Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player
Chapter 851: Artifact

Og'tharoz, remaining translucent and intangible, hovered above the roof of one of the main towers of the palace walls, his keen eye scanning the horizon for any sign of threat.

The frost forming in the night was his ally, concealing his presence from the watchful eyes of the dark elves patrolling the walls.

With the agility of a specter, he moved in silence, his almost transparent body blending in perfectly with the icy environment.

The night breeze whispered as Og'tharoz slowly crossed the roof of the tower to fall right behind the two archers guarding it. With a fluid gesture, he crossed the ceiling like an ethereal shadow, emerging behind the sentries without them realizing his presence.

The first archer, oblivious to the imminent threat, was attentive to the distant horizon, his mind immersed in unknown thoughts. Og'tharoz didn't hesitate. With one agile movement, he materialized his katana and drove it precisely through the dark elf's chest. A muffled groan escaped the archer's lips as his body stiffened, the life quickly leaving him.

The second archer, alerted by the muffled sound of combat, turned quickly towards the imminent danger. Before he could react, the sharp blade of Og'tharoz's katana sliced through the air with speed and precision, separating the dark elf's head from his body in one fluid, lethal movement. The silence of the night was interrupted only by the metallic sound of blood dripping from the demonic blade.

With the sentries neutralized, Og'tharoz now had free access to the entire main tower of the wall. His fiery gaze shone with determination as he descended the stairs to gain access to the courtyard, each step echoing like an eerie echo amidst the silence of the night. The demon was aware that his mission was vital to the success of his companions' endeavor.

Every second, the weight of responsibility on his shoulders intensified, fueling his determination to complete his part of the journey.

Meanwhile, down below, on a slope high up on the mountain, Kaizen and the others waited anxiously for any sign of Og'tharoz's progress.

The icy wind whispered between the rocks, as if it too were waiting for events to unfold.

Andrew, with his serious countenance, remained alert, his divine senses extending his perception beyond mortal reach.

"He'll make it," Kaizen murmured, his voice laden with confidence. "Og'tharoz is more than capable of overcoming any challenge."

Xisrith, wielding the Thunder Sword lent to him by Kaizen, peered intently at the main gate of the distant palace. His expression was determined, his eyes shining with the intensity of the impending battle. "We can't falter. Every second counts."

Jayaa, with his serene posture, closed his eyes for a moment, seeking connection with the elements around him. He was a bard and this gave him a different kind of connection with his surroundings. His connection with nature was a source of incomparable power.

While the group waited, Og'tharoz advanced into the tower, his ghostly presence allowing him to go unnoticed by the dark elves who patrolled the corridors. His demonic senses were sharp, picking up every sound, every movement, every breath around him.

He searched the inside of the walls, the main towers and some rooms in the courtyard, but found nothing that could deactivate the protection around the palace. However, just as he was about to enter the palace to look deeper, Og'tharoz came across an imposing iron door, adorned with ancient runes and carved demonic symbols, which he recognized well.

He couldn't cross iron with his intangibility, but he knew another way to solve this problem.

With a firm gesture, Og'tharoz concentrated his demonic energy, enveloping the door with a dark aura. The runes began to glow faintly, responding to the demon's touch of power. With a metallic clang, the door slowly opened, revealing the dark and mysterious interior of the main tower.

However, this same crash echoed throughout the courtyard, indicating to everyone that this door had been opened.

The mages on the walls looked at each other in surprise, because it wasn't time to change shifts yet, so the barrier shouldn't be undone, and immediately began to command all the available guards to head towards the iron door that protected a priceless artifact.

Without worrying about it, Og'tharoz entered the dark and mysterious room of the main tower, his footsteps echoing softly in the room.

The air inside this place was imbued with an ancient and powerful energy, tinged by the shadows that gathered in the far corners.

The demon raised his hand, conjuring a small flame to light his way as he advanced cautiously.

The room was vast, with massive stone pillars adorned with intricate details of magical symbols. In the center, on a pedestal of black obsidian, rested the artifact he had been searching for - the Fountain of Protection, an ancient crystal imbued with the power to sustain an impassable barrier around the palace.

Og'tharoz felt the magical intensity emanating from the artifact, an almost palpable presence that enveloped him like an aura of mystery and power.

Gazing at the Fountain of Protection with eyes glowing with greed, the demon knew that his mission was about to reach a crucial point. Carefully, he approached the pedestal, his mind calculating the next steps. He knew it wouldn't be easy to disable the barrier, but he was determined to achieve his goal, no matter what challenge lay ahead.

However, before he could touch it, he heard the noises and shouts of the guards approaching, so with a flick of his right hand he closed the iron doors and with a snap increased the Dominican runes of protection, practically creating another password that would take some time to crack.

***

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