# Chapter 75: Galaxy-Eyes vs. Gaia
Because its effect failed to activate, Galaxy-Eyes couldn't banish itself along with the opponent's monster. Gaia the Magical Knight's longspear broke through the dragon's breath, destroying Galaxy-Eyes in a counterattack.
Kaito LP: 4000 → 1800
"Because of the Field Spell, Galloping Gaia's effect, as long as I control 'Gaia the Dragon Champion,' the opponent cannot activate effects during the Battle Phase," Leiser slowly explained. "Furthermore, because Gaia the Magical Knight destroyed a monster by battle, this card's ATK increases by another 2600!"
Gaia the Magical Knight ATK: 5200 → 7800
"So that was the trick?" Kaito frowned, but his expression quickly returned to normal as he revealed another card from his hand.
"The Battle Phase ends. Since I have a 'Photon' monster on my field, this card can be Normal Summoned without a Tribute."
"I summon Galaxy Knight in Attack Position!"
"When this card is Normal Summoned this way, I target one 'Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon' in my Graveyard. This card's ATK decreases by 1000 until the end of the turn, and the targeted monster is Special Summoned in Defense Position."
Galaxy Knight ATK: 2800 → 1800
"Revive, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!"
Shattered light reassembled, and Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon roared once more.
"I overlay my two Level 8 monsters!" Kaito reached out, summoning the galactic vortex. The revived Galaxy-Eyes and Galaxy Knight leaped into it, one after the other.
"O galaxy that shines in the darkness! Embody the spirit of vengeance and become my servant! Xyz Summon! Descend, Rank 8! Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon!"
Iridescent wings of light unfolded from within the galactic vortex, and Kaito's other Galaxy-Eyes let out a deafening roar.
Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ATK: 3000
"This dragon?" Leiser frowned. Unlike the Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon Kaito had just obtained, he was very familiar with this Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon. It possessed the ability to take control of an opponent's monster for one turn and negate its effects. Although the Battle Phase had already ended and it couldn't attack, if this effect resolved, Gaia the Magical Knight's ATK would reset to its original 2600.
Not wanting Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon's effect to resolve, Leiser waved his hand. "I activate the effect of Gaia the Magical Knight! Once per turn, during either player's Main Phase, I can target one other card on the field! This card's ATK decreases by 2600, and the targeted card is destroyed!"
Gaia the Magical Knight ATK: 7800 → 5200
A bolt of lightning shot from the Dragon Knight's spear tip, blasting toward the just-summoned Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Ascension! During either player's Main Phase, I can target one 'Cipher' Xyz Monster I control and Special Summon from my Extra Deck, one 'Cipher' Xyz Monster that is 1 Rank higher by using that monster as Xyz Material."
"O dragon of light that houses the spirit of vengeance! Guided by your bladed spear, return and sweep away all obstacles in my path! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Descend, Rank 9! Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon!"
Blades crackling with crimson lightning descended from the sky. After blocking the bolt shot by the Dragon Knight, they fused into Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon's claws and armor. A moment later, in its new form, Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon let out an enraged roar at the Dragon Knight before it.
Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon ATK: 3200
"I activate the effect of Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon!"
"Once per turn, I can detach one Xyz Material from this card to target one card on the field and destroy it! I'm destroying your Field Spell, Galloping Gaia!"
The lightning surrounding Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon spread out, extinguishing the sea of flames around them. For a moment, the scene of the light dragon and the Dragon Knight facing off fell upon the eyes of everyone on the battlefield.
"You chose to destroy the Field Spell instead of my monster... Do you have a way to deal with it?" Leiser frowned.
"I set two cards and end my turn." Kaito calmly set his cards, ending his turn.
"My turn! I draw!" Leiser drew his card.
"Since my opponent controls a monster with 2300 or more ATK, I can Normal Summon this card without a Tribute!"
"I summon Gaia the Magical Knight in Attack Position!"
"When Gaia the Magical Knight is Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon one Level 5 Dragon monster from my hand or Graveyard!"
"Revive! Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon!"
"When Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon is Special Summoned, I can add one Spell or Trap from my Deck to my hand that mentions 'Gaia the Dragon Champion'."
"I'll add the second Spiral Fusion to my hand!"
"I activate the Spell Card, Spiral Fusion!"
"I fuse Gaia the Magical Knight and Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon on my field!"
Leiser pressed his hands together in front of his chest.
"O Knight named after the Earth, rise up with the ill-omened Dragon! Conquer the sky! Fusion Summon! Level 7! Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion!"
Accompanied by a cheerful dragon's roar, a golden giant dragon rode the wind straight into the sky from the red-and-blue fusion vortex.
"Due to the effect of Spiral Fusion, the monster Fusion Summoned using it gains 2600 ATK!"
Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion ATK: 2600 → 5200
"I activate the effect of Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon from my Graveyard! When this card is sent to the Graveyard, I can target one 'Gaia the Dragon Champion' monster I control! Until the end of the turn, negate the effects of all face-up monsters my opponent controls with ATK less than or equal to that monster's ATK."
A black curse surged from the slowly dissipating red-and-blue fusion vortex, wrapping around Kaito's monster. The light flowing around his Galaxy-Eyes monster was tainted by a hint of sinister energy.
"When Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion is Special Summoned, I can add one 'Spiral Spear Strike' from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand!"
"I activate the Continuous Spell, Spiral Spear Strike!"
"This card gives 'Gaia the Dragon Champion' monsters I control the ability to inflict piercing battle damage."
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Hyper Galaxy!"
"I Tribute one monster I control with 2000 or more ATK, other than 'Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon', then target one monster my opponent controls with 2000 or more ATK. Tribute that monster, and if you do, Special Summon one 'Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon' from my hand, Deck, or Graveyard."
"I Tribute Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon to target your Gaia the Magical Knight! My spell's effect tributes your monster!" Kaito flipped open his set card. On the field, Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon transformed into a stream of light that coiled around the airborne Dragon Knight. Faintly, the enraged roar of Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon could be heard.
"Trying to get rid of Gaia with an effect like that? In that case, I activate the effect of Gaia the Magical Knight! Its ATK decreases by 2600 to target one card on the field and destroy it!"
...
(end of chapter)