Chapter 18: The Map to the Next Island

We sprinted through the dense foliage, the jungle alive with the sounds of chaos. The ground beneath us continued to tremble, the temple’s collapse a stark reminder of the island’s instability. Harlan’s maniacal laughter echoed through the trees, pushing us to move faster.

“Keep going!” I urged, glancing back to ensure everyone was still with us. “We need to put as much distance between us and Harlan as possible.”

The hidden tribe’s leader led the way, her movements swift and sure. Despite the panic, she seemed to know exactly where she was going. We followed her through the tangled underbrush, our breaths coming in ragged gasps.

After what felt like an eternity, we emerged into a small clearing. The ground here was more stable, the air less charged with the island’s volatile magic. We paused to catch our breath, the adrenaline still coursing through our veins.

“That was too close,” Mara said, wiping sweat and grime from her forehead. “What now?”

“We need to find a way to stabilize th