No Entry!
It was as if prison bars had been raised on both sides of the field, isolating each monster behind iron bars. The pitch-black evil hero and the twin-headed demon dragon were forced into crouching, defensive stances by the trap.
"With both monsters in Defense Position, the Terror Incarnate can't attack, and there's no battle damage—so there's no damage to reflect back to me," Jaden explained.
Yubel gritted her teeth. "Just how far are you going to reject my love, Jaden?"
"You're wrong, Yubel. This isn't love at all," Jaden said, his expression dimming. "It was my fault. I was young. I thought sending you into space would let you receive the right influence and become better... But no matter what, I shouldn't have abandoned you, for any reason. I shouldn't have forgotten you.
You must have suffered a lot over the years, right?"
Yubel was momentarily taken aback. For a split second, she saw the image of the king she once knew in the young man before her, her heart wavering.
Jaden continued, "Wanting to protect, but lacking the power; gaining strength, but becoming hated... Now I finally understand.
But compared to all that, what's even more painful is gaining the power to protect—only to lose what you want to protect."
Yubel: "!"
His words were calm, but carried the weight of a thousand tons, piercing through the dark fog and striking her deepest core—some soft part she herself didn't know still existed.
Even her eyes, usually so dark, cleared for a brief moment.
But only for a few seconds.
"No," Yubel shook her head, her expression twisting, "All the pain of these ten years, this journey through darkness, is exactly the love you gave me, Jaden! And I'll share this unforgettable love with you!"
She drew a card and set it in her back row.
"Set one card face-down."
She raised her arm, and golden light shot out from the graveyard. The light landed and transformed into green leaves, blooming into a brilliant lotus flower before their very eyes.
"During my end phase, I activate the effect of 'Samsara Lotus' in my graveyard," Yubel declared. "If it's in the graveyard at the end of the turn, I can special summon it in Attack Position!
Come, Samsara Lotus!"
[Samsara Lotus, ATK 0]
"And also during the end phase, I activate the effect of 'Yubel - Terror Incarnate!'" Yubel continued. "At my own end phase, destroy all other monsters I control!"
The two dragon heads of the Terror Incarnate howled in unison, sonic waves blasting from their mouths. Transparent shockwaves swept across the field, and the little lotus was blown into pieces midair.
"Then, for each of my monsters destroyed this way, destroy an equal number of your monsters!" Yubel grinned. "Supreme King's power, huh?
Disappear! All Jaden needs is me!
Sacrifice!"
The destroyed Samsara Lotus became ammunition, transforming into a golden blast that struck Malicious Bane square in the chest. An explosion followed, fire and smoke engulfing the towering demon.
But as the flames faded, they dissipated on the demon's armor. The lingering fire licked the surface, but not even a scratch was left. The demon's face was unmoved, as if it hadn't even felt the attack.
Yubel's face changed. "NANI?"
The Supreme King snorted. "Such paltry tricks—how could they affect my Malicious Bane?
Evil HERO Malicious Bane cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects while on the field."
Yubel: "Tch, troublesome Supreme King... Fine, my turn ends."
Jaden let out a breath of relief. "Whew, we survived another turn of attacks. You really are something, Supreme King. I can see why you're so strong."
The Supreme King: "..."
He was silent for a moment.
Watching Jaden, then Yubel, even the Supreme King's eternally cold golden eyes seemed to waver a little.
Some memories from long ago—so distant they didn't feel like his own—came flooding back.
He saw his former self.
A young general, clad in heavy black armor, his cape billowing. The setting sun cast its light over a battlefield littered with corpses, and behind the lonely soldier, his only support was the demon guardian, Yubel.
Jaden was right. They were always one.
That was Jaden's memory, and his as well.
Yes, there was a time when he too had irreplaceable, trusted friends.
When did the word "bond" become a joke and a burden to him?
"...Jaden Yuki."
The Supreme King suddenly spoke.
Jaden: "What?"
The Supreme King: "I tried to defeat you before, to absorb everything about you, so that I could become whole. Only then could I unleash the ultimate darkness and obtain 'that card's' power."
Jaden blinked. "'That card'?"
"Yes, 'that card.'" The Supreme King's voice was cold. "'That card' is the supreme symbol of my power, of the Supreme King's strength—absolute power."
He looked at Yubel. "Right now, she's entwined with something powerful. Even if we win, it may not be easy to separate those things from Yubel."
Jaden frowned. "So what do we do?"
The Supreme King paused. "We'll have to use 'that card.' 'That card' has absolute power—irresistible. If we use it, we should be able to do it."
Jaden said, "But I don't have something like that."
"I told you, I tried to absorb everything about you to get that card. When we become one again, become whole, we'll have a chance to awaken its power."
The Supreme King spoke calmly.
"Do you want to save Yubel?"
"Of course," Jaden replied firmly.
"No matter the cost."
"Without hesitation," Jaden said.
"Good," said the Supreme King. "Prove it—to me, and to her.
If you truly have that resolve, you should be able to do it. Awaken the card that symbolizes our highest power, and use it to save Yubel."
"Our supreme power..."
Jaden looked at his right hand, then at his deck.
The Supreme King fell silent, quietly watching.
Jaden gently placed his hand on his deck and closed his eyes.
Yes, he had already decided—no matter what, he would save Yubel, no matter the cost.
It was a promise from their past life, to always walk together.
He suddenly opened his eyes, the golden light in them even brighter than before, blazing like a furious lion.
"My turn—draw!"
…
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