"Tytannial, Princess of Camellias, attack 'Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands!'"
Despite the sudden and fierce offensive, Eddie's expression remained calm.
"Then I'll activate my set card, the Trap Card 'Dimensional Prison!'"
A pitch-black dimensional rift swirled open, like a gaping maw ready to devour the Princess of Camellias.
"When your opponent declares an attack, you can banish the attacking monster from the game!"
The rift surged forward, about to swallow Princess of Camellias from Kira's field. But Kira responded instantly, snapping his fingers.
"Then, Tytannial, Princess of Camellias's effect.
When a Spell, Trap, or Monster effect that targets a card on the field is activated, I can tribute a Plant-Type monster to negate and destroy that card!"
Eddie frowned slightly. "A Plant with such a powerful effect..."
"I told you, never underestimate the potential of any type," Kira smiled. "I tribute 'Gigaplant' to negate 'Dimensional Prison' and destroy it!"
Since Dimensional Prison also targets, Gigaplant turned into motes of light and vanished. Princess of Camellias's petals filled the dark rift, and the trap card quickly shattered and dissipated.
"Battle continues—Tytannial, Princess of Camellias, destroy Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands!"
Manju was pierced through the chest and exploded into pieces. Eddie raised his arm to shield himself, staggering from the blast.
[Eddie, LP 4000 → LP 2600]
"I set three cards face-down and end my turn."
"My turn. Draw."
Eddie's face was impassive.
"Then, I activate the Ritual Spell 'Advanced Ritual Art.'
I send Normal Monsters from my Deck to the Graveyard until their total Levels equal the Ritual Monster in my hand, and Ritual Summon that monster."
He spread his Deck and drew out a card.
"I send the Level 8 'Tri-Horned Dragon' from my Deck to the Graveyard as the tribute for the Ritual Summon!"
A ritual altar appeared, igniting with eerie green flames. Amidst the shifting firelight, a shadowy figure emerged—its red cloak stark against the swirling green haze.
It was as if something sealed in stone for eons had crossed into reality, filled with ultimate loathing and hatred for the world—darkness made manifest.
"The Demon God who destroys worlds, now descends," Eddie intoned. "Dark Master - Zorc, Lord of the Dark, is summoned!"
[Dark Master - Zorc, ATK 2700]
"Zorc..." Kira muttered. "Could it really be that Zorc?"
Yes—it was the final villain from DM, the evil god destroyed by the Creator of Light.
Of course, this Zorc looked much weaker—just a mere Level 8 Ritual Fiend, hardly worthy of the title The Dark One. But this Ritual Monster was not a random boss card from Konami; its original user was the human form of Zorc—the dark personality of Bakura.
The card's prototype came from the original manga's RPG arc, where Yami Bakura played the evil-aligned boss in the tabletop game "Monster World."
So, is this the true Zorc? No, but nor is it unrelated to the real Evil God.
"Let me guess, the evil god's avatar?" Kira asked. "Is that your true identity?"
But Eddie shook his head.
"The Evil God Zorc is already dead," Eddie said softly. "What's left now is just an empty shell he once inhabited millennia ago."
He glanced down at his right hand, clenching his fist as if sensing the power within. Darkness seemed to radiate from Zorc, spreading to Eddie, swirling around him.
"This duel is nearly over," Eddie said.
Kira frowned, as if realizing something.
"Your goal—was it just to summon him? Dark Master - Zorc? Is this some kind of resurrection ritual through a Shadow Duel?"
Eddie shook his head, not bothering to explain, simply waving his hand.
"Dark Master - Zorc's effect activates.
Once per turn, during your Main Phase, roll a die and apply the effect based on the result.
If it's 1 or 2, destroy all monsters your opponent controls.
If it's 3, 4, or 5, destroy one monster your opponent controls.
If it's 6, destroy all monsters you control."
"Only a 6 is a drawback," Kira nodded. "A one-in-six chance to backfire."
"But a true duelist can even defy fate," Eddie replied.
As he spoke, a die spun into existence in the darkness overhead, clattering and coming to a stop.
The number: 4.
"Only a 4, huh..."
Eddie didn't seem pleased with the result. He tightened his fist, as if feeling the power within.
"Not perfect, but it'll do.
Effect 4: Destroy one monster your opponent controls. Destroy 'Tytannial, Princess of Camellias.'"
Zorc didn't even move. The darkness around him surged out like a tidal wave, instantly engulfing Princess of Camellias and crushing her to dust.
But as the shadows faded, Eddie noticed Kira's backrow had already flipped over a trap card at some point.
Continuous Trap: "All-Out Attacks."
Noticing Eddie's gaze, Kira smiled. "This card was activated when you summoned Zorc.
While it's on the field, both players' Special Summoned monsters must be in Attack Position, and those monsters must attack if able."
Eddie frowned, pondering for a moment, then said, "No matter. Zorc's power was made for offense anyway."
"You ready to battle?" Eddie said. "Dark Master - Zorc, direct attack on the Duel King!"
Zorc's eyes flashed blood-red, filled with hunger for power and blood, enveloping his attack in endless darkness.
Even Kira sensed the terrifying darkness emanating from him.
"I'm not sure what your real aim is, but there's one thing I agree with: this duel is nearly over."
He slowly raised his arm.
"Activate set card: Continuous Trap 'Mirror Wall!'
As long as this Trap is on the field, all your attacking monsters have their attack halved!"
A transparent, silvery mirror wall rose, like a glacier blocking Kira.
This is the same trap used by Mai Valentine in the original series. In Duelist Kingdom, it had no cost, but the real-life card requires you to pay 2000 LP during your Standby Phase to keep it on the field, or else it's destroyed.
"Trying to halve Zorc's attack to reduce the damage?" Eddie asked.
"Reduce the damage? No," Kira said calmly. "No, I intend for this duel to end this turn."
"Chain—activate set card, Continuous Trap 'Call of the Haunted!'
I Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard in Attack Position.
I Special Summon 'Cactus Fighter!'"
[Cactus Fighter, ATK 1900]
"I see," Eddie understood. "If Zorc attacks, Mirror Wall halves his attack, so Cactus Fighter will destroy Zorc in battle. With a change in monster count, the battle rolls back, so I won't attack—"
He stopped short, realizing something.
Eddie: "!"
That's right.
He can't stop, can't cancel the attack.
Because Zorc was Special Summoned. The effect of 'All-Out Attacks' forces Special Summoned monsters to attack.
Now, Kira only has Cactus Fighter on the field. With no way to cancel the attack, Zorc must attack Cactus Fighter.
"Looks like you noticed," Kira smiled. "That's right, Zorc can't stop his attack—he must attack Cactus Fighter.
At this moment, Mirror Wall activates, halving Zorc's attack."
[Dark Master - Zorc, ATK 2700 → ATK 1350]
Zorc slammed into the Mirror Wall, dazed and weakened. The little cactus seized its moment, landing a spiky smack that made Zorc explode.
[Eddie, LP 2600 → LP 2050]
Eddie shielded himself from the impact, calmly stating, "I see, All-Out Attacks forces me to attack, and Mirror Wall triggers on attack.
You used this combo to ensure Zorc is destroyed."
"No, not to ensure Zorc is destroyed," Kira wagged a finger. "To ensure you die."
Eddie: "!"
"Cactus Fighter's effect: when it destroys a monster by battle, Special Summon a 'Needle Token' to your opponent's field in Defense Position."
[Needle Token, DEF 500]
"At this moment, the effect of 'All-Out Attacks' activates," Kira said. "Any Special Summoned monster is forced into Attack Position."
[Needle Token, ATK 500]
Eddie: "!"
His pupils contracted. For the first time this duel, his ever-calm face showed genuine shock.
Cactus Fighter's effect summoned a token to the opponent's field.
All-Out Attacks forced Special Summoned monsters into Attack Position and made them attack if possible.
In other words, the token must attack Cactus Fighter. Cactus Fighter destroys it, summoning another token. That token is then switched to Attack Position and forced to attack again.
An infinite loop!
In his shock, the Needle Token charged at Cactus Fighter again, self-destructing. Of course, Mirror Wall kept halving its attack.
[Eddie, LP 2050 → LP 400]
"Once again, Cactus Fighter destroys a monster by battle, so another Needle Token is Special Summoned to your field," Kira said. "All-Out Attacks effect—force the token to Attack Position and force it to attack."
[Needle Token, ATK 500]
He paused and smiled.
"This is the last strike. Any last words?"
Eddie finally recovered from the shock of this sudden infinite loop.
Then his expression returned to normal, and he smiled at Kira.
"Impressive. Very impressive. I have to admit, you deserve the title of King of Duels."
As he spoke, darkness churned in Eddie's eyes. His mouth didn't move, but a voice seemed to echo from within his body.
"We will. Meet. Again."
Kira frowned.
Meet again? What does that mean?
But at that moment, the Needle Token was once again forced to attack Cactus Fighter by the trap's effect.
The little cactus landed another plain but solid smack, shattering the token and ending the duel.
[Eddie, LP 400 → LP 0]
…