ã€ŠDivine Card Creatorã€‹


 Chapter 1: The Chaos Trade

    Jarek strolled through the dimly lit alley, hands tucked in his jacket pockets, keeping his binder pressed close to his side. The cards inside hummed faintly¡ªhe could always feel their presence. Most duelists wouldn''t dare walk around with raw, unclaimed cards, but Jarek was no ordinary duelist. His ability to craft cards gave him an edge that most could only dream of. And tonight''s trade? It was about to show just how sharp that edge really was.

    Up ahead, the alley opened into a small courtyard where Benji waited, jittery as always. The kid looked like a nervous wreck¡ªconstantly shifting from foot to foot, glancing around like someone might jump him at any moment. Jarek almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

    "Benji," Jarek greeted with a smooth nod. His voice was casual, but there was an undercurrent of business. Tonight was important. "You ready?"

    Benji swallowed hard and nodded quickly. "Y-yeah, I''ve got the cash."

    "Good." Jarek loosened the strap on his binder. He could feel the cards inside pulse faintly, as if they knew their time had come. With a flick of his wrist, he opened the binder, revealing rows of carefully protected cards, each one gleaming faintly under the dim streetlight. These weren''t just any cards. They had been made specifically for Benji, tailored to a soul card Jarek shouldn''t have known about.

    But Jarek had ways of finding things out. Even if Benji hadn''t told him, he''d pieced together enough to work with. The kid had a Chaos Rabbit soul card¡ªrare, yes, but not exactly powerful. It meant his deck had to compensate for its chaotic, unpredictable nature. That''s where Jarek''s ability came in. He''d crafted cards designed to harness Benji''s soul, cards that weren''t particularly strong in any other deck. Rabbits weren''t known for brute strength, but for their breeding potential, their ability to multiply rapidly. Perfect for someone like Benji.

    Jarek watched as Benji''s eyes widened at the sight of the cards. "Here they are," Jarek said, sliding a few from their sleeves and holding them out. "Each one plays into your soul card''s abilities. But remember¡ªthey''re tricky. Make a wrong move, and they could backfire."

    Benji reached for the cards, hesitating, his hand hovering just over the first card. "I¡ªI don''t know which ones to choose," he admitted quietly. "They all look¡­"

    "Weak?" Jarek finished for him, smirking. "Yeah, they''re not the kind of cards that''ll summon 12-foot tall, thousand-pound chimeras. But that''s not what rabbits are. These cards don''t mix well with other beasts, Benji. They''ll help you¡ªbut only if you can handle their drawbacks."

    Benji nodded slowly and picked up the first card. It shimmered faintly in his hand, showing a rabbit leaping through a swirl of colors. The name at the top read: Father Rabbit.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    "What''s this one do?" Benji asked, barely above a whisper.

    Jarek leaned back against the alley wall, arms crossed. "That one?" He pointed to the artwork of a large rabbit in blue farmer''s clothes trying to wrangle in three small yellow bunnies. "It lets you summon a bunny from your hand, but it can''t attack. The Father Rabbit gains guard instead."

    Benji stared at the card, his fingers tracing the edges as if trying to gauge its worth. "And¡­this one?" He picked up another card, this one depicting rabbits multiplying rapidly: Gambler''s Burrow.

    "Ah, Gambler''s Burrow." Jarek nodded. "That one''s a gamble, obviously. You summon a bunch of Rabbit Tokens, but the number''s random. You could get two. You could get ten. If you''re lucky, you''ll swarm your opponent. If not¡­" Jarek shrugged, leaving the rest unsaid. Benji wasn''t an idiot. He knew the risks.

    Benji''s brow furrowed as he examined a third card, Mother Bunny, showing a rabbit wielding a glowing hoe while tending to a farm. "I''m sensing a theme here," he muttered.

    Jarek chuckled. "Yeah, they''re all about multiplying. Fits the chaos of your soul card. But it''s not just about breeding an army¡ªyou''ve got to know when to defend, when to swarm. There''s strategy in that chaos, Benji."

    Jarek slid another card from his binder. This one glowed a little brighter than the rest. Moonlight Chaos, its artwork showed bunnies rampaging through a moonlit farm, transforming under the light. Benji''s eyes widened as he read the card''s description.

    "It''s¡­ a rare," Benji stammered, almost in awe. "I''ve never seen this before. I can''t afford something like this."

    Jarek smiled, amused by Benji''s reaction. The deal had dragged long enough. "Relax, kid. You couldn''t afford half these cards under normal circumstances. But I''m letting it slide this time, in exchange for a little favor."

    Benji looked up, wary but curious. "What kind of favor?"

    "You''re going to advertise my cards," Jarek replied smoothly. "Enter the duelist league next week. Use these cards in your deck. Show them off."

    Benji blinked. "But they''re illegal¡­ Unfiltered card production? The rich won''t stand for it."

    Jarek smirked. "Yeah, well, they won''t have a choice once I win the tournament. The winner gets full rights to produce cards however they want. I''ve already got a partner lined up for the finals." Jarek pushed the glowing card closer. "Take Moonlight Chaos. It syncs perfectly with your soul. Trust me¡ªyou''re going to need it if you want to get anywhere in that tournament."

    Benji''s eyes darted between the card and Jarek, still hesitant. "But¡­what''s the catch?"

    "No catch," Jarek said, waving him off. "I made this card because it works for you. It''d be a waste if you got knocked out in the first round." He tapped the card. "Moonlight Chaos. It transforms all your bunnies into Chaos Rabbits. They become 4/4 creatures with Bloodthirsty Rampage and Immortal 1. On arrival, they attack the weakest creature, and when they destroy it, they gain +2/+2 and attack again. Immortal means they can''t be destroyed until the end of your turn."

    Benji studied the card, his expression shifting between uncertainty and excitement. Jarek couldn''t help but smirk. He knew exactly what he was doing.

    Leaning casually against the wall, Jarek let his gaze flicker over Benji''s soul card once more. He was still surprised at what he saw in the kid. There was more potential there than Benji realized. And that potential was about to be unleashed.

 Chapter 2: Soul Rabbit

    The Chaos Rabbit of Trickery was not just a whimsical companion¡ªit had real bite beneath the surface. Its primary effect, Soul Alignment, reduced the mana costs of Rabbit, Bunny, and Beast cards significantly. Rabbit cards cost 3 less mana, Bunnies 2 less, and Beasts 1 less, with the reduction never dropping any card below a cost of 1. It didn''t sound flashy on paper, but Jarek knew that in practice, it could give Benji a tremendous edge. With Rabbits that should cost 6 or 7 mana dropping to a measly 3, Benji could flood the field faster than his opponents would anticipate, overwhelming them with an army of chaotic creatures.

    But that wasn''t all. The rabbit''s true power came into play with its next effect: Lucky Roll. If one of Benji''s Rabbit or Bunny cards left the field¡ªwhether destroyed by an opponent or used as part of a cost¡ªBenji could activate it. Three coins were flipped, and Benji would call heads or tails. If two out of three matched his call, he''d trigger one of three minor effects: drawing an extra card, summoning a 2/2 Bunny token, or gaining 3 mana. Even in the chaos, small wins like these could turn the tide of a match.

    And then, there was the jackpot. If Benji called all three coins correctly¡ªa rare but game-changing occurrence¡ªhe could summon the Lucky Rabbit''s Foot. This powerful item brought three possible effects, each a devastating advantage in its own right:

    1. Drawing three cards¡ªan immediate hand advantage, letting Benji play even more on the field. 2. Summoning a 6/6 Chaos Rabbit¡ªa hefty creature that could both defend and attack with ferocity. 3. Reducing the cost of any Rabbit card in hand by an additional 4 mana¡ªeffectively allowing him to play higher-level Rabbits for free.

    Jarek could see the potential in all these effects. The Lucky Rabbit''s Foot was a gamble, but if Benji hit it, it would turn an uncertain match into an overwhelming victory.

    The final piece of the puzzle was the Chaos Trap Setting. If Benji successfully summoned a Rabbit with an original mana cost of 6 or higher, he could automatically set a random Chaos trap card from his deck. Traps in a chaos-based deck were unpredictable and could swing wildly in effect, from forcing an opponent to discard key cards to summoning random creatures onto the field. For Benji, it meant his opponent could never feel comfortable, and never predict what would come next.

    Jarek grinned. The kid was sitting on a goldmine of chaotic potential. His deck was unpredictable, his abilities unconventional, but that was exactly what made him dangerous. A well-played Chaos Rabbit deck could dismantle even the most calculated strategies, and with Jarek''s custom cards thrown into the mix, Benji had the chance to go far in this tournament.

    "You don''t even know how good this is for you," Jarek muttered, more to himself than to Benji. But the kid had already turned back to the card, his eyes wide with the possibilities swirling in his mind.

    "Jarek¡­" Benji began, uncertainty slipping into his voice.

    Jarek''s smirk widened. "Trust me, Benji. With that rabbit soul of yours and these cards, you''re going to be a lot harder to knock out than anyone thinks."

    "Trust me, Benji. With that rabbit soul of yours and these cards, you''re going to be a lot harder to knock out than anyone thinks."

    Benji''s fingers gripped the edges of his soul card, the weight of Jarek''s words starting to settle in. His mind buzzed with the endless possibilities Jarek had laid out, but a nagging doubt still clung to him, tethering him back to reality. His excitement was tempered by uncertainty as he glanced back at Jarek.

    "There''s gotta be more to this. It sounds too good to be true," Benji said, hesitating.

    Jarek''s smirk deepened as he crossed his arms, leaning against the wall with a nonchalant shrug. "Well, since you''re so insistent, there *is* one more little detail."The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    Benji''s eyes narrowed. "What detail?"

    "It''s a tag-team tournament," Jarek said, waving his hand casually. "You''re not going in solo."

    "Tag-team?" Benji frowned, his mind racing. "So¡­ I need a partner?"

    "Exactly. You''ve been assigned one already, and trust me¡ªthis guy''s no slouch." Jarek pushed off the wall, taking a step toward Benji. "He''s a beast user. Specializes in summoning a few powerful creatures that need tributes. You''ll be able to hold the field while he gets his heavy hitters ready. Your fast-paced, unpredictable Rabbit cards will be the perfect setup for him to swoop in and wreck your opponents."

    Benji blinked. "A beast user? So, I''m supposed to just stall for him?"

    Jarek shook his head. "It''s not just about stalling. It''s about your rabbit''s specialty. Your rabbits will overwhelm them with numbers and keep multiplying. Your partner has powerful beasts but they require food to remain obedient, that''s were your rabbits will really shine. "

    The plan made sense, but Benji still felt uneasy. He''d never been good at relying on others. His thoughts wandered to his family¡ªhis mother, working herself to the bone; his father, still in a coma; his younger brother, barely old enough to help out; and his twin sisters, who depended on him more than they knew.

    Jarek''s eyes flicked over Benji''s face, and something shifted in his expression. "You''ve got a family, don''t you?"

    Benji''s gaze snapped back to Jarek, startled. "How¡­ how did you¡ª"

    "Come on, Benji," Jarek said, his voice softening just a fraction. "You''re not doing this for fun. You''re fighting for something bigger."

    Benji swallowed hard. He couldn''t hide it anymore. "Yeah. My family¡­ they''re depending on me. My mom''s working all the time. My dad''s¡­ well, he''s not really around. My little brother is thirteen, and my twin sisters are too young to understand any of this. I''ve gotta make it to the top eight. If I don''t¡­ I don''t know what I''ll do."

    Jarek''s smirk faded into something more serious. "Then you''ve got even more reason to win. You''ll have sponsors lining up if you make it to the top sixteen. Hell, one good sponsor deal and you could sell an epic card and take care of your family for the next decade."

    Benji''s heart skipped a beat. "You really think I could make that much?"

    "More than enough," Jarek said, his voice confident. "A single epic card could feed a family of six for years. And with the cards I''ve given you and the right partner, you''ve got what it takes to go far. But you''ve gotta trust in the process¡ªand trust in your partner."

    Benji''s mind swirled with the possibilities. The pressure was immense, but the reward was greater than he''d ever dreamed. If he could make it through this tournament, he could give his family the life they deserved. He could be the one to finally lift them out of the shadows they''d been living under for so long.

    Jarek pulled out a sleek, glowing contract and handed it to Benji. "Here''s the deal. You place in the top eight, and the cards I loaned you are yours. Don''t make it¡­ and you owe me the full value. But don''t worry¡ªplacing in the top sixteen will get you more than enough to pay it off."

    Benji looked down at the contract in his hands, his pulse quickening. This was his chance¡ªa gamble, just like everything else in his life. But this time, the stakes were higher than ever.

    He gripped the pen and, with one last breath, signed his name.

    "There. It''s done," Benji said, his voice steady.

    Jarek grinned, clapping him on the shoulder. "Good. Now let''s get you ready to win. To win you need practice and to know your allies. What is a better way to accomplish that than to duel your allies until you know exactly what they can do? Come on, we are going to meet him. "

    Benji''s grip tightened on his deck as the weight of the contract settled in. This wasn''t just another duel for glory¡ªthis was about survival, for him and for his family. He nodded, trying to absorb everything Jarek had said.

    "Alright," Benji said quietly, a hint of determination creeping into his voice. "Let''s meet him."

    Jarek turned on his heel, his boots echoing softly against the marble floor of the dueling facility. Benji followed closely, the familiar shuffle of his worn sneakers contrasting sharply with the confidence radiating from Jarek. As they navigated the maze-like hallways, Benji''s mind raced. This beast user¡­ could he really trust him? Would their strategies align? He had to hope. Jarek wouldn''t have set him up for failure. Right?

    They arrived at a spacious room bathed in soft, artificial light, with holo-screens along the walls displaying various match highlights. In the center stood a towering figure, easily six feet tall with broad shoulders, a confident stance, and an air of experience. His hands were wrapped in fingerless gloves, and his gaze was locked on his deck as he examined each card carefully, almost reverently.

    "That''s him," Jarek said with a slight tilt of his head. "Markus. One of the top-ranked beast users around."

 Chapter 3: The Duel Begins

    Benji sized up the man. Markus'' presence was imposing. His confidence radiated off him, but there was something more¡ªa calm, collected demeanor, like a seasoned warrior who knew exactly when to strike.

    Jarek stepped forward, clearing his throat. "Markus, meet your partner for the tournament¡ªBenji."

    Markus looked up, his sharp eyes locking onto Benji with an intensity that made him feel small for a moment. But then Markus nodded, a small smirk pulling at the corner of his lips.

    "So, you''re the Rabbit guy," Markus said, his voice deep and steady. "Jarek''s told me about you."

    Benji swallowed hard. "Yeah. That''s me."

    Markus placed his deck down on the table in front of him and took a step closer, towering over Benji. "I don''t need much to win. Just time and a few tributes. Think your little rabbits can handle that?"

    Benji hesitated, then squared his shoulders. "They can do more than handle it. They can overwhelm anyone who underestimates them."

    Markus raised an eyebrow, impressed by the spark of confidence. He crossed his arms. "Good. I need someone who can flood the field while I prepare my beasts. My deck''s heavy, but once my creatures are out, there''s no stopping them. I hope you''re ready for that."

    Jarek clapped his hands together, stepping between them. "Alright, alright. Now that introductions are out of the way, why don''t you two test it out? Let''s see how well you sync up in a tag duel."

    Markus and Benji exchanged a look before both nodded.

    "Fine by me," Markus said, already reaching for his deck.

    Benji felt his pulse quicken. This was it¡ªhis first chance to see what kind of duelist Markus really was and how their decks would complement each other. They moved toward the dueling platform, holo-screens lighting up as they positioned themselves on either side.

    Jarek grinned, standing off to the side as the system registered their presence.

    "I''ve arranged a couple of test opponents for you guys. Nothing crazy, but good enough to push you a bit."

    The air hummed as the opponents appeared across from them. Two duelists with sliver decks walked in to box''s glowing a subtle hue.

    Benji glanced at Markus, who gave him a nod. "You start," Markus said. "Let me see those rabbits flood the field."

    Benji nodded, his heart racing as the pressure built. His hands flew across his cards, shuffling through options, studying the battlefield before finally settling on one. With a deep breath, he summoned his courage.

    "I''m I''m going to, I''m going to summon Father Rabbit," he stammered, barely holding back his nerves.

    A long, awkward silence followed as the other three duelists exchanged glances. The tension hung in the air until, almost in unison, they sighed.

    Markus''s disappointment was palpable. He crossed his arms, the gauntlets on his hands gleaming faintly. "Just because you have the soul card of a rabbit doesn''t mean you need to act like a scared bunny, Benji."

    His tone was calm, but there was an edge of frustration to it. The constant reminder that Benji lacked confidence, even with a powerful deck at his disposal, was grating on Markus. He wasn''t trying to bully him, though. In fact, he was trying to push him to stand taller, to own his deck, his abilities.

    Benji clenched his jaw, the heat rising in his face. "I know," he muttered, eyes flickering down to his cards again. It wasn''t that he didn''t understand Markus''s point. He did. But it was easier said than done.

    Jarek, watching from the sidelines, smirked but kept quiet. He could see what Markus was doing, and frankly, it wasn''t a bad strategy. Sometimes, a little push was exactly what a duelist needed.

    Markus sighed, a deep, heavy sound that filled the air. "Look, you''ve got the cards, Benji. You''ve got the soul for it. Now act like it. If you don''t believe in your plays, no one else will." His eyes were sharp as they fixed on Benji. "Get your head in the game."

    Benji felt his chest tighten, but Markus''s words hit home. With a renewed sense of focus, he straightened his posture, gripping his cards a little tighter.

    Benji straightened his posture, gripping his cards tighter. "Father Rabbit''s on the field," he declared, his voice steadier.

    6 small orbs appeared next to benji''s head and one of those orbs entered the card. Causing it to glow.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    As the glow faded, a rabbit half the size of a man appeared, dressed in a blue jumpsuit, surrounded by three playful bunnies¡ªone tugging at the shoulder of the jumpsuit, another hanging off his arm, and the last running in excited circles.

    "I activate Father Rabbit''s effect to summon a Bunny Token!" Benji said, watching as a new bunny materialized, darting away from its father.

    With a swift motion, he placed the glowing card on the field. "Now, I activate Gamblers Burrow four orbs of mana floated into the cards. I can target one bunny I control and roll a dice to summon more bunnies based on the roll!"

    Yeah if he does well then I will get him some cards to improve his decks randomness. Jarak thought unknowingly, trying to extend his visit to prolong his sanity.

    Benji picked up the dice, a mix of anticipation and anxiety surging through him. With a quick flick of his wrist, he let it tumble across the arena floor. It bounced and rolled, the numbers flashing in his mind.

    As it finally came to a stop, he saw the number. "A four!"

    "Nice," Markus murmured, a hint of approval creeping into his tone."

    "I summon seven bunnies!" Benji announced, excitement replacing his earlier nerves. He watched as the bunnies appeared in a flurry of energy, filling the field with their presence.

    The arena pulsed with the energy of his growing army. The playful chaos of bunnies surrounded him, each one a flicker of hope for what was to come.

    "Alright, let''s see what you can do!" he urged himself, confidence beginning to spark within him.

    "Each of the bunnies inherited one of their original effects. The shield bunny has two effects so I toss a coin and copy one of the effects depending on which side it lands on. Heads I get the first effect and tails I get the second effect. "

    A golden coin with a dragon on the back and a magician on the front materialized then flipped itself. When the coin landed it was dragon side face up.

    "So I can copy the second effect where for every rabbit I gain a shield worth 1 point."

    I didn''t think he would pick up on that card''s applications that fast but he might have over extended without proper methods to protect his creatures.

    The bunnies started releasing a chant and then the small shields on their backs started floating and racing towards Benjamin and Markus.

    4 small shields floated around both of them. Releasing small traces of blue light.

    " Then I will set 1 card face down and then end my turn. "

    I knew that he would be a fast learner, I also knew he would be a great fit for Markus. I didn''t factor in that he would negate most of his decks drawbacks. I figured he would give him some consistency and negate his tribute costs but to also have a way to negate his decks self damaging effects.

    "I''m a genius, now I just have to get him some more powerful rabbits. Jarak thought aloud. What about some ritual based rabbits that can count as more than one tribute. Then I need some bunnies with some support effects and we then¡­"

    Benji glanced over at Jarek, who was now muttering to himself, completely absorbed in his own thoughts. From the way his eyes gleamed, it was obvious he was plotting something, no doubt thinking up new cards or strategies. It wasn''t the first time Benji had seen him like this, lost in his own world. In class he would regularly sit like this for whole class periods.

    The thing was, Jarek wasn''t just *thinking*¡ªhe was *scheming*. His lips moved silently, his eyes darting between Benji''s field and the possibilities no one else could see. A genius at work, sure, but sometimes it was unsettling. Benji shifted his gaze back to the arena, hoping to stay focused, but Jarek''s murmuring continued.

    "I''m a genius," Jarek whispered under his breath, rubbing his hands together in a way that made him look like he was hatching some elaborate, world-shattering plan. "Now I just need to get him some more powerful rabbits¡­ maybe some ritual-based ones¡­ Oh! Or rabbits that can count as more than one tribute!"

    Benji''s eyes widened a little as he stared at Jarek, who was now gesturing with his hands as though shaping invisible cards in the air.

    "Maybe a bunny with a support effect, maybe even something that lets him¡ª"

    "Jarek!" Benji blurted, unable to hold back any longer. "You''re creeping me out!"

    Jarek blinked, seemingly brought back from his trance. He turned to Benji with a sharp grin, as if he''d just remembered he wasn''t alone. "Oh, don''t mind me, kid. Just thinking of ways to make your deck¡­ *better*."

    "Yeah, well, you look like you''re planning world domination or something," Benji muttered, shaking his head. "Focus on the duel, will you?"

    Jarek chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I''ll leave you to it, Benji. But don''t be surprised when I bring you some new cards next time. You''re gonna love them."

    Benji returned his attention to the field, trying to shake off the feeling that Jarek''s "improvements" were going to be both a blessing and a curse. Still, he couldn''t help but feel a surge of confidence after summoning so many bunnies. He''d started the duel off nervous, but now, with Markus''s guidance and his growing army on the field, he felt¡­ steady.

    Markus was silent for once, his arms crossed as he surveyed the field. Benji''s shielded bunnies hovered protectively in front of them, their small, glowing shields adding a layer of defense.

    Benji took a deep breath, feeling a bit of pride. He wasn''t the most confident duelist, but with each passing moment, he could sense himself growing. The bunnies weren''t just tokens on the field; they were extensions of his strategy, and he was learning to make them work together.

    "I set one card face-down and end my turn," he announced, more confidently this time.

    Markus gave him a nod, the faintest hint of approval in his eyes. "Not bad, Benji. Let''s see if you can keep up the momentum."

    Benji smirked, his heart still pounding but no longer from fear. He was in the game now, and he wasn''t about to back down.

    As he awaited his opponent''s move, his mind briefly drifted back to Jarek''s ramblings. Maybe those crazy ideas of his would actually pay off in the long run.

    But for now, it was time to focus. The duel was only just beginning.

    " So I guess it''s my turn the name is eight. I hope you remember your deal Jarak when we beat these two. 8 exclaimed."

    Yeah I remember if you beat these two I''ll sponsor you instead, but if you lose I will take 60% out of your cuts.

 Thunder Kings Prison

    Eight''s smug grin stretched across his face, his gaze flicking from Jarek to Benji and back again. "Yeah, 60% sounds steep, but it won''t matter. I don''t plan on losing." He drew a card from his deck and glanced at it, his confidence only seeming to grow. "I''ve been saving this play for a while. Let''s see how your bunnies stack up against real monsters."

    Benji clenched his jaw, keeping his eyes on Eight''s every move. His bunnies, cute as they were, weren''t pushovers. But still, this was his first time dueling against someone with as much swagger as Eight. He glanced at Markus out of the corner of his eye, hoping for a sign of reassurance.

    Markus stood silent, eyes locked on the battlefield. His face was unreadable, as if he didn''t care whether Eight talked or not. It was like Markus knew something that Benji didn''t, some hidden truth about the way this duel was going to unfold.

    Jarek, on the other hand, seemed more amused than anything. "Don''t get ahead of yourself, Eight," he said casually, leaning against the arena''s edge. "Remember, you might be playing for sponsorship, but you''re also playing against my hand-picked partner here. He''s also one of the best duelists in this city." He gestured toward Markus, as if that alone should be enough to make Eight hesitate. "And Benji''s just starting to figure out how dangerous he can be."

    Benji swallowed, hoping Jarek''s words weren''t just empty flattery. He had to admit, there was something to what Jarek was saying. His hand was strong, his bunnies were in place, and he still had Father Rabbit watching over the field.

    Eight raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Alright, Mister Bunny, let''s see how you handle this." He slid a card onto his duel disk. "I summon Thunder Dragon Seer!"

    Nine mana orbs floated around Eight, shimmering with a dull, electric hue. Two of the orbs drifted into the card, and a hunched, sickly old man appeared on the field, draped in a plain, tattered robe. His frail body seemed incapable of any significant combat.

    Benji frowned. The card''s stats flickered above it¡ª1 ATK / 2 DEF. "That''s it?" Benji scoffed. "From the way you were talking, I was expecting more. He doesn''t look¡ª"

    "¡ªHe doesn''t look like much because he''s not," Eight interrupted, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "At least, not physically. But he''s the key to unlocking my true power. You''ll see." Eight raised his arm, and three more mana orbs floated into the old man''s cloak. "I activate Thunder Dragon Seer''s effect: Soul Charge!"

    The card''s effect flashed across the field.

    Thunder Dragon SeerATK/1DEF/2Effect: Upon being summoned, this card can cast ''Thunder King''s Prison'' by paying the appropriate mana cost: 1 mana from the hand, 2 mana from the graveyard, or 3 mana from the deck.

    Three orbs of mana glowed brightly, then vanished as the field around them began to warp. Chains erupted from the ground, weaving through the air like living serpents, the entire room trembling with a heavy, oppressive energy. The walls of the arena shimmered before shifting, stone pillars rising from the ground, metal bars stretching across them to form prison cells. The duelists'' platform was gone, replaced by a cold stone floor, and Benji could feel the cold chill of the prison sinking into his bones.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    The entire space had transformed, pulling everyone into the very heart of Thunder King''s Prison. The field spell didn''t just appear¡ªit took over.

    Benji glanced around in disbelief. They weren''t in the duel room r anymore. Instead, they were standing inside an immense, thunderous prison, the walls covered in iron chains and barred cells. The air crackled with energy, and from the cells, shadowy figures of dragons stirred, rattling their bindings.

    "This is¡­ your field spell?" Benji muttered, trying to keep his voice steady.

    Eight''s voice echoed through the prison, his smile darkening. "That''s right. Welcome to Thunder King''s Prison. While this is in play, all my dragons are chained, restricted by its power. They can neither attack nor activate their effects unless I pay mana for each action. But don''t get comfortable¡ªwhat you''re seeing here? It''s only the beginning."

    With a dramatic flourish, Eight raised his duel disk, and the four remaining mana orbs spun around him before sinking into his body. His soul card began to glow, bright golden chains erupting from his chest as the prison trembled in response. "Now, I summon my soul card¡ªThunder King''s Herald!"

    A roar thundered through the prison, and from one of the barred cells, a massive black dragon crawled out, its body shackled in thick golden chains. The dragon was enormous, its eyes glowing with fierce intensity as it broke free of its restraints, electricity arcing across its scales. Unlike the other dragons imprisoned here, Thunder King''s Herald moved freely, its powerful wings spreading as it ascended above the field, unshackled by the prison''s control.

    Thunder King''s HeraldATK/3DEF/6Effect: While ''Thunder King''s Prison'' is active, this card is unaffected by the prison''s restriction effects. Once per turn, it can command one other dragon on the field to act without paying mana costs. Additionally, once per turn, it can choose one opposing monster, imprisoning it. The imprisoned monster''s effects are negated, and control is transferred to the user of ''Thunder King''s Herald.'' If a dragon under this card''s command deals damage, you gain life equal to the damage dealt.

    Benji''s heart sank as the dragon glared down at him. Thunder King''s Herald wasn''t just a boss monster¡ªit was the warden of the entire prison. The other dragons cowered in their cells, bound by the prison''s chains, but Herald was free, in full control of the battlefield.

    "Now you''re getting it," Eight said with a smug grin. "Thunder King''s Herald is the ruler of this prison. As long as the field spell is active, it commands all the other dragons. Once per turn, I can let any of my dragons act without paying the mana cost, and if I want? I can imprison your monsters, too."

    Benji''s stomach churned as Herald roared again, its chains rattling in the air. "It can choose one of your monsters, imprison it, negate its effects, and force it to fight for me. That''s what it means to be in my prison."

    The chains hanging from the ceiling began to sway as if they were alive, slithering toward Benji''s side of the field. His bunnies, adorable and harmless-looking, felt a million miles away from the ruthless environment of Thunder King''s Prison.

    Hope you''re ready," Eight taunted, his eyes gleaming with sadistic glee. "Because once Thunder King''s Herald takes control, this duel is as good as over. And after I win? Jarek''s little deal will mean nothing."

 The Chains of Thunder Prison

    "I activate the second effect of Thunder King''s Prison!" Eight''s voice boomed across the arena as arcs of energy crackled from the towering structure of Thunder King''s Prison. Chains rattled on the battlefield, tightening like serpents around the creatures already in play.

    Benji felt the tension mounting. His fingers tightened around his cards, his eyes scanning the field for any escape route. The oppressive energy of the prison weighed heavily on him. His rabbits, once lively and energetic, now seemed out of place amidst the dark, ruthless power surrounding them.

    "Thunder King''s Prison¡­ the ultimate battlefield," Eight''s voice dripped with smugness as he flipped his next card. "You know what''s coming next, right?"

    Thunder King''s Prison (Field Spell)

    1.    Imprison Monsters: When activated, imprison all monsters on your field.

    2.    Free Dragon Summoning: You can summon Dragon monsters from your hand for 0 mana, but they are imprisoned for 3 turns.

    3.    Imprison on Summon: Any creature summoned to your field is imprisoned for 1 turn.

    4.    Chain Lightning: Once per turn, deal 1 damage to all the opponent''s creatures.

    5.    Warden Command: Once per turn, you can activate one imprisoned monster''s effect without paying costs or meeting conditions.

    Imprisoned

    ?    Imprisoned monsters cannot attack or activate effects unless specified.    ?    Warden Dragon-type monsters cannot be imprisoned and act freely under this spell.

    "I summon Prisoner of the Thunder and Warden Dragon Overlord!"

    The field erupted with energy as two massive dragons materialized. One, dark and stormy, its breath vibrating with thunder. The other, golden and gleaming, its scales reflecting the flickering lights of the prison. The chains reacted instantly, wrapping tightly around the smaller Prisoner of the Golden Lightning, while the Warden Dragon stood tall and unbound by the prison''s restraints.

    "You see, Benji," Eight''s smirk widened. "It doesn''t matter how many of those cute little bunnies you''ve got. With every turn, the prison tightens. The more you fight, the worse it gets."

    The Prisoner of the Golden Lightning let out a low, defeated growl as the chains ensnared it. Meanwhile, the Warden Dragon Overlord, its serpentine form towering, let out a roar of triumph. The chains of the prison, as if responding to its call, shot out toward Benji''s side of the field.

    "And now," Eight continued, savoring the moment, "I activate the fourth effect ofFind this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    Thunder King''s Prison¡ªChain Lightning!"

    Thunder rumbled ominously as arcs of electricity built up around the chains. With a flash, lightning surged across the field, striking every one of Benji''s creatures.

    Chain Lightning (Effect #4): Once per turn, deal 1 damage to all the opponent''s creatures.

    Benji''s heart raced. "I activate Father Rabbit''s Guard!" he shouted, bracing for impact. The large rabbit stepped forward, a protective shield forming around his bunnies, absorbing the brunt of the storm.

    Father Rabbit''s Guard (Effect): Protect allied units from one instance of damage as long as the damage per creature isn''t higher than this unit''s own health.

    Father Rabbit took the full force of the lightning, his shield cracking but holding. Yet, as the chains constricted further, he collapsed, destroyed in his efforts to protect the others. His sacrifice left Benji''s field intact¡ªfor the moment.

    Eight''s smirk didn''t falter. "Impressive, but futile. Father Rabbit saved them for now, but you won''t be so lucky next time."

    Benji clenched his jaw, but Eight wasn''t done.

    "At the end of my turn, my Warden Dragon Overlord activates," Eight said, leaning in. "Since all your creatures are chained, they take 2 damage. Your little bunnies? They''re about to follow dear old Father to the grave."

    Warden Dragon Overlord (Continuous Effect): At the end of each turn, all Imprisoned enemy creatures take 2 damage.

    Benji''s breath caught as the realization hit him. The prison chains had snared his entire field. He had no way of releasing them. The countdown had started, and the Warden Dragon''s power was about to decimate what remained of his army.

    Lightning surged again, and this time, the destructive force was too much. One by one, his rabbits fell, their cries echoing as they were obliterated by the Warden Dragon''s wrath.

    But as the last rabbit vanished, something stirred deep within Benji. A familiar, chaotic energy surged to life, responding to the destruction of his field. His Soul Card¡ªthe Chaos Rabbit of Trickery¡ªhad been triggered by the annihilation.

    Chaos Rabbit of Trickery

    ?    Triggered Effect: When all of Benji''s Rabbit monsters are destroyed, summon Chaos Rabbit of Trickery from the Soul Zone.    ?    Passive Effect: Reduce the mana cost of all Rabbit, Bunny, and Beast cards in Benji''s hand by 3, 2, and 1 respectively.    ?    Unaffected by spell and trap effects besides Chaos Bunny cards.

    A shadow flickered at Benji''s feet, coalescing into the dark, mischievous form of the Chaos Rabbit. Its ethereal body crackled with chaotic energy, and it stared down the battlefield with gleaming eyes, its presence bending the very chains that had once seemed so inescapable.

    "Wait¡­ I didn''t summon you." Benji blinked in surprise as the Chaos Rabbit appeared unbidden.

    From the sidelines, Markus''s voice cut through the tension. "Grunt, that was some next-level acting, Benji. It''s like you knew this was going to happen the whole time."

    Benji blinked again, caught off guard.

    "Huh? Oh¡­ yeah, I totally fooled him," he stammered, trying to play it off. "Maybe I should take up acting after this."

    The Chaos Rabbit let out a chittering laugh, amused by Benji''s pathetic attempt at bravado. Eight, however, misinterpreted the laugh, his eyes narrowing at the creature.

    "So, you''ve got a backup plan?" Eight growled, his confidence faltering. "Doesn''t matter. I''ll crush this one too."

    Benji felt the chaotic energy of his soul card fill him with newfound strength. "You destroyed my field, but that only made me stronger," he said, his tone hardening. "This isn''t over yet, Eight."

    Eight clenched his fists, his smirk returning, though more strained. The duel wasn''t finished, and with the Chaos Rabbit on his side, Benji knew he still had a fighting chance. The battle was far from over.Eight''s Arrogance

 Something !s with Th!s Rabbit

    I leaned against the railing, arms crossed, watching Benji duel for the first time. He was just some guy from school, nothing particularly remarkable. But now, seeing him in action with a Chaos card¡ª*Chaos Rabbit of Trickery*¡ªit made me curious. Chaos cards were unpredictable by nature, but I couldn''t shake the feeling there was more to it.

    Out of habit, I activated my soul sight. With my silver eyes, I could always see things others couldn''t¡ªthe soul and its stats, the hidden abilities, the underlying truths of every card. Everything should be clear.

    At first, it was.

    ---

    **Chaos Rabbit of Trickery**

    *ATK: 4 | DEF: 5*

    *Passive Ability: Trickery Surge*

    *Effect: Increases DEF by 1 point each turn.*

    ---

    I frowned. The numbers weren''t particularly out of the ordinary. A starting ATK of 4, DEF of 5¡ªhigher than average, but still within the bounds of normal for a Chaos soul. And the passive? Increases DEF by 1 point each turn. Simple. Standard. Nothing to worry about.

    But something felt¡­ off. My mind felt sluggish, like something was weighing it down.

    I watched Benji''s duel unfold, keeping my eyes on the rabbit''s stats. The passive seemed straightforward, but the more I watched, the more that nagging feeling tugged at my mind.

    A few moments passed, and I noticed the first change: A bit of the weight lifted, and I realized what was wrong. My magic soul brightened for a split second, temporarily clearing my head. This wasn''t the rabbit''s usual passive¡ªit had always dealt with dice and chance.

    What was I thinking about again? Oh right¡­ the ATK increasing with the DEF.

    ---

    **ATK: 7 | DEF: 6**

    ---

    I narrowed my eyes. The DEF increase made sense¡ªit matched the passive. But the ATK? That wasn''t supposed to rise.

    I scrolled back to double-check the passive ability. I couldn''t have missed anything.

    ---

    *Passive Ability: Trickery Surge*

    *Effect: Increases DEF of Rabbits by 1 point each turn.*

    ---

    There it was. Plain as day. Nothing about ATK increasing. A red flag raised in the back of my mind, but I shook it off. Maybe there was some unseen synergy in play, something tied to Benji''s other cards.

    Still, I kept watching. Another play passed, and the numbers shifted again:

    ---

    **ATK: 10 | DEF: 8**Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    ---

    That familiar sinking feeling in my gut grew. The DEF was fine¡ªit lined up with the passive¡ªbut the ATK just kept climbing.

    I scrolled through the passive text again, slower this time, my eyes carefully picking apart each word. Then, I saw it¡ªa comma where there should''ve been a period. The effect now had the rabbit''s specification. Barely noticeable, but it stood out once I was really looking.

    I scanned the rest of the text. Something wasn''t right, and the rabbit''s numbers kept shifting.

    ---

    **ATK: 15 | DEF: 12**

    ---

    This time, the jump was bigger. The rabbit''s attack was growing at a pace that made no sense. None of Benji''s other cards should be triggering this. I stared hard at the field, waiting for some explanation to reveal itself.

    Nothing.

    And yet, the numbers continued to rise:

    ---

    **ATK: 25 | DEF: 20**

    ---

    My pulse quickened. This wasn''t just a passive playing out. Something was messing with the stats, and I didn''t like where this was heading. Stats weren''t that high unless you played with a bunch of rates with the soul attention of increasing it.

    I scanned the passive again¡ªreally scanned it. My eyes caught another odd detail: a capital letter in the middle of the word "point." My heart skipped a beat. This wasn''t a typo. This was intentional, something hiding just below the surface, laughing at me for missing it before.

    ---

    **ATK: 50 | DEF: 45**

    ---

    "What the hell¡­" I muttered under my breath. The *Chaos Rabbit* was escalating out of control, and none of this added up. Cards didn''t behave like this. The ATK should''ve never increased at all, and yet, here it was, climbing by leaps.

    I scrolled down to the passive ability, expecting the same old text. But when I saw it again, it had changed.

    ---

    *Passive Ability: Trickery Surge*

    *Effect: Increase Atk by 1 poInt each turn.*

    ---

    My stomach dropped. A capital "I" now, in the middle of "point"? And now there was ATK involved in the passive? The rabbit part was also gone. This was wrong¡ªit hadn''t said that before. I was sure of it.

    I rubbed my eyes, trying to clear my vision, but when I looked again, the numbers spiked:

    ---

    **ATK: 100 | DEF: 90**

    ---

    This wasn''t just a stat boost anymore. The numbers were skyrocketing, well beyond what was reasonable. And then, just as I thought I had it all figured out, the passive glitched again. The text blurred for a second, and when it cleared, the ability had completely transformed:

    ---

    *Passive Ability: I See You.*

    ---

    I froze. A wave of cold washed over me as the words stared back, bold and threatening. The *Chaos Rabbit* wasn''t just messing with its stats. It was alive¡ªand it knew I was watching.

    The text below shifted, morphing into a taunt that sent a chill down my spine:

    ---

    *Effect: You''re too late, Jarak.*

    ---

    My breath caught in my throat. It knew my name. This was no coincidence. The card¡ªno, this thing¡ªwas playing with me, and I didn''t know how to stop it.

    The stats surged again:

    ---

    **ATK: 500 | DEF: 450**

    ---

    The numbers kept climbing, impossibly high, beyond anything a normal card should be capable of. I turned to Markus, panic edging into my voice.

    "Markus, something''s wrong."

    He looked up from the duel, frowning. "What do you mean?"

    "The *Chaos Rabbit*¡ªits stats. They''re going crazy. And the passive¡ªit''s not the same as before. It''s¡­ it''s mocking me."

    Markus squinted, looking between me and the field. "It''s a Chaos card. They''re unpredictable."

    "No, this is different," I said, shaking my head. "It''s changing. Look at this."

    I pointed to the passive. Markus leaned closer, eyes narrowing as he read:

    ---

    *Passive Ability: I See You*

    *Effect: Watching you panic is fun.*

    ---

    His eyes widened. "That''s not possible. Cards don''t do this."

    "I know," I muttered, my pulse racing. "But it''s happening. And the numbers¡ªthey''re way too high."

    Markus glanced back at the stats as they spiked again:

    ---

    **ATK: 5,000 | DEF: 4,500**

    ---

    "There''s no way Benji''s card can reach those numbers," Markus muttered, his tone uneasy.

    "It''s not Benji," I whispered, dread filling my chest. "It''s the rabbit. It''s controlling everything."

    And that''s when I realized¡­ this duel wasn''t about Benji at all. It was about *me.* Something far more sinister was in play, and the rabbit had set its sights on me long before I noticed.

 Back Up

    Then it hit me like a sucker punch to the gut. Markus was just... standing there, completely out of sync with the flow of the duel. I glanced at him, then at the chaos unfolding on the field¡ªBenji''s rabbit bouncing about, stats warping out of control, numbers shooting past reason. But Markus? He hadn''t even moved.

    "Markus," I called out, voice sharp with urgency. "It''s your turn."

    He blinked, slowly turning his head toward me like someone coming out of a long dream. "My turn?" His tone was distant, unfocused, as though the reality around him wasn''t even registering. His gaze flickered over the duel field, but the look in his eyes told me he wasn''t really seeing it. "No... I don''t think it is."

    A chill ran down my spine. The duel, the cards, even Benji''s Chaos Rabbit¡ªit was all locked into this strange rhythm, this twisting flow of turns and plays. Everyone was moving, reacting, playing... except Markus. It was as if the duel had passed him by entirely, like he wasn''t even part of it anymore.

    And the worst part? I hadn''t noticed. Not until right now. It was like my brain had just skipped over him, like forgetting the last piece of a puzzle you thought you finished. But now that I''d seen it, it became glaringly obvious. Markus hadn''t taken his turn. He hadn''t done anything for several rounds.

    "Wait..." I muttered, narrowing my eyes, trying to make sense of it. "You haven''t moved since the duel started."

    Markus blinked again, slower this time, and his eyes seemed to finally focus. "What are you talking about?"

    I ran through the turns in my head. Benji''s plays had come rapid-fire, the rabbit''s stats climbing higher and higher into impossible territory. But Markus, who should have been dueling? He''d been absent, completely forgotten. No moves, no cards, no turn. It was like the duel was just skipping him.

    Not just him, though. We had all forgotten about him.

    A pit formed in my stomach, and I stepped closer to Markus, lowering my voice. "You haven''t taken your turn. Not once. Not since the duel began."

    He looked down at the field, confusion clouding his features. "That''s impossible. I would have..." His voice trailed off as realization dawned on him, eyes widening in horror. "But... I haven''t."

    It was as if the world itself had conspired to erase him from the game. But why? And how?

    Then it clicked. The Chaos Rabbit. It wasn''t just warping stats or bending abilities. It was playing with something far more dangerous¡ªperception. Reality itself. If it could mess with the passive text on a card, why couldn''t it alter the flow of time, of turns? Why not just erase someone''s presence altogether?

    It knew we wouldn''t notice. Not until it was too late. The rabbit wasn''t just playing tricks. It was rewriting the rules of the game itself.

    I locked eyes with the Chaos Rabbit on the field¡ªits tiny, innocent-looking form twitching ever so slightly. But those eyes, gleaming with something far darker. Something ancient and far more dangerous. The passive ability hadn''t just shifted the game; it had shifted how we experienced it.

    Markus wasn''t just being skipped over. He was being erased. And now that I could see it, the realization hit me like a truck. This wasn''t just a duel anymore. The Chaos Rabbit was toying with us, rewriting the very fabric of the game. We were all trapped in its reality-bending snare.

    "It''s messing with you," I whispered, the words barely leaving my mouth. "It''s making us forget. It''s skipping your turns."

    Markus''s face darkened, anger flashing in his eyes. "That damn rabbit..."

    And just as the words left his mouth, the Chaos Rabbit''s passive ability shifted again. The text flickered on the card, and when I focused on it, my blood ran cold.

    **Passive Ability: Forgotten Presence**

    **Effect: Each forgotten turn strengthens the Chaos fragments over reality.**

    The numbers on the rabbit''s ATK and DEF spiked again, soaring into territory no card should ever reach.

    **ATK: 10,000 | DEF: 9,000**

    Markus''s fists clenched, fury radiating off him. "I''m not going to be erased."

    "Yeah, and we''ll turn that damn rabbit into stew," I muttered, but deep down, I wasn''t sure how we''d pull it off.

    The passive wasn''t just an out-of-control Chaos card. It was a **Fragment**¡ªa piece of the original source, the thing every card in this world drew power from. And not just any source fragment. Chaos. The most unpredictable, the most dangerous power of all¡ªespecially when you could manipulate the outcome.

    The Fragment''s influence had already woven itself deep into the duel, and it wasn''t just about winning anymore. The Chaos Fragment was in control, bending the rules, shaping reality itself.

    Why was it so focused on me? The other Fragments I''d encountered were all about gaining power, promoting their source above the rest. But this one? It seemed personal, like it had an agenda that involved me specifically.

    Another passive ability flickered on the screen.

    **Passive Ability: You''re Very Smart**

    **Effect: I want your soul. That magician has the key.**

    The Chaos Rabbit let out a high-pitched, unsettling cackle that echoed across the field.

    "It''s after my soul," I breathed, my eyes widening. "Wait... the rabbit is reading my mind."

    "What do you mean it''s reading your mind? How can a card aim for your soul card and¡ª" Markus cut himself off, staring at me like I''d lost it.

    "Chaos," I called out mentally. "You awake in there?" The pull came quick, dragging me into my soul realm. Darkness surrounded me, only broken by the shimmering form of my soul-bound **Spectral Magician.**

    "Why am I here? And more importantly, why the hell is a world Fragment trying to kill me?"

    The Spectral Magician, as usual, remained silent at first, simply gazing at me. Its translucent blue form began to shift, deepening in color, solidifying. The once phantom-like figure took on flesh¡ªtan skin, a dark blue cloak. A more human version of itself.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    "I''ve told you before," it began, voice low, "I couldn''t reveal everything until your soul could handle the backlash. But let''s just say that Fragment wants to devour me because... I was a bit more than just a magician in my past."

    "More than just a magician? What are you, then?"

    The Magician sighed again, clearly hoping to avoid this conversation, but under the pressure of my gaze, it relented. "Think of the strongest being you can imagine... and multiply that by a hundred. You might start to approach my former self. But that''s not what''s important right now. Focus on the Fragment."

    I was still processing, my mind racing. "You told me you were just a street magician with special eyes."

    "Is this really the time to argue about this, when we''re about to be eaten?"

    "Fine, fine, but we''re talking about this later," I grumbled. "How do we deal with it? That Fragment''s numbers are insane. If we defeat it, think of the card fragments we could get¡ªhundreds, maybe thousands."

    "Later. First, I''m calling backup. Who should I connect to?" the Magician asked, clearly eager to return to the immediate problem.

    I thought quickly. "We need someone to lock that Fragment in place so it can''t escape. Call the twins. Then, we''ll need raw power. Even divided by a hundred, those stats are still insane. We need someone who can hit hard. Bring Himbo. And maybe Markus. I''ll try to pull in those other two guys fighting the rabbit."

    This was going to be one hell of a showdown.Then it hit me like a sucker punch to the gut. Markus was just... standing there, completely out of sync with the flow of the duel. I glanced at him, then at the chaos unfolding on the field¡ªBenji''s rabbit bouncing about, stats warping out of control, numbers shooting past reason. But Markus? He hadn''t even moved.

    "Markus," I called out, voice sharp with urgency. "It''s your turn."

    He blinked, slowly turning his head toward me like someone coming out of a long dream. "My turn?" His tone was distant, unfocused, as though the reality around him wasn''t even registering. His gaze flickered over the duel field, but the look in his eyes told me he wasn''t really seeing it. "No... I don''t think it is."

    A chill ran down my spine. The duel, the cards, even Benji''s Chaos Rabbit¡ªit was all locked into this strange rhythm, this twisting flow of turns and plays. Everyone was moving, reacting, playing... except Markus. It was as if the duel had passed him by entirely, like he wasn''t even part of it anymore.

    And the worst part? I hadn''t noticed. Not until right now. It was like my brain had just skipped over him, like forgetting the last piece of a puzzle you thought you finished. But now that I''d seen it, it became glaringly obvious. Markus hadn''t taken his turn. He hadn''t done anything for several rounds.

    "Wait..." I muttered, narrowing my eyes, trying to make sense of it. "You haven''t moved since the duel started."

    Markus blinked again, slower this time, and his eyes seemed to finally focus. "What are you talking about?"

    I ran through the turns in my head. Benji''s plays had come rapid-fire, the rabbit''s stats climbing higher and higher into impossible territory. But Markus, who should have been dueling? He''d been absent, completely forgotten. No moves, no cards, no turn. It was like the duel was just skipping him.

    Not just him, though. We had all forgotten about him.

    A pit formed in my stomach, and I stepped closer to Markus, lowering my voice. "You haven''t taken your turn. Not once. Not since the duel began."

    He looked down at the field, confusion clouding his features. "That''s impossible. I would have..." His voice trailed off as realization dawned on him, eyes widening in horror. "But... I haven''t."

    It was as if the world itself had conspired to erase him from the game. But why? And how?

    Then it clicked. The Chaos Rabbit. It wasn''t just warping stats or bending abilities. It was playing with something far more dangerous¡ªperception. Reality itself. If it could mess with the passive text on a card, why couldn''t it alter the flow of time, of turns? Why not just erase someone''s presence altogether?

    It knew we wouldn''t notice. Not until it was too late. The rabbit wasn''t just playing tricks. It was rewriting the rules of the game itself.

    I locked eyes with the Chaos Rabbit on the field¡ªits tiny, innocent-looking form twitching ever so slightly. But those eyes, gleaming with something far darker. Something ancient and far more dangerous. The passive ability hadn''t just shifted the game; it had shifted how we experienced it.

    Markus wasn''t just being skipped over. He was being erased. And now that I could see it, the realization hit me like a truck. This wasn''t just a duel anymore. The Chaos Rabbit was toying with us, rewriting the very fabric of the game. We were all trapped in its reality-bending snare.

    "It''s messing with you," I whispered, the words barely leaving my mouth. "It''s making us forget. It''s skipping your turns."

    Markus''s face darkened, anger flashing in his eyes. "That damn rabbit..."

    And just as the words left his mouth, the Chaos Rabbit''s passive ability shifted again. The text flickered on the card, and when I focused on it, my blood ran cold.

    **Passive Ability: Forgotten Presence**

    **Effect: Each forgotten turn strengthens the Chaos fragments over reality.**

    The numbers on the rabbit''s ATK and DEF spiked again, soaring into territory no card should ever reach.

    **ATK: 10,000 | DEF: 9,000**

    Markus''s fists clenched, fury radiating off him. "I''m not going to be erased."

    "Yeah, and we''ll turn that damn rabbit into stew," I muttered, but deep down, I wasn''t sure how we''d pull it off.

    The passive wasn''t just an out-of-control Chaos card. It was a **Fragment**¡ªa piece of the original source, the thing every card in this world drew power from. And not just any source fragment. Chaos. The most unpredictable, the most dangerous power of all¡ªespecially when you could manipulate the outcome.

    The Fragment''s influence had already woven itself deep into the duel, and it wasn''t just about winning anymore. The Chaos Fragment was in control, bending the rules, shaping reality itself.

    Why was it so focused on me? The other Fragments I''d encountered were all about gaining power, promoting their source above the rest. But this one? It seemed personal, like it had an agenda that involved me specifically.

    Another passive ability flickered on the screen.

    **Passive Ability: You''re Very Smart**

    **Effect: I want your soul. That magician has the key.**

    The Chaos Rabbit let out a high-pitched, unsettling cackle that echoed across the field.

    "It''s after my soul," I breathed, my eyes widening. "Wait... the rabbit is reading my mind."

    "What do you mean it''s reading your mind? How can a card aim for your soul card and¡ª" Markus cut himself off, staring at me like I''d lost it.

    "Chaos," I called out mentally. "You awake in there?" The pull came quick, dragging me into my soul realm. Darkness surrounded me, only broken by the shimmering form of my soul-bound **Spectral Magician.**

    "Why am I here? And more importantly, why the hell is a world Fragment trying to kill me?"

    The Spectral Magician, as usual, remained silent at first, simply gazing at me. Its translucent blue form began to shift, deepening in color, solidifying. The once phantom-like figure took on flesh¡ªtan skin, a dark blue cloak. A more human version of itself.

    "I''ve told you before," it began, voice low, "I couldn''t reveal everything until your soul could handle the backlash. But let''s just say that Fragment wants to devour me because... I was a bit more than just a magician in my past."

    "More than just a magician? What are you, then?"

    The Magician sighed again, clearly hoping to avoid this conversation, but under the pressure of my gaze, it relented. "Think of the strongest being you can imagine... and multiply that by a hundred. You might start to approach my former self. But that''s not what''s important right now. Focus on the Fragment."

    I was still processing, my mind racing. "You told me you were just a street magician with special eyes."

    "Is this really the time to argue about this, when we''re about to be eaten?"

    "Fine, fine, but we''re talking about this later," I grumbled. "How do we deal with it? That Fragment''s numbers are insane. If we defeat it, think of the card fragments we could get¡ªhundreds, maybe thousands."

    "Later. First, I''m calling backup. Who should I connect to?" the Magician asked, clearly eager to return to the immediate problem.

    I thought quickly. "We need someone to lock that Fragment in place so it can''t escape. Call the twins. Then, we''ll need raw power. Even divided by a hundred, those stats are still insane. We need someone who can hit hard. Bring Himbo. And maybe Markus. I''ll try to pull in those other two guys fighting the rabbit."

    This was going to be one hell of a showdown.

 Composure

    "Decisions, decisions¡­ We need someone to lock the fragment down so it doesn''t escape," Jarak murmured, pacing back and forth. "The twins will handle that."

    "The spell connecting to the twins is stabilized. They can be communicated with now," came the voice of the magician, a low rumble that held a hint of impatience.

    Before Jarak could respond, a loud, cheerful voice rang out. "Hey Chaos, whatcha doing? I''m so glad to see you all well now! Don''t tell Jarak, but I''ve always liked you more. He has a stupid name! How do you even pronounce Ja-Rak? That''s incredibly stupid."

    "Nice to see you again, Light Bringer¡ªor do you prefer Lucifer? Also, FYI, Jarak can hear you. For the record, I totally agree with whoever told him Jarak is a good name. I have no idea," I replied, a smirk creeping across my face.

    "Oh, he can hear me! Jarak, you know you are my favorite person in the whole wide world, so please don''t increase my card''s prices! I can''t afford it!" Lucifer begged, his eyes welling with dramatic tears.

    "I''m not interested in increasing card prices, especially since I know you have that condition," Jarak shot back, irritation flickering across his features. "So you''re helping me today to keep our business relationship from souring."

    "Okay, great!" Lucifer shouted, his tears evaporating as if they''d never existed. "

    "Where''s your better half? Did you know? If you did, I can feel an epic card coming your way."

    "Sadly, he''s too much of a stick in the mud," Lucifer lamented, his tone shifting to a more somber note. "He was too na?ve to take the opportunity. It''s tragic, really¡ªall these days of planning, and all our plans are ruined."

    "Yes or no? I don''t speak in your language. It''s a simple question, and it doesn''t require any of that," Jarak insisted, crossing his arms.

    "No," Lucifer replied defiantly.

    "Light Bringer, my behind! You couldn''t even light a path to a successful relationship! What is wrong with you? Now I owe Thor five rare cards. Forget about them¡ªfree cards, let alone the price staying the same!" Jarak exclaimed, frustration mounting.

    Lucifer acted up just to push Jarak''s buttons, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, but now you''re forced by my skill to keep the price the same! It''s a binding pact, my friend."

    As Jarak opened his mouth to retort, the words faltered on his lips, and an invisible force seemed to grip him. "I¡ª"

    Suddenly, he stopped mid-sentence, the air thick with tension. It was as if the very essence of his words had been seized, unable to escape.

    "See? You can''t backtrack on your thoughts now!" Lucifer exclaimed, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. "You''re bound by my ability. Your intentions can''t be retracted, my dear Jarak."

    Jarak''s eyes widened in realization, anger and disbelief battling within him. "You¡­ you can''t just¡ª"

    "Oh, but I can!" Lucifer interrupted, his tone teasing yet assertive. "And now we have a solid foundation to proceed. So why did you call for us?"

    "Uh, maybe because we have a fragment to contain?" Jarak replied, trying to steer the conversation back on track. "Where''s your twin? Is he still on the date? We need him here, and we can''t afford to delay."Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    Lucifer tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Who, Azrael? He''s waiting to be let in. He can''t force his way into someone else''s domain, even if they had the intention of inviting him. Sadly, he''s still not at that stage in his growth."

    "Chaos, can you¡ª" Jarak began, but was quickly interrupted.

    "I got it; he''s in now, just waiting until the other one decides to grace us with his presence."

    "Great," Jarak said, relief flooding through him. "But we need to make sure the twins understand what''s happening.  We have a thousand year old Chaos fragment trying to eat me, erase Markus from existence,  and possessing the new teammate I found for Markus. The fragment is unstable, and if it escapes, we''ll have a world war on our hands. We have to lock it down before that happens."

    Excuse me run that by me again so what type of fragment we taking about. Did you get fooled by them "Magicians" again how much did they get you for? How did they convince you to overreact like this from the way you called? I would have thought the king of Legends was banging on your front door."

    " That was one time and he was very professional looking. The stone even had real mana; it just didn''t work out the way I intended. Remembering how I was trying to create a soft moldable slime that could harden at will for one of my cards. He even read my mind and knew exactly what I was looking for. He was very convincing."

    " He didn''t read your mind, he read your desperation. Did is why Markus says that you are crazy."

    " Ok back to the topic at hand they''re is a actual source fragment threatening me and dueling at the shop. I didn''t just call you I called in some one more backup. If you saw how the soul numbers got and the passives kept getting more directed at me you would understand. His stats were just under 10,000 and were still rising. "

    "Oh, who else did you call? Did you call him? I can''t wait to see your face blushing red! I wish I had a camera. I would''ve had so much blackmail material," Lucifer said, clearly relishing the thought.

    "Very funny, This is very serious. Your favorite person in the whole wide world is going to be some creature''s dinner. " Jarak replied, rolling his eyes. " We need to stay focused. This isn''t a joke. We have real problems to deal with, and I can''t afford to be distracted by your nonsense."

    Just then, the atmosphere shifted as a familiar presence enveloped us. Azrael appeared, stepping through the portal with an air of authority that could silence any room. His expression was unreadable, a stark contrast to Lucifer''s flamboyant demeanor.

    "Did I miss the party?" Azrael asked, his voice calm but laced with curiosity.

    "Just discussing strategy and how to keep Jarak from making an even bigger fool of himself," Lucifer replied with a cheeky grin.

    Azrael raised an eyebrow, glancing at Jarak, who attempted to maintain his composure. "I hope you''re prepared to focus on the task at hand. We have a very strong fragment to contain, and I''d prefer not to waste time on your antics."

    "Right wait, you told him. ," Jarak said, stepping forward.

    " Of course I did, you didn''t seem to be making up stuff anyway." Lucifer mumbled softly. " So a chaos fragment we are going to be filthy rich.

    "We need to create a binding spell strong enough to contain the fragment. I''ll fill you in on the details, but we need to act quickly. The twins need to be informed about the nature of the fragment and what we''re asking them to do. The magician''s voice rang in their heads a spell to transmit thoughts into their heads. "

    " Chaos I love you and all now is not the time for being extra. You could have just spoken up instead of dividing your attention into two different spells. Lucifer chided lightly.

    The magician had the decency to look embarrassed at being called out on showing off.

    " Yes you are probably right Lucifer."

    " Are you seriously kidding me right now. He tells you that and you agree but I tell you something and I don''t have enough clearance or whatever else."

    "He''s more arculated than you and he makes sense, the magician replied, losing the embarrassment. Lucifer smirked with an infuriating expression.

    " You are my soul but you are defending him I can''t believe this. These souls ain''t give up all you can they''ll stab you in the back."

    Azrael, who had up until this point maintained his calm and cool demeanor, clenched his jaw. "Back on topic," he growled, his voice losing its icy composure for the first time. "There is a Source Fragment on the loose, and while you''re all busy clowning around, we''re running out of time!"

    Lucifer, unfazed by the outburst, simply tilted his head, an amused smile creeping across his lips. "Oh, so you can feel emotions, brother. Nice to see. Thought you were just a brooding statue."

    "Lucifer, shut up," Azrael snapped, his patience clearly thinning. "This isn''t a joke. This thing could devour Jarak and everything in its path if we don''t act fast."

    Jarak, who had been on the receiving end of Azrael''s intense stare, nodded quickly. "See? I told you it was serious.".

 A Date

    Azrael, his short black hair perfectly styled, looked every bit the part in his sleek black suit with gold trim, his golden eyes fixed intently on Jarak. "We can''t just trap it, Jarak. You know a fragment connected to chaos is like an endless battery. We sever it from the source, then we destroy it. That''s the only way."

    Jarak, trying his best to focus, couldn''t help but glance at Azrael''s outfit again. "Yeah, yeah, sever and destroy. But, uh, can we pause for a second? What''s up with the suit? You usually go for the enchanted armor and the occasion robe. Bit too formal, even for chaos-fragment-slaying duty, don''t you think?"

    Before Azrael could respond, Lucifer stepped in, his ever-present smirk curling as he adjusted the silver buttons on his pristine white coat. "Oh, that''s because the suit''s not for the mission. Our dear brother here just happened to come back from a disastrous date."

    Jarak raised an eyebrow but didn''t seem too surprised. "Yeah, figured. Thor''s gonna be pleased. I owe him five rare cards. He told me the date would be a bust."

    Lucifer chuckled, his silver eyes gleaming. "Thor, huh? He must''ve known the date was doomed from the start. Smart man." He leaned in, eyes dancing with amusement. "What did you bet, Jarak?"

    Jarak sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Five cards from my personal stash. And we''re talking rare cards¡ªnone of that common junk."

    Lucifer let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "Ooooh, now that''s a loss that stings. What''d you wager on? Azrael''s inability to talk about anything but work?"

    Jarak cracked a grin. "Pretty much. Thought maybe he''d loosen up for once, but Thor called it. Said he''d scare her off within the first half hour."

    Azrael''s golden eyes flashed dangerously, his patience clearly wearing thin. "If you two are done analyzing my personal life, we have a fragment of chaos to deal with. Or have you forgotten?"

    Jarak, still grinning, shook his head. "No, no, I''m good. Just mentally preparing myself for giving up five rare cards. I''ll survive."

    Lucifer, never one to pass up a chance to keep the fun going, gave a dramatic sigh. "Azrael, you really need to lighten up. The world''s not going to stop turning just because your love life''s a train wreck. Plus, you''re killing Jarak over here. Poor guy owes five rare cards now."

    Azrael''s jaw clenched, and for a moment, it looked like he might say something, but he simply turned back to the fragment, clearly determined to move the conversation along. "Focus, Lucifer. We have more important things to deal with."

    Lucifer, clearly not done needling his brother, smirked as he gave Jarak a nudge. "See, this is why he''s single. Always so serious. You''re lucky I''m here, Jarak, or he''d have you ready to hand over your whole deck."

    Jarak shot Lucifer a pointed look, trying not to laugh. "Trust me, I already feel bad enough. No need to rub it in."

    Lucifer shrugged with a wink. "Just saying, if you ever want some tips on how to win these bets next time, you know where to find me."

    Azrael finally had enough. "Both of you¡ªenough. We need to destroy this fragment before it starts devouring everything in its path."

    Lucifer''s grin widened as he pushed off from the wall, strolling forward. "Fine, fine. But you''ve gotta admit, Jarak owes a pretty steep price for underestimating your charm. Maybe next time, you''ll actually manage to keep a date interested."Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    Azrael''s golden eyes narrowed, but he kept his cool. "You''re really pushing it, Lucifer."

    Jarak couldn''t help himself. "At least I''ll have more than five cards to comfort me when this is all over."

    Lucifer chuckled, clapping Jarak on the back. "That''s the spirit. Now, let''s tear this fragment apart before Azrael''s mood gets any darker."

    Lucifer''s suit lit up, signaling he had come up with one of his outlandish ideas. "But it''s so stuffy here. And Azrael''s glaring isn''t making it better. Even Hell in my vision had some chairs. Chaos, can you do something about this depressing atmosphere?"

    With a nod, Azrael conjured another spell, his golden energy weaving together until it took the form of a giant heart that simulated a rhythmic heartbeat, its pulse sending ripples through the air.

    The dark energy solidified into a sturdy foundation and transformed, the shop''s familiar layout emerging around them as if they''d been transported back to the physical plane. Columns sprouted from the ground, supporting a grand metal retractable roof overhead that hinted at the chaos yet to unfold.

    "Ah, much better!" Lucifer exclaimed, plopping into an oversized chair that had materialized beside the newly formed hearth. "Now this is a proper setting to plot our chaos."

    Azrael let out a small, relieved sigh as he surveyed their transformed surroundings. "I have to admit, this is a welcome change. It feels¡­ less suffocating."

    As they settled into their new space, Jarak conjured a table, setting it in the center of the room. Cards and magical trinkets floated around, organizing themselves neatly as if inviting them to engage. "Okay, we have our space. Now we can strategize while we wait for Thor."

    Lucifer leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "But we need to keep our focus on the task at hand. Even in a comfortable setting, the fragment is still out there, growing stronger. We can''t lose sight of our goal."

    Jarak nodded, the atmosphere shifting to match the urgency of their situation. "Right. Let''s go over the plan again. We''ll create a chaotic distraction to lure the fragment into a confined space, then cut off its energy source. With that, it should be weakened enough for us to damage it, and then we can destroy it and claim its core."

    Suddenly, a strange sensation rippled through the air, causing Azrael''s golden eyes to widen as he turned toward the door. "Wait a second. Do you feel that?"

    Lucifer straightened, tension replacing his earlier amusement. "What is it? Something feels off."

    Jarak frowned, glancing around the parallel shop. "Yeah, it''s like¡­ the fragment is trying to break in."

    Azrael''s expression hardened. "We''re much closer in this parallel universe. The fragment must sense our presence. It''s reacting to us being here, trying to find a way in."

    "How lucky can you be, Lucifer? It''s not just now reacting to us; it''s been trying to break in," Jarak shouted, urgency creeping into his voice. "We can only sense it now that we are closer to its entry point."

    "Great," Lucifer said, his silver eyes glinting with determination. "We''ve got to act fast. If it breaks through before we''re ready¡­"

    Jarak cut him off, his mind racing. "Then we need to double down on our plan. We have to create a diversion strong enough to distract it while we set our trap."

    Azrael nodded, his focus sharpening. "We can use the cards I''ve developed¡ªones specifically designed to manipulate chaos energy. If we deploy them strategically, we can amplify our chances of isolating the core."

    Lucifer leaned back, a sly smile returning to his face. "And while we''re at it, let''s make this moment enjoyable. We''re in a parallel shop, after all. What''s more fun than plotting chaos while sipping tea?"

    " How about bashing in the skulls of people who wake me out of my sleep for no good reason? A loud voice shouted from outside the shop.

    As the tension in the air thickened, the door burst open with a resounding crash. In strode Thor, his imposing figure silhouetted against the dim light of the parallel shop, holding Mj?lnir¡ªa hammer the size of a man''s skull¡ªin one hand. He tossed it effortlessly, catching it again as he advanced, the air vibrating with each motion.

    "Finally look at who the serpent-sized cat dragged in," Lucifer teased, unable to resist. "I was beginning to think you''d gotten lost trying to pick up another giant''s cat."

    Thor shot him a bemused glare. "That was one time, and I was tricked! It wasn''t a cat; it was J?rmungandr, the World Serpent, in disguise! A colossal oversight on my part." He gestured dismissively, the hammer twirling in his grip as if it weighed no more than a feather."

 A deal with the Devil

    "You three realize you are not actually god''s right? Jarak Asked"

    The three "Gods" stared at Jarak, momentarily taken aback by his bluntness. Their expressions ranged from disbelief to indignation, as if he had just desecrated a sacred relic.

    "How dare you imply I am not who I am?" Lucifer growled, his red eyes narrowing. "I am the Light Bringer and was gods brightest angel, and I will not tolerate such insolence from a mere mortal."

    "Right," Jarak replied, hands raised in mock surrender. "But if I''m not mistaken, we''re in a parallel universe discussing how to tackle a chaos fragment, not fighting mythical beasts. So, I''m just saying: let''s keep our heads on straight here, shall we?"

    "You do realize who you''re talking to?" Thor thundered, his voice reverberating like an approaching storm. "I am the God of Thunder, and I can assure you I''ve faced far greater threats than your skepticism!"

    "And I''ve faced my fair share of chaos," Azrael added, stepping closer, his disappointment giving way to a hint of annoyance. "Just because we''re in this strange place doesn''t mean we''re not who we say we are."

    "Sure," Jarak continued, his tone playful. "But do you ever wonder if maybe you''re all just figments of my imagination? I mean, look around. We could all just be the manifestations of my overactive mind grappling with the chaos outside."

    As the tension crackled in the air, Thor''s grip on Mjolnir tightened, the blue lightning flickering ominously around the hammer''s head as he swung it slowly, the power radiating from him. "Careful, mortal. You''re treading on thin ice here. If I wanted to, I could turn you into a lightning rod!"

    "With all due respect, Thor," Jarak shot back, a smirk playing on his lips, "if you used that hammer on me, you''d have to explain to the other gods why the great Thor lost a mortal to a chaotic tantrum. And we wouldn''t want that now, would we?"

    Azrael merely shook his head, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Perhaps a mortal should be careful about invoking the wrath of a god. But I''ll admit," he added, glancing at Thor, "the image of you wrestling a giant serpent disguised as a cat is indeed amusing."

    "Exactly!" Lucifer chimed in, arms crossed and leaning back in his chair, thoroughly entertained. "You''ve got a reputation to uphold, Thor. A giant serpent? Really? You might want to leave the ''cat wrestling'' to someone else."

    Thor, his bravado softening slightly, huffed a laugh. "Fine! I''ll accept that I made a mistake, but I will not let it define me! I''m still the mightiest of the gods. And if that chaos fragment thinks it can sneak past me while I''m distracted by your antics, it has another thing coming!"

    "Now that''s the spirit!" Jarak said, rallying the energy in the room. "Let''s put aside the cat stories and focus on what we came here to do. We have a fragment to destroy, and I''m still on the hook for those rare cards."

    With a collective nod, the tension shifted from banter back to urgency. Azrael''s demeanor solidified, determination painting his features. "Exactly. We need to prepare. Thor, you''ll create the diversion. Jarak, let''s gather the cards and energy we need. I''ll coordinate the trap."

    "And I''ll keep us entertained in the meantime!" Lucifer added, grinning like the devil he was. "Maybe some celestial music to set the mood?"

    "Save the serenade for after we''ve dealt with the fragment," Azrael replied, rolling his eyes, though he couldn''t hide the smile that broke through his stoic exterior.

    "Deal!" Lucifer declared, rising from his seat with dramatic flair. "Let''s get to it then! The sooner we trap this fragment, the sooner we can go back to regular mischief¡ªand maybe a celebration worthy of a god! Jarak what rarity is your soul?"

    The excitement died down as the three "Gods" were interested in Jarak''s answer.

    " Why?" Jarak asked confused

    You will understand the way we act when you reach the halfway point to a rare soul, but in the meantime don''t you think it''s only fair seeing you can see our souls.

    Jarak Thought about it and it sort of made sense and reminded him to check their souls.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    Ok first Lucifer checking his soul it was still as busted as ever but it gained some interesting secondary effects on some skills.

    The three heroes stared at Jarak, momentarily taken aback by his bluntness. Their expressions ranged from disbelief to indignation, as if he had just desecrated a sacred relic.

    "How dare you imply I am not who I am?" Lucifer growled, his red eyes narrowing. "I am the Light Bringer and was gods brightest angel, and I will not tolerate such insolence from a mere mortal."

    "Right," Jarak replied, hands raised in mock surrender. "But if I''m not mistaken, we''re in a parallel universe discussing how to tackle a chaos fragment, not fighting mythical beasts. So, I''m just saying: let''s keep our heads on straight here, shall we?"

    "You do realize who you''re talking to?" Thor thundered, his voice reverberating like an approaching storm. "I am the God of Thunder, and I can assure you I''ve faced far greater threats than your skepticism!"

    "And I''ve faced my fair share of chaos," Azrael added, stepping closer, his disappointment giving way to a hint of annoyance. "Just because we''re in this strange place doesn''t mean we''re not who we say we are."

    "Sure," Jarak continued, his tone playful. "But do you ever wonder if maybe you''re all just figments of my imagination? I mean, look around. We could all just be the manifestations of my overactive mind grappling with the chaos outside."

    As the tension crackled in the air, Thor''s grip on Mjolnir tightened, the blue lightning flickering ominously around the hammer''s head as he swung it slowly, the power radiating from him. "Careful, mortal. You''re treading on thin ice here. If I wanted to, I could turn you into a lightning rod!"

    "With all due respect, Thor," Jarak shot back, a smirk playing on his lips, "if you used that hammer on me, you''d have to explain to the other gods why the great Thor lost a mortal to a chaotic tantrum. And we wouldn''t want that now, would we?"

    Azrael merely shook his head, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Perhaps a mortal should be careful about invoking the wrath of a god. But I''ll admit," he added, glancing at Thor, "the image of you wrestling a giant serpent disguised as a cat is indeed amusing."

    "Exactly!" Lucifer chimed in, arms crossed and leaning back in his chair, thoroughly entertained. "You''ve got a reputation to uphold, Thor. A giant serpent? Really? You might want to leave the ''cat wrestling'' to someone else."

    Thor, his bravado softening slightly, huffed a laugh. "Fine! I''ll accept that I made a mistake, but I will not let it define me! I''m still the mightiest of the gods. And if that chaos fragment thinks it can sneak past me while I''m distracted by your antics, it has another thing coming!"

    "Now that''s the spirit!" Jarak said, rallying the energy in the room. "Let''s put aside the cat stories and focus on what we came here to do. We have a fragment to destroy, and I''m still on the hook for those rare cards."

    With a collective nod, the tension shifted from banter back to urgency. Azrael''s demeanor solidified, determination painting his features. "Exactly. We need to prepare. Thor, you''ll create the diversion. Jarak, let''s gather the cards and energy we need. I''ll coordinate the trap."

    "And I''ll keep us entertained in the meantime!" Lucifer added, grinning like the devil he was. "Maybe some celestial music to set the mood?"

    "Save the serenade for after we''ve dealt with the fragment," Azrael replied, rolling his eyes, though he couldn''t hide the smile that broke through his stoic exterior.

    "Deal!" Lucifer declared, rising from his seat with dramatic flair. "Let''s get to it then! The sooner we trap this fragment, the sooner we can go back to regular mischief¡ªand maybe a celebration worthy of a god! Jarak what rarity is your soul?"

    The excitement died down as the three "Gods" were interested in Jarak''s answer.

    " Why?" Jarak asked confused

    You will understand the way we act when you reach the halfway point to a rare soul, but in the meantime don''t you think it''s only fair seeing you can see our souls.

    Jarak Thought about it and it sort of made sense and reminded him to check their souls.

    Ok first Lucifer checking his soul it was still as weird as ever but it gained some interesting secondary effects on some skills.

    Name - A Deal With the Devil

    Passive Effects:

    1.Soul Control: Turn spoken words into commands that must be obeyed.

    Secondary: Subtly manipulate others into saying things they wouldn''t.

    2.Soul Contracts: Grant buffs or debuffs through soul contracts.

    Secondary: Buffs include light-based enhancements, like increased clarity or divine insight.

    3.Truth Gaze: Force truth-telling through eye contact.

    Secondary: Induce realistic hallucinations, especially of radiant or heavenly places.

    4.Damage Immunity: Immune to attacks under 2 Attack.

    Secondary: Damage over 2 grants temporary buffs related to light, such as radiating a blinding aura or regenerating health when struck.

    5.Radiant Presence: When near your soul twin or in the presence of intense light, secondary effects activate, amplifying your power.

    Lucifer''s Active Abilities (Battle Specific)

    1.-2 Cost for Light, Chaos, and Darkness Souls.

    2.Blinding Hellfire: Enemy souls suffer confusion and blindness for 2 turns when summoned.

    3.+2 Damage to All Souls.

    Light Affinity: Light-based souls deal an extra +1 damage.

    4.Monster Form: Gain +3/3 armor and pierce.

    Light Affinity: In this form, you radiate a blinding light, reducing enemy accuracy.

    Additional Effect:

    ?Double Damage to confused or blinded enemy souls for 2 turns.

    He so easily uses his abilities it''s insane. How long it took me to get a read on mana and decipher their meaning. It was similar to learning a new language trying to decipher words shaped by mana. But he can go around locking people into contracts and seducing them. It ain''t fair. Let me look at Asrael''s, his shouldn''t be half as obnoxious.

    .

 Chapter 11: Feeling Naked

    Soul: Azrael, the Messenger of Death

    Passive Effects:

    1.Messenger Between Realms Azrael can communicate telepathically with beings across vast distances.

    Secondary: Messages sent can also carry feelings or mental states, subtly influencing the recipient''s emotions (calm, urgency, fear).

    2. Death''s Touch:

    In the presence of death, Azrael''s presence becomes comforting, easing the transition for dying souls.

    Secondary: He can sense the life force of those around him, identifying those closest to death with pinpoint accuracy.

    3.Realm Step:

    Azrael can instantly move short distances through shadowy portals.

    Secondary: He can also transport one willing or unconscious being with him, without being noticed by enemies.

    Active Effects:

    1.

    Azrael can take fragments from the souls of the dead or dying, temporarily gaining one of their abilities and reading their memories of their biggest regret.

    Secondary: The fragments can be stored and used later but will decay after a short time.

    2.Azrael summons a spectral scythe, damaging all souls within range based on their remaining life force.

    Secondary: Those hit are marked, slowing them and reducing their strength for two turns.

    3.    Judgment''s Call:

    Azrael can judge a soul instantly, granting protection (damage shield) or condemning them (increasing incoming damage).

    ?    Secondary: If Azrael has recently extracted a soul, this effect lasts longer and is more potent.

    4.    Passage of Souls:

    Azrael can open a temporary passage to another realm, allowing him and his allies to evade or reposition during battle.

    Secondary: If traveling through the realm of the dead, Azrael can summon spirits for assistance.

    Jarak absorbed the information. Azrael''s powers were chillingly efficient. Unlike Lucifer''s brazen, manipulative control, Azrael''s influence was calm, guiding, and final. He moved between realms like it was second nature, subtly influencing events from the shadows. His abilities, though quieter, had the weight of inevitability.

    Why are their abilities so different from earlier? I literally saw them last week and their abilities weren''t even half as long. Checking their souls again but focusing on their ranks revealed they were both still the same rank.

    "Okay, maybe he''s just as bad," Jarak muttered to himself. What type of Sorcery is this. Azrael''s power wasn''t obnoxious like Lucifer''s¡ªit was haunting, something felt more than seen, guiding the final moments of both life and battle but still they shouldn''t have been so different from a week ago.

    Looking back at the twins, Jarak asked " Is this why you were so calm even when we were talking about facing a chaos''s fragment."

    I was wondering how long it would take for you to notice that are abilities were different. How much did you see? Lucifer asked did it happen to mention something about a devil''s deception.

    "Looking back at Lucifer''s it didn''t " No Why do you ask. Jarak questioned.

    So it can even trick your sliver gaze. What about Azrael did it mention a cloak of some kind?

    " No, Again why do you ask," Jarak sighed."

    Because we gained some interesting new abilities that allows for the cloaking of our real information.  Did you notice how powerful reconnaissance abilities were that isn''t even half of the actual abilities he gained. He even found a way to use his excess rage productively.

    "Now I understand why he''s so calm all the time," Jarak thought. "He is trying to hide his anger? . His power speaks for itself; did they gain a enlightenment from the sources themselves that turned Azrael''s rage into power. Now that Lucifer mentions it, his ability the detachment from the Mortal Plane is now gone.."

    rak paced back and forth, agitated. He kept trying to focus, but every time he reached for his most reliable tool¡ªhis Silver Gaze, the one thing that kept him ahead of the game, that let him see beneath the surface of everyone and everything¡ªit had failed him. Not once, not twice, but three times in the same day. And with every failure, he felt more exposed, more vulnerable. It was like he''d been stripped of his greatest advantage.

    "I can''t believe this," Jarak muttered under his breath. "I feel naked out here, completely naked without it."

    From the shadows, a voice cut in, playful and dripping with sarcasm. "Isn''t that ironic, though? The guy whose whole power is making other people''s most sacred parts naked to his eyes is complaining about feeling naked when he can''t make others naked. Priceless."This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    Jarak stopped dead in his tracks, his irritation turning into confusion as he glanced around for the source of the voice. Stepping forward from seemingly nowhere was a man Jarak hadn''t seen before¡ªor maybe he had? It was hard to tell with this guy. He had a certain vibe, like he could blend into the background of any situation until he decided to be noticed.

    The man had an impish grin, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous sparkle. "Name''s Kale," he said casually, like they''d known each other for years. "You know, master of observation, breaker of illusions, professional instigator of awkward truths. I specialize in making people, well¡­ a little more exposed than they''d like."

    Jarak blinked. "Kale? What the hell are you even talking about? How are you in my mind? This is a closed destination, not a tourist attraction."

    Kale shrugged nonchalantly, leaning against a nearby pillar like he had all the time in the world. "You know, exposing people. It''s kinda my thing. You can see people''s souls, but I take it a step further. I don''t just see what people want to hide¡ªI see what they''re really made of, down to the embarrassing details. So when I heard you whining about feeling ''naked,'' well¡­ I couldn''t resist pointing out the irony."

    Jarak scowled. "I''m not whining. That also doesn''t answer my question. "

    Kale raised an eyebrow, the smirk never leaving his face. "Sure, sure. But come on, you have to admit, it''s kinda funny. The guy who can peek into everyone''s inner self, see their hidden depths, feels ''naked'' when his own tool stops working. It''s poetic."

    Jarak crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes at Kale. "So, what? You just show up to crack jokes and make things awkward?"

    "Mostly," Kale replied, completely unabashed. "But also, I''m here to help. Maybe. If it''s entertaining enough." He flashed another grin. "I mean, someone''s gotta help you cope with the existential crisis of not being able to make everyone else feel metaphorically naked, right?"

    Jarak couldn''t help but roll his eyes, but deep down, he knew Kale had a point. There was a certain irony in the situation. He''d relied on his ability to stay ahead, to always be in control, by knowing the hidden truths of others. And now that he couldn''t, he felt off balance, stripped of his usual certainty.

    "Well," Jarak sighed, trying to regain his composure, "if you''re done pointing out the obvious, do you actually have anything useful to offer? Also how the hell did you get in here?"

    "I was always here from the very beginning from the second you started forming your domain watching you."

    "That''s not creepy at all. Chaos call the royal guard."

    I was kidding I was kidding the man sighed as if I ruined his best joke. I was having a very fruitful conversation with him pointing at Thor who paused mid chew of popcorn.

    " Where in the hell did you get popcorn? Why did you not share? Thor pointed to azrael who pointed to Lucifer who pointed to Chaos who pointed back at Lucifer.

    "about life as a higher order being when he suddenly disappeared on me leaving me with a 400 dollar tab the man can drink . So I followed him to see what was so important to ditch me for. The man said striking the weirdest, most awkward pose I''ve ever seen. He had 1 hand behind his back 1 next to his hand he was standing on 1 leg and his other over his head his shoe directly in front of his face so close that if he stuck his tongue out he could lick it and holding up left ring finger.

    Taking a second glance at Thor who was suddenly choking on popcorn "Oh lord, please help me. What did I do wrong to deserve to deal with these sinners looking again at them he thought weirdo''s?"

    Jarak stared at the chaotic scene unfolding in front of him. Here he was, moments away from facing a fragment of chaos itself, only to find himself at the center of a bizarre spectacle that felt more like a drunken tavern night than a meeting of deities and mortals.

    Kale''s ridiculous pose continued, as if he thought it was some kind of impressive display of agility, though it was more awkward than anything. Jarak couldn''t help but rub his temple, feeling the frustration build up inside him.

    Thor, still choking on his popcorn, finally managed to recover, slapping himself on the chest. "By Odin''s beard," he gasped, "where did this clown even come from?"

    Jarak shot Kale a look that could have withered a lesser being, but the impish man seemed utterly unaffected. If anything, he looked even more entertained.

    Lucifer leaned forward, clearly amused by the chaos. "You know, I think this is exactly what we needed. Tensions were getting a little too high. Besides," he smirked, "watching Jarak deal with existential dilemmas and comedians at the same time is more entertaining than I could''ve hoped for."

    Azrael, ever the somber presence, shook his head but couldn''t suppress the faintest hint of a smile. "There''s a time and place for everything, but perhaps this chaos is appropriate, given the circumstances."

    Jarak threw his hands up in the air, exasperated. "Am I the only one who feels like we''re getting further away from solving the actual problem? We have a chaos fragment to deal with, and we''re wasting time with popcorn, bad jokes, and whatever that pose is." He gestured toward Kale, who was still standing like some demented flamingo.

    Kale finally dropped the pose and stretched casually, as if the entire performance was just his warm-up. "Relax, man. Chaos is all about unpredictability. You think you can just plan for everything, but sometimes the best way to deal with it is to embrace the absurd."

    Jarak scowled at him. "Embrace the absurd? I''ve spent my whole life staying ahead by knowing what''s coming, by controlling the variables. This¡ª" he gestured to the room, to Thor''s thunderous popcorn crunching and Lucifer''s smug grin "¡ªthis is not how you stay ahead of the curve."

    Kale''s smirk softened, just a little, and he met Jarak''s gaze. "Maybe that''s your problem,

 Chapter 12: Synchronized Life form.

    Jarak could feel his frustration intensify as he turned over the new information in his mind. The ingredients laid before him seemed to mock him with their endless potential and countless possible outcomes, yet none of them were the key he needed. Chaos was not playing by the rules. He knew that much, and Kale''s words¡ªthough he would never admit it¡ªhad struck a nerve. Rolling with the punches wasn''t enough when you faced something that bent reality itself. He needed a different approach, something that would outlast the chaos fragment''s relentless distortion.

    He sifted through the cards again, fingers tracing their faintly glowing edges as his thoughts raced. His deck, while powerful, was fundamentally limited in its current state. He wasn''t dealing with a normal foe. This was chaos, a force that corrupted and twisted the world at its most basic level. And if Jarak was going to survive, he needed to be ready for that¡ªhe needed more than just a strategy; he needed insurance. He had to find a way to recover from anything the chaos could throw at him.

    "Kale," he muttered under his breath, his focus split between the cards in his hand and the battle that loomed ahead. "You''re not wrong about chaos. But if you think being unprepared is a strategy, you''re more foolish than I thought."

    Kale, lounging in his usual infuriatingly relaxed way, raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He knew better than to interrupt Jarak when he was in the middle of a planning frenzy.

    Jarak pulled out his binder and quickly found the card he was looking for¡ªa rare silver-bordered one. The moment he infused it with mana, it responded, glowing as the magical ingredients spread across the table: a blue feather from a low-level emberwing, a massive saber-tooth claw, a golden turtle shell, and a tiny snow globe filled with swirling frost. The randomness of the materials mirrored the chaotic thoughts in his mind¡ªstrategic and urgent.

    This was more than just brute force. His first creation had to be the Phoenix Demon, a creature that could rise again and again, feeding on the chaotic forces of life and death and twisting them to his will.

    He began with the emberwing''s feather, channeling its fire-aligned mana into the mix. The phoenix was resilient, yes, but it wasn''t enough. The phoenix alone was too fragile, too dependent on its cycle of death and rebirth. He needed to ensure that the resurrection wouldn''t leave him vulnerable.

    That''s where the saber-tooth claw came in. It was predatory, instinct-driven, and filled with raw, unbridled survival instinct. It would lend the demon a ferocity that would allow it to tear through opponents in a frenzied, chaotic onslaught¡ªone that could exploit the weakness in chaos itself.

    The turtle shell added a defensive element, reinforcing the demon''s ability to withstand attacks. Fire, savagery, and defense in balance, with one final touch. He glanced at the snow globe. The frost was important, more important than it seemed. Fire and ice, locked in a tense equilibrium, but it wasn''t about opposition. The frost would temper the flame, not extinguish it, but control it¡ªmaking it a force of creation rather than destruction. Let''s move on to the reflective shield.

    As Jarak gathered his ingredients for Voidbound Shard, he recalled a peculiar tale about one of the more unusual items he had come across¡ªthe Reflective Glass Shard.

    It all began in the extravagant home of a renowned archmage known for his eccentricities and experimental magic. One fateful afternoon, a group of teenagers, looking for mischief, decided to play a game of catch inside the archmage''s lavishly adorned study. Their laughter echoed through the halls until it was abruptly cut short by the shattering sound of glass¡ªthe archmage''s enchanted window had met a regrettable fate.

    When the archmage discovered the destruction, rather than losing his temper, he devised a clever solution. He instructed the teenagers to gather the shards of the broken window and sell them as magical artifacts. "Tell the buyers," he said, "that they hold the power to reflect one''s true self! It''s a window to your inner magic!"

    However, the plan backfired. No one took the teens seriously; after all, how could mere shards of glass be anything other than that? Frustrated, the archmage decided to intervene. With a flick of his wand, he cast a spell over the shards, imbuing them with a glimmering illusion that made them appear to shimmer with magical energy.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    "Now," he said with a smirk, "they will at least look like what they''re worth!"

    Despite the initial skepticism, the spell worked like a charm. As word spread that these glass shards could reveal hidden truths, curious buyers started flocking to the market, eager to catch a glimpse of their own magical potential through the enchanted reflections.

    Of course, the truth about their origin remained a closely guarded secret among the teenagers and the archmage. And while Jarak had obtained one of those shards, he often chuckled at its history, imagining the bemused expressions of those who unknowingly bought a piece of broken glass as a "magical artifact."

    Now, as he prepared to forge Voidbound Shard, Jarak appreciated the irony that something born from teenage folly could contribute to a spell designed to absorb and reflect the chaotic energies of battle. The Reflective Glass Shard was a testament to the unpredictable nature of magic, just like the duel that lay ahead.

    As Jarak inspected the Reflective Glass Shard, he recalled the tale the archmage had told him. At the time, he had laughed, entertained by the idea of teenagers accidentally creating a magical artifact by breaking a window. It had been such a whimsical story, one that seemed to fit perfectly into the chaotic and unpredictable nature of magic. But now, standing on the edge of a confrontation with a fragment of chaos, the story no longer felt so innocent.

    His gaze lingered on the shard, and a strange, creeping thought began to gnaw at the edges of his mind. What if the magician in the story wasn''t just some eccentric archmage? What if¡­ it had been Chaos?

    Jarak''s Soul Magician had always had a flair for the absurd, for weaving unpredictability into the fabric of reality, and for showing up in the most unexpected ways. And wasn''t that exactly what the story had been? A seemingly random, chaotic event transformed into something far greater? The playful manipulation of perception, the clever misdirection¡ªit all fit too well with Chaos''s nature.

    Jarak felt a cold shiver run down his spine as he considered the possibility. His Soul Magician had been quiet for a while now, lurking in the background as he crafted cards and prepared for the upcoming duel. But Chaos was never truly absent. It was always there, waiting in the shadows, manipulating things in ways that weren''t always obvious.

    He clenched the shard tighter, the glass reflecting a distorted image of his own face back at him. Had Chaos been pulling the strings this whole time? Planting the shard in his hands through a seemingly harmless story, only to reveal its true potential at this critical moment?

    Jarak felt his frustration flare up again, this time mixed with a sense of unease. If Chaos was indeed behind this, what was the endgame? Was this all part of some greater plan, or was his Soul Magician simply acting out of its own twisted sense of humor? He had always trusted Chaos to help guide him through the unpredictable, to help him navigate the ever-shifting tides of battle. But this¡­ this felt different. It felt personal.

    His eyes narrowed. "Chaos, are you behind this?" he muttered, half-expecting an answer. But the soul magician didn''t respond. Just silence.

    That silence made him all the more suspicious. Chaos thrived on unpredictability, yes, but it also thrived on control¡ªon manipulating events in ways that only became clear much later. Jarak realized that the glass shard might not just be another tool in his arsenal¡ªit could be a test. A test to see how much control he truly had over the chaos in his life¡­ or how much control Chaos had over him.

    A low chuckle echoed in the back of his mind. It was faint, almost imperceptible, but unmistakable. Chaos was watching. Always watching.

    Jarak exhaled sharply, shaking his head. He couldn''t dwell on it now. He had work to do, and whether or not his Soul Magician was involved, he would use whatever tools he had at his disposal. If Chaos had a hand in this, so be it. He would turn the unpredictable into his strength.

    "Fine," he muttered under his breath. "Let''s see what kind of magic you helped me create, Chaos."

    With that, he resumed his forging, pouring his mana into the Feather, now keenly aware that his Soul Magician''s hand might be deeper in this than he first realized. Chaos always played the long game, but this time, Jarak was determined to play it better.

    As he crafted the demon, Jarak felt a deep, steady hum in the air, something that made his skin crawl with anticipation. His hands moved faster, guided not only by his own thoughts but by something older, something familiar.

    Chaos whispered in his ear, its voice low and amused. "You feel that, don''t you? An old force stirring. One of the old categories has been released. Synchronized Lifeforms."

    Jarak narrowed his eyes, his focus sharpening. "Synchronized Lifeforms?"

    "Mmhm," Chaos purred, its voice reverberating with an eerie nostalgia. "A rare and ancient art. Few remember it. Fewer still can harness it. But you, Jarak, you might just be able to ride this wave. If you''re quick."