It hurts. Gods it hurts, a divine sting that even he feels won't heal right away. But it doesn't go deeper, which is telling - it means that he can endure it longer, as he's dealt with far worse pains in his repeated Deaths, pains that went deeper and lingered even after he'd return.

But then he feels something happen. The power of Life Itself surges within him from an unknown source. Whoever it was that granted him this blessing, he knows better than to turn it away.

Zagreus uses the Force on instinct, shielding Thanatos with an invisible barrier directly in front of him in a wall, as large and as high as he can form it. He's not practiced with this new power, but he's not about to let Kolokifi get hold of Thanatos while he is still conscious.

"Kolokifi, Lord Krios, he-- he wants to help you, he's connected to you too through Sylnis, you all are! He may Judge your actions, but all of your Kin would be worse off without you! Please...!"

Zagreus grips tighter on Stygius' hilt, then call the activation words, "I see your kingly pardon from a prison of stone!" Stygius transforms into Excalibur, and Zagreus immediately uses its special ability Hallowed Ground, which will protect him from harm for a while.

His sword glows a brilliant white, almost as bright as the Lady of Summer herself.