Alaric tightened his hold, not using any special technique, but relying on the full strength of a body trained to its highest potential. Every part of him, from skin to muscle to bone, was strengthened by mastery over the five elements. As he squeezed, he could feel the bones in the demon's forearms give slightly, not yet snapping, just bending under the force. The demon's body had been hardened to its limit, and it would not break easily.
But even a body this strong could not withstand what Alaric did next. He started channeling origin energy into the demon through their points of contact, letting it flow slowly and steadily. Instead of a sharp jolt, he used a constant, pressing force that reached right down to the cells. The wood element, part of his training, slipped into the demon's body, patiently prying open pathways just like tree roots can split rock over time, steady, relentless, and impossible to resist.
