Shu chuckled. "Looks like I'm headed for a rematch with you, little lady."
Sal nodded. "Looks like, big guy. Hope you haven't fallen behind."
"Well, I made it to the semis, didn't I?"
"Getting smart already? Can't even wait for the match, huh. Shameful."
Sal knew next to nothing about her next opponent. Sure, he wasn't awful- he seemed to have a decent sense of humor, and Sean certainly vouched for the guy- but beyond a few quips, she hadn't had the chance to have an actual conversation with him. A tournament setting was hardly a place for any meaningful chat, but at the very least, she could make some headway.
Best to start with the basics. "Hey, Shu."
The boy looked up but continued to shuffle his deck. "Yeah?"
"Tell me about yourself."
"What brought this on?"
"Well, I think it pays to know just a bit about the person I'm fighting, yeah?"
"Sure, sure." He placed his deck on the table. "Well, to start, I was born into wretched poverty-"
"I'm serious," she said, finishing shuffling her own deck. "Sean likes you. I just want to know why."
"Sorry. We're childhood friends. Same elementary school and all that."
"And the reason you stopped seeing each other was because you wanted to go to Fremont?"
"I mean, we kept in touch, but yeah. My folks wouldn't settle for any other school."
"They pushed you to go there?"
"More or less. They're beyond competitive."
"So you have a tiger mom?"
"And a tiger dad. And, recently, a tiger grandmother."
"Ouch."
"Hey, there you guys are!" A pair of figures approached their table- a finely sculpted hill of a boy, with a mousy companion in tow. "Guess this is where the action is, huh?"
Shu smiled politely. "Hey, we fought in the first round. Adam, right?"
"Yep! Looks like we're just in time, Carlos."
The smaller boy nodded. "No kidding." He cleared his throat. "I, um, I'm rooting for you Sal."
Sal chuckled. "Thanks, man. Honestly, I think I'll need it."
"Hoo, yeah," Adam agreed. "Your opponent is no joke. Guy totally shut me down."
Shu shrugged. "The game hasn't started just yet. I might not live up to the hype."
"Alright, if the decks are shuffled and the starters are out, the semifinals can get started," said Tyler, projecting his voice across the play area.
Sal reached for her starting vanguard. "Well, let's see if you can. Ready?"
Shu did likewise. "Let's do this."
"Let's get the semifinals started!" said Tyler.
"Now stand up, Vanguard!"
While it was true that Granblue was a massive fleet- practically a national fleet without a nation- it was, in actuality, an alliance between multiple smaller flotillas. For most sailors, this made no difference, as each seemed to raid ships indiscriminately. It didn't matter if you flew the flag of the United Sanctuary or the Dragon Empire or even Zoo, the Granblue pirates knew little to nothing about mercy. But for sailors in the splintered fleets of Granblue, it mattered a great deal. Not only did many fleets compete with each other for wealth and prestige, but the freedom of the leadership allowed some squads to take up privateering work.
In the dead of a particularly cold night, a handful of bandit ships began the long trek back to their mountain hideout. Each vessel was swollen with the fruits of their barbarity- temple treasures, villager's gold, relics, and weapons. It had been a long fortnight of raiding virtually defenseless settlements and temples, as even the hurriedly mustered battalions of the Dragon Empire's coastal territories proved to be poor opponents. In an act of dishonorable desperation, some coastal lords pooled their resources to hire a privateering fleet from Granblue. The two fleets clashed somewhere outside a fortified port city, its citizens watching in fearful anticipation.
"I ride! Mountain Ogre Dracokid!"
Mountain Ogre Dracokid- Grade 0/6000 Power/10000 Shield
"I ride! Living Figurehead!"
Living Figurehead- Grade 0/6000 Power/10000 Shield
"Looks like I'm up first. To start, I draw, then ride Broken Horn Ogre."
Broken Horn Ogre- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield
"Thanks to my starter, I draw an extra card, and end my turn."
End of Turn 1
Hand Count- Sal 6, Shu 5
Damage Count- Sal 0, Shu 0
"My turn, then," began Shu. "I draw, and ride First Mate, Sharpeyed Vasco."
Sharpeyed Vasco- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield
"With Figurehead's skill, I draw a card. Next, I call Headless Grenadier."
Headless Grenadier- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield
"Oy, that guy," muttered Adam.
"What's wrong?" asked Carlos.
"If Grenadier boosts an attack that hits a vanguard, Shu can pop him to draw two cards."
"What? That's an absurd amount of advantage."
"To open the game," Shu continued, "I'm having Grenadier boost Vasco for an attack on your vanguard."
Sal nodded. "I hate that this will make you plus hard, but blocking an attack this early is kinda dumb. I don't guard."
"Drive check...no trigger."
"No damage trigger here."
"Since Vasco's attack hit, I can mill three cards, then bounce a card from my drop zone to my hand. I move Living Bomb from drop to hand. Now, Grenadier's skill- I pop him to draw two."
"Four cards off of one attack. That's kinda broken."
"Which is why I play Granblue. Well, that's my turn."
End of Turn 2
Hand Count- Sal 6, Shu 9
Damage Count- Sal 1, Shu 0
Sal nodded. "I draw." She paused. Her options were limited at the moment, and breaking past that nine card hand would be a pain. All she could do now is set up for her next turn. "I ride Bolt Tossing Ogre."
Bolt Tossing Ogre- Grade 2/9000 Power/5000 Shield
Bolt Tossing snapped his fingers, producing a small chain of sparks from his fingertips. "Get down here- Dragonic Twinaxe, Dragon Dagger Ogre!" In a split second, a pair of lightning bolts crashed onto the ship's deck, producing two new warriors. To the ogre's left emerged a stocky dragonic fighter with a pair of menacing poleaxes. To his rear, another ogre emerged- a hideous rogue twirling a pair of formidable knives in his palms.
Dragonic Twinaxe- Grade 2/9000 Power/5000 Shield
Dragon Dagger Ogre- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield
The head ogre turned to Twinaxe. "Get moving you!" Twinaxe snorted, exhaling smoke as black as storm clouds from his snout. He lunged towards the decaying pirate, axes scraping against the ship's deck. "Also," explained Bolt Tossing, "if you don't have a rearguard across from him, Twinaxe gains 5000 Power!"
Strength- 14000
Vasco chuckled. "Ooh, I'm shaking in me boots. I don't guard." With a hearty yell, Twinaxe smashed his shoulder into his target before pivoting into a sweeping axe swing. While the pain was bearable, the sheer force of the attack knocked Vasco flat on his back. "Lemme see, damage check...no trigger."
Bolt Tossing clapped his hands together. "Next attack is from me an' Dragon Dagger!" Slowly dragging his palms apart, he formed his trademark javelin of lightning, ready for a good skewering.
Strength- 17000
Vasco had just gotten back on his feet, brushing his tattered outfit free of splinters and dust. "Gonna stop you right there, mate. I guard with Living Bomb and Apprentice Warlock, Negronova." As Bolt Tossing flung his projectile towards Vasco, a pair of ghastly phantom pirates stepped in to prevent the lead from being lost. The cannonball unhinged it's jaw, swallowing the bolt whole in an obscene display. As the ghoulish bomb glowed for a potential explosion, Negronova flicked his wand, wrapping the cannonball in a translucent barrier. When the explosion inevitably occurred, it was contained within the magic sphere Negronova whipped up. The assault fizzled in a disappointing fashion.
Living Bomb- Grade 0/5000 Power/15000 Shield/Critical Trigger
Negronova- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield
Defense- 33000
"Good defending," murmured Carlos.
Adam scratched his head. "But either card would've been enough to block the attack. Why use both?"
"Because if Sal checked a trigger, she'd be at 27000 Power, more than enough to break through either Living Bomb or Negronova. But with both-"
"Oh, there's no way she can hit him now."
Carlos nodded. "Not only that, but Negronova has an ability that triggers when he's placed from the drop zone. Shu's guarding with him to further set up for later plays."
Sal sighed. "Knew that hand would be trouble. Drive check...Two-Faced Djinn, a critical trigger. All effects to my vanguard, even though it won't do jack."
Shu moved both of his defensive cards to his drop zone. "Sorry about that, but I generally don't like letting my opponent plus that easily. I'm not a fan of Dragon Dagger."
"Meh, I'll get you next time. I end my turn."
End of Turn 3
Hand Count- Sal 5, Shu 7
Damage Count- Sal 1, Shu 1
"I stand and draw. First, I ride Envy Shade."
Envy Shade- Grade 2/9000 Power/5000 Shield
"When I place her, I can discard a card to mill two from the top of my deck, then bounce a card from my drop zone to my hand. Living Shade is added from drop to my hand. Next, I use Headless Grenadier from my drop zone."
"Great," groaned Adam. "Exhibit B of why this guy is a massive pain."
"By counter blasting one and discarding a card, I can bring him back to my rearguard with an extra 4k."
"Wait," Carlos awed. "So that guy lets him draw two, and can bring himself back over and over?"
"Yeah, it's a nightmare to deal with," sighed Adam.
Envy eyes glowed with an unnatural crimson glow. "I call upon the fleet of the undead. Bloody Shade! Vasco!" A pair of portals opened on the ship's deck, illuminating the night in a sickly green light. From each gateway scrambled an undead ghoul- one, a shade of sanguine red, a rusty hatchet in each hand; the other, a familiar lookout with a spyglass attached to his hip. The portals dissipated into trials of wispy green smoke and embers, as the night grew ever colder.
Bloody Shade- Grade 2/9000 Power/5000 Shield
Envy snapped her head towards her subordinate ghoul, sending a sickening cracking noise rippling through the air. "You, Vasco- get rid of Twinaxe!" Bloody Shade raised both of his weapons, performing a banshee-like warcry before dashing towards Twinaxe at an unholy speed.
Strength- 17000
Bolt Tossing gnashed his teeth, sending another wave of small sparks through the air. "Nah, I need him. Broken Horn will guard!" As Bloody Shade reared back for a scathing swipe, he was tackled by a stout, battle-worn demon. The ghoul and the ogre tussled across the deck, bowling backwards like a heavy iron ball, before the shade pinned Broken Horn on his back. Shrieking again, Bloody Shade dug both of his rusty weapons into Broken Horn's skull, causing the ogre to disappear into crackling dust. The ghostly warrior shakily stood back on its feet, and without the energy to renew the assault, it staggered back to its vanguard's side.
Defense- 19000
Envy drew a pair of knives from her boots. "I'm taking Grenadier's support to punish your insolence!" Both knives began to glow with a phantom flame.
Strength- 21000
Bolt Tossing weighed his options. That Grenadier guy would net those zombies a new batch of resources, but he didn't want to waste any of his before his boss showed up. Besides, one trigger unit might not be enough to totally stop the attack. "I don't guard," he growled reluctantly.
"Drive check...no trigger," said the ghoul. "Now die." Envy slung both of her knives towards the ogre, both embedding themselves in his chest before bursting into flames. The flames subsided quickly, but the pain continued to sting long afterwards.
"Damage check...no trigger," groaned the ogre.
"Since Grenadier boosted a successful attack, I can pop him to draw two extra cards." Shu smiled after doing so. "Gotta say, not many people are kind enough to let me proc Grenadier twice in the same game."
Sal shrugged. "Not like I had a choice. Anyway, you're burning through your deck pretty fast. Might win by deck-out if you keep this up."
"Right, like Narukami can grind out a game that long."
"Alright, wise guy, is your turn over or what?"
"Alas, it is. I pass things over to you."
End of Turn 4
Hand Count- Sal 4, Shu 7
Damage Count- Sal 2, Shu 1
"I stand and draw." Sal surveyed the situation with mild concern. The game hadn't gone on too long, and she was already facing an uphill battle. Her opponent had accrued more resources than her, had the lead, and had an excellent defensive setup. Dealing five damage in one turn was out of the question, but if she could put him in a bad enough spot, her next turn might seal the deal. "To start my turn, I ride Conquest Dragon, Crossbolt Calamity Dragon."
Crossbolt Calamity Dragon- Grade 3/12000 Power/0 Shield/Accel Marker
"Woof, that's a mouthful."
"Trust me, he's earned the title. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. I call a Bolt Tossing Ogre and a Thunder Drum Ogre to my rearguard."
Thunder Drum Ogre- Grade 2/9000 Power/5000 Shield
"Now, I'm activating my vanguard's once-per-turn skill. With one counter blast and one soul blast, I can choose up to two of your front-row rearguards, and bind them. I'm paying the cost to bind Bloody Shade."
Crossbolt raised one of his dual-ended weapons to the now stormy sky. "Taste the fury of the unending thunderstorm! CALAMITOUS THUNDERCLAP!" He lowered his weapon quickly and fiercely, channeling the storm to strike Bloody Shade with a blinding thunderbolt. As the ghoul produced a cacophony of wails, a black portal opened beneath it, sucking the pirate inward. The ghoul scrabbled to grab ahold of something on the deck, but to no avail. As its head and hands sunk into the abyss, the portal snapped shut, banishing the ghost from that plane of existence.
Envy was unshaken. "I've seen far worse, mortal."
Crossbolt snarled. "Oh, we aren't done. Since I bound one of your dregs, I can call the two Broken Horns in my drop zone back to battle!" He clanged his two polearms together, summoning two pairs of thunderbolts to strike the ship's deck. Each bolt produced another hardened warrior for the dragon's ranks, both readying themselves for a vicious charge. "And since they were called this way," continued Crossbolt, "they gain an extra 3000 Power this turn!"
"On top of that, as part of Crossbolt's skill, my front row gets 5k for each rearguard bound with his effect."
"That's a great move," awed Carlos. "Not only did she get rid of an intercept in a way Shu can't do anything about, she also filled her ranks and buffed her attackers."
"With this, she might be able to muscle past that bonkers hand," added Adam.
"Now, for Thunder Drum's skill," continued Sal. "When one of my opponent's rearguards is bound, I can counter blast one and soul blast one to draw a card."
"You went plus three just from binding one rearguard," nodded Shu. "You certainly know your way around this clan."
Crossbolt's eyes glistened like a pair of flashing sparks. "The counterattack begins now! Thunder Drum, make yourself useful and smash that insolent ghoul!" The robe-clad ogre snarled as it began a heavy trample towards Envy, wielding his drum like an oversized morning star.
Strength- 17000
Envy rigidly crossed her arms. "You insult me by sending such a weakling. I guard with Flaming Shade." Thunder Drum roared as he brought his drum down on what he thought would be Envy's head. Instead, it smashed into a body of pure hellfire, dispersing the flames all across the deck. No one was harmed by the flames, not the least Envy, who stood defiant against Thunder Drum.
Flaming Shade- Grade 0/5000 Power/15000 Shield/Critical Trigger
Defense- 24000
"Bah," dismissed Crossbolt. "Then my first Broken Horn will lend his strength to my Twinaxe for our next assault! And since there's no rearguard across from him, he gets a 5000 Power bonus!" Just like before, Twinaxe tore across the deck, dragging the tips of his axes across the surface, creating waves of splinters on his flanks.
Strength- 30000
Envy barely changed her stance. "A few extra points of Power makes no difference. I guard with Flotsam Witch Doctor, Negromend and a Bloody Shade." A pair of phantasmal flashes drew Twinaxe's attention away from his intended target. These weren't just for a distraction, though, as a blood-red ghoul and an undead medic now stood between him and his target. Not getting back into formation without smashing some heads, he swung his poleaxes, each raking its way across the interlopers. Both went down with a cacophony of wails and shrieks, and Twinaxe, sated for the moment, returned to his vanguard's side.
Negromend- Grade 0/5000 Shield/20000 Shield/Heal Trigger
Defense- 34000
Crossbolt snarled again. "This is starting to become annoying...fine! Now you'll face me and Dragon Dagger!" He crossed his polearms above his head. "I doubt you still have enough to stop my Conquering Hellbolt!"
Strength- 25000
"Well, can't stop everything," shrugged Shu. "I don't guard."
"Works for me," answered Sal. "Let's see, first card...Ironwing Wyvern Knight, Glen just got me a draw trigger. That's 5k Power for Bolt Tossing and one more card for my hand. Second card...nope, no trigger."
"Damage check...not a thing."
"Since an attack Dragon Dagger boosted hit, I can move him to my soul to check the top seven for a grade 3 unit and add it to my hand." She leafed through the top handful of cards from her deck. "There you are. I add Wicked Mountain King, Shuten-Denji and add it to my hand. The rest are shuffled back."
"Now Sal's the one with a huge hand," observed Adam. "Talk about a comeback."
"Finally, I'm having my other Broken Horn boost Bolt Tossing for one last attack on Envy Shade. When he attacks, Bolt Tossing gains an extra 1k for each card in your bind zone."
Strength- 26000
Shu peeked at his much reduced hand. "I don't guard that, either. Damage check...Ravenous Mimic, a critical trigger? A little late, aren't we? Well, I give all the effects to my vanguard."
"Well, that's my turn. Over to you."
End of Turn 5
Hand Count- Sal 8, Shu 4
Damage Count- Sal 2, Shu 3
"I stand and draw." He paused. "Gotta say, that last turn put me in a tougher spot than I wanted."
"Thanks, that was the point."
"You're very welcome, but I still need to put up a fight, yeah? First, I ride Sea Serpent King, Leviathus."
Leviathus- Grade 3/12000 Power/0 Shield/Protect Marker
"Man, it's weird watching a game with no chants or anything," muttered Adam.
Carlos chuckled. "Guess we hang out with Nat and Lucas too much, huh?"
"Since I rode Leviathus," continued Shu, "I gain a Protect III Gift for my RC. This makes it so that you can't choose units on that circle for your card effects."
Oh, you sweet summer child, that's not going to stop me…
"Next, I use my vanguard's once-per-turn skill- I counter blast one to mill the top two cards of my deck, then call two units with different grades from my drop zone and give each a 5k buff. I superior call Cold Steel Swordsman, Negrofoil, and Negronova."
"I've fought against these guys before," Sal thought aloud. "This means you have more skills to trigger."
"Yep, but first, the second part of my vanguard's skill- I soul blast one and discard a card to give him a whopping 15k for this turn. Next, I use Negrofoil's on-place."
"Ah, here it is."
"I discard a card to mill two and bounce a card from my drop zone to my hand. I'm returning to Negromend. Next, Negronova's skill- since I called him from my drop zone, I soul blast one to call a grade 2 or higher card from my drop zone. I superior call Envy Shade, and since I have ten or more cards in my drop zone, he gets an extra 3k this turn."
"He just rebuilt his formation while barely touching his hand," awed Carlos. "This guy's unreal."
"He's the real deal, alright," Adam agreed. "Hope Sal can stand up to this."
"She's in trouble, but she can survive this turn. I mean, with eight cards in hand…"
"For my first attack," began Shu, "I'm having Negronova boost Negrofoil. Negrofoil's battle skill lets me counter blast one to draw a card and add another 5k to this attack."
Strength- 38000
"Sorry, you're not breaking through that easily," said Sal. "I guard with Dragon Dancer, SouSou and Ancient Dragon Shaman."
Negrofoil dashed towards his dragonic opponent, as swift as his worn boots could, tattered cape fluttering in the chilly wind. As he prepared his leaping thrust, a pair of new figures scrambled to the enemy vanguard's defense- a decrepit and gangly dragon elder and an exotically dressed dancer. Both raised their hands as the dragon began to mumble some sort of forgotten language. Before Negrofoil could even acknowledge the two, a shimmering arcane barrier formed in front of Crossbolt. Negrofoil's rapier collided squarely against the shield, causing the weapon to splinter like a cheap wooden pike.
Ancient Dragon Shaman- Grade 0/5000 Power/20000 Power/Heal Trigger
Dragon Dancer SouSou- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield
Defense- 42000
Negrofoil wailed. "My blade! Do you mongrels have any idea how much cold steel costs?! It'll take so many shares to forge a new one!"
Negronova groaned. "Get back in formation, you fool. You're making us look like fops." Negrofoil, without options, tossed his hilt overboard and scrambled back to his vanguard's side.
Leviathus's eyes lit up, miasma leaking from it's massive maw. "I doubt you have the resolve to defend my attack." He reared back before pouring a torrent of unholy flames towards the enemy formation. "STYGIAN NEGROSTORM!"
Strength- 27000
Crossbolt guffawed mockingly. "Did you forget about my last turn? With Glen, your attack is nullified!" With a quick thunderclap, a wyvern-riding knight darted from behind Crossbolt, iron armor appearing pitch black in the stormy night. The knight reared his mount, the wyvern spreading its stunning wingspan. The hellfire collided anticlimactically against the mount's wings, embers splashing everywhere before dissipating entirely.
Glen- Grade 0/5000 Power/0 Shield/Draw Trigger
Defense- Perfect Guard
"Thought you'd play that guy. Still, I have my twin drive. First card...is Ravenous Mimic. The 10k Power and extra Critical go to Envy Shade. Second card...is bogus, no trigger. For my last attack, Vasco will boost Envy Shade for an attack on Crossbolt. With Vasco's battle skill, I mill the top card of my deck to add 4k to this attack. On top of that, Envy gets an extra 3k for every four cards in my drop zone, meaning this she's gaining an extra 9k."
"Ho, man, that's a huge attack," mumbled Adam.
"Didn't know he still had that much strength left," nodded Carlos.
Strength- 40000/2 Critical
Sal didn't seem to be bothered. "Meh, I need the counter blasts, so, yeah, no guard. First card...nothing. Second card...no trigger."
Shu shrugged. "Hmm, not the best turn, but I'm done. I pass my turn."
End of Turn 6
Hand Count- Sal 4, Shu 6
Damage Count- Sal 4, Shu 3
"I stand and draw." Sal drummed her fingers. "Gimme a minute to think, yeah?"
"Sure."
"What's there to think about?" Adam puzzled. "She's in a pretty good spot."
"Not...especially," Carlos disagreed. "She has to deal three damage to her opponent, all while he has a six card hand and an intercept."
"Okay, but she can survive another turn, can't she?"
"Not if it's anything like the last turn. Shu barely touched his hand, yet he had three huge attacks. If Sal doesn't finish it here, she's in trouble."
It took a while for his friend's observations to sink in. "Oh, yeah, she's up a creek. Man, you're smart."
Carlos tensed up. "Um, yeah, thanks."
"Sorry to keep you waiting," said Sal. "For my first move, I ride Wicked Mountain King, Shuten-Denji."
Shuten-Denji- Grade 3/12000 Power/0 Shield/Accel Marker
"I gain another Accel II Gift thanks to this bad boy. Using his once-per-turn skill, I counter blast one to choose a column and bind all of your rearguards in it."
Shu sighed. "Guess it's time to say goodbye to Vasco and Envy, huh?"
"Yep, and since I bound two cards, Shuten-Denji gets an extra 5k this turn."
Adam scratched his head again. "What about the Protect III Marker?
"Well, the Marker makes it so you can't target rearguards," explained Carlos. "Shuten-Denji targets a column."
"Huh. Guess Shu wasn't expecting Shuten-Denji?"
"No, it was just the best out of three bad choices. Protect I requires a discard to work, which stinks against Accel clans in general. Protect II would give extra Shield, but Sal's using a clan that can easily remove rearguards."
"Woah, you think of everything. Kinda wanna see you fight this guy."
"Oh, no, that's not the best idea. I'd get clobbered."
"Using Thunder Drum's skill," continued Sal, "I counter blast and soul blast one to draw a card. Next, I call a Dragonic Twinaxe. With his on-place, I discard a card to choose one of your rearguards and bind it. I choose Negrofoil, and Twinaxe gets an extra 3k for this turn. Last up, I call a Dragon Dagger Ogre to my rearguard."
"That's five attacks," muttered Carlos. "Guess Sal can turn this around after all."
Shuten-Denji raised his studded kanabo to the now roiling skies. With yet another flash of lightning, a light shower of rain began to fall. If this fight went on any longer, reasoned Leviathus, they'd have a full blown sea storm to deal with, making recovering the treasure almost impossible. "This is the end, you stinkin' eel!" shouted the bandit king. He turned to his robe-clad lackey. "Thunder Drum, you know what to do!" Thunder Drum harrumphed, banging on his instrument to summon a small thunderhead above the sea serpent.
Strength- 14000
Leviathus let out a low growl. With his current forces depleted, and with several more attacks against him the works, he couldn't sacrifice his sailors to block such a paltry attack. Best to save his fighters for something a bit deadlier. "I don't guard," he replied. With one final pound, Thunder Drum commanded his cloud to bombard his opponent with a short hail of lightning bolts. "Damage check," groaned Leviathus, still surging with megavolts of divine electricity. "No trigger."
Shuten-Denji slung his weapon over his shoulder. "Aw, is widdle sea snake getting tired already? Don't worry, we'll put ya outta your misery soon. Next, my first Twinaxe attacks, and don't forget his 5000 Power bonus!" With a defiant roar, one of the dragonic warriors bolted towards Levithus, his titular weapons at the ready.
Strength- 22000
Leviathus finally managed to sponge the last volts of lightning from his undead veins, just in time to respond to the latest assault. "I guard! Ravenous Mimic, defend your captain!" Before Twinaxe could leap towards Leviathus for a deadly head blow, his path was blocked by a living treasure chest. Twinaxe pivoted and changed his target, swinging his axes into the newer monster. To his surprise, however, as the weapons approached the chest, it opened its lid like a starving maw, and bit off both axe blades with a sickening snap. After recovering from the initial shock, Twinaxe tossed the now useless poles aside and returned to his vanguard, weathering the shower of snickers and jeers from his companions.
Ravenous Mimic- Grade 0/5000 Power/15000 Shield/Critical Trigger
Defense- 27000
Shuten Denji growled at his subordinate's failure. His punishment would have to come later, though. "Next attack is from me, boosted by Dragon Dagger!" He leveled his kanabo, causing another set of thunderclaps to ring out and the rain to increase in intensity. "You won't know what hit ya!"
"Since you have no rearguards in your front row, Shuten-Denji gains one critical, and you'll have to use two or more cards if you want to block from hand."
Strength- 25000/2 Critical
"Two cards it is," replied Shu. "I guard with Negromend and Living Bomb."
Defense- 47000
"Geez, with that much Shield, not even double triggers would get past," murmured Carlos.
"I'm just surprised the guy still has that many triggers in hand," said Adam. "Wait, is that why he didn't touch his hand last turn?"
"I saw him bounce Negromend, but yeah, maybe he was stockpiling defensive cards for a moment like this. That's...a good observation, Adam."
"You're rubbing off on me, huh?"
Carlos just cleared his throat.
"Twin drive," began Sal. "First check...no trigger. Second...Javelin Dracokid, a critical trigger. I give all the effects to Bolt Tossing Ogre."
Shuten-Denji crashed his kanabo on the ship's deck with an intense fury, sending a towering shockwave ripping towards his opponent. As the oncoming assault grew closer, Leviathus summoned another set of his sailors to his defense- a familiar ghoulish cannonball and an even more familiar undead medic. Both rushed into the column of lightning, causing the wave to come to a sudden, creasing halt, sending arcs of electricity in every direction. When the dust finally settled, Leviathus was untouched. The only thing Shuten-Denji had damaged was his own ship.
"This guy just won't quit," the ogre growled, the storm behind him growing a bit fiercer with each passing minute. "Fine! Broken Horn will lend his support to my other Twinaxe's charge!" The second dragonic warrior began to dash towards his opponent, much like the identical fighter a few moments earlier.
Strength- 22000
Leviathus emitted a low rumble. He was running low on fodder, and he needed what little he had to block that boosted hooligan. "I...don't guard." With a mighty leap, the second Twinaxe bounded its way to Leivathus's eye level. Putting all his strength into his attack, Twinaxe brought down his axes on his target's head, managing to sever one of the sea serpent's horns. Leviathus writhed in pain as his horn collided with the deck, fading away into a hellish black mist. "Damage check...no trigger."
"He's on his last legs!" declared Shuten-Denji. "Broken Horn, Bolt Tossing, NOW!" With a sadistic cackle, the last of the subordinate ogres prepared a pair of lightning bolts for one last lethal attack. Each hand gleamed with a fierce light, perfectly complementing the now roiling skies and seas.
Strength- 31000/2 Critical
The last attack may have heavily wounded Leviathus, but he was by no means delirious. "Once more, I guard! Living Bomb and Headless Grenadier!" As Bolt Tossing slung what should have been battle-ending bolts, the last of Leviathus's defensive units sprung into action. No grand defensive stratagem, no arcane spells- just two figures desperately flinging themselves in the path of the projectiles. Even with the resulting explosions, Leviathus clung to the battlefield, bleeding but still in it.
Defense- 37000
"Man, thought I had you there. Guess I'll have to end my turn here."
End of Turn 7
Hand Count- Sal 5, Shu 1
Damage Count- Sal 4, Shu 5
"I stand and draw," stated Shu rotely, before furrowing his brow a bit. "Do you mind if I take a look through my drop zone?"
"Go ahead. I'm not going anywhere."
Carlos and Adam observed the situation from a distance. "His drop zone must be massive by now, huh?" Adam thought aloud. "Not sure if it'll do him any good with only two cards in hand."
"I wouldn't be too sure," Carlos responded. "Granblue lives and dies by the drop zone, and with that many cards there, he should be able to scrounge up something for a counterattack."
"But even if he does, he has a lot to get past to deal two damage. Sal's probably going to survive this turn unless Shu can pull out a miracle."
Shu finally put down his drop zone. "First, I'm using my vanguard's once-per-turn skill. I counter blast one to mill two and call two cards with different grades from my drop zone and give them 5k each. I superior call Negrobrace and Deep Trench Dragon, Imprisoned Dracoshark."
"Aw, crap," murmured Adam. "This game might be done."
Sal glanced at her opponent's new grade 3 unit. "I don't recognize that card."
"It's a doozy," Shu chuckled. "I usually wait until the end to bring him out, and you'll see why soon. Anyway, I use Leviathus's follow-up- one soul blast and a discard to give him 15k. Next, Negrobrace's skill. When she's placed from my drop zone, I can counter blast one to superior call a grade 1 or lower card from my drop zone. I choose Vasco, and since there are ten or more cards in my drop zone, both units in Negrobrace's column gain 3k. Finally, I call a Headless Grenadier from hand."
"He's out of counter blasts, out of soul, and out of cards in hand," Carlos observed. "He's totally against a wall. It all comes down to what his drive check reveals."
"For my first attack, Vasco boosts Negrobrace. With Vasco's battle skill, I mill a card to add another 4k to this attack."
Strength- 32000
"For a guy with no options, that's a strong attack," mused Sal. "Still, I'm guarding this with Javelin Dracokid and intercepting with Thunder Drum. Since you have three or more cards in your bind zone, he gains 5k Shield."
Javelin Dracokid- Grade 0/5000 Power/15000 Shield/Critical Trigger
Defense- 37000
Shu chuckled nervously. "Man, I might actually lose this one. For my second attack, Grenadier lends his support to Leviathus. He's honing in on your vanguard."
Strength- 35000
"Guarding that too. From my hand, I'm using SouSou and Ancient Dragon Shaman, and for good measure, Bolt Tossing will intercept."
Defense- 47000
Shu took a breath. "I'm counting on you, twin drive. First check...no trigger."
"Alright, Sal's safe," sighed Carlos. "Without two triggers, Leviathus can't break through.
"Second check...thank god, Flaming Shade- a critical trigger."
Sal's small bit of comfort fled, as Adam groaned. "It's over."
"I give all effects to Dracoshark. Now with support from Vasco, he comes crashing in. With his battle skill, he gains 1k for every card in my drop zone."
"Hold up, what?" asked Sal. "How much is this attack for?"
"Well, Dracoshark's base is 12k. Add on the 5k bonus from Leviathus, the 25k from my drop zone bonus, the trigger, and Vasco's 8k boost, that should be 60k with an extra crit."
"Just casually, as you do," Sal sighed. "I can't block this attack."
"Hence why I usually save Dracoshark for the big finish. He's more or less unblockable late-game."
"No kidding. Let's see, damage check- first card...no trigger. Second card...no trigger."
The phantasmal chains holding back the aquatic beast broke completely. Now unburdened by his otherworldly restraints, Dracoshark surged forward like a torpedo, straight towards the enemy vanguard. Despite some last-second bravery from the other thugs, the sea monster ripped past them like soggy paper, colliding with Shuten-Denji with full force. The impact was so powerful and so sudden that the gargantuan ogre was sent flying overboard. As the ogre king sank beneath the roiling waves, the storm clouds and thunderbolts that previously dominated the battlefield began to finally subside.
"Storms finally clearing up, boss," said Negrobrace. "Should I order the other ships to sink this sorry piece of driftwood."
"No," responded Levaithus. "Our task is to recover the stolen goods. Sinking this vessel now is foolish. Prepare a boarding party, and be prepared to kill any stragglers still holding out." His command now given, the battered sea serpent disappeared beneath the ocean's surface.
Negrobrace nodded before turning to the pair of sailors behind her. "You heard him, boys. Round up your pals and meet me back here." Throughout the night, as the storm cleared, boats of stolen loot were recovered from the ogre's vessel. The citizens of the Dragon Empire could breathe a sigh of relief, as one of the most feared bandit fleets would bother them no more.
End of Turn 8
Hand Count- Sal 2, Shu 2
Damage Count- Sal 6, Shu 5
Shu Wins
Sal sighed. "You got me. Guess you haven't fallen behind after all."
"Hey, don't beat yourself up," said Shu. "That game was really, really close."
"No kidding. If not for that critical trigger, I would have sunk you."
"Which is why I run 12 crits."
"Yo!" interrupted Adam, approaching the table alongside Carlos. "That was epic."
"Closest fight I've seen in a long time," added Carlos. "Just think, if Sal saved her defensive cards for the last attack-"
"Thanks, Captain Hindsight," quipped Sal.
Carlos was caught off-guard. "I-I didn't mean it like that-"
"I know. Just having fun." She turned back to her opponent. "Looks like you're heading to the finals."
"Looks like," nodded Shu. "Are you doing anything after this?"
Now it was Sal's turn to be caught off-guard. "Huh?"
"Well, I told you about myself. I kinda want to know about you."
Sal blinked. "Sure, I guess. Mind if I bring some friends?"
"Go ahead. I'm looking forward to it."
Sal leaned back in her chair. At this point, all she really knew about the guy was that he knew Sean and was a darn good cardfighter. Maybe spending a little time with this guy (with other company, of course) wouldn't be bad.