Escuridao's direct attack—Dark Diffusion!
Everyone saw that before the blow landed, Koyo had already lost consciousness and collapsed.
"Koyo!"
Midori tried to rush the stage, but was bounced back by the Orichalcos barrier.
"Looks like it's over," Kaiba said.
Koyo had done his best. Reaching this point in his condition was already a miracle. But his opponent was never someone he could defeat…
At that moment, flames burst forth on his field, forming a humanoid figure that crossed its arms in front of him.
Elemental HERO Lady Heat!
[Elemental HERO Lady Heat, DEF 1000]
No one expected this twist. Escuridao's finishing blow struck Lady Heat, who'd appeared out of nowhere!
"Oh? Still have defensive measures?" The Arbiter was surprised.
The reason Lady Heat appeared was clear—Koyo had activated a set card:
Trap Card – Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert. When your opponent declares an attack, Special Summon a monster from your hand; your opponent must attack that monster. (Anime effect.)
Lady Heat had come out as a shield, blocking the attack.
But…
"Wasn't he already unconscious?!"
Mokuba looked in disbelief at Koyo lying on the ground.
Could the monster have jumped out on its own to protect its master? That superstitious?
"No," Kaiba said.
Everyone noticed that Koyo's right hand was on his Duel Disk, as if he'd pressed the trap activation button.
He had operated it himself.
"This guy…" Even the Arbiter frowned.
He quickly realized Koyo had passed out.
But even unconscious, his body refused to accept defeat, instinctively activating the trap to block the blow.
"Mr. Koyo…"
Jaden stared blankly at the collapsed Koyo, murmuring.
He remembered Koyo's words before boarding the ship—a solemn pat on the shoulder, telling him to always keep his passion for dueling.
Back then, he thought it was obvious. Only now did he realize the weight behind those simple words.
Koyo was using all his will, his life, to demonstrate his belief to Jaden.
The path he insisted on as a proud duelist.
At that moment, Koyo's finger twitched.
Slowly, he pushed himself up with both hands, gritting his teeth, and stood once again.
"Mr. Koyo…" Jaden was speechless.
"That's enough, Koyo." Midori's voice was choked. "You've already—"
But Koyo, face white as paper, grinned at her playfully.
Then he turned to the Arbiter. "Why stop? I still have Life Points left, and cards in my deck."
The Arbiter smiled.
"As you wish."
He waved his hand.
"Elemental HERO The Shining, final direct attack."
[Elemental HERO The Shining, ATK 5500]
The final attack, 5500 ATK—Orichalcos's green aura mixed with The Shining's blazing white light, forming a sun-like energy ball in his hands, growing ever larger.
This would be the strongest blow yet!
Koyo stood trembling, but faced the oncoming light without a trace of fear.
"Optical Storm," said the Arbiter.
Koyo stepped forward, eyes reflecting the image of destruction—utterly resolute.
In his mind echoed that icy voice:
"From now on, every duel you fight will drain your 'life' along with your deck."
He had decided.
Better to die a duelist than live as an ordinary person.
Even if he fell, his duelist's soul would not disappear. His passion, his spirit, would be inherited by his kouhais and never be extinguished.
BOOM!!!
The Shining's destructive light nearly engulfed half the field, swallowing Koyo's figure.
Jaden couldn't help but shout, "Mr. Koyo!"
Kaiba remarked, "Is it over?"
Though the outcome wasn't as he'd hoped, at least Koyo fought to the very last and earned Kaiba's respect.
But—
"Cough, cough…"
As The Shining's dazzling light faded and the rising black smoke dispersed, they saw Koyo half-kneeling, almost unable to stand.
But he was still alive.
"What?" Even the Arbiter was surprised.
A direct attack from over 5000 ATK—how…?
"I activated… a trap," Koyo panted, pointing to a trap card standing before him.
"Trap Card: Hero Soul."
Hero Soul: When a monster with "Hero" in its name is destroyed, you can activate this card the turn your LP hits zero, and recover to 100 LP once. (Manga card.)
"Hero Soul…" Jaden was in awe.
That card reflected Koyo's current state perfectly.
Looking at Koyo's back on stage, Jaden felt that fragile figure was now as tall as an invincible giant.
"You withstood all five Hero attacks. I'm starting to see you in a new light," said the Arbiter.
"Your attacks are over," Koyo panted. "By Chain Material's effect, all monsters summoned this way must be destroyed at the end of the turn.
This effect isn't limited to the turn Chain Material was used—it triggers at the end of any turn, as long as those monsters are still on the field.
Although you skipped the last End Phase with the turn jump, this turn, those monsters will be destroyed."
Koyo wasn't just defending. The Arbiter's Chain Material combo was deadly, but also self-destructive. If Koyo survived the onslaught, all the Arbiter's monsters would self-destruct, exposing a fatal weakness.
That would turn the duel in Koyo's favor.
"True, unless I have this card."
The Arbiter calmly played another card.
"Quick-Play Spell 'Book of Eclipse'—turn all monsters on the field face-down."