Dark Marik raised the Millennium Rod and pointed it straight at Isis and Anzu.
"Tell me where Rishid is hiding," he said coldly. "And I might let you live."
"Never," Isis shot back, trying to invoke the Millennium Necklace's power—only to realize, too late, that it no longer responded.
"Oh?" Dark Marik grinned. "So even your precious Necklace has lost its strength. That makes you even less of a match for me, Sister."
The tip of the Rod flared with light, aimed at both Isis and Anzu—
"Stop it, Marik!"
Yami Yugi stepped in, the Millennium Puzzle on his chest shining in answer.
"Well, well… the nameless Pharaoh." Dark Marik tilted his head. "What is it? Want to interfere in the Ishtar family's business? Or do you want to duel me right here?"
Yami Yugi didn't answer. He simply stared—hard, unblinking.
"Tch. Boring." Dark Marik abruptly withdrew the Rod. "Our duel deserves a more glorious stage. I'll prepare a special gift for you—so wash your neck and wait."
He turned his gaze back to Isis, voice dripping with delight.
"And you too, Sister—now that I'm out… since Rishid collapsed because of a Shadow Game, he won't be waking up anytime soon. Which means I won't be sealed away again."
He let out a hysterical laugh, then vanished from the corridor. Anzu's body swayed—and collapsed unconscious.
"Anzu!" Yugi cried.
Yami Yugi snapped out of it and rushed to check her breathing.
"She's fine," Isis said as she knelt beside Anzu. "She only lost consciousness. Marik has already left her body."
Yami Yugi's eyes sharpened. "Isis… so you're the eighth duelist."
"Yes." Isis nodded. "I came here to stop Marik. But my power alone isn't enough."
Yami Yugi's jaw tightened. "Marik will appear in the next two matches. I can only hope Kaiba and Kisaragi can defeat him."
Isis's expression darkened.
"Marik's deck holds the strongest of the God Cards—The Winged Dragon of Ra. Without a God Card, neither you nor Kisaragi Aoi can defeat him. That's why I want my next match to be against Kaiba—so I can win his God Card."
She looked toward the corridor where Marik had disappeared, voice turning firm.
"And I want Kisaragi to withdraw. It's too dangerous. I won't drag uninvolved people into this any further."
"That's where you're wrong," a calm voice cut in.
Kisaragi stepped into view—Kaiba walking at her side, shoulder to shoulder.
"Kaiba? Kisaragi?" Yami Yugi's eyes widened.
Kisaragi crouched in front of Isis, meeting her gaze head-on.
"Leave Marik to me. Don't worry—I'll be fine."
"But—"
Kaiba interrupted sharply.
"Isis, weren't you the one who said you'd defeat me and take my God Card?" His mouth curled into a disdainful smile. "Reality's cruel."
"Fine," Isis replied, unfazed. "Then I hope we're matched in the third round. I want to see whether you're truly worthy of wielding Obelisk the Tormentor."
A voice from the ship's PA system boomed overhead:
"All duelists, please gather in the main hall. The draw for the third match will begin shortly."
Kaiba turned to Isis. "Come. And you don't need to hide anymore."
"I understand," Isis said. She glanced down at Anzu. "I'll have this girl rest in my room for now."
After settling Anzu safely, they headed for the lounge.
When Kaiba's group arrived, the others were already gathered.
Jounouchi spotted the woman behind them first. "Yugi—who's that?"
Mai's smile appeared instantly—sweet, polite, and terrifying. "Jounouchi. What are you planning to do?"
A chill ran down his spine.
"N-no, Mai! Don't get the wrong idea—I was just asking!"
Yami Yugi stepped forward. "This is the eighth duelist. Isis Ishdar."
"Ishdar?" Jounouchi frowned. "Isn't Marik also an Ishdar?"
Isis stepped out, composed and dignified.
"Everyone… I am Isis Ishdar, Marik's older sister. I entered this tournament to stop my brother. He has caused you all considerable trouble, and as his sister… I apologize. Even if my apology is insignificant."
"It isn't your fault," Yami Yugi said quietly.
A low, amused laugh drifted in from the entrance.
"Heh heh heh… looks like the cast is finally assembled. I'm looking forward to the draw."
Marik walked in—his smile sharp, predatory.
"Marik, you bastard!" Jounouchi snapped.
The lights in the lounge cut out. A single spotlight illuminated the lottery machine, and Isono stood beside it as always.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Isono announced, "we will now draw the third match. This draw will also determine the pairing for the fourth match."
The machine whirred. Two numbered balls dropped into place.
"Numbers 1 and 8."
Isono's voice rang out:
"The third match will be Seto Kaiba (1) versus Isis Ishdar (8)!"
He continued without pause:
"And the fourth match will be Kisaragi Aoi versus Marik Ishdar!"
A ripple ran through the room.
"Proceeding immediately," Isono said. "Third-match duelists, please take the central elevator to the Sky Duel Arena."
Dark Marik's smile widened. "Heh heh heh… perfect. Time to settle an old score."
Isis turned sharply to Kaiba. "Seto—make Kisaragi withdraw. If she duels Marik, she'll end up like Rishid."
Kaiba didn't even blink.
"Isis, you should worry about our duel instead. As for Kisaragi—" his voice hardened with certainty "—I trust she won't lose. And regarding God Cards… I've seen her prove, with my own eyes, that she can defeat a god."
Isis stiffened. "You mean… Kisaragi has already defeated Obelisk?"
In Isis's worldview, gods were defeated by gods. The idea that someone without a God Card could overcome one felt almost impossible.
And Kaiba wasn't the sort to bluff—especially not about something like this.
Isis's eyes flicked to Kisaragi, shock plain on her face.
"Enough talk," Kaiba said. "To the arena."
"Very well," Isis replied, stepping toward the elevator beside him. "Seto—show me your true strength."
Kisaragi moved toward the other elevator. As she passed Marik, she cut him a brief sidelong glance—cold, dismissive.
Marik licked his lips, amused. "What an interesting woman… the kind that's most fun to break. Don't disappoint me."
The Sky Duel Arena rose into view as Kaiba and Isis stepped onto the platform.
The others arrived a moment later, gathering to watch.
Isono's voice echoed over the wind:
"We will now begin the third match of the finals round—Seto Kaiba vs. Isis Ishdar! Duelists, prepare!"
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 147)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter185)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter105)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter215)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 185
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 170
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/1
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 206
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 190
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/23
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 106
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67
Uma Musume: From Beginner 125
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85
Uma Musume: I Want All 105
I Can Copy Unique Skills 90
Summoning an Evil God, but the 70
Supernatural Multiverse 90
My Harem Is Indescribable 80
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 86
"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 68
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 81
Still playing traditional Honk 65
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 65
What Should I Do After Switchi - Volume2/3
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 57
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 45
Transmigrated as Sukuna 59
Checking In in Demon Slayer 59
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 73
I Refuse to Become a Heroic 45
My Best Friend Into a Slime? 36
A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 40
What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero? 60
Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 30
Why did they assign me to Uma 35
MYGO Beauties 43
DanMachi: Emiya the Giant Hero 30
The Gacha Merchant Who Started 31
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