Chapter 132: EX 132. Sugarcoat
The area was silent, broken only by the fading slither of a retreating beasts. Just moments before, the air had been thick with tension, magic, blood, and something far more ancient. Now, it was still. Still enough for Vanguard Taco to stop in his tracks and glance around the area.
"This is it," he said, voice echoing. "Right here’s where I last saw him heading. Before I peeled off to assist you lot."
Nikko didn’t respond. She tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing with focus. Then she said flatly, "That’s enough. I’ve caught his scent."
Without waiting, she surged forward, boots grinding against stone as she moved with absolute certainty. Rebecca and Raven exchanged a glance and followed immediately, their steps quieter but no less determined. Taco hesitated only for a beat, eyes narrowing in thought.
’What’s with her and that boy? is he her ’boy toy’ or something?’He shook the ridiculous thought away and jogged after them.
The trail led them to a dead end, or it would’ve been, if Nikko weren’t who she was.
"His scent leads underground," she muttered. "But there’s no entrance."
Without another word, she leapt and punched downward, cracking through layers of rock like it was paper. Dirt exploded, and then she vanished into the earth.
The others followed her one after another, dropping through the hole and landing into a dim underground passage, the air thick with dust and the lingering energy of something unnatural.
Nikko was already moving fast, every breath homing in on Leon’s trail. The tunnel narrowed, then widened into a natural chamber, and then she saw him.
Leon stood still, gaze fixed in the direction of the shadows, tense but very much alive. That was all Nikko needed to see.
"Leon," she breathed.