"Even after all that, you still managed to survive, tch. Fine, I'll let you hang on for one more turn, then," the Evil God sneered.
"Then, I'll activate another effect of 'The First Darklord'. It can be activated during either player's Main Phase, once per turn. I pay 1000 Life Points to Special Summon any Fairy-type monster in Defense Position from my hand or Graveyard."
[Evil God, LP 2500 → 1500]
"Special Summon from the graveyard—'Darklord Superbia'!"
[Darklord Superbia, DEF 2400]
"Superbia's effect: When this card is Special Summoned from the Graveyard, I can Special Summon another Darklord from the Graveyard in Defense Position."
The Evil God called forth another Darklord from the grave.
"Special Summon—'Darklord—Ukoback'!"
[Darklord—Ukoback, DEF 1000]
"Ukoback's effect: When this card is Summoned, I can send one 'Darklord' card from my Deck to the Graveyard."
The Evil God grinned coldly, drawing a card from his deck and sending it straight to the grave.
"Send the Trap Card 'Darklord Rebellion' from my Deck to the Graveyard."
Kira remarked, "So, you've set up a way to interfere during my turn, huh?"
The Evil God laughed. "Heh, for a mere insect of a human, your dueling knowledge is surprisingly solid. That's right. The effect of 'Darklord Rebellion' allows me to send any Darklord from my hand or field to the Graveyard, then destroy a card on the field!"
Marik was taken aback. "It's a powerful Trap, but if it just goes to the Graveyard instead of being set, how can it interfere on the opponent's turn...?"
Though unfamiliar with the Darklord deck, as a legendary duelist, Marik quickly realized what was happening. His gaze shifted to the field's 'Darklord—Tezcatlipoca' and he suddenly understood.
This Darklord can pay 1000 Life Points to copy the effect of a Trap Card in the Graveyard—and it can be used during the opponent's turn. In other words, this Darklord is essentially a walking, talking trap!
For instance, if Kira just summoned a monster, the Evil God could use Tezcatlipoca's effect to copy "Darklord Rebellion" from the grave, blow up the newly summoned monster, waste Kira's once-per-turn Normal Summon, and interrupt his critical play. The opponent would be unable to make further moves.
A terrifying form of suppression indeed.
"Evil God," Ishizu said gravely, "even without using your true self, you still have such frightening power."
The Evil God replied, "I told you, no matter how outstanding, you're still just a human. Dealing with a human doesn't even require me to use my true power!"
Kira, however, remained calm and countered, "Rather than say you don't want to, isn't it that you can't?"
The Evil God frowned at him.
"You claim to be the embodiment of a God, the strongest of the three Evil Gods, but in terms of sheer power, you're not significantly stronger than the Eraser last time. I'm guessing, as the strongest, your seal is also the tightest. Unlike your brothers, you can't summon your true body in this dimension, can you?"
The Evil God snorted heavily. He didn't deny it, only said arrogantly, "Even without my true power, I'm far stronger than those two disappointments. Dealing with you is more than enough. The Pharaoh is gone, the accursed Divine Beasts are buried with him, and all that remains is a worthless vessel."
He gave a cold laugh.
"And that mere vessel dares to stand in our way. Once I obtain that guardian spirit and break the seal, will a so-called vessel still dare call himself king?"
"Vessel?" Kira immediately realized he referred to the current Yugi Muto, and couldn't help but laugh.
The term 'vessel' was common in the Duel Monsters era. Back then, nobody took Yugi seriously, thinking he was just a rookie riding on a legendary spirit's coattails. But times have changed, and it's been years since anyone called him that.
The Evil God glared. "What's so funny?"
"Vessel? You still think that way even now?" Kira said. "Maybe that was true in the past. But as the Pharaoh's vessel, even if he started as an ordinary mortal, to bear the Pharaoh's powerful soul and grow together through so many life-and-death trials—how can you say he's just a vessel?"
"A mortal is still a mortal. At best, a slightly better vessel," the Evil God retorted.
"Is that so?" Kira said. "Then let me show you the 'insignificant' capacity of a so-called vessel. My turn—draw!"
"I activate the Spell Card 'Card of Adversity'. If my opponent controls a Special Summoned monster and I control none, I draw two cards from my deck!"
He raised his duel disk.
At that moment, the Ishtar siblings suddenly noticed the top card of Kira's deck, still undrawn, was shining with golden light!
Marik's face changed slightly. "That card—could it be...?"
He exchanged a look with his sister. Without speaking, they both thought of the strange dream Kira had mentioned the night before—where he met Yugi Muto, and through his hand, obtained an unknown card.
"Draw!"
Kira drew.
Two cards arced through the air in a golden crescent, circling around Kira as he drew them. He didn't need to see them; he already knew what he'd drawn, and what card the dream had granted him.
Perhaps, after years of experience and growth as Duel King, this card was condensed from Yugi's thoughts and power—a card of extraordinary significance.
"Continuous Spell—
—Shining Sarcophagus!"
A sacred, dazzling gold radiance. Amid the glow, a tiny golden sarcophagus took form, floating weightlessly in midair. Endless light spilled from its seams, as if infinite miracles were sealed within.
Marik and Ishizu, who had witnessed that legendary ceremony, were stunned and cried out in unison.
The Gold Sarcophagus—they remembered it all too well.
It was a symbol of immense significance to both the Pharaoh and Yugi Muto. Yugi had spent eight years assembling the Millennium Puzzle inside the golden sarcophagus, summoning his greatest companion—the nameless Pharaoh's soul, lost for three thousand years.
And in the end, he used the Spell Card "Gold Sarcophagus" to seal "Monster Reborn", passing on the will that "the departed should rest" and bidding farewell to his most important friend.
Now, the "Shining Sarcophagus" that Kira revealed was a brand new series, born from the bond between Yugi and the Pharaoh!
…