Boss Rush

XXXIX: Cold Enchanter

From the southern hilltop, wild green and golden light spilled, falling over the landscape like a translucent garden, vines of green, golden flowers, flashes of other colours spread through them, clawing at the gentle ground, anchored here and there at points of light so vibrant and bright, like a birthing star for each. From the other side, cold blue and purple and greenish power spread like crystals of ice, with the slow and relentless power of a glacier, pressing ahead in some places, melted back in others, especially strong around the valley's winding rivers.

The conflict of energies both wound back to the hilltops themselves, to points of light like small suns. Just barely, the shadows of solid beings within could be glimpsed, and even those were an overwhelming presence. One was a sense of warmth, choking heat, so much breath was impossible, that it pressed into him and set him aflame. The other was of cold, horrible and absolute, winding cold limbs around, stealing away my strength. Those presences flooded through, sudden beauty, power so terrifying and exhilarating and awesome that he fell to his knees and sobbed.

Those powers played against one another – that was clearly apparent, though not the exact nature of the conflict. Energies wound about one another, subtle pressures of dark and light. Fields of red and gold and bright green, stood against empty, dead blocks of blue, purple, and pale white. A pattern had formed in them, a structure to the conflict that was not wholly complete. Most of a chessboard.

Only at the centre was the pattern broken, a solid area of Summer's power in green and gold around the Stone Table, while Winter's dark, crystalline ice slowly pressed closer, somehow in time with the almost undetectable motion of the stars overhead.

"We are power now, can you not see!" the battle was raging. "Winter sweeps the land as the epilogue begins-"

He was speaking, words that were not his own... "Glorious sun, shine your light, and your flames sweep the night-"

Red splashed against white, the clash of forces cancelling out in a sea of pink, then blue and gold turned green fire soon enough.

"Oh," that same voice murmured, now tinged with sadness. "What have you gotten yourself into...?"

Ryuusei awoke. "What was that?!"

Marguerite sat quietly by the window-seat. Beside her, the Dreamsprite slept the sleep of spirits, unknowing and peaceful. "Of what? A nightmare?"

"I saw... a valley, seething with power," Ryuusei explained. "Cold against warm, light against dark-"

"The valley of the Grasslands," Marguerite mused. "The Queens call it forth when the Courts desire to spill blood. I have not thought of it... not for a long time."

"They... create it?" Ryuusei looked askance at her.

"Of course. They are the Queens. Or the Queens were. Now, they are the rulers."

Ryuusei looked down. "I... people, Summer, they keep expecting me to have power. Exactly what kind of power am I supposed to have?"

Marguerite mused, a slender finger twirling her staff about one end. "Every ounce of strength I could have summoned would have been no more than a flickering spark beside either ruler of Summer or Winter. Power that had existed since the dawn of life, and would until its end. Power that had cowed mortals into abject worship and terror before. It would be power that weighs much, that only those of great will may temper, a mantle that chooses by the hand of fate."

"But it corrupts," he whispered.

"That, of course," Marguerite laughed. "And I wonder, sometimes, about why you claim such power. Perhaps it is as well, that you are... naïve. Weak."

"Gee, thanks," Ryuusei muttered.

"A strong man eventually loses all respect for power," Marguerite corrected. "But a weak man, he knows the effort placed into claiming power, there is respect for power evident behind his actions and choices, because the weak know. They know that power allows them choices, to decide their fate. That is why any who do not have power or freedom wants it."

"So do you?" Ryuusei posed.

"I have power, and as I age, I shall have more," Marguerite laughed, before her expression grew serious. "Was it necessary, calling upon the aid of the Envoys? They serve all of creation, and not merely just you and Queen Winter."

"I am the one who is supposed to rule," the boy sighed. "And they are forgetting. The sign of Chaos Soldier is a warning, you told me."

"And following that?" she questioned. "For all the ways of spirits, we are still beings subject to power plays and exchanges."

"Then we'll just have to find a way to win," Ryuusei muttered. "I mean, this gig is pretty permanent, isn't it? So doesn't it mean that they have to listen to me?"

Marguerite considered, a small smile on her lips. "Very good. Yet, you must know that having the cooperation of the court is something important. There are many who have overthrown their rulers as easily as they have assisted their rulers."

A companionable silence followed her words.

"There is much you are worried about," Marguerite studied. "And yet you do not vocalise it."

"There isn't a point," Ryuusei simply answered. "They will settle themselves sooner or later."

The Witch of the Time Flower gave a short laugh, her scent scattering for the coming autumn winds. "Spoken like the ruler of Summer, indeed. Perhaps, you might not be the ruler they want... but the one that they need."

"Can I give you a ride?"

It had sounded like a perfectly sincere offer, but Takeshi slowly began to back away from the black car and its equally dangerous passenger. "Alexianna will be riding with me to school, sorry."

Alexianna blinked. "What's wrong, Takeshi? I mean, she-"

"Lexy," Takeshi's voice was calm, despite one of his hands having curled into a fist. "Please tell Nee-chan and our guests that we had a surprise visitor and we're not buying."

Now the French girl looked pissed. "What-?"

"He's right, Alexianna," Setsuka lightly murmured, still in her car. "Please, by all means, inform Kaname-san that I was here to enquire about her continued membership in the Arcadia Movement."

"O- Oh..." Alexianna slowly backed into the apartment, leaving Takeshi to glare at the clearly unwelcome visitor.

"It looks like it's going to rain," Setsuka commented offhand. "Are you quite sure?"

"If I take your ride, I'll have to leave the Valhallander here," Takeshi's reply was short. "Get to the point, Shimotsuki. I don't want mind games today."

"Very well," Setsuka primly rearranged her hands on her lap. "I know about Abel Kinsman and Miyagi Avalon. I know that Team Ragnarok is now out of commission, and you are the sole member left standing."

"I... already know," Takeshi scowled.

"What you don't know, is that without two out of three of the Aesir wielded, the balance of the worlds becomes more precarious," Setsuka murmured. "I believe that they are a portent."

"Yeah, I knew that," Takeshi muttered. "So, what are you and... the other one going to do? Or are you just going to leave it to me to fix?"

"There are rats in the Arcadia Movement," Setsuka gave a small smile. "When I find them, I shall take the time to slowly explain to them the error of their ways. Until that time, try to find a new team and continue in the Stygian Dirge. Your... continued participation would be rendered even more vital in the coming days. I suppose now then, that all the pertinent facts are covered. Good day, Ishihara Takeshi."

As the car slowly drove away, Takeshi was left with the strangest feeling that he had just barely gotten away with his life.

"The engine will stall at this rate, Missy," Nakamura offered from the driver's seat as the temperature plummeted.

"I know," Setsuka sighed as she began to reign in her power. "I wonder if they actually got what I was asking..."

"But, Setsuka," Beside her, Michiru complained. "We haven't solved the problem of the old man yet! How am I supposed to make him tell me where's Mummy?"

"I told you, just ask," Setsuka airily replied. "But whether you will get an answer you want... well, that is a different story."

"What?" Michiru's face screwed up as she thought.

Before Setsuka could answer, there was a loud honking, and all three occupants turned to look at the dark-green D-Wheel beside them on the highway.

"What does he want?" Michiru commented as the dash began to rotate.

Field Magic, Speed World Two – Dual Magic, set on.
Lane Selection, searching for optimum, usable lane. Submitting duel lane to central.
Authorisation!

"Adrian Rodriguez," Setsuka growled as a screen slid out of the driver's seat to open up before her, revealing the standard card zones and a small screen by which she faced her impromptu opponent.

"Yo, little girl," the D-Wheeler greeted. "How 'bout a Riding Duel?"

"Today is a school day, you know."

"Shame. I have a few words for you from someone."

"Oh?"

"Kevin Dunames sends his apology, and hopes that his death appeases you," Adrian scowled as the Duel lane barriers slotted out to isolate them over the highways that stretched the expanse of Neo Domino City. "You killed him."

"Strange. I did not know that he was dead until you told me," Setsuka answered. "So he is dead, and he sends you to tell me his last words. I see you finally managed to get back into the human world."

"Don't screw around with me!" Adrian yelled. "We'll Duel, in the Field Spell that's going to be used in the Stygian Dirge, where Spells can be used as well as Speed Spells, Speed World Two – Dual Magic!"

"I see," Setsuka murmured. "Then I shall oblige you. However, by the end of it... don't blame me for any accidents you might have."

"Riding Duel, Acceleration!"

Adrian: LP 8000, SPC: 0

Setsuka: LP 8000, SPC: 0

"My turn, draw!" Adrian called. "I'll summon Oshaleon [1400/800] in attack mode! I'll then set two cards and end my turn."

"Draw," Setsuka answered within the car as she studied the brightly coloured frog. "Well, since you asked so kindly for the Dual Magic field..." Setsuka glanced at her hand. "I summon Defender of the Ice Barrier [200/1600] to the field. Then, I activate the quick-play Spell, Twin Pillars of Ice!"

"What?" Adrian clung onto his bike as two pillars of solid crystalline ice appeared by either side of the black car and the ice-armoured fox. "This is totally unfair... or not..."

"Twin Pillars of Ice will remain on the field as a Continuous Spell, with two Ice Pillar Counters," Setsuka elaborated. "Now, I activate the Spell, Soul-Infusing Sculptor. By removing one Ice Pillar Token from a Twin Pillars of Ice I control, I can select Defender, and special summon an Ice Pillar Token [0/0] to the field. The name of the Token is treated as the same as the selected monster, that is, Defender of the Ice Barrier. I'll then activate the Continuous Spell, Curtain of Hail, then I set a card and end my turn."

"My turn, draw!" Adrian declared. "Damn, what a field... especially Curtain of Hail. With that card out, Defender and the Ice Pillar Token can't be destroyed, period. But... Oshaleon, attack Defender!"

"Trap card, Dimension Wall," Setsuka added.

"What?" Adrian snarled as the frog disappeared only to bite him behind.

Adrian: LP 8000 → LP 6800, SPC: 2

Setsuka: LP 8000, SPC: 2

"Well, Viper-san?" Setsuka enquired.

Adrian did not bother to ask how she knew his nickname. "Turn end."

"Draw," Setsuka plainly studied her hand. "I'll move Defender and the Ice Pillar Token to defence mode, and then end my turn. I set a card, turn end."

"Trying to defend?" Adrian growled. "Draw! I summon Reptilianne Gorgon [1400/1400] to the field! Now, I activate the Continuous Spell, Attack Pheromones! Reptilianne Gorgon, attack Defender of the Ice Barrier!"

"Trap activate, Inverse Universe," Setsuka declared. "All monsters on the field switch attack and defence permanently as long as they remain on the field [1400/800 → 800/1400] [1400/1400 → 1400/1400] [200/1600 → 1600/200]. Furthermore, combined with Defender's effect, no monster with attack equal or above Defender's current defence of two hundred may attack."

"Shit!" Adrian swore colourfully. "Turn end."

"Draw," Setsuka hardly seemed disturbed. "I'll move Defender to attack mode. Now, let's see... I end my turn."

"Draw!" Adrian roared. "Damn... I summon Reptilianne Naga [0/0] in attack mode. Now, Naga, attack Defender of the Ice Barrier!"

"Activate the effect of Twin Pillars of Ice, I remove one Ice Pillar Counter to negate the attack," Setsuka declared as the remaining one pillar shattered to form a barrier of diamond-dust between the Naga and the monsters. "Twin Pillars of Ice is destroyed due to no Ice Pillar Counters remaining."

"Turn end," Adrian scowled. "What a terrifying combo... Curtain of Hail to protect her monsters, Twin Pillars of Ice to defend any attacks, and Defender and the Ice Pillar Tokens lock down any attacks from monsters... but, they're defensive strategies. They can't last forever... so, she's buying time?"

"Draw," Setsuka shortly replied. "I play the Speed Spell – Angel Baton, to draw two cards in exchange for sending one monster to the graveyard. Then I play the spell, Medallion of the Ice Barrier, to pull General Gantala of the Ice Barrier. I summon Strategist of the Ice Barrier [1600/1600], and use his effect to send Gantala to the grave and draw a card. I set two cards, turn end."

"My turn, draw!" Adrian called as they sped into a completely open highway. "Reptilianne Naga, attack Defender of the Ice Barrier!"

"Are you sure that's alright?" Setsuka slyly murmured.

"I'll take that chance!" Adrian snarled in reply. "Go, Naga!"

Adrian: LP 6800 → LP 5200, SPC: 8

Setsuka: LP 8000, SPC: 8

"But, that changes nothing," Setsuka observed. "I still retain the upper hand, even though Defender [1600/200 → 0/200] was turned to stone. Defender's effect remains in place."

Adrian scoffed as his Naga was bounced back to his field. "That wasn't my aim. Now, to special summon this monster by sacrificing two monsters with zero attack power from anywhere on the field... including your monsters! The king of the Nagas, arise from the times of strife you reigned! I offer you the blood of the enemy! Descend, Reptilianne Vaskii [2600/0]!"

The half-snake monster that appeared wore a gold crown upon its head, and carried a lotus in one hand.

"You have a lot to answer for, Shimotsuki Setsuka," Adrian retaliated. "That guy, Kevin Dunames... he truly regretted whatever he did. Yet you killed him for it! Don't you regret? He died as an apology to you! So, why? Why did you leave him there to die alone? Answer me, Shimotsuki Setsuka!"

"I have no need to answer you," Setsuka's face set, cold and beautiful. "I have explained to Kevin Dunames the error of his ways. It is not my fault that he chose the coward's way."

"The... coward's way...?" Adrian's mouth went dry.

"I gave him a choice, to atone for his sins," Setsuka coldly answered. "Either die as atonement, or suffer forever within the clutches of Winter. He chose."

"Of course no one is going to choose like that!" Adrian scolded.

"He completely lost the will to live, and chose to die, and therefore eliminating any chance at further atonement that he could have done," Setsuka further explained. "An act like that I cannot condone. People such as Kevin Dunames like that did not fight to live, they did not have the strongest impulse of the spirit. That is why they died. It is still your turn, Adrian Rodriguez."

"T- Turn end," Adrian stuttered, utterly revolted. "You killed him... because of that sort of reason?"

"No," Setsuka murmured. "I did not kill him. He died of the completely natural cause of exsanguination. Now, I draw." Those two cards must be Traps that benefit an all-Reptile strategy. But, when Dimension Wall was triggered, and just now when he was attack with Reptilianne Naga, he didn't move to activate them, so cards like Damage = Reptile are eliminated. What else... Offering to the Snake Deity can be eliminated as well, since otherwise he would have used it to get rid of Curtain of Hail and Defender. So, they must be placed to respond to something I haven't done throughout the Duel... such as attacking, or destroying monsters. Snake Whistle, Viper's Grudge, maybe even Mirror Force... or maybe they're graveyard recursion cards, or cards that lock down summons. Right now, my priority should be Reptilianne Naga, which cannot be destroyed by battle. Not to mention, that Oshaleon...

"I summon Shock Troops of the Ice Barrier [1500/800]!" Setsuka called. "Now, I tribute him to destroy Oshaleon, and that allows me to add an Ice Barrier monster from deck to hand, such as Cryomancer of the Ice Barrier. I discard Secret Guards per the effect of Strategist to draw another card. Then, I'll use the effect of Speed World Two – Dual Magic by removing seven Speed Counters to draw a card."

"Two cards..." Adrian hissed.

"Activate Trap, Call of the Haunted, I special summon Prior of the Ice Barrier [1000/400] to the field, and then tribute him to special summon the tuner monster, Cryomancer of the Ice Barrier [1300/0]," she declared as the monster appeared, wielding two swords. "Tuning, level four Strategist to level two Cryomancer! Amidst the howling winds of winter, the roar of the tiger king echoes. Synchro Summon! Ruler of the icy plains, Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier!"

With a roar and a bound, the magnificent tiger [2000/1400] ran to keep up with the car and the D-Wheel.

"I set two cards. Then, I activate the effect of Dewloren. I bounce Curtain of Hail, Call of the Haunted and my remaining two set cards to increase his attack by five hundred attack points per card until the end phase," Setsuka declared as Dewloren glowed [2000/1400 → 4000/1400].

"Huh?" Adrian gaped.

"Activate the card, Heavy Storm!" Setsuka called as winds blew past them on the highway, and all of Adrian's cards shattered.

"No way!" Adrian yelled. "My cards!"

"With that, I activate the Spell, Monster Reborn, and revive General Gantala of the Ice Barrier [2700/2000]," Setsuka declared as the warrior appeared. "Battle. Dewloren, attack Vaskii. Gantala, attack the Gorgon."

Adrian: LP 5200 → LP 2600 → LP 1300, SPC: 9

Setsuka: LP 8000, SPC: 2

"End phase, Gantala revives Cryomancer of the Ice Barrier [1300/0] to the field, turn end with two set cards." Setsuka briskly continued.

"Draw," Adrian gravely answered. "One of those is Call of the Haunted, I can tell... but right now... I set a card, turn end."

"Draw," Setsuka announced. "I play Call of the Haunted to revive Prior, and then tribute Prior for Strategist again. I discard Secret Guards of the Ice Barrier to draw another card. Now, tuning, level four Strategist to level two Cryomancer. The chill of frost spread over the land, the arching spear of the lost people. Synchro Summon, Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!"

Wings spread, the field chilled over as the serpentine monster [2300/1400] appeared.

"I bounce the other set card and Call of the Haunted once more with Dewloren [2000/1400 → 3000/1400]," Setsuka called. "Now, I activate the effect of Brionac. By discarding two cards in my hand, I bounce Reptilianne Naga and your set card."

"Damn!" Adrian swore.

"You're wide open," Setsuka indicated. "Dewloren, finish this!"

The tiger roared, frost covering the ground for a moment before the blast hit Adrian.

Adrian: LP 1300 → LP 0, SPC: 9

Setsuka: LP 8000, SPC: 3

"This is your second complete loss to me, Adrian Rodriguez," Setsuka tapped the screen with the tip of one finger as Adrian spun out of control. "I wonder, if you truly have that will to do what is necessary. Say, I'll give you a hint. Dunames died for love."

"Love?" Adrian echoed numbly as his D-Wheel began to brake and the car stopped as well.

"So many terrible things are done for love. For love will men mutilate themselves and murder rivals. For love will even a peaceful man go to war. For love, man will destroy himself, and that right willingly," Setsuka muttered. "I would advise you, do not interfere in matters that you do not understand."

"What?"

"I warned you," the car started up again. "The door to darkness has opened..."

The vehicle glided away, leaving a disconcerting feeling behind once more as the blares of a horn sounded...

Crash.

The blares continued to ring in Adrian's ear, as he watched the green car narrowly hit where he had been standing. Away from him, the black car, the ride of the Cold Queen, was peeling away...

"Oi, you okay?"

"You know about it, right?"

Ryuusei paused at that question aimed at him by the disarmingly pretty woman. "What? How did you get into the campus?"

"Don't joke with me," Rowena scowled at him. "I asked the guard nicely. After all, what would a harmless beauty like myself have with a school?"

"I can think of a lot of things," Ryuusei merely replied.

"Tell you what," Rowena smirked as she grabbed onto her DuelDisk, which was black and green. "If you win, I'll let you off. If not, then you'll tell me how to solve Erika's case, okay?"

"I don't know," Ryuusei insisted. "I'm about as confused as you are."

"Is that so?" the remark drifted from the side as both of them turned to regard the albino Ra Yellow boy sitting cross-legged across. "Well, all move by the plans of the stars."

"Huh?" Rowena crossed her arms as she regarded the boy. "It's none of your business."

"Fudo Ryuusei, the son of Fudo Yusei," the boy remarked. "Or should I say... monarch of the Summer?"

"H- How do you know that?" Ryuusei demanded.

"It's a simple answer, but it looks like you're pretty involved," the boy shook his head. "Oi, woman. I'll duel you. If you win, I'll give you the answers you need."

"Very well," Rowena growled as she unfolded her DuelDisk, watching as the boy pulled out his own. "Who are you, anyway?"

"Justin Aquila, at your service," Justin smirked. "And you, miss?"

"Rowena Cortez," Rowena warily replied.

"Duel!"

Rowena: LP 8000

Justin: LP 8000

"Ladies first," Rowena mockingly said. "Draw! I summon Queen's Knight [1500/1600] to the field."

"A suitable monster," Justin nodded as the red-armoured warrior appeared on the field.

"I'll then equip her with the equip spell, Noble Arms – Caliburn, increasing her attack power by five hundred [1500/1600 → 2000/1600]," Rowena continued as the knight's sword changed. "Once per turn, I can use the effect of Caliburn to gain nine hundred life points. I'll then set two cards and end my turn."

Rowena: LP 8000 → LP 8900

Justin: LP 8000

"Very well, draw," Justin slowly looked at his hand. "As you control a monster and I do not, I can special summon Constellar Schet [100/1600] to the field."

"A monster with a Cyber Dragon effect?" Rowena cursed as the imp-like creature appeared, holding a large water jug.

"Then, I tribute Schet to summon Constellar Virgo [2300/1600] to my field," Justin tonelessly continued as the winged creature appeared.

"Constellars?" Rowena echoed as another monster appeared, this one larger, also similarly armoured in light colours and silver-gold, with wings like an angel. "Trap activate, Bottomless Trap Hole! Now your Virgo is destroyed and banished!"

"However, the effect of Virgo continues," Justin tonelessly continued. "I will special summon Constellar Zubeneschamali [2100/1400] from my deck to the field."

"Zu- what?" Rowena blinked as the silver-armoured monster appeared.

"Call him Beta Librae, a star of the constellation Libra," Justin clarified. "The effect of Zubeneschamali activates, when normal or special summoned I can add another Constellar monster from deck to hand. I choose Constellar Kaust. With that done, I'll set two cards and end my turn."

"Draw!" Rowena called. "Now, I summon King's Knight [1600/1400]! And now, when I control Queen's Knight and summon King's Knight, I can special summon from my deck Jack's Knight [1900/1000]!"

"Poker Knights?" Justin archly murmured. "No one plays that any- unless-!"

"Let's leave it to fate, shall we!" Rowena smirked. "I gain nine hundred life points by the effect of Caliburn. Now, I special summon from my hand Noble Knight Gawayn [1900/500] in defence mode, because I control a Light Attribute Normal monster. Creating an overlay network with Gawayn, Queen's Knight and King's Knight, Exceed summon, Heroic Champion – Kusanagi [2500/2400]!"

Waving a slim katana in place, the armoured warrior took a ready stance.

Rowena smirked. "Battle, Heroic Champion Kusanagi attacks that monster!"

Justin did not flinch as his monster was struck down.

Justin: LP 8000 → LP 7600

Rowena: LP 8900 → LP 9800

"Jack's Knight, direct attack!" Rowena ordered.

"Trap card, Magical Cylinder!" Justin retaliated.

"The effect of Kusanagi activates!" Rowena rebutted. "By detaching one Exceed material from Kusanagi, I can negate the activation of one trap card during either player's turn, destroy that trap, and then Kusanagi gains five hundred attack power [2500/2400 → 3000/2400]! Jack's Knight, continue!"

Justin: LP 7600 → LP 5700

Rowena: LP 9800

"Turn end," Rowena smirked.

"Draw!" Justin called. "I summon Constellar Sombres [1550/1600] to the field. Activating the effect of Sombres, by banishing Schet in the graveyard to add Zubeneschamali from the graveyard to my hand. When this effect is activated, I can normal summon another Constellar monster this turn, such as Constellar Kaust [1800/700]."

"Two level four monsters... you're going for a rank four monster?" Rowena exclaimed as she stared at the other winged humanoid and the centaur-like warrior. "Sagittarius..."

"Stars, no," Justin airily dismissed. "Activating the effect of Kaust, up to twice per turn I can increase or decrease the level of a Constellar monster on the field by one. By choosing Kaust itself and Sombres, I increase their levels to five each. Activating the Continuous Spell, Constellar Star Chart. Now, overlay level five Kaust and level five Sombres, Exceed summon, Constellar Pleiades [2500/1500]!"

Rowena grimaced as the shining warrior appeared. "But... I have the stronger monster, Kusanagi."

"When a Constellar Exceed monster is special summoned to my field, once per turn Constellar Star Chart allows me to draw a card," Justin drew. "And, now, for the effect. Once per turn, Pleiades can detach one Exceed material to bounce a card back to your hand, and I choose Kusanagi!"

Rowena cursed as her warrior disappeared.

"Activate the trap, Call of the Haunted, to revive Kaust," Justin continued. "Now, Pleiades, attack Jack's Knight with Rise of the Seven Sisters!"

Rowena: LP 9800 → LP 9200

Justin: LP 5700

"Kaust, direct attack with the Bow of Chiron!" Justin continued as Rowena doubled over from being shot by the monster archer.

Rowena: LP 9200 → LP 7400

Justin: LP 5700

"I'll set a card, turn end," Justin finished.

"Draw!" Rowena called. "I activate the Spell, Trade-In, to discard a level eight monster and draw two cards. Then, I summon Valkyrie Knight [1900/1200] to the field. Valkyrie Knight, attack that Constellar Kaust!"

"Trap activate, Magic Cylinder," Justin murmured, with some vindication as Valkyrie Knight stopped in her tracks to slash Rowena.

Rowena: LP 7400 → LP 5500

Justin: LP 5700

"Turn end," Rowena grimaced.

"Draw," Justin murmured. "Now, I activate the effect of Pleiades to bounce your set card to your hand."

Rowena scowled as she took back her Mirror Force.

"During the turn Constellar Sombres was sent to the grave, I can summon a Constellar monster with one less tribute," Justin continued. "And I choose Constellar Rescha [2200/1200]. When Rescha is summoned, I can special summon in face up defence mode another Constellar monster from my hand, and I choose Constellar Zubeneschamali [2100/1400]. Zubeneschamali allows me to search out another Constellar monster, such as Constellar Leonis. Using the effect of Kaust to turn Zubeneschamali into a level six monster. Constructing an overlay network of level six Zubeneschamali and level six Rescha! Come, my strongest monster, Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7 [2700/2000]!"

"W- What is that?" Rowena stepped back, and even Ryuusei jumped to his feet at the oppressive aura the monster seemed to give off.

"Your end," Justin intoned. "I draw a card by the effect of Constellar Star Chart, and then I activate the effect of Messier 7, by detaching one material to allow him to bounce a card from field or graveyard to the owner's hand. I choose Valkyrie Knight!"

"Then... my Knight's effect can't activate..." Rowena realized belatedly.

"Battle, Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7, Pleiades, Kaust!" Justin called. "Direct attack."

Rowena: LP 5500 → LP 0

Justin: LP 5700

"Damn..." Rowena staggered to her feet. "And I had an early lead too- it's still around?"

"Duel spirit..." Ryuusei backed slightly, before moving to defend Rowena. "Who do you work for? Who sent you?"

"I doubt that anyone could send the messengers of the stars," Marguerite intervened, staff out. "Or that anyone could command them, anyway."

"Sorciere de Fleur," Justin nodded in acknowledgement.

"You can see me?" Marguerite looked taken aback.

"Of course... Sombres has told me all about you," Justin nodded. "The servitor to Titania, known as the Leanansidhe of old. So that boy's your target, right?"

"Leanansidhe?" Ryuusei echoed in confusion. "What is he talking about?"

"The conflict of Summer and Winter had always been told in the form of your fairy tales," Marguerite defended. "Once upon a time, a long time ago, Titania bade me to bless several musicians with inspirations. Going by the law of equivalent exchanges, they lived short but fulfilling lives."

"Oh," Ryuusei muttered. "So... Justin-san? Why did you challenge Rowena-san?"

"It's doesn't matter to you!" Rowena yelled. "I'll just have to pound the answer out of this idiot!"

"Fudo Ryuusei... I have words from the Sacred who live amongst the Higher Planes," Justin echoed. "Will you listen?"

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