"What are those things on Master Diluc's and that young man's arms?"
"Could they be some kind of new weapon?"
"They don't look like weapons..."
"Quiet! They're about to fight!"
The crowd buzzed with chatter.
At that moment, Luya and Diluc stood in their respective positions, ready to begin.
Amber had blended into the crowd, watching eagerly as the two prepared to Duel. Other members of the Knights of Favonius found spots to sit and observe, ready to enjoy the spectacle.
Diluc's face was alight with joy. Gazing at the Duel Disk on his left arm, he felt a rush of excitement and swallowed hard, trying to steady himself. It had been years since he had felt this happy. Looking down at his Destiny HERO Deck, he could feel his very soul tremble with anticipation. For a moment, it all felt almost unreal.
...
"Master Diluc, let's begin the Duel! You can take the first turn!"
Luya's voice snapped Diluc out of his brief daze and back into the reality of the Duel.
Luya smiled at him, and Diluc couldn't help but return the grin, nodding firmly.
The Duel began—with Diluc taking the first turn.
"Duel!"
"Duel!"
Both drew five cards from their decks.
The twin declarations echoed across Mondstadt Plaza.
The onlookers stared curiously. Why were they standing so far apart? Why weren't they throwing punches? Why were they drawing cards?
What was this "first turn" business? And what were those strange devices on their arms?
Confusion spread rapidly through the crowd. No one had any idea what was happening before their eyes.
...
"I Set one monster in Defense Position," Diluc declared. "Turn end."
As he placed a card on his Duel Disk, a glowing card appeared on the plaza floor.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. A moment ago the ground had been empty—and now, a card shimmered into existence out of thin air!
Soon it was Luya's turn.
The spectators, bewildered but intrigued, watched intently, trying to make sense of this mysterious "Duel."
"My turn—draw!" Luya's confident voice rang out across the plaza.
"I activate [Polymerization]!"
A swirling blue vortex appeared, two orange souls twisting together like threads being spun.
Luya glanced at his hand, smiling with satisfaction.
For this Duel, Luya was using his Elemental HERO Deck, which relied on Fusion Summoning to bring powerful Monsters from the Extra Deck onto the field.
...
Holding the Spell Card [Polymerization] between his fingers, Luya took a step forward.
"I activate the Spell Card—Polymerization!" he called out, sending two cards from his hand to the Graveyard.
Diluc recognized that card immediately. It allowed its user to send Fusion Materials to the Graveyard to Special Summon a Fusion Monster from the Extra Deck!
His anticipation surged. What kind of Fusion Monster would Luya summon?
...
The moment Luya's words fell, a gentle breeze swept through Mondstadt Plaza. The wind brushed across the faces of the gathered crowd. People exchanged uneasy glances—some thought a storm might be coming and began to look for cover.
Then, suddenly—a massive blue vortex appeared on the plaza floor!
Two spiritual forms emerged from within: one red, one green, intertwining as they merged into one.
A winged hero cloaked in emerald fire descended like a burning meteor.
A mask obscured his face, adding an air of mystery. His right arm was a crimson dragon's head that roared with blazing flames, while his body gleamed in vivid green. His left side bore a pure white wing that fluttered softly, bringing with it a cool breeze.
From his back swept a flaming red dragon tail, burning brightly with raw power...
[Elemental HERO Flame Wingman] had been Fusion Summoned onto Luya's field!
[Elemental HERO Flame Wingman] Level 6 │ WIND │ Warrior │ 2100 ATK / 1200 DEF
Materials: [Elemental HERO Avian] + [Elemental HERO Burstinatrix]
"Oh my gods!"
"What is that thing?!"
"This is unbelievable!"
"Did that card just summon a real monster?!"
"I heard Liyue Harbor's been swept up in some new Duel craze—could this be it?!"
"The Steambird reported on this recently too!"
Seeing the Duel Monster with their own eyes, the people of Mondstadt were awestruck. All around, murmurs of amazement filled the plaza as everyone watched eagerly to see what Luya would do next.
Diluc, too, was exhilarated.
"Battle Phase!" Luya called out. "Flame Wingman—attack Master Diluc's monster!"
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going! [Patreon.com/RedZTL]