"Why..."
DD fell to the ground in a classic Conan pose, the card deck from the Duel Disc scattered magically with his defeat—as if losing and scattering the deck was some kind of curse.
"I already summoned Blood Demon D." He muttered to himself, "I even... sold my soul, why can't I win!?"
"Am I not the strongest even like this?"
"Am I... agh!"
His expression twisted suddenly, and he cried out in pain.
The card of Blood Demon D fell to the ground, but from its base leaked a majestic white light. The light writhed grimly in the air, transforming into a monstrous form, wielding razor-sharp claws, dragon-headed weapon components in hand, wings of bone gradually unfurled behind it, resembling Blood Demon D's visage.
It roared wildly, furiously, as if carrying hatred for the world and an insatiable hunger to devour everything.
Ed looked at the Blood Demon D he'd pursued all his life, at that terrifying demon, the cursed form, and felt a fear... and a sorrow rise in his heart for no reason.
"This is my father's life's work, his final card left behind." Ed murmured, "Is it such a monster..."
"No, Ed."
Yugen's voice rang out. Ed turned his puzzled gaze towards him.
He saw Yugen walk to his side and lightly pat his shoulder.
"That's not the card your father left behind; it's just a usurper, a monster that stole his power. But don't worry, it's just an outwardly fierce paper tiger."
The Light of Destruction materialized Blood Demon D and roared furiously, lifting the dragon head in its hand, a mist of blood transformed into a flying dragon head, roaring as it flew at Yugen.
Yet Yugen reacted with no emotion, not even blinking as he calmly watched.
Sword light flashed.
The Chaos Warrior's sword was unsheathed. The Chaos Sword Qi seemed to roar, shattering the blood-colored dragon head into pieces. Moreover, it did not lose momentum, slicing through to Blood Demon D's base.
Blood Demon D roared, but still couldn't stop its body from being cleaved in two by the sword light. The ruptured body quickly disintegrated, reverting to the form of white light. That light briefly formed a hideous giant face, like a reluctant demon shouting hoarsely, then vanished completely.
With the white light dissipated, DD's eyes lost their shine, as if his soul had been extracted, fixed with a vacant stare, toppled lifelessly to the ground.
"Is it... over?"
Ed was still a little dazed.
But the power of the sword just now, he truly felt it. Indeed, he seemed to have never seen such a powerful Elf Power... no, not just the extraordinary power of elves alone. Even in the duel, the Chaos Warrior demonstrated extraordinary power.
Like the First Generation Duel King's ace "Black Mage," it appeared as an ordinary Mortal Bone, but the associated magic, traps, and the endless new identities and forms represented the monster's potential.
And the Chaos Warrior, at least in Ed's view, this duel showed it had reached the pinnacle level of the Duel Monsters Realm.
Is this the power of the Duel King's ace?
Ed just lost focus for a moment, but soon collected his thoughts. Because he had no time to dwell on them just now.
At this point, Yugen went forward and picked up the fallen Blood Demon D card.
Ed's heart tightened.
During the duel just now, he clearly saw his father's soul sealed within Blood Demon D.
Was it an illusion?
But his father seemed to speak with him clearly and revealed information about the Light of Destruction. If it was an illusion, it would appear far too real.
So now that evil power had been severed by the Chaos Warrior, what happened to his father?
Is he dead?
Actually, Ed knew in his heart that his father had died many years ago. The spirit left within Blood Demon D was unable to find peace, but even so...
Now, Yugen approached him.
Yugen extended his hand, offering Ed the card.
Ed was stunned.
"I think this belongs to you." Yugen said, "Your father's most important card, along with your father's... soul? I think it would count."
Ed blinked a couple of times.
For a moment, his pupils slowly contracted, and his eyes widened involuntarily.
"You... you mean he's still...?"
Yugen curiously said, "Didn't you just see and talk with him? Of course, his soul remains within this card. Although bound, we have the world's top laboratory and support from the full resources of the Kaiba Group and the International Fantasy Association. Both scientific and extraordinary power support are available.
I think it's possible to release Mr. Phoenix from the curse of this card."
Ed's eyes widened.
Ten years ago, from the moment his father died, his time had stagnated, stagnated in darkness. These years seeking the truth and revenge were his greatest goals, but even that ultimate goal was in darkness.
This might be the first time in ten years, he's seen hope.
But this hope was so beautiful, so dreamy, that he hardly dared to believe it. It felt like a dreamlike bubble, fearing if he approached and lightly touched it, it would shatter.
Can he really believe?
Could he actually... see his father again outside the realm of dreams?
"Of course, I'm not sure of the difficulty, just think there's a possibility, worth striving to attempt."
Yugen paused, glanced at DD lying on the ground, life and death unknown.
"Furthermore, I think this guy just used a fraction of Blood Demon D's power, and the card holds greater secrets and potential. Many aspects worth exploring and uncovering. These are the most precious legacies your father left for the world, worthy of our cherishing and development."
Upon hearing this, Ed's expression turned a bit somber.
"My father's most precious... legacy?"
"What's wrong?"
"No, nothing. Just..."
Ed hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
"It's just, the birth of this card not only took my father's life but also consistently brought curses and calamities since then. Countless people have been harmed by it..."
"That's the Light of Destruction."
Yugen interrupted him.
"The card's spirit is innocent or should be seen as a victim too. Do you really want to attribute the actions of a crazy cosmic force on your father's legacy, his culminating efforts?
Or henceforth, use this card to do rightful deeds, to prove it's not the card that's wrong, but the evil people with ulterior motives?"
Ed's eyes shone, his heart surging with great emotion.
"Now, in my laboratory, there's such an opportunity, and there's a shortage of a key person. So the question now is..."
Yugen once again handed Blood Demon D's card to Ed.
"Will you join me?"
Ed took a deep breath.
He knew he had already made his decision.