Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player
Chapter 852: Demon Art

The moment Og'tharoz closed the iron doors and increased the protection runes, a feeling of triumph mixed with the adrenaline pulsing through his veins. He knew he had gained precious time to examine the artifact and replace a way to deactivate the barrier protecting the palace.

With the room now silent and isolated from the sounds outside, except for the distant whisper of the guards trying to figure out how to bypass the new protections he had created, Og'tharoz turned his attention to the Source of Protection.

The crystal, masterfully carved into a shape resembling a frozen flame, emanated an aura of power that almost materialized in the air around it.

Og'tharoz slowly approached the black obsidian pedestal, his red eyes shining with curiosity as he studied every detail of the artifact.

His experience allowed him to immediately recognize the dark origin of the Fountain of Protection. It was an ancient creation, made by skilled hands who knew the deepest secrets of black magic and, just like the runes on the iron door of this place, the artifact had demonic origins, in other words, Muspelheim.

With a careful touch, Og'tharoz lifted the crystal, feeling the pulsating energy that flowed through it. At that moment, he could hear distant whispers, ancient voices echoing in his mind, whispering long-forgotten secrets about the nature of the artifact.

It was clear to him that the Source of Protection was more than just a magical barrier; it was an artifact of unimaginable power, capable of shaping the reality around it in obscure and unpredictable ways.

As he studied the crystal, Og'tharoz began to form a plan in his mind. He knew that deactivating the barrier would not be a simple task, because breaking this thing would not be an easy task, it wasn't as simple as throwing it on the ground for sure, but the presence of the Source of Protection offered a unique opportunity.

If he could master the artifact, he could use it for his own purposes, perhaps even subvert its power to weaken the palace's defenses and allow his friends to invade without much resistance.

With this idea taking shape in his mind, Og'tharoz began to channel his demonic energy to interact with the Source of Protection. He whispered ancient words of power, unleashing a flow of dark magic that intertwined with the energies contained in the crystal.

The dark and mysterious room shook with the intensity of the magic being woven, creating an atmosphere charged with tension and mystery.

Meanwhile, outside the room, the dark elf guards continued to try to replace a way around the defenses set up by Og'tharoz. They knew that the artifact inside the room was the key to maintaining the barrier and protecting the palace, so they spared no effort to overcome the obstacles the demon had created.

Inside the room, Og'tharoz felt a growing resistance as he tried to access and control the energies of the Source of Protection.

The crystal pulsed in response, as if it recognized the demon's attempt to manipulate it. However, Og'tharoz did not back down. His determination was as solid as the iron he could not break through in his ghostly form.

Gradually, he began to feel a connection forming, a bridge between his own demonic essence and the power contained in the artifact.

The runes carved into the black obsidian seemed to come alive, glowing with an eerie light as the magic intensified inside the room.

Og'tharoz knew he was getting close to his goal, but he also understood that any mistake could result in disastrous consequences.

With his mind focused and his will implacable, Og'tharoz plunged even deeper into the connection with the Source of Protection. He felt the magical energies flowing through him, flooding his mind with ancient knowledge and indomitable power. For a brief moment, he glimpsed the infinite possibilities the artifact offered, as if he were touching the very secrets of the universe.

However, this brief vision was interrupted by a sudden shock of pain and surprise. A hidden barrier, a final safeguard left by the artifact's creators, activated when Og'tharoz tried to penetrate deep into its secrets.

The demon was thrown backwards, his body shaking with the force of the defensive magic.

"Shit!" He said as he picked himself up off the ground. "I don't know if I can do this... The demon you created is even older than me. Could it be a Generation 0 demon?" Og'tharoz wondered, but he was tempted to try one more time.

Og'tharoz rose from the ground with renewed determination, his mind spinning with possibilities and challenges. He knew that facing such an ancient and powerful artifact would not be easy, but his thirst for power and his loyalty to his goals pushed him to try again.

With firm steps, he approached the Source of Protection once again. The runes on the black obsidian seemed to pulse with an energy of their own, as if they were alert to any attempt at invasion. Og'tharoz studied them carefully, looking for a way around the defensive barrier that had thrown him back.

Og'tharoz took a deep breath and concentrated on his connection with the demonic energies. He knew he had to replace a weakness in the defensive barrier or a way to neutralize its resistance.

With one swift movement, he traced ancestral symbols in the air, channeling black magic towards the Source of Protection. The runes glowed in response, but this time, instead of resisting, they seemed to adapt to the demon's presence. It was as if they recognized its demonic essence and allowed a deeper connection.

Og'tharoz felt a current of energy flowing from him to the artifact, an exchange of power and knowledge that transcended the centuries.

He immersed himself in this newfound knowledge, absorbing every piece of information like one hungry for forbidden wisdom. He discovered that the Source of Protection was a unique creation, forged by an ancient demon known as Mal'karoth, whose name was feared even among the most ancient beings of Muspelheim.

With this revelation, Og'tharoz realized that he was dealing with something beyond his initial comprehension. Mal'karoth was not just a powerful demon; it was an ancient entity, linked to the very foundations of the dark world.

With a final effort, Og'tharoz channeled all his will and knowledge in an attempt to take complete control of the Source of Protection. The runes glowed brightly, as if recognizing the demon's dominion over them.

Then, in a moment of pure ecstasy and triumph, Og'tharoz felt the defensive barrier dissolve before him. The dark magic dissipated, revealing the artifact now under his absolute control and then Og'tharoz whispered to the artifact:

"Deactivate protective barrier."

The artifact glowed for an instant and a door creaking sound echoed throughout the palace, startling the guards and telling Kaizen and the others that it was now possible to break into the palace.