Chapter 13: Leave With An Ancient Artifact

Alex and Izak had waited patiently, the anticipation building with each passing moment. Finally, the carriage driver returned to the very spot Alex had directed him to. With quick, determined steps, they climbed aboard the carriage, their hearts filled with a mix of excitement and relief. As they left behind the rugged mountain territories, they carried with them the precious artifact that held the key to their destiny.

As both Izak and Alex settled into the carriage and directed the driver to transport them to their town, the rhythmic clatter of horse hooves against the cobblestone road set the backdrop for an impending conversation. With a sense of unease, Alex finally mustered the courage to address a topic that had been lingering in the back of his mind.

"Hey, Izak," he began tentatively, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity and apprehension, "About that round artifact you've been carrying in your bag..."

Izak turned to face Alex, his brow furrowing slightly as he inquired, "What about it?"

Taking a deep breath, Alex continued, "Well, this morning, during my usual training routine, something rather peculiar happened. The artifact in your bag suddenly began emitting a radiant light, catching me completely off guard. I couldn't resist the temptation to take it out and examine it further. After a while, the light subsided, leaving behind enigmatic inscriptions etched onto the surface of the artifact, inscriptions that I'm utterly unable to decipher or translate." The weight of this revelation hung in the air between them as the carriage continued its journey towards their town.

Upon hearing Alex's unsettling revelation, Izak's curiosity and concern surged. Without hesitation, he retrieved the mysterious artifact from his bag, his fingers trembling slightly as he examined it closely. To his amazement, he confirmed Alex's words – intricate writings adorned the surface of the artifact. However, they were inscribed in an ancient script that Izak couldn't comprehend, leaving him both intrigued and perplexed.

As the carriage rattled on, the artifact now held in Izak's hands, a growing sense of curiosity and unease settled upon both travelers. They were onto a journey into a mystery that had unexpectedly surfaced, its secrets waiting to be unraveled.

As the town's familiar outline came into view on the horizon, Izak couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. He turned his gaze towards the approaching town and couldn't resist sharing the good news with Alex.

"We're almost there!" Izak exclaimed, his voice tinged with a mix of excitement and anticipation.

Alex, sitting beside him, let out a contented sigh. "Finally!" he replied, his eyes lighting up with the prospect of reaching their destination. "And before we do anything else, I think it's essential that we make a quick stop at the Town Guild," he added, his tone resolute. The Town Guild held answers, resources, and connections that could potentially help them unlock the mysteries surrounding the enigmatic artifact they now possessed.

With an enthusiastic nod, Izak responded, "Yes!" His excitement mirrored Alex's as they anticipated the generous reward of 6000 gold coins that awaited them at the Town Guild.

As the carriage continued its journey, they soon arrived at the bustling heart of the town, where the prominent Guild building loomed. Eager to claim their well-deserved reward and share their triumphant tale, they disembarked from the carriage.

"Let's go!" Alex urged, and together they made their way into the Guild's welcoming interior.

Inside, their presence quickly drew the attention of fellow adventurers. Whispers and hushed conversations rippled through the room as the others learned of Alex and Izak's extraordinary feat. The shock was palpable as the news spread—these two had managed to defeat the formidable mountain trolls without the aid of ranged weapons and without sustaining a single injury. It was a testament to their skill and prowess, with Alex's status as the highest-ranking adventurer adding an extra layer of awe to their accomplishment. The Guild was abuzz with curiosity and admiration, and their story would undoubtedly become a legendary tale among the adventurers of the town.

Izak leaned in closer to Alex, his voice barely above a whisper, and expressed his concern, "Alex, we're drawing an awful lot of attention in here..."

Alex, who had experienced this level of attention many times before, flashed a reassuring smile at Izak. He understood the weight of the moment for his companion and sought to comfort him. "Izak," he replied, equally discreet, "This kind of attention is nothing out of the ordinary for me. It's just part of the life of a highest-ranking adventurer. And who knows," he continued, his voice carrying a hint of pride, "with your talent and determination, you'll be joining these ranks sooner than you think. You better get used to it!"

Izak nodded, a mixture of excitement and apprehension coursing through him. The prospect of becoming a renowned adventurer and embracing the accompanying fame and challenges was both exhilarating and daunting. As they stood in the Guild, surrounded by curious gazes, the path ahead seemed clearer than ever before, and Izak was ready to take on whatever adventures awaited him.

They made their way to a nearby table, where the reward for their heroic endeavor awaited them. With the bag of gold coins sitting between them, they equally divided the spoils, with 3000 gold each finding its way into their possession. Izak couldn't help but comment on the simplicity of splitting the reward between just the two of them.

"Hey," he remarked with a hint of amusement, "it's really easy for two people to share equally compared to having more party members, isn't it?"

Alex chuckled in agreement. "Absolutely," he replied, appreciating the straightforwardness of their arrangement.

As they engaged in their conversation, a figure approached their table. He introduced himself as "Delaynie," a high-ranking adventurer who had long been Alex's rival. His arrival seemed anything but coincidental, and the air around him was charged with an unmistakable aura of taunting aggression.

"I can see that you've managed to gather yourself a new party," Delaynie stated with a sly grin, his words laced with both rivalry and a hint of condescension. Seeing Alex after a long absence had clearly ignited the competitive spirit within him.

"Izak, my friend!" Alex exclaimed, his face lit up with a joyful smile as he deliberately disregarded Delaynie's presence. "We've accomplished our mission here; let's make our exit!"

Izak couldn't agree more, his own smile mirroring Alex's enthusiasm. "Absolutely," he chimed in, eager to leave the brewing tension behind.

Delaynie's frustration grew palpable as he felt himself being ignored. He couldn't bear it any longer and raised his voice to command their attention. "STOP IGNORING ME!" he bellowed, his tone laden with irritation. He leaned in closer to them and issued a direct challenge, the challenge of warriors seeking to prove their worth and settle scores. "Where do you both think you're going? We settle this with a duel someday, or you'll forever be branded as cowards!"

The tension in the Guild escalated further, setting the stage for a future confrontation that would undoubtedly be talked about among the adventurers for days to come.

The heated exchange between Alex and Delaynie had drawn the attention of every adventurer in the Guild, all eyes fixated on the trio embroiled in this confrontation. Alex, with a sly grin, decided to take the high road.

"Well," he retorted, his voice carrying an air of nonchalance, "I'm quite exhausted after a long day, and I'd rather enjoy some well-deserved rest than engage with someone who seems to thrive on taking advantage of others' fatigue."

Delaynie's face flushed with anger at the implied accusation. He wasn't one to back down from a challenge or let such comments slide. "Who are you to call me a cheater?" he shot back, his voice laced with indignation. "I'm absolutely furious, and you'll pay dearly for those words!"

With a defiant gleam in his eye, Delaynie issued a final challenge, his voice ringing with determination, "I'll be waiting for you in the forest behind the town this Sunday. We'll settle this once and for all." The Guild watched in hushed anticipation as the gauntlet was thrown, and the stage was set for a showdown in the forest come the weekend.

As Delaynie and his party stormed out of the Guild in a huff, leaving behind a wake of lingering tension, Alex and Izak found themselves engaged in a deep conversation about the course of action to take.

"I don't know, Alex," Izak began, contemplating the situation, "but he certainly crossed a line with that comment about you. I'd say it's high time he learned a lesson."

Alex weighed the options, his expression thoughtful. Izak's words seemed to strike a chord within him, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of determination welling up. "You know what, Izak?" he replied with resolve, "You're absolutely right. Sometimes, a lesson is the best way to set things straight. We'll take the fight, and maybe he'll learn not to underestimate us."

With their decision made, a shared sense of purpose united the two adventurers as they prepared to face Delaynie in the upcoming showdown, determined to teach him a lesson he wouldn't soon forget.

With their course of action decided, Alex and Izak made their way back to the inn where they were staying. Their faces held a combination of determination and anticipation for the days ahead.