I slid the top card from my deck and flipped it over. Yunix.
(Yes! Just what I needed!)
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.
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
My heart did a little victory dance. I immediately placed Yunix on my Bench, followed swiftly by Heinieboo. My mind raced through scenarios like a high-speed chase. This next move was crucial.
With a deep breath, I activated Liorex's APEX Trait. One coin flip stood between me and a potential comeback.
Okay, no pressure... it's just my entire survival on the line. Cool, cool, cool.
I flicked the coin into the air, time seeming to slow as it spun. It landed with a soft clink. Heads or tails? This was it.
Amber mouthed, "No!"
Heads! YES! Heinieboo, my ghastly little hero, let's do this!
I quickly retrieved my 30 S-HP Osseod from the Active Spot as Liorex's portal opened up to allow it to scamper away from the battlefield. Heinieboo floated in and arrived on the other side from the Bench to startle Amber's LeapLeap with a classic peek-a-boo.
(Oh, you're in for a treat now, Amber...)
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]
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- 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 stared at Heinieboo's card, weighing my options. If I played this right, I had a chance. If not... well, Amber's smug face already haunted me. But I was not going to attack with Heinieboo. No need to rush into anything. I wanted to take my time to see this thing through.
Okay, think. I could go for a straight hit, but... wait... if I keep her LeapLeap petrified, she's stuck. She can't retreat, can't attack... Ohoho, this could be fun.
I activated Yunix's APEX Trait and selected my Osseod to heal. Its health bumped up from 30 to 50 S-HP. Nice. A little life support for my crystal buddy. Next, I chose to alarm Amber's LeapLeap card with a [Spook Shrill]. Her LeapLeap's S-HP fell from 110 to 90. It became [Petrified] during the next turn. Heinieboo's APEX-Power fell from 130 to 110 and my turn was over.
Wait... if she fails the coin flip, she's stuck, right? If she fails again... and again... oh wow. This might actually work!
"Petrified?" Amber placed a finger to her chin. She took out a booklet of the card game's rules. (Oh no, she's reading the fine print. She just realized how bad this is for her, didn't she?) She pouted as she glanced back at her LeapLeap. She picked up a coin, flipped it, and soured when it landed on tails. "Eh?"
Her turn ended without an attack. She could only draw her last card from her deck, leaving her with three in hand, one on the Bench, and her petrified LeapLeap stuck in the Active Spot.
"My turn," I said, trying to sound calm. (I was not calm.)
Yunix healed Osseod again, bumping it to 70 S-HP. Another [Spook Shrill] brought LeapLeap down to 90 S-HP. Amber flipped the coin again.
Tails.
Heinieboo's APEX-Power: 110 → 90.
She clenched her jaw as I healed Osseod to 90 S-HP and struck again—LeapLeap down to 70 S-HP. Another flip.
Tails.
Heinieboo's APEX-Power: 90 → 70.
Amber's frustration was almost palpable. I healed Osseod again to 110 S-HP and attacked, dropping LeapLeap to 50. Heinieboo's APEX-Power slumped from 70 to 50. And she flipped the coin once more.
Heads.
Amber glared at me, puffing her cheeks in frustration. "You and that Heinieboo are getting on my nerves! LeapLeap attack!"
Her LeapLeap [Leap Kick]ed my Heinieboo, making me unsteady with the sharp decline of its 100 S-HP to 60.
I grinned, trying to look more confident than I felt. "Hey, don't hate the player, hate the ghostly card with annoyingly good status effects."
Her LeapLeap was holding on at 50 S-HP, but one more good hit and it was toast. I just had to keep my momentum.
I activated Yunix's APEX Trait again, bumping Heinieboo's S-HP back up to 80. Amber groaned loudly.
"Seriously? Is this a Zeldritch battle or a spa day for your team?"
"Hey, self-care is important," I shot back with a laugh.
I locked eyes with her and pointed at her LeapLeap. "Alright, Heinieboo—hit 'em with another Spook Shrill!"
Heinieboo's APEX-Power: 50 → 30.
Amber slapped her forehead dramatically as her LeapLeap's S-HP dropped to 30. "Ugh! It's like death by a thousand spooky paper cuts!"
But I wasn't done. "And guess what? Petrified again."
She sighed and picked up the coin. "C'mon, luck, don't fail me now..." She flicked it, both of us watching it spin in suspense.
It landed—tails.
"NOOOO!" Amber threw her hands up. "Again?! LeapLeap, do something!"
LeapLeap just... stood there. Petrified. Again.
I chuckled. "Guess it's not a fan of ghosts."
Amber slumped onto the table, groaning. "I can't retreat, I can't attack, and now I'm stuck watching you heal and chip away at my Zeldritch's soul."
"Pretty much," I said with a cheeky grin. "Alright, my turn. Let's keep it simple—another Spook Shrill from Heinieboo."
Heinieboo's APEX-Power: 30 → 10.
LeapLeap's S-HP dropped to 10. Amber's eyes went wide.
"You wouldn't."
"Oh, I would."
She gritted her teeth, flicked the coin again, and—
Tails.
The moment it landed, I couldn't help it—I burst into laughter. "This... this might be the most unlucky streak I've ever seen!"
Amber glared at me, then at the coin, and finally at her poor LeapLeap. "I swear this game is rigged."
"Not rigged, just... strategically ghostly," I teased.
Her shoulders slumped. "Finish it already, you cruel, spooky monster."
Yunix healed Heinieboo to 100 S-HP. I skipped my turn to allow my APEX-Power to recover by 10 units, bringing it up to 20 and guess what? Amber flipped tails again!
"Ugh."
I smiled as I gave my final command. "Heinieboo, one last Spook Shrill."
I watched as she huffed, and with a dramatic swipe, Amber placed her LeapLeap card into her discard pile. "RIP, my speedy ostrich friend."
I couldn't help but grin triumphantly. "Good game?"
Amber sighed but smiled. "Good game... but next time, I'm bringing status ailment counters. Your Heinieboo won't haunt me forever."
"Better luck next coin flip," I teased, earning a playful punch on the shoulder.
This time, I had the upper hand—but I knew next time, Amber would be gunning for me with an improved counter-deck. But now, we continued to play. So far, 1-0. Winner at 3.
She pushed forth her 60 S-HP LeapLeap back to the Active Spot. Her next card was placed on the Bench, and I recognized the creature in the artwork as a Crumant, a cute looking ant monster.
Crumant [046]
[ Card Info ]
- Attribute: [Xensect] [Plant]
- S-HP: [120 Units]
- APEX-Power: [100 Units]
- Grade: [Common]
- Weakness: [Fire] [Wind]
- Evolution Stage: [Basic] [Fledgling]
{Skills}
1. Snack Munch
- APEX Damage: [10]
- Cost: [20 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Xensect]
- Description: Crumant strikes the foe with its mandibles, stealing resources.
- Effect: Deals Xensect-attribute damage. Reduces the foe's APEX-Power by 10 Units. Recovers the attacking Zeldritch's by 10 Units and S-HP by 10 Units.
2. Crumb Toss
- APEX Damage: [20]
- Cost: [20 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Xensect]
- Description: Crumant hurls a cluster of crumbs at its foes.
- Effect: Deals Xensect-attribute damage.
Retreat Cost: [10 APEX]
EVOLUTION COST: [50 Units] → (Crumblant)
[ Additional Info ]
- Zeldritch: NO. 046
- Size: Small
- Sobriquet: "Ant Crumb Zeldritch"
[ Miscellaneous Info ]
- Market Price: 5 Crystals
- Edition: Genesis [046 | 268]
- Created by: ZELDRITCH INC.
- Release Date: October 5th, 20XX
Amber smirked as she placed Crumant onto her Bench. "Okay, Jakey, you had your fun. But Crumant here? She's ready to snack her way to victory."