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

Chapter 38 The True Beginning

Across the skies of every dimension, a low rumble echoed—soft at first, then building into a roar that swallowed even the wind itself. The light dimmed as shadows began to stretch, twisting into a thick, swirling mist that devoured everything in its path.

In the Synchro Dimension, alarms blared throughout the city. Inside the command tower, a soldier rushed down the corridor toward his superior. "Captain Barrett! There's a black mist approaching—both our troops and the citizens are vanishing!"

Barrett turned sharply, disbelief flashing across his face. "What did you say—?" His words broke off as the mist surged through the walls like living smoke, curling around him in an instant. "No—stay back!" His shout echoed only once before he, too, was swallowed whole, his body dissolving into darkness.

Far above the chaos, the Council Chamber filled with desperate voices as the mist crept through the polished floor like a tide.

"Chairman! What shall we do? Reiji Akaba has abandoned us!" Bordeaux cried, trying to maintain his composure.

"Hmm... it seems we have no choice but to win over Roget once again," White Taki replied, his calm smile unshaken even as the chamber shook. "I'm sure we can reach an agreement."

"Indeed," Azul added, nodding grimly. "He's the only one capable of driving out Academia. He still controls Security, after all."

Gael folded his arms. "From the very beginning, the Lancers were too few in number—and most were sent underground during the Friendship Cup. Expecting them to save us now is futile."

"Then it's settled," Gray began, rising from his seat. "We must—"

He never finished. The black mist seeped through the windows in thick streams, enveloping the entire room. Their voices turned to static on the security monitors before vanishing completely.

In the Security Command Center, Roget sat alone, watching the city monitors flicker as one by one the images filled with darkness. He smiled faintly, resting his chin on one hand. "So the Dark Signers have finally begun their plan," he murmured. "How intriguing... I suppose I'll enjoy the show."

The Standard Dimension was no safer.

From the You Show Duel School, Shuzo, Yoko, and the students rushed outside after hearing distant screams. "What's going on out there?!" Shuzo demanded as they stepped into the courtyard.

The answer came in silence. The black mist rolled through the streets, blanketing buildings and swallowing every trace of light. One by one, people collapsed mid-step, fading into cards before disappearing entirely. Yoko gripped Shuzo's arm, her voice trembling. "It's... eating everything!"

Shuzo pulled her close, holding her and the children as tightly as he could. "Stay together! Don't let go—!" But the darkness caught them mid-embrace, and in a blink, they too were gone.

Even Academia itself could not escape.

Inside the grand citadel, Leo Akaba and his remaining followers stared helplessly as the black sea poured through the marble corridors. Duel Disks sparked and fell silent; the banners of Academia were torn from the walls before dissolving into dust.

Only three shadowy figures remained unmoved at the heart of the chaos, their shapes flickering like mirages.

"Dark Signers, huh?" one said, his voice amused and cold. "We weren't expecting them to act so soon."