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

Chapter 53 Spiders for Finale Part 2

The light from Number 77: The Seven Sins flared across the field, its massive limbs stretching outward like the jaws of an executioner. Its body glowed with a searing white aura, and the ground beneath Vivian and Reiji cracked under the pressure.

As the monster unleashed its attack, Reiji's eyes widened. "Vivian—move!" he shouted, lunging forward. He tackled her to the ground just as a torrent of spider silk energy tore through the air. The explosion swallowed them both in blinding light, sending them rolling across the field like rag dolls. (Vivian+Reiji:6900–2900)

"Vivian!" "Reiji!" Voices echoed from the others trapped in the webs. Their cries carried fear and helplessness as they watched the two duelists struggle amid the smoke.

Vivian coughed, her hand trembling as she tried to push herself up from the ground. The air reeked of ozone and burning energy. "Why did you... do this, Reiji..." Her voice was hoarse, her expression caught between pain and disbelief.

Reiji staggered to his feet, brushing dust from his coat; his glasses cracked slightly from the fall. "You are a member of the Lancers," he said evenly, though his tone softened. "And our comrade. I can't let you get hurt."

Vivian froze, her heart pounding—not from battle, but from the rare warmth behind his words. "Reiji..." she whispered, feeling something stir behind her dark-marked arm.

Across the field, Gluttony let out a low chuckle, his tone dripping with mockery. "How amusing... such compassion, even in the face of despair. But tell me—how long will that kind heart last?" His smile twisted as he raised his hand. "I set one card and end my turn."

The battlefield dimmed slightly as his set card materialized, gleaming beneath the web-like shadows of his monsters.

Vivian turned back to Reiji, her eyes reflecting both gratitude and exhaustion. "Thank you, Reiji... for protecting me from that blast."

Reiji adjusted his cracked glasses, his voice calm but firm. "No problem... but we took 4000 damage. That attack was far too powerful to ignore." He glanced at the field, calculating quietly. "We can't afford another direct hit, and if he activates that effect again next turn, he could banish every monster we summon."

Vivian clenched her fists, her duel disk flickering with faint static. "Then we'll just have to stop him before he gets the chance."

Vivian steadied her breathing, her fingers trembling as she slid the next card from her deck. "I draw!" The gleam in her eyes returned, fierce and defiant. "I use Treasure Cards from the Heavens! I send one card to the Graveyard to draw two cards!"

Golden light cascaded from the sky as she cast the spell, her duel disk flaring in response. She discarded one card, drew two more, and looked up sharply. "I use Doll Anna's effect! I send both cards from my hand to the Graveyard!"

Two flashes of light vanished into her disk's void slot. The room darkened around her as she lifted her arm, aura surging. "Pendulum Summon! Return from my Extra Deck—Dimension Stare Dragon! (ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500/Level 8)"

A spiraling gate tore open behind her, and the dragon of mirrored scales burst forth, its body flickering with warped reflections. The air trembled from its roar as its many lenses blinked across its wings.

Vivian turned to Reiji. "Reiji... do you trust me?"

He gave a single, firm nod. "Of course."

Vivian smiled faintly, confidence burning through the pain. "Then I'll show you what it means to believe." She raised her arm toward the Graveyard slot. "I activate a Magic Card from my Graveyard—Splitting the Ghosts! By banishing this card, I can perform a Dark Split Summon!"