Yugioh [696-701] (Patreon)

Chapter 696: The Power of Absolute Fate

"Mr. Kira!"

Sarina couldn't help looking at Kira with worry.

Her big brother was no longer her brother at all—he'd become the persona of Light of Destruction—and even she didn't know how strong he truly was now. But she still hadn't expected him to open with a summon lock right off the bat.

And as far as she knew, the current Sartorius did indeed have some degree of power to manipulate destiny—or to be more precise, to control the head/tail positions of all cards related to the "Arcana Force."

Arcana Force wasn't originally Sartorius's exclusive deck, since before the advent of Light of Destruction, Sartorius's original self had used Arcana Force too. It's a deck readily available on the market, not particularly rare.

It's just that the Arcana Force Sartorius uses now is different. Those are cards infused with his special energy, and they've even given rise to some exclusive cards that don't exist externally yet—just like how each protagonist in Yu-Gi-Oh ends up "printing cards."

For example, the final ace of the Light of Destruction persona, the Arcana Force EX - The Light Ruler—just one look and you can tell it's his exclusive Arcana, the embodiment of Light of Destruction's power, essentially a hot-off-the-press card.

So Sartorius's control over Arcana Force head/tail positions isn't just because his "fate power" is strong; it's his special ability. As long as he's using this deck infused with his power, he can manipulate head/tail results even against opponents whose destiny power far exceeds his own.

"Opening with a summon lock—really knows how to make it tough," Kira shrugged.

Granted, "Tour of Doom" has to re-spin every turn, and in theory if it lands tail, it would backfire and make it so Sartorius's side can't perform any kind of summon for a whole turn.

So at first glance the card's suppression seems over-tuned, but in fact it's balanced. It's a double-edged sword—who it stabs is completely random.

But with Sartorius's cheat-like fate manipulation, it becomes broken. He can fix it to head every turn, which means Kira can never summon monsters.

"However, this card only says you can't perform any form of monster summoning—it doesn't say you can't set monsters face-down."

Kira said as he drew a card from his hand.

"Then I'll set a monster in face-down Defense Position."

He drew another card and slid it into the rear slot of his Duel Disk.

"I'll also set a card to my back row. Turn end."

Sartorius chuckled lightly.

"Worthy of the Duel King. Even faced with such a card, you don't panic in the slightest, and immediately spot the only 'flaw' in Tour of Doom—not that it even counts as a flaw.

All you can do is set monsters to shore up your defenses, just like how most people in the world know that the end of fate is death, yet can only watch helplessly as that unstoppable destiny draws closer step by step.

My turn—draw!"

Sartorius's arm swept wide in an exaggerated card draw.

"I'll Normal Summon Arcana Force IV - The Emperor!"

Another black Arcana Force, like a mechanical construct, brandishing golden tendrils with imperial majesty.

[Arcana Force IV - The Emperor, ATK 1400]

"As with all Arcana Forces, the Emperor rotates on summon to determine head or tail."

Sartorius paused, then burst out laughing.

"Of course, 'random' only applies to those who cannot see the course of destiny. To me, fate is only inevitability! STOP!"

The Emperor's rotation stopped—head again.

"Head effect: All face-up 'Arcana Force' monsters you control gain 500 ATK!"

[Arcana Force IV - The Emperor, ATK 1400 → 1900]
[Arcana Force VII - The Chariot, ATK 1700 → 2200]

"Also, allow me to reveal the hidden head effect of The Chariot!"

Sartorius swept a grand arm.

"Arcana Force VII - The Chariot, attack! Crush the ignorant who would pit mantis arms against a chariot beneath the wheels of fate!"

The Chariot's tendrils rose, twin cannons firing in unison. The shellfire blasted Kira's face-down monster to pieces.

The monster flipped—it was a resplendently dressed creature in golden garb, a cloak of gold like wings behind it, crouching with crossed arms to guard Kira.

"The Chariot's effect: When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle, you can Special Summon that monster to your side of the field!"

Sartorius laughed loudly again.

"Your monster is coming with me!"

In just two turns, Sarina's heart had already sunk halfway to ice.

With all forms of summoning completely sealed, all Kira could do was set monsters. And now even his set monsters were being stolen. As expected, her elder brother empowered by the force of cosmic destruction was terrifyingly strong.

She hadn't realized Sartorius had become this powerful—not just strong, but with a battle style eerily similar to the Duel King.

Self-lock.

Opening with a total lock plus NTR—if you told her this was Kira's signature tactic, she'd believe it.

Faced with this, even a King—could he really break through?

Sartorius continued gloating: "I said it already—in the face of the colossal beast called fate, so-called kings are at best bigger ants. Surrender while you can. If you give up, you can receive the baptism of the Light."

"Don't rush. The duel's only just begun. More importantly..."

Kira smiled.

"Aren't you going to check what prize you just stole from my field?"

Sartorius: "?"

He'd been too busy gloating and taunting, and only now paid attention to the monster he'd just stolen.

[Ra's Disciple, ATK 1100]

Sartorius: "!"

Ra? Could it be that one!?

He immediately thought of the legend of the Duel King summoning The Winged Dragon of Ra during Battle City, and looking at the "Ra's Disciple," he indeed felt the monster's attire was a bit like cosplay of Ra.

A card connected to the Egyptian Gods?

For a moment, Sartorius's boundless confidence wavered.

But he quickly steadied himself. "A messenger of the gods, is it? Whatever its power, it's mine now."

"Yeah, yeah, it's yours," Kira said cheerfully. "Since you stole the monster, aren't you going to read its effect?"

He didn't need to say it—Sartorius was going to do that anyway. But Kira's tone made him uneasy.

Sartorius picked up the monster card now in his Duel Disk and skimmed quickly.

Let me see what it does.

"When this card is Normal, Flip, or Special Summoned: You can Special Summon up to 2 'Ra's Disciple' from your hand and/or Deck."

I see. Since the Gods require three tributes to Summon, it lets you bring out three bodies at once. Strong effect.

He read the next line.

"As long as this card remains on the field, you cannot Special Summon monsters."

Sartorius: "?"

Chapter 697: Let's Hurt Each Other

Sartorius: "?"

Cannot Special Summon monsters?

What kind of troll nonsense is this?

Isn't this a trap for its controller?

He woke up instantly. No wonder the opponent had handed it over so generously.

He suddenly suspected Kira had already known The Chariot's head effect and deliberately summoned this just to give it to him.

For some decks that rely extremely on Special Summoning, sticking this onto the opponent is basically a death sentence. Especially since the Synchro era, everyone's Main Deck is full of low-ATK, low-Level small fry, and the bosses are all in the Extra Deck.

Then the opponent gives you this thing, and the strongest monster you can Summon from your deck has ATK under 1000. You die on the spot.

And there was even another line of fine print:

"This card cannot be Tributed for a Tribute Summon, except for 'Slifer the Sky Dragon', 'Obelisk the Tormentor', or 'The Winged Dragon of Ra.'"

Wow, it name-drops the three Egyptian Gods. So cool. So much swagger.

Fuck off!

Sartorius laughed in anger.

So this piece of crap sits on your field like a stinking lump, seals your Special Summons, and you can't even Tribute it away—because it says the noble Ra's Disciple only accepts being Tributed for a God; lesser trash can't even dream of it.

"Tch. You lock me, I lock you, is that it? Fine, fine..."

Sartorius barked.

"Let's see who laughs last! Battle Phase continues!

Arcana Force IV - The Emperor, direct attack!"

His Emperor hadn't attacked yet, and the Ra's Disciple he'd stolen could also attack. So although Kira's Special Summon seal had been a minor annoyance, Sartorius still held the initiative.

Kira snapped his fingers.

"Activate the Continuous Trap 'Gravity Bind.'"

The trap flipped up—overbearing gravity waves rippled out, binding the whole field. All monsters buckled under the pressure, unable to lift their heads or advance.

"While Gravity Bind is on the field, all Level 4 or higher monsters on both sides cannot attack," Kira said. "Your two Arcana Forces and the 'Ra's Disciple' you just stole are all Level 4, so they're all affected."

Sartorius: "Uh..."

A summon lock followed by an attack lock?

"Tsk. Fine. I end my turn."

Sarina was at a loss for words.

Her brother's methods were astonishing—he'd locked Kira down hard. But the Duel King wasn't easy prey either. After that combo, now Sartorius couldn't do much either.

She had never seen such a bizarre duel, perhaps the first of its kind since Duel Monsters awakened in modern times—maybe even worldwide.

Mutually locking, mutually sealing—what are they even competing in?

Who can resist the urge to punch the other duelist first?

"My turn. Draw," Kira said.

"At the start of the Standby Phase, the Continuous Trap 'Tour of Doom' must rotate again to determine head or tail."

Sartorius spoke.

"But my destiny is already decided—so of course, it's still head!"

Sure enough, the trap stopped rotating—head again.

In a normal duel, by now you'd suspect your opponent of cheating. But given that the opponent was Sartorius, this was just his special ability—like how protagonists topdeck or "print" cards. Nothing surprising.

"Head effect: This turn, you still cannot perform any Summon, Special Summon, or Flip Summon," Sartorius snorted.

Come on, let's hurt each other.

See who suffocates first.

"Alright, then I'll set a monster in face-down Defense Position," Kira said unhurriedly. "Then I'll set a card. Turn end."

Sarina: "..."

So you two really plan to stare each other down while mutually locked until the end of time?

But Sartorius lacked that patience.

Facing the Duel King, he wasn't as confident as he acted. Especially since even in such a disadvantage where Kira couldn't Summon at all, the man remained unruffled.

Even with his cheat-like head results every time, Kira acted as if he'd expected it.

Wouldn't most people be angrily accusing him of cheating by now?

Kira's calm made Sartorius uneasy. If possible, he didn't want to sit and stare like this.

Then the opportunity came.

"My turn—draw!"

Sartorius drew, his eyes flickering.

Heavy Storm, which destroys all Spell/Trap Cards on the field. That would lift the attack lock... but the price was that his powerful "Tour of Doom" would also be destroyed.

Blow the table now and launch a general attack?
Or keep the Tour of Doom lock and wait for a better chance...

He glanced at Kira. For some reason, that calm smile looked more and more irritating, pricking his nerves with a hint of dread.

No. Can't drag this out.

I have absolute advantage now. I must seize it.

"Activate Spell Card 'Heavy Storm'!" Sartorius raised the card. "Destroy all Spell/Trap Cards on the field!"

The strongest table-flip—a black storm roared, threatening to overturn the entire arena. The gale tore his own back row into the air, the dead fog was blown apart, and the scythe-wielding reaper dissipated into dust.

Kira's back row was likewise shredded midair, Gravity Bind exploding into golden motes.

"You'd even sacrifice the Tour of Doom to go on the offensive, huh," Kira smiled. "But the other set you just blew up was the Trap 'Dummy Marker.'

When the face-down card this was set on is destroyed, draw 1 card from your Deck. If it was destroyed by an opponent's Spell effect, draw 1 additional card." (Anime card)

Kira drew from his Deck.

"So I draw two cards."

"But that lifts the attack lock!"

White light flashed in Sartorius's eyes.

"This turn, it ends here!

Battle! First, Arcana Force IV - The Emperor, attack the face-down monster!"

The set monster flipped under the Emperor's strike—it was a small frog with a halo above its head.

[Treeborn Frog, DEF 100]

"Hmph, just a piece of trash."

Kira's final unknown card on the field also shattered under the Emperor's blow, and only then did Sartorius truly relax.

"Then, Arcana Force VII - The Chariot—direct attack!!!"

Chapter 698: The World

"The Chariot, direct attack!"

The Chariot's tendrils danced again, its twin arm cannons locked on target. The barrels roared, flames spat forth, and the blast hurtled straight toward Kira.

Kira's field was empty now—his back row blown away by Heavy Storm, his front row cleared. There seemed to be no escape. But he calmly pulled out a card from his hand.

"I discard 'Kiteroid' from my hand," Kira said casually. "Kiteroid's effect: by discarding it from the hand, you can make the battle damage from one direct attack 0."

The monster card hit the Graveyard. The invincible kite's translucent image appeared on his field, with confident anthropomorphic eyes. The double volley smashed into the kite-shield, bursting fire and smoke—no damage.

"Dodged it?" Sartorius frowned. "But I'm not done attacking yet. Finally, the monster you so kindly donated—the Ra's Disciple—direct attack!"

The Ra's Disciple soared and threw a punch straight at Kira's face. Kira didn't dodge; he closed his eyes and ate the hit calmly.

[Kira, LP 4000 → 2900]

"You may think that as long as this Ra's Disciple is on the field, my actions will be blocked and I can't do anything... but my destiny won't be stopped by something like this!"

Sartorius played a Quick-Play Spell.

"Activate 'Book of Moon' to change any monster on the field to face-down Defense Position. I'll use it on the Ra's Disciple!"

The Ra's Disciple folded its banners, crouching face-down.

"Oh? Not bad," Kira nodded. "Indeed, for most face-down monsters, if you can't confirm what they are, their effects are essentially inert.

With the Ra's Disciple face-down, it can be used as Tribute, and the Special Summon restriction is gone."

Sarina looked complexly at the man wearing her brother's face.

She knew his dueling had surpassed her old brother by far. Even she hadn't expected the current Sartorius to be this strong, and she couldn't help feeling nervous—would the Duel King be able to defeat this evil persona and return her brother?

If not...

She didn't dare continue the thought.

"Now that my Summon restrictions are lifted, I activate the Spell 'Fiend's Sanctuary' from my hand!"

Sartorius revealed the card.

"Fiend's Sanctuary Special Summons a Metal Fiend Token to the field!"

A magical seal opened on his field; a tiny metal figure coalesced in golden light.

[Metal Fiend Token, ATK 0]

"And I still haven't performed my Normal Summon this turn—"

Sartorius threw back his head and laughed.

"Now I'll show you why fate is absolutely unstoppable. Behold the power of absolute destiny!

I Tribute the face-down Ra's Disciple and the Metal Fiend Token!

Appear, the absolute Arcana that rules time and manipulates fate—Arcana Force XXI—"

—"ZA WARUDO (The World)!"

Kira's eyelid twitched.

He felt his DNA stir the moment he heard that voice...

Yes—Sartorius's GX voice actor is Takehito Koyasu, who also famously played DIO in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, known for that distinctive "ZA WARUDO" when activating time stop.

Non-card nerds might not know he shouted the same "ZA WARUDO" in Yu-Gi-Oh! GX. It's likewise the card embodying the Tarot "The World," and its effect even resembles time stop.

[Arcana Force XXI - The World, ATK 3100]

"The World is the strongest monster—top-class in both offense and defense—even stronger stats than the legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon."

Sartorius laughed.

"And now, behold The World's absolute might!

When an Arcana Force is Summoned, it rotates to determine head or tail, and gains effects accordingly.

Naturally, it's head!"

The card rotated, stopping above that towering metal form—head, as he claimed.

"Then I go straight to the End Phase."

Sartorius chuckled darkly, then flung his arms wide.

"Now, at this turn's End Phase, The World's head effect activates! By sending two monsters you control to the Graveyard, you skip your opponent's next turn!"

Sarina's pupils tightened, stunned.

Skipping the opponent's entire turn—what a terrifying ability.

It was like...

Yes—like stopping the opponent's time so only you can act freely.

She was certain: her brother's old Arcana Force didn't include XXI, nor such an outrageous power.

"I send Arcana Force IV - The Emperor and Arcana Force VII - The Chariot to the Graveyard—ultimate ability—"

"—ZA WARUDO!"

The World blazed, a powerful wave erupting, like an invisible hand seizing control of the field.

Clocks seemed to appear in midair; in the BGM you could almost hear gears turning and hands spinning. The Duel Disk display flicked to Kira's Draw Phase, then Standby, then Main, without pausing for him to act; time hurtled forward madly.

It only stopped upon reaching Sartorius's next Standby Phase.

"Though it's your turn, your time has been frozen. You can't draw, can't act—straight to my next turn!

My turn—draw!"

Sartorius drew, laughing in triumph.

"See? This is the absolute power that bends destiny to my will, even time itself in my palm! What can a mere human 'king' do against me!?

This is the final blow! Perish in frozen time—"

"—Arcana Force XXI - The World—direct attack!"

The World's annihilating strike thundered toward Kira like a tidal wave.

Having had his whole turn skipped, Kira had no chance to set up—his field was empty. With 2900 LP remaining, if The World's attack connected, his fate was sealed.

But...

The invincible anthropomorphic kite reappeared, shielding Kira. The World's all-out blow crashed into the kite, which remained unscathed.

Sartorius: "!"

His meme-face twisted even further.

"Kiteroid... you had a second one?"

"Not a second," Kira smiled. "Kiteroid's effect: While it's in the Graveyard, once per duel, it can also make the battle damage from one direct attack 0."

He squinted and smiled.

"What's the matter, Sartorius? My time... seems to still be moving, doesn't it?"

Chapter 699: The Fiend

Sartorius snorted. That ever-smiling face across from him made him increasingly irritable.

The urge to rip that detestable grin to shreds only grew.

"You may have dodged The World's wrath this time, but it's only for this turn."

Sartorius's voice was cold.

"I'll allow you to live one more turn, temporarily. I end my turn."

Sarina exhaled slightly.

Good. A king is a king. Even an assault like a skipped turn was defended.

Still, it looked like Sartorius had the advantage. In this duel, he showed a completely different style and strength than her brother had before, exerting terrifying pressure from the outset.

It made her even more certain that her years of patience had been the right choice. Had she not been so patient and instead chosen to fight this evil persona to the death, it now seemed that even if she'd gambled her life, she would hardly have troubled him.

The difference in power was too great.

"My turn. Draw," Kira said, glancing at his card. "Looks like my time has resumed moving this turn.

In the Standby Phase, the effect of 'Treeborn Frog' in my Graveyard activates.

If I control no Spells/Traps, Treeborn Frog can Special Summon itself from the Graveyard during the Standby Phase."

A golden light shot from his Graveyard to the field. The little frog, a halo over its head, flapped angelic white wings and landed.

"Special Summon 'Treeborn Frog.'"

[Treeborn Frog, DEF 100]

"Then I Tribute Treeborn Frog for a Tribute Summon!"

Kira raised a card. Thunder cracked from the sky, black clouds swirling as explosive lightning struck center field.

"The emperor who commands light and thunder—"

"—Zaborg the Thunder Monarch, Summon!"

Like a thunderbolt, the Emperor of Lightning descended, wreathed in electricity, awe-inspiring like a general leading ten thousand troops.

[Zaborg the Thunder Monarch, ATK 2400]

"When Zaborg is Tribute Summoned: Destroy one monster on the field," Kira said. "Targeting, of course, 'Arcana Force XXI - The World.'"

Zaborg crossed his palms, white-hot lightning coiling into a spear that shot forth. The World was pierced through, a gaping hole blown in its metallic torso. Endless electric serpents spread from the wound, cracks spiderwebbing outward until the body shattered and clattered to the ground.

"Bastard—you dare destroy my World..." Sartorius muttered.

"Zaborg the Thunder Monarch—direct attack."

Zaborg thrust his palms forward; boundless lightning roared at Sartorius, white bolts splitting the sky, thunder shaking the heavens.

But Sartorius revealed a card from his hand.

"I discard 'Arcana Force XIV - Temperance'; effect activates," Sartorius said. "By discarding this card from the hand, the battle damage I take once becomes 0."

Much like Kiteroid, Temperance's spectral image manifested, arms wide before Sartorius. Zaborg's vast thunder struck it and was completely negated—no damage.

Arcana Force's personal Kuriboh—the same card Sartorius "printed" in the anime to block a 4000-ATK Satellite Cannon shot in turn one during Prince Ojin's FTK attempt.

Thus Sartorius is one of the rare bosses with his own hand trap.

"Blocked, huh," Kira said. "Then I set two cards. Turn end."

"My turn—draw!"

Sartorius drew, glanced down, then revealed a Spell.

"Activate 'Cup of Ace.' Toss a coin—heads I draw two; tails my opponent draws two.

Of course, we'll use card rotation for head/tail instead of coin faces."

Kira shrugged—no objection.

Card rotation or coin flip, the result would be the same. Manipulating all coin-toss outcomes this duel—that was Sartorius's superpower.

Naturally, the result was no surprise.

The card stopped—head.

"I draw two cards," Sartorius said.

For someone like him, Cup of Ace is just Pot of Greed—no difference.

"Then 'Graceful Charity'—draw three, discard two."

He drew three, then discarded two.

"Next, activate 'Necro Sacrifice'—Select one or two monsters in your Graveyard and Special Summon them to your opponent's field, to reduce the number of Tributes required for my Tribute Summon." (Anime card)

He raised his Duel Disk. Two beams shot from his Graveyard, landing left and right on Kira's field.

"I Special Summon to your side: 'Arcana Force IV - The Emperor' and 'Arcana Force XII - The Hangman'!"

He smirked.

"Their battle positions can be chosen by you, of course."

"Defense Position," Kira said.

"Oh? Setting the gifts I give you straight to Defense—so afraid of my absolute destiny you won't even approach?"

Sartorius sneered.

"Suit yourself. But Arcana Force monsters must rotate on arrival to determine head or tail."

This "Necro Sacrifice" Spell was used by Sartorius against Aster in the anime. At the time, Aster naively thought the head effect was finally his. But of course...

"The Emperor is tail, and The Hangman is head," Sartorius smiled.

Just as he foretold. The two Arcana on Kira's field stopped—one head, one tail.

Sarina bit her lip. "He really can toy with fate at will..."

"Maybe not," Kira shrugged with a smile.

"If he truly could, why has he been so careful to avoid me? Why did I have to go to such lengths to find him, only fishing him out thanks to you, Sarina?"

Sartorius snorted heavily.

"The only reason I didn't deal with you earlier was that the time wasn't right. Don't get cocky, Duel King.

Now I'll make you understand."

Sartorius drew another card.

"By using Necro Sacrifice to Special Summon two monsters to your field to substitute for two Tributes, I can perform a Tribute Summon! Appear, the Ruin Arcana—"

"—Arcana Force XV - The Fiend!!!"

Chapter 700: Decisive Power of Absolute Destiny

Arcana Force XV - The Fiend, Summon!
The next Arcana Force to appear truly lives up to the name of "Fiend," and its appearance is admittedly a bit abstract. A ferocious black body, three bulging eyes covered in terrifying jet-black markings, and thrashing red tentacles tipped with obsidian hooks—a truly horrifying sight.

[Arcana Force XV - The Fiend, ATK 2500]

"Once again, the card spins to determine head or tail. But this time, of course," Sartorius declared confidently, "it lands head!"

The Fiend's card stopped in the head position.

"And your Emperor is tail. The tail effect: all 'Arcana Force' monsters on your field lose 500 attack."

[Arcana Force IV - The Emperor, ATK 1400 → ATK 900]

[Arcana Force XII - The Hangman, ATK 2200 → ATK 1700]

"All his effects are beneficial to himself, while the opponent suffers the drawbacks," Sarina understood.

"This is the decree of fate," Sartorius sneered. "Also, The Hangman's head effect: during your own End Phase, you must destroy 1 monster you control, and you take damage equal to that monster's ATK."

Kira nodded. "So this time the head effect is a drawback."

He vaguely recalled that in the anime, Chazz seemed to have been taken down by this card.

"Battle Phase," Sartorius shouted. "Use 'Arcana Force XV - The Fiend' to attack 'Zaborg the Thunder Monarch!'"

The Fiend's tentacles swung like scythes and cleaved down head-on.

"The Fiend's head effect: when this card attacks, choose 1 monster on the field and destroy it. If no monster is destroyed, destroy this card."

Sartorius pointed at The Emperor on Kira's field.

"Arcana Force - The Emperor will now vanish as a sacrifice to the Fiend."

A vortex of darkness pierced The Emperor, whose body was blown apart with a bang and vanished from the field.

"And when a monster is destroyed by the Fiend's effect," Sartorius continued, "the controller of that monster takes 500 damage!"

The Fiend's assault did not slow; the exploding storm of darkness swept through Kira like a thousand blades.

[Kira, LP 2900 → LP 2400]

"Battle continues—now attack Zaborg the Thunder Monarch. Fiend's Calamity!"

The scythe descended from above and cleaved the Thunder Monarch in two. He roared in fury, but was no match and exploded.

[Kira, LP 2400 → LP 2300]

"Heh, that leaves only The Hangman on your field," Sartorius said. "The Hangman's head effect requires you at the end of the turn to destroy a monster you control, and you take damage equal to its ATK.

If you control no other monsters, you must destroy The Hangman itself—and you'll take damage equal to its own ATK, which is 2200!"

"Then I activate my set card," Kira said. "Trap Card: The Deep Grave.

Choose 1 monster in either player's GY; during your next Standby Phase, Special Summon that monster to your field."

"Oh? Planning to revive even more monsters?" Sartorius squinted and mocked. "Why not pick a weaker one to feed The Hangman and avoid the damage?"

"Thanks for the tip, but I'll pass. The card I'm reviving is this one."

Kira smiled and pointed at Sartorius.

"I choose 'Arcana Force XXI - The World' from your Graveyard!"

Sartorius: "!"

Sarina: "!"

Both were stunned by Kira's decision.

Revive The World—from Sartorius's GY?

Sartorius froze for a moment, then threw his head back and laughed.

"Do you think you can control The World? A mere mortal? And you dare covet the power of The World?"

He laughed harder and harder.

Sarina couldn't help but warn him: "Mr. Kira, right now my brother's evil persona can control fate. If you try to summon Arcana Force, you won't be able to get head."

"Quite right!"

Sartorius was in high spirits, and thus more talkative.

"Then I'll be magnanimous and tell you this: great power brings great risk. The World, which can stop your opponent's time, carries a tremendous drawback as its price.

At your opponent's Draw Phase, the top card of their GY is added to their hand.

In other words, if The World is on your field, then at each of my Draw Phases I can return the top card of my GY to my hand."

Letting the opponent effectively draw an extra card every turn is a huge disadvantage. Even Sarina grew anxious, suspecting Kira had made a misplay.

"That so? How unfortunate," Kira said.

"Oh? Even knowing The World's drawback, you remain so calm."

Sartorius snorted.

"Then I activate the Spell Card 'Card of Heaven and Earth'—in a turn where a Tribute Summon occurred, I draw 2 cards. Those cards can't be used this turn, and if possible I must set at least one.

Although The Fiend's tribute was replaced by 'Necro Sacrifice,' the Fiend's summon still counted as a Tribute Summon. Therefore I draw 2."

Sartorius drew two.

"I set two cards and end my turn."

Kira: "My turn. Draw."

Kira drew.

"Now, at the moment of the Standby Phase, The World revives to your field!" Sartorius could hardly wait to mock him. "If you want it so badly, then I'll let you taste The World's power!"

"Not so fast."

Kira smiled.

"My Standby Phase hasn't started yet. I knew from the beginning you'd be using an Arcana Force deck. But Arcana Force isn't your exclusive property."

"What?" Sartorius frowned.

"I made a little preparation for this duel. To be frank, I've done a bit of research on Arcana Force myself and devised some interesting tactics.

Among all current users of Arcana Force, you, Sartorius, are probably the most authoritative. So I'll take this opportunity to ask your guidance."

Kira waved lightly.

"I activate my set card, the Trap 'Decisive Power of Absolute Destiny'!" (Anime card)

Sartorius: "!"

He truly didn't see that coming.

Of course he recognized the card—he just didn't expect to see it in his opponent's deck. It's his card, or rather, it's tied to the Arcana Force theme—as you can tell from its name.

He simply didn't expect to see it on the other side of the field.

"Decisive Power of Absolute Destiny: declare a monster name. If that card exists in your opponent's Deck, Special Summon that monster to your opponent's field in Attack Position."

Sartorius frowned. "Declare a monster in my Deck?"

"That's right. Your Arcana Force deck is modeled after the Tarot—the embodiment of fate.

And since it's Tarot, there's no way it doesn't include this card, right?"

Kira smiled and softly spoke the name.

"The Fool."

Chapter 701: Why Are You So Good At This

The Fool, the beginning of all Tarot—or the end of all Tarot—represents infinite possibilities, and is often given special significance in works related to Tarot.

Here, in the Arcana Force series, it is an exceptionally unique card.

How unique? A glance at its 0 ATK / 0 DEF stats says it all.

[Arcana Force 0 - The Fool, ATK 0]

"I'm well aware that Number 0—Arcana Force 0 - The Fool—has a very special ability even among all Arcana Force cards," Kira said with eyes narrowed in a smile.

"Once The Fool is summoned, it cannot be destroyed by battle, and it cannot change its battle position to Defense Position. In other words…"

Sarina realized: "You just summoned a 0 ATK target onto the opponent's field that can't switch to Defense and can't be destroyed by battle."

Which means all of Kira's attacks basically become direct attacks on Sartorius!

Sartorius: "…"

In truth, this tactic wasn't Kira's original invention—if anything, you could say Sartorius taught it to him. Not the Light of Destruction persona, but Sartorius's normal persona.

In GX's finale, when Sartorius's sister Sarina was held hostage by Nightshroud and he had to duel Jaden for life and death, Sartorius found a chance to secretly slip The Fool into Jaden's deck. Then he used the trap "Decisive Power of Absolute Destiny" to force The Fool out of Jaden's deck onto Jaden's field, leaving him with a stubborn, unkillable target.

Combined with the trap "Tour of Doom" that prevented Jaden from conducting any Normal, Special, or Flip Summons, he couldn't even fuse it away or tribute it for a Tribute Summon—the card was basically a squatter.

Kira didn't pull a Weevil Underwood stunt by stuffing cards into his opponent's deck, but he knew that as a master of the complete Arcana Force, Sartorius absolutely wouldn't omit Number 0. To Sartorius, the full set is his destiny and the embodiment of his power; missing even one would be incomplete.

And in the anime meta, The Fool is actually quite strong on its own and worth running.

Sartorius scowled. "But when The Fool is summoned, like other Arcana Force cards, it spins to determine head or tail!"

Of course, the interpretation of the result was entirely up to Sartorius.

"The Fool's spin is tail!" Sartorius declared. "The tail Fool cannot be targeted by your card effects and is unaffected by them!" (anime effect)

This shows how powerful the card is.

In the anime, you can Normal Summon in face-up Defense. So if you summon The Fool in Defense and declare it tail, you get an "indestructible by battle, untargetable, unaffected" absolute shield.

Short of attacking directly by bypassing monsters or using piercing, there's almost no breaking through this invincible defense…
Oh right—except Lava Golem.

But what Sartorius never expected was: why would someone who doesn't even play Arcana Force include "Decisive Power of Absolute Destiny" in their deck?

What's the meaning of this?
You're clearly gunning for The Fool, aren't you?

"And 'Arcana Force 0 - The Fool' has another drawback, doesn't it, Sartorius?" Kira smiled.

Sartorius's face darkened and he snorted. "While The Fool is face-up on the field, whenever the opponent would flip a coin for an effect, they can skip the coin toss and freely choose heads or tails." (anime effect)

He abruptly stopped and looked up at Kira in surprise.

Then, realizing something, he felt the hairs on his neck stand up.

"You—you can't mean…"

"Oh? You figured it out?"

Kira beamed.

"Indeed," he said calmly. "With The Fool's summon resolved and the Draw Phase over, we now enter my Standby Phase.

Remember the trap I activated last turn, 'The Deep Grave'? During this Standby Phase, the chosen monster is Special Summoned from the GY to my field. Appear—

—Arcana Force XXI - The World!!!"

[Arcana Force XXI - The World, ATK 3100]

"Arcana Force XXI - The World spins on summon to determine head or tail," Kira paused, then chuckled. "Of course, we both know that if it spins, head or tail is entirely up to you to declare.

But since 'Arcana Force 0 - The Fool' is on your field, I can choose not to spin and freely pick head or tail. Now guess—do I choose The World's head or tail?"

Sartorius's face twitched. "You bastard…"

"Smart," Kira said. "That's right—I choose 'Arcana Force XXI - The World' head!"

The World's card didn't spin at all; it simply appeared above the monster in the head position.

"Let me experience the power you claim to command—the power to control time and fate," Kira raised his hand. "Arcana Force XXI - The World! Attack 'Arcana Force 0 - The Fool!'"

Seeing his own ace charge at him with overwhelming force, Sartorius had a momentary vision: all his recent grievances and rage took shape in The World, advancing mercilessly under the opponent's command.

Yes—this feeling.

It was clearly his own destiny, his own board under his control, suddenly thrown into chaos.

As if, in an instant, fate had taken the other side, betrayed him, and colluded with his despicable enemy.

All those grievances suddenly took form, becoming the towering World, striking at him under this man's orders.

Sartorius's pupils shrank.

"Don't tell me… it was you all along!?"

The unseen player, the one behind the scenes who scrambled the board of fate and sent every piece leaping from its rightful square—

Was it this Duel King?
But it was only a hunch; he had no time to dwell on it.

"I activate a set card!" Sartorius shouted. "Counter Trap—Negate Attack! Negate the attack and end the Battle Phase!"

A counter vortex blew out; The World's blow crashed into the transparent swirl and was pushed back.

At least he'd held it off for now.

But the sense of danger in Sartorius's chest didn't fade. Soon enough, events proved him right.

"Blocked it, huh," Kira said coolly. "Then I'll Normal Summon this card—'Samsara Lotus.'"

[Samsara Lotus, ATK 0]

"With that, preparations are complete."

Kira's voice remained calm.

"Now I'll show you the true power of 'The World.'"

Sartorius: "???"

Something felt off.

Aren't you piloting my monster right now?
Why do you sound so practiced at this?