The air in the cavern filled with a chilling, guttural laughter. "So, the little apprentice has learned to channel the Scale," the Shadow Seeker's voice echoed, distorted and amplified by the stone. He emerged from the swirling mist, no longer cloaked, revealing a gaunt, sharp-featured man with eyes that burned with an unsettling, ancient hunger. Behind him, the mist began to coalesce, forming grotesque, shadowy figures that writhed and writhed. "But power comes with a price, child. And you have only just begun to pay."
He gestured, and the very ground beneath Aishah and her companions began to shudder violently. The ancient tree, with the Naga Scale nestled in its roots, seemed to groan. Roots snaked towards them like grasping claws, and the crystalline waterfalls turned muddy, threatening to engulf them in a deluge.
"He's twisting the jungle's own spirit!" Jati roared, pulling Master Aris back from a collapsing section of the cavern floor. "We can't fight him here!"
Aishah, clutching the newly acquired Naga Scale, felt its power thrumming alongside the wooden fish pendant. She understood now. The Shadow Seeker wasn't just a sorcerer; he was a desecrator. He sought to corrupt Melaka's inherent magic, twisting it into a weapon against itself.
"The Scale of the Sea and the Scale of the Jungle," the Shadow Seeker sneered, taking another step closer. "A paltry collection. The others will be mine, and with them, Melaka will be reborn, not as a trading port, but as a bastion of my power!" He raised his hand, and the shadowy figures surged forward, their formless limbs reaching.
"We need to get this to the Sultan!" Master Aris shouted, pulling Aishah towards a narrow crevice. "He must see the true nature of this threat!"
They scrambled, escaping the collapsing cavern just as the Shadow Seeker's shadowy minions slammed against the rock walls. The jungle, still corrupted, fought their retreat, branches whipping and roots snaring. Aishah, despite her growing exhaustion, used the two Dragon's Scales, sending small pulses of disorienting light to fend off the corrupted plants and keep their pursuer at bay. The drain was immense; her head pounded, and her vision flickered at the edges.
They emerged from the rainforest hours later, bruised and exhausted, but with the precious Naga Scale secured. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the now-tense streets of Melaka. The sound of distant horns, signaling the approach of the Siak fleet, added to the city's palpable fear.
They rushed to the Sultan's palace, past frantic guards and worried courtiers. The Bendahara met them, his face grim. "The Siak fleet is within a day's sail. Our defenses are prepared, but… the fires from the granaries, the unrest. The city is vulnerable."
Master Aris, ignoring his own weariness, spoke with an uncharacteristic urgency. "Your Majesty," he said, bowing before the Sultan, "we bring news far more dire than the Siak invasion. This is a diversion. A smokescreen for a greater threat."
The Sultan, a man of quiet dignity, looked from the disheveled Master Aris to Aishah, who clutched the two Dragon's Scales tightly. "Speak, Master Cartographer. The hour is late."
Aishah stepped forward, her voice, though tired, clear and unwavering. She pulled out the Naga Scale and the wooden fish pendant, holding them up for the Sultan to see. She spoke of the Shadow Seeker, his dark magic, his plan to dismantle Melaka from within. She told him of the Dragon's Scales and the ancient power they held, demonstrating the faint hum emanating from them.
Initially, a ripple of skepticism went through the court. Tales of ancient magic were for children, not for matters of state. But Master Aris, revered for his wisdom and pragmatism, lent his full support, recounting the historical texts and the family journals. Then, Aishah, summoning every ounce of strength, focused on the wooden fish pendant. Its light flared, momentarily illuminating the throne room with a gentle, calming glow that contrasted sharply with the fear and tension. It was not a violent display, but a demonstration of profound, ancient energy.
The Sultan, his eyes wide, felt the subtle tremor in the air, saw the faint shimmer of light. He was a man of his people, deeply connected to Melaka's spirit. He saw the genuine conviction in Aishah's eyes, the undeniable exhaustion etched on her young face, and felt the undeniable presence of the artifacts.
He rose slowly from his throne, his gaze sweeping over his stunned advisors. "This is not mere superstition," he declared, his voice ringing with authority. "This is the very soul of Melaka, calling for its true guardians." He looked at Aishah, a flicker of awe and hope in his eyes. "You have uncovered a truth greater than any map, child. I believe you. Tell me, what must be done?"
Aishah, standing before the most powerful man in Melaka, felt the immense weight of his trust. The city's fate now rested not just on its defenses, but on her ability to unlock the ancient magic hidden within its heart. The true battle was about to begin.