Following the demon they had controlled, the team was able to locate the Labyrinth's center. It was filled with demons guarding it, with their leader Aragon, a six-armed, four-eyed demon leading them.
"Aragon is a very formidable enemy, so be careful everyone," said Raven.
"Don't worry about it, Connor and I can handle him. Y'all just focus on the others. Once I'm done, I'll use Rule Breaker to shut the labyrinth down," said Raiden.
"Okay, the plan is set then. Raiden and Connor on the big guy, and everyone else handles the rest of the fodder," said Robin.
"GO!"
The attack commenced. Raiden took to the skies, and Connor faced Aragon head-on. He jumped, trying to deliver a joint fist blow, but was blocked by the demon's hand. The demon used his four arms to block Connor's hands, catching them. The other two were about to counter-attack, however, a massive light attack struck the hands, forcing the demon Aragon to backtrack.
He lost feeling in his arms, but other than that, his arms were intact.
"Looks like you're more durable than the other ones, huh?" said Raiden.
"You fools, do you even know who you are going against! Hand over the girl, and you can be granted a swift death!" shouted Aragon, clearly annoyed at the fact that he was pushed back by inferior beings.
"Oh, please spare me the bullshit villain monologue. Connor, hold him steady. I'm going to end this," said Raiden.
"Got it. Be quick, though; he's pretty tough!" shouted Connor as he lunged again. This time, Connor aimed for a kick. Aragon blocked the first, but another swiftly followed. Shifting from a defensive stance, Aragon opened his six arms and launched an attack. Connor's training enabled him to dodge some of the strikes, but the relentless barrage of six fists made it impossible to evade entirely. He took a couple of blows before Aragon finally wore him down, seizing Connor and hoisting him up, preparing to smash him onto the ground.
"Ατλας (Atlas) ! Nice work Connor, The spell is ready, Had to learn it pretty quick My bad"
As soon as Raiden shouted the spell's name, Aragon's body became heavy, immobilizing him.
Raiden descended and placed his hands on Aragon's chest. "Αερο Κεραινο (Aero Celaeno)"
From within Aragon, a whirlwind of electricity spun, effortlessly twisting the demon's insides and tearing apart his chest. As the whirlwind continued, Aragon shattered into pieces, his body parts splashing away.
Raiden then soared into the skies and declared, "Machia Hecatic Graea," as light magic circles opened up, raining destruction upon the other demons in the room.
"Now then, time to leave this place," Raiden said as he walked toward the floating spell book. Beside it lay the limp body of Jinx, who had been killed as soon as she created the labyrinth and locked herself in with the dangerous foe, Aragon.
"Magic's principles, divine providence, the principles of the world... All creation... I will send back everything to their origins: Rule Breaker!"
As Raiden spoke the noble phantasm's name, the sword canceled the labyrinth, sending everyone back to their original locations.
"Connor!" exclaimed Megan as she ran toward her boyfriend.
"Looks like everyone is fine," said Kaldur as he approached the team.
"You worry too much for your own good," replied Rocket.
A yellow streak zapped towards Raiden. "Looks like you're the hero of the day again, huh?"
"Who's the new blood?" Artemis asked, looking at Raven.
"Well said, Artemis! She's the new blood. Artemis, this is Raven, I'm hoping she would join us!" Raiden introduced.
"I don't think I'll be joining you or your team anytime soon. I thank you for the help with the demons, but it's time to leave. You need to find a way out of here, or you will be in danger," said Raven.
"Relax. Whatever it is, we can take care of it. Oh wait, time's up," Raiden said as his body shone with light.
"I once had a brother. If he had lived, he might have grown to be much like yourself... But alas, forget I spoke of it. I liked viewing the world from your perspective, master. Please, summon me again. Maybe one day I'll be able to be trustworthy to someone, such as yourself."
{Bond Increased!
Medea Bond 1 → Bond 4}
"Thank you for everything, Medea! And thanks for teaching me Ancient magic as well."
Raiden's body returned to its normal state as he opened his eyes, finding Raven looking at him with wide eyes.
Raiden casually stroked his hair and said, "Charming, I know."
"More like basic. I liked you more as a witch," replied Raven, shutting down Raiden's hopes as she turned away.
Approaching Raiden, Robin placed his hand on his shoulder and said, "You have much to learn."
Raiden simply looked at Raven and said, "I can fix her."
"Hello, have you all forgotten about our mission?" asked Artemis.
"We're stuck in a foreign land without the power to go back or communicate. We'll have to search the terrain. Miss Raven, can you tell us about anything we can use to return home?" inquired Kaldur.
Raven turned around and said, "No, I don't know. Find your way on your own."
"Hey, wait. Come on, we helped you; can't you do the same?" said Raiden.
*BOOOM*
"Oh no," said Raven as she looked at the sky.
"Oh my god! What is that?" exclaimed Rocket.
"EVERYONE, TAKE COVER!" screamed Kaldur.
As the colossal red-skinned demon emerged, towering above them, with long white hair, black horns, pointed ears, and four orange eyes, a yellow laser shot from its eyes directly where everyone had been. Thanks to Kaldur's warning, everyone dodged, except Raiden, who had been too slow to see the attack coming.
"We are meant to be, always, and we shall, my child. Open forth the gate, join your father in his endless conquest," spoke the entity known as Trigon.
"RAIDEN!" screamed Raven as she flew towards his location.
The entire team came out of hiding and rushed to Raiden. Shocked at the sight, Raiden was badly injured, with his left leg completely gone, his right hand in the ground, guts spilling on the floor, and his left eye bloody, likely gouged out.
"Oh no..." Artemis put her hand on her mouth.
"Laeh Nediar!" screamed Zatanna, but it was too late.
"Oh? Did you like that insignificant bug, my dear daughter? It matters not; you can always get a new pet. Look, there's more of them. Just pick one, and let's move to Earth. I hunger for more destruction," declared Trigon.
"YOU MONSTER!" screamed Raven at her father.
"Monster? Monsters hide under children's beds. I am DESTRUCTION. I AM TRIGON! NOW OPEN THE GATE OR I SHALL KILL ALL OF YOUR PET FRIENDS, ONE BY ONE. I'll tear them limb by limb and make you watch. THEY ARE inferior! Beings meant to serve ME."
"We have to escape," said Kaldur.
"WHAT! We can't just leave him!" protested Artemis, pointing at Raiden.
Losing his composure, Kaldur shouted, "I CAN'T RISK LOSING ANY MORE OF YOU!"
"SILENCE, YOU INSIGNIFICANT BUGS!" said Trigon as he blasted Kaldur and the team with his eye laser. However, Raven was prepared this time as she cast a dark dome barrier, covering the team and Raiden.
"Oh? You've grown. Is rage the reason? Perhaps I should make you more angry, then," said Trigon as he intensified the power of his laser. Rocket rushed to Raven's side and assisted her barrier with her own.
"This isn't working! He's too strong!" screamed Rocket.
"Ugh..." groaned Raiden.
"Raiden!" screamed Zatanna. "He's trying to say something," added Megan.
"The ugh..." groaned Raiden again.
"HANG IN THERE, RAIDEN!" screamed Robin, holding his new friend's hand.
"Throne, ughh of... Heroes," said Raiden.
…
{Grand Ritual Summoning
Summoning Condition: World Threat "Inter-dimensional demon Trigon"
Grand Servant: Caster}
…
Raven's body gave in, and so did Rocket's as the laser struck, but nothing happened, as the laser was absorbed by a golden sword held by a man's hand.
The man wore a robe woven with the finest fabrics. His beauty was unmatched, and his purple glowing eyes were filled with wisdom. His long hair appeared with the colors of the rainbow under sunlight.
"Ahh, such a shame! I really wanted to meet this master. He seemed like one that would appreciate my romantic advice! Ah well, he's asleep now. Let's see, ah, this one looks like a toughie!"
The eccentric man looked up in the sky as his eyes gazed at Trigon with no fear or worry.
"Raiden! Is that you? You transformed without cooldown! YOU'RE OKAY!" said Zatanna, happy to see Raiden.
"I'm afraid not, child. I'm not the master of this body; I'm merely borrowing it to save the world. My name is Merlin. People call me the Mage of Flowers. Just call me Merlin," spoke Merlin, the current Grand Caster, here to vanquish the world threat.
"You are the legendary wizard, Merlin," spoke Zatanna as her eyes glowed with brightness, meeting one of the world's most renowned mages.
"Can you defeat that demon, Mage?" spoke Connor.
"Well, I doubt I could defeat such a being."
"Raiden said he can defeat him. Was it a lie?" spoke Raven as she got up from the floor, her magic completely drained.
"As I said, I doubt I could defeat him… So instead, you will," spoke Merlin.
"You insignificant mage! Just because you managed to block a mere eye blast, you think you can speak to MY DAUGHTER in such a casual tone? I will end you," spoke Trigon, enraged at Merlin's emergence.
Trigon made a fist out of his hand and attacked the spot everyone had been in. But to his amazement, nothing happened. His hand did reach the ground, but it was different, filled with pink flower petals.
"We're here! HI," spoke Merlin, waving his hand from another location.
"As for you, what do you say? My master was quite fond of your looks and powers. He's got a good eye for it; you fit perfectly. Would you like me to make you a Hero?" said Merlin.
"A Hero?" asked Raven.
"I've made a great Hero before. Her name was King Arthur Pendragon. I doubt you can reach her level, but HIS level is possible," said Merlin as he pointed at Trigon.
"I will do anything if it means I can defeat him!"
"Good answer, child," spoke Merlin as he looked at Trigon attacking another illusion.
"THAT'S IT! I'M DONE WITH YOUR TRICKS, MAGE! I WILL DESTROY EVERYTHING!" spoke Trigon as his eye blast manifested with tenfold the earlier power and attacked everything, making sure to leave no space for Merlin's illusions.
"From the inner sea of the planet, from the tower of insight, from the four corners of paradise, let them know; their story is filled with blessings. Only those free of sin may pass...
Garden of Avalon!"
The land they had been standing on changed. The Garden of Avalon was reproduced onto the surrounding area. Flowers bloomed in profusion above the ground, and no matter what sort of darkness or hell that might be, a warm sunlight shall shine upon it.
"What is this feeling?" noticed Robin.
"I feel fast, very fast, as fast as Flash."
"I feel power," said Connor.
"The fatigue, it's all gone," spoke Kaldur.
"My magic... it feels endless."
"This feeling, it's like I'm in my peak form."
"My mind feels stronger."
"Sheesh, this power, wow."
"Welcome to Utopia. Well, at least that's what people think it is. It's more like a prison," spoke Merlin, then he turned to Raven and said,
"Time to make a Hero out of you," as he activated his Hero Creation Skill EX.