Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

Og'tharoz approached Adamanthi, the air around them seemed to vibrate with growing tension.

The desolate surroundings, with their barren landscapes and deep shadows, seemed to reflect the mood of the group.

The sky was covered in ominous red clouds, and the wind blew with sinister force, raising small clouds of dust that danced around them.

Adamanthi slowly raised his hands, a forced smile appearing on his lips. "Calm down, calm down, guys. We don't need to resort to VIOLENCE, do we?" His voice carried a tone of false reassurance, but his eyes betrayed his fear.

Og'tharoz, his face serious and impassive, took another step towards Adamanthi. "Did you really think you could fool us, Adamanthi? You would never go unnoticed by my eyes, but let it continue because we were advancing in circles."

Kaizen kept the door locked with his <Psychokinesis>, his eyes fixed on Adamanthi. "Explain yourself. What exactly are you and your Surtr planning?"

Adamanthi laughed, a nervous, shaky laugh. "Oh, it's simple. We're just... slowing you down, making sure you don't reach your goal before your time. Nothing personal, just business."

Bloody Lily, her wings fluttering with rage, stepped forward, her eyes blazing with restrained fury. "You're a worm!" She pointed her crimson sword at him.

Adamanthi swallowed, feeling the weight of the accusations. "Yes, but I was following orders. I kind of like you guys. You're powerful, united and have a very good dynamic."

Andrew, who was still surprised that the sword had disappeared from his hand, looked at Adamanthi with disdain. "Whether you follow orders or not, we're not going to let this go unnoticed."

Adamanthi raised his hands higher, trying to look submissive. "I understand, I understand. But remember, we're in the Circle of Violence. Here, you can't hurt me. It's an immutable rule of this place."

Jayaa, who until then had been silent, stepped forward, a sly smile appearing on her confident face. "Hey guys, I've got an idea. Maybe we can't use violence, but that doesn't mean we can't find another way to deal with him."

Adamanthi frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

Jayaa smiled, a cruel, cold smile. "There are many ways of causing pain that don't involve physical violence. And we'll find the perfect way to make you pay for your betrayal."

Adamanthi looked around, desperately searching for a way out. But he was surrounded, and the door was still firmly locked by Kaizen's psychic force. He knew he was trapped.

Alina, who had been looking after Adamanthi moments before, stepped forward. "I think I know a specific illusion magic that can put you in a time loop of psychological pain. Luckily, I had time today to get some inspiration and how about I combine all the tortures of the circles into one?"

Alina's suggestion made Adamanthi's heart race. He broke out in a cold sweat, feeling the growing pressure of the stares on him. The idea of being subjected to endless psychological torture was unbearable. His eyes searched frantically for a way out, but all seemed lost. He was trapped.

His surroundings seemed to intensify his sense of despair. The wind howled, raising clouds of dust that obscured his vision and added to the feeling of claustrophobia. The red clouds in the sky seemed closer, almost suffocating. Adamanthi felt every beat of his heart like a hammer hitting his chest.

Og'tharoz took another step forward, the imposing shadow of his figure dominating the space. "You heard Alina, Adamanthi. Will you speak or prefer the pain she can cause you?"

Adamanthi, trembling, raised his hands in a desperate gesture of appeasement. "Wait, wait! Maybe... maybe we can make a deal. I can still be useful to you!"

He knew he couldn't betray Surtr either, or mention what he was doing, or he would die.

Kaizen, without moving a muscle, kept his expression impassive. "We're not interested in deals with traitors. Now, get ready. Alina, do it."

Adamanthi felt a shiver run down his spine. He knew he was out of options. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to control his breathing, and then, in an act of final desperation, muttered an incantation in his demonic language.

"No, you're not going to run away," said Og'tharoz, advancing with surprising speed. Explore stories at m,v l'e-NovelBin.net

But Adamanthi didn't intend to run. The light around Adamanthi's hands grew, enveloping his body. In an instant, he teleported everyone with him to an unknown place.

The desolate environment of the Seventh Circle disappeared, replaced by a completely different setting. They found themselves in a vast red brick chamber, with cascades of magma flowing lazily around them and filling a circle in the room.

Adamanthi was on his knees, panting, but with a triumphant smile on his face. "I did it... I bought myself enough time."

Before anyone could react, a reverberating voice echoed through the room, making the earth shake. "Well done, Adamanthi. You've played your part admirably well."

Everyone turned in the direction of the voice, their eyes widening as they saw the imposing figure that stood before them. A fiery knight, approximately ten meters tall, was sitting on a throne of black stone. His armor was made of a metal as dark as rock, and orange and red flames danced around him like an infernal aura.

[Attention! You are standing before the Ultimate Ruler of Muspelheim, Surtr.]

"That's him..." muttered Kaizen, clenching his fists.

Og'tharoz growled, his hands clenching into fists. "SURTR! Finally, we meet."

Blood Lily glared at Adamanthi. "You led us straight to him."

Surtr laughed, a deep, resonant laugh that echoed through the hot, stifling air. "Welcome, players. You've gone far, but farther than I expected you to go on the first day. Seven Circles in just a few hours must be a record."

Andrew, still processing the magnitude of what lay before them, took a step back. "That's not good, he doesn't seem the least bit surprised that we're here."

"Surprised? Ha!" Surtr said. "I knew you'd come since my contract with that human called Zylok wasn't fulfilled. A pity, I would have loved to pick you up in Midgard myself, Og'tharoz."