"A Synchro Summon?!"
Miles had seen this summoning method before—back in the royal capital against the exchange student from Starcrest Academy, Marquis Barrett's heir, Villy Barrett.
The rule was straightforward: send a Tuner monster and one or more non-Tuner monsters from the field to the Graveyard as Synchro Materials; their combined Levels equal the Level of the Synchro Monster you summon.
"I tune the Level 2 Tuner [Plaguespreader Zombie] with the Level 2 non-Tuner [Giant Germ] for a Synchro Summon!"
A Synchro born from a Zombie Tuner and a Fiendish virus—despite the holy crucifix before them, the storm of Synchro energy that erupted seemed to rouse a terror from the abyss, matching the darkness all around.
★★ + ★★ = ★★★★
The stars of tuning cut through Giant Germ; four Synchro stars dove into Yog-Tos's Extra Deck.
"The Nameless One, lord of the far star-seas! With the visage of an Old One, twist mortal dreams—Synchro Summon! [Elder Entity Hastorr]!"
[Elder Entity Hastorr] Level 4│WIND│Reptile│2300 ATK
[Materials: Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner monsters]
Though the Synchro card Yog-Tos slammed down was white, the ripples it sent across the ground were pitch-black.
"Behold the face of an Old One, mortals!"
From the black ripples strode the King in Yellow; countless tendrils writhed outward beneath his robes. One glance at that eldritch visage and your sanity plummeted.
"So this is a Synchro Summon," Aisha murmured. "It's terrifying—like dragging a monster up out of a dark abyss."
"N-no! Synchro Summons aren't something this grim and twisted!" Astar cried.
Their voices, though on different wavelengths, overlapped in Miles's mind as if they were conversing. Astar, in particular, seemed to reject Yog-Tos's Synchro with unusual vehemence.
"Believe me, Miles—Synchro is no creature of the abyss! Synchro gathers light and prayer!"
"Astar, don't tell me… you can Synchro too?"
"I don't perform Synchro Summons. Because I am Syn—Ah! Watch out, Miles, here comes the attack!"
Yog-Tos's battle declaration cut him off. The Level 4 Hastorr boasted 2300 Attack—far above the Level 4 Queen's Knight.
"Lead the lost souls to salvation—drag the foe's monster into the abyss!—Eldritch Binding!"
Tendrils spilled from Hastorr's body, coiling tight around the Queen's Knight's shapely form, shattering her pink armor.
Ren and Irena blushed in unison. "Huh? We… get to see this for free?"
After a merciless ravaging, the Queen's Knight fell, eyes glazed, and vanished.
[Aisha Carlos, LP: 3500 → 2800]
"Heh. Another wandering soul, redeemed by the Old One."
Yog-Tos pressed the attack. With Queen's Knight gone, the 1000-Attack Giant Germ's violet bubble hurtled toward Aisha.
"Direct attack—Viral Assault!"
"I activate my Set card!"
The back row flipped—Miles had invested heavily to forge this second Court card, an A-rank support used by the royal poker knights of old.
"Continuous Trap [Court of Cards]!"
[Once per turn, if you control no monsters other than "Queen's Knight," "Jack's Knight," and "King's Knight," you can Special Summon 1 of those monsters from your hand or Graveyard.]
A lavish tableau of the three knights—and a once-per-turn revival. Becoming a Royal Duel Knight had granted Miles access to the royal vault's generic support, letting him pour more Magic Points into crafting his signature cards.
"I use [Court of Cards] to Special Summon [Queen's Knight] from the Graveyard in Defense Position!"
[Queen's Knight, DEF: 1600]
Her shattered armor restored, the Queen's Knight rose from the Graveyard, shield raised to block the charging Germ.
"Oh? Hiding a trap of that caliber—you're quite capable," Yog-Tos said, a flicker of surprise in his eyes as he recognized an A-rarity poker-exclusive trap.
"After Battle, I Set 2 cards and activate the Continuous Spell [Mirage of Nightmare]!"
[During your opponent's Standby Phase: Draw until you have 4 cards in your hand. During your Standby Phase: Randomly discard the same number of cards you drew by this effect.]
A hand-refill engine on the opponent's turn—Yog-Tos had 2 cards left in hand, so he would draw 2 more on Miles's Standby.
"Next, I activate [Plaguespreader Zombie] in the Graveyard: I place 1 card from my hand on top of my Deck, then Special Summon it in Defense Position."
[Plaguespreader Zombie, DEF: 200]
That left Yog-Tos with a single card in hand.
"Turn end."
"My turn, draw."
As Miles drew, the forest shimmered; the mirage conjured illusory cards in his Standby.
"In your Standby Phase, I can draw until I have 4 in hand—three cards. Now then, how will you face my Synchro [Elder Entity Hastorr]?"
"Watch closely. I Normal Summon in Attack Position—[King's Knight]!"
[King's Knight] Level 4│LIGHT│Warrior│1600 ATK / 1400 DEF
The third poker knight representing the King stood beside the Queen.
"When King and Queen stand together, the Jack descends—Special Summon [Jack's Knight] from the Deck!"
[Jack's Knight] Level 5│LIGHT│Warrior│1900 ATK / 1000 DEF
Three knights, three blades—crossing in gleam before the Old One's darkness.
"The poker trio—just right as Tribute fodder for a God Summon," Yog-Tos mused, casting a glance at the two God Cards pinned to the cross.
"Too bad neither of us can use those wagered God Cards this duel."
"Even without them, there are plenty of ways to beat an eldritch Synchro!"
Miles's slender arm swept across the field; facing the Synchro Old One, she chose battle by overlaying her two Level 4 monsters.
"I overlay the Level 4 King and Queen to build the Overlay Network! From here, cleave the darkness! White wings that bear our hopes—messenger of light! [Number 39: Utopia]!"
[Number 39: Utopia] Rank 4│LIGHT│Warrior│2500 ATK / 2000 DEF
[Materials: 2 Level 4 monsters]
With star-forged blades and pure white wings, Utopia descended, its 2500 Attack surpassing the Level 4 Synchro.
"A 'Number 39'?!" Arnold's eyes shone. "Aisha-senpai can Xyz Summon too—so cool!"
Irena's eye twitched. "Using Xyz against Synchro, huh? And everyone remembers Fusion Academy is right over there? I get it—step off campus and it's no longer Fusion's problem."
"Gear up—Jack's Knight, Utopia!"
Battle Phase.
"Cut down the Old One, Utopia—Hope Sword Slash!"
Starlight cleaved the night, pierced Hastorr's yellow robes, and shattered the Synchro darkness with the light of Xyz.
[Yog-Tos, LP: 4000 → 3800]
"We did it! The eldritch Synchro is down!" Arnold exulted.
"Yes, splendid. Congratulations~"
Despite losing his monster, Yog-Tos smiled and applauded his foe.
"Now lend your ear to the Old One's whisper—the murmur that warps all minds! [Elder Entity Hastorr]'s effect!"
[If this card is sent from the Monster Zone to the GY: Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; equip this card to it. The equipped monster cannot attack, and its effects are negated.]
"I equip the Hastorr that went to the GY to [Number 39: Utopia]. Utopia can't attack or use its effects!"
The whisper bored into Utopia's mind; its wings dimmed, sanity slipping toward the brink.
Aisha yelled, "Damn it—my Utopia!"
Miles pressed on. "We're not done! Even if Utopia can't fight, Jack's Knight still hasn't attacked. Destroy [Plaguespreader Zombie], Jack's Knight!"
"You think a monster that has heard the Old One's whisper is merely unable to fight?"
Yog-Tos flipped a set card—clearly the Quick-Play paired with Mirage of Nightmare.
"Quick-Play Spell [Emergency Provisions], activate!"
[Send any number of other Spell/Trap Cards you control to the GY; gain 1000 LP for each.]
"I send my [Mirage of Nightmare] and the equipped [Elder Entity Hastorr] to the GY to gain 2000 Life Points!"
[Yog-Tos, LP: 3800 → 5800]
Using Provisions to 'eat' Mirage is common—dodging its discard to net free cards. However, using it to send away the equipped Hastorr baffled Miles.
"If [Elder Entity Hastorr] isn't equipped to Utopia anymore, Utopia should regain its power and effects," Miles pointed out.
Yog-Tos smiled. "Excellent answer. It does regain them—on my field. Behold Hastorr's final effect!"
[If the card equipped by this card's effect leaves the field: Take control of that monster.]
"Once you've heard the whisper, do you think your monster returns untainted? Remember: those who fall into the abyss never truly return. Gaze upon the Old Days!"
At his chant, Utopia, will twisted, stepped to Yog-Tos's side.
"A fine effect, isn't it?" Seizing Utopia, Yog-Tos immediately primed its safeguard.
"When your monster declares an attack, I can detach 1 material from [Number 39: Utopia] to negate that attack. Raise the Old One's barrier, Utopia!"
The crescent barrier that once symbolized hope was stained pitch-black by the abyssal power, stopping Jack's Knight's strike.
"How does it feel to be blocked by your own monster, Aisha Carlos?" Yog-Tos taunted.
"I'm not done yet! This turn's battle isn't over!"
Miles's offense kept flowing. The A-rank [Court of Cards] glowed again.
"You just detached [King's Knight] as Utopia's material—so I use [Court of Cards] to revive [King's Knight] from the Graveyard!"
[King's Knight, ATK: 1600]
Once per turn, the poker revival let Miles continue attacking even mid-Battle.
"Give me back my Queen! King's Knight—Royal Blade!"
"Tch!" Yog-Tos hadn't expected Miles to pounce on the detach window so precisely.
"Then [Number 39: Utopia] activates again—detach its last material, [Queen's Knight], and negate the attack!"
The final pitch-black crescent met steel—ending the Battle Phase. Utopia, empty of materials, would be destroyed by any strike next turn, regardless of power.
"I Set 2 cards. Turn end!"
"You're a stubborn one, Aisha Carlos. Even after hearing the Old One's whisper, your will to duel remains. I've never seen a human so devoted to dueling."
Yog-Tos drew for turn—no longer burdened by Mirage's discard.
"Your will, your wisdom, your courage in the duel are commendable. But such human virtues are worthless before the Old Dominators!"
He slowly revealed the monster in hand; the pressure at his fingertip was godlike.
"No… that feeling—that's a God Card!"
Miles looked, stunned, at the two God Cards pinned to the cross.
"In this duel, neither side may use the wagered God Cards."
"Surprised? I've obeyed the contract. I simply never said there was only one copy of [The Wicked Eraser] in my Deck."
"Two copies… of the same god?"
Abyssal darkness swallowed his three monsters; they became souls to be offered.
"A god's descent demands three Tributes. I Tribute [Number 39: Utopia], [Giant Germ], and [Plaguespreader Zombie]!"
"Descend in the abyssal form that erases all—burn the souls of the living—The Wicked Eraser!"
[The Wicked Eraser] Level 10│DIVINE│Divine-Beast│? ATK / ? DEF
[The ATK and DEF of this card are each equal to the number of cards your opponent controls x 1000.]
[The Wicked Eraser, ATK: 5000]
...
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