They ran through the jungle for what felt like hours, following the ancient smuggler's path by moonlight. The trail wound between massive trees whose canopy blocked out most of the stars, leaving them in a world of shadows and whispered sounds. Behind them, the howls and crashes of pursuit had gradually faded, but none of them dared slow their pace.
"I think... I think we've lost them," Osa panted, stumbling over a root that stretched across the path.
"For now," Radji agreed, though he kept glancing back the way they'd come. "But they know this area better than we do. They'll find our trail eventually."
Saguna was about to respond when he heard a sound that made his blood freeze, a soft gasp of pain from behind them. He spun around to see Professor Nyala stagger, one hand pressed to her temple, her face pale in the moonlight.
"Professor?" he called, rushing back to her side.
"I'm... I'm fine," she managed, but even as she spoke, silver light began flickering around her hands, not the controlled sigils she usually created, but wild, chaotic energy that sparked and sputtered like a broken circuit.
"You're not fine," Osa said, supporting her other arm as she swayed on her feet. "What's happening?"
Professor Nyala tried to wave them away, but the gesture only made the unstable magic around her hands flare brighter. She winced as if the light caused her physical pain. "Veil burn," she whispered. "I drew too much power in a corrupted area. The feedback..."
Her knees buckled, and only Saguna and Osa's quick reflexes kept her from hitting the ground. Up close, Saguna could see that her eyes were bloodshot, and thin lines of silver — like metallic veins — had appeared along her temples and the backs of her hands.
"We need to get her somewhere safe," Radji said, already scanning the surrounding jungle. "This path is too exposed."
"There," Saguna spotted a gap between two massive tree trunks, partially concealed by hanging vines. "We can rest there, at least until morning."
They helped Professor Nyala to the hidden alcove, where she immediately sank to the ground with visible relief. The wild magic around her hands had dimmed, but Saguna could see her struggling to control even that much.
"Don't try to use your abilities," he urged, crouching beside her. "Just rest."
"I can't," she said through gritted teeth. "The magic... it wants out. Using so much power in that corrupted place, it's like..." She paused, searching for the right words. "Like forcing clean water through a poisoned well. The contamination follows it back."
As if to demonstrate her point, another flicker of chaotic silver energy danced across her fingertips. She clenched her fists to stop it, but the effort made her face go even paler.
"How do we help?" Osa asked, settling beside her with his water pouch ready. "Can we draw the corruption out somehow?"
Professor Nyala shook her head weakly. "Academy magic and elemental arts work differently. What I need is..." She trailed off, her eyes losing focus for a moment. When they cleared, she looked confused. "I'm sorry, what were we discussing?"
A chill ran through Saguna that had nothing to do with the cool night air. "The Veil burn, Professor. You were explaining how to treat it."
"Ah, yes." She blinked several times, as if trying to clear her thoughts. "The domains. Each elemental domain has healers who understand different aspects of Veil corruption. The Azure Depths work with cleansing and purification. The Verdant Coils understand the balance between healthy and corrupted energies."
"So we need to reach one of the domains," Radji concluded. "Which is closest?"
Professor Nyala started to answer, then stopped, frowning. "I... the map in my office would show... but that's back at the Academy." She pressed her palms against her temples. "The memories are fragmented. I can remember the theory but not the practical details."
"It's okay," Saguna said gently, though inside he felt a growing panic. Professor Nyala had been their guide, their source of knowledge about the domains and their politics. Without her clear guidance, how were they supposed to navigate the complex relationships between the elemental realms?
"What I do remember," she continued, her voice gaining strength, "is that you cannot approach the domains as strangers. Each has its own customs, its own tests for outsiders. You'll need to prove yourselves worthy of their aid."
"Tests?" Osa asked, though he didn't sound surprised. "What kind of tests?"
"Different for each domain. The Azure Depths value emotional truth and depth of feeling. The Verdant Coils prize harmony with natural cycles and respect for life. The Ember Isles..." She paused, silver light flickering again around her hands. "The Ember Isles respect strength and determination, but they also value... sacrifice."
Saguna felt the jasper stone warm against his chest at the mention of the fire domain. "Sacrifice?"
"Not necessarily life," Professor Nyala clarified, though her voice was becoming more strained. "But they expect you to give up something precious to prove your commitment. The greater the sacrifice, the greater the respect you earn."
A new sound reached them from the jungle — distant but distinct. Howls, but not from any natural animal. Their pursuers were still hunting.
"They're following our trail," Radji said grimly. "We can't stay here much longer."
Professor Nyala tried to push herself upright, but the effort triggered another flare of chaotic magic. This time, the silver energy didn't just flicker, it lashed out like a whip, striking a nearby tree. Where it hit, the bark turned black and cracked, as if touched by acid.
"I'm becoming dangerous," she whispered, staring at the damaged tree with horror. "The corruption is spreading through my magic. If I lose control completely..."
"We won't let that happen," Saguna said firmly, though he had no idea how to prevent it.
"You may have to," Professor Nyala replied quietly. "If the corruption takes hold completely, I could become as much a threat as the shadows we're fleeing from."
The howls came again, closer this time. In the distance, Saguna thought he could see lights moving between the trees, not natural light, but the cold blue glow they'd seen in Teluk Jati.
"We need to move," he said, helping Professor Nyala to her feet. "Can you travel?"
"I'll have to," she replied, though she leaned heavily on his arm. "But listen carefully. If we become separated, or if I..." She gestured weakly at the blackened tree. "Remember what I've told you about the domains. Seek out the Azure Depths first, they're most likely to help with healing. But be careful who you trust. Not all domain rulers want the Veil strengthened."
"What do you mean?" Radji asked, but Professor Nyala's eyes had lost focus again. Whatever memories she'd been trying to access had slipped away.
"I... I don't remember," she admitted, frustrated. "The details are gone."
Saguna exchanged worried glances with his friends. They were on their own now, hunted by shadow creatures, with an injured guide whose knowledge was fragmenting by the hour. The domains that were supposed to help them were also potential threats, with their own agendas and tests they'd have to pass.
But they had no choice. Professor Nyala needed healing, and they needed power. The domains were their only hope.
"Which way to the coast?" he asked, shouldering more of Professor Nyala's weight as they prepared to resume their flight through the jungle.
"North," she said, though she sounded uncertain. "I think... north and west. There should be fishing villages along the shore. From there, we can find passage to the Azure Depths."
They set off into the darkness, leaving the relative safety of their hiding place. Behind them, the lights in the jungle grew brighter, and the howls grew closer. Whatever was hunting them had picked up their trail again.
The race to reach the domains had begun.