"Fusion Summon, (Quintet Magician)!"
The expansion of the surrounding invisible magical energy was halted in an instant. As the scene in the mirror appearing on Hayato's Field rotated, the magical energy was swallowed by a Vortex.
"Wh-what?! My power is being...!" Hesiod felt his connection to (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder) suddenly cut off, and a look of panic involuntarily appeared on his face. "How dare you take the Power of a God!"
"Calling yourself a God after plundering things from others, what kind of God is that?" The surging tide of magical energy calmed down. A serene (Quintet Magician) emerged from the mirror of (Magicalized Fusion), dragging a magical energy orb bound by a Magic Circle in its hand.
The Sacred Beasts cards seemed to share a common trait: during a Duel, they continuously absorb life force from their surroundings, funneling that power into the user's body. Using this magical energy as a medium, they subtly alter the controller's mental state.
Compared to Weevil, Hesiod was clearly more affected. He had been a rather cold and aloof individual during his previous Duel with Chazz Princeton, but after Summoning (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder) in his Duel against Hayato, he became quite arrogant and extreme.
He was practically like Shinken Gold (crossed out) the Truth Holy Master from Kamen Rider Solomon.
Regarding Hesiod's state, Hayato felt it was best to directly cut off his source of power—with (Quintet Magician), the strongest in magical energy Control, wresting Control of the surrounding magical energy from (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder).
The magical energy orb in his hand was actually the life force that (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder) had absorbed from the surrounding Duelists and Duel Monster Spirits over the previous period.
"When (Quintet Magician) is successfully Fusion Summoned using five different Spellcaster-Type Monsters as Fusion Material, its Effect Activates," Hayato stated, then sighed. "But unfortunately, two of the Fusion Material used just now were identical (Newt), so this Effect cannot Activate. It's all Bakura's fault."
Hayato said that because one of the two (Newt) cards in his Deck had actually been swiped from Bakura.
"However, even if its Effect can't Activate, (Quintet Magician)'s power is more than enough to deal with you." As he spoke, Hayato drew two Cards and Activated them on his Field. "It's been a while since I used this Combo."
"Continuous Spell Card (Toll), and Equip Spell Card (Megamorph) Activate!"
A stone tablet merged into (Quintet Magician)'s body. However, since both players' Life Points were currently the same, it didn't take Effect yet.
In the middle of Hayato and Hesiod's Field, a tall city wall slowly rose, completely blocking both sides and seemingly completely restricting their Attacks.
Only an archway existed in the center of the wall. A soldier sat on a bench, first looking at the fierce (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder) on Hesiod's Field, then at the clearly formidable (Quintet Magician) on Hayato's Field, trembling uncontrollably.
"As long as (Toll) remains on the Field, neither player can Declare an Attack unless they Pay 500 Life Points. Also, when my Life Points are lower than yours, (Quintet Magician)'s ATK, equipped with (Megamorph), will double."
"Then, I enter my Battle Phase, and Pay 500 Life Points!"
"(Quintet Magician), Attack (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder)!"
[Hayato: 4000 → 3500 LP]
[Hesiod: 4000 LP]
[(Quintet Magician): ATK 4500 → 9000]
[(Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder): ATK 4000]
"D-damn it!" Hesiod's eyes widened. He watched as (Quintet Magician), after Paying the (Toll), moved to his side of the Field. With a raise of its palm, the life force-aggregated magical energy orb passed through five Magic Circles before hurtling towards (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder)!
"Tangible cold, Water; intangible cold, Wind; tangible heat, Earth; intangible heat, Fire. And, the Fifth Element, Aether." The usually silent (Quintet Magician) spoke, a rare occurrence. "Learn well what the Magic of the five great elements truly is. Allow me to show you my Light—"
Watching the magical energy orb about to strike (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder), Hesiod knew clearly that if this Attack went through, he would be finished; his Life Points would be instantly wiped out!
What gave him peace of mind, however, was a Card he had Set last Turn as a precaution. "You think you can defeat me just like that? Muda da!"
"I Activate my Set Card, (Absorption Shield)!"
In that split second, (Quintet Magician)'s Attack was about to crush (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder). Still recovering from the threat of death, a bewildered (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder) stared at the spherical shield that had suddenly appeared before it.
(Quintet Magician)'s Attack was swiftly absorbed by the shield, and the magical energy contained within the Attack was entirely converted into Hesiod's Life Points!
[Hesiod: 4000 → 13000]
"Ooh! Ee-yah-oh-oh-oh!"
Feeling the surging life force within him, Hesiod cried out excitedly, "The Effect of (Absorption Shield) is to Negate one of your Monster's Attack Declarations, then I Gain Life Points equal to that Monster's ATK!"
"It seems you're still a step behind me, Duel King."
Hayato sighed, looking at (Absorption Shield) which still protected (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder). "Honestly, you should talk to the other Duelists I've defeated."
"I think they'd tell you that even using a (Sakuretsu Armor) that can never Activate would be better than using (Absorption Shield)."
The only remaining Set Card on Hayato's Backrow Activated, revealing its true form—(Double Up Chance).
"This Card, (Double Up Chance), can only be Activated when my Monster's Attack is Negated," Hayato snapped his fingers. "It doubles the ATK of that Monster whose Attack was Negated, and grants it one more chance to Attack again."
"N-Nani?!"
Under Hesiod's astonished gaze, the ATK of (Quintet Magician), whose Attack had been Negated, began to soar at an astonishing speed.
[(Quintet Magician): 9000 → 18000]
"ATK, eighteen thousand?!"
"This is truly the final blow, Hesiod." Hayato raised his hand, pointing at (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder). "Then, (Quintet Magician), Attack (Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder)—"
"Hayato!" Hesiod suddenly interrupted Hayato, his widened eyes bloodshot. "You can't do this!"
(As I said before, the character of Hesiod was actually based on the "great benefactor" from Saber.)
(end of chapter)