The Demon's Dance: A Fgo's Ritual of Ruin

The air was thick with the scent of decay as the young mage, Elara, stood at the edge of the ancient temple. The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the desolate landscape. The temple, once a beacon of knowledge and power, now stood as a testament to the dark forces that had corrupted its core.

Elara's heart raced as she reached into her satchel and pulled out the ritual tome, its pages yellowed with age and its ink faded to a ghostly shade. The tome was a relic of a bygone era, one that spoke of forbidden magic and the balance between light and darkness.

"Today," she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur, "we begin the dance."

The temple's interior was cold and damp, the air filled with the distant echo of dripping water. Elara's footsteps echoed on the stone floor as she moved deeper into the heart of the temple. She had been preparing for this moment for years, studying the ancient texts, honing her skills, and seeking the guidance of those who had walked this path before her.

The ritual was a complex one, requiring precise timing and a deep understanding of the arcane arts. Elara had spent countless hours practicing, but she knew that even the smallest mistake could lead to disaster.

As she reached the center of the temple, she found a small, circular platform, its surface etched with intricate symbols and runes. She placed the ritual tome upon it, her hands trembling slightly with the weight of her decision.

"By the power of the ancients, I invoke thee," she began, her voice steady despite the fear that gnawed at her insides. "Unleash the Demon's Dance, and bring forth the Ritual of Ruin."

With each word, she traced the symbols with her fingers, her movements precise and deliberate. The air around her began to hum with an otherworldly energy, the temperature dropping rapidly as the ritual took hold.

Suddenly, shadows began to form at the edges of her vision, dark and swirling, as if the very fabric of reality was being torn apart. Elara's heart pounded in her chest as she felt the weight of the ritual's power pressing down upon her.

"I call upon thee, Demon of Destruction," she continued, her voice growing louder as she faced the oncoming darkness. "Grant me the strength to complete this ritual, and I shall bind thee to my will."

The shadows coalesced into the form of a towering figure, its eyes glowing with a malevolent light. The Demon's laughter echoed through the temple, a sound that sent shivers down Elara's spine.

"You seek power, young mage," the Demon's voice was like sandpaper scraping against glass. "But power comes at a price. What will you sacrifice to bind me?"

Elara knew the answer before the question was even finished. "I will sacrifice everything," she declared, her voice filled with a newfound resolve. "For the sake of the world, I will do whatever it takes."

The Demon's laughter intensified, and the air around her grew colder still. Elara felt the ritual's power surge through her, the ancient magic pulsing through her veins like a living thing.

"Very well," the Demon's voice was tinged with a hint of respect. "But know this, mage. The price of your power will be great, and the dance will not end until you have paid it in full."

As the ritual reached its climax, Elara felt the Demon's power envelop her, its dark embrace suffocating her senses. She struggled to maintain her grip on the ritual, her mind racing as she fought to keep the ritual's course.

Just as she thought she could no longer hold on, a blinding light burst forth from the ritual tome, illuminating the temple and banishing the shadows. The Demon's form began to disintegrate, its laughter fading into silence.

Elara collapsed to her knees, her body drained of energy. She had succeeded, but at a cost. The ritual had opened a rift between worlds, and the balance of power had been forever altered.

As she lay there, gasping for breath, Elara knew that her journey had only just begun. The Demon's Dance was a dangerous one, and the Ritual of Ruin had only been the first step. She had to find a way to close the rift, to restore balance to the world, and to do so, she would need to delve deeper into the mysteries of the arcane arts.

The temple's interior seemed to close in around her, the shadows threatening to reclaim their hold on her senses. Elara knew she had to move, to find the means to close the rift and seal the Demon away once and for all.

With a deep breath, she stood up and began to make her way back through the temple, her resolve as firm as ever. The Demon's Dance was a dance of destruction, but for Elara, it was also a dance of hope, one that would lead her to a fate that was yet to be written.