Fate's Reversal: The Divines Return

….

Odin lowered his stance, placing most of his weight on his right foot as he shifted his center of gravity. In doing so, the turbulent cyclone formed around his spear. But that wasn't all. He once again utilized his Asura Strike set-up. Only this time, it was far more overbearing!

Even space trembled at the intensity of the move's lethality. However, to others without a strong mind, it seemed like a simple spear stance. The name of this strike was different though as he pierced through everything.

'Diiiiiiiiiiing!' 'Krrrrrrrrk!'

"Ragnarok: Pierce," uttered Odin as he thrust his spear forward without moving his feet. Six beams of destructive spear intent burst from the tip of his weapon as they began converging into one point and also bolstering to a terrible degree. The strike was lightning quick, imperceptible to even the surrounding Inhuman Control users. 

After all, his capabilities had left the realm of a human. The Divine Prospect Realm was how it sounded; compared to a regular human, one would seem to be divine. It was a prospect that came with entering the realm, hence it was the name the Insurmountable Titans gave it.

And so, in a fleeting moment the 8th «Node of Distorted Shadows» had shattered. All that was left was for Kaiden to do the same. In light of this, Kaiden had been recuperating and also preparing himself to shatter his own «Node of Distorted Shadows».

'Now that all of the other nodes have been shattered, I can feel this pillar weakening by a large degree. It feels almost identical to before the Nightmare activated it, only...it also feels slightly different,' thought Kaiden as his gazes scrutinized the pillar before him.

The diagram in the sky faded. In turn, the light film covering the central pillar before Kaiden also changed slightly. It became paper-thin and seemingly fragile, however, it also seemed to possess a slightly adverse effect.

"Terror, are you ready? Test the waters, I get a feeling our pillar is slightly different from the others," instructed Kaiden as he began channeling his Inner Energy into Sword Force. He had been preparing to do so for a good while now, hence, his body was ready to funnel copious amounts into his weapons. However, first, he needed to be sure if his speculations were correct.

"No problem. I'm guessing you are also getting a weird vibe from this pillar?" asked TerrorAssault as he dashed forward executing a torrential pierce. However, when it came in contact with the paper-thin barrier, he frowned slightly before trying to add more force.

Unfortunately, he realized this would yield no results. Retreating a step, TerrorAssault informed Kaiden of his findings, "This...it seems to have taken on the properties of rubber. It's absorbing the impact of my blow. However, if I'm correct then we should be able to overpower it. It'll just require us to once again enter a state of strain."

'As I expected… We have truly been given the most difficult task. However, it should also come with some apparent benefits. After all, we weren't placed here for no reason. I suspect the entrance to the second floor should be close by. Hence, the current increase in difficulty,' thought Kaiden.

"What do you suggest we do?" asked Kaiden.

"Based on the density of the film, I estimate we'll need to at least break the sound barrier to generate enough force to tear through. Or rather, in this world, shatter the fabric of sound. In other words, you'll need to utilize your attributes to their full potential. At the same time, I'll add my blow with yours."

Nodding his head, Kaiden glanced at the timer, '44 seconds remain. If it is so, I'll only need 14.'

"Give me a moment," uttered Kaiden as his aura began rising rapidly. This was solely his Sword Force until he began interacting trace amounts of mental energy with it. However, what he was performing was one of his earliest moves—1st Tempest Style: Origin Piercing Light! When used properly it held the greatest piercing property of his moves simply because of its untapped potential.

Soon enough, Kaiden's Inner Energy was in a fragile state. Surprisingly, for the moment he was wielding one sword alone—Genesis! Instead of simply using Sword Force, Kaiden also coated it in another layer in the vague form of a sword. It was clear he was creating an Energy Construct through Manifestation!

"Ready," uttered Kaiden as he lowered his stance, widening his feet. At the same time, he dragged his finger against Genesis' blade causing a resounding peal to echo throughout the space.

"Noted," responded TerrorAssault as his eyes gleamed silver, once again entering the Empyrean State! However, this time he mentally calculated, 'I can only hold this for 2 seconds this time, after which I'll need to recover.'

"Go!" they bellowed at the same time as they each accelerated in an inhumane fashion. Kaiden lowered his body further as he shot forward. Each step caused him to enter another Drive! Consequently, delayed sonic booms sounded. The compound effect was not to be underestimated, the situation it caused was haphazard winds!

On the other hand, TerrorAssault moved forward at the same speed leaving everyone utterly astonished! Within half a second, they both arrived before the «Node of Distorted Shadows».

TerrorAssault thrust his twin sword as he angled his body, colliding heavily with the thin barrier, causing a webbed crack. It wasn't enough to fully tear through it. However, he wasn't alone. Right after his blow, Kaiden presented his except he didn't think it would be enough.

'Faster! It must break!' thought Kaiden.

As his Inner Energy flowed to his right foot, causing an o.b.s.c.e.n.e acceleration. His body disappeared leaving an afterimage, shattering sound, and a loud rumble in its wake.

When his body came back into view, he was already coming to a sliding halt as his hand hovered above Genesis.

'Ziiiiing!' 'Kkrrrrrrrk!' 'Boooooooom!'

A message sounded which delighted everyone, especially those who had enough of this floor of the raid.

[System: 9/9 «Node of Distorted Shadows» have been destroyed. Congratulations, the effects of the «Nine Shadow Phases Formation: Staggered Distortion» applied to this palace has been discontinued.]

[System: Congratulations, the second objective of the First Floor has been completed. All that remains is for one to enter the Second Floor of the «Palace of Shadows». The «Spatial Elevation Rift» has appeared within the center of the realm.]

"Those two… they're o.b.s.c.e.n.ely strong. We really don't pose a challenge to them the way we are now," muttered Hollow Stance as he stared blankly while comparing his abilities to what these two were capable of. 

Even standing the distance they were at, the shockwaves of the impacts they made could be distinctly felt. It left a slightly sour taste in their mouth when they compared themselves even though they worked hard to improve their own ability.

Little did they know, they torture Kaiden had to experience to achieve his current state. If they were subject to it, it was unknown if they would be able to persevere. After all, who would want to weather the sensation of being burned alive or every fiber of your being crushed and reformed? No one, one who sought that could only be dubbed a madman.

[Master, for a moment, you touched upon the true utilization of your Inner Energy. Even without utilizing your Soul Temple, you controlled the flow of it without outside help.

In this case, the outside help Genesis mentioned was the Legendary Skill «Element Sword Force». It forewent the process of manual utilization and acted as an impetus which ignored certain processes. When the energy flowed to his foot, that was Kaiden's own doing.

'I see. I need to practice that more. That small burst was even stronger than some techniques I used.'

[Correct, Master. The volatility of Energy is not to be underestimated. After all, it is one of the strongest things in the cosmos.]

'Cosmos? And… only one of the strongest things?'

[Mhm, that's right. We'll come to learn more later when we become strong enough once again.]

….

In the distance, not too far away from where Kaiden and TerrorAssault shattered the pillar. A tiny portal began expanding until its radius was at least 25 meters; a size suitable for multiple people to enter at once.

"I guess that's the portal to the next floor," murmured Intact as he glanced between Kaiden and TerrorAssault. It was only the first floor and too many things had already taken place.

"That goes without saying. What I want to know is what remains behind that portal," commented Symbolic Soul as the group began proceeding in its direction. It was hard to discern anything because the portal contained an aura identical to the palace.

"I'm not sure, but just remain aware of your surroundings. Once we enter, we'll complete the first quest. But more than that, perhaps we'll learn why we are being rewarded a temporary ocular skill. That's what bothers me the most," replied Kaiden as he glanced at the quest menu before him.

It wasn't long before the entire 1st Raid team reached the «Spatial Elevation Rift». This was their advantage! Entering the second phase before the other. However, the question remained, when they entered, would the teams once again be split up? Or would they need to complete some other task? The questions remained endless, however, the time didn't.

"We'll enter in batches, my party will go first. After all, I don't believe any of the others are stronger than us, nor do you want to brave any dangers, am I correct?" stated Kaiden as he glanced back towards the large raid group only to be met with a compliant silence.

Truthfully speaking, when Kaiden chose the members of his raid team. He didn't aim for the experts but rather those who seemed to originate from the middle ring. In other words, his standard was to find those who could barely oppose his words; a tyrant of a sort. He just didn't do many tyrannical things unless it called for it.

With that being said, the members of «Ethereal Conviction» entered in a stream. Only, once inside, MagicsSlave's hysterical scream sounded.

"Why can't I see anything!?"