The molten-gold sunset poured over the azure sea, and the massive ship gradually sailed into the harbor.
The Duel Ship docked.
Everyone stood up and moved to the deck, seeing the final venue of the tournament they had arrived at.
The island's silhouette was especially magnificent under the sunset, with colorful buildings distributed intricately along the coast. The towering Ferris wheel was designed with a Chestnut Ball-like pattern, shimmering under the sunset. The multicolored lights made the whole island appear like a world of elves, with a three-dimensional projection of a White Dragon soaring high in the sky, letting out a resounding dragon's roar.
"White Dragon Paradise?"
Yugen asked curiously.
In a place so ethereal in between heaven and earth?
"That's right, this is the newest White Dragon Paradise that's not yet open, but it's not like any ordinary park." Keihei said proudly, "This is 'White Dragon Island,' an island bought by the Kaiba Group, and a symbol of the White Dragon Paradise project being taken to a new stage."
Yugen: "..."
As expected of President Kaiba, owning an island named after his bride.
It seems it will only be a matter of time before a White Dragon City is built...
The final venue of the tournament was located right in the center of this yet-to-be-opened paradise, the world's highest standard dedicated dueling arena. The competitors disembarked, crossing most of the stadium to reach the stage, where the White Dragon Bingo Machine determined the final match order.
The first match of the semifinals, Judai actually faced the Judge.
Yugen wasn't optimistic about Judai's chances of winning, but he had already said what needed to be said.
Judai walked onto the dueling field without hesitation, approaching the Judge.
"You've come."
The Judge chuckled softly.
"Yuki Judai... I overlooked you before. You seem to be an interesting duelist too." he said, squinting, "Let me use this duel to see clearly what's hidden within you..."
"I have no idea what you're babbling about, but when it comes to a duel, I will go all out!" Judai replied.
"Hahaha, that's the best." The Judge smiled.
"Duel!" x2
[Judai, LP 4000]
[Judge, LP 4000]
"I'll go first, draw a card."
The Judge drew a card, casually glanced at it, and immediately played the card he drew.
"Normal Summon 'Apocalypse Knight'."
A knight in black armor, as if forged from shadows. Long hair fluttered in the sunset, a red mask covering most of the face, wielding a long, gleaming sword.
[Apocalypse Knight, Attack Power 1400]
"When Apocalypse Knight is successfully summoned, you can send a Dark Attribute monster from the deck to the graveyard."
A golden light flew from the Judge's deck, seemingly landing in his hand automatically.
"Send the Dark Attribute 'Hell Highway Patrol' to the graveyard."
The Monster Card slid into the graveyard from his Duel Disc.
"End of turn."
He squinted, a glimpse of green flashing in his eyes as he sized up Judai.
"Come, it's your turn. Show me your duel, and... your secret."
Judai and he locked eyes, and suddenly felt a bit dizzy for no reason.
The feeling similar to before.
His temples throbbed strangely, his whole being feeling slightly unbalanced. Images flashed in his mind continuously, chaotic and blurry. Instinct told him these things were important, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't make out what they were.
Judai shook his head, trying hard to shake off this strange feeling.
No matter what, he must focus on the duel first.
"My turn, draw a card!" Judai said, "Activate Magic Card 'Fusion'!"
From his hand, fuse 'Elemental Hero Wingman' and 'Elemental Hero Blazing Lady' for a Fusion Summon!
Appear, my beloved hero-
——Elemental Hero Flame Wingman!"
The fusion of wind and fire, a tornado of flames erupted from the fusion vortex, as if air was being heated to the boiling point.
A blazing Fire Dragon soared from the vortex, its figure spiraling out of the flames, becoming the hero's entity landing directly. Snow-white wings spread wide, the dragon's head in its hand exhaled flames, the green-bodied hero stood with arms crossed before Judai.
[Elemental Hero Flame Wingman, Attack Power 2100]
"Starting with Flame Wingman already?" Yugen murmured.
This seemed to be the typical opening of Judai, nicknamed "Judai the Twentieth" after reaching Level 100 in the later stages of the show, compared to the early stage where he simply summoned a Mortal Bone. However, starting with three cards reduced, it was hard to say how effective it would be.
"Elemental Hero Flame Wingman, attack 'Apocalypse Knight'!" Judai directly commanded, "Flame Shot!"
Flame Wingman spread its wings and ascended, performing an elegant spiral midair, while flames enveloped its entire body like a flaming meteor diving down.
Apocalypse Knight raised its sword in defense, yet naturally failed to block Flame Wingman's onslaught. The flames easily pierced through the blade, passing through Apocalypse Knight, bursting into a massive fireball.
[Judge, LP 4000→LP 3300]
"Not done yet!" Judai said, "Flame Wingman's Monster Effect, inflict damage to the opponent equal to the Attack Power of the destroyed monster!"
Flame Wingman descended from the sky, landing before the Judge, the fiery dragon head in its hand opened its mouth towards the opponent, flames burst forth from the dark maw, searingly rolling over the Judge.
[Judge, LP 3300→LP 1900]
The Judge remained calm as he bore the brunt of Flame Wingman's fiery assault, his long hair and clothes flying with the flames.
Then he looked at Flame Wingman returning to Judai's side, and said meaningfully, "Quite an effective attack. But is that your beloved monster?"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Are you sure?"
"What?" Judai was puzzled, "Of course that's the case, what are you saying... uh...!?"
He staggered and suddenly felt another wave of dizziness.
Again, the incomprehensible images welled up from deep within his mind.
He saw an ancient castle, a kind-hearted white-bearded old man smiling at him.
And a handsome, delicate face bathed in dazzling sunlight, smiling at him, seemingly saying something.
But he couldn't hear the sound.
Strangely, it felt as if these were very important.
And the person before him also seemed to be very important to him.
But why, couldn't he remember anything at all...
Once again forcing himself out of the chaotic images, Judai felt like he was struggling out of a fierce vortex, finally returning to reality.
No, this opponent in front of him isn't someone he can defeat while being half-hearted. He needs to fully concentrate on the duel first.
"...I'll set a card on the field, and end my turn."