Buzz looked at his deck. Not in the sense that most people who were building one or had just built one, where one would familiarize themselves with the cards and adjust the ratios of the units, but in a rare show of introspection. For years, he had absolute certainty about the path forward, and how to get there. It would take a lot of guts, and he'd have to push a lot of obstacles aside, but when he succeeded, it'd all be worth it. He'd finally be able to show all those who doubted him, or mocked him, or thought it'd be funny to knock the stuffing out of him all those years ago. It was the whole reason behind his transformation- if he looked the part, he would become it. He had approached the task with such absolute certainty that anything else meant nothing.

But now? What the hell was happening? His teammates had deserted him- his two oldest friends, his two staunchest allies, just gone. For the first time in years, he was alone. All he had was his deck and the possibility of making it to Spring Circuit. But without a team, what good could he do? Was there any actual path forward?

"A brute like you shouldn't be cardfighting at all. You make a mockery of all actually skillful players. Just quit."

Buzz gnashed his teeth. Didn't matter if they quit on him, he still had to put that punkass Gavin in his place. He had dealt with enough bullies to know the only way to deal with them was by fighting back. Once he cleared this tournament, against the latest in a string of sorry opponents, he'd have a way to punish that shithead. He'd just need a couple of teammates after this, and given the prestige that would come, there'd be no shortage of takers.

"Bring it on," he grumbled to himself. "Just another step."

At the other end of the arena, Sean was transfixed on his own deck, juggling his own set of anxieties and dilemmas. This was hardly the time to have any sort of crisis, or to welcome back the voice that had plagued him for so long, but those never seemed to wait for an invitation. For as long as he could, he avoided risk and stakes, comforting himself with the thought that he was playing a game for fun, not for glory. This thought couldn't save him here- this was a sanctioned tournament, and this game would determine whether his team would be able to compete in an even bigger event. Not only that, it was against an opponent they had no love for. It was unavoidable- losing was finally not an option.

"Sean?" Kiki asked worriedly. "Are you okay? You've been so quiet."

"Can you blame him?" Sal said. "This is a big game. He's probably under a ton of pressure right now."

"Not helping, Sal," Lucas sighed. "If he's freaking out, pointing out how much is on the line-"

"Hey, I'm not trying to make things worse. Just saying, I've been there."

"...Right." Lucas took a glance at his friend, in a rare moment of contemplation. Ever since they met, he'd been the "doer," leading the way, coaxing Sean into doing...well, anything new, really. In such a situation, this wasn't the time to drop tradition, but this required tact he hadn't truly mastered. This would require a very careful choice of words, something to light Sean's fire without pressing onto him what it'd mean to lose.

He scratched his chin. Would losing actually be that catastrophic? Sure, it'd be nice to actually move on to Spring Circuit, and putting Buzz in his place would be satisfying for a lifetime, but he was young. There was always next year. Besides, he wasn't the one fighting, Sean was, and he didn't have nearly the same investment in seeing this through. He was just here to help a friend through a big event- going to some national tournament was probably the last thing on his mind. "So, uh-"

"This is it, ladies and gentlemen, the main event! The grand finale! The fight worth every last marble! This showdown will determine which team gets to move on to Spring Circuit- the unstoppable forces behind Team Juggernaut or the promising young stars of Team Villager!"

"We're about to see the last cardfight of the day, and from what we've seen, it's hardly going to be a disappointment. Both Sean Gregor and Buzz Cartwright have shown expert understandings of their own clans- whoever wins will have certainly deserved it."

"You're right about that! And listening to the crowd, it seems they agree too!"

"It's all you, Villager! Send those wannabes packing!"

"Blow 'em away, Juggernaut! Those suckers are nothing!"

"Show them some local spirit, Villager! We're behind you!"

"You've got this, Juggernaut! This'll be an easy win!"

Lucas twitched. Previously, he had gotten a lot of mileage out of telling Sean to ignore the crowd, but now that was more or less impossible. The entire crowd was hollering for a good fight, meaning pushing them to the side was about as easy as rolling a giant lead ball up a hill. This was on top of the already high stakes- Sean must be being crushed under the hefty expectations, and the sudden shift to him wasn't appreciated either. This would take a delicate hand, one he never really possessed in the first place, and probably never would. What could he possibly pull out of his sleeve to defuse this?

"You can do it."

Lucas blinked. Of all the people to step in, it was Kiki? He turned, seeing the girl taking a breath before she began again. "Just...I know you can do it, Sean. You're one of the best players I know. If you do your best, then...um-"

Sean looked at her curiously. "Kiki, are you okay?"

"Well, I think she's onto something," Sal stepped in. "You've got some serious skills, Sean, and I don't think for a minute you won't give that dickhead anything less than a run for his money."

"Yeah, yeah!" Lucas seized the opportunity. "Listen, man, this fight is yours! We're all behind you!"

Sean just kept looking forward, somewhat incredulous but mostly amazed. This wasn't exactly his darkest hour, but even then, his friends were doing their damndest to lift him up. "I…" He swallowed a small air pocket. "Damn, I don't know what to say."

"Nothing to say, just do. Well, maybe you could promise to knock that douche down a peg or three."

"Okay," he smiled. "I promise to knock him down a peg or three."

Kiki nodded. "Just remember to play your cards carefully. His deck is all about taking skills away from rearguards, so you have to use your abilities wisely."

"I've actually been thinking about that. Maybe I can get past the whole 'no skills' thing with big enough Power values."

"Atta boy," Lucas said, giving his friend a hearty pat on the back.

"Yeah, sounds like a plan right up your alley," joked Sal. "But I think you're heading down the right path, Sean."

"And you still got your secret weapon. No better time to pull it out."

"No kidding," chuckled Sean. He cleared his throat. "Well, guess this is it." He took a step forward. "It's go time." With a trio of supporting friends to his back, and the cheering throngs of spectators in the stands, he took some steps to the Megalo-Engine. Not ceremonious steps, not proud steps, but a regular stride that gave little away. His thoughts weren't on winning glory, nor anxiety or fear, and his steps reflected that- not serene, but still calm.

"You took your sweet time," growled a voice across from him. Sean didn't have to look up to guess it was his opponent. "What, you need your friends to pump you up? Pussy."

Sean refrained from making eye contact. Lucas had taught him how to deal with bullies like this, and he was combing his brain for every tip he could muster. The first step was to try to appear unphased. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Yeah, you're sorry." Buzz slammed his deck down on the console. "And it's only going to get worse for you. I'll beat you so bad you'll never pick up a deck again."

Sean continued his routine. This guy's bark was far worse than his bite ever could be, he reminded himself. "Let's see," he thought aloud. "Um, two back."

"Stop trying to act tough, limpwrist. You're not fooling anyone."

You're one to talk. Sean looked at his starting hand post-mulligan. I can get some good mileage out of this. Certainly better than last game.

"Finally ready?" Buzz sneered. "Or are you just trying to stall because you know you'll wipe out?"

"I'm ready."

"Looks like both players are ready to get the climax underway! If that's the case, then let's not put it off anymore! Let's play Vanguard!"

"Stand up, my Vangaurd!"

With that familiar cry, the final battlefield of the day flared to life. On Sean's side was erected a towering castle wall, it's finely sculpted and chiseled marble maligned with scorch marks, holes from projectiles, and crumbling turrets; clearly, there had already been a great battle, one that was still ongoing. Nonetheless, several poles sported the proud flag of the United Sanctuary, fluttering defiantly against the assaults. Outward, on Buzz's side, was a vast expanse of hostile night sky, dotted with otherworldly flames and flickering spacetime. Whatever had done so much damage to the castle had been coming from that stretch of frightening nothingness, though what had yet to be determined by most spectators.

"I ride!" Buzz snapped first. "Loyalty Collapse Dracokid, Suban-Esod!"

Suban-Esod - Grade 0/5000 Power/10000 Shield

"Yikes," Adam gaped. "That thing's freaky."

"I," gulped Nat, "think I'm going to be sick. That unit is…"

"Grotesque," Midori finished, shaking her head. "And they're only going to get more upsetting. Would you like a bag, Nat?"

"That would be nice, yes."

Erica did her best to ignore everything. "Come on, Sean, you've got this."

"I ride!" Sean shot back. "Avalonian Squire, Griflet the Brave!"

Griflet the Brave- Grade 0/5000 Power/10000 Shield

Buzz smiled with a harsh bravado. "Royals? You brought Royals against a deck that can negate skills? So not only are you a wimp, you're stupid. A total prize!"

Sean twitched, trying his best not to let the blunt remarks cut too deep. He could ignore some remarks, but there were just so many, and he hadn't even begun playing. "You go first, right?"

"Not a complete retard, I see. I'll make it quick. I draw, and start the game by riding...Sustenance Collapse Dragon, Obik-Utomas."

Obik-Utomas - Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield

Using Esod's skill, I draw an extra card, and end my turn." He smirked. "I would've preferred to go second, but not using my starter could actually give you a fighting chance."

End of Turn 1

Hand Count- Buzz 6, Sean 5

Damage Count- Buzz 0, Sean 0

"I draw," Sean started. He didn't have to think too long about his next couple of moves- first step was obviously getting the card he'd need to make victory possible. "I ride Avalonian Brawl Knight, Adair the Rush."

Adair the Rush- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield

"Riding on Griflet lets me draw a card, and since your vanguard is already grade 1, I can call him from soul to a rearguard circle. Next, I call Avalonian Companion, Rubingal." Behind Adair emerged a red husky-like warhound, with a deep crimson coat and a set of weaponized claws tethered to his forelegs.

Rubingal- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield

"That's a weird move," said Nat. "Griflet can already boost, so why call an extra card?"

"Good question," Carlos commented. "Well, since Griflet is already in the back row, he's pretty safe. Guess he needs extra Power?"

"But players rarely guard against the first attack, right?"

"I have a theory," Midori mused. "If memory serves, Adair has a crucial ability that only triggers when it hits. With a little extra attacking strength, Sean can easily utilize it."

"With a boost from Rubingal," Sean stated, "Adair takes aim at your vanguard." The scarfe soldier banged his gauntlets together before commiting to a running start. With a bound, he began his long arc towards the invader, maintaining a brave face against the eldritch horror.

Strength- 16000

Buzz shrugged, maintaining a brave face of his own. This attack was too big to stop with any one card in his hand, and while he knew what would happen if it hit, he couldn't stop it. "No guard, big guy."

"Drive check...no trigger." Adair, in a single graceful motion, drove one of his gauntlets straight into Obik-Utomas's singular eye. Quickly, he followed it up with a powerful kick to it's lower body, using the force to soar his way back to the castle wall. Obik-Utomas squirmed in shock, its heads snapping in anger, but little lasting damage was done. It was a warning more than anything.

"Damage check...nothing."

"Since Adair's attack was successful, I can discard a card to add a grade 3 Avalonian from my deck to my hand. I'm adding...Avalonian Guardian Dragon, Auroral Wing Dragon."

"Oh," Nat blinked. "He needed that extra push to get him a card straight from the deck. That's a good idea."

"That's Sean's secret weapon," Erica smiled. "That's going to put Shades in a real tough spot later."

"Auroral Wing," Carlos repeated. "That sounds familiar, but I can't pin it…"

"I end my turn," Sean stated. Everything was smooth sailing so far.

End of Turn 2

Hand Count- Buzz 6, Sean 6

Damage Count- Buzz 1, Sean 0

"Looks like Sean Gregor is taking a cautious approach in the opening turn, preferring to set up for later than putting up the dukes early."

"Not a bad strategy, honestly. The Collapse cards Buzz Cartwright is using have some nasty control effects. Best to hold off until he can muscle past."

"My turn," Buzz said. "I draw." He took a moment to examine his hand, looking for his next few moves. With only one counter blast, he couldn't easily take out both of his opponent's occupied rearguard circles, and draining his resources so early on would certainly throw the game. Without any sort of early pressure, though, he'd fold to any later attacks. He couldn't afford to skimp on his moves. "I ride Strategy Collapse Dragon, Kuyas-Nakor."

Kuyas-Nakor - Grade 2/10000 Power/5000 Shield

He grinned. "Let's see if you can keep up with this combo. When a Collapse unit rides on Obik-Utomas, I can move a card from my hand to my soul to add two other Collapse units from my deck to my hand. Like your previous trick, but not shitty. I'm adding...lesse...Leadership Collapse Abomination, Nanom-Asish, and...Hope Collapse Invader, Antik-Obzet."

"Forgot about that skill," mumbled Lucas. "That deck's a lot more consistent than I remember."

"Since I added two, I have to discard a card." Buzz grinned again. "But get a load of what I pitched- Energy Collapse Invader, Senmash-Monin. When he's discarded from my hand to pay for an ability cost, he can be called straight into battle."

Senmash-Monin- Grade 1/7000 Power/10000 Shield

"This guy knows what he's doing," Carlos commented. "He got two cards in hand and one rearguard off of one combo. I'd hate to see what he can do with more."

"And he hasn't even started attacking yet," Erica added. "This will be harder than I thought."

"Not done yet," Buzz continued. "I'm using Kuyas-Nakor's skill- I counter blast one and soul blast one to drain one of your RC. I'm choosing your back-center row." Kuyas-Nakor let out an insane shriek from each of its three heads, rending and warping the air around him. The color of Rubingal's surroundings began to fade to a sickly grey. Rubingal itself began to cower and shiver, small bits of frost crawling up its coat. "Don't think I have to remind you that units on a drained circle can't use their skills at all."

"Nasty," Sal murmured. "That's a good spot to drain, too."

"It'll get worse if Sean's not careful," Kiki said. "Kuyas-Nakor has an on-hit skill that allows him to bind units on drained circles, on top of a draw."

"Next up, I call," Buzz continued. "Antik-Ozbet and Will Collapse Invader, Ikun-Isok." Kuyas-Nakor roared again, summoning a pitch-black rift on either side of himself. Each rift spat out a new monstrosity- one, a being with an arachnid bottom, sporting a snake-like spinal column and a ribcage like body; the other, a gloppy, obese demonic entity with a mouth on it's belly, two muscular arms, and flail-like fingers. Each hovered in the night sky despite lacking any sort of wing or magic source, defying any sort of earthbound logic.

Antik-Obzet- Grade 2/10000 Power/5000 Shield

Ikun-Isok- Grade 2/9000 Power/5000 Shield

"Good God," Nat lurched. "Why would anyone play cards so disgusting?"

"Why would someone design cards so disgusting?" Erica groaned.

"No kidding," Adam said. "They're like night terrors."

"They're supposed to be based on Lovecraftian monsters," Midori corrected. "With that in mind, their grotesque appearance is fitting."

"I'm not sure 'they're supposed to give you sleep paralysis' is the winning argument you think it is, Midori," sighed Carlos.

"Let's get this party started," Buzz smirked. "Antik-Obzet will start us off- he gets an extra 3k for each of your drained circles." Antik-Obzet let out an incomprehensible hiss, each rib on its body unfurling into a wide stretch of bone. Each began to crackle and smoke with some form of otherworldly energy, slowly condensing in the middle of the wingspan of ribs and spinal bones.

Strength- 13000

"Magic number," Sal noted. "Sean will need at least 10k to guard against this."

"I'm not sure he should, though," Kiki said. "It'd be wiser to save his defensive cards for the vanguard attack, given the two on-hits."

"If he has enough to safely block it. That...thing is going to be boosted."

"Ah, I'm sure Sean will be fine," Lucas stretched, putting on a brave face. "This is only his first turn on the defensive. I doubt he'll fall far behind."

Sean looked at his hand, then back at the attack. "I don't guard." Hissing again, Antik-Obzet let loose with all the energy it had been gathering, concentrating the blast into a torrential river of power. It flooded over the castle wall, engulfing Adair's lower body in a searing pain. The damage to the walls was practically nonexistent, but it didn't stop the injuries from stinging any less. "Damage check...no trigger."

"Not stopping now," Buzz gloated. "With a boost from Senmash-Monin, Kuyas-Nakor fires away. Hope you didn't forget about the on-hits!" Kuyas-Nakor roared an unfathomable warble, rearing all three heads back and gathering black flames in each mouth. Rolling its cyclopean eye back, each head shot out a concentrated energy shot. Each projectile took a meandering path towards the castle wall, illuminating the air around them in a sickly gray light.

Strength- 17000

"I guard with Avalonian Aura Knight, Muriel the Pure." Adair clashed his gauntlets together again, summoning a snow-white barrier in front of himself and a good portion of the castle wall. Each shot smashed against the magic shield, succeeding in little more than creating a smokescreen. "You won't be breaking through this."

Muriel the Pure- Grade 0/5000 Power/20000 Shield/Heal Trigger

Defense- 28000

"Nice!" Lucas grinned. "Doesn't matter if that moron sacks a trigger, he won't have enough Power to hit."

"That'll stop the on-hits," Kiki agreed. "Rubingal should be safe for now."

Buzz scoffed. "Think you're clever, huh? Too bad you shredded one of your best defensive cards. That'll come back to bite, hard. Drive trigger check...Momentum Collapse Drone, Hizet-Kunak, a draw trigger! I get that extra card anyway, and give an extra 10k to Ikun-Isok! And with that monster buff, he's coming in!" A deep, unsettling rumble broke from Ikun-Isok's abdomen. Opening his maw disgustingly wide, baring rows upon rows of teeth, then firing a tangle of sharp tongues towards Adair. "This bad boy also gets 3k for each of your drained circles!"

Strength- 22000

Sean twitched. Sometimes the graphics on the Megalo-Engine were too vivid for their own good. "I don't guard." The swarm of tongues slashed past Adair, cutting through and chewing up his armor. As Ikun-Isok reeled back his appendages, Adair fell to his knees, his new batch of wounds burning like a terrible venom. "Damage check...no trigger."

"Guess I'll leave it there for now. Let's see if you can actually do anything."

End of Turn 3

Hand Count- Buzz 6, Sean 5

Damage Count- Buzz 1, Sean 2

"Looks like Buzz is hitting the ground running. With a whole batch of attackers already, Sean might have some trouble hanging on for future rounds."

"I don't doubt he'll have some tricks up his sleeve. He had some excellent guarding sense, blocking Kuyas-Nakor, and it's unlikely that's all he has planned."

"I stand and draw," Sean said. He stared at his hand for a bit- the next few moves would require some finesse and careful planning. Obviously, Buzz's ability to strip his rearguards of their skills was troublesome, and next turn he'd really crank up the pressure. In order to win, Sean would have to find a way to put Buzz in a bad spot now as opposed to later. He had the cards to do so, but it was a matter of getting to them.

"Come on," Buzz sneered. "Didn't you hear? It's your turn. Quit stalling and do something."

"Just thinking about my next move, that's all."

"It can't be that hard, brainlet. Just pick something to ride so I can get back to beating your ass."

Sean sighed. This was grating in a way he hadn't encountered in a long time. It was just like being back in middle school. "Fine. I'll start by riding Avalonian Champion, Gawain the Chivalrous." While still heavily wounded, Adair managed to stagger to his feet, letting out one last warcry as he disappeared into a pillar of light. Replacing him was the inspiring knight that had carried his user to many victories, greatsword planted firmly into the castle walls. Even with the air around him cold and greying, he was a splendid sight.

Gawain the Chivalrous- Grade 2/10000 Power/5000 Shield

"When Gawain's placed from my hand, I can counter blast one to call a grade 2 or lower unit from my deck to a rearguard circle. I superior call...Avalonian Lance Knight, Cuthbert the Charge." Gawain picked up his weapon, raising it to the heavens, a magic circle emerging from around the blade's tip. Another pillar of light struck the castle wall, spawning another warrior- a veteran in heavy armor, a plumed helm, and carrying a spiral-cut lance.

Cuthbert the Charge- Grade 2/10000 Power/5000 Shield

"Since Cuthbert is an Avalonian, I can use Gawain's soul blast to add 5000 Power to both units. Next, I use Griflet's skill- since my vanguard is grade 2 or greater, I counter blast one and move him to my soul to search my deck for two Avalonians, add one to hand, and superior call the other." Sean picked up his deck again. "Searching for...Avalonian Companion, Saphrigal, and...Avalonian Beast Knight, Maxime the Fang. Saphrigal will be called, and Maxime is added to hand." Gawain snapped his fingers, and another pillar of light struck the wall, this time summoning a warhound.

Saphrigal- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield

"When Saphrigal is placed from my deck, I draw a card."

"He's really comboing off," Sal noticed. "Guess he's trying to squeeze as much advantage out of his skills before they get shut off."

"And he's building up quite the hand," Kiki added. "Given what Buzz is likely to ride next turn, he'll need as many cards as he can get."

"Searching Auroral Wing and stockpiling rearguards and cards in hand," Lucas noticed. "Sean's playing the long game."

"Last up," continued Sean, "I call Maxime and Avalonian Spear Knight, Hildred the Loyal." Gawain gave one last commanding sweep of his arm, filling in the last few spots in his formation with two new soldiers. The Royal Paladins were in no mood to let these invaders wreck any more havoc; they would stop their advance here.

Maxime the Fang- Grade 2/10000 Power/5000 Shield

Hildred the Loyal- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield

Buzz smirked. "Sure, just give more stuff to drain and pop. Am I supposed to be impressed, because you're just setting me up for a big kill turn."

Does this guy ever shut up? Sean shook his head. "Whatever. For my first attack, Maxime takes aim at Kuyas-Nakor." Gawain turned to Maxime and nodded, giving her a nonverbal signal to open the assault. She nodded in return, unfurling her whip before reeling back for a devastating lash.

Strength- 10000

Buzz laughed. "What, you forgot to boost? Man, you're dumber than I thought, calling a full field without using it!" He shook his head, snickering. "What a worthless attack. I guard with Wealth Collapse Drone, Nokhi." Kuyas-Nakor wretched before spewing out a thick blanket of red mist from two of its mouths. The mist coiled and furled into the shape of a new invader- a hollow-looking, mosquito-like alien with multiple serrated noses all over its body. Maxime's whip made short work of it, shattering it like cheap glass, but Kuyas-Nakor emerged scratch free.

Nokhi- Grade 0/5000 Power/5000 Shield/Draw Trigger

Defense- 15000

"That was a puzzling move," Nat blinked. "Why on earth wouldn't he boost Maxime?"

"Because of Cuthbert," Erica offered. "Sean's got a way to kickstart another combo with him, and he needs that rearguard standing to make the most out of it."

"Let's hope so."

Buzz continued chortling to himself as he moved his card to the drop zone. "You may not be any good, but you are hilarious. Come on, mister comedian, what other zingers do you have?"

Sean cleared his throat. "Next, Hildred boosts Cuthbert-"

"Oh, you remembered to boost this time! Good boy."

"-and I'm activating Cuthbert's battle skill. When Cuthbert attacks, I can soul blast one to draw a card, then call a card from my hand with the same or lower grade than my vanguard."

Even with the sunglasses on, Sean could tell Buzz was blinking in disbelief. The boy's face slackened, losing most of its undue gusto. "You can what?"

"After drawing, I superior call Adair over Maxime. Cuthbert's skill gives him 3000 Power, and his own passive gives him another 3000 Power. Maxime is retired." Maxime knelt down, fading into stardust. Before the last few specs even left, Cuthbert put his fingers to his lips and let out a sharp whistle, summoning yet another javelin of light. In Maxime's place emerged the previous leader of the Royal ranks, clanging his gauntlets together in a show of strength.

"Woah," Adam awed. "He just squeezed an extra attack at only grade 2."

"Told you," Erica smiled. "Sean stayed up for nights tinkering with that skill."

"With Hildred's support, Cuthbert is coming in," Sean finished. Cuthbert took a firm stance, preparing his lance carefully before tossing it with as much might as he could muster. It sailed through the air like a light pilum, looking to skewer Kuyas-Nakor.

Strength- 23000

Buzz growled. "Think you're smart, huh? Whatever, I don't guard." Cuthbert's lance pierced his target with prejudice, just above its singular eye. The dragon shrieked and writhed as if it was skewered with cold steel. With a flick of his wrist, Cuthbert pulled his lance back to him, dragging drops of black blood with him. "Damage check...no trigger."

"At the end of the battle she boosted, if I have no open rearguard circles, I can move Hildred to my soul to draw a card and give another unit 3000 Power. I chose Adair."

"Jesus," Buzz ticked. "How many times are you going to pump up that stupid thing?"

"Next, with a boost from Rubingal, Gawain attacks Kuyas-Nakor." Gawain lifted his blade, effortlessly reeling it back, less like a greatsword and more like a child's toy. The sword began to glow with a piercing white light, easily illuminating the grey light around him. Like Cuthbert, Gawain took a firm stance, aiming squarely for the eldritch dragon.

Strength- 23000

Buzz looked at his hand. He'd need most of the cards in his hand for a killer offense next turn, but he couldn't just keep letting his opponent pummel away at him like this. He'd have enough to block the next attack as long as there was no drive trigger in the works. "Not guarding that either. Bring it."

Sean nodded. "Drive check...no trigger." Well, that's disappointing. All that searching and thinning and I still whiffed it. Gawain, letting out a mighty cry, swung his greatsword in a giant arc, sending a razor-sharp energy wave rocketing towards his opponent. It cut through Kuyas-Nakor with ease, nearly severing one of it's heads clean from it's body. As it began to crumble, however, tendrils from the neck reached out and mended the wound quickly. It was a bizarre display of truly alien biology, but not one that could save Kuyas-Nakor from the pain.

"Damage check...nothing. Crap…"

"Finally, I'll have Saphrigal boost Adair for one last attack on Kuyas-Nakor." Adair took a few steps back, then belted out from a running gait to take a soaring leap towards the enemy vanguard. Gauntlets at the ready, he would do to Kuyas-Nakor what he did to Obik-Utomas

Strength- 25000

"Now or never," Buzz huffed. "I guard with Vigilance Collapse Horror, Rakem-Ijis, and Ikun-Isok will step in with an intercept. Ikun-Isok gains 5k Shield for each of your drained circles." With what energy he had left in him, Kuyas-Nakor let out a warbling wail, bringing forth two defenders- one from the field, and one from a rift. Adair rammed his gauntlets into both invaders, causing them to crumble into billows of red mist, but when the warrior tried to push the assault, he was easily repulsed by a pair of snapping bites from Kuyas-Nakor. Sensing some mortal peril for his subordinate, Gawain let out a whistle, signaling Adair to turn back until it was too late.

Rakem-Ijis - Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield

Defense- 30000

"When Ikun-Isok is retired from GC, I can soul blast one and bind him to draw a card."

"Aw, man," Lucas groaned. "I thought Sean was about to get a huge leg up.

"Shades really knows his stuff," Sal admitted, "but that combo with Adair shows that Sean's giving him a hard time, too."

"I end my turn," Sean announced. As the turn passed over, the color slowly began to return to Gawain's side of the battlefield, warmth flowing back in.

End of Turn 4

Hand Count- Buzz 5, Sean 7

Damage Count- Buzz 3, Sean 2