The strongest Evil God returns once more, this time appearing directly against the head of the Egyptian Gods. It swiftly transformed into the same posture as the Winged Dragon, with a pitch-black body and crimson eyes, breathing flames from its mouth, though the corners of its mouth were seeping with deep, dark flames.
[The Wicked Avatar, Attack Power 3801]
"The Ultimate Evil God has returned, huh?" Yugi said. "What a persistent entity."
Bakura paused awkwardly, glanced down at his hand, and snorted.
"It's about time."
He said, his gaze sharpened, raising his head and releasing a long, high-pitched roar... but it didn't sound like his voice, or rather, it didn't even sound like a voice a human could make.
The sonorous voice seemed ancient, transcending time and space, coming from the far side of an unknown realm.
Then the Thief King's body vanished.
His physical form appeared as if torn apart from within, darkness swelling like a bursting balloon. The swirling darkness shredded the human husk like a meat grinder, rapidly expanding and growing larger, extending steel-blade-like white claws and sharp teeth. Demon horns pierced from the top of its head, and a massive, pitch-black foot left deep pits on the ground.
The demon stood between the ancient Royal Capital, beneath dark clouds, making even the Egyptian God and the Evil God appear insignificant before it.
He merged with Sok's shadow, transforming into a physical entity!
"Hahaha! Finally! After so long, with so many setups, I have obtained this body once again!"
The Great Evil God Sock laughed heartily, his voice echoing like a great bell.
The oppressing despair from the Netherworld Evil God seemed to assault alongside the rolling black clouds, even Yugi felt the heavy pressure.
Fortunately, they still had the Winged Dragon on their side. Though its momentum compared to the opposing dark side had already lost terribly, its presence at least shared some of the pressure for the two masters.
He couldn't help but be surprised, "This is your... but the Millennium Item..."
"Ah, yes, I have yet to collect the Millennium Item, so for now, I can only temporarily gain this body in this Dark Duel."
Sok's voice was muddled and deep, completely different from Bakura's earlier voice.
"But soon. The moment you fall, I will be free from this Dark Duel's restraint, bringing endless darkness to this world!"
The Great Evil God Sock pointed forward with his thick finger.
"First, let's eliminate the irritating Egyptian God starting with you!
Go, The Wicked Avatar! Crush the Winged Dragon!"
The black Winged Dragon opened its mouth, a colossal black sphere of energy formed behind it, countless lightning bolts leaping and flashing.
Electric currents surged with black flames, the scene resembling a volcano from the depths of Hell spewing black flames high into the sky, with black lightning hissing like a myriad of writhing small snakes.
The Winged Dragon roared defiantly, its golden body scorching hot. Unfortunately, in terms of attack power, it was no match. The realm of the Egyptian God shattered into fragments, the golden firebird plummeting with a prolonged lament, like a falling Shooting Star.
[Yugi x Youyu, LP 1698 → LP 1697]
The Egyptian military and civilians near the Royal Capital were momentarily stunned again.
Unlike the previous two deities, the Winged Dragon held an irreplaceably exalted status in these ancient people's hearts. For them, the Winged Dragon was akin to the sun itself, the foundation of their continued life and the world's sustenance.
And now the sun had fallen.
Next, it should be this world's turn.
"Soon, as long as both of you are defeated, my true form will awaken, and the world will be devoured by darkness!" The Evil God's voice boomed like thunder, "Everything will end!"
As he spoke, the Great Evil God swung his hefty arm, adding two more stone slabs to the battlefield.
Indeed, even in such an immense form, he had to continue the card game patiently.
But despite its world-destroying capability, without the Millennium Item, it remained bound by this Dark Duel, unable to act until a winner was determined.
The Wicked Avatar withdrew back to the graveyard, seemingly indicating the end of this turn.
Yet this didn't stop him from delivering verbal provocations.
"It's about time to give up."
Sok's voice was cold — it sounded as if it came simultaneously from surrounding speakers, making it hard to discern whether it was from the upper head or the lower one.
"Not... yet."
Yugi struggled to take a step forward — an ordinary person facing such a massive Evil God probably couldn't even speak.
"Hmph, as long as there's a card in the deck there's hope? I've heard that enough." Sok said coldly, "Foolish Pharaoh... and so are you."
His scarlet gaze intentionally swept past Youyu.
"My power is infinite, and the source that grants me eternal, indestructible strength is the foolish mankind itself!"
"What?" Yugi raised an eyebrow.
"To perceive one's existence in darkness, one must rely on darkness. Seeing one's shadow, eternally wandering in slaughter due to the unclear meaning of darkness, all these are human instincts.
For this reason, that's why I am forever invincible!"
Though speaking so boldly, in fact, as he mentioned "forever invincible," Sock inadvertently glanced at Youyu.
Because in the depths of the mighty Great Evil God, there lingered a bit of uncertainty...
Sadly, he couldn't read any reaction from the latter's expression, leaving him puzzled as to what was actually happening.
"And you? You are the one who needs repentance the most, Pharaoh." The Great Evil God continued to deceive, "Your very existence signifies darkness. The thing created by your father, the power you possess, the meaning you represent, and this kingdom beneath your feet are all exemplary proofs!
There is no corner darker than the land you rule, and for this reason, I have come to this land, heralding the world's destruction.
The real culprit behind all of this is actually you, foolish Pharaoh!"
Even though Yugi knew Sock was deliberately attacking his weakness, trying to force them to reveal their own flaws, the words still pierced his soul like arrows, one after another.
Yes, why did the Great Evil God not appear elsewhere, but here? In Egypt?
Precisely during his era as Pharaoh, at this place?
The birth of Millennium Items, the nation's prosperity and greatness, were they really bought with sin?
And his father – the memory of him slowly awakening, the strict yet warmest embrace in the world from his father – was he really a sinner who summoned deep darkness?
Seemingly sensing Yugi's inner turmoil, Sock was greatly delighted, eagerly striking while the iron was hot. But just as he opened his mouth intending to proceed, a voice suddenly interjected from the side: "Shut up."
Sock flew into a rage.
Who dares to speak to me, the Great Evil God, like this!?
Turning his head, he saw it was Youyu. Furious, the Great Evil God opened his mouth, but somehow he didn't utter a word, silently closing it again.
My Great Evil God always says what he means, so when he said shut up, he shut up.
Unexpectedly, he appeared somewhat obedient...
"Perhaps what Sock says is true." Youyu tilted his head toward Yugi, saying, "Maybe you are indeed a dark Pharaoh, and perhaps the Millennium Pendant hanging around your neck contains the power of sin.
But so what?
Hmm... citing President Haima's words, are you standing here for the insignificant past just to duel?"
Yugi was momentarily taken aback: "Youyu..."
"Youyu is right." Yugi echoed from the side, "Before we came here, didn't we already agree? My other self?
No matter if your past was good or bad, a wise ruler or a tyrant, it doesn't matter anymore. Our meeting, everything we've gone through in the present, those will never change!"
"AIBO..."
A wave of emotion rose in Yugi's heart; he gently closed his eyes and grasped the chain of the Millennium Pendant hanging on his chest, resolute in his decision.
Yes, those past things... they don't matter anymore.
The current him has already seized the future!
"My turn, draw!" Yugi glanced at the card he drew, immediately making a choice to activate, "Magic Card - Spider Silk! Retrieve the card sent to the graveyard last turn into the hand.
The card I choose is 'Book of Magic'!
Then activate the Magic Card 'Book of Magic'! Both players draw three cards from the deck."
The Magic Card brought permission for new draws. As Yugi's fingers touched the deck, even before drawing a card, his gaze slightly flickered.
He could feel it.
Within that card underneath... he could sense the stirring of "power" from Youyu!
This was the power of their bonds!
"Draw!"
Three cards in hand, Yugi quickly scanned with the corner of his eye.
Indeed!
It was the card Youyu had handed to him before the duel!