The morning greeted them with soft sunlight breaking through the clouds, casting golden hues across the land. The yard of the old house was silent — heavy and almost tangible. On the wooden table lay a coffin, carefully made from old planks. The old man was no longer with them, but his memory lingered in every movement, in every glance.

  The granddaughter stood quietly beside it, clutching the amulet the old man had once given her, her eyes full of tears. Kael stood next to her, gripping the hilt of his sword, feeling the emptiness in his chest. Rin and Nika, with Elf nearby, exchanged short glances, each trying to cope with the loss in their own way.

  “He would have wanted us to keep moving,” Rin said softly, almost in a whisper. “To not stop, even if our hearts ache.”

  “Yes,” Nika added, restraining her emotions. “We need to stay strong. For him… and for ourselves.”

  They held a brief ceremony: a few words of remembrance, a handful of earth on the coffin, quiet prayers and farewells. No sound disturbed the morning forest, except for the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind.

  After the funeral, they set out on the road. The path wound through hills, forest trails, and small streams. The wind blew from the mountains,carrying the scent of fresh grass and damp earth. The travelers moved slowly, each step heavy with the weight of recent loss, but they knew — they could not stop.

  “Remember what the old man taught us,” Kael said, glancing at his granddaughter. “His lessons stay with us. They will help us survive.”

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  The granddaughter nodded, her eyes still glistening with tears, but now with determination. Rin and Nika walked slightly ahead, keeping a careful watch on the trail. Elf walked beside them, checking the surroundings from time to time. Every movement was coordinated, every glance alert.

  The road was long. They passed through sparse villages, met traders and hunters, occasionally sharing food or information. The journey was hard: fatigue, sorrow, and the sense of lost safety weighed on their shoulders, but every stepbrought them closer to their new goal.

  On the second day, they encountered a group of traders heading to the nearby kingdom. The men and women discussed the latest news, stopping at every turn.

  “Have you heard the latest rumors?” one of the traders asked. “They pay sixty silver for the heads of low-ranking demons. Just hand them over at the barracks, or you won’t get a coin.”

  “Sixty silver?” the granddaughter repeated,narrowing her eyes cautiously. “That’s a lot… but dangerous.”

  “Dangerous,” Rin agreed. “But it’s a chance to prepare and earn.”

  “Very few survive alone,” Nika added. “We’ll have to work together, support each other.”

  “First, we need to study the city, understand who gives the tasks, and then decide how to act,” Elf said. “But it looks like the first money will have to be earned in combat.”

  Kael looked at his granddaughter again. In her eyes was a mixture of fear and determination, and he realized: their strength was not only physical, but also the bond between them, their desire to protect and care for one another.

  The day was drawing to a close when they saw the high walls of the kingdom in the distance. Traders at the gates, the bustling market, shouts, and the ringing of bells — all of it hinted at a new world, full of opportunities and dangers. The travelers stopped on a small rise to take it all in.

  “So, new challenges lie ahead,” Kael said, gripping the hilt of his sword. “But we will be ready.”

  The granddaughter gave a faint smile through her tears, and the others nodded. The old man was gone, but his lessons remained with them, his spirit accompanying every step. Now they were entering a new life, where each day demanded resolve, courage, and loyalty to one another.

  Rin, Elf, and Nika thought to themselves: they had a contact in this kingdom, and if things wentwrong, they could reach out to him for help.