SHEN JI YUN whipped around the corner, charging into the same narrow opening Azrael had escaped through moments before. Just ahead, the other was flying low, his body skimming inches above the ground as he sped forward. Determined not to lose him, Shen Ji Yun pushed himself harder.
Then his foot landed on something that gave a soft click beneath his weight.
A split second later, an explosion tore through the ground behind him, shaking the entire passage. The force sent a shockwave up his legs. Before he could react, another blast went off farther ahead. The noise was deafening. Dust and debris filled the air as the walls began to tremble.
In an instant, the passage gave way.
Massive chunks of stalactatites broke loose and came crashing down. The ceiling collapsed, and the ground split in places. Dirt, rocks, and dust poured down like a wave, sealing both ends of the passage.
When the rumbling finally stopped, everything was silent.
