"I activate the second effect of Thunder King's Prison!" Eight's voice boomed across the arena as arcs of energy crackled from the towering structure of Thunder King's Prison. Chains rattled on the battlefield, tightening like serpents around the creatures already in play.
Benji felt the tension mounting. His fingers tightened around his cards, his eyes scanning the field for any escape route. The oppressive energy of the prison weighed heavily on him. His rabbits, once lively and energetic, now seemed out of place amidst the dark, ruthless power surrounding them.
"Thunder King's Prison… the ultimate battlefield," Eight's voice dripped with smugness as he flipped his next card. "You know what's coming next, right?"
Thunder King's Prison (Field Spell)
1. Imprison Monsters: When activated, imprison all monsters on your field.
2. Free Dragon Summoning: You can summon Dragon monsters from your hand for 0 mana, but they are imprisoned for 3 turns.
3. Imprison on Summon: Any creature summoned to your field is imprisoned for 1 turn.
4. Chain Lightning: Once per turn, deal 1 damage to all the opponent's creatures.
5. Warden Command: Once per turn, you can activate one imprisoned monster's effect without paying costs or meeting conditions.
Imprisoned
• Imprisoned monsters cannot attack or activate effects unless specified.
• Warden Dragon-type monsters cannot be imprisoned and act freely under this spell.
"I summon Prisoner of the Thunder and Warden Dragon Overlord!"
The field erupted with energy as two massive dragons materialized. One, dark and stormy, its breath vibrating with thunder. The other, golden and gleaming, its scales reflecting the flickering lights of the prison. The chains reacted instantly, wrapping tightly around the smaller Prisoner of the Golden Lightning, while the Warden Dragon stood tall and unbound by the prison's restraints.
"You see, Benji," Eight's smirk widened. "It doesn't matter how many of those cute little bunnies you've got. With every turn, the prison tightens. The more you fight, the worse it gets."
The Prisoner of the Golden Lightning let out a low, defeated growl as the chains ensnared it. Meanwhile, the Warden Dragon Overlord, its serpentine form towering, let out a roar of triumph. The chains of the prison, as if responding to its call, shot out toward Benji's side of the field.
"And now," Eight continued, savoring the moment, "I activate the fourth effect of Thunder King's Prison—Chain Lightning!"
Thunder rumbled ominously as arcs of electricity built up around the chains. With a flash, lightning surged across the field, striking every one of Benji's creatures.
Chain Lightning (Effect #4): Once per turn, deal 1 damage to all the opponent's creatures.
Benji's heart raced. "I activate Father Rabbit's Guard!" he shouted, bracing for impact. The large rabbit stepped forward, a protective shield forming around his bunnies, absorbing the brunt of the storm.
Father Rabbit's Guard (Effect): Protect allied units from one instance of damage as long as the damage per creature isn't higher than this unit's own health.
Father Rabbit took the full force of the lightning, his shield cracking but holding. Yet, as the chains constricted further, he collapsed, destroyed in his efforts to protect the others. His sacrifice left Benji's field intact—for the moment.
Eight's smirk didn't falter. "Impressive, but futile. Father Rabbit saved them for now, but you won't be so lucky next time."
Benji clenched his jaw, but Eight wasn't done.
"At the end of my turn, my Warden Dragon Overlord activates," Eight said, leaning in. "Since all your creatures are chained, they take 2 damage. Your little bunnies? They're about to follow dear old Father to the grave."
Warden Dragon Overlord (Continuous Effect): At the end of each turn, all Imprisoned enemy creatures take 2 damage.
Benji's breath caught as the realization hit him. The prison chains had snared his entire field. He had no way of releasing them. The countdown had started, and the Warden Dragon's power was about to decimate what remained of his army.
Lightning surged again, and this time, the destructive force was too much. One by one, his rabbits fell, their cries echoing as they were obliterated by the Warden Dragon's wrath.
But as the last rabbit vanished, something stirred deep within Benji. A familiar, chaotic energy surged to life, responding to the destruction of his field. His Soul Card—the Chaos Rabbit of Trickery—had been triggered by the annihilation.
Chaos Rabbit of Trickery
• Triggered Effect: When all of Benji's Rabbit monsters are destroyed, summon Chaos Rabbit of Trickery from the Soul Zone.
• Passive Effect: Reduce the mana cost of all Rabbit, Bunny, and Beast cards in Benji's hand by 3, 2, and 1 respectively.
• Unaffected by spell and trap effects besides Chaos Bunny cards.
A shadow flickered at Benji's feet, coalescing into the dark, mischievous form of the Chaos Rabbit. Its ethereal body crackled with chaotic energy, and it stared down the battlefield with gleaming eyes, its presence bending the very chains that had once seemed so inescapable.
"Wait… I didn't summon you." Benji blinked in surprise as the Chaos Rabbit appeared unbidden.
From the sidelines, Markus's voice cut through the tension. "Grunt, that was some next-level acting, Benji. It's like you knew this was going to happen the whole time."
Benji blinked again, caught off guard. "Huh? Oh… yeah, I totally fooled him," he stammered, trying to play it off. "Maybe I should take up acting after this."
The Chaos Rabbit let out a chittering laugh, amused by Benji's pathetic attempt at bravado. Eight, however, misinterpreted the laugh, his eyes narrowing at the creature.
"So, you've got a backup plan?" Eight growled, his confidence faltering. "Doesn't matter. I'll crush this one too."
Benji felt the chaotic energy of his soul card fill him with newfound strength. "You destroyed my field, but that only made me stronger," he said, his tone hardening. "This isn't over yet, Eight."
Eight clenched his fists, his smirk returning, though more strained. The duel wasn't finished, and with the Chaos Rabbit on his side, Benji knew he still had a fighting chance. The battle was far from over.Eight's Arrogance