Music To My Ears

Onigi's sword flashed a brilliant blue as he activated a defensive skill to brace against the incoming attack.

The air around him shimmered with energy, forming a protective barrier that should have deflected any assault.

But nothing happened.

No clash of steel, no explosion of force—just an eerie, silent howl that washed over him like a tidal wave.

It wasn't a physical attack; it was something far more insidious.

The soundless scream burrowed deep into his mind, clawing at his thoughts and distorting his senses.

His vision blurred, the world around him twisting into a chaotic mess.

The tiles beneath his feet, once solid and predictable, now warped and shifted like liquid.

Patterns swirled and melded together, making it impossible to tell where to step next.

Onigi gritted his teeth, his instincts screaming at him to move, but his body hesitated.

He had missed a step.