The tunnel stretched endlessly before them, a narrow passage through ancient stone that seemed to descend forever into the earth. Saguna led the way, the flame hovering above his palm casting dancing shadows on the rough walls. Behind him, Radji and Osa followed in silence, their footsteps echoing in the confined space.
"How far does this go?" Osa whispered after what felt like hours but was likely only minutes.
"The eastern docks are nearly two miles from the Academy," Radji replied, his voice tight with the effort of keeping pace. "Assuming this tunnel follows a reasonably direct route, accounting for necessary deviations to avoid major architectural foundations, I estimate—"
"Too far," Osa interrupted. "The answer is 'too far.'"
Professor Nyala brought up the rear, her silver sigils providing additional illumination. "This passage was built by the First Triumvirate," she explained. "It was designed to ensure escape even when the Academy itself was under siege."
"Has that happened before?" Saguna asked, not slowing his pace. "The Academy under siege?"
"Twice," Professor Nyala replied, her tone making it clear she wouldn't elaborate.
They continued in silence, the tunnel gradually sloping upward. The air grew less stale, with occasional drafts suggesting they were nearing the surface. Finally, they reached what appeared to be a dead end, a smooth wall of fitted stone blocks.
"Now what?" Osa asked.
Professor Nyala stepped forward, placing her palm against the center stone. "The seal recognizes the Triumvirate," she said. "Together."
Understanding, Saguna extinguished his flame and placed his hand beside Professor Nyala's. Radji and Osa followed suit. The moment all three students touched the wall, the marks on Saguna's neck flared with warmth. The stones seemed to ripple, then silently receded, revealing a narrow stairway leading upward.
Cool night air rushed down to meet them, carrying the scent of salt water. They had reached the harbor.
"Move quickly," Professor Nyala instructed as they emerged from the hidden doorway, a nondescript section of wall in an abandoned warehouse at the edge of the docks. "The boat is this way."
The eastern harbor of Meridian City was nearly deserted at this late hour. A few sailors moved about on distant vessels, but the immediate area was empty save for the occasional rat scurrying between crates. The moons hung low over the water, their reflected light rippling across the dark surface.
Saguna followed Professor Nyala toward a small pier where a single vessel waited. A modest sailing boat with weathered planks and faded paint, looking entirely unremarkable among the grander ships that populated the harbor.
"That's our escape vessel?" Osa asked skeptically.
"The best disguise is insignificance," Professor Nyala replied, already boarding. "No one notices yet another fishing boat."
They followed her aboard, Saguna pausing at the gangplank to look back at the city skyline. Somewhere in those streets, his mother waited for him to come home after his first day at the Academy. Now he was fleeing in the night, unable even to say goodbye.
"We'll send word when we can," Professor Nyala said, noticing his hesitation. "Your families will be protected."
Saguna nodded, unable to find words. The flame inside him flickered with his emotions, grief, fear, determination all tangled together.
As Radji and Osa worked to untie the mooring ropes, Saguna noticed something strange above the Academy's distant silhouette, a swirling darkness against the night sky, like black smoke that moved with purpose. His stomach clenched. The Soul Drainer, or something like it, still hunted.
"Professor," he called quietly, pointing toward the distant shadow.
Professor Nyala followed his gaze, her expression hardening. "All the more reason to depart immediately." She moved to the stern, her hands tracing patterns in the air. Silver light bloomed between her fingers, forming complex sigils that drifted down to touch the water surrounding their vessel.
The water began to glow faintly, creating a barrier that extended a few feet out from the hull.
"A masking sigil," she explained. "It will hide our presence from spiritual entities, but not from human eyes, so we still need physical distance. Quickly now."
With Osa and Radji's help, they pushed away from the dock. The night wind caught their sail, and the boat began to move, cutting a path through the black water toward the harbor mouth.
"Due east," Professor Nyala instructed, taking the tiller. "We'll follow the coast until we're well clear of Meridian City, then adjust our course for Teluk Jati."
As the dark city receded behind them, Saguna caught one last glimpse of the swirling shadow above the Academy. For a heartbeat, he thought it turned toward their vessel, those pinprick lights focusing on him specifically. Then the harbour lights blocked his view, and Meridian City — along with everything he'd known before today — was left behind.