"It's my turn, draw!"
Ed drew a card and immediately played one: "Normal Summon, Destiny Hero - Diamond Dude!"
A classic opening with Diamond Dude.
Just like Judai's classic Bubbleman draw 2 start, Ed's classic opening is to use Diamond Dude to mill a card.
Destiny Hero - Diamond Dude, LV 4, Dark Attribute, Warrior-Type, ATK 1400.
"Diamond Dude's monster effect, reveal the top card of the Deck. If it's a Normal Spell Card, send that card to the Graveyard and activate it next turn!"
Ed picked up the top card of the Deck, glanced at it, then revealed it: "Normal Spell Card, Destiny Draw, send to the Graveyard, activate next turn."
"Hoho, a draw of destiny?" Saiou's smile remained unchanged.
"Activate Spell Card, Polymerization!"
"Send Diamond Dude on the field and Destiny Hero - Celestial from my hand to the Graveyard for a Fusion Summon!"
"Destiny Hero - Dystopia!"
The classic high-tech superpowered hero leaped onto the field after the fusion of two monsters, brandishing its fist in midair.
Destiny Hero - Dystopia, LV 8, Dark Attribute, Warrior-Type, ATK 2800.
"Dystopia's monster effect activates when Special Summoned. Target 1 LV 4 or lower 'Destiny Hero' in your Graveyard and inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's ATK!
I choose Celestial!"
"Hand of Oppression!"
Dystopia jumped high into the air, landing in front of Saiou.
Saiou LP: 4000→2400.
"Set one card, end turn!"
A standard one-turn play.
Tenjo Hikari watched this opening, nodding slightly in his mind.
Dystopia's effect in this world is quite powerful. There aren't many cards that can disrupt an opponent's monsters during their turn, and Dystopia's ATK of 2800 and destruction effect make it very effective.
Besides, its ability to reduce Life Points isn't bad either, as it can potentially wipe out 4000 LP in one turn if luck favors, making it a pretty good 'ace' for Ed.
He looked toward the opponent.
If it's Arcana Force...
It should be quite difficult to face a Destiny Hero in such a state.
To be honest, Tenjo Hikari actually didn't want Ed to duel with Saiou because Ed had lost to Saiou in the original series.
But—
It's not a big deal.
Just like how Judai defeated Teacher Daitokuji in the original series, but in this world, Teacher Daitokuji defeated Judai.
The outcome of a duel is not decided.
Though he worried about Ed losing, he supported Ed in facing Saiou for a showdown, no matter the reason.
Surpass your own destiny!
"My turn, draw!"
Saiou drew his card sharply.
As he drew, the walls of the tower completely opened, and pure white light shone across the entire platform. Saiou looked at the card in his hand, his lips curling upwards, seemingly exhaling hot breath from his mouth.
"Destiny Hero - Dystopia, a formidable card that can destroy an opponent's monster during their turn." He looked at the card in his hand, unable to resist complimenting it.
Ed remained silent, watching his opponent intently.
"But no matter how strong a monster is, if it no longer exists, it's useless!"
"Activate Spell Card, Suit of Sword X!"
A large card image of the Spell Card appeared before him, then slowly started to spin, emitting a metallic "ding" sound.
"Suit of Sword X's effect, spin the card. In the upright position, destroy all opponent's monsters on the field, and in the reversed position, destroy all your monsters on the field!"
"Tsk…" Ed looked at the spinning card, slightly annoyed.
"Come now, Ed, make your choice." Saiou said, "Say 'stop' and the card will stop spinning!"
Clang—clang—
As he watched the card spin, alternating between upright and reversed, Ed shouted: "Stop!"
The card's spinning slowed, gradually coming to a halt, seemingly about to stop.
"Of course—"
"Upright position!!"
Clang!
The card stopped, face-up!
Saiou's voice rose as he laughed, "Suit of Sword X effect in the upright position, destroy all your opponent's Monster Cards!"
A sword flew out of the card, spun momentarily in the air, and plunged directly into Dystopia's chest.
Saiou looked at the now-empty field, a smile still etched on his face: "Ed, this is destiny. Destiny has chosen you and me, and following destiny is our true destiny!"
"Follow destiny?" Ed recalled memories from his duel with Tenjo Hikari a few days ago, his stance becoming increasingly firm, "No, changing destiny is what I should do!"
"Heh…"
Saiou chuckled softly.
Worthy of someone chosen by the Arcana Force's Hierophant's destiny.
He glanced at the card in his hand, with a blank Monster Card lying quietly.
"Hehahaha…" A smile uncontrollably spread on his lips.
Although due to an ambush, the duel was held a day earlier than planned, preventing him from conducting the 'ceremony' he wished to hold.
But.
As the duel commenced, the wheel of destiny shall move forward!
Now is the moment destiny signals its presence!
"Come, Ed, the Light of Destruction has revealed the future to me! Ed, your appearance before me now is the decree of destiny itself!"
As he spoke.
The members of the White Society, called to this spot, instinctively prostrated themselves, submitting towards the tower.
He raised the card without an image, as light began to gather around, gradually illuminating the statue atop the tower.
Ed watched this scene in astonishment.
Tenjo Hikari also frowned.
Everything was different from the original series, so he could only decide based on the situation.
"It's time." Saiou looked at his hand card.
"Behold the power of an even stronger destiny, Ed— Normal Summon, the fifth card of the Major Arcana, The Hierophant!"
A strange halo appeared in front of Saiou, with limbs and a body composed of various tendrils gradually emerging in the light.
A brand new, never-before-seen Arcana Force monster appeared before Tenjo Hikari and Ed!
What kind of card is that?!
Tenjo Hikari thought in surprise immediately.
"Hmm, quite interesting... an Angel?" Tierra, unaware of the situation and why Tenjo Hikari was surprised, looked at the alien-like Machine Angel and couldn't help but comment, "But I feel, it's not as aesthetically pleasing… as my Infernoid."
"Ed, this is the card born from your *destiny*!"
"My… destiny…?" Ed stared at the card in astonishment.
Arcana Force V - The Hierophant, LV 4, Light Attribute, Fairy-Type, ATK 1500.
Then, the card of The Hierophant appeared in front of Saiou, and the card began to spin automatically. Ed seized the moment and shouted "Stop!"
The card automatically slowed down and then came to a halt!
Clang!
The top of the card faced down—it was the reversed position!
Ed couldn't help but clench his fists, slightly excited, "How about that, Saiou, your destiny does not always go as you wish!"
"No—Ed!!" Saiou's smile turned somewhat feral, "This is the *correct* position!!"
"The monster effect of The Hierophant in the reversed position, Special Summon any one 'Arcana Force' monster from the Deck to your opponent's field!!"
"What?" Ed was stunned for a moment.
"Behold, the last card of the Major Arcana!
Arcana Force XXI—
THE WORLD!"