"Whatever this is all about, the outcome won't change!" the Dark Grand Priest shouted, "Your lingering soul will also disappear, Mahad!"
Doomking Balerdroch raised the ruby on its magic staff again, blasting out boundless red light. However, Mahad, who had transformed into the Black Magician, didn't dodge or evade, but simply lifted his staff with one hand and pointed forward.
Magic arrays swirled out, like shields nested one within another. The intense impact crashed against the shields, and the magical storm left the magician's cloak fluttering wildly.
"Ha!"
The Black Mage's staff swept out, and the domineering magic power indiscriminately bounced Evil Eye's energy away. Several magic arrays erupted simultaneously, and dark magic, like a heavy hammer, viciously struck Evil Eye, forcing the massive undead king to stagger backward.
"Pharaoh."
Turning around, the Black Magician waved his staff lightly, allowing magic power to flow into Yugi's body like refreshing water. Instantly, he felt the chaotic aura within him calmed, the restrictions on his soul power shattered, and surging magic power flowed through his limbs.
Yugi took a deep breath to steady his breathing, then looked coolly at the Dark Grand Priest: "Aknadin!"
The Dark Grand Priest was shocked: "This soul power seal is a highest level restriction. Even the strongest magician shouldn't be able to break it so quickly..."
"I am the fusion of spirit and human, the strongest mage never before seen." The Black Magician stepped forward, raising his staff coldly, "Are you prepared for this, Aknadin? Betrayers will be purged by my own hands!"
"No, Mahad." Yugi stepped forward, "I owe you too much. You are in my life... no, even possibly in another life, my best partner.
But this time, this guy must be dealt with by me personally!"
"Pharaoh..."
Yugi patted his shoulder and stepped forward strongly, "Aknadin! I don't know what grievances you have with me, nor the issues you had with my father in the past.
But now, for all my devoted subordinates, for my friends who fought and struggled in this world with me, I must defeat you here! Come on!"
He swept his cloak back and decisively opened his Duel Disc.
"The Pharaoh's judgement of the priest will be conducted by a sacred battle ceremony... a rule set by me in the past. Who would've thought, this rule would eventually be applied to me?"
The Dark Grand Priest's voice was steady as he stood up.
"Very well then."
He likewise opened the alchemical dueling disc on his arm, raised his arm, and five stone slabs fell heavily in response to his summon.
"Without the Millennium Pendant, you no longer have the protection of the Egyptian God." said the Dark Grand Priest coolly, "Then let me personally put an end to your failure as a king!"
"Pharaoh."
The Black Magician stepped forward, respectfully bowed, then reached out to touch the card deck on Yugi's Duel Disc.
"The ultimate forbidden technique of spirit fusion comes at the cost of my body's destruction. But even so, my soul will remain with you." he said, "Regardless of time or form, you will forever have my loyalty.
I wish to be your sharpest sword for eternity, as your eternal servant."
His resolute words carried no false emotions. He lowered his head, his figure gradually surrounded by a pale purple aura, eventually blending into Yugi's card deck.
Yugi gently closed his eyes.
He had finally, completely remembered.
Why, from thousands of cards, he chose "The Black Magician" at a glance; Why at any time, he could trust this card unconditionally; Why he always felt an inexplicably complex bond with the spirit of this card, sometimes even feeling a pang of sorrow...
"Thank you, Mahad, for always being there."
He opened his eyes, unleashing the impactful presence of a king, his gaze brimming again with battle intent.
"Then let me rely on your strength once more."
"Duel!"
[Yugi, LP 4000]
[Dark Grand Priest, LP 4000]
The stone slabs fell heavily, forming a barrier before the Dark Grand Priest's eyes. He glanced over the six stone slabs coldly through the cold rays of the Millennium Eyes and spoke solemnly.
"Let me begin. Witness the power I've gained from the Evil God, Pharaoh!"
He tapped a stone slab, reciting an incantation, and the slab flipped simultaneously.
"Spell 'Pot of Greed', by its effect, summon two new stone slabs."
Two more stone slabs descended. He glanced at them and immediately tapped one.
"The spell 'Cost Down'." he said, "Dispose of a stone slab in hand to reduce the ritual cost for summoning high-level monsters!"
Cost Down, Magic Card, discard one card from your hand to lower the star level of all monsters in your hand by two.
"By the power of this spell, I can summon the god of the Netherworld without tribute—
—Dark Ruler Ha Des!"
Amid the swirling darkness, abstract lines appeared, gradually condensing into blood-red armor. At the center of the armor seemed to be a crying face, below it was a skeleton face with a grin.
A green-faced demon slowly walked out, horns on its head, holding a transparent goblet, filled with what seemed to be bright red blood.
[Dark Ruler Ha Des, Attack 2450]
"Dark Ruler Ha Des?" Yugi thought to himself, "Bakura indeed used this card."
"Set another stone slab and end this turn." the Dark Grand Priest's voice was hoarse.
Behind him, Priest Shada showed concern: "Indeed, it's a different power from Priest Aknadin in the past. Is it the power given by the Thief King?"
"Without the Millennium Pendant, the Pharaoh can't summon the Egyptian God. If this continues..."
"It's okay."
Priest Isis interrupted their conversation.
She wiped tears from the corner of her eyes, speaking resolutely: "The Pharaoh still has Mahad... They won't lose."
Yugi quietly looked at the card deck in his hand for a long moment.
He felt it; the stirring power within his deck, the strength Mahad had given him.
With this power, he would be invincible!
"My turn!" Yugi drew a card and immediately revealed it, "Summon 'Magician's Rod'!"
It was a transparent blue phantom, faintly having the outline of a Black Magician, but only the emerald staff in its hand was tangible.
[Magician's Rod, Attack 1600]
"Magician's Rod effect, on successful summon, allows me to add to my hand a 'Black Magician' related magic or trap card from my deck.
What I want to add is... Continuous Magic 'Dark Magical Circle'!"
Upon hearing this, the players who were battling with the priests exploded with excitement.
"Did the Pharaoh just activate something?"
"Did I just hear something like a Magical Circle!?"
"..."