CHAPTER 435: CHAPTER 434: THE FINAL BARRIER (BONUS)

Cyber Twin Dragon, summoned!

This twist surpasses all expectations. Absolute Zero was a shocking finals appearance, but for him to morph into a double-headed Cyber Dragon?

Zane is stunned but delighted: "That’s the one he won from me..."

Bringing his Cyber Dragon to the finals is like bringing his will to the stage—a kind of participation, in a way.

"Jaden’s Elemental HERO and Truesdale’s Cyber Dragon..."

Mokuba looks uneasy. Though Kira stands on stage, it feels like the Duel Academy rookies are fighting side by side.

"Using Absolute Zero to transform into Cyber Twin Dragon, triggering Absolute Zero’s field-wipe, then double-attacking with Twin Dragon..."

Jaden’s eyes light up.

"What a brilliant tactic. As expected of Kira... To combine my and Zane’s monsters so smoothly..."

Actually, HERO players know the ideal use of Absolute Zero is to become Masked HERO Acid, nuking spells/traps. Absolute Zero into Acid was a classic combo.

But Kira doesn’t have Masked HERO, so he makes do. Maybe this will plant a seed in Jaden’s mind to create new Masked HERO cards.

"Cyber Twin Dragon, direct attack!" Kira commands.

Twin Dragon breathes evolutionary flames, spiraling out like a fire dragon’s breath.

"...Activate the trap, ’Draining Shield’," the Arbiter counters, "Negate the attack and recover LP equal to the attacking monster’s ATK."

A multicolored shield appears. The evolutionary flames hit it, energy absorbed and channeled to the Arbiter.

[Arbiter, LP 1200 → LP 4000]

"Then, Twin Dragon can attack twice per turn," Kira says. "Second attack!

Dual Evolutionary Impact!"

Twin Dragon breathes fire again, an overwhelming beam roaring straight at the Arbiter.

But the Arbiter keeps defending: "Activate trap, ’Enchanted Javelin.’ When an opponent’s monster attacks, gain LP equal to its ATK."

[Arbiter, LP 4000 → LP 6800]

Similar to Draining Shield, but the attack still goes through. After healing, the blast hits, flames exploding, his clothes whipping in the fire.

[Arbiter, LP 6800 → LP 4000]

"Damn, this guy’s really hard to finish off," Mokuba mutters.

"If he could be beaten that easily, he wouldn’t be worth my attention," Kaiba says coolly.

"Huh, really?" Mokuba says awkwardly.

He thinks Kira’s attack was impressive enough. This combo of Absolute Zero’s board control and Twin Dragon’s power would OTK most duelists—maybe even pros.

Kira: "I set three cards and end my turn."

"My turn—draw."

The Arbiter’s tone is venomous. His usual calm is gone, replaced by a dark, stormy look as he glares at Kira, all thoughts of alliance gone. Now, it’s a fight to the death.

"I activate ’Card of Sanctity.’ Draw until I have six cards in hand."

He replenishes his hand, but hardly looks at his new cards, never taking his eyes off Kira.

"I don’t know what you are. But it doesn’t matter. Maybe you’re trying to annoy me—you’ve succeeded. Now, you’ll see the price."

He draws another card. The field zone lights up, green energy blasting skyward!

"Awaken, Orichalcos’s third and final barrier—

—Orichalcos Tritos!!!"

The third and final barrier, representing the full release of the evil power hidden in this field!

The ground trembles, as if a forbidden power is being summoned. The world is bathed in an eerie emerald glow, full of greed and desire, swirling and twisting before converging in a pillar of light!

A complex hexagram rotates slowly, the third ring nesting around the previous two. More ancient script appears, twisting like snakes or sharp as blades, glinting in the green light.

Kaiba’s eyes narrow.

The final barrier—finally activated.

The Arbiter’s forehead glows green, his eyes now like snake’s, his whole body radiating green fire as Orichalcos’s power blazes.

"Orichalcos’s final barrier, Tritos. This can only be activated if ’Orichalcos Deuteros’ is on the field, by sending it to the graveyard.

This third barrier inherits the name and all effects of the first two.

And, in addition—while this barrier is in play, all monsters I control..."

The Arbiter’s voice is hoarse and sharp.

"...are unaffected by any spell or trap effects."

"What?!"

Everyone is stunned. This is the first time seeing the third barrier.

Just its presence grants all his monsters immunity to spells and traps, on top of all previous effects. What kind of terrifying field is this?

The Arbiter draws another card.

"Spell Card, ’Card of Burial Magic.’ Remove ’Card of Sanctity,’ ’Seal of Orichalcos,’ and ’Raigeki’ in my graveyard from play, then draw two cards."

"Spell Card, ’Card of Adversity.’ If my opponent controls a special summoned monster and I have none, draw two cards."

He keeps drawing, then reveals another card.

"Spell Card, ’Monster Reborn.’ Revive a monster from my graveyard."

The Arbiter selects a card from the graveyard, summoning it under the Monster Reborn symbol.

"Return, Orichalcos Kyutora!"

Under the resurrection symbol, the single eye opens again, gazing at the field with contempt.

[Orichalcos Kyutora, ATK 500 → ATK 1000] (due to Orichalcos Barrier boost)

"Next, I activate—

—Ritual Spell, ’Orichalcos Mirror’!"