Yánluówáng gazed at Kiro with an unyielding stare as he pronounced the sentence. "For disrupting the balance of the underworld, you, Kiro, shall face 100 years of imprisonment." With a wave of his hand, iron chains materialized, binding Kiro's wrists and ankles.
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Yánluówáng's voice was stern, devoid of mercy. "Your punishment will be served in the depths of the underworld, where the very fabric of time is twisted. One day, you will endure the biting cold of winter, and the next, the scorching heat of lava."
As the chains tightened, Kiro felt a surge of his mana drain from his body. Yánluówáng's eyes seemed to bore into his very soul. "You will be trapped in this cycle, forever bound to the whims of the underworld, until your sentence is served." With a final nod,he sits back on his throne, leaving Kiro to his fate.
The chains dragged Kiro down into the darkness, the weight of his imprisonment crushing him. The cycle of winter and lava loomed before him, a never-ending torment that would test his resolve and strength.
Kiro's chains dragged him through the dark, twisted tunnels of the underworld, his body battered and bruised. Suddenly, he felt the ground beneath him give way to scorching hot lava. The intense heat seared his skin, and he cried out in agony as his feet were burned.
As he stumbled forward, the lava lapping at his ankles, Kiro's eyes scanned the desolate landscape. The air was thick with the stench of sulfur and smoke. Amidst the flames and ash, he spotted a figure huddled in the distance.
With a surge of determination, Kiro pulled against his chains, his burned feet screaming in protest. As he drew closer, the figure looked up, and their eyes met. It was Jin, his face gaunt and weary, but his eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and hope.
Kiro's heart swelled with emotion as he reached out, his chains rattling in protest. Jin's eyes locked onto his, and for a moment, they forgot the torment surrounding them. Kiro's determination hardened into resolve. He would endure whatever the underworld threw at him to free Jin from this living hell.
Jin's eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded Kiro, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "How did you end up here?" he asked, his voice rough from disuse.
Kiro's gaze held Jin's, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I came for you," he said simply. "I met Nasu, and he told me about your... situation."
Jin's eyes widened slightly, surprise etched on his face. "Nasu?" he repeated, his voice laced with a mixture of emotions.
"What does he have to do with this?"
Kiro's smile grew, and he took a step closer, his chains rattling in protest.
"Let's just say Nasu's information was... enlightening. I knew I had to come for you, no matter the cost."
Jin's expression softened, and for a moment, Kiro saw a glimmer of the person he once knew.
"I'm glad you're here," Jin said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kiro's eyes scanned the desolate landscape, the lava flows and burning embers casting flickering shadows on the walls. He turned to Jin, his curiosity piqued. "Tell me, Jin, what's the nature of this underworld? How does it work?"
Jin's gaze drifted off, his eyes clouding over with memories. "This is Diyu, the Chinese underworld," he began. "It's a realm of punishment and suffering, where souls are judged and punished for their crimes in life."
Kiro's interest was piqued. "And the cycle of winter and lava?" he asked, his feet still throbbing from the burns. Jin's expression turned grim. "That's just one of the many torments here. The underworld is divided into different realms, each with its own unique punishments and sufferings."
Kiro's mind was racing with questions, but before he could ask another, Jin continued. "The kings of the underworld, like Yánluówáng, they govern this realm, meting out punishments and ensuring the balance of karma is maintained." Kiro's eyes narrowed, his thoughts turning to the king who had sentenced him. "I see," he said, his voice low and contemplative. "And how do you fit into all this, Jin?" Jin's expression turned somber, and Kiro knew there was more to the story than he was being told.
Jin's eyes clouded over, his gaze drifting into the past. "I came here after... events in the mortal realm," he began. "I was brought before the Ten Kings of Hell, each ruling over a different chamber of the underworld."
Jin's voice was low, his words measured. "I met Meng Po, the King of Forgetfulness, who oversaw the erasure of memories. Then there was King Qinguang, who ruled over the first chamber, where souls were judged for their crimes." Jin's eyes seemed to bore into the distance, reliving the memories. "I faced each of the kings, from King Songdi to King Zhuanlun, each with their own domain and punishments."
Jin's expression turned grim. "But it was Yánluówáng, the King of the Underworld, who ultimately sentenced me to imprisonment here, in this cycle of suffering." Kiro's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with questions.
Kiro's eyes sparkled with intensity as he asked Jin about The Balance. "I've had an encounter with The Balance," Kiro said, his voice low and measured. "It appeared during our fight, Yánluówáng and me." Jin's eyes widened in shock, his face pale.
"The Balance doesn't appear for just any conflict," Jin said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It requires a significant disruption in the balance, usually caused by two powerful entities clashing." Jin's eyes locked onto Kiro's, his gaze intense. "You're telling me that The Balance appeared during your fight with Yánluówáng?" Kiro nodded, his expression grim.
Jin's face was a picture of stunned realization. "That means... your conflict with Yánluówáng must have had far-reaching implications for the balance of the realms." Jin's eyes seemed to bore into Kiro's very soul. "What exactly happened during that fight?" Kiro's gaze held Jin's, his mind racing with the implications of The Balance's appearance.
Kiro's eyes locked onto Jin's, a hint of a smile on his lips. "During the fight, I realized that I couldn't match Yánluówáng's power head-on," he explained. "So, I decided to imitate his power using my divine mana." Jin's eyes widened in surprise, impressed by Kiro's audacity.
"I channeled my divine mana to resonate with Yánluówáng's authority," Kiro continued. "It was a risk, but it paid off."
Jin's gaze was intense, his mind racing with the implications of Kiro's actions.
"But before we could engage in a full-blown battle, The Balance appeared," Kiro said, his voice low and measured. "Its presence was like a slap to reality, reminding us that our conflict had far-reaching consequences." Jin's expression turned somber, his eyes clouding over with concern. "The Balance doesn't intervene lightly," he said.
"Its appearance means that your actions have disturbed the equilibrium of the realms."
Jin's eyes locked onto Kiro's, a mix of emotions swirling within him, Jin felt a sudden surge of mana, and his vision seemed to expand.
Jin saw mysterious figures, their forms shrouded in mist, surrounding Kiro. These enigmatic beings seemed to be watching over him, their presence both mesmerizing and unsettling. Jin's eyes widened as he realized that Kiro was far beyond ordinary, his aura drawing the attention of forces beyond the mortal realm.
The revelation shook Jin to his core. He had always known that Kiro was different, but the extent of his uniqueness was only now becoming clear. Jin's mind reeled as he struggled to comprehend the implications of what he was seeing. Kiro, unaware of the visions, stood calm, his eyes fixed on Jin with an unwavering intensity.