The ultimate demon of Arcana Force, the ruler of darkness, Arcana Force EX - The Dark Ruler!
The design is identical to the Light Dominator, a massive monster with two fierce heads, but its body isn't entirely black like the Light Dominator; it's more reddish.
This scene is indeed bizarre. Clearly, the Neo-Spacians, belonging to the "Cosmic Darkness" camp, are using the power of light, while Saiou's side, known as "Light of Destruction," has a trump card called "The Dark Ruler."
So surely someone is on the wrong side...
Saiou: The more I pursue the ultimate light, the more I realize the power of light has limits, so I shall not wield the light!
[Arcana Force EX - The Dark Ruler, Attack Power 4000]
"The effect of 'Light Barrier' allows me to choose the upright or reverse position when summoning an Arcana Force monster!" Saiou shouted, "I choose the upright position!
Arcana Force EX - The Dark Ruler's upright effect! This card can attack twice in one Battle Phase!"
"An attack power of four thousand, and it can strike twice?" Judai exclaimed in surprise.
"Go ahead! First, the attack of 'Light Dominator!'" Saiou shouted, "Attack 'Elemental Hero Neos'! You and your Neo-Spacian partner, perish together, Yuki Judai!"
But Judai wasn't hesitant: "Activate the set card! Quick-Play Magic 'Mystik Wok'!"
The Elemental Hero Neos, with its effect nullified, had an attack power of only 2500, which would result in a direct 1500 battle damage. With Judai's remaining Life Points only at 1200, he would lose directly.
In that case, rather than being annihilated by the Light Dominator, it was better to fry it up and eat it himself.
"Mystik Wok, activate the effect! Sacrifice a monster on your field to recover Life Points equivalent to its higher attack or defense value!"
Elemental Hero Neos nodded towards Judai, as if signaling, "Don't hesitate to use my body."
"I sacrifice 'Elemental Hero Neos' to restore 2500 Life Points!"
A large pot appeared beneath Neos, and flames rapidly rose from its bottom. Elemental Hero Neos quickly disappeared into the blazing red pot.
[Judai, LP 1200 →LP 3700]
"Heh, a futile struggle." Saiou scoffed, "Well then, Battle Recall, Light Dominator! Attack 'Elemental Hero Flare Neos'!"
In the Light Barrier, all Neo-Spacians were unable to exert their power, and even Flare Neos, known for its attack power, was weakened, leaving no room for resistance against the Light Dominator. In an instant, its body was pierced through.
[Judai, LP 3700 →LP 2200]
"Light Dominator's upright position effect allows you to add a card from the graveyard to your hand when you destroy an opponent's monster in battle." Saiou drew out the card ejected from the graveyard. "I add the Trap Card 'Hierophant's Staff' to my hand.
And at this moment, 'Light Barrier's' effect activates! Restore Life Points equal to the attack power of the monster destroyed in battle!"
[Saiou, LP 700 →LP 3200]
"Then, the battle continues! Arcana Force EX - The Dark Ruler attacks 'Elemental Hero Grand Neos'!"
The Dark Ruler raised its two heads, opened its bloodthirsty jaws, and chaotic blasts erupted from the dragons' mouths, with Grand Neos quickly blasted into fragments!
[Judai, LP 2200 →LP 700]
"Once again, activate the 'Light Barrier' effect!" Saiou said, "I restore Life Points equal to Elemental Hero Grand Neos's attack power!"
[Saiou, LP 3200 →LP 5700]
"This brings it to an end!" Saiou shouted, "Arcana Force EX - The Dark Ruler's upright position effect: It can attack twice in one Battle Phase!
It's over, Yuki Judai! The Dark Ruler's direct attack!"
Destructive light erupted, yet it seemingly encompassed world-ending darkness within the white glow!
"...'Necro Gardna,' activate the effect!" Judai revealed the card ejected from the graveyard. "By banishing Necro Gardna from the graveyard, you can negate an opponent's attack once!"
The phantom of the undead guardian appeared on the field, and the dark impact was dispersed like water striking a stubborn stone!
"What? There's still a countermeasure?" Saiou was stunned.
With endless, unpredictable Hand Pits and Grave Pits, rapid filtering and luxurious burst killing capability... At this moment, Saiou looked at Judai and, in a daze, had an illusion of facing Youyu.
At such a young age, he has already inherited the true essence of the Duel King!
Saiou was increasingly astonished, and considering that the opponent even possessed the power of "Cosmic Darkness," serving as the master of the Neo-Spacians, if he grows up in the future...
Tsk~ Cannot be left!
"Arcana Force EX - The Dark Ruler, after its second attack, must switch to defense position."
[Arcana Force EX - The Dark Ruler, ATK 4000 → DEF 4000]
"Set two cards." Saiou paused, speaking coldly, "Next comes your troublesome 'Sea Turtle Kaiju'... If you use it to swallow my monster again, it'll be a real nuisance.
Then, I activate the Magic Card 'Card Destruction'! Both players discard all cards in hand to the Graveyard, then draw the same number of cards!"
"Ah." Judai glanced at the "Sea Turtle Kaiju - Gamuiel" in his hand, reluctantly discarding it to the Graveyard.
Just seconds ago, he was indeed planning to use the Sea Turtle to devour the Dark Ruler...
"Turn end."
"Phew~ That was close, really close." Judai exhaled deeply, but soon his spirit surged even more, "Alright! Now it's my turn, time to counterattack!"
Saiou looked at him filled with enthusiasm and couldn't help but frown.
This kid, has he not realized how serious this situation is?
Even at this point, he's still joyfully playing cards? Is he some kind of fool?
"My turn, draw!" Judai said.
The phantom form of Neos floated out again: "Judai, we must find a way to deal with that 'Light Barrier'! Restricted by this barrier, we can't do anything!"
"Yes, I know!" Judai nodded firmly, then revealed a card, "I activate the Magic Card 'Convert Contact' from my hand! It can only be activated when there are no monsters on your side of the field.
Discard one 'Neo-Spacian' from your hand and Deck to the Graveyard, then draw two cards from your Deck!"
Judai placed two cards into the Graveyard.
"I discard 'Neo-Spacian Dark Panther' from my hand and 'Neo-Spacian Glow Moss' from my Deck to the Graveyard, drawing two cards!"
"Magic Card 'Legacy of a Hero,' if there are two or more level 4 or higher 'Hero' monsters in your Graveyard, draw three cards from your Deck!" (Original effect)
"Magic Card 'Silent Doom'! Special Summon a Normal Monster from the Graveyard in defense position!
I Special Summon the 'Elemental Hero Neos' that was sent to the Graveyard from my Deck last turn through the effect of 'Hero Mask'!"
A waterfall-like beam of light exploded, and Neos appeared on stage with a handsome pose!
[Elemental Hero Neos, DEF 2000]
"It's him again." Saiou sneered, "At this point, what can a mere Neos do?"
"Don't rush, let me show you the might of Neos!" Judai shouted, "Magic Card 'Wrath of Neos' activate! Choose one 'Elemental Hero Neos' on your field, return it to the Deck, and destroy all cards on the field!"
"What!?" Saiou was shocked.
This Neos actually possesses such immense power?
And critically, this ability comes from a Magic Card exclusive to Neos, not a Monster Effect. Neos himself is an exquisite Normal Monster, with no effects, thus making the shackles of 'Light Barrier' invalid...
Neos flew into the sky, arms spread, the blue crystal on his chest emitted dazzling light! The storm of energy ravaged the entire field, and the barrier trembled.
Saiou's Light Dominator, Dark Ruler, Light Barrier... all he carefully maintained was about to be wiped out by Neos's full-force strike!
"Not so fast!" Saiou yelled, "Activate Set Card! Trap Card 'Hierophant's Staff'! During this turn, my cards cannot be destroyed!" (Animation card)
He laughed heartily.
"What a pity, Neos almost reversed the situation, but it's a shame, it turns out I have the upper hand..."
"Judai!" Neos in mid-air shouted.
"I know!" Judai roared, "Quick-Play Magic 'Mystical Space Typhoon'! Destroy one Magic or Trap Card on the field! I destroy the Field Magic 'Light Barrier'!"
Saiou: "!"
He instantly understood the strategy.
'Hierophant's Staff' is the card Saiou retrieved with the effect of 'Light Dominator' last turn, how could Judai not know he had this protective shell?
Judai deliberately activated 'Wrath of Neos' first, forcing him to use 'Hierophant' for protection, and then immediately used Quick-Play Magic 'Mystical Space Typhoon' to chain 'Hierophant', blowing away this barrier before the protective resistance could take effect...
He was completely outmaneuvered!
While thinking this, Neos turned into a beam of light and flew back to Judai's Deck. Simultaneously, the barrier on the field was shattered by the Mystical Space Typhoon, struck by lightning into fragments.
"Great! Now we can use my Monster Effects!" Judai confidently proclaimed, "The real battle is just beginning!"