In the center of the room, a gigantic magic circle began to form beneath Rizevim's feet, glowing with a dark, purple light. The ground trembled, and a sinister energy began to emanate from the circle, growing in intensity with each passing second.
"Merlin, stay ready," murmured Riser, his eyes fixed on Rizevim as the circle continued to expand.
The dark glow of the circle pulsed, but as the magic intensified, something seemed wrong. Rizevim frowned briefly, his eyes losing their confident gleam for a moment. He realized that the power of the ritual wasn't reaching the peak he expected. His plan to summon Trihexa was failing.
Riser, ever observant, noticed Rizevim's hesitation.
"It seems your plan isn't going as expected, Rizevim."
Rizevim growled, his eyes quickly scanning the scene. He looked at the two parts of the Sephiroth Graal floating in front of Valerie.
"Two parts… of course! Two parts of the Graal aren't enough to summon Trihexa!" He clenched his fists in frustration, realizing the flaw in his plan.
"It seems your grand plan is falling apart. You're out of options, Rizevim," said Riser, with a slight mocking smile.
Rizevim snarled, his eyes darting around the room as he tried to think of a solution. His gaze fixed on the magic circle beneath his feet, and then a disturbing idea formed in his mind. He raised his hands, a dark, insane grin spreading across his face.
"If I can't complete the ritual with the parts I have… then I'll use myself as the sacrifice!" Rizevim shouted, his voice filled with madness.
Before Riser or Merlin could react, Rizevim raised his arms and threw himself into the center of the magic circle. Dark energy began to envelop him, his screams echoing through the room as his body was consumed by black magic. The light from the circle increased dramatically, becoming a spiraling vortex of power that engulfed Rizevim completely.
"Merlin, protect Valerie!" ordered Riser, sensing the growing threat in the air.
Merlin quickly extended her hands, creating a magical barrier around Valerie. The young vampire, still under hypnosis, didn't react, but her hands began to tremble as the magic around her intensified.
Rizevim's body was completely consumed by the energy, and with one final scream of defiance, he vanished, sacrificed to complete the ritual.
BOOOM!
A blast of dark energy shook the room, sending sparks and gusts of wind in every direction.
As the smoke began to clear, a terrifying sight was revealed. In the center of the magic circle, where Rizevim once stood, now stood a monstrous creature, larger than anything Riser and Merlin had ever faced.
Trihexa's body was a grotesque colossus, with multiple heads, each more threatening than the last. The heads of lions, leopards, and serpents thrashed violently, roaring in different directions. Its eyes glowed with insatiable malice, and its sharp fangs gleamed under the dark light of the room.
Its many muscular arms ended in sharp claws, ready to tear everything around them apart. The scales covering part of its body seemed made of an indestructible substance, shimmering in metallic tones.
Black flames danced around the monster, which exuded an aura of destruction that seemed to choke the air around it. Trihexa's presence made the stone walls tremble, as if the castle structure couldn't bear such immense power.
"Merlin, grab Valerie, we're leaving," said Riser, his voice firm as his eyes remained fixed on the monstrosity before them.
Merlin, without hesitation, nodded and moved swiftly. She extended her hands, and a soft magical aura surrounded Valerie, who was still inside the protective barrier.
FWOOOSH!
With a fluid motion, Merlin dissolved the barrier and pulled Valerie toward her, holding her tightly. The young vampire, still under hypnosis and exhausted, barely reacted.
"Now!" ordered Riser.
A magic circle formed beneath their feet, illuminating the room with a bright, blue light. The black flames surrounding Trihexa roared violently, as if the creature sensed the attempt to escape, but it was too late.
In the blink of an eye, Riser, Merlin, and Valerie vanished from the room, leaving behind the chaos and the monstrous creature that continued to roar in fury.
...
"We're back," said Riser as he materialized in the mansion at Kuoh, his feet touching the marble floor. The tranquil environment contrasted with the chaos he and Merlin had just left behind.
"I'll take care of Valerie," stated Merlin, her voice calm and professional, as she led the young vampire to one of the rooms, using her magic to stabilize her condition.
Riser watched Merlin leave for a moment, his thoughts still lingering on recent events. 'The battle against Trihexa has only just begun,' he thought, aware of the looming threat.
"There's no time to lose," he murmured, activating his magic circle once again.
FWOOOSH!
A golden glow surrounded his feet, and he disappeared from the Kuoh mansion.
...
Riser materialized in his mansion in the Underworld, the familiar surroundings enveloping him in temporary peace.
"Where were you, husband?" asked Sona, her voice tinged with concern as she approached him.
"I went to take care of some matters in Kuoh," Riser replied, keeping his tone calm, moving toward the bed and sitting down with a light sigh.
"Matters in Kuoh?" Sona repeated, her curiosity evident, though she didn't press further.
"Yes, things that needed to be handled," Riser said, running a hand through his hair and casting a brief glance at Sona, who was sitting next to him.
Sona sat beside him, her expression softening.
Suddenly, a communication spell glowed in Riser's hand.
BZZZZT!
The holographic figure of Ajuka Beelzebub appeared.
"We need you, Riser," Ajuka said, his voice grave. "The situation with Trihexa is spiraling out of control."
Riser nodded slowly, fully aware of the gravity of the situation.
"I'm on my way," Riser said, ending the call with a smooth gesture.
Sona, sensing the weight of the situation, looked worriedly at Riser.
"Take care," she said softly.
Riser smiled slightly and kissed Sona.
"I will come back, dear. Don't worry," Riser said, his voice firm, trying to convey confidence.
Sona smiled, though still concerned, but believing in Riser's words.
Riser activated the magic circle beneath his feet.
FWOOOSH!
In an instant, he teleported, leaving the mansion.
...
Riser materialized at a distance from the battlefield, observing the chaos from afar.
"This is the famous scene where two enemies join forces to defeat the final villain," Riser murmured, watching from a distance as Sirzechs, Ajuka, Crom Cruach, and Apophis fought against Trihexa, which roared with devastating fury on the battlefield. The monstrous creature advanced, its many heads spewing black flames and venom, while its opponents, former enemies, united to try and contain it.
Riser remained still, analyzing the scene with a slight, mocking smile on his lips.
Riser summoned the system in his mind.
[System at your disposal, host.]
'What is the price of the Phoenix Force?' Riser asked, already calculating his next steps.
[7000 luck points, host.]
'Buy now,' Riser ordered, without hesitation.
[Transaction complete. Total remaining luck points: 5150.]
Riser felt a wave of power surge through his body as he activated the Phoenix Force. His mind expanded, flooded with an overwhelming energy that connected him to something beyond his own existence. The Phoenix flames radiated from his skin, forming a golden, fiery halo around him.
"The power… is incredible," Riser murmured, feeling the intense heat and pure strength coursing through every fiber of his being.
His body began to change. The golden flames of the Phoenix Force enveloped every part of his being, and his skin seemed to glow with a flaming golden hue. His eyes burned like stars, filled with an intensity that no ordinary being could withstand. He felt as though his very essence was being consumed and reshaped by the Phoenix Force, transforming him into something more than just a Maou.
[Host, the Phoenix Force is adapting to your body. Be cautious with the excess power, it can cause irreparable damage if not controlled.]
"I control this power," Riser said, his voice low but filled with conviction. "I will use it to destroy Trihexa and remove some obstacles in my path."
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