The tunnel was narrow, walls slick with damp. The only light came from Tan Kai's jade—casting long, shaky shadows that stretched ahead like grasping fingers.
Agus led the way, his hands brushing the rock as he walked. "Hurry," he whispered, glancing over his shoulder. "The judge's power cuts through stone. He'll find this tunnel soon."
Bright stumbled behind them, still sniffing the air. "I swear that sweet smell wasn't my imagination," he mumbled, swatting at a spiderweb. "It's like… ripe mango. But in a mountain tunnel? That doesn't make sense."
Nam shot him a look over her shoulder. "Quit worrying about fruit and keep up! The judge is right behind us!"
But Bright slowed, his head tilted. "Wait—there it is again! This way!" Before anyone could stop him, he ducked off the main path, squeezing through a crack in the rock.
"Bright!" Tan Kai hissed. "Get back here!"
A loud crack echoed from the tunnel entrance. The walls shook, dust raining down on them. Yara grabbed Tan Kai's arm. "He's here. We don't have time to wait."
Agus frowned, then nodded. "Go after him. I'll hold the judge off—just for a minute."
"You can't fight him alone!" Yara said.
Agus smiled, sad but sharp. "I've evaded Heaven for years. Trust me." He pulled a small, glowing herb from his pocket—bright as the jade—and pressed it into Tan Kai's hand. "If things go wrong, crush this. It'll hide your trail."
Before they could argue, he turned, sprinting back toward the cave mouth.
"Move!" Tan Kai yelled.
They squeezed through the crack Bright had vanished into. It opened into a smaller tunnel, dim but dry—and the air smelled faintly of something sweet, just like Bright said.
"Bright!" Nam called. "Where are you?"
"Over here!" his voice echoed. "Guys—you're gonna want to see this!"
They hurried forward, the sweet scent growing stronger. Around a bend, they found Bright standing in front of a small opening, his eyes wide.
Beyond it was a ledge—and on the ledge, a cluster of small, orange fruits hanging from a twisted vine.
"Mangoes!" Bright whooped, reaching for one. "I told you I smelled 'em! These are wild ones—smaller, but way sweeter!"
Lila stepped forward, gasping. "Grandma said there were wild mango vines in the mountains! I never thought I'd see them!"
Tong laughed, relieved. "You're insane, Bright. Chasing fruit in the middle of a escape? Only you."
Bright bit into a mango, juice dripping down his chin. "Hey, who found the secret path? This guy." He gestured to the opening beyond the ledge. "And guess what—this ledge leads to a valley on the other side of the mountain. No judge, no soldiers. Just mangoes. Well, probably. But still!"
Tan Kai stepped to the ledge, peering down. Bright was right—below was a small valley, lit by moonlight, trees dotting the ground. No sign of silver light, no horn echoes.
But before he could relax, a roar echoed from the tunnel behind them. Not Agus's voice—something deeper, colder.
"The judge," Yara whispered.
The ground shook. The crack they'd squeezed through crumbled, blocking the tunnel. Dust billowed, and for a second, they couldn't see.
When it cleared, a figure stood at the far end of the small tunnel—silhouetted by silver light. Tall, broad-shouldered, a hood pulled over his head. The air around him hummed, cold and sharp, like a blade held to skin.
"The judge," Tan Kai breathed.
The figure stepped forward, and the silver light shifted—revealing a face hidden behind a mask, polished like mirror. No eyes, no mouth—just a smooth, reflective surface that showed their own scared faces back at them.
"Lotus heart jade," the judge said, his voice like ice cracking. "Agus's little trick. Hiding behind children."
He raised a hand. Silver light coiled around his fingers, forming a blade. "Hand over the jade and the half-blood. I'll make your deaths quick."
Nam stepped forward, fire herbs in hand. "Over our dead bodies."
The judge laughed—a hollow, cold sound. "Gladly."
He lunged, the silver blade slashing toward Nam. She dodged, tossing herbs at his feet. Fire burst up, but he waved a hand, and the flames died.
"Pathetic," he said.
Tong pushed Lila behind the ledge, grabbing a rock and throwing it at the judge. It hit the mask with a clang—but bounced off, leaving no mark.
The judge turned, his blade swinging toward Tong. Lila screamed.
Yara moved first, her hand glowing green. Venom shot from her fingers, hitting the judge's arm. He hissed, stepping back.
"Naga venom," he said, voice tight. "Disgusting."
Tan Kai raised the jade, gold light surging. He shot it toward the judge, who blocked it with his blade. The light exploded, sending dust flying.
"Together!" Yara yelled.
She joined Tan Kai, her green light weaving with his gold. The jade blazed, and a beam shot toward the judge—hitting his mask. It cracked, a thin line snaking across the surface.
The judge roared, his blade glowing brighter. "You'll regret that!"
He charged, blade aimed at Tan Kai. Bright, who'd been munching a mango, dropped the fruit and lunged—tackling the judge's legs.
The judge stumbled, his blade missing Tan Kai by inches.
"Go!" Bright yelled, holding onto the judge's ankles. "I've got him! Kinda!"
"Bright!" Nam shouted. "Let go!"
But Bright held on, grunting. "Hurry! This guy's heavier than a pile of mangoes!"
Tan Kai grabbed Yara's hand. "Lila, Tong—jump first!"
Tong helped Lila over the ledge, then turned to help Nam. She climbed down, then reached up for Tan Kai and Yara.
The judge kicked Bright off, sending him flying into the wall. Bright groaned, but sat up, grabbing his stick.
"Last chance," the judge said, his blade pointed at Tan Kai. "Hand over the jade."
Tan Kai glanced at Bright, who winked. "Go! I'll be right behind you! And if I die, tell the mangoes I loved them!"
Yara pulled Tan Kai toward the ledge. "He'll be okay!"
They jumped, landing on the valley floor below. Tong helped them up, and they turned to see Bright sprinting toward the ledge—with the judge right behind him.
"Jump, Bright!" Lila yelled.
Bright leaped, landing hard but safe. The judge reached the ledge, staring down at them.
"You can't run forever," he said, his cracked mask glinting in the moonlight. "The jade belongs to Heaven. And I will get it."
He turned, vanishing back into the tunnel.
They collapsed onto the grass, breathing hard. Bright grinned, holding up a mango he'd grabbed before jumping. "Told you these were good. Even if I almost died for 'em."
Nam smacked his arm, but she was smiling. "You idiot. But… thanks. For saving Tan Kai."
Bright shrugged, biting into the mango. "Hey, what are friends for? Besides sharing mangoes."
Tan Kai looked up at the ledge, worry gnawing at him. "Agus. He's still up there, with the judge."
Yara squeezed his hand. "He said he's evaded Heaven for years. He'll get away. I know it."
Agus's herb was still in Tan Kai's pocket, warm against his palm. He squeezed it, hoping Yara was right.
Lila stood, brushing grass from her dress. "Look," she said, pointing. "There's a cabin over there. Maybe it's empty?"
Sure enough, through the trees, they saw a small wooden cabin—smoke curling faintly from the chimney.
"Someone's there," Tong said, frowning.
Agus had said this valley was safe. But who'd be living in a mountain valley, this far from the lotus valley?
Tan Kai stood, the jade in his hand glowing soft. "We need to check it out. It's either that, or sleep in the grass—and I don't feel like facing any more mountain cats tonight."
They walked toward the cabin, the moon high above. The air was warm, the valley quiet—no horn echoes, no silver light. But Tan Kai's hand still hovered over the herb in his pocket.
The judge's words echoed in his head: You can't run forever.
Bright, who'd been walking beside him, nudged his arm. "Hey, cheer up. We've got mangoes, a cabin, and no judge—for now. That's a win, right?" He held out half a mango. "Want a bite? Best victory snack ever."
Tan Kai took it, biting into the sweet flesh. Bright was right—for now, this was enough.
But when they reached the cabin, the door creaked open before they could knock.
A woman stood in the doorway, her silver-green hair glowing in the moonlight. Her eyes were warm, familiar—just like the vision of Lina Tan Kai had seen.
"Welcome," she said, smiling. "I've been waiting for you."
Tan Kai froze. The jade in his hand blazed.
It was Lina.