[Momoyo, LP 7500]
[Camula, LP 4000]
"My turn, draw!"
Momoyo slid a card from her deck in a swift, practiced motion, her sharp gaze flicking over it before slipping it into her hand. A smirk curled at the corner of her lips.
"Battle!" she commanded, raising her hand dramatically. "Go, Iris, player direct attack!"
At her words, the graceful swordwoman leaped forward, a blur of motion. Her blade shimmered in the dim crimson light of the Vampire Kingdom, cutting through the blood-stained air as she aimed for Camula directly.
Camula's eyes flashed. "Not happening, Trap Card open!" she roared, thrusting her arm forward as one of her set cards burst into light. "Red Ghost Moon! When you declare an attack, I can discard a Zombie monster, and I gain Life Points equal to the ATK of the Attack Position monsters. And end the Battle Phase!"
Her grin turned wicked as she sent Vampire Genesis from her hand to the Graveyard. Shadows coiled around her body, the blood-red moon intensifying its glow as she prepared to absorb the life energy from Momoyo's monster.
But before the crimson mist could reach her, Momoyo snapped her fingers with a smirk. "Counter Trap! Seven Tools of the Bandit. When you activate a trap, I can pay 1000 Life Points and negate it."
[Momoyo, LP 7500 -> 6500]
Camula's confident smirk froze. Her eyelid twitched as the spectral moon behind her flickered and shattered into fragments of light. The effect fizzled, leaving her completely exposed.
"Iris!" Momoyo shouted. "Skyward!"
The swordswoman didn't hesitate, her blade came down in a flash of pure energy, slicing through the shadowy aura around Camula.
"AHHHHHH!" Camula screamed, clutching her chest as the impact of the Shadow Game struck her directly. The pain was real, searing through her like fire.
[Camula, LP 4000 -> 1500]
Smoke curled from the ground as Iris gracefully landed back beside her master, her blade gleaming.
Momoyo pointed forward again, her eyes sharp. "Finish this, Chixiao, player direct attack!"
The crimson-armored warrior roared, leaping forward with his greatsword drawn, ready to deliver the final blow. The shockwave of his swing split the air.
But Camula's rage burned hotter than her fear. "I will not fall to the likes of you!" she snarled, her last set card flipping open in defiance. "Trap Card, Haunted Shrine! Since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon a Zombie monster from my Graveyard!"
A massive shrine rose behind her, covered in pale blue flame. Ghostly white spirits swirled around a spiraling gateway, and from within it stepped a familiar hulking figure, its fangs bared, its roar shaking the hall.
"Return to my side, Vampire Genesis!"
[Vampire Genesis, 3000 ATK]
The towering creature planted its claws into the ground, letting out a bone-rattling roar as it stood protectively before its mistress.
Momoyo's smirk faded slightly, her gaze sharp. "Due to a new monster having appeared on the field, a battle replay occurs… I cancel Chixiao's attack."
The armored warrior froze mid-swing, his blade stopping mere inches from Vampire Genesis's chest before he leapt back, landing beside Iris in a defensive stance.
The air grew still once more, only the low rumble of Vampire Genesis's growl and the flicker of ghostly flames filled the silence.
Momoyo exhaled, calm and composed, her gaze never leaving Camula. "Turn end."
Camula's face twisted into a vicious smirk as her crimson eyes locked onto Momoyo from across the field.
"My turn! Draw!" She snapped, drawing a card with a sharp flick before adding it to her hand.
"I now Normal Summon, Vampire's Curse!"
She slammed the card onto her Duel Disk. From a crimson mist, a tall figure cloaked in tattered black robes emerged, his bloodshot eyes burning with an unholy hunger. The cursed man took his place beside the hulking Vampire Genesis, their combined presence radiating pure malice.
[Vampire's Curse, 2000 ATK]
"Next," Camula continued, her grin widening, "I activate the Continuous Spell, Vampire's Domain!"
A red circle spread beneath her monsters, veins of light pulsing outward like a beating heart. She threw her head back and chuckled darkly.
"Now, my Vampires, attack that brat directly!"
The two undead surged forward, cloaked in the crimson glow of Overpowering Eye, their fangs and claws dripping with murderous energy. The spell prevented them from targeting Momoyo's monsters, but it didn't stop them from going after her.
"I activate Kuriboh's effect!!" Momoyo shouted, discarding the small fuzzy creature from her hand. In a flash, a massive furball materialized, intercepting the first strike from Vampire's Curse before bursting into golden motes of light. "By discarding it, I take no battle damage in this damage calculation!"
The blood-red aura of Vampire Genesis flared, rushing toward her like a wave of pure malice.
"Trap Card, Defense Draw!" Momoyo countered, flipping her face-down card. "At damage calculation, I take no battle damage, and I draw one card!"
A radiant shield of light appeared around her, absorbing the entire attack before dispersing harmlessly. Momoyo calmly drew her next card as the barrier faded.
"Tch! Turn end!" Camula hissed through clenched teeth, frustration twisting her features.
Momoyo narrowed her eyes. "My turn, draw!"
She glanced over the field, her icy gaze steadying on the two Vampires. "Chixiao, attack Vampire's Curse!"
Her armored warrior obeyed instantly, dashing forward in a blur of red and silver, his massive blade cleaving down through the cursed vampire.
[Vampire's Curse, 2000 -> 2500 ATK]
The ground erupted as Chixiao's blade connected, shattering the monster in an explosion of violet flames.
[Camula, LP 1500 -> 1200]
But instead of despair, Camula smiled, a cruel, knowing smirk. "Now, since Vampire's Curse was destroyed and sent to the graveyard. By paying 1000 Life Points, I can Special Summon it and it gains a permanent 500 ATK boost!"
[Camula, LP 1200 -> 200]
[Vampire's Curse, 2000 -> 2500 ATK]
Momoyo frowned, lowering her hand slightly. "Turn end."
Camula chuckled darkly, her jaw stretching unnaturally wide to reveal her razor-sharp fangs and a long tongue. The sound was low, guttural, almost bestial.
"Draw!" she hissed, snapping her wrist to pull the next card from her deck. Without hesitation, she waved her hand forward. "Go, my lovely vampires, direct attack!"
The command echoed through the room. Both vampires, moving like streaks of crimson shadows, darted past Momoyo's monsters and lunged straight toward her.
Empowered by Vampire's Kingdom, their bloodlust surged. During the damage calculation, their strength increased dramatically.
[Vampire's Curse, 2500 -> 3000 ATK]
Momoyo raised her left arm, bracing herself as the Vampire's Curse slashed across her guard. The impact was like being hit by a freight train, sending a shockwave of pain through her body.
[Momoyo, LP 6500 -> 3500]
"And thanks to my Vampire's Domain, each time a Vampire monster inflicts battle damage, I would gain Life Points equal to the damage it deals." Camula said with a wicked grin, as a blood red aura quickly covered her body, recovering her Life Points.
[Camula, LP 200 -> 3200]
From the sidelines, the spectators exchanged worried looks. The dark energy in the air grew heavier, almost suffocating.
"Any last words, uninvited brat?" Camula taunted, her voice dripping with mockery as she glared down at Momoyo, expecting fear or despair.
But Momoyo simply stared back, calm, unshaken, her expression unreadable.
"Bring it, bitch."
The room went dead silent. Even the air seemed to freeze.
Camula's smile twitched, then her face twisted into pure, furious rage.
"I'LL KILL YOU!!" she screeched, her voice echoing with a feral, inhuman edge.
"GO VAMPIRE GENESIS TORE THAT BRAT LIMBS TO LIMBS! HELL VICIOUS BLOOD!!"
The massive vampire roared, unleashing a swirling storm of crimson energy that shot straight toward Momoyo. The gale howled, ready to consume her, until a flash of gold burst forth.
A radiant sword appeared before her, cutting through the crimson storm and holding firm against the assault. The sword then slowly reveals the form of two figures standing side by side protectively in front of her.
[The Golden Swordsoul, 1500 DEF]
"I activate The Golden Swordsoul's effect. When a monster declares an attack, I can Special Summon this card and negate that attack." Momoyo said calmly, ignoring the white bubble-like foam coming out from Camula's mouth as her eyes literally turned bloodshot.
"I set one card..." Camula's trembling hands finally managed to place the card down before reluctantly saying. "Turn... end."
"My turn, draw!"
Momoyo drew her next card, then her eyes widened slightly. A small, grateful smile curved on her lips.
"Thank you… my deck," she murmured softly. The faint shimmer of spirit energy pulsed from her Duel Disk, almost as if unseen allies had guided her card.
Her gaze hardened as she looked up. "I activate the Spell Card, Heavy Storm! Destroy all cards in the Spell and Trap Zones!"
A powerful storm quickly swept the entire field, destroying all Spell and Trap cards along with it.
A violent wind howled across the field, tearing everything apart. Dark clouds spiraled above as a roaring tempest engulfed both sides, shattering cards, dispelling enchantments, and sweeping away every last trace of Vampire Kingdom and Camula's remaining defenses, as the arena turned back to the dark, dim castle hall.
Camula grit her teeth, fury burning in her eyes. Watching her carefully built field collapse in seconds pushed her temper past the breaking point.
"My… Kingdom!" she hissed, her voice trembling with rage.
But she quickly snapped herself back. "One of the cards you destroyed was my Zombie Bed! When this set card is destroyed, I can Special Summon one Zombie monster from my graveyard!"
She thrust her arm toward the graveyard as a surge of black mist poured out, spiraling upward. "Rise again, Wicked Shadow Dark Lurker!"
From the ground emerged a spectral figure cloaked in rags, its lower half a swirling mass of darkness. Its bony hands gripped a massive scythe as it floated ominously beside her.
[Wicked Shadow Dark Lurker, 2600 DEF]
"One of the cards destroyed by my own Heavy Storm was my Trap Card, Dowsing Point," Momoyo said calmly, her tone unfazed despite Camula's glare. "When this card is destroyed. It allows me to add one Monster Card from my Deck to my hand."
She pulled her deck out, selecting a card before revealing it. "I choose Swordsoul Strategist Longyuan."
Then she raised her hand. "I tribute The Golden Swordsoul to Normal Summon Longyuan!"
The two golden warriors split apart into a stream of light, merging and reforming into a new figure, a calm yet powerful man with a golden blade resting on his shoulder.
[Swordsoul Strategist Longyuan, 1200 ATK]
"The condition is Longyan himself and another Wyrm monster. I sent Longyuan and Chixiao to the grave to Contact Fusion!" Momoyo waved her hands as the two monsters jumped into a spiral vortex, merging into one being.
A massive figure stepped onto the field, massive red and blue armor, long flowing white mane, holding a massive crimson great sword in one hand.
"Come forth! Swordsoul Supreme Sovereign - Chengying!"
[Swordsoul Supreme Sovereign - Chengying, 3000 ATK]
"Longyan's effect, when he is sent from the field to the graveyard because of a fusion summon, I can inflict 1200 damage to your Life Points!" Momoyo said as a golden energy sword slash came out from her graveyard, hitting Camula directly.
"Ahhh!" She screams, feeling the phantom pain from the effect.
[Camula, LP 3200 -> 2000]
"Chengying's continuous effect, for each banished card, this card gains 100 ATK and DEF while your monster loses the same amount." Momoyo continue adding more fuel to Camula's hatred toward her.
[Swordsoul Supreme Sovereign - Chengying, 3000 -> 3700 ATK]
[Vampire Genesis, 3000 -> 2300 ATK]
[Vampire's Curse, 2500 -> 1800 ATK]
[Wicked Shadow Dark Lurker, 2600 -> 1900 DEF]
Camula's face twisted with panic as she shouted, "I activate Vampire's Domain's effect from my graveyard! The turn this card is destroyed and sent there, I take no battle damage involving my Vampire monsters!"
Momoyo smirked slightly. "Your last desperate struggle, huh?"
She raised her hand. "Go! Iris! Chengying! Destroy Vampire Genesis and Dark Lurker!"
Both warriors moved at once, Iris cutting through the shadowy phantom with a blinding slash, while Chengying leapt into the air and cleaved the massive vampire in half with a single, devastating swing. The shockwave shattered the remnants of Camula's field.
Smoke and ash filled the air as Momoyo lowered her arm. "Turn end," she said confidently, her voice steady and sure.
With the tide of the duel completely turned to Momoyo's favor, the other watching all began to cheer, including Zane. He knew firsthand just how powerful Chengying really is, the fact that she even brings out her boss monster, meaning she is ready to end this duel.
"My turn..." Camula said, her hand shaking as she placed her finger on top of her deck.
It took her a second or two to collect herself and stop her trembling hand.
"Draw!"
Camula's hand trembled for a moment as she drew her final card, then a slow, sinister smile spread across her face. Her lips twisted, stretching unnaturally as she began to chuckle… softly at first, then louder.
"Hahaha… HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
The laughter erupted like madness itself. Her mouth stretched wide, revealing her razor-sharp fangs and her long tongue. Shadows coiled around her form, twisting with her laughter.
The onlookers tensed immediately. Even the air grew colder, heavier. Zane narrowed his eyes; Alexis took a cautious step back. Jaden, Chazz, and Celina tensed up. Bastion feels a bit uneasy. Syrus and Chumley were terrified.
Finally, Camula stopped laughing. She wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye and grinned at Momoyo with pure, deranged delight.
"Looks like Lady Luck really didn't abandon me after all," she purred.
Then she raised her card high. "Spell Card, Illusion Gate!"
As she slammed the card onto her Duel Disk, a massive, ancient stone gate erupted from the ground behind her. Its surface was covered in eerie carvings. The entire field darkened as the gate began to hum with a deep, otherworldly tone.
A thick wave of pressure rolled out from it, ominous, suffocating.
Everyone else froze, eyes wide.
Yumi crossed his arms, brows furrowed as he tried to recall the name. He knew that card, but he couldn't fully recall its effect.
"First," Camula began, her grin growing sharper, "this card lets me destroy every monster on your side of the field!"
The gate creaked open, unleashing a blinding white light that swept across the arena, consuming everything in its path.
Momoyo's eyes narrowed. She snapped her fingers. "Chengying's effect, activate!"
A crimson sigil flared beneath her feet as she declared, "When this card would be destroyed by a card effect, I can banish one card from my Graveyard instead!"
A surge of red flame burst from her Duel Disk, and Swordsoul Strategist Longyuan was pulled from the grave, vanishing into light. Chengying stood tall, his armor pulsing with fiery energy as the light from the Illusion Gate was repelled.
[Swordsoul Supreme Sovereign - Chengying, 3700 -> 3800 ATK]
Camula hissed through her teeth, her expression twisting with frustration, then slowly shifting into something darker. She smiled, almost too calmly.
"Now… let me tell you something interesting," she said, her voice dropping into a low, velvety whisper.
A phantom copy of herself stepped out from the gate, an eerie reflection of her. The crowd collectively took a step back.
"This card allows me to Special Summon any monster from your Graveyard, ignoring its summoning conditions."
Momoyo's eyes flickered in mild surprise, but her calm demeanor didn't falter.
Camula continued, her tone dripping with twisted pride. "Of course… the price for such power..." she placed a hand over her chest, smiling as her body pulsed faintly with red light, "...is my very own soul."
Camula's eyes glowed. "If I lose this duel," she said, almost mockingly, "my soul will be devoured by the Phantasms themselves."
Her smirk grew sharper, her fangs glinting in the dim crimson light. "However…" she tilted her head slightly, her tone turning playfully malicious, "since this is a Shadow Game, I think I'll make it a little more fun."
Her gaze locked directly onto Yumi. "For instance..." she purred, "what if I asked your little brother… to be my stand-in?"
A wave of cold dread washed through the room.
Momoyo's eyes narrowed instantly. The atmosphere thickened, the dark aura from the gate coiling like serpents, reaching toward the distracted Yumi.
"Yumi, run!" Momoyo shouted, panic lacing her voice, a tone so raw that even Zane, watching from the side, froze. He had never once heard her sound like that.
Yumi: "Heh?"
Yumi blinked, snapping out of his thoughts on why he never liked cards like Illusion Gate that made the game less fun. He barely had time to register what was happening.
The Spirit Camula was already dragging him toward her.
Yumi froze not from fear but from the irony of this whole event.
Out of everyone Camula could have picked to use as her hostage, she actually picked the hidden boss!?