The Tale Weaver

It took me a while to navigate the castle to find the Tale Weaver’s throne room. And it took a while longer for him to actually show up there. I was waiting for a while. While I was sitting there, waiting for that bastard to show up, Jack appeared.

“What do you want?” I asked him.
“I want to balance the odds a bit more in your favor,” he said, handing me an envelope. “This contains a card that might help you win.”
“I don’t want your help,” I told him.
“Whether you accept it or not is your choice,” he said. “I care about this duel a great deal. I have a lot riding on your victory.”
“I thought you were on the Tale Weaver’s side,” I said.
“Is that what you thought?” he said, laughing. “I am on my own side. It just happens to occasionally be in my best interest to side with people who would otherwise be my adversaries. The Tale Weaver is useful to me right now, but that doesn’t mean I want him to destroy you, my boy. As I said; there’s a lot riding on this.”

With that, he vanished. Reluctantly, I opened the envelope and slid the card into my deck. I had no intention of actually using it, but if things got too bad, I might just need to.

It took a while, but the Tale Weaver finally showed himself.

“What took you so long?” I asked.
“I’ve been training,” he said. “I decided to take a break from that in order to attend to you.”
“How thoughtful,” I said sarcastically. “So, let’s settle this. I’ve come a long way to take you on.”
“Very well,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to this showdown,” said the Glitch, materializing a few feet away.
“Let’s go,” the Tale Weaver said, as we both drew our starting hands.
I had the Wooden Girl. First turn and I had already drawn one of my Fear cards.

“I’ll go first!” the Tale Weaver said. “I activate the spell card Storybook Of Grace! With this card, I can name one card, and then you reveal the top 5 cards of your deck. If any of them are the card I picked, it gets added to your hand, and the other cards are shuffled back into the deck. I select The Allseeing Eye Of Judgement!”
I flipped up my top 5 cards. Sure enough, the Eye was there. I added it to my hand.
“Now, do to Storybook of Grace’s effect, I can draw 2 cards!” he said. “Then, I use another Storybook Of Grace!”
“Again?” I asked.
“That’s right!” he said. “And this time, I choose the Dark Reflection, Mother Of Snakes!”
I revealed my top 5 cards again. She was there.
“Now, that card will be added to your hand, and I can draw 2 cards!” he said.
There was definitely something off with his strategy. Why would he want me to get all my Fears?
“Next, I activate the spell card Fear Theft!” he said. “I discard a card from my hand, then I can look at my opponent’s hand and summon all the Fears you hold!”
Oh, that’s why. He discarded a card, and then my three Fear cards disappeared from my hand and appeared on his field.
“I activate the effect of the Mother Of Snakes!” he said. “Now, I can return the trap card I just discarded to my hand! Then, I set 2 cards face down ad end my turn!”

“I draw!” I said.
Things weren’t looking good so far. He had stolen all of my Fear cards. I’d have to bring them all down, and fast.
“I summon Solar Light Juggler!” I said.
A man in colorful clothing juggling a bunch of balls appeared on my field. He was level 1 with 100 atk and 1000 def.
“Then, since I summoned Juggler to the field, I can special summon Solar Light Wolf!” I said.
The Wolf appeared on my field.
“I activate Solar Light Juggler’s effect!” I said. “When I special summon a Solar Light monster, I can negate the effects of every monster that’s currently on the field until the end phase!”
“No!” The Tale Weaver exclaimed.
“That’s right!” I said. “Now, I tune level 1 solar Light Juggler to my level 4 Solar Light Wolf to synchro summon Solar Light Dual Wielder!”
A man in gold armor appeared on my field. He was level 5 with 1400 attack and 1900 defense. Two glowing swords appeared in his hands.
“Dual Wielder comes into play with 2 sword counters,” I said. “And for each sword counter he has, he’ll gain 500 attack!”
My monster’s attack rose to 2400.
“Then, I activate Solar Light Freestrike!” I said. “Do to this card’s effect, Solar Light Dual Wielder can attack twice this turn, and you can’t activate any trap cards while he attacks!”
A gold aura enveloped my monster.
“Now, attack the Eye!” I commanded.
Since the Eye’s effect was negated, the Eye was destroyed, and the Tale Weaver took 2400 damage.
“And I’ll use his next attack to destroyed the Wooden Girl!” I said.
The Wooden Girl had the same attack power as Solar Light Dual Wielder. Normally, they would both be destroyed. But instead, the Wooden Girl was destroyed, and one of my monster’s swords shattered, reducing its attack power to 1900.
“When Dual Wielder would be destroyed in battle, I can instead remove one of his sword counters,” I said. “Then I end my turn.”

“My move,” the Tale Weaver said. “I activate the trap card Strike Slash, allowing the Mother Of Snakes to gain 700 attack points! Now, attack!”
“I activate Solar Light Dual Wielder’s effect!” I said. “I can remove his remaining count to prevent him from being destroyed!”
His monster had 3400 attack points. I took 1500 damage.
“I end my turn,” he said.

“I draw!” I said. “I switch Solar Light Dual Wielder to defense position and end my turn.”

“I draw,” he said. “Then, I’ll equip Mother OF Snakes with Angel Fire. This card converts her into a Light attribrute and increases her attack power by 500. Now, attack your monster!”
The Mother Of Snakes slithered towards my warrior, hissing.
“Now, I activate the trap card Storybook Of Confrontation!” he said. “This card will switch all face up monsters to attack position!”
My Dual Wielder changed back to attack position and was crushed by the Mother Of Snakes. I took 1800 damage, bringing me down to 4700 life points.
“I set two cards and end my turn,” he said.

“I draw!” I said. I finally had what I needed to take his monster down. “I summon Solar Light Stallion in attack mode!”
My level 4 Stallion appeared, with 1700 attack points.
“Next, I equip Stallion with Solar Light Staff!” I said. “This will increase his attack power by 600!”
“That won’t help you,” he said coldly.
“That’s what you think!” I said. “But by destroying all equip spells in play, I can special summon Solar Light Paladin from my hand!”
My Paladin appeared on my field. He was level 5 with 1900 attack and 2100 defense.
“Now, 1 monster on the field loses 300 attack for each card I just destroyed,” I said. “I choose Mother Of Snakes, and since she lost the power bonus from Angel Fire, her attack power is now 2100!”
“Damn it!” he snapped.
“Next, since Solar Light Staff was destroyed, Stallion has his level increased by one,” I said. “Also, Stallion’s effect allows me to draw a card!”
I drew a card. Now it was time to really get serious. I channeled all of mine and Gordon’s power in order to forge a new card. One with the power to destroy a Fear.
“I build the overlay network with these two level 5 monsters!” I announced. “With them, I xyz summon my new monster! Solar Light Nephilem!”
A new creature appeared before us. A man in silver robes, with long black hair and a crimson longsword in his hand. A pair of horns extended from his forehead, and halo hovered above them. He had four wings sprouting from back. The top left and bottom right wings were black, and resembled dragon wings, while the top right and bottom left were golden eagle wings. My monster was rank 5 with 2700 attack and 1500 defense.
“What is this?” the Tale Weaver demanded. “How could you have this kind of power? Unless…”
The realization seemed to strike him.
“You’re not Saylo, are you?” he asked. “Not anymore…”
“i suppose not,” I said, smiling. “Gordon and I are one in the same now. I am the remnants of them both.”
“I see,” the Tale Weaver said. “So this is your fusion…”
“Enough talk!” I said. “I activate Nephilem’s effect! By detaching an overlay unit, The Mother Of Snake’s will have her effect negated and will lose 400 attack points!”
The Mother Of Snake’s attack power dropped to 1700, and she lost her invincibility.
“Now, I’ll have Nephilem attack her!” I said.
My Solar Light Nephilem attacked his monster, destroying her and reducing his life points to 4600. Just bellow mine.
“Next, since Nephilem destroyed a monster in battle, I can draw one card from my deck,” I said.
I drew. It was the card Jack gave me. If I activated it, I could upgrade Nephilem into something even stronger. But I had promised myself I wouldn’t use it. Instead, I set one card face down and ended my turn.

“My move,” the Tale Weaver said. “I summon Romeo Montague in attack mode!”
His new monster was a level 4 warrior with 1700 attack and 1500 defense.
“Next, since I control romeo, I can summon Juliet Capulet to join him on the field!” he said.
A girl with 1200 attack and defense appeared.
“Next, I activate the trap card Storybook Of Righteousness,” he said. “By reducing the attack power of one Light monster by 300, I can special summon a level 4 Light monster from my hand. I reduce Solar Light Nephilem’s power to call forth Sir Lancelot!”
A warrior with 1900 attack power appeared as my Nephilem’s power dropped to 2400.
“Then, I use another Storybook Of Righteousness!” he declared. “So by reducing your monster’s attack power again, I can special summon Damsel In Distress!”
This time it was a young girl with 1400 attack points. My Nephilem’s attack power dropped to 2100.
“Next, I equip Damsel In Distress with Shine Palace, which increases her attack power by 700!” he said. “Then, I overlay Romeo, Juliet, and Lancelot!”
His monsters were drawn into a vortex of blinding light.
“I build the overlay network with these 3 level 4 monsters to xyz summon Knight In Shining Armor!” he declared.
A man in silver armor, riding a white horse appeared from the light, with 2400 attack points.
“Now,I’ll have him attack Solar Light Nephilem!” he shouted.
My monster was destroyed and I took 300 damage.
“Now, I attack directly with Damsel In Distress!” he said.
“I activate the trap card Solar Light Protection!” I exclaimed. “This card allows me to shuffle a card into my deck and draw a new card, and if it’s a Solar Light monster, your attack is negated!”
“Hmph, good luck,” he said.
I shuffled Jack’s card back into my deck and held my breath. The card I drew was, thankfully, Solar Light Stormblade. I was safe.
“I end my turn,” the Tale Weaver said.

“My turn,” I said, drawing. “I set one card face down and summon Solar Light Stormblade.”
My 1500 attack point monster appeared.
“Next, I destroy my face down card to activate Stormblade’s effect in order to summon Solar Light Cowboy!” I said. “Then, with Cowboy’s effect, you receive 600 damage.”
The Tale Weaver’s life dropped from 4600 to 4000.
“Also, since the card I destroyed was Solar Light Blessing, I can draw one card from my deck for each Solar Light monster I control,” I said. “So now I can draw 2 cards.”
“Good for you,” the Tale Weaver said.
“Now, I tune level 4 Solar Light StromBlade to my level 4 Solar Light Cowboy to perform a synchro summon!” I declared.
“Finally bringing out that dragon of yours?” the Tale Weaver asked.
“That wasn’t the plan!” I said. “I synchro summon level 8, Heavenly Knight, Solar Light Claymore!”
A warrior with a massive, two handed sword appeared on my field. He had 2600 attack and 2300 defense.
“I activate the effect of Damsel In Distress!” he said. “Since you just summoned a monster with higher attack power than her, control of her switches!”
Suddenly, my monster charged at her, grabbing her around the waist and dragging her back to my side of the field.
“Did… did my monster just kidnap your monster?” I asked.
“Yes,” he said.
“Okay…,” I said. He was up to something. “I activate the equip spell Solar Light Railgun!”
A giant high tech cannon dropped to the ground in front of my Claymore.
“This card raises Claymore’s attack power by 1000,” I said. “However, other monsters I control can’t declare attacks. Now, attack his Knight!”
My monster attacked, dealing the Tale Weaver 1200 damage. His monster remained standing.
“I can detach and overlay unit from Knight In Shining armor to negate the destruction of a light monster,” he said.
“I activate Claymore’s special ability!” I said. “Once per turn, I can banish a Light monster from my graveyard to have him attack again! I banish Solar Light Juggler!”
My monster fired up the railgun again, blasting it at the Knight.
“I use Knight’s effect to protect him again!” the Tale Weaver said.
His life went down to 1600.
“I set a card and end my turn,” I said.

“I draw!” the Tale Weaver said. “I activate the spell card Story Book Of Empowerment! This card raises the attack of an opponent’s monster by 1000, and allows me to draw 2 cards! I’ll use this effect to power up Damsel In Distress!”
Damsel In Distress had her attack power increased to 3100, and he drew 2 cards.
“Now, I’ll use the other effect of Knight In Shining Armor!” he said. “Since Damsel In Distress is on your side of the field, I can use one of his overlay units to regain control of her!”
His knight rushed over to my field, and the Damsel climbed up on his horse. Then, the Knight drew his sword and swung it at me hard.
“Oh yeah, I forgot to mention,” he said. “You also receive damage equal to her attack power.”
I clutched my chest as my life points were reduced to 1300.
“And since Solar Light Railgun only increases your monster’s attack power during your turn, it’s weak enough for me to attack now!” he said. “Damsel In Distress, attack!”
She didn’t seem to be in Distress while she was attacking me. She charged right at my monster, ready to destroy him.
“I activate Divine Guardian!” I said. “This card protect my life points and my monster by tributing my Railgun, and allows me to draw 2 cards!”
A barrier stopped his Damsel. I drew 2 cards.
“I set two cards face down and end my turn,” he said.

“I draw!” I said. “I attack Knight In Shining Armor with Claymore!” I said.
My monster slashed his sword, destroying the Knight and inflicting 200 damage.
“Next, I banish Solar Light Dual Wielder to attack again!” I said. “Destroy his Damsel!”
The Tale Weaver lost another 500 life points, bringing him down to 900.
“I set a card and end my turn,” I said.
“During your end phase, I can activate the trap card Storybook of Reanimation!” the Tale Weaver said. “This card allows me to revive level 4 or lower Light monsters from any graveyard equal to the number of my Light monsters that were destroyed this turn!”
“What?” I gasped.
“Using this card, I summon two cards from your graveyard!” he said. “Come forth, Solar Light Stormblade and Solar Light Stallion!”
My monsters appeared, on his side of the field.
“Their effects are negated, and they can’t attack,” he said. “Also, they’re destroyed during my end phase. But until then, I can still use them.
“Damn it!” I exclaimed.

“My turn!” he said, drawing. “I tune level 4 Solar Light Stormblade to level 4 Solar Light Stallion to synchro summon my strongest card, the Marchen!”
Words and letters began swarming the air around us. A giant, black book appeared, and opened up. Even more words flooded out from the books, taking the shape of a large demon, composed entirely of words and letters in constant motion. It was level 8 with 2500 attack and 2300 defense.
“I activate the Marchen’s effect!” he said. “Once per turn, I can banish a spell card from my graveyard to gain 500 life points and increase the Marchen’s attack power by 500! I banish Storybook of Grace!”
His monster rose to 3000 attack, and his life rose to 1400. Not good.
“Now, I’ll have the Marchen attack your monster!” he declared.
“I activate the trap card Solar Light Barrier!” I said. “This card switches my monster to defense position and prevents its destruction!”
“I end my turn,” he said. The Marchen’s attack power returned to normal.

“I draw!” I said.
I needed a comeback, and fast. And it looked like I had one.
“I summon Solar Light Bowman!” I said.
An archer with 1800 attack appeared.
“That won’t help you,” he said.
“You think so?” I asked. “Well, I’m gonna enjoy proving you wrong! I tribute these two Solar Light monsters to special summon Solar Light Dragon!”
A glorious dragon appeared before me, with glowing gold scales and wings larger than the Marchen itself. It was level 10 with 3000 attack and 2400 defense.
“I activate the effect of my Dragon!” I said. “When he’s special summoned, I can have him gain 300 attack for all of my banished cards until the end phase. I have two, so he’ll gain 600 attack power!”
My monster rose to 3600 attack points.
“Now, attack!” I ordered.
My monster released a burst of bright light from its mouths, flooding the room in a giant flash. A the light faded, I could see that the Tale Weaver’s life had dropped to 300, but the Marchen was still in play.
“What the… it can’t be!” I gasped.
“That’s right,” the Tale Weaver said. “The Marchen is a Fear card. It can’t be defeated, except by other Fears.”
“I activate Solar Light Dragon’s effect!” I said. “Since it just dealt you damage, I can add the bottom card of my deck to my hand. Then, I set two cards face down and end my turn.”
My Dragon’s attack power returned to normal.

“My turn!” the Tale Weaver said. “I activate the trap card Reckless Greed, allowing me to draw two cards by skipping my next two draw phases!”
He drew two cards from his deck.
“Next, I use the Marchen’s effect!” he said. “I banish my other Storybook Of Grace to gain 500 life points and increase its attack by 500!”
His life increases to 800 and the Marchen’s attack rose to 3000 again.
“Now, I activate the spell card Storybook Of The Dragon Slayer!” he said. “This ritual spell card allows me to tribute Romeo and Juliet from my hand to ritual summon Demetri The Dragon Slayer!”
A level 8 warrior in blue armor appeared on his side of the field with 2800 attack points.
“When this monster attacks a dragon-type monster, that monster will be destroyed, and you’ll receive damage equal to its level times 200!” he said. “I can either end your life with Demetri’s effect or I can destroy your Dragon with with the Marchen and attack you directly with Demetri. Either way, it’s over!”
“I don’t think so!” I said. “I activate the trap card Eclipse Binding! When my opponent summons a monster that shares an attribute with a monster they already control, all monsters they control with that attribute are switched to defense position! And since the Marchen and Demetri are both Light monsters, they’ll be changed to defense position!”
“Damn it!” the Tale Weaver said.
“Stop fooling around!” the Glitch yelled. “It’s time to finish him!”
The Glitch dissolved into static and flew into the Tale Weaver’s pocket. The Tale Weaver collapsed, clutching his head.
“Use it!” the Glitches voice shouted from all around us.
The Tale Weaver drew a new card from his pocket.
“I overlay the Marchen and Demetri!” he said. “With these two level 8 monsters, I build the overlay network and xyz summon the Glitch In The System!”
A humanoid figure made of static appeared on his field. It had 2800 attack and defense.
“Now it’s time to finish this duel once and for all!” The Glitch said. “I use my effect! By detaching and overlay unit, I can equip myself with a monster from your graveyard and gain attack and defense points equal to half of its attack power! I choose Solar Light Nephilem!”
The Glitch transformed into a distorted Nephilem, and its attack power rose to 4150.
“Also, when I destroy a monster in battle, you take 1000 damage!” the Glitch said. “It’s over!”
The Glitch attacked my monster, ready to destroy it.
“I activate the trap card Solar Support!” I said. “Wen a Solar Light Monster I control is attacked, I can banish a Solar Light Monster from my graveyard with less attack and gain life points equal to that monster’s attack power! I choose Heavenly Knight, Solar Light Claymore!”
My lif points rose to 3900. The Glitch destroyed my Dragon, and my life was reduced to 2850.
“You still receive 1000 damage!” the Glitch said.
My life was reduced to 1650.
“i end my turn,” the Tale Weaver said.
“And I’m sure you plan you banish Solar Light Dragon to summon the Chaotic War Dragon, Brute!” The Glitch said. “But it won’t help! Because by banishing Demetri, we can destroy a Dragon type monster you summon!”
“That’s not the plan!” I said.
“Oh?” The Glitch asked.

“I draw!’ Said. “A activate the spell card The Shadow Cast by Solar Light!” I said. “I pay life until I only have 100 left! Then, I summon as many level 4 Solar Light Monsters from my graveyard as I  can! I summon Solar Light Stormblade, Stallion, Wolf, Bowman, and Cowboy “
My 5 monsters appeared on the field.
“Their effects are negated, their attack power is reduced to zero, and the become Dark attribute in addition to their normal attribute,” I said. “Now, I build the overlay network with these 5 level 4 monsters!”
My monsters were all drawn into a portal of darkness and and light.
“By overlaying 2 or more monsters of darkness or light, I can xyz summon my new card!” I said. “Come forth, Nightmare Paladin Of The Brute!”
My Nightmare Paladin appeared before me. It had 2500 attack points points. and by detaching all of his overlay units, I can can have him gain 300 attack points for each of them!”
My monster’s attack points rose to 4000.
“Now, I’ll I have him attack the Glitch!” I exclaimed. “And when he attacks a special summoned monster, that, it loses 1000  attack points!”
The Glitches attacked pointed pointed dropped to 3150, and was destroyed. The Glith reappeared again in the the form of Dyson, and the Tale Weaver’s life points dropped to 0. I had won.

“Damn you!” he exclaimed. “I won’t let this end like this.”
A legion of monsters appeared before him. I think I recognized some of them from some kind of mythology. Maybe Norse… I don’t know.
“Destroy him!” he ordered.
“I overlay Cold Parsec and Cold Eatos to xyz summon Cryo Cross!” said a new voice.
I turned to see a man standing at the throne room’s entrance. It was one of the people I had dueled before. The one with the Cold Boy deck. He was accompanied by a colossal soldier, carrying a giant cross made of ice. The soldier charged forward and swung his cross, beating some of the monsters away.
“Veis!” the Tale Weaver said. “How dare you! You would dare betray me?”
“Last time I checked, I serve Gordon now, not you,” the guy said. “Besides, you’re just a usurper to the Marchen’s throne. I really don’t give a shit about you.”
“You’ll pay for your insolence!” the Tale Weaver cried.
Veis’s monster defeated all of the Tale Weaver’s monsters. Then the Glitch stepped in and started fighting the Cryo Cross. It looked like the Glitch was going to win that fight. I had to help out somehow. I drew a card from my deck. The card Jack had given me.
“I activate Rank Up Magic All Force!” I said. “Using this card’s effect, I overlay rank 8 Cryo Cross to xyz summon rank 9 Red Hand; Cold Crucifix Cryostriker!”
As I activated that spell card, my vision became blurry. I could feel a burning sensation all through my right arm as it started glowing red. Cryo Cross evolved into a larger knight, with black armor and a red gauntlet, with two ice crosses orbiting around it.

I don’t remember all of what happened next. The Tale Weaver and the Glitch had their asses handed to them by Cryostriker, a bunch of the castle was destroyed, and then I woke up in Venice, Italy.

This was a month ago. I think. I’ve lost my sense of time. I’ve lost my sense of a lot of things. I’m fading away. I won the duel, but my time was limited anyway. I’ll die soon. I’ll fade away into memory. I wanted to get this all posted before that happened. But at least I learned something. The Tale Weaver and the Glitch. They’re weak. They can be beaten. Whoever’s still out there, competing in those challenges, do your worst. I know they can be beaten.

My time’s almost up. Good bye.

A New Power

I encountered Gordon today. The real Gordon. He approached me as I was walking through an abandoned neighborhood.

“Nice to see you again, Fake,” he said.

“What do you want?” I demanded.

“Do I really need to say it?” he asked. “It think it should be fairly obvious.”

“A duel?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said. “You and the other fake, versus myself.”

“Fine,” I said. “Let’s do this.”

“Good,” he said.

 

“I’ll go first!” I said, drawing. “I summon Solar Light Stallion in attack mode!”

A glowing horse appeared on my field. It was level 4 with 1700 attack and 400 defense.

“Next, I play the spell card Solar Light Armada!” I said.

A flash of light shot down from the sky, striking me in the chest. Pain surged through my body, and my life points dropped to 6500.

“Damaging yourself, are you?” Gordon asked.

“That’s right,” I said. “Due to Armada’s effect, I take damage in multiples of 500, and for each 500 damage I receive, I can special summon a level 4 or lower light monster from my hand. I took 1500 damage, so I can bring out 3 monsters. I summon Solar Light Bard, Solar Light Clown, and Solar Light Cowboy!”

My level 1 Bard and Clown appeared, with 400 and 200 attack respectively, along with a level 4 cowboy with 1600 attack and 1200 defense.

“Due to Stallion’s effect, I can draw a card for each monster I just summoned,” I said. I drew 3 cards. “Next, I use Solar Light Cowboy’s effect to deal you 300 damage for each Light monster I control!”

He took 1200 damage, bringing him down to 6800.

“Now, I activate the spell card Lightwave Tuning, so now my Solar Light Cowboy becomes a tuner monster, so I’ll tune him to my level 4 Stallion to synchro summon Starlight Dragon in attack mode!”

My Starlight Dragon appeared, soaring in the sky above us. Level 8 with 2500 attack points.

“Not bad!” Gordon said. “That all?”

“Course not,” I heard Memory Gordon’s voice saying. “You’re gonna bring it out now, right?”

“Of course I am,” I said. “I tune level 1 Solar Light Bard to my level 1 Solar Light Clown to synchro summon my level 2 Formula Synchron!”

My formula Synchron appeared before me, with 200 attack points.

“When Formula Synchron is synchro summoned, I can draw one card!” I said.

“Perfect!” Memory Gordon said. “Now, do it!”

“I tune my level 2 Formula Synchron to my level 8 Starlight Dragon to Accel synchro summon the Scion Star Dragon!”

Scion Star Dragon appeared on my field. Level 10 with 3200 attack points.

“I set a card face down and end my turn!” I said.

 

“My move!” Gordon said. “I activate the spell card Polymerization! With it, I fuse my dark attribute Crawling Chaos Dragon with my fire attribute Juk-Shab Dragon to fusion summon Shub-Niggerath Dragon!”

His new monster was a terrifying abomination. It was level 7, with 2400 attack points.

“What does that thing do?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” Memory Gordon said. That card wasn’t in my deck before. He must have gotten new cards.”

“That’s right,” The other Gordon said. “My deck is far stronger than the one the fake Gordon used.”

“You can hear me?” Memory Gordon asked.

“That’s right,” the real Gordon said. “Now, allow me to explain my new monster’s power. Shub-Niggerath Dragon is treated as both a dark and a fire monster. But it gets better. You see, Shub-Niggerath is a deity of fertility and rebirth, so by using her effect, I can call forth a level 4 or lower dragon type monster from my hand or graveyard, so I’ll revive Juk-Shab Dragon!”

His Dragon rose from the grave and appeared on his field, with 1900 attack points.

“Next, I normal summon Nyarlathotep Wyvern in attack mode!”

Another grotesque dragon appeared. Level 3 with 1500 attack points.

“Now, since Crawling Chaos Dragon is in my graveyard, I can have yvern use its name!” he said. “Now, I tune my level three Nyarlathotep Wyvern to my level 4 Juk-Shab Dragon to synchro summon Nyarlathotep Devilwing!”

A huge bat-like creature with green and black scales and tentacles appeared. It was level 7 with 2600 attack points.

“Another new card” asked.

“Looks like it,” Memory Gordon said.

“Now, with these two level 7 monsters, I build the overlay network!” the real Gordon announced.

His monsters were pulled into a vortex of blackness. Flames suddenly erupted from the vortex, and a giant crimson orb appeared, surrounded by searing flames.

“Behold!” he said. “Rival OF Cthulhu- Cthugha!” he shouted.

His monster was rank 7 with 2600 attack points.

“When this monster is xyz summoned, your monsters can’t use their effects!” he said. “Also, by using one of his xyz materials, you take 500 damage for each card you control!”

I had out 2 cards. My life dropped to 5500.

“I’m not finished yet!” he said. “I play the spell card Curse Of The Necronomicon! Now, by using a Rival Of Cthulhu card as an overlay unit, I can xyz summon an Evil Deity Lord monster with the same attribute that’s one rank higher! So I’ll use my rank seven fire attribute Cthugha, I xyz summon my rank 8 Evil Deity Lord- Cthugha God Dragon!”

His Rival Of Cthulhu card morphed, taking the form of a crimson scaled drago, surrounded in dark flames. It had 3000 attack points.

“Not only do I get to summon him, but Curse Of The Necronomicon will become an overlay unit for him!” Gordon said. “And for each overlay unit he has, he gains 300 attack points!”

His monster had 3 overlay units, bringing it up to 3900 attack points.

“Now, attack his Scion Star Dragon!” he shouted gleefully.

My dragon was destroyed in his monster’s raging fire, and I took 700 damage.

“Next, I activate my monster’s effect!” he said. “By detaching an overlay unit, you take damage equal to your monster’s original attack power!”

I was hit by a burst of flames, bringing my life points down to 1600.

“This is excellent!” he said, laughing. “I’ll end my turn here. Your move.”

 

“I draw!” I said.

“You’d better make a good move,” Memory Gordon said. “He’s wiping the floor with us.”

“I know,” I said. “I summon Solar Light Healer from my hand!”

My level 3 Healer appeared, with 1200 attack points.

“Next, I use the trap card Solar Light Beacon, allowing my to special summon a Solar Light Monster from my deck with the same level as my Healer, so I’ll bring out Solar Light Prince!”

My level three Prince also appeared.

“I use Healer’s effect!” I announced. “Now, I gain life points equal to my Prince’s attack points. Since his attack is 1800, that’s how much I gain!”

My life increased to 3400.

“Next, I build the overlay network with these two level 3 monsters to xyz summon my Solar Light Samurai!”

A samurai with 2100 attack and 1500 defense appeared.

“I play the spell card xyz energy!” I said. “Now, I can detach one of my monsters overlay units to destroy your Cthugha God Dragon!”

His monster was destroyed, leaving him open.

“By detaching one of my Samurai’s overlay units, I can increase his attack power by 500!” I said. “Now, I use him to attack directly!”

Gordon was reduced to 4200 life points.

“I set one card face down and end my turn,” I said. “And with that, Samurai’s attack power returns to normal.

 

“I draw,” Gordon said. “I activate the effect of Hastur Dragon from my hand!” Gordon said. “By banishing this card, I draw two cards, and any non dragons will be discarded. The cards I’ve drawn are Dark Influence Dragon and Mordiggian Dragon, so I can keep them both. Also, since Mordiggian Dragon was drawn, I can return him to the deck and draw two more cards. Then, I summon Twin-Headed Shoggoth to my field in attack mode!”

His monster was a drak fiend with 1500 attack and 1000 defense.

“Then, by burning myself for 700 life points, I can bring out Cthugha Dragon!” he said.

His life dropped to 3500, and he brought out a fiery dragon with 1400 attack points.

“I overlay these two level 4 monsters to xyz summon Rival Of Cthulhu Iod!” he said.

A lion like creature made of shimmering light appeared on his field. It had 1800 attack points.

“Next, I play the spell card Elder Sword- R’lyeh’s Avenger!” he said. A demonic sword fell from the sky, and Iod caught the hilt with its teeth. “A Nyarlathotep or Cthulhu card that’s equipped with this card gains 400 attack points for each monster my opponent controls! Now, attack!”

Iod charged at my Samurai.

“I activate the trap card Mirror Force!” I said.

“I use Iod’s effect!” Gordon said. “By detaching one of his overlay units, your trap card is returned to your hand, and Iod will gain 600 attack points until the end phase!”

My trap was negated, and his monster increased its power to 2800. My Samurai was destroyed, and I took 700 damage.

“Now, I end my turn,” Gordon said.

 

“My move!” I said.

“Hope you have a comeback,” Memory Gordon said.

“i hope so too,” I muttered under my breath.

I could set Mirror Force face down again, but he’d just negate it’s effect a second time. I needed a better strategy. And looking at my hand, I realized that I just might have one.

“I summon Solar Light Stinger in attack mode!” I announced.

Sure, he only had 1400 attack points, but I could still put him to use.

“I use Stinger’s effect,” I said. “By discarding Mirror Force to the graveyard, I can add an equip spell card to my hand, and I choose Solar Light Whip, which I’ll equip to Solar Light Stinger to increase his attack power by 500!”

“That won’t be enough,” Gordon said.

“I know,” I said. “But Stinger gains an extra 400 attack points for each Solar Light card equipped to him, bringing him up to a total of 2300! Now, attack his monster!”

“If a monster equipped with R’lyeh’s Avenger would be destroyed, I can destroy my equip spell in its place, then draw a card!” Gordon said.

His life dropped to 3400, but his monster survived, and he got to draw a card.

“I end my turn,” I said.

 

“My move,” Gordon said. “I’ll start by activating the spell card Allure Of Darkness! Now, I draw a card, then banish my dark attribute Cthulhu Dragon. Then I use the spell card Dimensional Overlay!”

“Oh shit!” Memory Gordon said.

“That’s right!” Gordon said. “The end is close at hand! No, I target two of my banished monsters with the same level, then I bring out an xyz monster with a rank equal to their level! Since Cthulhu Dragon and Hastur Dragon are both level 4, I can special summon rank 4 Fiend Of The Cthulhu Mythos- Nightgaunt!”

A faceless demon with blade-like wings appeared on his side of the field. It had 800 attack and 2500 defense.

“Now, I can attach my banished monsters to it as overlay units!” Gordon said. “And if he runs out of overlay units, he’ll be banished immediately.”

“But why summon a monster that weak in attack mode?” Memory Gordon asked.

“Simply,” the real Gordon replied. “I can only use Nightgaunt’s effect if he’s in attack mode. Now, by detaching an overlay unit, I can add Curse OF The Necronomicon from my deck or graveyard to my hand!”

“Uh oh,” I said.

“Not that card again!” Memory Gordon said.

“That’s right!” real Gordon said. “I use this card to upgrade Rival Of Cthulhu Iod into Evil Deity Lord- Iod God Dragon!”

A glowing white dragon appeared on his field, roaring fiercely. It was rank 5 with 2600 attack and 3 overlay units.

“Next, I summon Dark Influence Dragon to the field and use Iod God Dragons effect!” he said. “By using one overlay unit, my monster gains 400 attack for each monster you control until the end of this turn! Now, I attack Solar Light Stinger with Iod God Dragon!”

“And that’s where you fucked up!” I shouted. “I activate the effect of Solar Light Whip! By sending this face up card to the graveyard, I can activate the effect of any trap card in my graveyard! I choose Mirror Force, so now all of your attack position monsters are destroyed!”

Each monster on his field was immediately wiped out.

“Damn it!” Gordon exclaimed.

“Nice work!” Memory Gordon said, congratulating me.

“I set a card face down and end my turn,” the real Gordon said.

 

“My move!” I said. “I summon Solar Light Fencer in attack mode!”

A level 3 monster in a fencing outfit appeared on my field. She had 1500 attack and 0 defense.

“I attack you directly with both of my monsters!” I said.

Gordon took a total of 2900 damage, and his life dropped to 500.

“I set one card face down and end my turn,” I said.

 

“My turn,” Gordon said. “I activate the spell card Last Chance At Victory. Since my life points are less than 1000, and I control no monsters, I can draw two cards. I also activate the trap card Reckless Greed in order to draw another two cards. Then, I summon Twin-Headed Shoggoth in attack mode.”

“Another one?” I asked.

“That’s right,” he said. “Also, due to his effect, I can revive the one that was sent to my graveyard earlier.”

“Shit!” Memory Gordon said. “Now he’s got out two level 4 monsters! He can summon another Rival Of Cthulhu monster!”

“I could,” Gordon said. “But I’ve got something better in store. I activate the effect of Dygra Dragon from my hand! By banishing this card, I can revive Dark Influence Dragon from my graveyard!”

His monster returned, with 1700 attack points.

“I use Dark Influence Dragon’s effect!” he said. “Now, all of my monsters are treated as Dark attribute Dragon-type monsters. I overlay my three dragons to xyz summon Evil Deity King Cthulhu God Dragon!”

His dragon emerged from the darkness, glaring down at me hungrily. Neither of my monsters were anything close to a match to its 3000 attack points.

“I’m just getting started!” he said. “Since your life points are 2000 or more higher than mine, I can use Cthulhu God Dragon to re-build the overlay network!”

His dragon descended into a portal of darkness, which he also dived into. Moments later, his ultimate monster rose from the chaos, with Gordon riding on its head. His body had changed, becoming pitch black, and sprouting tentacles.

“Behold, my true power!” Gordon yelled. “The Ultimate Evil Deity, Chaos God Cthulhu!”

His fiend was enormous, with 3500 attack points.

“I use Chaos God Cthulhu’s effect!” he said. “I detach a number of overlay units equal to or lower than the number of monsters you control, and I have him gain attack equal to the number of overlay units removed times 1000!”

His monster rose to 5500 attack points.

“Now, crush his Solar Light Stinger, and the remainder of his life points!” Gordon shouted.

“I activate the trap card Heavenly Forces Unite!” I said. “Now, by tributing Solar Light Fencer, I can add her attack power onto my Solar Light Stinger, and prevent him from being destroyed this turn!”

Stinger’s attack power rose to 2900. I took 2600 damage, reducing me to 100 life points. The shockwave from Cthulhu’s attack knocked me to the ground.

“Is that the best you can do?” the real Gordon asked. “I activate the spell card Swords Of Chaotic Light!”

Several swords made of color changing light stabbed into the ground around me.

“Since I have less than 1000 life points, this card will prevent you from attacking unless you have exactly two attributes present on your side of the field. And since you play with a mostly light deck, the odds of you bringing out a different attribute next turn are slim to none! And even if you do, the odds of it being strong enough to defeat my Cthulhu are even slimmer! I’ll set a cardend my turn now, and Cthulhu’s attack will return to normal.”

 

He was right. My chances of beating him now were too small. I was ready to give up hope.

“Get up,” I heard a voice say.

I opened my eyes. Memory Gordon was standing over me. He was transparent and flickering. He held out his hand.

“We can beat him, but only if we combine our powers,” he said.

“I- I can’t,” I said.

“Don’t give me that crap!” he said. “You wanna beat this guy just as badly as I do!”

“It’s impossible,” I said.

“Get up!” he said. “Don’t forget what we are! What we’re made of! Defeat means death for us! We can’t die here! We haven’t settle the score with the Tale Weaver r the Glitch yet!”

“How can we possibly win this duel?” I asked.

“We’ll figure that out when we do it,” he said, reaching his hand to me.

I hesitated for a moment, before nervously taking his hand and allowing him to help me up. I felt his power flowing through me, filling me up. He faded away, inside of me. He had become me, and I had become him. We were the same person.

 

“My turn!” I said, drawing. “I summon Solar Light Bowman in attack mode!”

My level 4 monster appeared.

“Another light monster?” he said, mockingly. “Give me a break!”

“I’m not finished yet!” I said.

I reached into my extra deck and pulling out all of my Brute cards. The cards glowed brightly, and merged together, becoming a new card. A card born from mine and memory Gordon’s combined power. A card that could win us the duel.

“What’s this?” the real Gordon asked.

“This is the rivalry born from our memories!” I said. “My new power! I overlay my two level 4 light monsters to call forth my new monster, Nightmare Paladin Of The Brute!”

A knight wearing deep violet and red armor appeared, wielding a long, magnificent sword. He had 2500 attack and 2000 defense.

“I activate my monster’s effect,” I said. “I detach all of his overlay units, and for each overlay unit removed, he’ll gain 600 attack points!”

My Paladin’s attack power rose to 3100.

“Next, since I have no cards in my hand, I can activate the effect of Solar Light Clown from my graveyard!” I said. “Now, I can equip him to a special summoned monster I control to increase its attack power by 1000.”

“It doesn’t matter!” Gordon said. “Don’t forget, Swords Of Chaotic Light is still in play!”

“I know,” I said. “But I haven’t revealed my monsters true power yet. You see, Nightmare Paladin Of The Brute is treated as both a light and a dark monster!”

“What!?” he exclaimed.

“That’s right!” I said. “Since I control two attributes, I can attack, even with Swords Of Chaotic Light in play. Now, attack Chaos God Cthulhu!”

“I activate the trap card Reinforced Space!” Gordon said. “Now, Chaos God Cthulhu gains 300 attack points for each of his overlay units until the end of this turn!”

“I use Nightmare Paladin’s final effect!” I announced. “When he battles a special summoned monster, I can reduce that monster’s attack power by 1000!.

Chaos God Cthulhu’s attack power became 3100, while Nightmare Paladin had 4100. The duel was over. Gordon’s monster was destroyed, and his life points fell to zero. He landed on the ground, unharmed.

 

“Not bad, Gordon said.

“You’re still alive!?” I asked.

“I won’t die as easily as I did last time,” he said. “Since you did such a good job, I’ll give you a little prize.”

 

I was surrounded by darkness for a moment, and when it faded, I found myself back in the Crystal City of the Tale Weaver. I heard the real Gordon’s voice for a moment, saying “Settle things with him, then I’ll be back.”

 

Great. I’ve unlocked a new power, and I finally have a chance to face the Tale Weaver. I’ll be sure to crush him, and the Glitch.

Cult Duelist

We’ve been laying low foe a while. I’ve consideeed going back to Dyson’s hideout, but… I’m not a Scion anymore. I’m not even the real Saylo. How could I go back to my old life? I don’t know.

We were approached by a man earlier. He was dressed in black clothing and a jacket, and he had shoulder length blond hair.

“You’re Saylo Xdranyl, right?” he asked.

“Who’s asking?” I asked him.

“My names Justin Ferin,” he said. “Now are you Saylo or not?”

“Yes, I am,” I said. “Why do you want to know?”

“I’m here to… duel you, I guess?” he said.

“What do you mean you guess?” I asked. “Do yo wanna duel me or not?”

“Not really,” he said. “I don’t really care much for this game. But I kind of have to.”

“Who are you working for?” I demanded.

“I’m not working for anyone,” he said.

Dark smoke circled his wrist and took the form of a duel disk.

“I think that’s what one of these is supposed to look like,” he said. “Now, are we doing this or not?”

“Fine,” I said, getting my cards ready.

“I’ll make the first move,” he said. He spent a couple minutes looking at his hand with a q quizzical expression.

“Are you gonna make a move?” I asked.

“Just a sec,” he said. “What am I supposed to summon? That one? Okay, if you insist.”

“Are you talking to someone?” I asked.

“None of your business,” he said. “I summon Cult Ritualist in attack mode!”

A man in a black cloak with grey markings on it appeared. He was level 3, with 0 attack and defense.

“0 attack?” I asked. “That thing must have a hell of an effect if you’re summoning it in attack mode.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” he said. “Um… okay, I use his effect, so I can summon a Cult monster with 0 attack and defense from my deck. I choose Cult Martyr in attack mode.”

Another man appeared. He looked a lot like the first Cultist, but the markings on his robes were red instead of gray. He was level 4.

“Another one?” I asked. “What’s the deal with these Cult cards?”

“You’re about to find out,” he said. “What should I do next? Summon the bird thingy? Sounds like a plan.”

“Seriously, who are you talking to?” I asked.

“Look, I know all about the Gordon guy latched onto you, so don’t go judging me for talking to a voice in my head,” he said.

“Sounds like he’s not actually the one we’re dueling,” Gordon’s voice said. I pulled the crystal shard out of my pocket so that I could see his reflection.

“So he’s getting advice from an outside source?” I asked.

“He said there’s a voice in his head,” Gordon said. “I guess it’s feeding him instructions.”

“I’ll continue my turn,” Justin said. “I tune level 3 Cult Ritualist to my level 4 Cult Martyr,” he said. “I synchro summon Convocation Phoenix in attack mode!”

A giant, fiery bird appeared before him. It was level 7, with 2600 attack points.

“Shit!” Gordon said. “Where the hell did he get that card!?”

“That’s one of your old cards, isn’t it?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he said. “I won it from the Red Joker.”

“I set a card face down and end my turn,” Justin said.

“I draw,” I said.

“You’d better not hold back,” Gordon told me. “He may seem incompetent  but he’s still using Fear cards.”

“I know,” I said. “I summon Solar Light Soldier in attack mode! Next, when I summon a Solar Light monster, I can special summon Solar Light wolf to the field!”

I now had out a level 3 and a level 4 monster.

“Now, I activate the spell card Solar Shift,” I said. “I select any Solar Light monster I control, and change the level of all other Solar Light monsters I control to match its level. I choose my level 4 Wolf, so now my Soldier will also become a level 4!”

“Good move,” Gordon said.

“Now, I build the overlay network with these 2 level 4 monsters to xyz summon Harold, Smoke Lord Of The Brute!”

One of Gordon’s Brute cards appeared before me. It had 1800 attack points.

“I use Harold’s effect!” I said. “By detaching one of his overlay units while all my opponent’s monsters are stronger than him, I can detach one of his overlay units to have him attack directly this turn!”

Harold charged at him, slicing him with a sword. His life points dropped to 6200.

“I end my turn,” I said.

“My move,” Justin said. “Should I use it now? Alright then. I activate the trap card Limit Reverse! Now, I can revive a monster with 1000 or less attack points. I choose Cult Martyr!”

His Cult card reappeared.

“When I tribute summon a Fear card, Cult Martyr can be used as two tributes instead one,” he said. “So I’ll tribute him to tribute summon the Plague Doctor!”

The Plague Doctor appeared on his side of the field. It was level 8 with 2200 attack points.

“I use Plague Doctor’s effect to place a plague counter on your Smoke Lord,” he said. “Your monster now loses 300 attack points, while mine gains 100 points.”

“Shit!” I said. “How does he have both of those cards?”

“I’m not finished yet,” Justin said. “A monster summoned by tributing Cult Martyr gains 500 attack points, bringing him up to 2800. Now, I’ll have him attack your monster!”

“I activate Harold’s effect, allowing me to make your attack a direct one!” I said.

Harold dissolved into smoke, and his Plague doctor appeared in front of me, raising a snake shaped cane. It raised it up, prepared to strike me with it. My Solar Light Soldier suddenly appeared before me and blocked its strike with his sword.

“By banishing Solar Light Soldier from my graveyard, I can negate a direct attack,” I said.

“Fine,” he said. “I attack with Convocation Phoenix!”

“I use Harold’s effect again!” I said. “Your attack becomes a direct one!”

The Phoenix released a stream of fire at me, dealing me 2600 points of damage.

“I set a card face down and end my turn,” he said.

“I draw,” I said. My monster only had 1500 attack points, but I could still use it. “Since Plague Doctor was tribute summoned and has more than 2500 attack points, I can use Harold as a overlay unit to xyz summon Chaotic Death Blade Of The Brute!”

The Death Blade appeared there between me and Justin. I felt Gordon’s spirit leaving my body and moving into the Death Blade.

“I use Death Blade’s effect!” I said. “By detaching an overlay unit, I can negate Plague Doctor’s effect, and have him gain 1000 attack points!”

My monster had 4000 attack, and his had 2700.

“I’ll have Chaotic Death Blade attack the Plague Doctor!” I said.

His monster was wiped out, and he dropped down to 4900 life points.

“I set a cad face down and end my tun,” I said. My monsters attack returned to normal.

“Before you end, I use the trap cad Fear Rebirth,” he said. “During my opponent’s end phase, I can bring back a Fear card from my graveyard. I bring back the Plague Doctor!”

“Damn it!” I said.

“My turn,” he said. “I use Plague Doctor’s effect to place a plague counter on your monster. Then I use the ritual spell cad Eternal Plague!”

His Plague Doctor mutated. Its robes became tattered, revealing rotten flesh. Its mask became cracked, and leaked puss. A pair of decayed wings sprouted from its back. It’s attack became 2600.

“Say hello to the Nightmare Plague Doctor,” he said. “Also, when Eternal Plague is used, I can place a plague counter on one of your cards.”

My Death Blade gained another plague counter. His attack dropped down to 2400.

“Nightmare Plague Doctor gains 300 attack for each plague counter on the field,” he said. “Also, once per turn I can place plague counters on all your monsters.”

A third counter was placed on Death Blade.

“Now, I use Nightmare Plague Doctor’s next effect,” he said. “Once per tun, I can destroy a monster with three or more plague counters.”

Chaotic Death Blade was wiped out, and his Nightmare Plague Doctor’s attack power returned to 2600.

“Next, I summon Cult Lackey,” he said.

His monster was level 1 with 0 attack points and violet markings on his robes.

“I tune level 1 Cult Lackey with level 7 Convocation Phoenix!” he said. “I synchro summon Convocation Phoenix Rage!”

A bid composed of bright red and black flames appeared in the sky above us. It had 2900 attack points.

“When Cult Lackey is used to synchro summon a Fear card, I can deal you 500 points of damage,” he said.

The ground beneath me began glowing with strange symbols, and I was consumed by pain. My life dropped to 4900, equal with him.

“Now, I attack you directly with Nightmare Plague Doctor!” he said.

In took 2600 damage, reducing me to 2300.

“Now, I’ll have my Phoenix Rage end this!” he said.

“I activate Magic Cylinders!” I said. “Now, your attack is negated, and you take damage equal to your monsters attack power!”

His attack was reflected, reducing him to 2000.

“I end my turn,” he said.

“I draw,” I said. “I activate the spell card Solar Light Flash, allowing me to reveal the top cad of my deck, and if its a Solar Light card, I can special summon it in defense position. It’s my Solar Light Flower Girl, so I get to bring her out. Then, I equip her with Solar Light Staff, which increases her attack power by 600.”

A glowing staff appeared in her hand.

“Next, I summon Solar Light Stormblade, and with his effect, I can destroy Solar Light Staff to special summon Solar Light Masamura! Also, when Solar Light Staff gets destroyed, the monster it was equipped to has it’s level permanently raised by one!”

“I see,” he said.

“Now, prepare yourself!” I said. “I tune level 5 Flower Girl and level 4 Stormblade to my level 3 Masamura to synchro summon Vision, the Fear Of Destiny!”

My monster appeared. She was stronger than both of his monsters.

“Since she was snchro summoned, I can draw a card for each level 8 and higher monster in play, adding up to three!” I said.

I drew three cards.

“The Vision can attack all of you monsters one each!” I said. “Now, attack Nightmare Plague Doctor!”

The Vision wiped out his monster, and he lost 700 life points.

“Next, finish off Convocation Phoenix Rage!”

His second monster was destroyed, and he was reduced to 900 life points. His body was suddenly surrounded by this black smoke, and when it finally cleared, a familiar figure was standing where he had been. The pale guy I had duel when I first unlocked my new deck.

“You!” I exclaimed.

“Been a while, Saylo,” he said.

“What’s going on!?” I demanded. “Where’s Justin?”

“Justin is one of the many souls housed within my soul,” he said. “I asked him to duel you in my place.

“Wait, you mean, your the one I’ve been dueling” I asked.

“I’ve been instructing Justin on what moves to make, so yes, that would be pretty accurate,” he said.

“Just who the hell are you?” I asked.

“My name is Daniel Ferris,” he said. “But I’ve taken to being call ParaDan. Now, do you plan to continue your turn?”

“Fine,” I said. “I set two cards face down and end my turn.”

“During the end phase of a tun Convocation Phoenix Rage was destroyed and sent to the graveyard, I can bring it back and deal my opponent 400 damage,” he said.

His Phoenix was revived, and I lost 400 life points.

“Damn it,” I said. “How do I get id of that thing for good?”

“I think it’s obvious,” Gordon said. “He said it’s weakness in its effect.”

“But he said it will be revived every time it’s destroyed,” I whispered.

“Destroyed and sent to the graveyard,” Gordon said. “Thee’s a loophole there.”

“Of course!” I said. “I end my turn!”

“Very well,” ParaDan said, drawing. “I activate the spell card Fear Fusion, and with it, I fuse the Plague Doctor and Convocation Phoenix in my graveyard to fusion summon Plaguefire Death Wing!”

A giant creature appeared. It was composed of dark grey flames, with talons on its hands and feet, and a pair of giant wings sprouting from its back. It’s head was concealed beneath a Plague Doctor mask. It was level 10 with 3200 attack points.

“Like Convocation Phoenix age, Plaguefire Death Wing will revive when it is destroyed and sent to the graveyard. Also, once per tun, I can permanently educe the attack and defense of every monster you control by 500.”

Dark flames surrounded my Vision. She fell over, becoming ill. Her attack power dropped to 2800.

“I attack with Plagefire Death Wing!” he said.

“I activate the trap card Impenetrable Attack!” I said. “Now, the Vision can’t be destroyed this turn.”

His attack hit, and I lost 400 life points.

“I attack again with Convocation Phoenix Rage!” he said. I took another 100 damage, but the Vision survived. “I set a card and end my turn.”

“My move,” I said. “I summon Solar Light Sword Soul in attack mode!”

My new monster was level 3, with 1000 attack and 200 defense.

“Once per turn, Sword Soul can be equipped to a Light monster I control as an equip card!” I said.

My monster transformed into a blade, and the Vision grabbed its hilt.

“The equipped monster gains 500 attack,” I said. “Also, any monster destroyed in battle with it will be removed from play. Now, attack!”

The Vision sliced Plaguefire Death Wing in half, and the pieces faded away. Since it wasn’t being sent to the graveyard, it couldn’t revive. She attacked Convocation Phoenix Rage next, removing it from the game and reducing him to 400 life points.

“Can I ask you something?” I said.

“What?” he asked.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked.

“In order for us to grow, we must be pushed to the limit,” he said. “I came here to push you to yous, so that you’d become more powerful.”

“Well, you’ll have to do better than this,” I said. “I’ve destroyed both of you monsters.”

“I still have 400 life points,” he said. “I can still defeat you.”

“Then prove it,” I said. “I set a card and end my turn.”

“Okay,” he said. “I draw, and activate the trap cad Reckless Greed. Now I can draw two cards by skipping my next two draw phases. Next, I use the spell card Fear Summoning, so by removing two dark monsters from my graveyard, I can normal summon a Fear card without tributes. I banish Cult Ritualist and Cult Martyr to summon Archangel, Lord Of The Fallen!”

“That card!?” I asked.

“That’s right,” he said. “But that’s not all. When I normal summon a Fear cad, I can special Summon Cult Apprentice!”

A man with green markings on his robes appeared. He was level 4 with 0 attack and defense.

“Now, Cult Apprentice’s level becomes equal to the Archangel’s, so I now control two level 8 monsters,” he said. “I build the overlay network with these two monsters to xyz summon Archangel Discord!”

His Archangel was now wearing jagged armor, and had four arms, carrying a pair of scythes. It had seven pairs of wings, and its gas mask was opened up in the back to allow its long hair to flow downwards. It had 3300 attack points.

“When Cult Apprentice is used as an xyz material for a Fear monster, it can’t be destroyed by spell and trap card effects,” he said. “Also, since Archangel was used to xyz summon this monster, I can equip him with a monster from either of our graveyards, so I’ll choose your Chaotic Death Blade Of The Brute!”

His monster absorbed the Chaotic Death Blade from my graveyard.

“Damn it!” Gordon said. “Now it’ll gain it’s effects!”

“Next, I detach and overlay unit to equip him with the Nightmare Plague Doctor from my own graveyard, and gain its effect as well. Now, I can place a plague counter on the Vision. Unfortunately, since Nightmare Plague Doctor wasn’t summoned using the Plague Doctor, I can’t access any of its other powers.”

The Vision was reduced to 3000 attack points.

“Now, I use the effect of Chaotic Death Blade, so by removing Archangel Discord’s last overlay unit, I can negate the Vision’s effect and have my monster gain 1000 attack points. Now, attack!”

His monster had 4300 attack points. I was reduced to 100.

“I activate the effect of Sword Soul!” I said. “Since he’s a union monster, he’ll be destroyed instead of the Vision! Then I use the trap card Extremely Foolish Burial! When I have less than 1000 life points, I can send a card from my deck or extra deck to the graveyard!”

“What are you doing!?” Gordon demanded.

“Trust me,” I said. “I sent Chaotic War Dragon Brute to the graveyard!”

“Very well,” ParaDan said. “I end my turn.”

“I draw!” I said. “Now, I activate my face down spell card Sword Of Fear! I discard a card from my hand and now I can equip a Fear card I control with a Fear card from my graveyard! I equip the Vision on my field with the Brut in my graveyard! Now, half of the Brute’s power is added to the Vision!”

The Vision had 2500 attack power, plus half of the Brute’s 3500 attack points, added up to 4250.

“Impressive,” ParaDan said.

“I get it,” Gordon said. “So that was your strategy.”

“That’s right!” I said. “Now, Vision, attack his Archangel Discord and end this!”

My monster attacked, destroying his Archangel and reducing his life points to 0.

“Good work,” he said. “You might just be strong enough to take of the Tale Weaver now.”

He vanished without a trace after that.

I hope he’s right. I hope I have what it takes.

Final Duel

It’s over. My challenges are complete. It took a while, mainly because I fell off a cliff and broke my leg. Fortunately, the fact that I’m a being composed of memories allowed me to recover quicker than normal. Anyway, once I recovered, I found her. My final opponent. To my surprise, it was the elf woman who had been controlled by the fake Judgement before.

 

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I am to serve as your final opponent,” she said.

“You can’t be serious,” I said. “Why would the Tale Weaver choose you to face me?”

“He is my master,” she said. “I am obligated to fight you if that is what he demands.”

“Be careful,” said Gordon’s voice. I turned to see his reflection in a crystal wall next too me. “She’s probably gonna use a different deck than last time.”

“Shall we begin?” she asked.

“Fine,” I said.

 

“I’ll begin,” she said. “I summon Armored Elf Percival!”

An elf swordsman appeared on her side of the field. He was level 4 with 1700 attack and 1300 defense.

“I set one card face down and end my turn,” she said.

 

“I draw,” I announced. “I summon Solar Light Stormblade in attack mode, and I’ll also special summon Solar Light Wolf.”

My monsters had 1500 attack and 1300 attack.

“I tune Stormblade with Wolf to synchro summon Starlight Dragon in attack mode!” I said.

My dragon showed up, with its mighty 2500 attack points.

“I’ll have my Dragon attack your Elf!” I said.

Starlight Dragon unleashed a blast of light, destroying her Elf card and dealing her 800 points of damage.

“I activate Percival’s effect,” she said. “Now, I can special summon another Armored Elf from my hand, so I special summon Armored Elf Galahad in attack mode!”

Another elf appeared on her field, with 1600 attack and 1500 defense.

“I end my turn,” I said.

 

“I draw,” she said. “I use my trap card, Call Of The Haunted. With it, I can special summon my Armored Elf Percival from my graveyard. Then, I’ll use Galahad’s effect. Since and Armored Elf card was special summoned, he allows me to draw one card. Now, by tributing two monsters, I normal summon the Wooden Girl!”

“What!?” I exclaimed. “You have that card in your deck!?”

“yes,” she said.

The Wooden Girl appeared on her field, wth her 2400 attack points.

“I use the Wooden Girl’s effect,” she said. “By discarding a card, I gain control of an attack position monster you control.”

The Wooden Girl’s strings lashed out, seizing my Starlight Dragon and pulling it to her side of the field.

“I attack you directly with both monsters,” she said.

I took 4900 damage, bringing me down to 3100 life points.

“I set a card face down and end my turn,” she said. “Now, you regain control of your dragon.”

 

“My turn,” I said. “I activate the effect of Solar Light Stormblade from my graveyard. By banishing him, I can nowmal summon twice this turn, so I’ll summon Solar Light Bard and Solar Light Clown!”

My Solar Light Bard appeared, as well as a level 1 man in a colorful fur robe with 200 attack and 100 defense.

“I tune level 1 Solar Light Bard to my level 1 Solar Light Clown!” I said. “I synchro summon Formula Synchron!”

Formula Synchron appeared next to my Dragon.”Formula Synchron allows me to draw one card from my deck,” I said. “Now, I banish Solar Light Bard from my graveyard to negate the Wooden Girl’s effect.”

The sound of a lute playing filled the air, washing over the Wooden Girl, sealing away her power.

“I tune Formula Synchron to Starlight Dragon to accel synchro summon Scion Star Dragon!” I said. “And I’ll have it attack the Wooden Girl!”

I successfully destroyed her Fear card, dealing her another 800 damage, bringing her down to 6400.

“I activate the trap card Fear Replacement,” she said. “When a Fear card I control is destroyed, I can special summon a Fear card with the same level from my hand. I’ll use it to special summon The All Seeing Eye Of Judgement!”

The Eye appeared high above us, staring down at me. I only had 3100 life points left. If she used its effect, I would lose.

“I set a card face down and end my turn,” I said.

 

“My turn,” she said. “I activate the effect of The Eyte to gain 1000 life points.”

Oh yeah, I forgot it could do that. Shit.

“I normal summon Armored Elf Arthur!” she said. “With his effect, I can reveal the top card of my deck, and if it’s an Armored Elf card, I can special summon it in defense position. The card is Armored Elf Lancelot, so I can summon it!”

Arthur was level 4 with 1800 attack and 200 defense, and Lancelot was level 4 with 1400 attack and 900 defense.

“I use Lancelot’s effect,” she said. “Now, I can seal the effect of one of your face down cards.”

“Oh shit,” I said out loud.

“I attack your Dragon with the Eye!” she said.

“I use Scion Star Dragon’s effect!” I said. “My sending my trap card to the graveyard to negate your attack!”

“I activate the spell card Elven Light,” she said. “For each Armored Elf card I control, I can draw one card. Since I control two Armored Elves, I can draw twice. I’ll set one of these cards face down and end my turn.”

 

“I draw,” I said. “By discarding a light monster from my hand, I can negate the effects of all your monsters. Now, I’ll have my Dragon attack the Eye!”

“I activate the trap card Ultimate Immortality!” she said. “This card will now become equipped to the Eye, negating all of its effects and rendering it completely indestructable.”

“You’ll still take damage, though,” I said.

Her life dropped to 4200.

“I end my turn,” I said.

 

“My turn,” she said. “I tribute Armored Elf Arthur and Armored Elf Lancelot to tribute summon the Dark Reflection, Mother Of Snakes!”

The giant serpent woman appeared on her field, with 2700 attack points.

“I use her effect to add a trap card from my graveyard to my hand,” she said. “Then I’ll set it face down. Next, I play the spell card Elven Infiltrators. With this card, two Armored Elf tokens will appear on your side of the field, and I can draw two cards.”

A pair of elves appeared on my field in defense position. They were level 4, with 1000 attack and 1500 defense.

“Now, I activate the effect of Armored Elf Gawain,” she said. “By discarding this card, your strongest card will be destroyed. So your Dragon will be sent to the graveyard.”

My Dragon was destroyed before my eyes. The shockwave from its destruction caused the wall next to me to collapse on top of me. I couldn’t move.

“Looks like you’re finished,” said a voice. I strained my neck and saw the Tale Weaver standing behind the elf woman.

“Y-you!” I said.

“You’re disappointing me, Saylo,” he said. “I thought you would do better than this, but it seems I was mistaken.”

“Shut up!” I said. But it wasn’t me. I couldn’t control my body anymore. Rage had taken over again. I forced myself to get up.

“What’s this?” he said. “So you do have some fight left in you.”

“I won’t go down!” my anger forced me to say. “I’ll end both of you!”

“It’s still my turn,” the elf woman said. “I can’t attack after using Elven Infiltrators, so I set one card face down and end.”

 

“I draw!” I said.

“You now take 500 damage for eacdh Armored Elf Token you control,” she said.

My life points dropped to 2100.

“I summon Solar Light Flower Girl,” I said. “And I activate the spell card Lightwave Tuning. Since both of these tokens are light monstrs, I can turn one of them into a tuner monster. Now I’ll tune level 4 Solar Light Flower Girl with my two level 4 tokens t synchro summon Vision, The Fear Of Destiny!”

The Vision appeared on my field, with 3300 attack points.

“Since the Vision and Eye are level 8 or higher monsters, I can draw 2 cards,” I said. “Now, I’ll attack with the Vision!”

“I activate the continuous trap card Eternal Fading,” she said. “Now your monster is banished, and can’t return as long as my trap is in play.”

“I set two cards face down and end my turn,” I said.

 

“I draw,” she said. “Now, I activate the trap card Call Of The Haunted to bring back the Wooden Girl!”

All the Fears I first encountered when coming here were now standing before me.

“Now, I’ll attack you directly with the Mother Of Snakes!” she said.

“I activate the trap card Solar Light Wall!” I said. “By discarding a Light monster, I can negate your attack!”

“I’ll attack again with the Wooden Girl!” she said.

“I activate the trap card Gift Of The Mystical Elf!” I said. “Now, I gain 300 life points for each monster in play, bringing me up to 3000.”

Her attack brought me down to 600 life points.

“I set a card face down and switch the Eye to defense position,” she said. “Now I end my turn.”

 

“I draw!” I said. “I banish Scion Star Dragon from my graveyard to summon Chaotic War Dragon Brute!”

The air trembled. The rage within me grew even stronger as it appeared there.

“I have four banished cards, so my monster can gain a 2000 attack point bonus!” I said. “Now, attack the Wooden Girl!” I demanded.

“I activate the trap card Noble Defense!” she said. “Monsters I control can’t be destroyed in battle this turn, and you draw one card.”

Her life was reduced to 2100, and I drew one card.

“I set one card face down and end my turn,” I said.

 

“I draw,” she said. “I activate the spell card Star Changer. Now, Mother Of Snakes becomes level 8. Now, I’ll build the overlay network with these three level 8 monsters to xyz summon my ultimate monster! Armored Elf, Drow King!”

She summoned a sinister being with pitch black skin and long silver hair, drssed in dark armored and weilding a large jeweled staff. He had 4000 attack and 2000 defense.

“I use Drow King’s effect,” she said. “By using an overlay unit, I can negate your monster’s effect and reduce its attack power by 1000! Now, destroy it!”

“I activate the trap card Negate Attack!” I said. “Now, your monsters attack is negated.”

“I end my turn,” she said.

 

“I draw!” I said. “I activate the spell card Mystical Space Typhoon, and with it, your Eternal Fading! And with it gone, The Vision can return!”

“I use my Drow King’s effect!” She said. “By detaching an Overlay unit, the Vision’s effect is negated, and she loses 1000 attack points.”

“I’m not finished yet!” I said. “I activate the spell card Polymerization! Now, I fuse the Vision and the Brute together to fusion summon Heavenly Warbringer!”

A giant knight in red and gold armor descended from the skies, with a massive fiery sword in its hands and a pair of flaming wings sprouting from its back. It was level 1 with 5000 attack and 4000 defense.

“I use Drow King’s effect again!” she announced. “Now, your monster will have it’s effect negated and will lose power!”

“I’m afraid not,” I said. “Warbringer is uneffected by my opponent’s card effects.”

“It doesn’t matter,” she said. “Because I just used the last of my Drow King’s overlay units, meaning he can now unleash his full power! Now, his attack points become 5000!”

“I see,” I said. “Not that it matters. Because everthing is set up for me to win.”

A long, colorful fur robe appeared on my Warbringer.

“What is this!?” she demanded.

“This is my Solar Light Clown’s effect,” I said. “If my hand is empty, I can equip him to a special summoned monster I control to increase it’s attack power by 1000. And as an added bonus, Warbringer gains 500 attack for each of my banished monsters, bringing him up to 6500. Now, end this!”

 

My Warbringer cleaved her Drow King in two. There was a massive explosion, which consumed her entire body. A lot of the city was destroyed too. I fell to the ground. With my rage worn off, my injuries were taking there toll again.

 

“She’s dead,” I said.

“Don’t beat yourself up,” Gordon’s voice said. I looked at the ground next to me to see a fragment of crystal laying there. Gordon’s face was watching me from it.

“I lost control again,” I said. “And this time, I actually killed someone.”

“She wasn’t real,” Gordon said. “She was a falsification created by the Tale Weaver to fool you.”

“But what if it’s a real person next time?” I asked. “As long as I have the Brute’s power, I’m a danger to everyone.”

“Good job,” said another voice. The Tale Weaver was now standing over me.

“You!” I said. I grabbed the shard and got to my feet. I raised it into the air and attempted to stab him with it. I was suddenly standing in the middle of a library back in the normal world. I could still hear the Tale Weaver, but I couldn’t see him.

“You’re challenges are complete,” his voice said. “You are free, for now.”

“It’s over?” I asked.

“No,” Gordon’s voice said. I realized I still had the shard with me. “He’ll come back for us, eventually. We’d better prepare.”

 

So, I guess the challenges are over for the time being.

Rictor

I was ambushed by another duelist on my way through the city. He was wearing a black mask with a red scar symbol over the left eye.

“Who are you?” I asked.
“My name is Rictor,” he said. “And I’ve been given the assignment of destroying you.”
“Well then, let’s get started,” I said.”Okay,” he said.

“I’ll take the first move,” I said. “I’ll star by summoning Solar Light Destroyer in attack position, then I set 2 cards face down and end my turn.”
I had out an 1800 attack point monster and two traps, so I assumed I was off to a good start.

“My turn,” he said. “I’ll start by activating the field spell card The Flower Fields!”
The ground was suddenly covered in flowers, as far as I could see. Beneath the overwhelming scent of the flowers was the unmistakable smell of death.
“As long as I control this card, plant-type monsters gain 400 attack points,” he said. “Also, neither player can activate effects from the graveyard. Now, I activate the continuous spell card The Language Of Flowers. While this card is in play, I can add a random plant type monster to my hand instead of drawing during my draw phase.”
So, this guy was clearly using a plant deck. And on top of that, his field spell had the power to restrict some of my best cardsd, like my Bard and Berserker.
“I normal summon Chaos Flower White Rose!” he declared.
A giant white rose appeared on his side of the field. It was a dark monster, level 4, with 1600 attack and 1500 defense. The field boosted it up to 2000.
“I’ll have my monster attack your Destroyer,” he said.
“I activate the trap card Solar Light Barrier!” I said.
“I’m sorry,” he said. His rose monster suddenly began glowing brightly.
“What’s going on!?” I demanded.
“The White Rose is a symbol of silence and innocence,” he said. “As long as I control it, as well as The Language Of Flowers, you can’t use spell or traps during the battle phase.”
“Shit!” I exclaimed. The attack hit, destroying my monster and reducing me to 7800.
“I set a card face down and end my turn,” he said.

“Not an easy opponent, is he?” said a voice. I looked to my side to see a giant crystal next to me, and where my reflection should have been, was the visage of Gordon.”Go away,” I said. “I don’t need you right now.”
“You will,” he said.

“I draw!” I said. “I summon Solar Light Stormblade!”
A man carrying a shortsword emmitting sparks of lightning appeared on my field. He was level 4 with 1500 attack and 800 defense.
“I activate his effect,” I said. “By destroying one card I control, I can summon a level 4 light monster from my hand, so I’ll destroy my Solar Light Barrier to bring out my Solar Light Bowman!”
“Two level 4 monsters, one of which is a tuner,” he commented.
“That’s right!” I said. “I tune level 4 Solar Light Stormblade to my level 4 Solar Light Bowman to synchro summon Starlight Dragon!”My dragon was there, and ready to fight.
“I have my Starlight Dragon attack your White Rose!” I said.
“I activate the continuous trap card Invincible Petals,” he said. “I select one attribute, and as long as I control this card, plant type monsters I control can’t be destroyed by monsters of that attribute. I select light.”
My attack hit, and he took damage, but his monster survived.
“I’m aware that your dragon can’t be effected by my cards on the turn it’s summoned,” he said. “However, Invincible Petals effects my monsters instaed of your, so it still applies.”
This guy new how my deck functioned. He had counter strategies for everything I tried to do.
“Who are you!?” I demanded.
“You really want to know?” he asked. “Fine. I’ll humor you.”

“I was once a great duelist,” he explained. “I competed in international tournaments. I rarely lost. That is, until I met Jack.”
“Jack of all?” I asked.
“The Very same,” he said. “He challenged me to a duel. He defeated me easily, and as a price, I was forced into servitude. The one you call the Glitch became my master. I served it for many years. I ended up giving up on dueling for a long time, and was eventually arrested by the Archive. The Glitch returned to set me free. In return, he has asked me to eliminate you.”
“And so you built a deck specifically to defeat me?” I asked.
“Yes,” he said. “I’ve looked through all the data the Glitch has on you, and arranged to have a deck built that could counter all of your moves. Speaking of moves, I believe it’s still your turn.”
“I set a card face down and end my turn,” I said.

“My turn,” he said. “I use The Language Of Flowers to add a random plant type monster to my hand. The monster is Chaos Flower Lobelia!”
Another flower appeared, this one with 1200 attack and 1000 defense. The field increased its attack power to 1600.
“Lobelia is a symbol of Malevolence,” he said. “While I have The Language Of Flowers in play, it can attack directly, privided it has the lowest attack power of any monsters already in play. Lobelia, attack him directly!”
My life points were reduced to 6200.
“I end my turn,” he said.

“I draw!” I said. “I summon Solar Light Dancer in attack mode, and with the trap card Solar Light Beacon, I can also summon Solar Light Bard from my deck! Next, I tune level 1 Solar Light Bard to my level 1 Solar Light Dancer to synchro summon Formula Synchron!”
My synchro tuner appeared befor me.
“I use Formul Synchron’s effect to draw a card!” I said. “Next, I tune level 2 Formula Synchron to my level 8 Starlight Dragon to accel synchro summon my Scion Star Dragon!”
“I see,” he said. “Your ultimate monster.”
“I’ll have him attack your Lobelia!” I said.
He took 1600 damage, but his monster survived.
“I end my turn,” I said.

“I draw,” he said. “I summon Chaos Flower Black Rose.”
This time he summoned a giant rose with black petals. It was level 4 with 1700 attack and 900 defense.
“The Black Rose is a symbol of death,” he informed me. “By tributing it while I have The Language Of Flowers in play, I can destroy any card on the field, so I’ll use its effect to wipe out your Scion Star Dragon.”
My monster was destroyed. I was wide open.
“Now, I attack directly with both my remaining monsters!” he said. I was reduced to 2600 life points “Now I end my turn.”

“Still think you can win on your own?” Gordon asked.
“I… I don’t know,” I said.
“You’re all but defeated,” he said. “He knows all your moves. You need to do something he won’t expect. You need to use my power.”
“But…” I was afraid. I didn’t want to rely on him. But seeing where I was in the duel, I had no other option. His card combo was in my way.
“Well?” Gordon asked.
“Fine,” I said reluctantly. “This time. Just this once, I need your help.”

The crystal shattered and fell to the ground. I felt something flowing through me. A desire… no, a need to destroy my opponent.

“I draw!” I said. “And now I activate a field spell of my own!”
Chains burst forth from beneath the ground, extending up into the sky, farther than the eye could see. The field of flowers caught fire, smoldering to ash and filling the air with smoke.
“What is this!?” Rictor demanded.
“We’re in my world now, bitch!” I said. I couldn’t stop myself. “Welcome to the Grove Of Fetters! And since this new field is in play, the Flower Fields are destroyed, meaning I can activate effects from my graveyard again! I banish solar Light Stormblade so that I can normal summon twice this turn! I summon Neo The Magic Swordsman and Solar Light MasaMura!”
“A level 3 and a level 4 monster?” he asked.
“That’s right!” I said. “And by sending this trap card from my spell and trap card zone to the graveyard, I ca make Masamura into a level 4 monster! And I build the overlay network with these two level 4 monsters to yz summon Crimson Knight Of The Brute!”
Gordon’s monster appeared before me, with its mighty 2400 attack points bearing down upon my enemy.
“Due to my field spell’s effect, my monster gains 500 attack and defense,” I said. “Also, I get to draw a card!”
The card I drew was Mirror Force.
“I use my monster’s effect!” I said. “By using one of its overlay units, I can increase its attack power by 700 until the end phase, bringing it up to3600! Also, by banishing Solar Light Dancer from my graveyard, I can reduce White Rose’s attack power by 1000, bringing it down to 600. Now, attack!”
His life dropped to 1900.
“Since Crimson knight is a fire monster, your Invincible Petals won’t protect your monster, meaning it’s destroyed,” IO said. “Now, I set a card face down and end my turn.”

“Time for me to get serious,” he said. “I summon Chaos Flower Balsamine!”
A large flower with 800 attack and defense appeared.
“Balsamine, the symbol of impatience, can be special summoned when I have The Language Of Flowers in play. Now, I tribute these two monsters to tribute summon the Smiling Man!”
I remember this card. It was a man, with 2100 attack points, and oversized smile, and messed up eyes.
“I equip him with Petal Sword!” He said. “Now, for each Chaos Flower in my graveyard, my monster gains 400 attack, bringing him up to3700. Now, attack!”
Due to the Smiling Man’s effect, the damage was doubled, bringing me down to 1000. I would have used Mirror Force, but I remember that the Smiling Man can destroy traps.
“I end my turn,” he said.

“I draw!” I said. Monster Reborn. Exactly what I needed. “I use monster Reborn to bring back Crimson Knight Of The Brute!”
“That thing again?” he asked.
“That’s right,” I said. “You may have studied my deck, but how much do you know about Gordon’s?””What?” he asked.”Since your Smiling Man was tribute summoned, and its attack power currently exceeds 2500, I can use Crimson Knight to build a new overlay network and xyz summon Chaotic Death Blade Of The Brute!”
The 3000 attack point winged soldier appeared before me.
“My monster gains 500 attack points from the field, plus I get to draw a card,” I said.
It was Mystical Space Typhoon.
“I use Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your Petal Sword, returning your monster’s attack power to normal,” I said. “Then, by using Chaotic Death Blade’s effect, I can negate your monster’s effect and increase my monster’s attack by 1000, bringing him up to 4500!”
Before I could declare my attack, the Chaotic Death Blade turned to me, and, with Gordon’s voice, it said “Let’s finish him.”

I attacked. His life dropped to zero. The field returned to normal. Except for the Chaotic Death Blade. It remained there.

Rictor collapsed. I snapped out of my the rage I had been in and tried to go check on him. But something held me back. It was weird. There was this invisible force that wouldn’t let me go near him.Then he appeared. Gordon, alive and well. The Chaotic Death Blade let out a pretty big gasp.

“You!” it snapped. I realized that the memory of Gordon thast had latched onto me had somehow taken over the monster.
“Hello, there,” the new Gordon said. “You must be the imposter the old coot created. And you… you’re the fake Saylo, right?”
”Who are you?” I asked.
“I’m the real deal,” he said. “The original Gordon. Jack the Hand brought me bacck to… help him with a few things. And to complete our goals, I need this guy.”
He kicked Rictor in the ribs. I tried to charge at him, but the invisible force grew stronger. The Death Blade Gordon tried attacking, but then things got really weird. The Real Gordon sprouted a bunch of shadowy tentacles and lashed out with them. He then lifted up Rictor’s body and vanished. The Death Blade vanished shortly after that.

This is getting… way too confusing…

He’s Not Dead

Not completely.

When I woke up, I looked at one of the crystals, and saw my reflection. However, my reflection was soon replaced by someone else’s. I saw Gordon, staring back at me.

“Don’t panic,” he said to me. “There is an explanation to this.”
“What’s going on?” I asked him.
“You see, when you defeated me in that duel, a piece of me managed to latch on to you,” he said. “Just a small piece.”
“I don’t understand,” I said.
“Listen,” he said. “You can kill me. You can defeat me in battle and erase me from existance. But I’ve impacted your life more than anyone else. You may be able to erase me, but you sure as hell can’t forget me.”
“I know,” I admitted. “You are important to my life, even if you’re not real.”
“You need me,” he replied. “Soon, you will face an opponent who will challenge you more than even I could. When you do, you will need to draw upon my strength in order to win.”
“But…” I started to say.
“I know it’s hard,” he said. “As a servant of the light fear, you aren’t used to relying on hatred to overcome enemies. But believe me when I say, that some foes can only be beaten by darkness.”

Our conversaton ended after that. My reflection returned to normal.

I don’t know. Gordon… I almost want to trust you…

More Hatred Is Required

There s a reason you are no match for the Tale Weaver. Sure, your strong heart was enough to bring me down, but you will require darkness to win this game.

 

Do you want to know why you’ve been sleeping so long? It was me. I put you to sleep. I needed to grow stronger, and I couldn’t do that with you being so active.

 

I’ve grown strong enough, for the time being, so I chose you wake you up again.

Now you must keep going. But you still have a lot to learn before you’re ready.

 

When you wake up, you will see your reflection in the crystals of the city, and you will see my face again. You will then understand the truth.

 

To defeat the Glitch and the Tale Weaver, you need darkness.

 

You need hatred.

 

You need war.

 

You need me.

Red

My tookna nap after my last duel. I ended up sleeping longer than I wanted to. Like, a couple weeks, I think. When I woke up, I started travelling deeper into the cave. I found a system of mine trac ks, with a red haired woman on a duel runner waiting for me.

“Let me guess, next opponent?” I asked.
“Yep,” she said. “I’m your last opponent for this part of the tournament. There will be more challenges awaiting if you manage to beat me, but if you make it through, you’ll go back to using normal life points.”
“Okay,” I said, getting on my duel runner. “Let’s go.”
“One more thing,” she said. “There’s another small catch n this duel. Normally, in a riding duel, both players begin with 0 speed counters. However, in this duel, I’ll begin with 6 speed counters while you’ll start off with nothing.”
“I don’t care,” I said. “Whatever obstacles you throw at me, I’ll overcome them.”
“Fine,” she said.

We took off. I got the first turn.
“I normal summon Solar Light Destroyer in attack mode and set two cards facedown,” I said. “Then I end my turn.”

“My move,” she said. Her speed counters went up to 7 and mine became 1. “I use Speed Spell- Summon Speeder to special summon Blood Vessel Masochist in attack mode!”
A man dressed in crimson appeared. He had 1500 attack and 1400 defense.
“This card can be treated as two tributes when I tribute summon the Red Cap, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Come forth, the Bleeding Lust, The Red Cap!”
A woman made of blood like substance appeared. She had 2000 attack and 1900 defense.
“I activate her effect,” she said. “By discarding 2 cards, I can gain control of your monster!”
The woman melted into ooze and forced tself into my monsters mouth, then flowed back out. My moster had changed. It now had red eyes and hair.
“The monster I take control of is converted into a Blood Vessel Initiate,”she said. “And for each Blood Vessel in play, the Red Cap gains 300 attack points. The total attack of my monsters is 4100, and you only have 3000 life points. All I have to do is attack, and you’ll lose. I’ll start by attacking you with your own monster!”
The attack hit and I was reduced to 1200 life points.
“Now, I’ll attack with the Red Cap!” she said.
“I activate the trap card Solar Light Wall,” I said. “By discarding my Solar Light Healer, I can negate the Red Cap’s attack!”
“I set a card face down and end my turn,” she said.

“I draw,” I said. My speed counters became 2 and hers became 8. “I summon Solar Light Soldier in attack mode, then I use the trap card Solar Light Beacon, which allows me to summon a Solar Light monster from my deck with the same level, so I choose Solar Light Masamura!”
A woman wielding a glowing katana appeared. She was level 3 with 1700 attack and 100 defense.
“I build the overlay network with these two level 3 monsters to xyz summon Solar Light Samurai n attack mode!”
A soldier in japanese armor appeared. He had 2100 attack and 1500 defense.
“By detaching one of hs overlay units, I can have him gain 500 attack points until the end of your next turn,” I said. “So now I’ll have him attack the monster you took from me!”
Solar Light Destroyer was destroyed, and she lost 800 life points.
“I set a card face down and end my turn,” I said.

“My turn,” she said. She went up to 9 speed counters and I went up to 3. “I use speed world 2’s effect,” she said. “By removing 7 speed counters, I can draw one card from my deck.”
“Control of Solar Light Samurai can’t switch,” I told her. “So Red Cap can’t gain control of him.”
“I don’t care,” she said. “I normal summon Scarlet Marked Brawler n attack mode, and wth hs effect, I also summon Scarlet Marked Soldier!”
Two monsters appeared, dressed in red. One was level 3 with 1200 attack, and the other was also level 3 wth 1500 attack.
“I build the overlay network with these two monsters to xyz summon Blood Vessel Gun Master!” she announced.
This one was a man carrying twin pistols with 1700 attack and 1200 defense.
“I use both of his overlay units to reduce your monster’s attack points by 500 for each one!” she said.
The man shot my Samurai, causng him to collapse in pain and drop down to 1600 attack.
“Since there’s a Blood Vessel in play, Red Cap gains 300 attack,” she said. “And I’m going to have her attack your monster!”
“I activate Solar Light Barrier!” I said. “My monster is now switched to defense position and can’t be destroyed by this battle!”
“I attack again with Gun Master,” she said. This time my monster was destroyed. “I also use the trap card Scarlet Strike! When a monster is destroyed in battle while I control the Red Cap, you take 700 damage!”
I was reduced to 500 life points.
“I end my turn,” she said.

“I draw,” I said. She went up to 3 speed counters and I went up to 4. Exactly what I was waiting for.
“I normal summon Solar Light Prince!” I said. “Next, by banishing him, I can add Solar Light Paladin to my hand!”
“What good will that do?” she asked. “That’s a level 5 monster. You can’t summon it without tributes, and even if you could, you already used up your normal summon this turn.”
“I activate Speed Spell- Speed Fusion!” I said. “Since I have 4 speed counters, I can fuse Solar Lght Paladin with Solar Light Stinger to fusion summon Heavenly Knight, Solar Light Tengoku!”
A man with a long, glowing blade appeared. He was level 7 with 2700 attack and 2000 defense.
“Once per turn, I can banish a light monster from my graveyard to have him gain 500 attack!” I announced. “Now, attack her Gun Master!”
That attack finished things. Her life dropped to 0 and she fell off the tracks.

I made it out of the caves and now I’m in some kind of crystal city. I think I’m close to the Tale Weaver. Soon, I’ll get my chance to defeat him.

Do you think it will be that easy, Saylo? You cannot win against the Glitch. There still isn’t enough hatred in your heart.

Another Challenge

I found a cave earlier. Since there wasn’t really anywhere for me to go, I decided to check it out. I found my next challenger inside.

“Are you my next opponent?” I asked him.

“You bet,” he said. “Let’s get this duel underway, shall we?”

“Okay,” I said.

 

“I’ll go first,” he said. He paused after drawing his card. “Wait a minute, you only have 2400 life points left?”

“Yeah,” I said.

“Well, that won’t do,” he said. “I activate the spell card Cold Gift. With this card, my opponent gains 2000 life points.”

My life increased to 4400.

“I don’t get it,” I said, confused. “Why would you wanna increase my life points?”

“Simple,” he said. “Cold Gift has a second effect. It allows me to summon a Cold monster from my hand, so I’ll use it to special summon the Cold Boy!”

A young boy appeared on his side of the field. It was level 7 with 2400 attack and 1800 defense. The air suddenly got extremely cold. I could see my breath, and I started shivering.

“Next, I normal summon Child Of The Cold,” he said.

A small child, who as visibly shaking from the cold, appeared on his field. It was level 3 with 1400 attack and 700 defense.

“I activate Child Of The Cold’s effect,” he said. “Now, I can summon another Child Of The Cold from my hand.”

Another one appeared.

“I build the overlay network with my two level 3 Children Of The Cold to xyz summon Cold Knight!” he exclaimed.

A warrior weilding a frozen sword and shield appeared. It had 1800 attack and 1600 defense.

“I end my turn,” he said.

 

“My turn,” I said. “I summon Solar Light Bowman!”

My monster was suddenly encased in ice.

“What just happened?” I asked.

“Cold Boy’s effect,” he said. “Normal summoned monsters can’t attack one the turn they’re brought out.”

“I set three cards face down and end my turn,” I said. “And due to Bowman’s effect, you take 900 damage.”

His life points dropped down to 1100.

 

“My turn,” he said, drawing. “I activate the spell card Cold Mirror.”

A mirror made of ice appeared beneath my face down cards, allowing him to see their reflections.

“If I control a water monster, this card lets me look at all of your facedown cards,” he said. “Next, I use the Cold Boy’s effect. By discarding a card, I can select one of your facedown spell or trp cards. That card can’t be activated this turn. I choose Mirror Force.”

My trap card froze over. He was good.

“I use Cold Knight’s effect!” he said. “By detaching one of his overlay units, I can reduce your monster’s attack by 300 for each water monster I control.”

My Bowman was frozen, and his attack went down to 1200.

“I have my Cold Knight attack your Bowman,” he said. My monster was destroyed and I took 600 damage.

“Now, I’ll have the Cold Boy attack you directly!” he said.

“I activate the trap card Solar Light Defender!” I said. “When My opponent attacks me directly, I can bring back a level 4 or lower Solar Light monster from my graveyard. It’s effect will be negated, and it can’t be destroyed in battle this turn.”

“I continue my attack,” he said.

I took anothr 600 damage, bringing me down to 3200.

“I end my turn,” he said.

 

“I draw,” I said. “I summon Solar Light Destroyer in attack mode!”

This was a level 4 monster with 1800 attack and 1400 defense. The Cold Boy’s effect kicked in, freezing my monster solid.

“I Build the overlay network with these two monsters!” I said. “I xyz summon Solar Light Valkyrie!”

My monster appeared before me.

“I activate her effect!” I said. “By detaching both of her overlay units, she gains 800 attack, permanantly!”

“I activate the effect of the Cold Wyrm in my graveyard!” he said. A giant white serpent erupted from the ground and exhaled a massive ammount of freezing mist which froze my monster in place before disappearing.

“What was that?” I demanded.

“By banishing this card, I can prevent one of your monsters from attacking this turn,” he said.

“I set a card face down and end my turn,” I said.

 

“I draw,” he said. “I activate Cold Boy’s effect again, so by discarding a card, I can prevent your Mirror Force from being activated.”

My trap froze over again.

“Now, I use my Cold Knight’s effect to reduce your monster’s attack power by 600,” he said. Valkyrie’s attack dropped to 2200.

“Now, by returning two Children Of The Cold from my graveyard to my deck, I can special summon Skilled Child Of The Cold from my hand!”

This one was level 6, with 2300 attack and 1400 defense.

“I’ll have the Cold Boy attack your Valkyrie,” he said.

“I activate Negate Attack!” I said. “Now, I can negate your attack and end the battle phase!”

“I end my turn,” he said.

 

“My turn,” I said, drawing. It was my Solar Light Wolf. “I activate my facedown card, Solar Light Trade! With it, I discard Solar Light Berserker to add a Solar Light Monster from my deck to my hand. I choose Solar Light Flower Girl! Now, I summon her to the field!”

“The Cold Boy’s effect activates, preventing her from attacking,” he said.

“I use the effect of Solar Light Wolf,” I said. “Now, I can special summon it to the field. Next, I tune my level 4 flower girl to my level 4 Wolf to synchro summon Starlight Dragon!”

My dragon appeared before us, in all of its glory.

“I activate the effect of Cold Wizard Armis,” he said. “By banishing this card from my graveyard, I can choose a Cold monster I control, and you can’t attack any other monsters. I choose the Cold Boy. As you know, he’s a Fear, so your monsters can’t destroy him in battle.”

“They may not be able to destroy him, but they can still deal you damage,” I said. “I banish Solar Light Berserker from my graveyard to have all of my light monsters gain 400 attack points until the end of this turn!”

My Solar Light Dragon increased to 2900 and my Solar Light Valkerie increased to 3200.

“I attack your Cold Boy with both of my life monsters!” I said.

 

His life dropped to 0, and he vanished.

 

One more challenge complete. Look out Tale Weaver. It won’t be long now.

2 More Duels

I had two more duels. The first one was against a guy dressed like a carnival worker.

 

“Are you my next challenge?” I asked him.

“Indeed I am!” he said excitedly. “But you see, your challenginges will now have a unique twist!”

“What kind of twist?” I asked.

“All of your opponents from now on will begin each duel with 2000 life points, instad of the normal 8000,” he said.

“But that doesn’t make sense,” I pointed out. “That’s giving me the advantage, isn’t it?”

“Not really,” he said. “You see, up til now your life points have been re-set to 8000 at the end of each of your duels. That won’t be the case this time. From now on, whatever you life points are at the end of each duel will become your starting life points in your next duel. It will become increasingly difficult as you go on.”

“I accept the challenge,” I said. “Let’s go.”

 

“I’ll make the first move,” he said. “I activate Polymerization from my hand! I use it to fuse Grotesque Smiler with Grotesque Deep One!”

Two monsters appeared; a giant smiling face and a freaky fish-like being. They twisted together, taking the form of a tentacle covered man with a huge, malevolent grin full of razor sharp fangs. It was level 6 with 2100 attack and 1500 defense.

“Behold, Grotesque Deep Fang!” he announced. “Then, I nowmal summon Grotesque Fire Eater to join him!”

This was a heavily burned man carrying a pair of torches. He was level 4 with 1300 attack and 1200 defense.

“I end my turn,” he said.

 

“My move,” I said. “I summon Solar Light Prince!”

My monster appeared. It had 1800 attack, so I would be able to deal this guy some damage using it.

“I have him attack your Fire Eater!” I said. The attack hit, and he was brought down to 1500 life points.

“Since Grotesque Fire Eater is a Fear card, he survives the attack,” he said.

“I set two cards face down and end my turn,” I said.

 

“I draw,” he said. “I activate the effect of my Deep Fang! Once per tur, I can select one of my opponent’s face down cards, and prevent it from being activated this turn. I choose the own on the right!”

He had sealed my Mirror Force. I was in trouble.

“I use Fire Eater’s effect!” he said. “Once per turn, I can have him gain 500 attack points until the end phase!”

The man ate one of the torches, and his body burst into flames.

“Fire Eater, attack!” he ordered.

His monster destroyed my Prince. Since it was a Fear, it survived, even though their attack points were equal.

“Now I attack directly with Deep Fang!” he said. The attack hit, reducing me to 5900. “I enter main phase 2, and I use the spell card De-Fusion to split Deep Fang Back into his original components.”

Deep One and Smiler rose from his graveyard. Deep One was level 3 with 1200 attack and 1000 defense, and Smiler was level 3 with 1000 attack and 1500 defense.

“I activate Smiler’s effect,” he said. “When I summon a high level monster, I can treat Smiler as 2 tributes instead of one! Using him, I tribute summon The Grotesque Reverie!”

A distorted ringleader appeared. It was level 7, with 2200 attack and 2300 defense.

“This is my strongest card,” he said. “But don’t be too worried, because Smiler allows you to summon a high level monster as well.”

“I summon The Ultimate Visionary, Malkator!” I said.

“I use Grotesque Reverie’s effect,” he said. “Now, I can switch your monster to defense position. Also, I equip him with Endless Nightmare Of The Grotesque. As long as he has this card equipped, he gains 500 attack points, and any monster switched to defense position using his effect can’t switch back. Your move.”

 

“I draw,” I announced. “I summon Solar Light Bard!”

My level 1 tuner monster appeared.

“I tune level 1 Solar Light Bard to level 7 Malkator to synchro summon level 8 Starlight Dragon!” I said. “Then, I banish my Bard to negate Deep One’s effect, so now it loses its invincibilty! And I’ll attack it with my dragon!”

“I use Grotesque Reverie’s effect!” He said. “Now I can change the attaack’s target to him!”

“Starlight Dragon can’t be effected by my opponent’s card effects the turn it’s summoned,” I said. “I’m afraid you can’t stop this attack!”

He took 1300 damage from my attack, bringing him down to 200. I was almost there.

“I end my turn,” I said.

 

“You’ll regret that,” he hissed, drawing. “I activate the effect of Grotesque Mad Fiend. When he’s the only card in my hand when I draw him, I can reveal him to my opponent and draw again. Now, I summon Mad Fiend in attack mode.”

It was a gross looking demon with 1800 attack and 0 defense.

“I activate the spell card Nightmarish Revival,” he said. “Now, I can bring back a level 3 or lower Grotesque card from my graveyard, then draw a card. However, if I draw a monster, I have to discard it immediately.”

He brought back his Deep One.

“The card I’ve drawn is a spell card, so I get to keep it,” he said. “Now, I’ll have Grotesque reverie attack your Starlight Dragon!”

“I activate Mirror Force!” I said. “Now, all of your attack position monsters are destroyed!”

“I activate Deep One’s effect!” he said. “By tributing him, I can negate your trap card’s activation!”

Mirror Force was destroyed.

“Now, I continue my attack!” he said.

“I use my second trap card,” I said. “Solar Light Barrier! Now, my monster is switched to defense position, and can’t be destroyed in this battle.”

My monster survived the attack from his Reverie.

“I activate Polymerization,” he said. “Now, I fuse Fire Eater and Mad Fiend to call forth Grotesque Flame Demon!”

A hugse, fiery demon appeared. It was level 6 with 1900 attack and 1000 defense.

“As long as I control this monster, all Grotesque monsters I control gain 300 attack points,” he said. “Also, during my end phase, you take 400 points of damage for each Grotesque monster I control!”

I dropped down to 5100.

“Now you can go,” he said.

 

“I draw!” I said.

The only monsters I could attack was his Reverie, and it had 3000 attack. I’d have to find a way to beat it.

“I summon Neo The Magic Swordsman!” I said.

“And how will that help?” he asked.

“I also use the spell card Solar Tag Team!” I said. “If I control a light monster, I can summon a Solar Light monster, I can summon a Solar Light monster from my hand that has the same level, so I call forth Solar Light Stinger!”

I now had 2 level 4 monsters. Everything was ready.

“I build the overlay network with Neo and Stinger!” I announced. “I xyz summon Solar Light Valkerie!”

A beautiful woman carrying a golden sword appeared. She had 2000 attack and 1500 defense.

“I switch Starlight Dragon back to attack position,” I said. “Then, by detaching an overlay unit from my Valkyrie, I can have a light monster I control gain gain 400 attack. So I’ll use both of her units to give Starlight Dragon an 800 attack point boost, and I’ll have him attack the Grotesque Reverie!”

His monster couldn’t be destroyed, but he still took 300 points of damage, bringing him down to 0.

 

 

I proceeded to my next challenger, a woman whose clothes were completely wet, as if she had been swimming.

“You only have 5100 life points,” she said. “You’re not doing so well, are you?”

“That’s none of your business,” I said.

“Whatever,” she said. “Let’s get this over with.”

“Fine,” I said.

 

“I’ll take the first turn,” She said. “I set a monster in face down defense position, and one other card face down. Your turn.”

 

“I draw,” I said. “I summon Solar Light Soldier in attack mode, and I’ll have him attack your face down monster!”

“The monster was Revival Jam,” she said.

“I set a card face down and end my turn,” I said.

 

“I draw,” she said. “During my standby phase, I can pay 1000 life points to bring back Revival Jam in defense position. I also activate Iferno Reckless Summon, allowing me to bring out two more Revival Jams from my deck.”

Normally, Inferno Reckless Summon would have allowed my to bring out more Solar Light Soldiers, but I only had one.

“I use Fear Arises!”she said. “I pay half my life points to call forth the Evolutionary Adverse Trigger, EAT!”

We were suddenly surrounded by knee high water, and beneath it, I could feel the presence of her monster. It was level 7 with 1000 attack and 2500 defense.

“I build the overlay network with two of my Revival Jams in order to xyz summon Camper Knight!” she said.

This one was a man carrying a sword, with 2200 attack and 1200 defense.

“I use my Camper’s effect,” she said. “By detaching an overlay unit and paying 500 life points, I can have him gain 1000 attack until the end phase.”

“But you only have 500 left!” I said. “If you do that, you’ll lose!”

“No, I won’t,” she said. “As long as I control EAT, I don’t have to pay life points to use the effects of aqua-type monsters. Instead, I can just send three cards from my deck to the graveyard.”

Her monster rose to 3200, and she milled 3 cards.

“Now, I’ll have my Knight attack your Soldier,” she said.

My monster was destroyed, and I was brought down to 3400.

“Now, I attack directly with EAT,” she said.

“I banish Solar Light Soldier from my graveyard to negate your attack!” I said.

“I set two cards face down and activate the spell card The Dark Door,” she said. “Now, we can each only attack with one monster per turn. Your turn.”

 

“I draw,” I said. “I summon Neo The Magic Swordsman!” I said. “EAT may be invincible, but you can still take damage! Neo, attack!”

“I activate the continuous trap card Jam Defender!” she said. Of course she has Jam Defender. “This card let’s me switch the target to my Revival Jam!”

“I activate the trap card Strike Slash!” I said. “Now, Neo gains 700 attack until the end phase and can deal piercing damage!”

“I activate another continuous trap card!” she said. “Ink Shield! Once per turn, if I have EAT in play, I can prevent damage I would take from one battle!”

He Revival Jam was destroyed, but she took no damage from it.

“I set a card face down and end my turn,” I said.

 

“I draw,” she said. “I bring back my Revival Jam, and with Eat’s effect, I can avoid paying life points by sending 3 cards to the graveyard. Then I normal summon Night Slime!”

A level 4 goo like monster appeared. It had 1200 attack and defense.

“At the cost of 500 life points, I can bring back another Night Slime from my graveyard,” she said. “Again, I’ll use Eat’s effect to avoid the damage.”

If I kept going, I figured I could use EAT’s effect against her and force her to deck out, but it would take a while.

“I overlay with these two Night Slimes to xyz summon Camper Iota!” she said.

Another Camper appeared, with 1900 attack and 1200 defense.

“I use Iota’s effect!” she said. “By using one of his overlay units and paying 500 life points, I can deal you 1000 points of damage!”

My life was reduced to 2400.

“Now, I use Camper Knight’s effect again,” she said. “Now, I’ll have him attack Neo The Magic Swordsman!”

“I us the trap card Solar Light Barrier!” I said. “Now, Neo is switched to defense position and survives this battle.”

“Due to The Dark Door’s effect, I can’t attack again,” she said. “I end my turn.”

 

“I draw!” I said. “I activate the spell card Solar Light Trade! I discard a light monster to add a Solar Light monster from my deck to my hand. I choose Solar Light Wolf.”

“Okay then,” she said.

“I summon Solar Light Flower Girl!” I said. “Then, since I summoned a Solar Ligh Monster, I can also summon Solar Light Wolf!”

Solar light wolf is a level 4, light, beast-type monster with 1300 attack and defense.

“I activate the spell card Lightwave Tuning!” I said. “Now, Solar Light Wolf becomes a tuner monster. I tune level 4 Solar Light Flower Girl and level 4 Solar Light Wolf to my level 4 Neo The Magic Swordsman to synchro summon the level 12 Vision, The Fear Of Destiny!”

My mistress appeared before me, gazing down upon my enemy.

“Due to her effect, I can draw one card!” I said. “Now, I use Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your Ink Shield!”

“No!” she gasped.

“The Vision can attack all of your monsters once each,” I said. “And I’ll start with Revival Jam!”

Her Revival Jam was destroyed.

“Now, I attack Camper Iota!” I said.

The attack hit, and she was reduced to 0. But I wasn’t finished yet. I wanted her to suffer more.

“Attack Camper Knight!” I exclaimed.

Her knight was destroyed. I still couldn’t stop myself.

“Attack EAT!!!” I yelled.

EAT was destroyed, just like the rest of her monsters. I still hadn’t had enough.

“Keep attacking!” I ordered.

“Enough!” I heard a voice say. A familiar voice.

 

The lady vanished, and started looking around, trying to find where the voice had come from. I eventually looked down at my own reflection in the water. But it wasn’t my reflection I was looking at. I could see Gordon looking back at me in the water’s surface.

 

“Malevolent Sociopath is my schtick,” he said. “That’s not who you are.”

“H-how are you here?” I asked.

“You’re losing it man,” he said to me. “You need to pull yourself together if you wanna finish these challenges.”

 

Then he vanished and the water disappeared as well. He’s right. I’m going crazy here. And to make it worse, I’ve only dueled two people and I’ve already lost nearly 3 quarters of my life points. I’m in serious trouble.