The dark knight, clad in magnificent armor, stepped forward slowly, holding a golden trident, and the black-gold cloak fluttered like a banner on the battlefield.
[Soldier Gaia The Fierce Knight, ATK 2600]
"You can summon during the opponent's turn?"
Kisara was surprised for a moment but quickly regained composure.
But even so, it only reverted the situation to before and couldn't change her absolutely advantageous position. Moreover, Gaia Warrior's attack power is only 2600. As long as her dragons on the field initiate a total attack...
"Soldier Gaia The Fierce Knight's subsequent effect," Youyu said, "When this card is Special Summoned successfully, it forcibly changes an attack position monster on the field to defense position."
"Ah." Kisara looked at her two dragons on the field, "'Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon' cannot be targeted by card effects..."
"I know." Youyu nodded, "So I forcefully change 'Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon' to defense position."
Gaia Warrior let out a low roar, raising the trident in his hand. Red light erupted from beneath the Twin Burst Dragon, a powerful invisible constraint forcing it into a crouching defensive posture.
[Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon, ATK 3000 → DEF 2500]
"...Then battle phase."
The only remaining monster she could attack with was Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon.
This level, Youyu could still withstand.
"Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon, attack Soldier Gaia The Fierce Knight!"
The steel wings spread open, with the tips deforming and protruding. The glimmering blue light flowed within the reaction lights, and the gigantic dragon flew up, gathering boundless energy in its mouth, its brilliance dazzling.
Chaos shock, ultimate destruction. Gaia Warrior struggled to defend, but even a knight with countless battle experience seemed too insignificant before that power.
His cloak was shattered, armor fragmented, the broken spear and metal pieces seemingly washed away by the tide, disappearing into the chaos.
[Youyu, LP 4000 → LP 2600]
Youyu coolly accepted the virtual impact, merely raising one arm lightly to shield himself, then lifted his hand, "Open Set Card, Trap - Time Machine.
Activate when a monster is destroyed by battle, to revive that monster in the same form."
The space flickered for a moment, and a black metal machine appeared on the field. The time and space within the area briefly flowed backward, and the just shattered Soldier Gaia The Fierce Knight returned to the field surrounded by golden light.
[Soldier Gaia The Fierce Knight, ATK 2600]
"Those three set cards... Turn end."
Kisara felt a bit frustrated.
She had already exerted her full effort, deploying all means possible, but all her attacks were effortlessly neutralized by the opponent.
"Is this person really that formidable?" the girl muttered softly.
No wonder Seto liked to challenge him for duels...
"My turn."
Youyu drew a card, his gaze quickly sweeping over the card before resting on Kisara.
"Then, if you're ready, I shall proceed."
Kisara swallowed.
"I Normal Summon 'Artillery Catapult Turtle' from my hand."
The military-green turtle appeared on Youyu's field following the summon, lying on the ground, with a sturdy deep green shell carrying a black steel catapult track.
[Artillery Catapult Turtle, ATK 1000]
"'Artillery Catapult Turtle', effect activate!" Youyu declared, "Once per turn, you can Tribute any monster on your field to Special Summon a 'Gaia The Fierce Knight' monster, or a level 5 Dragon-Type monster, from your hand or deck.
I Tribute 'Artillery Catapult Turtle' itself to Special Summon from the deck—
——Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight!"
The sound of galloping hooves, as if traversing and shuttling through light and shadow from the horizon's edge galloped forth. The invincible "Gaia" was in a new suit again, the dual spiral blades held in its hands turning black, and the steed beneath equally blackened, with a black horn atop its head.
[Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight, ATK 2300]
The previous turn "Spiral Fusion" placed back on top of the deck via "Phoenix Wing Wind Blast" was now back in hand, so naturally, Youyu chose to play it directly.
"Magic Card 'Spiral Fusion' activate! Send Fusion Material Monsters from your hand or field to the graveyard to Fusion Summon the corresponding Dragon-Type Fusion Monster!"
Youyu revealed another card from his hand.
"I fuse 'Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight' with the 'Curse of Dragon' from my hand!
The fusion condition is, a 'Gaia The Fierce Knight' monster plus any Dragon-Type monster, Fusion Summon!
Descending again! Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion——!!!"
Another fusion! The power of the dark knight and cursed dragon unified, the golden body of the cursed dragon was incinerated and the dark knight mounted it, dual guns wrapped in flames!
As widely known, spiral ascension mana is boundless. The Spirally Fused Dragon Champion, naturally their strength multiplied!
[Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion, ATK 2600 → ATK 5200]
"'Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion', power increased by 2600 from Spiral Fusion, and can attack twice per turn..." Youyu paused, "Though I assume you already know that?"
Already aware of Youyu still holding onto 'Spiral Fusion', Kisara had accordingly prepared: "Flip Cover Card! Trap - Floodgate Trap Hole!
When your opponent summons a monster, that monster is turned face-down defense position and its position cannot be changed voluntarily!"
Poor "Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion" made a second grand entrance, yet again unable to get any chance at action, forced into a face-down set card, immobile...
"Oh, the defensive means are quite comprehensive. Then activate Magic Card 'Card of Demise', draw cards until the hand is filled to five. All cards in hand are discarded during the fifth turn's preparation phase."
After replenishing hand cards, Youyu swiftly waved his hand
"Then the final effect of 'Soldier Gaia The Fierce Knight' on the field activate! Tribute this card to add any level 7 or higher Warrior-Type Monster from the deck to the hand, except itself."
Gaia Warrior's spiral dual guns intricately danced, his form dispersing into countless pale blue light points. Those light curtains seemed to outline a pathway, a card "click" ejecting from Youyu's deck.
"I add the level 8 Warrior-Type Monster, 'Black Luster Soldier' to my hand from the deck!"
The dark knight receives the bright light's baptism, then transforms from light back to darkness. Soldier Gaia The Fierce Knight through various temperings, mastering the chaotic power to open heavens, reincarnates as the legendary supreme swordsman to return.
"Then the effect of 'Super Soldier Soul' in my graveyard activate." Youyu's duel disc had a card popping out of the graveyard, "Banish the existing 'Super Soldier Soul' in the graveyard from the game to add one 'Beginning Knight' or 'Evening Twilight Knight' from the deck to the hand."
"Eh?" Kisara expressed doubt, "When did that card..."
"In the very beginning, oh." Youyu smiled, "Right when I summoned 'Keeper of Dragon Magic' and activated its effect."
Keeper of Dragon Magic, when summoned can discard a card to add a Normal Magic Card — "Fusion" from the deck to the hand.
"Ah! At that time..."
"So with this effect of 'Super Soldier Soul', I add 'Beginning Knight' from the deck to my hand."
Youyu then promptly revealed another card from his hand.
"Ritual Magic - Black Luster Ritual! Tribute monsters with levels totaling over eight to Ritual Summon 'Black Luster Soldier' in the hand!"
Youyu paused, as another card popped out from the duel disc graveyard.
"At this moment, I activate the effect of the 'Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight' just sent to the graveyard as fusion material!
During Ritual Summoning of 'Black Luster Soldier', this card in the graveyard can be banished from the game, serving as the necessary ritual material substitute!"
The ritual altar appeared, silver-white dual swords intersected, sparks burst forth, the flickering flames distorted the street's space.
"Level 4, Beginning Knight; Level 7, Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight, two monsters as the ritual tribute!"
Youyu drew the card in his hand, simulantaneously witnessing the souls of two monsters fly out together, rushing into the sacred ritual altar.
"One soul guides the light, another soul guides the darkness, opening the gate of chaos here! Ritual Summon!
Black Luster Soldier——descend!!!"