7. Yu-Gi-Oh ARC-V A New Story of Pendulum (Standard Arc)

Chapter 39 The Kidnapper of Ruri

When Sona's senses returned, she found herself in a boundless chamber of shifting light, as though she stood inside a prism.

"I see that you're awake," came a composed voice.

Sona turned to see a tall figure radiating calm authority. "This must be... Yuni's mind?"

"You're correct," the woman replied. "I am Zarine, your original soul." She gestured to the side, where another presence emerged from the glow. "And this is Kurosaki Rumi — you could call her your Xyz counterpart."

Sona froze, her throat tightening. The girl before her looked so much like her own reflection — yet her eyes burned with fury.

"So you're the one," Rumi said, her voice low, her aura crackling with hostility. "The one who kidnapped my sister. Because of you, I was forced into suffering I'll never forget. Don't think I won't take my revenge here and now."

Rumi stepped forward, her anger filling the space, but Zarine placed a hand on her shoulder, steady but firm. "This is Yuni's mind. No harm can be done here. And remember — your pain is real, but the one who engineered it all is Akaba Leo. Not her alone."

Sona lowered her head, her voice heavy with regret. "About what happened to your sister... I am truly sorry. I thought I was protecting her by bringing her to Academia. I believed it was safer than seeing her carded on the battlefield. I was wrong. I never imagined the Professor would order something so cruel." She drew in a shaky breath and added, "If you'll hear me out, if you'll let me explain... after that, you can do anything you want to me."

Rumi's glare lingered, sharp and unrelenting. For a moment, the silence was suffocating. Then she exhaled sharply. "...Fine. Speak. But don't think apologies will erase what you've done."

Zarine nodded once, her calm gaze passing between the two of them. "Then it's decided. Tell your story, Sona. Let the truth be laid bare."

After settling Serena and Satoshi into the secluded LDS dorm reserved for special cases, Katrina remained behind. "I'll stay here with them," she told Yuni. "You should report to Reiji."

Once Yuni was gone, Katrina turned to face Serena directly. "Since we finally have a moment, I should introduce myself properly. My name is Sakaki Katrina... though you may have heard another title. The 'Vampire of Heartland.'"

Serena stiffened. She had heard the whispers — a Duelist in Heartland said to drain the strength of her opponents, leaving them pale and powerless. Her eyes narrowed. "So... it was you? You're the one who defeated Sona's brother?"

Katrina shook her head. "No. That wasn't me. And for the record, I'm not originally from Heartland at all. I was born here, in the Standard Dimension. I was just pulled into Heartland by accident seven years ago. But three years ago..." Her voice grew heavier. "I witnessed what your Academia turned it into. Streets running with fear. Civilians hunted down like prey in some twisted game. That's the truth of the so-called 'glory' you fight for."

Serena faltered, her brow furrowing. "...But I thought if I defeated the Xyz Duelist, the Professor would finally acknowledge my strength. That I'd earn a place on the front lines. I believed... it was an honor."

"There is no honor in slaughter," Katrina cut in, her eyes sharp. "And you're wrong about Leo not recognizing you. He already knows how skilled you are. The reason he keeps you locked away isn't because you're unworthy. It's because he has... other plans for you."

A chill ran down Serena's spine. "Other plans? What are you talking about?"

Katrina's tone turned bitter, almost venomous. "To the Professor, you're not a soldier. You're a piece of his ritual. Just like the carded victims, you're nothing more than a sacrifice — one of the four keys he needs for his so-called utopia."