"Heh ha..."
Despian Quaeritis's turn. It didn't draw a card. It directly raised the cards in its left hand, grinning eerily while revealing a Spell Card.
Spell Card, Branded Opening!
"This guy..." After several minutes had passed, Flame Sword finally appeared beside Hikaru, carefully guarding his side. Black Flame too raised his sword, cautiously scanning the surroundings.
The Gem Knight White Crystal positioned itself at the rear of the group, warily watching the bizarre things around them, prepared to deal with them.
"They don't look like they're on the same side," Black Flame said.
On Despian Quaeritis's side, there were also some grotesque monsters, looking as if different monsters had been assembled together tangram-style.
"Those are probably deranged spirits." Tierra glanced over briefly. "Hikaru, this dimension is off. That spirit across from us far exceeds the strength of an ordinary spirit, and these spirits around us probably aren't proper spirits either."
This dimension had a certain "resistance." Apart from Hikaru himself, who had teleported directly into this dimension, even Tierra coming here took a few seconds, completely unlike a normal dimension. Normally, a spirit's body could move instantly within cards. Although Tierra wasn't a spirit, her soul resided in a card, so she could use this property to follow Hikaru at all times. But now, she met severe resistance and couldn't appear immediately to protect Hikaru.
Likewise, the reason Flame Sword and the other two manifested at this point was that they had discovered they couldn't appear from their cards "on call" anymore. So they hurried to guard Hikaru's side, afraid something might go wrong.
Hikaru looked at those neither-human-nor-ghost spirits, at the faint red light on them, then at the more obvious red light on "Whom Do You Seek," and nodded slightly. "I'm afraid these guys were driven to collapse by the power of the red light."
Some of these monsters might have only suffered mental breakdowns, but some could clearly be seen fused with matter and metal. And some even appeared to be several spirits mixed together, limbs disobeying them, rolling about.
"In other words, the spirit my lord now faces should be the standout of this region," White Crystal summarized.
"Black Flame, doesn't this guy's appearance remind you a bit of how the captain looked when we two brothers first met him?" Flame Sword said to Black Flame.
Black Flame observed for a moment, then nodded slightly. "But... it looks more nimble and rational."
White Crystal agreed too.
Back then, the captain had certainly been infected by the power of the Shaddoll, but only its behavioral patterns had been influenced by the Fusion Army. Its dueling logic was basically still its own.
But this one before them...
It was hard to say whose thoughts they really were.
Perhaps countless voices were arguing inside this spirit's mind.
As they spoke, Despian Quaeritis had finished searching its cards and Special Summoned a clown-like character from its Deck onto the field.
Aluber the Jester of Despia. Level 4, DARK Attribute, Fairy-Type. DEF 0.
"What monster is that? Why was it Special Summoned?" Tierra asked, puzzled.
"Branded Opening's effect: discard one card. Then, add one Despia monster from the Deck to the hand, or Special Summon it in Defense Position." Hikaru responded, watching the opponent's cards.
But it wasn't over. Despian Quaeritis then raised its left hand, gesturing a "2." At the same time, a monster surfaced in its Graveyard, a green monster assembled from various interrogation tools.
"Despian Tragedy's effect, for when it's sent to the Graveyard or banished by an effect. It can add a Despia monster other than Despian Tragedy from the Deck to the hand." Hikaru carefully watched each monster's entrance, murmuring their effects to avoid missing anything. "Aluber the Jester of Despia's effect, activatable when it's Normal or Special Summoned. Add one Branded Spell/Trap Card from the Deck to the hand."
"A triple search?" White Crystal felt slightly surprised.
A crack split open in Despian Quaeritis's Deck. The crack became square grids, and from within poured a large amount of black energy, like filth from a dark abyss.
A dashing Spell Card depicting Aluber spreading its wings in flight appeared in its hand.
Branded in Red!
It still wasn't over.
It slapped a card directly onto its Duel Disk.
Field Spell Card, Despia, Theater of the Branded!
"Rumble rumble..."
At this moment, Hikaru noticed that not far from them, a grotesque tower was slowly collapsing, with quite a few rocks falling from it.
"So that's it!" Hikaru was suddenly startled.
He understood!
Although this was the Branded dimension, it was also not the Branded dimension. This was Despia, Theater of the Branded!
Only now did he finally recall what that message the Selfless Painting School had left, the one saying "even if the coordinates are the same, you might still end up somewhere else," actually meant.
So he thought further about the bizarre spirits around them.
Could it be that those spirits, those "spirits of several spirits merged into one," were actually spirits of two dimensions mixed together?
That this was actually a special dimension where two dimensions overlapped?
Regardless of Hikaru's thoughts, Despian Quaeritis had already begun its next round of plays.
It casually tossed out a card, and Aluber on the field slowly rose into the air. As black-purple lightning crashed down from that unrecognizable theater city, the "Ad Libitum of Despia" that Despian Quaeritis had searched fused with Aluber on the field.
Despia, Theater of the Branded's effect, activated during its Main Phase. Using monsters in its hand and on its field as material, it Fusion Summoned one Level 8 or higher Fusion Monster!
Under the holy radiance, the angel spread its bloody wings and transformed into a demon!
Before it appeared a smaller-sized copy of "itself"!
Despian Quaeritis. Level 8, LIGHT Attribute, Fiend-Type. ATK 2500.
It still wasn't over.
A large actor appeared beside Despian Quaeritis, extending eerie claws toward the Graveyard, slowly grabbing up a monster.
Despian Tragedy. Level 1, DARK Attribute, Fairy-Type. ATK 400.
"What effect is that?" Tierra didn't quite follow.
"When Ad Libitum is used as Fusion Material in the hand or on the field and sent to the Graveyard or banished, it can target a Despia monster other than Ad Libitum, or a Level 8 or higher Fusion Monster, among my Graveyard and banished monsters. It Special Summons that monster."
"This guy says nothing at all?" Flame Sword's expression turned somewhat gloomy, realizing the further danger here. "If my lord didn't recognize these Fusion-related cards, wouldn't any other duelist coming here not even know what the opponent had done?"
White Crystal felt a little awkward. It had been the same way back then.
Afterward, Despian Quaeritis gave another couple of sinister chuckles, Set a card, and placed a Continuous Spell Card "Branded Disciple" on the field. And just like that, it calmly ended its turn.
"It ended its turn just like that?" Tierra was a bit surprised.
Of course, Flame Sword and the others were puzzled too.
Just one monster with 2500 ATK, what was the big deal?
Hikaru's brow furrowed tightly as he slowly drew a card.
"Hee hee hee." After Hikaru finished drawing, Despian Quaeritis suddenly flipped a Set card again.
Quick-Play Spell Card, Branded in Red!
From the Graveyard, the Ad Libitum that had been sent there as Fusion Material last turn was recovered to its hand. Then the Despian Tragedy on the field and the Ad Libitum in its hand once again transformed into fresh light under Despia's dark lightning.
After recovering a Despia monster from the Graveyard, Branded in Red could banish monsters in the hand and on the field to fuse, Fusion Summoning one Level 8 or higher Fusion Monster!
"Aaah!!!"
A terrifying shriek erupted from Despian Quaeritis's mouth.
In that instant, its body produced "tremors," one moment a weapon-wielding demon, the next a winged dragon-demon, its body seemingly on the verge of collapse, letting out a heart-rending wail of pain.
A moment later, a new Fusion Monster appeared.
Masquerade the Blazing Dragon. Level 8, DARK Attribute, Fiend-Type. ATK 2500.
On the opponent's turn, it had completed a new round of Fusion.
Not only that.
With the Fusion's completion, the two monsters used as Fusion Material activated their effects again!
Despian Tragedy's effect searched one Despia monster. Ad Libitum's effect Special Summoned a Despia monster or Level 8+ Fusion Monster from the Graveyard or banishment!
Despian Quaeritis waved its large hand, and Aluber was Special Summoned from the Graveyard. At the same time, Despian Tragedy added "Despian Comedy" from the Deck to its hand.
Not only that.
With Aluber's Special Summon, Aluber's effect activated again!
Branded in Red!
The second copy!
Despian Quaeritis took this card into its hand with a cackling "kekekeke."
"Eh?" Several spirits watched dumbfounded.
"Back and forth, no resources wasted at all. In fact, it almost seems like it can loop?"
"Right. But that guy didn't search a second Ad Libitum, instead searching some other strange monster, so it seems it can't complete the loop."
Flame Sword and Black Flame discussed.
"Comedy is for defense." Hikaru watched this setup, thought for a moment, then said. "Despian Comedy's effect is... when the opponent activates a Spell, Trap, or monster effect that targets a face-up Despia card on my field, I discard this card to activate. That effect is negated."
"I see!" White Crystal understood. "Because it only Set that Fusion card, it searched a monster to support attack and defense?"
"This series looks pretty interesting." Tierra also offered her view.
Besides the monsters' appearances suiting her taste quite well, this series' tactics let her spot some brilliance too. "It seems like a versatile Fusion support series? Quite suitable for Hikaru."
"Yes, Lady Tierra is right." Captain White Crystal nodded along. "Fusion, recovery, reuse, re-fusion... It's completely my lord's tactics."
"Looks like you can get cards very well-suited to you this time, Hikaru." Tierra looked at Hikaru's hand and laughed. "Your hand's pretty good too. Go on, give it a couple of punches, let it know how formidable you are."
"If only it were that simple."
"?"
Everyone looked at Hikaru at once.
Just two monsters with 2500 ATK and one with 1800. What was so hard about that?
"Do those two monsters have some strange effects?"
Hikaru stroked his chin, muttering. "Despian Quaeritis can activate its effect during its own or the opponent's Main Phase. It changes the ATK of all monsters on the field, except Level 8 or higher Fusion Monsters, to 0."
"Oh? Another effect quite suited to you." Tierra nodded again after hearing it.
"And since my lord definitely uses Fusion Monsters, it doesn't seem to matter," Flame Sword said, his eyes lighting up too.
"So, my lord, do you mean that Masquerade dragon has some hard-to-counter effect?" Black Flame's expression changed.
Hikaru nodded.
"While Masquerade the Blazing Dragon is on the field, the opponent must pay 600 Life Points to activate a card's effect."
At first the others had little reaction. But then their expressions all changed drastically.
"Not effect damage, but payment?!" Flame Sword's mouth fell open. "Isn't that even stronger than Black-Winged Assault Dragon?!"
Black-Winged Assault Dragon dealt 700 damage to the opponent when they activated a monster effect. But as long as Hikaru didn't activate monster effects and prioritized fusing, he could fuse out D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc and use its effect to convert damage into Life Point recovery.
But Masquerade's effect was paying Life Points!
In other words, it couldn't even be prevented.
"600 per time, and Life Points start at just 4000 once used..." White Crystal calculated quickly under his breath. "In other words, my lord would have to settle the duel within six uses if he wants to use the cards in his hand?"
They looked at the cards in Hikaru's hand, did a quick calculation, and felt relieved.
It seemed doable. Not impossible.
"But... can't Comedy negate targeting effects?" Flame Sword offered a differing view. But then Black Flame smacked its head and shouted, "Masquerade isn't a Despia."
"It should protect the field and Spell cards... Even if Comedy can't protect Masquerade, that Branded Opening in the Graveyard also has an effect." Hikaru's expression was grave. "While that card is in the Graveyard, when a Fusion Monster on its field would be destroyed by an effect, it can banish this card as a substitute instead."
Thump.
The three spirits' hearts all sank at this.
So the way to quickly deal with Masquerade was gone too?
"One more thing. While the Field Spell Despia, Theater of the Branded is on the field, when a face-up Fairy monster other than a Fusion Monster leaves the field due to the opponent's effect or is destroyed by battle, it can also Special Summon one Level 8 or higher Fusion Monster from the Graveyard." Hikaru pointed at the slowly collapsing tower behind Despian Quaeritis.
"On top of that, Despian Quaeritis also has the effect of Special Summoning a Despia monster after leaving the field due to the opponent's effect. So with Masquerade on the field, clearing all the monsters at once with my hand is almost impossible."
"In other words, the only way to deal with Masquerade is through battle." Tierra furrowed her brow, looking at Hikaru's hand. "You're going to use this?"
Hikaru nodded.
"I activate the Spell Card: Fusion Destiny!"
As Hikaru activated it, countless eye-covered spikes stabbed in from all around, piercing through Hikaru's body. He drew a sharp breath at the pain.
Hikaru LP: 4000 → 3400.
"By this card's effect, I send Destiny HERO Fusion Materials from my Deck to the Graveyard and Fusion Summon one Destiny HERO Fusion Monster. After this card is activated, until the end of the turn, I can't Special Summon monsters that aren't DARK HERO monsters."
"I send Evil HERO Vicious Claws from my Deck and Destiny HERO - Drawhand from my Deck to the Graveyard for the Fusion Summon."
"Come. Ever-burning flame of Fusion."
"Level 8, Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer!"
At the crucial moment, in the crucial place, Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer came to help!
Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer. Level 8, DARK Attribute, Warrior-Type. ATK 2500.
"While Phoenix Enforcer is on the field, the opponent's monsters lose 200 ATK times the number of HEROes in my Graveyard. This effect doesn't need to be activated; it's a continuous effect."
The smile vanished from Despian Quaeritis's face, replaced by displeasure.
"Battle. Phoenix Enforcer attacks Masquerade!"
Phoenix Enforcer leapt high, its left hand spewing endless flames, shattering Masquerade.
Despian Quaeritis, LP: 4000 → 3600.
But then: "Hee hee hee..."
Despian Quaeritis swiftly raised a hand, and the Masquerade just destroyed by battle instantly returned to the field.
"What?"
"What is this now?"
"It's over, we destroyed it for nothing..."
"It's fine." Hikaru told his friends there was no need to worry too much. "This is Masquerade's effect."
When the opponent has any kind of Fusion, Xyz, Synchro, or Link monster on their field, it can Special Summon this card from the Graveyard during its own or the opponent's turn. This card Special Summoned by this effect is banished when it leaves the field.
"Since it's not a Fusion Summon, there's no pay-Life-Points effect."
That was good.
Everyone nodded slowly.
So the next question was...
How to fight this?
Even though Masquerade had been dealt with, that guy's resources hadn't decreased at all!