"It's over, Demolish!"
The final strike of Stardust Mirage, Shooting Star Dragon's third form, spread its radiant wings, condensing the light of its finishing blow.
"Triple Impact—Meteor Burst!"
Miles declared the third direct attack. The decisive, sky-rending Meteor Burst descended toward Demolish's empty field.
"Over?" Demolish retorted sternly. "Don't get ahead of yourself, human! The true battle has only just begun!"
The darkened sky began to churn once more. From within the Turbo Duel track, a new Nazca Line ignited in brilliant light—this time, depicting a giant.
"What's that?" Ren looked up, eyes wide.
It was a Nazca Line of a colossal figure.
"The Earthbound Immortal that binds the future to destruction—its existence is proof that humanity is destined to perish!"
"Binding the future to destruction...?"
Miles's brow furrowed. That phrase carried implications far beyond the duel itself.
Albeit his most vivid memory was Ren mentioning yesterday that the Earthbound Immortal, which attacked her in childhood, took the form of a giant.
"Trap Card, activate—[Earthbound Beginnings]!"
[Activate only if your LP is 3000 or less when an opponent's monster declares a direct attack. You can either activate 1 Field Spell Card from your Deck or Special Summon 1 monster with 'Earthbound' in its name.]
[Demolish, LP: 1101]
After enduring two direct strikes from Shooting Star Dragon, Demolish had finally met the activation condition for his Trap.
From the burning Nazca Line above descended the colossal Earthbound Immortal, its vast black body once again blotting out the starlit sky of hope.
"I Special Summon [Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu] in Attack Position!"
[Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu, ATK: 3000]
The pitch-black giant descended, cutting off the path of the meteor's light.
"As long as a Field Spell exists, Earthbound Immortals cannot be targeted for attacks. Your battle ends here!"
A wall that even Shooting Star Dragon could not cross—just one strike away from victory, Miles could only grit his teeth and pull back the winning attack.
"The Earthbound Immortal that binds destruction to the future... this is the same giant that attacked Aisha and Ren back then."
Miles suddenly remembered something seemingly trivial.
"Aisha, you don't seem very afraid of the Earthbound Immortals, huh?"
During the Shadow Turbo Duel yesterday, Ren had clearly shown fear when seeing the Earthbound Immortal that haunted her childhood.
However, Aisha, when faced with one, displayed no such fear at all.
"Why should I be afraid of an Earthbound Immortal?" Aisha tilted her head, puzzled. "With you by my side, Mr. Miles, why would I ever be scared? It's just an Earthbound Immortal—smash it already!"
After all, everyone faces fear differently—and there's no rule that Aisha must react the same as Ren.
Besides, there really wasn't much to fear. Including the Ultimate Earthbound Immortal, Miles and Aisha had already destroyed three of them this duel.
"So this makes four."
Given Shooting Star Dragon's power, a single Earthbound Immortal wasn't much of a threat.
Still, Miles's LP was just 1. To win, he'd have to gamble everything—on stopping his opponent from drawing a Speed Spell.
"I Set two cards and end my turn."
He set all remaining cards from his hand. Among them was the ultimate combo he had prepared—one that guaranteed victory once completed.
"My turn—draw."
[Demolish, SPC: 5 → 6]
[Miles, SPC: 5 → 6]
Demolish's draw after locking Miles to 1 LP—was not a Speed Spell either.
It was as if some higher will itself was preventing the finishing blow within this [Speed World].
That final Life Point represented the fate of humanity. The will of the earth had to crush the will of mankind to secure victory.
"Then if we must battle, we'll fight to the very end!"
Demolish slammed his massive arm down, placing an Adjuster Monster onto the field.
"I Normal Summon [Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper] in Attack Position!"
[Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper] Level 2│DARK│Fiend│Tuner│300 ATK / 400 DEF
The black-clad Earthbound Tuner emerged from the burning Nazca Line in the sky.
"While a Field Spell exists, the Synchro Summon of [Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper] can use 'Earthbound' monsters in the Graveyard as Synchro Materials!"
From Demolish's Graveyard, the Level 5 [Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper] rose. Their combined Levels of 6 ignited a new Synchro light across the Turbo Duel track.
"The will of the earth gallops forth—rider of the sky, answer its call! Synchro Summon! [Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth]!"
[Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth] Level 6│EARTH│Warrior│Synchro│2600 ATK / 800 DEF
The Synchro embodying the earth's will—Gaia, the knight charging through the sky on his steed—burst forth, lance gleaming through the stellar glow.
"Now we fight! If the wills of earth and humanity cannot coexist, then battle will decide the victor!"
Commanding his two monsters, Demolish declared his Battle Phase.
The massive Earthbound Immortal swung its enormous arm, bypassing Shooting Star Dragon entirely to attack Miles directly.
"While a Field Spell exists, Earthbound Immortals can attack directly!—Earthbound Heavy Fist!"
The godly punch that shattered even space itself came crashing toward Miles's D-Wheel.
Miles countered, raising his arm sharply. "When you attack—[Shooting Star Dragon]'s effect activates!"
[Once per turn, when your opponent declares an attack: You can banish this card; negate that attack.]
"I banish [Shooting Star Dragon] from my field—negating [Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu]'s attack!"
Immune to Spells and Traps, the Earthbound Immortal could only be stopped by a monster effect.
And Accel Synchro's [Shooting Star Dragon] had just that power.
Banishment in a burst of light—Stardust particles scattered through the air. Shooting Star Dragon's radiant mirage clashed with the Earthbound Immortal's devastating fist, the impact dispersing both energies.
[Shooting Star Dragon] banished
[Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu] attack negated
"But now, you have no monsters left!"
Demolish continued the Battle Phase.
[Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth] charged forth, spear tearing through the storm, aiming straight for the defenseless Miles.
"Charge forth, Gaia!—Spiral Spear Strike!"
Demolish roared, his voice resonating with the will of the earth, channeling all its power into his lance.
"The will of mankind and the hope of Stardust—both will be shattered!"
"Miles!" Krista clenched her fists as Miles faced the direct attack with only 1 LP remaining.
Yet the spiraling lance failed to pierce him—the tip met a sudden burst of golden Stardust light that bloomed in its path.
"What's this?" Demolish gasped. "The Stardust... hasn't faded?"
"Stardust never fades!" Miles flipped a face-down card. "Trap Card, activate—[Stardust Re-Spark]!"
[When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack and that monster's ATK is greater than your LP: The battle damage you take becomes 0. Draw 1 card, then you can Special Summon 1 'Stardust' monster from your Extra Deck or Graveyard.]
"I negate the battle damage, draw 1 card, and then Special Summon a 'Stardust' monster from my Extra Deck!"
From the tip of Gaia's lance, the faint starlight spread outward until Stardust light once again flooded the field.
"A single flash that splits the sea of stars—let the pulse of the soul roar across the world! Special Summon! [Stardust Spark Dragon]!"
[Stardust Spark Dragon] Level 8│LIGHT│Dragon│Synchro│2500 ATK / 2000 DEF
"That's Krista's Stardust!" gasped Lost from Synchron Academy, stunned by the familiar yet overwhelming light.
The signature dragon of Krista Shia—[Stardust Spark Dragon] appearing on Miles's field—symbolized their beliefs uniting completely as one.
"Looks like Krista's fallen for him completely," Aoyao murmured.
And beyond that… Miles's Trap [Stardust Re-Spark] had granted him a crucial draw.
He could already feel the immense power emanating from the card resting on top of his Deck.
Even before drawing, the pressure it exuded was terrifying, like an abyss that could devour all.
"Draw!"
Draw of Destiny—GOD!
Miles drew the card revealed by [Stardust Re-Spark]—the strongest of the Wicked Gods: [The Wicked Avatar].
For the first time, Miles held a Wicked God in an actual duel—and just holding it, he could feel it.
It wasn't that he was grasping the card—it was that the card was grasping him.
The contract of the Wicked God was clear: if he lost this duel, his soul would be consumed.
"This duel... I can't lose—no, I won't lose!"
The instant [The Wicked Avatar] entered his hand, the scales of fate were sealed—victory welded in Miles's favor.
High above, Demolish, astride his vulture-shaped D-Wheel, the god of destruction himself, had yet to realize how grave the situation had become.
Yet by divine instinct, even he could sense it… that the card Miles had drawn was no ordinary one.
"You bastard… what kind of card did you just draw?!"
An immense pressure… so great that even a god could feel... fear?
Was this emotion truly fear?
Having now experienced anger and fear alike, Demolish was being drawn ever closer to the level of humanity by Miles.
Miles smiled. "I drew... my card of victory!"
"Card of victory?" Demolish scoffed. "Ridiculous. No such card guarantees victory!"
After both his monsters finished attacking, Demolish declared the end of his Battle Phase and set the rest of his hand.
"I Set two cards and end my turn!"
"At the end of your turn, the banished [Shooting Star Dragon] returns to the field!"
Reforged in stardust light, the dragon that had shielded Miles from the Earthbound Immortal's critical strike soared once again across the sky of the Turbo Duel.
"My turn—draw!"
With the victory combo fully assembled, all that remained for Miles was to accelerate toward the final stretch of this Turbo Duel.
"Time to fight!"
This turn, Miles did not activate [Shooting Star Dragon]'s five-card excavation effect.
Miracles weren't something easily repeated—and besides, Shooting Star Dragon could not attack the giant Earthbound Immortal directly.
Miles had shifted his strategy—the deciding bet now lay elsewhere.
"Go, Shooting Star Dragon! Attack [Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth]!"
The meteor's strike cut through the heavens—Miles's only possible battle this turn.
Yet, Demolish had foreseen this and already set his trap.
"Trap Card, [Dimensional Prison], activate!"
[When an opponent's monster declares an attack: Banish that attacking monster.]
"Your attacking Shooting Star Dragon is banished! Disappear into the void, meteor that gathered hope!"
[Shooting Star Dragon] banished
Dimensional space shattered open along Shooting Star Dragon's flight path—this time, the dragon was gone for good.
Even with the starlight extinguished, Miles knew that his Accel Synchro dragon had done its part. Reducing Demolish's LP from 8000 to 1000 had left a perfect path for reversal.
"Then I'll leave the rest to another Stardust—continue the battle!"
"Continue the battle?!"
Miles's second attack declaration left everyone stunned.
His remaining monster, [Stardust Spark Dragon], had 2500 Attack Points.
Demolish's weakest monster—[Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth]—had 2600.
"My target is [Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth]! [Stardust Spark Dragon]'s effect activates—Barrier Wave!"
[Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up card you control; that target cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects once this turn. This is a Quick Effect.]
The shining Stardust dragon enveloped itself in radiant light, its scales refracting an aura of protection.
Just as Miles declared, [Stardust Spark Dragon] charged toward [Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth]!
"Meteor Flash Strike!"
Demolish sneered, unable to comprehend Miles's plan, yet he retaliated all the same.
"Utter foolishness!—Spiral Spear Assault!"
Once again, starlight and spiraling steel collided across the skies of the Turbo Duel track.
But this time, Gaia's power prevailed—2600 Attack Points overwhelming Stardust's 2500.
Galloping forth, Gaia's earth-forged lance pierced through the Stardust's gleam.
"Thanks to [Stardust Spark Dragon]'s effect, it won't be destroyed by battle!"
"You think it's your dragon being destroyed?" Demolish roared. "Even if it survives, battle damage is still calculated—and it's you who'll be destroyed!"
The difference was only 100 points… but for Miles, that was 100 times his remaining Life Points.
"So this is how it ends? This meaningless Turbo Duel ends in futility! Utterly meaningless! Feel the lance of the earth's will!"
With a furious thrust, Gaia's lance pierced through Miles's D-Wheel—ending his final Life Point before everyone's disbelieving eyes.
[Miles, LP: 1 → 0]
"How is this possible?" Leon gasped. "That's suicide! What's the difference between this and surrendering? Did he give up because he couldn't win?"
Perhaps there had never been any hope to begin with.
Believing he could save the nation had been nothing more than a naïve dream—one that cost him his life.
"No... that's not it!" Krista shouted from the top of the magic stone tower. "This is Miles's way of dueling! The one who bears the Stardust will never give up here!"
Her faith in Miles never wavered, even at the sight of his Life Points falling to zero.
"It's over!" Demolish thundered. "Human will has collapsed at this very moment. You've lost, Miles!"
"You say human will has collapsed? Then open your eyes and watch, Demolish!"
Though his Life Points had dropped to zero, Miles made a move that shocked even a god of destruction.
A miracle that turned the impossible into reality.
"The will to live within humanity has never burned this fiercely!"
Miles flipped his final face-down card—the Trap that could only activate when one's LP reached zero.
"Trap Card, [Relay Soul], activate!"
[Activate only when your LP becomes 0. Special Summon 1 monster from your hand. Your opponent does not win the Duel while you control that monster, and you lose the Duel if that monster leaves the field.]
"This summoning, inheriting my very soul, will forge the strongest, unbreakable will in history! Prepare yourself, Demolish!"
In Miles's hand was one and only one monster.
Through [Relay Soul]'s effect, the strongest Wicked God descended upon his field.
"The being that stands at the abyss—the apex of all Duel Monsters! I offer my entire soul! Come forth, [The Wicked Avatar]!"
[The Wicked Avatar] Level 10│DIVINE│Fiend│? ATK / ? DEF
Miles had completed the ultimate, unbeatable combo, shifting the Duel's win condition from his fragile 1 Life Point to the indomitable Wicked God itself.
A monster that could never be defeated head-on. The only way to win now was to destroy the Duelist himself.
But what if that Duelist's soul was bound to [The Wicked Avatar]—a being that could never be destroyed?
[Miles, LP: 0]
That final zero, now locked in place, was more unbreakable than any amount before it.
As the abyssal darkness of the Wicked God's arrival engulfed the sky, humanity's burning will to survive shone brighter than ever before.
"Then try and beat me, Demolish! If you can!"
...
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