Yugioh [672-677] (Patreon)

Chapter 672: The Silver Spirit

Sarina didn't explain it, but Kira seemed to have a faint impression of that eerie "Full Moon Mirror."

It was also one of the cards Sarina used in the original story that never became a real card. When it first activates, it looks like pure set dressing—just there to heighten the underworld vibe and seemingly useless.

But as Aster and Jaden's duel against Sarina deepened, they realized that each time a monster on the field was destroyed, that thing would open one eye. They inferred its effect: every time a monster is destroyed, this card must get a counter.

Once it accumulates ten or more counters, you can send the Full Moon Mirror on the field to the Graveyard to activate a unique Field Spell from the Deck: "Infinite Fiend Mirror."

This is Sarina's killer combo. Her ace monster is "Dark Creator," and the Infinite Fiend Mirror is the Field that pairs with it. While the Dark Creator is on the field, its controller can Summon any number of "Dark Creator Tokens" to their field; every one of them has identical stats and monster effects to the original.

"My turn. Draw."

Kira said.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Take Over 5' and send the top five cards of my Deck to the Graveyard."

He pulled out five cards and sent them to the GY in order, then glanced at that eerie Full Moon Mirror.

Getting ten counters isn't that easy, but since it's the opponent's finisher, better to deal with it now and avoid future trouble.

"I activate the Spell Card 'De-Spell'," Kira said. "Destroy one Spell on the field. I target the Continuous Spell 'Full Moon Mirror.'"

Sarina: "!"

She was startled. Her Deck is a manifestation of her own power, a unique type brimming with the extraordinary; most of its cards don't exist on the open market, so there's no way the opponent could have seen them before. He shouldn't know what the Full Moon Mirror does.

She hadn't explained the Mirror's purpose at all—yet even so, he opened by blowing it up.

Just going off a duelist's card sense?

That's a scary intuition.

But Sarina wasn't about to be outplayed: "Then I activate my Set card, the Trap 'Card of Pandora'! When a card in your Spell/Trap Zone becomes the target of an effect, switch the target to this card. Then I draw two cards from my Deck!" (Anime card)

The green beam from De-Spell veered, skimming past the Full Moon Mirror and striking the just-flipped backrow card instead.

"Did you sense danger from the Full Moon Mirror? Too bad," Sarina smiled, drawing two. "Looks like it won't be that easy."

"True enough. You really is something else," Kira shrugged. "Then I'll Normal Summon 'Breeze Sphere' in Defense Position."

A gust spiraled up, and a small, cute bird rode a ring of air to hover over Kira's field.

[Breeze Sphere, DEF 1000]

"Then I set two cards to my backrow and end my turn."

Sarina pondered. Even going second, there was no offense, just a defensive posture. It reminded her of recent duel with Kaiser vs. Aster—he also went setting backrow, totally at odds with the image of the Cyber style.

Such similar duel styles… is there a connection?

"My turn, draw!"

Sarina set aside her doubts. For her, dueling is divination—peering into the opponent's fate. She believed everything would become clear as the duel progressed.

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

"Next, I activate the Spell 'Mirror Route'!" (Anime card)

Silver crosses rose from the ground, connecting to two colossal mirrors that thrust up from the earth. Her on-field Silver Spirit Ukyo, stood right at the intersection, reflected on both mirror faces.

"Mirror Route can only target a monster I control with 1000 or less ATK," Sarina said. "I choose 'Silver Spirit – Ukyo.'

That monster can attack directly this turn!"

She swept her sleeve and commanded:

"Go, Silver Spirit – Ukyo, direct attack the Duel King!"

The shikigami leapt forward, but midway it vanished—its reflection slipped into the mirror. A mirror rose behind Kira's Sphere, and Ukyo's image flew out of it, bypassing the front line to strike directly at Kira.

But just as Ukyo was about to land the hit, it slammed into an invisible barrier. It was as if airflow formed a transparent vortex, a shield that repelled the attack.

"What?" Sarina frowned.

"Don't be so hasty," Kira smiled. "Trap Card 'Air Barrier.'

While a Sphere is on my field, your monsters can't declare attacks, and this turn my monsters can't be destroyed by card effects."

"I see, an attack seal. In that case, even Mirror Route can't force a direct attack," Sarina said. "But do you think it'll be that easy?

I activate my Set Trap, 'Trap Stun'!

After activation, for the rest of this turn, all other Traps on the field are negated!"

Her backrow flipped again, a domineering wave of energy spreading. The swirling air of Air Barrier was forcibly suppressed; the shield was about to collapse.

"Later effects resolve first. Once Trap Stun applies, your Air Barrier is negated," Sarina smiled.

"Right, later effects resolve first. So before your Trap Stun resolves…"

Kira snapped his fingers.

"I activate my Set card, the Continuous Trap 'Limit Reverse.'

Special Summon 1 monster with 1000 or less ATK from my Graveyard in Attack Position."

Sarina's expression shifted slightly. "Limit Reverse's effect resolves first and slips past the negation from Trap Stun—"

"Exactly," Kira said. "From my Graveyard I revive—

—Synthesize Sphere!"

[Synthesize Sphere, ATK 1000]

"When Synthesize Sphere is Summoned, Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Sphere' from your Graveyard.

I'll Special Summon…"

Kira revealed another Sphere. The smallest Sphere whirled out from a vortex in the earth with a piercing cry.

"Air Sphere!"

[Air Sphere, ATK 400]

"Now the Traps finish resolving, and Air Barrier is negated by Trap Stun," Sarina said. "Mirror Route's effect: this turn, Ukyo can attack directly. No number of monsters will stop it.

Battle continues—Silver Spirit – Ukyo, direct attack!"

Ukyo lunged again—but a transparent ring of air swirled up once more. Ukyo smacked into it a second time and bounced back, scuffed and stunned.

"What now?" Sarina was puzzled. "Air Barrier has been negated…"

"True," Kira smiled. "But this time it's Air Sphere's effect.

While there is another Sphere on my field besides this one, your monsters cannot declare attacks."

Chapter 673: Mirror Bind

Another attack lock.

Sarina frowned again.

One lock is lifted, and he immediately constructs a second. This guy—

"Fine."

Sarina quickly regained her composure.

"Then I'll Normal Summon 'Silver Spirit Sakyo' in Defense Position."

This monster was nearly a mirror image of Ukyo earlier, only symmetrical in attire and design—like inverted reflections.

[Silver Spirit Sakyo, DEF 600]

"Finally, I set three cards to the backrow and end my turn."

She looked up to study Kira again, as if trying to see through his placid expression to his intentions.

Duel King—the man hailed as the pinnacle of today's dueling world. Are you the one who can rewrite the tragic fate of me and my brother?

Or…

"My turn, draw," Kira said. "During my Standby Phase, the effect of the Spell 'Take Over 5' in my Graveyard: if this card is in the GY, banish it and a copy with the same name from your Deck, then draw one card."

Kira drew, then revealed another card from his hand.

"Spell Card 'Pot of Greed'—I draw two more." He drew, then immediately played another spell: "Spell Card 'Heavy Storm.' Destroy all Spells and Traps on the field!"

Sarina: "!"

Blowing again? More wind?

How much do you hate my Full Moon Mirror?

And this time it's not just the Mirror. After my triple set, he fired off the strongest board wipe. That's a brutal raw card disadvantage for me.

"Counter Trap 'The Huge Revolution is Over'!" Sarina said. "When a Spell/Trap/Monster effect that would destroy two or more cards on the field is activated: negate that activation and banish that card.

'Heavy Storm' is negated and banished!"

The raging cyclone halted; the sky seemed to split open, and a massive suction tore the storm into the rift—vanishing instantly.

"Solid protection," Kira smiled. "You really don't want me blowing up your mirror, huh?"

Sarina wore a teasing smile. "If you can do it, by all means, keep trying."

"Haha, then I won't be shy," Kira said. "I activate the Continuous Spell 'Precious Cards from Beyond.'

When I Tribute Summon using two or more Tributes, I draw two cards."

Sarina: "Going for a high-level Summon?"

"Exactly. And I'm Summoning this one…"

Kira raised his arm high.

"I Tribute 'Synthesize Sphere' and 'Breeze Sphere' to Tribute Summon!

Among the planetary series, the one and only fixed star—let your endless radiance banish darkness and shine upon the earth—

—The Supremacy Sun, Summon!!!"

Sarina's eyes widened.

"Sun…!?"

In an instant, all darkness vanished. Light bathed the earth, and a blazing sun slowly rose from the horizon.

Within that sun appeared a majestic humanoid—clad in heavy armor, towering, wreathed in flame.

[The Supremacy Sun, ATK 3000]

"The only fixed star among the planetary series—the strongest of them."

Sarina looked shaken; even as she gazed at the sun, tension crept in.

"So this is the Sun…"

"Indeed," Kira said. "And the Continuous Spell 'Precious Cards from Beyond' also activates:

Because I performed a Tribute Summon with two tributes, I draw two cards."

He drew two.

"Next I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Quick Summon' to perform a Normal Summon from my hand.

I'll Summon…"

Kira revealed a monster.

"Hand of Nephthys."

A dark-skinned girl stepped onto the field, clad in a golden, phoenix-like outfit, transparent flames coiling around her.

[Hand of Nephthys, ATK 600]

Sarina: "Nephthys…"

"Hand of Nephthys's effect: by Tributing any monsters I control including this card, I can Special Summon 'Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys' from my Deck.

I Tribute 'Air Sphere' and 'Hand of Nephthys'—become the path of flames that guides the phoenix to descend—

—Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys, descend!"

The Hand of Nephthys chanted; flames engulfed her and the Air Sphere, forming a massive fireball.

The fireball surged skyward, and in midair became a burning divine bird! A radiant golden body, vast wings wreathed in flames outstretched, as if reborn in glorious fire.

[Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys, ATK 2400]

"Two ace-class monsters in a single turn," Sarina said. "Mm, but that does make sense. Without such extraordinary ability, you wouldn't have been able to break through my brother's prophesied fate…"

She thought a moment and swept her sleeve.

"Then I activate my Set Trap, 'Card of Sacrifice.' If the total ATK of my monsters is lower than the lowest ATK among your monsters, I draw two cards from my Deck. But this turn I can't Summon monsters or change battle positions."

Kira: "My lowest ATK is Phoenix, at 2400."

"Ukyo and Sakyo total 1600, which is lower than Phoenix," Sarina said. "I draw two!"

"Battle," Kira said. "The Supremacy Sun attacks 'Silver Spirit – Ukyo.'"

Infinite light and heat converged, roiling in the Sun's palm like a condensed miniature sun.

It burst from his hand—a torrential river of scorching heat, crashing down upon the tiny shikigami.

An attack worthy of the planetary Supreme—yet facing the onrushing blaze, Sarina's lips quirked.

"This is exactly what I was waiting for," Sarina declared. "I activate my Set Trap—'Mirror Bind'!" (Anime card)

As the Trap activated, Sakyo and Ukyo both formed hand seals. Two mirrors rose from underground; the image of the The Supremacy Sun gathering flames was reflected on their faces.

"Mirror Bind. It can only be activated while I control both 'Silver Spirit Sakyo' and 'Silver Spirit – Ukyo.'"

Sarina smiled.

"When an opponent's monster attacks, destroy that attacking monster. Then, you can destroy another opponent's monster whose ATK is less than or equal to the destroyed monster's ATK!"

It was one of the key Traps in Sarina's duels against Jaden and Aster—the exclusive Trap for Sakyo and Ukyo.

Judging by its effect, it's like a budget version of Mirror Force. Its activation condition—requiring both Sakyo and Ukyo—is already demanding, and unlike Mirror Force, it can't wipe the opponent's whole field.

If there's one upside, its follow-up "destroy a monster with ATK under that value" doesn't care about battle position, so Defense Position monsters are valid targets. In specific situations, that might be stronger than Mirror Force.

Also, as a theme piece, it seems recyclable or searchable within the series.

"Therefore, the attacking The Supremacy Sun, and 'Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys' whose ATK is lower—both are destroyed!"

Chapter 674: Mirror Activates

Sarina: "Mirror Bind's effect—The Supremacy Sun and Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys are destroyed!"

The Sun's blazing fire reflected back from both mirrors, splitting into two torrents that struck the The Supremacy Sun and the Phoenix.

The intense, searing shock pierced both monsters; the erupting flames engulfed them. A sweeping heatwave rolled out as the giant and the divine bird both burned away.

"What a pity," Sarina chuckled. "You summoned two ace-class monsters in one go, only to have them neutralized in an instant. Fate really is fickle, isn't it?"

"Indeed."

Kira didn't argue; he just shrugged helplessly.

"Then my turn ends."

With his field now empty, it was a prime opportunity to attack. Sarina wouldn't miss it; her momentum swelled.

"My turn, draw!"

"At the start of the Standby Phase, The Supremacy Sun's effect activates," Kira said.

Sarina's heart stirred.

The Supremacy Sun's effect?

"During the Standby Phase of the turn after this card is sent to the Graveyard: Special Summon it."

Kira raised his Duel Disk, and a golden beam shot from his Graveyard, as if flying to the ends of the sky. The horizon bloomed with radiance again, and the towering golden giant descended once more.

[The Supremacy Sun, ATK 3000]

"I see," Sarina nodded. "The sun sets, and must rise again. An undying body—so that's the power of the planetary Supreme?"

No wonder he wasn't ruffled when his resource-intensive boss got swept. As the planetary Supreme, the Sun isn't so easy to put down.

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

"And now, I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Serial Spell.' When a Normal Spell is activated, discard your entire hand and have this card's effect become the same as that Normal Spell.

So Serial Spell copies Pot of Greed—I draw a total of four cards!"

Sarina drew four.

"Then I switch Sakyo and Ukyo to Defense."

[Silver Spirit Sakyo, DEF 600]

[Silver Spirit – Ukyo, DEF 600]

"Next, I activate the Spell 'Mirror Call'!"

Another series-exclusive Spell. Upon activation, Sakyo and Ukyo formed seals again—one pointing left, the other right. A black vortex churned between them, and a red card spun up from it into the air.

"Mirror Call can only be activated while I control both 'Silver Spirit Sakyo' and 'Silver Spirit – Ukyo,'" Sarina said.

"Return any Trap from my Graveyard to my hand. Of course, I'll take back…"

She flashed the card she'd retrieved, smiling lightly.

"The Trap 'Mirror Bind.'"

Then she fanned a fistful of cards.

"I set four cards to my backrow and end my turn!"

Kira narrowed his eyes.

Four backrow set.

So this is how most people feel when they face me.

By now, he'd basically mapped Sarina's line: her tactics revolve around the Silver Spirit pair, Sakyo and Ukyo. Many of her Spells/Traps require both to function.

The lynchpin is that Mirror Bind Trap, which destroys two of the opponent's monsters when they attack—recyclable via multiple means.

"If the Sun can keep rising, it will still be repeatedly broken by Mirror Bind."

Sarina smiled faintly, then her expression dimmed a little.

"You're strong. But at this level alone, you probably can't transcend a fixed destiny."

"That's too bad—I never planned to transcend any destiny," Kira said casually. "My turn. Draw."

A spiraling pillar of flame roared up behind him like a burning waterfall. In the rolling blaze, a form reconstituted—the burning divine bird spread its wings and cried to the sky.

Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys returns!

"Phoenix?" Sarina started. "But that monster should have already…"

"Been destroyed? Which is exactly why this effect matters," Kira said.

"When Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys is destroyed by a card effect, during my next Standby Phase it is reborn like a phoenix and Special Summons itself from the Graveyard."

As he spoke, the phoenix's endless flames spread, erupting across the field.

"And when it Special Summons itself with its own effect, destroy all Spells and Traps on the field!"

Sarina: "!"

All Spells and Traps…

She glanced at her backrow, crammed to bursting.

This is bad—

Total annihilation!

Only now did she realize that last turn's Mirror Bind had gained her almost nothing. The The Supremacy Sun can pop back up; this bird can too. And in comparison, this bird is even worse for her—its board wipe devastates her backrow-dependent deck.

If this phoenix fire goes off, her resources are basically wiped, and continuing the duel will be very hard.

She couldn't allow it.

"I activate my Set Trap, 'Zero Hole'!" Sarina declared. "Negate the effect of a Special Summoned monster and destroy it!" (Anime card)

The phoenix flames vanished in an instant. The Sacred Phoenix let out a cry, and before it could steady itself, it plunged back into a pit beneath its feet and disappeared once more.

"Oh, you at least defused that one," Kira smiled. "But you realize the problem isn't solved, right?"

Sarina knew exactly what he meant.

This looks like it solved the Phoenix, but really only delayed things. When Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys is destroyed by a card effect, it returns during its controller's next Standby Phase. Zero Hole destroyed it now; next Standby, it'll resurrect and blow up the backrow again.

Her deck is clearly reliant on the backrow—this is the worst possible opponent.

"But the Phoenix's Summon wasn't the only Set I activated."

Sarina's tone grew firm.

"You seemed to sense the threat of the Full Moon Mirror and kept trying to stop it from piling counters to call the 'Infinite Fiend Mirror' Field.

But the Field isn't the only way I can get it out."

Sarina raised her hand and raised her voice.

"Quick-Play Spell 'Demise of the Land'!

When your opponent successfully Special Summons a monster, activate to choose and activate a Field Spell from your Deck."

She plucked a card from the Deck.

"Activate—

—the Field Spell 'Infinite Fiend Mirror'!!!"

Chapter 675: The Dark Creator

The card shot from Sarina's Deck in a beam of light, and darkness ruled the field in an instant.

Ghostly silhouettes drifted out one after another, ringed around the field. Each specter clutched a gleaming mirror, reflecting a cold, sharp light.

Infinite Fiend Mirror—the Field exclusive to Sarina's ace, "Dark Creator." The Dark Creator hadn't appeared yet, so for now the Field only looked creepy and set the mood; it had no other effect.

"With Sakyo and Ukyo both present and Mirror Bind set, you can reflect anything I throw at you," Kira said.

"Indeed," Sarina chuckled. "Too bad Sacred Phoenix couldn't solve it for you."

"Yeah… in that case, I'll use this."

Kira played a card from his hand.

"First, the Spell 'Advance Draw.' Tribute 1 Level 8 or higher monster I control to draw two.

I Tribute 'The Supremacy Sun' and draw two."

The Sun extinguished again, its dissipating flames flowing back into Kira's Deck. He drew two.

Sarina: "Don't tell me the Sun can revive even if it's Tributed…"

"Of course," Kira smiled.

This is another difference between the original and the real card. The printed The Supremacy Sun requires you to discard a card to revive, and only revives if "this face-up card on the field is destroyed and sent to the GY."

But the original is different: it says "during the next Standby after it's sent to the Graveyard," it Special Summons—no mention of "face-up on field" or "destroyed."

In theory, even "Foolish Burial" from the Deck would trigger it.

So yes—Tributing it still works.

"Next, I activate 'Dark Hole'!" Kira said. "Destroy all monsters on the field!"

A ruinous celestial maw opened, its terrifying gravity dragging everything toward the vortex. Sarina's two Silver Spirit were sucked in and pulverized.

Sakyo and Ukyo look weak, but many of Sarina's effects require them. With them gone, the face-up Mirror Bind becomes a dud.

"I set one and end my turn," Kira said.

"My turn, draw."

Sarina drew.

"At this moment, the Sun returns," Kira said. "During the Standby Phase of the turn after it was sent to the Graveyard—The Supremacy Sun Special Summons itself!"

The Sun rose again, golden light bathing the earth. The giant landed with such weight the field seemed to sink; waves of transparent golden flame spread across the field.

[The Supremacy Sun, ATK 3000]

Sarina immediately revealed a card from her draw.

"Spell 'Card of Burial Magic.' Banish three Spells from my Graveyard to draw two."

She revealed three Spells in her GY.

"I banish 'Pot of Greed,' 'Mirror Route,' and 'Mirror Call' to draw two."

"Then I activate my face-down Spell 'Card of Adversity.' If you control a Special Summoned monster and I control none, I draw two."

After drawing, she paused, looked up, and smiled oddly.

"Looks like my preparations are about complete. Let's take this duel to its climax—let the ultimate Dark God descend here and now!

I activate my Set Trap, 'Soul Mirror'!

Send one card you control to the Graveyard to activate. I send the concurrently resolving Spell 'Card of Adversity' to the GY to activate Soul Mirror's effect:

Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard!" (Anime card)

It's like a budget Trap version of Monster Reborn—free revive from the GY, but costs a card.

"I revive 'Silver Spirit Sakyo'!"

[Silver Spirit Sakyo, ATK 800]

"Sakyo's effect: when Special Summoned, Special Summon 'Silver Spirit – Ukyo' from the Graveyard!"

[Silver Spirit – Ukyo, ATK 800]

"Then I Tribute Sakyo and Ukyo to Tribute Summon!

O ultimate Dark God, descend upon the field of the Exorcism Mirror—

—Dark Creator, Summon!"

The two shikigami vanished in a whirl of tributing wind, replaced by a vortex of darkness. A towering dark god with a sanity-shattering single eye in its chest emerged, its monstrous form reflected clearly in the ring of countless round mirrors around it.

Even the ghostly mirror-bearers seemed to grow more brazen, screeching in taunting chorus.

[Dark Creator, ATK 3000]

Kira mused.

Huh. As a cadre of the Society of Light, you're wielding a Dark God—doesn't that count as fraternizing with the enemy?

Then again, maybe it's foreshadowing.

Sartorius represents the evil power of Light; Sarina outwardly follows her brother's orders and cooperates, but she's already sensed something wrong and is planning a counterstrike. The fact she uses a Dark God opposed to Light might be a hint at her true allegiance.

"I activate the Spell 'Magic Planter,' sending the Continuous Spell 'Full Moon Mirror' on my field to the Graveyard to draw two."

Sarina plucked up the Continuous Spell that had been on the field from the start.

"Since the Infinite Fiend Mirror is already up, this one's no longer needed."

She sent it to the GY and drew two.

"Now, the Field Spell 'Infinite Fiend Mirror' activates!" Sarina raised her voice. "While I control 'Dark Creator,' Special Summon as many 'Dark Creator Tokens' as possible.

I have four empty Monster Zones, so I Special Summon four Dark Creator Tokens!"

Every mirror reflected the Dark Creator's form; darkness replicated the terrifying one-eyed demon, splitting into four until they formed a wall.

[Dark Creator Token, ATK 3000] x4

"Dark Creator Tokens gain exactly the same Attribute, Type, ATK, DEF, Level, and even monster effects as the original," Sarina said. "And the Dark Creator's monster effect is: it cannot be destroyed by battle. Also, each time it destroys an opponent's monster by battle, it inflicts 700 damage to the opponent!"

Chapter 676: The Divine Idol

Five Dark Gods descended at once!

Five Blue-Eyes White Dragon–class boss monsters attacking at once really does have terrifying OTK potential—at least on the surface.

"However, your Dark God actually has a downside, doesn't it?" Kira smiled. "Great power always comes with constraints. It might not be as convenient as it looks."

Sarina's eyes flickered.

What Kira said was true.

Dark Creator has another restriction she hadn't mentioned: this card cannot attack directly, and neither can its Tokens.

In other words, even though it can't be destroyed by battle and can duke it out with the The Supremacy Sun, which has the same ATK, the four remaining Dark Gods on the field will just have to stand there afterward—they won't be able to attack Kira directly on his empty board.

But how does this guy know that?

Sarina frowned.

The Dark God and this entire deck are her exclusive set; she's almost never used them in public. How could he know?

Could it be he, like the siblings, can see through the future?

Still, even if they can't attack directly, she has a plan.

Sarina: "I activate the Spell Card 'Brave Attack'! I combine the ATK of all monsters I control into one monster, but other than the chosen monster, none of my monsters can attack!" (Anime card)

It was the very Spell Atem used to defeat the Obelisk that was bound by Orichalcos—on second thought, it's a perfect fit for Sarina's Dark Gods.

With the Dark God's drawback, even summoning five at once looks scary, but if the opponent only has one monster, only one of them can actually attack.

But with this Spell, the Tokens that can't attack can still contribute all their ATK to the one that can.

"So I'll combine the ATK of my five Dark Gods into one!"

[Dark Creator: ATK 3000 → ATK 15000]

Its ATK shot straight up to fifteen thousand!

"If you can surpass destructive fate, show me now!" Sarina shouted. "Battle! Dark Creator, attack 'The Supremacy Sun'!"

"I activate a Trap," Kira said calmly. "Trap Card 'A Hero Emerges.' When the opponent declares an attack, randomly select a card from my hand. If it's a Monster Card, I can Special Summon it."

He paused, shook the card in his hand, and smiled faintly.

"I only have one card in my hand, so you can only choose this one. See, fate often appears full of variance and randomness, but if I first make sure there's only this one card in my hand, then you have no choice but to pick the one I want you to pick.

It seems fate isn't necessarily beyond manipulation."

Sarina: "…"

"And the last card in my hand is this."

Kira revealed it, and said evenly:

"I Special Summon 'Orichalcos Kyutora'!" (Anime card)

[Orichalcos Kyutora, ATK 500]

Sarina: "?"

What is that thing?

ATK 500, in Attack Position—

It gives off a very bad feeling at a glance.

Because the number of monsters changed, the attack rewound. Sarina hesitated.

She had to attack. Brave Attack has a drawback: at the end of the Battle Phase, all her own monsters are destroyed. If she chickened out over some unknown small fry, and it turned out to be a bluff, that would be laughable.

After a beat, she said, "Continue attacking 'The Supremacy Sun.'"

Even though the little monster's ATK was lower, it gave her a bad premonition. Either way, with fifteen thousand ATK, she had more than enough to take down the Sun…

Or so it should have been.

But when the blow landed, the Sun exploded and vanished in flames. The shockwave unleashed did not harm Kira at all; it was completely absorbed by Orichalcos Kyutora's single large eye.

"Kyutora's effect. All battle damage I would take is absorbed by Kyutora," Kira said coolly. "So that 12,000 damage was entirely absorbed. I take 0 battle damage."

"So it's a defensive monster that absorbs damage." Sarina understood.

"Is it really that simple?" Kira smiled mysteriously. "In any case, at the end of the Battle Phase, due to Brave Attack's drawback, your Dark Gods must all be destroyed."

A series of explosions like fireworks—Sarina's Dark Gods were blown to dust in an instant.

"Not bad. But I activate the Spell Card 'Monster Reborn,'" Sarina said. "I revive one of my monsters that was destroyed this turn.

I'll revive 'Dark Creator'!"

The Dark God that had just left the field hadn't even fully dispersed before the darkness it emitted gathered again, reforming into the Dark Creator.

[Dark Creator, ATK 3000]

"Infinite Fiend Mirror's effect: while Dark Creator is on the field, Special Summon four Dark Creator Tokens!"

[Dark Creator Token, ATK 3000] ×4

"Finally, I set two cards and end my turn."

Sarina let out a long breath.

After a self-sacrificial attack, she had re-established the board, and with backrow defenses to boot. She felt she performed excellently today—she'd done all she could.

If even this can't stop him, maybe this person really—

"My turn. Draw," Kira said. "Standby Phase—Miss Sarina, you haven't forgotten, have you?"

Sarina nodded: "The 'The Supremacy Sun' destroyed last turn revives in the next Standby Phase.

And the Phoenix God destroyed the turn before last—revives in your next Standby Phase… which is now."

"Correct," Kira said. "Therefore I Special Summon these two from the Graveyard.

The Supremacy Sun! Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys!"

[The Supremacy Sun, ATK 3000]

[Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys, ATK 2400]

"Phoenix's effect: upon being Summoned, destroy all Spells/Traps on the field!"

"That won't do." Sarina: "Quick-Play Spell 'Forbidden Chalice'! Phoenix gains 400 ATK, and until the end of the turn, its monster effect is negated!"

[Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys, ATK 2400 → ATK 2800]

Kira smiled, unsurprised. "Indeed, you had no other choice. Sacred Phoenix is the worst matchup for you—if your backrow gets wiped, you'd be in a very bad spot, wouldn't you?"

Sarina: "…"

"Next, I banish from play the 'Orichalcos Kyutora' on the field, the 'Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys' whose effect is negated, and the 'Breeze Sphere' in my Graveyard, to call forth the ultimate air current—

—The Atmosphere, Summon!!!"

[The Atmosphere, ATK 1000]

"The Atmosphere?" Sarina immediately sensed danger from the bird. Without hesitating: "I activate my set card, Counter Trap 'Solemn Warning'!

I pay 2000 Life Points to negate the Special Summon of a monster and destroy it!"

[Sarina, LP 4000 → LP 2000]

"Impressive, impressive—busting out Solemn Warning."

Kira even applauded, seemingly unconcerned that his apparent ace, The Atmosphere, was obliterated by a thunderous divine decree.

"But your vigilance makes sense. The Atmosphere can absorb an opponent's monster as an Equip." Kira said. "That would be… troublesome for you, wouldn't it?"

Sarina took a deep breath—her intuition was right.

When the Dark God leaves the field, the Tokens summoned by Infinite Fiend Mirror are all destroyed. If The Atmosphere absorbed her Dark God, the remaining Tokens would all self-destruct, and one direct hit from The Atmosphere would finish her.

Fortunately, she'd answered everything…

"However, my goal just now wasn't only The Atmosphere," Kira said suddenly, voice calm. "The moment Orichalcos Kyutora left the field, its final effect also activated.

When this card leaves the field by any means, search your hand or Deck for this card, and Special Summon it to the field."

Kira drew the card ejected from his Deck and murmured:

"Well then, Mister Serpent, let me borrow your power for a bit.

The manifestation of Orichalcos's power, bringing judgment and rebirth—

—Orichalcos Shunoros, Summon!!!"

Sarina: "!!!!!"

Orichalcos—this is!?

Emerald light surged skyward as divine radiance shaped a giant green body. The stern-faced divine idol towered to the heavens, emanating boundless majesty just by standing.

Even if this card now lacks a resident spirit and Orichalcos's godly power, the lingering might of a once top-tier spirit was enough to inspire dread.

"Orichalcos Shunoros's ATK becomes the total battle damage absorbed by Kyutora," Kira said. "Therefore, Shunoros's current ATK is—"

[Orichalcos Shunoros, ATK ? → ATK 12000]

"Twelve thousand ATK…"

Sarina was stunned for a long beat.

Only when the attack declaration sounded—when the divine idol released a dazzling emerald halo from its crown, a disc slicing through the air—did Sarina murmur to herself:

"The one who transcends fate really is…"

The halo sliced the Dark God in half, then pierced straight through Sarina.

[Sarina, LP 2000 → LP 0]

Chapter 677: A Shifting Fate

After eating Shunoros's ultimate straight to the face, Sarina was blown off her feet with arms flung wide. For a moment, she looked disheveled; even her virtual avatar seemed to glitch slightly.

Everyone seemed dumbfounded by how fast the duel's plot whiplashed.

First those Sphere Birds that kept bouncing back like cockroaches, then the legendary Planet series's The Supremacy Sun, then the Phoenix of Nephthys—a virtual hard counter to her deck…

And finally—what!?

Orichalcos!?

When she saw Kyutora, it didn't click. Kyutora is an unassuming little monster, not eye-catching. She felt like she'd seen it somewhere, but couldn't place it.

But when that terrifying green divine idol descended with crushing pressure, bearing 12,000 ATK like the embodiment of heavenly judgment, Sarina suddenly realized—

—She had seen it.

Orichalcos… wasn't that the deck of that world-ending demon king from ten thousand years ago?

The very one who was allegedly trounced by the Duel King at Duel City GX…

Yeah, right. While the "Arbiter" is reputedly very high-tier and truly powerful—especially among underground dark duelists, where rumors say that in Duel City the world stood only a few steps from destruction—

That's what they say, but once people heard the details, what stuck most was how he got toyed with by the Duel King's Lava Golem…

Only now did Sarina understand: not only did that Orichalcos unluckster lose the duel and his life, even his Orichalcos-avatar deck got stripped from him.

Sarina still didn't know that the legendary Planet-series The Supremacy Sun she'd just witnessed was also stripped from a certain world-ending dark boss.

Come to think of it, even the Sphere Bird Kira first revealed—Kagemaru was at least an arc-end boss, just on a lower tier than the previous two.

So in a sense, Sarina got ganged up on by three major bosses this match; not exactly a disgrace.

"Never thought even the power of Orichalcos would be in your grasp."

Sarina slowly stood, chuckling softly.

"As expected of the Duel King—wielding so many extraordinary powers at once… When they say you're not ordinary, they aren't exaggerating."

In fact, she was being polite; there were things she didn't say.

Rumors about the Duel King go far beyond "not ordinary." Those lucky enough to receive guidance from this generation's King often said: he's not even human…

"Well then, we've played the duel we needed to play. So—"

Kira smiled, stepped up to her, and offered a hand to the still-prone Sarina.

"Through this duel, what sort of fate did you observe?"

Sarina blinked, then smiled, placing her slender hand in his and letting him pull her to her feet.

"To be honest? You'll laugh—I couldn't see anything."

Sarina spoke calmly.

"It seems my ability is too shallow. Your fate is as unfathomable as your strength. With my meager capacity, I cannot glimpse it."

"You can't see my fate?"

Kira had long been curious. Sartorius possesses the power to see the future—so in Sartorius's view, what does his future look like? Can they predict the outcome of a clash between them?

"It's not that I can't see anything at all, but… more or less."

Sarina said,

"In truth, I don't know if it's because of you, or something else… because this sort of thing has been happening more often lately."

"What?"

"Fate is changing," Sarina said. "Not only for me, but for my brother as well.

We siblings have had this power since childhood—innate. For so many years, it never went wrong… but recently, anomalies keep happening."

"How so?"

"For example, Aster Phoenix," Sarina said. "He is my brother's strongest duelist. My brother's predictions of his victories have never missed.

But recently he's suffered loss after loss—each time breaking my brother's predictions."

"Or on my side, my Four Monarch. Each bore a prophecy of victory, a fixed fate. But they encountered a man called Revolver, and their fated victories were broken all the same."

"Jaden Yuki, Zane Truesdale, Revolver… and today's duel with you," Sarina wore a puzzled expression. "In fact, even before today's duel, my mirror divination showed I should win.

But your duel was completely beyond my expectations. Even up to the end, I didn't feel I had any chance at any point… Why?"

The more Sarina thought about it, the more perplexed she became, her brows knitting tight.

"Has our ability failed? Or is there some interfering force?"

Kira said nothing.

He couldn't answer her. He didn't even understand how the Sartorius siblings' power worked. From her words, the only takeaway was that their power lately seemed to be failing.

And judging from the people she mentioned, that failure might be related to him.

His duel just now with Sarina and the one with Revolver go without saying—both were him. Zane Truesdale reached Hell Kaiser stage early thanks to Kira's meddling at the Academy; you could say fate was altered by Kira's interference.

Jaden was also influenced, gaining Neo Space's power earlier than in the original timeline; his fate's trajectory likely changed as well. But that proves little, since in the original, Sartorius's power failed against Jaden's fate anyway.

Is it because he's a transmigrator, not native to this world, so Sartorius can't observe him?

Or perhaps, when Sartorius/Sarina make predictions about him, they're predicting the fate of the original body—before he arrived—not his?

After all, if they predicted the original's fate, the result would be "an unremarkable duelist," "easily defeated," which wouldn't be wrong.

Of course, Kira could only speculate. He wasn't a mystic, and didn't get these occult things. Maybe he'd simply reached a level of strength where Sartorius's power naturally couldn't see through him.

That wouldn't be strange. In the original, Jaden surpassed Sartorius's prophecies. And in DM, Seto Kaiba brute-forced his way past Ishizu's Millennium Necklace prophecy. In Kira's opinion, the Necklace's specialization in future sight shouldn't be inferior to Sartorius's.

"Mr. Kira, I didn't come here today just to challenge you."

Sarina's words pulled him back to reality.

She spoke earnestly.

"I came to ask a favor. I want to ask you to save my brother… no, more than that. I want to ask you to save this world."