Chapter 110: The Relic's Burden

 Chapter 110: The Relic's Burden

Rodrigo's heart raced as he faced the hooded man blocking his path. The air between them felt thick, charged with tension. He could hear the faint footsteps of his pursuers growing closer, closing in. Every instinct told him to run, to avoid confrontation, but the relic in his pack hummed with an energy that seemed to root him to the spot. He knew he couldn't avoid this encounter.

The man's eyes glinted beneath the shadow of his hood, and his blade caught the dying light of the sun. "You don't know what you're carrying," he repeated, his voice steady, as if he held all the time in the world. "Hand it over. I'll make it quick."

Rodrigo's grip tightened on his dagger. He wasn't a fighter, not like Sebastião. He had spent most of his life using words to navigate the world, not weapons. But he had been in enough scraps to know when someone was testing his resolve.

"I don't think you know what you're dealing with either," Rodrigo replied, his voice steady despite the fear creeping into his chest. "If you did, you wouldn't be so eager to take it."

The man chuckled, a low, humorless sound. "Is that what you think? You're wrong. I know exactly what I'm after. The relic you carry—it's more dangerous than you realize. If it falls into the wrong hands, the entire world could burn."

Rodrigo narrowed his eyes, trying to read the man's intent. Was he bluffing, or did he truly understand the relic's power? Either way, Rodrigo wasn't about to hand it over. Not to someone he couldn't trust.

"I'm not giving it to you," Rodrigo said firmly, taking a step back.

The man's expression darkened, and he raised his sword, taking a step forward. "Then you leave me no choice."

In an instant, the man lunged, his blade flashing toward Rodrigo with deadly speed. Rodrigo barely had time to react, dodging to the side as the sword sliced through the air where he had stood moments before. He stumbled, his body not as agile as it once was, but years of survival instincts kicked in. He swung his dagger in a wide arc, trying to keep the man at bay, but it was clear he was outmatched.

The hooded man was a trained fighter, and his movements were precise, calculated. Every strike was designed to kill, and Rodrigo knew he couldn't keep dodging forever. His mind raced as he tried to think of a way out, his heart pounding in his chest.

Just as the man moved in for another strike, a blur of motion appeared from the side. Sebastião came crashing into the man, sword drawn, and the two collided with a metallic clang. The force of the impact sent the hooded man staggering back, and Sebastião immediately pressed the advantage, his sword flashing in the dim light.

"Go!" Sebastião shouted over his shoulder, not taking his eyes off the hooded man. "Get out of here!"

Rodrigo hesitated for a moment, torn between staying and fighting or following Sebastião's orders. But he knew that staying would only put them both in more danger. With a nod of gratitude, he turned and bolted, running deeper into the forest.

The trees blurred around him as he ran, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The relic seemed to pulse with every step, its energy growing stronger, more insistent. Rodrigo could feel it—something was happening, something beyond his understanding. The relic wasn't just a tool. It was alive in some way, and it was reacting to the danger they were in.

He didn't stop running until he reached the ridge, a steep drop-off overlooking the valley below. The sun had fully set now, and the world was bathed in the cool light of twilight. Rodrigo's legs burned with exhaustion, but he forced himself to keep moving, scanning the area for any sign of Dona Maria. She had gone in a different direction, and now he could only hope she had made it here safely.

As he waited, his mind raced with thoughts of the hooded man's words. "The entire world could burn." What did he mean by that? Was the relic truly that powerful? Rodrigo had always known it was dangerous—he had felt its power since the moment he found it—but to think it could threaten the world itself? It was almost too much to comprehend.

Minutes passed, and finally, Rodrigo heard the faint sound of footsteps behind him. He whirled around, dagger still in hand, but relaxed when he saw Dona Maria emerging from the shadows.

"You made it," she said, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

"Sebastião's holding them off," Rodrigo replied, still catching his breath. "But we can't stay here long. They'll be coming for us."

Dona Maria nodded, her eyes scanning the darkening horizon. "We'll have to find a way to lose them. They're too close."

Rodrigo agreed, but his mind was elsewhere. The relic, now hidden inside his pack, was still humming, almost vibrating with energy. It was as if it was reacting to the danger around them, sensing the presence of those who sought it.

"What do you think this thing really is?" Rodrigo asked, his voice quiet as he looked toward the distant hills. "It's more than just a relic, isn't it?"

Dona Maria hesitated, her gaze turning toward the pack on Rodrigo's back. "I don't know. But I've heard stories. Stories of objects like that—things that are older than the kingdoms themselves. Things that were lost for a reason."

Rodrigo frowned, her words only deepening the mystery. "What kind of stories?"

She glanced at him, her expression serious. "They say these objects were created by ancient forces—forces that once ruled the world, long before the kingdoms we know today. Some believe they hold the power to reshape the world, to create or destroy at will."

Rodrigo felt a chill run down his spine. "And you think this relic is one of those?"

Dona Maria's gaze was steady. "I don't know. But if it is, then we're in more danger than we realize."

Rodrigo looked out over the valley, his mind racing. The relic felt heavier on his back now, as if it was burdened with the weight of all the history and power it contained. He had spent his life avoiding trouble, staying out of the wars and conflicts that plagued the world. But now, it seemed, trouble had found him, and it wasn't going to let go.

"We need to keep moving," Dona Maria said, breaking the silence. "If we stay here, they'll catch up. We can't let them get their hands on that relic."

Rodrigo nodded, knowing she was right. But as they began their descent into the valley, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The shadows seemed to shift around them, and the air was thick with tension. The relic pulsed once more, a reminder that their journey was far from over.