Chapter 3: Shining Bonds – Crystal Beasts Unleashed!
The duel between Alex and Damien had drawn a sizable crowd, eager to see what both competitors were capable of. Alex's heart pounded as he analyzed his opening hand—Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus, Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger, Rare Value, Crystal Release, and Crystal Beacon. A solid start.
Damien smirked as he held up a card. "I'll go first," he declared, drawing a card. "And I summon Vorcerader in attack mode!"
A hulking metallic warrior appeared on the field, brandishing its massive blade. (ATK 1900 / DEF 1200)
Alex frowned. A strong opening monster. He's not holding back.
Damien set two face-down cards. "I'll end my turn. Let's see if your so-called 'legendary' Crystal Beasts can handle this."
Alex smirked and drew his card. "You're about to find out. I summon Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus!"
A majestic, sapphire-colored winged horse materialized on Alex's side of the field, letting out a triumphant cry. (ATK 1800 / DEF 1200)
Damien scoffed. "That thing's weaker than my Vorcerader. Not much of a threat."
Alex grinned. "That's where you're wrong. Sapphire Pegasus' effect lets me place a Crystal Beast from my deck straight into my Spell Trap Zone as a Continuous Spell. I choose Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth!"
A shimmering amber crystal appeared behind him, pulsing with energy.
Damien crossed his arms. "So what? You just put a card in your back row."
Alex's eyes gleamed. "You'll see soon enough. But first, I activate Crystal Release and equip it to Sapphire Pegasus, boosting its attack by 800!"
Sapphire Pegasus let out a powerful whinny as radiant energy surrounded it. (ATK 1800 2600)
"What?!" Damien's confident smirk vanished.
"Now, Sapphire Pegasus, attack Vorcerader with Sapphire Storm Strike!"
The pegasus soared into the air and crashed down on Vorcerader, shattering it in a brilliant explosion. Damien shielded his face as his Life Points dropped.
Damien: 1900 LP
"Tch… so you got one hit in," Damien muttered. "But I still have my face-downs!"
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Then let's see them."
Damien smirked. "I activate Trap Hole! Since you summoned a monster with 1000 or more ATK, it's destroyed!"
A black pit opened beneath Sapphire Pegasus, pulling it in.
Alex clenched his teeth. That's not good…
But then, he smirked. "Not so fast. When Crystal Release is destroyed, I can place another Crystal Beast from my deck into my Spell Trap Zone. So I'll set Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle!"
Another shimmering crystal materialized, this time glowing a bright ruby red.
Damien scowled. "Tch… whatever. You done?"
Alex nodded. "Yeah. Your move."
Damien drew a card and grinned. "You're wide open! I summon Mad Dog of Darkness!" (ATK 1900 / DEF 1400)
The monstrous hound growled as it appeared on the field.
"Attack him directly!" Damien ordered.
The beast lunged at Alex—
"I activate Crystal Raigeki!" Alex interrupted. "Since I have a Crystal Beast in my Spell Trap Zone, I can destroy one of your monsters!"
A surge of energy erupted from the stored crystals, obliterating Mad Dog of Darkness before it could strike.
Damien stepped back. "No way!"
Alex smirked. "I told you. My Crystal Beasts work together. You can take them off the field, but they never truly leave."
Damien clenched his fists. "This duel isn't over!"
Alex nodded. "You're right. But next turn, I'm ending this."
The crowd around them buzzed with excitement. The battle was heating up, and Alex was ready to show everyone why Crystal Beasts were a force to be reckoned with.
