Hyouma's room was filled with plenty of objects that denoted her high status in society. Many of the writings she owned were hard to find in the public library, her gathering of antiques would have made even the most obsessive collector jealous, and her musical instruments were varied from flutes and harps to a grand piano that occupied a whole entire corner, no different from her dueling tables. Left alone to her devices for a few hours, Nekohana relaxed on the guest couch and read a book on the history of the Twilight Kingdom's rulers. The royal family was also known as the Shishi dynasty. It was founded by the very first demon who escaped Hell alongside Fukurokuju, his name was Shishisa. She glanced at a crude ancient depiction of the first ever daiyoukai king - a bipedal white lion with a hideous, almost ogre-like face, round goat horns on the top of his head, large bat wings on his back and a flowing red mane that seemed ablaze around his head. After creating a safe haven for the demons who sought refuge from Hell's throes, Shishisa went on to marry a commoner lioness youkai who would give birth to plenty of heirs. Centuries would pass, and soon infighting would rise not only among the commoners and the steadily-growing daiyoukai nobility, but also among the royal children over who would one day seize the throne. Although historians still could not find any evidence, many speculated that the first king's death had been from poisoning by one of his children. The widowed queen would follow him into nonexistence not long after she tried asserting dominance upon one of the princes, who in exchange violently mauled her in front of a gathered crowd. And thus a long history of scheming and backstabbing among the members Shishi dynasty had been established. Once the grand war against Purgatory had begun, kings and queens immediately began siring offspring upon taking the throne, to ensure a new heir would succeed them should either of them lose their lives while out on the battlefield. While inbreeding had been the norm in order to maintain the royal couple's pure genes, sometimes tragedy would hit and they would be left with a single heir, in which case marriages with close relatives were also an alternative.
Nekohana closed the book and set it down on the nearby table, giggling to herself. Poor Hyouma had most likely been raised by her parents with the single-minded goal of marrying her cousin and becoming queen, just to elevate their own status in society. And yet how ironic that the very first king, who coincidentally had a similar name to Shishima, had chosen a commoner lioness to be the first queen of the Twilight Kingdom. For all her years of training as a Shinto priestess, Nekohana could still not determine whether her newfound ally would be considered a good or evil youkai. In a way Hyouma had been a victim of circumstance, being raised in such a strict manner that she never had the proper freedom to explore the world around and allow herself to feel, but on the other hand she was still a highly privileged daiyoukai with great power and influence. As things stood, they were allies and thus they had to trust each other in order to free the male they both desired. What would happen afterwards, she shuddered to think.
Fear and pity soon turned into longing for her beloved. Nekohana rose from the couch and went to take a seat at the grand piano. She stared down at the majestic ivories with awe, having not played a keyboard-based instrument in almost a decade. Still, the lessons she received were not easily forgotten. Focusing in those moments on nothing but the love she had for Shishima and the happy moments they spent together, she started playing the notes A-D-E in a buildup crescendo with her right hand and upon reaching the G, both hands erupted in a chorus with a bittersweet melody that could best express her inner turmoil and the hope she had been clinging to for so long. After almost five minutes of pouring her heart out, she concluded the piece with a soft Am chord.
"Glad to see you're feeling better," Hyouma remarked while closing the door behind her. "I hope you didn't mind my absence."
"Should I infer that you have been busy these past few hours?" Nekohana wondered.
"I've contacted my double agent in the sealing corps and informed them to gather a small group of mercenaries and servants that would help break the binding spell that prevents portals from being opened inside the dungeons. I've also had one of my servants anonymously purchase a special kind of poison that paralyzes the body in the span of five seconds and renders the victim unable to move for almost an hour. I will have my underlings shoot darts dipped in this poison at all the guards present, then the coast will be clear for us to make our escape before the main branch of the sealing corps will sense that something is wrong with the magic surrounding the dungeons."
"I must say, I'm quite impressed. That is indeed a well-detailed plan."
"True, but an hour is the largest window of opportunity we've got and we cannot fail. Everything must be done precisely if we wish to free Shishima and escape unscathed," Hyouma explained and she pulled out some notes, looking through the details of her sketched escape plot. "Did you subtly grow ivy in each corner of the prison as I've asked?"
"Yes, let me first commune with my plants to confirm something." Nekohana waved her clawed hand above a flower pot. "It was as Jubokko said: the dungeons are mostly unguarded because of the binding spells that have enchanted the entire area. Only two guards are positioned at the main entrance, and their shift is about to change by nightfall."
"Are you certain it's only two guards?" Hyouma insisted with a serious tone, Nekohana decidedly nodded. "Good, this will make our job easier. We will only open four portals then: two for the current guards and two for the guards in the changing room." She walked to her main desk and unwrapped a scroll with a large map detailing each facet of the dungeon. "Once all four are incapacitated, we will open a fifth portal here, where Shishima is being held captive. Then, after we rescue him, we will open another portal in the northeastern mountains and try to find the oni village."
"It seems that nightfall is almost upon us," Nekohana remarked while looking out the window. "In that case, shall we prepare ourselves?"
"Before we go, I was curious about something," Hyouma turned to face her, a look of genuine interest on her typically neutral face. "Shishima has always been a solitary and aloof individual. Nobody could ever get close to him, with the exception of his father and mentor. Not even his own harem properly knew him. That is because of his ability to sense everyone's emotions. How did you do it? How did you manage to get him to fall in love with you?"
"The answer is easier than you think - I simply acted like I would normally act, I was myself. I didn't go into serving him with the intention of seducing him, it all just... happened naturally."
Hyouma narrowed her eyes and started circling her while speaking with an analytic and almost cold tone, "There is a saying that people often want what they cannot have and like to push boundaries. Prince Shishima was someone who had everything he desired, so my guess is that he probably wanted to break the customs of our species and fall in love with someone way beneath him, who was technically out of his league. Then again, I suppose his emotion-reading capabilities also played a part."
"You're looking at it from the wrong perspective, Hyouma. We genuinely cared for one another, it wasn't just a contract from which we would benefit off each other. If you recall, he always punished his servants severely whenever they stumbled or made a mistake. He did not do the same to me, although I sometimes was also guilty of these." Nekohana's tone became harsher as she eyed her host with determination. "On the night when we confessed our feelings, he said he would make sure I wouldn't suffer anymore and that he wanted to make me happy! Don't you see? We're not talking about ambition or rebelling against our own customs here. It's something purer... something our kingdom could never fully comprehend."
"You say it's pure, at least until he tried to kill you."
Visible discomfort grew on Nekohana's face. She reached her right hand to rub her left shoulder and replied, "That hurt me more than you imagined. This is why I'm so desperate to rescue him, both from his current predicament and from his lust for power. I don't want that side of him to ever return. It's what Koushishi had been trying to nurture and what his father tried to remove."
"...I understand why the likes of Sazansho would be confused, even frustrated at Shishima for having so much privilege and throwing it all away. But then I think of how there's nothing to aspire for if you already have everything. Shishima was well in line to be king, so he had no room for any other ambition. But the likes of me and Koushishi, who had to actively scheme, became the most driven. I suppose the queen was right, people like us are the ones supposed to rule. Now that I think about it, maybe Shishima's ultimate privilege is what caused him to throw away everything he had and instead choose you. It was the only way he could have any new challenges."
"I keep telling you that isn't true!"
"Just think, Nekohana! You were taboo. Renouncing the throne was taboo. Going against everyone's expectations was the only challenge left for him. And trust me, Koushishi didn't raise him to be complacent."
"Perhaps it was for the thrill of the challenge. He is a thrill seeker, after all. One who always wants to forge his own path, as confirmed both by Fukurokuju and my experiences with him back on Earth. But there's also... an unseen side to him. That soft look in his eyes and that warm smile he has whenever it's just the two of us," Nekohana confessed fondly as her stance became more relaxed. "On the night of Purgatory's fall, he promised me that upon returning from battle, he and his father would clean up the Senate and make the Twilight Kingdom a safer place for the both of us. But now, after everything that happened, he just wants to make peace with his past so he can put this rotten place behind him." She looked straight at Hyouma, nothing but sincerity in her own expression. "Don't you see? This goes way beyond ambitions and thrones. If you truly want Shishima to fall in love with you, then he must sense that your emotions are... pure, for lack of a better word. If that is your true self, then trust me, you will rouse his interest." Silence fell between the two of them for a few moments as the latter processed her guest's words. "Why am I telling you this as Shishima's lover, especially when I know why you desire his hand in marriage so badly?" Nekohana put up a smile that hid her own sorrow but revealed her good intentions. "If we're going to work together, I better help you as much as I can. Isn't that right, partner?"
"It seemed like the most efficient way of achieving my goals was being honest with Shishima, and having him see me as an ally, which is why I gave up trying to get his romantic interest. He knows too much about me now to ever let himself have genuine romantic feelings. I'm sure he can sense how much I'm willing to sacrifice for my goal." Hyouma took another look out the window to see day's clouds disappearing and the red moon rise into the night sky. "The time has come. Let's rescue Shishima and we'll worry about the future afterwards, partner." She shot back a reassuring smile and received a nod of approval.
Due to the plan's high precision, the events which unfolded took place swiftly and tacitly. After receiving half of the promised hefty sum, Hyouma's double agent wasted no time in gathering a small group of lackeys who secretly convened at the level above the dungeons in a circle wherein they focused their demonic magic. In just a matter of moments, the binding magic had been disabled. That was when four small portals opened, two in the dressing room and two above the main entrance, and out of each one poisoned arrow was flung with exact precision, hitting each guard in the neck. Before they could realize what had happened to them, they all fell unconscious and the portals immediately closed. By the time the double agent had the other half of their reward magically appear in a small bag as golden coins, a fifth and larger portal had opened right inside the farthest prison cell. The two feline youkai emerged out of it, after which it also closed as to not leave any tracks leading back to Hyouma's bedchambers.
Nekohana gasped and covered her mouth upon seeing the state Shishima was in. "My beloved..." He had been mostly skinned alive, his limbs and entrails dangled around aimlessly and his lungs and heart still weakly pulsated - a sign that he was still alive, despite the horrible torture he had been subjected to.
"Definitely not a pretty sight," Hyouma remarked and pulled out a buzzsaw. "Those chains that tied him to the wall are made of a very sturdy metal, designed to reign in even the strongest of daiyoukai. I heard that General Rufu uses these to test his physical strength on a daily basis. Regardless, this little tool I've picked off the black market will certainly be handy in freeing him."
"I don't care about backstories anymore! Please, let's just get him out of here so that this nightmare can end!"
"Don't rush things, Nekohana. I need to precisely cut these, or I may risk harming him even more!"
"Whatever, just do it already, I can't stand to see him like this much longer!"
Hyouma rolled her eyes at the pathetic display of emotions and started cutting the chains that held Shishima's right arm bound. All of a sudden, a rain of blue fire assaulted them, weakening them just enough for Hyouma to drop the buzzsaw. The intruders turned to the dungeon's entrance and great was their shock to see Sazansho and Koushishi.
"What is the meaning of this, Hyouma?!" asked the angered queen.
"You've seen nothing!" Nekohana immediately threw Passion's Grip pollen out of her mane at the two, but Koushishi wildly flapped her wings, blowing it all away.
"No magic or ruffian tricks will work on us, commoner!" Sazansho threatened. "I believe Her Majesty has asked you a question, Hyouma."
"Then here is my answer," she wasted no time in taking out her deck. Nekohana did the same as well.
"You dare go against me after being my protégé for millennia? This will not go unpunished, I'll make sure your entire branch of the family will feel the consequences as well!" Koushishi threatened, but Hyouma did not seem to falter or be intimidated whatsoever. "Keh, it seems I've taught you well. I should've known this day would come. Sazansho!"
"Yes, my queen?" He straightened and was surprised to see Koushishi pull out her deck.
"We will duel these traitors and put them in their place once and for all. After we're done with them, what we've been doing to my son will seem like child's play!"
"Ever been in a tag team duel?" Hyouma murmured to her partner.
"No, but I've heard of the rules," Nekohana replied while four dueling tables arose from the floor between them all. "It's two against two, even if a player has all their shields broken, they cannot be taken out of the game till their partner also loses all their shields. And once a team is left without shields, a single todomeda will take them both out."
The only response from the panther was a single nod as twenty shields materialized above them all, five for each. Thus began their match that would decide Shishima's fate.
"I cast Kanashimi of Satan and Angel which returns a shield to my hand without shield trigger and discards a card at random from... Hyouma's hand." Koushishi pointed at her former protégé with disgust and great was her joy when she saw Umakin Project land in her graveyard.
"I cast Brain Storm." Sazansho drew three cards and placed two on the top of his deck.
"I cast Faerie Life and put the top card of my deck to my mana zone," Hyouma said.
"I summon Belladonna, Demon Faerie and destroy her to also add the top card of my deck to my mana zone." A pink-haired plush faerie in a blue winter coat appeared and vanished immediately in a small explosion, ramping her owner's mana.
"I cast Kenzan Charger." Koushishi revealed the top card of her deck which was Uragawa, Science from the Moon, immediately adding it to her hand.
"I cast Lost Watergate." Sazansho searched his deck. "I add Celebrate! The final curtain of this story! to the top of my deck."
"You know what this means next turn," Nekohana reminded her partner worriedly.
"Exactly, which is why we need to get our resources out now so we can fight back," Hyouma replied, fully focused on their duel. "I summon Komori, Glasses Faerie." A pink-haired faerie wearing headphones, 3D glasses, a dress made out of sea foam and blue pants made out of fish scales appeared in the battle zone with a gaming console in her hands. "With her effect I draw a card and put Shakogairu, Water Academy No. 9 to my mana zone. Then I also summon Tweeting Bluebird." The faerie was joined by a blue and white bird with a dolphin's tail and a photo camera around its neck.
"I cast Dark Life." Nekohana checked the top two cards of her deck, adding Domanmodrange to her graveyard and 5000GT, Riot to her mana zone. "Then I cast Beginning of the End." She sent the top three cards of her deck into her graveyard, those being Rymer Druid, Darthshigikei and Crossfire, Millionaire, the latter of which was recovered.
"I summon Emeralda, Pitch Dragon Elemental." An angelic dragon wielding a piano staff appeared by Koushishi's side while singing a high-pitched note, then she swapped one of her shields with a card from her hand.
"In that case, let the festivities begin! Vividdraw 4 - I cast Celebrate! The final curtain of this story! With its effect, I draw a card and bring out Sr Spellcyclica, Dragment Symbol. Sr Spellcyclica then recasts Celebrate and adds it to my hand, meaning I draw again and bring out Meteorshower Auroratheater as well!" A dragon made of sharp crystals and a phoenix modeled after a carnival mask both appeared by Sazansho's side. "Meteorshower lets me draw three cards, now I'll triple break the shields... on the filthy commoner's side, as she has more shield triggers we need to get rid of!" The phoenix flew headfirst through the shields, shattering them in an instant.
"You're right I have shield triggers!" Nekohana retorted and revealed one of the cards she received. "I summon Tsuruhashi Doji and-"
"And nothing! Meteorshower Auroratheater will not let you put any creatures in the battle zone which cost equal or less to the number of cards in my hand during its attack!" Sazansho snidely reminded her. "Sr Spellcyclica gets speed attacker from Celebrate's effect, so break her final shields!" The crystalline dragon rushed ahead and hacked the flower youkai's remaining shields with its claws.
"Shield trigger, I summon Jukushite Inai Zombiebanana and destroy Meteorshower!" A rotten green banana wearing an ancient golden necklace appeared and fired a toxic beam upon the phoenix, making it dissipate into thin air.
"Hmph, that was still my second attack, so now I will also summon Valchuris, Dragon Armored!" A trio of mice wearing dragon skulls on their heads and wielding repair tools also appeared. "Valchuris breaks one of Hyouma's shields as well!" Sazansho ordered and the rodents rushed ahead and tore down one of the panther's shields. "We end our turn here and Sr Spellcyclica goes to the top of my deck because of Celebrate's effect." The crystal dragon vanished from the battle zone as quickly as it first arrived.
"Don't worry if you're without shields, they still have to go through my defense. And besides, if you have any Ninja Strikes or blockers, you can use them to protect me as well," Hyouma reassured her partner and then she returned to their two opponents. "I summon ASAP Fryoris and Tweeting Bluebird will allow me to use its Buzzrender once for free. That means I send both Valchuris and Emeralda back to your hands." A pink squirrel with an octopus tentacle for its tail, riding on a surfboard and holding a laptop and a photo camera appeared in the battle zone and immediately dashed through the air towards the two remaining opposing creatures, hitting them with its surfboard and making them vanish.
"I summon Tsuruhashi Doji." A small blue oni wielding a pickaxe appeared by Nekohana's side and sent the top three cards of her deck into her graveyard - Belladonna, Demon Faerie, Spiner, Shock Doctor and Gigandydanos, Big Tree King, this time its owner choosing to recover nothing. "Fushigiverse, I send Zombiebanana to my mana zone and revive Domanmodrange for 2 mana." The rotten banana was enveloped in a green aura and vanished, its place being taken by a bipedal stone elephant with cherry trees growing out of its shoulders. "And since I have six creatures in my graveyard, Gravity Zero, I summon Crossfire, Millionaire for free!" A dragon-like humanoid with flowing white hair, dressed fancily and having two swords attached to its wrists appeared as well. "Since I brought out another creature, Domanmodrange makes Koushishi discard a card!"
"Hmph, nothing of importance was lost," the queen replied dismissively while tossing Uragawa, Science from the Moon into her graveyard. "Now that your turn has ended, it is time to put an end to these silly games - I cast Heaven's Gate and bring out Moon, Destruction, Satan and Angel!" An angel-demon hybrid arose, this one taller than all other creatures, his limbs and wings made of black cannons, four gun barrels coming out of a faceless head. "I gain two new shields."
"I will also expand Cyberdice Vegas, Gambling Expert of D," Sazansho said and their entire surroundings changed to those of a futuristic blue casino filled with slot machines, roulette tables and with a blue dice floating in the middle. "We end our turn here and I draw a card."
"Satan and Angel will also break one of my shields. Oshiokimoon, one of Hyouma's shields is broken as well!" The hybrid creature rose one of its hands and first fired a shot at its owner's shield, then at the opponent's, shattering both.
"I cast [Kamikai] Mana has become haywire with Buzzrender?! [Startled] with one Buzzrender 3 and another free Buzzrender from Tweeting Bluebird." Hyouma added the top three cards of her deck into her mana zone. "Then I summon Umakin Project with one free Buzzrender from Tweeting Bluebird, which means I do its effect twice!" A dark blue horse with a green belly, scales all over its back and legs, and a mane and tail of blue and pink fire appeared in the battle zone and neighed, its owner looking at the top two cards of her deck, adding one to her hand and Geotajio, Dragon Armored to her mana zone. She repeated the process, adding Rolemodeltiger to her mana zone as well.
"Fushigiverse, I send Crossfire to my mana zone and revive Gigandydanos, Big Tree King for 7 mana!" The humanoid with dragon features also got enveloped by a green aura and disappeared, then in his place arose a giant tree creature with moose features, a glowing halo above its head and toxic purple fumes coming outs of its skull face. "Sazansho must now put all cards from his hand into his mana zone!" Nekohana announced and the senator's yellow reptilian face visibly scowled as he lost Lost Watergate, Senbatsu! Bikkuri MAX, The Clock, Ragnarok, Skeptic, Fake Supporting Actor and Sr Spellcyclica, Dragment Symbol. "Then all of Sazansho's creatures with lesser power than Gigandydanos's 50000 cannot attack me! That means even if you break all of Hyouma's shields, you cannot finish us both with a todomeda! Oh right, and Domanmodrange also makes Koushishi discard her last card." The queen also scowled as she lost Phantom, False Moon Thief.
"I cast Kanashimi of Satan and Angel which returns a shield to my hand and Hyouma must discard a card at random!" the queen growled, her annoyance becoming visible, and it only grew when her opponent tossed away a useless Faerie Life. "Oshiokimoon, Satan and Angel breaks one of Hyouma's shields as well!" Another opposing shield was shot down.
"Vividdraw 3, I summon Villainheel, Absolute Antagonist and force battle Komori!" A bipedal merfolk wearing a theater mask and a rainbow-colored cape appeared and assaulted the small faerie, punching her until she vanished in an explosion. "Whenever Villainheel wins a battle, I draw a card. Vividdraw 2, I cast Aesthetic Movement is an Explosion! With its effect I destroy Tsuruhashi Doji and stop Gigandydanos from attacking or blocking until the start of our next turn!" Sazansho announced a small multicolored meteor shower crushed the small blue oni and forced the tree creature to kneel. "We end our turn here and I draw from Cyberdice Vegas."
"Satan and Angel breaks one of my shields. Oshiokimoon, another one of Hyouma's shields is broken," Koushishi added and she watched how her creature shot both their shields, rendering their opponents with a single shield to defend themselves from a common loss... if only they managed to get rid of Nekohana's annoying Gigandydanos.
"I summon Rolemodeltiger!" A blue tiger whose fur twirled like blue wings and with a pair of digital honeycomb-patterned wings on its back appeared by Hyouma's side and gave a battle roar. "I pay one Buzzrender 3 and I get another free Buzzrender from Tweeting Bluebird. I draw a card and bring out Geotajio, Dragon Armored. Then I draw another card and bring out Umakin Project. Then I draw yet another card and bring out... a second Rolemodeltiger!" One by one, each creature arose by her side, forming an army in her side of the battle zone. "Geotajio makes all of my creatures with power 12000 or more unable to leave the battle zone, except by battling. Umakin's effect, I check the top two cards of my deck, add one to my hand and Wald Brachio to my mana zone. Tweeting Bluebird grants me a free Buzzrender, so I repeat this process and also add Faerie Life to my mana zone. Now for my second Rolemodeltiger, which also gets a free Buzzrender, I draw a card and bring out Shakogairu, Water Academy No. 9 which shuffles the four cards in my graveyard back into my deck!" A giant academy building shaped after a clam appeared in the battle zone. "Then I draw again and bring out Wald Brachio, Absolute World King, using its lockdown effect on..." She pointed maliciously, "...Koushishi! Now your creatures can no longer use come into play effects!"
"How dare you do this to me after everything I've done to help you, Hyouma!" the queen protested.
"I summon Belladonna, Demon Faerie and destroy her to ramp again. Domanmodrange makes Koushishi discard her last card," Nekohana intervened and watched how the tyrant growled and tossed away Hades, the New Moon that Rules the Underworld into her graveyard. "Gravity Zero, I summon Crossfire, Millionaire and Domanmodrange makes Sazansho discard his last card as well." The reptilian senator sighed in frustration as he also lose Senbatsu! Bikkuri MAX. "Then I summon 5000GT, Riot with 6 mana and destroy all creatures with power 5000 or less!" A winged red-skinned humanoid with dragon features, donning a formal black suit with a blue tie and its left arm replaced with a giant buzz saw and a sharp blade arose and used its weapons to hack away all the small creatures. "My partner unfortunately loses her ASAP Fryoris and Tweeting Bluebird, but now everyone can't summon creatures with power 5000 or less!"
"They've done their job at this point," Hyouma reassured her. "Mach fighter, my first Rolemodeltiger destroys Satan and Angel. My second one destroys Villainheel as well!" Her two winged tigers flew ahead at the remaining opposing creatures and crushed them under their paws. "Now at the start of your turn, from Shakogairu's effect I draw five cards and discard Tweeting Bluebird, ASAP Fryoris and [Kamikai] Mana has become haywire with Buzzrender?! [Startled]."
"Don't think this match is yours, you useless backstabbers!" Koushishi threatened and she revealed the card she drew. "I cast Mujun! Gekko MAX which destroys Gigandydanos and returns a shield to my hand." The large tree creature gave a pained moan as it vanished in a large explosion which shook the entire dungeon cell.
"An excellent move, my queen!" Sazansho praised. "As for me, I cast Cyber Brain and draw three cards. Vividdraw 5, I summon Meteorshower Auroratheater and draw three more cards! Now, let's get rid of that final shield, shall we?"
"Sazansho, stop right there!" the queen raised her voice, startling her ally. "While Rolemodeltiger is tapped, our creatures are forced to attack it. Your creature has 12000 power, while Hyouma's has 14000."
"That's... unfortunate. Then we end our turn here and I draw a card from Cyberdice Vegas."
"I summon another Geotajio, Dragon Armored." A second winged silver dragon with two pairs of cannons decorating its shoulders and arms joined Hyouma's large army of creatures.
"With Domanmodrange's effect, I can summon creatures from my mana zone, and since I have 6 creatures in my graveyard, I summon Obuza 08, Demon Dragon Armored for 3 mana. Now Domanmodrange makes Koushishi discard her last card again!" Nekohana watched with satisfaction as the queen lost Welkius, Assault Gate Elemental. "Fushigiverse, I send Obuza 08 back to my mana zone and revive Gigandydanos, Big Tree King for 5 mana!" Much to the dismay of their opponents, the enormous moose tree creature reappeared. "Sazansho will send all cards from his hand to his mana zone once again!"
"Good, let's put an end to this then - Wald Brachio, break all of Sazansho's shields!" Hyouma ordered and her spiked dinosaur moved its clawed hand and shattered all five shields in an instant.
"Shield trigger, I summon The Clock, Ragnarok and end your turn right n-"
"Nekohana's 5000GT will not let us summon any creatures with 5000 power or less!" Hyouma was quick to remind him. "Rolemodeltiger, break Koushishi's final shields!"
"Shield trigger, I cast Mujun! Gekko MAX and gain a new shield!" the queen replied.
"I break that shield as well with my second Rolemodeltiger!"
Great was the anger on Koushishi's face when she no longer gained any other shield triggers that would defend her team from a common loss.
"Umakin Project, todomeda!" Hyouma ordered and the horse galloped towards the duo.
"Denjara Switch, I turn Cyberdice Vegas upside down and cast Senbatsu! Bikkuri MAX to destroy Umakin Project!" Sazansho intervened and an explosion caught the horse, destroying it.
With a discreet giggle, Hyouma gesticulated to their opponents. "The honor is yours then, partner."
"Domanmodrange, todomeda!" Nekohana ordered and her stone elephant rushed towards the two daiyoukai and gave them both heavy punches which threw them against the brick walls and knocked them unconscious.
Hyouma wiped the sweat off her brow, in disbelief that she had managed to defeat not only Senator Sazansho, but also the queen herself. While she tried to process what had happened, Nekohana rushed to free Shishima. Despite the blue fire attack weakening them, the buzzsaw had mostly done its job and she managed to break them easily with just one pull. The mauled lion immediately fell into her arms and Borof flew out of his mane, tears falling out of his plush eyes as he exclaimed:
"Woman, you did it! You've managed to save the master!"
"I missed you too, Borof," she replied while throwing one of Shishima's arms around her body in order to properly carry him. She then turned to her partner and asked, "We've got him. Where to now?"
Hyouma had already packed both their decks and looked around to ensure nobody would see them. Before she could answer, another voice echoed in the room:
"Hurry, get in here before they awake!"
A portal leading to a vast library had opened up, and among the bookshelves was none other than Fukurokuju. Nekohana and Hyouma wasted no time and immediately dragged Shishima through the portal, the small Borof following behind them. However, Sazansho was quick to wake up from the impact's shock and was privy to seeing them escape into Fukurokuju's lair before the portal closed.