Hiro went at the Umbral again.
No ranged bursts this time.
He closed the distance and drove straight into close combat, spiritual energy compressed tightly through his arms instead of released outward.
The force stayed concentrated at the point of impact, turning each strike into raw physical pressure reinforced by spiritual output.
His fist crashed into the Umbral's chest.
The thing staggered back two full steps.
The floor cracked under its heel.
Hiro followed immediately before it could recover balance.
Second strike.
Same spot.
A deeper impact this time. The dark energy around the Umbral's torso compressed sharply inward around the hit before swelling back outward again, the body forcing itself back into shape.
Behind Hiro he heard seal lines rising across the room.
Natsume.
This barrier structure sounded different.
Denser.
More layered.
Gold lines spread over the walls in overlapping formations instead of a single enclosure.
