Kairo's knees dug into the scorched floor, the Bone Blade heavy in his hand, the chains still rattling behind him. The oppressive force pressing him down wasn't just gravity — it was Hades' divine shield magic, light so absolute it bent the weight of the world around him. Every movement was a battle against the invisible walls, a crushing pressure that tested his body and soul.
He gritted his teeth, crimson eyes narrowing. This is no mere force. It's his will… made flesh.
Summoning the Gravekeeper's bone magic, Kairo lashed out, spears and spikes tearing through the air toward the throne. The constructs struck the walls of shimmering light, which bent and absorbed them effortlessly. The shield wasn't just a barrier — it manipulated space, forcing Kairo's attacks to slow, redirect, even bend against themselves.
Kairo's aura flared crimson, energy pulsing like a heartbeat of defiance. Then I'll fight through it.
He adjusted his stance, abandoning reliance on the Bone Blade for the moment, letting bones surge in chaotic spirals. Spikes erupted in multiple directions, forcing the shield to constantly adjust, creating tiny openings. He felt the strain, sweat streaking his pale face, yet he refused to yield.
Hades' voice echoed through the chamber, deep and resonant: "You struggle against the inevitable, Red-Eyed One. My shield bends reality itself. You cannot move freely. You cannot strike."
Kairo's crimson eyes flared, determination burning hotter than ever. He twisted, spinning bone constructs like whips, testing the limits of the light barrier. Slowly, painfully, he began carving small gaps, breaking through the weight and rigidity of the divine shield.
He could feel it: the first cracks in Hades' absolute defense. The Bone Blade hummed faintly at his side, ready to return, but Kairo didn't need it yet. His will, his mastery of bone magic, and his defiance alone were beginning to pierce through the godly light.
The throne room trembled. Shadows twisted. The Red-Eyed One, kneeling only moments ago, now rose, crimson aura flaring, eyes burning with unyielding fire. He was no longer merely resisting — he was challenging the very shield that defined Hades' power.