Chapter 23: Trial by Fire
Following Otohime's instructions, the travelers made their way to the center of the duel world. Sure enough, there was a large gate standing in their way.
"Well, that figures. Guess this is our way out."
"So, do we knock, or..."
"Welcome, travelers."
Appearing in a puff of smoke was the guardian of this world. To say our heroes were surprised by his appearance would be an understatement. He appeared to be an anthropomorphic fish wearing armor, a spear pointed at them in warning.
"Are you the guardian we have to beat in order to move forward?"
"I am. I am the Shell Guardian Savan. In order to pass through my gate, all you must do is beat me in a duel..."
"Is that it? Piece of cake."
"...With a catch."
Everyone glared at Jaden, who could only chuckle nervously.
"Fear not, it is nothing dangerous. The rules are the same, but we each start with 2000 life points instead of 8000. Or 4000, as you would be used to. Now, who shall challenge me?"
Jaden was about to step forward, only to be pushed back by Bastion.
"I accept your challenge!"
"Aw man, I wanted to duel him!"
"Sorry Jaden, but this challenge was meant for me."
"I admire your courage, traveler, but none have ever beaten me."
"Then allow me to be the first."
DUEL!
Bastion: 2000
Savan: 2000
"You may make the first move."
"Thank you. I draw!"
Perfect! I'll have us out of here in a matter of minutes with this hand."
"I'll start by setting one monster face down. Next, I set two cards face down and activate the spell card Dark Room of Nightmare! I'll end my turn."
"Not a bad start, but not a good one either. First, I'll play Goblin Thief! This takes 500 of your life points and gives them directly to me."
Their audience gasped in shock.
"Aw man, Bastion's already low on life points! If this guy has more cards like that, he'll never win!"
"That must be his strategy, dealing damage to his opponent while healing himself. This won't be good for him."
Bastion, on the other hand, remained undaunted.
"Not bad, but I expected a play like that. I activate my trap card, Bad Reaction to Simochi! Now, anytime your life points would increase, you lose life points equal to that amount instead!"
"What?!"
Bastion and Savan both cringed slightly as a red aura enveloped them, draining them of their life points.
Savan: 1500
Bastion: 1500
"And don't forget, when you lose life points because of an effect, you lose an extra 300."
Savan: 1200
Savan carefully picked himself, studying his hand to try and plan his next move.
This could be troublesome. With that Bad Reaction card of his, I can't increase my life points. And I bet he's got more burn cards in his deck. I'll need to be careful.
"I summon Blazing Impachi (1850/0) in attack mode! Attack his face down!"
The burning golem rammed its flame fist into Bastion's face down, revealing a burnt out version of itself (100/2100). The smoldering golem blocked the attack, sending a small fireball right back at the guardian, pushing him back.
Savan: 950
"Grr, I'll play Swords of Revealing Light! Then I'll set one card face down and end my turn."
"Well, this has been fun, old chap, but I really must be going. I tribute my Charcoal Impachi to summon Thestalos the Firestorm Monarch (2400/1000) in attack mode!"
Everyone gasped in awe as the king of flame rose up onto the field in a storm of fire.
"And of course, I'll activate his effect, allowing me to destroy a card in your hand. The one in the middle, if you'd please."
Savan cringed as the fireball burned away his Stone Statue of the Aztecs.
"And since that was a monster, you lose 100 life points for each of his levels, so that'll be 400 more points of damage, not to mention an extra 300 from my Dark Room of Nightmare."
Savan cried out in pain as the fireball erupted, consuming him briefly before snuffing itself out. He didn't have much time to recover, however, as the red aura from Bastion's spell card sapped more of his strength, causing him to double over in pain.
Savan: 250
Despite his pain, Savan rose to his feet, propping himself up with his spear.
"I'm still in this, and my spell will make sure I stay in it for another 3 turns! More than enough time to finish you off."
"Perhaps, if it weren't for my final trap card. I activate the trap card Spiritual Fire Art- Kurenai! By tributing Thestalos, you take damage equal to his original attack! This duel is over."
Thestalos disappeared in a massive wall of fire, which hurled itself at the guardian. Savan could only brace himelf as the flames hit him, sending him flying into his own gate.
Savan: 0000
Bastion wins!
Despite the pain, Savan rose himself to his feet, bowing to Bastion in recognition of his defeat.
"Congratulations, traveler. All of you may pass."
Slowly, the gate opened, revealing the pathway to the next world. The seven nodded to the guardian as they made their way through, Savan watching them as they went.
"They sure are an interesting lot. I just hope they have the skills to make it..."
