[Yugen, LP 4000 → LP 2500]
Sierre: "..."
His facial muscles twitched as he looked at the "Herald of the Abyss" Yugen had unexpectedly drawn. He wanted to speak but couldn't find the words.
"Herald of the Abyss," from its effect description, it was clearly an effect that targeted players. It forced the opponent to send one of their monsters to the Graveyard, similar to a Duelist Tributing their own monster.
In other words, this thing could deal with those "unaffected by any card effects" big bosses.
They had just talked about how dueling was a clash of souls, allowing both sides to understand each other's inner thoughts.
So if there was anything to learn from dueling this guy, it was probably that his entire being screamed: "I don't care about all that messy stuff, I just want to win."
If he could also manage to have some fun while winning, that'd be even better.
"But to think you can deal with King of Armageddon with such a trick, it's not that easy!" Sierre roared, "Activate my Set card, Trap Card 'Swamp Mirrorer'!
I declare one Attribute and one Type, and Special Summon this card as a Normal Monster with that Type.
I declare 'DARK Attribute' and 'Fiend-Type' to Special Summon 'Swamp Mirrorer' as a DARK Fiend-Type Trap Monster!"
[Swamp Mirrorer, ATK 1800]
"Then the effect of 'Herald of the Abyss' resolves! This way, I have two DARK Fiend-Type monsters on my field."
Sierre calmly took out that Swamp Mirrorer Trap Card and sent it to the Duel Disk's Graveyard zone.
"Therefore, I choose to send the 'Swamp Mirrorer' that became a DARK Fiend-Type monster to the Graveyard."
The Swamp Mirrorer, which had just appeared, was immediately swallowed by the abyss, dragged into the vast darkness. With a substitute taking its place, King of Armageddon was preserved.
"Ah, even that move was countered," Judai said regretfully, "This guy is really strong..."
Yugen: "Then I Normal Summon 'D.D. Warrior Lady'."
Sierre: "!"
Its effect...
He remembered, it was for both monsters in battle to be banished. A violent removal, one slash and his King of Armageddon wouldn't stand a chance.
"Hmph, another troublesome monster," Sierre said calmly, "Then activate my Set card, Trap Card 'Trap Hole'! When the opponent summons a monster with 1000 or more ATK, destroy it immediately!"
So, D.D. Warrior Lady didn't get a chance to unleash its power, falling directly into the deep hole and exploding into fragments.
But Yugen didn't mind; he simply held up another card in his hand.
"Then, I banish 'D.D. Warrior Lady' (LIGHT Attribute) from my Graveyard, and 'Old Vindictive Magician' (DARK Attribute), which was previously discarded by your 'Morphing Jar,' from my Graveyard.
The souls of Light and Dark are Tributed in the chaotic realm, calling forth the strongest warrior of legend! Heaven and Earth begin anew—
——Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning, Special Summon!!!"
The souls of Light and Dark merged, and chaotic magical power erupted, piercing the sky. The blade of Light and Dark cleaved through a screen of light, and rising particles coalesced into powerful arms, donning heavy armor adorned with golden patterns. The sword swept, as if parting heaven and earth.
[Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning, ATK 3000]
"So you finally appear, legendary warrior spirit."
Sierre said in a deep voice.
"Then, in this duel, I'll take this spirit too."
"If you can win, of course," Yugen waved his hand, "Battle Phase, 'Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning' attacks 'Demise, King of Armageddon'!
Creation's Twin Slash!"
Judai held his breath, watching intently.
He knew that Envoy of the Beginning had an additional attack effect after destroying a monster in battle. Sierre's LP was 2500 remaining. If he destroyed King of Armageddon in battle and then landed another attack, Black Luster Soldier would decide the duel with one strike!
But Sierre naturally had a countermeasure: "Open Set card! Quick-Play Spell 'Command Silencer'!" (Anime card)
This Quick-Play Spell was used by Kaiba against Yugi in the original anime, described by Kaiba as being "able to cancel a Duelist's attack declaration." He said that even Osiris, if it couldn't hear its master's command to attack, wouldn't attack.
"According to 'Command Silencer's' effect, this turn, you cannot issue an attack declaration to 'Black Luster Soldier'!" Sierre said, "Black Luster Soldier cannot receive your attack command, so it will not initiate an attack.
Additionally, after that, I can draw one card from my Deck."
Although it was an anime-original card that hadn't been made into a physical card, its effect resolution method was roughly equivalent to a "Threatening Roar" applied to a single target. However, "Threatening Roar" could only prevent an attack if used before the opponent declared an attack, but this card allowed canceling the command even after the opponent had already given the attack command.
Analyzing it from a real card perspective, it was somewhat unscientific, considered a unique anime card.
"Then the Battle Phase ends, entering Main Phase 2," Yugen said, "If the attack declaration wasn't conveyed, then Black Luster Soldier is considered to not have attacked this turn.
Therefore, I can use Black Luster Soldier's other effect. Once per turn, I can banish one monster on the field!"
His target was once again locked onto King of Armageddon.
"I banish 'Demise, King of Armageddon' from the game!
Chaos Dimensional Slash!"
Black Luster Soldier drew its sword, one side of the blade light, the other dark. Where the sword light passed, space cracked, leaving a shattered sword mark. Boundless, powerful suction was unleashed, and even King of Armageddon, who brought about the apocalypse, couldn't resist and was sucked into that sword mark.
"Beautiful!" Judai praised, "If it's banished from the game, King of Armageddon is virtually completely annihilated! So you should sober up a bit, shouldn't you?"
Indeed, as the body of the Demon King of Annihilation disappeared, the azure flames on Sierre's body also vanished. His body swayed slightly, and his breathing became even heavier.
Yugen then set two cards in his hand.
"I Set two cards on the field. Turn end."
Sierre brooded for a few seconds, seemingly gathering his strength.
Then, he slowly raised his arm again.
"My turn, draw," Sierre said calmly, "From my hand, activate the Spell Card 'Pre-Preparation of Rites'."
From my Deck, I select one Ritual Spell Card, and then from my Deck or Graveyard, I select the Ritual Monster that corresponds to that Ritual Spell Card. Both cards are added to my hand."
He drew one card each from his Deck and Graveyard.
"I add the Ritual Spell Card 'End of the World' and the Ritual Monster 'Ruin, Queen of Oblivion' to my hand."
Judai didn't give up: "Why won't you face your own heart? Deep down, you clearly still cherish dueling, and you want to trust your monsters..."
"Shut up," Sierre said in a deep voice, "What if I wanted to trust? So-called trust, its meaning exists only to be betrayed one day.
Heroes are destined to be solitary. As long as you hold a sword, those you care about, those you protect, are destined to drift further and further away."
He paused his movements for a moment, staring at Judai for a while longer.
"You're right, dueling is a clash of souls, allowing both sides to understand each other deeply. That's precisely why, through this duel, I've come to understand you too...
What's your name?"
"Yuki Judai."
"Yuki Judai, huh. Perhaps you truly are very similar to me," Sierre said, "On the surface, you seem very enthusiastic, always willing to get involved in others' affairs, willing to sacrifice for others, treating everyone around you like comrades.
But in reality, you've never truly let anyone get close to you, have you?"
Judai was startled, frowning and saying, "I don't understand what you're talking about. I'm not like you; I have many trustworthy friends."
"Is that truly the case?" Sierre said coldly, "I was once the same as you. I was once the chosen one, the one in our generation who inherited the Phoenix's power.
I was always surrounded by many friends. I stood up for them, helped them countless times, and even I was willing to sacrifice my life for them.
But in the end, when I had no choice but to plunge into darkness for power, when I truly gained the power to protect them, after fighting bloody battles, I found that everyone had already left me."
Sierre let out a self-deprecating laugh, closing his eyes.
"Very ironic, isn't it? I sold my soul to a demon just so I could protect them, only to be met with alienation. After that, there were even rumors that the enemies and disasters were caused by me in the first place.
Those I once considered closest friends, those comrades for whom I had sacrificed countless times, they all believed it to be true. In the end, it turned out like this."
Judai: "How could that be?"
"Later, I realized that it wasn't just their problem, I had one too. While I appeared to treat everyone with warmth, I never truly allowed anyone to get close to me, to understand me.
Perhaps that's precisely why they could so easily leave me in the end."
Sierre's tone had returned to calm, as if an outsider recounting something unrelated to himself.
"I can feel it; you are a similar type of person to me. To protect those around you, you have no choice but to wield a sword, but at the same time, you also keep them out.
This is the hero's destiny. If you also walk down the path of a warrior, one day you might become like me."
"That won't happen," Yugen spoke up, interrupting him.
Sierre frowned: "What?"
"I'm telling you, you're wrong. That won't happen," Yugen said calmly.
Sierre pondered for a few seconds, narrowing his eyes and scrutinizing him for a moment.
Then he slowly spoke: "You're not going to say it's because you're there, are you?"
"What do you think?"
"Hmph hmph. Hahahaha!"
Sierre threw his head back and laughed loudly, then his expression twisted again.
"Ridiculous. You can't even last this turn, what else can you do?" Sierre roared, "This is a cruel world, you simply don't understand. How long do you think that cheap friendship game can last?
Alright, if you can do it, then try to survive this turn and show me!"
Sierre drew two cards he had just checked and revealed another card along with them.
"Ritual Spell 'End of the World' activates!
I Tribute Level 8 'Beast King Barbaros' from my hand as Ritual Material to perform a destructive Ritual Summon!
Destruction and rebirth intertwined, the goddess who controls the fate of all things descends at the End of the World—
——Ruin, Queen of Oblivion, Ritual Summon!!!"
The ritual of the apocalypse, amidst a vortex of destructive energy, the goddess's figure slowly emerged, white hair flowing, each step like a countdown to oblivion.
[Ruin, Queen of Oblivion, ATK 2300]
"And Ruin also receives the power of The Seal of Orichalcos! Its ATK increases!" Sierre practically screamed, straining his throat.
[Ruin, Queen of Oblivion, ATK 2300 → ATK 2800]
Judai collected his chaotic emotions and tried to focus on the duel: "But even with the ATK increase, it still can't compare to Yugen's Black Luster Soldier..."
"My awakening is not limited to such things."
Sierre held up another card in his hand.
"Equip Spell 'Psychic Blade'!
Pay multiples of 100, up to 2000 Life Points, and equip this card to one monster on the field. The equipped monster gains ATK and DEF equal to the ATK value of the Life Points I paid!"
He said, gritting his teeth.
"I use my blood, my soul. To gain ultimate power!
I pay the maximum 2000 Life Points, all converted into Ruin's ATK!!!"
[Sierre, LP 2500 → LP 500]
[Ruin, Queen of Oblivion, ATK 2800 → ATK 4800]
Judai: "4,800 ATK..."
"That's right, this is my soul burning, my final attack!"
Sierre steadied his almost unsteady feet and roared.
"Also, 'Ruin, Queen of Oblivion's' effect is that if it destroys an opponent's monster in battle, it can make an additional attack."
Judai immediately realized what this meant.
Black Luster Soldier's ATK was 3000. If it were destroyed in battle, it would inflict 1800 damage, leaving Yugen with 700 LP.
If the second attack went through, one of them would fall here.
"What bonds, what friendship games, they are worthless in the face of power!" Sierre roared, "Without power, all those pretty words are just empty boasting!
If you're truly as confident as you say, then prove it to me this turn!
Battle! Ruin, Queen of Oblivion, attacks 'Black Luster Soldier · Envoy of the Beginning'!"
The power of annihilation, mixed with the divine power of Orichalcos, all surged into the goddess's hand, becoming a world-destroying strike. Black Luster Soldier stood ready, but with its current power, it was clearly difficult to resist.
Yugen: "As you wish.
Activate my Set card! Trap Card - Trap of Darkness!
If your Life Points are 3000 or less, you can pay 1000 Life Points. By banishing another Trap Card from your Graveyard, you can gain that Trap Card's effect!"
A golden stream of light rolled over the Trap Card, and this card quickly transformed into the appearance of another Trap Card in the Graveyard.
"The card I want to transform into is naturally this one—
——Trap Card 'Magic Cylinder'!"
[Yugen, LP 2500 → LP 1500]
Trap of Darkness transformed into the image of Magic Cylinder, and the elegant yet deadly twin magical barrels appeared on the field.
Ruin, Queen of Oblivion's sure-kill strike, reflected back, immediately became Sierre's final act!
"So that's it, this is... cough cough... your answer?"
Having reached this point, Sierre was barely standing, as if held up only by sheer willpower.
"But... it's still not enough!"
Blue flames burned in his eyes, which were streaked with blood vessels.
"Open Set card! Trap Card 'Ring of Destruction'!
Destroy one monster on the field, and all players take damage equal to that monster's ATK! (Old effect)
I choose to destroy... cough cough... Ruin, Queen of Oblivion!"
[Ruin, Queen of Oblivion, ATK 4800]
[Sierre, LP 500]
[Yugen, LP 1500]
[Judai, LP 1100]
"You want to end it in a draw?" Yugen frowned.
"If you can't stop my words, it means your resolve is only at this level!" Sierre said grimly, "In the end, you still can't do anything!"
"That's not necessarily true."
Yugen interrupted, flipping over his last backrow card.
"Quick-Play Spell - Spell of Pain!
When your opponent activates a card effect that inflicts damage to themselves, as long as you would take damage, that damage is inflicted to your opponent instead!"
Sierre's pupils constricted.
After reflecting the attack, he could even reflect the damage immediately after!?
"According to 'Ring of Destruction's' effect, damage equal to the destroyed monster's ATK—which is 'Ruin, Queen of Oblivion's' 4800 ATK—is taken by both players.
Under team rules, damage effects to our side are considered AOE damage to our two-person team. But the portion of that damage that would be taken by our side is reflected by 'Spell of Pain.' Therefore, you will ultimately take 9600 damage."
Yugen said.
"You lose."
Ring of Destruction's explosive flames swept across the field, but the flames heading towards Yugen and Judai's half of the field were immediately blocked by the backrow Spell Card, then followed the same path back, reflecting towards Sierre.
Sierre's mouth hung open; he seemed to want to say something at the end.
But he said nothing, gently closing his eyes.
[Sierre, LP 500 → LP 0]