The magic power surged, and the robes fluttered lightly. The magician in the dark red robe flew out from the circular array, leaving a verdant arc in mid-air with the magic staff.
Black Magician, summon!
[Black Magician, Attack Power 2500]
"Black Magician," Ishizu looked at this tall figure and said calmly, "The incarnation of the Pharaoh's most trusted and powerful servant..."
Of course, she also knew that it was the monster spirit of the Black Magician in Muto Yugi's hand. Black Magician cards in the world are not unique, nor is there only one spirit, but the servant of the Pharaoh, the reincarnation of the priest three thousand years ago, specifically refers to the "Black Magician" in Muto Yugi's possession.
Though also a Rare Card, the Black Magician in Youyu's hand does not have a spirit residing in it.
"Dimensional Magic has additional effects," Ishizu said calmly, "After Special Summoning a Spellcaster-Type Monster with this card, you can choose a monster on the field to destroy.
Currently, I only have the 'Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist' on the field..."
"You seem quite informed," Youyu nodded, "Then, according to 'Dimensional Magic's' effect, destroy the 'Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist.'
A golden coffin descended from the sky, sealing the Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist inside without further ado. The heavy pure gold coffin lid clapped shut with a dull roar, and golden chains around the coffin clanked loudly.
But the next moment, there was a loud explosion-like noise from within the coffin. A massive energy burst from inside, shattering the golden exterior. The Gravekeeper stood solemnly in the center of the blast, surrounded by a faint golden glow.
He seemed to have broken free from the bonds of Dimensional Magic by his own power.
"The 'Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist' is the most loyal guardian of the Necrovalley; he can draw power from this forbidden domain," Ishizu said calmly, "When the 'Valley of Eternal Rest' exists on the field, the Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist cannot be destroyed by Card effects."
Youyu wasn't surprised by this. He was aware of this effect, but the 'Dimensional Magic' effect wouldn't have been used for nothing, anyway, since there were no other monsters on the field for him to destroy.
"Sister... has become stronger than before," Marik muttered to himself from below the stage.
It was only then that he realized something.
Ishizu had already taken new steps after Duel City ended, continuously progressing forward in ways unseen. Meanwhile, he remained in place... no, if anything, he had regressed compared to the past.
Both in dueling and in life.
"An attack power of 3300 on the Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist; he can't be defeated by the Black Magician," Ishizu said.
"Ah, I know," Youyu nodded, "Attack! Use Black Magician to attack the Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist!"
Lights flashed in Ishizu's beautiful eyes.
Even knowing his attack power is outmatched, he goes on to attack... does he have another plan?
She extended her hand: "Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist, counter the Black Magician!"
The magician in the dark red robe ascended into the air, steadying himself on two spiraling magic circles. He raised his arm high, channeling mana, which like a dark red stream flowed to the tip of the verdant magic staff, forming a vortex of magic power.
The Gravekeeper was equally unwilling to show weakness; as chants were uttered, golden runes, visible to the naked eye, entwined around his robust body like chains. His aura seemed an inviolable domain, a resolve to defend the land of eternal rest unto death!
The battle was inevitable. The two mighty forces of magic clashed fiercely! As they contended head-on in a duel of prime magic use, the emanations of power washed over the rock walls and boulders around, sending shards scattering and dust swirling.
Yet, just from the scale and momentum of the forces alone, it was clear that the Black Magician was not a match for the Gravekeeper.
And at that very moment, as the duel between the two mages reached its peak, Youyu swiftly drew another card from his hand.
"Quick-Play Magic - Forbidden Scripture!"
A Magic Card appeared, containing supreme magical power, power enough to instantly dominate the entire field!
"Forbidden Scripture is a Quick-Play Magic, activatable only during the battle between monsters on each side," Youyu explained, "During the battle between monsters, all effects of cards on the field except for this one are nullified.
Moreover, the monsters' battle must continue with their original attack and defense points!"
Ishizu's dark eyes slightly contracted.
The overwhelming magic exploded with an infinite pressure, indiscriminately sweeping across the entire field. The powerful Gravekeeper was also instantly subdued by this force, and even the solemn and sacred 'Necrovalley' dimmed temporarily under the swirling magic storm, its original power sealed.
The ability to temporarily seal any special capabilities is due to the powerful dominion of the spell recorded in the 'Forbidden Scripture'. Looking throughout the field, it seemed only Youyu's "Black Magician" was unaffected by this powerful spell's suppression and influence.
But this wasn't due to the high-ranking magician having a knack for resisting such magic, but because the "Black Magician" itself was a Normal Monster, inherently immune to such spells...
[Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist, Attack Power 3300 → Attack Power 2000]
On the Gravekeeper's end, it was dire. Losing both his effect and the Field Magic's support, his attack power plummeted, regressing immensely.
The power struggle between the two battling magics reversed instantly, the wave of Black Magic surged through, piercing the Gravekeeper's body and knocking it off the field, seemingly destined to eternally rest in this valley.
[Ishizu, LP 4000 → LP 3500]
"Battle's over. The effect of 'Forbidden Scripture' ends, and all card effects on the field are restored."
As Youyu spoke, the magic of the scripture dissipated, the solemn and oppressive atmosphere returned to the field, and the powers of the land of eternal rest were reinstated.
"Turn ends."
Next to him, Marik looked at Youyu and couldn't help but swallow his saliva instinctively.
As expected of Mr. Youyu, he didn't relax in his approach, just as I'd remembered... no, he might be even stronger than before...
Lost in thought, Mr. Marik completely failed to notice where his train of thought went awry.
"My turn, draw card."
The new ace was destroyed, but Ishizu remained equally composed, as if this was expected.
"Activate the Magic Card from my hand - Gravekeeper's Stele."
A massive white stele crashed down fiercely from the sky above the valley, like a meteor, raising dust and debris upon impact. The surface of the white stele was inscribed with a myriad of ancient symbols and marks, some so ancient that even the Ishtar siblings, heirs of the Gravekeeper Race, could not decipher them.
"Gravekeeper's Stele allows me to add two 'Gravekeeper' monsters from the graveyard to my hand," Ishizu stated, "And this effect is not negated by the 'Necrovalley.'"
Youyu watched silently as two cards emerged from her graveyard.
It seemed logical. Though 'Necrovalley's' effect of locking down the graveyard applies equally to both players, the Gravekeeper Deck itself is a custodian of this restricted area, naturally affording it some privileges within this domain.
For instance, where others are forbidden from grave-robbing here, the Gravekeepers themselves might occasionally break this rule...
"I choose 'Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist' and 'Gravekeeper's Spiritualist' to add to my hand." Ishizu revealed the two cards, "However, since 'Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist' is a Fusion Monster, it goes back into the deck instead of my hand."
Seeing Ishizu retrieve 'Gravekeeper's Spiritualist,' Youyu realized what was to come next.
"Summon 'Gravekeeper's Spiritualist.'" As expected, Ishizu quickly brought back this Gravekeeper sister.
The spiritualist, with her slender waist and long legs, wearing a cropped top, returned to the field. Her face was half hidden by a mask, concealing her expression, yet she seemed to be chanting in low tones.
[Gravekeeper's Spiritualist, Attack Power 1500]
"The Spiritualist's effect allows a Fusion Summon of a Spellcaster-Type Monster by sending the Fusion Material, including this card, from the hand or field to the graveyard when 'Necrovalley' is on the field."
Ishizu revealed the Monster Card retrieved last turn by the Supernaturalist effect.
"I will fuse the 'Gravekeeper's Commandant' from my hand with the 'Gravekeeper's Spiritualist' on the field! By combining the loyal souls of the Gravekeepers, I call upon the Guardian of the Necrovalley!
Reappear once more, Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist!"
The Spiritualist completed her chant and, alongside the gravekeeper that appeared, soared into the air, both transforming into a stream of incandescent light, bound together by the power of a magical spell. The magic erupted, golden runes emerged, and the Black-Robed, White-haired Gravekeeper who had been sent away last turn reappeared!