Deciding Fate
"Imagine it. The soft crunch of fresh, toastiness as you bite in. The mouthwatering scent of baked apple filling wafting out through the air. Then the actual jaw-dropping, flabbergasting, rich and juicy, succulent and absolutely supreme awesomeness that is this whole Premium Apple Pie. Can you imagine it? This image will be your power. It will be my power, and ooh what a fearsome power it is," Taiki said, drool nearly brushing against the apple pie in front of him before he drew it back up. "This is so dang tasty, it'd be a sin to wait any longer!"
He was sitting in the canteen, surrounded by bustling movements. The table he was sitting at was empty, and for the most part nobody paid him no mind, but there was still a sizeable amount of people that cast quick bewildered glances or raised their eyebrows at the boy talking to himself. Or the pie, which was arguably worse.
But Taiki paid them no mind. Afterall, he was never one to care what other people thought of him. Besides, he had his favorite pie in front of him and a victory under his belt for the day, and that was all that mattered. Did he mention that he had his beloved pie before him? "Now then, time to chow do—"
"Taiki! There you are!" He looked up to see Miho staring down at him, panting. She brushed her loose red bangs to the side, and it took a while before she regained her composure.
"Oh, hey sis, what's up?" Taiki asked casually.
"You need to come with me," Miho said, grabbing his wrist and hauling him up to his feet.
"Huh?" Taiki asked, confused. But his sister was already pulling him away from the table, and his pie. "Can't it wait? And where're the others? It's been age—"
"I'll explain on the way, now come on!" Miho interjected as she dragged him hurriedly out of the canteen.
"B-b-but! My pie!" Taiki protested. "My precious pie! You can't do this! MY PRECIOUS!"
He was whimpering the entire way like a saddened puppy, as his pie slowly disappeared into the voided white. Soon, they were both walking briskly down one of the main hallways, cold and silent. From his sister's tone, Taiki could tell that it was something urgent.
His stomach rumbled quietly.
Could it really have been that urgent?
Before he could open his mouth to say something, they made a sharp turn, and it took quite a bit of effort on Taiki's end to not topple over. Once he regained his footing, Miho led him into what seemed to be one of The Center's many large lounge areas. Was she throwing a surprise party? Taiki didn't recall it being his birthday, though, and the large crowd of people he certainly did not know made that theory very unlikely.
Taiki stopped at the rim of the crowd. "Okay, Miho, what's going on?"
"Yomi's fighting the Dog Trainer Captain!"
Taiki burst into uncontrollable laughter. Then upon seeing Miho's unamused look, he said, "Oh, you're serious."
"Come on. You've got to see this." He followed Miho through the crowd, wading across to see a wide screen propped against the wall.
She pointed at the screen and he went slack-jawed. "Oh god. You really were serious."
The raven-haired girl was standing on one end of a fight table, cards already laid out and in hand. Her purple eyes flared up with determination, the entirety of their fire directed at her opponent.
"What's she doing fighting Irene Miyamoto?" Taiki blurted.
"I don't really know what's happening either," Miho said. "But as soon as I finished I came out, and this fight has been broadcasted live on every single TV screen in The Center."
"Enjoying the show?" The two siblings whirled around to see the crowd parting, and Toshi walking towards them red carpet-style. "Not that there's much of one yet."
Taiki's arm moved protectively in front of Miho. "What do you want?"
"You had something to do with this, didn't you?" Miho demanded.
"Who's to say?" Toshi returned. "All I know is that if Yomi loses, both her and that Delta are forfeit."
"Ayame?" Miho blurted.
Yomi issued a challenge, Taiki thought. So if she loses to Irene, she could get put into a cell for a long time. Or worse. Good luck, Yomi.
※◎◎◎※
White beams spiraled up around, holding up a marble roof that hung over like a protective screen. Sunlight poured down from a stained-glass window, depicting artistic patterns of gold and sapphire. At the center stood the proud statue of a goddess, her hand raised up to collect the streams of sunlight, letting it pour down in sparkling droplets across the temple floor.
Two lights faced off, one a flaring lavender, the other a serene gold.
"Reflector Angel!" Yomi declared. [Reflector Angel – 6000 Power]
"Lozenge Magus!" Irene declared. [Lozenge Magus – 6000 Power]
Yomi stared at the pink-clad magician before her, sitting behind an array of pink diamonds. "Oracle Think Tank…"
"That's right," Irene replied. Then she tilted her head to the side and added, "Is there an issue?"
"No," Yomi said. "Not at all."
"Good," Irene said. "We wouldn't want you forfeiting as soon as I flip over my starting vanguard," she spared a brief glance at Ayame. "Now would we?"
"I don't give up that easily."
"No, I don't suppose you don't. Still, persistence and strength are two very different things. Even the weakest pups can be adorably persistent."
Yomi drew the first card. "Spare me the 'weakness is a sin' mumbo jumbo. I've had enough of it. Ride! Witch of Frogs, Melissa!" [Witch of Frogs, Melissa – 8000 Power] She drew a card. "Turn end."
Yomi
Hand: 6
(Empty) – (Witch of Frogs, Melissa) – (Empty)
(Empty) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 0
Irene
Hand: 5
(Empty) – (Lozenge Magus) – (Empty)
(Emtpy) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 0
"Straight to the action, then," Irene chuckled. "Ride." There was a burst of gold, and in Lozenge's place stood a young woman in white and green garments, sporting a round cap and a long staff, which ended in an ovular stone. "Circle Magus. Lozenge's skill allows me to draw a card." [Circle Magus – 8000 Power] A black-haired elf materialized beside her, bow-shaped robes floating in the temple's slight updraft. "Call. Farfalle Magus." [Farfalle Magus – 8000 Power]
Yomi looked on as Irene scanned the top card of her deck, before placing it on the top. Oracle Think Tank's specialty is foresight. Which means from the get-go, I'll have to assume that trigger luck is going to be on her side.
"Circle Magus attacks the vanguard." Her vanguard let loose a spherical emerald burst of mana.
"No guard."
"Drive check,"
[Drive Check: Psychic Bird (Critical Trigger)]
I knew it.
"Critical Trigger," Irene said. "The power will go to Farfalle, and the effect to Circle."
Melissa screamed as the energy struck, covering her in dust and smoke.
[Damage Check: Broom Witch, Callaway (No Trigger)]
[Damage Check: Battle Maiden, Kukurihime (Critical Trigger)]
"Critical Trigger," Yomi said. "Power to Melissa." [8000 + 10000 = 18000 Power]
"Farfalle." Tiny blue orbs scattered about, before each one released a beam of light. [8000 + 10000 = 18000 Power]
"Guard! Goddess of Banquets, Edesia!" A cluster of fruits appeared around her, causing the beams to envelop harmlessly around until both they and the blue-haired goddess dissipated into thin air. [18000 + 10000 = 28000 Power]
"Turn end."
Irene
Hand: 6
(Farfalle Magus) – (Circle Magus) – (Empty)
(Emtpy) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 0
Yomi
Hand: 5
(Empty) – (Witch of Frogs, Melissa) – (Empty)
(Empty) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 2 – [Broom Witch, Callaway] (U), [Battle Maiden, Kukurihime] (U)
The damage is two to zero, Yomi thought. If I'm going to win this, I need to up the offensive pressure from here on out.
"I hope you're not getting cold feet now," Irene said.
"The hell I am," Yomi shot back. "Ride! Broom Witch, Callaway!" A purple-robed young woman emerged from a lavender shower of light, tipping her marsh-colored ribbon hat before twirling her broom like a scythe. [Broom Witch, Callaway – 10000 Power] Two more units stepped in line beside her, one a night-haired lady holding a glowing apple and the other a sand-haired woman draped in a flowing green-and-white dress. "I call Apple Witch, Cider and Goddess of Trees, Jupiter to rearguard. With Cider's skill, I move Edesia to the soul and add three-thousand." [Apple Witch, Cider – 8000 + 3000 = 11000 Power] [Goddess of Trees, Jupiter – 10000 Power]
"She's trying to rush her down," Miho commented from the lounge.
"Oracle Think Tank likes to play the long game," Taiki explained. "Yomi's trying to end the game as fast as she can before Irene can make her finishing move."
"But can she do it?" Toshi wondered aloud, earning twofold glares from the siblings.
"Why are you still here?" Miho demanded.
"To watch the show, just like anyone here."
"Well you can watch it someplace else," Miho snapped.
On the battlefield, a barrage of crimson bombed down on Circle Magus. "Damage check."
[Damage Check: Oracle Guardian, Gemini (No Trigger)]
"No trigger," Irene said, letting the card slip into her damage zone.
"Now it's Callaway's turn," Yomi said, swinging her broom down, only for it to be blocked by a green-feathered wing..
"I guard with Psychic Bird," Irene replied. "You honestly didn't think I'd let you get Callaway's on-hit off, did you?" [8000 + 15000 = 23000 Power]
Yomi growled. "Drive check,"
[Drive Check: Goddess of Union, Yuno (No Trigger)]
"No trigger," she announced. "Jupiter attacks the vanguard. With her skill I get to Soul Charge three cards."
[Soul Charge: Witch of Ravens, Chamomile]
[Soul Charge: Witch of Big Pots, Laurier]
[Soul Charge: Broom Witch, Callaway]
"I guard with Gemini." Leaves were scattered to the winds, knocked away by red lasers. Two cherubs floated near Circle Magus, each one's eyes glowing a dangerous red. [8000 + 10000 = 18000 Power]
"I end my turn," Yomi said. One damage only. But, I did manage to whittle down her hand, so it's still a win in my book.
Yomi
Hand: 4
(Goddess of Trees, Jupiter) – (Broom Witch, Callaway) – (Empty)
(Empty) – (Apple Witch, Cider) – (Empty)
Damage: 2 – [Broom Witch, Callaway] (F), [Battle Maiden, Kukurihime] (U)
Irene
Hand: 4
(Farfalle Magus) – (Circle Magus) – (Empty)
(Emtpy) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 1 – [Oracle Guardian, Gemini] (U)
"Ride. Promise Daughter!" Irene declared. A metal-winged woman in Irene's visage stood tall and proud under the temple light, azure bodysuit gleaming. [Promise Daughter – 9000 Power] "With Circle Magus's ability, I Counter Blast to draw a card. Then, to my side, Luck Bird!" An orange bird let out a cry before sailing down upon her vanguard's arm. [Luck Bird – 5000 Power] She proceeded to pluck out one of its many feathers before it vanished into pixels. "Soul Blast two. I draw a card."
She's drawing a lot of cards, two in one turn, Yomi thought with a grimace.
"Her hand isn't shrinking at all," Miho gasped. "It's insane!"
"Her deck excels at hand generation and defense," Toshi said. "It's an impenetrable wall."
"Don't count Yomi out just yet. The game's just started," Taiki retorted.
"I call Goddess of Insight, Sotoorihime," Irene continued. A red-dressed woman descended down, bearing a brightly-lit orb between her hands. "Luck Bird attacks Jupiter. Thanks to its ability, it has six-thousand more power this turn." [5000 + 6000 = 11000 Power]
"Not on my watch!" A red-clad witch shooed the bird away. "I guard with Chamomile! When she retires, Chamomile will move into the soul. Then I Soul Charge." [10000 + 5000 = 15000 Power]
[Soul Charge: Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica]
"Promise Daughter attacks!" Yomi yelped as a fist connected with her vanguard, sending her catapulting across the temple. [9000 + 6000 = 15000 Power]
[Drive Check: Battle Maiden, Sarasa (No Trigger)]
"Damage check," Yomi muttered.
[Damage Check: Shield Goddess, Aegis (Draw Trigger)]
"Draw Trigger!" Yomi grinned. "I draw and give the power to my vanguard." [10000 + 10000 = 20000 Power]
"It doesn't matter," Irene smirked. "Sotoorihime. Attack Jupiter." [9000 + 8000 = 17000 Power]
"I told you, not on my watch!" Yomi snapped, placing a card down. "I guard with Kukurihime!" [10000 + 15000 = 25000 Power]
"Very well," Irene said calmly. "Turn end. It's your move now."
Irene
Hand: 5
(Goddess of Insight, Sotoorihime) – (Promise Daughter) – (Luck Bird)
(Farfalle Magus) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 1 – [Oracle Guardian, Gemini] (F)
Yomi
Hand: 3
(Goddess of Trees, Jupiter) – (Broom Witch, Callaway) – (Apple Witch, Cider)
(Empty) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 3 – [Broom Witch, Callaway] (F), [Battle Maiden, Kukurihime] (U), [Shield Goddess, Aegis] (U)
The damage is three to one. And here I was supposed to be the one putting out more offensive pressure. But I'm gonna turn that around now. Yomi stood her units and drew. "Everything ends here. Everything begins here. And she sees it all! Ride! Regalia of Wisdom! Angelica!"
The gears in her ancient scepter shifted into place, and with a single spin a crystalline light shone below Cider. "Imaginary Gift: Force! Then with Angelica's Soul Blast, I draw a card." [Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica – 13000 Power] An orb of neon fell like a teardrop next to her, and upon landing it transformed into a crimson-suited sorceress with a white witch's hat. "When she's Soul Blasted I superior call her to rearguard. I'll exchange Cider's and Chamomile's places and then call Yuno behind Jupiter." [Witch of Ravens, Chamomile – 10000 + 3000 + 10000 = 23000 Power] [Goddess of Union, Yuno – 8000 Power]
"There it is!" Miho cheered. The loud outburst earned some disapproving looks from the rest of the crowd. "Yomi's full formation!"
"Angelica," Irene murmured, too quiet for Yomi to hear. "The inheritor of Glory Genesis and the key to Minerva."
"We'll start things off with Chamomile attacking the vanguard!" [23000 + 8000 = 31000 Power]
"I guard with Nike and Circle." [15000 + 10000 = 34000 Power]
She swung her wand down. "Angelica attacks the vanguard!"
"No guard."
"Twin drive,"
[Drive Check: Cyber Tiger (Critical Trigger)]
[Drive Check: Battle Maiden, Kukurihime (Critical Trigger)]
"Double Critical!" Miho exclaimed happily.
"Now she's got her at four damage!" Taiki added.
Angelica let out a battle cry before the wand connected, sending Promise Daughter flying into a nearby pillar. [Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica – 23000 Power, Critical 3]
[Damage Check: Battle Maiden, Sarasa (No Trigger)]
[Damage Check: Promise Daughter (No Trigger)]
[Damage Check: Circle Magus (No Trigger)]
"Expect this next one to hurt even more," Yomi continued. As Jupiter raised her hand, tree branches shot out from the ground, encircling her opponent before smashing her back down, where they disappeared. [10000 + 10000 + 10000 + 5000 + 8000 = 43000 Power]
[Soul Charge: Goddess of Sunlight, Yatagarasu]
[Soul Charge: Battle Maiden, Mizuha]
[Soul Charge: Witch of Big Pots, Laurier]
"Damage check," Irene said, revealing her fourth card. "No trigger."
[Damage Check: Promise Daughter (No Trigger)]
And now it's three to five in my favor, Yomi thought happily. "Turn end."
Yomi
Hand: 5
(Goddess of Trees, Jupiter) – (Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica) – {(Witch of Ravens, Chamomile)}
(Goddess of Union, Yuno) – (Empty) – (Apple Witch, Cider)
Damage: 3 – [Broom Witch, Callaway] (F), [Battle Maiden, Kukurihime] (F), [Shield Goddess, Aegis] (F)
Irene
Hand: 3
(Goddess of Insight, Sotoorihime) – (Promise Daughter) – (Luck Bird)
(Farfalle Magus) – (Empty) – (Empty)
Damage: 5 – [Oracle Guardian, Gemini] (F), [Battle Maiden, Sarasa] (U), [Promise Daughter] (U), [Circle Magus] (U), [Promise Daughter] (U)
"The tables have turned," Yomi commented smugly.
"Is that what you think?" Irene asked as she drew a card.
"What?"
"You've done nothing," Irene said, amused. "You've played a game of catch-up. Meanwhile, I continue to make my plays without falter. You may think you have power. You may think you have any semblance of control, but in truth, you don't. So allow me to show you, just how worthless your efforts are."
"Why you—"
"United Sanctuary is absolute. And you will know your place." Irene held up a single card. "Ride! Imperial Daughter!"
Gold light showered down, and once her vanguard stepped out, hand on one hip, she was dressed completely in verdant green. Gold and green steel protruded out from her back like wings and a golden crown sat atop her head, as if she were a Valkyrie in the legends of old, regal and proud.
[Imperial Daughter – 12000 Power]
"Imperial Daughter…"
"Imaginary Gift: Protect," Irene declared. "Then Imperial Daughter's skill. I'll add one of the top two cards of my deck into my hand, and the remaining one into my soul."
[Soul Charge: Imperial Daughter]
With that, her trigger chance just upped, Yomi noted.
"I call Battle Maiden, Sarasa." A young woman with jet-black hair and a snow-white shrine maiden dress appeared next to her, spinning a steel spear in the air before she gripped it with both hands, entering a battle stance. [Battle Maiden, Sarasa – 12000 Power]
"Let's begin, shall we?" Irene said. "Imperial Daughter's skill will bestow six-thousand power upon herself. Then Imperial Daughter…" In a single burst, her avatar had Angelica gripped by the collar. "Will attack the vanguard." [12000 + 6000 = 18000 Power]
"No guard," Yomi murmured as her avatar was slammed into the ground.
"Twin drive,"
[Drive Check:Oracle Guardian, Nike (Critical Trigger)]
"Critical Trigger," she said as Angelica was buried deeper in. "Critical to the vanguard and power to Sarasa. Second check,"
[Drive Check: Sphere Magus (Heal Trigger)]
"Heal Trigger." Yomi grimaced while Irene moved one damage card into the drop zone. "I heal and give the power to Sotoorihime."
"Damage check,"
[Damage Check: Goddess of Banquets, Edesia (No Trigger)]
"No trigger."
[Damage Check: Apple Witch, Cider (No Trigger)]
"No trigger either," Yomi said, laying her fifth card down.
"Sarasa, if you will," Irene said, but the priestess was already moving forward, swinging her spear with flowing grace. "With Sarasa's skill, I can check the top card of my deck. I'll put it on the bottom, and that gives Sarasa an extra six-thousand." [12000 + 10000 + 6000 + 5000 = 33000 Power]
She's digging for something, but what? Yomi thought. "I guard with Cyber Tiger and Cider!" [13000 + 15000 + 10000 = 38000 Power] The spear was deflected away, and became embedded in nearby stone. "With my rearguard Cider's effect, I move Cider to the soul. Then Soul Charge."
[Soul Charge: Goddess of Banquets, Edesia]
"Sotoorihime. With her skill I'll take a peek at the top of my deck." After swapping out a card from her hand, Irene did so, only to slide it back on top as quickly as she removed it. "Power plus six-thousand." [9000 + 6000 + 10000 + 8000 = 33000 Power]
The goddess's red beams veered around a golden shield, keeping Angelica out of harm's way as she stood back up. "Perfect Guard! Aegis!"
Yomi was panting, looking down at her one card in hand, then back at Irene in defiance.
"Winded already?" Irene asked with fake concern.
"Oh I'm just getting started," Yomi breathed, straightening herself up. "You done?"
"You've got spunk, I'll give you that," Irene said. "But you'll bend, eventually. Turn end."
Irene
Hand: 6
(Goddess of Insight, Sotoorihime) – (Imperial Daughter) – (Battle Maiden Sarasa)
(Farfalle Magus) – (Empty) – (Luck Bird)
Damage: 4 – [Battle Maiden, Sarasa] (F), [Promise Daughter] (F), [Circle Magus] (U), [Promise Daughter] (U)
Yomi
Hand: 1
(Goddess of Trees, Jupiter) – (Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica) – {(Witch of Ravens, Chamomile)}
(Goddess of Union, Yuno) – (Empty) – (Apple Witch, Cider)
Damage: 5 – [Broom Witch, Callaway] (F), [Battle Maiden, Kukurihime] (F), [Shield Goddess, Aegis] (F), [Goddess of Banquets, Edesia] (U), [Apple Witch, Cider] (U)
Yomi looked back around at Ayame, who was standing beside a Dog Trainer against the wall. The poor girl was silent the entire fight, looking on as Yomi fought for her sake. Then Yomi looked at Irene, confident and poised. I won't let her get turned into a practical zombie, Yomi thought. I'll do what I couldn't bring myself to do for Kuro.
"Yomi. It'll be fine. I'll come back even stronger than before. Let me do this one thing."
"But you're the only reason I ever started playing…"
"And I'll be the reason you keep playing, 'kay? We'll win nationals, maybe even the Global Grand Prix as soon as I'm out. So get even stronger, alright?"
"…fine. Okay. But promise you'll always call!"
"I will, don't worry!"
Not again.
Lavender light swirled around Angelica before it folded inward, singing her wounds and tears away. "I Ride Angelica one more time!"
Miho gave a loud whoop from the lounge area. "Yes! This way she's got an extra draw, a Soul Blast off, and another Force gift!"
"Soul Blast," Yomi plucked out three cards. "Then I draw. But that's not all." It was time for Angelica's trump card. "Angelica's skill, whenever I Soul Blast a card, by paying the cost of one Counter Blast and one card in my hand, I can superior ride it! Descend! Sunlight Goddess, Yatagarasu!"
Ebony feathers unfurled to reveal a woman in a a white kimono, fastened by a purple sash and edged in hot streams of crimson and gold. Red swirls rolled at the outer edges of her wings, illuminated by the shining orbs in both of her hands. She flapped her wings again, and in moments she was up in the air, wrapping the temple in her warmth. [Sunlight Goddess, Yatagarasu – 13000 + 10000 = 23000 Power]
"Whoa!" Miho exclaimed.
"That means she gets two Force gifts in one turn, on top of what Yatagarasu can do on her own!" Taiki added. "She just might be able to do this!"
"So you've been holding on to that card," Irene remarked. "From your last turn. Interesting."
"It's about to get even more interesting," Yomi shot back. "But first, Imaginary Gift: Force! Twofold! To the vanguard and front left circles!"
[Sunlight Goddess, Yatagarasu – 23000 + 10000 = 33000 Power]
[Goddess of Trees, Jupiter – 10000 + 10000 = 20000 Power]
"Then Yatagarasu's skill. I'll move two cards from the drop zone into my soul." Yomi tucked two more cards under her vanguard, before turning another card around. "First up, Chamomile attacks the vanguard!"
White birds tore at Imperial, eliciting an anguished cry from her before she forced the familiars away with a pulse of green. "Damage check,"
[Damage Check: Weather Forecaster, Miss Mist (Draw Trigger)]
"Draw Trigger?!" Yomi gasped.
"Please don't tell me you didn't expect this," Irene said, drawing an extra card. [Imperial Daughter – 12000 + 10000 = 22000 Power]
That's right, Yomi thought. There was a reason she left the card on top after checking it. However, if she thought that a damage trigger was going to stop her, she had another thing coming. "Jupiter attacks the vanguard! Thanks to Yuno's skill, this attack's got another three-thousand power backing it!" [20000 + 8000 + 3000 = 31000 Power]
Imperial leapt into the air, bouncing off the savage beams of bark that shot up. Even the ones that arched back and down at her were blocked, bent into broken bits by two barriers on either side, one ruby, another sapphire. "I intercept with Sotoorihime, then guard with Promise Daughter." [22000 + 5000 + 5000 = 32000 Power]
"Yatagarasu attacks," Yomi declared. Light radiated from her hands. "Yatagarasu's skill. I Soul Blast nine cards and stand two of my rearguards. Then, since I rode over a grade three this turn, I get to stand another two of my rearguards!"
"Yes! This way she's got two extra Force-powered attacks! She can do this!" Miho cheered again. This time she elicited even louder boos from the crowd. "Oh excuse you!"
"Still, even with that, Irene doesn't look fazed at all," Taiki noted, causing Miho's smile to fade. "What does she have planned?"
"I don't care if you're the strongest whatever around here," Yomi said, a solar flare streaming out in one direct blast. Instinctively, the rest of her units moved forward in unison. "But I'm taking you out!"
"Protect, activate," Irene said. The beam of light refracted around her, splitting into smaller streams that each exploded into the back wall by a runic circle in front of her.
"Tch," Yomi frowned. "Twin drive, check,"
[Drive Check: Shield Goddess, Aegis (Draw Trigger)]
"Draw Trigger," she announced. "The power will go to Chamomile! Second check,"
[Drive Check: Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica (No Trigger)]
"No trigger."
"Is that all you're capable of?" Irene asked monotonously.
"Far from it," Yomi snapped. "Chamomile, attack once more!" [23000 + 10000 + 8000 = 41000 Power]
The witch's staff was blocked by a bubbly mage's scepter, before she was sent tumbling back with a sphere of pink. "Disappointing." [22000 + 20000 = 42000 Power]
"I've had enough of you!" Yomi retorted as Jupiter rushed in from behind for an assault. "Attack, Jupiter! With her skill, I add five-thousand!" [20000 + 10000 + 5000 + 11000 + 9000 = 55000 Power]
"I've had enough as well," Irene replied. "Sphere. Nike." [22000 + 20000 + 15000 = 57000 Power]
Jupiter was knocked back, sailing right into a wall as Imperial landed gracefully back on the ground, guardians dissipating in the same manner as her summoned trees; into sparkling pixels. The rest of Yomi's forces were just as worn out, each one staggering back to their feet, with only Yatagarasu floating nobly in the air, sharing Yomi's look of frustration.
"T-turn…end."
"She blocked it all," Miho murmured.
"She didn't even break a sweat," Taiki said.
"I guess that's the difference between people like Yomi, and people like her," Toshi chortled.
"If that was the extent of your ability, I must say, I'm underwhelmed," Irene said. "But, we do need you."
"What are you talking about?" Yomi asked, snapping out of her daze.
"You'll find out soon enough," Irene answered with a smirk. "But it's time I end this little game of 'Hero.'"
Yomi
Hand: 4
{(Goddess of Trees, Jupiter)} – {(Sunlight Goddess, Yatagarasu)} – {(Witch of Ravens, Chamomile)}
(Goddess of Union, Yuno) – (Empty) – (Apple Witch, Cider)
Damage: 5 – [Broom Witch, Callaway] (F), [Battle Maiden, Kukurihime] (F), [Shield Goddess, Aegis] (F), [Goddess of Banquets, Edesia] (F), [Apple Witch, Cider] (F)
Irene
Hand: 1
(Empty) – (Imperial Daughter) – (Battle Maiden Sarasa)
(Farfalle Magus) – (Empty) – (Luck Bird)
Damage: 5 – [Battle Maiden, Sarasa] (F), [Promise Daughter] (F), [Circle Magus] (U), [Promise Daughter] (U), [Weather Forecaster, Miss Mist] (U)
"Stand and draw." She gazed around the temple as Imperial Daughter, at the rubbled debris, at the searing smoke. "This temple is mine. The Center, too, is mine to run. Well, mostly. And that means everyone will play by my rules, and mine alone. That includes you, as well. Ride. Imperial Daughter! Imaginary Gift: Protect!"
"Another Imperial Daughter," Taiki commented.
"That means this time she gets another fifteen-thousand and an extra critical," Miho added. "But Yomi has a Perfect Guard! She can pull through!"
[Imperial Daughter – 12000 + 15000 = 27000 Power, Critical 2]
"You think so?" Toshi wondered aloud, snickering when the siblings looked at him. "Because Irene has yet to play the one card she's been holding onto the entire game."
"One card…" Taiki trailed off, ruby eyes growing wider as he realized what Toshi implied. "You don't mean…"
"Even if you attack me, I know all your cards by now," Yomi said. "At best, even with a double trigger, I'll be dealing with attacks over thirty-thousand. I can take your assault, and then dish it right back out next turn!"
"Is that so?" Irene asked. "Then I'm afraid your…juvenile observation is for naught. And you play by my rules, remember? I decide my own limits. Not you. Call, Victorious Deer."
A surreal-looking stag appeared next to her, with a faint sheet of light enshrouding it, making it seem much like an apparition. It was almost dream-like. [Victorious Deer – 12000 Power]
Its horns began to glow. "I activate Deer's skill. I discard a card and Soul Blast two grade three's from my soul."
"Two grade three's? When did you—" Yomi gasped when she remembered Irene's previous turn.
"Imaginary Gift: Protect," Irene declared. "Then Imperial Daughter's skill. I'll add one of the top two cards of my deck into my hand, and the remaining one into my soul."
[Soul Charge: Imperial Daughter]
"I'll admit, luck was in my favor," Irene said. "But then again, look at my clan."
"No…"
"Yes. With Deer's effect, I reveal the top seven cards of my deck, then place two Critical Triggers from among them on the top of the deck."
"With that, she's all but guaranteed a double," Toshi mused.
"And on top of that, all of my units will gain ten-thousand during this turn," Irene finished as all of her units began glowing a menacing gold. "I told you, you play by my rules."
[Imperial Daughter – 27000 + 10000 = 37000 Power, Critical 2]
[Battle Maiden, Sarasa – 12000 + 10000 = 22000 Power]
[Victorious Deer – 12000 + 10000 = 22000 Power]
[Luck Bird – 5000 + 10000 = 15000 Power]
[Farfalle Magus – 8000 + 10000 = 18000 Power]
No, I can't give up now. Not when I'm so close. This can't be the end, Yomi thought.
"Imperial Daughter will attack," she said, firing a burst of energy. [Imperial Daughter – 37000 Power, Critical 2]
"I'll defend against it for sure," Yomi said defiantly. "I Perfect Guard with Aegis!"
The blast exploded against the Noble's bronze shield. "Twin drive,"
[Drive Check: Psychic Bird (Critical Trigger)]
[Drive Check: Oracle Guardian, Nike (Critical Trigger)]
"Each trigger effect will go to each of my front row rearguards respectively."
[Victorious Deer – 22000 + 10000 = 32000 Power, Critical 2]
[Battle Maiden, Sarasa – 22000 + 10000 = 32000 Power, Critical 2]
Yomi's hand fell limp against her thigh. I…I can't guard that. I can't guard any of them now.
The Deer stepped forward, then launched a supernova of gold at Angelica, growing like a hungry flame until it engulfed her in all of its destruction. "One final prayer for our wayward soul." [32000 + 18000 = 50000 Power, Critical 2]
A scream reverberated across the Cray temple.
"Damage check," Yomi whispered.
[Damage Check: Witch of Big Pots, Laurier (Heal Trigger)]
Her eyes widened in shock. "Heal Trigger…" However, her smile faded when she realized there was still another damage to take. Once she placed it down, she made her next reveal. "Damage trigger…second check."
[Damage Check: Sunlight Goddess, Yatagarasu (No Trigger)]
Yomi crumpled to the floor as everyone around looked on in a long divide of shock and glee. The United Sanctuary trainees in the distanced lounges roared in celebration. The Dog Trainers looked on solemnly. Taiki and Miho were speechless, even as Toshi stepped back into obscurity.
"I…lost."
A cry escaped Yomi's lips and before she knew it she was on the ground, with the weight of a heel jammed into her back. The breath was choked out of her, if there was any left to begin with. Her head was wrenched back, her hair screaming at the ends, and all she could see was Ayame being led slowly out of the room, looking back the entire way.
"No…no, Ayame!"
Irene lowered to Yomi's level, her words a cold wisp against her ear. "Now, I want you to watch. The result of your failure, your weakness, your sin."
Defeated as she was, all she could do was look on, even as the doors began to slide closed.
I…I wasn't strong enough…
The hollow echo of a bracelet clattering onto the floor could be heard, followed by the doors' final shutter.
I-If only I wasn't such deadweight…
Then Yomi was hauled to her feet, pulled back like a limp twig.
Ayame…
Yomi…
I'm sorry.
Custom Cards
Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica
Grade 3/13000 Power/Human/Gift: Force
[AUTO](VC):When a grade 3 or greater card not named "Regalia of Wisdom, Angelica" is Soul Blasted outside of your battle phase, COST [Counter Blast (1) & Choose a card from your hand, and put it into your soul], ride that card as [Stand] and it gets [Power]+10000 until end of turn.
[AUTO](VC/RC):When placed, COST [Soul Blast (3)], draw a card, if this unit is on (VC), this unit gets [Power]+10000 until end of turn.
Sunlight Goddess, Yatagarasu
Grade 3/13000 Power/Noble/Gift: Force
[AUTO](VC):When this unit attacks a vanguard, COST [Soul Blast (9)], choose two of your rearguards, and [Stand] them. If this unit was ridden over a grade 3 during this turn, choose two of your rearguards, and stand them.
[AUTO](VC):When placed, put up to two cards from your drop zone into your soul.