"World...?"
Ed looked at the monster that suddenly appeared in front of him, utterly confused.
Arcana Force XXI - The World, LV 8, Light Attribute, Fairy-Type, ATK 3100.
The card image of The World appeared on Ed's field and began to spin.
"Of course—Upright Position!"
Saiou laughed heartily.
"And... I activate the Normal Spell Card, Owner's Seal!"
Saiou gleefully revealed the Spell Card in his hand: "All monsters on the field return to their original owner's field! Come back, World!"
The World spun briefly and flew back to Saiou's field.
"It's not over yet, I activate the Spell Card, Destiny Choice! Ed, you must choose one card from my hand, and if it's a monster, it must be Special Summoned!"
"The card on the right."
"Haha... Monster Card, Arcana Force VI - The Lovers!"
Arcana Force VI - The Lovers, LV 4, Light Attribute, Fairy-Type, ATK 1600.
"Ed, take this attack!" Saiou laughed boisterously, "Battle—"
"The World, direct attack on Ed!"
"At this moment, I activate Trap Card! D-Lucky!" Ed decisively flipped his Set Card, "Activate when the opponent declares a direct attack. Banish one Destiny Hero from my Graveyard, the Battle Phase ends."
"I banish Diamond Dude from the Graveyard!"
The World's attack halted, slowly returning to Saiou's field.
"Haha, you saved yourself there, Ed."
Ed calmly wiped his sweat.
He had spent the last few days "battling" with cards for Blood - Plasma's approval, and his body was worn out, his stamina nearly depleted.
But as long as he avoids direct hits, he should be fine!
He was a professional Duelist, and even with the aid of supernatural powers, Saiou was still lacking compared to him, who battled in many dimensions.
"But Ed, don't think this is over!"
"The World is a card strong enough to rule the world! It is a monster capable of controlling time and the future!!"
"The World's Monster Effect! When this card is in Upright Position, at the end of the turn, use two monsters on the field as sacrifice and skip the opponent's turn!"
"What!?" Ed's eyes widened in disbelief, doubting his own ears.
How could there be such a powerful monster effect!?
Oh no—
This way, because his turn is skipped, he misses the effect of his Destiny Draw!
He lost the opportunity to draw two cards.
Moreover—the greater danger is that without doing anything, Saiou's turn will proceed... not even a card draw!
"I liberate The Emperor and The Lovers, skipping your turn!"
"Once again, it's my turn, draw a card!" Saiou excitedly drew a card, while Ed could only grit his teeth, watching this scene.
"Activate Spell Card, Pentacle of Ace."
Pentacle of Ace began to spin, then after a moment...
"Of course, it's Upright Position!" Saiou didn't waste any words, "Effect of Pentacle of Ace, draw one card, restore 500 Life Points!"
Saiou LP: 2400→2900.
Saiou drew a card and glanced at it: "Haha... Spell Card, Cup of Ace."
"Hmm..."
"Upright Position, I draw two cards; Reversed Position, you draw two cards—but, of course, it's Upright!"
Watching Saiou shamelessly do whatever he wanted, Ed gritted his teeth, appearing rather irritated.
"Ed! Don't rush!" Tenjo Hikari cheered him on from the side, "There's still the Battle Phase this turn! Be calm!"
Hearing Tenjo Hikari's words, Ed took a deep breath.
Yes.
This turn, Saiou could still attack!
Saiou sized up the newly drawn cards, unable to contain a grin: "With this, you're finished, Ed!"
"Once more, enter Battle Phase, The World, direct attack on Ed!"
"Transcend Disaster!!"
The World raised both claws, reaching towards Ed.
"Woah—"
Ed was struck by the claws, flung across the ground, bouncing twice, nearly being thrown off the bridge, but quickly grabbed onto the edge.
Ed LP: 4000→900
"Ed!?" Tenjo Hikari called out as he ran over.
Ed clutched the edge of the wall, coughed, and weakly said, "I'm fine, don't worry about me."
A pair of wings emerged beside Ed, lifting him up, and at that moment, he noticed a person reaching out to grab him, and he struggled to grab that hand, feeling warmth.
He was pulled up by that force, only to see another Saiou pulling him up.
Saiou?!
He was lifted by that power and stood on the ground.
This...
Sure enough.
Ed took a deep breath.
The voice of Saiou he heard that day wasn't his imagination; he was still helping him.
The Saiou in front of him was completely engulfed by the Light of Destruction—just like he was before.
He clenched his fist.
Just like Minister Tenjo helped him, surpassing Destiny.
He would also guide and liberate his friend's soul, awaken the true him.
He wiped the dust off his face, his eyes became bright and piercing, his body seemed to be brimming with power.
"Have you recovered? Haha..." Saiou looked at Ed standing in front of him once more, chuckling softly, "However, what you'll face will be even more perilous destiny!"
"Even so, will you not give up? Ed."
"I will prove to you that destiny is never unchangeable!" Despite the empty field, Ed was fearless, staring straight at his opponent.
"Admired spirit." Saiou didn't mind at all.
"Set a card, end turn!"
Ed took a deep breath.
The World truly was a powerful monster!
This level of monster can't be allowed to survive on the field, otherwise, if it's always Saiou's turn, he'd surely lose!
"My turn, draw!"
He looked at the card he drew, his eyes slightly narrowing.
Pot of Greed!
Excellent!
Although Destiny Draw couldn't be used due to The World, luck was still on his side.
"Activate Spell Card, Pot of Greed! Draw two cards from my Deck."
He reached to the top of his Deck, at which point, Tenjo Hikari slightly blinked his eyes.
In his eyes, it seemed as though another figure accompanied Ed, drawing cards together.
This scene was also observed by Saiou, making him take a step back despite his overwhelming advantage.
"Draw!!"
Ed vigorously drew two cards, with his drawing, a heavy scent of blood appeared in this massive white building, dyeing the pristine tower crimson.
Ed's pupils contracted as he looked at one of the cards.
Blood - Plasma!
Indeed, you are angry as well!
Angry at the existence of evil controlling you recklessly!
Let's defeat it together!