.
He faced a spectral duelist who summoned Sky Seraph, Judgment Gale.
Kaito summoned Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon and followed with Azure Monarch.
The duel tested not just skill but spirit. Each move was designed to challenge Kaito's resolve and leadership.
He triumphed by activating a fusion—Ultimate Azure Dragon, formed by merging Blue-Eyes and Azure Monarch.
With the final attack, the platform collapsed, and the Sigil floated toward him.
As Kaito caught it, his mind screamed.
Kael was already attacking Duel Academy.