Yu-Gi-Oh Vrains: Advent of New Beginnings

by donkeyboy100

Sequel to Circuit of Smiles. Months have passed since Yuji, Ena, along with their counterparts, Yuya and Zuzu put a stop to Roget's plans and saved LINK VRAINS. However, a new mysterious group has come along that plans to eliminate LINK VRAINS Top 10 to take control of SOL Technologies. Can Storm Rider and his friends stop this new enemy without the aid of their counterparts?

43. Getting Even

In LINK VRAINS, at the Central Station's courtyard...

"Let's Duel!" Storm Rider and Oranos shouted in unison, ready to throw down.

Storm Rider: 4000 LP

Oranos: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn," Storm Rider said, taking his cards from his Deck. Looking at them, he chose one. "I summon Cycode Illusionist!"

The robot in a tuxedo and top hat appeared in Attack Position.

Cycode Illusionist ATK 2400 DEF 1000 LVL: 6

"Illusionist can be Special Summoned when there are no monsters on the field," Storm Rider explained to Oranos. "But in exchange, its attack points become 1800."

Cycode Illusionist ATK 2400→1800

"When Illusionist is Special Summoned by its effect, I can then add one "Cycode" card from my Deck to my hand," Storm Rider continued, taking another card from his Deck. "Now, I'll build my circuit!"

Storm Rider gestured to the sky as his hand shot a lightning bolt, creating a Link Portal.

"Link Arrow authorized! The summoning condition is one "Cycode" monster. I set Cycode Iluusionist in the Link Arrow!"

His monster became a whirlwind of energy and entered the bottom-left arrow, turning red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Come forth! Link-1! Cycode Architect!"

A man in a digital light brown robe, wielding a staff and book, appeared, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Cycode Architect ATK 700 LINK-1 ↙

"Since there's a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, I Special Summon Cycode Prisoner from my hand!"

A cyborg in a prisoner's uniform appeared in Attack Position.

Cyborg Prisoner ATK 1600 DEF 2100 LVL: 5

Storm Rider gestured to his field. Once per turn, I can Special Summon a "Cycode" monster from my hand. Come, Cycode Alchemist!"

A gray-skinned alien in a torn white lab coat holding two beakers – one red and one blue – in its hands appeared.

Cycode Alchemist ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"From there, I activate Alchemist's effect! By using monsters I control, I can Fusion Summon a "Cycode" Fusion Monster!"

"Eh?" Oranos blinked. "You're Fusion Summoning?"

"I fuse Alchemist and Architect!"

Following Storm Rider's declaration, his monsters disintegrated into red and blue particles that swirled into a vortex before bursting forth as tornados. The streams merged to form one purple tornado.

"The ferocious beast that traverses the wild!" Storm Rider chanted. "Let your howl ignite the hopes of legend! I Fusion Summon! Appear! Cycode Chimera!"

A large four-legged, two-headed cybernetic creature with a set of white wings appeared on Storm Rider's field in Attack Position. Its left head was the shape of a lion with a golden mane, and the other a ram with curled horns. Both heads roared as the creature beat its wings.

Cycode Chimera ATK 1800 DEF 900 LVL: 5

"A new "Cycode" Fusion Monster?" Oranos said in surprise.

"Chimera's effect activates! When it is Fusion Summoned, I can add one "Cycode" monster from my Deck to my hand. Next, I summon Cycode Sorceress!"

The metal woman in a black dress wielding a staff materialized.

Cycode Sorceress ATK 1400 DEF 400 LVL: 4

"Sorceress's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Cycode" monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Alchemist!"

The alien in a tattered lab coat reappeared in Attack Position.

Cycode Alchemist ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"I build my circuit again!" The Link Portal appeared above Storm Rider again as his hand glowed blue. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two "Cycode" monsters. I set Cycode Sorceress and Prisoner in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the left and bottom-right arrows, turning red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Link-2! Cycode Hunter!"

A cybernetic humanoid emerged from the Link Portal, summoned to the Right Extra Monster Zone. It wore silver gauntlets with futuristic pistols on its forearms, and a cobalt mask covered its mouth. It also wore a navy blue cape with white lines hanging from its shoulders, and instead of eyes, it had two light blue lenses that were constantly whirling.

Cycode Hunter ATK 1600 LINK-2 ←↘

"Since Prisoner was used as Link Material, I can add a new "Cycode" card from my Deck to my hand. Then, I build my circuit once again!" The Link portal appeared for the third time this turn. "The summoning conditions are two "Cycode" monsters! I set Cycode Chimera and Cycode Alchemist in the Link Arrows!"

His two monsters entered the left and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Cycode Administrator!"

A giant blue machine monster appeared, summoned to Cycode Hunter's bottom-right Link Arrow.

Cycodee Administrator ATK 1200 LINK-2 ←↘

"While Administrator is on my field," Storm Ride said, "all "Cycode" Link Monsters I control gain 800 attack points!"

Cycode Hunter ATK 1600→2400

Cycode Administrator ATK 1200→2000

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"My turn!" Oranos exclaimed. "I draw! Time for you to get a taste of my evolved power, Storm Rider! To start, I summon Gladiator Beast Andal!"

A bipedal black bear with armor and gauntlets appeared.

Gladiator Beast Andal ATK 1900 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

Storm Rider narrowed his eyes. "According to the video Sanctum provided me, Oranos uses Gladiator Beast Deck, which focuses on Special Summoning more monsters when a Gladiator Beast monster battles," he noted. "Not to mention they gain effects when Special Summoned in that way."

Oranos narrowed his eyes at Storm Rider as he chuckled. "Now then, let me show you a part of my new power. I set the Scale 2 Gladiator Beast Lazul in my Pendulum Zone!"

A blue pillar appeared on Oranos's left, and a humanoid, muscular rooster in a futuristic red armor with green linings wielding a small sword rose inside it, a stylized "2" beneath it.

Gladiator Beast Lazul Scale: 2

"Pendulum!?" To say that Storm Rider was shocked was an understatement. "That can't be… We destroyed the Syndicate's factory. How in the world did you get your hands on them!?"

"Have you already forgotten, Storm Rider?" Oranos smirked. "Rhea, or should I say Marionette? The Syndicate's mole in your little group was still in possession of the Pendulum cards you're friend Pyrhha gifted her when she exposed her true colors. In other words, it was child's play for Dr. Willow to unlock the secret behind them and start producing Pendulum cards for our use right before you destroyed his factory. Although the Syndicate is not at a level where they can mass produce them yet, creating a few specialized ones for duelists such as me was an easy task. With this new power at my disposal, I can finally avenge my master."

Oranos's smirk widened. "Now, let's continue. Since I control a face-up "Gladiator Beast" monster, I can Special Summon this card! Come on out, Test Tiger!"

A tiger with blue and orange armor and brown cloth on its legs appeared on his field alongside Andal.

Test Tiger ATK 600 DEF 300 LVL: 3

"But my big cat won't be staying around for long! By Tributing Test Tiger, I can shuffle Andal back into my Deck and Special Summon a new "Gladiator Beast" monster! Say goodbye to Andal and hello to Gladiator Beast Attorix!"

Murmillo and Tiger disappeared as a new monster – a feminine feline humanoid warrior in purple armor wielding a sword and shield took their place in Defense Position.

Gladiator Beast Attorix ATK 800 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"At this moment, Gladiator Beast Lazul's Pendulum Effect activates!" Oranos declared. "When a "Gladiator Beast" monster is Special Summoned from the Deck, I get to draw one card."

"That's not good." Storm Rider muttered. "With that kind of effect, she'll get a new card every time."

"The effect of Test Tiger treats Attorix as being Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladiator Beast" monster," Oranos told Storm Rider. "I activate Attorix's effect! I can send another one of her kind from my Deck or Extra Deck to the Graveyard, and until the End Phase, her Level and name become the same as that monster sent to the Graveyard. I send my Gladiator Beast Augustus to the Graveyard, so now that my Attorix gains its name and Level!"

A yellow aura burst out of the warrior as she roared louder.

Gladiator Beast Attorix LVL: 4→8

Storm Rider narrowed his eyes. He changed his monster's name to another Gladiator Beast. And it also changed its Level. What's he planning?

"I activate the Spell Card: Gladiator Beast's Rally!" The card showed Gladiator Beast Tamer Editor calling out for allies as multiple Gladiator Beasts came rallying behind him while he was facing a different monster, showing only the backside of its head. "If I control only one "Gladiator Beast" monster on the field, I can Special Summon another "Gladiator Beast" monster from my hand with its effect negated. Rally, Gladiator Beast Vespasius!"

A bipedal, blue serpent in armor and with a golden sword appeared beside Attorix.

Gladiator Beast Vespasius ATK 2300 DEF 0 LVL: 8

"And Lazul's Pendulum Effect activates, giving me another draw," Oranos stated. "And now, it's time for the main event! By shuffling these two monsters back into the Deck, I'll perform a Contact Fusion!"

His monsters disintegrated into red and blue particles that swirled into a vortex. Two streams of energy shot upward and merged into a violet whirlwind.

"Beasts from the ancient Colosseum. Be shackled by the strength of one who lords over you!" Oranos chanted as he brought his hands together. "I Fusion Summon! Come forth! Gladiator Beast Tamer Editor!"

An anthropomorphic deer with gold flaming horns cladded in maroon-colored armor and a red sash around its waist appeared in Attack Position. It wielded a long trident with a long green whip that crackled electricity.

Gladiator Beast Tamer Editor ATK 2400 DEF 3000 LVL: 8

"So it has appeared at last." Storm Rider's expression turned serious. "The infamous Contact Fusion. But to think that it works by returning monsters to the Deck as well… Is this a characteristic shared by all Contact Fusion users, or is this something unique to the Gladiator Beast archetype due to their effect?"

"You don't have the leisure to be distracted right now!" Oranos roared. "After all, there's more from where that came from! Let me show you what I mean. I activate Tamer Editor's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a "Gladiator Beast" monster from either player's Extra Deck to their owner's field, ignoring their summoning conditions. Come forth, Gladiator Beast Gyzarus!"

Oranos snapped his fingers as Tamer Editor struck its whip on the ground, creating a portal out of which an anthropomorphic bird clad in thick green armor appeared, letting out a loud screech.

Gladiator Beast Gyzarus ATK 2400 DEF 1500 LVL: 6

"Gyzarus's effect activates!" Oranos said. "When this monster is Special Summoned, I can destroy up to two cards on the field! I'll destroy Hunter and Administrator!"

Gyzarus charged its blasters and fired two missiles at the Link Monsters, but Storm Rider was prepared.

"How predictable," Storm Rider said. "I activate the Trap Card: Zero Protection! When an effect that destroys cards is activated, that effect is negated."

Following Storm Rider's words, a semi-transparent barrier appeared around his two monsters, shielding them from Gyzarus's missile barrage.

"Not bad. But not good enough," Oranos stated. "I activate Tamer Editor's second effect! When there are two or more "Gladiator Beast" monsters on the field, I can destroy a monster on the field and inflict damage to its controller equal to its attack points. I will destroy Cycode Administrator!"

Tamer Editor roared as it stomped its feet on the ground, with a pillar of fire erupting underneath Administrator and destroying it before striking Storm Rider, causing him to hiss in pain.

Storm Rider: 4000→1200 LP

Storm Rider frowned. "Since Cycode Administrator left the field, Cycode Hunter's attack points return to normal."

Cycode Hunter ATK 2400→1600

"Now, it's time for your execution!" Oranos exclaimed. "Battle! Go, Gladiator Beast Tamer Editor! Destroy Cycode Hunter!"

"Cycode Hunter's effect activates!" Storm Rider declared as Tamer Editor lashed its whip. "Once per turn, when you declare an attack, I can negate it!"

A blue barrier appeared in front of the Link Monster and blocked Tamer Editor's whip.

"That is a temporary measure," Oranos revealed. "Gyzarus attacks Hunter! Ruthless Bolt!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Broken Cycode!" Storm Rider abruptly declared. "When my "Cycode" monster battles your monster, Broken Cycode increases my Life Points by your monster's attack points!"

Storm Rider: 1200→3600 LP

A barrage of energy bolts was unleashed from Gyzarus's wings, destroying Cycode Hunter and causing Storm Rider to wince in pain due to the ensuing shockwaves.

Storm Rider: 3600→2800 LP

"Since the Battle Phase is over, Broken Cycode's second effect activates!" Storm Rider stated. "It lets me draw two cards since I control no monsters."

Storm Rider drew, looked at his cards, and added them to his hand.

"Even though I worked hard to reduce your Life Points, you restored most of them with a single move." Oranos let out a small smile. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn. So, how did you find my newly acquired power, Storm Rider? In a single turn, I easily depleted your resources. On my next turn, I'll obliterate you for sure."

"Oh, please. The day I lose to a conceited maniac like you who joined a bunch of warmongers simply for petty revenge is the day when pigs fly," Storm Rider said with evident hostility. "My turn! I draw! Now, the counterattack begins from here. First, I activate the Spell Card: Cycode Gift! By discarding a "Cycode" card, I can draw two cards. I discard Cycode Kid and draw!"

He looked at his cards and smirked.

"I activate the Spell Card: Cycode Maintenance!" Storm Rider continued. "It lets me add a "Cycode" monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I add Cycode Sorceress to my hand and summon her!"

Cycode Sorceress ATK 1400 DEF 400 LVL: 4

"Sorceress's effect activates! When she is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Cycode" monster from my Graveyard in Attack Position. Return to me, Cycode Kid!"

A small robotic boy in a t-shirt and cap appeared beside Sorceress on Storm Rider's field.

Cycode Kid ATK 300 DEF 200 LVL: 1

"I activate the Spell Card: Cycode Emblem! By sending a "Cycode" monster from my Deck to the Graveyard, I can then Special Summon a "Cycode" monster from my Deck in Attack Position, so long as it has the same Level as the sent monster. I send the Level 4 Cycode Archer to the Graveyard and Special Summon Cycode Strider!"

A robot wearing bulky white armor wielding a futuristic rifle appeared on Storm Rider's field.

Cycode Strider ATK 1700 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"And when Strider's Special Summoned, I look at the top card of my Deck, and if it's a Monster, I get to summon it."

He drew and looked at his card, causing him to smile.

"I drew Cycode Assailant, which means I can summon it!"

A one-eyed black, metal skeletal robot with six arms, each holding a red blade energy dagger, appeared next to Strider.

Cycode Assailant ATK 1500 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"Now, I'll build my circuit!"

The Link Portal appeared above Storm Rider.

"Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two Cyberse monsters. I set Cycode Sorceress and Kid in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters became whirlwinds of energy before entering the left and bottom arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Link-2! Cycode Magician!"

A female with long light-blue hair, wearing a long, digital-like cloak with a witch's hat and wielding an energy rod, appeared in the Right Extra Monster Zone.

Cycode Magician ATK 2000 LINK-2 ←↓

"Cycode Kid's effect activates!" Storm Rider declared. "When this card is used to Link Summon a "Cycode" Link Monster, I can target and destroy one face-up card on my opponent's field!"

"What?" Oranos gasped.

"I destroy Gladiator Beast Lazul!"

The muscular rooster in the pillar of light shattered as Oranos frowned.

Storm Rider gestured to his field. "Cycode Magician's effect activates! When it's successfully Link Summoned, I get to return a "Cycode" card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll return Cycode Prisoner to my hand." After taking the card from the Graveyard, Storm Rider gestured to his field again. "I'll build my circuit for a second time! The summoning conditions are two Cyberse monsters, including a "Cycode" monster. I set Cycode Strider and Cycode Assailant in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the bottom and right arrows, turning red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Link-2! Cycode Leo!"

A large, white fur-like digital lion with a blue circuit pattern lining its body with blue fangs and claws appeared next to Cycode Magician's bottom Link Arrow.

Cycode Leo ATK 2100 LINK-2 ↑↓

"Cycode Magician's second effect activates! When a monster is summoned to its Link Arrow, I can banish one card on your field!" Oranos gasped as Storm Rider pointed to his field. "Say goodbye to your Tamer Editor!"

"Think again!" Oranos declared. "I activate the Trap Card: Skill Prisoner! I target Tamer Editor for its effect. For the rest of the turn, when a monster effect that targets Tamer Editor resolves, that effect is negated!"

Storm Rider frowned. "Well, that sucks." His frown deepened. "And he can activate that effect from the Graveyard too later." The frown turned into a smirk. "Still, I can work around that. Battle! Cycode Magician attacks Gladiator Beast Gyzarus!"

Cycode Magician flew up and aimed its rod at Gyzarus.

"At this moment, Cycode Leo's effect activates! Since Cycode Magician is next to Leo's Link Arrow, she gains 1000 more attack points, but since the two are co-linked, they both gain 1000 attack points!"

Cycode Magician ATK 2000→3000

Cycode Leo ATK 2100→3100

"Go! Digital Deletion!"

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Fighting Fund!" Oranos shouted. "Through its effect, monsters can't be destroyed by battle this turn!"

Cycode Magician launched a blue sphere of energy from her rod at Gyruz, failing to destroy it but generating a shockwave that pushed Oranos back.

Oranos: 4000→3400 LP

"Now it's Leo's turn!" Storm Rider stated. "Attack his Tamer Editor!"

Leo growled as it released a blue energy blast from its mouth at Editor, failing to destroy it but sending Oranos tumbling.

Oranos: 3400→2700 LP

"You've gone and done it now, you pest…" Oranos had an irritated look but then grinned. "However, that attack has benefited me as well! Tamer Editor and Fyzarus's effects activate! During the Battle Phase's end, since they battled during it, I can shuffle them back to my Extra Deck and Special Summon four new "Gladiator Beast" monsters from my Deck! Come to me, Gladiator Beast Augustus, Murmillo, Laquari and Dimacari!"

The two Fusion Monsters disappeared from Oranos' field and were replaced by four new monsters. One was a humanoid bird in purple armor with a second pair of hands on the ends of its wings. The second was a blue humanoid fish monster with rotors shaped like conch shells on its back, the third one was a muscular armored tiger surrounded by a ring of fire, and the last one was a blue-skinned minotaur with clawed gauntlets and an intricate loincloth.

Gladiator Beast Augustus ATK 2600 DEF 1000 LVL: 8

Gladiator Beast Murmillo ATK 800 DEF 400 LVL: 3

Gladiator Beast Laquari ATK 1800 DEF 400 LVL: 4

Gladiator Beast Dimacari ATK 1600 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Since they were Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladiator Beast" monster, Murmillo and Laquari's effects activate!" Oranos declared. "First, Laquari's attack points increase by 300!"

Gladiator Beast Laquari ATK 1800→2100

"And since Murmillo was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladiator Beast" monster, I can destroy one monster on the field! Say Goodbye to Cycode Leo!"

Following his words, rotors on Murmillo's back spun and blasted water at the Link Monster. However…

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Cycode Coating!" Storm Rider abruptly declared. "Until the end of the turn, one "Cycode" I monster I control is unaffected by your card effects! I target Cycode Leo!"

Following Storm Rider's words, Leo's body turned transparent, causing the stream of water to pass right through him.

"Looks like I was one step ahead of you," Storm Rider said with a smirk. "Since we've reached the Battle Phase's end, Cycode Leo's effect wears off, returning my monsters' attack points to normal."

Cycode Magician ATK 3000→2000

Cycode Leo ATK 3100→2100

"I place one card face-down and end my turn. Now, let's see what you have in store next, Oranos."

"You just don't learn, do you?" Oranos growled. "If you enjoy courting defeat so much, I'll grant you an experience you'll never forget by tearing you to pieces! My turn! I draw! First, I summon Elemental HERO Prisma!"

A humanoid figure made out of crystals with wings appeared in Attack Position.

Elemental HERO Prisma ATK 1700 DEF 1100 LVL: 4

"That's quite the lineup you've got there," Storm Rider remarked. "Gathering a full field of monsters without Pendulum Summon is quite the feat."

"If you enjoyed this, I guarantee you'll love the next part." Oranos grinned savagely. "I activate Prisma's effect! Once per turn, I can choose a Fusion Monster in my Fusion Deck and send one of its Fusion Materials from my Deck to my Graveyard. And in exchange, Prisma's name will become that of the sent monster! And the Fusion Monster I choose is Gladiator Beast Gaiodiaz, and I will send Gladiator Beast Spartacus from my Deck to my Graveyard!"

Prisma's body started to glow, and in a flash of light, standing where Prisma used to stand was a humanoid dinosaur with a battle axe and spiked shoulder pads.

"And now I'll use Prisma, who's treated as Gladiator Beast Spartacus and Gladiator Beast Dimacari to Fusion Summon!"

"Again?" Storm Rider said, surprised.

The two monsters disintegrated into particles as a portal of energy appeared behind Oranos as he spread his arms and chanted.

"Gladiator that rebels against authority! Gather under the name of the emperor and offer your power!" He brought his hands together. "I Fusion Summon! Come! Gladiator Beast Gaiodiaz!"

A humanoid dinosaur clad in ornate black and gold armor, which was holding a large battle-axe, appeared on Oranos' field.

Gladiator Beast Gaiodiaz ATK 2600 DEF 1500 LVL: 7

"That is one big dinosaur," Storm Rider commented.

"Next, by returning them to the Deck, I use Augustus, Murmillo, and Laquari to perform a Fusion Summon!"

The fusion portal appeared again behind him. His three monsters became red, blue and green particles that swirled together into the vortex as oranos spread his arms and chanted.

"Wandering ghosts of the gladiators! Gather under the name of the emperor and offer your power!" He brought his hands together in front of him. "I Fusion Summon! Come! Gladiator Beast Andabata!"

His newest Fusion Monster was a green humanoid lizard in blue armor with shoulder pads that elongated into four different sections. The backs of the armor curved upward to resemble crude mechanical wings, and its hands carried an enormous sword and a stout shield.

Gladiator Beast Andabata ATK 1000 DEF 2800 LVL: 8

"I activate Andabaa's effect!" Oranosdeclared. "When this card is Special Summoned, I can Special Summon a "Gladiator Beast" Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck by ignoring its summoning conditions! Come, Gladial Beast Nerokius!"

A muscular humanoid bat clad in armor with six wings extending from its back appeared on Battle Beast's field.

Gladiator Beast Nerokius ATK 2800 DEF 1900 LVL: 8

"Three Fusion Monsters in one turn…" Storm Rider looked uncomfortable. "This might be somewhat problematic to deal with…"

"And things will only get worse for you," Oranos revealed a malicious smile. "So, without any further ado, let's battle! Gladiator Beast Nerokius, attack Cycode Magician! And when Nerokius attacks, you can't activate cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step, meaning your little witch is finished! Lethal Shout!"

Nerokius unleashed a powerful soundwave from its mouth, destroying Cycode Magician and sending Storm Rider skidding back.

Storm Rider: 2800→2000 LP

"Andabata's second effect activates!" Oranos explained. "After the monster that was Special Summoned by its effect battles, it returns to the Extra Deck!" Nerokius disintegrated as Oranos said that. "And then, the third half of Andabata's effect activates, and Andabata gains attack points equal to Nerokius's!"

Gladiator Beast Andabata ATK 1000→3800

"Next, Gladial Beast Gaiodiaz, destroy Cycode Leo!" Oranos declared. "Geo Breaker Slash!"

Geordias swung its massive battle-axe, splitting Leo in half and destroying it.

Storm Rider: 2000→1500 LP

"This is the end!" Oranos roared. "Go, Gladial Beast Andabata! Attack him directly! Cursed Gladius!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Defense Draw!" Storm Rider exclaimed. "Due to its effect, all battle damage from your attack is reduced to 0, and I get to draw one card from my Deck!"

"You stubborn insect…" Oranos growled. "In that case, since the Battle Phase ended, Andabata and Gaiodiaz's effects activate, allowing me to return them to the Extra Deck and Special Summon two "Gladiator Beast" monsters for each returned monster from my Deck for a total of four monsters! Come two copies of Gladial Beast Laquari, Gladiator Beast Augustus and Gladial Beast Hoplomus!"

Andabatae and Geordias disappeared from Battle Beast's field and were replaced by two copies of Laquari, Augustus and a humanoid rhino in white armor.

Gladiator Beast Laquari ATK 1800 DEF 400 LVL: 4 x 2

Gladiator Beast Augustus ATK 2600 DEF 1000 LVL: 8

Gladiator Beast Hoplomus ATK 700 DEF 2100 LVL: 4

"The effects of Hoplomus and both Laquaris activate! Since they were Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladiator Beast" monster, Hoplomus's original defense points become 2400 while the two Laquari's original attack points become 2100!"

Gladiator Beast Hoplomus DEF 2100→2400

Gladiator Besat Laquari x 2 ATK 1800→2100

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn with this." Oranos spread his arms wide. "What do you think of my impregnable defenses!? No matter what you try, you'll never be able to get past the wall of my invincible Gladiator Beasts, which will only grow stronger with each passing turn as my Life Points also increase! If you understand the futility of continuing this duel, hurry up and surrender! And I will finish you off quickly and painlessly in exchange!"

"Thanks, but no thanks." Storm Rider scoffed at his opponent's words. "If I recall, the moment I'd surrender to someone like you is the day pigs fly, yes? But enough about that. It's my turn! I draw! First, I activate the Spell Card: Gap Draw! Through its effect, I get to draw cards equal to the number of monsters you control since I control no monsters. Since you control four monsters, I draw two cards!"

Storm Rider let out a satisfied smile upon seeing his two new cards. "I summon Cycode Knight!"

A cybernetic knight in blue and white armor appeared in Attack Position.

Cycode Knight ATK 1800 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"Next, I activate the Spell Card: Monster Slots! With this card, by targeting the Level 4 Cycode Knight and banishing the Level 4 Cycode Assailant from my Graveyard, I can draw a card, and if it's also a Level 4 monster, I can Special Summon it."

A goblin-like slot machine appeared, projecting three images, two of which are both Cycode Knight and Cycode Assailant. The other one rapidly changes to all sorts of cards in Storm Rider's Deck.

"C'mon, I need a Level 4!" Storm Rider begged as he placed his hand on his Deck. "I draw!"

Storm Rider drew as the slot machine stopped on…

Cycode Miner.

"Yeah!" Storm Rider cheered. "I Special Summon Cycode Miner!"

A robotic humanoid in a prospector's uniform carrying a shovel appeared.

Cycode Miner ATK 1700 DEF 100 LVL: 4

"And since I control at least two "Cycode" monsters, I Special Summon Cycode General from my hand!"

A large male humanoid cladded in blue and white armor appeared. It wore a cape and wielded a massive energy blade.

Cycode General ATK 2600 DEF 2300 LVL: 7

"I now create my circuit!"

The Link Portal appeared above Storm Rider once again.

"Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two or more Cyberse monsters, including one "Cycode" monster. I set Cycode Knight, Miner and General in the Link Arrows!"

Storm Rider's monsters became whirlwinds of energy as they entered the left, bottom, and right arrows.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cycode Gaia Charger!"

A blue and dark brown mechanical knight with its body fused to the back of a robotic horse with digital wings appeared in the Extra Monster Zone. The knight held twin lances in its hands, and the horse neighed.

Cycode Gaia Charger ATK 2600 LINK-3 ←↓→

"Gaia Charger's effect activates! When it's successfully Link Summoned, all your monsters have their attack points halved! Jamming Javelin!"

Gaia Charger aimed its lances at the four Gladiator Beats as it released a wave of electricity at them, draining their power.

Gladiator Beast Laquari ATK 2100→1050

Gladiator Beast Augustus ATK 2600→1300

Gladiator Beast Hoplomus ATK 700→350

Oranos gritted his teeth as he gestured to his field. "I activate the Trap Card: No Entry!" he declared. "This card switches all Attack Position monsters to Defense Position!" He narrowed his eyes at Storm Rider. "I've watched all your duels and know that your Gaia Charger has the effect of attacking twice. But it's completely useless if you can't deal me damage."

"I beg to differ," Storm Rider said. "Gaia Charger can also deal piercing damage." Oranos gasped at Storm Rider's words. "Furthermore, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Cycode Multiplier and equip it to Cycode Gaia Charger! So long as it's equipped with it, he can make two attacks against your monsters this turn."

He gestured to his field. "Battle! Cycode Gaia Charger attacks both of your Laquaris! Linkage Spiral!"

Oranos gritted his teeth as he quickly gestured to his field. "I activate the Continous Trap Card: Life Force! Through its effect, I pay 800 Life Points to negate the damage twice!"

Gaia's lances pierced through the two Gladiator Beasts. However, the shockwave failed to reach Oranos due to a semi-transparent barrier that appeared around him. Afterward, a crimson aura formed around his body, causing him to hiss in pain.

Oranos: 2700→1900 LP

"And if you recall from what I said earlier, Gaia Charger's effect allows it to attack twice!" Storm Rider stated. "But that's not all. I banish Cycode Archer from my Graveyard to grant Gaia a second attack, meaning it can now attack your two remaining monsters. Go, Linkage Spiral!"

"And just like before, I'll activate the effect of Life Force!" Oranos said. "I pay 800 Life Points again to negate the damage from both of your attacks!"

The previous scene was repeated, with Gaia Charger thrusting its lances through Augustus and Hoplomus's bodies, destroying them. At the same time, Oranos winced as he was surrounded by a crimson aura yet again.

Oranos: 1900→1100 LP

"I place a card face-down and end my turn." Storm Rider concluded. "I'm impressed. Your instinct to survive is quite strong. However, as I said before, you're still no match for me."

"You worthless piece of trash…" A murderous glint appeared in Oranos' eyes, and his voice tinged with madness. "You still think yourself superior to me, don't you…? Well, you are wrong! You are nothing before me and my power! You hear that!? Nothing! Compared to the worthless you, I'm a chosen existence! You will pay dearly for damaging me to such an extent!"

"Oh dear, he's finally snapped…" Storm Rider sighed. "Why must I always deal with the crazy ones?"

"My turn!" Oranos bellowed. "I draw!"

Upon checking his drawn card, Oranos let out a malicious smile that unnerved Storm Rider.

"Now then, while I'd love to prolong this, all good things must come to an end. From my hand, I activate the Spell Card: Extra Fusion! Through its effect, I can send Fusion Monsters from my Extra Deck to the Graveyard to perform a Fusion Summon!"

Storm Rider's eyes widened as he gasped. "Using monsters from the Extra Deck as Fusion Materials!?"

"That's right," Oranos confirmed. "From my Extra Deck, I send Gladiator Beast Gyzarus and Andabata and fuse them!"

Following Oranos' declaration, silhouettes of the two Fusion Monsters briefly appeared before disintegrating into red and blue particles that swirled into a vortex. The particles turned into streams of energy that soared upwards before merging into a violet whirlwind.

"Savage Beasts of Ancient Times. Offer up your spirit to the violence of the arena and embrace the true nature of battle to become one!" Oranos chanted. "I Fusion Summon! Appear now! The Mad Emperor! Gladiator Beast Caligula!"

The whirlwind dispersed as a large dragon cladded in black Roman armor with red jewels appeared. It had a long tail, giant wings, a fanged mouth, and piercing yellow eyes. The monster brandished a large crimson scythe and let out a terrifying cackle.

Gladiator Beast Caligula ATK 3500 DEF 3000 LVL: 10

"What kind of monster is that?!" Storm Rider gasped.

"This is the monster that will lead you to your demise, Storm Rider," Oranos answered with a sinister smile. "Now, bear witness to the full strength of my grudge and resentment towards you. I activate Caligula's effect! When it is successfully Fusion Summoned, I can Special Summon two "Gladiator Beast" Fusion Monsters from my Extra Deck with their effects negated, as well as ignoring their summoning conditions. "Come, Gladiator Beast Heraklinos and Gladiator Beast Domitianus!"

A large portal appeared on Oranos' field, with two monsters emerging from it. One was a large bipedal armored chimera-like creature with green translucent wings wielding a gold-plated shield and a spear with an ax attached to it, and the other was a huge, colossal, bipedal serpent covered in purple scales with white armor and a trident.

Gladiator Beast Heraklinos ATK 3500 DEF 2800 LVL: 8

Gladiator Beast Domitianus ATK 3500 DEF 1200 LVL: 10

"Three Fusions again in a single turn?" Storm Rider murmured. "This spells out trouble for me."

"Battle!" Oranos exclaimed. "Gladiator Beast Caligula, attack Cycode Gaia Charger! Emerald Blaze!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Half Unbreak!" Storm Rider declared. "Thanks to its effect, Gaia Charger cannot be destroyed by battle, and the damage I receive from battles involving it is halved for this turn!"

Following Storm Rider's words, a wave of flames engulfed the Cycode Link Monster, with the flames spreading towards Storm Rider, making him scream in pain.

Storm Rider: 1500→1050 LP

"Next, Heraklinos will attack Cycode Gaia Charger!" Oranos shouted. "Gladiator's Halberd!"

Heraklinos swung its ax, striking Gaia and creating a powerful shockwave that pushed Storm Rider back.

Storm Rider: 1050→850 LP

"Finally, Domitianus will attack Gaia Charger!" Oranos declared. "Trident Devastation!"

Domitianus raised its trident and summoned a towering vortex of water, striking Gaia Charger with it and generating another shockwave that sent Storm Rider flying.

Storm Rider: 850→400 LP

"Hahahaha!" Oranos laughed with a mad expression on his face. "Serves you right, you scum! That position is the most appropriate for you! Suffer in agony and despair! And when you do, my defeat at your hands will finally stop haunting my master's nightmares! And since we've reached the Battle Phase's end, the second effect of Caligula activates!" he stated. "For every "Gladiator Beast" Fusion Monster that battled, one card on your field is destroyed." Storm Rider gasped. "Three monsters battled, so I get to destroy up to three of your cards. Say goodbye to Gaia Charger!"

Caligula roared as it swung its scythe with deadly precision, beheading Gaia Charger with a single strike and destroying it.

"I end my turn. And because of that, Heraklinos and Domitianus return to my Extra Deck," Oranos said as the two monsters disappeared from his field. "You may have earned a small reprieve, but I'll end your miserable existence on my next turn!"

"Sorry, but that won't be happening." Storm Rider said with a serious expression. "My comrades and I are here to protect the innocent and put a stop to the Syndicate's actions. I won't allow a small fry like you who only dreams about vengeance to stand in our way."

Storm Rider then regarded Oranos with a pitying look.

"However…I will at least apologize for the manner in which I defeated Phantom. It's a fact that his loss to me drove you over the edge. Even so, that doesn't excuse your actions or the blatant disregard for the fate of LINK VRAINS. That's why I'll take you down before your sins become irredeemable."

"You…" Oranos growled at Storm Rider. "Are you still looking down on me, you worthless piece of trash!? I don't need your apologies or your forgiveness! All I need is for you to grovel before my feet like the insignificant vermin you are!"

"It appears any further discussion is pointless…" Storm Rider sighed. "In that case, the only thing left is to take you down with extreme prejudice! My turn! I draw! First, I activate Cycode Knight's effect from my Graveyard, banishing it to shuffle Cycode Sorceress, Strider, Miner, Kid and General into my Deck to draw two cards!"

He drew his cards, looked at them and played one. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Cycode Operation! Its effect lets me add a Level 4 or lower "Cycode" monster from my Deck to my hand."

Storm Rider took the card from his Deck and played it. "Since you control monsters and I don't, I can Special Summon Cycode Swordsman from my hand!"

A man in cybernetic blue armor carrying futuristic swords appeared.

Cycode Swordsman ATK 1200 DEF 900 LVL: 3

"Since Swordsman was Special Summoned by its effect, I can add one "Cycode" monster from my Deck to my hand," Storm Rider said. "I add Cycode Masterframe, which I'll immediately summon!"

A young boy with dark brown hair, wearing a dark orange hoodie, a pair of goggles with white lining across the lens, hover boots and gauntlet-like gloves appeared.

Cycode Masterframe ATK 1600 DEF 400 LVL: 4

"Masterframe's effect activates!" Storm Rider continued. "When Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon one "Cycode" monster from my hand. Appear once more, Cycode Prisoner!"

The cyborg in a prisoner's uniform reappeared in Attack Position.

Cycode Prisoner ATK 1600 DEF 2100 LVL: 5

"Following that, I activate the Spell Card: Cycode Core, which allows me to Special Summon a "Cycode" monster with a Level from my Graveyard in Defense Position with its effects negated. Return, Cycode Assailant!"

The metal skeletal robot with six arms reappeared next to Storm Rider's other monsters.

Cycode Assailant ATK 1500 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

Storm Rider raised his hand. "Appear! The ultimate circuit!" The Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two or more monsters. I set Cycode Swordsman, Masterframe, Prisoner and Assailant in the Link Arrows!"

The four monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the top-left, top, bottom, and top-right arrows.

"The new wind that flows throughout this world gives the mighty creature that connects the past and future!" Storm Rider chanted. "I Link Summon! Appear, Link-4! Cyber Tech Link Dragon!"

The dragon that emerged from the portal had a blue body, white and yellow lining, and silver claws. It also had a spiral-like tail and jet-like energy wings with white and blue-lining eyes like a circuit board. Two large horns on its head faced forward, with a smaller one on the back of its head. Three small spikes that resembled claws were placed on the "elbow" of the wings. The dragon's red eyes glowed as it released a powerful roar.

Cyber Tech Link Dragon ATK 2500 LINK-4 ←↑↓→

"An attack of 2500?" Oranos snorted. "Don't make me laugh! Do you think such a puny monster can pose a challenge to Caligula!? And don't think about using its effect on Caligula because I still have Skill Prisoner in my Graveyard."

"Since the monster Special Summoned by Cycode Core was used as Link Material, I get to draw a card." Storm Rider continued speaking without paying any heed to Oranos' words. He drew his card, looked at it, and his eyes widened. It was a card similar to the one he used in his last duel with Umbra. While hesitant to use it, seeing as how things stood, he had no choice.

He took the second-to-last card in his hand and played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Cyberse Hack! This card lets me target a Cyberse or Dragon monster I control and lets it attack twice during each Battle Phase this turn. I target Cyber Tech!" Storm Rider's eyes narrowed. "Also, since the monster targeted by Cyberse Hack is a Link Monster, I can target one card on your field and shuffle it back into the Deck!"

Oranos gasped. "You can do what?!"

"I shuffle Life Force back into your Deck!"

The dragon roared, sending shockwaves that tore through the Continuous Trap Card.

"Such a pointless move," Oranos sneered. "If you had returned Caligula instead, you would have at least had a fighting chance! But you sadly made the wrong decision. And because of that, your efforts will amount to nothing in the end!"

"Are you sure about that?" Storm Rider took the last card from his hand. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Supreme King's Blessing, equipping it to Cyber Tech!" A black and green aura surrounded the Link Monster. "Battle! Cyber Tech Link Dragon, attack Gladiator Beast Caligula!"

"Fool!" Oranos let out a cynical laugh. "Your monster's attack points are still far below Caligula's! Your attack will sink you!"

"At this moment, Supreme King's Blessing's effect activates!" Storm Rider exclaimed. "When the equipped monster attacks an opponent's monster with higher attack points than it, I can make its attack equal to that monster's attack plus 500!"

Cyber Tech Link Dragon ATK 2500→4000

"4000 attack points!?" Oranos cried out in shock.

"That's right." Storm Rider let out a sly smile. "Cyber Tech Link Dragon, destroy Gladiator Beast Caligula! Digitized Burst Stream!"

Following Storm Rider's command, a torrent of blue-colored energy erupted from Cyber Tech's maw, piercing through Caligula's body and obliterating it, with Oranos wincing due to the ensuing shockwave.

Oranos: 1100→600 LP

Cyber Tech Link Dragon ATK 4000→2500

"And don't forget that due to the effect of Cyberse Hack, my dragon gets to attack twice." Storm Rider reminded his opponent. "Cyber Tech Link Dragon, attack Oranos directly and end this! Ultimate Digitized Burst Stream!"

The dragon fired a beam of blue energy that was twice as powerful as its last attack that enveloped Oranos and generated a massive explosion, sending him flying as he screamed.

Oranos: 600→0 LP

"I suppose it's over with this." Storm Rider deactivated his Duel Disk and narrowed his eyes at the fallen duelist. "It seems this match has ended with my victory, Oranos. As I said, there was no way I would lose to someone who duels for petty revenge."

"Impossible!" Oranos yelled as his body started turning into data and disintegrating. "I…failed to avenge my master! Curse you! Curse you, Storm Rider!"

Oranos extended his hand toward Storm Rider with a hate-filled expression as he slowly moved toward him. However, at that moment, his body completely broke apart into wisps of data that promptly vanished into thin air.

"Guh!"

A sharp pain in his head that felt like it was splitting in two assaulted Storm Rider, forcing him onto his knees. His duel against Oranos, coupled with the fact that he had to face an endless amount soldiers, had somewhat drained him.

"Man, I've almost reached my limit… Storm Rider muttered. All these consecutive duels have taken their toll on me… But I can't give up. Not until I put an end to the Syndicate's reign of terror…"

"You going to stop the Syndicate all by your lonesome? If that's the case, you'll have to go through me first."

Mustering all his strength, Storm Rider stood up. Turning his head toward the direction of the dreadfully familiar voice, he came face-to-face with Enoch.

"Enoch…" Storm Rider muttered, narrowing his eyes at the sight of the Syndicate elite as he struggled to control her trembling. "The worst opponent I could have encountered…"

"The worst, you say? That hurts my feelings a bit." Enoch gestured at his heart with a sarcastic smile on his face. "Seeing how exhausted you are, I won't make you partake in a duel. So why don't you come with me to meet her Holiness?"

"Her Holiness?" Storm Rider repeated. From what Umbra had mentioned in their duel, she went by "The Queen." "So the whole reason you attacked LINK VRAINS was to lure me out? What does your leader want with me?"

"That's none of your concern," Enoch answered. "So are you going come with me the easy way…" His smile turned into a vicious sneer. "Or the hard way."

Before Storm Rider could respond, a bolt of lightning suddenly came down, forcing him and Enoch to shield their eyes and take several steps back out of shock. Once the smoke cleared, it revealed Varis on his right knee, who stood up afterward.

"Sorry, but you're not getting Storm Rider that easily!" Varis exclaimed as he activated his Duel Disk. "It's time to duel!"

Enoch's eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Varis in front of him. How did he not see this coming? "How in the world are you here?" he demanded. "We made sure that no one else can log in and stop and interfere with our plans!"

"I have my ways," Varis answered with a sly smirk before turning to Storm Rider. "I'm afraid you'll have to sit this one out."

"You intend to duel, Varis?" Storm Rider asked. "But Enoch is—"

"It will be alright," Varis reassured Storm Rider. "Besides, if anyone should save their strength, it's you. Should I fail, you'll need to stop him. And since I've watched both your duels with him, I think I'll be able to hold my own against him."

"…If you say so, Mr. Hanoi," Storm Rider said with a sigh. "Just be careful."

Varis nodded before narrowing his eyes at Enoch. "Do your worst," he said. "I won't lose."

"From the look in your eyes, I can tell that nothing will dissuade you," Enoch said as he activated his Duel Disk. "Very well then. As a sign of respect for a fellow warrior, I shall crush you with my full power. Now, let the battle begin!"

"Duel!" they shouted.

Varis: 4000 LP

Enoch: 4000 LP

"I shall go first!" Varis declared. Looking at his cards, he chose one. "By discarding Background Dragon, I can Special Summon Defrag Dragon!"

A black and red dragon with prism panels attached to its wings appeared in Attack Position.

Defrag Dragon ATK 1000 DEF 600 LVL: 3

"I summon Sniffer Dragon!"

A red bipedal dragon with black armor on its legs, chest, head, tail, and arms appeared.

Sniffer Dragon ATK 800 DEF 400 LVL: 2

"Sniffer Dragon's effect activates! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add another Sniffer Dragon from my Deck to my hand." Varis raised his right hand. "Manifest, my circuit! The summoning conditions are two non-Token Level 4 or lower Dragon monsters. I set Defrag Dragon and Sniffer Dragon in the Link Arrows!"

The two dragons entered the bottom and right arrows.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Twin Triangle Dragon!"

A maroon and gold metal dragon emerged from the Link portal at the right Extra Monster Zone.

Twin Triangle Dragon ATK 1200 LINK-2 ↓→

"Twin Triangle Dragon's effect activates! When it is Link Summoned, I can pay 500 Life Points to Special Summon a Level 5 or higher monster from my Graveyard to its Link Arrow. Resurrect, Background Dragon!"

A large dragon covered in orange and black armor appeared at Twin Triangle Dragon's bottom Link Arrow in Attack Position.

Varis: 4000→3500 LP

Background Dragon ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 5

"The monster Special Summoned by Twin Triangle Dragon's effect cannot attack, and its effects are negated," Varis continued. "I manifest my circuit a second time! The summoning conditions are two or more non-Token monsters. I set Background Dragon and Link-2 Twin Triangle Dragon in the Link Arrows!" His monsters entered the top, left, and right arrows.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Triple Burst Dragon!"

A red mechanical dragon with green holographic wings and three cannon barrels embedded in its chest emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone.

Triple Burst Dragon ATK 2400 LINK-3 ←↑↓

"I place a card face-down and end my turn." Varis narrowed his eyes forward. "Now, let's see how strong the Syndicate's favorite lapdog is."

"A Link-3 monster right from the start," Enoch said with a sneer. "As expected of the Knights of Hanoi's leader, your skill appears to be quite high. However, in order to fulfill my mission, I'm not allowed to lose here. My turn! I draw! First, since you control a monster while I control none, I can Special Summon Voidvelgr Doom Wyvern from my hand!"

A tall and spindly wyvern with dark purple scales, yellow claws, and solid blue eyes, wearing silver armor on its head, chest, and legs, appeared in Attack Position. It had galaxy-like membranes for wings.

Voidvelgr Doom Wyvern ATK 2000 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"Next, I summon Voidvelgr Thaneskos!"

A humanoid machine made of silver metal under obsidian plates arranged in cloak-like shapes, with violet eyes and segmented yellow wings on its back and wielding a scythe in its hands, appeared.

Voidvelgr Thaneskos ATK 1700 DEF 800 LVL: 4

"Thaneskos's effect activates!" Enoch declared. "When it's Normal Summoned, and all monsters I control are "Voidvelgr" monsters, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Dark Galaxy monster from my Deck. Appear, Voidvelgr Helsar!"

Appearing next to Thaneskos was a humanoid female machine made of silver metal under obsidian plates arranged in armor-like shapes, with crimson eyes and several yellow spikes jutting from its head in a crown formation, and holding an orb with a galaxy in them in each hand.

Voidvelgr Helsar ATK 1200 DEF 400 LVL: 3

"Helsar's effect activates!" Enoch continued. "If it's Special Summoned, I can Tribute it to Special Summon a Level 5 or higher Dark Galaxy monster from my hand or Graveyard. I Special Summon Voidvelgr Nebula from my hand!"

Helsar vanished as a humanoid figure cladded in a black clock with images of stars on it appeared in Attack Position. In its right hand, it wielded a long scythe made of dark matter.

Voidvelgr Nebula ATK 2400 DEF 2000 LVL: 6

Enoch gestured to his field. "I activate Transi's effect! When it's Special Summoned, One monster on your field loses 800 attack points. I target Triple Burst Dragon!"

"I'm sorry to say that move won't work!" Varis said smugly, surprising Enoch. "I activate the Trap Card: Link Barricade!" The card showed numerous crisscrossed red arrows forming a fence, with Auram the World Chalice Blademaster standing behind said fence. "For the rest of the turn, my Link Monsters cannot be destroyed by battle and are unaffected by your card effects!"

"Tch." Enoch gritted his teeth. "Not bad. If I can't destroy your monster, I can still deal damage. I equip the Equip Spell Card: Voidvelgr Tartus to Voidvelgr Nebula!"

A black device lined with blue trims and pink spikes attached itself to Transi's back, after which a myriad of tentacles with snake-like heads at their tips emerged and growled at Varis.

"Thanks to Voidvelgr Tartus's effect, Nebula's attack points increase by an amount equal to its Level multiplied by 100," He stated with a wide smile. "Its Level is 6, so it gains 600 attack points!"

Voidvelgr Nebula ATK 2400→3000

"Battle!" Enoch exclaimed. "Nebula attacks Triple Burst Dragon!"

"Due to Link Barricade's effect, Triple Burst Dragon can't be destroyed by battle!" Varis reminded Enoch.

"But you'll still take damage!" Enoch countered. The cloaked humanoid swung its scythe, and Varis grunted as the attack's shockwave pushed him back.

Varis: 3500→2900 LP

"That should suffice for now," Enoch said. "I end my turn."

"It's my turn!" Varis announced. "I draw! At this moment, Triple Burst Dragon's effect activates! By Tributing it, I can Special Summon a Link-2 or lower monster from my Graveyard and a Level 4 or lower Dragon monster from my hand. I Special Summon Twin Triangle Dragon and Sniffer Dragon!" Triple Burst Dragon disintegrated and was replaced by the maroon and gold armored dragon and another copy of the red humanoid dragon in Attack Position.

Twin Triangle Dragon ATK 1200 LINK-2 ↓→

Sniffer Dragon ATK 800 DEF 400 LVL: 2

"Sniffer Dragon's effect activates! I add my third Sniffer Dragon from my Deck to my hand. I activate the Spell Card: Gift of the Weak! Through its effect, I banish the Level 3 Sniffer Dragon from my hand to draw two cards."

Varis drew and smiled at his cards. "I summon Triggering Wurm!"

A red mechanical dragon shaped like a comma appeared on Varis's field.

Triggering Wurm ATK 600 DEF 600 LVL: 2

"Manifest, my circuit!" Varis declared, his hand sparking with blue electricity. The Link Portal appeared above him. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are at least two Effect Monsters. I set Twin Triangle Dragon, Sniffer Dragon and Triggering Wurm in the Link Arrows!"

His four monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the bottom-left, top, bottom, and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.

"Link the Circuit! I Link Summon! Appear! Link 4! Topologic Bomber Dragon!"

The massive metallic orange dragon with green lines running over its body appeared, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Topologic Bomber Dragon ATK 3000 LINK-4 ↙↑↓↘

Storm Rider narrowed his eyes. "That's one of his ace monsters…" he muttered. "Its effect is very bad for Enoch."

Varis gestured to his field. "Triggering Wurm's effect activates!" he said. "Since I used it to Link Summon a Dark Link Monster, I can Special Summon Triggering Wurm from my Graveyard next to its Link Marker."

Following his words, Triggering Wurm reappeared in Attack Position, summoned to Topologic Bomber Dragon's bottom-left Link Arrow.

Triggering Wurm ATK 600 DEF 600 LVL: 2

"Topologic Bomber Dragon's effect activates!" Varis declared. "When a monster is Special Summoned next to a Link Monster's Link Marker, all monsters in our Main Monster Zones are destroyed! Go, Decimation Destruction!"

Topologic Bomber Dragon grew large green holographic wings that gathered and released a powerful energy surge. Enoch braced himself as green energy released from Topologic Bomber Dragon's wings blasted his and Revolver's fields. When the smoke cleared, Voidvelgr Doom Wyvern, Thaneskos, Transi and Triggering Wurm were gone.

"When a Link Monster's effect destroys Triggering Wurm, I draw one card from my Deck," Varis said, drawing his card. Battle! Topologic Bomber Dragon, attack him directly! Malicious Mayhem!"

"Not so fast!" Enoch yelled. I activate the Trap Card: Offensive Guard! When a monster you control declares a direct attack, I can halve the attacking monster's attack points until the End Phase and draw one card!"

Topologic Bomber Dragon ATK 3000→1500

Topologic Bomber gathered red energy in its mouth, which it then released at Enoch, who grunted as the attack struck and pushed him back. She quickly recovered as she drew.

Enoch: 4000→2500 LP

"It's too bad I didn't have another monster to attack with," Varis stated. "I could have ended this farce sooner if I could do so. In any case, I end my turn. And since it's the End Phase, the effect of Offensive Guard's ends."

Topologic Bomber Dragon ATK 1500→3000

"So far, they've only been feeling each other out, each of them trying to grasp each other's style and skill." Storm Rider remarked. "The real deal will probably start about now."

"My turn!" Enoch announced. "I draw! First, I activate the Spell Card: Roll of Fate! This card lets me roll a six-sided die and draw cards equal to the result. Afterward, I must banish cards from the top of my Deck equal to that same result. Go, Dice Roll!"

A dice flew out of Roll of Fate and landed on the ground. After it stopped rolling, it eventually stopped at a six.

"Just what I need. Because I rolled a six, I now get to draw six cards. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Cost Down! By discarding a card from my hand, the Levels of all monsters in my hand are reduced by 2 until the End Phase."

"That means he can summon monsters with one less Tribute," Storm Rider said. "This isn't good."

"I summon the now Level 3 Voidvelgr Black Dwarf!"

A small, slime-like monster clad in dark and yellow armor with four green eyes appeared.

Voidvelgr Black Dwarf ATK 1500 DEF 0 LVL: 3

"Black Dwarf's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 Dark Galaxy Normal Monster from my Graveyard. I Special Summon Dimension Others!"

A black-skinned creature with no eyes or mouth appeared in Attack Position.

Dimension Others ATK 1500 DEF 0 LVL: 4

Varis narrowed his eyes. "That must've been one of the cards he sent through Roll of Fate."

"And now, since I control a Dark Galaxy monster, I can Special Summon Voidvelgr Peltast from my hand!"

A pink-skinned alien whose armor on its shoulders and head was shaped like a crescent moon, wielding a shield and spear, appeared in Attack Position.

Voidvelgr Peltast ATK 0 DEF 1500 LVL: 1

"Appear, the circuit that expands the universe! The summoning conditions are two or more Dark Galaxy monsters. I set Black Dwarf, Others, and Peltast in the Link Arrows!"

His monsters turned into twisters of purple energy and entered the left, bottom, and right arrows.

"From the empty sky, I invoke the false Avalon of ideals. Exterminate those who follow the light! I Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Voidvelgr Dark Star!"

An eerie, spacecraft-like monster whose main body appeared to be an eye emerged from the portal. Three triangle-shaped drones were attached to it by an invisible link, two on its sides and one under it. The "eye" was a bright crimson with a black, slitted pupil and a white dot in its center, while its drones were silver with purple accents, and the ones on its sides sported futuristic black guns as it was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Voidvelgr Dark Star ATK 2300 LINK-3 ←↓→

"D-Dark Star?" Storm Rider said, his eyes as he remembered the monster that brought him difficulty in his first duel with Enoch.

"I activate Voidvelgr Dark Star's effect!" Enoch declared. "Once per turn, I can target one of your monsters, equip it to Dark Star, and treat it as a "Voidvelgr" Equip Spell Card."

Varis gasped. "What?"

"I equip Bomber Dragon to Dark Star! Ideal Darkness!"

The white dot in Dark Star's pupil glowed brightly as the orange dragon gained an eerie aura before disintegrating, only for its card to reappear on Varis's field.

"When equipped with your monster, Dark Star gains 700 attack points and becomes unaffected by your card effects."

Voidvelgr Dark Star ATK 2300→3000

Enoch gestured to his field. "Battle! Dark Star attacks you directly! Ballistic Barrage!"

Dark Star's blasters released streams of purple energy, which broke into smaller streams as they rained down on Varis.

"Did you think it would be that easy?" Varis demanded. "Since you declared an attack, I can Special Summon Checksum Dragon from my hand in Attack Position!"

A red dragon with a large shield atop its head appeared.

Checksum Dragon ATK 400 DEF 2400 LVL: 6

"When Checksum Dragon is Special Summoned by its effect, I gain Life Points equal to half its defense points!"

Varis: 2900→4100 LP

The beams struck the dragon and exploded, creating a massive smoke cloud. But when the smoke faded, Checksum Dragon was revealed to be unhurt. Varis, not so much as he fell to his knees.

Varis: 4100→1500 LP

"Since Checksum Dragon was Special Summoned by its effect," Varis explained, "it can't be destroyed in battle."

"I hope this isn't the full extent of your power, or this is going to be over very soon," Enoch said. "I place one card face-down and end my turn."

"It's my turn!" Varis announced. "I draw! First, I activate the Spell Card: Graceful Charity! It allows me to draw three cards at the cost of discarding two." He drew, then said, "I discard Cards of Compensation and Remote Rebirth." He sent the cards to his Graveyard, then said, "Cards of Compensation's effect activates! I'm allowed to draw two cards since it was sent to the Graveyard. And since my Life Points are lower than yours and you're the only one with a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I can activate the Spell Card: Final Offguard! It lets me draw two cards! Next, I activate the Field Spell Card: Boot Sector Launch from my hand! With this card, all "Rokket" monsters on my field gain 300 attack and defense points!"

The ground shook as a massive red gun barrel appeared on Varis's right side with green lines. It had a red and black frame that ran from the top to the bottom, covering two of the six holes.

"I activate Boot Sector Launch's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon up to two "Rokket" monsters from my hand in Defense Position. Come, Anesthrokket Dragon and Autorokket Dragon!"

Two mechanical dragons appeared, one green-and-yellow with a needle on its head and the other orange with a missile.

Anesthrokket Dragon ATK 0→300 DEF 2200→2500 LVL: 1

Autorokket Dragon ATK 1600→1900 DEF 1000→1300 LVL: 3

"I now manifest my circuit!" A Link Portal appeared in the sky above Varis. "The summoning conditions are two "Rokket" monsters! I'll set Anesthrokket Dragon and Autorokket Dragon in the Link Arrows!"

The two monsters entered the top and bottom arrows.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Booster Dragon!"

A dark blue metal dragon with a gun barrel for a head and green holographic wings emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Booster Dragon ATK 1900 LINK-2 ↙↘

"Moving on, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Borrel Regenerator! I Special Summon a "Rokket" monster to the field and equip it with Borrel Regenerator. Resurrect, Autorokket Dragon!"

The orange metal dragon reappeared.

Autorokket Dragon ATK 1600→1900 DEF 1000→1300 LVL: 3

"I activate Booster Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I can target another monster on the field and increase its attack and defense points by 500, and you cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect. I target Autorokket Dragon!" Varis smirked. "Autorokket Dragon's effect activates! When a Link Monster's effect targets it, I can destroy it, then send a Spell or Trap Card from the field to the Graveyard! I send Topologic Bomber Dragon to the Graveyard!"

Autorokket Dragon broke apart and left behind an orb, entering Booster Dragon's chest cylinder. The dragon fired a beam from its barrel and impacted the monster, treated as an Equip Spell, disintegrating it. Since Bomber Dragon was no longer equipped to Voidvergr Dark Star, it lost its attack boost.

Voidvelgr Dark Star ATK 3000→2300

"As Borrel Regenerator was sent to the Graveyard because the monster equipped with it was destroyed, I draw a card," Varis continued. "Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Quick Launch! This card lets me Special Summon a "Rokket" monster from my deck, but it can't attack and is destroyed during my End Phase. Come, Magnarokket Dragon!"

A blue metal dragon with a laser on its head appeared in Attack Position.

Magnarokket Dragon ATK 1800→2100 DEF 1200→1500 LVL: 4

"As a Dark Dragon monster was Special Summoned to my field, I can Special Summon Noctovision Dragon from my hand!"

A large gray-green mechanical dragon with green holographic wings and four red eyes appeared in Defense Position.

Noctovision Dragon ATK 0 DEF 2800 LVL: 7

"I now manifest my circuit!" The Link Portal appeared above Varis as his hand glowed blue. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are three or more Effect Monsters. I set Noctovision Dragon, Checksum Dragon, and the Link-2 Booster Dragon in the Link Arrows!"

Booster Dragon split into two tornadoes of energy and entered the left and right arrows. Noctovision Dragon entered the bottom-left arrow, and Checksum Dragon entered the bottom-right arrows.

"My gale that slices open the closed world!" Inside an underground hangar, lights illuminate a massive red and silver mechanical dragon with a gun cylinder in its chest and green holographic wings. "I Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Borreload Dragon!"

The dragon shot out of the hangar and portal and roared from the Right Extra Monster Zone.

Borreload Dragon ATK 3000 LINK-4 ←↙↘→

"Since Noctovision Dragon was sent to the Graveyard as Link Material, I can draw a card!" Varis drew, then gestured to his field, "Following that, I activate Borreload Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I can target a monster and reduce its attack and defense points by 500. I target Magnarokket Dragon! At this point, Magnarokket Dragon's effect activates! Since a Link Monster's effect targeted it, it is destroyed!"

Magnarokket Dragon disintegrated as its remains turned into a blue orb that entered the cylinder embedded in Borreload Dragon's chest.

"I can then send a monster on the field to the Graveyard. I send Dark Star to the Graveyard!"

A gun barrel extended from Borreload Dragon's mouth. It fired a large blue bullet at Dark, making the battleship explode.

Storm Rider narrowed his eyes. "Borreload has 3000 attack points while Enoch has 2500 Life Points," he said. "If this attack hits, Varis wins."

"Battle!" Varis declared. "Borreload Dragon attacks you directly! Thunder Borrel Cannon!"

"You think I'll let things end here!?" Enoch yelled. "I activate the Trap Card: Ground Capture! Since your monster declared an attack, the battle damage is halved!"

The cannon barrels fired yellow energy at Ena, striking her body and causing her to fall to her knees in pain.

Borreload Dragon extended a gun barrel from its mouth and fired a large shell at Enoch, striking his body and making him fall to his knees in pain.

Enoch: 2500→1000 LP

"Then, since I took 1000 or more points of damage from your attack, I can draw a card!"

"It seems you've survived, but only for now…" Varis said. "I place a card face-down and end my turn. And since Magnarokket Dragon is in the Graveyard because it was destroyed and sent there, its effect activates, letting me Special Summon a new "Rokket" monster from my Deck. Come, Silverrokket Dragon!"

A bright silver mechanical dragon with violet holographic wings appeared in Defense Position.

Silverrokket Dragon ATK 1900→2200 DEF 100→400 LVL: 4

"My turn! I draw!" Enoch shouted. "I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed, whose effect lets me draw two cards."

Enoch drew and smiled at his cards. "Just what I needed. I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Voidvelgr Ritual!"

"Voidvelgr…Ritual…" Storm Rider tensed at the sight of the familiar card. "As expected, he's going to bring out 'that' monster next…"

"With this card, I can Tribute monsters from my hand or field whose combined Levels equal or exceed that of a "Voidvelgr" Ritual Monster in my hand!" Enoch's smirk widened. "However, if you control a monster in the Extra Monster Zone while I have no monsters on my field, I can also banish "Voidvelgr" monsters in my Graveyard! I banish the Level 4 Hoplites and the Level 3 Kataphraktos from my Graveyard!"

A swirling galaxy appeared on Enoch's field. Hoplites and Kataphraktos reappeared before bursting into purple and crimson light as they entered a magical circle in the galaxy's center. The circle lit up and created a pillar of blue light.

"From the empty sky, I awaken an army of clouds. I Ritual Summon! Appear now, Voidvelgr Hecatoncheir!"

A bipedal dragon with a mechanical design, possessing four arms, a spiked tail, and two wings with no membranes, emerged from the portal and appeared on Enoch's field.

Voidvelgr Hecatoncheir ATK 2600 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

"So this is Enoch's fabled Ritual Summon…" Varis muttered. "How magnificent indeed…"

Enoch gestured to his field. "I activate Voidvelgr Hecatoncheir's effect! When this card is Special Summoned successfully, I can send the top five cards from my Deck to my Graveyard, and for every Dark Galaxy monster, I can destroy up to that many cards on your field. But if I get a "Voidvelgr" monster among them, I can banish those cards instead! Let's do this!"

Enoch drew five cards, checked them and sent them to the Graveyard.

"Two of the sent cards were Dark Galaxy monsters," Enoch stated. "Therefore, I can banish up to two cards! I banish Borreload Dragon and Silverrokket Dragon. And since this effect doesn't target, Borreload can't save itself with its effect! Antimatter Shot!"

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Mystik Wok." Varis abruptly declared. "Thanks to its effect, I can Tribute a monster on my field and gain Life Points equal to its attack or defense points. I Tribute Borreload Dragon to gain Life Points equal to its attack."

Varis: 1500→4500 LP

"Tch, so you managed to save your ace from Hecatoncheir's effect," Enoch said. "But your other monster's a different story."

Following Enoch's words, the wings on Hecatoncheir's back generated a bolt of golden-colored electricity that vaporized Silverrokket.

"Now, it's time to end this! Battle! Hecatoncheir, attack Varis directly! Doom Satellite!"

Hecatoncheir crossed its four arms, generating an orb of energy that shot forward and struck Varis, pushing him back several feet.

Varis: 4500→1900 LP

"I was unable to end you, but at least I got rid of your pesky monsters," Enoch stated. "I end my turn with this."

"If you are satisfied with just this much, then you truly underestimate me…" Varis sighed. "In any case, it's my turn. I draw! First, I place a card face-down. Then, I activate the Spell Card: Foresight Draw. Through its effect, I can guess what type of card is the top card of my Deck. If I'm correct, I get to draw five cards from my Deck. If not, I'll have to send five cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard and skip my next Draw Phase. Now, let's do this! I declare that my top card is a Trap Card!"

Varis drew his top card and revealed it to Enoch.

"Since my guess was correct, I get to draw five cards from my Deck. Next, I activate Boot Sector Launch's effect! Once per turn, if you control more monsters than me, I can Special Summon different "Rokket" monsters from my Graveyard up to the difference. You control one while I control none, so I Special Summon Magnarokket Dragon!"

The blue metal dragon reappeared in Defense Position.

Magnarokket Dragon ATK 1800→2100 DEF 1200→1500 LVL: 4

"Next, since I control a Dragon-Type monster," Varis continued. "I can Special Summon this monster from my hand! Come forth, Hammer Dragon!"

A dragon with black scales covered in dark-blue armor with a hammer-shaped head and tail appeared.

Hammer Dragon ATK 1000 DEF 600 LVL: 3

"And since I control a "Rokket" monster, I can Special Summon Absorouter Dragon from my hand!"

A black metal dragon covered in blue lines with six spines for wings appeared in Attack Position.

Absorouter Dragon ATK 1200 DEF 2800 LVL: 7

"I now manifest my circuit!" A Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two Dark Dragon monsters. I set Magnarokket Dragon and Absorouter Dragon in the Link Arrows!"

His two monsters entered the bottom and bottom-right arrows.

"I Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Synthborrel Dragon!"

The metallic dragon from the portal had dark orange skin with light red armor covering its legs, tail, and neck. Its tail ended in two prongs, and a gun cylinder sat in its chest. Violet holographic wings shout out of its back, and a single dark red gun barrel is attached to the top of the dragon's head. The dragon roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

Synthborrel Dragon ATK 1200 LINK-2 ↓↘

"Since I sent Absorouter Dragon to the Graveyard, I can add a "Rokket" monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Rokket Tracer to my hand," Varis continued. "Following that, I activate Synthborrel Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I Special Summon a "Rokket" monster from my Graveyard to its Link Arrow with its effects negated. But I will be unable to Special Summon other monsters for the rest of the turn, except for Dragon monsters. Resurrect, Autorokket Dragon!"

Autorokket Dragon ATK 1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"I activate Synthborrel Dragon's additional effect! I can use monsters on my field as material to Fusion Summon a Dragon Fusion Monster!"

Enoch gasped. "What?!"

"I fuse Autorokket Dragon and Synthborrel Dragon!"

The monsters broke into red and blue data and swirled into a vortex. Two twisters shot upward and merged into a violet tornado.

"When the roar and anger merge, they coalesce into the source of all rage! I Fusion Summon! Borreload Furious Dragon!"

A new red and gray mechanical dragon emerged from the whirlwind. This one had violet armor parts on its legs, arms, chest barrel, and violet horns. Purple holographic wings spread out from its back. The dragon roared in Attack Position.

Borreload Furious Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

"I activate Borreload Furious Dragon's effect! I can target one monster on my field and one card you control and destroy them both!" Enoch gasped. "I destroy Hammer Dragon and Voidvelgr Hecatoncheir! Null Varrel Fire!"

Hammer Dragon reformed into an orb of light and entered Furious Dragon's chest cavity. The dragon opened its mouth and revealed a gun barrel. It fired a beam of violet energy at the Ritual Monster, making it shatter.

"At this moment, Voidvelgr Hecatoncheir's effect activates," Enoch stated. "When this card is destroyed, I can Special Summon a "Voidvelgr" monster from my Deck. Appear, Voidvelgr Transi!"

A bipedal dragon with a mechanical design emerged from a portal that appeared on the ground in Defense Position. It wore thick, blocky dark armor adorned with pink orbs and blue accents. Its two wings were segmented into coffin-like shapes, and the monster held a long spear in its right hand.

Voidvelgr Transi ATK 2400 DEF 2000 LVL: 5

Varis narrowed his eyes. "Battle!" he exclaimed. "Furious Dragon, attack Voidvelgr Transi!"

The gun barrel extended again and charged with golden energy, which it fired. The attack struck Transi, destroying it in an explosion.

"As expected, I'll need to exert myself much more in order to defeat you," Varis said. "I end my turn with that."

"My turn!" Enoch announced. "I draw! First, I summon Voidvelgr Globule!"

Voidvelgr Globule ATK 0 DEF 1300 LVL: 3

Enoch gestured to his field. "Globule's effect activates! When summoned, I can add a "Voidvelgr" Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I choose to add a second copy of Voidvelgr Ritual, which I'll activate! Through its effect, I Tribute Globule on my field along with Shadow Sentinel in my hand to Ritual Summon!"

The circle reappeared. Eight flames appeared around the circle before the two monsters disintegrated as their data entered it, making it shoot a beam of light at the sky.

"From the empty sky, I call forth a wandering warrior's regrets! I Ritual Summon! Rise! Voidvelgr Elysium!"

A bipedal dragon covered in dark and yellow armor adorned with pink orbs and accents all over its body. Two arc-shaped wings were attached to its back, which emitted electricity.

Voidvelgr Elysium ATK 2800 DEF 2500 LVL: 7

"I activate Elysium's effect!" Enoch declared. "When Ritual Summoned, all your monsters are changed to Defense Position!"

Elysium let out a resounding roar that forced Furious Dragon into Defense Position.

"Following that, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Voidvelgr Tyrfing!" Enoch continued as a large ruby sword appeared in Elysium's other hand. "This card can only be equipped to a "Voidvelgr" monster, with its effect increasing its attack points by 400 and allowing it to inflict piercing battle damage."

Voidvelgr Elysium ATK 2800→3200

"Now, let's see how you'll escape from this bind," Enoch stated. "Battle! Voidvelgr Requiem, attack Borreload Furious Dragon! Cosmo Burst!"

Elysium leaped forward at the Borreload Fusion Monster, its sword held high. It brought the sword down on the dragon, with Varis wincing due to the ensuing shockwave.

Varis: 1900→1200 LP

"Since I can't do anything else for now, I'll end my turn."

"My turn!" Varis announced. "I draw! I summon Gateway Dragon!"

A bronze six-sided gate appeared on Varis's field. The gate then opened as a three-armed bronze dragon emerged in Attack Position.

Gateway Dragon ATK 1600 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"I activate Gateway Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower Dragon monster from my hand. Come, Rokket Tracer!"

A red metal dragon with a missile attached to its head and rocket boosters on its arms appeared in Defense Position.

Rokket Tracer ATK 1600→1900 DEF 1000→1300 LVL: 4

Enoch frowned. "Those monsters… They are both Level 4."

"I use Level 4 Gateway Dragon and Rokket Tracer to build the Overlay Network!" Varis proclaimed as he raised his Duel Disk. A bolt of green lightning shot out of it, turning the world around them into a void. The Xyz cross appeared beneath the two dragons, which turned into data and entered the circles on the cross. The ends of the cross shot beams of light upward, creating a spiraling galaxy that exploded with power.

"When steel and darkness synergize into one, the portal to the edge of the universe opens to invite its solitary denizen! I Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Borreload eXcharge Dragon!"

A new black-and-gray armored dragon emerged from the portal. This one had red holographic wings attached to two massive thrusters and a red "X" across the cylinder's chest. Two red horns rose from the sides of the dragon's gray head as it roared from Varis' field in Attack Position, two orange lights circling behind it.

Borreload eXcharge Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 2500 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"I activate eXcharge Dragon's effect!" Varis declared. "Enemy Negation Blasting Charge! By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can target one monster on the field and lower its attack and defense points by 600. I target Elysium!"

One of the circling lights broke apart as eXcharge Dragon roared.

Voidvelgr Elysium ATK 3200→2600 DEF 2500→1900

Borreload eXcharge Dragon OU: 2→1

"I can also Special Summon a "Borrel" monster from my Graveyard! Resurrect, Borreload Dragon!"

The original Borreload Dragon reappeared and roared.

Borreload Dragon ATK 3000 LINK-4 ←↙↘→

"Battle!" Vais declared. "eXcharge Dragon attacks Elysium! Borreload Dragon's effect activates! Elysium loses 500 attack points, and you cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect. Enemy Negation!"

Voidvelgr Elysium ATK 2600→2100

"Go! Blasting Borrel Cannon!"

eXcharge Dragon's wings turned forward and broke open, revealing two cannon barrels and several smaller lasers. The dragon's mouth opened, revealing two gun barrels. All of the cannons charged and then fired blue lasers at Elysium. The dragon fired back with purple, only for said fire to be overwhelmed. Multiple lasers struck Elysium, making it cry out in pain as it exploded. The shockwaves of the blast hit Enoch, knocking him back a step.

Enoch: 1000→100 LP

"Since it was destroyed, Voidvelgr Elysium's effect activates!" Enoch stated. "Thanks to it, I can Special Summon one "Voidvelgr" monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position. Return to me, Voidvelgr Transi!"

Voidvelgr Transi ATK 2400 DEF 2000 LVL: 5

"And thanks to Transi's effect, I can add a "Voidvelgr" monster or a "Voidvelgr" Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. This time, I choose to add a "Voidvelgr" monster to my hand!"

"This means that another one of his Ritual Monsters is coming next turn…" Varis muttered. "Borreload Dragon attacks Voidvelgr Transi! Thunder Borrel Cannon!"

A gun barrel extended from the dragon's mouth, and it fired a beam of energy at Transi. The beam tore through the armored dragon, making it explode.

"I place a card face-down and end my turn," Varis concluded. "During the End Phase, since Borreload Dragon was Special Summoned by eXcharge Dragon's effect, it's sent to the Graveyard."

"My turn!" Enoch announced. "I draw! Now then, since you were so kind as to go all out against me, it's only proper that I respond in kind. From my hand, I activate the Spell Card: Card of Demise! I draw until I have five cards in my hand, But in five turns, I must discard my entire hand."

He drew, then said, "I activate the Spell Card: Rites of Reincarnation! Through its effect, I'm allowed to banish monsters from my Graveyard as Tributes for a Ritual Summon. Next, I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Voidvelgr Ritual, banishing Transi and Black Dwarf from my Graveyard to Ritual Summon!"

A dark blue magic circle appeared, along with Transi and Black Dwarf, who broke apart into particles and entered the circle's center. A beam of light shot upwards.

"From the empty sky, I invoke the promised paradise of oblivion." Enoch chanted. "I Ritual Summon! Come forth! Voidvelgr Requiem!"

A bipedal dragon covered in dark and yellow armor adorned with pink orbs and accents all over its body. Two arc-shaped wings were attached to its back, which emitted electricity.

Voidvelgr Requiem ATK 3000 DEF 2600 LVL: 8

"Voidvelgr Requiem…" Varis remarked. "It appears he's becoming desperate to finish this…"

"Here I come, leader of the Hanoi!" Enoch exclaimed. "I activate Voidvelgr Requiem's effect! When this card is Ritual Summoned, I can destroy all monsters you control! Orbit Eraser!"

Elysium's wings spread as they generated electricity and unleashed a violet-colored blast that destroyed eXchage Dragon.

"Time to draw the curtain on this match, Varis!" Enoch declared. "Battle! Voidvelgr Requiem attacks you directly! Universal Judgement!"

Elysium shot upwards as torrents of electricity surrounded its body, and its wings expanded once again, generating golden energy in its maw before firing it at Varis, obscuring his side of the field in a cloud of smoke.

"Varis!"

Storm Rider cried out. At the same time, Enoch let out an eerie laugh as he doubled over.

"Serves you right. Before the power that I wield, you—"

"Don't gloat just yet. The Duel is far from finished."

A voice was heard from within the cloud, cutting off Enoch. As the smoke cleared, Varis could be seen standing there, completely unharmed.

"What's the meaning of this?" Enoch frowned. "Requiem's attack should have obliterated you."

"Just before your attack connected, I activated the Trap Card: Defense Draw," Varis responded. "Thanks to it, the battle damage was reduced to 0, and I drew a card from my Deck."

"You survived by the skin of your teeth, huh?" Enoch remarked. "Even so, your situation is still nearly hopeless. And it's about to become even worse. I place one card face-down and end my turn. Now, do your worst, Varis!"

"Don't mind if I do." Varis grinned. "My turn! I draw!" Varis looked at his card and smirked. "I activate the effect of Background Dragon in the Graveyard! Since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Background Dragon and a Level 4 or lower Dragon monster from my hand in Defense Position. Resurrect, Background Dragon! And be joined by Gateway Dragon!"

The orange-armored dragon reappeared, joined by the golden serpentine dragon that emerged from a golden gate.

Background Dragon ATK 1600 DEF 1800 LVL: 5

Gateway Dragon ATK 1600 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"Next, I summon Hibernation Dragon!"

A bizarre-looking mechanical dragon with blue-colored energy wings appeared in Attack Position.

Hibernation Dragon ATK 600 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

"Hibernation Dragon's effect activates upon Normal or Special Summon, letting me return a Level 4 or lower Dragon monster from my Graveyard to my hand," Varis explained. "I return Hammer Dragon to my hand, which I'll then use its effect to Special Summon itself since I control a Dragon-Type monster!"

The bipedal dragon with black scales reappeared with a roar.

Hammer Dragon ATK 1000 DEF 600 LVL: 3

"I activate the Spell Card: Galaxy Journey. This turn, each time a monster I control is banished, I can Special Summon that monster to my field." Varis grinned, his plan having fully come together. "I now manifest my circuit!" A Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two or more effect monsters. I set Background Dragon, Gateway Dragon, Hibernation Dragon and Hammer Dragon in the Link Arrows!"

The four dragons became whirlwinds of energy and entered into the top-left, top-right arrowheads, bottom-left and bottom-right arrows, all four of them turning red in the process.

"The evolution of the universe transforms nothing into the infinite!" Revolver chanted. "Link Summon! Come before us! Link 4! Topologic Zeroboros!"

A white-armored dragon-like creature that had orange wing loops, light blue lining, orbs, and spikes across its trefoil knot tail appeared on Varis' field in the right Extra Monster Zone. A set of pink and golden cords were decorated all over its upper armor. The other portions of its armor on its arms and the middle of its chest, which had a light-blue diamond at the center, were colored black. The dragon had a blue orb for an eye, which was inside its sharp-fanged mouth. As for its curved horns, they were attached to the sides of its mouth.

Topologic Zeroboros ATK 3000 LINK-4 ↖↙↘↗

"Zeroboros…?" Enoch seemed astonished. "What the heck is that? There's never been any data of you using such a card before…"

"You shouldn't be so surprised," Varis responded. "All duelists keep a card or two hidden so as to surprise their opponents at a critical juncture. And putting an end to you first and this war next certainly warrants its use. Now, to complete my preparations, I will activate the effect of Defrag Dragon from my Graveyard. By banishing three monsters with the same name from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Defrag Dragon. I banish three Sniffer Dragons!"

The red-and-black dragon reappeared at Zeroboros's bottom-left Link Arrow in Attack Position.

Defrag Dragon ATK 1000 DEF 600 LVL: 3

''With that, I'm set," Varis said, causing Enoch to raise an eyebrow. ''I activate Zeroboros's effect! When a monster is Special Summoned to a Zone a Link Monster points to, all cards on the field are banished!''

''What?!'' Enoch gasped.

Storm Rider smirked. ''What a strategic maneuver,'' he said. ''As soon as Zeroboros is banished, the effect of Galaxy Journey will kick in and bring it back. And since Enoch will have no cards to protect himself, he'll lose.''

Enoch gritted his teeth. "There's no choice, I guess…" he gestured to his field. "I activate the Counter Trap Card: Shattered Fate!" The card showed a swirling vortex of dark energy with a shattered mirror with sharp, fragmented shards radiating from it. "Due to its effect, when my opponent Special Summons a monster, I can destroy all Special Summoned monsters on the field!"

Following his words, Requiem flew forward and grabbed Zeroboros and Defrag Dragon from their throats, smashing them against the ground.

"And due to the second effect of my Trap—all players receive damage equal to half the combined attack of the destroyed monsters!"

Varis and Strom Rider's eyes widened as cracks formed on Requeim's body, and a brilliant light was emitted, enveloping all three dragons. Immediately afterward, a resounding explosion occurred, which obliterated the dragons and blew their users back due to the shockwave.

Enoch: 100→0 LP

Varis: 1200→0 LP

"Storm Rider! Varis!"

Sanctum called out to the two duelists, causing them to turn towards the group.

"Sanctum, everyone…" Storm Rider seemed relieved. "I'm so glad all of you are safe."

"What about Enoch?" Playmaker asked. Everyone turned to look at the Syndicate elite, who was likewise raising himself to one knee.

Enoch looked up at them, his eyes glowing. "I didn't expect this duel to end like this. But then again, it only serves as an opportunity to get stronger for the final battle." He raised his head further. "Storm Rider… just know that when we meet again, it'll be our final duel. And we will decide the fate of the world." With a bolt of lightning, he disappeared.

"Well, that could've gone better," Gore said before noticing the group's numbers. "Where's Kid Fate? We couldn't find him, Triton or Hornet. So we'd hoped they'd be with you guys."

Pyrrha sighed. "You guys might not like what about to say," Pyrrha addressed Gore. "Unfortunately, they lost their duels against Astro, Glacia and Galerius, leading them to have their conscious data taken!"

"Taken…?"

Gore was shocked by this as he stared at Pyrrha, prompting Storm Rider to sigh.

Oh, boy. This is going to be one awkward and uncomfortable talk…