"Arcana Force XXI - The World!!!"
Saiou's face twisted with menacing laughter as he shouted. A massive shockwave exploded from his center, sweeping the entire arena with a milky white cyclone.
The white light floated in the midair like a mocking devil, and a giant machine descended from the skies. It hovered silently and majestically, overlooking life indifferently.
[Arcana Force XXI - The World, 3100]
Youyu's lips twitched upon hearing Saiou's shout of "Za Warudo", feeling a strange sense of deja vu...
"Hahahaha, this is the ultimate member of the Arcana Force, the World! It represents the ultimate fate, and even you cannot resist this power!"
Saiou then revealed another card from his hand: "I activate the Magic Card 'Owner's Seal'! The control of all monsters on the field returns to their original owners!"
"Oh?"
Watching both the Emperor and the Chariot break free and leap back to Saiou's side, Youyu suddenly understood why his luck, usually a perfect 20, had summoned the two Arcana Forces in upright positions.
Because these two monsters were destined to return to Saiou from the start...
"I gladly accept the upright effect of 'Arcana Force IV - The Emperor'." Saiou laughed, "The attack power of all 'Arcana Force' monsters on my field increases by 500!
Thus, 'Arcana Force XXI - The World' also receives this effect, increasing its attack power!"
[Arcana Force XXI - The World, Attack 3100 → Attack 3600]
At this moment, numerous members from the Light Society had already gathered, witnessing this duel.
"Lord Saiou is personally dueling!?"
"His opponent is...the First Duel King!"
"Such an invincible lineup right from the start, truly worthy of Lord Saiou! Even the Duel King is powerless!"
"That's right, Lord Saiou has said that in the torrents of fate, humans are but dust. The Duel King is no exception..."
A group of people dressed in white uniforms, clearly deeply brainwashed by Saiou, couldn't help but praise him.
"Battle!" Saiou waved his hand grandly, "Go! 'Arcana Force IV - The Emperor', first attack 'Chocolate Magician Girl'!"
The Emperor swung his arm, countless steel tentacles shot out from various directions aiming at the helpless magic girl!
"Chocolate Magician Girl's effect activates!" Youyu declared, "When Chocolate Magician Girl is chosen as an attack target, you can Special Summon a Spellcaster-Type from the graveyard!
Afterwards, the attack of the attacking monster is halved, and it is forced to attack that Spellcaster!"
Youyu's card discarded to the grave last turn resurfaced.
"I Special Summon 'Dark Magician Girl'!"
The black magic array opened, and a slender, alluring figure flew out, like a vibrant nightingale.
[Dark Magician Girl, Attack 2000]
[Arcana Force IV - The Emperor, Attack 1900 → Attack 950]
"Dark Magician Girl, counterattack!" Youyu waved his hand.
The girl swung her hand, the surging magic power shattered countless silver tentacles with ease. A blast of Black Magic struck the Emperor's body, instantly obliterating him.
[Saiou, LP 4000 → LP 2950]
The first battle turned unfavorable, yet Saiou remained composed, only laughing: "But by doing so, the magic girl's once-per-turn defensive ability has been used up.
The battle continues! 'Arcana Force VII - The Chariot', attack Chocolate Magician Girl!"
[Arcana Force VII - The Chariot, Attack 1700]
Due to the Emperor's departure, the boosted attack power of other Arcana Forces naturally reverted to normal.
The Chariot rumbled forward, its squirming tentacles' twin light cannons simultaneously aimed at the magic girl, the laser cannon blew the poor Chocolate Girl away, shattering into pieces in mid-air.
"Activate Trap! Continuous Trap 'Magicians' Defense'." Youyu declared, "As long as there's a Spellcaster-Type monster on the field, all battle damage to me is halved!"
[Youyu, LP 4000 → LP 3950]
"Weak defense! Useless, useless, useless!" Saiou laughed, "Arcana Force VII - The Chariot, upright effect! When a monster is destroyed in battle, Special Summon that monster to my field!
Become my servant, Chocolate Magician Girl!"
The recently departed girl returned dazedly, but this time, she was on the opponent's field.
[Chocolate Magician Girl, Attack 1600]
"It's not over! Next, 'Arcana Force XXI - The World' attacks!" Saiou dropped his palm, "Defeat Dark Magician Girl!"
[Arcana Force XXI - The World, Attack 3100]
The strongest Arcana Force, clearly hosting a fearsome power within. The annihilation rays obliterate everything; though Dark Magician Girl defended with all her might, her defensive array crumbled under the World's power, reluctantly leaving the field in an instant.
"The effect of 'Magicians' Defense'!" A shield before Youyu sustained its effect, "Battle damage is halved!"
[Youyu, LP 3950 → LP 3400]
"But now there's no magician left to guard you." Saiou shouted, "Go, Chocolate Magician Girl! Attack your master directly!!!"
The Chocolate Girl pouted miserably, looking as if she might cry, but under the Chariot's binding, she could only helplessly wield her magic staff.
The magic light bullet exploded, Youyu staggered back two steps in the waves of explosion, his body smoked black.
[Youyu, LP 3400 → LP 1800]
"Just as expected of Lord Saiou!" The crowd began to flatter again, "He completely rendered the Duel King powerless!"
"Haha, watch carefully, the best is yet to come."
Indeed, after the Battle Phase ended, Saiou gazed skyward laughing heartily, confident as if victory itself smiled upon him.
Ha, it seems fate is still on my side!
Though uncertain why Youyu's destiny remains elusive, it's unimportant now! Removing this obstacle is enough!
"My End Phase, the ultimate effect of 'Arcana Force XXI - The World' activates!"
Saiou's facial muscles twisted violently as he yelled.
"Za-Warudo (The World)!!!"
Time, stop!!!
In an instant, the duel arena seemed to warp. As the Duelist, Youyu felt the air stiffen, the sluice gate of time abruptly fell, severing the continuous stream of the temporal river.
It felt as if Youyu's turn had been frozen, or rather, extracted from this duel.
"Draw!"
Entering Saiou's Draw Phase.
Arcana Force XXI - The World still stood tall, but the Chocolate Girl and Chariot beside it had vanished.
"Indeed, your turn was skipped, now it's once again my turn!" Saiou laughed heartily, "This is the ability of 'The World', the most powerful, most unsolvable force!
Arcana Force XXI - The World, upright effect, End Phase, sacrifice two monsters on my field...
...directly skip the opponent's next turn!"