As the Duel Zone finished stabilising, several things happened at once.
Annabeth's chains suddenly unlocked, freeing her. A Dracaenae noticed and tried to attack her, only for the attack to rebound by an invisible force and send it sprawling backwards.
The chains binding Artemis also unlocked, falling to the ground pathetically- as though they were nothing.
Annabeth, realising she was free, darted around Luke's sword and ran to reach us. Luke tried to stop her by grabbing her, only for his own actions to rebound against him, sending his arm back away from her.
Annabeth ran straight into Penny's arms, who held her tightly as she and Thalia began to fret over her.
"You..." Luke glared at me. "What... What did you do?"
I just smirked slowly. "Welcome to my Domain... Fair Duel. In this domain... Time doesn't matter. We're currently in a pocket of space and time, where nothing is happening outside of this realm... No violence is permitted here. No fighting. No restraints... Only one kind of battle is allowed in this space..." I lifted my arm. "Duel Monsters."
"You..." Atlas's eyes filled with rage. "You tricked me...!"
"You're damn fucking right," I laughed. "Oh gods, you have no idea how long I knew this was going to happen!" I grinned at them slowly. "That little spy you've got in camp fed you everything, just like I knew they would."
Everyone's eyes widened, and Luke looked panicked.
"There's a spy at camp!?" Thalia was shocked by my words.
"That's right," I chuckled. "I don't know who it is, but who's to say every demigod that Luke convinced to follow him actually left the camp? That's how Luke has always known about quests, and about who is going on them..."
Luke scowled and gulped, looking nervous at my words.
"Didn't one line of the Prophecy seem a little off to you?" I asked. "Trickery abound and power untold."
Understanding dawned in Luke's eyes as he looked around. "... You... That line of the Prophecy was about you!"
I grinned. "That's right," I turned my gaze to Atlas. "Once my Duel Zone is set up, there's only one way out," I told him. "A Duel. No violence. No fighting. No hostages. Just Duelling."
Atlas glared at me heatedly. "And if I don't play along?"
"Then you're considered to have forfeited, and you lose," I told him. "Of course, at that point, my Duel Zone dispels... But... Since we agreed to a wager... The loser will be bound to their side of it, and their body will act accordingly regardless of their own free will."
"You..." Penny was stunned. "Are... Are you telling me... That the fate of the world is going to rely on a Children's card game!?"
"Thou can't be serious..." Zoe was utterly shocked and shaking her head...
Annabeth removed her gag, taking a deep breath. "... This is either pure genius... Or sheer stupidity... There's no in between..."
The black eyes of the Titan glared at me with pure loathing and hatred, but he grit his teeth as he drew five cards from his deck. "I will make you suffer for this."
I drew five cards from my deck and smirked at him. "You'll try."
"DUEL!"
Atlas LP: 4000
Yuno LP: 4000
"This isn't really happening," Artemis murmured, refusing to believe they were actually hinging her freedom on a child's game.
"I will take the first move," Atlas growled before he drew a card from his deck. "Draw!" He looked at his hand. "Tch... I'll admit it, this 'Duel Zone' of yours is impressive... Even though I shouldn't know anything about this game, my brain is flowing with strategies, combinations and the like..."
"Well, of course," I smirked. "Didn't I say it? It's a Fair Duel. It's hardly fair if you don't even know how to play, right?"
Atlas merely scowled. "I will start my turn by summoning Titan Soldier in Defence Mode!"
On the field manifested a warrior clad in bronze armour, golden eyes glowing from beneath the helmet as it knelt with its arms crossed over its chest.
Titan Soldier
4 Star – EARTH – Warrior/Effect
1500/2000
"Then, I will set two cards face down and end my turn!"
Atlas Hand: 3
"In that case, it's my turn. I draw," I looked down at my hand as I drew. "I think I'll start my turn with one of my favourites- Pot of Deceit! How it works is nice and simple. I discard one card and draw two!"
I slipped a card into the graveyard and drew two more from my deck with a flourish.
"Invidia the Spiteful Sin's effect activates from my Graveyard," I smirked. "When Invidia is sent to my Graveyard, I can search my Deck for a 'Sin' or 'Pandora' monster, and send it to my Graveyard," I rifled through my deck before I pulled out a card. "I'll send Pandora, the Dark Apprentice to my Graveyard."
Pandora, the Dark Apprentice
4 Star – DARK – Spellcaster/Effect
1800/1200
"Now, let me introduce you to a new friend of mine," I smirked as I placed down another card. "I summon Loyal Dragon of Sin."
Out of a magic circle emerged a dragon with pitch black scales and glowing purple eyes that glared at Atlas.
Loyal Dragon of Sin
2 Star – DARK – Dragon/Tuner/Effect
1200/900
I smirked at the Dragon that had once been Petit Dragon, now fully basked in the energies of the Netherworld, it had become a 2 Star Tuner monster under Pandora's leadership.
"A tuner monster," Thalia murmured.
"Is that good?" Zoe asked in confusion.
"Well… You'll see," Thalia shook her head.
"I wouldn't underestimate this Dragon, because like I said- he's loyal…" I chuckled. "So loyal in fact, that when he's summoned another Sin will jump straight from my hand to join him on the field, so long as it is Level 5 or lower! So, let's give a big warm welcome to Ira the Angered Sin!"
A black lion manifested on the field- though different to its adult form. It was still a big black lion, but it was comparatively smaller and was lacking the same wings that its adult form possessed.
Ira the Angered Sin
5 Star – DARK – Fiend/Effect
2300/0
"I tune my Level 2 Loyal Dragon of Sin to my Level 5 Ira the Angered Sin!"
The dragon grinned wickedly as its body burst into black rings, enveloping Ira's body. As Ira's figure faded from few, five glowing white stars replaced them, dancing within the two black rings.
5 + 2 = 7!
"Anger and Loyalty unite here! Lay the path for the knight who seeks the darkness!"
A beam of dark light shot down through the rings, enveloping the stars as an armoured figure's silhouette slowly manifested within.
I smirked widely. "Synchro Summon! Manifest before us! Level 7! Knight of Sin, Blaster Dark!"
The dark beam of light faded away, revealing a figure clad in black armour with green lines running through it. In his hands was a matching sword, pulsating with dark energy.
Knight of Sin, Blaster Dark
7 Star – DARK – Warrior/Synchro/Effect
2500/2000
"Blaster Dark attacks Titan Soldier! Furthermore, when Blaster Dark attacks a monster in defence position, you'll take piercing damage!"
Atlas's eyes narrowed, but he made no move as Blaster Dark charged in and stabbed Titan Soldier in the chest. However, the soldier swung at Blaster Dark after being stabbed, forcing him to jump back.
Atlas LP: 4000 --- 3500
"Titan Soldier cannot be destroyed by battle once per turn while in Defence Position," Atlas grunted. "Furthermore, I activate my Trap Card! Warrior's Revenge! When I take battle damage, I can search my Deck for a Level 4 or lower Warrior-Type monster and Special Summon it in Defence Mode!" A card slot out of his deck. "And the card I'll be summoning is another Titan Soldier!"
A second Titan Soldier appeared beside the first, kneeling down.
"I have an effect too," I smirked at him. "Once per turn, when Blaster Dark fails to destroy a monster in battle, I can send a 'Sin' or 'Pandora' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard, and then I can attack again!"
I pulled a card free from my Deck. "I'll send Ira the Furious Sin to my Graveyard, meaning Blaster Dark can attack again! Attack the same Titan Soldier again!"
"Did you think it would be so easy?" Atlas scoffed. "My Titan Soldier has another effect. When you would attack another monster I control, I can re-direct your attack towards Titan Soldier! Therefore, I will force you to attack my second Titan Soldier!"
Blaster Dark's sword cleaved through Titan Soldier but failed to destroy it as he jumped back with an annoyed look on his face.
Atlas LP: 3500 --- 3000
"Interesting…" I hummed and smirked. "I'll set two cards face-down and end my turn."
Yuno Hand: 2
"Are any of you following this?" Annabeth asked uncomfortably. "I mean… Who's winning?"
"Yuno is, though that doesn't mean much," Thalia answered. "This is the kind of game where a single draw can change the outcome of the entire game… The situation right now is that Yuno has the highest ATK monster on the field, which is good… But Atlas has two monsters that can't be destroyed and can rotate attacks between them to ensure maximum survivability. Yuno can still deal damage thanks to Blaster Dark's effect, but with two Level 4 monsters out…" She bit her lip. "I've got a bad feeling."
Indeed, the air stop the mountain had shifted and changed… I could feel the pressure rising in the air…
Something was coming.
"It's my turn! I draw!" Atlas looked down at his hand and smirked. "I summon forth the Tuner Monster, Greek Soldier of Stone!"
Out of the ground emerged a soldier carved out of marble, looking as though it were a Greek statue wielding a sword.
Greek Soldier of Stone
4 Star – EARTH – Warrior/Tuner/Effect
1300/2000
"Greek Soldier of Stone's effect activates! Once per turn, I may discard a monster from my hand! Until the end of this turn, I lower Greek Soldier of Stone's level by the same amount as that monster!" He lifted a card. "I will discard the Level 2 Titan Cup Bearer to lower my Soldier's Level by 2!"
Greek Soldier of Stone LV: 4 --- 2
"It's coming," Tez spoke in a serious voice. "A God is going to descend."
"Bear witness, Mortal!" Atlas's voice boomed. "For now, I shall step onto the battlefield! I tune my Level 2 Greek Soldier of Stone with my two Level 4 Titan Soldiers!"
The stone soldier let out a roar as his body turned into light, becoming a pair of golden rings. The two other soldiers jumped up into the golden rings, their bodies fading and leaving behind a total of 8 glimmering golden stars.
2 + 4 + 4 = 10!
"Mighty general who carries the weight of the world! Break the shackles binding you and regain your glory on the fields of war!"
Golden light shot down through the rings, even enveloping Atlas himself.
"Synchro Summon! Behold, the Great General! Level 10! Enduring Atlas – The Sky Bearer!"
The golden light faded away- revealing a second Atlas had appeared on the field. He looked identical to the one currently in the middle of duelling, however he was clearly built for war. Wearing bronze armour and gauntlets that covered his hands. His fingers cracked slowly, his black eyes glimmering with dark delight.
Enduring Atlas – The Sky Bearer
Level 10 – DIVINE – Divine-Beast/Synchro/Effect
0/4000
"He… He summoned himself!?" Artemis was shocked… She may not understand this game, but she could feel the power… And the power radiating from the second Atlas was no weaker than a God's true divine form!
Luke's body visibly relaxed. Like Artemis, he may not understand the game… But he could get the gist. With Atlas having called forth himself, there was no way a mere mortal like Yuno could fight back against Atlas.
"Tremble in fear," Atlas boasted. "I cannot be destroyed by battle nor by card effect! And I cannot be returned to the Extra Deck, nor can I be banished! Furthermore, until the end of the turn, I may swap my ATK and DEF! Therefore, at this moment my ATK will become a staggering 4000!"
Enduring Atlas ATK: 0 --- 4000
Enduring Atlas DEF: 4000 --- 0
"Furthermore, when I deal battle damage when attacking a monster with a lower Level than mine- I deal double damage!" He grinned widely. "In other words, boy… This farce will be over all too soon, and you'll be my bitch for the rest of your life!"
Atlas threw his head back and began to bellow with laughter, the sound echoing atop the mountain in the cold stillness of frozen time.
******************
Titan Soldier
4 Star - EARTH - Warrior/Effect
Once per turn, while this card is in Defence Position, it cannot be destroyed as a result of battle. If your opponent attacks another monster you control, you may redirect that attack to this monster instead.
1500/2000
Pandora the Dark Apprentice
4 Star – DARK – Spellcaster/Effect
When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, you may search your deck for 1 "Sin" or "Pandora" monster and add it to your hand. When this card is destroyed while face-up on the field, you may discard 1 "Sin" or "Pandora" monster from your hand; Special Summon this monster to your field in Defence Position. You may only use this effect of "Pandora the Dark Apprentice" once per turn.
1800/1200
Loyal Dragon of Sin
2 Star - DARK - Dragon/Tuner/Effect
When this card is Normal Summoned, you may Special Summon 1 "Sin" or "Pandora" monster from your hand that is Level 5 or lower. The monster special summoned by this card's effect has its effects negated, and it cannot attack the turn it was Special Summoned.
1200/900
Ira the Angered Sin
5 Star - DARK - Fiend/Effect
While this card is face-up on your field, monsters your opponent controls must attack this card if able. If this card is changed to Defence Position, destroy it. If this card attacks an opponent's monster in Defence Position, inflict piercing damage. If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle, you may add 1 "Sin" monster from your Graveyard to your hand. You may only use this effect of "Ira the Angered Sin" once per turn.
2300/0
Knight of Sin, Blaster Dark
7 Star - DARK - Warrior/Synchro/Effect
1 tuner + 1 or more non-tuner DARK monsters
If this card attacks an opponent's Defence Position monster, inflict piercing damage. If this card attacked an opponent's monster, but did not destroy that monster as a result of battle; you may discard 1 card from your hand: this card may attack once again in a row. This card cannot be targeted by your opponent's Spell/Trap Cards.
2500/2000
Warrior's Revenge
Trap
When you take battle damage, you may Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Warrior-Type monster from your Deck in Defence Position.
Greek Soldier of Stone
4 Star - EARTH - Warrior/Tuner/Effect
During your Main Phase, you may discard 1 Level 3 or lower monster card from your hand: lower this card's Level equal to the level of the discarded monster.
1300/2000
Titan Cup Bearer
2 Star - EARTH - Spellcaster/Effect
You may tribute this face-up card: Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Greek" or "Titan" monster from your Deck.
800/400
Enduring Atlas - The Sky Bearer
10 Star - DIVINE - Divine-Beast/Synchro/Effect
1 Tuner + 2 or more non-tuner monsters
(This card is also treated as a "Greek" and "Titan" card.)
This card cannot be destroyed by battle or card effect, and cannot be banished or returned to the Extra Deck. Once per turn, you may swap this card's ATK and DEF until the End phase of this turn. This card is unaffected by the effects of your opponent's Spell and Trap Cards. When this card attacks a Defence Position Monster, inflict piercing damage. When this card deals damage as a result of battle against a monster with a lower level than this card's: inflict double the battle damage. At the end of the battle that this card attacked, change it to Defence Position.
0/4000