The friends walked for what felt like hours, the sun beating down on them as they made their way through the dense jungle. They had been following the map for days now, determined to find the next clue that would lead them to the ultimate treasure.

But as they trudged through the thick underbrush, they couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Every now and then, they would catch a glimpse of movement out of the corner of their eye, but when they turned to look, there was nothing there.

Finally, they reached a clearing and saw a small hut in the distance. The map had led them here, and they knew they had to investigate. As they approached the hut, they could hear faint chanting coming from inside.

With a sense of trepidation, they cautiously entered the hut. Inside, they found a group of people dressed in elaborate robes, surrounding a large table covered in strange symbols and objects.

The friends were immediately greeted by the leader of the group, a tall and imposing figure with a long beard and piercing eyes. He introduced himself as the High Priest and explained that they had stumbled upon a sacred ritual that had been passed down for generations.

The High Priest then revealed that the map they were following was not just any ordinary map, but a map that held the key to unlocking the greatest treasure of all - immortality.

The friends were both intrigued and skeptical, but the High Priest assured them that if they followed the map and completed the ritual, they would be granted eternal life.

Without hesitation, the friends agreed to take on the challenge. They were given a list of tasks to complete, each one more difficult than the last. But they were determined to see it through, knowing that the reward would be worth it.

As they set off on their journey, they couldn't help but wonder what dangers and obstacles lay ahead. But they were ready to face whatever came their way, for the promise of immortality was too tempting to resist.

Little did they know, the High Priest had his own ulterior motives for leading them down this path. And as they delved deeper into the ritual, they would soon discover the true price of immortality.