"When your inherited skills awaken, you could connect with some of our ancestors. You may see their memories, learn a new language or even talk to them. It is different for each person. When it happens, just stay calm and there is no need to be afraid, okay?" Bob reassured his children about what might happen.

  "Okay." Adrian and Winnie nodded.

  "Even though they're our ancestors, many of them don't believe in Goddess Liliana. So, oo Goddess Liliana, they would be considered demons." said Bob. "That is another reason why they are targeting Mom and us."

  "So, remember, don’t tell anyone about the other religions or our inherited skills, alright?"

  "Alright!" Adrian and Winnie responded firmly, understanding the gravity of the situation.

  "Now, let me go back to your question, Winnie sweetie. Why is N calling himself a demon? To be honest with you, I am not entirely sure, but I have a pretty good guess. There are certain individuals who believe in the freedom of communicating with their ancestors; and unlike many other religions, they refer to themselves as demons in the Kingdom. I have not seen any news articles about them. However, during my military days, I heard rumors that they were attempting to overthrow the Kingdom and the Church." Bob explained. "I suspect N might be one of them."

  "Is talking to our ancestors like talking to Grandpa and Grandma?" Winnie asked, seeking clarification.

  "You’re right, Winnie." said Bob. "Adrian, in my absence, please look after your mom and Winnie."

  "Got it Dad. I promise." Adrian answered with determination.

  After the talk, Bob tucked the children in for the night, giving each of them a gentle goodnight kiss. Then, he went to his bedroom to join Tiffany.

  "Why did you tell the children about the family's secrets?" Tiffany asked with concern.

  "Nothing, I just felt that it was the right time. They are old enough to keep secrets." Bob tried to explain, looking confused. He wasn't too sure himself.

  "This reminds me of the time right before the final battle." Tiffany was worried. "It is as if you knew that something bad would happen; and you would try to prepare for it."

  "Yes, I remember."

  "You might process a danger-sensing Inherited Passive Skill. We must exercise caution on this journey. Let’s not use the Levitation spell to conserve our Mana." Tiffany suggested.

  "Sounds good." Bob nodded.

  On the next day, the family continued their journey north after a quick breakfast. To avoid encounters with knights, they decided to take a more secluded path. This path lay inside a valley of lush forest with a gentle river flowing alongside to their right. Without the rush and haste from speeding through the Levitation spell, the family conserved their energy and took their time enjoying the scenery. Along the way, they frequently stopped to clear overgrown underbrush obstructing their path. There were also debris from landslides blocking the way, which explained why the path was now abandoned.

  "Should we turn around?" Adrian commented on the huge chunk of mud and rock, three meters tall, that blocked their way.

  "No need." Bob walked to the front from the last wagon, raised his arm, and chanted. "Divine Spell: Sink."

  The ground slightly shook, and the debris sank into the ground as if it were a bottomless swamp.

  "Let's go." Tiffany signaled Adrian as Bob returned to his wagon, as if it was not a big deal. Having attended school and studied in a typical countryside elementry school, Adrian felt his common sense being twisted by his parents.

  After the sun reached its peak, the oppressive humidity and sweltering temperature baked the family with a suffocating heat.

  "Mom, I'm melting! Can you please cast the Cold Wind spell?" Adrian flapped his shirt repeatedly, driving the second wagon.

  "Not right now, sweetie. We should conserve our Divine Power. Why don't you use a folded paper fan? Winnie, can you grab one from the box you're sitting on and hand me one as well?" Tiffany said, feeling hot herself.

  "Hey Winnie, can I get one too?" Bob called out from the rear wagon.

  "Alright!" Winnie replied.

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  The family continued to travel. At around 3pm, which was the hottest time of the day, Tiffany suddenly proposed, "It's Sunday, after all! Shall we take a break and enjoy a swim?" She noticed that everyone, including herself, had been very stressed in the last few days. So, she made up an excuse to relax with her family.

  "Yay!" The children shouted in excitement; Bob smiled.

  They found a flat piece of land on the side of the river and parked their wagons there. After setting up camp, the family changed into bathing suits. Tiffany and Winnie changed into one piece swimsuits with attached skirts for modesty. Bob and Adrian changed into swim trunks.

  It was October, nearing the end of the rain season. The river sparkled with crystal-clear water. The riverbank was relatively shallow with a sandy bottom. The middle of the river had a U-shaped bottom, and was much deeper. Since the family was on the west side of the river and it was in the afternoon, the scorching sun was nicely covered up by the trees on the west river bank, and the family reveled in the cool shade beneath the trees.

  Adrian and Winnie's first game involved digging a hole in the riverbank, which became deep and wide enough for Winnie to sit in. Then, Adrian dug a water channel that directed the river water into the hole. "Kekeke." Winnie giggled inside the hole as cold water filled it up. Tiffany was sitting submerged in the water, watching the children from about ten feet away. Bob was floating on the water facing up, relaxing and slowly swimming against the water current. After playing with the sand for an hour, the area was decorated by sand castles, mounds, and holes. Next, Tiffany and Bob engaged in exhilarating swimming races with the children. The kids had learned to swim at the tender age of six. As a result, they were proficient in swimming.

  Around 5pm, Bob took out a fishing net, expertly caught some fish and released some back to the river. "We only take from nature what we need." As a farmer, this is what he had always taught the children.

  Bob cleaned the fish on the river side while the rest of the family washed up. While Bob showered, Tiffany prepared dinner as the children washed and hanged everyone's swim gears. Dinner consisted of a hearty fish soup, steamed fish, and a side of pan-fried vegetables. The fish tasted exceptionally delectable due to their freshness. Following dinner, Adrian and Winnie devoted some time to practicing their Divine Spells before retiring for the night.

  On the forth day of the journey, the family continued to move north beside the river in the valley. The path led them to cross the river through a wooden bridge. The river thus switched from their right side to left. It was a nice change because the blazing sun was now nicely covered up by the trees on their east side. After lunch, the weather became cloudy and the wind was getting cooler, which was a welcoming change to the family after a hot day.

  Around 2pm, as the family continued moving north, the river divided into north-flowing and east-flowing branches. The east-flowing branch of the river obstructed their path, providing a challenge to their northbound quest. They followed the river and discovered a wooden bridge for crossing around 3pm.

  As they traveled, the wind grew increasingly stronger, causing the trees in the forest to sway noticeably. Many dried leaves were blown off the trees, swirling around inside the valley like miniature whirlwinds.

  "It looks like a storm is coming. With the river water level so high even before the rain, the road is going to flood. We need to find higher ground." Bob told Tiffany from the back wagon with a sense of urgency.

  Tiffany, driving the front wagon, said, "Got it!" She had been searching for a path to move uphill. Unfortunately, this secluded mountain trail was not charted on the map, leaving them to explore by instinct and observation alone.

  Bob and Tiffany decided to keep moving past 5pm in search of a path leading to higher ground. Unfortunately, their search was futile; because of the horses and the wagons, they were confined to the road and could not venture into the forest. At around 7pm, as the dusk descended, the sky turned purple and welcomed the darkness of the night.

  "I guess we have no choice but to exert some Divine Power." Tiffany remarked.

  Bob leapt off from the driver's seat, placed his hands on the ground, and incanted, "Divine Spell: Stone Platform."

  The ground shook violently as an area the size of a football field raised up. Falling trees around the area grumbled as the sand and mud underneath them were utilized for the platform. The family's wagons were elevated by about four meters.

  Bob and Tiffany then said, "Divine Spell: Stone House." Bob made a sturdy house and a stable to shelter the family and their horses from the wind, while Tiffany made a mini-watchtower. The couple literally built a mini but sturdy military fortress.

  The clouds finally unleashed their torrent after midnight, deluging the landscape

  In case of emergencies, the couple decided that getting enough sleep is crucial in this journey. They made a military-like sleeping schedule since the previous night. Tiffany's sleeping hours were from 2100-0300, while Bob's were from 0300-0900. Tonight, they set up camp late. So, in order to keep the schedule, they had a quick dinner and skipped their shower.

  Unbeknownst to them, the couple transitioned into their military operational mindset. Their actions became sharper, quicker, and they were less tolerant of inefficiency. More importantly, their gentle and warm smiles were replaced by stern, resolute expressions. Both Adrian and Winnie noticed the change in their parents.

  In the middle of the night, while Tiffany was sleeping, Bob was outside in a watchtower, watching the night. Adrian and Winnie were preparing to sleep after playing with toys. Winnie turned to Adrian with anxiety. "Mom and Dad seem to be very nervous. I am scared. Is something going to happen?"

  Abruptly, a thunder burst exploded in the sky, flashing the windows and shocking the children. Winnie jumped and held on to Adrian's arm. Adrian was scared and nervous also. There was a heavy feeling in his chest that he couldn't explain. He did his best to comfort his sister.

  "Don't worry, sis. Dad and Mom are here. They will keep us safe." Adrian resolved himself to comfort Winnie. "Your big brother is here too and I will protect you. There is no need to be scared."

  By saying that, Adrian was trying to comfort himself as well. "Why don't we play some more games before we go to bed?" he said in an attempt to distract Winnie from her anxiety with another game.

  "Okay!" Winnie answered as another thunderclap shook the children.