Vampire Genesis, summon!
A hurricane tore through the field. A massive purple-black silhouette took form within the gale. The giant bloodkin's arrival carried the rush of wind and the stink of blood; it bared its dangerous fangs.
[Vampire Genesis, ATK 3000]
Zane's expression had grown solemn. "Vampire... Genesis."
And he had no monsters left to serve as a wall.
"Pay me back—principal and interest—in one hit!" Camula snapped. "Vampire Genesis, direct attack!"
The hulking bloodkin crossed the field in a stride and hammered Kaiser's chest. The dull impact made him feel his organs shift; blood surged up his throat.
[Zane, LP 4000 → LP 1000]
He went pale, staggered back two steps, and nearly collapsed to his knees.
This is... a Shadow Duel.
Pain so real it makes you feel the weight of your life bound to the duel. In such duels, every clash is steeped in blood; it's not just about victory or defeat—it's life and death.
Only victory lets you live?
Zane gasped for breath and looked down at his hands—unconsciously trembling, beyond his control.
"I set two cards. Turn end!"
Camula declared, chin high, chest out. Confidence returned to her as she giggled at the half-kneeling Zane.
"Now you're looking a little cute again. You'd make a lovely doll."
"Doll?" Zane frowned.
"This."
Camula plucked something that had been hanging at her waist. It looked like a small doll.
"This one's specially for you," she giggled. "If you lose, you'll be sealed into this little doll.
You come out when I call you. You do what I tell you."
She paused, licking her lips.
"Hehe... don't worry, I won't make you do anything strange. Just give me healthy, strong babies..."
She wasn't even joking. Her vampire line had flourished in the Middle Ages, but by now it had long since declined. When the master behind the Shadow Riders awakened her, she learned she was the last of her clan. Overwhelmed by grief and loneliness, she made reviving the bloodline her sole goal.
In short—she needed to have children.
With handsome, capable men.
Of course, not too capable—the ones stronger than her, she couldn't handle...
"Don't be ridiculous!"
Zane forced himself up, fighting spirit blazing again.
If he lost, he'd become that doll and spend the rest of his life as a plaything under this vampire's control. Better a clean death by the sword.
No. He refused to lose.
"My turn—draw!" Zane shouted. "I activate the Spell Card, Card of Adversity! If my opponent controls a Special Summoned monster and I control none, I draw two cards!" (anime-original card)
He drew two.
"I Normal Summon Proto-Cyber Dragon!"
[Proto-Cyber Dragon, ATK 1100]
"I activate the Spell Card, Power Bond! Fusion Summon a Machine Fusion Monster using Fusion Materials from my hand or field!"
His expression hardened; he raised his voice.
"I Fusion Summon my old friend... Cyber End Dragon!"
Camula reeled. "But two of your Cyber Dragons are in the Graveyard, and one is already banished—how will you fuse—"
"Quick-Play Spell, Cybernetic Fusion Support!" Zane cut in. "I pay half my Life Points. This turn, when Fusion Summoning a Machine monster, I can banish monsters from my hand, field, or Graveyard as Fusion Materials!"
[Zane, LP 1000 → LP 500]
"You can pick materials from anywhere!?" For a moment, Camula felt the card was overpowered—but she quickly added, "Wait, even if you can choose from hand, field, or Graveyard, I already banished one of your Cyber Dragons—"
"Proto-Cyber Dragon on the field can be treated as 'Cyber Dragon'!"
Zane swept his arm.
"I banish Proto-Cyber Dragon on the field and two 'Cyber Dragon's from my Graveyard to perform the ultimate fusion! Lend me your power once more—let the light of evolution shatter everything—
—Cyber End Dragon, summon!!!"
A fortress-like steel dragon descended, three heads writhing amid crackling arcs as it roared with the grind of heavy metal!
[Cyber End Dragon, ATK 4000]
"Power Bond's effect—double the ATK of the Fusion Summoned monster!"
[Cyber End Dragon, ATK 4000 → ATK 8000]
Instantly soaring to eight thousand—so powerful even Camula felt a chill.
After being swept by a banlist-tier field wipe, to call out such a terrifying monster in a single heartbeat from such a disadvantage—
He was about to OTK her again.
Camula swore inwardly.
Are all Duel Academy students monsters!?
How does picking a random handsome one get me this level of opponent every time?
"Cyber End Dragon—attack!" Zane cried. "Eternal Evolution Burst!!!"
The three heads opened wide. Light poured from its maws like a flood; the purple-black giant vampire and Camula's delicate face were washed ghost-pale.
"Before your attack... I activate the Trap 'Reckless Greed'!" Camula said. "Draw two cards, then skip my next two Draw Phases!"
She was clearly pinning it all on the last draw. But relying on a single draw to survive an 8000-ATK steel dragon's fury wasn't very realistic.
She immediately continued: "I activate my other set card!
The Trap Card, 'Red Ghost Moon'!" (anime-original card)
A bizarre red moon floated overhead. Its face resembled a human visage, smirking mockingly from within swirling clouds.
"When the opponent declares an attack, discard an Zombie from your hand to recover Life Points equal to the attacking monster's ATK... and forcibly end the Battle Phase!"
Zane's face changed. "What!?"
"I discard a second copy of 'Vampire Lord' from my hand."
Camula revealed the Zombie in hand and discarded it. She spread her arms as if for an embrace, a cold smile on her lips.
"Come, then—let me accept the entirety of your Cyber End Dragon's unleashed power!"