Max changed his approach. Bringing both hands forward, he clasped his palms together in a steady motion. Between them, sparks of black fire flickered to life. Within moments, a dense sphere of black flames formed, glowing faintly with crimson veins that pulsed like a living heart.
The heat it emitted was suffocating, yet contained. He controlled it perfectly, restricting the black fire to remain within the space between his hands.
The sphere was the size of a football, spinning slowly, its surface rippling with chaotic energy. The flames moved like liquid, devouring everything around them but never expanding beyond their confines.
'Devour,' Max commanded silently.
At that instant, the Divine Essence around him reacted violently. The golden mist surged toward the black sphere as if drawn by an irresistible force. Streams of radiant energy poured into it, swirling like a vortex before being refined and directed straight into Max's body.
The absorption speed multiplied instantly.
