The light in the throne room was soft, filtered through enchanted crystals hanging like spears of golden ice from the high ceiling. The walls exhaled a silent warmth, pulsing with concentrated energy.
Merlin and Riser were alone.
On the throne, Riser's body remained still. His black cloak draped over the steps, brushing the marble etched with flame crests.
Before him, Merlin stood erect, arms crossed, her eyes glinting with a faint purple hue. She waited.
"I want you to bring the entire population of Amazon Lily to my base after the Marines escort Hancock to Marineford."
His voice cut through the space like a blade wrapped in silk.
"Once you've brought them here, you'll meet Hancock in Marineford… and help her rise as a Yonkou."
The hum of magical energy vibrating through the walls' circuits seemed to quiet.
Merlin tilted her head slightly, as if the order had already been etched in her mind before it was spoken.
"Understood, Riser-sama."
Silence fell for a moment. Only the distant sound of runes in the foundations shifting like the gears of an enchanted heart.
She stepped forward, her lilac robes gliding like smoke over the stone.
"I'll send a magical beam to activate the portal between the islands. Once the warriors are relocated, I'll begin stabilizing the population."
"Does the base have space to accommodate them?"
"The northern wing has been expanded with thermal spiral residences. Temperature, humidity, and the magical field have been adjusted to mimic Amazon Lily's forests."
"Good."
Riser stood.
The side statues bowed their heads. The throne radiated heat.
He descended the steps slowly.
"They'll live here as allies. But under my banner."
Merlin nodded.
"That will be established."
Riser passed her, his golden eyes briefly meeting hers.
"Notify Hancock's sisters. They'll be in charge of maintaining discipline."
"Yes, Riser-sama."
His presence crossed the hall's gates. The sensory field around the throne dimmed.
Merlin remained, gazing at the Phoenix symbol above.
Her expression was cold, meticulous.
But there was pride.
---
The portal spun silently.
In the lower chamber of the energy core, two obsidian columns woven with veins of living silver stood side by side. The surface between them shimmered like water frozen in time, rippling in hypnotic spirals.
Riser raised his hand.
The Phoenix symbol appeared in his palm, glowing in pure gold.
"Connect to Amazon Lily."
The structure reacted instantly.
A muted roar shook the island's foundation. Lights flared in sequence along the corridors. The portal glowed, revealing on the other side the heart of Amazon Lily's main temple—empty, silent, sacred.
FWOOSH.
He stepped through.
---
The wind was warm, carrying the scent of flowers and incense.
Amazon Lily rested under a cloudless sky, but its peace was an illusion.
The warriors were on alert. The city had been adorned with discreet banners, and the gates stood ajar. Hancock's departure loomed. The tension in the air was as sweet as poison.
Riser appeared in the temple's center.
The priestesses recoiled instantly. Some knelt. Others froze, as if their bodies sensed something their minds hadn't yet grasped.
He didn't speak.
He simply walked.
The doors opened on their own.
The steps led him outside, where the sacred courtyard stretched between stone columns carved with ancient stories.
There, Hancock waited.
She wore the ceremonial dress—white with lilac accents, the serpent symbol crossing her back. Her hair was loose, her eyes moist but controlled.
"Riser-sama…"
She descended a step, hesitant.
"I was preparing to leave. The Marines are sending ships tomorrow."
"You'll go with them."
"Yes…"
Her voice was low, heavy with meaning.
"But afterward?"
"Merlin will retrieve them."
"The people?"
"They'll be transferred to my base. They'll be under absolute protection."
Hancock took a step forward.
Her heart beat like a muffled drum.
"And me?"
"You'll be with me. When blood falls in Marineford… you'll be recognized not just as the Serpent Empress."
His hand touched her face.
"But as the Yonkou in Whitebeard's place."
She gasped softly.
Her eyes welled.
"You'll let me rise to that level…?"
"You'll shatter that wall. But not alone."
She closed her eyes, her lips brushing his fingers by reflex.
"With you, I am everything."
"With me, you'll be feared."
The city's bells rang in the distance.
It was the signal for the farewell ceremony.
Riser withdrew his hand.
"Go. Smile for the Marines. Seem diplomatic."
"Yes…"
"And when the time comes…"
He turned his back.
"The world will remember that a serpent doesn't bow its head. It bites."
The sound of the bells echoed for a few seconds, then faded as if they'd never existed.
Hancock walked away without looking back.
Her ceremonial cloak dragged across the stone steps, and for a moment, the warrior temple seemed emptier than it had ever been.
The wind carried the scent of flowers.
FWOOSH.
Merlin appeared.
Her aura was restrained but dense. Her hair floated slightly, as if gravity were merely a suggestion around her.
"All are gathered. Ready for the transfer."
Riser nodded with his eyes.
"Is the portal stable?"
"The energy has been doubled to ensure mass transport. The core has accepted the warriors' signatures."
"Then take them. All of them."
Merlin turned immediately.
The air trembled.
The priestesses appeared in organized rows. Silent, respectful. They carried only clothes, weapons, and attentive eyes.
Some looked back one last time.
Others kept their heads high, as if they knew they were part of something greater, even without understanding what.
FWOOSH.
The first group crossed the portal.
Then the second.
Then the third.
Until only five figures remained: Alvida, Nojiko, Zala, Mikita, and Kaya.
The twilight's dimness fell over the temple.
The leaves swayed.
The scent of sea salt mingled with the perfume of sun-warmed stones.
Robin appeared last.
Her steps were slow. Her dark purple dress brushed the ground unhurriedly. Her eyes were lowered, but alert.
Merlin extended her hand.
"Robin. You're coming with me."
She hesitated.
Her eyes sought Riser for a moment.
He didn't look back.
She stopped a meter from the portal.
'Only the vampires stayed…'
Her throat tightened.
Her hands curled into light fists at her sides.
'So that's it. I was useful. But not… essential.'
No tears.
But her chest felt heavy.
"Let's go."
Merlin's voice wasn't harsh. But it left no room for refusal.
Robin stepped into the portal.
FWOOSH.
And vanished.
Riser remained still.
The others watched with varying expressions.
---
Riser's Base
Robin walked in silence.
The structures were still being finalized, but the base already felt alive. Enchanted stones pulsed with magic along the streets. The artificial sky, simulated by beams of light, shimmered softly above.
She stopped at a high terrace.
Below, the warriors of Amazon Lily organized their belongings.
The houses were ready. The energy sources activated. The fortress-city bloomed like an obsidian flower.
But something inside her remained… empty.
'He didn't look at me.'
The wind carried the scent of sulfur mixed with artificial jasmine.
She sat on the terrace's edge, her legs dangling.
'Mikita stayed. Kaya stayed. Even Alvida stayed.'
Her hands closed slowly.
'I was left behind…'
No words were spoken.
No tears.
Just the sound of magical workers in the distance.
Merlin appeared beside her.
"The lodging is ready."
Robin didn't respond.
"The library will be under your responsibility. As agreed."
She only nodded.
Merlin turned to leave.
"Riser trusts you."
Robin raised her eyes slowly.
"The problem isn't him trusting me…"
Her voice was low, hoarse.
"…it's him forgetting me."
Merlin didn't reply.
Silence was the only possible response.
She walked away.
Robin remained there.
Alone.
As she had always been.
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