The bus wound its way through coastal roads, the scent of salt and seaweed filling the air. Ethan watched as the dense forest gave way to open coastline, the ocean appearing in glimpses between the trees before finally revealing itself in a breathtaking expanse of blue.
"Malaca," Seraphine said quietly, her hand resting on the window. "The city where the veil is strongest."
Nyx sat regally between them, his molten silver eyes reflecting the ocean's sparkle. The cat didn't speak—none of them expected him to—but his presence was a quiet comfort. He seemed more relaxed here, as if the coastal energy resonated with him.
Ethan powered on the stream—battery at 95% and stable. "Alright, chat. We've arrived at Malaca. The coastal city where the veil is strongest."
[Chat]
CoastalArrival: finally made it!
CamSurvivor: they look so tired but happy
GoblinFan99: the veil is different here
NyxSavior: the cat approves
Malaca was unlike any city they'd seen before. Pastel-colored buildings clung to the cliffs overlooking the ocean, fishing boats bobbed in the harbor, and the streets were alive with the sounds of seagulls and children playing. But beneath the surface, Ethan could feel something else—a subtle hum in the air, a sense that the boundaries between worlds were thinner here.
"The veil," Seraphine murmured, her threshold-mark barely visible now. "It's different here. Not thin... balanced."
Ethan adjusted the artifact camera, its lens revealing faint energy patterns in the air—unlike anything he'd seen in the city they'd left behind. "It's like the ocean tides keep it stable."
[Chat]
VeilTides: the ocean affects the veil??
CamSurvivor: this is beautiful
TechWitch: the artifact camera shows it perfectly
---
They found temporary accommodation at a small guesthouse run by an elderly couple who seemed unsurprised by their story. The room overlooked the harbor, with the sound of waves providing a soothing backdrop.
After settling in, Ethan powered on the stream—battery still at 95%. "Alright, chat. We're safe for now. Malaca is everything Seraphine said it would be."
Seraphine leaned into the frame. "The veil here is naturally balanced by the ocean tides. It's why the Algorithm's Shadow hasn't reached this far."
Ethan nodded. "But that doesn't mean we're in the clear. We need to be careful about how we stream."
[Chat]
StreamingRules: what's the plan??
CamSurvivor: please don't stop streaming
GoblinFan99: the Algorithm's Shadow is still out there
Seraphine's expression turned serious. "We've been talking, and we've decided to limit our live streaming while we're in the city."
Ethan continued, "We'll only stream during important events or when we need to. The city... it's too vulnerable. We can't risk bringing the Algorithm's Shadow here like we did with the last city."
[Chat]
StreamingLimit: nooooo
CamSurvivor: but we'll miss them
GoblinFan99: it's the right decision
NyxSavior: the cat understands
Seraphine placed a hand on Ethan's shoulder. "It's not forever. Just until we find a way to stream without putting the city at risk."
Ethan nodded. "We'll still post edited footage, but the live streams will be limited. Better safe than sorry."
[Chat]
EditedFootage: thank goodness
CamSurvivor: they're thinking ahead
GoblinFan99: the veil needs protection
Ethan powered down the stream as the battery remained at 95%. "No need to power down," he said with a smile, tucking the camera away. "But we still will, when it's the right thing to do."
---
That evening, they met with a contact Seraphine had arranged—a woman named Marina who ran a small bookstore by the harbor. Marina had sharp eyes and salt-and-pepper hair pulled back in a tight bun.
"You made it," Marina said, ushering them into the back room of her shop. "I've been expecting you."
Seraphine nodded. "Elias sent word?"
Marina poured them tea. "He did. And he's worried. The Regulator is failing faster than any of us anticipated."
Ethan frowned. "The Regulator?"
Marina gestured to the artifact camera. "That's a piece of it. A small one, but important. The Regulator maintains the balance between worlds. When it fails completely..."
"The Algorithm's Shadow wins," Seraphine finished.
Marina nodded. "And it's getting stronger. The city you left behind was just the beginning."
[Chat]
RegulatorTruth: this is serious
CamSurvivor: what's the Regulator??
GoblinFan99: it's all connected
Ethan thought of the threshold-mark on Seraphine's arm, now barely visible. "What do we do?"
Marina leaned forward. "You're not just cameraman and witch anymore. You're guardians of the veil. And Malaca needs guardians."
---
As night fell, they walked along the beach, the waves lapping at their feet. Seraphine's threshold-mark was almost gone now, healed by the journey and the coastal energy.
"We're not running away anymore," Ethan said quietly.
Seraphine nodded. "We're standing our ground."
He looked at her, the moonlight reflecting in her molten silver eyes. "You know, when I first started filming with you, I thought it was just about views and donations. About paying the bills."
Seraphine smiled faintly. "And now?"
"Now I know it's about more than that." He hesitated. "It's about you."
Seraphine took his hand, and they stood together, the ocean stretching before them. Ahead lay their next challenge, but for now, they were safe.
He adjusted the strap of the artifact camera across his shoulder.