Chereads / Yugioh A hell of a journey / Chapter 14 - Father's last gift

Chapter 14 - Father's last gift

This time on Yu-Gi-Oh! A Hell of a Journey...

Noa thought the tournament was tough, but it was nothing compared to facing his mother Avangeleen, the former women's world wrestling champion. After sneaking in past curfew, he faced the full wrath of her legendary discipline. Now, battered and bruised from her no nonsense punishment, Noa must find a way to pick himself up and get back into dueling shape.

With the tournament still looming, will Noa be able to shake off his home-ground defeat and get his head back in the game? Or will the weight of his mistakes cost him everything?

The journey continues, and the stakes have never been higher!

As Noa sat down at the table, his mother, Avangeleen, fixed him with a stern gaze. The silence between them was thick, broken only by the clinking of plates as she served breakfast. Noa could feel the weight of his mother's disappointment pressing down on him, and he knew she wasn't going to let him off easy.

Avangeleen: Do you know why I'm so upset, Noa?

Noa kept his head down, avoiding her eyes.

Noa: Because I broke curfew…

Her tone sharpened as she leaned forward.

Avangeleen: It's not just about the curfew. It's about discipline, something I've taught you your whole life. You want to win this tournament? You need to learn how to balance your responsibilities. You think those duels are tough? Try stepping into a ring where one mistake means losing everything.

Noa swallowed hard. He knew she wasn't just talking about wrestling this was about more than just the tournament. His mother, once a champion who dominated the ring, knew the price of failure and the importance of control.

Noa (internally): She's right. If I can't even handle my life outside the tournament, how can I hope to win?

His mom softened slightly, but the strength in her voice remained.

Avangeleen: You're talented, Noa. But talent without discipline means nothing. You're going to face opponents stronger than you, smarter than you. If you don't have the focus to outlast them, you'll be crushed.

Noa nodded, the words sinking in as the pressure of the semi-finals loomed in his mind. This wasn't just about cards it was about proving himself.

Avangeleen: Now, finish your breakfast. You've got training to do if you're serious about this.

Noa looked up, determination building inside him. His mother's tough love was exactly what he needed. The tournament wasn't just about skill anymore it was about becoming stronger, in every sense.

As Noa shoveled the last of his breakfast down, he stood with a renewed sense of purpose. The semi-finals awaited, and with his mother's words echoing in his mind, he knew he couldn't afford to slip up again.

Noa (internally): I won't let her down. I won't let myself down.

With that, Noa rushed to get ready for the next stage of the tournament. The semi finals were drawing near, but now, Noa had a new resolve burning within him.

As Noa pushed his chair back to leave, his mother's voice cut through the room with an unsettling calm.

Avangeleen: Oh, and Noa…

He froze, turning slowly to face her. An ominous aura seemed to surround her as she leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms with a cold, calculating smile.

Avangeleen: If you're late again… well, let's just say you won't be leaving this house for a very, very long time.

Her smile widened, the air in the room thick with menace. Noa's heart skipped a beat, a cold sweat forming on the back of his neck.

Noa (internally): I'm so screwed.

With that, he hurried out the door, his mother's words echoing in his head. He couldn't afford to be late again not just for his matches, but for anything. Not with her waiting at home.

Just as Noa was about to rush out the door, Rebecca appeared in front of him, blocking his way with a mischievous grin.

Rebecca: Hold up, Noa! Mom said she has something for you. It's from your Dad.

Noa blinked, confusion replacing his panic for a moment.

Noa: From Dad? But… what is it?

Rebecca stepped aside and pointed to a small, neatly wrapped package sitting on the table. The sight of it made Noa's heart skip. His dad was rarely mentioned, let alone leaving gifts.

Rebecca: She said it's important for your next duel.

Noa's hand hovered over the package, his curiosity now battling the nerves from earlier. His mind raced with questions. Why now? What could be inside?

As Noa carefully unfolded the wrapping, his breath caught in his throat. Inside was a royal blue pyramid, small enough to fit in his palm, with a brilliant ruby embedded in the center of an Egyptian eye symbol. The gem gleamed under the kitchen light, casting tiny reflections across the table.

His fingers trembled slightly as he lifted it out of the wrapping. He knew this artifact. It wasn't just any trinket it had come from his dad's last adventure, before he died. Memories flooded his mind: stories his dad used to tell, about ancient Egyptian ruins, mysterious symbols, and hidden powers. This was something special, something his dad had left behind, not just as a gift, but as a legacy.

Noa (internally): This… this was the last thing he found.

Rebecca tilted her head, curious.

Rebecca: Pretty cool, huh? Your Mom said it's supposed to bring you good luck or something.

As Noa adjusted the pyramid in his hand, something slipped from beneath it a folded piece of paper, old and slightly yellowed. His heart pounded as he carefully opened it, recognizing the handwriting immediately. It was from his father, Sébastien.

The note read:

If you're reading this, my son, then I have passed, likely due to the poison in the chamber we found. I'm sorry I couldn't make it back to you. This is the Pyramid of Light it holds far more than what we ever uncovered. I leave it to you as my legacy. Perhaps you will uncover what me and my team could not.

Love, your father Jhon .

P.S. Happy Birthday, my son.

Noa stood frozen, the weight of the note heavy in his hands. His father's final message, a relic of a past Noa barely understood, now rested in his hands. The Pyramid of Light. It wasn't just a gift it was a challenge, a responsibility passed down to him.

Noa (internally): Dad… I won't let you down. I'll finish what you started.

His resolve hardened. His next duel wasn't just about winning anymore it was about uncovering the mysteries his father left behind.

Noa lifted the pyramid again, noticing something else glinting beneath the wrapping. A delicate silver chain was attached to the top of the pyramid, almost hidden from view. He held it up, letting the pyramid dangle from the chain. It shimmered slightly in the light, the craftsmanship intricate yet subtle.

Noa: A necklace he murmured, running his fingers along the chain. Silver Dad, you really thought of everything, didn't you?

The weight of the pyramid felt different now, more personal. It wasn't just a relic of his father's past; it was something Noa could carry with him, a reminder of the journey he was about to undertake.

He slipped the chain around his neck, letting the pyramid rest against his chest. It felt… right.

Noa, now wearing the Pyramid of Light, turned to Rebecca with a smirk.

Noa: Okay, I'm off. Rebecca, wanna come with? I heard you're an amazing duelist.

Rebecca, who had been casually leaning against the doorframe with her ever-present teddy bear in her arms, looked up with a sly grin.

Rebecca: Amazing? I'd say 'legendary,' but yeah, sure, I'll come. Someone's gotta keep an eye on you so you don't get into more trouble.

She twirled her bear playfully, and with a skip in her step, followed Noa to the door.

Rebecca: Plus, I'm curious to see if that Pyramid of Light is as special as it looks.

Noa chuckled, feeling a strange sense of reassurance having her around.

Noa: Well, let's find out together.

And with that, they both stepped out, ready to face the next part of the journey ahead.

Meanwhile, at the local card shop, the atmosphere was bustling with activity as duelists and enthusiasts milled about. The door chimed as it opened, and the head security of KibaCorp's walked in, his imposing presence instantly drawing attention.

Head Security: "I'm here to conduct a routine check."

The shopkeeper, a middle-aged man with a wary look, nodded quickly, trying to maintain his composure.

Shopkeeper: Of course. Is there something specific you need?

The head security glanced around the shop, his gaze scrutinizing every corner.

Head Security: Just making sure everything is in order. We've had some reports of irregularities and want to ensure everything complies with KibaCorp's regulations.

As he moved through the aisles, his eyes fell on a display of rare cards. He stopped, inspecting them closely, his expression unreadable.

Head Security: We're also here to verify that no unauthorized sales or gambling activities are taking place.

The shopkeeper nodded vigorously, clearly nervous.

Shopkeeper: Everything's above board here, I assure you. Just regular sales and trading.

The head security gave a final nod, his job done. He turned on his heel and headed for the exit, leaving the shopkeeper to breathe a sigh of relief.

In the backroom of the card shop, Yamma watched with growing concern as the head security of KibaCorp's conducted his inspection. He was crouched behind a stack of boxes, his eyes darting nervously between the security officer and the back door.

Yamma (muttering to himself): Damn it, they caught on!

He shifted uneasily, cursing under his breath. The pressure was mounting his illegal gambling operations were at risk of being exposed. He needed to act fast to avoid getting caught.

Yamma: If they find anything out of place, I'm done for.

Yamma took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for whatever might come next. His thoughts raced as he weighed his options, hoping the security check would end without incident.

As the head security officer finished his inspection, he heard a faint rustling from the backroom. His instincts on high alert, he turned sharply towards the sound.

Head Security: What was that? Come out here!"

He moved quickly towards the backroom, his demeanor authoritative and uncompromising. The shopkeeper, already on edge, looked nervously towards the back as the head security approached.

Yamma, caught off guard, straightened up and tried to compose himself as he stepped out from behind the boxes. He forced a confident smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.

Yamma: Hello there! I didn't expect you to be back here. Just doing a little... organizing.

The head security officer's gaze was sharp, his suspicion evident as he took in Yamma's disheveled appearance.

Head Security: Organizing, huh? What exactly were you organizing back here?

Yamma's mind raced, trying to come up with a plausible explanation as the tension in the room thickened.

The head security officer fixed Yamma with a steely gaze.

Head Security: Since you're the manager, let us see the ledgers of the establishment.

Yamma's heart skipped a beat. He nodded, trying to maintain his composure as he led the way to a small office in the back. He reached for the drawer where the ledgers were kept, his hands trembling slightly.

Yamma: Of course, right this way. Everything's in order, just as it should be.

He pulled out the ledger books and laid them on the desk, opening them to the relevant pages. The head security officer scrutinized the records with a keen eye, flipping through the pages and making notes.

Head Security: We'll need to verify these records thoroughly. Any discrepancies, and you'll be facing serious consequences.

Yamma forced a smile, though it felt more like a grimace.

Yamma: "Understood. I'm sure you'll find everything is as it should be."

As the head security officer continued his examination, Yamma's mind raced with worry, hoping that nothing would raise suspicion and that his hidden activities would remain undetected.

The head security officer's gaze remained unwavering as he continued examining the ledgers. He added, with a note of finality in his tone:

Head Security: We'll also need to review all the camera footage. It's just standard practice.

Yamma's stomach dropped. He glanced nervously at the surveillance monitors mounted on the wall.

Yamma: Of course. Let me just get that for you.

He hurried over to the monitors, his movements betraying his anxiety. He started scrolling through the footage, trying to appear calm as he flipped through the various camera feeds. The head security officer watched closely, noting Yamma's anxious demeanor.

Head Security: We'll be here for a while then. Make sure we have access to everything we need.

As Yamma continued to work, he kept a wary eye on the security officer, hoping that his frantic efforts to cover up his activities would not be in vain.

Yamma's anxiety reached a fever pitch as he realized the gravity of the situation. As the head security officer focused on the camera footage, Yamma's mind raced for an escape plan.

Yamma (muttering to himself): This is a disaster… I need to get out of here.

He glanced around the room, noting the back exit. Without a moment's hesitation, Yamma made a break for it. He tried to move quietly, but his desperation made his movements frantic. He darted towards the back door, hoping to slip away unnoticed.

Head Security (noticing movement): "Hey! What do you think you're going?"

Yamma didn't look back. He threw open the door and bolted into the alley behind the shop, his heart pounding in his chest.

Head Security: "Stop him!"

The security officer's voice echoed behind him as Yamma ran. He could hear footsteps closing in but pushed himself harder, weaving through the narrow alleyways, determined to evade capture.

Yamma vanished around a corner, the head security officer hurried back inside, instructing the shopkeeper to lock up and continue the search for any further discrepancies. The chase was on, and Yamma's attempt at escape had only intensified the scrutiny on him.

Yamma dashed through the alley, his breath coming in ragged gasps, he suddenly found his path blocked by a tall, imposing figure. It was Seto Kaiba himself, standing with an authoritative presence that seemed to fill the narrow space.

Seto Kaiba: Well, well, what do we have here? A money-loving weasel trying to slip away?"

Yamma skidded to a halt, his eyes widening in panic. He turned to face Kaiba, his escape route abruptly cut off.

Yamma: Kaiba! I-I didn't expect you here!

Kaiba's expression was a mix of disdain and satisfaction as he looked Yamma up and down.

Seto Kaiba: It seems you've been caught red handed. What exactly were you trying to hide from my security?

Yamma's mind raced as he tried to come up with an excuse, but he knew he was cornered. Kaiba's piercing gaze made it clear that there was no easy way out of this predicament.

Kaiba's voice was cold and commanding as he addressed his security team, who had arrived on the scene.

Seto Kaiba: No need for words. We have all the evidence we need. Take him away.

Two security officers stepped forward, grabbing Yamma by the arms. Yamma struggled briefly but knew he was outmatched. He shot a pleading look at Kaiba, but Kaiba's expression remained unyielding.

Seto Kaiba: And fire whoever hired him. We won't tolerate this kind of corruption in our operations.

The officers began escorting Yamma out of the alley, his protests growing fainter as they led him away. Kaiba watched impassively, ensuring that the situation was handled with the efficiency and severity he expected.

With Yamma gone, Kaiba turned back towards the card shop, a satisfied smirk on his face. The issue was resolved, and the integrity of KibaCorp's operations had been restored.

Seto Kaiba: Now that that's taken care of, it's time to focus on more pressing matters. Let's get to my meeting with Maximillion Pegasus.

Kaiba and his security team made their way back to KibaCorp's main building, where Pegasus was scheduled to arrive shortly. As they approached, Kaiba's demeanor shifted from authoritative to a blend of anticipation and calculation.

Inside the conference room, Pegasus was already waiting, looking relaxed yet poised, his usual flamboyant demeanor in full display.

Maximillion Pegasus: Ah, Kaiba Boy ! I was wondering when you'd arrive. I trust the day has treated you well?

Seto Kaiba: Better than expected. We've dealt with some... unwelcome complications, but let's not dwell on that. I'm here to discuss your plans and how they intersect with our interests.

Maximillion Pegasus: Excellent. I'm eager to hear what you have in mind. Shall we get started?

The two figures, each a titan in their own right, began their discussion, their conversation filled with strategic insights and high stakes negotiations, setting the stage for the future of both KibaCorp and duelist illusions.

Seto Kaiba: The development of the Duel Disk is proceeding faster than expected. We anticipated months of work, but the prototype is already complete. Though, I must admit, it's more of a top than a final product at this stage.

Maximillion Pegasus: Ah, I see. Well, a prototype is a step in the right direction. The crucial part is refining it to meet the high standards of both functionality and design. How soon until it's ready for a wider release?

Seto Kaiba: We're pushing to resolve the remaining issues swiftly. The goal is to have it ready for a broader market soon, but we need to ensure it meets all our specifications before that happens.

Maximillion Pegasus: That's reasonable. I'm interested in seeing how it performs and, of course, ensuring that it aligns with my vision for the game. If there are any adjustments needed, I'd be more than happy to offer my insights.

Seto Kaiba: Your input would be valuable, as always. Once the final version is closer to completion, I'll arrange a demonstration for you.

Maximillion Pegasus: Looking forward to it. In the meantime, let's continue to keep our focus on the developments. I'm sure there are many more exciting things to discuss.

With the business discussion in full swing, Kaiba and Pegasus delved into the finer details of their collaboration, setting the stage for future innovations and high-profile events.

Maximillion Pegasus: Before we conclude, Kaiba, I'd like to extend an invitation to you . If you're interested, you're more than welcome to join me at Duelist Kingdom. It's a unique opportunity to experience the grandeur and challenges of the event firsthand.

Seto Kaiba: Duelist Kingdom, you say? An intriguing offer. I'll consider it. It could be an excellent opportunity to see how our innovations stand up in a competitive environment.

Maximillion Pegasus: Excellent. I'm sure it will be an event to remember. Let's stay in touch about the details. I look forward to your decision.

With that, the meeting concluded, and Kaiba left the room deep in thought, considering the implications of Pegasus's invitation and what it might mean for his own plans and ambitions.

As Noa arrived at the card shop, he was greeted by Marcus, who was clearly buzzing with excitement.

Marcus: Noa! You won't believe this. You just missed something huge!

Noa: What happened? I've been running around all morning, and I'm finally here. Spill it!

Marcus: The head of KibaCorp's security was here. They were looking into Yamma and his shady dealings. Turns out, they found a ton of evidence and even caught him trying to escape!

Noa: it was bound to happen with that slimy bastard.

Marcus:Kaiba himself showed up and personally dealt with him. They're firing whoever hired Yamma and digging into everything. It's a mess, but it looks like KibaCorp is finally cleaning house.

Noa: well it's no concern of ours we should be fine .

Marcus: yeah your right that means no more triple shift thank you kami you do exist!!

As the scene cuts to Maximillion Pegasus, he stands in his luxurious hotel suite, gazing out of the window with a sly grin on his face.

Pegasus (chuckling to himself): Oh, what a delightful tournament this will be! The drama, the excitement... but, hmm... why not make it just a tad more interesting?

He walks over to his table, where a vintage VHS of the Spice Girls' movie sits beside a glass of wine. His fingers brush the tape as he muses aloud.

Pegasus: Ah, my beloved Spice Girls, you've always inspired me to keep things… spicy! Why not add a little shadow game to the finals? Something that raises the stakes beyond just winning a mere tournament.

He takes a sip of his wine, his smile growing darker.

Pegasus (mischievously): Yes, yes... a little darkness will make this tournament truly unforgettable. And besides, I haven't had a proper shadow game in ages.

As he revels in the thought, Pegasus' reflection in the window twists with an ominous glow, signaling that this tournament is about to become far more dangerous than anyone could have anticipated.

Pegasus (laughing softly): Let the games begin.

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! A Hell of a Journey:

The stage is set for the end of the semi-finals! Noa, Marcus, and the remaining duelists prepare for their toughest battles yet. Will Noa rise to the challenge, or will the pressure prove too much?

Meanwhile, Marcus can't hide his glee as slimy Yamma is finally dragged away in chains. With one less snake in the grass, the tournament feels a little safer... but for how long?

And what's next in Maximillion Pegasus' grand scheme? A shadow game looms over the finals, with stakes higher than anyone could have imagined. What dark twists does Pegasus have in store for our duelists?

Don't miss the next thrilling episode of Yu-Gi-Oh! A Hell of a Journey!