Fate's Reversal: The Divines Return

….

"No way...did I just see that correctly?" gawked MagicsSlave. He couldn't believe what he was witnessing! TerrorAssault had just headbutted Kaiden. Correct, he headbutted the man. Due to his mental energy, being rendered virtually useless. He literally resorted to more primitive means. Only, it was slightly overbearing when stacked with the o.b.s.c.e.n.e movement technique he performed just prior.

"Yes, you did. TerrorAssault just...headbutted Kaiden and...uh yeah," stated Hollow Stance with a dazed expression. After all, it wasn't every day you saw a scene like this unless you lived in some type of fighting world. Nevertheless, you know what they say, 'two heads are better than one.'

In this case, when out of options; use your head—literally.

"That sound, it was like someone let off a bomb...twice," replied Flash Light in a near screaming tone while still gripping his ears. The earlier thunderous noises were still ringing his eardrums. Hence, he wasn��t capable of controlling his volume all too well.

"I just hope those two are okay…" murmured Gentle Whisper as her eyebrows furrowed. Truthfully speaking, the first time Kaiden wailed in anguish she wanted to step out and help once again. However, Hollow Stance shook his head and advised her to leave it to TerrorAssault. Hollow was well aware of the feelings she possessed for Kaiden.

Surprisingly enough, banking on TerrorAssault turned out to be the right call! While his means looked improper; the results from it were far from it. The extreme vibration of the headbutt possessed enough presence to momentarily disrupt the illusion Kaiden was under.

For a brief moment, a shred of clarity returned to Kaiden's eyes as they shifted back to the prior light gold. Furthermore, in that small window of time, a lot took place. While he didn't speak, a pained groan escaped his lips. But more importantly, the way Kaiden perceived things inside his mind changed.

Equally important, Kaiden also regained another ability; he was able to once again communicate with Genesis. The one who initially warned him of the Nine Shadow Phases Formation. Clearly, anything worthy of Genesis' apprehension was not a trivial matter. After all, how could that be so when it was a weapon forsaken by the Supremes? From this fact alone, it was clear the implications behind any of Genesis' words were not to be taken lightly.

….

Inside Kaiden's mind…

[Master, for the moment, our connection has reappeared. Luckily, the integrity of the formation's illusion was disrupted by an unknown force. We need to hurry and resolve this formation. Being as it is complete, I fear we have barely any time at all.]

'What do we need to do?' asked Kaiden as he stared at a floating image of Genesis. With him being inside his own mind, he was present before the soul form of Genesis.

[In short, we need to overpower the Nine Shadow Phases Formation. But...to do so will probably damage you, Master. As you know, your state isn't exactly the best. But I think I have a way to circ.u.mvent that issue. However, based on the time Energy stored within me, you only have one chance. I suggest you find a way to communicate with whoever helped you just now. If possible, you will need their assistance to guarantee success. Failure can't be an option.]

Towards the end, Genesis' tone grew heavy. It was clear there were implications behind not being able to exit this formation with due haste. If not, Genesis wouldn't have urged Kaiden to take action so quickly.

'What happens if we fail?'

[The structure of this formation is special. Based on what is known, it is empowered by the Celestial Ghost Flame; a flame famous for deteriorating the soul. The longer one is in the formation, the more one soul will suffer. Then comes the origin of its name. The phases of the nine shadows. If one is subject to the torment of the formation, then if they remain trapped; every 90 seconds the pressure will increase by a fold. By the end, if the target possessed less than Saint-level Soul then it spells imminent death.]

'Oh… That doesn't sound too enticing,' muttered Kaiden as he began frowning while also thinking of a way to get in contact with the others. Although he may have regained a shred of clarity, he didn't possess too much control of himself. Hence, the reason only a pained groan escaped his throat.

'This raid...it's turning out to be more of a hassle than one would like,' g.r.o.a.n.e.d Kaiden as he began recounting all the instances he had dealt with until now. While it wasn't the worst it can be, it left much to be d.e.s.i.r.ed. 'I wonder what a typical raid dungeon would look like. 

[Master, hurry. Time is running out quickly. If we are going to act, we need to do so soon! You will need to perform a two-pronged attack. However, remember this relies on two things. First, a decent grasp of timing and secondly, someone who possesses a very strong mental power. In other words, your earlier opponent.]

After being urged, Kaiden nodded as he sat down before the crystal in his mind, 'I'll have to draw upon you for now. I know I'm not allowed to but only through you will I be able to communicate with the others.'

Closing his eyes, Kaiden began sensing the mental energy within the crystal. It wasn't easy due to the terrible state of his Soul Temple but sure enough, he found some. In turn, he caused a reaction outside as he tried to relay a message.

….

As Kaiden performed these actions inside his mind, his dazed eyes focused briefly. Lowering his head in staggered motions, Kaiden gazed at TerrorAssault. At this point, TerrorAssault was wary of any slightest changes. So these actions caused him to become skeptical.

'Has it worked? If so, that turned out better than I expected.'

However, rather than speaking Kaiden lifted his finger as crimson shade began to once again cloud his eyes albeit slowly. Pointing at TerrorAssault, Kaiden then inverted his finger at himself raising it to his forehead. Unfortunately, TerrorAssault didn't understand Kaiden's methods.

'It seems he has regained full control. But I'm not sure what he's trying to say? Is he trying to tell me that headbutt was too heavy-handed? I'm afraid I possessed no other options,' thought TerrorAssault as he shook his head.

Narrowing his sights, Intact examined Kaiden's movements before walking forward. As it was said before, Intact was someone extremely s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e to mental energy. Hence, he felt an iota of it emanating from Kaiden's hands. Although TerrorAssault discerned this as well, he dismissed it as possessing any importance. 

Noticing his message wasn't being received properly, Kaiden frowned in his mind. He tried once again but this time, Kaiden changed the intensity of the mental energy and performed more gestures. He started the same way, with a point. But then paused. The mental energy on his hand flared as he slowly clenched his first then relaxed it.

Afterward, Kaiden lifted two fingers soaked in mental energy to his own forehead. Time was running out and quite frankly, he was banking on this second rendition of his message being understood. Luckily, his brother stepped in; their childhoods of charades had paid off!

"TerrorAssault, I think I understand what he is trying to tell you," stated Intact as he arrived next to him.

"What is it? I'm failing to understand those gestures even though I have taught you all hand signals. The ones he is utilizing are quite...mystifying," responded TerrorAssault as he remained perplexed.

"I think the key lies in mental energy. Look at how he is manipulating them. Then look at and dissect his gestures. If I'm not mistaken, the points mean "you" and "I". Then the pause means "wait". The clench may mean "attack". Mental energy definitely means "mental energy" and the last gesture… I've made two interpretations. One is "two seconds" and the second is "aim your mental energy here." Which means, whatever he wants to do...he's unable to do it alone," disclosed Intact.

"In other words, when pieced together the message is: 'In two seconds I need you to attack me with your mental energy and aim it here? If that is the case, I can do that. However, I don't have much too spare," responded TerrorAssault. The Empyrean state was slightly overbearing. But that's to be expected; it didn't really belong to the stage. It was a watered-down version of what caused the top of the world to be called the apex. 

Through willpower alone, Kaiden nodded minutely. But of course, TerrorAssault's acute senses picked up on this. Preparing himself, TerrorAssault sheathed his two swords and instead turned his left middle and index fingers into a blade of mental energy.

At the same time, Genesis began acting inside Kaiden's mind as it began incessantly pulsing. All of a sudden, the Timeless Fate Seal began glowing also. The space within Kaiden's mind became turbulent. To begin the actions, Kaiden's left hand gripped Genesis, while his right remained on the Soul Temple as per Genesis' directions.

In that instant, as two seconds had passed, TerrorAssault thrust his fingers towards Kaiden's forehead. Concurrently, Genesis released a tyrannical pulse of energy that nearly mutilated Kaiden's mind. However, luckily, the Timeless Fate Seal shined radiantly and enveloped the entirety of the space.

His mind was free from time for a moment! To put it differently, his mind was frozen and protected in the state right before the moment of the pulse. But in that instant, Genesis' large fluctuation and TerrorAssault mental energy collided creating a small explosion. Clarity completely returned Kaiden's mind but his face paled when his mind once again came under the influence of time. 

He had broken free from the tethers of the formation! Unfortunately, his state didn't look too pleasant. The corroding properties were indeed at the standard Genesis insinuated.

On the other hand, a calm rage built inside Kaiden as he gazed at the silver-eyed Nightmare. Something inside Kaiden snapped as he experienced this small tribulation. A pale white sheen passed through his crimson eyes as he lifted his arms. Of their own accord, both Angurvadal and Genesis had flown into his grasp!

"That's…" muttered TerrorAssault with widened eyes.