7. Yu-Gi-Oh Arc-V: A New Story of Pendulum (Fusion Arc)

Chapter 16 Serena vs. Barrett

Deep within the cold underbelly of Academia, the dim light of a single bulb flickered against the cracked ceiling. The faint hum of the ventilation system was the only sound that broke the silence.

Inside one of the isolation cells sat a man — older now, though not frail, his sharp eyes dulled by years of solitude. His once-pristine white uniform was faded, the golden trim barely visible under the dim light. He sat on the edge of a narrow cot, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts echoing louder than any sound around him.

He had been imprisoned for three long years. Yet unlike the others confined within these walls, he had been granted better accommodations — a separate room, a cleaner space, and the faint comfort of privacy. All of this, thanks to Chronos de Medici, who had spoken on his behalf to the Professor.

But comfort did nothing to ease the burden in his heart.

Every thought was steeped in regret.

"If only I hadn't allowed Akaba Leo to take charge of Academia..." he whispered to himself, voice cracking against the empty air. "If only I had stood against him sooner... none of this would have happened."

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. The images came rushing back — the grand lectures about uniting the dimensions, the promises of progress, and the hidden operations that turned students into soldiers.

What once was a school for Duelists... had become a factory of war.

The Duel Soldiers marched through the halls with their blank eyes and mechanical precision, stripped of individuality. Students no longer dreamed of competition or discovery; they were molded into weapons, trained to crush the other dimensions — Standard, Synchro, Xyz, and Fusion — without question.

"It's all gone wrong..." he murmured, lowering his gaze. His reflection stared back faintly from the polished floor, his own eyes hollowed by remorse. "This place was supposed to raise hearts... not break them."

From beyond the reinforced door, the sound of boots echoed through the corridor. Someone was coming — deliberate, steady steps. The man didn't move, though his pulse quickened.

For three years, visitors were rare.

Perhaps this one would bring him news — or perhaps, judgment.

He closed his eyes, whispering under his breath, "If there's still a way... I want to make things right."

The sound of the door unlocking shattered the silence.

The corridors of Academia's underground prison stretched endlessly, the sound of their footsteps echoing faintly across the metallic walls. The air was cold, thick with the weight of suppressed energy — a stark contrast to the warmth of the sunlight above.

Jim adjusted his hat as his gaze swept across the long row of cells. "So this is where they keep the prisoners, huh?" he muttered.

"Yeah..." Serena replied quietly, her voice carrying a trace of bitterness. "This is also where I used to stay."

Her eyes drifted toward a familiar hallway — one she had walked countless times. "According to Rin and Ruri, they were imprisoned in the West and East Towers. But me? I was kept down here..."

"Seriously?" Satoshi frowned, scratching the back of his head. "But you used to come out a lot of times."

Serena sighed softly. "That's because I wasn't really a prisoner. I was just being kept under watch — the guards were always nearby, making sure I didn't do anything suspicious."