The corridors of the Duel Lodge echoed with hurried footsteps as Yuni, Ryo, and Reira rushed back through the sliding doors. The air inside was tense—filled with the murmurs of duelists exchanging reports, the hum of monitors, and the faint static of the Action Field generators still running from the last mission.
Reira's breath came in short bursts as she pushed the door open to the main hall. Inside, Ruri stood beside Yusho Sakaki, her hands trembling as she clutched her Duel Disk to her chest. One look at her expression told Yuni everything—something had gone terribly wrong.
"Dad! Ruri!" Yuni called out, striding forward. "Did Sayaka really run away?"
Ruri turned, her violet eyes clouded with worry. She nodded slowly. "She... she feels useless," she said, her voice barely steady. "After everything that happened, she wanted to prove she could help. She left on her own to find the Security patrol that spotted us earlier."
Ryo's brow furrowed, frustration edging into his tone. "That's reckless! If she runs into an enemy squad, she'll be completely outnumbered."
Yusho exhaled heavily, his calm demeanor shadowed by concern. "Yuya, Gongenzaka, Sawatari, Shun, and Allen went after her," he explained. "Yuya's leading the rescue, but he's left the commanding position here to Katrina."
The holographic map on the central table flickered, showing several tracking signals moving rapidly toward the industrial outskirts. The lines representing Yuya's group were closing in on a single red beacon—Sayaka's Duel Disk signal.
"I see..." Yuni murmured, her eyes narrowing. She crossed her arms, gaze fixed on the map. "I just hope everything's going all right."
The tension in the room thickened as silence followed. Ruri bit her lip, trying to keep her composure, while Reira's small hands clenched at his sides. Even Yusho, ever the symbol of optimism, looked out the window with a troubled expression.
Outside, the distant horizon glowed faintly orange—the telltale shimmer of an Action Field activating somewhere far away.
Ryo placed a reassuring hand on Yuni's shoulder. "Yuya's there. He won't let anything happen to her."
Yuni nodded quietly, though her thoughts refused to settle. Still... that feeling of dread won't go away.
The battle to bring Sayaka home had already begun.
The night air in the ruins of Heartland carried the faint hum of broken streetlights and the echo of distant alarms. Sayaka's breath came in sharp gasps as she sprinted down an abandoned walkway, the metallic ring of her boots striking against shattered glass.
I have to prove myself... I have to show I can fight too! Her thoughts burned louder than her heartbeat, but the determination on her face wavered as two shadows appeared ahead.
From the cracked stairway of an old plaza, two female soldiers descended with the poise of predators. The blonde one's Duel Academy coat fluttered in the wind; beside her, a silver-haired partner stepped down with calm precision.
"I wouldn't think a citizen of Heartland would be outside all alone," the blonde remarked coolly.
Her partner's icy tone followed. "It doesn't look like she has any comrades with her."
Sayaka froze, eyes widening as the women's Duel Disks flared to life.
The blonde smirked. "Is she with the Lancers? This must be our lucky day, Grace."
Grace's lips curved faintly. "Yes. Before we head to our base, why don't we get a present for Edo and Noroma, Gloria?"
Sayaka's pulse quickened. She stumbled backward, clutching her Duel Disk, when a familiar voice cut through the tension.
YOU ARE READING
7. Yu-Gi-Oh ARC-V A New Story of Pendulum (Xyz Arc)
FanfictionThe Lancers have been split into Xyz and Fusion, they are going to stop Academia and face a new threat. Might add a lot of ZEXAL stuff inside this arc.
