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

Chapter 47 Signs of Doom Part 1

As the group made their way toward the Dark Signers' hideout—their final destination—the night air grew heavy, and only the soft crunch of gravel underfoot accompanied their conversation. Yuya, Yuni, and Yuzu walked alongside Kurosaki Aera, the tension between them eased for a brief moment by quiet nostalgia.

"Still," Aera said, her voice carrying a faint warmth despite the darkness around them, "it's quite confusing to see you two looking so much like my daughters." Her eyes lingered on Yuni and Yuzu, an almost maternal wonder in her expression.

Yuni smiled faintly. "I know. But it can't really be helped... since we were torn into four beings, living across four different dimensions."

Yuzu lowered her gaze. "Yeah..." she murmured softly, the word carrying both agreement and sorrow.

Yuya turned slightly toward Katrina, curiosity in his eyes. "By the way, Katrina—you mentioned that after being separated from us, you lived with Ruri and her family, right?"

Katrina nodded, her violet eyes reflecting the dim moonlight.

Yuya gave a polite bow toward Aera. "Thank you for taking care of her... for taking care of my sister."

Aera smiled gently. "No problem at all. She was a great help before Yusho came to Heartland. Honestly, she kept the younger students motivated when things were at their worst."

Yuni tilted her head. "Speaking of him—how was Father in the Xyz Dimension? Did he ever mention us?"

Ruri's tone softened at the memory. "You see... my father is the principal of Heartland School. He found Yusho performing on the streets one day and offered him a position as a teacher. He mostly taught the Clover Branch students, but sometimes, he'd come over to teach us Spade Branch students as well."

Katrina added with a small smile, "It was after one of those classes that Ron told me I'd been reunited with him. After that, I moved out of the Kurosakis' and lived with him—until the Invasion started. But we still visited them often, usually for dinner. It felt... like family."

Vivian clasped her hands behind her back, smiling wistfully. "So our families actually got along quite well..."

Aera nodded. "Indeed. When Yusho first met Yuto, Rumi, and Ruri, he mentioned you three—Yuya, Yuni, and Yuzu. He spoke fondly of how you were all Katrina's siblings, always smiling and having fun together."

Yuya chuckled softly. "I see... he must've been confused. Yuto and I look nearly identical, Ruri looks like Yuzu, and Yuni resembles Rumi. It's no wonder he felt déjà vu."

Ruri laughed gently but her tone dimmed with memory. "We didn't even know Katrina was a half-vampire until Lisa's incident happened. Yusho-sensei was good at keeping secrets... especially the kind that protected others."

Katrina's smile faded into a more somber expression. "Yeah... he just didn't want anyone to bully me for what I am."

The group came to a stop before the shrine—a solemn, timeworn structure half-buried in the mist. Above it, the mark of the Condor burned crimson in the sky, pulsing like a heartbeat against the storm clouds.

Yuzu exhaled softly, her voice trembling. "So... this is it..."

Katrina nodded, eyes narrowing at the looming sigil. "Yeah..."