The first thing Ren noticed after leaving the underground arena was that his hands were shaking.
He had been trying to hide it for the past ten minutes.
Unfortunately, Lazar had noticed.
So had Marcus.
Neither had said anything.
Ren appreciated that more than he wanted to admit.
The three of them walked through the deserted streets, leaving the noise of the underground arena behind them. The afternoon sun shone between the abandoned buildings, illuminating the dust floating in the air. Somewhere in the distance, a loose sign creaked against a metal frame.
Ren kept one hand close to his neck.
The collar was gone, but he could still feel it.
Every time he remembered the shocks, his shoulders tensed instinctively. His body had begun to associate the slightest sound with another burst of electricity.
He hated that.
He hated even more that the spectators had cheered.
Lazar glanced at him.
"You doing okay?"
Ren gave him a tired look.
"Do I look okay?"
"Honestly? I've seen worse."
"That's reassuring."
"I try."
Marcus walked ahead of them, his hands behind his head.
"You should be proud of yourself, though."
Ren frowned.
"Of what?"
"Winning."
"I nearly collapsed."
"And then you got back up."
Marcus turned around and walked backward for a few steps.
"That's what matters."
Ren looked away.
"Easy for you to say."
Marcus's smile faded slightly.
"Yeah. I suppose it is."
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Lazar broke the silence.
"Besides, you made Big Bobo look ridiculous."
Marcus immediately brightened.
"Especially when his giant robot got eaten by acid."
"Destroyed by acid," Ren corrected.
"Same thing."
"It's really not."
"Tell that to the robot."
Ren let out a quiet laugh.
It wasn't much, but it was the first time since the duel that he had genuinely laughed.
Lazar noticed.
He didn't comment on it.
Instead, he looked toward the next street.
An abandoned shopping arcade stood at the corner. Most of its windows had been smashed, and the entrance was partially blocked by overturned shelves. Someone had painted a crude warning across the wall.
NO FREE FOOD. NO FREE RIDES. NO FREE LIVES.
Marcus stopped.
"Charming."
Lazar studied the entrance.
"Could be supplies inside."
"Could be rats inside."
"Rats don't usually steal canned food."
"You haven't met the rats I've met."
Ren approached the doorway, looking through the broken glass.
"There might still be something left. People usually search the supermarkets first."
"Then let's see what everyone else missed," Lazar said.
They entered.
The arcade had once been a small commercial complex, with a convenience store on one side, a clothing shop on the other, and several smaller businesses connecting the two. Most of the merchandise was gone. Shelves had been emptied, display cases broken, and the cash registers lay scattered across the floor.
Nevertheless, someone had made an effort to organize the remaining supplies.
Canned food had been stacked into neat piles behind a counter. Bottled water occupied several plastic crates. Someone had even arranged batteries, bandages, and other useful items according to type.
It looked less like an abandoned shopping center and more like a makeshift trading post.
Marcus whistled.
"Well, that's interesting."
Lazar nodded.
"Someone's been maintaining this place."
Ren looked around nervously.
"Then we should be careful. If someone's using it, we shouldn't just take things."
"Agreed," Lazar said.
He had barely finished speaking when a voice came from the far side of the room.
"Then perhaps you should ask before touching anything."
The three turned.
A teenage girl stood beside the counter.
At first glance, she appeared to be around sixteen. Her dark hair fell neatly past her shoulders, framing a pale face with delicate features. She wore a fitted black jacket over a white blouse, a dark skirt, and knee-high boots. A red ribbon rested at her collar, and a Duel Disk was strapped securely to her left arm.
Her appearance was strikingly composed for someone living in a world that had fallen apart.
She looked as though she had stepped out of a fashion magazine and wandered into the apocalypse by mistake.
Her eyes moved across the three boys.
Then she smiled.
"Now, would one of you care to explain why you're trespassing?"
Marcus blinked.
Lazar raised an eyebrow.
Ren immediately took a step back.
"We weren't stealing anything," Lazar explained. "We were looking for supplies."
"And naturally, the best way to do that is to enter someone's store without permission?"
"When you put it like that, it sounds bad."
"Perhaps that's because it is bad."
Marcus grinned.
"She's got you there."
Lazar glanced at him.
"Whose side are you on?"
"Whichever side is winning the argument."
The girl covered her mouth, suppressing a laugh.
"You three are certainly entertaining."
Her gaze lingered on Ren for a moment. She noticed the faint marks around his neck, the stiffness in his movements, and the way he kept looking toward the entrance.
Her smile softened.
"You were at the arena, weren't you?"
Ren stiffened.
"How do you know?"
"Your friend has the expression of someone who has recently survived something unpleasant, and the two of you look ready to punch the next person who mentions it."
She tilted her head.
"Besides, I heard the crowd from here."
Marcus's expression darkened.
"Then you know what they were doing to him."
"I know enough."
The girl looked toward the door.
"Unfortunately, people around here have learned that cruelty becomes considerably more profitable when you charge admission."
Lazar studied her.
"You don't seem particularly surprised."
"Should I be?"
"No. But most people don't talk about it so casually."
"Most people are afraid of what happens if they talk about it at all."
For the first time, the girl sounded genuinely serious.
Then she straightened and offered a small, elegant bow.
"Satsuki. It's a pleasure."
Marcus returned the gesture with a grin.
"Marcus."
"Lazar."
"Ren."
Satsuki nodded to each of them.
"Now that we've been properly introduced, may I ask what brings you to my little corner of the world?"
"We were looking for supplies," Lazar repeated.
Satsuki glanced toward the crates.
"Then you're in luck. I'm willing to trade."
"With what?" Marcus asked.
"Duel Points, naturally. Unless you intend to pay me in charming smiles."
Marcus placed a hand over his chest.
"I happen to have several."
"How unfortunate. I'm fully stocked."
Lazar snorted.
Marcus stared at him.
"Don't encourage her."
"I didn't say anything."
"You laughed."
"An involuntary response."
Satsuki watched the exchange with obvious amusement.
Then a loud voice interrupted them.
"Oi! Satsuki!"
The smile disappeared from his face.
A boy entered through the opposite doorway, followed by two others. He looked around seventeen, with short, untidy hair and a worn leather jacket. A Duel Disk was strapped to his arm, and the expression on his face suggested that he had never encountered a problem he couldn't solve by shouting at it.
His eyes immediately settled on the supplies.
"Good. You've got everything ready."
Satsuki folded his arms.
"Good afternoon to you too, Darius."
"Cut the attitude. The Kings want their share."
"They received their share three days ago."
"And now they want another."
"How astonishing. A group that collects everything has somehow discovered that everything can be collected twice."
Darius's face tightened.
"Careful."
"I'm always careful."
He stepped toward the counter and began inspecting the crates.
"Water, batteries, medicine. You really have been doing well for yourself."
"People trade with me. I trade with them. It's a surprisingly effective arrangement."
"Not anymore."
Darius gestured to his companions.
"Take half."
One of the boys moved toward the supplies.
Satsuki stepped into his path.
"No."
The boy stopped.
Darius stared at him.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
"Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"
"Unfortunately."
He laughed, but there was no humor in it.
"The Kings have been very patient with you. You've been allowed to operate here because we've tolerated it. You think that makes this place yours?"
"No. I think the fact that I gathered these supplies, negotiated with the people who own them, and distributed them to the people who need them gives me a considerably better claim than a teenager who turns up and announces that everything belongs to his friends."
Marcus muttered, "I like her."
Lazar nodded.
"Yeah. He's got a point."
Darius turned toward them.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Visitors," Lazar answered.
"Then stay out of it."
Marcus leaned against a nearby shelf.
"That's a funny thing to say after you walked into someone else's shop and started taking things."
Darius's gaze moved over Marcus's Duel Disk.
Recognition flickered across his face.
"Wait. You're Marcus."
Marcus's smile thinned.
"Depends who's asking."
"I've heard about you. You beat one of our collectors."
"Jimmothy Junior the III?"
Darius grimaced.
"Unfortunately, yes."
Marcus looked delighted.
"Fantastic. My reputation is spreading."
"Don't get excited. It just means we know who you are."
"That's usually how reputations work."
Darius ignored him and looked back at Satsuki.
"You see? You're making this difficult for yourself. If you cooperate, nobody has to get hurt."
Satsuki regarded him for a long moment.
Then he smiled again.
"Would you like to settle this with a duel?"
Darius blinked.
Marcus straightened.
Lazar watched Satsuki carefully.
The boy didn't look frightened. If anything, he appeared almost bored.
Darius laughed.
"You want to duel me?"
"Unless you're afraid."
His expression hardened.
"Of you?"
"It's a simple question."
He looked Satsuki up and down, his eyes lingering on his carefully arranged hair and immaculate clothing.
Then he laughed again.
"Fine. I'll play along."
He activated his Duel Disk.
"But when I win, I'm taking everything in this store. And you can explain to The Kings why you thought you were important enough to challenge us."
Satsuki extended his arm.
"And when I win?"
Darius scoffed.
"You won't."
"That's not an answer."
He hesitated.
Satsuki smiled sweetly.
"Surely a representative of The Kings isn't afraid to make a wager."
Marcus crossed his arms.
"He's got you there."
Darius glared at him before turning back to Satsuki.
"Fine. If you win, my men leave the supplies alone. We'll report that this place has already paid its dues."
"And you'll leave the people trading here alone?"
"For the next thirty days."
Satsuki considered the offer.
"Acceptable."
Darius grinned.
"Then prepare to lose."
He stepped onto the open floor.
Satsuki followed.
Lazar watched them take their positions, a growing sense of unease settling in his stomach.
Darius wasn't merely collecting supplies.
He had been trying to provoke Satsuki into accepting a wager that would let him justify taking everything if he lost.
And Satsuki had accepted anyway.
Either he was reckless, or he knew something they didn't.
Marcus seemed to be thinking along similar lines.
"Hey," he whispered to Lazar. "Do you think we should stop this?"
Lazar glanced at Satsuki.
"No."
Marcus looked surprised.
"Why not?"
"Because he knows what he's doing."
"You're sure?"
"Not even slightly."
Marcus grinned.
"Good. I was worried you were getting sensible."
Across the field, Satsuki adjusted his Duel Disk. His fingers moved over its controls with practiced ease.
Darius rolled his shoulders and looked toward the gathered spectators.
"Everyone watch closely. This won't take long."
Satsuki sighed.
"Do you always announce your victories before earning them?"
"Only when they're guaranteed."
"How exhausting it must be to live with such confidence."
Darius pointed at him.
"Keep talking."
"Gladly."
Satsuki slid his Deck into his Duel Disk.
For a moment, his expression changed. The playful smile remained, but his eyes sharpened. Beneath the elegant clothes and teasing remarks was a duelist who had made a decision and had no intention of backing down.
He glanced toward the supplies.
Toward the people who depended on them.
Then toward Darius.
"Let's get one thing straight," Satsuki said. "You aren't taking anything from this place."
Darius activated his Duel Disk.
"Then you'll have to stop me."
Satsuki smiled.
"With pleasure."
The two Duel Disks unfolded with a metallic snap.
Holographic projectors illuminated the abandoned shopping arcade, casting pale light over the broken tiles and empty shelves.
Marcus stepped back beside Lazar.
Ren watched in silence.
Satsuki drew his opening hand.
Darius did the same.
The air between them seemed to tighten.
"DUEL!"
Turn 1 — Satsuki
Satsuki drew his opening hand.
He examined his cards briefly before selecting one and placing it onto his Duel Disk.
"I'll start by setting a monster in Defense Position."
A card appeared face-down on his side of the field.
He then placed another card into his Spell and Trap Zone.
"And one more face-down. I'll end my turn."
Satsuki folded his arms, looking across the field at Darius.
"Try not to embarrass yourself."
Darius's expression twitched.
"Keep talking. You'll regret it."
Turn 2 — Darius
Darius drew a card.
"Let's see how long that confidence lasts."
He placed a Spell Card onto his Duel Disk.
"I activate Cost Down!"
A pulse of energy spread across his hand.
"To activate this card, I discard one card. Then, for the rest of this turn, the Levels of all monsters in my hand are reduced by two!"
He discarded a card to the Graveyard.
Satsuki watched without changing his expression.
"Reducing Levels? Planning to bring out something nasty?"
Darius grinned.
"You'll find out soon enough."
He selected a monster from his hand and placed it onto his Duel Disk.
"Now I Normal Summon Mefist the Infernal General!"
Dark energy erupted across the battlefield.
A demonic warrior emerged, its imposing armor decorated with jagged spikes. Its sinister face twisted into a grin as it raised its weapon toward Satsuki.
Mefist the Infernal General — 1800 ATK
Darius pointed at Satsuki's face-down monster.
"Let's start clearing your field. Mefist, attack that face-down monster!"
The Infernal General charged forward.
Its weapon struck the face-down card, shattering the concealment surrounding it.
The monster was revealed.
Alligator's Sword — 1200 DEF
Mefist's attack tore through the reptilian warrior, destroying it in a burst of light.
But that wasn't the end of the attack.
Darius's grin widened.
"Mefist the Infernal General has a special ability! When it destroys a Defense Position monster by battle, you take piercing battle damage equal to the difference between its ATK and your monster's DEF!"
Satsuki's eyes narrowed.
"That's inconvenient."
"Very!"
The damage registered.
1800 ATK − 1200 DEF = 600 damage.
Satsuki LP: 4000 → 3400
Satsuki's body jerked as the impact passed through the duel system. He steadied himself, refusing to give Darius the satisfaction of seeing him stumble.
Darius laughed.
"And that's not all! When Mefist inflicts battle damage to you, you discard one random card from your hand!"
Satsuki looked down at his remaining cards.
One of them was pulled from his hand by the Duel Disk's automated effect.
The card slid into the Graveyard.
Darius spread his arms triumphantly.
"Two advantages from one attack! I destroy your monster, damage your Life Points, and weaken your hand!"
Satsuki glanced at his empty monster zone.
Then he looked back at Mefist.
"You've certainly practiced that speech."
Darius's smile faded.
"What?"
"The speech. You sounded like you were waiting all morning to say it."
A few spectators snickered.
Darius clenched his teeth.
"Laugh all you want. You're still losing."
He ended his turn with Mefist standing proudly on his field.
Satsuki's expression remained composed, but his eyes were now fixed on the Infernal General.
That monster was more troublesome than its ATK suggested. Leaving a weak monster in Defense Position would only invite another piercing attack, and allowing Mefist to connect repeatedly would steadily drain both his Life Points and his hand.
He needed to remove it.
And preferably before Darius could make another speech.
Turn 3 — Satsuki
Satsuki drew his next card.
He glanced at his hand before looking across the field at Darius. Mefist the Infernal General stood at 1800 ATK, its demonic grin making it clear that Darius was quite pleased with himself.
"Something funny?" Darius asked.
"Actually, yes."
Satsuki selected a monster from his hand and placed it onto his Duel Disk.
"I Normal Summon Armored Lizard!"
A large reptilian warrior appeared on Satsuki's side of the field, its armored scales glinting beneath the lights.
Armored Lizard — 1500 ATK
Darius smirked.
"Another monster that can't beat Mefist. Are you planning to summon an entire zoo?"
Satsuki ignored him.
"I'm not finished yet."
He reached for another card and raised it above his Duel Disk.
"I activate the Spell Card Star Blaster!"
The field darkened as a field of stars appeared overhead. A glowing six-sided die materialized above the battlefield, slowly rotating in the air.
Darius frowned.
"What does that do?"
"Star Blaster requires me to Tribute a monster I control. Then I roll a six-sided die. If there's a monster in my hand whose Level equals the Tributed monster's Level plus the result of the roll, I can Summon that monster."
Satsuki held up Armored Lizard's card.
"Sorry, buddy. Looks like your time here is up."
He raised his hand.
"I Tribute Armored Lizard!"
The reptilian warrior dissolved into particles of light, its energy streaming toward the glowing die.
The die began spinning faster.
One rotation.
Two.
Three.
Finally, it stopped.
The result: 3.
Satsuki's smile widened.
"Three. Perfect."
Darius stared at the result.
"What are you talking about?"
Satsuki held up the card in his hand.
"Armored Lizard was Level 4. Add the result of the die, and we get Level 7!"
He thrust the card forward.
"And I happen to have a monster of exactly that Level!"
The stars overhead blazed crimson.
"Come forth! Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"
A deafening roar shook the abandoned shopping arcade.
Flames erupted across Satsuki's side of the field as a massive black dragon emerged from the inferno. Its crimson eyes glowed like burning coals, and its enormous wings spread wide enough to cast a shadow over the battlefield.
The dragon threw back its head and roared, unleashing a torrent of crimson fire into the sky.
Red-Eyes Black Dragon — 2400 ATK
The spectators erupted into excited murmurs.
Marcus stared at the dragon.
"Okay. I wasn't expecting that."
Lazar grinned.
"Neither was Darius."
Across the field, Darius's expression had changed completely.
"Red-Eyes Black Dragon?"
Satsuki brushed a strand of hair away from his face.
"Recognize him?"
"Of course I recognize him!"
Darius pointed at the dragon.
"That's a powerful monster!"
"I'm glad we agree."
Satsuki extended his arm toward Darius's field.
"Now, Red-Eyes! Attack Mefist the Infernal General!"
The dragon's eyes blazed.
It spread its wings and launched itself forward, its body surrounded by swirling crimson flames.
Darius's eyes widened.
"Mefist, defend yourself!"
The Infernal General raised its weapon, but the dragon was already upon it.
"Inferno Fire Blast!"
Red-Eyes unleashed a devastating torrent of crimson fire.
Mefist was engulfed in flames, its demonic armor cracking apart before the monster disintegrated into light.
Red-Eyes Black Dragon: 2400 ATK
Mefist the Infernal General: 1800 ATK
The difference was 600 ATK.
Darius's Duel Disk registered the battle damage.
Darius LP: 4000 → 3400
The impact forced Darius to stagger backward.
For a moment, Satsuki simply watched him recover.
Then he smiled.
"What's wrong? You seemed awfully confident a moment ago."
Darius gritted his teeth.
"You got lucky with that die!"
Satsuki tilted his head.
"Perhaps."
He gestured toward Red-Eyes.
"But luck doesn't summon a dragon by itself. You still need the right card in your hand."
Darius said nothing.
Satsuki placed another card face-down in his Spell and Trap Zone.
"I end my turn."
Red-Eyes Black Dragon remained on the field, its crimson eyes fixed on Darius.
The duel had changed dramatically.
Darius had started with the advantage, destroying Satsuki's first monster and forcing him to discard a card. But Star Blaster had turned Satsuki's Tribute into an opportunity, bringing out a Level 7 monster that had overwhelmed Mefist in a single attack.
Marcus folded his arms, grinning.
"Now that's more like it."
Lazar nodded.
"Darius wanted to take everything from this place. He might want to start worrying about what he's going to lose instead."
Across the field, Darius drew a slow breath.
His eyes remained fixed on Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
He had underestimated Satsuki because of his appearance.
Now he was beginning to understand that the mistake might cost him the entire duel.
Turn 4 — Darius
Darius drew his next card.
For a moment, he stared at Red-Eyes Black Dragon, its crimson eyes glowing as it towered over the battlefield.
Then he smirked.
"Enjoy your little victory while it lasts, Satsuki."
Satsuki rested a hand against his cheek.
"Is that supposed to frighten me?"
"No. This is."
Darius selected a monster from his hand and slammed it onto his Duel Disk.
"I Normal Summon Infernal Dragon!"
A fierce dragon emerged in a burst of dark flames. Its body was covered in jagged scales, and smoke curled from its open jaws as it spread its wings.
Infernal Dragon — 2000 ATK
Darius pointed toward Red-Eyes.
"You thought your dragon made you special? Mine is just the beginning!"
He placed another card face-down in his Spell and Trap Zone.
Then he pulled a Spell Card from his hand.
"But now, let's bring out something truly terrifying!"
"I activate Infernal Punisher!"
The Spell Card glowed with a sinister red light. A ring of fire formed around Infernal Dragon, slowly tightening as Darius raised his arm.
"This card lets me Tribute my Infernal Dragon to Special Summon a FIRE monster with a Level of 6 or higher directly from my Deck!"
Satsuki's eyes narrowed.
Darius grinned.
"Of course, if the monster I summon isn't a Fiend, its effects are negated. But I don't need to worry about that!"
He thrust his hand forward.
"I Tribute Infernal Dragon!"
Infernal Dragon roared as its body dissolved into a column of blazing energy. The flames spiraled toward Darius's Deck, searching for the monster he had chosen.
"Rise from the inferno! Burn everything in your path!"
The ground beneath Darius's side of the field cracked.
A colossal fiend emerged from the flames, its enormous body encased in scorched armor. Its shoulders resembled the mouths of furnaces, and molten light shone between the cracks in its dark hide.
Infernal Incinerator — 2800 ATK
The creature let out a deafening roar.
Heat rolled across the battlefield, forcing several spectators to shield their faces from the sudden glare.
Marcus whistled.
"That's a big one."
Lazar nodded, his expression growing serious.
"Bigger than Red-Eyes."
Satsuki said nothing.
Darius raised his hand toward his monster.
"And now, let me explain why you should be worried!"
Infernal Incinerator's body began glowing brighter.
"Its effect! For every monster you control, Infernal Incinerator gains 200 ATK!"
Darius pointed directly at Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
"You have one monster on your field, so my Incinerator gains 200 ATK!"
The creature's flames surged, spreading across its armor like rivers of molten metal.
Infernal Incinerator: 2800 → 3000 ATK
Darius laughed.
"Three thousand ATK! Your Red-Eyes doesn't stand a chance!"
Satsuki glanced at his dragon.
Then he looked back at Darius.
"That's certainly a lot of fire."
"Stop acting like this is funny!"
"Oh, I'm not. I'm just wondering whether your monster is compensating for something."
Marcus immediately turned away, shoulders shaking with laughter.
"She's going to get herself killed," he whispered.
Lazar smirked.
"I'm starting to think that's part of the strategy."
Darius's face reddened.
"Enough! Infernal Incinerator, attack Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"
The fiend threw its massive arms forward.
A torrent of blazing fire erupted from its body, sweeping across the battlefield toward Satsuki's dragon.
Red-Eyes spread its wings and unleashed its own crimson flames, but the Infernal Incinerator's attack overwhelmed the counterblast.
The two streams of fire collided.
For a brief moment, the battlefield became a blinding sea of red and orange.
Then Infernal Incinerator broke through.
Its flames engulfed Red-Eyes Black Dragon, tearing through its wings and scattering its body into fragments of crimson light.
Infernal Incinerator — 3000 ATK
Red-Eyes Black Dragon — 2400 ATK
The difference was 600 ATK.
Satsuki's Duel Disk registered the damage.
Satsuki LP: 3400 → 2800
The impact forced Satsuki backward. His boots scraped against the floor, but he remained standing.
Darius threw his arms wide.
"That's what happens when you challenge The Kings!"
Satsuki straightened his jacket.
"Congratulations."
Darius blinked.
"What?"
"You destroyed my dragon. You made a dramatic speech. You even managed to sound intimidating."
Satsuki tilted his head.
"Was there anything else you wanted to accomplish this turn?"
Darius stared at him in disbelief.
"You—"
He clenched his fist, then forced himself to calm down.
"I'm ending my turn."
Infernal Incinerator remained on the field, its enormous body surrounded by flickering flames.
Darius had successfully destroyed Satsuki's ace and established a monster with 2800 ATK. With only 2800 LP remaining, Satsuki was now facing a serious threat.
But Satsuki's expression hadn't changed.
He glanced at his hand, then at the face-down card in his Spell and Trap Zone.
He still had options.
And if Darius thought destroying Red-Eyes meant the duel was over, he had another thing coming.
TURN 5 — SATSUKI
Darius stood confidently behind his monster.
Infernal Incinerator — 2800 ATK
The demonic creature towered over the battlefield, flames crawling across its body. After Red-Eyes Black Dragon had been destroyed on the previous turn, Infernal Incinerator's ATK had fallen back to its original 2800.
Darius folded his arms.
"That's the problem with relying on one powerful monster. Eventually, something stronger comes along."
Satsuki glanced at his Duel Disk.
Then he smiled.
"Who said I was relying on just one?"
He reached for the Trap Card he'd set earlier.
"I activate Red-Eyes Spirit!"
The card flipped face-up.
A crimson vortex opened above the Graveyard, and a familiar roar shook the battlefield. Red light spiraled upward as an enormous black dragon emerged from the swirling energy.
Red-Eyes Black Dragon — 2400 ATK
Darius clicked his tongue.
"Resurrection? That's your big comeback?"
"Not quite."
Satsuki immediately raised another card.
"I activate Monster Reborn!"
A second pillar of light descended onto the field, illuminating a small mechanical dragon as it appeared beside Red-Eyes.
Black Metal Dragon — 600 ATK
The machine's metallic wings unfolded. Its red eyes glowed as it turned toward its larger companion.
Darius's expression brightened.
"Two monsters on your field? Perfect!"
Infernal Incinerator's flames surged.
Infernal Incinerator: 2800 → 3200 ATK
"While you control two monsters, my Incinerator gains another four hundred ATK!"
Satsuki nodded.
"Right. Two monsters."
He raised a finger.
"But not for long."
Black Metal Dragon's body began dissolving into crimson energy.
"Black Metal Dragon's effect! I equip it to Red-Eyes Black Dragon, increasing its ATK by 600!"
The mechanical dragon's energy flowed into Red-Eyes, reinforcing its dark armor.
At the same moment, Black Metal Dragon ceased to count as a monster on the field. It was now an Equip Spell.
Infernal Incinerator's ATK dropped accordingly.
Infernal Incinerator: 3200 → 3000 ATK
Red-Eyes spread its wings.
Red-Eyes Black Dragon — 3000 ATK
Darius's monster was still powerful, but the difference between them had narrowed.
Satsuki wasn't finished.
"Let's bring back some old friends."
He placed another Spell Card onto his Duel Disk.
"I activate Necromancy!"
The ground beneath Darius's field darkened.
Ghostly silhouettes rose from his Graveyard, pulled back into the world by the Spell's sinister power.
The first was a familiar warrior.
Mefist the Infernal General — 1700 DEF
The second emerged in a burst of fire.
Infernal Dragon — 0 DEF
The third creature appeared amid a cloud of sickly green flames.
Infernalqueen Salmon — 1000 DEF
All three monsters materialized on Darius's side of the field.
Darius stared at the returning creatures.
"What are you planning?"
Satsuki's smile widened.
"Just giving your monster a little more company."
Infernal Incinerator suddenly began to weaken. Its flames flickered as its power drained away with each additional monster under Darius's control.
"Don't tell me…"
"Infernal Incinerator loses five hundred ATK for every other monster you control," Satsuki explained. "And now you've got three more standing beside it."
The numbers dropped.
Infernal Incinerator: 3000 → 1500 ATK
The creature staggered beneath the sudden loss of strength.
Darius clenched his teeth.
"You brought my monsters back just to weaken your own opponent's monster?!"
"Exactly."
Satsuki reached for the final card in his hand.
His playful expression sharpened. Every move had led to this moment.
"I activate my last Spell Card!"
He raised it high.
"FINAL ALL OUT ATTACK!"
A crimson wave of energy swept across Satsuki's field, enveloping Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
Darius narrowed his eyes as the Spell's effect took hold.
"By discarding my entire hand," Satsuki declared, "I can make one monster I control attack every Special Summoned monster you control this turn!"
He pointed directly at Red-Eyes.
"And because Red-Eyes is a Normal Monster, I can choose one monster you control and give Red-Eyes its effect!"
A dark aura spread across the dragon's body.
Satsuki's gaze settled on Mefist the Infernal General.
"I choose Mefist!"
The aura intensified, and Red-Eyes released a thunderous roar.
It had inherited Mefist's ability to inflict piercing battle damage against Defense Position monsters and force its opponent to discard a random card when that effect inflicted damage.
Darius looked at the monsters on his field.
Mefist.
Infernal Dragon.
Infernalqueen Salmon.
All three had been Special Summoned.
And all three were now targets.
Satsuki extended his arm.
"Red-Eyes Black Dragon! Attack all three monsters!"
The black dragon launched itself forward, its wings sending a powerful gust across the battlefield. Flames gathered inside its jaws as it descended toward Darius's resurrected army.
Its first target was Infernal Incinerator.
Red-Eyes Black Dragon — 3000 ATK
Infernal Incinerator — 1500 ATK
"Impossible!" Darius shouted.
Red-Eyes unleashed a torrent of crimson fire. Infernal Incinerator attempted to brace itself, but the blast swallowed the demon whole.
The creature let out a final scream before its body shattered into embers.
Infernal Incinerator — DESTROYED!
The impact sent a shockwave through the field. Darius staggered as the damage struck him.
Darius LP: 3400 → 1900
Satsuki watched the flames fade.
"One down."
Darius looked at his destroyed monster, then suddenly grinned.
"Not so fast!"
He thrust his hand toward his Duel Disk.
"Since a monster I control was destroyed, I activate Chthonian Blast!"
His Trap Card flipped face-up.
Dark energy gathered around Red-Eyes, forming a destructive sphere beneath the dragon.
"I can destroy the monster that destroyed my monster and inflict damage to both players equal to half its ATK! Your dragon has 3000 ATK!"
Darius's grin widened.
"That's 1500 damage to each of us! Even if I lose, I'm taking you with me!"
Satsuki didn't flinch.
"You really weren't listening, were you?"
He pointed toward Final All Out Attack.
"For the rest of this turn, the monster affected by Final All Out Attack is unaffected by Trap effects!"
The Chthonian Blast detonated.
A massive explosion swallowed Red-Eyes in dark energy. Smoke billowed across the battlefield, and Darius watched with desperate anticipation.
Then a pair of crimson eyes shone through the smoke.
Red-Eyes emerged completely unharmed.
Chthonian Blast — NO EFFECT!
Darius's smile vanished.
"No way…"
"Your Trap was a good idea," Satsuki said. "Just the wrong target."
Red-Eyes roared and resumed its assault.
Its second target was Mefist the Infernal General.
The two monsters collided, but the dragon's overwhelming power swept Mefist away. The Infernal General shattered beneath Red-Eyes's claws, its body dissolving into dark particles.
Mefist the Infernal General — DESTROYED!
Without pausing, Red-Eyes wheeled around toward Infernal Dragon.
The smaller creature unleashed a burst of flame, but the black dragon powered straight through it. One sweep of its claws sent Infernal Dragon crashing into the ground, where it vanished in a cloud of smoke.
Infernal Dragon — DESTROYED!
Only Infernalqueen Salmon remained.
Darius clenched his fists.
"Come on! You can still—"
Red-Eyes opened its jaws.
A final torrent of crimson fire engulfed Infernalqueen Salmon, obliterating the last monster on Darius's field.
Infernalqueen Salmon — DESTROYED!
The battlefield fell silent.
Red-Eyes Black Dragon spread its wings and landed behind Satsuki, its metallic armor glowing with the power of Black Metal Dragon.
Darius stared at his empty field.
His Trap had failed. His monsters were gone. And his Life Points were already dangerously low.
His Duel Disk flashed.
Darius LP: 1900 → 0
DUEL OVER.
The holographic battlefield dissolved.
For several seconds, neither duelist spoke.
Darius stared at his Duel Disk, unable to comprehend what had happened. He had started the turn with a powerful monster and a seemingly secure advantage. Now his field was empty, his Life Points were gone, and Satsuki stood opposite him with Red-Eyes Black Dragon at his side.
Satsuki calmly retrieved his cards.
"Maybe next time," he said, "don't assume you've won just because your monster has more ATK."
Darius clenched his fists but couldn't find a response.
Satsuki turned away, his long dark hair swaying behind him as he returned Red-Eyes to his Deck.
The duel had been decided by a single turn.
Satsuki had won.