Yugioh [440-441] (Patreon)

Chapter 440: Divine Serpent Geh

"To summon Divine Serpent Geh, I must discard all cards in my hand. So, I discard the Spell Card 'Card of Compensation' from my hand."

The Arbiter draws from his deck.

"When this card is sent from hand to graveyard, I can draw two cards."

His voice is now shriller, a far cry from his previously calm and collected tone.

"Now, the only way you can win is to defeat Divine Serpent Geh. Of course, that's impossible.

With Divine Serpent Geh on the field, the duel is as good as over!"

The Arbiter steps forward, green light surging in his eyes.

"No matter who you are, you'll be destroyed along with the Pharaoh's lingering soul and that so-called Divine Beast that should've been buried long ago!

Divine Serpent Geh, attack!"

As he speaks, he rapidly draws a fistful of cards from his deck, then, in a pose reminiscent of "Hell Kaiser.JPG," he scatters them dramatically, sending cards flying everywhere.

"Each time Divine Serpent Geh attacks, I must send the top ten cards of my deck to the graveyard to declare an attack," the Arbiter says. "But it doesn't matter—you won't have another turn.

Attack 'The Winged Dragon of Ra'!"

Divine Serpent Geh, unable to hold back, opens its massive mouth, a swirling black vortex forming within, blasting a spiraling beam at the Winged Dragon of Ra!

"I activate the effect of 'Immortal Phoenix' again," Kira says, "I pay 1000 Life Points to destroy all monsters on your field!"

[Kira, LP 1800 → LP 800]

Everyone is stunned.

"The Divine Beast's ability isn't even once per turn!?"

To destroy the opponent's entire field during their turn, and with no once-per-turn restriction—that's unbelievably powerful. No wonder everyone used to say that owning even one of the three Egyptian Gods made you unbeatable. With such a terrifying ability, even now, most duelists and decks simply can't compete; it's a one-sided slaughter.

Even Kira has to admit that the animated effect of Ra is truly impressive.

The Immortal Phoenix charges again!

Unstoppable divine flames sweep across the field, incinerating everything. The undying fire lights up the sky and earth, even the clouds seem to be burning.

The Arbiter grits his teeth.

Within Orichalcos's triple barrier, Divine Serpent Geh is immune to all Spells and Traps, leaving only monster effects as a weakness. But Divine Serpent Geh also has resistance to effect destruction, which should somewhat make up for that flaw.

Though the physical card version was nerfed into a weak Reptile, in the anime, this thing was a true Divine Beast.

And in the anime, Divine Beasts have a strict hierarchy, directly affecting their resistances and whether destruction effects can take hold.

For example, in Battle City, the Sky Dragon controlled by Atem had immunity to monster effects, but this was useless against Malik's Ra. However, Sky Dragon and Obelisk's effects were all ineffective against Ra. In the manga, Atem's Sky Dragon and Obelisk were also ineffective against the highest-ranked Wicked God, "The Wicked Avatar." Only Ra, which shared the highest rank, could harm it.

There's even a Divine-exclusive Spell Card in the manga, "Divine Evolution," which Atem used to temporarily raise Obelisk to the same rank as Ra, allowing it to ignore Incarnate's resistance.

Divine Serpent Geh, being a Divine, is naturally subject to this hierarchy. If it faces a higher-ranked God, its destruction resistance is negated.

Honestly, Kira isn't sure if this attack will work—after all, the anime never showed a real battle between the Divine Beasts and Divine Serpent Geh. But Ra in Immortal Phoenix form should be top-tier among Divines, so it's worth a shot.

"Annoying Divine Beast," the Arbiter says coldly. "Then I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Forbidden Dress,' lowering one monster's ATK by 600, making it unaffected by card effects and indestructible by effects until the end of the turn.

I choose to protect 'Divine Serpent Geh' with this card!"

Whether the Arbiter realizes Divine Serpent Geh can't withstand the Phoenix's flames or is just being cautious, he can't afford to gamble now. Everything rides on Divine Serpent Geh; if it falls, he loses.

"The Orichalcos triple barrier makes my monsters immune to your Spells and Traps, but my own effects are valid. Divine Serpent Geh's ATK is infinite, so losing 600 is meaningless," the Arbiter says. "The Phoenix's destruction is negated!"

In DM, Ra's effect is described as "destroy all opponent's monsters," but the text was vague, so some thought "destroy" meant "send to graveyard," not destruction by effect.

But this was overturned after Ra appeared in GX. By then, the rules were clearer, and Franz explicitly used Ra's effect to "destroy all opponent monsters."

The Phoenix's flames dissipate without effect; Divine Serpent Geh hisses triumphantly, as if gloating.

"Divine Serpent Geh is invincible," the Arbiter shouts. "This is the end—crush him!"

Divine Serpent Geh spits a chaotic vortex at Ra, but the Phoenix crosses its wings in front, forming a living barrier of flames!

The vortex crashes against the barrier, sending shockwaves rippling through the sky and sea, shaking the entire island as if the gods' battle might flip the world.

No effect!

The flames fade, but the Phoenix still stands, its fiery cloak blazing even brighter after taking Divine Serpent Geh's infinite attack. The divine bird cries out, Kira standing unharmed beneath its protection.

[Kira, LP 800]

"What!?" The Arbiter is stunned, "Divine Serpent Geh's infinite attack is useless!?"

I'm infinite, how can I not hurt you!?

"Too bad. The turn Ra is Special Summoned as 'Immortal Phoenix,' it's unaffected by any card effects, can't be destroyed by battle, and deals zero battle damage to the player."

"Tch, troublesome Divine Beast." The Arbiter snorts. "But the Phoenix's effect only lasts one turn. Special Summoned Gods can't stay on the field forever."

"I know."

Kira nods.

"The Special Summoned 'Winged Dragon of Ra' must go to the graveyard at the end of this turn. Rest now, Ra."

The Phoenix glares one last time at Divine Serpent Geh, but as its time ends, its power fades. The flames recede, the divine bird's fire dims, and it sinks into Kira's duel disk, silent for now.

As Ra leaves, it's like sunset. Light and darkness were balanced, but with Ra gone, darkness quickly takes over.

Divine Serpent Geh's body emits endless darkness, covering the world in the deepest night, starless and without hope.

With the Sun God gone, only the Evil God remains. Everyone's hearts sink with Ra's disappearance, feeling as if hope itself has vanished.

"The Evil God's infinite attack power is suffocating, even from outside the field," Zane murmurs.

He doesn't finish, but everyone understands.

How much pressure must Kira be under, facing that thing in battle?

"Though Ra is gone at the end of the turn, 'Interdimensional Matter Transporter' also ends."

Kira reveals a card.

Waves ripple in the air, and from the transparent vortex, the Cyber Twin Dragon returns to the field amid crackling electricity. Metal parts grind, and the steel dragon lets out a long roar.

"Cyber Twin Dragon returns to my field."

[Cyber Twin Dragon, ATK 2800]

"Cyber Twin Dragon…"

Zane watches his old ace return, but feels no pride or relief. Before Divine Serpent Geh, even Cyber Twin looks pitifully weak. No, all regular monsters are powerless before that thing.

Even the incredible "Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon" Kaiba showed earlier would be helpless now; it's no match for Divine Serpent Geh.

"My turn, draw."

Kira draws.

His voice is calm and steady, neither hot-blooded nor fearful.

Zane may not agree with Kira's tactics, but he can't help but respect his composure.

Even facing such an opponent, in such a situation, he doesn't flinch or waver.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Spider Web.' I can add a card that was sent to the opponent's graveyard last turn to my hand." (Anime card)

 Kira declares.

"The card I'll take from your graveyard is—

—The Spell Card 'Monster Reborn'!"

Chapter 441: Open Strategy

"Taking 'Monster Reborn' from your graveyard!"

White spider web shoots from Kira's card, precisely snaring "Monster Reborn" from the Arbiter's graveyard.

The thread retracts, and the Spell arcs through the air into Kira's hand.

"He reclaimed 'Monster Reborn'!" Jaden exclaims. "Now he can bring back the Divine Beast again!"

"Tch, that lingering Pharaoh's spirit, even his Divine Beast is this persistent," the Arbiter snorts.

There's no doubt Ra is the key—the best hope to defeat Divine Serpent Geh. If Kira uses Monster Reborn to bring back Ra, it'll return as Immortal Phoenix mode due to Special Summoning.

Although Kira's current LP seems too low to use Ra's board wipe again, with only 800 left, healing even a bit would put him over 1000 and make it possible. The Arbiter can't ignore that risk.

If Divine Serpent Geh leaves the field, he loses. If the Phoenix returns, he's in real danger.

He cannot allow the Divine Beast's return.

"Spell Card: Monster Reborn!"

Kira slots the card into his duel disk.

A giant green resurrection symbol appears in the air, burning like fire. The flames take the shape of a winged bird; even before it descends, the divine phoenix's spirit seems to glare at Divine Serpent Geh through the magic, crimson eyes filled with rage.

"Targeting 'Winged Dragon of Ra' in the graveyard, revive Ra—"

"Not so fast!"

Before he can finish, the Arbiter interrupts sharply.

"I activate the Trap 'Disappear'!

Banishing one card from your opponent's graveyard!"

He points at Kira's graveyard, shouting,

"'Winged Dragon of Ra,' banished! Dead things should stay dead and stop interfering!"

He's talking about Ra, but the subtext is his frustration with the Pharaoh's spirit refusing to stay buried.

God cards ignore traps, but before hitting the field, they're just regular cards. Banished, the divine bird's image fades, letting out a final roar of defiance before vanishing.

The Arbiter laughs wildly.

"Hahaha! I didn't expect you to pull a Divine Beast, but now that you've lost it, how can you fight me? What can you do against the infinite power of Divine Serpent Geh!?"

"Quick-Play Spell, 'Burial from a Different Dimension,'" Kira says. "Return up to three banished monsters to the graveyard.

I'll return these three—"

He reveals three cards.

"Clear Kuriboh, Winged Dragon of Ra, and Caius the Shadow Monarch, all back to the graveyard."

The Arbiter's heart skips a beat.

He's recovered Clear Kuriboh and Ra…

This combo gives him a bad feeling.

"I activate 'Advance Draw,' tributing my Level 8 'Cyber Twin Dragon' to draw two cards," Kira continues.

Cyber Twin Dragon dissolves into light, and Kira draws two cards.

"Normal Summon 'Cyber Valley.'"

[Cyber Valley, ATK 0]

"Cyber Valley has three effects. One lets me banish it and a card from my hand to place any card from my graveyard on top of my deck."

He tosses a card; Cyber Valley's effect activates, a black vortex opens, and both disappear.

"I banish 'Cyber Valley' and a card from my hand to return this card from my graveyard—"

As the card leaves the graveyard, a flicker of the divine bird's shadow flashes, a powerful aura surging from Kira's hand.

"Returning 'Winged Dragon of Ra' to the top of my deck."

He places the card back on top.

Now, even the Arbiter realizes his plan.

He fell for this combo last turn—direct attack triggers Clear Kuriboh, which draws the top card: Ra.

And Ra summoned this way will become 'Immortal Phoenix' again. If its effect activates, it's over.

The situation is clear.

After tributing Twin Dragon, Kira's field is empty. If the Arbiter attacks, Clear Kuriboh triggers, drawing Ra.

"Annoying brat," the Arbiter mutters. "You're that desperate to bring back Ra?"

Kira smiles, "Are you that afraid of me bringing Ra back?"

The Arbiter is left speechless.

"I set four cards and end my turn."

The Arbiter can guess now.

One of those set cards probably restores LP.

Normally, gaining 1-2k LP wouldn't matter, but now, it means two more Phoenix wipes—deadly.

"Hmph, if you think this setup can stop Divine Serpent Geh's attack, you underestimate him.

My turn, draw!"

The Arbiter draws.

Kira immediately activates a set card.

"Trap Card, 'Battle Mania'!

All your face-up monsters must switch to Attack Position and cannot change position this turn.

And all monsters able to attack must attack this turn!"

The Arbiter frowns, "Divine Serpent Geh is unaffected by traps."

"I know. So 'Battle Mania' can't force Divine Serpent Geh to switch positions. But as long as your field has an 'able to attack' monster, you must enter the Battle Phase and attack."

The setup is complete. Now, the Arbiter can't skip attacking to avoid the Clear Kuriboh; he has only one path left.

He must attack with Divine Serpent Geh, triggering the Clear Kuriboh, and be destroyed by the Phoenix's flames.

"Amazing…" Jaden is in awe of Kira.

This is open strategy!

He's blatantly set a trap, with Ra waiting as the obvious threat, but the Arbiter seems unable to avoid it.

Everyone holds their breath, waiting to see what happens.

Can he defeat the invincible Snake God and secure victory?

"In response to 'Battle Mania,' I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Emergency Provisions.'"

Kira activates his second set card—of course, it's Emergency Provisions.

"I send 'Battle Mania' and another set card to the graveyard to gain 2000 LP."

[Kira, LP 800 → LP 2800]

2000 LP—the crowd knows, in this duel, it means two more Phoenix wipes.

The Arbiter: "I activate the Spell Card 'Graceful Charity.' Draw three, discard two."

After refreshing his hand, he gazes at Kira, then looks up coldly.

"The strongest Divine, Ra, is challenging me? Fine. If you think this will make me surrender, you underestimate Divine Serpent Geh's power.

I accept your challenge!"

He steps forward, voice sharp:

"By sending ten cards from my deck to the graveyard, Divine Serpent Geh attacks! Direct attack!!!"