Under Hayate's direct attack, Yula's Life Points dropped, and Hayate's effect also triggered. Morgan sent Sky Striker Ace - Roze from her Deck to the Graveyard. Roze's effect would allow her to revive when an opponent's monster was destroyed, giving Morgan even more staying power.
After Raye's attack, Morgan ended her Battle Phase and entered Main Phase 2.
She had to deal with Borrelsword Dragon—if she didn't, it would return to Yula next turn.
As for summoning Accesscode Talker, Morgan thought for a moment and chose instead to summon Zeke. Since Yula had no backrow to clear, Accesscode was wasted. Zeke, however, could banish itself and return in the next End Phase.
"I use Borrelsword Dragon and Sky Striker Ace - Raye to set the Link Circuit!"
"Link Summon! Sky Striker Ace - Zeke!"
Yula's eyes widened. She had expected Morgan wouldn't return Borrelsword so easily, but watching her prized monster turned into Link material still stung. Now her field and hand were empty. Victory hinged on her next draw.
Zeke appeared, and Morgan activated its effect immediately.
"I activate Sky Striker Ace - Zeke's effect!"
"Banish this card until the End Phase of your next turn!"
Zeke vanished, and so did Hayate. This was basic Sky Striker strategy—end the turn with Shizuku to fetch resources. This time, though, Morgan didn't search Engage.
"I use Hayate to set the Link Circuit!"
"Link Summon! Sky Striker Ace - Shizuku!"
Hayate transformed into Shizuku, who would fetch Multirole instead of Engage. Engage couldn't be searched again this turn, and Multirole was the safer pick. With Zeke returning next End Phase, Morgan's field would be solid.
"I activate Sky Striker Ace - Shizuku's effect!"
"I add Sky Striker Mecha Modules - Multirole from my Deck to my hand!"
As Morgan ended her turn, Isla let out a sigh of relief. Yula's field and hand were empty. Even Drytron couldn't claw back without a draw. Still, Isla knew Morgan couldn't relax—the duel would hinge on Yula's next card.
Jade tilted her head, puzzled. "Why didn't Morgan just summon Accesscode Talker? Wouldn't that have more pressure?"
Isla nodded, then smiled as she realized. "It's not that she couldn't—it wasn't needed. Accesscode clears fields; however, Yula had nothing to clear. Summoning Zeke was safer. Even if Shizuku got removed, Zeke would return next turn, ready to Link with Raye again."
Jade nodded in understanding. Morgan's caution ran deeper than she thought.
Yula, too, knew this. Her eyes locked on the top of her Deck. This draw would decide her fate.
The spectators grew tense, whispering guesses about what card could turn things around. Most didn't know Drytron well enough to predict anything.
"Her field flipped so fast. Yula has nothing left."
"Not just her field—even her hand's empty. What could she draw to come back?"
"No one knows. Not even she does until she draws."
"Yeah, I've never even heard of Drytron until today. Maybe her Graveyard effects could save her."
Yula drew with resolve.
"My turn—draw!"
She looked at the card and exhaled. At least it wasn't a dead draw.
"I activate Drytron Gamma Eltanin's effect in my Graveyard!"
"I discard a Ritual Monster from my hand; Special Summon this card in Defense Position!"
She pitched a Level 12 Ritual Monster and revived Gamma Eltanin. Its effect also revived a 2000 ATK Drytron from the Graveyard.
Lady Luck was with her—the combo wasn't over.
"Gamma Eltanin's effect! I Special Summon Drytron Mu Beta Fafnir from the Graveyard!"
Drytron monsters excelled at reviving and converting resources. Yula chose Mu Beta Fafnir to open more plays.
"Next, I activate Drytron Alpha Thuban's effect in the Graveyard!"
"I tribute Mu Beta Fafnir; Special Summon it, and add a Ritual Monster from my Deck to my hand!"
"I add Cyber Angel Idaten!"
Her hand once again had a Ritual Monster, and she smiled. With her Graveyard stacked from last turn, she had plenty of options. As long as she could cycle resources, breaking through Morgan wasn't impossible. Albeit she had to beware of Raye reviving from the Graveyard.
She pressed on.
"I activate Drytron Delta Altais in my Graveyard!"
"I tribute Gamma Eltanin; Special Summon it, reveal Idaten in my hand, and draw 1 card!"
Yula revealed Idaten and drew. A grin spread across her face—it was Pre-Preparation of Rites. With this, she could fetch both a Ritual Monster and its Ritual Spell.
"I activate Pre-Preparation of Rites!"
"I add Dawn of the Herald and Herald of Perfection to my hand!"
This time, her Herald wouldn't be empty. Even with only one Fairy in hand, that single negate could be a turning point.
"I activate the Ritual Spell Dawn of the Herald!"
"I tribute Cyber Angel Idaten from my hand and Ritual Summon Herald of Perfection!"
The grotesque angel descended once more. Idaten hit the Graveyard, but Dawn of the Herald's effect let her banish it to recover Idaten to her hand.
With Idaten's effect, her Ritual Monsters gained 1000 ATK that turn—enough for Herald to overpower Shizuku.
Then, using Delta Altais and Alpha Thuban, Yula went into another Link.
"I use Drytron Delta Altais and Drytron Alpha Thuban to set the Link Circuit!"
"Link Summon! Union Carrier!"
...
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