The Vice Captain of the Crimson Lions

Under the Sea

As the Black Bulls + 1 enter the grand, echoing chamber of the Seabed Temple, dimly lit by shimmering underwater light, a monstrous creature suddenly lunges from the shadows, its scales glistening. Magna was the one to spot it

"Look out!"

Magna hurls a fireball at the creature. Gauche snaps his wrist, sending a flurry of mirror shards slicing through the beast's hide. Luck darts around, cackling as he zaps the creature with bolts of lightning. The monster thrashes but is quickly subdued, collapsing with a loud thud. High Priest Gifso chuckles, clapping his hands.

"Impressive! That was just a little test, but you handled it well."

"Just a test?"

Vanessa glared at him with her arms crossed,

"What's your game, old man?"

Gifso grins, eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Well, if you want the magic stone, you'll need to play a game. A little 'Temple Battle Royale,' if you will. My priests and I will be your opponents, and you'll have to prove your worth to claim the prize."

Finral groans, rubbing his temples.

"Why does every place we go insist on a fight to the death?"

"Quit whining! Let's show these fish folk what we're made of."

Xander smirked, though he's a part of the Crimson Lions, as soon as he heard about the mission, he begged Yami to let him join in case he finds any clues about Mynx,

"Don't worry, Yami! We will give it our all!"

Yami glances at him, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Good. Better not slow us down, kid."

With a snap of his fingers, Gifso unleashes a wave of magic, and the room spins as the Black Bulls, Xander, and the priests are teleported to separate sections of the temple. Yami finds himself still standing beside Gifso in the main chamber. Yami glared at Gifso,

"Hey! Why am I not in the action?"

The high priest chuckles.

"Oh, I couldn't possibly let someone of your caliber participate. Where's the fun in that? This game is for the youngsters."

Yami cracks his knuckles, looming over Gifso.

"You'd better hope my squad and kid can handle this, or I'll be having some 'fun' with you."

Xander found himself in a dimly lit hallway, face-to-face with a towering priest wielding a massive mace. The priest sneers.

"You think a little runt like you can take me?"

Xander smirked at him, clutching his deck of cards tightly. With a swift flick of his wrist, he pulls out a card, holding it high.

"You're about to find out. Card Magic: Jack of All Trades!"

The card glows and disperses into shimmering light, forming around Xander's arms and legs. Instantly, his strength, speed, and agility surge, granting him enhanced physical abilities. He darts forward, narrowly evading the priest's swing as the mace crashes into the ground, shaking the room. The priest glares, swinging again, but Xander is already in motion.

"Card Magic: Ace of Spades!"

Another card appears in his hand, its edges crackling with mana, and he hurls it toward the priest. The card explodes into a shockwave, knocking the massive opponent back. The priest stumbles but quickly regains his footing, anger blazing in his eyes.

"You little brat!"

Xander, catching his breath, draws another card with a smirk.

"Don't blink! Card Magic: Shield of Clubs!"

A translucent, club-shaped barrier appears in front of him, absorbing the impact as the priest swings his mace again. The barrier holds, and Xander uses the moment to pull another card, this time aiming to end the fight.

"Alright, let's finish this! Card Magic: King of Heart!"

He throws the card into the air, and it erupts into a roaring pillar of fire, consuming the priest in a searing blaze. When the flames die down, the priest is left on the ground, defeated. Xander wiped his hands and smirked,

"One down...now to find the others,"