"The Wicked!"
Though they had only glimpsed it for a moment, that card face seemed to come from the abyss itself. Clearly, it wasn't any ordinary god. Otherwise, it wouldn't bear the prefix "The Wicked."
Miles said cautiously, "To reveal your trump card before the duel even begins—confidence, or sheer arrogance?"
Yog-Tos kept his eyes half-lidded, his smile calm, "A duel? I prefer to call this a ritual of salvation. Through this ritual, we shall decide whose faith in god is true."
The silver cross on his chest began to tremble as though it were activating like a Millennium Puzzle. A silver radiance swept past the others and shone straight onto Miles.
Then—like a flash grenade going off—their vision was drowned in white light for several seconds. When they opened their eyes again, the old church had vanished. They now stood in the forest under the night sky. Yet the massive crucifix still loomed before them.
And at some point, the one caught directly in that silver light—Miles—was now standing in Aisha Carlos's body on the left side of the cross. On the right side stood Yog-Tos, composed and elegant.
The two faced one another across the holy cross, as though it were the very backdrop of their duel.
"A Shadow Game? No… doesn't feel quite the same."
Dragged before the crucifix, Miles first checked Aisha's body for abnormalities. Nothing seemed off apart from the sudden displacement. Even within the silver barrier, there was none of the crushing pressure of a Shadow Game.
"A Contract Duel. This is a duel only for those who hold faith in gods. In such a duel, the deity itself is witness to all."
"Oh, a Contract Duel?" Irena stroked her chin and nodded. "So that's the church's exclusive duel format."
"I've never heard of such a format, senpai," Ren said curiously.
"Of course not. You're not believers."
"Then do you believe, senpai?"
"Nope." Irena flashed a brilliant smile. "I'm just a well-read beauty, that's all."
"Now, the contract shall be set…"
Clutching the silver cross on his chest, Yog-Tos spoke softly.
"The terms: a duel wagering the God Cards. Aisha Carlos, do you accept?"
"The terms? So the loser hands over their God Card? That's just a Shadow Game with a new name! Who are you trying to fool!"
"The ignorant are not guilty. A Contract Duel may dictate any terms—body or soul. This time, I seek only to save you from your false god."
With that, Yog-Tos placed his [The Wicked Eraser] card upon the crucifix.
"If you accept, then place your God Card as well, Aisha Carlos."
"No matter the name, it's still a duel wagering cards. Don't worry—I'll never run from one!"
Miles drew out [The Winged Dragon of Ra] from the deck holster strapped to Aisha's thigh and placed it upon the cross as well.
"The contract is sealed. Cast off the false war of gods!"
The Spirit Eyes and the crucifix blazed with light. The two God Cards laid upon it shone as though they were Christ's body nailed to the cross.
Yog-Tos added calmly, "As contract cards, the God Cards cannot be used in this duel."
"What the hell! That's the first I've heard of such a rule!"
"By accepting, you've agreed to equal terms. You cannot use your God Card, nor can I."
"Trading an evil god for an Egyptian God? But Ra's clearly stronger—I'm getting the short end here…"
Astar's voice rang in Miles' mind, "Didn't I tell you? No matter how handsome he looks, his soul is filth incarnate! Already pulling tricks before the duel begins—you must stay sharp, Miles!"
Spreading his arms, Yog-Tos slowly opened his eyes for the first time since appearing. Just before the duel began, he raised his head and shouted:
"Faith in false gods holds no worth! This is salvation through love universal! Offer your soul upon this altar!"
"Finally sounding like a proper cultist." Miles loaded his deck into the Spirit Eyes. "But don't think a duel without God Cards means you can beat me!"
"Duel—!"
[Yog-Tos, LP: 4000]
[Aisha Carlos, LP: 4000]
In the darkness, his opponent's Spirit Eyes lit first, signifying the first turn.
"My turn, draw!"
After glancing at his card, Yog-Tos set it.
"I Normal Summon a monster in face-down Defense Position. Turn end."
"A simple, cautious opening, huh. Then… my turn, draw!"
Miles, going second, drew his card. Of his six opening cards, three were from the Court of Cards. The path to battle was clear.
"I Normal Summon Queen's Knight in Attack Position!"
[Queen's Knight] Level 4│LIGHT│Warrior│1500 ATK / 1600 DEF
Holding her clover-shaped shield, the Queen's Knight, embodiment of the card Queen, manifested from the darkness and drew her blade.
"Strike the face-down monster! Queen's Knight—Queen's Blade!"
Her silver slash tore through the night, destroying Yog-Tos's face-down monster with ease.
"Yes! Aisha-senpai strikes first!" Arnold whispered excitedly.
"Or does she?" With a flick of his monocle, Yog-Tos's field began to fester with violet-red viruses.
[Giant Germ] Level 2│DARK│Fiend│1000 ATK / 100 DEF
"When Giant Germ is destroyed, it inflicts 500 damage to the opponent, and Special Summons 2 more from the Deck."
[Aisha Carlos, LP: 4000 → 3500]
The Queen's blade struck true, but the virus multiplied, not only reducing Miles' Life Points but also summoning two more Giant Germs to Yog-Tos's field.
"Fitting monsters for a cultist," Miles muttered as he set a card. "I Set one card and end my turn."
"My turn, draw!"
Yog-Tos drew and summoned again—this time drawing everyone's attention.
"I Normal Summon the Tuner Monster Plaguespreader Zombie in Attack Position!"
[Plaguespreader Zombie] Level 2│DARK│Zombie/Tuner│400 ATK / 200 DEF
"A Tuner? Could it be—"
"Synchro Summon, by the call of the Old Gods! Only through listening with your soul can you glimpse the secrets of the abyss!"
...
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