Ren stood there, amidst the shattered stones of the city around him, and the silence that came after the death of whatever the Chained Man had been.
Then, it happened.
[Threat Eliminated. Limiters Re-engaged.]
[Soulbinding Reverted. Rank 4 Activated.]
[Tithecraft Reverted.]
[Resonance Magic Reverted.]
His power deflated, sucked away in an instant. His Divine Gift receded into the background of his soul like a heartbeat slowing after a sprint.
He was left hollow. Every muscle burned. His knees buckled, but before he could hit the ground, Lilith caught him.
She cradled him against her, her arms warm around it. Her face was pale with awe.
"You were... you were like a god." She whispered.
Ren managed a weak smile. "And now I feel like a corpse."
She didn't laugh, only held him tighter. Then, her Divine Gift thrummed, and a platform of soul energy appeared beneath their feet.
It lifted into the air, taking them both through the fractured remains of the cathedral.
