I tore my gaze away from the playground and back to my deck, shuffling the cards in my hands. My fingers trembled slightly as sunlight glinted off my Liorex card. The holographic foil shimmered so vividly that, for a moment, I half-expected the illustrated creature to leap right off the card. It made me curious as I thought about hers. Amber's cards sat on the bench table, momentarily forgotten as she laughed—right before Heather, her massive ratite, suddenly leapt onto the bench.
I nearly jumped out of my skin, almost tumbling from my seat.
Heather, however, was not here to duel. She was here for snacks.
I chuckled, reaching into Amber's bag of treats to bribe the oversized bird away. Heather accepted the offering with a slobbery nuzzle, leaning her plump head against me as she nibbled. I laughed, giving her a gentle rub.
Glancing down, I admired my neatly arranged deck. Five cards might not seem like much, but I was confident. I had some solid picks, and while I knew there were stronger ones out there, my luck had been decent so far.
Amber plopped down across from me, Heather nestled by her side. "So, how's your deck?" she asked. "Are you sure you're good with just five cards? I mean, I've got a full thirty-card deck. We can split?"
I nodded. "Thanks, but I think I'll manage."
"Five versus five, then?"
"Yep."
I placed my cards on the table in two neat lines, facing Amber's. She grinned. "Alright, you go first. I need to figure out what all my cards even do."
Smirking, I nodded and drew my first card.
"Alright, I'm summoning Liorex!"
Liorex [254]
[ Card Info ]
- Attribute: [Deino] [Spatial]
- S-HP: [140 Units]
- APEX-Power: [180 Units]
- Grade: [Uncommon]
- Weakness: [Deino] [Relic]
- Evolution Stage: [Basic] [Fledgling]
APEX TRAIT: [Portal Roar]
Effect: Once during your turn, you may retreat Liorex from the Active Spot. Alternatively, once during your turn, flip a coin, if heads, you may retreat the Active Zeldritch to the Bench and switch it with another Zeldritch from the Bench Spot.
{Skills}
1. Deino Fang
- APEX Damage: [40]
- Cost: [20 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Deino]
- Description: Liorex chomps down on its foe.
- Effect: Deals Deino-attribute damage.
2. Portal Blast
- APEX Damage: [50]
- Cost: [30 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Spatial]
- Description: Liorex releases a space-shattering roar.
- Effect: Deals Spatial-attribute damage. Once during your turn, draw a card.
Retreat Cost: [20 APEX]
Attribute Weakness: [+20 Damage]
EVOLUTION COST: [50 Units] → (Leotyrex)
[ Additional Info ]
- Zeldritch: NO. 254
- Size: Small
- Sobriquet: "Tyrannosaurus Kitten Zeldritch"
[ Miscellaneous Info ]
- Market Sell Price: 50 Crystals
- Edition: Genesis [254 | 268]
- Created by: ZELDRITCH INC.
- Release Date: October 5th, 20XX
Amber raised an eyebrow. "Starting with your best card? You sure?"
"Yeah," I said, flipping the card around to show her. "I'm also activating its APEX TRAIT! See? Once per turn, I can either retreat it to my Bench or flip a coin. If I get heads, I can swap it with another Zeldritch from the Bench."
Amber grinned. "Okay! I'll go with my favorite one. Guess who?"
With a dramatic slap, she revealed her card.
LeapLeap [075]
[ Card Info ]
- Attribute: [Beast] [Wind]
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
- S-HP: [110 Units]
- APEX-Power: [150 Units]
- Grade: [Common]
- Weakness: [Chaos] [Voltage]
- Evolution Stage: [Basic] [Fledgling]
APEX TRAIT: [Swift Step]
Effect: If LeapLeap is your Active Zeldritch at the start of the game, you take the first turn. (If each player's Active Zeldritch has Swift Step—or an APEX Trait or APEX Domain with a similar effect—this trait has no effect.)
{Skills}
1. Leap Kick
- APEX Damage: [40]
- Cost: [40 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Wind]
- Description: LeapLeap strikes the foe with a powerful soaring kick.
- Effect: Deals Wind-attribute damage. Inflicts an additional [10] APEX Damage on its first attack. Deals an additional [10] APEX Damage if the Zeldritch is played from the bench.
Retreat Cost: [0 APEX]
EVOLUTION COST: [50 Units] → (LeagueLeap)
[ Additional Info ]
- Zeldritch: NO. 075
- Size: Medium-Large
- Sobriquet: "Ratite Runner Zeldritch"
[ Miscellaneous Info ]
- Market Price: 5 Crystals
- Edition: Genesis [075 | 268]
- Created by: ZELDRITCH INC.
- Release Date: October 5th, 20XX
"LeapLeap?" I asked. Considering who she was, I should not have been surprised.
She nodded. I flipped a coin, watching it spin before catching it and slapping it onto the back of my other hand. "Alright, heads." I lifted my hand, revealing—yep, heads. "I'm swapping Liorex with Osseod. We'll—"
Amber wagged her finger with a mischievous smile, tapping on LeapLeap's APEX TRAIT. "Ooo, but it says right here: 'If LeapLeap is your Active Zeldritch at the start of the game, you take the first turn.' So, I go first now!"
I winced. "Oh. Right."
"Then I'm attacking with LeapLeap!" Amber declared triumphantly. "Go, Heather! Leap Kick!"
Her LeapLeap smacked my Liorex for 50 damage, dropping its S-HP to 90.
Meanwhile, LeapLeap's APEX-Power fell from 110 to 70. With her attack complete, it was my turn.
Drawing my first card, I examined it—Heinieboo. I flipped it upside down, signaling I wouldn't be using it this turn. Instead, I focused on Osseod, eyeing its abilities before moving it to the Active Spot. Liorex retreated to the Bench thanks to my earlier coin flip.
Osseod [016]
[ Card Info ]
Attribute: [Ore]
S-HP: [110 Units]
APEX-Power: [100 Units]
Grade: [Common]
Weaknesses: [Plant] [Aqua]
Evolution Stage: [Basic] [Fledgling]
{Skills}
1. [Crystal Spit]
- APEX Damage: [20]
- Cost: [20 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Ore]
- Description: Osseod ejects a razor-sharp crystal shard from its mouth.
- Effect: Deals Ore-attribute damage to a single foe.
2. [Carapace Catapult]
- APEX Damage: [30]
- Cost: [30 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Ore]
- Description: With a burst of energy, Osseod launches a volley of crystals from its hardened carapace.
- Effect: Deals Ore-attribute damage to a primary target and, if available, a secondary target. If used immediately following Crystal Curl, the damage increases by an additional [20] APEX-Damage.
3. [Crystal Curl]
- APEX Damage: [0]
- Cost: [20 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Ore]
- Description: Osseod tucks into a compact, armored ball.
- Effect: Activates a protective shield that reduces the damage of the next incoming attack by [20] APEX-Damage. Additionally, boosts its APEX-Power regeneration by [5] Units for the following turn.
Retreat Cost: [20 APEX]
Attribute Weakness: [+20 Damage]
EVOLUTION COST: [50 Units] → (Oreseod)
[ Additional Info ]
- Zeldritch: NO. 016
- Size: Small
- Sobriquet: "Odd Crystal Mouse"
[ Miscellaneous Info ]
- Market Sell Price: 5 Crystals
- Edition: Genesis [016 | 268]
- Created by: ZELDRITCH INC.
- Release Date: October 5th, 20XX
I grinned. "Alright, Osseod! Use Crystal Curl!"
Osseod curled into a protective ball, its APEX-Power dropping from 100 to 80, but in return, it gained 20 Damage Reduction for the next turn. My turn ended, and thanks to its ability, Osseod's APEX-Power regenerated to 85. I smirked, feeling good about the counterplay I had just set up.
Amber studied my Osseod, then shrugged. "Meh. LeapLeap, attack again with Leap Kick!"
LeapLeap launched another strike, dropping Osseod's S-HP to 90. The attack should've hit for 40 damage, but thanks to Crystal Curl's defense boost, it only landed for 20. Meanwhile, Amber's LeapLeap's APEX-Power took another hit, dipping from 70 to 30.
Her turn ended.
I grinned, already plotting my next move.
"Time for some payback," I said, rubbing my hands together with mock villainy. "Osseod, time for Carapace Catapult!"
Shards of crystal shot from Osseod's carapace, pelting Amber's LeapLeap and sending its S-HP plummeting from 110 to 60.
Amber's jaw dropped. "Rude."
"Your move," I added, leaning back smugly.
She huffed, drawing a card from her deck. After a moment of indecision, she placed it facedown in her hand, then shakily grabbed another card—another LeapLeap.
"Oh, come on," I muttered.
Amber smirked. "Okay, you had your fun. Time to switch things up!"
With a flourish, she swapped her battered LeapLeap for the fresh one she'd just drawn. Thanks to its glorious 0 Retreat Cost, the first LeapLeap scampered off the field without costing her a single APEX Unit.
"Darn," I muttered under my breath.
"Alright, Heather, let's finish what we started!" Amber declared, her grin growing far too wide for my comfort.
The new LeapLeap immediately lunged forward with a [Leap Kick], slamming into Osseod. My poor crystal mouse's S-HP dropped to a terrifying 30.
"Oh no," I breathed.
Amber leaned forward, her face the very picture of smug satisfaction. "What's wrong, Jakey? Feeling a little... cornered?"
I groaned. She had me, and the worst part? She knew it.
I hovered my hand over my Liorex card, only to stop short. First, I needed to draw a card.
I took a deep breath and flipped the top card from my deck. Yunix.
Yunix [105]
[ Card Info ]
- Attribute: [Glacial] [Cryptic]
- S-HP: [100 Units]
- APEX-Power: [120 Units]
- Grade: [Common]
- Weakness: [Metal]
- Evolution Stage: [Basic] [Fledgling]
APEX TRAIT: [Snowflake Cleanse]
Effect: Cleanse all status ailments on the chosen target. Restores [20 S-HP] to the chosen target.
{Skills}
1. [Snow Shower]
- APEX Damage: [30]
- Cost: [30 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Glacial]
- Description: Yunix flaps its wings to brew up a snow storm.
- Effect: Deals Glacial-attribute damage. Inflicts [Frost] on your foe's Active Zeldritch.
Retreat Cost: [10 APEX]
Attribute Weakness: [+20 Damage]
EVOLUTION COST: [50 Units] → (Yukinix)
[ Additional Info ]
- Zeldritch: NO. 105
- Size: Miniature
- Sobriquet: "Snow Sprite Zeldritch"
[ Miscellaneous Info ]
- Market Sell Price: 5 Crystals
- Edition: Genesis [105 | 268]
- Created by: ZELDRITCH INC.
- Release Date: October 5th, 20XX
I scanned the card quickly, my mind racing through potential plays. Yunix wasn't a heavy hitter, but its APEX Trait could heal status ailments and restore [20 S-HP]—and right now, any bit of extra durability might just keep me in the game.
Without hesitation, I placed Yunix on my Bench, then followed up by setting down Heinieboo. Now, I had options.
Heinieboo [165]
[ Card Info ]
- Attribute: [Phantom]
- S-HP: [100 Units]
- APEX-Power: [130 Units]
- Grade: [Common]
- Weakness: [Celestial] [Phantom]
- Evolution Stage: [Basic] [Fledgling]
{Skills}
1. [Spectral Jab]
- APEX Damage: [40]
- Cost: [20 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Phantom]
- Description: Heinieboo thrusts an arm of ghastly energy.
- Effect: Deals Phantom-attribute damage.
2. [Spook Shrill]
- APEX Damage: [20]
- Cost: [20 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Phantom]
- Description: Heinieboo alarms the foe with an eerie cry.
- Effect: Deals Phantom-attribute damage. Inflicts [Petrified]. Alternatively, you may choose to have the foe switch their Active Zeldritch to the Bench.
Retreat Cost: [20 APEX]
Attribute Weakness: [+20 Damage]
EVOLUTION COST: [50 Units] → (Heinimp)
[ Additional Info ]
- Zeldritch: NO. 165
- Size: Medium
- Sobriquet: "Heinous Ghost Zeldritch"
[ Miscellaneous Info ]
- Market Sell Price: 5 Crystals
- Edition: Genesis [165 | 268]
- Created by: ZELDRITCH INC.
- Release Date: October 5th, 20XX
I leaned back, tapping my fingers on the table as I mapped out the best path forward. The next exchange was crucial. If I could just activate Liorex's APEX Trait, I might be able to swap out Osseod before it got wiped out. But that meant flipping a coin.
I gulped and flicked the coin into the air.
It spun, glittering under the light as both Amber and I watched it fall.
The moment of truth.
Would luck be on my side?