"The... World?"
Seeing the monster suddenly appear on his field, Aster was dumbfounded.
[Arcana Force XXI - The World] Level 8│LIGHT│Fairy│3100 ATK
The card art of The World appeared on Aster's field and began to spin.
"Of course,upright!"
Sartorius laughed heartily.
"Then,activate the Normal Spell: Owner's Seal!"
Sartorius triumphantly revealed his Spell Card: "All monsters return to their original owner's field!
"Come back, World!"
The World spun and flew back to Sartorius' field.
"Not done yet! I activate the Spell Card: Selection of Fate! Aster, choose one card in my hand. If it's a monster, it gets Special Summoned!"
"The one on the right."
"Heh,it's a monster card: Arcana Force VI - The Lovers!"
[Arcana Force VI - The Lovers] Level 4│LIGHT│Fairy│1600 ATK
"Now then, Aster, take my attack!" Sartorius cackled.
"Battle! The World attacks directly!"
"At this moment,activate Trap Card: D - Fortune!" Aster swiftly flipped his set card. "When your opponent declares a direct attack: banish 1 Destiny HERO from my Graveyard; end the Battle Phase!"
"I banish Diamond Dude from my Graveyard!"
The World halted its attack and slowly returned to Sartorius' field.
"Heh, lucky break, Aster."
Aster wiped the sweat from his brow calmly.
He had spent the last few days in intense "combat" with his cards, seeking the approval of Destiny HERO - Plasma. His body was in poor shape, and his stamina was running low.
Even so, as long as he didn't take a direct hit, he'd be fine!
He was a professional Duelist. Even with supernatural powers, Sartorius couldn't compare to someone who'd fought through countless dimensions.
"But don't think this is over, Aster!"
"The World is a powerful card,strong enough to control time and fate itself!
"Its monster effect! When in upright position, at the end of the turn, Tribute two monsters on the field to skip your opponent's next turn!"
"What!?" Aster's eyes widened, disbelief in his voice.
How could any monster have such an overpowered effect!?
This was bad,he'd lose his next turn!
That meant he couldn't use Destiny Draw!
He'd miss the chance to draw two cards.
Worse yet,it'd be Sartorius' turn again before Aster could even draw!
"I Tribute The Hierophant and The Lovers to skip your turn!"
"Now it's my turn again. Draw!" Sartorius cheerfully drew a card, while Aster gritted his teeth, helpless.
"Activate Spell Card: Pentacle of Ace."
Pentacle of Ace began to spin, and after a moment,
"Of course, upright!" Sartorius didn't waste time. "Upright effect: draw 1 card, recover 500 LP!"
[Sartorius, LP: 2400 → 2900]
Sartorius drew and examined the card: "Heh heh... Spell Card: Chalice A."
"Upright: I draw 2 cards. Reversed: you draw 2 cards. And of course,it's upright!"
Seeing Sartorius shamelessly doing whatever he pleased, Aster clenched his teeth, visibly annoyed.
"Aster! Don't panic!" Amaki Hikaru cheered him on from the side. "There's still a Battle Phase! Keep calm!"
Hearing that, Aster took a deep breath.
Right.
This turn, Sartorius could still attack!
Sartorius looked at his freshly drawn hand and grinned.
"Now you're finished, Aster!"
"Entering Battle Phase again. The World, attack Aster directly!"
"Transcend Cataclysm!!"
The World raised its claws and struck toward Aster.
"Gwah,!"
Aster was hurled backward by the strike, bounced on the ground, and nearly flew off the bridge. He caught the edge just in time.
[Aster Phoenix, LP: 4000 → 900]
"Aster!?" Hikaru called out, running toward him.
Clutching the ledge, Aster coughed and forced a smile: "I'm fine. Don't worry."
Wings sprouted behind Aster, lifting him upward. Just then, he saw a hand reach down from above. He reached for it,and felt its warmth.
That strength pulled him up, and he saw,another Sartorius was the one helping him.
'Sartorius!?'
Pulled up by that force, Aster stood on the platform again.
'So it was real…'
He took a deep breath.
The voice he heard that day wasn't an illusion,Sartorius was still helping him.
The Sartorius before him was one fully consumed by the Light of Destruction,just like he once was.
He clenched his fist.
Just like Amaki had helped him overcome fate…
He would guide and liberate his friend's soul, and awaken the true Sartorius.
He wiped the dust from his face. His eyes lit up, his whole body radiating strength.
"You recovered? Heh..." Sartorius sneered at Aster now standing before him again. "Yet, now, you face an even more dangerous destiny!
"Still won't give up, Aster?"
"I'll show you that fate isn't immutable!" Despite having nothing on his field, Aster didn't flinch and stared straight ahead.
"Impressive resolve," Sartorius said, unfazed.
"Set one card. Turn end."
Aster took a deep breath.
The World was seriously powerful!
He couldn't let it stay on the field. If it remained, Sartorius would just keep getting turns and he'd lose for sure!
"My turn. Draw!"
He looked at his draw, narrowing his eyes.
'Pot of Greed!'
'Nice!'
Even if he couldn't use Destiny Draw due to The World, luck was still on his side.
"Activate Spell Card: Pot of Greed! Draw 2 cards."
He reached for his Deck, and at that moment, Amaki Hikaru blinked slightly.
In his vision, another figure overlapped with Aster, drawing alongside him.
Sartorius noticed it too,and for the first time, the man with all the momentum stepped back slightly.
"Draw!!"
Aster pulled two cards with force. As he did, a thick scent of blood filled the gleaming white tower, staining its purity with crimson.
Aster's pupils contracted as he looked at one of the cards.
'Destiny HERO - Plasma!'
'As expected,you're angry too, aren't you?'
'Angry at how an evil presence tried to control you!'
'Let's defeat it together!'