The Balzec Tournament Part 3: James vs Quin

After that grandiose display, Maine took a bow, before returning to the spectator box. The announcer was stunned, but tried to recollect himself quickly.

"I-Incredible folks! Such an amazing display of skills! um, The next battle shall begin in a moment!" The announcer said, trying to not show his shock. Compared to Maine, the real announcer just sounded pathetic.

The crowd was excitably talking to one another about the match that just happened. People had to wonder if Maine was a legendary player, considering he took down one. However, Maine was not mentioned as a legendary player, so he couldn't possibly be one, right?

James knew that Maine was a real threat now, but unlike the spectators, knew that Maine wasn't a legendary player. For one, he never stated as such, and he's completely unknown. Second, even though he had really powerful cards, nothing told James that any of them, even Maestro, was a special card. Maine said that summoning Maestro took a lot of little things to happen, but special cards are that powerful without the set up. Sure, some may be luck based, others may have long timers, but none recorded takes set up with other cards.

"The break is over! On to the next round, James VS Quin!" The announcer shouted excitably.

James got up, ready. He noticed that Quin seemed to make a sigh when getting up, like he can't believe he's about to face a legendary player. James smiled a little. At least he won't lose the semi-finals.

After a few moments, both were standing apart from each other in the middle of the arena, preparing themselves mentally. Also, now that Maine had beaten a legendary player, the crowd was more excited and attentive than ever. All eyes on James and Quin, to see whether another legendary player would fall today. 

"I use the battlefield card "Ancient Egyptian Tomb!", When in play, it allows me to summon three "Egyptian Stone Guards" every 40 minutes!" Quin said loudly, with a little bit of hesitation.

A large sandstorm suddenly blew over Quin's side of the field, before a pyramid rose from the ground, with all the sounds of an earthquake appearing. After a moment, the sandstorm stopped to reveal a large golden pyramid on a sandy desert behind Quin. James had to give it to the game, when anyone played a battlefield, it was usually a spectacle to behold.

James also used his battlefield card, "Traitor's Gate". Once again, his gate appeared behind James, leading into a brightly lit Neon alley way. James smiled. Oh how good it felt to play a game you know you will win. His opponent noticed the smile and immediately felt uneasy, but yet he also became even more determined to beat this smug prick as well.

The game began.

Three "Egyptian Stone Guards" appeared on Quin's field, defending his side. James felt a twitch of annoyance at the sight of the guards. The stone guards are pure defense. They can't attack, thankfully, but they can defend, and they have some serious power to defend with. They were one of the bigger deciding factors in every battle Quin was a part of. James took solace in the fact that when they were killed, the game might well be over when they could be called again.

They both drew their cards. James took stock of his hand and noticed that his starting cards were not that fantastic. James looked at the kid and saw that Quin probably had the same problem, he didn't look too happy. If anything he looked panicked. Then James realized that Quin probably thought James got all the cards he needed. while Quin got none of them.

James wondered why Quin might have thought that, because unlike a movie, players don't automatically get all the cards they need to blow their competition away. It did give James an Idea though. What was that saying again?

Appear strong when you are weak.

Well, James might as well take that to heart.

"I use "Shadowy Traitor" from my hand, here to show you that facing a legendary player is a mistake! When used, it allows me to draw another card, which I shall do!" James said, with much theatrics. Not quite to the level of Maine, but it certainly spooked Quin.

James drew his card, and it once again turned out to be nearly useless. "Man" thought James, "Why can't I draw any good cards this time?"

Even when James had that rebellious thought, his idea was still in full force.

"AH-HA! Just the card I needed! Now this battle is as good as done! Might as well let you use whatever cards you own, I want to see you struggle." James said, trying to look as sinister as possible.

As stated before, in movement mode there were no turns, but James wanted to make Quin feel like James just gave him his turn. Play your last pathetic turn! James liked that tactic. He might use that one again later.

Quin was invariably shaking in his boots, but nonetheless he used what cards he could.

"I use "Griffin of Horus", and I call "Pharaoh of Misfortune!" to my field! When "Griffin of Horus" Is used, I can call one "Horus Griffin" from my deck, as long as you have no more then two warriors on your field!" Quin said, before doing just what he stated.

James's eyebrow raised a bit. It seemed the kid was either faking having bad cards, or he is just freaking out over nothing. That was actually a half-decent combo.

A griffin soared throughout the sky before landing on Quin's field, hard. Half a second later, a hand shot up from the ground, darkened by hours in the sun. In it held a crook, and a moment later the other held shoved itself out of the ground, holding a flail. Rising from the sand appeared a young teenager, wearing a pharaoh's outfit.

The card timer ended and James drew his two cards. Once again, one of his cards that he drew was useless. The other however, might actually help James.

"I activate "Traitor's Remorse!", This card allows me to sacrifice one of my "Traitor" cards in my hand to make one of your warriors switch sides!" James said, smiling slightly.

Suddenly, Quin's "Pharaoh of Misfortune" pointed his flail at the card in James's hand, before it literally dissolved into sand.

"Seems that misfortune has struck you! When I use my warrior's ability, one charm you cast is rendered useless and it's effect doesn't happen!" Quin said, not quite triumphant but definitely smug.

James immediately started to panic. That was basically his only move, and the warriors on Quin's side would have their timers finished before James could draw his next card. James shook his head in dismay, it seemed he would have to use his special card.

"Alright, now it's time for my master plan!" James said, looking all smug like he had his plan figured out the whole time. Quin immediately looked decidedly nervous.

"I use my perk, "True Liar", to exchange one card in my hand for my ultimate card!" James said loudly, looking like he had everything set up at the start. Quin's pupils shrank in fear. He looked at his warriors timers, almost as if he was willing them to end faster.

"I use my ultimate card, "Traitorous Luck"! When this card is used, I get one dice roll with a 20 sided dice. If it lands in one of the lower ends, that's bad for me. If it lands in one of the higher numbers? That's bad for you. Now, lets see what we get, shall we?" James said proudly.

James missed out on his chance to be a showman.

The card morphs into a nondescript, blue 20 sided die in James hand, before he flicks it up with his thumb, in an extremely theatrical way.

The sound of the thumb hitting die is magnified to almost 100, but even if it wasn't, it would have still been heard over the utter silence of the crowd as they watched that die slowly twist and fall. The die slowly rolled over and over again before it hit the floor of the coliseum, still spinning until it finally landed on a number.

The crowd craned their heads to see the number revealed, but it turned out to be unnecessary when a large number 18 appeared, black flames wreathed over the red number. a moment after the number revealed itself, ghostly and bloodcurdling wails and shrieks accompanied it, before four black marble pillars rose from the ground accompanied by mist. The pillars had multiple chains on hooks nailed into the marble.

James gave his most sinister smile he could muster.

"Well Quin, that number's not quite as high as I was hoping, but it will suffice. It seems all your warriors have turned out to be traitors! And you know all the punishments for traitors, do you not? Well, let the pillars show you exactly what they are!"

Suddenly, the chains on the pillars started moving like snakes, before whipping out to grapple and entangle all of Quin's warriors, all three "Egyptian Stone Guards" were chained up on one of the pillars, the second pillar hosted the entangled "Horus Griffin", and the last pillar held up the "Pharaoh of Misfortune" by its arms and legs.

The pillar that held the "Horus Griffin" suddenly turned red hot, before it set itself on fire. The second pillar holding the three "Egyptian Stone Guards" grew a sharp ax blade on the one side they were not facing, before the ax blade did a 360 on the pillar, cutting all the "Egyptian Stone Guards", heads off. Finally, the 3rd pillar hoisted the "Pharaoh of Misfortune's" arms and legs apart, before slowly pulling them apart until they physically could not go any farther. Then the chains ripped the warrior apart, before he flashed and disappeared.

Quin looked at the display horrified. He then slowly looked at James, who had a grim smile on his face.

"My, how horrible was that? But, it seems there is one pillar left. And I think I know who that one is for!" James said, smiling sadistically.

Suddenly, the chains on the fourth pillar came alive, whipping over to Quin's arms, before restraining him. Quin immediately panicked and tried to struggle out of the chains, but they were manacled on to his wrists hard. Quin looked at James terrified.

"You see, because I achieved such a high number, you can no longer move or use any cards for a period of time, with the added bonus of taking all your warriors down." James stated.

A large 10 minute sign appeared above Quin, slowly counting down to when he could be free again. Meanwhile, the other three pillars sunk back into the ground, with just the one restraining pillar left.

James looked at Ebony and Verity. Verity was clinging to Ebony in what could be described as abject terror, while Ebony was watching on with a blank expression, her mouth agape. It made sense to James that they would react that way, he had never shown either of them what his card could do. He only used it in the most desperate of situations, considering that if he got a low number, he could have been the one restrained, not Quin.

Ebony turned to look at James, and all he saw was fear.

James smiled back.