Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player
Chapter 880: Third Circle, Cerberus (Part 2)

Kaizen stared at the horizon, where Cerberus' red eyes glowed like incandescent coals.

The snow danced around, blown by the fierce wind that seemed to want to whisper ancient and terrifying secrets. He inhaled deeply, feeling the icy air burn in his lungs, and turned to the group.

"We need to move on anyway," he said, his voice firm but with a note of urgency. "There's no other way to get to the next circle."

Og'tharoz nodded slowly, his dark gaze fixed on the distant creature. "Cerberus is a formidable force, a creature that cannot be tamed even by demons, but I believe we can defeat it."

Bloody Lily looked around, her eyes assessing the terrain and the situation. "We need a plan," she said. "Something that will allow us to overcome her strength and ferocity."

"I agree," Kaizen replied. "We can't afford to be careless. Let's think of something while we walk."

With that decision, the group began to move. Their steps were heavy in the soft snow, each stomp creating a muffled sound in the silence of the icy desert. They moved carefully, aware that any sudden movement could attract the unwanted attention of Cerberus.

Alina walked beside Jayaa, offering support while he was still recovering from the second circle. "Are you all right?" she asked, her voice soft and concerned.

Jayaa nodded, although his face still showed traces of tiredness and discomfort. "Yes, I'm fine. I just need a moment to adjust."

Alina smiled, lightly squeezing his arm in a gesture of comfort. "We'll get through this together."

As they advanced, the wind howled around them, carrying with it tiny ice crystals that pricked their exposed skin like sharp needles. The cold was intense, penetrating to the bone, but the group's determination kept them moving.

As they approached the place where Cerberus was chained, the colossal figure of the three-headed dog became clearer. Their heads moved slowly, as if they were always vigilant, and their red eyes glowed with a fierce malice. The chains that bound him near the great stone gate behind him were thick and heavy, anchored deep in the frozen ground.

Og'tharoz studied the scene carefully. "These chains are our allies," he said. "If we can immobilize one or two of the heads, we might stand a chance."

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"How do we do that?" asked Xisrith, his eyes fixed on the monster ahead.

Kaizen thought for a moment, then turned to Alina. "Do you think you can use your magic to strengthen the chains or move them?"

Alina frowned, considering the idea. "I can try," she replied. "But we'll need to distract Cerberus enough so that I can work without being interrupted."

"I can do that," said Og'tharoz. "My natural resistance to cold and damage should allow me to hold his attention for some time."

"Resistance to damage?" Bloody Lily asked, curious.

"He can become intangible. The problem is that while he can't take damage, he can't cause it either." Andrew said.

"That's a great plan," said Kaizen. "And the rest of us need to make sure there are no surprises while Alina works. Jayaa, Andrew and Xisrith, you'll cover her."

Everyone nodded, understanding the gravity of the task ahead. They knew that any mistake could be fatal, but they also knew that there was no other choice.

With a plan in mind, they began to move more deliberately. Og'tharoz advanced first, his strides firm in the snow, each movement charged with a determined calm. He approached Cerberus cautiously, but without hesitation.

The three-headed dog sensed his approach and raised its head, snarling fiercely. Og'tharoz stopped at a slightly safe distance and raised a hand, as if greeting the creature.

"Hello, I've come to seek passage to the next circle," he said, his strong voice echoing in the icy air.

The monster growled once more and the head of the center opened its mouth. "And who the hell are you?"

Og'tharoz stood his ground, his eyes fixed on the central head of the Cerberus, whose glowing eyes shone like torches in the middle of the ice. He knew that any hesitation could be seen as weakness, so he mustered all his courage to face the legendary beast.

"Why, I'm a demon!" he announced, his voice reverberating in the icy air. "Don't you see?"

Cerberus' side heads moved, analyzing Og'tharoz with interest and contempt. The head on the right, with a more cunning expression, smiled cruelly.

"A demon asking for passage? How interesting," sneered the head on the right, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Do you think you can just ask and pass without any consequences?"

The head on the left, with eyes full of malice, laughed too. "You always think you can defy the orders of this place. No wonder so many of you have died recently. You think you're more powerful than you really are."

Og'tharoz took a deep breath, maintaining his posture. "I'm not here to challenge anyone. If you allow me to pass, I won't cause any trouble."

The central head, the most serious and imposing, watched Og'tharoz in silence for a moment before tilting his head slightly. "And what is your name?"

"Og'tharoz," he replied, without hesitation.

Instantly, the three heads of the Cerberus let out a unison roar that echoed across the icy desert. The chains that bound the beast clinked and tensed with the force of the creature rising up.

"Daring, Og'tharoz. Very bold!" The central head roared, its eyes burning with intense fury. "No demon, mortal or immortal, passes through here without facing our judgment! However, you are marked, you are condemned by the boss!"

"However, we were told you wouldn't come alone." The head on the left said and began sniffing the air, then suddenly turned sharply to the left.

The glowing eyes of the left head of Cerberus fixed on a hooded woman who stood with her eyes closed anointing the chains of the left head.

"You are not alone, Og'tharoz!" The left head snarled, showing its sharp fangs. "Who is this intruder!?"

Alina was putting into practice the plan they had meticulously devised.

"You are too bold!" shouted the right head, its voice reverberating like thunder. "You will pay dearly for this insolence!"

The head's jaw immediately dropped open, ready to deliver a mortal blow to the intruding mage.

However, Alina opened one of her eyes and, when she saw that huge mouth with sharp teeth coming towards her, in a quick, agile movement Alina raised her hands and lowered them. At the same moment, the runes on the chains glowed brightly and, with a magical snap, the chains locked and went down, making a sudden movement.

Its left head was pulled down hard, and its jaw was wrenched shut as it hit the ground with a thud.