After that fiasco was over, however, Azure found himself talking with Ray, while Kyros and Ezar were conversing.
"So, um...Ray, can I look at your deck? I'm curious about something..."
Azure decided to ask, and Ray just blinked.
"Oh, sure, but mind if I see yours too? Keep hearing rumors on some Vanguard forums about Azure Crimson having two irregular clans."
He said, as the two handed each other their decks, and looked through them.
Clan called Tenebris...Grade 3 called 'DeVoid Enigma...
Azure thought to himself, and looked at the boy.
...I've heard about this on the forums, but...Is this guy really that strange fighter going by the alias 'Purple Reaper'? Then again...Purple hair...strange clan...
He thought, before Ray started laughing about something, and Azure looked confused.
"Um...what's so funny..?"
He asked, and Ray just held up one of the cards.
"Oh, nothing, It's just kind of funny how similar you look to this card."
He commented, showing Azure the Abyszard Prince card.
"Oh."
Azure commented, before just handing Ray his deck back, as Ray handed him his own deck back.
"So...Ray, are you part of any teams?"
He decided to ask, as Ray raised an eyebrow.
"No. My friends aren't really the type to do such a thing."
He said, and Azure sighed.
"I see-"
He started, but was cut off.
"BUT...I'll admit, I've been curious. Although with a group of strangers...How would I know what you're all capable of? Sorry if I don't want to be weighed down, but that's team ranking in a nutshell. Everyone's accountable and all that mess. So...I'll join on a condition. IF one of you gives me a convincing enough fight to tell me you all know what you're doing, sound fair?"
Ray asked, and Azure just thought about it for a moment, before he glanced to his side and saw Drake take his deck out and point it at Ray.
"...Then i'll do it. I know about you, Purple Reaper. I've always wanted to know how you got that title."
He said, and Azure just looked slightly surprised, and Ray just smiled.
"That's fine by me. If you want to keep what your leader can do a surprise, that's alright. Guess we'll use the Neo-Fight System?"
He asked, and Drake nodded, as the two just went up to the arena that was previously used, as the dark mist formed another coliseum, except this one had traces of flames around it, as the two put their respective gloves on, and put their starting vanguards on the surface that appeared.
"I'll go first, if that's alright."
Drake said, and Ray just nodded, as the two flipped up their starting vanguards.
"Stand up, Vanguard!"
They said in unison.
"Dragonslayer, Mercenary."
Drake said, as the mercenary appeared, although he looked upon a being consistent of Dark matter, looking like nothing more than a small sphere.
"...DeVoid NA."
Ray said, a lot less 'energetic', as Drake just drew.
"Ride! Dragonslayer Caring Heart, Aalis!"
He said, as the lady on horseback appeared, and the Mercenary appeared behind her.
"Mercenary moves back, and that ends my turn."
Drake said, and Ray just looked at his hand.
[DRAKE] - [RAY]
[HAND - 5] - [HAND - 5]
[DAMAGE - 0/6] - [DAMAGE - 0/6]
[COUNTERBLAST - 0/0] - [COUNTERBLAST - 0/0]
[SOUL - 0] - [SOUL - 0]
[FIELD]
[R] [Dragonslayer Caring Heart, Aalis] [R] = [R] [DeVoid NA] [R]
[R] [Dragonslayer Mercenary] [R] = [R] [R] [R]
"My turn, then."
Ray said, simply, drawing, and picked up one of the cards in his hand.
"You want to come out? Alright. Ride. DeVoid PeaK."
He said, as he rode another unit, that seemed to 'shape' the sphere. Showing an 'almost' human boy composed of dark matter, except they were just completely red in coloring.
"What even IS this..?"
Drake asked, although he saw the sphere move back.
"My Tenebris. NA Boosts, PeaK attacks your Vanguard."
Ray said, calmly, resting the units, and the two units engulfed in dark energy, before literally blasting at the horse rider.
[{POWER - 13000}]
He seems different from when he was acting like a slight airhead...Now he looks like he doesn't have any feeling...
Drake thought, and looked up.
"No Guard!"
He declared, and Ray just looked at his deck.
"Drive Check."
[DRIVE CHECK - DeVoid HoPE [G0 - Draw Trigger]]
"Draw Trigger. I give the power to my Vanguard, and draw."
Ray said, doing so, and Drake looked slightly surprised.
A trigger already?
He thought, as the top card of his deck flew into the damage zone as Aalis was blasted.
[DAMAGE CHECK - Dragonslayer Wyrmsieg [G3]]
I see. Maybe that's how he predicted that triple critical before...This kid may not look it, but his luck...
He thought, as Ray spoke again, calmly.
"I end my turn."
[DRAKE] - [RAY]
[HAND - 5] - [HAND - 7]
[DAMAGE - 1/6] - [DAMAGE - 0/6]
[COUNTERBLAST - 0/1] - [COUNTERBLAST - 0/0]
[SOUL - 0] - [SOUL - 0]
[FIELD]
[R] [Dragonslayer Caring Heart, Aalis] [R] = [R] [DeVoid PeaK] [R]
[R] [Dragonslayer Mercenary] [R] = [R] [DeVoid NA] [R]
"My turn, then!"
Drake said, drawing, and looked at his options.
"Ride! Dragonslayer, Fall!"
He said, as the apathetic archer appeared.
"In addition, call! Dragonslayer, Deren!"
He called, as a blonde boy in dark blue attire with knives appeared.
"Fall, attack the Vanguard, and Fall, help him!"
Drake said, as the archer took aim, although he realized as he spoke.
...Is Azure rubbing off on me?
He wondered, as he had addressed his units like people, to a degree.
[{POWER - 14000}]
"No Guard."
Ray said, as Drake revealed the top card.
[DRIVE CHECK - Dragonslayer, Drakon [G3]]
At that, the archer shot right at the dark matter 'human', as the top card went to Ray's damage zone.
[DAMAGE CHECK - DeVoid Marionette [G1]]
"Deren, attack the Vanguard next!"
Drake called out, as the blonde boy threw one of his knives.
[{POWER - 9000}]
"No Guard."
Ray said, as the top card flew in again.
[DAMAGE CHECK - DeVoid GaEA [G0 - Heal Trigger]]
At that, Drake looked annoyed, as the other card in Ray's damage zone went to the drop zone.
Is that all there is to this kid..? Luck?
He wondered.
"I end my turn."
[DRAKE] - [RAY]
[HAND - 5] - [HAND - 7]
[DAMAGE - 1/6] - [DAMAGE - 1/6]
[COUNTERBLAST - 0/1] - [COUNTERBLAST - 0/1]
[SOUL - 1] - [SOUL - 0]
[FIELD]
[Dragonslayer, Deren] [Dragonslayer, Fall] [R] = [R] [DeVoid PeaK] [R]
[R] [Dragonslayer Mercenary] [R] = [R] [DeVoid NA] [R]
Ray just drew, and looked at his hand, and his eyes seemed to take a particular 'shine' to them.
"...You? Alright, if you say so..."
He said, and Azure just raised an eyebrow in slight confusion, as Ray picked the card from his hand and rode it.
"Ride. DeVoid NaZO."
Ray said, as what emerged seemed to be almost human as well, with more noticeable features, such as snow white hair, a black and gray 'cloak', but still seemed composed of partially dark matter.
[{POWER - 10000}]
"What are you playing at?"
Drake decided to ask, and Ray just looked at him.
"You seemed a lot more 'energetic' before we started fighting. What's the deal? You're acting differently."
He told Ray, who just blinked.
"...I'm taking you seriously. Like I said, I've seen your team from the forums. You have a known streamer, a Gold Paladin user of considerably good superior calling proficiency, your leader with capable offensive increase and stand trigger attacks, and you, in particular, a dangerous front row formation. Even my deck knows I need to take you seriously. After all, how else can I say with certainty afterward if this was or wasn't a good fight? DeVoid NaZO attacks your Vanguard."
He then said, resting his Vanguard, and NA behind it, as the two blasted at Fall.
[{POWER - 15000}]
He's talking like Azure...acting like his deck is speaking...
Drake thought to himself.
"No Guard..!"
He said, as Ray just revealed the top card.
[DRIVE CHECK - DeVoid Enigma [G3]]
[DAMAGE CHECK - Dragonslayer, Ani [G0 - Draw Trigger]
"Draw Trigger..! Power to my Vanguard, and I draw."
Drake said, and drew a card.
"I end my turn."
Ray said.
[DRAKE] - [RAY]
[HAND - 6] - [HAND - 8]
[DAMAGE - 2/6] - [DAMAGE - 1/6]
[COUNTERBLAST - 0/2] - [COUNTERBLAST - 0/1]
[SOUL - 1] - [SOUL - 1]
[FIELD]
[Dragonslayer, Deren] [Dragonslayer, Fall] [R] = [R] [DeVoid NaZO] [R]
[R] [Dragonslayer Mercenary] [R] = [R] [DeVoid NA] [R]
Even so...I know what he really wanted. He DID want to fight Azure instead of any of the rest of us, didn't he? Is that why it still feels like he's messing with me?
Drake thought to himself, before drawing for his turn.
Maybe he DID want to see my Krieger clan, but...It's not a surprise he'd want to know about Azure's Abyszard clan more...I've fought more often in front of people than Azure has. He's always been too modest about what he can do, and even downplays himself...Hell, him being the leader was MY idea.
He thought, and shook his head, before picking a card up from his hand, and raising it up.
"...Descend, Swordmaster of the Dragons! Ride!"
He declared, as he rode the familiar Swordsman with a flaming blade.
"Dragonslayer, Drakon! Imaginary Gift: Accel!"
Drake added, as he pointed to the side, where the Accel circle formed.
"Mercenary's skill, activate! I move it to the soul, draw a card, and call a card! Power plus 3000! I call Dragonslayer, Blademistress to the Accel circle!"
He said, as he called a young-looking woman that was dual-wielding blades.
[{POWER - 20000}]
"Drakon, go and attack the Vanguard!"
Drake said, as he rested the card, and the Swordmaster rushed at the dark matter humanoid with their blade.
[{POWER - 12000}]
"No Guard."
Ray declared.
"Twin Drive, then!"
Drake said, as he revealed the top 2 cards.
[DRIVE CHECK - Dracobud, Tamer Flare [G0 - Critical Trigger]]
"Critical Trigger! I give the critical to Drakon, and the power to Deren!"
[DRIVE CHECK - Dragonslayer, Wyrmsieg [G3]]
"How's THIS for a 'good' fight?!"
Drake asked, as Drakon slammed their blade down on NaZO, spreading the virtual flames everywhere, as Ray just shielded his eyes with his arm, as the top 2 cards flew into the damage zone one by one.
[DAMAGE CHECK - DeVoid Maiden 'HEART' [G3]]
[DAMAGE CHECK - DeVoid BursT [G0 - Stand Trigger]]
"Stand Trigger. Power to NaZO, and I stand NA."
Ray said, as Drake just looked agitated.
"Lucky little...Blademistress! Attack the Vanguard!"
He said, as the woman rushed in with both blades.
[{POWER - 20000}]
"...Guard."
Ray said, even colder than before after what Drake had said, as a young woman composed of Dark matter got in the way.
[DeVoid KiERA - 5000]
[{TOTAL - 25000}]
"...Looks like all that's carried you is your oddly good luck. What are you WITHOUT that?"
Drake asked, as he ended his turn.
[DRAKE] - [RAY]
[HAND - 8] - [HAND - 7]
[DAMAGE - 2/6] - [DAMAGE - 3/6]
[COUNTERBLAST - 0/2] - [COUNTERBLAST - 0/3]
[SOUL - 2] - [SOUL - 1]
[FIELD]
[Dragonslayer, Blademistress] [Dragonslayer, Deren] [Dragonslayer, Drakon] [R] = [R] [DeVoid NaZO] [R]
[R] [R] [R] = [R] [DeVoid NA] [R]
"...What am I without my luck?"
Ray asked, still blank in emotion as he drew.
"I suppose I'd be nothing...Not like you'd understand how that feels..."
He said, and Drake looked slightly surprised, but also confused.
"Ray, what are you..?"
Azure started to ask, before Ray just raised a card in the air while looking at the ground to hide his eyes under his hair.
"...Kindred spirit of Dark Matter. Show the goodness within the darkness. Ride."
Ray said, cutting Azure off, as he rode the unit, and what appeared was a wave of dark matter, and what rose out of it was barely a 'humanoid' being...composed of nothing but dark purple matter, and two void-black eyes.
"DeVoid Enigma."
He said, and Drake looked surprised.
"What is THAT..?"
He asked.
"Appearance is everything to people nowadays, isn't it..? Imaginary Gift: Force."
Ray said, with a bit of pain in his voice, as he put the gift beneath Enigma, and showed a DeVoid Maiden 'HEART', and discarded it.
"...I release the Generation Zone. Generation Stride!"
He said, obviously less 'blank' and more 'expressive', as he showed his G Unit, and placed it on the Vanguard circle, and a pillar of dark matter spiraled, Drake and Drakon both looking surprised, and Azure looking concerned.
"Ray...?"
He asked, and Ray just didn't listen, as what came out was a spiraling vortex, with a pair of red eyes looking out of it in curiosity.
"DeVoid DioVeD. Enigma's Stride Skill."
Ray said, Counterblasting, and then pointed forward.
"...I choose the Accel circle and the circle behind Drakon...I force Blademistress to move behind Drakon."
He told Drake, who looked surprised, and so did Azure.
"What did you say..?"
Drake asked.
"...If Blademistress moves to the back row, then that's going to be a problem for Drake..."
Azure realized, as the woman was engulfed in a purple mist, before literally being floated over to the other spot.
"DeVoid DioVeD's skill. When a unit is forced to move, I choose itself and another unit, and those units get 2000 power. I choose NA."
Ray added.
[{DioVeD - 40000}]
[{NA - 7000}]
"DeVoid NA's skill. When a Grade 3 or Greater unit with the Manipulate ability is placed, I put it into the soul, Draw a card, and force another unit to move. I make Deren move to the back row in the column he's already in."
Ray said, as he calmly drew, and the mist engulfed Deren, as he was tossed back.
"DioVeD's skill. I can't choose a unit, so only DioVeD will gain power."
[{POWER - 42000}]
"Call. DeVoid KiERA, DeVoid NaZO, DeVoid Marionette. DeVoid StryK."
Ray said, as he called NaZO and KiERA to the front row, Marionette behind KiERA, and StryK behind NaZO.
"Marionette's Skill."
Ray then said, resting it.
"...I force Blademistress and Deren to swap their positions."
He said, as the purple mist engulfed them both, making them switch positions.
"Then, because I've forced your units to move 3 or more times, I draw 1 card. Two units moved, so DioVeD's skill activates twice. I choose StryK both times."
Ray said, calmly, as StryK, a unit composed of Dark matter that still had human-ish features, like dark purple hair, and eyes as black as a void, raised their arms as they engulfed in energy.
[{DioVeD - 46000}]
[{StryK - 12000}]
"KiERA's Manipulate. When a Rear guard moves, she gains 1000 power. Two units moved."
Ray then said, as KiERA engulfed in purple energy.
[{KiERA - 12000}]
"KiERA's skill."
Ray then said, counterblasting again.
"Choose one of your Rear guards, and move it to the circle behind Drakon."
He told Drake, who looked confused.
"But the only unit I can choose is Blademistress, and Deren's on that circle..."
He said, and Ray nodded.
"Swap their positions."
He said, as Drake looked more concerned, as the purple mist forced the two to swap positions again.
"DioVeD's skill activates twice, again. I choose NaZO and KiERA for both times."
Ray said, as the two units engulfed in purple energy.
[{DioVeD - 50000}]
[{NaZO - 12000}]
[{KiERA - 14000}]
"KiERA's Manipulate."
Ray then said, as KiERA engulfed in energy again.
[{KiERA - 16000}]
"DioVeD's other skill."
Ray said, as he flipped another copy of it.
"I add 1 drive. However, if his power is over 40000, I cut his power down by 10000."
He told Drake, as a red energy engulfed DioVeD.
[{POWER - 40000}]
"Marionette's Generation Break 2, Manipulate. I retire him, and give up to two Grade 1 units 4000 Power. I give the power to StryK."
[{POWER - 16000}]
At that, StryK was engulfed in energy again, and Drake and Azure were both just too shocked to say anything.
"StryK's Manipulate."
Ray added, soulblasting.
"I have 2 Normal units in my drop zone, while your drop zone is empty. For every card more in my Drop Zone than you, I give a unit 1000 power. I choose StryK to gain the power."
[{POWER - 18000}]
Is...luck really not the only part of him? What did he mean about what he said before? I wouldn't understand how...being nothing feels?
Drake thought.
"StryK's Manipulate! He can attack from the backrow, but only to attack a unit in YOUR backrow. I use him to attack Blademistress."
Ray then said suddenly, as he rested the unit, and the purple haired dark matter boy let loose a ray of dark rays.
[{POWER - 18000}]
"N-No guard..!"
Drake said, still slightly surprised as the rays burst on Blademistress, retiring her.
"DioVeD attacks your Vanguard, with a Drive of 4."
Ray then said, resting the Vanguard as the vortex it was in started spiraling more intensely.
[{POWER - 40000}]
CARD TRIVIA
DeVoid Enigma. Grade 3, 13000 Power, 0 Shield, Tenebris with a Force Gift Marker. When your G Unit Strides, with a Counter Blast, you can choose two R circles belonging to the same player out of any fighter, and force all cards on those circles to swap positions. Helpful for a starting Manipulation! In addition, with it's Generation Break 2, at the beginning of your ride phase, With a soulblast, You can force your opponent to draw a card, and call a card to a R circle of your choosing, without skills being able to activate! The circle can't be occupied, though, but it still helps if your opponent likes to dispose of their Rear guards.
Dragonslayer Blademistress. Grade 1, 7000 Power, 10000 Shield, Krieger. While in Frontier, it has resist! Unfortunately, It can still be affected by cards that affect circles, such as 'DeVoid Enigma'. However, after it attacks, with a Counterblast, and putting itself into the soul, You can call one more card from your hand, and add 4000 power!