The sudden chill passed as quickly as it had come. Saguna was about to mention it to Professor Nyala when the cabin door opened.
Osa emerged, stretching expansively in the morning light. His hair stood in impossible directions, and his uniform was hopelessly wrinkled, yet somehow he managed to look perfectly at ease.
"Morning," he called cheerfully. "Any chance there's breakfast on this escape vessel? I'm starving."
Professor Nyala gestured toward a storage compartment near the stern. "Provisions are there. Simple fare, but sufficient."
As Osa rummaged through the supplies, Radji appeared from the cabin as well. Unlike Osa, he looked precisely as he had the day before; not a hair out of place, clothing somehow unwrinkled despite sleeping in them.
"I've been considering our tactical position," Radji announced without preamble. "Based on our departure time and estimated speed, we should reach Teluk Jati in approximately three days, assuming favourable winds and no unforeseen obstacles."
"Always the analyst," Osa commented, returning with dried fruit and strips of salted fish. He offered some to Saguna. "Here. Can't fight shadow monsters on an empty stomach."
Saguna accepted the food gratefully, suddenly aware of his own hunger. As he ate, he studied his companions in the clear morning light. Yesterday, they had been strangers. Today, they were...what? Friends seemed too simple, allies too formal. There was a connection between them that defied conventional relationships.
"While you eat, I will explain today's training," Professor Nyala said, gathering them at the center of the deck. "The journey to Teluk Jati provides us with precious time—time we must use wisely."
She seated herself cross-legged on the deck, gesturing for them to form a triangle around her. Once they were settled, she continued.
"The Trifold Seal has awakened in each of you, but it remains in its most basic state. Currently, you can manifest your elements, but little more. True mastery requires understanding not just your own element, but how it connects to the others."
She drew three interlocking circles in the air, silver light trailing from her fingertip. "Fire, Water, Earth, each flows into the next, each strengthens and constrains the others. This is the foundation of the Veil Arts."
"Like how water extinguishes fire," Osa suggested.
"And how fire can heat earth until it flows," Radji added.
"And how earth can channel water," Saguna completed the cycle.
Professor Nyala nodded approvingly. "Precisely. But beyond these physical interactions lies a deeper truth. The elements are not merely forces—they are aspects of consciousness itself. Fire represents will and intuition. Water embodies emotion and connection. Earth manifests as steadfastness and structure."
She looked at each of them in turn. "Your natural temperaments already align with your elements. This is why the Seal chose you. But to progress beyond novice level, you must learn to incorporate aspects of the other elements into yourselves."
Reaching into her robe, she withdrew three small objects and placed them on the deck; a piece of red jasper, a blue lapis cabochon, and a disk of green jade.
"Your first task is to charge these stones with your elemental energy," she instructed. "Once properly infused, they will serve as anchors for the Trifold Seal. When united, they will strengthen your connection to each other, even when physically separated."
Saguna picked up the jasper, feeling its weight in his palm. "How do we infuse them?"
"Through meditation and intent. Focus your elemental energy into the stone until it resonates with your signature." She rose to her feet. "I will observe, but this task must be accomplished through your own efforts. The stones will glow when properly charged."
With that, she moved to the stern, leaving them to their assignment.
"Well, this should be interesting," Osa said, examining the lapis. "I've never tried to put water inside a rock before."
"I believe the process is more metaphysical than literal," Radji observed, adjusting his glasses. "Based on what we've experienced thus far, these elements respond more to intent and mental focus than physical manipulation."
Saguna closed his fingers around the jasper, feeling its cool surface against his skin. He closed his eyes and called forth his inner flame, directing its warmth through his arm and into his hand. The stone remained cool at first, seemingly resistant to his efforts.
Patience, little brother. Fire must be invited, not commanded.
Sahara's voice, so clear it might have come from someone sitting beside him. Saguna's eyes flew open, but there was only Osa and Radji, both concentrating on their own stones.
Taking a deep breath, Saguna tried again. This time, instead of pushing his fire into the stone, he envisioned the jasper as already containing fire—an ember waiting to be kindled. He provided not force but encouragement, coaxing the latent heat to life.
The stone warmed in his palm, then began to glow with a soft red light that pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat.
"I think I've got it," he said, opening his hand to reveal the glowing jasper.
Osa looked up from his lapis, which emitted a faint blue luminescence. "This is actually working!" He sounded genuinely surprised. "The stone feels... alive somehow."
Radji's jade pulsed with steady green light. "Fascinating. The molecular structure should not allow for this type of energy conduction, yet clearly some form of transfer is occurring."
As the three stones glowed in their hands, Saguna felt the marks on his neck grow warmer. Looking at his companions, he noticed Osa touching his chest and Radji absently rubbing his forearm.
"Bring the stones together," Professor Nyala instructed, returning to their circle.
They extended their hands toward the center, stones resting on their palms. As the three gems approached each other, their glow intensified. When they touched, a flash of white light erupted between them, momentarily blinding. When Saguna's vision cleared, he saw that the stones had changed, each now contained a small triangular pattern matching their marks.
"The first tier is complete," Professor Nyala said, satisfaction evident in her voice. "You are now Initiates of the Veil."
Saguna felt a strange sensation on his neck. Reaching up, he discovered that the three separate dots had changed, a line of light now connected two of the points, forming one side of a triangle.
"The mark has changed," he said, noticing similar reactions from Osa and Radji.
"As you progress through the tiers, the Seal will evolve," Professor Nyala explained. "A completed triangle signifies mastery of basic elemental manipulation. The central point represents the highest achievement: harmony of all three elements within a single consciousness."
"How many have reached that level?" Radji asked.
"In recorded history? Seven individuals." Professor Nyala's expression grew distant. "The last was nearly a century ago."
Saguna examined the jasper, now marked with a tiny glowing triangle. "What do we do with these now?"
"Keep them with you at all times," Professor Nyala instructed. "They are more than tools — they are extensions of yourselves. In times of need, they will help you focus your abilities."
She gestured toward the eastern horizon, where dark clouds had begun to form despite the earlier clear sky. "And need may come sooner than we anticipated. A storm approaches, not a natural one."
Saguna followed her gaze, feeling a familiar cold pressure building in the distance. "Soul Drainers?"
"Or their minions," Professor Nyala confirmed grimly. "The Veil thins more rapidly as we approach Teluk Jati. We must accelerate your training."
She turned to face them fully, her expression stern yet confident. "Today you have taken the first step toward becoming true Veil Artisans. Tomorrow, we begin combat training. The shadows know we are coming, and they will do everything in their power to stop us."
Saguna clutched the jasper tightly, feeling its warmth pulse against his palm. The warmth spread up his arm, meeting the fire that already burned within him. For twelve years, he had run from the whispers, from the memories, from the truth of what happened to Sahara.
No more running.
"We'll be ready," he said, with more conviction than he felt.
As if in answer, the red stone flared brighter in his hand, its light pushing back against the gathering darkness on the horizon.