The forest stood still in the aftermath of their clash with the cultists, the air heavy with the metallic tang of blood and the faint hum of residual energy from the Heart of the Forge. Jace wiped his blade clean on the edge of his cloak and took a moment to assess his companions. Merra's jaw was tight as she examined her blade for nicks, Talla leaned on her spear for support, and Darrin was silently bandaging a gash on his arm.

"We can't stay here," Merra repeated, her voice sharper now. "If those cultists tracked us this far, there's no telling how many more will follow."

Jace nodded, though his gaze lingered on the glowing artifact nestled in his hand. It had saved them, that much was certain, but the power it wielded wasn't without risk. He could feel it, a current of energy coursing through him whenever he touched it, heightening his senses but also whispering promises of strength he didn't entirely trust.

"Agreed," Jace said. "Let's move, but we need to be smarter about it. They've got eyes on us now."

Merra scowled but didn't argue. Instead, she turned and started toward the riverbank, her footsteps deliberate and precise. The others followed in silence, their movements slow and cautious as they pressed deeper into the wilderness.

The journey toward Alder's Reach was far from simple. The terrain grew more rugged as they followed the river westward, its waters carving a path through jagged rocks and dense undergrowth. Their progress was slow, their senses perpetually on edge. Every rustling branch and distant call of a bird felt like a prelude to another ambush.

"What I don't get," Darrin said as they trudged along a narrow, uneven path, "is how they found us so fast. We've been careful, right?"

"Careful isn't enough when you're dealing with magic," Talla replied, her tone grim. "They're probably tracking the artifact somehow. It's not exactly subtle."

Jace frowned, glancing down at the Heart of the Forge. It rested against his chest, pulsing faintly through the fabric of his shirt. He had suspected as much but hearing it aloud only deepened his unease.

"Then we need to figure out how to shield it," Jace said. "Or at least make it harder for them to trace."

Talla shrugged. "Good luck with that. We'd need a mage or a ritualist to even try."

"Alder's Reach might have someone who can help," Merra said, her voice cutting through the conversation. "But that's assuming we make it there in one piece."

As night fell, they found a small clearing sheltered by a cluster of ancient oaks. It wasn't ideal, but it offered some cover and a place to rest. Jace took the first watch, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.

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The Heart of the Forge sat on the ground beside him, its glow casting faint patterns on the grass. Jace studied it in the dim light, his mind racing with questions. What was its true purpose? Why had it chosen him—or had he simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time?

The memory of the cultist leader's words haunted him. "It must be contained, not wielded." What did that mean? Were they truly protecting the world from its power, or was that just a convenient excuse?

"Can't sleep?" Talla's voice broke the silence. She approached quietly, her spear resting on her shoulder.

Jace shook his head. "Too much on my mind."

She sat beside him, her gaze drifting to the artifact. "You're thinking about what they said."

Jace nodded. "It doesn't add up. If this thing is so dangerous, why hasn't it been destroyed? Why keep it hidden instead of just... ending it?"

Talla smirked. "You're assuming they could destroy it if they tried. Artifacts like that don't break easily. They're usually tied to something bigger—an ancient force, a forgotten deity, something beyond us."

Jace considered her words, the weight of the artifact suddenly feeling heavier in his hands. "Then what am I supposed to do with it? I don't even know why it's glowing like this or why it... responds to me."

Talla leaned back, her expression thoughtful. "Maybe you're overthinking it. Sometimes, things don't make sense until you've lived through them. The path gets clearer the further you walk it."

The next morning, they resumed their journey. The terrain grew harsher, the air colder as they climbed higher into the hills. The river became a distant murmur below, its banks obscured by cliffs and tangled brush.

By midday, they reached a narrow pass flanked by jagged rocks. The path was treacherous, with loose stones shifting underfoot and steep drops on either side. It was slow going, but they pressed on, their eyes scanning the cliffs for signs of danger.

The attack came without warning.

Arrows rained down from above, forcing the group to scatter. Jace dove for cover behind a boulder, his heart pounding as he unsheathed Aegisbrand. The Heart of the Forge flared to life, its glow illuminating the narrow pass.

"They've found us again!" Merra shouted, her sword already in hand as she deflected a barrage of arrows.

"Stay low and keep moving!" Jace ordered, his voice steady despite the chaos.

Talla and Darrin returned fire, their weapons striking true as masked figures appeared on the cliffs. The cultists were relentless, their dark robes blending with the shadows as they advanced.

Jace gritted his teeth and surged forward, Aegisbrand cutting through the air with precision. The Heart of the Forge seemed to guide him, its energy coursing through his veins and heightening his reflexes. Every strike felt deliberate, every movement calculated.

The battle was fierce and chaotic, the narrow pass offering little room to maneuver. But Jace and his companions fought with everything they had, their determination outweighing their exhaustion.

When the final cultist fell, the pass was silent once more. The group stood amidst the carnage, their breaths ragged and their bodies bruised. Jace wiped his blade clean and turned to his companions, his expression grim.

"We can't keep fighting like this," he said. "We're wearing ourselves down, and they're not letting up."

Merra nodded, her face set with resolve. "Then we need to get to Alder's Reach as fast as possible. No more delays."

Jace glanced at the Heart of the Forge, its glow steady and unyielding. The artifact was leading them somewhere—he could feel it. But whether it was a path to salvation or ruin remained to be seen.

With a renewed sense of purpose, the group pressed on, the weight of their journey heavier than ever. The stakes were rising, and Jace knew they had only scratched the surface of the challenges to come.