The air of the underworld shattered into fragments. The red light pulsing across the sky trembled in rhythm with Dantalion's heavy, thunderous breaths. All around, the scorched ground began to beat like living veins pulsing beneath their feet reflecting the blood-violet glow from the demon's body.
The pulsating crimson mist tightened, sealing them inside a living arena that seemed to breathe. Every gust of air carried the sound of a thousand trapped souls groaning in agony.
Alicia and Stacia stood far behind Sylvia, their bodies frozen in place. No spell would form mana within them had hardened like stone. Their emotions, fear, regret, even courage were bound by Dantalion's aura, turned into invisible chains that held them fast.
"Can't… move," Alicia rasped, her voice cracking. "Even my tongue feels numb…"
Stacia tried to open her grimoire, but the pages burst into flame the moment her fingers touched them. "He's feeding on our emotions to paralyze us…"
