Thanks for the reviews, guys! ^_^ This chapter's longer, but not by too much. Anyways, here goes!
Chapter 27: Up from the Sea"I'll draw one card," said Serenity. "Now I'll place one card facedown, and end my turn."
"It's my turn," said the cloaked figure. "Say goodbye to your Earth Guardian! Attack, Gate Dragon!"
The dragon flew out of the door a second time, snarling its challenge to the Earth Guardian.
"Tangled Vines, stop that dragon in its tracks!" said Serenity. Her facedown card lifted up as vines shot out from it and trapped Gate Dragon. "Tangled Vines not only stops your dragon's attack, but it lowers its attack strength six hundred points, making it weak enough for my Earth Guardian to destroy! And now, Terra, attack!"
"No! My Gate Dragon!" shrieked the cloaked figure as Terra easily destroyed the dragon.
"You can't do this to me! I, Nephilia, am the ruler of this castle!" she shouted as her life points dropped to 1700. She threw back the hood of her cloak. Nephilia was not much older than Yugi or Joey, and she was very pretty. She had long, dark green hair pulled back in a braid, and her eyes were sea-blue. However, they had a dark, empty look to them. Yami's eyes widened as he realized what it meant.
Yugi, he said. I can feel ancient magic at work here. There is a dark spell upon this place and all that inhabit it.
Can't you break it, Yami? asked Yugi.
No. Not unless Serenity wins this duel. Then it will be weak enough for me to destroy.
"No matter. I'll get even with this move," said Nephilia as she placed two cards on the field. "I activate the magic card Web of Silence. Web of Silence renders all of your trap cards useless!"
"Oh no!" exclaimed Serenity. "My trap cards!"
"But that's not all," said Nephilia. "With my other card, I summon the all-powerful Shira, the Spirit of the Sea!"
Shira materialized as a light blue, translucent image of a young woman, with her
face halfway obscured by her long hair. She wore a long robe, which gradually turned into shimmering waves of water that swirled about her feet. A crystal ball floated between her hands. She had originally had 2000 attack points and 2400 defense points, but with Floating Fortress on the field, her attack points rose to 2500.
"Show that pitiful Earth Guardian your true power," commanded Nephilia. Shira looked down at her orb, which shot out a powerful jet of water. It collided with Terra, destroying him instantly. Serenity's life points dropped to 1500 as Shira retreated to the safety of the fortress.
"My turn again," said Serenity as she composed herself after the attack. "I play Wandering Swordsman, in attack mode."
A red-haired samurai took the field and unsheathed his sword.
"Then I play this magic card, Sword of Light, which raises his attack power from 1900 to 2400!" said Serenity as she placed the card on the board.
Wandering Swordsman only has 1200 defense points, thought Serenity. But now he has 2400 attack points, which is more than enough to protect him from Shira's attacks.
"I see," said Nephilia. "You had hoped to buy some time by playing a monster with high attack points so my Spirit of the Sea couldn't destroy it. Well it won't work, because I play Song of the Nymphs, which raises Shira's attack points by half of what they are now! Shira now has an unbeatable attack strength of 3750! And now, Shira, destroy her Wandering Swordsman!"
Shira emerged from the Floating Fortress and shot out another surge of water.
Wandering Swordsman's image shuddered from the impact and broke into pieces as Serenity's life points dropped again. Hers were now down to 150, and Nephilia was in the lead with 1700.
That's all for this chapter. Serenity's in a little bit of trouble, don't you think? How's the duel coming so far? Is it good? Exciting enough? Let me know in your reviews.
Note: If any of you are Rurouni Kenshin fans, you'll probably notice the "Wandering Swordsman" card I made up. (I couldn't resist! ^_^)