CHAPTER 409: CHAPTER 408: THE BELOVED MONSTER (BONUS)

Terra descends!

The white giant landed, setting off a towering cloud of dust, its huge form stretching up into the sky!

[Elemental HERO Terra Firma, ATK 2500]

"Jaden summoned both of Koyo’s ace cards in one go!" Mokuba couldn’t help but exclaim, "Impressive!"

Midori looked at Jaden on the stage. For a moment, she almost saw Koyo’s silhouette overlapping with that boy, and she lost herself in thought.

"So this is what you want to pass on through dueling, Koyo..." she murmured.

"It’s not over yet! Elemental HERO Terra Firma’s effect activates! By tributing ’Elemental HERO Absolute Zero,’ Terra can absorb its ATK and DEF values!

EARTH BURN!!!"

At Jaden’s command, Absolute Zero transformed into pure energy and merged with Terra. Terra’s snowy-white body instantly turned scorching hot, like molten lava pouring from its body, glowing red as if it were a brand heated in a forge.

[Elemental HERO Terra Firma, ATK 2500 → 5000]

"Five thousand attack points..."

The Arbiter looked up at Terra, as if staring straight at the spirit of Koyo.

"Trying to decide it all with a single blow?"

"It’s still not over! At this moment, ’Elemental HERO Absolute Zero’s’ new ability activates—

—Absolute Zero!!!"

"What!?" The crowd gasped.

Even Kaiba looked visibly unsettled this time.

"Did this kid just evolve his monster mid-duel using the power of a duelist?"

It wasn’t without precedent—after all, the "Dragon Master Knight" that Yugi and Kaiba fused was born under similar circumstances. But such occurrences were so rare as to be almost nonexistent.

It required not only a duelist’s powerful destiny, but also an extraordinary bond with one’s monster—what many called a "bond."

Only in extremely specific circumstances, when a duelist and their monster resonated to a high degree, could a monster evolve on its own during a duel.

This is what’s known as card imprinting.

Just like Jaden now, awakening a hidden power in his ace card—originally Koyo’s—"Elemental HERO Absolute Zero."

Though it lasted only a moment, the Arbiter clearly saw a flash of gold in the boy’s eyes.

A burning, awe-inspiring golden gaze.

But it was only for a split-second, then his eyes returned to normal.

"Heh, I knew I wasn’t wrong about him." The Arbiter smiled.

He really is an interesting kid.

"Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, new effect! When this card leaves the field, destroy all monsters on your opponent’s field!"

"Such a strong effect!?"

Mokuba was shocked.

Absolute freezing, as if the whole field’s temperature dropped to absolute zero. No ordinary creature could survive such an arctic hell—Arbiter’s Dark Armed Dragon, Flame Wingman, and Helpoemer—all monsters were instantly frozen and shattered into glittering crystals in seconds.

"Interesting... very interesting."

The Arbiter grew even more interested.

"Battle! The final strike!" Jaden declared. "Terra’s attack will end this duel!"

First, the ultimate chill. Then, the fury of molten lava. With 5000 attack points, Terra absorbed all that molten energy, forming a flaming sword of destruction in its hand!

Even the audience held their breath.

Will he win?

"Not bad, you’ve managed to draw out a bit of your true power. But it’s still not enough."

The Arbiter spoke calmly.

"It seems I’ll have to force you to face your past. Only then will that sleeping soul awaken."

"What did you say?" Jaden frowned.

"Doma’s resources cover the world. We know everything that’s ever happened. Since you’ve forgotten, let me help you remember."

The Arbiter continued, quietly.

"That year, you’d just learned about Duel Monsters. Your father returned from a business trip and brought you that rare card—the monster you truly loved, a card with special meaning to you."

Jaden froze.

That distant voice echoed in his mind again.

"Jaden... Jaden..."

There it was again, that voice.

His heart pounded, his mind grew foggy. Jaden clutched his head, stumbling.

What is it? What have I forgotten, something so important...

No, I can’t lose my rhythm. I have to finish this duel first.

"Elemental HERO Terra Firma!" Jaden shouted. "Direct attack!"

As the flaming blade was drawn, his headache worsened.

He staggered, almost losing his balance.

But the command went through. Terra leaped across the frozen field, its heat melting all ice and snow. The earth blade struck, 5000 attack points slashing right for the Arbiter.

"Trap activate."

The Arbiter flicked his hand.

"Trap Card: ’Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert.’ When your opponent declares an attack, Special Summon a monster from your hand, and your opponent’s monster must attack that monster instead." (Anime effect)

Jaden’s headache peaked.

Something important was coming, something that mattered deeply to him—

"Special Summon from my hand—meet your old friend—"

The Arbiter calmly flipped a card.

"—Yubel, summoned!"

Thorny vines burst from the ground, swirling. Within them, the shadow of a demon took shape, cloaked in black bone wings.

Then suddenly, the wings unfurled, and a demon with a feminine form slowly raised her head, her heterochromatic eyes opening coldly to look at Jaden.

[Yubel, ATK 0]

Even Kira was surprised now.

Yubel!?

Could she have been intercepted by Doma on her way back from space? Given Doma’s global reach and power, it wouldn’t be difficult.

But looking more closely, Kira saw this card wasn’t a spirit.

So perhaps, while Yubel’s card is rare, it’s not unique. Only the one Jaden had as a child contained the spirit with a deep bond to him.

This one was just a rare monster card, nothing special. With the Arbiter’s resources, getting it was easy.

Jaden stared wide-eyed at the monster across from him. Suddenly, memories pieced themselves together in his mind.

The card he loved most, his first spirit, the monster with the most special meaning to him...

"Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert’s effect—Terra must attack Yubel," the Arbiter said.

"But Yubel’s attack is only 0!" Mokuba shouted.

Kaiba frowned: "No, that monster’s special effect—"

"Yubel cannot be destroyed by battle, and you take no battle damage from battles involving her. Moreover," the Arbiter added calmly, "the damage is reflected back to your opponent."

"What!?" Mokuba gasped, "That’s broken!"

Terra’s 5000-point slash struck Yubel, but did nothing. Instead, Yubel’s vines absorbed all the molten energy, striking back at Jaden like lightning!

Jaden was pierced through the chest, staggering backward, but kept staring at the monster that dealt the final blow.

"Y-Yubel..."

[Jaden, LP 1200 → 0]

PS: Bonus Chapters at 1000 PS