"Interesting." The Light of Destruction wasn't angry at Tenjo Hikari for challenging It; instead, It seemed very interested.
"Alright, let's duel."
"However—"
"Before we duel, we must establish the rules of the duel."
Tenjo Hikari frowned slightly and said, "Go ahead."
A light screen appeared above the Light of Destruction's head, and then these screens turned into images—spirits, humans, machines, and even collisions between planets—all depicting "destruction" and "warfare" without exception.
"The rules of the duel follow the ones you are familiar with."
"Beyond that, if you win, I will return the souls of your friends to you."
"If you lose, then you will replace this human and become my new agent, destroying all parallel dimensions."
"How about it? The conditions should be in your favor."
Light of Destruction said.
"Master?!" Serena was shocked to hear such a demand.
How did playing cards turn into this?
Now they're talking about destroying the world?
"Hmph, Tenjo Hikari is my Divine Favored; there's no way he would become your agent," Tierra said from the side.
"Alright!" Tenjo Hikari agreed immediately.
"Then..." The voice of the Light of Destruction gradually faded. Its visage turned into a light shape, leaving Saiou's body and hovering behind him.
Suddenly, the original "Saiou" seemed to come "alive" again, smiling twistedly, shuffling his deck with a grin.
It appears that the Light of Destruction cannot duel directly; It needs someone to wield Its power.
Tenjo Hikari squinted his eyes.
"Duel!" x2.
Tenjo Hikari, LP: 4000.
Shadow of Saiou, LP: 4000.
"My turn, draw!"
Without hesitation, Tenjo Hikari swiftly drew a card.
"Activate Continuous Spell Card, Brilliant Fusion!" Tenjo Hikari raised his right hand high, revealing a round diamond that appeared in his hand, which he then tossed into the sky.
"For this card's activation effect, use monsters from your deck as Fusion Material to Fusion Summon a Gem-Knight Fusion Monster with 0 ATK/DEF!"
"I send Gem-Knight Tourmaline and Gem-Knight Sapphire from my deck to the Graveyard. Fusion Summon!
Come forth—Special Summon in Defense Position, Gem-Knight Aquamarine!"
Aquamarine swung its cape, and the shield sword in its right hand emitted a clear silver light, standing guard on Tenjo Hikari's field.
Gem-Knight Aquamarine, LV 6, Earth Attribute, Aqua-Type, DEF 0.
"Activate Equip Spell Card, Future Fusion!"
Tenjo Hikari quickly placed another Spell Card on the field: "This card can send Fusion Materials from your deck to the Graveyard to Fusion Summon a Fusion Monster; the summoned monster cannot attack during the turn it is summoned."
"I send Shaddoll Hedgehog and the Dark Attribute monster, Destiny Hero - Malicious, from my deck to the Graveyard to fuse!"
"Fusion Summon!
Divine Speaker!
Dark El Shaddoll, El Shaddoll Winda!"
Tenjo Hikari quickly Special Summoned a new Fusion Monster to his field.
El Shaddoll Winda, LV 5, Dark Attribute, Spellcaster-Type, ATK 2200.
The phantom of Winda slowly emerged on the field, quietly standing beside Tenjo Hikari.
The phantom of the Light of Destruction glanced at Tierra, instantly understanding the situation.
Just as It had possessed Saiou Takuma, seizing his body, this unknown existence had similarly taken a spirit's "host" in the Human World... namely, a "card" as Its body.
"It's not over yet, Shaddoll Hedgehog's Monster Effect: When this card is sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, add one other Shaddoll monster from your deck to your hand!"
Tenjo Hikari opened his deck and selected a card: "I choose Shaddoll Dragon!"
"Impressive, two Fusions in one go," Saiou Mizuchi exclaimed in surprise; Serena stood tall, seemingly proud.
"End turn."
Tenjo Hikari's strategy was clear.
First turn, restrict the opponent!
He had already seen from Ed and Saiou's duel that Saiou's deck actually contained quite a few "modern" cards, and while such cards are stronger than most decks in this world, this also presents some problems.
That is, Tenjo Hikari can use limiting tactics to lock down the opponent!
"The power of Fusion, is this your talent?"
"But, do you not realize your talent is also a part of [destruction]?"
Tenjo Hikari frowned, puzzled as he looked at the Light of Destruction.
The light phantom of the Light of Destruction spread Its arms wide behind Saiou: "The cosmos originated from [light], but light produced [darkness], and the two have been fighting, thus creating this chaotic universe."
Under the Light of Destruction's narration, the scene in the tower began to change. Tenjo Hikari, Mizuchi, and Serena suddenly found themselves standing in the cosmos.
In the cosmos, at any moment, "collisions" may occur—collisions between galaxies, with small galaxies merging into larger new galaxies, where "destruction" is born at all times.
The universe is like this, the world, humanity, and spirits are the same.
Humanity, in its primal age, was influenced by the Wave of Light, resulting in conflicts, battles, and war, but the Wave of Light's influence on humanity is minimal.
"Humanity's destructive impulse originates with yourselves; whether God or man, desires don't arise without reason nor do they disappear without reason.
The urge to destroy others lies at the heart of all existence.
Greed, gluttony, pride, anger, envy, control—these desires lead humans and spirits to seek the destruction of others, to gain power, thereby bringing suffering and pain.
Since that's the case, why not simply acknowledge it all, be straightforward, and annihilate everything? That way, for humanity, the world would be without suffering."
"No! You're wrong—" Before Tenjo Hikari could speak, Tierra opened her mouth first, "Destruction is merely an action; what destruction brings is never just pure death, but also rebirth!
Weak galaxies are drawn into stronger galaxies, thereby merging into new ones, which allows the original two galaxies to gain the kinetic energy to continue moving.
Life is not only about death, but also rebirth, reincarnation, and legacy, and this is the meaning of existence!
Fusion does not destroy two monsters but creates a brand new life!"
Tenjo Hikari looked at Tierra with slight surprise.
Then he was relieved.
Indeed.
She has her own beliefs too.
The Light of Destruction remained silent.
"In that case, let reality make you understand.
With [destruction]."
As Its voice faded, Saiou burst into maniacal laughter: "My turn, draw!"
"Activate Continuous Spell Card, Wave of Light!"
A Continuous Spell Card appeared in front of Saiou, startling Tenjo Hikari.
The Light of Destruction's own card?!