Judai took a deep breath and stood up.
All the illusions disappeared, the entire field reverted to its original form. Pitch black, tranquil, empty, without any orientation discernible.
Judai looked up and saw Yubel suspended beside him, her expression rather complex.
"Judai..."
She paused for a moment, then closed her eyes and spoke softly.
"It seems you've experienced more than I thought over these years."
"Experience makes us stronger."
Judai stood up and gently brushed his hand over the Card Deck on his Duel Disc. As if he could sense the will left behind by those who had passed through the lingering power in the deck.
Judai looked up and said firmly, "Even for those irreplaceable companions who are no longer here, I must continue forward."
Yubel smiled reassuringly, "With such persistence, you're already an excellent Duelist, Judai."
At that moment, ripples began to emerge in the regained tranquil darkness around them. The darkness converged, forming a huge shadow in mid-air. In the blurred outline, sharp claws, a long tail, and a pair of eyes emitting evil red light were vaguely visible.
"Evil God."
Judai looked up at the giant shadow and said.
"Let's quickly end the pretending game; I'm not afraid of you, nor will I be swayed by the few words you place in my mind.
I came here for one purpose, and we both know how this should end."
Judai waved the Duel Disc in his hand.
"Duelist's way."
The giant shadow emitted a series of indistinct sounds, as if taking a heavy breath due to anger.
Then the darkness beneath the giant shadow gathered and turned into a black humanoid figure. No clear facial features, but with eyes, through which an angry expression could be faintly discerned.
"I see, indeed, a somewhat troublesome kid... there are indeed some tricky characters left in this world today."
He pondered for two seconds and then a Duel Disc appeared in his hand as well.
"Alright then, as you wish. But let's make it clear, since you dared come to my domain this time... neither you nor your lucky escaped Elf should expect to leave."
Before Judai could reply, Yubel had already sneered.
"The one who hasn't realized who they're facing is you." Yubel said faintly, "Let this ignorant Evil God see a little then, Judai."
"Okay!"
Judai also activated his Duel Disc.
"Duel!" x2
[Judai, LP4000]
[Eraser, LP4000]
"I'll go first, draw card."
The second round, only this time Yubel returned from the Eraser's side to Judai's camp. This time, it was Eraser's turn.
Eraser said, "Activate Magic Card 'Take Over5', send the top five cards from the Deck to the Graveyard."
Eraser drew five cards from the top of the Deck, placed them onto the Duel Disc, and they rolled into the Graveyard in sequence.
"Set one Monster Card to the field face-down," said the Evil God, "then set one card in the back field, turn ended."
Judai: "My turn, draw!"
Yubel said, "Show him the new power of heroes, Judai."
"Alright."
Judai waved and played an Elemental Hero card.
"Normal Summon 'Elemental Hero Solidman'!"
Solid State Hero in white armor, the silver-white armor reflecting a cold light, landed on the field heavily, with arm components crossed defensively like shields, as firm as a wall.
[Elemental Hero Solidman, Defense Power 1100]
"Solidman's effect, upon successful summon, allows a Level Four or lower 'Hero' Monster to be Special Summoned from the hand."
Judai then revealed another Monster Card from his hand.
"Special Summon 'Elemental Hero Sky Hero'!"
Previously part of Hibiki Momiji's Card Deck, the Elemental Hero was in Hibiki's hands with only the effect of "half Attack Power to directly attack," not comparable to the versions familiar to card masters in the real world, indeed losing face for Brother Sky.
But now Judai has reached Level 100, completely unlocking the power of Elemental Heroes, and his Brother Sky has evolved into its strongest form.
A transparent tornado arose, forming armor. Two turbines spun at full speed, creating air waves lifting him into the air, arms crossed high above, exuding a confident dominance.
[Elemental Hero Sky Hero, Attack Power 1800]
Judai said, "Elemental Hero Sky Hero effect! When this card is summoned or Special Summoned, you can add any 'Hero' Monster from the Deck to your hand!
I search from the Deck..."
His Duel Disc was already auto-searching, a card automatically popped out like it had a sentient spirit, and Judai took it into his hand.
"Add 'Elemental Hero Liquidman' to my hand!"
The Evil God sneered, "Just some minor fishy heroes, endlessly annoying."
Judai ignored his mockery and continued, "Then activate the Magic Card 'Fusion'!
'Elemental Hero Solidman' on the field, and 'Elemental Hero Liquidman' just searched from the hand, fuse!"
A burst of blue water surged through the field, condensing to form a hero entity. The water seemed to turn into substantial armor encapsulating the hero's body, clear and transparent, as blue as gems.
Liquidman and Solidman were both swept into the fusion vortex, disappearing, followed by a surge of energy explosion. An extreme cold tornado, like a ten-mile ice freeze, the surrounding darkness seemed frozen by the cold air.
Snowflakes drifted across the sky, the pure white hero descending slowly, like stepping on a transparent cyclone, arms crossed.
Elemental Hero Absolute Zero Hero, summon!
[Elemental Hero Absolute Zero Hero, Attack Power 2500]
The Evil God said, "That's at least something resembling a monster."
But then laughed again, snorted disdainfully, and said.
"Well, for a god, still not enough to fill the gap."
Judai ignored the taunting, said, "Elemental Hero Liquidman's effect. When this card is sent as Fusion Material for 'Hero' Monster to the Graveyard, draw two cards from the Deck, then discard one card."
Judai drew two cards, then sent one card from his hand to the Graveyard.
"Then the additional effect of 'Elemental Hero Solidman'. When Solidman is sent to the Graveyard due to a Magic Card effect, you can Special Summon a 'Hero' Monster from the Graveyard in Defense Position back to the field."
Judai withdrew a card from the hand.
"I'll Defense Position Summon 'Elemental Hero Liquidman' back to the field!"
[Elemental Hero Liquidman, Defense Power 1300]
"Liquidman is a Water Attribute," Judai said, "Elemental Hero Absolute Zero Hero has an additional effect. The Attack Power of this card increases by 500 points for each Water Attribute Monster on the field other than itself!"
[Elemental Hero Absolute Zero Hero, Attack Power 2500→Attack Power 3000]
"Battle!"
Judai said.
"Elemental Hero Sky Hero, attack the face-down Monster!"