Yugioh [642-647] (Patreon)

Chapter 642: The Undying Sphere

By now, Aster knew Revolver's power was extraordinary. Yet instead of fear, he felt a duelist's flame ignite in his chest—this was a battle he absolutely had to win.

His goal was to stand at the top of the world and become world champion. If he couldn't even defeat an unknown duelist in this lightless place, what right did he have to speak of taking the crown? Of reaching the summit?

"My turn—draw!" Aster declared. "First, during the Draw Phase, the effect of the monster discarded last turn by 'Graceful Charity' activates!

Destiny HERO – Dasher!"

A hero clad in black armor appeared, wheels underfoot, a dark visor before his eyes.

"Dasher's effect: While this card is in the Graveyard, up to once while you draw during your Draw Phase, if the drawn card is a monster, reveal it to both players.

Then you can Special Summon that monster directly!"

"Ho? Not only did you set up a neat board last turn, you also planted a seed for your follow-up this turn?" Kira smiled.

Aster frowned.

Though it sounded like praise, the tone—like a senior critiquing a junior—rubbed him the wrong way.

He said nothing, only revealed the card he had drawn.

"The card I drew is 'Destiny HERO - Fear Monger.' By Dasher's effect, I can Special Summon it directly."

A hero in dark green heavy armor appeared, hefting a massive cannon, dangerous red light gleaming in his eyes.

[Destiny HERO - Fear Monger, ATK 1000]

"I'm not done," Aster continued. "After the Draw Phase, we proceed to the Standby Phase.

During this turn's Standby Phase, the effect of last turn's 'Destiny HERO – Diamond Dude' activates."

As he spoke, Diamond Dude's form flickered into existence like a ghost. The Spell Card that had gone to the Graveyard last turn reappeared on his field.

"The Spell Card 'Trade-In,'" Aster said. "Destiny HEROes are heroes who can manipulate the future, allowing a card's effect to activate in the future.

Even though Diamond Dude has left the field, his effect was activated last turn. Therefore, I can apply 'Trade-In' without cost and draw two cards from my Deck!"

"Then likewise during the Standby Phase, the Continuous Spell 'Mirage of Nightmare' activates," Kira said. "I draw until I have four cards in hand."

Kira drew up to four; Aster drew two as well. Aster's eyes skimmed the pair of cards, then lifted toward the two Spheres on Kira's field.

Transforming Sphere's NTR effect was fierce on offense, but outside its turn it was just a 100 ATK/DEF small fry. The opponent's field looked frail—prime time to press the attack.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'The Warrior Returning Alive!'" Aster said. "I can return any Warrior-Type monster in my Graveyard to my hand.

I return the Warrior-Type 'Destiny HERO – Dasher' from the Graveyard to my hand!"

Dasher, having just fulfilled its effect, slid from the Graveyard back into Aster's hand.

"I tribute 'Destiny HERO - Fear Monger' to Tribute Summon!"

Aster stepped forward, arm raised. Transparent shockwaves swirled around Fear Monger, and the Destiny HERO dissolved into golden motes.

"Come on! Level 6—

—Destiny HERO – Dasher!"

The motes reformed. The black-armored HERO rolled in on his wheels, twin contrails carving arcs as he drifted to a stylish stop on the field.

[Destiny HERO – Dasher, ATK 2100]

"Using Dasher's effect to cheat out a tribute, then retrieving Dasher to Tribute Summon it—" Kira folded his arms and nodded with a smile. "Professional-level lines, huh? Impressive."

"I switch Dogma from Defense to Attack. Then enter the Battle Phase!"

Aster strode forward and barked the order.

"End it in one blow! Destiny HERO – Dogma, attack 'Synthesize Sphere!'"

Dogma let out a low growl; his blade thrust forward, a transparent spiral lancing straight at the Sphere bird.

[Destiny HERO – Dogma, ATK 3400]

[Synthesize Sphere, ATK 1000]

[Kira, LP 2000]

If this connected, it would be an instant kill!

"Then I discard 'Kuriboh' from my hand to activate its effect."

Kira revealed a card.

"Discarding Kuriboh reduces one instance of battle damage to 0."

Fluffy Kuriboh popped onto the field and rapidly swelled, becoming a sturdy meat-shield in front.

"Kuri-rii!"

Kuriboh let out a confident chirp.

Dogma's thrust pierced through, and Synthesize Sphere exploded. But the sword energy and flames were completely absorbed by Kuriboh, not a mote passing through.

"If you can block that, I'm not finished," Aster snapped. "Then Dasher attacks—target 'Transforming Sphere!'"

Rolling on his wheels, Dasher shot forward like lightning. As he neared, he slid behind the bird and launched a flying kick, cleaving it apart with a flashy drift-kick.

Of course, Transforming Sphere's own effect had already set it to Defense after battle, so even destroying it dealt no damage.

Kira snapped his fingers; a set card in his back row flipped.

"I activate my set card, the Trap 'Atmospheric Regeneration!'

When an 'Sphere' you control is destroyed, Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Sphere from your Graveyard."

Cyclones rose on his cleared field. The Sphere bird that had just left returned on spiraling winds.

"Revive 'Synthesize Sphere!'"

[Synthesize Sphere, ATK 1000]

"Synthesize Sphere's effect," Kira said. "When it's Summoned, Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Sphere from the Graveyard.

So I revive—"

He plucked another card from the Graveyard slot.

"Come back, Transforming Sphere!"

Synthesize Sphere cried out and spread its wings as a transparent vortex formed before it. A fresh Sphere flew out, flapping into the front line.

[Transforming Sphere, ATK 100]

Aster's expression twitched.

Just like that, this turn had been completely for nothing. He'd finally cleared two Spheres, and they basically just hopped offstage for a moment and then returned.

What are you cockroaches, you rotten birds?

"Also, chaining to 'Atmospheric Regeneration,' my other set card activates."

Kira snapped his fingers again; the other set card flipped.

Naturally—surprise, surprise—it was this card.

"Quick-Play Spell 'Emergency Provisions.' Send any number of Spells/Traps from your field to the Graveyard; for each, recover 1000 LP."

Chapter 643: So-Called Fate

"Emergency Provisions—by sending Spells/Traps from my back row to the Graveyard, I recover 1000 Life Points per card," Kira said. "Originally, 'Mirage of Nightmare' has a drawback.

In the next Standby Phase, I'd have to randomly discard the same number of cards I drew off it this turn.

But before that, I'll use Emergency Provisions to send Mirage to the Graveyard and recover LP.

And the Trap 'Atmospheric Regeneration' that's resolving in the same chain is also sent to the Grave. So I recover a total of 2000."

[Kira, LP 2000 → LP 4000]

In one stroke, not only were his monsters restored, even his LP returned to its original total. As Aster's opponent, that involuntarily planted a stab of frustration in his heart.

As if everything he had done was meaningless.

As if no matter what he tried—no matter how he struggled—he simply couldn't change a thing.

"Feels just like that 'fate' Sartorius keeps preaching about, doesn't it?" Kira smiled.

Aster's heart skipped. He frowned. "What did you say?"

"Sartorius's so-called fate," Kira said. "I'll bet he's always telling you that, right? That everything's predestined, that fate has already decided, that beneath the wheels of destiny all we can do is go with the flow, blah blah blah."

"What are you getting at?" Aster asked.

"Nothing. Look, I'd also bet Sartorius used to prophesy that you were the victorious one—that your opponents, by challenging you, were as laughable as trying to push back destiny's wheel."

Kira smiled faintly.

"Isn't that exactly how you feel right now?"

"Destiny HERO – Dasher—this one has a forced effect, doesn't it?"

Aster said nothing. But glancing at the Transforming Sphere on the field and then at his own Dasher, he naturally realized the serious issue facing him.

Gritting his teeth, he said with a frosty face:

"Dasher's effect: If this card attacks, at the end of the Battle Phase it must change to Defense Position."

[Destiny HERO – Dasher, ATK 2100 → DEF 1000]

A forced shift to Defense after attacking—normally that drawback isn't a huge deal. But today was different.

Today, the opponent's Transforming Sphere clearly absorbs Defense Position monsters. And Dasher has that forced switch to Defense—it was like ramming headfirst into the muzzle.

"Exactly—just like you know Transforming Sphere will absorb a Defense Position monster, yet you still have to turn Dasher to Defense," Kira said with a smile.

"It's a fate that's trivial to predict without any clairvoyance—and yet you can only watch it happen, unable to avoid it. Just like Sartorius's so-called destiny, isn't it?"

"You trying to say the goddess of fate is on your side?"

Aster barked, slamming two more cards into his Duel Disk.

"Don't be ridiculous! I set two cards and end my turn."

"Those weren't my words," Kira shrugged, lifting his Duel Disk.

"Then it's my turn—draw."

"During your Standby Phase, 'Destiny HERO – Dogma's' effect also activates!" Aster shouted. "At the start of your Standby Phase, your Life Points are halved!" (Anime effect)

Energy surged beneath Dogma's feet, bursting forth in a pillar. Kira's figure was bathed in the blinding beam, half his Life torn away.

[Kira, LP 4000 → LP 2000]

"This is the power of Destiny HEROes!" Aster said. "To say that simply holding your ground means fate has taken your side is laughable!"

"Is it?"

Kira chuckled, raising his eyes—intentionally or not—toward the massive Clock Tower behind Aster.

Clock Tower Prison, the Destiny HERO field spell. Since Aster had played it, he'd offered no explanation—if one knew nothing of Destiny HEROes—and in truth, no one else could possibly understand this one-of-a-kind Deck designed by Aster's father—one would be baffled by the field.

In the anime, Aster didn't like explaining it mid-duel either. So if you didn't watch closely, you might miss how, just now, the clock's hands had suddenly begun to whirl.

Clock Tower Prison's effect: During the opponent's Standby Phase, it advances—a "Clock Counter" is placed.

Two of Kira's Standby Phases had passed; there were now two counters. The tower only reveals its true power at four or more.

"I activate the Spell 'Akashic Record.' Draw two cards; if any of them were used during this duel, they must be banished." (Anime card)

Kira drew two and arched a brow at a glance.

"Transforming Sphere's effect activates," Kira said. "Discard a card to equip one of your opponent's Defense Position monsters to it as an Equip Card."

He pitched a card to the Graveyard.

"I discard one card to absorb your Defense Position 'Destiny HERO – Dasher.'"

Transforming Sphere spread its wings; a transparent vortex unfurled—an invisible claw reaching straight for Dasher.

"I activate a set card!" Aster immediately countered. "Continuous Trap 'Fiendish Chain!'

Bind a monster on the field with demonic chains; that monster cannot attack, and its effects are negated!"

Green chains shot from the Trap, instantly trussing up Transforming Sphere, whose vortex abruptly ceased.

"Fiendish Chain binds 'Transforming Sphere,' negating its effect!"

Aster couldn't help a cold, confident smile.

"Looks like that 'victory-fate' of yours is awfully fragile. My Destiny HERO won't be absorbed—how's that?"

"As I said—those aren't my words," Kira shrugged, revealing another card.

"Then I activate the Spell 'Star Blast.' I can reduce the levels of any monsters in my hand or on my field; for each Level reduced, I pay 500 LP to apply it."

Aster frowned.

A Level-modifying card?

"I choose my Level 3 'Transforming Sphere,'" Kira said. "I pay 1000 LP to reduce it by 2 Levels until the end of the turn, making it Level 1."

[Kira, LP 2000 → LP 1000]

[Transforming Sphere, LV 3 → LV 1]

Aster was puzzled.

Lower it by two Levels—for what?

He understood a moment later.

"Then from my hand, I activate the Spell 'Metamorphosis,'" Kira said. "By sending my on-field Level 1 'Transforming Sphere' to the Graveyard, it mutates into a Level 1 Fusion Monster.

So I let Transforming Sphere accept the sudden mutation, transforming and descending—

—Thousand-Eyes Restrict!"

Aster: "???"

Chapter 644: Eternal Dread

Darkness surged, swallowing the down-leveled Sphere bird. Its form twisted under the shroud, morphing into a grotesque, sinister entity.

Eyes opened one after another, covering the warped body. Some ultimate terror awakened within the dark, gazing coldly at everything.

[Thousand-Eyes Restrict, ATK 0]

"Thousand-Eyes Restrict's effect: once per turn, absorb an opponent's monster as an Equip Card."

Kira lazily raised a hand.

"Since you hate me absorbing Dasher so much, I'll leave that one to you. The one I'm absorbing is—"

He smiled.

"'Destiny HERO – Dogma,' absorbed as Thousand-Eyes Restrict's Equip."

Aster: "."

A surge of pitch-black power erupted from Thousand-Eyes, enveloping Dogma without debate. The mighty Destiny HERO roared, but was dragged helplessly into the void and absorbed—his eyes glazing over as he was consumed by Thousand-Eyes Restrict.

"Thousand-Eyes Restrict gains ATK equal to the absorbed monster's ATK."

[Thousand-Eyes Restrict, ATK 0 → ATK 3400]

Aster's mouth twitched.

Transforming Sphere had morphed into Thousand-Eyes—one bull-headed menace becoming an even creepier bull-headed menace.

In the past, this would have been unthinkable even in a dream.

And yet here it was—truly, right before his eyes.

For a moment, doubt gnawed at him.

Was it really fate?

Were his HEROes destined to be driven off no matter how he struggled?

"I equip the Spell 'Big Bang Shot' to a monster on the field," Kira continued. "I equip it to 'Thousand-Eyes Restrict.'

The equipped monster gains 400 ATK, and when attacking a Defense Position monster, it inflicts piercing damage if its ATK exceeds that monster's DEF."

[Thousand-Eyes Restrict, ATK 3400 → ATK 3800]

"Thousand-Eyes Restrict—attack 'Destiny HERO – Dasher.'"

[Destiny HERO – Dasher, DEF 1000]

A massive ATK/DEF gap—a crushing blow. With Big Bang Shot, Thousand-Eyes would inflict 2800 damage in one hit.

And Kira still had Synthesize Sphere ready to attack. If both swings connected, it would be lethal.

At that moment, Aster wavered.

He had known Sartorius since childhood and believed in his talk of fate. Sartorius's prophecies had never been wrong, forcing Aster to accept that each person truly had a destiny.

If all his victories to date were arranged by fate, was it possible that fate had arranged for him to lose today?

No—impossible.

Aster shook off the thought.

His tarot was The Chariot—the symbol of absolute victory, the chariot that utterly crushes foes. All these years, in so many duels, that prophecy had never changed.

No opponent mattered—he would win, and keep winning. Until he found the Ultimate D, found the culprit who ruined his life—

"I activate my set Trap—'Eternal Dread'!"

Aster roared.

The Trap flipped, and a giant D-shaped spotlight emblem blazed across the Clock Tower behind him.

The tower's hands accelerated, spinning madly. As if an unseen will had seized time's dial, time itself surged forward at the critical instant.

Almost simultaneously, Dogma—now controlled by Thousand-Eyes—swung his long blade.

Dasher's armor parted like butter; he let out a cry and exploded on the spot. The blast and shockwave surged across Aster's field, engulfing him wholly.

[Aster, LP 3000]

Untouched.

As the smoke thinned, Aster still stood straight beneath the Clock Tower. But the space before him shimmered, as though an invisible refracting shield had formed.

"Oh? You blocked it with the Clock Tower," Kira nodded. "With four or more counters, the controller of Clock Tower Prison takes no battle damage. A razor's-edge defense—nicely done."

Aster, having perfectly blocked the attack, only furrowed deeper.

Clock Tower Prison's hidden effect: when it reaches four or more "Clock Counters," its true power triggers. As long as the tower with four or more counters remains on the field, its controller takes no battle damage.

The Trap he activated—"Eternal Dread"—is designed to pair with Clock Tower Prison. Eternal Dread immediately places two Clock Counters on it.

The tower had already gained two counters from Kira's two Standby Phases; with two more from the Trap, it now had exactly four. Thus, within this field, Aster had gained the ultimate shield of complete immunity to battle damage.

The problem was—how did Revolver know?

Aster grew more alert.

He had barely used Destiny HEROes in public—not even on the pro circuit. The Deck was designed by his father, unique in the world, never officially released; there should be no public information about it.

Who on earth was this Revolver? How did he even know the Clock Tower's effect?

Could he really be like Sartorius, possessing the power to see through fate?

If so, were the things he'd said true? That dueling this man was like facing the wheel of destiny—just like all those who had faced Aster until now?

"With four counters on the Clock Tower, there's no point in continuing the attack. I'll pass."

Kira spoke carelessly.

"Battle Phase ends.

I switch my unused 'Synthesize Sphere' to Defense Position and end my turn."

[Synthesize Sphere, ATK 1000 → DEF 1000]

Worth noting: the printed Thousand-Eyes Restrict prevents all other monsters from attacking while it's on the field. But in the original anime, only the opponent's monsters couldn't attack.

So if Aster hadn't hit four counters at that critical moment for the tower's protection, he'd already have been finished off by Synthesize Sphere.

Now, even without the attack restriction on Kira's side, as long as Thousand-Eyes remained, Aster still couldn't attack.

"Oh, and by the way—Thousand-Eyes isn't an Sphere bird. Its absorbed monsters don't pop back at end of turn," Kira said with a smile. "If you're hoping Dogma will return to your field at the end of the turn, you'll be disappointed."

Aster's face was grim. He simply said, heavily:

"My turn—draw!"

Chapter 645: Descent of Dread

"My turn—draw!"

Aster drew, glanced at the card, and immediately slammed it down.

"Spell Card: Spell Book from the Pot. Both players draw three cards from their Decks!"

Kira and Aster each drew three.

Aster's eyes skimmed his new hand; he narrowed his gaze and spotted a fresh line at once.

He looked up at the sinister Thousand-Eyes Restrict across the field.

You like bull-headed controllers, huh? And you won't let me attack, huh?

Then how about this?

"I activate the Spell 'The Warrior Returning Alive,' returning a Warrior-Type from my Graveyard to my hand. I return 'Destiny HERO - Fear Monger,' then Normal Summon!"

"Come on! Destiny HERO - Doom Lord!"

A blood-red vortex rose like a miniature cyclone—only to coalesce into a red cloak. The black-clad demon flicked the cloak aside and stood tall within it. A cold wind whipped the cape like a flag.

[Destiny HERO - Doom Lord, ATK 600]

Though only 600 ATK, this might be one of Aster's favorite Destiny HEROes. Not only was it the early face of the archetype, it was also the one he used most when moonlighting nightly as a vigilante.

"Doom Lord is a Destiny HERO who transcends time—he can send monsters to the future."

Aster snapped his fingers.

"Vanish into the future, two turns from now—Thousand-Eyes Restrict!"

Doom Lord lunged, his claw smashing into the Restrict's grotesque central eye.

Space itself seemed to twist, as if an invisible whirlpool opened and swallowed Thousand-Eyes Restrict whole.

The Dogma that had been equipped to Restrict let out a roar, finally wrenching itself free of the darkness. But once separated, Dogma's body immediately shattered, bursting into pieces.

Naturally so: Destiny HERO – Dogma, absorbed as an Equip, ceased to have its host on the field once Restrict was removed; losing its equip target, it was destroyed.

Aster liked to dress up Destiny HERO effects with lofty language, but "sending to the future in two turns" is, in truth, banishing the target.

While in Attack Position, Doom Lord can, once per turn, banish a monster on the opponent's field. The turn this effect is used, you cannot conduct battle. The banished monster returns during the controller's second Standby Phase after activation, in the same battle position.

"Since I used Doom Lord's effect, I can't battle this turn," Aster said coolly. "I end my turn."

"'Sending to the future' really is your style of phrasing," Kira smiled.

Aster frowned. "Don't talk like you know me."

"I didn't say I do," Kira shrugged. "It's just that in your hands, Destiny HEROes feel like they're shackled with a heavy chain called fate.

Like you're saying heroes are heroes because destiny left them no choice."

"Only those prepared to bear fate deserve to be called heroes," Aster shot back.

"Is that so? Was that also your father's intent when he designed Destiny HERO?" Kira asked. "When he made this Deck, was it to bind heroes to the heavy fate you carry?"

Aster froze.

Destiny HERO was the most important thing his father had left him—the Deck was like his very soul. In his heart, Destiny HERO and himself were one and the same.

But what had his father intended back then?

He realized he'd never really considered that question.

"My turn—draw."

Kira looked at his draw. The massive, gloomy Clock Tower stirred again, its hands turning as time pressed forward.

A deep, resonant roar came from within the tower, as though something were battering at the confines of its space. Heavy, bell-like clangs echoed across the field.

"I activate the Spell 'Pot of Greed' to draw two cards."

Kira drew, then seemed to consider.

"Mm. Clock Tower Prison now has five counters," Kira said. "Looks like even if I battle, I can't deal damage. I'll skip the Battle Phase.

From my hand—"

He fanned a thick grip of cards and first placed one sideways onto the Duel Disk.

"I Set a monster face-down."

A face-down appeared on his field.

"Then I set four back row cards. Turn end."

Aster's gaze flickered.

A Set monster, plus the back row—five set cards at once.

And he hadn't switched Synthesize Sphere to Attack to try to beat over Doom Lord—which made sense. With only 1000 ATK and the opponent on low LP, even attacking wouldn't deal battle damage, and might be risky.

To say Aster felt no pressure now would be a lie.

But this wasn't the time to back down.

"My turn—draw!"

He drew sharply, his momentum even stronger than before.

A glint flashed in his eyes; he slammed the drawn card down.

"Field Spell—

—Dark City!!!"

Night swallowed the field. Dark buildings rose from the ground.

Unlike Elemental HEROes' glittering skyscrapers, this was the city governed by DARK HEROes—a stage where evil breeds and villains roam.

"In Dark City, when a Destiny HERO attacks an opponent's monster and has lower ATK, it gains 1000 ATK during damage calculation!"

Obviously, the Destiny HERO version of Skyscraper.

But it suffered for debuting later in the anime. Despite being a reskin, it didn't enjoy anime-only perks, instead matching the printed effect.

Skyscraper's anime effect boosted ATK by 1000 whether you attacked or were attacked, as long as your E-HERO's ATK was lower. The printed card was nerfed—only when your E-HERO attacks. Dark City, being the reskin, follows the printed limitation: only when your Destiny HERO attacks.

Also, only one Field Spell can exist at a time. A new one replaces the old.

"With Dark City activated, the Field Spell 'Clock Tower Prison' is destroyed," Aster said.

Kira nodded. "When a Clock Tower with four or more 'Clock Counters' is destroyed, that's when it releases its true power."

Aster couldn't help frowning again.

This guy… really does know everything.

Why?

Who is this Revolver? How could he know this much about my Deck?

No time to dwell—he continued.

"When the Clock Tower with four or more counters is destroyed, the beast sealed within is freed!

Show yourself—my strongest Destiny HERO, the prisoner within the tower—

—Destiny HERO – Dreadmaster descends!!!"

Chapter 646: Prisoner of Fate

The Clock Tower shattered.

Dust and rubble blotted out the sky; even the air reeked of metallic grit. Great stone beams and broken arches collapsed together. A massive iron hand swept down among the falling debris with a clanging thud as it bent out of shape.

A feral roar bellowed from the dust—a furious scream. A burly silhouette burst through the smoke, body like a mountain.

Bare-chested and muscle-bound, he wore a rusted yet unyielding iron mask. Heavy shackles bound his wrists and ankles, broken chains still trailing. Moonlight from the dark city of sin traced the contours of his physique, making him look colossal.

[Destiny HERO – Dreadmaster, ATK ?]

"So he's here," Kira said coolly. "The Destiny HERO bound within the Clock Tower. This is your ace—your soul made manifest, right?

Is that how you see yourself, and your Destiny HEROes? That the meaning of 'Destiny HERO' is to be a prisoner to fate?"

Aster grit his teeth and shook his head.

"Shut it—Dreadmaster's effect activates!"

Dreadmaster roared, slamming his palms down. A transparent shockwave erupted across Aster's field.

"When Dreadmaster is Summoned or Special Summoned, all monsters you control other than 'Destiny HERO' are destroyed!"

Aster paused.

"Of course, I currently control nothing but Destiny HEROes, so nothing is destroyed.

Then Dreadmaster can Special Summon up to two 'Destiny HERO' monsters from my Graveyard."

He raised his Duel Disk; golden light flared from the Graveyard. Two cards slid out.

"Come on!

Destiny HERO – Diamond Dude!

Destiny HERO – Dasher!

Revive!"

Dreadmaster roared and swung both shackled arms. Chains whipped out to either side, rending open two underworld vortices that his chains dove into.

From within, pairs of hands seized the chains, and two HEROes hauled themselves out—one studded with dazzling diamonds, one rolling in on wheels like a returning whirlwind.

[Destiny HERO – Diamond Dude, ATK 1400]

[Destiny HERO – Dasher, ATK 2100]

Dreadmaster differs a bit between anime and print. The core effect is similar, but the trigger changed. In the anime, the full suite of effects triggers whether it appears via Clock Tower or by a Tribute Summon using two tributes.

The printed card doesn't. IRL, Dreadmaster only triggers when Special Summoned by Clock Tower Prison; a regular Tribute Summon won't do.

"And Dreadmaster's follow-up effect," Aster continued. "This card's ATK and DEF become the combined original ATK of all other 'Destiny HERO' monsters I control!"

Kira nodded. "You've got Doom Lord, Diamond Dude, and Dasher."

"Right—their ATK totals all flow into Dreadmaster!"

Aster raised his arm high.

"Witness the true power of Destiny HERO—the union of heroes!"

[Destiny HERO – Dreadmaster, ATK ? → ATK 4100]

In one leap, 4100 ATK.

"And the turn Dreadmaster is Summoned, for the rest of that turn all Destiny HEROes I control cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, and any battle damage to me becomes 0!"

Dreadmaster roared again, wreathed in violet light. The surge spread to his HERO comrades beside him, layering protective auras around them.

The aura felt decidedly eerie.

Kira narrowed his eyes, studying Dreadmaster. He sensed a peculiar pulse from this HERO that none of the others had possessed—not even the fellow ace, Dogma.

Looking closer, he seemed to see faint white light radiating from that hulking form, congealing into ghastly faces—eerily reminiscent of Sartorius.

"I see," Kira murmured. "So this is the card imbued with the power Sartorius used to influence you?"

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

Aster snapped.

"Sartorius is my friend and always will be.

I activate 'Destiny HERO – Diamond Dude' again! Reveal the top card of my Deck; if it's a Spell, send it to the Graveyard to be activated during my next Standby Phase without cost."

Aster drew the top card.

"Draw!"

He glanced at it, then revealed it.

"Spell Card: Lightning Vortex! By discarding a card, destroy all face-up monsters your opponent controls!"

He paused, sent it to the Grave, and smiled lightly.

"Of course, since Diamond Dude will activate it in the future, there's no discard cost. Whatever monsters you Summon next turn, they'll all be wiped in my following Standby Phase."

"Another Spell, and an outrageous one at that," Kira shrugged. "As expected."

"Assuming you even get another turn!"

Aster stepped forward and shouted.

"I control four Destiny HEROes, all protected by Dreadmaster's resistances! Try and weather this next onslaught.

Go! Destiny HERO – Diamond Dude, attack 'Synthesize Sphere'!"

Diamond Dude's jeweled fist crashed down. The Sphere shattered and the little bird went skittering away with a shriek.

Of course, Synthesize Sphere had already shifted to Defense, so no damage.

"Next, 'Destiny HERO – Dasher,' attack the face-down Defense monster!"

Dasher blitzed forward, wheels screeching into a spin, leg lashing like a whip.

The face-down flipped: a plump jug with a creepy single eye and an even creepier jagged grin beneath.

[Morphing Jar, DEF 600]

"You attacked 'Morphing Jar,'" Kira said.

"When it's flipped, both players discard their hands, then draw five."

Morphing Jar exploded into a roiling darkness, swallowing every card from their hands. Both drew fresh hands of five.

"But now your field has no more walls. It's over!"

Aster roared.

"Destiny HERO – Dreadmaster, direct attack!"

Chapter 647: That Much Control?

"Destiny HERO – Dreadmaster, direct attack!"

Aster commanded at full volume.

"Heaven-Sunder Palm of the Soaring Sky!!!"

Kira: "…"

For a modern-urban Destiny HERO, that's awfully wuxia for a move name. Funny how it never felt out of place in the anime.

"Then I activate a set card," Kira said. "Trap Card: Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert. When an opponent's monster declares an attack, Special Summon a monster from your hand. The opponent must then attack the monster you Summoned."

Kira revealed a card.

"I Special Summon 'Air Sphere.'"

[Air Sphere, DEF 300]

"Tch, stalling with chaff walls again?" Aster sneered. "Forced attack is forced attack. Go, Dreadmaster—crush that trash!"

"Hold up."

Kira smiled and flicked his hand.

"I also activate the Trap 'Atmospheric Transference'!"

A second back row flipped.

"When one of my 'Sphere' monsters is Special Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Sphere' from my Deck."

Kira pulled an Sphere from his Deck.

"I Special Summon 'Synthesize Sphere.'"

[Synthesize Sphere, DEF 1000]

"And you haven't forgotten Synthesize's effect, right?" Kira smiled.

Aster said grimly, "On Summon, it can further Summon another Sphere…"

"Hahaha, a true pro—good memory," Kira said. "Synthesize Sphere: on Summon, Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Sphere from the Graveyard.

I revive 'Transforming Sphere.'"

[Transforming Sphere, DEF 100]

Aster's face twitched again.

Fighting this flock feels like yanking a turnip and pulling up the whole field—poke it and you've kicked a hornet's nest; a swarm floods out.

And of all things, it's this damned Transforming Sphere again…

Of course he remembered the 100/100 pest—it's the bull-headed controller…

Aster clenched his teeth.

His Dasher had the drawback of switching to Defense after battle, and that Transforming Sphere absorbs Defense Position monsters. The opponent's next turn was practically telegraphed.

In that case—

"Dreadmaster continues the attack," Aster growled. "Crush 'Air Sphere' first!"

Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert forced the attack on Air Sphere. So he'd use Dreadmaster to smash it. He still had Doom Lord to swing; then Doom Lord could erase that accursed bull-headed bird—at least then he wouldn't be controlled next turn.

But things didn't go his way.

Dreadmaster's mountain-crushing palm slammed out—only to crash into an invisible Sphere barrier. The birds remained unscathed; not a scratch landed.

Aster: "!?"

Why!?

"Air Sphere's effect," Kira explained with a smile. "While you control another Sphere, your opponent cannot declare attacks."

Aster: "…"

So I've got the bull-headed controller…and now a total attack lock?

Are you done yet?

Aster's face darkened.

So I can't attack—meaning I just have to sit here and watch you control me?

What kind of birdbrain Deck is this!?

He glanced at his hand and drew out a Trap.

D – Shield.

Equip it to a Destiny HERO you control; when that Attack Position Destiny HERO becomes the target of an attack, switch it to Defense Position, and while equipped it cannot be destroyed by battle.

An absolute defense—the strongest shield.

If his read was right, next turn the opponent would absorb his remaining monsters, then target the lowest-ATK Doom Lord as the breach point. Equipping D – Shield to Doom Lord would make him a stout bulwark.

"I set one card and end my turn."

Destiny HERO – Dasher had already auto-shifted to Defense due to its own effect.

"At the end of the Battle Phase, the 'Air Sphere' Special Summoned by 'Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert' returns to the hand," Kira said, and the little bird promptly hopped back.

"My turn—draw."

Kira continued.

"I Special Summon 'Breeze Sphere' from my hand."

[Breeze Sphere, ATK 700]

"Breeze can Special Summon itself if your opponent controls a Level 5 or higher monster," Kira said. "Then I banish the on-field 'Breeze Sphere,' 'Synthesize Sphere,' and another 'Synthesize Sphere' from my Graveyard.

With these three tributes, I call forth the ultimate Sphere—

—The Atmosphere, Summon!!!"

Gales surged, a hurricane roared. The ultimate Sphere spread its colossal wings and manifested amid the storm!

[The Atmosphere, ATK 1000]

"The Atmosphere!?"

Its presence felt nothing like the little ones; Aster's heart tightened.

"The Atmosphere's effect: once per turn, absorb any monster on your opponent's field as an Equip," Kira said with a casual wave. "I'll absorb 'Destiny HERO – Dreadmaster.'"

"NANI!?"

Aster's eyes nearly popped out.

More control?

Is there no end to this?

Dreadmaster bellowed and struggled, shackles clanking furiously. Useless—he was still absorbed in the end.

"Of course, Dreadmaster's original ATK is ?, so The Atmosphere can't gain any ATK from it," Kira shrugged.

"No matter. I discard a card to activate 'Transforming Sphere.' Absorb a Defense Position monster on your field.

I absorb the Defense Position 'Destiny HERO – Dasher' and gain its ATK."

Dasher was absorbed by the side bird; the Sphere's ATK spiked.

[Transforming Sphere, ATK 100 → ATK 2500]

"I activate my set Equip Spell 'D.D.R. - Different Dimension Reincarnation,' discarding a card to revive a monster that was banished."

Kira plucked a banished card from his case and waggled it.

"You said you sent this guy two turns into the future—he'd naturally return to my field during your next Standby Phase. But I prefer to give fate a little nudge—bring him back early—

—Thousand-Eyes Restrict, return!"

[Thousand-Eyes Restrict, ATK 0]

"Thousand-Eyes Restrict's effect: once per turn, absorb an opponent's monster as an Equip. This time I take 'Destiny HERO – Diamond Dude.'"

[Thousand-Eyes Restrict, ATK 0 → ATK 1400]

Aster: "."

"I activate my last set, the Continuous Trap 'Limit Reverse,' reviving a monster with 1000 or less ATK from my Graveyard.

I revive this one—Relinquished."

[Relinquished, ATK 0]

"Relinquished—absorb 'Destiny HERO - Doom Lord.'"

[Relinquished, ATK 0 → ATK 600]

Aster: "."

He was speechless.

What was there left to say?

Four monsters—an entire four of them.

All controlled in a single turn. Not just unheard of—it felt unthinkable since the dawn of dueling. He even wondered if this was the first time in history something so absurd had happened.

That's way too much control!

One turn, four bodies, four bull-headed absorbers…

If the opponent had left him even one—just the 600-ATK Doom Lord—with D – Shield's protection, he could have lived the turn.

But no.

Not a single monster left—everything controlled clean. The D – Shield in his back row became a decoration—no legal target.

"Transforming Sphere, Thousand-Eyes Restrict," Kira flicked his hand casually. "Direct attack."

Aster raised his head. Towering before him were the HEROes he trusted most—his very soul made flesh. Now they stood opposed to him, their immense shadows collapsing over him like Mount Everest (Mount Tai).

For a moment, Aster wavered.

Was this really…my fate?

[Aster, LP 3000 → LP 0]