A ramp deck. Deckard’s gaze hardened. Good thing I started building my board on turn one.
A memory flashed: an opponent summoning a hulking leviathan on turn three while Deckard sat helpless, his cards useless in his grip. Not this time.
Ratu had only played one cost-reduction card so far. That meant there was still time—a slim window before something big hit the board.
But Ratu’s smile only widened. “Enjoy it while it last, yeah?”
Deckard tensed, his fingers hovering over his cards. He couldn’t let Ratu’s confidence shake him.
Turn two came.
Deckard drew two new cards. Neither was what he needed right now.
I need to end this quickly or draw removal, Deckard thought. If he starts summoning powerful creatures and I don’t have the answers, I’m doomed.
The second reveal phase began. Deckard’s heart pounded as he waited, dreading what Ratu had played this time. Once again, it was a single card. He just hoped it wasn’t a big shark yet.
The card was revealed. Another skill.
Blood in the Water
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Skill
Affinity: Water
Cost: 2
Effect: Pay 1 less for the first shark card you play each turn from the next turn onward.
A single red droplet fell from the sky, landing on Ratu’s side of the field with a loud plop. The ripple it created surged outward, staining the arena crimson.
Ratu’s bloodshot eyes gleamed. “Better be ready, outsider.” His voice carried an edge of malice that made Deckard’s skin crawl.
The resolution phase began. Deckard’s crabs surged forward again, their claws striking the holographic walls with satisfying cracks. The structure flickered and groaned as its HP dropped to four.
Deckard clenched his fists. Almost there. Almost.
But Ratu’s confidence was unnerving. He didn’t even flinch at the damage. Instead, he let out a low, grating chuckle.
Deckard’s eyes darted back to his hand and the remaining cards in his deck. His pulse quickened. I need an answer, because I have a feeling that if I don’t have one next turn, I’m finished.
Sharks. The word echoed in his mind, sending a chill down his spine. How strong are they going to be? He didn’t know, but if Ratu’s deck was this focused on ramping them out, they’d be overwhelming.
The third draw phase came, and Deckard drew two more cards.
No removal. On the plus side, I have lethal this turn, he thought, shifting uneasily. But what if he plays a large shark on his attacking lane? Worst-case scenario, we tie and have another rematch. Can he stop me from winning while ensuring his victory? I doubt it. He doesn’t have enough cards in his hand to pull that off. Most likely, he’ll play a shark defensively. That’s what I would do. He tightened his grip on his cards. Let’s do this.
Discarding two cards, Deckard played a creature in his attacking lane.
Let’s see what he’s got, Deckard thought, wiping his clammy hands on his pants.
Since Ratu was losing, the card in his defensive lane revealed first.
The ground in Ratu’s lane shimmered, and a dorsal fin sliced through the surface like a blade. A massive shark erupted, its jaws snapping loudly.
Blacktip Shark
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Creature
Affinity: Water
Cost: 4 (-2)
Points: 7
Effects: Heals 2 if this lane wins.
Deckard winced. As expected of a ramp deck. The shark was enormous—a whopping four-cost card, the priciest he’d ever seen. And its stats were devastating. Not only could it stonewall his attack, but it would also heal Ratu’s castle if the lane held.
Ratu grinned, his expression wild. “You see my shark? Nothing stop it! You lose already!”
The mist lifted from Deckard’s attacking lane, revealing his creature. A web descended from above, and a crab lowered itself slowly into view, its sharp pincers clicking.
Spider Crab
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Creature
Affinity: Water
Cost: 2
Points: 2
Effect: This can move lanes once.
The board shifted as the point count updated. Deckard’s lane totaled 5—not enough to pierce the Blacktip Shark’s defense.
“Hahaha! You no can do nothing!” Ratu cackled.
Deckard took a deep breath. “I’m not done yet.”
“Eh? What you mean by that?”
From the graveyard, two streaks of light shot to Deckard’s defending lane.
Royal Starfish
Rarity: Common
Type: Creature
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Affinity: Water
Cost: 2
Points: 1
Effects: Regeneration.
Granulated Starfish
Rarity: Common
Type: Creature
Afinity: Water
Cost: 3
Points: 0
Effects: +3 if on defending lane. Regeneration.
Two starfish materialized, adding two points of defense to Deckard’s defending lane. Thanks to their regeneration effect, they had spawned two turns after being used as fodder to summon his crabs on turn 1.
Ratu blinked, then burst out laughing. “That all? Hahaha! Two points? They not even in your attacking lane! Such a useless move. My shark still heal me, eh!”
Deckard remained silent, his expression calm. Let him laugh. Two free points of defense without spending a single card? I’ll take it.
The resolution phase began. The Blacktip Shark’s effect triggered. The holographic walls shimmered and rebuilt themselves, bringing Ratu’s HP back up to six.
Deckard’s heart sank. One creature alone had outmatched all three of his attackers.
Still, there was one silver lining: Ratu had spent every card in his hand to summon [Blacktip Shark]. From this point on, he’d be top-decking. On the other hand, [Chum ]and [Blood in the Water] were already in play, meaning any cheap sharks could still hit the field in the next round.
No sense overthinking it, Deckard thought, steadying himself. One thing’s for sure—the longer this goes on, the worse it gets for me. I need to end this soon.
The fourth draw phase came, and Deckard pulled two new cards from his deck. His heart skipped a beat as he saw one of them, but he quickly masked his excitement. Don’t look too happy, he reminded himself. Let him think I’m still scrambling.
He discarded two cards, played the skill card, and waited, glancing toward Ratu. The mist began to rise, and Deckard’s eyes narrowed. Ratu had played another card in his defending lane.
The mist parted, revealing the card:
Shark Bite
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Skill
Affinity: Water
Cost: 2 (-2)
Effect: If you control a shark, destroy a random enemy creature.
Deckard grimaced. Ratu still held a card. He’d played this skill for free!
The discount also applies to skill cards related to sharks?! Perfect. Just perfect.
The Blacktip Shark dove into the field, leaving a turbulent wake as it disappeared below. Moments later, it resurfaced in Deckard’s defending lane, its jaws snapping shut with a sickening crunch as it shredded the Granulated Starfish.
Ratu clicked his tongue. He had clearly hoped for a better target, like the Crab Enforcer or Spider Crab.
Deckard smirked. Those starfish are not so useless anymore, are they?
Many cards in Terralore relied on random effects, leaving players at the mercy of probability. Having a few extra bodies on the field to dilute the odds made all the difference.
“My turn, Ratu!”
Deckard’s card was revealed.
Reef Ambush
Rarity: Common
Type: Skill
Affinity: Water
Cost: 2
Effects: Remove a card from play for 1 turn (2 turns if it has water affinity).
Ratu’s face contorted. “You stinkin’ outsider! That card—you take it from me! You! You!!”
Deckard ignored him, focusing on the battlefield. Ratu only had one creature in play, so there were no chances of missing here. Bubbles rose around the Blacktip Shark. The shark thrashed, dragged down into the depths of the field. Since it had water affinity, it would be out of play for two turns.
Ratu’s fury bubbled over. “I show you, eh! Just wait and see!”
The resolution phase began. Ratu’s castle, which had only recently recovered its HP, crumpled under the assault of the three crabs and Ratu was left with only one HP.
For the first time, Ratu showed signs of unease.
They drew two cards each, and Ratu seemed to relax—just slightly.
Deckard took a deep breath as he studied his hand. This is the decisive turn, he thought. Ratu only has 1 HP, and his Blacktip Shark will return next turn. He has no choice but to play something defensively, or he’ll lose here and now.
He glanced at the cards in his hand and selected the one that would seal the deal. Placing it face down in his attacking lane, he steeled himself for the reveal phase.
The mist began to lift, and Ratu’s card was revealed first.
The ground rippled as another shark surged forward, jaws snapping shut around Deckard’s Crab Enforcer. Deckard winced as his strongest creature vanished in an instant.
As the shark reappeared in Ratu’s lane, the system displayed its details:
Bull Shark
Rarity: Rare
Type: Creature
Affinity: Water
Cost: 4 (-2)
Points: 5 (+2)
Effect: Destroy your opponent's strongest creature. Gain its points.
“Good card,” Deckard admitted. The Bull Shark wasn’t just strong; it also removed an opponent’s key creature—a devastating combination.
Ratu’s breathing was ragged, his eyes wild. “Now I turn this around! Next turn, my Blacktip Shark come back, and I win this!”
“Hold on to your hat,” Deckard replied coolly. “There might not be a next turn.”
Deckard’s card was revealed.
Shield Bash
Rarity: Common
Type: Skill
Affinity: Earth
Cost: 1
Effect: Points of the weakest enemy creature don't count this turn.
A rotating shield appeared, flying across the battlefield like an unrelenting predator. Ratu recognized the card that had cost him the very first game they had played against each other.
“No… You…” Ratu stammered, his voice cracking.
“Oh yes,” Deckard said with a grin. “Good game, Ratu.”
The shield struck the Bull Shark squarely, stunning it. The massive creature floated belly up, its stats nullified for the turn.
The counting phase began. With the Blacktip Shark still banished and the Bull Shark neutralized, Deckard’s remaining creatures surged forward. The crabs’ claws smashed into the holographic walls of Ratu’s castle, cracking and crumbling them until the structure collapsed. Ratu’s HP dropped to zero.
Ratu froze, his mouth hanging open. “I can’t… No. It can’t be…”
His face whitened, all vitality drained from him.
Deckard let out a deep sigh, standing tall with his HP untouched. He made it in time. One more turn, and both sharks would be active in the field, and then, Ratu would’ve probably overwhelmed him.
He glanced at his deck. Shark cards are incredible. Just one alone could contend with three of mine. But by squeezing the full potential of my deck—even the cards I discarded—I scraped out the win.
Ratu remained kneeling, his hook quivering in his grasp.
“It’s time to honor your bet,” Deckard prompted.
“I… I can’t,” Ratu muttered, his voice hoarse.
“Come on, show me your cards.”
“I… I…”
“Do you want me to tell everyone in the village about what a sore loser you are?” Deckard’s tone hardened.
The fisherman collapsed to his knees, his defiance shattered. “Please, just this one time, eh? No take the shark cards. Let me take out a few first, then you pick from the rest, yeah?”
Deckard’s jaw tightened, weighing his options. Wherever he got these cards, he’s terrified of losing them. But I’d be a fool to pass this up. Shark cards likely boost attack in the binder. Attack points are too valuable for me to ignore.
“No. You’ll honor your bet. Show me your cards.”
Ratu clenched his jaw, gripping his hook tightly.
For a moment, Deckard hesitated. If this were real life, he’d be seriously worried about being “put to sleep with the fishes.” But this was a game. It wouldn’t make sense for the system to dangle a reward only to snatch it away.
Finally, following his programming, Ratu handed over the deck with a trembling hand.
Deckard’s lips curled into a grin. Time to get myself some new cards.
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