"My turn..."
It's Delta's turn. But he lowered his head to look at his deck, staring at the unknown card at the top, which was, in fact, predetermined, and he didn't draw it right away.
After a moment, he muttered.
"It's really ironic, just like my life... if beings like us were even allowed to have the concept of 'life'."
"Oh? How so?" Yugen asked with interest.
"A future that seems unknown is actually determined from the moment of birth, right?" Delta said.
"Come to think of it, I kind of sensed that at the start," Yugen said. "Intercepting me here and dueling with me, even though it's your mission, you didn't seem very enthusiastic... or willing, rather?"
"Whether enthusiastic or not, what difference does it make?" Delta said calmly, "The reason for our existence, our goals, everything... although we've been given thoughts, we lack the freedom to use them to decide our future."
He closed his eyes and smiled softly.
"But just like this... it's enough."
"To be my father's right-hand man, to do something for him, that's enough."
The image of the man flashed in his mind again.
And when the man handed him the card, one of the main cards of his deck, the "Dark Storm Dragon."
"You are my most outstanding son. I trust in your ability, and I know you will not disappoint me."
The man said in a deep voice.
"Right, Delta?"
"...Of course."
He lowered his head, solemnly accepting the card.
"I will not disappoint you."
"Never."
"..."
Yeah, I can't disappoint him.
Otherwise, wouldn't their very reason for existence vanish?
"Even if the future is fixed, I can only accept it and strive to realize my value within these limited choices. This is something you duelists cannot understand, right?"
Delta said.
"My turn, draw."
Delta drew the card. Of course, it was the "Dark Storm Dragon," already practically revealed.
"But entering the preparation phase, the effect of 'Folk Art Dragon' in my graveyard activates," Delta said. "During the preparation phase, if this card exists in the graveyard and no monsters are present on my field, this card is Special Summoned from the graveyard."
A golden light shone from the graveyard area of his Duel Disc, and a small dragon jumped out onto Delta's field.
[Folk Art Dragon, Attack Power 400]
"One of the cards sent to the graveyard by 'Future Fusion,' huh." Yugen realized.
As expected of an ancient Forbidden Card before the Source Number era, its ability to gain resources is indeed strong...
"Furthermore, when Folk Art Dragon is used as a tribute for the Upper-level Summon of a Dragon-type Monster, it can be used as two tributes," Delta said. "So I use the 'Folk Art Dragon', treated as two tributes, as a tribute for an Upper-level Summon!
Appear once more—
—Dark Storm Dragon, summon!"
The pitch-black storm rose again, and the dark dragon re-emerged within the hurricane!
[Dark Storm Dragon, Attack Power 2700]
"You summoned it again like this." Yugen rested his chin on his hand. "But you are persistent with this monster, aren't you... does it hold some special meaning to you?"
"It's none of your business."
Delta said coldly.
"Then I activate the Equipment Magic 'Super Double Summon' to equip the 'Dark Storm Dragon.'
This card can only equip a Dual Monster, allowing it to directly enter a Resummon state and gain Dual effects."
"The Dual effect of the Dark Storm Dragon allows it to destroy all Magic Trap Cards on both sides' backfields by sending the face-up Magic Trap Cards on its own field to the grave."
Yugen nodded slightly.
"A very powerful ability, it would be troublesome to let you activate it again.
Then I activate the cover card, the Trap Card 'Wind Spirit Technique - Ya.' By offering a Wind Attribute monster on my field, I can return one card on your field to the bottom of its owner's deck."
He smiled.
"Then I'll offer my Wind Attribute 'Wind Emperor Leiza' as a tribute, sending your 'Dark Storm Dragon' to the bottom of the deck."
A green hurricane rose again, and the Wind Emperor's body dissipated. But the storm also engulfed the Dark Storm Dragon, sending it swirling back into Delta's deck before it could find its footing.
But this time, it went to the bottom.
Encore.JPG.
Delta's movements stiffened.
Bounced back to the deck again...
In such a short time, his Dark Storm Dragon had been kicked back to the deck twice...
Half a second later, he retracted his arm, which he had just raised to continue operations, and took a deep breath.
Stay calm, stay calm. He's the most outstanding son of all his father's children, not only in strength but also in mental fortitude.
Can't get caught up in this guy's rhythm...
"It's not over yet."
Delta opened his eyes again, speaking in a deep voice.
"Super Double Summon has another effect. When this face-up card is sent from the field to the grave, a Normal Monster from your grave can be Special Summoned!
Because the 'Dark Storm Dragon' that was equipped was sent back to the deck, Super Double Summon loses its target and is sent to the grave, activating its effect!"
A card slid out from the graveyard area of his Duel Disc.
"And what I'll summon is the other card used as the cost to activate 'Ice and Flame Dual Dragon' last turn—"
As he raised the card high, his mind seemed to flash with the image of his father again. Looking at him with that unsmiling, icy gaze that felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, he handed him the card.
"Don't disappoint me." He said.
"..."
Delta's voice was full of power: "Revive the second Dark Storm Dragon from the grave!"
The storm rose again. As if with a dense, dark body and scales that shimmered with a dim light, the dragon's wings spread wide, shrouded by a dark storm that seemed to freeze even the air.
Dark Storm Dragon, summon again!
[Dark Storm Dragon, Attack Power 2700]
"You actually managed to summon it again."
Yugen looked up, watching the giant dragon wield the storm.
"This dragon must hold special significance to you, right?"
"My father trusts me, and I will give everything for him; that's all I need!" Delta shouted, "Direct attack with 'Dark Storm Dragon'!"
The pitch-black storm carried countless wind blades, thundering towards Yugen with a force that seemed to herald the end of the world.
"I see, let me guess, this card holds the expectations of your so-called 'father,' and it's your reason for existence and battle."
Yugen's lips curled upward as he let out a light laugh.
"Perhaps as you said, sometimes fate only gives us limited choices. But other times... even within limited choices, there might not always be a way out."
He snapped his fingers lightly.
"Activate the Trap - Phoenix Wings Storm. By discarding a card from my hand, I can return one card on your field... to the top of the deck!"
If Delta had a human-like heart, his reaction might be the so-called "cardiac arrest" right now.
Back to the deck again? Again!?
Encore to the third power???
Delta's eyes were turning red.
Are you freaking kidding me!?