The ground shuddered as the Orc Disaster—Geld—rose to his full height. The swamp water rippled around his monstrous frame, his flesh steaming as if his very breath poisoned the air. His eyes burned with more than hunger now. They carried something twisted, a dark will to devour everything.
"Food… strength… everything… mine!" Geld roared, his guttural voice shaking the marsh like thunder.
The goblins and wolves behind Atem trembled, fear crawling into their bones. Even the Kijin, though hardened by vengeance, tightened their grip on their weapons.
Atem stood firm, his cloak brushing against the damp wind, his golden eyes unshaken. He could feel the suffocating aura of the Orc Disaster pressing down on everyone.
"He's awakened beyond the Orc Lord," Atem thought quietly. "This is no longer just hunger. This is ambition twisted into disaster."
The Oracle of Eternity's voice chimed in his mind, calm yet weighty.
<
Atem's gaze sharpened. He already understood. If this monster lived, the entire Forest of Jura would drown in ruin.
"Allow us, Lord Atem!" Benimaru's voice was filled with fire as his crimson aura erupted. His sword blazed with heat, flames curling around him like a living inferno.
"Yes! This enemy… we cannot forgive," Shion growled, her violet greatsword pulsing with raw energy.
Hakuro narrowed his eyes, hand resting gently on his blade. "Our fallen brethren cry for vengeance. It is our duty to answer."
Atem gave a small nod. "Go. Show him the strength of your will."
The Kijin surged forward. Benimaru unleashed torrents of fire that burned through hordes of Orcs. Shion cleaved with overwhelming force, her strikes breaking shockwaves across the swamp. Hakuro slipped through the chaos, cutting cleanly through elite Orcs who tried to block their way.
The army faltered under their assault, but Geld only laughed. The sound was deep, guttural, and full of madness.
"You are strong… good… food…" His massive club swung down, the air itself splitting with its weight. The swamp erupted into waves, forcing the Kijin back.
Atem's eyes never left the battlefield. His hand hovered over his duel disk, his spirit energy pulsing.
The Oracle whispered again.
<
Atem clenched his fist. He wanted the Kijin to have their vengeance, but he would not let them be slaughtered for pride.
Benimaru staggered, blood dripping from his lip. His flames licked Geld's flesh, but it regenerated instantly, black sludge knitting the wounds shut.
"Damn it… even this…!"
Shion charged, roaring, but Geld caught her blade with one claw. With terrifying strength, he hurled her into the marsh, water and mud exploding into the air.
"Shion!" Hakuro's voice cracked as he leapt forward. His blade slashed Geld's arm, but again, the wound closed as if nothing happened.
"All food… all mine…" Geld rumbled, swatting Hakuro aside like a fly.
The Kijin were valiant, but despair settled in. They could not win.
The air shifted. A heavy aura spread, silencing the battlefield. Every goblin, every wolf, every Kijin stopped.
Atem walked forward, his eyes blazing with golden light. His duel disk flared, glowing symbols spinning across it.
"Step back," Atem commanded. His voice carried calm authority, the kind that left no room for argument. "You have done well. Leave the rest to me."
The Kijin bowed, battered but alive. Benimaru lowered his head. "Forgive us, Lord Atem. We could not avenge them all."
"You fought with all your strength. That is enough." Atem's voice was firm, yet warm.
Then he raised his gaze to Geld. "You've caused enough suffering. This ends here."
Geld roared and charged like an avalanche, club raised high. But Atem did not flinch. His duel disk shone bright.
"Come forth! Dark Magician!"
A pillar of dark-purple light burst open. The Dark Magician appeared, staff raised, his cloak billowing in power.
The soldiers gasped, eyes wide.
"And you—Dark Magician Girl!"
Golden light erupted. She spun forward with grace, her staff glowing, standing beside her master.
"Celtic Guardian, stand ready!" A warrior clad in green leapt forth, blade flashing.
"Summoned Skull!" Lightning crackled as the demonic warrior descended, horns sparking with thunder.
"And the Knights… rise!" Three armored knights rode out of radiant gates, shields shining.
The battlefield froze. Goblins and wolves stared in awe. The Kijin's eyes widened. Atem had not only strength but an army of legends summoned by will alone.
"Fight with me," Atem said softly.
Dark Magician twirled his staff. "As you command, master."
They surged forward. Celtic Guardian slashed at the Orcs around Geld, clearing the field.
Summoned Skull hurled bolts of lightning, splitting the swamp apart. The Knights rode in formation, forcing the Orc army back. Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl struck together, beams of dark and light magic colliding with Geld's flesh, blasting chunks off his monstrous form.
But still, he healed.
Atem raised his hand. His aura grew heavy, golden hieroglyphs glowing across his skin.
"Pharaoh Authority!"
The sky above darkened. Geld staggered under the crushing weight of divine command. His massive body trembled, forced to kneel against his will.
The Oracle's voice echoed like thunder.
<
Atem's eyes glowed like the sun. "You are finished."
His chest burned with radiant energy. Atem spread his arms wide. "Millennium Soul!"
A golden blaze exploded, engulfing Geld. The spirit energy of countless souls swirled into Atem's summons, empowering them beyond limits.
"Dark Magician, now!"
Dark Magician unleashed a black spiral of magic, drilling through Geld's chest.
"Summoned Skull, strike!"
Lightning speared down, frying the monster's body.
The Knights pierced him with their lances, Celtic Guardian slashed clean through, and Dark Magician Girl's magic burst across his head.
Geld roared, thrashing, trying to rise—
But Atem stepped forward, eyes unwavering. He extended his hand, golden light wrapping around Geld.
"Your hunger ends here."
With a final cry, Geld's body shattered, consumed by Atem's divine energy. His ambition, his curse, his soul—all dissolved into nothing.
The swamp fell silent. The Orc army collapsed, despair washing over them without their leader.
Atem stood tall, his aura fading. His summons vanished one by one, bowing before dissolving into light.
The goblins and wolves dropped to their knees, overwhelmed. The Kijin, battered but alive, lowered their heads.
Benimaru's voice was low, reverent. "Such power… such command…"
Shion wiped blood from her lip, awe in her eyes. "Lord Atem… is beyond anything we imagined."
Hakuro bowed deeply. "Truly… a Pharaoh."