<h4>Chapter 1179: Chapter 1179</h4>


    "We can’t stay here," Lucy said, standing, brushing dew from her pants. "It’s too exposed. And we’re too close to where it tried to take her."


    Jude nodded. "The river," he said after a moment’s thought. "If we follow it upstream, maybe we’ll find where it starts. Maybe that’s where its poweres from."


    Zoey agreed. "If we can find the source, maybe we can end this. Cut it off at the root."


    Together, they broke camp, their movements swift, practiced. They packed their few belongings, doused the fire, and began their trek along the cliffs, seeking where the river curved ind. The forest rose ahead of them, green and dense, the morning light filtering through the canopy in golden shafts. The path was rough, the ground uneven beneath their feet, but they kept on, side by side, hearts bound by the same purpose.


    As they walked, the tension of the night slowly eased beneath the rhythm of their steps, and the warmth of the day coaxed them into moments of softness. Jude caught Sophie’s hand and held it tight, their fingers entwined as they navigated the narrow trail. Lucy fell in step beside him, her arm brushing his now and then, a silent promise of protection. Scarletughed quietly at something Zoey whispered in her ear, and for a moment, it felt almost normal-almost like the days before the ind’s magic had turned dark.


    Rose walked close, her strength returning with each step, her smile shy but real, and when Jude nced at her, his heart ached with love so fierce it almost stole his breath. She leaned into him, just for a moment, and he wrapped his arm around her, pressing a kiss to her hair, grateful beyond words that she was still his to hold.


    The river came into view atst, its waters clear and swift, the sound of it a balm to their frayed nerves. They followed its winding course, the trees opening up here and there to let the sunlight dance on the water’s surface. The ind felt quieter here, as if watching, waiting, but content for now to let them pass.


    But even in this peaceful stretch, Jude felt the undercurrent of the ind’s magic, a hum beneath his feet, a promise that the fight was far from over. And as the day wore on, as they pressed deeper into the unknown, he knew that whatever waited at the river’s source would be another test-one they would face together,e what may.


    The river’s voice grew louder as they followed its twisting path, the water tumbling over stones, carving its endless song through the ind’s heart. The sound was soothing at times, almost masking the hum of the ind’s magic beneath their feet, but Jude could feel it-like a pulse beneath the earth, like a breath waiting to be drawn. His hand never left Rose’s as they walked, and whenever Sophie or Lucy came near, he felt steadier, as if their closeness gave him strength against whatever darkness might be waiting at the river’s source.


    The forest grew denser, the trees leaning close, their branchescing together overhead until the path was dappled with shifting patterns of sunlight and shadow. The air smelled of moss and damp leaves, of wildflowers blooming unseen. There were moments when it felt almost like peace-when Jude could almost forget the silver light in Rose’s eyes, the way her voice had echoed with that otherness. But then the memory would surge back, sharp and cold, and his grip on her hand would tighten, as if he could anchor her to him through sheer will.


    They walked in pairs or small groups, their steps in quiet rhythm. Zoey and Scarlet moved ahead, their heads close together, whispering ns or promises or simply drawing courage from one another. Grace and Susan followed, their hands linked, faces calm but eyes sharp, watching the woods as if daring the shadows to move. Ste and Natalie walked near the water’s edge, sometimes reaching down to trail their fingers in the cool current, their voices soft as they shared quiet jokes. Emma and Lucy nked the group, ever alert, des within easy reach, their focus unbroken.


    Jude felt the weight of their trust, their love, and it steadied him. This was his family, his heart. And he would do anything to keep them safe.


    Rose nced at him, her eyes warm now, though still shadowed by what had been. "You don’t have to hold so tight," she said gently, leaning into him. "I’m here, Jude. I’m not going anywhere."


    "I know," he said, voice low. "I just... I need to feel you close."


    She smiled, and it was real, soft as the breeze that stirred her hair. She pressed a kiss to his cheek, her lips warm, and for a heartbeat the world felt right again.


    The river narrowed as they went on, the banks steeper, the current faster. The sound of rushing water filled the air, and soon they saw where the river began-a great spring bubbling up from beneath a massive stone formation, water spilling down in a series of small cascades, clear and cold as ss. The rock was dark with age, worn smooth by time, and faint lines crisscrossed its surface, patterns that might have been natural-or might have been carved long ago by hands now forgotten.


    They paused there, the group gathering at the edge of the spring, drinking in the sight, the sound, the feel of the ce. The ind’s hum was stronger here, the magic thicker in the air, but it didn’t feel like the silver darkness that had tried to im Rose. It felt older, deeper-wild, but not cruel.


    Zoey crouched at the water’s edge, trailing her fingers through the cold stream. "It’s beautiful," she murmured. "Whatever else this ind is... it’s beautiful."


    Scarlet knelt beside her, dipping her hands in to drink. "Maybe this is where it ends," she said softly. "Maybe we can cleanse whatever’s left inside Rose. Maybe this is where we break its hold for good."