"I activate the effect of [Nibiru, the Primal Being]!"
"During the Main Phase, if your opponent Normal or Special Summoned 5 or more monsters this turn: Tribute as many face-up monsters on the field as possible, and if you do, Special Summon this card from your hand."
"Then, Special Summon 1 'Primal Being Token' (Rock│LIGHT│Level 11│? ATK / ? DEF) to your opponent's field."
Before Zack could react, every monster on the field vanished—including Morgan's [Monk of the Tenyi]. All of them were sent to the Graveyard in an instant. A massive meteorite crashed down onto Morgan's field, its Attack a fearsome 3000.
Zack's side gained only a Defense Position Token—a boulder, but nothing more.
Everyone froze. They hadn't even seen what happened—just that every monster was wiped out by a meteor.
The shocking scene silenced the crowd. Even Zack, usually so composed, stood stunned.
"What kind of monster is this… with an effect like that?"
After a brief pause, Zack suddenly laughed. He was thrilled to witness something new.
Milo, however, broke into a cold sweat. As a pro Duelist, he knew this meteor's threat. Activated from the hand, triggered when five summons were made—it was nearly impossible to guard against. Pros often summoned more than five times in a turn. To have a meteor suddenly drop, wiping your board… even if the duel wasn't over, your mindset would be shattered.
Morgan really knew how to tilt people.
Milo shuddered. He never wanted to eat a Nibiru at a crucial moment.
The crowd finally erupted in chatter.
"Holy crap, that giant Link-4 just got smashed by a meteor!"
"What monster is that? It wiped the whole field and still has 3000 Attack!"
"But she lost her own monster too. How's she going to extend now?"
"Trading a Link-1 and three Links for it? That's huge profit."
Zack recovered from his shock, grinning.
"A brilliant maneuver. I didn't see that coming. But I won't just give up—I'll resist."
He looked at his Graveyard. All Tri-Brigade lower-levels had effects when sent there, and even his Link-4 was no exception. Shuraig, when sent to the Graveyard, could search a Beast, Beast-Warrior, or Winged Beast with Level less than or equal to the number of his banished.
"I activate the effect of [Tri-Brigade Shuraig the Ominous Omen]!"
"When this card is sent to the Graveyard: Add 1 Beast, Beast-Warrior, or Winged Beast from your Deck to your hand whose Level is less than or equal to the number of your banished Beast, Beast-Warrior, and/or Winged Beast monsters."
At the same time, Rugal's effect chained, reducing Nibiru's ATK by 300.
Zack added a Winged Beast to his hand.
"I add [D.D. Crow] to my hand!"
A key card for disrupting Graveyard plays. It couldn't only negate like [Called by the Grave]; it could still banish her resources.
Morgan frowned. She knew how dangerous [D.D. Crow] could be.
Both players now had few cards left. Morgan only had one—yet it was key to her next play.
"I activate the Spell Card [Swordsoul Emergence] from my hand!"
"Add 1 'Swordsoul' monster from your Deck to your hand."
"I add [Swordsoul of Taia] to my hand!"
An essential starter, equal in importance to Mo Ye. Capable of Synchro plays on its own. With Zack's field reduced to a Token, this was her chance.
"I Normal Summon [Swordsoul of Taia] in Attack Position!"
She hadn't used her Normal Summon yet. Perfect timing.
A swordsman clad in white dragon armor appeared, crimson plume fluttering from his helmet, blade gleaming coldly.
[Swordsoul of Taia] Level 4│Wyrm│1800 ATK / 1500 DEF
The crowd admired the elegant design. Isla knew what came next—Synchro Summon.
Although with such few resources, she doubted Morgan could finish the duel this turn. Synchro combos were fast, but short.
Four-star Taia meant Chixiao was the goal.
As Isla predicted, Morgan began.
"I activate the effect of [Swordsoul of Taia]!"
"Banish 1 'Swordsoul' card or Wyrm monster from your Graveyard; Special Summon 1 'Swordsoul Token' (Wyrm│Tuner│WATER│Level 4│0 ATK / 0 DEF)."
She banished [Swordsoul Emergence], and a spectral sword manifested as a Token. Morgan was ready.
"I tune my two monsters!"
"Synchro Summon! [Swordsoul Grandmaster – Chixiao]!"
A blazing magma-like blade erupted onto the field. Originally, she had planned to push for lethal—Tenyi's support could have reached 8100 damage. Anyhow, Zack's caution with D.D. Crow forced her to adjust.
"I activate the effect of [Swordsoul Grandmaster – Chixiao]!"
"When this card is Synchro Summoned: add to your hand or banish 1 'Swordsoul' card from your Deck."
"I add [Swordsoul Blackout] to my hand!"
A powerful Trap. It could trade her own Wyrm for two of her opponent's cards, and when banished, it spawned another Token.
"Battle! [Swordsoul Grandmaster – Chixiao], attack the Token!"
The meteor Token was destroyed, and Chixiao struck directly. Zack's Life Points dropped to 5200—still manageable.
"I Set one card. Turn end."
A black Set card appeared on Morgan's field.
Both sides were now playing with open hands—Morgan knew Zack had D.D. Crow and Kitt, while Zack knew Morgan's Set was [Swordsoul Blackout]. But Zack didn't know what it did.
All eyes turned to him. Everyone expected a fierce counterattack.
Milo knew Zack would never give up—his retaliation would be fierce. The question was whether Morgan could endure.
Isla, however, wasn't worried. Chixiao's effect could negate a monster's ability—a trump card if used well.
"My turn, draw!"
Zack had forgotten the crowd entirely. He saw his card—it was [Tri-Brigade Fraktall]. He didn't know Chixiao's effect, but experience told him to probe first.
"I Normal Summon [Tri-Brigade Kitt] in Attack Position!"
A small girl appeared, clad in rugged gear, goggles perched on her twin tails.
[Tri-Brigade Kitt] Level 2│Beast│700 ATK / 1000 DEF
"I activate [Tri-Brigade Kitt]'s effect!"
"Banish any number of Beast, Beast-Warrior, and/or Winged Beast monsters from your Graveyard; Special Summon 1 Beast, Beast-Warrior, or Winged Beast Link Monster from your Extra Deck with a Link Rating equal to the number banished."
He banished four immediately, preparing for another Link-4.
This was his probe. Even if it didn't bait anything, it would bring out power. If Morgan wanted to stop him, now was the time.
And Morgan knew it—letting Zack move freely would be dangerous. After a moment's thought, she spoke firmly:
"I activate the effect of [Swordsoul Grandmaster – Chixiao]!"
...
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