Immortal Mythos: Bound by Void

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The silence of the void clearing was quickly broken by the sound of Ren's sandals scraping across the ground. He stood with his arms crossed, eyes sharp and distant, like he was seeing more than just Yuki.

"You're learning," he said, "but it's not enough."

Yuki's muscles ached, but he nodded. "Then show me more."

Ren didn't speak. He just raised his hand.

In an instant, the air changed—compressed. It was like gravity had doubled. Yuki dropped to one knee with a grunt as his body struggled to adapt.

"You feel that?" Ren asked, his tone calm but brutal. "That's spiritual pressure. Mine. You'll face beings that can kill you just by standing near them."

Yuki gritted his teeth and pushed himself back up. "Then I'll get stronger."

Ren stepped forward. "Then prove it. Channel the void—not as a weapon, but as a shield."

Yuki blinked. "A shield?"

Ren nodded. "You're too focused on destruction. The void can consume—but it can also protect. If you don't understand that, it'll burn you from the inside."

Yuki inhaled deeply, reaching for that cold space inside his chest. The void energy responded, swirling like a slow storm around him. He tried to compress it, shape it—not into a blade or burst—but into a barrier.

It flickered, unstable.

"Focus!" Ren barked. "Don't force it. Let it listen."

Yuki closed his eyes. Slowly, the energy began to curve around him like a dome of swirling darkness. The pressure from Ren began to lessen—just a bit.

Then, a gust of wind shot past him.

It wasn't from Ren.

Himari stood a few feet away now, observing again. Her eyes shimmered with something—maybe curiosity. Maybe concern.

Yuki's control wavered for just a moment. The shield cracked and exploded outward, flinging him to the ground.

Ren sighed. "Still too emotional."

Yuki groaned, picking himself up. "What, am I supposed to turn into a robot?"

"No," Ren said quietly. "But if you can't separate your heart from your power, then you'll never survive what's coming."

Yuki glanced at Himari, who said nothing—just stared. Her presence was steady, a quiet anchor in the storm.

He wiped blood from his lip and clenched his fists.

"Then I'll learn. I have to."

Ren turned away, but Yuki swore he saw the faintest trace of a smirk.

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