Chapter 114: Shattered Reflection
Chapter 114: Shattered Reflection
【You Xuan, LP 4000 → LP 2500】
Sheron: "..."
As he watched You Xuan nonchalantly pull out "Abyssal Proclaimer," his facial muscles twitched, and he struggled to find words for a moment. The effect of the "Abyssal Proclaimer" clearly indicated that it targeted players, forcing the opponent to send one of their monsters to the graveyard, similar to a duelist sacrificing their own monster.
In other words, this card could counter those pesky "unaffected by card effects" monsters.
They had just been discussing how duels were a clash of minds, a way to understand each other.
However, if there was one thing to be read from this duel with his opponent, it was that his entire soul screamed: "I just want to win, no fuss, no mess."
If he could also create some joy along the way, all the better.
"But it won't be that easy to take down the King of Ends with such means!" Sheron exclaimed, "I activate my face-down Trap Card, 'Mirror Swamp Man'! Declare an Attribute and a Type, then this card becomes a Normal Monster with the declared Type.
I declare 'Dark Attribute' and 'Fiend-Type', so 'Mirror Swamp Man' becomes a Dark Attribute Fiend-Type Trap Monster!"
【Mirror Swamp Man, ATK: 1800】
"Now, the effect of 'Abyssal Proclaimer' resolves! This way, I have two Dark Attribute Fiend-Type monsters on my field."
Sheron calmly drew the Swamp Man Trap Card and sent it to the Graveyard in the Duel Disk.
"So, I choose to send 'Mirror Swamp Man', now a Dark Attribute Fiend-Type, to the Graveyard."
The newly summoned Swamp Man was instantly devoured by the abyss, dragged into the endless darkness. With a substitute taking its place, the King of Ends was spared.
"Oh, even that move was countered." Judai couldn't help but express his admiration, "This guy's really something."
You Xuan: "Then I Normal Summon 'Xenodimensional Female Warrior'."
Sheron: "!"
He remembered the effect of that monster—both battling monsters would be removed from play. It would tear his field apart, and his King of Ends wouldn't stand a chance.
"Tch, another troublesome monster." Sheron scowled, "I activate my face-down Trap Card, 'Pitfall', which destroys any monster with an ATK of 1000 or more when it's summoned!"
And so, the Xenodimensional Female Warrior never got the chance to show her prowess, falling into the pit and shattering into pieces.
But You Xuan remained unfazed, simply raising another card in his hand.
"Then, I remove from play the Light Attribute 'Xenodimensional Female Warrior' from my Graveyard and the Dark Attribute monster 'Stubborn Old Magician', which you discarded with your 'Morphing Pot', to remove them from play.
When the souls of Light and Darkness are offered in the Chaos Field, the legendary strongest warrior is summoned! Creation of the Heavens and the Earth—
—Chaos Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning, I summon you!!!"
The souls of Light and Darkness converged, and chaotic magic exploded into the sky. The blades of Light and Darkness cleaved through the light screen, and the swirling particles formed powerful arms. The heavy armor, adorned with golden patterns, and the sword that seemed to cleave the heavens—it was a sight to behold.
【Chaos Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning, ATK: 3000】
"So, the legendary warrior's spirit has finally shown itself."
Sheron spoke in a low voice.
"Then, in this duel, I shall take this spirit for myself."
"If you can win, of course." You Xuan waved his hand, "In the Battle Phase, I attack 'King of Ends, Demise' with 'Chaos Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning'!
Beginning Double Break!"
Judai, standing by, held his breath, intently watching the unfolding scene.
He knew that the Envoy of the Beginning had an effect that allowed it to attack again after destroying a monster in battle. With Sheron's Life Points at 2500, if the King of Ends was destroyed in battle and the additional attack went through, the Chaos Soldier's sword would decide the outcome!
But, of course, Sheron had a counter: "I activate my face-down card, the Quick-Play Spell Card, 'Command Silencer'!" (Anime-original card)
It was a Quick-Play Spell Card used by Seto Kaiba in the anime when dueling Yugi Muto, described as "a card that can revoke a Duelist's attack declaration." Kaiba had stated that even a monster like Slifer the Sky Dragon couldn't attack without its owner's attack order, and the same went for the Envoy of the Beginning.
"According to the effect of 'Command Silencer', you cannot declare an attack with 'Chaos Soldier' this turn!" Sheron explained, "Since the Chaos Soldier cannot receive your attack order, it won't be able to attack.
Also, after that, I can draw one card from my Deck."
Although it was an anime-original card and not a physical one, its effect was similar to "Roar of Warning," which targeted a single monster. However, while "Roar of Warning" had to be used before an attack declaration to stop it, this card could revoke the declaration even after it had been made.
From a physical card perspective, it was a bit unscientific and could be considered an anime-exclusive card.
"So, the Battle Phase ends, and we move to the second Main Phase." You Xuan stated, "Since the attack declaration didn't go through, it's as if the Chaos Soldier hasn't attacked this turn.
Therefore, I can use another effect of the Chaos Soldier. Once per turn, I can remove one monster on the field from play!"
His target was locked on the King of Ends once more.
"Remove 'King of Ends, Demise' from play!
Chaos Dimensional Slash!"
The Chaos Soldier drew its sword, one side glowing with light and the other shrouded in darkness.
Indeed, as the Doomsday Demon Lord's body vanished, the blue flames engulfing Sherron also dissipated. He staggered, his breathing becoming more labored.
You Xuan drew two more cards.
"I set two cards and end my turn."
Sherron paused for a few seconds, as if gathering his strength.
Then, he slowly raised his arm once more.
"My turn. Draw." Sherron stated calmly, "I activate the magic card 'Ritual Preparation' from my hand. Select a Ritual Magic card from your deck, and then choose the corresponding Ritual Monster for that Ritual Magic card from your deck or graveyard. Add both cards to your hand."
He drew one card each from his deck and graveyard.
"I add the Ritual Magic card 'Doomsday' and the Ritual Monster 'Ruin, Goddess of Demise' to my hand."
Judai persisted, "Why won't you face your true feelings? Deep down, you still love dueling, and you want to believe in your monsters."
"Shut up," Sherron said coldly. "What if I do want to believe? The very nature of trust is that it exists to be betrayed one day.
Heroes are destined to be lonely. As long as you hold a sword in your hand, those you care about, those you protect, will only grow distant."
He paused, his eyes fixed on Judai for a moment.
"You're right. Dueling is a clash of minds, allowing us to understand each other deeply. And through this duel, I've come to understand you as well.
What's your name?"
"Judai Yuki."
"Judai Yuki, huh?" Sherron mused. "Perhaps you're not so different from me. On the surface, you seem passionate, always willing to stick your neck out for others, ready to make sacrifices for your friends, treating everyone around you like a companion.
But in reality, you've never truly let anyone get close to you, have you?"
Judai frowned, taken aback. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm nothing like you. I have trustworthy friends who would do anything for me."
"Is that so?" Sherron replied coldly. "Once, I was like you. I was the chosen one, the one who inherited the power of the Phoenix in our generation.
I was always surrounded by friends. I stood up for them, helped them countless times, and was even willing to die for them.
But in the end, when I had to embrace the darkness for power, when I truly gained the strength to protect them, fighting with blood and sweat, I found that everyone had left me."
Sherron gave a self-deprecating laugh and closed his eyes.
"It's ironic, isn't it? I sold my soul to the devil to protect them, and in return, I was pushed away. After that, rumors spread that I had brought the enemy and disaster upon us.
My closest friends, the companions for whom I had sacrificed so much, they all believed it. And that's how things ended up like this."
"How could that be...?" Judai said, shocked.
"Later, I realized it wasn't just their fault, but mine as well," Sherron continued. "I treated everyone warmly, but I never let anyone truly get close to me or understand me.
Perhaps that's why they eventually drifted away so easily."
Sherron's tone had regained its calm, as if he were an observer recounting a story unrelated to himself.
"I can sense that you and I are similar. To protect those around you, you have to wield a sword, but at the same time, you keep them at a distance.
That is the fate of a hero. If you continue down the path of a warrior, one day, you might end up like me."
"No, that won't happen," You Xuan interrupted.
Sherron furrowed his brow. "What?"
"I said you're wrong. That won't happen," You Xuan stated calmly.
Sherron paused, narrowing his eyes as he studied You Xuan for a moment.
Then, he slowly asked, "Are you saying that because you'll be there to stop it?"
"What do you think?" You Xuan replied with a hint of a smile.
"Hmph. Hahaha!"
Sherron threw back his head and laughed, his expression twisting once more.
"Absurd! You can't even make it through this turn, and you think you can do anything? This is a cruel world, something you don't understand. You think your cheap friendship games will last?
Well, if you can, then try to survive this turn and show me!"
Sherron drew the two cards he had searched for, along with another card, and revealed them.
"I activate the Ritual Magic card 'Doomsday'!
I offer the Level 8 'Barbaros, King of Beasts' from my hand as a Ritual Tribute to perform the Ritual Summon of Ruin! The intertwining of destruction and rebirth, the goddess who controls the fate of all—as Doomsday arrives—
—Ruin, Goddess of Demise, I Ritual Summon you!!!"
Amidst the swirling energies of destruction and apocalypse, the goddess emerged, her white hair flowing as each step brought her closer to the end of all things.
【Goddess of Demise, Ruin, ATK: 2300 → ATK: 2800】
Judai steadied his tumultuous emotions and focused on the duel, "But even with that boost, it's still no match for You Xuan's Chaos Soldier."
"My resolve is not so easily broken," Sheron countered.
He held up another card in his hand.
"Equip Spell Card, 'Psychic Sword'! Pay a multiple of 100, up to a maximum of 2000 Life Points. Equip it to a monster on the field and increase its ATK and DEF by the amount of Life Points paid!"
His voice was filled with determination as he added, "I offer my blood, my soul...for one final burst of strength!
I pay the maximum of 2000 Life Points, converting it all into attack power for Ruin!!!"
【Sheron, LP 2500 → LP 500】
【Goddess of Demise, Ruin, ATK: 2800 → ATK: 4800】
Judai: "An attack power of four thousand eight hundred..."
"Indeed, this is my final attack, fueled by the burning of my very soul!"
Sheron's legs were barely holding him up, but he stood firm, his voice resolute.
"And the effect of 'Goddess of Demise, Ruin' allows me to attack once more if it destroys an opponent's monster in battle."
Judai immediately grasped the implication of this ability.
The Chaos Soldier had an attack power of 3000. If it were destroyed in battle, it would inflict 1800 points of damage, leaving You Xuan with only 700 Life Points remaining.
If the second attack landed, one of them would be knocked out of the duel.
"All this talk of bonds and friendship games means nothing in the face of power," Sheron declared, his voice strained. "Without strength, all your pretty words are just hollow boasts!
If you truly have the confidence you claim, then prove it to me this turn!
Battle! Goddess of Demise, Ruin, attack 'Chaos Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning'!"
The power of annihilation, mixed with the divine might of Orichalcos, surged into the Goddess's hand, transforming into a devastating strike. The Chaos Soldier stood firm, but with its current power, it was clear it couldn't withstand this attack.
You Xuan: "Then so be it.
I activate my face-down Trap Card! Trap Card - Trap of Darkness!
When my Life Points are below 3000, by paying 1000 Life Points, I can banish another Trap Card from my Graveyard and gain its effect!"
A golden light flowed over the Trap Card, transforming it into the likeness of another Trap from his Graveyard.
"The card I choose to mimic is none other than...
...Trap Card, 'Magic Cylinder'!"
【You Xuan, LP 2500 → LP 1500】
The Trap of Darkness took on the form of the Magic Cylinder, an ornate and deadly pair of magical cylinders appearing on the field.
Ruin's devastating strike was deflected, rebounding back towards Sheron as his own tragic finale!
"So this is...cough...the answer you give?"
Sheron was barely standing at this point, his body seemingly held up by sheer force of will.
"But...it's not enough!"
Blue flames ignited in his eyes, the veins in them bursting with blood.
"I activate my face-down Trap Card, 'Ring of Destruction'! Destroy 1 monster on the field and inflict damage to both players equal to its original ATK!" (Old effect)
He continued, his voice strained, "I choose to destroy...cough...Goddess of Demise, Ruin!"
【Goddess of Demise, Ruin, ATK: 4800】
【Sheron, LP 500】
【You Xuan, LP 1500】
【Judai, LP 1100】
"Do you seek mutual destruction?" You Xuan asked, his brow furrowed.
"If you can't stop this, then it proves that your resolve is nothing but empty words!" Sheron snarled. "In the end, you can do nothing!"
"That remains to be seen," You Xuan interrupted, his hand rising to reveal one final card.
"I activate a Quick-Play Spell Card, 'Soul Pain Curse'! When an opponent activates a card effect that inflicts damage to me, I can make that opponent take the damage instead!"
Sheron's pupils contracted as he realized the implication.
Not only was the attack deflected, but the damage would also be reflected back at him?!
"According to the effect of 'Ring of Destruction', we both take damage equal to the ATK of the destroyed monster—in this case, 'Goddess of Demise, Ruin', which has an attack power of 4800 points," You Xuan explained. "In a team duel, the damage from my field affects both players on my team. But with 'Soul Pain Curse', I redirect the portion of the damage that would affect me back at you. Therefore, the total damage you receive is 9600 points."
You Xuan's voice was calm and steady.
"You lose."
The blast from the Ring of Destruction swept across the field, but the flames that leapt towards You Xuan and Judai were intercepted by the Magic Cylinder, only to rebound and rush back towards Sheron.
Sheron opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he said nothing and closed his eyes, his body slumping forward.
【Sheron, LP 500 → LP 0】
(End of Chapter)
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