Eternal Flame

Alexander plunged into the lake, immediately surrounded by a deep green murkiness. The water was turbid, visibility extremely low.

But once submerged, Alexander could distinctly sense a presence below—it had to be Donovan's.

With a powerful kick, Alexander surged toward the source of the presence.

...

At this moment, Donovan was about a hundred meters down at the lake's bottom.

Beneath him lay a dark expanse of ground.

"Right below here!"

Donovan was exhilarated, his entire body pressed against the ground.

Then, his swollen form suddenly shrank to a fraction of its size and vanished into the earth, slipping beneath the surface.

This was a special talent of his race, allowing them to move freely underground.

"I can feel the heat now, it's not far below!" Donovan's speed peaked as he rapidly approached the Earth's Core Fire.

At that time, Alexander had just landed where Donovan had been standing.