Chapter 22: An Underwater Brawl Part 2

Through the door, the seven travelers found a strange room full of strange symbols and objects. Sitting at the table was their host, with The Maiden of the Aqua standing behind her.

"Ah, welcome. Sorry about the boys, they mean well. Aqua here has informed me of your predicament. I believe I may be able to help."

"Really? Cool!"

"...Provided you can defeat me in a duel."

Chazz was incensed by her challenge.

"Oh no, we are not going through that again! You tell us how to get out of this place or..."

"I accept your challenge!"

Everyone face planted at Jaden's enthusiasm. Otohime chuckled in response.

"Interesting. Very well, prepare yourself."

GAME ON!

Jaden: 8000

Otohime: 8000

"You may make the first move."

"Thanks. I'll start by summoning Elemental Hero Stratos (1800/300) in attack mode! And due to his effect, I can add another Hero from my deck to my hand, and I choose Elemental Hero Ocean. I'll end my turn with two cards face down and end my turn."

"Nice play, now here's mine. Since you have a monster but I don't, I can special summon Cyber Dragon from my hand (2100/1600) in attack mode!"

Their audience gasped at seeing the mighty mechanical monster. They thought Zane was the only one to hold that card.

"Impressed? Next, I activate Colosseum of the Emperor! Now instead of sacrificing monsters, we can pay life points in order to summon high level monsters, 1000 per tribute. So I pay 200 life points (8000-6000) to summon Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi (2800/2900) in attack mode! Cyber Dragon, take out his Hero!"

"I don't think so! Go, Hero Barrier! This trap negates your attack."

"Not bad, but my Tsuchi will finish the job."

The mighty spirit smashed its fists into the ground, sending a wave of fire that consumed Jaden's hero.

Jaden: 7000

"I activate Hero Signal, letting me summon Elemental Hero Woodsman (1000/2000) in defense mode!"

"I'll end my turn with one card face down. At this point, Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi returns to my hand. Your move."

"Alright, my-"

"Oh, that reminds me. The turn after my flame spirit deals damage to you, you must discard your entire hand before you draw this turn."

"What? Ah man!"

So much for that plan. Oh well, I can still make this play at least...

"During the Standby Phase, Woodsman lets me add Polymerization from my deck to my hand. Next, I play Polymerization to fuse Woodsman with the Elemental Hero Avian in my hand to summon Elemental Hero Gaia (2200/2600) in attack mode!"

"Not bad, but it won't do much damage to me."

"Wanna bet? See, when Gaia is Fusion Summoned, I can cut your Dragon's attack in half (2100-1050) and give those points to him (2200-3250). Crush him, Gaia!"

The giant reared up its fist before slamming it down, crushing the mechanical dragon easily.

Otohime: 3800

"That ends my turn, and Gaia's attack points return to normal. You're up.

"He's good. But I'm better.

"I activate the spell card, Brain Control! I pay 800 life points to take control of your monster. Next, I sacrifice him to summon Dark Dusk Spirit! Attack him directly!"

Jaden groaned in pain as the zombie raked its thick nails across his chest.

Jaden: 4800

"My turn is over, and Dark Dusk Spirit returns to my hand. This duel isn't over yet!"

But when Jaden saw what his next card was, he knew just exactly what to do.

"Actually, it is! I activate Miracle Fusion, fusing the Sparkman and Stratos in my graveyard to summon Elemental Hero The Shining (2600/2100)!"

"So what? Even if you do attack directly, I'll still have life points left."

"Actually, you won't. See, The Shining gains 300 attack points for every hero I have removed from play, and right now there's 2, meaning he gains 600 points (2600-3200). Finish this duel!"

Otohime cringed slightly as the bright light enveloped her, blinding her as her life points hit zero.

Otohime: 0000

Jaden wins!

"Alright, we won the duel. Now tell us what you know."

Otohime, a woman of her word, drew them a map before handing it to Bastion.

"Follow this map, and you shall find the answers you seek. Good luck, travelers."

Bidding farewell to Otohime and the maiden, the seven adventurers set off for their next challenge.