Third Layer

The third layer was similar to the first... except that there never seemed to be a sunrise for ages. Darkness reigned in the third layer for so long that its existence had turned tangible, a murky presence that clutched his senses.

As for the suppression... he felt it the moment he entered through the gate. The speed at which [Wings of Radiance] was going slowed down to half unless he pumped more energy through his radiant heart.

He didn't try to go for that at this moment, as he planned on scouting and inspecting this part of the subspace first. However, the tangible presence of the darkness was already getting on his nerves; he wondered how worse it was for the rest.

Agnes will probably be fine, he thought. Her affinity to dark essence made her somewhat impervious to the suppression. She might not have full access to her full capacity, but she should have enough to boss around.