A cold energy hung in the air, freezing the environment. The same energy continued to be released by the ice beneath their feet and, as such, by the forest where they had been before.

  Noah closed his eyes.

  The destruction was caused by the phoenix and the ice by the Frigid Flame, and both are in my hands now...

  Even though he wasn't planning on doing it, the step ahead flickered as it took shape.

  If I absorb all the Qi back, would the ice disappear?

  Extending one hand, he initiated his action. The cold, dispersed Qi began to show signs of reaction. It was simple, mere attraction. Not much different from standard energy absorption. Noah thought it was even easier, actually, as the frigid Qi offered no resistance to his call. It vibrated like particles, veered off the course proposed by the wind, and began to cluster.

  It was as if his hand were freezing, for it was through there that the Qi entered his body.

  Ting looked around, as surprised as those who stood up in fright, leaving their tools scattered on the ground. The ice wasn't just melting; it was vanishing. It wasn't turning into water, but into energy—the purest and most condensed kind.

  He really did it... She gave a small smile as she squeezed Noah's hand.

  She was grateful, even though she was certain that the eyes sweeping over that desolate landscape, staring at those people in despair and fear, felt nothing. So why did he decide to help them? She couldn't help but wonder.

  For me...? It seemed possible and, given how Noah acted toward her, correct.

  Shouts of joy echoed from all sides. However, they did not last. There were tears as well, yet they didn't even last long enough to hit the ground. They froze in the air and, upon falling, shattered on impact.

  The heat that took over the cold area would soon remind them of the pressures that had accompanied the ice and flames. Did they have reason to smile? Why, if the creatures remained roaming around? Everyone grabbed their tools and dispersed like zombies, returning to the construction area.

  They would finish their houses. They would continue their lives. They would await the horrendous apparition.

  — Well, I did the best I could. Most of the city is free of ice now. Are you satisfied?

  Ting looked around before nodding.

  It was too hot, far beyond normal. Even she was sweating, so it was certain that this wasn't something natural.

  The heated Qi...!

  It came along with the breeze that swept away the remaining fresh air around them.

  Watching Noah, she hesitated.

  She should be thanking him, not asking for more. However, she couldn't leave things as they were. She was incapable of ignoring the harm caused to them.

  She grabbed his hand with both of hers, but she wasn't able to look him in the eyes.

  — The heated Qi... — she hesitated. — Can you remove it from here as well?

  She was sure the remaining people would die if the environment continued this way.

  Noah considered it for a moment. He wouldn't refuse, but he also didn't want to keep forcing his ascension to the next step. He still didn't think he was ready. He feared reaching the next great stage before he could progress in his real goal.

  — Of course. — he said, patting the top of her head. — But I will need some time, so wait here for a few moments.

  Ting nodded.

  Noah ascended to the skies, exposing his figure to those with good eyes and remaining attention throughout the city. He stopped to feel the heat circling him, as if wanting to invade him. It wasn't him or the phoenix; however, there was something trying to consume that energy by pulling it inside him. But what it was remained uncertain. The "thing" was so meticulous in its action that it made it difficult to discover or track any major trail.

  It was you who released this energy upon leaving; don't you want to take it back?

  Something stirred inside him.

  No, not like that. Discreetly.

  If the phoenix revealed itself completely, Noah feared it might scare Ting, ending up driving her away from him. And that, he would not allow.

  The blue of his eyes shone, and something different took over.

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  This sensation is very strange, boy... I feel trapped in a narrow cage.

  With a wave of his hand, the dispersed Qi began to gather around him.

  You need to strengthen yourself a little faster. Even after the body transfiguration for bloodline stabilization, your body is still too fragile to do something like this for very long.

  Narrowing the distance between his fingers, a small red-orange sphere formed between them. It shone like the sun and burned even more intensely than a star. The space around it destabilized due to its mere existence.

  She fixed the flaws when she controlled it, and yet... Look, you are already trembling.

  Bringing his trembling fingers to his mouth, the phoenix tossed the sphere down his gullet.

  She stared at the city below. For a brief instant, her eyes narrowed, and she frowned with a mixture of contempt and repulsion.

  Indeed, a detestable race... They remain as repugnant as ever.

  As the glow in his irises faded, Noah brought a hand to his forehead. He staggered, losing altitude little by little. His hand shook, and his vision blurred. He could see something beyond, like remnants that resembled memories of tentacles moving through the streets and alleys, leaving something slimy behind.

  It was disgusting.

  What the—! You were just supposed to take your Qi back, so what the hell did you do besides that?!

  His legs almost gave way when his feet touched the ground.

  Ting caught him, allowing him to lean on her shoulder.

  — Are you okay...? Why didn't you say doing this demanded so much from your body? If I had known, then—

  — It is fine.

  What was that in her look? Empathy? Noah preferred to think it was a spark of worry.

  Forget what I said, bird...

  — I just need to rest for a moment.

  She led him to the side of the street and sat him there. Then, before sitting beside him, she took a ceramic bottle from her spatial bag and handed it to him.

  — Come on, drink, it is just water. — Ting said, thinking Noah was motionless because he hesitated to take what she offered.

  He was just watching her, enjoying what seemed to be a brief moment of concern.

  — Are you feeling better now? You already did everything you could, so—

  A short smile echoed.

  — It was you who did everything... I just stood there trembling and holding back tears. — Ting tucked loose strands behind her ear, revealing her sad gaze. — The truth is, there is nothing I can do to make up for everything they must have lost.

  — So, will you keep helping them until nothing is left?

  After pulling her knees to her chest, she leaned forward. With her face turned, Ting looked him in the eyes, apprehensive.

  — ...If I said yes, would you not let me do it...?

  Noah shook his head, denying it.

  — If it is something you want, I will do everything I can to help you. Even in this, it wouldn't be different.

  So it really was for me...

  She hid her face, turning it to the other side.

  The drops resumed their fall along with the touch of their hands.

  Even though they were distant, the two could hear the weeping that those walking to the south of the city tried to contain, and failed.

  Could something have heard their prayers? The hope they fought to keep locked in their chests broke free. It was horrible to be immersed in the dark cold of uncertainty. However, it was worse to not even try to have hope that one could be saved.

  Many saw the humanoid form hovering in the sky like a deity. They couldn't believe it was real. But the miracle showed itself to be factual. Without a name or a face, was it a deity or a hallucination? Perhaps the beasts were playing with their perceptions, inducing them to have hope. Perhaps... They would deal with that later. For now, they allowed themselves to believe and cry. Releasing the weight they had borne since the moment they woke up to find the city, their homes, in such a state.

  — But how will you do this? Do you already have something in mind?

  Ting denied.

  — I will watch them for a little while... Maybe a chance for me to do something will come up, right?

  — Hmm, so we are going to play builders now?

  She smiled.

  — Actually, I think I will leave that to you as well. I don't want to do that and end up getting calluses on my hands. — Ting joked.

  — Huh? You are right...

  She thought Noah would smile too, but his response was different. He took her hand and placed it on his own face.

  He smiled gently, leaving her uncertain about how to proceed.

  — Yes, I don't want that to happen either.

  Pulling her hand back, Ting returned to the "habitual" touch, holding Noah's hand. It was easier to get used to and, in a way, ignore. She smiled, embarrassed.

  — You are very direct, Noah... — she shrank back. — So much so that it becomes a little uncomfortable. — she murmured to herself in a tone so low it sounded like a thought.

  — Seriously...? Would you prefer I be a little more discreet, then?

  Ting looked away, pensive.

  — No, keep being like this... — she spoke, tightening the grip of the hand holding him. — It makes me think I am capable of understanding what you feel. That we are getting closer at every moment. I like that... it makes me feel a little more confident.

  — Well, if that is what you think...

  Setting the bottle aside, Noah pulled her close. He took Ting by the waist and sat her on his lap.

  Everything happened too fast for her to react. Not even her hair had time to move before she arrived at the destination.

  A strong breeze blew suddenly.

  Ting looked back after feeling the sudden difference in the surface she was sitting on. She narrowed her eyes, frowning slightly. Noah's arms were already wrapping around her waist, holding her in place.

  — You were the one who said I could continue. — he pointed out.

  — Yeah, but not like this! — she exclaimed, crossing her arms, for she knew she would be unable to move his. — And not in this place. What if other people come here?

  — Oh, so that means I can do this, as long as it isn't outdoors?

  Ting froze, rethinking.

  — T-That's not it—

  — Alright, if that is what you want, I agree.

  Noah put the bottle away in his spatial bag.

  — W-Wait...

  He stood up with Ting in his arms, interrupting her words.

  A long sigh echoed, as if denoting surrender.

  — ...At least put me on the ground for now, okay? I don't want to be seen by others like this...