Kaiba Noah's "Heaven and Earth Creation" deck emerged—an anime-original strategy filled with mythic and catastrophic motifs, aligning with legends from around the world. Many of its cards, particularly soul monsters inspired by East Asian folklore, exist solely in the anime and never became real-life cards. Probably because they're too abstract even by today's standards.
Now Noah activates one: "Glacial Chaos." Its effect and timing mirror a card You Ming has—except this one is far more powerful. It's a Level 4 Earth monster Special Summon spell: summon any Level 4 or lower EARTH monster from the deck. The possibilities ignite in You Ming's mind.
"Summoning from the deck… 'Armored Dinosaur.'"
Thunder roars. The armored dino—Level 4 Earth Dinosaur (ATK 1500/DEF 800)—breaks through the glacier and enters the field. Decent, but nothing spectacular; it's not built to funnel into bigger combos or fetch graveyard targets.
Still, it's not weak—given the constraints and no extra deck, You Ming has just one real path forward.
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"You're called You Ming, right?"
"Yeah?" You Ming tilts his head.
"Just checking."
With a sly grin, Noah asks: "Mind if I use your set trap?"
"Go ahead."
"Then I activate Call of the Living Dead."
A ghostly glow flickers over the graveyard, and a card leaps out.
"By this trap's effect, I can reawaken a monster from the grave."
You Ming slaps the card down in monster zone; Noah's duel disk echoes the play.
"'Attic Fiend.'"
A fuzzy little demon appears.
Level 2 DARK Fiend (ATK 550/DEF 400)
Its appearance is harmless, but that's fine. Its true purpose appears immediately—it's a tribute fodder.
"With 'Attic Fiend' and 'Armored Dinosaur,' I summon unto devastation…" Noah intones ominously. As he chants, flames erupt on both monsters, merging them in a wave of conflagration.
"Behold… Kagutsuchi, Flame Incarnate."
In a blaze of lore and energy, Kagutsuchi takes form:
Level 8 FIRE Pyro (ATK 2800/DEF 2900)
This Soul Monster is Noah's true heavy hitter—far more than the earlier mechanical plays. Its appearance signals an early victory is likely.
You Ming glances at the empty-hand Demon Lord and his partner—who seem oblivious to their predicament.
"Battle Phase. Kagutsuchi attacks with Hellfire Punch!"
The fiery god lunges, fist blazing.
"Useless!" The Demon Lord bellows, emitting a harsh crack. His armor shifts into spinning saw-teeth—he's playing Explosive Armor to intercept.
But this time? Nothing.
Boom! Kagutsuchi's fiery punch blasts through. The Demon Lord flies back, armor cracked, reeking of scorch.
(Dark Invader & Blighted Demon Lord LP: 8000→5200)
"I set two cards and activate Scalar Field Generator—my Soul Monster stays fielded, and I discard one card to maintain it. Turn ends."
"No... impossible! My trap… my armor—why did it fail?"
He struggles to rise, glaring at Kagutsuchi's looming form.
"Because tribute-non-destruction. Level 7+ tribute materials won't destroy the summoned monster."
"What..."
He grasps his cracked armor, crimson eyes wide.
He recovers quickly. "It doesn't matter—I still have life points, and your turn's done. Next round, my partner will destroy all of you!"
Silence answers him.
He senses the change.
"Partner?" he asks Dark Invader. The figure beside him remains silent.
After a moment, Dark Invader looks up: "Think about it."
The Demon Lord peers closer—there's now a flame coiling around the Invader's hand.
"Confident flame, huh?" the Demon Lord jeers.
"I…" The Invader is lost for words—his armor reflects embers.
Then abruptly:
"I never want to team up with you again."
A burst of flame scorches his cloak and hand-cards into ashes.
"W-What!"
The Demon Lord is stunned, staring at the flaming figure.
Behind Kagutsuchi, Noah smiles:
"Kagutsuchi's divine flames don't fade after battle—they linger on the opponent. And at the start of your next draw phase…"
Noah clenches his fist.
"They incinerate your entire hand."
"How can a card do this!?"