Upon seeing Tenjo Hikari use the effect of Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer, Despian Quaeritis chuckled once more.
He leisurely revealed Branded in Red.
What card was discarded?
Tenjo Hikari had been too tense to look closely, but now he was startled to find out—
It was the second card!
Tragedy!
The Fierce Tragedy in the graveyard, Aluber on the field, and Despian Quaeritis all began to flicker with extremely unstable light.
Accompanied by a tearing sound, these monsters were ripped apart like dolls, and then, behind Despian Quaeritis, a massive platform slowly rose, with several dragons flying out from it, hovering above as if they were Monster Spirits on the platform.
Damn.
Tenjo Hikari's expression changed.
The dragons combined to form an enormous stage, a countless number of lost souls and human corpses turned into apparatuses on the stage, and an indistinguishable form of an Archfiend extended numerous Puppet Strings, controlling everything!
Despian Proskenion, LV 11, Light Attribute, Fiend-Type, Attack Power 3200→2800.
"This monster looks so bizarre," Flame Sword couldn't help but mutter.
"In style, it seems like the mastermind controlling everything, much like the Shaddoll controlled by Lord Tierra."
"Not at all like that, the Shaddoll are dolls and puppets, but this monster is a stage play." Tierra snorted twice, surprisingly responding to the "Three Knights."
Despian Quaeritis extended a hand, and a monster flew out from the deck.
Aluber the Jester of Despia.
"It's Aluber... that guy is still preparing for the next turn," Black Flame muttered twice.
The guiding Aluber has the capability to search Befallen Magic Trap. After Summoning the Ace Monster, instead of aiming for quick victory, it considers the upcoming turn. This Spirit, though a bit unusual now, was probably a hero once.
Didn't expect it to end up like this.
Next, Despian Quaeritis extended the massive claw of his left hand, pointing at Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer on Tenjo Hikari's field.
From within the enormous stage dragon, a head flew out, directly biting into Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer.
Tenjo LP: 3400→3100.
"Thankfully, it's only 300 Life Points," Flame Swordsman wasn't too tense.
But then—
"Ah!!!" Countless spikes emerged around Tenjo Hikari, like poison, they corroded Tenjo Hikari's body, piercing him.
This pain wasn't as intense as those previous Darkness Duels Tenjo Hikari had faced, but its whole-body, continuous effect, like ants crawling over him, made Tenjo Hikari unable to resist moaning.
Tenjo LP: 3100→600.
"Hiss—That giant monster has Flame Wingman-type effect?" Black Flame drew in a sharp breath.
"Damn, if the Guided Dragon attacks directly, then the master's Life Points will hit zero—"
"Activate the effect of Evil Hero Vicious Claws in the graveyard, and the effect of Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer," even though he knew the latter might be useless, Tenjo Hikari still activated the effects he should, "The effect of Vicious Claws, when a monster on your field is destroyed by battle or effect, activate it. This card is Special Summoned from the Graveyard."
Unfortunately, there was no Fusion Monster in Tenjo Hikari's graveyard with a Dark Fusion card name, otherwise he could have triggered its "powerful" non-targeting destruction effect to destroy the Proskenion.
Evil Hero Vicious Claws, LV 7, Dark Attribute, Fiend-Type, DEF 2500.
The DEF of Vicious Claws is the same as the ATK of the Guided Dragon, so the Guided Dragon cannot continue attacking.
"The effect of Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer, during the next turn's preparation phase, Special Summon a Destiny Hero Monster from my Graveyard."
Upon seeing this, Flame Sword excitedly shouted, "Haha, even though Phoenix Enforcer was destroyed, it's okay. Next turn, as long as the master's Phoenix Enforcer returns to the field, everything will be alright!"
Whether it was in response to his thoughts or not.
Despian Quaeritis casually wielded his Duel Disk Staff, pointing to Tenjo Hikari's graveyard, and from within the massive stage dragon, a dragon spewed numerous threads, pulling towards Tenjo Hikari's graveyard.
This is the effect of the Proskenion!
"Tsk... Proskenion can activate during your or your opponent's main phase, targeting one Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, or Link Monster in the opponent's graveyard. That Monster is either banished or Special Summoned onto your field."
"What?" At this moment, the three Spirits no longer had the mind to think about what the final string of words Tenjo Hikari had just recited meant, they only had one thought.
It's bad news!
As everyone knows.
If Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer is on your side, it's the most beautiful rebirth, a stunning new Fusion Monster star.
But on the opponent's side…
That's imminent destruction!
A board floated up on Despian Quaeritis's field, and Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer was pulled to his side as if it were a puppet, dragged forcefully onto his field.
The good news is that there are no Hero Monsters in Despian Quaeritis's graveyard, so Tenjo Hikari's side won't lose any ATK.
But…
The Proskenion pointed to the Branded Disciple beside it, then to the Set Card on Tenjo Hikari's field. In a fit of laughter, both cards were burned by dark flames!
Tenjo Hikari was a bit speechless.
He had thought he would never see Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer on the opposing side again in this world—after all, in this world, Destiny Heroes belong exclusively to Ed, and he figured he'd never duel Ed again in his life, so he'd never have to face Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer again.
Unexpectedly, he's still suffering.
Since Phoenix Enforcer's effect is a non-targeting destruction, Tenjo Hikari didn't use the Set Card—or rather, it didn't really matter.