Night had fallen over the camp, and Adam sat by the dying embers of the fire. The low, flickering light danced softly on his tired face as he kept his senses alert.

Every sound in the dark forest made him tense. His eyes moved slowly over the shapes of the trees and shadows, searching for any sign of movement.

Even though the fire was nearly out, Adam knew that his duty to keep watch was far from over.

Beside him, Sophia lay asleep on a small cot. Her face was calm and relaxed, and she breathed slowly and evenly.

The exhaustion of the past few days had taken its toll on her, and she had fallen into a deep sleep without even noticing the quiet dangers of the night.

Her blonde hair spread out like a soft curtain on the ground as she slept. Though she slept, her mind was not far away from the troubles they faced.

As the night grew deeper, Samuel was the first to take up the watch. He moved about the camp, pacing near the wooden barrier that surrounded their small haven.

Every few minutes, he stopped and listened carefully, his eyes fixed on the dark outlines of the trees. He felt the weight of his duty on his shoulders, knowing that one small mistake could bring harm to all of them.

Three hours later, it was Elan’s turn to keep guard. With his keen eyes, he walked along the edge of the treeline.

Every rustle of leaves and every snap of a twig caught his attention. The cool night air brushed against his skin as he moved silently through the camp.

His gaze was steady and focused as he scanned the forest for any sign of danger.

Finally, Bryan took over for the last watch of the night. He stayed close to the camp, always alert. His steps were soft and quiet on the forest floor.

Bryan’s eyes never left the darkness around them, and he was ready to sound the alarm at the slightest hint of trouble.

All through the long hours, each of them had taken their turn to protect the group, and the night passed slowly, marked only by the watchful eyes of the four guards.

As the first rays of morning light began to filter through the thick foliage, a gentle warmth spread over the camp.

One by one, the others started to wake up, stretching and rubbing sleep from their eyes. Adam reached over to the sleeping figure of Sophia and gently shook her shoulder.

Sophia stirred immediately, her eyes opening wide in confusion. For a brief moment, she looked around, trying to remember where she was.

Then, when her eyes met Adam’s, a wave of understanding washed over her. She sat up quickly, her heart beating a little faster as she took in the scene around her.

“How long was I asleep?” she asked softly, still feeling the pull of sleep in her voice.

Adam met her gaze with a calm but tired look. “All night,” he replied simply. His tone was steady even though he too felt the heavy pull of exhaustion.

Sophia’s expression fell as she realized that she had once again fallen into a deep sleep. She felt a mix of worry and frustration.

“Again… I keep falling asleep, but you never get any rest,” she murmured. It was a quiet complaint, one that carried both her concern and her weariness.

Before she could say anything more, Adam reached over and handed her a small wooden bowl filled with cool water. “Wash your face,” he said. “We’re leaving soon.”

His words were brief but filled with the weight of their shared journey. Sophia took the bowl and stood up slowly.

She moved a few steps away from the small fire pit to find a safe spot where she could freshen up and clear her mind.

Meanwhile, Adam turned his attention back to the dying fire. He carefully scattered the last of the embers, making sure that the fire was safely out.

Even in the early light of dawn, his duty to protect the group never wavered. He walked over to a small wooden barrier that guarded their camp and ensured it was still secure.

Though his body was tired, his mind was alert, always prepared for what might come next.

A few minutes later, both Adam and Sophia were ready to move on. Their movements were slow but determined.

Bryan, who had kept watch through the night, approached them with a respectful tone. “Sir Adam, are you prepared to leave?” he asked, his voice showing both worry and hope.

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Adam nodded in response. He had long been waiting for this moment, a moment when they could finally begin the next part of their journey.

Sophia, now refreshed after washing her face, moved beside him. Her posture was strong and ready; she was determined not to let her exhaustion slow them down.

Elan stepped forward next, his voice respectful as he spoke. “Sir Adam, follow me.” His words were simple and clear.

Adam gave a short nod in return, acknowledging that it was time to continue. With careful steps and silent determination, the group resumed their journey, leaving behind the small camp that had kept them safe through the night.

After what seemed like endless hours of walking, the dense forest began to thin. The heavy canopy of trees slowly gave way to open land.

Adam’s eyes widened as he took in the new landscape. In front of him lay a vast grassland, its soft green waves moving gently in the light breeze.

Only a few scattered trees dotted the wide field, and the open space made everything seem both peaceful and exposed.

In the distance, a river glistened under the morning sun. Its waters flowed in a smooth, gentle curve, reflecting the early light as if it were a ribbon of silver.

The sight of the river filled Adam with both hope and caution. He knew that rivers often marked the borders between different lands, and he wondered what lay on the other side.

Beyond the river, clusters of wooden houses could be seen. They were grouped closely together, surrounded by neatly tended farmland.

The simple houses looked modest but well cared for. Adam’s heart skipped a beat as he took in the scene. He instantly knew that this was the village Bryan had spoken of.

Adam narrowed his eyes in thought. “This must be the village Bryan spoke of,” he said quietly, more to himself than to the others.

He was aware that even if his own people found out about this place, reaching the village would be very difficult.

The distance and the dangers along the way would not make it an easy journey.

Just then, Bryan came to stand beside him. “Sir Adam,” Bryan said in a low and steady voice, “this is our village, Dhola. It has been suffering under the control of a demon.”

Bryan’s words carried the weight of the villagers’ troubles, and Adam felt a deep sense of responsibility.

Here was a place that needed help, and he knew that his journey was far from over.

Adam looked at Bryan carefully. Without a long speech, he simply gave a short nod. “Lead the way,” he said firmly.

Bryan inhaled deeply, gathering his courage, and then began walking toward the village. Adam and Sophia followed close behind, their eyes scanning the quiet land ahead.

As they neared the village, Adam’s sharp senses picked up an eerie stillness. The wooden houses looked as if they had been abandoned for a long time. There were no signs of life in the streets; not a single person could be seen.

The silence of the village was heavy, as if it were holding its breath. Adam’s hand moved instinctively to the hilt of his sword.

He knew that danger could be hidden behind the calm and empty facade of these streets.

Slowly, Adam slowed his steps. He leaned a little toward Sophia and spoke in a hushed tone, “Stay close.” His voice was low and careful.

Sophia did not hesitate for a moment. She stepped even closer to him and gently grabbed the hem of his coat. Her small act of closeness was both a sign of trust and a way to keep herself safe.

The small group continued forward along the quiet main street of the village. Soon, they came upon a large wooden building that stood out from all the others.

It was a two-story structure that looked more grand than the rest of the simple houses. Adam’s eyes narrowed as he studied the building. In his mind, he quickly guessed its importance. This had to be the house of the village chief.

At that moment, Bryan, Elan, and Samuel exchanged nervous glances. Their eyes showed fear and hesitation. Bryan swallowed hard before turning to Adam.

“Sir Adam,” he said, his voice trembling slightly, “do you remember your promise?” His hands came together in a gesture of pleading.

“I trusted you and brought my people here,” he added softly, his voice carrying a mix of hope and fear.

Adam studied the worried expressions on their faces. He saw the fear, the hesitation, and the weight of responsibility in their eyes.

After a brief moment of silence, he gave a single nod. “Where is the demon?” he asked, his tone even and firm, as if he had been waiting for this moment all along.

There was a long pause as Bryan hesitated for a moment. Finally, he pointed toward the large wooden house with the two stories.

The gesture was slow, as if he was not entirely sure of what he was doing. Adam watched carefully as Bryan took a few careful steps forward.

Standing near the large door of the chief’s house, Bryan called out softly, “Master Brand, I have brought you a gift.” His words echoed in the still morning air.

At that very moment, Adam’s body tensed. 'A gift?' The words rang in his ears like a warning.

His mind raced with questions: 'What did Bryan mean by a gift? Was it meant to trap him and Sophia?' His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword, ready for any sudden movement. Every sense was on high alert.

Before Adam could move or say anything, the sound of creaking wooden floorboards broke the silence.

The sound came from inside the two-story house, echoing slowly down the steps. Adam’s eyes immediately turned to the second-floor balcony.

There, standing in the shadows near the open doorway, was a man.

The man stepped forward deliberately, as if he had all the time in the world. His clothes were worn, and he wore a ragged green coat that reached down to his knees.

His hair was unkempt and wild, as if he had not cared for it in many days. Long, stray strands of hair fell around his face, and his eyes, deep and dark green, held an unusual spark.

Dark circles lay under those eyes, and his nails were long and sharp, looking as if they could be used as weapons.

The man’s posture was a little hunched, yet he carried himself in a way that made it clear he was not to be taken lightly. His presence was heavy, and the air around him seemed to grow colder.

He looked first at Bryan, then around at the others. A slow smirk curled on his lips as he spoke in a low voice, his tone carrying a mixture of amusement and menace.

“What have you brought me?” he asked, his words drawing out in the quiet morning air.

For a moment, time seemed to stop. The soft rustle of the wind in the nearby trees was the only sound that filled the silence.

Adam’s eyes narrowed further as he continued to watch the mysterious man. Every muscle in his body was tense, ready to spring into action if needed. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, yet his face remained calm and steady.