Lost...
Ameluda looked up at the sky, a bit dazed.
He waited for about two seconds before realizing he wasn't dead, and his soul was still safely in his body. Then he reacted—
—Oh, it wasn't a Dark Duel after all.
Back then, Ameluda was like the other two members of the Doma Three Musketeers, all of whom gained dark powers through the Orichalcos Barrier. But after Dazi's downfall, and the trio's redemption, they no longer had the power of the barrier.
However, Ameluda's experiences in Doma unlocked his talent for Dark Games. Even without relying on the barrier, he learned how to use the Dark Game. In recent years, he established a league of Dark Duelists, using the power of Dark Duels to punish evil and promote good, compensating, in some way, for his past wrongdoings as a Doma Swordsman.
So over the years, he's played quite a few Life Bet Cards and honed his skills.
Having gotten used to playing Life Bet Cards, he instinctively thought he was going to die when his Life Points hit zero today.
He immediately realized, oh, today the Dark Game wasn't on. The only reason everything felt dark was because his opponent's duel was a bit shady.
People say a duelist's mind is reflected in their cards, and now, having eaten the Lava Demon God three times in one game, Ameluda couldn't help but wonder if this person's mind wasn't a bit shady too...
"Amazing, Yugen, even Ameluda isn't your match." Keihei came up and patted his back, smiling, "Looks like you might even be able to hold your own against my brother now."
This semester was more than halfway through, and the six-month agreement with the president was nearing. By the end of the term, the new Duel City tournament would probably kick off, which would likely be Yugen's main project over winter break.
Dueling the president, huh...
Yugen glanced at the president, finding that he was also looking his way. The moment their eyes met, the president's mouth curled into an intrigued smile.
Magically, through that one look, Yugen's mind heard a voice.
Yuge↑n↓, the time has finally come. Full☆Speed☆Ahead☆, Duel!
"..."
"Yugen's dueling is amazing, right?" Keihei said to Ameluda with a smile.
In fact, Keihei had a better relationship with Ameluda than with Kaiba. Ameluda once saw in Keihei the shadow of his deceased brother and gave Keihei his brother's most treasured item. Since then, Keihei has been the one maintaining contact.
"Hmm... well, yes. Very impressive, played... quite well."
Ameluda said this, but his expression towards Yugen was a bit odd.
A bit like he was reluctant to speak his mind.
He couldn't say it wasn't impressive since he hadn't won himself.
But to say it was beautifully played, as the victim, he found hard to admit...
"By the way," Ameluda remembered something, "I recall, Yugen, you're in Ra's Dorm at Duel Academy, right?"
"That's right." Yugen admitted.
"Oh haha, an outstanding student like Yugen only being in the Yellow Dorm, Duel Academy must be blind." Ameluda laughed dryly.
Weren't the elites supposed to be in the Blue Dormitory?
I figure a student like this, even if the teachers and principal teamed up, they might not stand a chance?
"Oh, it's nothing, Yellow Dorm is quite nice." Yugen laughed, "I personally like Yellow Dorm a lot too."
Ameluda pondered.
Speaking of Ra's Dorm...
Naturally, it reminded him of a certain fragile chicken from the Three Phantom Gods, which then reminded him of the fragile chicken's driver in the Duel City back then.
Then he thought about the Lava Demon God repeatedly munching his big creatures in this duel...
"Pardon me, Yugen," Ameluda asked, "do you know Malik Ishudal?"
"Uh, I've only heard of the legendary duelist who once wielded the Phantom God, but I've never had the chance to meet him." Yugen replied.
"I see..."
Ameluda chuckled awkwardly.
"Though I've never seen him in person, I think, if it's Mr. Malik, he and Yugen might have a lot in common, might get along well... hahaha..."
Yugen squinted.
What does he mean? Hinting that my dueling is shady?
"..."
Well, it is indeed hard to argue against someone who just ate three blasts of Lava Demon God and was finally crushed by the Lava Demon God.
But Mr. Malik did have the most underworldly Phantom God, the Winged Divine Dragon.
If I too could have an animated version of the Phantom God, then I could truly live up to being the Master of the Yellow Robe...
Thinking of this, Yugen shook his head.
Forget it, it's too far away, don't want to think about it.
It's well known that in the animation, the Three Phantom Gods are not just cards, but actual "gods" who choose their users.
DM did clarify that even Beckas barely managed to design the Phantom God Cards by relying on the power of the Thousand-Year Eye. Every other card designer who attempted the Phantom God project suffered divine punishment, either dying or going mad.
Though it wasn't specified why, maybe those three guys thought the designer's artwork wasn't flattering enough...
Now, the three original Phantom God Cards by Beckas are long gone, along with the Thousand-Year Divine Artifact, to the Netherworld with the Pharaoh. Only people like Kaiba, with high-tech and permission, can use a "ground draw card" technique to briefly experience the Phantom God card.
Speaking of which, Yugen vaguely remembered that someone in GX's second year managed to replicate the Winged Divine Dragon.
The International Illusion Association hadn't given up on replicating the Three Phantom Gods after the Pharaoh's departure—after all, being the top card in Duel Monsters, they couldn't be abandoned.
Just the act of trying to clone cards itself is hazardous, even more so to summon them in a duel. If the Phantom God believes the holder is unworthy, divine retribution in the form of lightning might strike, potentially turning one into a vegetable, much like Malik's servant Lixid in DM.
But in the animation, there was a genius designer from the International Illusion Association who developed a Field Spell called "God-Binding Tomb," helping him avoid divine punishment to forcibly wield the Phantom God. Though this act was likely playing with fire, always dogging the risk of it going awry.
Nevertheless, it shows that the International Illusion Association had never abandoned the replication of the Phantom God, continuously trying to develop more supporting derivative cards.
Frankly, Yugen thinks his current ordinary self isn't likely to gain the Phantom God's recognition, but if he had to choose from the derivative cards, he'd prefer the "Sun God's Winged Divine Dragon - Spherical Form" that was carded later.
It looks just like the smooth golden ball summoned when Peacock Dance hijacked the Winged Divine Dragon from Malik in Duel City back in the day, commonly known as Bird Egg.
With 0 Attack Power and 0 Defense Power, this card allows you to offer three of your opponent's monsters as sacrifices to Normal Summon it onto their field. One turn later, it will defect back to the original holder's field, restoring the iconic scene from the animation, a true homage.
Truly, the Phantom God lives up to its name, presenting a different kind of aura. A creature like Lava Demon God only needing two monsters, while it demands three in one go. And even if Lava Demon God lands on the opposing field, it has a Blue-Eyes White Dragon Level status, making it effective in battle.
The Bird Egg, however, with an attack of 0 and defense of 0, serves little purpose on the opponent's field other than annoyance, and after annoying them, it'll come back to you next turn and transform into another form of the Winged Divine Dragon...
Clearly, a card made for fun.
Yugen figured he'd spare some time in the future to visit Pegasus and his brother at the International Illusion Association. While he might not nab an authentic Phantom God, getting his hands on a Bird Egg seems pretty nice...