DXD: The Awakening Of Phenex

The fog hung thick over the sea. Gray, damp, suffocating.

Waves crashed against the ship's hull, but no sound beyond the water could be heard. The Marine base loomed slowly ahead—steel towers, white flags bearing the symbol of Justice, and cannons aimed at the void.

On the deck, Blackbeard's footsteps echoed.

"Finally, we've arrived, zehahaha…"

His grin was wide, his eyes half-closed. The salty breeze stirred his cloak. Behind him, the rest of the crew watched with expressions too calm for those escorting a prisoner of war.

Burgess held Ace by the shoulders.

The Flame Bearer's body slumped like a broken doll, his wrists bound in seastone cuffs. Disheveled hair covered part of his face, caked with dried blood.

Van Augur adjusted his hat with the tips of his fingers. His rifle already hung from his shoulder, but his eyes were forward, measuring distances.

"You think they'll give us a warm welcome?"

Doc Q coughed, spitting to the side.

"Warm or not, they'll pay what they promised. Uniformed men are predictable."

Laffitte walked lightly along the railing, balancing on the edge like an elegant shadow.

"As long as they don't get too nervous… or this deal turns into a shootout."

The ship docked with the creak of ropes being pulled.

At the pier, movement ceased.

Marines began to appear in rows, armed to the teeth. Rifles at the ready, Observation Haki activated by some. A mid-ranking officer raised his hand to signal a halt.

"Identify yourselves!"

Blackbeard descended with heavy steps. Each footfall made the wood groan beneath him.

"Zehahaha! The new lord of the seas has brought a gift for the World Government!"

The rifles snapped up in a single, coordinated motion.

Thirty muzzles aimed at his chest.

Van Augur didn't move.

Burgess let out a grunt and strode to the center of the gangway.

"Give us a proper welcome."

With a careless gesture, he tossed Ace to the ground.

The body hit with a dull thud, the dry impact echoing across the pier.

Ace rolled once before stopping face-down. A faint groan escaped through clenched teeth.

The marines' eyes widened. One let slip a whisper:

"The tattoos… it's really him."

Another tightened his grip on his weapon.

"Commander of Whitebeard's Second Division…"

The officer in front hesitated for half a second but quickly regained composure.

"Ace D. Portgas. Wanted alive. Visual confirmation."

Blackbeard spread his arms, turning slowly on his heels.

"Zehahaha! As promised! A gift worthy of the occasion! A commander of the most powerful crew of the current era… delivered on a silver platter by me!"

Doc Q approached from behind, his horse panting beside him.

"They could at least offer a place to rest. I'm getting tired of seeing you lot pointing those guns."

"Silence." The officer's voice was sharper than intended.

But there was no immediate response.

Ace groaned, trying to lift his head. His left eye was swollen. His ribs burned.

"Cowards…"

Blackbeard looked down, his smile unwavering. Blood stained his teeth.

"Stay quiet, Ace. Your story ends here. But mine… it's just beginning."

The officer received a signal via den den mushi. He touched his ear, grimaced, and nodded.

"Orders from Headquarters. Take the prisoner to the containment block. And…"

He looked at Blackbeard with reluctance.

"…deliver the report. The reward will be evaluated. The Shichibukai status will be formalized upon verification."

Blackbeard roared with laughter.

"ZEHAHAHAHA! That's right! Stamp the papers, bring the seal, and announce it to the whole world!"

The marines moved past him cautiously. Two knelt to lift Ace. The pirate burned with fever but refused to lose consciousness.

Van Augur murmured behind Blackbeard:

"He's still got pride."

"He'll lose it when they chain him in the deepest level of the prison."

Laffitte walked with exaggerated elegance, twirling his cane between his fingers.

"Or perhaps… the world will lose more than it expects."

Doc Q let out a dry chuckle.

"With luck, maybe he'll die before the execution."

Burgess grunted.

"Doubt it. His type's stubborn."

The cuffs clinked. The metallic sound filled the silence.

Ace was dragged away.

From the pier, Blackbeard watched them go.

"Go, Ace… spread the word. That Marshall D. Teach is coming to change the world."

The sun broke through the clouds, but no one smiled.

The sky was too calm.

As if it, too, were holding its breath.

---

Riser's Base in the New World

The second day dawned in silence over the hidden island.

The sky was dense, shrouded by layers of thermal fog that floated over the sea like protective veils. No gulls, no ships, no life beyond what had been brought to serve a greater purpose.

At the center of the volcanic island, Merlin stood, floating above a platform of polished black stone, suspended by enchanted columns. Her hands moved slowly, tracing arcs in the air. Golden symbols followed her fingers, lines of living light sketching arcane runes into reality itself.

The ground trembled at calculated intervals.

Towers rose like obsidian stakes, sprouting from the earth with form and function. The structures grew in rings, a circular city designed to expand in three layers. Houses bloomed like basalt and black crystal flowers—sturdy, resistant to the heat and energy emanating from the island's core.

Merlin observed everything in silence, her lilac cloak fluttering with the pressure of magic.

"The foundation has been solidified. Defensive system activated. Mana reactors stabilized."

She turned her gaze to the center of the plateau, where the palace was already taking shape.

The structure was tall, triangular at the base, with twin spiral towers ascending to the top. The walls absorbed light and reflected golden glints, as if alive. A giant crest bearing the Phoenix symbol blazed above the main gate.

Merlin descended slowly to the entrance staircase.

Pillars flanked the path. Each was embedded with a crystal of static light, powered by permanent magic. Stone statues, depicting creatures from infernal and celestial mythology, guarded the steps.

She set her feet on the dark marble and crossed her arms.

"The throne room will be adjusted to Riser-sama's preferences. The library… I'll handle that myself."

Her gaze shifted to the left side of the base.

There, smaller houses rose, positioned in harmony with the terrain. The vegetation had been magically tamed, and small thermal springs bubbled at strategic points. Smooth stone streets connected the residential areas to the palace.

"The population can begin settling next week. Portal stabilized…"

She snapped her fingers.

At the western edge of the island, a magical arch began to glow.

Formed by two obelisks woven in living metal, the portal radiated heat and energy. Its surface rippled in circles, like water mirrored under moonlight.

On the other side, a faint shadow of Amazon Lily was visible.

"The path between realms is ready."

She smiled, satisfied.

The heat intensified. The air trembled.

A deep roar echoed from the island's depths.

Merlin turned slowly toward the volcano, its fissures glowing with incandescent red. A pair of eyes emerged from the smoke.

Flames swirled in a spiral.

A titanic creature partially rose from the crater. Scales of liquid magma, claws of living obsidian, golden eyes like collapsing suns.

The monster growled, releasing steam and heat.

Merlin extended her hand with a gentle gesture.

"Easy, my creation. It's not time to emerge yet."

The beast retreated, sinking back into the depths with a muffled sound of breaking stone.

She let out a soft sigh.

"The base is complete. Portal functional. Defenses active. Containment creature operational."

Her eyes gleamed with pure magic. She looked to the sky above, the camouflage field still pulsing, concealing the island from any observer in the physical or magical world.

"I hope Riser-sama is pleased with everything I've prepared for him."

The wind passed.

It carried ashes.

It carried promise.

And on that island, which didn't exist to the world… a throne without a nation was born. A home without a kingdom. A base where the villain could reign without fear of the heavens.

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