Although it possessed the effect to change the Battle Position of an attacking Monster, if it had attacked (Gravekeeper's Priestess) instead of (Gravekeeper's Spiritualist), it could have dealt maximum Damage. However, Hayato knew that all the resources available on his Field were not enough to clear Ishizu's Life Points, and would still leave her with 300 Life Points.
Hayato, who deeply understood the incredible power of a 'Life Point Lock' strategy, always adhered to the principle of "if you're going to strike, strike to kill." Since he couldn't finish her off, he might as well maximize his own advantage.
As (Gravekeeper's Spiritualist) was Destroyed and Sent to Graveyard, and Ishizu's Life Points Decreased, Hayato spoke: "Because of the Effect of (Spiral Spear Strike) that I Activated, (Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion), which is treated as (Dragon Knight Gaia), inflicted Damage to you. Now, the second Effect of (Spiral Spear Strike) Activates."
"I Draw two Cards from my Deck, then choose one Card from my Hand to Discard." After choosing a Card and Sending it to the Graveyard, Hayato declared, "Then, my Turn ends."
[Hayato: 4900 LP, Hand 1]
[(Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion)] [ATK 3600 → 2600]
[Set Card] (Spiral Spear Strike)
Currently, Hayato had the advantage in all aspects, whether it was the ATK of the Monsters on the Field, Life Points, or resources in the Back Row and Hand. Ishizu's Life Points were down to a mere 1800. In the next Turn, Hayato could easily deplete Ishizu's remaining Life Points by using (Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion)'s Effect to change the Battle Position of (Gravekeeper's Priestess).
In other words, this Turn would be Ishizu's last.
With her finger resting on her Deck, the current situation was entirely unfavorable to her, making Ishizu instinctively want to use the Power of the Millennium Necklace to glimpse the future. However, as if remembering something, a smile appeared on her face. Instead of using the Millennium Necklace's Power to peek into future possibilities, she drew a Card without hesitation.
"My Turn, Draw!"
"I Activate a Set Card on my Field, (Rite of Spirit)! I Special Summon one 'Gravekeeper' Monster from my Graveyard. This Effect is not Limited by (Necrovalley)!" Ishizu Flipped the Card she had Set on her Field last Turn due to the Effect of (Red Reboot). "I choose to Revive (Gravekeeper's Visionary) to my Field!"
"By the name of Osiris, dust to dust, ashes to ashes, departed souls return to the living..." As (Gravekeeper's Priestess) chanted the Ancient Egyptian spell, (Gravekeeper's Visionary), which had previously been Destroyed and Sent to Graveyard by (Dragon Magician Knight - Gaia), was Revived on Hayato's Field.
However, because this was not a Fusion Summon like before, but a Revive from the Graveyard, (Gravekeeper's Visionary) did not use its ability to "inherit the Power of Fusion Material Monsters," retaining only its most basic Power.
[(Gravekeeper's Visionary)] [ATK 2000 → 2500]
"Even with (Necrovalley) on the Field, only you can Special Summon Monsters from the Graveyard; what a double standard." Hayato watched as (Rite of Spirit), having resolved its Effect, entered the Graveyard. "However, without Fusion Material to Increase its ATK, (Gravekeeper's Visionary)'s ATK is still lower than (Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion)'s."
[(Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion)] [ATK 2600]
Ishizu smiled. "After all, it is your Ace Monster, Hayato. I never expected (Gravekeeper's Visionary) to defeat it. I have another Monster in mind to defeat (Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion)."
"I Tribute (Gravekeeper's Priestess) on the Field as a Tribute. At this time, I apply the Effect of (Gravekeeper's Oracle) from my Hand: When this Card is Tribute Summoned, you can use three Monsters or one 'Gravekeeper' Monster as a Tribute."
"This is the supreme being of the 'Gravekeeper' archetype, the one who presides over all, even judging the Divine beings under the Pharaoh's command: (Gravekeeper's Oracle)!"
As (Gravekeeper's Priestess) casually indicated "Time to punch out!", a stone Throne appeared in her place. On the Throne sat a burly man with a head of golden hair, quite rare among 'Gravekeeper' Monsters. He stroked the luxurious Serpent Staff in his hand while curiously observing Hayato, who stood opposite him.
He appeared nonchalant, but the (Rainbow Kuriboh) Hayato had Drawn earlier due to (Spiral Spear Strike)'s Effect nervously cried out to him: "Kuriboh, Kuriboh Kuriboh!"
"You mean this guy has Divine Level Power?" Hayato was also startled, only then noticing (Gravekeeper's Oracle)'s Level. "It's a Level 10 powerful Monster!"
[(Gravekeeper's Oracle)] [Level 10/Dark Attribute]
[Spellcaster-Type/Effect]
[ATK 2000 / DEF 1500 → ATK 2500 / DEF 2000]
(Gravekeeper's Oracle)'s Stats appeared unremarkable, even somewhat inferior to the (Gravekeeper's Visionary) beside it. But Hayato knew that while a Duel Monster's Stats were useful, what truly determined their strength was always their Effects.
Noticing Hayato's wary gaze, (Gravekeeper's Oracle) revealed a scornful smile. "Oh, an interesting look. Have you already sensed the disparity in our Power? This Aura, it's that of (The Winged Dragon of Ra), no wonder."
"However, the 'Gravekeeper' archetype cannot be defeated by just anyone, not even a user of (The Winged Dragon of Ra)!"
(Gravekeeper's Oracle) slammed his Serpent Staff onto the ground, and an immense gravity was instantly exerted upon (Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion) in the sky. No matter how much (Curse of Dragon) struggled, the suddenly doubled gravity pressed both (Gaia) and (Curse of Dragon) firmly to the ground, rendering them immobile!?
"(Gravekeeper's Oracle) can use a number of its three Effects corresponding to the number of Monsters Tributed for its Tribute Summon. Since I only Tributed (Gravekeeper's Priestess) as one Monster, I choose to Activate (Gravekeeper's Oracle)'s third Effect."
"All Monsters on the Opponent's Field will have their ATK and DEF decreased by 2000 points!" Ishizu said, raising her hand and pointing at (Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion), which was pinned to the ground by gravity. "Even the ruler of the skies can only bow its head for the slaughter when suppressed by Power from the earth."
[(Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion)] [ATK 2600 → 600]
"Next, I Activate (Gravekeeper's Visionary)'s Effect. During my Main Phase: at the End Phase of this Turn, I can Add one 'Gravekeeper' Monster or (Necrovalley) Card from my Deck to my Hand." Ishizu prematurely Activated (Gravekeeper's Visionary)'s Effect, then waved her hand and commanded,
"Enter my Battle Phase! (Gravekeeper's Visionary), Attack (Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion)!"
Seeing (Gravekeeper's Visionary) raise its staff, about to Attack (Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion) while it was immobile, Hayato immediately played the Card in his Hand: "Muda da! I Activate the Effect of the invincible (Rainbow Kuriboh)!"
"When an Opponent's Monster Declares an Attack, Equip (Rainbow Kuriboh) from my Hand to that Monster. And a Monster equipped with (Rainbow Kuriboh) cannot Attack, to avoid being charged with LGBT discrimination!"
A beam of rainbow light burst forth from Hayato's Hand. (Rainbow Kuriboh), riding a seven-colored curtain of light, precisely intercepted (Gravekeeper's Visionary)'s Attack, transforming into a circular cage that bound it.
"So, you Sealed (Gravekeeper's Visionary)'s Attack? But I still have another Monster on my Field." Ishizu seemed to have anticipated Hayato holding the life-saving (Rainbow Kuriboh). "(Gravekeeper's Oracle), Attack (Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion)!"
"Divine Judgment!"
Coinciding with Ishizu's Declaration of an Attack, (Gravekeeper's Oracle) raised his Serpent Staff again. A thick Magic Cannon was effortlessly released without any charge-up, directly hitting the immobile (Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion).
[Hayato: 4900 → 3000 LP]
The dust raised by the Attack quickly dispersed in the valley wind. Yet, on Hayato's Field, even though his Life Points had indeed Decreased, (Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion), still suppressed by gravity, remained on the Field.
On Hayato's Back Row, a Set Card was Flipped.
"(Attack Immunity) is a Trap Card that can only be Activated during the Battle Phase." Hayato said, pointing to the Card. "It either makes your Life Point Damage become 0, or makes one Monster immune to Battle and Effect Destruction. Here, I Activate the latter."
"You saved your Monster by Decreasing your own Life Points? I would have thought preserving your Life Points was more important." Ishizu shook her head. "My Turn ends. And because of (Gravekeeper's Visionary)'s Effect, I Add (Throne of Necrovalley) to my Hand."
[Ishizu: 1800 LP, Hand 1]
[(Gravekeeper's Oracle)] [ATK 2000]
[(Gravekeeper's Visionary)] ((Rainbow Kuriboh)) [ATK 2000]
Field: (Necrovalley)
"My Turn, Draw." Adding the top Card of his Deck to his Hand, Hayato sighed, looking at Ishizu's Monsters on the Field. "Just last Turn, I had a huge advantage, but in just one Turn, it's been completely reversed."
"Isn't that the charm of Duel Monsters? Every Draw can change the future, and every second's situation is different from the last." Ishizu said with a smile. "If it weren't for your reminder, Hayato, I would have almost forgotten how fun Dueling is."
When she was a child, Duel Monsters used to be so interesting (referring to how she brought a wry smile to Marik's face with a Gravekeeper's Strategy). When exactly did she start treating Duel Monsters as mere tools and means, instead of a Game?
(Gravekeeper's Oracle), Nickname: Gravekeeper's Big Bro
(Gravekeeper's Visionary), Nickname: Gravekeeper's Second Bro
(Gravekeeper's Spiritualist), Nickname: Gravekeeper's Ancestor
(end of chapter)