The moment Og'tharoz closed the iron doors and increased the protection runes, a feeling of triumph mixed with the adrenaline pulsing through his veins. He knew he had gained precious time to examine the artifact and find a way to deactivate the barrier protecting the palace.
With the room now silent and isolated from the sounds outside, except for the distant whisper of the guards trying to figure out how to bypass the new protections he had created, Og'tharoz turned his attention to the Source of Protection.
The crystal, masterfully carved into a shape resembling a frozen flame, emanated an aura of power that almost materialized in the air around it.
Og'tharoz slowly approached the black obsidian pedestal, his red eyes shining with curiosity as he studied every detail of the artifact.
His experience allowed him to immediately recognize the dark origin of the Fountain of Protection. It was an ancient creation, made by skilled hands who knew the deepest secrets of black magic and, just like the runes on the iron door of this place, the artifact had demonic origins, in other words, Muspelheim.
With a careful touch, Og'tharoz lifted the crystal, feeling the pulsating energy that flowed through it. At that moment, he could hear distant whispers, ancient voices echoing in his mind, whispering long-forgotten secrets about the nature of the artifact.
It was clear to him that the Source of Protection was more than just a magical barrier; it was an artifact of unimaginable power, capable of shaping the reality around it in obscure and unpredictable ways.
As he studied the crystal, Og'tharoz began to form a plan in his mind. He knew that deactivating the barrier would not be a simple task, because breaking this thing would not be an easy task, it wasn't as simple as throwing it on the ground for sure, but the presence of the Source of Protection offered a unique opportunity.
If he could master the artifact, he could use it for his own purposes, perhaps even subvert its power to weaken the palace's defenses and allow his friends to invade without much resistance.
With this idea taking shape in his mind, Og'tharoz began to channel his demonic energy to interact with the Source of Protection. He whispered ancient words of power, unleashing a flow of dark magic that intertwined with the energies contained in the crystal.
Og'tharoz rose from the ground with renewed determination, his mind spinning with possibilities and challenges. He knew that facing such an ancient and powerful artifact would not be easy, but his thirst for power and his loyalty to his goals pushed him to try again.
With firm steps, he approached the Source of Protection once again. The runes on the black obsidian seemed to pulse with an energy of their own, as if they were alert to any attempt at invasion. Og'tharoz studied them carefully, looking for a way around the defensive barrier that had thrown him back.
Og'tharoz took a deep breath and concentrated on his connection with the demonic energies. He knew he had to find a weakness in the defensive barrier or a way to neutralize its resistance.
With one swift movement, he traced ancestral symbols in the air, channeling black magic towards the Source of Protection. The runes glowed in response, but this time, instead of resisting, they seemed to adapt to the demon's presence. It was as if they recognized its demonic essence and allowed a deeper connection.
Og'tharoz felt a current of energy flowing from him to the artifact, an exchange of power and knowledge that transcended the centuries.
He immersed himself in this newfound knowledge, absorbing every piece of information like one hungry for forbidden wisdom. He discovered that the Source of Protection was a unique creation, forged by an ancient demon known as Mal'karoth, whose name was feared even among the most ancient beings of Muspelheim.
With this revelation, Og'tharoz realized that he was dealing with something beyond his initial comprehension. Mal'karoth was not just a powerful demon; it was an ancient entity, linked to the very foundations of the dark world.
With a final effort, Og'tharoz channeled all his will and knowledge in an attempt to take complete control of the Source of Protection. The runes glowed brightly, as if recognizing the demon's dominion over them.
Then, in a moment of pure ecstasy and triumph, Og'tharoz felt the defensive barrier dissolve before him. The dark magic dissipated, revealing the artifact now under his absolute control and then Og'tharoz whispered to the artifact:
"Deactivate protective barrier."
The artifact glowed for an instant and a door creaking sound echoed throughout the palace, startling the guards and telling Kaizen and the others that it was now possible to break into the palace.