It took seven broken barriers to slow down the surging underworld energy to a pace where it needed more than a minute to break the eighth. But it wasn't enough. The underworld energy continued building, and its pressure reached beyond the barriers. The oppressive air stifled Zach's breathing slightly.
Since he had to focus on the barriers blocking the underworld energy, he couldn't support himself with an additional skin-tight layer like he was used to. However, that also meant that he had deactivated his restrictive barriers. He felt like a bird released into a steamy kitchen.
Although the underworld energy's speed had taken a hit, its power hadn't. Zach wasn't sure how much longer he would be able to withstand it. He had promised Dukiel a day, so that was how long he was going to hold it.
Fortunately, his world essence energy was already working on the internal injuries he had suffered. It would be slightly easier to hold that long.
