Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

Og'tharoz held Adamanthi by the neck, his red eyes burning with an intensity that seemed to pierce the accountant's soul.

Adamanthi, small and fragile by comparison, trembled, his skeletal hands trying in vain to free themselves from the demon warrior's firm grip.

"Hello, Adamanthi. Did you think you'd never see me again?" Og'tharoz's voice was low, almost a whisper, but it carried a weight that made the atmosphere around him seem denser.

Adamanthi choked, trying to find words amid the panic that overwhelmed him. "I... I don't... you should be... how did you get here?" His voice was a mixture of disbelief and fear.

Og'tharoz narrowed his eyes, bringing his face closer to Adamanthi's.

"It doesn't matter how. What matters is that I'm here, and you won't stop us getting through."
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The other members of the group watched the scene in silence, the tension palpable in the air.

Jayaa, still fighting the temptation of the riches around her, held her lute tightly, trying to focus her mind on something other than the hypnotic glitter of gold.

Andrew, sword in hand, was ready to act if necessary, but he trusted in Og'tharoz's ability to handle the situation.

Blood Lily, ever attentive, analyzed every movement, every expression, ready to intervene if the confrontation took an unexpected turn.

Feeling Og'tharoz's grip intensify, Adamanthi quickly stammered:

"Wait! Wait! I can open the door! There's no need for violence!"

Og'tharoz released him, causing Adamanthi to fall to his knees on the floor, panting.

"Then do it, now," Og'tharoz ordered, his voice firm and uncompromising.

Adamanthi stood up slowly, rubbing his neck where the marks of Og'tharoz's fingers were still visible. He looked at the group, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and reluctance.

"Do you really think there's nothing here that can tempt you? Everyone has a price, something they deeply desire."

Kaizen, who was watching intently, stepped forward. "We are aware of our weaknesses, Adamanthi. But we also know what's at stake. No wealth or treasure can divert us from our goal."

Adamanthi gave a yellow smile, his yellowed, crooked teeth gleaming in the golden light of the door.

"We'll see about that," he muttered, slipping his hand into his tattered cloak.

He pulled out a key, small and simple, but with a glow that suggested power beyond what the eye could see.

"This key," began Adamanthi, holding it up for all to see, "is special. It can open a secret passage that runs through the circles from the fourth to the eighth. A shortcut that few know about and even fewer have survived to tell about."

Og'tharoz narrowed his eyes, his interest clearly piqued. "And why should we trust you? How do we know it's not a trap?"

Adamanthi shrugged, an almost nonchalant gesture. "You don't have a choice, do you? Without my help, you'll have to face each circle one by one, as you have been doing. With all the dangers and temptations that await you. With me, you have a chance of avoiding that."

Blood Lily exchanged a look with Og'tharoz and Kaizen. "We have to consider that option. If he's telling the truth, it could save us a lot of time and risk to help Og'tharoz's wife."

Kaizen nodded slowly. "However, we can't let our guard down. Adamanthi, you will go with us. Any sign of betrayal and you will pay dearly."

Adamanthi smiled again, a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "As you wish. Follow me, then."

With that, Adamanthi turned, walking towards the golden door. The group followed him closely, keeping a constant watch.

The door, imposing and majestic, seemed almost to radiate an aura of power. Adamanthi stopped in front of it, lifting the key.

"This door," he said, "is not just a passage. It is a test. Only those who have overcome their own desires and ambitions can pass through it. You must be prepared to face whatever you find on the other side."

Og'tharoz gestured impatiently. "Open it soon."

Adamanthi inserted the key into the lock and turned it. A click resounded, followed by the sound of gears moving. The door began to open slowly, revealing a darkness beyond it, as if it were opening onto an infinite void.

"Ready?" asked Adamanthi, looking at each of them.

Kaizen took a deep breath. "Let's go."

The group moved forward, through the door into the unknown. Darkness enveloped them, and for a moment, all they could hear were their own footsteps and breathing. Then, slowly, the darkness began to dissipate, revealing a narrow, winding corridor, illuminated by a dim, yellowish light.

Adamanthi led the way, his footsteps echoing softly off the stone walls. "This corridor will take you directly to the Fifth Circle, of course..." he explained. "There we can find the shortcut I know. But be careful. Even here, dangers lurk in the shadows."

As they walked, Kaizen couldn't help but feel a growing sense of distrust.

Adamanthi had shown the key and was with them, but he couldn't help wondering what else the accountant might be hiding.

The corridor of darkness seemed endless, its twists and turns confusing to orient oneself. The air was heavy and humid, and the feeling of being watched was constant.

Finally, they came to a stone door, so old and worn that it seemed about to collapse. Adamanthi stopped, turning to the group. "Here we are. On the other side of this door is the Fifth Circle."

Kaizen stared at Adamanthi. "And what should we expect to find there?"

Adamanthi sighed, his expression turning serious. "The Fifth Circle is where anger and fury reside. The souls here are trapped in an eternal cycle of hatred and violence."

Kaizen clenched his fists. "We're ready. Open the door."

Adamanthi nodded, placing his hands on the stone door and pushing hard. The door opened with a deafening roar, revealing a scene of complete desolation, literally a totally stormy and endless sea with no islands.

The sky was covered in black clouds, and lightning bolts cut through the air, briefly illuminating the sea every second. This time, the circle's punishment was not to force the condemned to do something, but to suffer the fury of the sea itself.