Homelander suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and unconsciously clenched his fists.
"What the hell did I do before..."
Sirens sounded in the distance, but he ignored them.
An understanding dawned in his heart. Perhaps this was precisely the deeper meaning behind his father leaving Raymond for him to handle.
Amazon Rainforest.
A clear moon spilled its pale light down freely, making every tree seem draped in silver gauze.
The damp, muggy wind rustled the leaves as Black Noir crouched hidden in a thick tree.
His camouflage was even more meticulous and refined than before. Even someone stopping to stare would have found it difficult to notice him.
Black Noir kept his gaze fixed below, where a small figure could just be seen busily working beneath the tree.
Even after an entire afternoon had passed, Black Noir still felt waves of alarm.
A few hours ago, he had nearly died.
Not long after Ryan was swallowed, the anaconda's belly had been torn open from within.
Savage Heat Vision had burst out, passing almost close enough to graze Black Noir's face.
Had his years of combat experience not alerted him to the danger in time to turn his head aside, the consequences would have been unthinkable.
Even so, a large patch of his right cheek had been burned away, exposing the stark white bone beneath.
"Hiss..."
At the thought, Black Noir touched his wound with lingering fear. It had already scabbed over.
With a bitter chuckle, he knew he would have to trouble Private Angel for help again.
"But Ryan doesn't seem to have fully mastered it yet?" Black Noir pondered with a frown.
Alone beneath the tree, Ryan had built a crude shelter out of branches and vines.
Though it was crooked and half of it was on