"Damn that Exca…" Lyon clenched his fists as he walked through the dense forest. "I forgot Sasaki's ability to sniff out prey. That used to be his best trick—back when he just started hunting darkside spirits. He could pinpoint anything living with a hint of Renshi across an entire kingdom."
His steps slowed. "So this was Exca's plan all along… Use Sasaki's ability the moment we got close to the kid."
Lyon's eyes narrowed as the realization hit deeper.
"He's still doubting me. That's why he didn't remind me about Sasaki's sniffing skill. He's playing safe. Careful. Calculated. Damn it… the trust between us is fading."
Meanwhile, inside Guhan Castle, Exca stood up from the Renshical circle and stretched his legs, watching through Sasaki's eyes.
"Don't look so surprised, dear Lyon," Exca muttered to himself with a crooked smile. "I can't let you mess this up. You've known the plan all along, but giving this mission to someone else would have made you a threat. I had no choice. And now… seeing that pathetic expression on your face is making this all worth it."
He laughed quietly. "You'll be forced to do the things you hate most. And I'll be watching without getting my hands dirty."
Back in the forest, Lyon pulled out a scroll from his storage ring and unrolled it.
"Three kingdoms east of Baska… Let's see." He scanned the map, eyes landing on the name. "Kingdom of Scale. Hmph. I've been there more than Baska. I know the terrain."
He rolled up the map, slipped it back into the Storage ring, and called out, "Hey Exca, come closer."
Sasaki stepped forward and stopped beside him.
"We're going to Scale. That's three kingdoms from here," Lyon said.
"Okay, partner. I'm counting on you," Sasaki replied calmly.
From the underbrush not too far away, Jackson's eyes widened. "That voice… That's my papa!"
He took off running toward it.
"Don't run that fast, fool! You'll make your papa notice you!" Marcel whispered harshly, frozen in place.
Jackson skidded to a halt.
"Can't you make a tentacle and send it close to your papa like before?" Marcel asked.
"That only works when he's in sight, idiot! That's why I'm running—to find them first!" Jackson barked back.
Marcel crossed his arms. "I thought you were smart. Guess I overestimated you. Just climb a tree, you dummy. Get a better view."
Jackson rolled his eyes. "I won't reply to that nonsense, but I'll take the idea. Mr. One-Percent Brain."
He leapt up and began climbing the nearest tree.
"You say what?! One percent? Then you with ninety-nine, why didn't you think of it earlier, huh!?" Marcel shouted.
"Quiet, fool! You'll blow our cover. Your brain only lights up once in every hundred situations, so zip it and watch a pro," Jackson hissed from above.
He reached the top and scanned the area. "There they are!" he gasped. "I'll drop a leaf tentacle close to Papa again."
But then—
THUMP. THUMP.
Heavy footsteps approached rapidly.
"They're here! Search the forest and find those kids!" a Shinra voice barked from the trees.
Jackson's expression changed. "Damn it! The kingdom Shinras!"
He looked down at Lyon beginning a teleportation spell. "I'm not going to make it… Unless—"
He closed his eyes and clenched a leaf in his hand. "I have no choice!"
FLASH!
A burst of Renshi light exploded. Lyon's spell activated.
In a heartbeat, Lyon and Sasaki vanished.
But so did Jackson and Marcel.
They reappeared in the Kingdom of Scale, landing in a quiet farmland.
"We're here," Lyon said quickly. "Exca, use your nose. We don't have time."
Sasaki's eyes glimmered with delight. "This place… It's filled with intense Renshi. There are powerful Shinras here."
"Don't get distracted," Lyon snapped. "We're not here to admire anything."
Nearby—
"Ouch, ouch, ouch! I landed on my head!" Jackson cried out as he tumbled through the grass.
"we made it?" Marcel gasped as he appeared beside him, just as stunned.
Jackson staggered to his feet.
"You hijacked the spell?! We weren't even connected!" Marcel blurted.
"Easy stuff, really. That's why I say your brain's one percent," Jackson replied smugly.
"You moron! That's not what I asked! Answer me fast before they leave!" Marcel shouted.
"Calm down, you flailing rockhead. My papa taught me the principle of tentacles. You can make clones of anything—yourself, your weapon, or even a non-living object. It's basic—well, to people like me."
They started tailing Lyon and Sasaki again, keeping their distance.
"With all this heavy Renshical aura in Scale," Jackson muttered, "Papa won't sense me."
"I didn't ask for the whole book, genius! How did you do it?" Marcel snapped.