The morning air carried a brisk chill as Jace and his companions prepared to leave the plateau. Lyara, though still bound, had remained composed throughout the night, her demeanor calm but watchful. The tension between her and the group was palpable, yet her insights about the Heart of the Forge couldn’t be ignored.

Jace stood at the edge of the plateau, the rising sun painting the landscape in hues of gold and amber. Below them, the jagged cliffs gave way to rolling hills shrouded in mist. The path ahead was uncertain, but the stakes were becoming clearer with every step.

“We need to decide what to do with her,” Merra said, her voice low but firm. She stood beside Jace, her arms crossed. “We can’t drag her along if we can’t trust her.”

“She knows things about the Forge,” Jace replied, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “Things we don’t. If we send her away or… worse, we lose the chance to learn.”

Merra frowned. “And if she’s leading us into a trap?”

Jace turned to her, his expression resolute. “We’ll be ready.”

Lyara walked at the center of the group as they descended from the plateau, her posture straight despite the bindings on her wrists. Talla kept a watchful eye on her, while Darrin scouted ahead, his bow at the ready.

“Why follow us if you weren’t planning to attack?” Talla asked, her tone skeptical.

“I told you,” Lyara replied evenly. “Our mission was to observe, not interfere. The Order of the Veil is tasked with safeguarding the Forge’s legacy, not seizing it.”

“Convenient answer,” Talla muttered, though she didn’t press further.

As they moved through the hills, the landscape shifted. The rocky terrain gave way to dense thickets of trees, their branches intertwining to form a canopy that blocked much of the sunlight. The air grew heavier, and an uneasy stillness settled over the group.

“This forest…” Darrin said, his voice trailing off. He stopped and knelt, examining the ground. “There’s no sign of wildlife. No tracks, no sounds. It’s unnatural.”

Merra’s hand moved to the hilt of her sword. “We keep moving. Stay alert.”

The forest deepened, its shadows lengthening as the day wore on. The group’s pace slowed, their unease growing with each step. Lyara walked in silence, her expression unreadable, though Jace noticed her glancing at the Heart of the Forge more frequently.

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“What’s on your mind?” he asked, falling into step beside her.

She hesitated before speaking. “The Forge’s power isn’t just energy. It’s… a will, of sorts. It reacts to those who carry it, tests them.”

Jace frowned. “Tests them how?”

Lyara met his gaze, her gray eyes steady. “By forcing them to confront their true selves. Their strengths, their fears, their flaws. It doesn’t give power freely—it demands something in return.”

Her words resonated with Jace, stirring memories of the visions the Forge had shown him. He thought of the molten forges, the towering spires, the faces of those who had come before him. “And if they fail?”

Lyara’s silence was answer enough.

The attack came without warning.

Figures emerged from the shadows, their movements swift and precise. Unlike the cultists they had faced before, these assailants wore armor that shimmered like obsidian, their weapons etched with glowing runes. They moved with deadly coordination, their strikes aimed to disable rather than kill.

Jace drew Aegisbrand, its blade humming as it met the first strike. Sparks flew as steel clashed against steel, the weight of the battle pressing down on him. Merra and Darrin fought back-to-back, their movements fluid as they repelled the attackers. Talla’s spear danced in the dim light, each thrust finding its mark.

Lyara, still bound, ducked behind a fallen tree, her sharp eyes scanning the chaos. “They’re Wardens!” she shouted. “Elite hunters sent by the Order!”

“Why are they attacking us if they’re from your Order?” Jace demanded, dodging a strike aimed at his side.

“Not my decision!” Lyara called back. “They think you’re a threat—and they might not be wrong!”

Jace gritted his teeth, the Heart of the Forge pulsing against his chest. He could feel its energy building, responding to his will. He let it flow through him, his strikes becoming faster and more precise. The Wardens hesitated, their movements faltering as they sensed the shift in power.

“We need to push them back!” Merra shouted, her blade cutting through the air. “Jace, now’s your chance!”

Jace raised Aegisbrand, the Heart’s energy surging through him. The blade glowed with an intense light, its radiance cutting through the gloom. He swung with all his strength, a wave of energy emanating from the strike and forcing the Wardens to retreat.

The aftermath of the battle left the group shaken but intact. The Wardens had vanished into the shadows, leaving no trace of their presence. Lyara sat on a fallen log, her expression grim.

“They won’t stop,” she said. “The Order sees you as a danger. As long as you carry the Forge, they’ll come for you.”

“And you?” Merra asked, her tone sharp. “Are you with them, or with us?”

Lyara met her gaze, unflinching. “I’m with the Forge. It’s bigger than your journey, bigger than my orders. If you’re serious about understanding its power, you’ll need someone who knows what you’re up against.”

Jace studied her for a moment before nodding. “Then you’ll travel with us. But if you cross us, there won’t be a second chance.”

Lyara inclined her head, her expression unreadable. “Understood.”

As the group pressed on, the forest began to thin, giving way to rolling plains dotted with ancient ruins. The Heart of the Forge’s glow was steady, its warmth a constant presence at Jace’s side. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but his resolve was stronger than ever.

The Forge’s secrets were waiting to be uncovered, and Jace was determined to face whatever trials lay ahead. Together, they would carve their path, each step bringing them closer to the truth—and to the power that would shape their destiny.