Chapter 54: Forest Break
The ground didn’t just break—it dropped, turning into black mud that continued to sink deeper into itself. Megumi pushed off the moment it gave way, pulling Hime along as the earth beneath them collapsed into a dark, shifting void.
The skittering grew louder, no longer distant or hidden. The noise was everywhere, assaulting their ears as the ground continued to give way.
Silver jumped back in time while Kuran dissolved into his shadow, appearing a few meters away from the strange mud. They all landed on their feet with tense expressions, a feeling of dread creeping into their limbs.
And then, just as quickly as the noise and stench had arrived, it disappeared. Megumi narrowed his eyes as the sound drifted away until it was gone, the putrid smell of blood vanishing with it. He did not like it one bit.
The mud around them had solidified as well, leaving a visible expression of strain on Silver’s face. Using his ability, he sealed the sinking earth, but it had taken immense effort, showing just how deep it had been.
The young scion turned to the three of them, his voice raspy with urgency.
"It won’t be long before it returns. We should leave now."
They did not need to be told twice. Without wasting a single breath, each of them turned east, moving as fast as they could through the forest, weaving between the trees. After a few minutes of running, they slowed, taking a quick glance at their surroundings.
After running for so long, they had finally escaped the reaches of the forest. A plain stretch of grass lay beneath them, with a single path to the right. The main reason for their halt, however, stood just a couple of meters ahead: a chain of mountains stretching as far as the eye could see.
Silver grimaced.
"Seriously... Why do I get the feeling that whatever we’ll find here won’t be good?"
Kuran stepped forward, edging closer to one of the towering peaks.