Uria, Lord of Searing Flames and Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder are now on Kagemaru's field, along with one Magic Trap each specifically tailored for these Phantasms.
To be fair, the lineup is quite impressive. Regardless of combat value, just the hefty presence of Hamon and Uria is enough to keep most people from even looking up.
Not only are the Phantasms themselves a hassle, but those two back row cards corresponding to them, "Thunder of Fallen" and "Hyper Blaze," are also quite troublesome.
The primary threat among them is especially the "Thunder of Fallen," which, as long as Hamon is present, can negate one of Youyu's Magic Trap effects each turn—a real nuisance.
And in a Phantasm Deck that's functioning well, the Three Phantasms can jump in and out from the hand, deck, and graveyard repeatedly as standard procedure. Even if Hamon is taken down, there's still a good chance it will make a comeback next turn.
Therefore, the urgent priority is still figuring out how to deal with this troublesome Continuous Magic.
"Activate the Equip Magic 'The Sword in the Stone' from my hand," Youyu revealed a card, "and equip it to 'Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion' on the field.
As a trade-off for relinquishing my drawing phase, the equipped Monster's original Attack Power doubles." (Animation card)
The sword embedded in the stone stands upright in the ground, and the Dark Knight rides a golden dragon swooping down, wielding a godly sword shimmering with gold.
"Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion" already gained an additional 2600 Attack Power under the effect of "Spiral Fusion," and now its original Attack Power doubles again, meaning an extra 2600 is added!
[Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion, Attack Power 5200 → Attack Power 8800]
"Eight thousand eight hundred Attack Power?"
While Gaia's Attack Power was already higher than the two Phantasms on his field, Kagemaru always seemed confident until now. But upon seeing this Attack Power number, even more exaggerated than the potential Power Bond-doubled Cyber End Dragon, his expression finally changed a bit.
Having calculated the weight of this level of attack might be hard to withstand, Kagemaru then shouted, "The effect of Continuous Magic 'Thunder of Fallen'!
While Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder is in Attack Mode on the field, once per turn, it can negate the opponent's Magic, Trap effect activation!"
Kagemaru's arm descended.
"Hamon! Negate the effect of 'The Sword in the Stone'!"
The Magic Card in front of Hamon gleamed with a pale blue light, a beam shot into the sky, and turned into crashing thunder that struck the divine sword held by Gaia. The Light Saber instantly lost all its brilliance, golden sparks dispersed, and the blade dulled and shattered.
[Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion, Attack Power 8800 → Attack Power 5200]
Gaia's Attack Power amplification failed, and Hamon, having used "Thunder of Fallen," switched to Defense mode.
[Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder, Attack Power 4000 → Defense Power 4000]
However, the effect negation ability, which can only be used once per turn, was consumed.
A card emerged from Youyu's Grave Zone next: "The effect of 'Galaxy Cyclone' in the graveyard. Banish this card from the game to destroy a face-up Magic or Trap Card on the field.
I'll destroy the Continuous Magic 'Thunder of Fallen'."
A whirlwind rose from the sky, a white storm carried the card into the air, shredding it under wind pressure.
The layers of lightning armor entwining Hamon also dissipated, the oppressive aura around the Phantasms visibly weakened a bit.
Kagemaru clicked his tongue: "Hmph, the card discarded last turn... such luck."
With the dispelling of "Thunder of Fallen," Youyu's Magic Trap effects finally flowed unimpeded. Naturally, he immediately proceeded with the next step.
"Continuous Magic 'Treasure of Survival'!"
Though Kagemaru played a card draw similar to a Fake Card, "Fallen Paradise," no problem, Youyu indicated he has such Fake Cards too!
"'Treasure of Survival,' allows me to draw three cards from my deck when a Monster is Special Summoned from the graveyard to the field by either side."
Youyu promptly revealed another card.
"The effect of 'Magicians' Souls'!" Youyu declared, "Send 'Dark Eradicator Warlock' from the deck to the graveyard to activate its effect!
By sending 'Magicians' Souls' from the hand to the graveyard, I can Special Summon 'Mage' from the graveyard!"
Magicians' Souls and Eradicator Warlock were respectively discarded from hand and deck into the Duel Disc Grave Zone, an array appeared on the ground, magical lines intersected, and the cloaked magician, who had transformed into a Chaos Mage the previous turn, appeared again, fearlessly facing the colossal demon god.
[Black Magician, Defense Power 2100]
"At this moment, the effect of 'Treasure of Survival'." Youyu stated, "As 'Mage' is revived, I draw three cards from the deck!"
Kagemaru scoffed: "No concern, the mere power of a Magician is pointless before the Phantasms."
"Quick-Play Magic 'Fusion Dispel'." Youyu swung his arm, "Return the Fusion Monster on the field to the deck, and Special Summon the Fusion Materials from the graveyard.
I will dispel the fusion of 'Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion'!"
Kagemaru was startled: "Willingly relinquishing your strongest trump card!?"
Understanding "Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion" has the highest Attack Power on the field right now—an Attack Power of 5200 is even two hundred higher than the current Searing Flame Lord.
In this situation, he's actually going to willingly relinquish his advantage, dispelling the fusion of his strongest trump card?
What's he thinking?
But amidst Kagemaru's surprise, the fusion of "Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion" has already been dispelled, transforming into the armored Dark Knight and the golden dragon.
[Gaia the Fierce Knight, Attack Power 2300]
[Curse of Dragonfire, Attack Power 2000]
"At this moment, the effect of 'Treasure of Survival' activated again." Youyu stated, "Because a Monster was Specially Summoned from the graveyard, I draw three cards!"
Watching the opponent quickly replenishing his hand, Kagemaru frowned and fell into bewilderment.
Is it merely for hand replenishment?
Or does he have ulterior motives?
But Kagemaru would soon know the answer...
...in a profoundly unforgettable way.
After reaching this step, Youyu paused for a short moment.
He looked up, glanced at Kagemaru's field with its endless majesty, powerful to the point of inducing hallucination, then scanned Kagemaru's face and revealed a playful smile.
Almost every cell in Kagemaru's body instinctively warned him.
Simultaneously wielding Phantasm power and being partly possessed by Phantasms, Kagemaru had an extraordinary perception ability.
And at this moment, he felt fear... instinctive fear against certain mighty existences, unknown powers.
He guessed what he feared, and further guessed that the "entity" he had always dreaded deep down might have already been dormant in Youyu's hand after that massive draw.
More terrifyingly, the ritual's conditions have been prepared.
"Keeper of Dragon Magic, Gaia the Knight, Curse of Dragonfire. I offer these three Monsters as sacrifices!"
A card was drawn from his hand, raised high, pointing towards the deep sky.
Thunder flickered, and the dense clouds above the Phantasms seemed to suddenly rebel. Even the thunder under "Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder" acted like defectors, exploding on Youyu's field.
"Through the Netherworld and reality, amidst chaotic celestial thunder, appear—
—Slifer the Sky Dragon, descend!!!"