"My turn!" Youyu glanced at his hand cards and quickly began his move after a brief consideration.
"First, send 'Dark Magician' from the card deck to the graveyard, and activate the effect of 'Magicians' Souls' in my hand!"
Youyu selected 'Dark Magician' from the card deck and threw it into the graveyard, while the image of the Monster Card 'Magicians' Souls' appeared on the field.
"Magicians' Souls can activate its effect by sending a Spellcaster-Type monster from level six or higher from the card deck to the graveyard," Youyu explained. "Send this card to the graveyard and choose a 'Dark Magician' or 'Dark Magician Girl' in the graveyard for a special summon!
Rise from the grave, Dark Magician!"
An array spun open on the ground, releasing a blood-red storm of magic energy. A green Magic Staff flew out first, followed closely by the slender Magician as if guided by the staff, emerging swiftly from the vortex.
[Dark Magician, Attack Power 2500]
"Summoning Dark Magician in the first turn!" Jonouchi, down below, put on a gambler's grin, "Excellent! Keep the momentum and wipe out Marik in one fell swoop!"
But Youyu wasn't finished: "Magic Card, 'Foolish Burial' activated! Send a monster from the card deck to the graveyard. I will send...'Elemental Hero Necroshade' to the graveyard!"
Once more selecting a monster from the card deck to send to the graveyard, Youyu swiftly drew another card from his hand: "'Necroshade' permits one Elemental Hero monster above level five to be summoned without a tribute when in the graveyard.
Hence, I activate Necroshade's effect at this moment and Normal Summon 'Elemental Hero Edgeman' from my hand!"
Behind Youyu appeared the red silhouette of the Hero, precisely the Necroshade sent to the grave moments ago.
A golden vortex swirled on the ground before him, forming the gleaming body of a metal Hero with stunning visual effects. The golden steel Hero made a commanding entrance, its metal surface reflecting a brilliant shine.
[Elemental Hero Edgeman, Attack Power 2600]
Even Honda, unfamiliar with dueling, was astonished: "First turn, monsters with 2500 and 2600 attack power!? That's too strong!"
The duo of loyal fans: "Youyu-san is amazing!" (high-pitched)
Even Dark Magician Girl, serving as his guardian, widened her eyes: "Master...you're...amazing!"
"Battle!" Youyu designated the target, "First, use 'Elemental Hero Edgeman' to attack 'Vampiric Leech'!"
Edgeman's engine revved, emitting golden flames, its silhouette transforming into a swift shadow as it charged toward Marik's side of the field. With a swift strike of its blade, the sharp edge dragged a golden light through the leech's body, causing the repulsive creature to emit a final cry and burst apart.
"Elemental Hero Edgeman's effect!" Youyu shouted, "When attacking a defense position monster, deal damage equal to the amount the attack power exceeds the defense value!"
[Marik, LP4000 → 2600]
Marik was pushed back by the metallic impact: "Ughhhh...ahhh~ahhh~"
Being a masochist in the Darkness Game does have its advantages; midway through Marik's scream, it twisted into a satisfied moan, he even uttered "kimoji," as if savoring a grand sword.
But of course, the punishments in the Darkness Game affect both parties equally, resulting in a significant portion disappearing from Marik's right leg upward.
"Continue the battle!" Youyu had yet to finish the Battle Phase, "Direct attack Marik with 'Dark Magician'!"
"Great!" This time, even Yugi, spectating, couldn't help but speak out, "If this attack gets through, Marik's LP will be down to just 100, a mere final strike will knock him out!"
But could it truly be that straightforward?
Clearly not.
Despite criticizing Marik's poor card skills, he is still a boss, and it certainly wouldn't end so unceremoniously. He made a grand gesture: "Open the Set Card, Quick-Play Magic - Dark Shield Barrier! Once this card is activated, for two turns, the opponent cannot directly attack!" (Anime Card)
Dark swords shot up from the ground in succession, forming a protective array around Marik. The magical energy unleashed by Dark Magician clashed with the sword array, merely shaking the energy on the blades but failing to penetrate the defense layer.
Youyu concluded the attack: "That ends my turn."
"You do have some skill, indeed, but on my side... I'll have to get a bit serious now."
Six-year-old here couldn't resist licking his Millennium Rod.
"Now it's my turn, draw." Marik glanced at the card he drew and started to laugh heartily, "Seems luck is not on your side~ the conclusion of this battle will arrive sooner than expected."
Youyu held his breath.
Is it coming? The Supreme God?
Then the card Marik drew... It's likely Monster Reborn!
"First, I'll activate a Magic Card from my hand... Beckoning to the Dark!"
Youyu wasn't unfamiliar with this card; he had it too, acquired from Pandora's newbie gift set. Pandora used it when dueling Yugi in the original series.
Marik being the boss would naturally have cards belonging to his subordinates, and its dark-themed artwork suits his character well...
"Beckoning to the Dark can directly banish a monster on the field into the dark depths," Marik chuckled, his malicious gaze shifting back and forth between the Hero and Magician on Youyu's field.
"So, my choice is... you!" Marik laughed loudly, "Disappear now, Dark Magician, and slumber directly in the graveyard!"
Although Edgeman's attack power is higher, he is merely a high-level monster. Marik understands that Dark Magician possesses more support cards, though being a Normal Monster, he entails more potential threat.
A black, skeletal hand extended from the gathering dark clouds, clutching the Magician's body. He groaned and was dragged forcefully into the dark cloud, vanishing without a trace.
"The field is now laid out," Marik's face twisted sinisterly, "Let me show you the God."
It's coming.
Marik withdrew a card from his hand: "Activate the Magic Card from my hand... 'Buried Sacrifice'!"
Youyu's eyelid twitched.
Not Monster Reborn!?
Before Marik appeared another dark-themed Magic Card... For those unfamiliar with this card, its artwork portrays an eerie grave, indicating just how sinister it is.
"Buried Sacrifice can replace the Tribute Summon, and use monsters from both players' graveyards as sacrifices for the Tribute Summon." (Anime Effect)
Youyu's heart skipped.
Using monsters from both graveyards as sacrifices, and it is "Normal Summon"...
...Was the card Marik sent to the graveyard last turn really not 'The Winged Dragon of Ra'?
"Hahaha, this turn, I'll let you witness the majesty of the Supreme God!" Marik waved his hand, "I shall banish 'Elemental Hero Necroshade', 'Dark Magician' from your graveyard, and 'Byser Shock' (Attack Power 800) from my graveyard!
Let the sacred light illuminate the earth, let your endless flames consume all!
Supreme God! The Winged Dragon of Ra!"