"Hold my hand and transfer the so-called World Energy you have."
Madesol urged but Asher did not move.
"Why are you hesitating? Can't you do that?"
"How can I know you won't use the energy I give you against me?"
Madesol's eyes rolled.
It's because Asher was not entirely incorrect.
If he couldn't prove it, then that's that. But if he could, she was planning to get some little revenge.
"I won't do anything to you."
"..."
There was no reason to trust her. The only reason they're talking right now is for mutual benefits. One is still sore eyes to another and vice versa.
If the Phoenix got the upper hand, Asher could only blame it for his stupidity.
"You want me to take an Oath again? Sorry, but I can't. An Oath to the High Heavens shouldn't be used on petty things like this or it may get angered."
But a potato is?
Well, to be fair, she did add more to that Oath.
"Even if I have thousands of Divine Techniques that can kill you in less than a second, they couldn't be activated with your measly energy. Do you think you are that strong? Unless your capacity exceeds your fortitude, I wouldn't be able to hurt you."
That is true. Asher knew that from the beginning. However, the person before him is a selfish and vengeful Divine Being. She may not kill him but she may still curse him, like implanting a slave seal.
As such, to be safe-
"I'm only going to give a single strand. Is that enough?"
"Yes, I'll immediately know it," Madesol scoffed. Doubt still filled her eyes.
Asher nodded. His hand was about to reach out to her hand but stopped. Although her hand is slim and beautiful, having flawless skin, he felt reluctant to touch it.
"I don't want this as well but I don't think you have the skill to transfer the World Energy without physical contact," Madesol explained and then followed with a mutter, "if you can use World Energy in the first place, that is."
"Alright..."
Asher no longer hesitated and held her hand. Even though they were supposed to be barely surviving, her skin was still smooth. Flawless in sight, flawless by touch. That's what Asher thought.
Madesol twitched as soon as she was touched. Even though his hand was warm as so was hers, she felt very uncomfortable.
Both of them were.
Ignoring the awkwardness, Asher focused and brought forth a strand of World Energy from within up to his palm. Although this was his first attempt, it felt like he knew how.
A person who knows how to shoot a ball should also know how to pass even if he hasn't done it before.
The strand of World Energy followed his will. From his palm to her palm, the strand of energy attempted to jump.
Madesol's eyes widened when she felt something. It's true, this energy is not something an Initiant should have.
Her expectations rose.
Yet, when the strand was about to jump, it stopped and returned.
"?"
Even though a person knows how to pass a ball, it doesn't mean he can do it properly. As delicate as transferring World Energy, even top geniuses wouldn't be able to accomplish it the first time.
"It failed. How unskilled are you?" Madesol glared. She was letting him hold her hand but still couldn't let it transfer. She immediately retracted her hand.
Asher frowned. It was more difficult than he thought. It seemed that manipulating World Energy to fuel Soul Skills is a different skill from transferring it.
"How long have you been using this energy? How can you not know how to transfer it?"
Feeling ashamed, Asher replied, "A month before you arrived."
"See, that's-... wait, a month before I arrived?"
Madesol wasn't still sure if that was World Energy but she was sure it was energy Asher could use. Thus, she assumed Asher had been using it for a long time. How can he use it for so many different Soul Skills then?
If he had not been using it for a long time, how could he succeed on the first try? Which means, he needs a little more practice.
"Alright, let's do it again. This time, give two strands."
Using the metaphor of passing the ball, maybe the ball was too light, thus, when he attempted to pass it, the wind just blew it away.
"No, I'll still give one strand."
"This guy...! What can I do with another strand? I would need at least ten to have enough force to slap your stupid face!"
Asher didn't give in.
How can I trust you? I'll give you no more than the minimum!
He didn't speak but it's as if Madesol heard this. Scratching her head, she gave another option.
"Either give me two strands, or we have to increase the physical contact."
Either make the ball heavier so that the wind wouldn't affect it much or make the receiver come closer so it's easier for her to catch it.
Asher didn't like the other option at all. However, he has to choose the lesser evil.
"Then, we have to increase the physical contact."
"..." Madesol stayed silent for a while, "You do remember that you'll need me at my full power to revive this world."
Understanding what she meant, Asher nodded, "I know. But at that point, you'll have to fulfill your oath. I don't care what happens to me then. Right now, however, I don't trust you."
He'll choose discomfort over the risk of giving this Phoenix too much power any time of the day.
She says that two strands are not that much but this much could activate an Epitome-Rank Soul Skill. After all, World Energy is something so powerful that only Immortals from the myths are supposed to be the bare minimum in controlling it.
Asher is already risking so much by giving her one strand already. Even though she might just be able to activate a Grand-Rank Soul Skill against him, with her skills, it might be able to enough to make him suffer.
Well, as long as it will not kill or permanently debilitate me, Asher thought. If this Phoenix did attack him, he'd have to make her suffer in return once she used up all the energy as well.
Madesol also has a dilemma of her own. She was full of doubt at first but when she sensed that unusual energy before it returned to Asher, hope rose within her.
Thus, she chose discomfort.
"Alright, hold out your hand."
Their palms touched again. This time, Madesol's fingers slid into his and they interlocked with one another.
A discomforting and electrifying feeling coursed through Asher's body, making his face twitch. Madesol's expression wasn't that different from his.
To stop this nonsense once and for all, Asher gave all his focus to transfer.
The strand of World Energy went to his palm once again. It jumped higher this time.
In the middle of its jump though, it stopped and returned once again.
"Damn it!" Madesol shouted.
"Just give me two strands so we can be done with this! You've only been using this energy not even two months by now and you expect to be so precise you can transfer one strand?"
Asher refused once more, "No."
"I see. You just like touching me, don't you? Of course, who can resi- ouch!"
Asher slightly squeezed her hand, "Stop your nonsense. Do I look like I'm having fun?"
Seeing his serious expression, Madesol growled and relented. She then raised her other hand.
"I said I'm not giving more than one strand."
"No, we're just going to increase the medium."
"..."
Asher then took her other hand and their fingers interlocked. He focused but it failed once again.
"Grr..."
Madesol hesitated before reluctantly scooching over to Asher, making their elbows bent.
Asher tried again. The strand of World Energy has jumped much higher than before, but still, returned.
They were already in deep waters. Just wanting to get this over with, they dove deeper. Madesol scooched over closer once more. They released their interlocked hands. Instead, they held each other's forearm, making the physical contact greater.
Both of their eyes were closed as it would be more awkward otherwise. If they opened their eyes, they would notice that their foreheads only had a distance of one inch between them.
If this failed again, would I let him hug me? Madesol thought.
Meanwhile, Asher decided that if this failed, he'd have to prove it some other time as he'd have to practice or she gain his trust first.
Fortunately, with this much physical contact between them, the stubborn strand of World Energy finally left Asher's body and into Madesol.
He really did it? Madesol was internally surprised. Once she received the strand World Energy, she inspected it.
This is...
This is indeed World Energy!
Madesol's body jerked upwards from shock.
Bam* Making her forehead hit Asher's.
"Ah!"
Realizing how much closer they got, they immediately increased the distance as if the other would eat them alive.
Madesol then felt the strand of World Energy within her. Forgetting about the stinging pain on her forehead, she acted fast.
She used this strand to recover her physical body. It cleansed it and removed her hunger, thirst, and other pain and discomfort as well.
For the first time after falling into this world, Madesol felt refreshed!
Still feeling a bit of strength from the strand of World Energy, Madesol glanced at Asher before she elegantly waved her hand to the ground beside them.
Asher's eyes followed her movement and stared at the ground.
From underneath the ashes, a withered flower stood up. Slowly, it regained its color and vigor.
The dead returned to life as the flower bloomed, creating a deep contrast with the dark world.
While this flower was small and insignificant, like that one small strand of World Energy, it was enough to fuel the hope and expectations within Asher.
Meanwhile, Madesol gave a small smile to the little flower.
It's nice seeing something alive in this dead world.
As they were preoccupied with their thoughts and emotions, a sound interrupted the scene.
Rumble*
They felt the ground tremble beneath them.