A streak of crimson appeared on the field, and from the swirling vortex of Fusion emerged an elegant yet twisted figure. Its torso was clad in red armor, but its legs were bent like those of a leopard. In its hands was a weapon resembling a guitar, strummed with fierce intensity.
[Despian Quaeritis] Level 8│DARK│Fiend Fusion│2500 ATK / 2500 DEF
The ominous presence filled everyone with dread. They wanted to flee, yet the duel held them captive. Even as their bodies trembled, their legs felt rooted to the ground.
"What is that monster? I'm breaking into a cold sweat just looking at it."
"So grotesque… especially that bloodstained guitar—I can almost smell iron in the air."
"But its Attack is only 2500. Is the opponent really planning to just attack with it? Or does it have some special effect?"
"Let's hope Morgan can hold on. That opponent looks terrifying, and even her identity is shrouded in mystery."
To the spectators, Chelsea was both powerful and enigmatic. Yet in Chelsea's eyes, Morgan felt the same. No matter how she countered, Morgan seemed to anticipate it, neutralizing every move with ease.
If this weren't an impromptu duel, Chelsea would have sworn Morgan was cheating.
Summoning Despian Quaeritis was a last resort. With Protos present, she couldn't summon DARK monsters this turn, which ruled out bringing back Mirrorjade, the Branded's ace. She had to fall back on her Despia options.
Though Quaeritis wasn't the strongest card, it was enough for the situation. Upon Fusion Summon, it could reduce the ATK of all non-Level 8 Fusion Monsters on the field to 0.
In other words, Morgan's Chixiao and Protos would both be drained to 0 Attack.
That would at least let Chelsea remove Chixiao and deal some Life Point damage. Not a total loss.
"By the effect of Despian Quaeritis!"
"During either player's Main Phase, all monsters on the field except Level 8 Fusion Monsters have their ATK reduced to 0 until the end of this turn!"
Morgan's two monsters had their ATK reduced to nothing, drawing gasps from the crowd. With Chixiao left exposed in Attack Position, it meant Morgan would be forced to take Quaeritis's damage.
Nevertheless, Morgan had anticipated this the moment Quaeritis appeared. She wasn't surprised. Her priority had always been to protect Protos. With Quaeritis's one attack used on Chixiao, Protos would still be safe, its Attribute-locking effect intact. And being in Defense Position, it wasn't affected by the effect.
"Battle! Despian Quaeritis attacks Swordsoul Grandmaster - Chixiao!"
Chelsea declared her attack. Quaeritis swung its blood-red guitar like a blade, piercing straight through Chixiao's chest. Morgan's Life Points dropped by 2500.
Albeit after that, Chelsea had no more plays left. As a Branded deck user, she was running out of steam.
"My turn ends."
Relief spread across Isla's face. She could see Chelsea weakening. For now, Chelsea looked to have the upper hand, although Morgan clearly had the duel under control. Protos could activate its effect every turn, locking DARK monsters out of play. With that in place, Chelsea had no way forward.
Unless she drew another Infinite Impermanence, but with two already spent, the odds were slim.
By this point, professional duelists Milo and Zack could already see the outcome. With Protos on the field, Morgan only needed one good setup to finish things. Quaeritis alone wouldn't be enough for Chelsea to keep up.
"My turn, draw!"
All eyes were on Morgan as she drew her card. She glanced at it, and a smile spread across her face. It wasn't a Swordsoul; however, it was the one card that could extend into Taia: Dogmatika Protos, the Virtuous. She could Tribute it to Special Summon a Swordsoul from the Deck.
It was the only card in her hand—and her only chance to extend.
"I activate the effect of Incredible Protos, the Virtuous on the field!"
"Destroy all DARK monsters on your field. Until the end of the next turn, neither player can Special Summon DARK monsters!"
The lockdown continued. With Protos's 3000 Defense, Chelsea had no way around it. As long as it stood, Branded Fusion was dead in her hand. Chelsea grew anxious.
"Next, I Special Summon Dogmatika Protos, the Virtuous from my hand in Attack Position!"
When your opponent controls more monsters than you, Protos could Special Summon itself. Morgan saved her Normal Summon slot for Taia.
A golden-haired maiden appeared on the field, clad in fitted armor and wielding a massive hammer made of twin dragon heads. Her expression was resolute, utterly unlike the naïve saint she had once been.
[Dogmatika Protos, the Virtuous] Level 4│LIGHT│Spellcaster│1500 ATK / 1500 DEF
"And now, I activate her effect!"
"During the Main Phase, Tribute this card to Special Summon one Swordsoul monster or Fallen of Albaz from the Deck or hand!"
Chelsea's heart sank. She hadn't expected Morgan to draw exactly the extender she needed. Now she was out of time. Unless she found a way to break through, the duel would end within a turn or two.
Zelo had warned her this opponent would be troublesome, but only now did she understand. This wasn't just troublesome—this was someone she couldn't overpower even with her full strength. She had never experienced this before, and it left her shaken.
"I add Swordsoul of Taia from my Deck to my hand!"
Taia appeared in Morgan's hand. The path was clear: summon a Token, Synchro into another monster, and push for lethal. That said, this time, Morgan wasn't aiming for Chixiao again—she had another Synchro in mind.
"I Normal Summon Swordsoul of Taia!"
"Activate its effect! Banish Swordsoul Grandmaster - Chixiao from my Graveyard to Special Summon a Swordsoul Token!"
"Now I tune the two together!"
Chelsea frowned. Was Morgan just going for Chixiao again? Then her lips curved into a smirk. Even if she did, it wouldn't matter. With Quaeritis on the field, she could reduce all their ATK to 0 again, making Morgan's efforts useless.
Anyhow, Morgan smiled knowingly.
"Synchro Summon! Baxia, Brightness of the Yang Zing!"
A long-bodied dragon appeared, with yellow scales on its belly and silver armor down its back, a golden mane flowing like a lion's.
[Baxia, Brightness of the Yang Zing] Level 8│LIGHT│Wyrm Synchro│2300 ATK / 2600 DEF
Chelsea froze. She hadn't expected Morgan to summon something other than Chixiao. Though Baxia's Attack wasn't high, she knew Morgan wouldn't waste her chance on a useless monster. Its effect had to be devastating.
And it was. Baxia could shuffle Chelsea's remaining monsters back into the Deck, clearing the way for a finishing blow.
"I activate Baxia, Brightness of the Yang Zing's effect!"
"When this card is Synchro Summoned: Target a number of cards on the field up to the number of different original Attributes among the Wyrm monsters used as material for its Synchro Summon; return them to the Deck!"
"What?!"
Chelsea's face twisted. That meant both her monsters would be shuffled back to the Extra Deck—and she had no counter left.
Meanwhile, Taia's Graveyard effect activated, sending Mo Ye from the Deck to the Graveyard. When Baxia's effect resolved, Chelsea's field was wiped clean.
Though her hand was full, Protos's lock meant those cards might as well be blank.
Morgan wasn't done yet. With the Token still on the field, she activated Tenyi Spirit – Ashuna in the Graveyard, summoning Tenyi Spirit – Adhara from the Deck. It was just what she needed for her next Link Summon.
"I use Tenyi Spirit – Adhara to set the Link Arrows!"
"Link Summon! Monk of the Tenyi!"
...
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