The narrow mountain path had twisted and turned its way down the rocky slopes outside the fortress. It had been a very long night for them all.
Every muscle in Jasper's body screamed protest as he moved. Lyra seemed to wobble as if she wasn't quite able to keep her eyes open any longer. Too tired-but not here yet.
They had to put as much distance between themselves and the fortress should the guards decide to take it upon themselves to give chase.
Raylan went first, treading briskly but with care, every now and again looking back to see the others following him. They went down for hours, saying hardly a word; just trying to make their way as fast as possible along the serpentine paths.
By the time they saw a small open space that had tall pine trees close around it, the sun was already giving up its light, shining golden between the mountains.
Raylan finally stopped and turned to the group. "We can rest here for a bit. The trees will give us some cover."
Jasper let out a sigh of relief as he sank down onto a patch of soft grass, glad to finally sit. His legs were like jelly, his shoulders burning from the weight of his gear. Lyra and Finn also fell to the ground, looking equally spent.
As they got their breath, Raylan started a small fire with dry sticks and flint. The flames danced warmly, and they all huddled around it, grateful for the heat in the cool mountain air. For a few moments, they sat in silence, each lost in his own thoughts.
Jasper was the first to break the silence. "That was… close. Too close."
Lyra nodded. She seemed far away, her eyes fixed on some distant point. "It's only going to get harder from here, isn't it? Malachar will know we're coming for him. He'll be ready."
Raylan looked meditative, stirring at the fire. "You're right. That altar has weakened his powers, but by the same token, it made him more aware, too. He won't take this lightly. He'll start preparing for a full confrontation.
Finn frowned. "And he still has allies out there, doesn't he? Other followers who would do anything to protect his magic."
Raylan nodded slowly. "Yes. Some of his followers would gladly give their lives to protect his power. They believe in his vision of control and darkness.
But there are others out there who are on our side, people who despise what Malachar stands for. We just have to find them.
This gave Jasper a smidgen of hope. If they could find more allies, then perhaps they'd have a real chance of taking down Malachar. He looked around at his friends to see the same swirl of hope and worry in their eyes.
"So… what's next?" Jasper asked, turning to Raylan. "Where do we go from here?"
Raylan took a deep breath. "The next altar is far to the east, hidden deep in the heart of the Shadow Forest. It's a dark place, full of twisted trees and strange creatures.
Few people dare to enter it, but that's where Malachar has hidden one of his most powerful altars. That would deal a serious blow to him.
Lyra shivered, her hand tugging the cloak higher on her shoulders. "The Shadow Forest. I've heard tales of that place. They say it is cursed, that no one who ventures into it ever returns."
Finn forced a chuckle, his eyes darting uneasily to lighten the mood. "Well, we have just survived cursed mountains, ancient ruins, and dark altars. What's one creepy forest, eh?
Despite herself, Lyra smiled, though a little edge of concern was yet in her eyes. They all knew that the Shadow Forest was different from all the others they might have faced off, but a commitment had been made in this journey. It was beyond turning back.
Raylan's voice turned serious. "The Shadow Forest is dangerous, yes, but we'll prepare ourselves. I know some old spells and charms that can help protect us. We'll need to be cautious, stay close together, and keep our wits about us.
A cold shiver ran down Jasper's spine as he thought of how much they had faced, yet this journey wasn't getting any lighter. Still, he knew they just couldn't turn their backs at this point.
They were fighting for something bigger than themselves-for all the people they loved back home and for what their future held.
When night started to fall, all of them drew a watch to take turns. Jasper volunteered for the first watch so the others could rest. He sat by the fire and watched the fire dance, reflecting on all they had been through and all that was still to come.
His mind kept wandering back to that quiet, simple village he'd left behind, the simplistic life he'd had because he had found that connecting point with magic.
Part of him missed that life-the safety and predictability of it. But he knew he couldn't go back. He had a responsibility now, and he was determined to see this mission through, no matter the cost.
It was a quiet night, without pursuit from the fortress. With the morning well begun, they had camp packed up and were ready to go towards the Shadow Forest. Raylan led the way down the rugged mountain trails to the lowlands.
The topography changed as they headed east, the mountains giving way to thick forests of rolling hills, much warmer, and moister air.
They moved as fast as was practicable, trying to cover as much distance every day as they could, urged on by the urgency of their mission.
First, he continued to teach them more of the magic they would need to protect themselves as they traveled. He showed Lyra how to create a rune barrier for protection, and he taught Finn how to feel out dark energy from a distance.
Jasper listened intently to everything being taught to them, knowing this might be the only thing that could keep them alive through the dangers ahead.
Days blended into weeks as they journeyed and he was trained. They kept to hidden camps and were ever vigilant for the followers of Malachar.
He could feel himself growing stronger, more confident with each passing day.
The difficulties they'd faced so far truly did make him mature much more quickly, and he was not a boy anymore who had started this journey. He was a warrior, a protector.
It was on the edge of the Shadow Forest, finally, after almost a week of travel. It loomed before them, a dark and tangled expanse of twisted trees and thick underbrush.
The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying matter, and there was an unnatural silence over the forest, as though even the birds and animals were afraid to enter.
Raylan turned then and faced them. "This is it, the Shadow Forest. Once inside, we'll have to be alert. No straying from the path whatsoever, whatever you happen to see or hear. The forest plays tricks on your mind so that you would see things that are not really there."
Lyra swallowed hard as she tightened her grip on her staff. "Are we. ready for this?
Raylan nodded, his face grim, yet resolute. "We are prepared as well as we could be. Keep together, keep sharp, and trust each other. That is all the advice I can give you.".
Jasper turned to his friends, seeing that same fear and resolution staring back from their eyes. They had been through so much together, had grown together through all the perils.
Whatever was in store for them deep within the Shadow Forest, he knew they would face it as one.
One final, deep breath and they stepped into the woods, the dimness closing in as they vanished under the gnarled canopy of trees. The air grew colder, and an eerie silence settled over them as they went deep into the darkness.
Every step was leaden, as if the very forest was pushing against their incursion. The trees appeared to be leaning in, their gnarled branches grasping like skeletal fingers.
Jasper felt a strange sensation, as if unseen eyes watched them, lurking just out of sight. He clutched his sword tightly, his senses on high.
Raylan went first, his sure and steady footsteps leading the way in the oppressive atmosphere. He could be heard whispering softly under his breath-words of protection and guidance and the others repeated after him, the chants he had taught them.
The magic seemed to push the darkness back, giving them a faint illusion of security.
Slowly they moved, carefully, eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger. Strange shapes seem to shift and move in corners of their vision, but when looked at directly, are not there. The forest tricks the mind, testing courage and resolve.
The deeper into the core of the Shadow Forest they went, the more they knew the altar-and the next battle-waited somewhere ahead in the darkness.