"I stand and draw," Shu began. He took a brief moment to consider his next moves. Sure, he had the advantage of hitting grade 3 first, but given how hard Yuri was already hitting, he needed to find a way to leverage this turn to blunt any effective counterattacks. This'd require a bit of finesse, as it was walking a tightrope between putting on the pressure and not leaving himself open.

"Yo, Yuri," a familiar voice crept in. Shu was temporarily pried from his planning to find that the bouncers from before had come over to watch. Carter was surveying the scene, dragging his eyes from card to card, nodding occasionally.

"Jesse and Carter," Yuri greeted cordially. "Guessing you got bored with door duty?"

Jesse did the talking. "Kinda. Reese offered to cover so we could actually see what's going on, so we jumped. Who's winning?"

"Not really sure, Jes," Carter answered. "No one's grade 3 yet, so we don't really have an idea on who-"

"Didn't ask you, I asked Yuri."

Yuri smiled slyly. "Not really sure, Jes. Shu here was just about to go grade 3, but until he does, we don't really have an idea-"

"Come on, man," Jesse grumbled lamely.

Carter chuckled in vindication before pivoting to address Shu. "So let's see what you got, new guy. Who's your ace?"

"You're about to meet him," Shu shrugged. "Do you guys do ride chants?"

"We don't judge," Yuri encouraged. "Go ham."

"Well then, get ready to meet the ultimate oceanic overlord. Tremble before fear incarnate, rising from the cold waters of Styx to deliver the timeless message of 'get off my lawn-'"

"Nice."

"I ride Abyssal Trench Admiral, Father Dagon."

Kassogtha let out a chilling laugh. "Your time in this plane draws to its close. He will rise…"

"What?" Denebola barked. "Who will rise? From what?"

Kassogtha gave no answer, instead chuckling as she melted into an ethereal puddle and slinked back into the ocean's black waves. Suddenly, a giant geyser of otherworldly flames and frigid waters erupted in front of the rock island, blinding the Link Joker battalion with a blanket of mists, runes, and phantom sparks. As the squall calmed, the newest vanguard could be seen making his spine-chilling entrance. Cutting the skies at a near 12-feet-tall, he looked like a monstrous hybrid of a naga and a sea-serpent, covered in hardened seafoam-green scales and marked with ridges of fins. His eyes were pure red, and grotesquely bulbous. His blood-red uniform was ancient but in pristine condition, crossed by the occasional bit of broken cold-steel chains.

"That's...impossible," Denebola growled hoarsely. "All data shows you died millennia ago!"

Dagon smiled, revealing rows upon rows of needle-like teeth. "Death is no barrier for those with the will to conquer it." He twirled his weapon of choice- a double ended trident decorated with runes of long lost origins and alight with hellish flames- before letting out a feral shriek. "You lack that will, and thus shall be erased!"

Father Dagon- Grade 3/12000 Power/0 Shield/Protect Marker

"By riding him, I get a Protect I Gift for my hand. Next, I'm using Y'lla's skill from the soul- by moving him to the drop zone, I can return up to three cards from my drop to the bottom of my deck, then mill the same number. Returning...three."

"All triggers, of course," Yuri noted.

"Yep. Shuffling, and since I returned three, I can draw. Next, Dagon's once-per-turn skill- by soul blasting two cards, I can search my deck for two different Abyssal Trench units and dump them straight into the drop zone. Sending...Abyssal Trench Colossus, Shipwreck Homunculus, and...Abyssal Trench Sea Dragon, Hades Leviathan."

"That's a good combo," Carter noted, impressed. "He put back a lot of cards he wanted for later, and thinned his deck of cards he didn't. That's going to make pulling a trigger way easier."

"And given that this is Granblue," Jesse added, "I'm guessing he'll get use out of the cards he just dumped sooner or later."

"Oh, it's going to be 'sooner,'" Shu quipped. "Like, now. Since Dagon's mill was successful, he gets 10k and a crit for every ten cards in my drop. Since there are 13, my vanguard's now at 22k with double damage."

"That fish is pretty damn strong to have a skill like that," Carter murmured.

"Not done. First I move Psucharwl back, then use Shipwreck's skill. When he's in my drop, I can move another Abyssal Trench unit from my drop to the bottom of my deck to call him to RC. And when I do that, I can soul blast one to tack on 1k for each card in my drop. That means this bad boy will be swinging in at 24k by himself. And both Doilauch and Psuchawrl share a similar skill- by moving a different Abyssal Trench unit from drop to the bottom of my deck and milling one for each, I can superior call them. Doiluach gets 6k for that, and Psucharwl gets 4k."

"Oh dear," Yuri chuckled uneasily. "That's a big ol' zombie army. Starting to think I'm in danger."

"It's only going to get worse. I call Nipamgam to tie a bow around my main phase.

Dagon planted his trident into the rock island before shutting his eyes. "Those who know death's truth," he muttered, before raising both arms to the sky, "HEED MY CALL!" A massive wave of eldritch energy washed over his platform from the seas and skies, swallowing the island in billowing waves of black magic. From the obscure mists rose a triad of terrifying creatures, each molding itself out of some black sludge. Doilauch and another Psucharwl could be spotted, but the newest one was a ghastly sight- a roughshod golem made of nothing but the wreckages of old ships, held together with rune etchings and what felt like palpable hatred and anger. Disturbingly, it sported an enormous organic eye in the middle of its head, bloodshot and bulging.

Shipwreck Homunculus- Grade 3/12000 Power/0 Shield/Protect Marker

"For us," Dagon explained, "death is a toothless tiger. Understand His Word, and death's door is no more an obstacle than a garden wall. But for you, who remain ignorant of His wonders," he chuckled darkly, "death is indeed the ultimate punishment." He picked up his trident and barked his first order. "My first Psucharwl will boost Doilauch, spearheading the offensive!" The deep-sea swordsman gurgled and wailed before setting off, flailing his longsword in all directions as he ran across the waters at inhuman speeds.

"Activating Doilauch's battle skill- by milling two, I add one extra crit to this attack."

Strength- 23000/2 Critical

Yuri nodded. That significant buff made an otherwise unthreatening attack into something he couldn't let through without jeopardizing the game. Given the rest of Shu's board, he had to block it. "I guard with Starcrosser Bodyguard, Rigel."

Rigel- Grade 0/5000 Power/15000 Shield/Critical Trigger

Defense- 25000

"Since I used Doilauch's battle skill, he's moved to my soul at the end of the battle. Next, I'm having my other Psucharwl boost Shipwreck Homunculus for another attack on your vanguard."

Strength- 36000

"Uh oh," Carter muttered. "Attacking with both rearguards before vanguard is a sign that he's got something huge planned."

"No kidding," Jesse agreed. "But Granblue doesn't really restand stuff, does it? What's up his sleeve?"

Yuri must've been wondering the same thing, since there was a gap between Shu's declaration and his response. Finally, he shook his head. "Not guarding that."

The golem of flotsam roared, it's singular eye glowing with the intensity of a white dwarf. After a few seconds of charging, it fired an ocular beam towards the Starcrosser formation, heat so intense it felt more like a solar prominence than a simple energy blast. Denebola bore the brunt of the burst, feeling like he was being baked in a giant solar furnace. He could barely hear his subordinates' worried chatter over the ringing in his ears.

"Damage check," he groaned. "Negative. Repeat, no trigger."

Dagon shook his trident like a shaman's staff. "Nipamgam, on me! And as for you," he said, pointing to a still reeling Denebola, "soon you will grasp the futility of fighting His Word!" He tossed his trident skyward like a baton before shrieking another arcane, unpronounceable incantation. "COME!" he finally cried in Common. On his flanks, great pillars of phantom flames erupted, forcing two new bodies to the surface.

"What the-" Denebola gaped. "More of them?" The pair of warriors lurched from the shadows- one was another Kassogtha, the other was a bloated undead strongman, covered in loose rags, plenty of spare ammo, and carrying a huge brass cannon like a brute carries a minigun.

Dagon let out a chilling laugh. "Kassogtha and Abyssal Trench Cannoneer, Negroblast join the fray." Without looking, he caught his trident on it's way back down, his weapon now aglow with rings of runes. In one swift motion, he trusted it forward, unleashing a torrent of black waves upon his enemy. "Perish!"

Negroblast- Grade 2/9000 Power/5000 Shield

Strength- 30000/2 Critical

"Using Dagon's skill, I counter blast one to call two cards from my drop zone to RC and buff them by 5k each, as long as they return to the bottom of my deck at the end of my turn. Next, I use Negroblast's on-place skill- soul blasting one card to give him an extra 5k Power." Shu smiled slightly to himself. "Five attacks. Not the best setup, but it's enough for now."

"Five attacks against a grade 2 vanguard is...unfair," Jesse awed.

"Like hell," scoffed Carter. "Tons of decks do that. My deck does that."

"Granblue usually hasn't. And he hasn't even checked for triggers, so Yuri could be in serious trouble."

"...Yeah, that's true."

"Hate to ruin you having fun bullying my grade 2," Yuri finally said, "but I'm using my PG. With Starcrosser Shieldbearer, Altair, I nullify Dagon's attack."

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

Defense- Perfect Guard

Shu shrugged. "Well, I think I've done enough filtering and thinning that I can still make the twin drive count. Alright, first check...Marine Deity of Safe Passage, Ungud, a heal trigger! Power is pumped straight to Negroblast, and I recover one damage. Second...Abyssal Trench Treasure, Gnawing Sabre, a critical trigger! All effects to Kassogtha!"

"Double triggers?" Jesse sighed. "Great, this guy still has his beginner's luck."

"Like hell," Carter objected. "He shredded a ton of his deck just to get here. Pretty sure he dug through enough to just stack 'em."

"Time for the second wave," Shu continued. "I attack with Kassogtha next, and use her battle skill- milling two to add 5k to the attack."

Strength- 29000/2 Critical

Yuri smirked. "Oh, you'll love this. I guard with my Critical Defender, Black Hole Monk from the Great Beyond." He slapped a shiny looking trigger down on his guardian circle. "Defenders can only be called when my opponent's vanguard is grade 3 or greater, but it's worth it. See, this bad mother can choose one of my opponent's units, and take away two Critical. This means Kassogtha's haymaker now does a whopping zero damage."

Black Hole Monk from the Great Beyond- Grade 0/4000 Power/15000 Shield/Critical Trigger

Shu nodded, impressed. "Nice move- you didn't have enough to block it, so you just took away the impact. Well, at the end of the battle I used Kassogtha's battle skill, she has to be moved to my soul. Next comes Negroblast, but I think I've soften you up enough to make this a surefire hit."

Strength- 29000

Yuri looked at the remaining three cards in his hand. Even if it was enough to stop it, why bother? He needed the counter blasts, and he wasn't really in terrible danger even if he let the score get a bit lopsided. "Nah, no guard here. Damage check...hey, another Altair. Kinda needed that earlier, but an extra draw is an extra draw."

"Since it's the end of my turn, I move Negroblast to the bottom of my deck as part of Dagon's skill. Over to you, good sir."

End of Turn 5

Hand Count- Shu 8 (7 cards, 1 marker), Yuri 4

Damage Count- Shu 2 Yuri 4

"Why, thank you, sirrah. Stand and draw." Yuri examined his hand and board for a moment before smiling ruefully. "Man, I can't remember the last time someone had my back against the wall this bad. I mean, down two damage and up against an eighth-card defense? You know your stuff." He plucked a card from his hand. "But that just means I have to hit you with everything. So…"

"Go time?"

"Go time indeed. The maestro of interstellar warfare is about to conduct another masterpiece. Let's see you deal with the gigantic force that is the Prime Starcrosser Beast King, Regulus Chimera. I ride, well, Regulus Chimera."

All supporting guns of the Supreme Starcrosser fired simultaneously, engulfing the holo-platform with a thick stream of highly charged energy. Even Dagon had to close his eyes to avoid some sort of discomfort. When he opened them, the weakened and battered Denebola had given way to a much more regal figure. A towering behemoth of a beast, the 20-foot-tall warrior had the lower body of a dragon (whip tail and all), a finely armored humanoid torso emblazoned with a mighty interstellar engine, huge horns like a ibex, fangs like a tiger, and the flowing mane of an overgrown lion. He carried a huge warhammer in his hands, seemingly housing another one of the weaponized engines if the similar glow as any indication. It stretches its wings, an impressive melding of starcraft parts and organic leather.

Regulus Chimera- Grade 3/13000 Power/0 Shield/Force Marker

"You claim to transcend death, but no macabre power can match the might of the Arcturus Engine 2.0! Now fear the roar of the unlock!"

Dagon scoffed, unmoved. "Prattle and empty fury of an ignorant child…" he dismissed.

"Time to get to work. First, I gain a Force III marker for my VC, adding one drive to my vanguard as long as the checked card goes to the bottom of my deck. I move Gienah up, then use his main phase skill. I soul blast one card and lock him to counter charge one and draw a card." Yuri looked at his top draw, smiling. "Mmm, that's some good topdecking. I'm calling Hamal over Saiph, and using his skill- I counter blast one and lock him to give Regulus an extra critical for the turn."

Shu took note of the board's state. "Both of your front row RC are locked down, and since you're powering up your vanguard, you're likely going for a big attack over several smaller ones." He waved the Protect marker in his hand. "I've seen you play well enough that you didn't forget about this guy."

"You smell a rat?"

"Something's up, but this is Vanguard. Something's always up."

"True enough. I call Zaurac, and use his skill- by counter blasting one and locking him, I can bounce two Starcrossers from my drop zone, then call one as a locked card. Bouncing Altais and Altair, then calling Altais as the locked one. Finally, I'm using Regulus's once-per-turn skill- with one counter blast, I search my deck for one Starcrosser and call it as a locked card. I superior call Nath as a locked card."

Shu nodded. Regulus is surrounded by locked cards. Again, he wouldn't be doing this just to cripple his chances. His boss must have some way to unlock all that.

"He's set it up," Jesse said. "It may not kill, but it'll hurt."

"Hmm?"

"I'd keep my eyes on the game, if I were you," Carter warned. "Shit's gonna hit the fan."

Regulus, undaunted that he stood alone against Dagon's fleet, spun his warhammer. "I don't care who you are, how you're here, or what in the world 'His Word' is! For striking out at the Starcrossers, your punishment can only be a destructive end!" He reared his massive weapon. "I attack, and pay the cost to activate the Arcturus Engine 2.0! Soul blast one and discard…" He brought the hammer down full force in front of him, sending out a pulsing shockwave across his formation. "AWAKEN! ROAR OF REBIRTH!"

And with that cry, the black spheres that surrounded him disappeared into bursts of light. Each gave way to a warrior held in the icy grip of lock no longer, all ready for battle.

"An amusing trick," Dagon sneered. "Perhaps you'll pull a rabbit out of your hat next?"

"For all that droning about 'His Word,' you don't notice much." Regulus raised his hammer again- this time, the head glowed with an intensity only seen in supernovas. "With locks released, there's nothing stopping us!"

"Be patient- I have a lot of skills to resolve in a specific order. First, Regulus- for every card unlocked, the front row gets 3k, and for every two, Regulus gets another drive check. And since I unlocked five-"

Shu blinked, realizing how quickly his fortunes were changing. "That's a 15k buff for your front row and quad drive."

"Technically five-drive, thanks to the Force III. But that's only the start- when Gienah's unlocked, he gives my vanguard another drive check, giving me six checks this turn. When Hamal's unlocked, he gets an extra 10k and can retire one of your rearguards. I choose Nipamgam."

Shu moved his rearguard to the drop zone.. Good move. Nipamgam can't really revive itself like the others can.

"My back row buddies also get buffed- Nath gains 5k when unlocked, and with a counter blast, Altais gains 10k and can attack from the back row."

"That's...hang on, you get six drive checks and four attacks this turn after locking yourself down?"

"This coming from mister five-attacks-against-a-poor-grade-2?"

"But you gotta admit, that's pretty nuts, right?"

"Absolutely, but people don't win by being 'fair.' So, what are you gonna do against Regulus?"

Strength- 28000/2 Critical/6 drive (5 natural, 1 Force)

"What else can I do? Can't have you stacking crits that easy. I'm nullifying the attack with my Protect I Gift."

Defense- Perfect Guard

Yuri shrugged. "Yeah, I saw that coming. Still, I got a boatload of triggers to check for, so let's get to it. First...second...Starcrosser First Responder, Betelgeuse, a heal trigger! I recover one, and give the Power to Altais! Third...fourth...Rigel, a critical trigger! All effects to Gienah! Fifth...Black Hole Monk, another crit! Everything to Hamal! And finally, sixth...no trigger. That's going to the bottom of my deck thanks to the Force III marker."

"Well, crap," Carter awed. "That's a huge buff for everything on Yuri's field. That Shu guy's in real trouble."

"I dunno," Jesse remarked. "He's got a lot of cards in hand and can take four more damage. I'd say he can take any of the attacks as long as he blocks the rest."

"Uh huh, and what's he gonna do when he starts the next turn with no cards in hand?"

"Dude's playing Granblue. I'm sure he can build a field from scratch with just the drop zone."

Yuri looked at his gorged hand and smiled. "Much better. I felt a bit light on cards, to be honest. Now to get rid of some of yours- Altais launches an attack from the back row."

Strength- 28000

Shu drew up a hasty defensive plan in his head. The spectators were right- as long as he could the other two, he could take one of the more brutal blows. Besides, he had everything he needed in his drop zone to finish it if he survived. He just had to be careful with what he guarded with. "28k," he repeated to himself. "I'll need 20k worth of Shield for that, so...I'll guard with Abyssal Trench Treasure, Sight Jewels and Gnawing Saber."

Sight Jewels- Grade 0/5000 Power/5000 Shield/Draw Trigger

Defense- 32000

"Alrighty, then I'll have Zaurac lend his support to Gienah for another attack. This one's a wee bit bigger."

Strength- 46000/2 Critical

"Well, you showed me your Defender, now I'm showing you mine. I'll guard the attack with my Heal Defender- Marine Deity of Safe Passage, Ungud. Since your vanguard is grade 3, her Shield skyrockets to 40k."

Ungud- Grade 0/4000 Power/15000 Shield/Heal Trigger

Defense- 52000

"Stubborn little thing, aren't we? Well, good luck blocking this- Nath boosts Hamal for one final push against Dagon."

Strength- 61000/2 Critical

"Yeesh, not guarding against that. Damage check one...then two...crap, it's Abyssal Trench Companion, Sweeney the Ghostie. Kinda needed that for the next turn."

"Well, that's the end of my turn. As cost for Hamal's buff, I move him to my soul, and since I used Gienah's skill this turn, I bind him." Yuri sighed. "Well, you can protect as well as attack, but with three damage to go and an eight card hand, I think I can take it. Over to you."

End of Turn 6

Hand Count- Shu 3, Yuri 8

Damage Count- Shu 4, Yuri 3

Shu sighed. "I kinda hate that you're right. Shocking that they greenlit a boss that can get six drive checks, but as someone who is my boss, I shouldn't complain."

"Ain't that the truth."

"I stand and draw." Shu looked at his fresh draw. Bupkis. Guess I'm running out of stuff I want in my deck. Thank Gyze for the drop zone. "I'll start by riding Dagon on top of my old one. That nets me a new Protect I Gift for my hand."

Jesse blinked. "Why ride the same card? Is it just for another PG? It's already iffy thinking he'll live next turn anyway."

"It's because of the soul, you dumbass," Carter sighed. "Dagon's skill is good, but needs a lot of soul. If he didn't reride, he'd use all his soul on one skill and have none left over for anything else."

"Give a point to the world's tallest boy," Shu said. "Anyway, I'm using Shipwreck Homunculus's skill from the drop zone- moving another Abyssal Trench unit from drop to the bottom of my deck to superior call him, then soul blasting one to draw a card and give the dude an extra...let's see...18k for the turn. Using the same skills on Doilauch and Psucharwl- move two Abyssal Trench units from drop to the bottom of my deck to superior call each, mill one for each, and give 6k to Doilauch and 4k to Psucharwl."

"Oh boy, the walkers are back," Yuri chuckled. "But I guess they wouldn't be much of an army of the damned if they quit."

"You know it. Activating Dagon's skill- I soul blast two cards to send two Abyssal Trench units from my deck to my drop zone. Sending...another Dagon, and...Abyssal Trench Signal Flare, Conalem. Shuffling, and since there are twenty cards in my drop zone, Dagon gets a 20k buff, as well as two extra crits this turn."

"Big boy, but I think I'm ready."

"We'll see. Finally time for combat- first, I'm having my fresh Psucharwl boost Doilauch. With Doilauch's skill, I can mill two to add a crit to this attack."

Strength- 27000/2 Critical

"Shutting that down with Rigel."

Defense- 28000

"Doiluach moves to the soul as cost for his skill. Next, I'll have my unboosted Psucharwl lend his support to Shipwreck."

Strength- 38000

Yuri weighed his options. He didn't have enough in hand to block everything, but at three damage, he could take two vanilla blows and have enough for a comeback next turn. "Yeah, that's a 'no guard' from me. Damage check...no trigger."

"Attacking with Dagon, and activating his battle skill- I counter blast one to call two units from my drop zone and give each 5k. First, I call a Negroblast, and use his skill- soul blast a card to add another 5k to him. Second, I call Conalem."

Conalem- Grade 1/8000 Power/10000 Shield

"When Conalem is placed from the drop zone, I can counter blast one and mill a card to call another Abyssal Trench unit from my drop zone. Calling a second Negroblast, but since I'm out of soul, he won't be getting anything extra. Still, this attack is massive."

Strength- 32000/3 Critical

"Ooh, I think I can't stop that. Guarding with Black Hole Monk, knocking Dagon back down to 1 Crit, and adding Betelguese to the defense as well. Don't want you getting cheeky with any extra triggers."

Betelgeuse- Grade 0/5000 Power/20000 Shield/Heal Trigger

Shu nodded grimly. Thanks to that extra Shield, he'd have to pull a double trigger to even break through, and due to the Critical Defender, it might not even be worth it. He had a way out of this, but he'd still need a trigger to make the plan actually work. "Twin drive...first...no trigger. Second...come one, you sonuva...Sweeney the Ghostie, a critical trigger! Giving all effects to the Negroblast I didn't buff!"

"That's a nice pull," Yuri admitted, "but that's not going to be enough to clinch the game."

"No...but this is."

"Huh?"

"Activating Hades Leviathan's skill from the drop zone- at the end of the battle my grade 3 vanguard attacked another grade 3 vanguard, and if there's ten or more cards in my drop zone, I can discard two cards from my hand and return six cards from my drop zone to my deck to ride him as stand and buff my front row by 10k."

"Huh?"

"He's sailed through Styx, braving mountains of the damned to wreak vengeance on the living. Superior ride- Abyssal Trench Sea Dragon, Hades Leviathan!"

Dagon clutched his head, dropping his trident as he groaned and contorted in pain. His weapon turned to seafoam as it clattered on the rock, and Dagon himself seemed to be literally melting away. "His will...must be enacted…" he hissed, pained. "His work...must be done!" With a final howl of agony, he disappeared into a massive tidal surge that was kicking itself upwards. For a few seconds, the Supreme Starcrosser and its crew was completely blinded by the wall of water. Whatever would pop out on the other side, Regulus thought, wouldn't be a pleasant sight.

And when the water finally settled in a chilling rain, his suspicions proved correct. "Mother of Stark…"

It was the largest sea monster Regulus or any of his comrades had ever seen. It easily towered over the rest of the battlefield, a colossus of abominable fear. Coated in some sort of black-green shell like a giant crustacean, the serpentine part of the monster's body coiled around the arena, covered in tentacles and protruding lamprey-like appendages. A huge mane of tendrils ran down it's neck and spinal column of it's humanoid upper half, and razor-like spikes ran along each of its four arms. It opened all six of its eyes, each of such size that they looked like extra moons in the night sky. As it opened it's elongated mouth, rows upon rows of teeth, strung with shipwreck bits and dead ocean life, could be seen.

Hades Leviathan- Grade 3/12000 Power/0 Shield/Protect Marker

Nath gulped. "I don't think we're going to make it out of this one, chief," he said over the comms.

Regulus nodded grimly. "Have those that can evacuate begin to do so." He gripped his warhammer tighter, raising it in defiance. "I'll do what I can to hold that...thing, off."

"By riding Hades Leviathan, I get a Protect I Gift for my hand."

"Sorry," Yuri chuckled uneasily. "Still kinda reeling from the fact that Granblue got a superior ride that does all...that."

"He cost me a pretty penny," Shu admitted, "but he's an amazing finisher. You really just need one of him, since Dagon can dump him."

"Sure, sure." Yuri looked at his hand. With the crit from the previous drive check and now the 10k front row boost, Shu had set up his front row for killing blows too big to stop. He probably returned a huge chunk of triggers to his deck as well, making trigger bonuses a near guarantee. Even with a sentinel in hand, he was up a creek. Shu had completely swung the game in his favor, and unless Yuri got lucky on his damage checks, he was doomed.

"Welp," Carter shrugged, "Yuri's done. I'm heading back to the door; the break's gone on long enough."

"In a minute," Carter waved. "I want to see the end of this."

"Why? Ain't no bouncing back from this."

"I know. I just never seen Yuri lose before."

"Lose to you, maybe."

"Like you've beaten him?"

"With a boost from Conalem," Shu announced, "I'm having Hades Leviathan attack Regulus."

Strength- 35000

Yuri breathed out. "Guess I'm sunk, but I still have one good play left. I'm nullifying the attack with Altair."

Defense- Perfect Guard

"I appreciate the fighting spirit, but I would've just eaten the attack. Twin drive, first...Sweeney, a critical trigger! Given everything to my Negroblast on the left. Second...Gnawing Saber, another crit! Everything to the Negroblast on the right."

Yuri laughed. "Saw that coming. Gosh, I hope I'm 'anime protag' enough to double heal."

"That'd be hilarious. Only one way to find out though- my supercharged Negroblast will fire away. With all the triggers, buffs from Dagon and Hades Leviathan, and his own skill, he's blasting you for 44k and 3 damage."

Strength- 44000/3 Critical

"And the other is swinging for two, meaning if I somehow block this, I'll still have to heal out. Well, I know when I'm beaten- no guard. Damage check one...damage two...holy crap, Betelguese, a heal trigger!"

"No way!" Shu grinned. "Pull the next one!"

"I'm trying! Third...aw, no trigger. No protag powers for me."

The Hades Leviathan opened its maw, and let out a booming but indescribable sound that couldn't be attributed to any known language or culture. As if on command, both Negroblasts leveled their guns and let loose with an impossibly fast barrage of cannon fire. Each ball landed with an explosion of hellish green flame, bathing the Starcrosser position in an inferno of otherworldly death and destruction. The sea serpent let out another noise- too shrill to be a roar but too menacing to be a screech- and the shelling ceased. As the flames cleared, all that was left was a wounded Regulus, armor in smoking scraps and warhammer split in twain.

Regulus grunted, some blood dripping down his mouth. "You've won," he rumbled. "But killing me will prove to be a grave mistake."

The Hades Leviathan hissed. "I have no intention of killing you, outworlder. Nor have I any intention of sinking your insult of a battleship."

Regulus tried to stand to face his would-be slayer, but was far too damaged. "Then why attack at all?"

"This is no attack. An attack would have resulted in annihilation. This is a warning."

"What?"

The sea serpent paused. "Heed His wisdom- the secrets of the parallel stars must remain untouched, lest they bring Cray's destruction." It blinked, and each ship that had surrounded the Supreme Starcrosser detached it's anchor, gradually sinking back below the waves. "Tend to your wounded. There will be no half-hearted measures next time."

"You," Regulus gasped, "that wasn't your full strength? This is your idea of mercy?!"

Hades Leviathan let out a sound that sounded like he was sneering before flicking his hands upwards, summoning an impenetrable wall of water. It disappeared as quickly as it came, but when it fell, nothing laid beyond it. No rock island, no undead warrior, and certainly no sea monster remained.

"Chief?! Chief, come in!" Regulus comm device was abuzz with worried cries.

"I'm...alive," he chuckled hoarsely. "But we need to get back to HQ immediately."

"What the hell were those things?"

"From the sound of it? A reckoning."

End of Turn 7

Hand Count- Shu 8 (6 cards, 2 markers), Yuri 3

Damage Count- Shu 4, Yuri 6

Shu wins

Yuri sighed in contentment. "Man, hadn't had a cardfight that fierce in ages. Thanks, man."

Shu smiled as he gathered his cards. "Well, glad it was also good for you. You really know your stuff."

"Same to you. Who taught you how to do all that?"

"Myself, mostly. Though I have a few other friends to help me out."

Yuri leaned forward. "Oh really? Sounds like you know some top notch sparring partners if you can hand my ass over to me that well."

"Sounds like you wanna meet them."

"Oh, yes please." He motioned around. "I mean, I'm as committed as Anita to expanding this place-"

"Doubt your as committed as Miss Paperwork-"

"-but there's only so many players here. I'd love to meet a new group of cardfighters. But," he sighed, this time in disappointment, "out only local store is from the Chain That Shall Not Be Named."

"CS?" Shu guessed.

Yuri nodded. "Apparently, it's gotten better, but it's such a low bar. It's like saying a bar is better because it's serving piss instead of bleach."

Shu nodded in turn. "Well, if that's the case, I know a good local place. A bit out of the way from here, but it's got a lot going for it."

"Any store with the Shu Seal of Approval has my interest. What's it called?"

"Meeple Village."

A/N: Surprise, a new card type! Defenders are specialized trigger units that were inspired by the Heal Guardians, and fueled by my desire to give the format (at least in fic) some more defensive options. Each type of Defender has a unique effect, so keep an eye out.