Silent Burst!
Though it was the same move, its effect was completely different now. The strike glowed with golden light—Silent Magician's spirit, having evolved with the Sarcophagus' blessing.
Kira mused: perhaps Yugi entrusted him with the Shining Sarcophagus not just because he was caught up in the Evil God incident, but because of their unseen connection.
Kira happened to possess the Silent Magician spirit—one of Yugi's favorite aces. Even the famous scene at the end of the Ceremonial Battle was Silent Magician delivering the final blow after the Sarcophagus sealed "Monster Reborn", causing Slifer to fail to revive.
And not only Silent Magician—Kira often used many of Yugi's old cards, his choices and playing style echoing Yugi's. Perhaps Yugi felt a kindred spirit and entrusted him with the card.
The Evil God's form wavered, black mist spilling from the body he possessed as if it were leaking air.
Kira knew: the enemy had lost. The Evil God could no longer possess the puppet; the fragment projected into this shell was about to be banished.
Still, even in defeat, you had to have some parting words.
"Those damn Duel Kings. Both just petty humans, yet you dare to thwart me time and again..."
The Evil God glared. The puppet's face remained blank, but his eyes were sharper than ever.
"Fine. Fine! If that's how it is, then come at me. I'll... be waiting for you here..."
His voice grew faint, as if even the last spark of life in the puppet was flickering out. The murderous intent in his eyes faded, leaving only emptiness, as if his soul vanished completely.
Kira pondered—those last words revealed a lot. Clearly, this wasn't the first time Yugi had ruined their plans. And "waiting here" suggested that he expected Kira and the others to meet him at the location of the seal next.
After witnessing the whole duel, Marik and Ishizu felt complicated emotions. They didn't need to speak; both thought of the final scene of the Ceremonial Battle.
Looking at the now twelve-star, valiant Silent Magician Zero, her white robe and back seemed to overlap with the figure who delivered the final blow for Yugi, closing the curtain on a legend.
"Shining Sarcophagus, and Silent Magician... so that's how it is," Marik murmured.
"Even after reaching such heights, Mr. Yugi never stopped moving forward..."
Everyone outside thought Yugi had retired, never touched cards again, his skills a shadow of the past. But that was all nonsense.
"Of course," Ishizu replied, looking at the shining Sarcophagus and the fluttering white robes. "He promised the Pharaoh—to always move boldly toward the future."
Truthfully, what Kira had shown today was only a glimpse of the Shining Sarcophagus, using just Silent Magician and two support spells. In fact, the Sarcophagus could integrate Yugi's entire deck: Silent Magician, Silent Swordsman, Marshmallon, Gandora, and more.
This deck was the true ultimate compilation of Yugi's dueling career—full of his emotions and resolve, with infinite potential.
Now, with the Evil God defeated, Marik stepped forward. "The Evil God wanted your spirit to help his followers find the seal's location and break it. But if it's found by an enemy first, they'll have to fight while sealed—bad news for the Evil God."
"Then I'd better pay a visit quickly," Kira grinned. "So, when do we depart?"
…
In Another Dimension
The Evil God slowly opened his blood-red eyes, darkness swirling within, full of killing intent.
"Your back?"
A shadow shifted nearby, its bulky form like a mountain in the darkness. It was the Dreadroot, the Evil God's second brother.
The Dreadroot grinned. "Back so soon? Guess that human wasn't so tough after all. Didn't last a few turns, right?"
The Wicked Avatar looked his way in silence. The younger brother laughed for a bit, then felt the killing intent, fell silent, and glanced over in confusion.
The Avatar snorted heavily.
"Spare his life for now," he said. "When he comes here, remember—he's mine. None of you interfere."
Dreadroot froze, then realized in shock—wait, did big brother lose in just a few turns?
He shuddered at the thought. He'd thought, with the Pharaoh and Divine Beasts gone, no one in this world could threaten them. Even in a puppet, his brother was the strongest—should've been an easy win. But even big brother suffered a setback?
Human duelists are this strong now?
But since big brother said so, he dared not question further—especially knowing he'd just said something to touch a nerve.
After a brief silence, the Wicked Avatar frowned. "Where's that useless one?"
Dreadroot knew he meant their most useless little brother. He looked around. "No idea. He said some followers found someone useful—a rare spirit, supposedly very powerful, but currently weak. He decided to check it out himself."
"A spirit?" the Avatar muttered. "It's just a spirit. What use could it be?"
"Not sure, I didn't pay attention. But I heard it's from another domain, with some special power..."
"Special power?"