Overthrown

It was over. Zarc had been defeated. By Ray. Again. But this time, things felt… different, somehow. Like he no longer wanted revenge. Like, somehow, something had changed. Thinking back, he recalled how he'd felt the first time she'd defeated him.

A dark shadow loomed over the blazing ruins of a city. Death and destruction lie in its wake, as far as the eye could see. Everyone had perished in the attack. Everyone, that is, except her. Ray Akaba. The scene was ironic. One human against an imposing presence that had brought the world to its knees. It invoked images of the valiant hero facing the seemingly impossible. And yet, despite all odds, she had still defeated him. He felt his body being ripped apart. For a brief moment, his former personality, the Entertainment Duelist who wanted nothing more than to pull the crowd into a maelstrom of crazed excitement, resurfaced.

"Ray. Why did you do this?"

With sorrow etched onto her features, Ray responded. "If I hadn't stopped you, you would've kept going until everything was burnt to ash. What value is there in a world like that, Zarc?"

Zarc paused, as if considering. "Now that I think of it, I don't really know anymore. It's been so long that my original goals have been forgotten by everyone, myself included. I have a question for you, however. How do I know I won't just screw everything up again?"

Ray's mouth curved into a small smile. "You don't. It's a leap of faith. But remember, no matter what happens, I'll always be by your side. Even when we're no longer ourselves, I'll still be right next to you. I promise." And with that, everything faded to white.

He woke up in a new place and time. Circus decorations littered the space around him. However, one thing hadn't changed. Odd-Eyes was still with him. For the first time, he saw things through clear eyes.

She woke up in a new place and time. The space around her was rather basic. However, one thing hadn't changed. En Flowers was still with her. For the first time, she saw things through clear eyes.

He woke up in a new place and time. War decimated the space around him. However, one thing hadn't changed. Dark Rebellion was still with him. For the first time, he saw things through clear eyes.

She woke up in a new place and time. Despair permeated the space around her. However, one thing hadn't changed. En Birds was still with her. For the first time, she saw things through clear eyes.

He woke up in a new place and time. Mechanical parts engulfed the space around him. However, one thing hadn't changed. Clear Wing was still with him. For the first time, he saw things through clear eyes.

She woke up in a new place and time. Tools crowded the space around her. However, one things hadn't changed. En Winds was still with her. For the first time, she saw things through clear eyes.

He woke up in a new place and time. White walls formed the space around him. However, one thing hadn't changed. Starving Venom was still with him. For the first time, he saw things through clear eyes.

She woke up in a new place and time. Red carpet lined the space around her. However, one thing hadn't changed. En Moon was still with her. For the first time, she saw things through clear eyes.

Reawakening in the same empty void he and Ray had met in following his previous defeat, Zarc stood up, coming face-to-face with her once again. Darkness had released its hold on his heart at long last. He was himself again, this time forever, as neither he nor she was long for this world.

"Ray. Before we disappear, there's something I want to ask you. Why do you keep chasing me? Why did you refuse to give up on me, even after my heart was swallowed by darkness?"

Ray smiled again. Just like before. "Because. You're precious to me."

Zarc's mouth contorted into its own smile. "I don't remember how many years ago it was. But, when I was very young, I decided to use my Dueling to make people smile. I don't remember at what age I became obsessed with it. Just that I did. Now, though… It looks like Dueling isn't the only way to put smiles on peoples' faces. You're precious to me, too."

Ray embraced Zarc. "But how do we know this isn't the end this time? That there's nothing after this?"

Zarc closed his eyes and smiled. "You don't. It's a leap of faith."

Ray closed her eyes as well, letting out a small laugh. "A leap of faith. Right."

And everything faded to white, the two lovers engulfed by the light.