Chapter 13: The Hunt

The sun had not yet risen when the group set out. The morning chill enveloped the refuge, and the surrounding mountains seemed still asleep. Caelum, Aldric, Lyra, and Alaric advanced in silence, each absorbed in their own thoughts. The decision to seek out the City of the Ancients, while necessary, weighed heavily on their minds.

The path through the forest was steep and treacherous, with treacherous roots ready to trip up the less attentive. Aldric led the way, scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. Behind him, Caelum tried to keep pace, despite the aftereffects of the fight with the Noxferus. Lyra brought up the rear, her heightened senses on constant alert.

Alaric, meanwhile, seemed preoccupied. He studied the map in his hand, glancing around every now and then to make sure they were on the right track. The clues were thin, and he knew that any deviation could send them spinning for days, if not weeks.

After several hours of walking, they reached a plateau with a clear view of the valley below. Caelum stopped to catch his breath, his hands on his knees, while Aldric scanned the horizon with his binoculars.

"All seems quiet," Aldric murmured, still wary.

Lyra, a few paces behind, suddenly stopped. She raised her hand in warning, her eyes fixed on an invisible point between the trees.

"What is it?" Caelum whispered, feeling the tension rising.

"Scouts," Lyra replied, her eyes narrowing. "They're following us." »

Alaric turned to her, his expression serious. "How long?"

"I don't know," she answered, her voice strained. "But they're too close. They know where we're going."

Aldric frowned, looking around with new intensity. "We need to lose them before they can alert the others."

Without further ado, he signaled for the group to continue walking, but this time with greater vigilance. Their pace quickened, almost hurried, as they searched for a way to deviate from their route while still continuing toward their objective. The once peaceful forest now seemed teeming with unseen threats.

They marched like this for several hours, their progress becoming a race against time. Caelum could feel his heart racing, not only from the physical exertion, but also from the growing fear of being trapped. The enemy scouts were elusive shadows, always just beyond their perception, but close enough to be a threat.

As they reached a clearing surrounded by towering rocks, Aldric stopped abruptly. He raised a hand to signal a halt, scanning the ground ahead.

"Traps," he murmured, pointing to ropes cleverly hidden beneath a carpet of leaves. "They've set an ambush."

Lyra stepped forward cautiously, scanning the area with a trained eye. "There are more of them than we thought."

Alaric gritted his teeth, realizing their mission was now compromised. "We must outpace them. If they catch us here, all will be lost."

Caelum felt a wave of panic rise within him, but he suppressed it quickly. He knew they had no choice: fight or flee. Aldric and Lyra exchanged glances, then turned to the boy.

"Caelum, listen to me," Aldric said, his voice calm but firm. "We're going to create a diversion. You and Alaric will circle the clearing and continue toward the gorge. Find a way through the mountains. We'll meet you."

Caelum opened his mouth to protest, but Aldric placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You have a crucial role to play. Alaric needs you to find the City of the Ancients. We'll take care of the scouts."

Lyra knelt before Caelum, her gaze full of determination. "Stay focused. Use what you've learned."

Caelum nodded, though everything in him screamed to stay and fight alongside them. He knew that the survival of their mission depended on them losing the enemies and reaching the city first.

Aldric straightened and motioned to Alaric. "Take the path to the right. It leads to a narrow passage between the rocks. You should be able to get around the gorge and reach the entrance to the city before nightfall."

Alaric nodded, glancing back at his companions. "Take care."

Lyra nodded back, then turned toward the forest, ready to fight. Aldric took the lead, diving into the shadows with the determination of a soldier ready for anything.

Caelum felt a surge of pride for his mentors, but he knew he had to go. He followed Alaric, his heart clenched, as they silently left the clearing.

As they walked away, the sounds of battle erupted behind them. Caelum took one last look back, before focusing on the steep path that led them toward the mountains. He knew the real challenge was only just beginning.