Stormbreaker docked at Cardalis harbor, the skyline gleaming with massive towers shaped like card suits, holographic monsters leaping from streets and signs, and crowds shouting in unison, "DUEL! DUEL! DUEL!" Kael stepped onto the dock, half-dragon form still faintly crackling with lightning. "Looks like we've landed in a circus."
Necroptor hovered, runes blazing. "A circus? NO! A KINGDOM OF POWER! EVERYONE HERE SHALL WITNESS THE MIGHT OF THE UNDYING CONQUEROR AND HIS DEMON LORD!" He flailed dramatically, almost toppling a merchant stall. Ylva rolled her eyes, frost curling faintly around her fingers. "We're going to fit right in, aren't we?"
Crowds parted as three figures stepped forward, each exuding overwhelming Dajin energy. Their aura pulsed with intensity, summoning spectral monsters that circled above them. The first spoke, voice booming: "So… the infamous Storm Dragon and his motley crew… dare challenge the Duel Masters of Cardalis? We accept. But know this—our God Cards are not mere trinkets. They will consume your souls if you fail."
Kael grinned, lightning arcing along his sword. "Sounds like fun. I hope your monsters are ready… because my crew doesn't lose."
Loki floated nearby, sparks flickering. "Master, the probabilities are… complicated. These Dajin are strong, but we can manipulate outcomes if we play cleverly."
Fjorn hissed, circling the deck. "And I can freeze anything that gets out of control… temporarily."
Necroptor spun midair, skeletal arms raised. "DEMON LORD! EMPRESS! WITNESS! OUR SHOW SHALL BE LEGENDARY! I SHALL SUMMON MY LEGION OF SEAGULLS TO… er… distract them!" He paused, realizing the absurdity. "No? Too ridiculous?"
Kael chuckled. "Perfect. Keep it ridiculous. It works."
As the first duel began, spectral monsters clashed in the sky above Cardalis, flames, frost, and lightning intertwining with chaotic seagull energy. Citizens cheered wildly, coins thrown into the air, and holographic banners flashed: "THE STORM DRAGON FACES BLAZEWING!"
Kael's aura flared, partially shifting to Demidrake form, and Necroptor flailed dramatically, yelling attack names like: "COSMIC SEAGULL STRIKE!" "LEGENDARY PYRAMID ASSAULT!" The Dajin Duelist snarled as their Fire Phoenix roared against Kael's lightning strikes.
Ylva whispered, frost forming around her hands. "We need a strategy, or this will be chaos… even for him."
Kael grinned. "Chaos is the plan. Let's make it spectacular."
Blazewing unleashed a massive inferno combo, summoning dozens of phoenix clones at once. Necroptor flailed, Kael prepared lightning, and Ylva braced herself. The duel had officially begun… and the crowd was screaming.