"Transform the Elemental Hero... into a Demon?" Judai was shocked.
"I will also use 'Elemental Hero Blazing Lady' from my hand to fuse with 'Elemental Hero Wingman' on the field!" said the Overlord. "Transcend into darkness, utterly incinerating everything with Hellfire—
—Evil Heart Hero: Karmic Fire Wing Demon!!!"
Judai widened his eyes, watching as Wingman and Blazing Lady merged into the pitch-black fusion vortex. Inside, dark lightning erupted, carving paths of cracks on the ground.
The spiraling darkness solidified into a form: first the slender arms, then a lean torso, followed by the outline of claws. Enormous, demon-like bone wings unfurled, with a mass of karmic fire exploding behind, encasing the image of the evil hero in flames. Its lips seemed to curl in a cruel smile.
[Evil Heart Hero: Karmic Fire Wing Demon, Attack Power 2100]
The Karmic Fire Wing Demon flapped its wings, hovering in midair, facing off against Judai's Flame Winged People, their auras clashing invisibly in the air.
"An evil version of Flame Winged People?" Judai said gravely.
"No, just a stronger, perfect version," the Overlord said coldly. "Activate the Equipment Magic 'Fallen Evil Claw' from my hand, equipping it to 'Evil Heart Hero: Karmic Fire Wing Demon.'
A metallic claw was equipped onto the hand of the Evil Heart Hero. The darkened hero toyed with the coldly gleaming blades, seeming to show an appreciative smile, creating transparent streaks in the air with its swings.
"The monster equipped with Fallen Evil Claw has its attack power increased by 300."
[Evil Heart Hero: Karmic Fire Wing Demon, Attack Power 2100→Attack Power 2400]
"Additionally, if the equipped monster is destroyed in battle, this card can return to the hand as a substitute," said the Overlord, "and it can destroy another monster on the field outside of battle."
Judai: "Such a powerful equipment?"
"Battle," said the Overlord. "Evil Heart Hero: Karmic Fire Wing Demon, tear that weak reflection apart."
The Karmic Fire Wing Demon was already itching to go, now impatiently flying forth.
Flame Winged People also flapped its wings, soaring into the air as the righteous and evil heroes clashed repeatedly at high speeds.
But in the end, Flame Winged People was overpowered; as it extended its dragon head, the Karmic Fire Wing Demon caught its arm, and with a swift reverse slash of the Fallen Evil Claw, it violently tore open Flame Winged People's abdomen.
Flame Winged People staggered back, the Karmic Fire Wing Demon let out a sharp laugh, and sprinted forward to stomp on Flame Winged People's chest. Flame Winged People plummeted and crashed into the ground, creating a massive crater.
[Judai, LP4000→ LP3700]
"Then comes the effect of the Karmic Fire Wing Demon," said the Overlord. "When the Evil Heart Hero: Karmic Fire Wing Demon destroys a monster in battle, it inflicts damage equal to the higher of that destroyed monster's attack or defense power."
The Karmic Fire Wing Demon laughed shrilly, raising its arms. Sparks ignited beneath Judai's feet, as if the hellfire from the depths of the earth was about to erupt.
"Counterattack Trap 'Damage Polarizing Shield'!" Judai immediately countered. "Negate the effect that inflicts damage and have both sides draw a card from their decks!"
A mirror-like smooth shield appeared. The hellfire was wholly blocked by the shield, deflecting and dispersing in all directions.
The Karmic Fire Wing Demon's effect didn't take hold, but the Overlord remained calm.
"A meaningless delay," said the Overlord. "I set two cover cards, ending my turn."
Judai let out a soft breath.
This is the darkened version of Flame Winged People. This suffocating feeling—is this the pressure of power?
Or is it...
He stared at the Karmic Fire Wing Demon, seeing its cruel smile and its eyes, like they were enjoying toying with prey.
For some reason, it seemed to convey... sorrow.
Judai shook his head, brushing away the unnecessary thoughts.
No matter how you look, the situation isn't good. The enhanced Karmic Fire Wing Demon has abilities surpassing those of Flame Winged People. Take for example when Judai attacked the Overlord last turn—even if Judai summoned Clayman for defense, if struck by the Karmic Fire Wing Demon, he'd still suffer severe damage from Clayman's defense power of 2000 since its defensive value is higher.
Moreover, the Karmic Fire Wing Demon is equipped with the Fallen Evil Claw. Even if he managed to summon a monster with higher attack, recklessly attacking won't defeat the opponent. Instead, it might trigger the Fallen Evil Claw's effect, causing damage back to himself...
No matter it.
Strategizing was never really Yuki Judai's style; he was better at following his instincts.
"My turn, draw!" Judai said. "Activate the Magic Card 'Pot of Magic Book.' Each player draws three cards from their Deck."
Both players drew three cards. Glancing at the new hero in his hand, Judai immediately made up his mind.
"My Elemental Heroes may not match the strength of the demon-transformed Dark Heroes, but they will never give up easily!" Judai declared, raising his head. "Once again, I activate the Field Spell effect of 'Gate of Fusion'!
By banishing monsters in my hand as Fusion Material, I'll conduct a Fusion Summon!"
"This time you won't succeed," said the Overlord. "Activate the Cover Card, Trap Card 'Sand Tornado.'
Destroy any Magic or Trap Card on the field with the sandstorm."
The Overlord pointed at the fusion vortex above Judai.
"Destroy the Field Spell 'Gate of Fusion.'
The whirlwind swept across, even dispersing the black hole vortex in the wind. Judai raised his arm to shield himself from the storm, as the duel disc's slot and the destroyed Field Spell were ejected together.
"Now you can't use that field for fusion anymore," the Overlord said. "Plus, Sand Tornado's follow-up effect allows him to set a Magic or Trap Card from his hand to the field."
He drew another card from his hand and set it in the backfield.
Despite the fusion's failure, Judai was undaunted: "Then I activate the Magic Card 'Fusion Sage,' adding the Magic Card 'Fusion' from my Deck to my hand.
Then the Magic Card 'Fusion' is activated!"
He drew out two of his monster cards, tossing them skyward. In midair, each card transformed into a hero's form: the blue Electric Snake coiled around a hero in a blue tight suit, and the image of a hero as solid as a barrier in heavy armor.
"Fuse Elemental Hero Lightning Hero and Elemental Hero Clayman!"
The two heroes merged once more into the fusion vortex, as if swallowed by a black hole. Within the black hole's swirling center, colors burst forth, like a multitude of stars caught in an endless dance.
Suddenly, brilliant golden lightning burst from the vortex's depth, akin to the first light of dawn piercing the chaotic fog. Torrential currents formed powerful steel arms, sturdy legs, and countless fine currents and energy strands wove into heavy armor, evolving into an electrified giant standing tall.
Elemental Hero Thunder Giant, summoned!