Gaia's Fusion Summon effect turned the power gap around, directly absorbing half of Legendary Defender's Attack and adding it to itself.
On the field, it looked like two colossal monsters were locked in a contest of raw strength, while in reality, at this very moment, Gaia's Attack had already achieved complete suppression over the guardian deity.
After absorption, Gaia stood at 3900 Attack, while Legendary Defender, halved, was left with 1700 Attack—a difference of 2200 points.
And Homar had paid 2000 Life Points to activate the Spell Card [Dimension Fusion], leaving him with only 2000 LP remaining.
"This hit will work! It's an instant kill!"
Princess Nova was so excited that she had totally forgotten the fact that the one about to be beaten down was her own biological brother.
"That's right! Battle!"
Waving his hand toward the battlefield, Miles commanded the massive Elemental HERO Gaia to crash down upon the Legendary Defender on Homar's field.
"Take this blow from the hero of the earth, Exodia! —Continental Hammer!"
The strike, carrying overwhelming mass, caused the entirety of Dragon Ravine to quake and shudder.
If taken head-on, there was no doubt that Homar would be instantly defeated, just as his younger sister anticipated.
"Don't underestimate the power of Livorden's guardian deity, Miles!"
Flipping over a Set card in his back row, a burning card face bearing Exodia's image manifested beneath Homar's feet.
"—Trap Card, activate [Obliterate!!!]!"
The Trap Card, sharing its name with Exodia's technique, activated the moment Homar revealed it. Within Dragon Ravine, Legendary Defender had already begun gathering demonic flames capable of incinerating everything.
[Once per turn. You can target 1 monster on the field; send 1 'Forbidden' monster from your hand or Deck to the Graveyard, then return the targeted card to its owner's hand.]
A monster-bouncing effect that returned cards directly to their owner's hand, usable once per turn, and even a Continuous Trap—essentially a permanent version of Compulsory Evacuation Device.
The restriction, however, was that an Exodia 'Forbidden' piece from the hand or Deck had to be sent to the Graveyard as ammunition to activate the effect.
At this moment, the only piece Homar could use as ammunition was the one Miles had begrudgingly left him through [Painful Choice].
Homar hurled a card into the surging demonic flames gathering ahead, and scorching heat instantly swept across the entirety of Dragon Ravine.
"I send [Left Arm of the Forbidden One] from my hand to the Graveyard—fire the flames and return [Elemental HERO Gaia] to the hand!"
Though it was said to return to the hand, Gaia, being a Fusion Monster, was instead sent directly back to the Extra Deck.
"—Obliterate!!!!"
The blast that set Dragon Ravine ablaze engulfed the gigantic earthen body of Elemental HERO Gaia in an instant.
"Now your attack can no longer reach Legendary Defender!"
"'Can't reach'... isn't it a bit early to say that?"
Separated by a wall of demonic flames stretching across the canyon, Miles chained to [Obliterate!!!] and flipped open another Set card in his back row.
"Reborn in the form of flames, a Masked HERO born within demonic fire! —Quick-Play Spell [Form Change], activate!"
Another HERO 'Change' Spell instantly gathered the scorching flames raging through the canyon into the HERO's mask.
[Target 1 'HERO' Fusion Monster you control; return that monster to the Extra Deck, then Special Summon 1 'Masked HERO' monster with the same original Level but a different name from your Extra Deck, treating it as a Special Summon by 'Mask Change'.]
"I target [Elemental HERO Gaia] on my field, return Gaia to the Extra Deck, and Special Summon a Masked HERO of the same Level!"
By chaining the Quick-Play Change Spell to [Obliterate!!!], Miles returned [Elemental HERO Gaia] to the Extra Deck one step ahead, causing the Flame Cannon to lose its target.
"Flames! Burn through the hero's body! Blazing soul, Henshin! Form Change—[Masked HERO Goka]!"
[Masked HERO Goka] Level 6│FIRE│Warrior│2200 ATK│1800 DEF
Sharing the same Level 6 as the Fusion Summoned Gaia, the Masked HERO Goka stood amidst the dissipating flames, striking a pose filled with burning fighting spirit.
At the same time, back in a classroom at the Fusion Academy.
"So hot! Another card appeared again?"
Staring at the Spirit Eyes, now containing Goka in addition to Gaia, Ren's expression filled with longing.
"Damn it, I really want to see Miles' HERO duel in person. Why am I the only one stuck here suffering through class?"
"Since this was a Special Summon during the Battle Phase, the attack continues. And [Masked HERO Goka]'s Attack increases by 100 for each HERO monster in my Graveyard!"
[Masked HERO Goka, ATK: 2200 → 2600]
With the combined strength of four HEROes in the Graveyard, while it couldn't replicate Gaia's instant-kill potential, Goka's strike was more than enough to destroy Legendary Defender and push Homar to the brink of defeat.
"Go! Flame Knight Kick!!"
A scorching kick was launched through the lingering aftermath of Obliterate!!!'s blaze.
However, just as Goka's attack was about to connect with Legendary Defender, it was blocked by a rapidly spinning barrier effect.
It was Homar's second Set card.
"—Counter Trap Card, activate [Negate Attack]!"
[When your opponent's monster declares an attack: Target that attacking monster; negate that attack, then end the Battle Phase.]
A classic defensive Trap—one of the time-buying cards Homar had included in a Deck whose victory condition revolved around assembling Exodia's five pieces.
"When an attack is negated, the Battle Phase is forcibly ended for this turn!"
Shunted straight into Main Phase 2—even if Miles could continue summoning monsters, he could no longer attack.
"So you won't let me destroy Exodia that easily after all, huh?"
As Homar's only remaining monster with combat capability, if Legendary Defender could endure this turn, the halving debuff on its Attack would expire, restoring it to 3400 Attack.
However, for Miles, the gap in raw Attack was still something he could deal with.
That was the Trap Card he had drawn this turn—[Soul Strike]. The lower his Life Points, the greater the Attack boost it provided.
With only 1000 Life Points remaining, as long as it successfully activated, it would be enough for [Masked HERO Goka] to deliver a spectacular finishing counterattack.
And for now, the Continuous Trap [Obliterate!!!] had also entered a permanently dead state, since there were no longer any Exodia pieces left in Homar's hand or Deck to use as ammunition.
"I Set one card. Turn end!"
Setting down the [Soul Strike] he had drawn this turn, Miles now had two Set cards and one monster on the field, along with the final card in his hand—[Left Leg of the Forbidden One].
Homar emphasized, "Then at the moment your turn ends, Legendary Defender's Attack also recovers!"
[Legendary Defender, ATK: 1700 → 3400]
As the halved Attack was restored, the massive Legendary Defender regained its overwhelming presence in full.
"My turn. Draw."
Glancing at the card he drew for the turn, Homar couldn't help but laugh.
"Hahaha! It seems that no matter how hard you try to counter it, Miles, you still can't sever the powerful bond between the royal family and Exodia!"
"Hm?"
"I'll use this card! Quick-Play Spell [Pot of Acquisitiveness], activate!"
The Pot card Homar threw out this turn was neither Greed nor Avarice, but Acquisitiveness.
[Target a total of 3 banished monsters from either player; shuffle those monsters into their owners' Decks. Then draw 1 card.]
"I shuffle the banished [Right Leg of the Forbidden One], [Exodia the Forbidden One], and [The Legendary Exodia Incarnate] back into the Decks, then draw one card!"
Because [Masked HERO Dark Law] had previously been on the field, the cards that had been sent to the Graveyard as Tributes had naturally ended up in the banished zone instead.
And this [Pot of Acquisitiveness] was a Pot Spell specifically meant to recover banished cards.
With Exodia's two components recovered, Homar had effectively reloaded ammunition for the Continuous Trap [Obliterate!!!].
"Draw!"
Perhaps due to that overwhelming bond, the very components Homar had just recovered from the banished zone were immediately drawn back into his hand.
"It doesn't matter. Whether they're in my hand or my Deck, [Obliterate!!!] can still fire!"
Pointing toward the Continuous Trap at his feet, Homar locked onto [Masked HERO Goka] on Miles's field and activated the once-per-turn effect.
"I send the [Right Leg of the Forbidden One] I just recovered from my Deck to the Graveyard, and bounce your [Masked HERO Goka] back to the hand!"
"So it can still fire?"
Watching the raging flames gather once more in Legendary Defender's hands, Miles had to admit—Homar being able to fire Obliterate!!! again was beyond his expectations.
If Goka was bounced away by a card effect rather than destroyed in battle, then the Trap Card [Soul Strike] that Miles had Set last turn would be useless.
"Then I'll have to flip this one!"
As Exodia gathered its flames, Miles flipped open his other Set Trap Card.
"Let the soul of Fusion explode this turn, Goka! Trap Card [Fusion Pressure]!"
[Tribute 1 Fusion Monster you control; until the end of this turn, monsters with original Attack lower than the Tributed monster cannot attack or change their battle positions.]
Within Dragon Ravine, flame met flame head-on. Goka's sacrificial strike—along with the crimson armor covering its body—detonated violently, cancelling out the roaring Obliterate!!!.
[Masked HERO Goka] Tributed
"Because Goka was Tributed, monsters whose original Attack is lower than Goka's cannot declare an attack this turn!"
Although Legendary Defender currently had 3400 Attack, that value came from absorbing five Tributes. Its original Attack was 0.
"Miles, is this your all-or-nothing move? Sacrificing your last monster?"
In Homar's eyes, Miles, forced to Tribute his own monster just to avoid Obliterate!!!'s blast, had already run out of resources.
With no monsters on the field and only the [Left Leg of the Forbidden One] remaining in his hand, Miles appeared to have downright lost his ability to fight.
Even if attacks couldn't be declared this turn, the Continuous Trap [Obliterate!!!] still had ammunition remaining. And judging by Miles's current resources, he wouldn't be able to withstand a third shot.
"Spell Card [Dian Keto the Cure Master]! I return one Normal Monster from my hand to the Deck, and recover 1000 Life Points!"
Shuffling back the [Right Leg of the Forbidden One] he had just drawn—since it could be sent to the Graveyard from either the hand or the Deck to activate [Obliterate!!!] anyway—it was better used as a resource to recover Life Points.
[Homar, LP: 2000 → 3000]
Moreover, Homar still had one monster left in hand, and he had yet to use his Normal Summon this turn.
"I Normal Summon in Defense Position—[Elemental HERO Avian]!"
That final monster was the overworked HERO that Miles had forced into Homar's hand at the very start of the duel via [Exchange], after stealing away an Exodia component.
[Elemental HERO Avian, DEF: 1000]
The 'defected' HERO crouched on Homar's field, wings folded protectively around its body.
"Miles, taking the duel this far is already more than enough for me to acknowledge your strength. Far beyond the level of a first-year at the Fusion Academy. No, far beyond what any student should possess."
Recognition from Homar of the royal family, the future king of Livorden.
With strength of this caliber, calling him a rising prodigy would be no exaggeration. Representing the kingdom at the imperial invitation was more than justified.
"However, the final victory is still mine. Turn end!"
Of course, for Homar, what he acknowledged was only that Miles was qualified to attend the imperial invitation.
As for Princess Nova's admiration?
Hmph. For him to hand over his sister, this was still far from enough!
Although Homar never admitted to being a sister-con, the man he could truly trust his sister to would have to possess strength capable of shaking him to his core.
Miles was still young and had plenty of room to grow—albeit entrusting Nova to him would not be now.
"It's your turn, Miles. Let me see your final struggle with dignity!"
A little-known fact: whenever someone with 'Kaiser' in their name says the word 'struggle,' something outrageous usually follows.
And in this duel, Miles had already met the conditions to call forth the third 'Masked' HERO that would decide the outcome.
"My turn, draw!"
A miracle draw worthy of a HERO—overlapping masks, awakening a fusion form never before seen.
"It's here!" The moment the card entered his hand, Miles could feel a powerful surge of energy transmitted through his fingertips.
"—Spell Card [Miracle Fusion], activate!"
[Banish from your field or Graveyard the Fusion Material Monsters listed on an 'Elemental HERO' Fusion Monster Card, then Fusion Summon that Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck.]
"At this final decisive moment, you actually drew [Miracle Fusion], the card that allows Fusion from the Graveyard?"
Homar's eyes widened. Miles' astonishing resilience and grit were fully laid bare—even on the final turn.
"Miles, a duelist with limitless potential like you is undoubtedly Livorden's future glory. Regardless, unfortunately, no matter what monster you Fusion Summon, you won't be able to escape another shot from [Obliterate!!!]!"
Even if Miles were to use [Miracle Fusion] to Fuse [Elemental HERO Gaia] again, it would only result in him taking [Obliterate!!!] head-on once more and being sent back to the Extra Deck for the third time—without even a chance to battle.
His grit and potential were undeniable, but relying solely on a single Fusion via [Miracle Fusion] was not enough to stir the demonic flames.
"Miracle Fusion was originally a card meant to Fuse Elemental HEROes."
Raising his arm high, Miles pointed toward the sky above, where a special spiraling Fusion effect appeared.
A Fusion phenomenon blazing with light, emblazoned with a massive 'H' HERO emblem.
"But this time, what I will guide is a miracle beyond the elements. The miracle of Masked HEROes!"
Do you have the courage to walk alongside chaos?
"I banish two Masked HEROes from my Graveyard as materials—[Masked HERO Dark Law] and [Masked HERO Goka]! Miracle Fusion!"
"What?!" Homar was startled. "You're fusing two Masked HEROes?!"
The Spell Card [Miracle Fusion], which should only allow the Fusion Summon of 'Elemental HERO' monsters, was activated without using a single Elemental HERO as Fusion Material—instead directly fusing two Masked HEROes from the Graveyard.
"The weary daylight has passed, and last night's deadly battle feels like a fleeting illusion! This is the chaos born from dual masks—[Miracle Fusion] that surpasses 'miracle' itself!"
The twin Masked HEROes converged within the HERO-emblazoned Fusion light. Their armored bodies split down the middle, black and red dividing left and right, then merged into a single form of chaotic balance.
"—Miracle Fusion Summon! [Contrast HERO Chaos]!"
Neither an Elemental HERO nor a Masked HERO, but a brand-new HERO form—the Contrast HERO.
….
TL: 'Fusion Pressure' apparently doesn't exist fr smh
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