Rizevim's Hideout
Rizevim Livan Lucifer sat on a grotesque throne made of bones and skulls, each one symbolizing a life he had taken over the years. His eyes carried a malevolent gleam, reflecting the depravity of his soul. He seemed comfortable, almost bored, as he observed Euclid Lucifuge, who stood before him in a submissive posture, as was expected of a servant.
"The Maous are acting surprisingly," Rizevim said, his voice drawn out and dripping with disdain. "They've actually started eradicating the traitor families? I never imagined they'd have the courage for that." He shook his head, almost incredulous, as he lightly tapped his long, sharp fingers on the arm of the throne.
"Yes, Rizevim-sama," Euclid replied, his voice low and subservient. "They are eliminating anyone who allied with our faction. Riser Asmodeus has already started cleansing the underworld, beginning with Glasya-Labolas territory."
"Well, I suppose we should repay what was done to our collaborators," Rizevim said, his voice taking on a sinister tone as a cruel smile formed on his lips.
"Rizevim-sama," Euclid began, keeping his head slightly lowered in a sign of respect, though there was a glint of malice in his own eyes. "We can use the Evil Dragons to respond in kind. A demonstration of power that will make it clear to the Maous that they made a grave mistake by underestimating us."
Rizevim slowly nodded as if pondering Euclid's words.
"Yes... That would be quite... fun. But we need to ensure this retaliation is painful and leaves an indelible mark. It's not just about revenge; it's about sending a message."
"The city of Lilith is constantly bustling, even with the number of devils circulating limited by the war. If we launch the attack during the busiest time, we can make a significant impact, even if the number of victims isn't that high," Euclid said.
Rizevim smiled malevolently, his eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction. "For me, that's perfectly fine, as long as chaos is unleashed. What matters is that their peace is disturbed, and fear spreads."
Euclid, maintaining his subservient posture, bowed before leaving. "I will begin preparations immediately, Rizevim-sama."
...
Euclid walked down a narrow, dark corridor, the cold stone walls reflecting the dim light of the torches. He entered a vast, dark room, the dungeon where he kept Valerie Tepes, the pureblooded vampire he had kidnapped. She was chained to a stone wall, her clothes tattered, and her eyes empty as if all hope had been drained from her soul.
The Sephiroth Graal, split into three parts, and one of the parts was floating in front of her, suspended in a bright energy field. The sacred gears pulsed with sinister energy, reflecting the magic Euclid had infused into them. He approached Valerie slowly, a cold look in his eyes.
"Valerie," Euclid said, his voice soft but full of threat. "It's time for you to serve your purpose."
Valerie lifted her gaze to Euclid, her lifeless eyes reflecting resignation. She knew what was coming but was powerless to resist. Euclid extended his hand and began chanting a spell, the ancient words flowing from his mouth with cruel precision.
A dark glow enveloped Valerie as Euclid used a special magic to force her to increase the power of the Sephiroth Graal. Valerie's life force began to drain, fueling the sacred gear and intensifying its power. Valerie screamed in agony, her body shaking violently as the magic siphoned her life, drop by drop.
Her skin turned waxy pale, and her veins bulged, dark and pulsing, as the power drained from her body. Valerie's once vibrant hair began to lose its color, becoming dull and lifeless. Each second felt like an eternity of suffering for her, but Euclid remained impassive, focused only on the goal.
Finally, the Sephiroth Graal glowed intensely, its accumulated energy reaching its peak. Euclid raised his hands and, with a decisive motion, summoned the Evil Dragons. The air around them began to vibrate, and a crack opened in the ground, releasing a malevolent aura. From within the crack, monstrous forms began to emerge, covered in black scales and fiery eyes.
The Evil Dragons fully materialized, their imposing and malevolent presences dominating the environment. Their roars echoed through the dungeon walls, making the stones tremble and the air feel denser. They were beasts of pure destruction, ready to bring chaos to the city of Lilith.
Euclid, with a satisfied smile, looked at Valerie, who had fainted, her frail body nearly lifeless after the ritual. "You did well, Valerie," he said, his voice cold and devoid of compassion. "But your work is not yet done."
He then commanded the Evil Dragons to head to the city of Lilith, where they were to cause as much destruction as possible. "Now, go," Euclid ordered, his voice filled with authority. "Bring chaos to the underworld."
The Evil Dragons roared in unison, their massive wings beating with force as they prepared to leave. With one last glance at Valerie, Euclid left her chained in the dungeon, knowing that the next use of the Sephiroth Graal could very well be her end.
The dragons departed, flying towards the city of Lilith, where chaos and destruction were about to begin, just as Rizevim had planned.
...
Riser's Mansion – Living Room
Serafall and Riser were in the mansion's living room, the atmosphere thick with tension. Riser, seated in a luxurious chair near the fireplace, appeared visibly irritated. He stared at the crackling fire with a somber look, while Serafall, standing beside him, maintained a lighter expression.
"Can I ask what criteria were used to choose me to handle the underworld's protection instead of participating directly in the war?" Riser asked, his voice firm and full of indignation. His eyes, now fixed on Serafall, shone with contained anger.
Serafall sighed lightly, knowing this conversation wouldn't be easy. She approached Riser, stopping beside him, and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Riser-chan," she began, her voice soft but carrying a serious tone. "Your age and lack of experience contributed to this decision."
"Whose idea was it?" he asked, his voice now lower but still tinged with resentment.
Serafall hesitated for a moment, her gaze softening as she looked at Riser. "It was Sirzechs', but I also agreed," she finally said, her voice calm. "It will be a good opportunity for you to improve your image with the devils who are on our side."
Riser let out an exasperated sigh.
Huff...
"I only killed traitors," he said, his voice firm but with a touch of weariness.
"I know, Riser-chan," Serafall replied, her hand still on his shoulder. She could feel the tension in his muscles and knew he was struggling with his frustration. "But war is not just about fighting. It's also about maintaining order and protecting what we have. You've already shown you're capable of eliminating internal enemies, now it's time to ensure the underworld remains safe."
Riser looked at the fire in the fireplace, frustration bubbling in his chest. He wanted to be on the front lines, fighting the enemies of the underworld, accumulating more luck points. Each battle was an opportunity to grow, to become stronger, and now he was relegated to a task he considered mundane.
"I understand," Riser finally said, his voice calm but still tinged with a touch of resignation. He turned his face to look at Serafall, realizing the relief his words brought her.
Serafall smiled, relieved by his response. "I'm glad you understand, Riser-chan," she said, her tone now lighter. "You'll do an amazing job, I'm sure of it."
"Thank you, Serafall," he said, acknowledging her support, even though he still wished to be on the front lines.
Serafall, satisfied with Riser's acceptance, stepped back, preparing to leave. "I need to go now, I still have other responsibilities to attend to," she said, her gaze briefly shifting to the fireplace before focusing again on Riser.
"Take care, Riser-chan. And remember, the underworld needs you here," she added, her voice soft but with a firm tone of encouragement.
Before Riser could respond, a magic circle glowed under Serafall's feet, briefly illuminating the room. In the blink of an eye, she teleported, disappearing from Riser's mansion to fulfill her other duties.
Riser remained silent for a moment, the echoes of the conversation still resonating in his mind. He knew he had a crucial role to play, even if it wasn't what he originally wanted.
"I should have killed Sirzechs instead of Falbium," Riser muttered, his voice laden with frustration as he stood up from the chair in his living room. He walked over to the fireplace, watching the flames dance hypnotically. The warmth emanating from it seemed to contrast with the ice he felt in his chest.
"When this war is over..." Riser murmured to himself, his voice low and thoughtful. "I'll go to another world... I need a vacation, I just need to decide where to go."
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