Endless darkness gathered in the Shadow Monarch's hands, forming an orb like the gloom of the underworld, shooting toward the massive fortress in the sky that blocked out the sun!

"Hmph, Air Fortress Ziggurat can't be affected by spells or traps, so you're trying to break through with a monster effect now?" the Arbiter remarked. "But such a simple tactic won't work.

I activate the trap 'Spellbinding Illusion.' One monster on the field loses 500 ATK, and its effect is negated." (Manga card)

He raised his hand toward Kira's Shadow Monarch on the field.

"I reduce 'Caius the Shadow Monarch' ATK by 500 and negate its effect."

A transparent magic circle locked around the Shadow Monarch like invisible shackles, instantly dimming the dark orb he had just fired. The Shadow Monarch grunted, the dark aura around him fading.

[Caius the Shadow Monarch, ATK 2400 → ATK 1900]

The orb of darkness vanished in midair, unable to strike the colossal fortress.

"Oh, what a pity," Mokuba lamented, "just a bit short."

"Don't rush," Kaiba replied coolly. "This is just the beginning."

Sure enough, after his first attempt failed, Kira immediately played his next card.

"Spell Card 'Metamorphosis'! I tribute a monster on the field to special summon a Fusion Monster with the same level.

I tribute the Level 6 'Caius the Shadow Monarch'!"

A green spell card appeared behind Caius, enveloping him in energy until only a vague silhouette remained. The outline rapidly transformed, growing into a warrior clad in dragon armor, wielding a blue blade, landing on Kira's field.

"Level 6, Ryu Senshi, special summon!"

[Ryu Senshi, ATK 2000]

The Arbiter stayed silent.

"Next, I banish from the graveyard the LIGHT monster 'Zaborg the Thunder Monarch' and the DARK monster 'Caius the Shadow Monarch'—the first sent this turn."

Beams of light and darkness spiraled upward, vanishing into a chaotic vortex. Power surged through the field, like a hurricane battering the transparent Orichalcos barrier.

"Oh? Here it comes," the Arbiter looked up at the vortex.

"Light and darkness, sacrificed to the field of chaos—for the legendary swordsman returns!"

Kira swung his arm.

"Worlds divide! Descend now—

—Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning!"

Chaotic light descended from the sky, his sword cleaving through the chaos. The armored warrior landed in a crouch, then stood, sword gleaming, eyes locked fiercely on the Arbiter. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs ⓝovelFire.net

[Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning, ATK 3000]

This was the reason he came to this world.

The source of evil that once sealed him away, now coveting both the world of spirits and duelists—the most terrifying Evil God of this era.

"The legendary warrior. You seem much stronger than before—looks like you found a worthy master," the Arbiter said calmly.

"Envoy of the Beginning, activate effect," Kira declared. "Once per turn, by giving up this turn's attack, I can banish one monster on the field."

"Going after the fortress again?" the Arbiter said.

"The fortress's tokens can block attacks, but monster effects bypass them," Kira replied. "Envoy, banish the fortress!

Chaos Dimension Slash!"

Sword gleamed—a dimension-shattering slash. Light and dark fused on the blade, forming a silver dragon that split the heavens!

"Then I activate my set card, trap 'Memory Loss,'" the Arbiter said. "Negate the effect of an attacking monster, and change it to defense position."

"He's got another counter!" Jaden exclaimed from the sidelines.

The Air Fortress Ziggurat was immune to spells and traps, tokens blocked attacks, and now he's ready to counter monster effects too—a wall of defense.

But Kira was prepared: "It's useless. Ryu Senshi, block it for me!"

As Memory Loss triggered, its magic hadn't yet locked onto Black Luster Soldier when Ryu Senshi leapt out. His sword flashed, slashing through the trap card, dispelling its energy vortex.

The Arbiter frowned slightly. "That monster's effect…"

"Ryu Senshi can pay 1000 Life Points to negate a trap's effect," Kira explained.

[Kira, LP 5800 → LP 4800]

"So that's why you used Metamorphosis to summon Ryu Senshi!" Mokuba cheered.

Zane also praised, "A monster that counters traps, clearing the way for Black Luster Soldier's arrival and attack."

Ryu Senshi may be obscure for modern players, but when Metamorphosis was legal, it was a top-tier—no, a staple card.

Its proper Fusion materials are 'Warrior Dai Grepher' and 'Spirit Ryu'—strictly limited. No substitutes like King of the Swamp allowed, making it hard to summon by Fusion alone, and nearly useless that way.

But its advantage: it doesn't require Fusion Summon to appear.

So, naturally, it became Metamorphosis's go-to Level 6 Fusion.

No Fusion Summon restriction, built-in trap negation, and immunity to spell cards that target it—almost certainly the top Level 6 Fusion of its era.

If it's lacking anywhere, it's only that at 2000 ATK, it can't beat Cyber Dragon.

"So, under Ryu Senshi's protection, Black Luster Soldier's effect resolves. Chaos Dimension Slash!" Kira declared.

The sword finally fell, leaving a dramatic spatial fissure. The fortress was sucked in by a powerful force, vanishing into nothing.

"Yes!" Mokuba shouted. "The fortress is gone! Go, Kira!"

The Arbiter remained calm, his expression unreadable.

Kira didn't attack, but set another card.

"I activate the spell 'Shield Crush' to destroy a defense-position monster.

This will destroy the 'Robot Token!'"

For the first time, the Arbiter's face shifted slightly.