"If (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder) destroys a Monster by Battle and sends it to the Graveyard, its Effect deals 1000 points of Damage to the Opponent Duelist!"
"Taste the bitterness of being betrayed by your own beloved card! Infernal Atonement!"
Hayato's eyes widened. (Gaia), who should have been sent to the Graveyard, inexplicably reappeared on his Field, while a bolt of lightning struck out from (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder)'s hand, aiming for him.
As the lightning bolt was about to descend upon his head, Hayato discovered that (Gaia) merely watched everything before him expressionlessly, utterly motionless.
"(Gaia), what are you looking at over there!" Hayato said, stepping forward, but just then, a lightning bolt struck not far in front of him. "Why are you just watching, (Gaia)!"
"Could it be, could it be that you've actually betrayed me!"
(Gaia): OMO
Amidst Hayato's indignant cries, (Gaia) turned around expressionlessly and vanished from the Field, leaving Hayato to be struck by the lightning.
"Urgh!!!"
[Hayato: 4000 → 3000 LP]
"Hmph hmph hmph, how does it feel? Have you felt the mighty Power of (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder)?" Hesiod's mood was exceptionally good as he watched the uncontrollable pain contorting Hayato's face. "You still have 3000 Life Points. You can savor the feeling of being betrayed by your trusted Monster three more times."
"Oh, I seem to have overlooked something." Hesiod stretched out his hand, pointing at Hayato once more. "(Total Defense Shogun), launch a Direct Attack on the Opponent Duelist!"
Because of (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder)'s Descent, (Total Defense Shogun), clad in heavy armor, was freed from (Rainbow Kuriboh)'s Control. It drew the long blade from its back a second time and charged towards Hayato.
Hayato rallied his spirits. Before (Total Defense Shogun)'s Attack could land, he retrieved a card from his Graveyard and placed it on his Field, declaring: "When (Total Defense Shogun) Declares a Direct Attack, I Activate the Effect of (Rainbow Kuriboh) from my Graveyard!"
"Summon in Defense Position to my Field, and block this strike for me!"
"Aibo, save me!"
"Kuririri~"
Riding on rainbow light, (Rainbow Kuriboh) once more interposed itself between Hayato and (Total Defense Shogun). However, this time, the tattered rainbow light couldn't Control (Total Defense Shogun) as it had before; it shattered instantly. (Rainbow Kuriboh) blocked the Attack with its body, then was Banished from the Game.
"Hmph, you narrowly escaped Death again, Hayato." Hesiod, completely oblivious that his words were, to some extent, a Death Flag, looked at him with great displeasure as his (Total Defense Shogun)'s Attack was blocked once more. Some "(Total Defense Shogun)" you are. More like the one being totally defended against.
Hayato, meanwhile, held (Rainbow Kuriboh)'s card in his hand, Banish-ing it with a reluctant expression. "Thank you, Aibo. You saved my life again. I'll avenge you soon."
"With your empty Field and those weak Monsters, is that all you've got, Duel King?" Hesiod said disdainfully. "Even the legendary (Blue-Eyes White Dragon) couldn't hope to defeat my invincible (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder). Before ordinary Duel Monsters, it is a God that dictates their very life and death!"
"And I, who can wield (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder), am undoubtedly a God myself." As life force continuously poured into his body, making him feel better than ever, Hesiod predictably swelled with arrogance. "Await my judgment Next Turn, Hayato!"
"My Turn Ends."
[Hesiod: 4000 LP, Hand 0]
[(Total Defense Shogun) DEF 2500]
[(Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder) ATK 4000]
The numbness still lingered in his body, but Hayato forced himself to raise his arm, his fingers trembling as he Drew a Card: "My Turn! Draw!"
"Then, I Activate the Effect of the Quick-Play Spell Card (Emergency Provisions)! I Send (Mirage of Nightmare) from my Field to the Graveyard to Gain 1000 Life Points."
[Hayato: 3000 → 4000 LP]
After his Life Points were bolstered, Hayato's condition improved somewhat. His complexion was still pale, but it was much better than after taking a hit from (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder).
Thanks to (Emergency Provisions)'s Effect, Hayato avoided (Mirage of Nightmare)'s drawback, preserving the five cards in his Hand. However, among the cards in his Hand at this moment, he still couldn't piece together the Millennium Puzzle that would defeat (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder) and lead to victory.
"I Summon a monster in face-down Defense Position, then I Set two cards from my Hand. My Turn Ends."
[Hayato: 4000 LP, Hand 2]
[Face-down Defense Position Monster]
[Set Card] X3
"Heh heh, so even the strongest Duel King can only cower and cling to life before (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder)?" Hesiod glanced at Hayato disdainfully. "Indeed, I am too strong, practically a God of Duel Monsters."
"You've only temporarily gained the upper hand; aren't you being a bit too arrogant?"
Hearing Hayato's words, Hesiod sneered, "Your stubborn Will will only lead to greater suffering. I'm suddenly beginning to look forward to the expression on your face when you finally realize the truth, Duel King."
"My Turn! Draw! I Activate the Spell Card (Pot of Greed), allowing me to Draw two cards from my Deck."
"Then, I enter my Battle Phase, and I Activate the Quick-Play Spell Card (Anti-Magic Arrows) from my Hand!"
Suddenly, a rain of arrows of unknown origin descended from the sky. Not a single sharp arrow struck any of the three Monsters on the Field, for their sole target was the three Set Cards on Hayato's Back Row.
" (Anti-Magic Arrows) can only be Activated at the start of the Battle Phase, and no Spell, Trap, or Monster Card effects can be Activated in response to this card's activation," Hesiod said triumphantly. "Until the End Phase of this Turn, Both Players cannot Activate Spell or Trap Card Effects."
"Even if you Set three Traps that respond to Attack Declarations, they're useless now, Duel King!"
"(Total Defense Shogun), crush that Face-down Defense Position Monster!" Hesiod waved his hand, commanding, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "After Destroy-ing that Monster, await (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder)'s Attack to descend, Hayato!"
The heavy greatsword slashed down, easily Destroy-ing the Set Monster on Hayato's Field. Hesiod, without noticing that the Destroyed Monster depicted a young girl, impatiently commanded,
"(Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder), launch a Direct Attack on Hayato!"
Although it started out quite rough, the later part of BLADE's story is truly excellent, combining humor, passion, and tragedy wonderfully.
Kamen Rider Tachibana-san is also one of my favorite characters. Although he kept saying things like "Boroboroda" and "gegege" early on, he later became tragic and cool, especially when he revealed his true face and said, "At this distance, you can't block this, can you?"
It's also a great pity that he couldn't transform into King Form. The only figure I've ever bought is Tachibana-senpai's, and I also have his CSM belt and Rouze Absorber.
(end of chapter)