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Chapter 665: One Soul Guides the Light, One Soul Guides the Darkness
"Earthbound Immortal!" Dartz watched as Hayato added **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca** to his Hand, the phantom behind him receding into the card. Dartz's expression turned somewhat fierce.
When a person lives long enough, they naturally come to know many things, such as the True Name of the Nameless Pharaoh from three thousand years ago, or the Wicked God that crawled out of the Underworld five thousand years ago. Because he was apprehensive of certain things, although Dartz knew Dark Yugi's True Name, he couldn't say it. However, he had no such reservations about the familiar monster before him.
Five thousand years ago on the Nazca Plain in South America, Dartz personally witnessed a war: a war between a Red Dragon leading five Flying Dragons and the Great Evil God and the Beast God it led. Spirits possessing great power swept humans along, forcing them to participate, and even chose their respective emissaries, leaving their mark on them.
At the end of the war, both sides almost annihilated each other, with neither claiming victory. The Spirits, who were not fundamentally harmed, fell into slumber, turning into the stone tablets and murals left as traces in the World, while humans became the sole victims.
Because of this, Dartz, who was already very dissatisfied with Spirits, grew increasingly disgusted with them. And he also wouldn't forget that among the Beast Gods led by the Wicked God, the most active and strongest one was precisely the Giant Eagle that had just appeared behind Hayato.
How come another new card popped out from Hayato's side?!
No, calm down, calm down. Rafael had reported the Earthbound Immortals' existence to me before during Battle City. There's no need to be surprised.
Dartz took a deep breath to regain his composure. Looking at Hayato, he said, "I recognize that monster, Hayato. That was an Evil Spirit from five thousand years ago that controlled humans like puppets, manipulating war and souls. Are you going to use that monster to battle me?"
Hayato was also not surprised that Dartz recognized **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca**. Looking at the card in his Hand, he shrugged, and a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth: "Perhaps once this card stood on the side against humans, but what determines the good and evil of power is not it, but me, the User. Even the most ferocious power in the World, if used by a kind person, can also be used for protection."
"And as everyone knows, there is no Duelist kinder than me."
"Tsk, even if the one saying this is you, Hayato..." Dartz frowned, drew out his entire Hand, and inserted them into his Duel Disk. "Then, my Battle Phase ends. I Set two cards. My Turn ends here."
[Dartz: 1200 LP, Hand 0]
[Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands] [ATK 1400]
[Relinquished] (Contract Fulfillment, Chimeratech Overdragon) [ATK 4000]
[Set Card] [Set Card]
'Although on my Field, I have two monsters in Attack Position, **Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands** and **Relinquished**, my current Life Points are also running low.'
'But, if I remember correctly, the effect of Hayato's **Grandsoil the Elemental Lord** recorded in Industrial Illusions' internal database states that if a face-up **Grandsoil the Elemental Lord** leaves Hayato's Field, Hayato's next Battle Phase will be forcibly skipped.'
'That is to say, the **Five-Headed Dragon** that is about to appear is fundamentally not a concern. If it cannot battle, Hayato cannot inflict damage to me at all. And when it's my next turn, I only need to use **Relinquished** to attack **Five-Headed Dragon**, and I can use its effect to transfer battle damage to Hayato and achieve victory.'
'And among the two Set Cards in my Back Row, **Forbidden Dress** can effectively grant **Relinquished** protection.' Dartz tilted his Duel Disk, glancing at the name of the card revealed in the Duel Disk's Spell & Trap Zone. 'In a desperate situation, there is still this card that can be used.'
"My Turn," just as Dartz was thinking to himself, Hayato placed his finger on the Duel Disk and drew a card. "Draw!"
"Then, because of **Future Fusion's** effect, during the Standby Phase, I Fusion Summon this powerful monster!"
"Five kinds of radiance merge into one, in the name of the divine, I command you to retreat! Descend, the dark dragon that surpasses the ultimate power!"
"Fusion Summon! **Five-Headed Dragon**!"
From the Fusion Vortex, which had already been activated for the future that finally arrived at this moment, a claw stretched out and stepped onto the Ground. Then, one after another, five ferocious dragon heads of different appearances emerged.
[Five-Headed Dragon] [Level 12/DARK]
[Dragon Type/Fusion/Effect]
[5000/5000]
Looking at the giant dragon appearing on Hayato's Field, Dartz was not afraid at all. He said confidently to Hayato, "Although **Five-Headed Dragon's** ATK is higher than **Relinquished's**, and if you declare an attack on **Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands** you can clear my Life Points, I think you can't do that now, Hayato?"
"Ah, because of **Grandsoil the Elemental Lord's** effect, my Battle Phase this Turn was skipped. So **Five-Headed Dragon** temporarily cannot declare an attack on you this Turn." There was no need to lie about this, so Hayato nodded and confirmed what Dartz said.
Dartz smiled upon hearing this. "In that case, it seems it's my victory, Hayato. With just those two cards in your Hand, there is no possibility of victory whatsoever."
"Are you going to rely on that Earthbound Immortal which is just a Small Fry in the absence of a Field Spell Card?" Dartz said, mentioning Hayato's Earthbound Immortal with a contemptuous expression. "That's why I've advised you many times, right, Hayato? There is no need to place your precious trust in these Card Spirits."
"Hmph, that's not necessarily true, Dartz. A Duel doesn't end until the very last moment." Drawing a card from his Hand, Hayato raised it high above his head. "During my Main Phase, I will Tribute the two **Tribute Stone Tablet Tokens** on my Field as a sacrifice! The power that crosses five thousand years, return to the Earth!"
As Hayato played the card, the two **Tribute Stone Tablet Tokens** on his Field, Special Summoned by **Tribute of Honor**, turned into dust, scattered with the wind, and ascended into the sky.
**Tribute Stone Tablet Tokens** had no special power, their ATK and DEF were also 0. Additionally, they have the effect that they cannot be Tributed for the Tribute Summon of monsters other than Earthbound Immortals. It can be said they were originally prepared for the Earthbound Immortals.
The dust that ascended into the sky, as Dartz and Hayato watched, surprisingly gradually gathered into a giant stone heart. Accompanied by its eerie beating, both saw that the circuits within the heart were already filled with purple energy!
"Darkness? Resentment? Soul? Take it all if you need it! Absorb everything to your heart's content, and then bring me victory, strongest Earthbound Immortal!"
Facing the heart in the sky, Hayato called out the monster's name, "**Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca**!"
As his voice fell, the giant heart suddenly radiated light. Accompanied by a mournful hawk cry, the stone heart transformed into a giant black-purple vulture, hanging high in the sky!
[Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca] [Level 10/DARK]
[Winged Beast Type/Effect]
[1/1]
Unlike its usual appearance in the past, at this moment **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca** was not connected to the Earth with tail-feather-like lines providing power; it was merely flying high in the sky. But even so, its aura was already terrifying.
For a moment, the **Five-Headed Dragon** and **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca** on Hayato's Field formed a stark contrast with the relatively much smaller **Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands** and **Relinquished** on Dartz's Field, making it difficult to distinguish which side was truly the villain.
"If there is no face-up Field Spell Card on the Field, **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca's** additional effects are negated, and it will be destroyed at the End Phase. Therefore, I place all my destiny on this last card, Dartz."
Flipping over the last card in his Hand, Hayato showed it to Dartz. When Dartz saw the card in Hayato's Hand, he was also stunned for a moment. "Destiny, huh?"
"Since you have always firmly believed that humanity's destiny has no hope, and only destruction can bring a future of rebirth, then let's use your destiny and my destiny to have a final showdown." Saying this, Hayato inserted the card into his Duel Disk. "The card I activate is, **Card of Fate**!"
"Roll a die once, draw cards from the Deck equal to the result, then banish the same number of cards from the Top of Deck from the game." Accompanied by Hayato's explanation, a die appeared out of nowhere above the Field as the two watched. "Which side destiny stands on, what humanity's destiny truly is, let destiny itself choose."
"However, Grandma once said that as long as I want it, destiny is destined to only stand on my side!" Saying this, Hayato waved his Hand. "Die, roll!"
The die that would decide the final direction of this Duel landed and began to roll. At this moment, whether it was Hayato or Dartz, both seriously looked at the die, waiting for destiny to decide the final points.
Would Hayato roll a high number of points, draw a large quantity of cards, and thus defeat Dartz, or would Dartz's destiny be superior, causing Hayato to only draw fewer cards?
The rolling of the die gradually stopped, revealing the final answer --- points, 3!
"Hmph hmph, hehe hahahaha! Although the points are still a bit high, if it's only three, it's still 'small', right?"
Seeing that the final points were only three, Dartz couldn't help but show a relaxed smile. "This also means that destiny is on my side, right, Hayato? The World is also waiting for me to destroy humanity and create a new civilization and a new World."
"3 points, huh? This number is really..." Hayato lowered his head, placed his finger on the Duel Disk, and the corner of his mouth slowly curled up. "...couldn't be better!"
"Draw!"
With a loud shout, Hayato suddenly drew three cards from the Top of Deck. The cards traced a golden trajectory in mid-air.
"Humans are terrible, even I cannot deny this point. So from the very beginning, I didn't expect this die roll to roll numbers like five or six points."
"But, it surprisingly exceeded my expectation of two points by one point! Humanity undoubtedly still has a lot of hope, Dartz!"
After drawing, he also banished three cards from the Top of Deck. Glancing at the cards he drew in his Hand, Hayato had already seen the hope for victory. "I will use the cards in my Hand to prove it to you!"
"Activate Field Spell Card, **Chaos Field**!"
With the activation of the Field Spell Card, the surrounding darkness receded, but light did not arrive either. Instead, it fell into a state of chaos.
The boundary between light and dark became blurred. In this kind of environment, Hayato drew a card from his Deck. "Because of **Chaos Field's** activation, I can search from my Deck one **Chaos Soldier** Ritual Monster or a **Gaia the Fierce Knight** card and add to Hand."
"However, this is just a bonus."
"Because a Field Spell Card is on the Field, the power of **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca** on my Field is liberated." Hayato pointed to **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca** in the sky and said, "Once per Turn, by skipping my Battle Phase this Turn, in exchange for this huge stakes, I change the opponent's Life Points to 1 point!"
The Battle Phase that was originally skipped because of **Grandsoil the Elemental Lord's** effect was utilized by Hayato a second time. He pointed his finger at Dartz: "Return your Life Points to heaven!"
"Polar Star, obey!"
As Hayato's order was given, **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca** suddenly spread its giant wings. Soul energy was released at full power, almost forcibly pulling Dartz's corrupted soul out from his body!
[Dartz: 1200 → 1 LP]
"Ugh!" Even Dartz, facing the power of **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca**, his body was surprisingly shaken.
He raised his head and glanced at **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca**. Dartz's breathing became a bit heavy, but he still persisted and said, "Tsk, even so, my Life Points have not reached zero yet, enough to last until the next turn."
"There is no next turn, Dartz. Despair is your End Point." The second card in his Hand was played by Hayato. It was like a replica of **Raigeki** from before; this time, lightning flashed above Dartz's head. "Taking others' precious treasures, remember this pain well, and enjoy the pleasure of the path to Hell!"
"Spell Card **Raigeki Break**! Destroy both monsters on my Field, and inflict damage to your Life Points equal to the number of monsters destroyed x 300 points!"
Glancing at the **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca** and **Five-Headed Dragon** on his Field, Hayato said without hesitation, "Sacrifice yourselves for the great cause!"
The thunder boomed down, engulfing Dartz's figure. But just as Hayato thought this strike could clear Dartz's Life Points, he saw the lightning that should have struck Dartz instead diverted towards a flipped-up card on Dartz's Back Row.
"Trap Card **Energy Absorbing Plate**! It really is just as I expected, Hayato. You still like using Effect Damage type cards so much." Although his Life Points were only 1 point, Dartz had a certain victory appearance. "Cards like **The Bandit**, **Psychic Ectoplasm**, and **Raigeki Break**, you've used them too many times."
"I prepared this card precisely because I thought you might use Effect Damage type cards to clear my Life Points in a situation where you cannot enter the Battle Phase!" Dartz explained proudly. "**Energy Absorbing Plate** can only be activated when an effect that would inflict damage to me is activated by the opponent. Instead of receiving damage, I recover Life Points equal to the same value."
"That is to say, my current Life Points don't decrease, but instead increase!"
[Dartz: 1 → 601 LP]
"Nani!?" Hayato widened his eyes, watching Dartz surprisingly successfully survive his finishing blow, with a disbelief expression.
"Then, as expected, you've run out of options, Hayato." Looking at his Life Points, which were just 1 point higher than Hayato's, Dartz exclaimed, "What a long Duel, just like the ten thousand years of time I crossed to restart the World. However, it has finally reached its End Point."
"If I wasn't mistaken just now, the card you added to Hand was a blue border Ritual Monster, right? A **Chaos Soldier** Ritual Monster. But it's really a pity, even if your other card is a Ritual Spell Card, there are no more sacrifices that can be Tributed. And even if you summon a monster with very high ATK, you still cannot attack."
"The die you rolled just now, even if it was just one more point, perhaps it could have created an opportunity for victory for you. But it's a pity, just like no matter how many redeeming qualities humanity has, they cannot create a future of miracles and hope. Destiny favors me, Dartz!"
"Hahahaha!"
But---
"Sore wa dou kana!"
What Dartz didn't expect was that at this very moment, Hayato surprisingly still hadn't given up. Instead, he confidently raised the card in his Hand: "You say I cannot summon this monster? Then watch me, Dartz! My puzzle of victory has already been assembled in the Graveyard!"
"Life is a process of accumulating pain that will eventually reach its end. But this does not mean that life is a story composed of death and end."
"The monsters that sacrificed themselves in this Duel are all engraved in my memory. Their death was not without meaning. At this moment, reveal the name of legend!"
"The time for coronation has arrived!"
As Hayato raised the card in his Hand, the surrounding chaos began to gather towards the card. At the same time, in front of Hayato, an Altar surprisingly slowly rose from Underground!
"**Ritual of the Super Soldier** is the card that was sent to the Graveyard by **House Dragonmaid**'s effect before. Its effect cannot be activated in the turn it was sent to the Graveyard." Hayato took out the card representing the altar from the Graveyard. "Banish **Ritual of the Super Soldier** from the Graveyard, and one LIGHT Attribute and one DARK Attribute monster, and activate! From my Hand, I Special Summon one **Chaos Soldier** Ritual Monster, ignoring its summoning condition!"
"The DARK Attribute one is, **Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight**!"
"The LIGHT Attribute monster is, **Butler**!"
"One soul guides the light, one soul guides the darkness. My light is eternity, my darkness is truth, an existence that illuminates everything and pioneers the path! Appear!"
"My, Tamashii!"
"Legendary Swordsman - Black Luster Soldier!"
Transcending the boundary between light and darkness, **Gaia** absorbed power from **Butler**. The power of light and dark harmonized in its Hand, turning into a Chaos Sword that surpasses everything. The armor on its body also transformed and ascended under the influence of this ultimate power!
[Legendary Swordsman - Black Luster Soldier] [Level 8/EARTH]
[Warrior Type/Ritual/Effect]
[3000/2500]
"ATK is equal to **Blue-Eyes White Dragon's**!" Dartz widened his eyes, looking at the **Chaos Soldier** that appeared on Hayato's Field. Although Dartz knew that **Chaos Soldier** Ritual Monsters existed, that was definitely not the appearance of this monster on Hayato's Field. That aura was as if it were a sharp sword that could separate light and darkness!
And the one holding this sword is undoubtedly the existence who can in a single thought become the Hero who saves the World and the Demon King who destroys the World!
Dartz couldn't help but look at Hayato, slightly lost in thought, not knowing what he was thinking about. Immediately after, he then spoke: "But, Hayato, you cannot enter the Battle Phase. Furthermore, speaking of **House Dragonmaid**, I just saw her send your **Psychic Ectoplasm** to the Graveyard. What means of attack do you still have now?"
"That's right, Little Blue is skilled at milling. She sent my **Psychic Ectoplasm** to the Graveyard. Just thinking about it is terrible, I even want to remove her from this 'pure' **Dragonmaid** Deck of mine." Because **Legendary Swordsman - Black Luster Soldier's** summon banished **Butler**, Hayato naturally felt his purity had increased once again. He inserted the card in his Hand into the Duel Disk.
"However, who said I can only run one **Psychic Ectoplasm** in my Deck?"
"Activate Continuous Spell Card **Psychic Ectoplasm**! Both players Tribute one monster on their own Field during their respective End Phase, and inflict damage to the opponent equal to half of that monster's original ATK!"
"Then, my Turn ends. Next, **Psychic Ectoplasm** takes effect! This is a necessary sacrifice!"
Hayato waved his Hand and pointed at Dartz. "Go, **Gaia**! No, **Legendary Swordsman - Black Luster Soldier**!"
"Pioneer a new Future!"
His finger moved away from the start button on the Duel Disk. Knowing that even using **Forbidden Dress** couldn't stop Hayato, Dartz watched **Legendary Swordsman - Black Luster Soldier** turn into a spirit form, crossing over **Relinquished** and **Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands**, these two monsters, one light and one dark, charging towards him and raising the sword in its Hand. He helplessly closed his eyes.
I failed. There's nothing that can be done. After all, it's Hayato.
However, light and darkness were perfectly harmonized together. I truly saw an incredible scene. This memory can definitely be utilized next time.
"I have to admit, you are stronger now."
"It's your victory, Hayato. No, humanity---"
"Boom!"
[Dartz: 601 LP → 0]
As Dartz's Life Points completely reached zero under **Legendary Swordsman - Black Luster Soldier's** strike, Field Spell Card **Chaos Field**, however, experienced violent fluctuations. The light and darkness separated by a single sword caused a violent impact. In an instant, Hayato appeared in mid-air and saw from afar, not far away, the giant serpent "**Orichalcos God**" wailing and falling towards the sea.
In Hayato's ear, the system's settlement sound also sounded.
[Congratulations Duelist on achieving victory, Dartz 1/1 defeated]
[Reward Settlement in progress]
(Author's Note: Reaching this point, I actually haven't decided yet whether or not to write 5D's. After all, GX isn't off by many years, but 5D's is off by a time span of decades, which is a bit far. But I'll prepare the plot device first; whether or not I use it is another matter.)
(End of Chapter)
"Earthbound Immortal!" Dartz watched as Hayato added **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca** to his Hand, the phantom behind him receding into the card. Dartz's expression turned somewhat fierce.
When a person lives long enough, they naturally come to know many things, such as the True Name of the Nameless Pharaoh from three thousand years ago, or the Wicked God that crawled out of the Underworld five thousand years ago. Because he was apprehensive of certain things, although Dartz knew Dark Yugi's True Name, he couldn't say it. However, he had no such reservations about the familiar monster before him.
Five thousand years ago on the Nazca Plain in South America, Dartz personally witnessed a war: a war between a Red Dragon leading five Flying Dragons and the Great Evil God and the Beast God it led. Spirits possessing great power swept humans along, forcing them to participate, and even chose their respective emissaries, leaving their mark on them.
At the end of the war, both sides almost annihilated each other, with neither claiming victory. The Spirits, who were not fundamentally harmed, fell into slumber, turning into the stone tablets and murals left as traces in the World, while humans became the sole victims.
Because of this, Dartz, who was already very dissatisfied with Spirits, grew increasingly disgusted with them. And he also wouldn't forget that among the Beast Gods led by the Wicked God, the most active and strongest one was precisely the Giant Eagle that had just appeared behind Hayato.
How come another new card popped out from Hayato's side?!
No, calm down, calm down. Rafael had reported the Earthbound Immortals' existence to me before during Battle City. There's no need to be surprised.
Dartz took a deep breath to regain his composure. Looking at Hayato, he said, "I recognize that monster, Hayato. That was an Evil Spirit from five thousand years ago that controlled humans like puppets, manipulating war and souls. Are you going to use that monster to battle me?"
Hayato was also not surprised that Dartz recognized **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca**. Looking at the card in his Hand, he shrugged, and a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth: "Perhaps once this card stood on the side against humans, but what determines the good and evil of power is not it, but me, the User. Even the most ferocious power in the World, if used by a kind person, can also be used for protection."
"And as everyone knows, there is no Duelist kinder than me."
"Tsk, even if the one saying this is you, Hayato..." Dartz frowned, drew out his entire Hand, and inserted them into his Duel Disk. "Then, my Battle Phase ends. I Set two cards. My Turn ends here."
[Dartz: 1200 LP, Hand 0]
[Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands] [ATK 1400]
[Relinquished] (Contract Fulfillment, Chimeratech Overdragon) [ATK 4000]
[Set Card] [Set Card]
'Although on my Field, I have two monsters in Attack Position, **Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands** and **Relinquished**, my current Life Points are also running low.'
'But, if I remember correctly, the effect of Hayato's **Grandsoil the Elemental Lord** recorded in Industrial Illusions' internal database states that if a face-up **Grandsoil the Elemental Lord** leaves Hayato's Field, Hayato's next Battle Phase will be forcibly skipped.'
'That is to say, the **Five-Headed Dragon** that is about to appear is fundamentally not a concern. If it cannot battle, Hayato cannot inflict damage to me at all. And when it's my next turn, I only need to use **Relinquished** to attack **Five-Headed Dragon**, and I can use its effect to transfer battle damage to Hayato and achieve victory.'
'And among the two Set Cards in my Back Row, **Forbidden Dress** can effectively grant **Relinquished** protection.' Dartz tilted his Duel Disk, glancing at the name of the card revealed in the Duel Disk's Spell & Trap Zone. 'In a desperate situation, there is still this card that can be used.'
"My Turn," just as Dartz was thinking to himself, Hayato placed his finger on the Duel Disk and drew a card. "Draw!"
"Then, because of **Future Fusion's** effect, during the Standby Phase, I Fusion Summon this powerful monster!"
"Five kinds of radiance merge into one, in the name of the divine, I command you to retreat! Descend, the dark dragon that surpasses the ultimate power!"
"Fusion Summon! **Five-Headed Dragon**!"
From the Fusion Vortex, which had already been activated for the future that finally arrived at this moment, a claw stretched out and stepped onto the Ground. Then, one after another, five ferocious dragon heads of different appearances emerged.
[Five-Headed Dragon] [Level 12/DARK]
[Dragon Type/Fusion/Effect]
[5000/5000]
Looking at the giant dragon appearing on Hayato's Field, Dartz was not afraid at all. He said confidently to Hayato, "Although **Five-Headed Dragon's** ATK is higher than **Relinquished's**, and if you declare an attack on **Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands** you can clear my Life Points, I think you can't do that now, Hayato?"
"Ah, because of **Grandsoil the Elemental Lord's** effect, my Battle Phase this Turn was skipped. So **Five-Headed Dragon** temporarily cannot declare an attack on you this Turn." There was no need to lie about this, so Hayato nodded and confirmed what Dartz said.
Dartz smiled upon hearing this. "In that case, it seems it's my victory, Hayato. With just those two cards in your Hand, there is no possibility of victory whatsoever."
"Are you going to rely on that Earthbound Immortal which is just a Small Fry in the absence of a Field Spell Card?" Dartz said, mentioning Hayato's Earthbound Immortal with a contemptuous expression. "That's why I've advised you many times, right, Hayato? There is no need to place your precious trust in these Card Spirits."
"Hmph, that's not necessarily true, Dartz. A Duel doesn't end until the very last moment." Drawing a card from his Hand, Hayato raised it high above his head. "During my Main Phase, I will Tribute the two **Tribute Stone Tablet Tokens** on my Field as a sacrifice! The power that crosses five thousand years, return to the Earth!"
As Hayato played the card, the two **Tribute Stone Tablet Tokens** on his Field, Special Summoned by **Tribute of Honor**, turned into dust, scattered with the wind, and ascended into the sky.
**Tribute Stone Tablet Tokens** had no special power, their ATK and DEF were also 0. Additionally, they have the effect that they cannot be Tributed for the Tribute Summon of monsters other than Earthbound Immortals. It can be said they were originally prepared for the Earthbound Immortals.
The dust that ascended into the sky, as Dartz and Hayato watched, surprisingly gradually gathered into a giant stone heart. Accompanied by its eerie beating, both saw that the circuits within the heart were already filled with purple energy!
"Darkness? Resentment? Soul? Take it all if you need it! Absorb everything to your heart's content, and then bring me victory, strongest Earthbound Immortal!"
Facing the heart in the sky, Hayato called out the monster's name, "**Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca**!"
As his voice fell, the giant heart suddenly radiated light. Accompanied by a mournful hawk cry, the stone heart transformed into a giant black-purple vulture, hanging high in the sky!
[Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca] [Level 10/DARK]
[Winged Beast Type/Effect]
[1/1]
Unlike its usual appearance in the past, at this moment **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca** was not connected to the Earth with tail-feather-like lines providing power; it was merely flying high in the sky. But even so, its aura was already terrifying.
For a moment, the **Five-Headed Dragon** and **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca** on Hayato's Field formed a stark contrast with the relatively much smaller **Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands** and **Relinquished** on Dartz's Field, making it difficult to distinguish which side was truly the villain.
"If there is no face-up Field Spell Card on the Field, **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca's** additional effects are negated, and it will be destroyed at the End Phase. Therefore, I place all my destiny on this last card, Dartz."
Flipping over the last card in his Hand, Hayato showed it to Dartz. When Dartz saw the card in Hayato's Hand, he was also stunned for a moment. "Destiny, huh?"
"Since you have always firmly believed that humanity's destiny has no hope, and only destruction can bring a future of rebirth, then let's use your destiny and my destiny to have a final showdown." Saying this, Hayato inserted the card into his Duel Disk. "The card I activate is, **Card of Fate**!"
"Roll a die once, draw cards from the Deck equal to the result, then banish the same number of cards from the Top of Deck from the game." Accompanied by Hayato's explanation, a die appeared out of nowhere above the Field as the two watched. "Which side destiny stands on, what humanity's destiny truly is, let destiny itself choose."
"However, Grandma once said that as long as I want it, destiny is destined to only stand on my side!" Saying this, Hayato waved his Hand. "Die, roll!"
The die that would decide the final direction of this Duel landed and began to roll. At this moment, whether it was Hayato or Dartz, both seriously looked at the die, waiting for destiny to decide the final points.
Would Hayato roll a high number of points, draw a large quantity of cards, and thus defeat Dartz, or would Dartz's destiny be superior, causing Hayato to only draw fewer cards?
The rolling of the die gradually stopped, revealing the final answer --- points, 3!
"Hmph hmph, hehe hahahaha! Although the points are still a bit high, if it's only three, it's still 'small', right?"
Seeing that the final points were only three, Dartz couldn't help but show a relaxed smile. "This also means that destiny is on my side, right, Hayato? The World is also waiting for me to destroy humanity and create a new civilization and a new World."
"3 points, huh? This number is really..." Hayato lowered his head, placed his finger on the Duel Disk, and the corner of his mouth slowly curled up. "...couldn't be better!"
"Draw!"
With a loud shout, Hayato suddenly drew three cards from the Top of Deck. The cards traced a golden trajectory in mid-air.
"Humans are terrible, even I cannot deny this point. So from the very beginning, I didn't expect this die roll to roll numbers like five or six points."
"But, it surprisingly exceeded my expectation of two points by one point! Humanity undoubtedly still has a lot of hope, Dartz!"
After drawing, he also banished three cards from the Top of Deck. Glancing at the cards he drew in his Hand, Hayato had already seen the hope for victory. "I will use the cards in my Hand to prove it to you!"
"Activate Field Spell Card, **Chaos Field**!"
With the activation of the Field Spell Card, the surrounding darkness receded, but light did not arrive either. Instead, it fell into a state of chaos.
The boundary between light and dark became blurred. In this kind of environment, Hayato drew a card from his Deck. "Because of **Chaos Field's** activation, I can search from my Deck one **Chaos Soldier** Ritual Monster or a **Gaia the Fierce Knight** card and add to Hand."
"However, this is just a bonus."
"Because a Field Spell Card is on the Field, the power of **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca** on my Field is liberated." Hayato pointed to **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca** in the sky and said, "Once per Turn, by skipping my Battle Phase this Turn, in exchange for this huge stakes, I change the opponent's Life Points to 1 point!"
The Battle Phase that was originally skipped because of **Grandsoil the Elemental Lord's** effect was utilized by Hayato a second time. He pointed his finger at Dartz: "Return your Life Points to heaven!"
"Polar Star, obey!"
As Hayato's order was given, **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca** suddenly spread its giant wings. Soul energy was released at full power, almost forcibly pulling Dartz's corrupted soul out from his body!
[Dartz: 1200 → 1 LP]
"Ugh!" Even Dartz, facing the power of **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca**, his body was surprisingly shaken.
He raised his head and glanced at **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca**. Dartz's breathing became a bit heavy, but he still persisted and said, "Tsk, even so, my Life Points have not reached zero yet, enough to last until the next turn."
"There is no next turn, Dartz. Despair is your End Point." The second card in his Hand was played by Hayato. It was like a replica of **Raigeki** from before; this time, lightning flashed above Dartz's head. "Taking others' precious treasures, remember this pain well, and enjoy the pleasure of the path to Hell!"
"Spell Card **Raigeki Break**! Destroy both monsters on my Field, and inflict damage to your Life Points equal to the number of monsters destroyed x 300 points!"
Glancing at the **Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca** and **Five-Headed Dragon** on his Field, Hayato said without hesitation, "Sacrifice yourselves for the great cause!"
The thunder boomed down, engulfing Dartz's figure. But just as Hayato thought this strike could clear Dartz's Life Points, he saw the lightning that should have struck Dartz instead diverted towards a flipped-up card on Dartz's Back Row.
"Trap Card **Energy Absorbing Plate**! It really is just as I expected, Hayato. You still like using Effect Damage type cards so much." Although his Life Points were only 1 point, Dartz had a certain victory appearance. "Cards like **The Bandit**, **Psychic Ectoplasm**, and **Raigeki Break**, you've used them too many times."
"I prepared this card precisely because I thought you might use Effect Damage type cards to clear my Life Points in a situation where you cannot enter the Battle Phase!" Dartz explained proudly. "**Energy Absorbing Plate** can only be activated when an effect that would inflict damage to me is activated by the opponent. Instead of receiving damage, I recover Life Points equal to the same value."
"That is to say, my current Life Points don't decrease, but instead increase!"
[Dartz: 1 → 601 LP]
"Nani!?" Hayato widened his eyes, watching Dartz surprisingly successfully survive his finishing blow, with a disbelief expression.
"Then, as expected, you've run out of options, Hayato." Looking at his Life Points, which were just 1 point higher than Hayato's, Dartz exclaimed, "What a long Duel, just like the ten thousand years of time I crossed to restart the World. However, it has finally reached its End Point."
"If I wasn't mistaken just now, the card you added to Hand was a blue border Ritual Monster, right? A **Chaos Soldier** Ritual Monster. But it's really a pity, even if your other card is a Ritual Spell Card, there are no more sacrifices that can be Tributed. And even if you summon a monster with very high ATK, you still cannot attack."
"The die you rolled just now, even if it was just one more point, perhaps it could have created an opportunity for victory for you. But it's a pity, just like no matter how many redeeming qualities humanity has, they cannot create a future of miracles and hope. Destiny favors me, Dartz!"
"Hahahaha!"
But---
"Sore wa dou kana!"
What Dartz didn't expect was that at this very moment, Hayato surprisingly still hadn't given up. Instead, he confidently raised the card in his Hand: "You say I cannot summon this monster? Then watch me, Dartz! My puzzle of victory has already been assembled in the Graveyard!"
"Life is a process of accumulating pain that will eventually reach its end. But this does not mean that life is a story composed of death and end."
"The monsters that sacrificed themselves in this Duel are all engraved in my memory. Their death was not without meaning. At this moment, reveal the name of legend!"
"The time for coronation has arrived!"
As Hayato raised the card in his Hand, the surrounding chaos began to gather towards the card. At the same time, in front of Hayato, an Altar surprisingly slowly rose from Underground!
"**Ritual of the Super Soldier** is the card that was sent to the Graveyard by **House Dragonmaid**'s effect before. Its effect cannot be activated in the turn it was sent to the Graveyard." Hayato took out the card representing the altar from the Graveyard. "Banish **Ritual of the Super Soldier** from the Graveyard, and one LIGHT Attribute and one DARK Attribute monster, and activate! From my Hand, I Special Summon one **Chaos Soldier** Ritual Monster, ignoring its summoning condition!"
"The DARK Attribute one is, **Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight**!"
"The LIGHT Attribute monster is, **Butler**!"
"One soul guides the light, one soul guides the darkness. My light is eternity, my darkness is truth, an existence that illuminates everything and pioneers the path! Appear!"
"My, Tamashii!"
"Legendary Swordsman - Black Luster Soldier!"
Transcending the boundary between light and darkness, **Gaia** absorbed power from **Butler**. The power of light and dark harmonized in its Hand, turning into a Chaos Sword that surpasses everything. The armor on its body also transformed and ascended under the influence of this ultimate power!
[Legendary Swordsman - Black Luster Soldier] [Level 8/EARTH]
[Warrior Type/Ritual/Effect]
[3000/2500]
"ATK is equal to **Blue-Eyes White Dragon's**!" Dartz widened his eyes, looking at the **Chaos Soldier** that appeared on Hayato's Field. Although Dartz knew that **Chaos Soldier** Ritual Monsters existed, that was definitely not the appearance of this monster on Hayato's Field. That aura was as if it were a sharp sword that could separate light and darkness!
And the one holding this sword is undoubtedly the existence who can in a single thought become the Hero who saves the World and the Demon King who destroys the World!
Dartz couldn't help but look at Hayato, slightly lost in thought, not knowing what he was thinking about. Immediately after, he then spoke: "But, Hayato, you cannot enter the Battle Phase. Furthermore, speaking of **House Dragonmaid**, I just saw her send your **Psychic Ectoplasm** to the Graveyard. What means of attack do you still have now?"
"That's right, Little Blue is skilled at milling. She sent my **Psychic Ectoplasm** to the Graveyard. Just thinking about it is terrible, I even want to remove her from this 'pure' **Dragonmaid** Deck of mine." Because **Legendary Swordsman - Black Luster Soldier's** summon banished **Butler**, Hayato naturally felt his purity had increased once again. He inserted the card in his Hand into the Duel Disk.
"However, who said I can only run one **Psychic Ectoplasm** in my Deck?"
"Activate Continuous Spell Card **Psychic Ectoplasm**! Both players Tribute one monster on their own Field during their respective End Phase, and inflict damage to the opponent equal to half of that monster's original ATK!"
"Then, my Turn ends. Next, **Psychic Ectoplasm** takes effect! This is a necessary sacrifice!"
Hayato waved his Hand and pointed at Dartz. "Go, **Gaia**! No, **Legendary Swordsman - Black Luster Soldier**!"
"Pioneer a new Future!"
His finger moved away from the start button on the Duel Disk. Knowing that even using **Forbidden Dress** couldn't stop Hayato, Dartz watched **Legendary Swordsman - Black Luster Soldier** turn into a spirit form, crossing over **Relinquished** and **Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands**, these two monsters, one light and one dark, charging towards him and raising the sword in its Hand. He helplessly closed his eyes.
I failed. There's nothing that can be done. After all, it's Hayato.
However, light and darkness were perfectly harmonized together. I truly saw an incredible scene. This memory can definitely be utilized next time.
"I have to admit, you are stronger now."
"It's your victory, Hayato. No, humanity---"
"Boom!"
[Dartz: 601 LP → 0]
As Dartz's Life Points completely reached zero under **Legendary Swordsman - Black Luster Soldier's** strike, Field Spell Card **Chaos Field**, however, experienced violent fluctuations. The light and darkness separated by a single sword caused a violent impact. In an instant, Hayato appeared in mid-air and saw from afar, not far away, the giant serpent "**Orichalcos God**" wailing and falling towards the sea.
In Hayato's ear, the system's settlement sound also sounded.
[Congratulations Duelist on achieving victory, Dartz 1/1 defeated]
[Reward Settlement in progress]
(Author's Note: Reaching this point, I actually haven't decided yet whether or not to write 5D's. After all, GX isn't off by many years, but 5D's is off by a time span of decades, which is a bit far. But I'll prepare the plot device first; whether or not I use it is another matter.)
(End of Chapter)
