Chapter 109: The Pursuit Begins

As they made their way through the winding paths of the rugged hills, Rodrigo's senses were heightened. Each step felt like a step deeper into a trap that had yet to spring. The relic, now tucked securely inside his pack, seemed to vibrate faintly with every mile they covered. He couldn't shake the feeling that it was drawing something toward them—like a beacon.

"We're not alone," Sebastião murmured, scanning the horizon as they walked through a dense thicket. His hand remained firmly on the hilt of his sword, his eyes sharp, darting between the trees and boulders that lined their path.

Rodrigo nodded, his own senses tingling with unease. "I've felt it too. Something's been following us since dawn."

Dona Maria, ever quiet but perceptive, spoke in a low voice. "Could be bounty hunters. Or worse. There are whispers about mercenaries in these parts, hired by the guilds. If they've gotten wind of the relic, they won't stop until they've found it."

Rodrigo gritted his teeth. "Then we have to move faster."

The trio quickened their pace, weaving through the dense forest, trying to remain as quiet as possible. The trees above provided cover, but the underbrush cracked underfoot, betraying their position with every step. It felt like the very forest was conspiring against them.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long, eerie shadows across the land, the first sign of their pursuers emerged. From behind a large outcrop of rock, a flash of metal caught Rodrigo's eye. He held up a hand, signaling for Sebastião and Dona Maria to stop.

"There," Rodrigo whispered, pointing toward the glint in the distance.

Sebastião narrowed his eyes, drawing his sword slowly. "They're close. Too close."

Rodrigo scanned their surroundings. The thick forest provided cover, but if they were found out here, they'd be outnumbered and cornered with nowhere to run. The relic weighed heavily in his pack, as though urging him to do something—anything.

"We need to lose them," Rodrigo said, his voice tense. "Split up. We'll meet at the ridge just beyond the valley. It's risky, but if we stay together, they'll surround us."

Sebastião hesitated, glancing at Rodrigo. "Are you sure?"

Rodrigo nodded. "It's our best chance."

Without another word, they split. Rodrigo took off through the thick undergrowth, darting between trees, trying to keep his movements unpredictable. He could hear the faint sounds of footsteps behind him, distant but closing in. Whoever was following them was skilled—too skilled for mere bounty hunters.

The relic pulsed again, a surge of heat spreading through Rodrigo's chest. His heart pounded in time with its rhythm, a strange synchronization that unsettled him. This object, whatever it truly was, held more power than he could comprehend, and now it seemed to be responding to the imminent danger.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows ahead, blocking Rodrigo's path. He skidded to a halt, his hand instinctively reaching for the dagger at his belt. The man before him was tall, clad in dark, weathered armor, his face obscured by a hood.

"Hand over the relic," the man said, his voice calm but threatening. "You don't know what you're carrying."

Rodrigo's grip tightened on the hilt of his dagger. "I know enough to not give it to you."

The man stepped forward, drawing a gleaming blade from his side. "You can't win this fight, old man. The relic doesn't belong to you."

Rodrigo's mind raced. He couldn't afford to be caught, not now. The relic hummed again, almost as if it was waiting for something—waiting for him to make a choice. 

And in that moment, Rodrigo knew the battle was no longer just about survival. It was about protecting the future.