Clear Skies

Chapter 20: Legendary Knight Timaeus

The violet blazes of the Monkey glyph roared like a dragon. The dark mark's reflection brightened against the black clouds blanketing the sky. Devack's curled smile stood out under the shadow of his gold-embroidered black cloak. "Your day of reckoning has arrived, Signer. The pitiful human will share your fate. I offer one final grace. You may have the first move."

I nodded at Luna. "You do the honors."

"Got it! I summon Regulus in attack mode, place two cards face down, and end my turn," Luna said. Our friend from the Spirit World burst into our field with a mighty bellow. Devack was next.

"I draw, summon Magician Ape in attack mode, and activate its ability. By discarding one card from my hand, I take control of your monster!" The beast wore garbs marked by stars and held a staff similar to the Cursed Needles. He cast dark energy upon Regulus, infecting him with the same curse Zeman cast upon him. His paws carried him to the opposing field with heavy steps. "Magician Ape attacks directly!"

The monkey zapped Luna with his staff, making her scream in pain as our life points dropped to 3200. I said, "Are you okay?"

Luna held a hand over her heart and stood rock-steady. The stipulations of a Shadow Duel meant all damage was real, and if we lost... Luna and I would both die.

If? No. When we won, Leo's wish would become reality.

"Now, I attack you with your own monster! Regulus, strike the girl directly!" Regulus bared his fangs and rushed forward. I shoved Luna out of the way. Regulus's tackle rocketed me through the air, and I hit the ground rolling. Our life points fell to 1500. Devack chuckled. "I can't say this comes as a shock. The shadows are no match for even a Signer to stand up to. I set one card face-down and end my turn!"

She cried, "Rain!"

I shoved to my feet. My right forearm pulsed from the action. "Like she said: I'll be the brawn side of things, 'kay? My turn. I draw! I summon Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV4 to the field and attack Magician Ape!"

The bronze dragon spewed a swarm of ebony flames, destroying the beast and burning through 800 of Devack's life points. Fire singed his robes, but he didn't flinch. I said, "Now that my turn is over and Horus destroyed a monster, he levels up! Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6 takes the field!"

"Petty chicken. My turn again. I sacrifice Regulus to summon Fighter Ape!" A 5-star monster with 1900 attack sprung onto the field. The single card in Devack's backline flipped up. Two antler-like horns sprouted from Fighter Ape's temples, and his attack increased to 2700. "Horn of the Phantom Beast equips to my monster. Battle Horus LV6!"

Fighter Ape tossed off my dragon, who landed on me before breaking. I grit my teeth under the impact of his huge weight, and our life points fell to 1100. Devack chortled at my struggle and said, "My trap allows me to draw a card since your monster was sent to the grave, and Fighter Ape's ability increases its attack by 400 points. I set a spell or trap and end my turn."

Luna drew, but she looked unsure afterwards. I said, "A Beast-type deck like his will typically focus on high attack power, flooding the field, and little else. Any lockdown you have will help us here."

Luna nodded. "I know just the one. I summon Spirit of the Breeze in attack position, set one card face-down, and end my turn."

"Are you losing it, Signer?" Devack questioned. "You placed a monster with zero attack strength in attack position! You've doomed yourself! I summon Voltic Kong, and-"