Ride 6
"Go, Garmore [total power: 21000]! Attack Jason's Crimson Butterfly, Bridgette [power: 10000] with Silver Wolf Slash-!" Garmore cut his opponent down with brilliant slashes of light from his claws. The damage was severe enough to cripple Bridgette.
Scarlett – Jason
2 –hand- 1
0 –soul- 3
4 –damage- 6
2 –counterblast- 4
Empty, Beaumains- left column- Gallatin, Little Sage Marron
Charjgal, Garmore(VG) –central column- Crimson Butterfly, Bridgette(VG), Miru Biru
War Horse, Raging Storm, Charging Chariot Knight –right column- Covenant Knight, Randolf, Lake Maiden, Lien
Winner: Scarlett
"Ah, Man. I thought I would win for sure." My disgruntled opponent said under his breath. There's something satisfying about your first tournament win, I thought to myself as I watched my opponent walk away. It's a different feeling than what you get from regular play. It just feels too good to stop feeling. No wonder some people take their games seriously.
The first round ended, and all the winners progressed up the brackets-
1st block: Dakota vs Conner
2nd block: Aaron vs Nate
3rd block: Mion vs Scarlett
4th block: Belvedere vs Sean
5th block: Sebastian vs Jared
6th block: Carson vs Olivia
7th block: Dalton vs Carlos
8th block: Eric vs Barbara
Thirty minutes in, and we've already eliminated half of our participants. So far I had no trouble moving up the ranks. I didn't spend an entire night staying up to lose. But then again, what am I saying; I didn't spend it preparing for this, either. I looked at the newly formatted bracket. It said I was up against Mion next. If I can get through her, I can get to Be-
I was suddenly bear hugged by the chick during my thought process! I can't tell what's breaking me more- her monstrous grip, or my ribcage nearly giving way. Wiggling my way out won't help either; she has me locked in her grip airtight.
"Nya~h, aren't you happy, Scarlett?" She squeaked to me. "We both won! Now we can fight each other next! I'm so excited! Nice win you had there, by the way." She said flailing me around.
Mion wouldn't let me breathe a single gasp of air, "Stop…crushing…me…" Somehow she heard me. Otherwise she wouldn't put me down. I fell to me knees, gasping for air, "Are you…trying to kill me…?!"
"Hey, I'm not trying to," Mion talked back flirtatiously; "it's not my fault you don't have any meat in your chest to cushion my hugs."
"You take that back! My chest has plenty of meat! Just, you know, not as much as yours. A-a-and besides, my chest is very sensitive." I told her nervously as I clenched my chest in my arms.
Mion noticed that I was slightly blushing. She knew I was hiding something. She laughed, "Hehehe, okay. I get it. You're not very comfortable about getting a hug."
"Uh, y-y-yeah. Let's go with that. Just be more careful next time!" Although that's true, that I don't like physical contact, it's not my entire reason. I have a…severe lack of assets; assets that apparently Mion has plenty of. I get really jealous sometimes.
"Okay, okay, I'll be careful." She giggled flaunting her hips in one direction. "Anyways, want to start our game now?" She asked. "I promise not to be too hard on you~."
Mion and I set up at the closest table to us. Our decks were freshly shuffled, and we placed our vanguards down. I looked at my hand (Silent Punisher [grade 0/critical]; Great Silver Wolf, Garmore [grade 3]; Holy Mage, Manawydan [grade 3]; Silent Punisher [grade 0/critical]; Elixir Sommelier [grade 0/heal]), and realized it wasn't to my liking. I need a grade 1 and 2, I thought to myself. "I'm going to mulligan four cards from my hand." I told Mion. I sent back the four cards I didn't want and my hand was replenished (Great Silver Wolf, Garmore [grade 3]; Elixir Sommelier [grade 0/heal]; Elixir Sommelier [grade 0/heal]; Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth [grade 1]; War Horse, Raging Horse [grade 1]). Well, I have a grade 1, but no grade 2. This is going to suck. There was nothing I could do about this. The only thing is to hunt for a grade 2.
"Okay! Stand up, vanguard! Stealth Rogue of Body Replacement, Kokuenmaru [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 0/ power: 5000]!" She shouted flipping her vanguard face-up.
"Go, vanguard! Grassland Breeze, Sagramore [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 0/power: 5000]!" I shouted flipping mine face-up. The battle was about to take place inside a Feudal Japanese training area. The young wolf Sagramore faced his opponent, the giant shuriken-wielding demon Kokuenmaru. The two enemies are ready and awaiting their leaders' orders.
"I'll go first, 'kay? Draw!" Mion shouted as she drew her card dramatically. "I ride Stealth Beast, Midnight Panther [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 1/power: 7000]! I move my Kokuenmaru to rearguard circle. Now it's your turn, Scarlett!"
"My turn, draw!" I drew another Gareth. No grade 2, yet. If this keeps happening, I won't survive long. But I'll make due. Somehow. "I ride Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 1/power: 8000]. I attack your Panther [power: 7000] with Gareth [power: 8000]!"
"I don't guard." She said.
I checked for a trigger. I revealed Weapons Dealer, Gwydion [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 0/draw trigger]; "Draw trigger- I give the power bonus to Gareth, and I draw a card." Gareth attacked his opponent up close and personal with his sword.
"Damage check-" she revealed Platinum Blond Fox Spirit, Tamamo [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 3/no trigger]; "No trigger, for now."
Scarlett – Mion
7 –hand- 5
1 –soul- 0
0 –damage- 1
0 –counterblast- 0
Empty, Empty –left column- Empty, Empty
Empty, Gareth(VG) –central column- Midnight Panther(VG), Empty
Empty, Empty –right column- Empty, Empty
"I draw! I ride Stealth Beast, Bloody Mist [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 2/power: 10000]!" Mion's vanguard was filled with a magnificent power, as it transformed from a ninja panther to a ninja tiger. "But that's not all, because now I activate Kokuenmaru's ability!"
"What does it do?" I asked her.
"I'm glad you asked, silly~. When I counterblast 1 damage, I can move Kokuenmaru to my soul and look at the top 5 cards from my deck. Then I can choose one grade 3 from the five and put it in my hand!" Mion did just as she explained, and looked at the top cards of her deck (Fantasy Petal Storm, Shirayuki [Grade 3]; Stealth Beast, Cat Devil [Grade 0]; Stealth Beast, Flame Fox [Grade 1]; Stealth Rogue of Silence, Shijimamaru [grade 1]; Stealth Fiend, Yukihime [Grade 0]); "All right, I found a grade 3- Fantasy Petal Storm, Shirayuki!" She shouted excitedly, revealing me the card and putting it in her hand. She put the rest of the cards back into her deck and reshuffled.
"Did you need a grade 3 or something?"
"Nah, not really. I just really like this one. Now I call upon two Stealth Beast, White Manes [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 2/power: 9000] to aid me in battle! My first White Mane [power: 9000] swoops in for an attack!"
"I don't guard-" White Mane shot a lightning bolt from its staff at Gareth, damaging him. Gareth let out a numbing shriek of pain. I revealed Mage of Calamity, Tripp [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 2/no trigger] as damage. Dang, I really needed a grade 2, I thought to myself.
"When White Mane's attack hits, I get to flip a face-down damage back up." She said flipping Platinum Fox Spirit, Tamamo from her damage zone face up. "Now Bloody Mist [power: 10000] wants a piece of Gareth [power: 8000]! Attack!"
"I don't guard." I said.
"Drive check~" she revealed Stealth Fiend, Oboro Cart [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 1/no trigger] for her drive. I revealed Flame of Victory [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 0/critical trigger] as damage-
"I revealed a critical trigger; I give all effects to Gareth [total power: 13000]!"
"Shoot, that means my next attack wouldn't go through then." Mion pouted. "Oh well, turn end."
"I stand my units and draw-" this next draw needed to be a grade 2. I couldn't keep playing like this. I lifted the top card of my deck, and saw that it was what I needed- a grade 2. "Alright! Now I can move into second gear! I ride to grade 2, Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 2/power: 10000]! Then I call: Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 1/power: 8000], Evil-slaying Swordsman, Haugan [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 1/power: 7000], and Arms Dealer, Gwydion [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 0/power: 5000]!"
"That rearguard column looks sexy." Mion commented.
"Before I attack, I'll counterblast 1 to give Haugan +1000 power [total power: 8000]-" upon his mistress's command, Haugan was wrapped by a mysterious aura that boosted his strength. "With a boost from Gareth [power: 8000], Beaumains [total power: 18000] attacks Bloody Mist [power: 10000]!"
"I don't guard." Mion hummed.
"Drive check-" I revealed a Charging Chariot Knight [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 2/no trigger]; Beaumains slashed at the ninja tiger with his sword, damaging Bloody Mist; Mion revealed Stealth Fiend, Midnight Crow [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 2/no trigger] as damage. "And with a boost from Gwydion [power: 5000], Haugan [total power: 13000] attacks Bloody Mist [power: 10000]!" Mion decided to take that hit, too- she revealed another Stealth Fiend, Midnight Crow [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 2/no trigger] as damage.
Scarlett – Mion
5 –hand- 5
2–soul- 2
3 –damage- 3
1 –counterblast- 0
Empty, Empty –left column- Stealth Beast, White Mane, Empty
Gareth, Beaumains(VG) –central column- Bloody Mist(VG), Empty
Gwydion, Haugan –right column- Stealth Beast, White Mane, Empty
"Nya~h, this is becoming such a close game, I'm getting excited!" Mion blurted out. "Scarlett, you're sooo good at this!"
"Of course I am," I took her compliment arrogantly, "I've been practicing every night for this tournament. But all those hours of sleep deprivation will be worth it once I win this thing!"
"In that case, I should step up my game if I ever have a chance of beating you, Scarlett. I stand and draw!" Mion shouted dramatically. "Ghostly pedals float through the air, dancing to the beat of dripping blood! I ride my avatar- Fantasy Petal Storm, Shirayuki [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 3/power: 11000]-"
Bloody Mist was engulfed in a field of light, and was transformed into Mion's avatar- a ghostly pale woman, with white hair, and blood-stained bangs. Her kimono was as white as winter. A little patch of ground where she hovered froze into ice. Her smile seemed somewhat broken and eerie, like she'll enjoy whatever pain she inflicts on the enemy.
"And now, to call out some friends for her; I call: Stealth Rogue of Silence, Shijimamaru [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 1/power: 8000], and Stealth Fiend, Oboro Cart [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 1/power: 6000]! I activate Oboro's skill- when he's called to rearguard circle, I can counterblast 1. Then I can search my deck for a Murakumo unit that shares the same name as one of my rearguards, and call it to the field. I choose to call another Shijimamaru [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 1/power: 8000]!"
She filled her field without any effort. I could see the determination in her face; she wanted to win as much as I did. But this won't scare me! I sacrificed too much sleep to lose this early!
"With a boost from Shijimamaru [power: 8000], Shirayuki [total power: 19000] attacks Baumains [power: 10000]!"
"I guard with Elixir Sommelier [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 0/heal trigger/shield: 10000]!" I shouted as I placed Elixir Sommelier in the Guardian Circle.
"Twin drive~, first check-" she revealed Stealth Beast, Midnight Panther [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 1/no trigger]; "second check-" she revealed Platinum Fox Spirit, Tamamo [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 3/no trigger]- Shirayuki summoned a fierce blizzard of white petals. But thanks to Sommelier, her attack couldn't reach Beaumains. "With a boost from Shijimamaru [power: 8000], White Mane [total power: 17000] attacks Beaumains!"
"I don't guard-" Beaumains couldn't withstand the shock from White Mane's lightning attack. I revealed Holy Mage, Manawydan [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 3/no trigger] as damage.
"Since White Mane's attack connected, I can flip a damage face up." She announced. "And finally, with a boost from Oboro Cart [power: 6000], my last White Mane [total power: 15000] attacks Beaumains [power: 10000]!"
"I guard with another Elixir Sommelier [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 0/heal trigger/shield: 10000]!"
"Shoot, blocked again." Mion pouted again. She really thought her last attack would make it through. "At the end of my turn, I return the Shijimamaru that was called by Oboro Cart to the botto of my deck."
"Well then, my turn now. I stand my units and draw." I didn't draw the grade 3 I wanted to test, but now at least I can play the game with you, Garmore. I thought as I stared at my avatar. "Lone wolf in sacred armor, let out your howl, and unlock the courage inside the hearts of your allies! I ride my avatar- Great Silver Wolf, Garmore [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 3/power: 10000]!"
A strong aura of light erupted from Beaumains, and as it dissipated, it shown the arrival of Scarlett's avatar, Garmore. His golden armor glistened in the light. His battle-hungry face proved he was ready for the fight to come.
"Let your howl reach the hearts of your allies, and bestow them with courage- Prideful Howl!" I shouted as I flipped two damage from my damage zone. "When Garmore appears in the vanguard circle, I can call one grade 2 or lower Gold Paladin unit from my deck- come on out, Sacred Guardian Beast, Nemean Lion [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 2/power: 5000]! Then I call behind him War-horse, Raging Storm [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 1/power: 6000]!" A thunder storm quickly brewed in the arena. The storm grew in intensity, and severe lightning started to appear. A lightning bolt struck the ground, followed by a neigh. Inside the eye of the storm, a black metal horse appeared.
"Now the game is getting fun!" Mion shouted.
"I send my Gwydion to the drop zone to move Huagan to the back circle. Then I call Holy Mage, Manawydan [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 3/power: 10000] in front of Haugan! I boost Nemean Lion [total power: 14000] with Raging Storm [power: 6000], and attack Shirayuki [power: 11000]!"
"I intercept with my left White Mane [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 2/shield: 5000]."
"Then with a boost from Gareth [power: 8000], Garmore [total power: 18000] attacks your vanguard [power: 11000]! I also activate Garmore's limit break: when he attacks while I have four or more damage, he gains +5000 more power [total power: 23000]!"
"I can't guard that." Mion commented.
"I check for a trigger; first check-" I revealed War Horse, Raging Storm [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 1/no trigger]; "second check-" I revealed Flame of Victory [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 0/critical trigger]; "I got a critical trigger! +5000 to Manawydan [power: 15000], and the extra critical to Garmore [critical: 2]!"
"Damage check-" Mion revealed Stealth Beast, Cat Rogue [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 0/draw trigger]; "draw trigger- I give the 5000 power to Shirayuki [total power: 16000], and I draw a card. Second check- " she revealed Stealth Fiend, Yukihime [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 0/heal trigger]; "So many triggers! +5000 to Shirayuki [total power: 21000], and I heal a point of damage."
"With a boost from Haugan [power: 7000], Manawydan [total power: 22000] attacks Shirayuki [total power: 16000]; and when Manawydan is boosted by a Gold Paladin, he gains +2000 power [total power: 24000]!"
"I guard with Stealth Beast, Cat Rogue [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 0/draw trigger/shield: 5000]."
Scarlett – Mion
3 –hand- 5
3 –soul- 3
4 –damage- 4
3 –counterblast- 0
Raging Storm, Nemean Lion –left column- Empty, Empty
Gareth, Garmore(VG) –central column- Shirayuki(VG), Shijimamaru
Haugan, Manawydan –right column- White Mane, Oboro Cart
The game was nearing its climax. Both of us were at 4 damage. If I wanted to stay in this I couldn't make any more mistakes. What worried me was that Mion didn't activate her vanguard's skill yet. It's been sitting there dormant since she played it.
"Wow, Scarlett. I'll have to admit you're pretty good." Mion said. "But I'm going to end it here, if not my next turn. Get ready, hun, 'cause here I come! Stand and draw!" She shouted.
She's pretty darn confident she'll end me here. I thought. I need to stand my ground right here, right now!
"I call: Platinum Blond Fox Spirit, Tamamo [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 3/power: 10000], and Stealth Beast Midnight Panther [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 1/power: 7000]; I counterblast 2 to give Midnight Panther +2000 power [total power: 9000]. With a boost from Oboro Cart [power: 6000], White Mane [total power: 15000] attacks your Nemean Lion [power: 8000]!"
"Why would you attack my rearguard-?!" White Mane delivered a fierce lightning bolt that completely annihilated Nemean Lion from the game.
"Then with Shijimamaru's support [power: 8000], Shirayuki [total power: 19000] attacks Garmore [power: 10000]!"
"I don't guard!"
Mion performed her twin drive. First, she revealed Stealth Beast, Leaves Mirage [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 1/no trigger]; second, she revealed Stealth Fiend, Yukihime [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 0/heal trigger]; "yay, I got a heal trigger! I give the +5000 power to Tamamo [total power: 15000], and I heal one point of damage." Shirayuki summoned an immense blizzard storm. Ice quickly formed up Garmore's legs, and eventually up to his chest. He became terribly immobile from the encasement.
"I check for a damage trigger-" I revealed Elixir Sommelier [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 0/heal trigger]; "heal trigger active- I give Garmore +5000 power, and I heal one damage."
"And finally, with a boost from Midnight Panther [power: 9000], Tamamo [total power: 24000] attacks Garmore [total power: 15000]!"
With this attack, I had to make a tricky decision. I had enough shield in my hand to defend Garmore from the attack, but I didn't just want to throw it down. If I take this attack I'll be at 5 damage, but I'll have cards to defend myself on her next turn. I thought. If I block it with Flame of Victory [shield: 10000], Garmore will withstand the attack, and I won't sustain damage. But If I use it, I might not have enough shield to last me on her next turn. What should I do?
"Hey, you okay over there?" Mion asked. "You're staying awfully still, are you thinking, or giving up?"
I had to make a decision, and quick. "I don't guard!" The platinum furred fox Tamamo launched several ghostly will-o-wisps at Garmore. He was freed from his icy prison, but at the cost of taking damage. I revealed Precipice Whirlwind, Sagramore [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 1/no trigger] as damage.
Now that I'm at 5 damage, I had to do my best to survive. One more hit, and I'm through. Mion's heal trigger didn't make things any easier for me. But I had to do everything I could to win this. "You may have the upper hand now, Mion. But this is the turn that I will make my comeback! Final turn!" I shouted overconfidently.
"Are you serious?" Mion giggled. "What makes you think you can win this? I'm just wondering is all."
"I'm not gonna lose because I'm the main character! Main characters never lose!"
"Hehehe, if you say so." She giggled some more.
"I do say so. I stand my units and draw! I call Charging Chariot Knight [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 2/power: 8000]! And I counterblast 2 for Haugan's effect, giving him 9000 power! With a boost from Raging Storm [power: 6000], Chariot Knight [total power: 13000] attacks Shirayuki [power: 11000]; and when Chariot Knight attacks while I have lesser cards in hand than my opponent, he gains +3000 power [total power: 16000]!"
"I don't guard~" Mion hummed while revealing Stealth Beast, Bloody Panther [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 2/no trigger] as damage.
"Next, I boost Garmore [total power: 18000] with Gareth [power: 8000] to attack your vanguard [power: 11000]; and when Garmore attacks while I have 4 or more damage, he gains +5000 power [total power: 23000]!"
"You fell into Shirayuki's limit break- Stealth Arts, White Out!" Mion shouted as she paid 1 counterblast for the skill.
"What the-?!"
"When Shirayuki is attacked while I have 4 or more damage, I can pay 1 counterblast and discard a copy of "Fantasy Petal Storm, Shirayuki" from my hand to decrease the attacker's power by -20000!" She said while discarding a copy of Shirayuki. Garmore felt a strong wind push him away from Shirayuki. He could barely go two steps without being violently pushed away. He also felt a strange phenomenon- it felt like the wind was draining him of his energy to fight. His power suddenly dropped to 3000.
Scarlett knew this was bad. This meant that in order for Garmore to deal damage, she'll need to check 2 triggers at once and give him the power bonuses.
"Twin drive check! First check-" she revealed Silent Punisher [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 0/critical trigger]; her first check had a trigger, but who should she give the bonuses to? She doesn't know if the next will be a trigger. She thought long and hard before saying "I give all effects to Manawydan [total power: 15000/critical: 2]! Second check-" she revealed another Silent Punisher [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 0/critical trigger]; "another critical- all effects on Manawydan [total power: 20000/critical: 3]!"
"Oh, no! If your next attack goes through, I'll lose!" Mion shouted dramatically.
"Finally, with a boost from Haugan [power: 9000], Manawydan [total power: 29000/critical: 3] attacks Shirayuki [power: 11000]; and when Manawydan is boosted by a Gold Paladin, he gains +2000 more power [total power: 31000]!"
"Oh, if only I had something to block that attack- wait a sec, I do!" She shouted. "I use a perfect guard- Stealth Beast, Leaves Mirage [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 1/shield: 0]!" She discarded a Stealth Beast, White Mane to activate Leaves Mirage's skill. "Now your attack can't hit my vanguard!" A powerful wind barrier kicked up around Shiryuki, completely deflecting Manawydan's holy attack.
Scarlett – Mion
4 –hand- 1
3 –soul- 3
5 –damage- 4
5 –counterblast- 2
Raging Storm, Charging Chariot Knight –left column- Tamamo, Midnight Panther
Gareth, Garmore(VG) –central column- Shirayuki(VG), Shijimamaru
Haugan, Manawydan –right column- White Mane, Oboro Cart
"Hahaha!" Mion kept laughing her butt off. "Y-you should've seen yourself! You were all like "Final turn!" and then you…pfffff-hahahaha!"
"Okay, I get it! It was a mistake! Now just take your turn!" I yelled angrily at her.
She wiped all the tears out her eyes, and sighed, "Heh, you're right. Maybe I should show you how a real pro does it! Final tu- wait, on second thought, maybe I won't. I don't want to make fun of you."
"You're making fun of me right now!"
"Okay, okay. I'll stop. I'll be serious now. I stand and draw. I pay my 2 last counterblasts for Midnight panther to gain +2000 power [total power: 9000]. And now, White Mane [total power: 15000], with a boost from Oboro Cart [power: 6000], attack Scarlett's Chariot Knight [power: 8000]!"
"Oh no you don't- I guard with Silent Punisher [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 0/critical trigger/shield: 10000]!"
"Fine then. With a boost from Shijimamaru [power: 8000], Shirayuki [total power: 19000] attacks Garmore [power: 10000]!"
"I guard with Silent Punisher [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 0/critical trigger/shield: 10000], and intercept with Chariot Knight [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 2/shield: 5000]!"
"Let's check the twin drive! First check-" she revealed Stealth Beast, Cat Rogue [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 0/draw trigger]; "draw trigger- +5000 to Tamamo [total power: 15000] and an extra card for me! Second check-" she revealed Fox User, Izuma [Clan: Murakumo/Grade 0/critical trigger]; "yay, another trigger! All effects to Tamamo [total power: 20000/critical: 2]!"
"Oh, no!" I was suddenly shocked. Had she only pulled one trigger, I could block this next attack. Now, the attack is far out of my shield value.
"With a boost from Midnight Panther [power: 9000], Tamamo [total power: 29000] attacks Garmore [power: 10000]! This is the end- Demonic Sun!"
A will-o-wisp flared on each of Tamamo's nine tails. They elevated into the air, each growing in size. When each wisp grew to the size of a large boulder, they all joined together to form a fireball large enough to blot out the sun. With a sharp howl, Tamamo ordered the inferno back to the arena, slowly approaching Garmore. Both petrified and awestruck, the only thing Garmore could do was stand and watch his inevitable doom come hurling towards him. The monstrous inferno touched back down to the surface, and incinerated everything in its radius. Garmore let out one more excruciating scream of pain before burning to ash with everything else.
The imagery of that attack threw me out of my seat. I revealed Charging Chariot Knight [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 2/no trigger], and Arms Dealer, Gwydion [Clan: Gold Paladin/Grade 0/draw trigger] as damage.
Scarlett – Mion
2 –hand- 4
3 –soul- 3
6 –damage- 4
5 –counterblast- 4
Raging Storm, Empty –left column- Tamamo, Midnight Panther
Gareth, Garmore(VG) –central column- Shirayuki(VG), Shijimamaru
Haugan, Manawydan –right column- White Mane, Oboro Cart
Winner: Mion
"Yay, I won! How's that for an epic fight, huh?" Mion jumped up and down with glee, taunting me.
"I…I lost?" I said to myself in a low tone. "All of those nights, all of those sleepless hours, wasted like this." Reality hit me real hard; I had that feeling of free-falling from the sky without a parachute. I thought that all those hours of building my deck would give me an advantage. Maybe it doesn't work like that.