Chapter 18
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As usual, the car stopped in the same spot.
To Natasha's amazement, she watched as Leon, Wanda, and Sergei each casually lifted a metal box with one hand.
"There might be some bumps ahead, so it's best to be prepared," Wanda said kindly.
Before Natasha could question what she meant, she saw a flash of red light in Wanda's eyes. The powerful red energy wrapped around her, and before she could react, a tremendous force pushed her forward.
Boom!
The air exploded as the three figures shot through it, crossing the road at nearly subsonic speed toward the Ural Mountains. Natasha, lifted by Wanda's chaos magic, saw the trees blur past at an alarming rate against the fierce wind.
Even in the dense jungle of the Ural Mountains, their speed remained unchanged. They wove effortlessly between the trees for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, they leaped tens of meters into the air before landing smoothly on the ground.
Natasha's heart raced, almost leaping out of her chest. On the wide clearing near the wooden house, the three landed gracefully, and the box they carried, containing delicate equipment and glass products, remained perfectly steady.
Natasha felt a bit disoriented, with sweat on her forehead and her chest heaving. The near-supersonic flight was intense, but Wanda's chaotic energy shielded her from the worst of the wind pressure. Despite the jarring experience, Natasha's heartbeat gradually returned to normal.
She heard Wanda's voice: "Pietro and the others are still practicing at the waterfall. Natasha, come inside quickly. This will be your new home."
Wanda and the others carried the boxes into the wooden house, which resembled a villa. Natasha looked around and observed that it was a standard two-story wooden structure, spacious and sturdy. The solid foundation made it resilient to earthquakes or other disturbances, and it was nestled among towering trees, providing natural camouflage.
From her quick calculations, Natasha determined that they were on a mountainside in the Ural Mountains. The treacherous road and remote location meant it was virtually undetectable by military satellites. Only an extensive drone search could reveal this place. She couldn't help but admire Leon and his team for their thoughtfulness and maturity despite their youth.
They ascended the wooden stairs and entered the house. Inside, the décor was warm and inviting. The large living room was decorated to feel like home, complete with a family portrait on the wall featuring fifteen children, all smiling joyfully despite their young age.
Leon was busy at the bar, squeezing juice and preparing four large cups. He placed the drinks and plates on the wooden table in front of the sofa.
"Don't be shy, Natasha. Welcome to join us. We have a lot to talk about," he said with a friendly smile.
Wanda and Sergei went upstairs to change clothes. Meanwhile, Leon sat on the sofa and greeted Natasha, who was admiring the family photo.
Natasha turned around, sat on the sofa not far from Leon, and thanked him for the juice.
"Who are you?" she asked, directly addressing the biggest question on her mind.
From her experience, Leon's actions suggested he was hiding something. Despite her suspicion, Leon didn't hesitate to be open. For someone as guarded as Natasha, sincerity was often the best way to break through.
Leon shared his story in detail: how he had rescued Wanda and other children from an experimental base, the challenges he faced in building a new life in the Ural Mountains, and his two years of hibernation to strengthen himself. He also spoke of his plans for revenge against Baron Strucker.
As Leon spoke calmly, Natasha's feelings shifted. She could hardly fathom how a group of children could escape from such a dark situation, let alone survive and thrive under Leon's care.
Recalling Wanda's words, "You are just like us," Natasha looked at Leon with admiration and respect. She realized that this young man, through his strength and careful planning, had pulled desperate and numb children from the depths of hell and given them a new life.
As Leon was speaking, footsteps approached from the stairs. Wanda and Sergei had changed into long-sleeved sweaters and slippers and joined Leon and Natasha on the sofa.
Wanda narrowed her eyes with a sweet smile, took a sip of the juice, and then leaned back comfortably on the sofa. Sergei, who had previously been tense, appeared more relaxed now. Natasha noted that despite his earlier stiffness, Sergei was quite muscular, and his demeanor had softened significantly.
Could it be because of this home?
"It's really beautiful," Natasha said softly, her autumn-colored eyes reflecting a hint of sadness. She remembered a time when she, too, had such a warm and comforting home.