After dealing with Masquerade, Hikaru ended the Battle Phase and entered Main Phase 2.
Hikaru looked at his hand, then at the opponent's field.
Branded Disciple...
That card hadn't been placed there for nothing.
Although Hikaru used a Fusion-Monster-focused Fusion Deck, so Despian Quaeritis couldn't fully exert its ability to turn all his monsters' ATK to zero, sitting on the field it still posed a considerable threat.
Because as long as Branded Disciple was on the field, when the opponent activated a monster effect, if Hikaru controlled a Level 8 or higher Fiend Fusion Monster and that monster's ATK or DEF was 0, that activated effect could be negated.
It was an effect that seemed like nothing at first glance but became absurd upon closer inspection.
Even if a monster was Set, its information lost, as long as its ATK or DEF was 0, that effect could be negated.
Combined with Despian Quaeritis's effect of turning the ATK of all cards except Level 8 or higher Fusion Monsters to 0, it was essentially a monster-effect negation.
So this was Despian Quaeritis's final board.
ATK reduction, life burn, resource recovery, hand traps, monster-effect negation, combined with the Field's recovery ability. It was exceptionally troublesome.
Precisely because of this, even if Hikaru wanted to Normal Summon a monster to activate its effect, he had to consider the type.
Hikaru looked at his hand.
His hand was currently almost entirely combo pieces...
"I activate Phoenix Enforcer's effect, selecting one card on my field and one card on the field to destroy. This effect doesn't target. I destroy Phoenix Enforcer itself and the Field Spell on your field, Despia, Theater of the Branded."
A trace of displeasure showed on Despian Quaeritis's face.
The Field not only had a protective effect, but more importantly, it could perform one Fusion per turn, which was still very important to it.
Phoenix Enforcer slammed into the massive rock pillar behind Despian Quaeritis. With a rumble, the Field on Despian Quaeritis's side was destroyed accordingly.
"Phoenix Enforcer's effect: when this card is destroyed by battle or by effect, during the Standby Phase of the next turn, I Special Summon one Destiny HERO from the Graveyard."
Then he took out the cards in his hand and selected three. "I Set three cards. Turn end."
Despian Quaeritis gave a couple of cold snorts, then drew a card from its Deck.
"At this moment, Phoenix Enforcer's effect in the Graveyard, Special Summon!"
Hikaru could also activate Drawhand's effect to Special Summon Drawhand, but he chose not to.
Against a Deck like Branded, Special Summoning Drawhand to let both players draw was somewhat disadvantageous.
Besides, he had Set other cards that he needed to blow up.
For instance, among the cards Hikaru had Set was one "Metalfoes Fusion."
Despian Quaeritis didn't chain Branded in Red to the activation of Hikaru's card's effect. Or perhaps it didn't want to waste Branded in Red at this moment.
At this point in time, the card in Despian Quaeritis's hand was the searched Despian Comedy. It wasn't that Hikaru was unkind toward the card; he just meant that compared to Despian Tragedy's strength, Despian Comedy was a bit of a comedy.
If it had chosen Ad Libitum back then for sustainability rather than protection, it might have been harder to handle.
Its hand count was 5, one of which was Despian Comedy, one of which was Branded in Red...
Just as he was thinking this, Hikaru suddenly saw the opponent calmly Normal Summon a monster...
What kind of monster was it?
White hair with red highlights, dark skin, a short black cape.
It looked thin and frail, clutching its left eye, in unbearable pain, as if something terrible had pierced through its eye.
No way.
Despian Quaeritis discarded a card from its hand without hesitation.
Fallen of Albaz. Level 4, DARK Attribute, Dragon-Type. ATK 1800 → 1600.
"Hold on." Hikaru raised his hand. "I activate Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer's effect. Once per turn, destroy one card on my field and one card on the field!" Hikaru pointed at his own Metalfoes Fusion. "I destroy my Set card and your Fallen of Albaz!"
The spirits didn't know why Hikaru was in such a hurry, but they saw the Phoenix Enforcer on Hikaru's field already blazing with fierce flames. The flames became bullets in the air, flying toward the Albaz across from them. With a "crack," the monster shattered accordingly.
"What monster was that?" Tierra asked curiously.
"That monster is... Fallen of Albaz." Hikaru drew a sharp breath, never having imagined the very being he'd been searching for these past days would appear before him so easily.
"When Fallen of Albaz is Normal or Special Summoned, it can discard one card to activate its effect. Using monsters on its own or the opponent's field, including this card, as Fusion Material, it Fusion Summons one Fusion Monster. Of course... at that time, it can't use other monsters on its own field as Fusion Material."
"Huh?" Tierra was greatly startled.
"So strong. Isn't this comparable to my lord's Super Polymerization?"
"No, far from as powerful as Super Polymerization." Captain White Crystal shook his head. "It can be chained to, and it can't even use other monsters on its own field as Fusion Material... But as a forcing tool, it's already strong enough."
The spirits all nodded together.
If Hikaru didn't activate an effect, then Phoenix Enforcer would likely be fused away by Fallen of Albaz, which would be a major loss.
Seeing Hikaru use Phoenix Enforcer's effect, Despian Quaeritis laughed again with a sneer.
It leisurely revealed Branded in Red.
What was the discarded card?
Hikaru had been too tense earlier to look closely, but now he discovered with surprise...
It was the second copy!
Despian Tragedy!
The Ad Libitum in the Graveyard and Aluber and Despian Quaeritis on the field all began flickering with extremely unstable light.
With a tearing sound, these monsters were ripped apart like dolls. Then, behind Despian Quaeritis, an enormous platform slowly rose. Several dragons flew out from the platform, circling above it, as if they were the monsters atop the stage.
This was bad.
Hikaru's expression changed.
Dragon and dragon combined into an enormous stage. Countless dead souls and human corpses became the apparatus upon the stage. A demon whose form couldn't be discerned extended countless puppet strings, manipulating everything!
Despian Proskenion. Level 11, LIGHT Attribute, Fiend-Type. ATK 3200 → 2800.
"This monster looks so bizarre." Flame Sword couldn't help muttering.
"Stylistically it's like a mastermind manipulating everything from the shadows, much like the Shaddoll that Lady Tierra manipulates."
"Not at all alike. Shaddoll are puppets and marionettes; this monster is a stage play." Tierra gave a couple of cold snorts, uncharacteristically responding to the "three knights."
Despian Quaeritis extended its hand, and a monster flew out from the Deck.
Aluber the Jester of Despia.
"It's Aluber... that guy is still preparing for the next turn." Black Flame muttered a couple of times.
Aluber the Jester of Despia had the ability to search Branded Spell/Trap cards. After summoning its ace monster, instead of thinking about a quick victory, it was even considering the next turn. This spirit, though no longer quite normal, had probably once been a formidable figure too.
To think it had now become like this.
Then Despian Quaeritis extended the enormous claw of its left hand, pointing at Phoenix Enforcer on Hikaru's field.
From within the giant stage dragon, a head flew out and bit directly into Phoenix Enforcer.
Hikaru LP: 3400 → 3100.
"That's fine, only 300 Life Points." Flame Sword wasn't too tense.
But then...
"Aaah!!!" Countless spikes sprang up around Hikaru, eroding into his body like toxin, stabbing into him.
This pain wasn't as intense as the several Darkness Duels Hikaru had faced before, but the full-body, continuous, maddening effect, like ants crawling all over, made Hikaru groan despite himself.
Hikaru LP: 3100 → 600.
"Hss, that giant monster has an Inferno Wing-type effect?" Black Flame drew a sharp breath.
"This is bad. If Masquerade attacks directly, my lord's Life Points will hit zero!"
"I activate Vicious Claws's effect in the Graveyard, and Phoenix Enforcer's effect." Although he knew the latter might be useless now, Hikaru still activated the effects he was supposed to. "Vicious Claws's effect: when a monster on my field is destroyed by battle or by effect, I activate this. This card is Special Summoned from the Graveyard."
Regrettably, Hikaru had no monster mentioning Dark Fusion in its name in his Graveyard, otherwise he could have activated its "powerful" non-targeting destruction effect to destroy Despian Proskenion.
Evil HERO Vicious Claws. Level 7, DARK Attribute, Fiend-Type. DEF 2500.
Vicious Claws's DEF equaled Masquerade's ATK, so Masquerade couldn't continue attacking.
"Phoenix Enforcer's effect activates during the next turn's Standby Phase, Special Summoning one Destiny HERO monster from my Graveyard."
Seeing this, Flame Sword cried out excitedly again. "Haha, even though Phoenix Enforcer was destroyed, it's fine. Next turn, as long as my lord's Phoenix Enforcer returns to the field, everything will be alright!"
Perhaps it was responding to its thoughts.
Despian Quaeritis casually waved its Duel-Disk staff, pointing at Hikaru's Graveyard. From within the giant stage dragon, a dragon spat out countless threads, pulling toward Hikaru's Graveyard.
This was Despian Proskenion's effect!
"Tch... Despian Proskenion can activate during its own or the opponent's Main Phase, targeting one Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, or Link monster in the opponent's Graveyard. That monster is banished or Special Summoned to its own field."
"What?" By this point, the three spirits had no mind to ponder what that last string of words Hikaru recited meant. They had only one thought.
This was bad!
As everyone knows.
Phoenix Enforcer on one's own side was the most beautiful rebirth, a beautiful new star of Fusion Monsters.
But on the opponent's side...
That was a birth!
A wooden board materialized on Despian Quaeritis's field, and Phoenix Enforcer, like a puppet to be toyed with, was forcibly dragged onto its field.
The good news was, Despian Quaeritis's Graveyard had no HERO monsters, so Hikaru's side wouldn't suffer the ATK reduction.
But...
Despian Proskenion pointed at the Branded Disciple beside it, then at the Set card on Hikaru's field. Amid wild laughter, both cards were burned by pitch-black flames!
Hikaru was a bit speechless.
He'd thought he would never see Phoenix Enforcer on the opposing side again in this world. After all, Destiny HEROes were exclusive to Aster in this world, and he figured Aster probably wouldn't duel him again for the rest of his life, so he'd never get to face Phoenix Enforcer.
He never imagined he'd still suffer for it.
Because Phoenix Enforcer's effect was non-targeting destruction, Hikaru hadn't used the Set card. Or rather, it didn't matter.
As the Set card flipped up, a card was destroyed with a rumble, revealing its base color.
Quick-Play Spell Card, Instant Fusion!
Hikaru glanced at it without much concern.
Despian Quaeritis lightly flicked its left hand, and the Duel Disk on its hand transformed once more into that interlocking-fanged giant axe-staff.
Holding it in hand, it waved casually, twirling the weapon, seeming quite pleased.
A moment later, as if having played enough, it took the weapon, placed it against its own throat, and lightly slid it across.
"This bastard!" Flame Sword was livid, wanting to draw his sword and cut this spirit down, but since it was a duel, he forcibly endured to this degree. "How dare it insult my lord! Too insolent! Where does it get the courage?!"
"An arrogant spirit..." Black Flame's face was grim too.
"I'm afraid that in this guy's eyes, my lord has already lost." Captain White Crystal could more or less guess at a bit of Despian Quaeritis's thinking. "A demon with 3200 ATK and a Phoenix Enforcer with a once-per-turn card destruction, plus the Despian Comedy in hand... Resolving it all in one turn isn't such a simple matter!
And as long as next turn it summons Aluber, then searches a second Despia, Theater of the Branded, and fuses out a second Masquerade... my lord, with only 600 Life Points, won't be able to activate any card's effect!
By then, my lord will have no way to win at all."
White Crystal was shocked too.
The lord, who had just accomplished an unprecedented feat, on his very first exploration of the "red light dimension," was being pushed to this degree by the very first spirit he faced...
"What's the panic?" Tierra was a bit displeased. "It's just Phoenix Enforcer and only 600 Life Points, isn't it?"
Back then, Hikaru hadn't panicked even facing the Earthbound Immortals and Black-Winged Assault Dragon. What was a situation like this?
"My turn. Draw!"
Hikaru drew a card from his Deck, glanced at it, then raised an eyebrow slightly.
So this was the so-called choice of "Destiny."
"Quaeritis." Hikaru looked at the card drawn in his hand and spoke with considerable interest. "I don't know what kind of spirit you were before you went mad. But from your dueling, I can feel your understanding of Fusion. The me of a year ago would probably have been worse than you in Fusion looping alone.
But dueling progresses, and Fusion progresses too.
Quaeritis, I'm a duelist who pursues the ultimate Fusion. After this duel ends, if you can recover your sanity, then walk forward together with me."
"Phoenix Enforcer's effect: I Special Summon one Destiny HERO from my Graveyard.
Special Summon, Drawhand!"
Very rarely, Hikaru used Phoenix Enforcer's effect in a duel to Special Summon another card, and Drawhand at that.
"Next, Main Phase 1. Metalfoes Fusion's effect, draw one card. Flip Set card: Trap Card, Fusion Duplication! Banish Instant Fusion from my Graveyard, and apply its effect!"
"This card can send Fusion Materials decided by a Fusion Monster card from my field to the Graveyard, and Fusion Summon one Fusion Monster from the Extra Deck. I use the two DARK HERO monsters on my field as Fusion Material!"
"O great wings that pursue Fusion, now, swing everything, and embrace more Fusion!"
"Fusion Summon!"
Purple wings of light lit up behind Hikaru, scattering the monsters that tried to come over for a piece of the action.
"Level 8!"
"Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!"
"Aaah!!!!"
The Fusion Dragon roared as it appeared, only this time it didn't have as much fighting spirit as before.
It had faintly developed intelligence, and faintly sensed that this form of its might really just be meant for falling into traps. Fortunately, it had another ever-victorious form.
Starving Venom Fusion Dragon. Level 8, DARK Attribute, Dragon-Type. ATK 2800.
"Starving Venom Fusion Dragon's effect, activated when this card is Fusion Summoned. This card's ATK increases until the end of the turn by the ATK of one Special Summoned monster on the opponent's field. I raise it by Despian Proskenion's ATK."
Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, ATK: 2800 → 6000.
The axe-staff-wielding Despian Quaeritis lightly furrowed its brow, sensing a trace of pressure.
But with 6000 ATK, it actually wasn't a big deal.
After all, on its field stood the invincible Phoenix Enforcer!
"Starving Venom Fusion Dragon's effect, once per turn, targeting one Level 5 or higher monster on the opponent's field. Until the End Phase, this card gains the same name and effects as that monster's card!
The one I choose is... Phoenix Enforcer!"
Behind Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, purple wings of light spread, shining toward Phoenix Enforcer.
Seeing this, Despian Quaeritis raised the weapon in its hand, pointing at Phoenix Enforcer. Under the control of the puppet strings, Phoenix Enforcer's body twitched, then turned into fierce flames and slammed into the Fusion Dragon.
Phoenix Enforcer's effect!
The corners of Hikaru's mouth curled up.
Boom!
Phoenix Enforcer and the Fusion Dragon dissipated together.
Only, the figures of both monsters still existed on Hikaru's field.
"No matter how much you control them, it's meaningless, because they are my companions, my Fusion. I won't belabor Phoenix Enforcer's effect. The Fusion Dragon's effect:
When this Fusion Summoned card is destroyed, all Special Summoned monsters on the opponent's field are destroyed!"
The Fusion Dragon was already used to this scene. It spread its enormous purple wings of light and charged straight at the stage dragon.
"Tch..." Despian Quaeritis growled lowly under its breath, then swung its weapon, taking a card out of the Graveyard.
By banishing Branded Opening, it could substitute for the destruction of a Fusion Monster on the field!
Not only that, it also pointed the axe-staff at Hikaru's Graveyard. The Phoenix Enforcer that had finally escaped control was again forcibly dragged out by countless puppet strings, hauled onto its field.
"Urghhhh." Phoenix Enforcer roared in fury, but was still pulled back.
"Sorry, Phoenix Enforcer... I'll bring you back right away."
Hikaru gave it a bit of comfort.
"Next... it's time to use this." Hikaru looked at the Fusion Spell Card he'd drawn this turn.
"There really is a sense of destiny to it." Tierra nodded beside him. "Back then, facing Assault Dragon and the Earthbound Immortals, would you have imagined what's happening today?"
"I can't predict the future, so how could I know... But I won't forget the Earthbound Immortals' help."
"Normal Summon, Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper!"
Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper. Level 1, DARK Attribute, Fiend-Type. ATK 300.
Unlike last time, imprisoned in chains and shackles, Ground Keeper had completely shed its bonds, recovered its health, and become a dashing kobold.
"Ground Keeper's effect, activated when it's Normal or Special Summoned. I Special Summon one Level 5 or lower Earthbound monster other than Ground Keeper from my Deck or Graveyard. After this effect activates, until the end of the turn, I can't Special Summon monsters that aren't Fusion or Synchro Monsters from my Extra Deck."
In the lead-up to going to the Synchro Dimension, after hearing the Crimson Dragon's voice again, the Earthbound Immortals seemed to gradually rouse their fighting spirit too. While the "three knights" were analyzing the situation, they had already secretly slipped into Hikaru's Deck.
"From my Deck, I Special Summon Level 5, Stone Sweeper!"
"Woo~~" The little whale emerged from the ground. Free of its shackles, it looked extremely cheerful.
Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper. Level 5, DARK Attribute, Fiend-Type. ATK 1600.
Hikaru casually picked up a card and said with a smile, "With this, it's over!"
"Spell Card, Harmonic Synchro Fusion."
"This card can simultaneously Synchro and Fuse a Tuner monster and a non-Tuner monster on the field."
Hikaru raised his right hand and pointed forward. "Using the Level 1 Tuner monster Ground Keeper and the Level 5 Stone Sweeper, I tune."
At the same time, Hikaru raised his left hand, waving it like a pointer. "Using the Level 1 Ground Keeper and the Level 5 Stone Sweeper, I Fuse!"
"The Synchro conditions are: one DARK Tuner and one or more non-Tuner monsters."
"The Fusion conditions are: one Earthbound monster and one DARK monster."
"Synchro Summon!"
"Level 6, Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin!"
"Fusion Summon!"
"Level 6, Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlina!"
Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin. Level 6, DARK Attribute, Fiend-Type. ATK 2000. Synchro Monster.
Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlina. Level 6, DARK Attribute, Fiend-Type. ATK 2000. Fusion Monster.
The two monsters broke free of their bonds and flew wing to wing, looking rather affectionate.
"Heh?" Despian Quaeritis looked at the Synchro Monster and gave a light laugh.
"Looks like it still has some sense left." Hikaru surmised. "But don't worry, you'll soon get to see my Fusion."
"First, Geo Gremlin's effect. It can be activated during my own or the opponent's Main Phase, targeting one face-up monster on the opponent's field. The opponent chooses one of the following, and I apply that effect.
One: the targeted monster is destroyed. Two: I recover Life Points equal to the targeted monster's ATK."
"I choose Despian Proskenion."
Despian Quaeritis gave a low growl, casually discarding the Despian Comedy in its hand to negate Hikaru's effect.
But it itself was already a bit irritated.
The reason was simple. This monster's existence prevented it from summoning Aluber to fuse Masquerade, then sitting back to watch its opponent "struggle bitterly yet utterly unable to resist," and watch the ridiculous spectacle of the spirits struggling.
It hadn't expected its opponent to bring out a card like this.
Even if no Life Points were recovered this turn, next turn the opponent could use its effect to absorb its Life Points. There was no longer a way to burn with COST and drive its opponent into despair.
But then, it sneered again.
The reason was simple.
In the end, these were just two monsters with only 2000 ATK. They couldn't do anything to the monster on its field.
"Geo Gremlina's effect, which can be activated targeting one DARK Synchro Monster on my field. This turn, that monster can attack directly."
On Hikaru's field, there was only one DARK Synchro Monster, and that was Geo Gremlin!
"Geo Gremlin, direct attack."
Geo Gremlin leapt up from Hikaru's field, dodging the giant dragon and countless puppet strings rushing at it, charging straight up to Despian Quaeritis and giving it a smack.
Despian Quaeritis, LP: 3600 → 1600.
Despian Quaeritis's body swayed from the blow, a crack splitting directly open in its body, faint light seeping out from within.
Not enough yet, it seemed.
Hikaru judged inwardly.
"Heh..."
The Despian Quaeritis that rose again paid no mind to the pain on its body, mocking Hikaru in a low voice.
Talking about ultimate Fusion, yet up to now, the one that had dealt the most damage was actually a Synchro Monster.
"It seems just whittling down Life Points is useless... Then my apologies, don't blame me for being too heavy-handed!
I activate Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin's effect! It can be activated during my own or the opponent's Battle Phase. By banishing monsters from my hand, field, or Graveyard as Fusion Material, I Fusion Summon one Earthbound monster!
I use the Synchro Monster Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin and the Fusion Monster Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlina on my field as Fusion Material!"
"O great winged demon who, in resonance with the particles, holds to the eternal path—"
"Now, integrate two different powers and descend here!"
Across the entire dueling field, an enormous red geoglyph slowly began to be drawn, and a massive deity leisurely descended from within.
"Fusion Summon!"
"Level 10!"
"Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha!"
The crimson dog-demon flung out both arms and roared at the sky.
Compared to some of its lower-level kin, its energy level was too high, unsuitable for disguising as a Frightfur, so it had few chances to come out for air. Now, able to appear in its true body directly, it was quite excited.
"3... 000..." Despian Quaeritis held up its weapon, raising its hand with a grin, barely managing to spit out a few words from its mouth.
"Its ATK is lower than your Despian Proskenion, but..."
"Battle! Geo Grasha attacks Despian Proskenion. I activate its divine power: at the start of the Damage Step when this card battles a monster, that monster's ATK and DEF become 0!"
!!!
Despian Quaeritis paled in shock, even a part of its body bursting its threads apart!
Straight to zero!
It was the same effect as its own!
But more direct!
Geo Grasha slowly beat its wings, flying up to the geoglyph in the sky, observing the wretched scenery around it. It took a deep breath, then opened its mouth and spewed a terrifying torrent...
Whoosh...
A red-black pillar of light pierced through the entire dueling field from Hikaru's side. The stage Proskenion dragon was instantly cut in two. Then Despian Quaeritis's body was also pierced straight through by this immense power.
Its body began splitting open from the middle, then burst apart with a "boom," shattering into pieces, exploding and scattering, flying everywhere!
Despian Quaeritis, LP: 1600 → 0.
The three knights breathed a sigh of relief.
Although it had been a bit dangerous, the lord had completed the Fusion. But to force the lord to use the power of the Earthbound, this spirit was indeed already very strong.
Hikaru looked up, only to see those bizarre spirits pounce on the "shattered" Despian Quaeritis like sharks that had smelled blood.
"Flame Sword, Black Flame, Captain!"
The three spirits immediately responded, rushing in from different directions to collect the "Despian Quaeritis."
Then, as more spirits closed in, Tierra extended her hand and summoned several Infernoid machines, using hellfire to seal off the area, letting Hikaru and the spirits gather their things and evacuate quickly.
Shattered into pieces...
Hikaru looked at the Despian Quaeritis broken into several differently-shaped spirits and fell into deep thought.
...
STONES 💎
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