DXD: The Awakening Of Phenex

Nojiko looked at Riser, her eyes dilated in a mixture of fear and curiosity.

"What... what is this?"

Riser stared at her coldly, without a trace of hesitation in his expression. When he spoke, his words carried an undeniable authority, an irrevocable command that defied any resistance.

"It is your future. Now drink."

Nojiko hesitated. There was nothing within her that wanted to ingest that mysterious liquid, but the alternative—disobeying Riser—was a much more terrifying prospect. She understood Riser's nature all too well, knowing that any resistance against him would result in consequences she was unprepared to face.

Reluctantly, she extended her hand and took the vial. Her trembling fingers gripped the cold glass, which seemed to vibrate in her hands, pulsing as if it were alive. Taking a deep breath, Nojiko summoned all the courage she had left and brought the vial to her lips. The red liquid flowed down her throat, burning with overwhelming intensity, and its bitter taste made her entire body shudder. She wanted to stop, wanted to spit it out, but forced herself to continue, swallowing every last drop.

As soon as the liquid was consumed, Nojiko felt a searing heat spreading through her body, as if every cell were being set ablaze. Her muscles tensed, painfully expanding, while her skin gradually lost its healthy tone, growing pale.

A sharp pain shot through her jaw, and she could feel her teeth elongating, transforming into sharp fangs. Her eyes, previously hesitant, now glowed with a red brilliance, expressing a newfound power rising within her.

Riser observed her, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. His eyes revealed a mix of fascination and triumph. He knew that this transformation was not merely physical; it was a ritual of surrender, a symbol of the control he now held over Nojiko's fate—a fate he had deliberately shaped.

Riser stepped forward, raising his right hand and making a small cut on his thumb, from which a drop of scarlet blood emerged. Without ceremony, he offered the finger to Nojiko, looking directly into her eyes.

"Drink."

Nojiko, now dominated by the change in her being, did not hesitate. Her hands, once trembling, were now steady as they held Riser's hand. She brought his finger to her lips, and upon tasting his blood, felt a new surge of energy. There was no longer any fear—only a profound sense of devotion, an unconditional acceptance of the power now coursing through her veins.

The single drop of Riser's blood was enough to complete the transformation. She no longer needed to feed on the blood of ordinary humans, for his blood carried the essence of absolute power, elevating her to a new level of existence. What was once terror had now transformed into reverence.

Riser watched with satisfaction, his eyes gleaming as he recognized Nojiko's complete submission. He knew she was no longer the insecure young woman who tended the oranges in her village; now, she was his devoted servant, with potential to be explored and shaped according to his will.

"Very good, Nojiko."

Nojiko, still recovering from the transformation, lifted her eyes to Riser, her gaze now filled with admiration and gratitude. She bowed slightly, her voice soft but firm:

"Thank you, Master Riser, for this opportunity. I promise to serve your will with all my loyalty."

Riser extended his hand, creating a shining magical circle in his palm. The light began to intensify until it took the form of a floating hologram—an ethereal projection that displayed the figure of Merlin, her appearance partially translucent, shimmering in a bluish glow.

Nojiko was visibly surprised. Her eyes widened, and she couldn't help but take a step back. She had never seen such technology or magic before, and it seemed far beyond anything she could imagine. It was as if she were witnessing something from another world, a manifestation of power she had only heard about in legends.

Riser looked at the hologram.

"Merlin, teleport here immediately. I have a task that requires your expertise."

The image of Merlin nodded respectfully before disappearing, the hologram vanishing in the blink of an eye. Within seconds, a magical circle began glowing beside Riser, the air around them vibrating as the space subtly distorted.

FWOOOSH!

Merlin materialized before Riser, her robes fluttering slightly due to the displacement of energy. She gave a slight bow, her demeanor respectful as she awaited instructions.

Nojiko was once again astonished. Seeing someone materialize out of nowhere was something that surpassed any notion of reality she held. Her mind was torn between fear and fascination as she watched Merlin appear before her eyes like an ethereal vision.

"What do you desire, Riser-sama?" Merlin asked, her voice calm but laden with deference.

Riser regarded her with a steady gaze, not wavering. "Have you located Boa Hancock as per my instructions?"

Merlin nodded.

"I have located Amazon Lily, the island of women. However, it is at sea, and contacting her will be difficult until she returns."

Riser nodded, seemingly satisfied. "For now, that is enough. However, there is another reason I called you." He gestured toward Nojiko. "This is Nojiko. I want you to familiarize yourself with her, as she is now part of our plans."

Merlin stepped toward Nojiko, who was still visibly tense. Merlin, however, smiled gently and gave a slight bow. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Nojiko. I am pleased to have you with us."

Nojiko hesitated but then returned the bow, though awkwardly. "The pleasure is mine... Merlin."

Riser observed the exchange between the two with keen eyes, gauging Nojiko's reaction. Then he turned to Merlin, his eyes glowing more intensely. "I want to share some information with you. I will transmit it directly into your mind." Riser raised his hand and lightly touched Merlin's forehead.

"This is the location of Amazon Lily," Riser murmured, energy flowing between them as images emerged. A vision of the open sea, vast and unpredictable, appeared in Merlin's mind, revealing the exact position of the secret island of women.

"Now, I can visit the island whenever I wish."

Riser continued transmitting more images to Merlin. First, he showed Nojiko's previous appearance. Then, a vivid image of the young Kaya from Syrup Village appeared in her mind. Kaya, with her blonde hair and gentle gaze, was a fragile figure. Finally, the location of Syrup Village.

Concluding the transmission, Riser lowered his hand, severing the magical connection. He stepped back and looked directly at Merlin, his authoritative tone returning.

"Now, Merlin, I have a few orders for you," he said firmly. "I want you to cast an illusion spell on Nojiko to return her to her former appearance. Then, go to Syrup Village and give one of the vampire blood vials to Kaya. Stay there for today, and tomorrow, bring Kaya and Nojiko to Amazon Lily."

Merlin nodded without hesitation. She turned to Nojiko, who was still confused by everything happening around her. Merlin raised one hand, and a gentle aura began to envelop her. Nojiko watched with wide eyes, uncertain of what to expect.

"Do not worry, Nojiko," Merlin said in a reassuring tone. "This is merely a spell to restore your previous appearance. It will not hurt." She gestured softly in the air, and the magical lights around her hand began to swirl around Nojiko, enveloping her completely.

Nojiko felt a mild warmth coursing through her body as her appearance reverted to what it was before drinking the vampire blood.

"My skin has returned to its original color," Nojiko murmured, somewhat surprised.

Merlin merely smiled slightly before turning back to Riser.

"Now, I will head to Syrup Village and carry out your orders," she affirmed, bowing slightly before conjuring a magical circle under her feet.

FWOOOSH!

With an intense glow, Merlin disappeared from the location, leaving Nojiko and Riser behind.

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