Reaching Civilization – A Glimpse of the World
After hours of trekking through the forest, the group finally emerged onto a well-worn path. The trees opened up, revealing a long, dusty road that wound through low hills and eventually disappeared into the distance. For the first time since they had arrived in this strange world, Mellali and Hadjer saw signs of civilization.
Off in the distance, nestled between two rolling hills, was a small settlement—wooden buildings with thatched roofs, smoke rising lazily from chimneys, and a few people moving about in the streets. It wasn't a grand city, but it was a town. A place to rest, to gather their thoughts, and perhaps learn more about the world they had found themselves in.
"Welcome to Rivermouth," Serra said, her voice carrying a hint of relief as they approached the settlement. "It's small, but it's one of the few safe places in this area."
Hadjer glanced around, taking in the sight of the town. "Safe? From what?"
Orin snorted. "Safe from the usual dangers. Bandits, wild beasts, and, of course, cults like the one we just dealt with. This place is under the protection of the Fairy Tail Guild, so you won't find much trouble here—unless you're looking for it."
Mellali raised an eyebrow. "Fairy Tail? Like a guild of adventurers?"
Serra nodded. "Exactly. Rivermouth is a small town, but it's an outpost for the guild. They take contracts to hunt down monsters, deal with magical disturbances, and, in our case, eliminate cults tied to Cthulhu or other dark forces. If you're looking to get a better understanding of this world, this is a good place to start."
---
Entering the Town – A New World Unfolds
As they approached the entrance to Rivermouth, Mellali and Hadjer could feel the weight of their journey lift a little. The small town had a peaceful, rustic charm. A group of children ran by, laughing as they played in the streets, while an elderly man sat on a porch, carving wood with a practiced hand. The contrast between this quiet life and the chaos of the fight the night before was almost jarring.
Hadjer's shoulders visibly relaxed as they walked through the gates. "This place feels... normal."
Mellali nodded, sharing her sentiment. "Yeah, like nothing bad ever happens here."
But Orin, ever the cynic, shook his head. "Don't be fooled. Trouble finds its way here too. It just hasn't shown up yet."
Serra led the way toward the center of the town, where a large building stood—the guildhall. It was a sturdy structure, built from thick timber and stone, with the symbol of a winged creature emblazoned above the entrance. Mellali assumed this must be the insignia of the Fairy Tail Guild.
"We'll head in and get you both signed in with the guild," Serra said, her tone all business. "You're not full-fledged members yet, but you'll need some form of affiliation if you want to survive in this world. They can offer work, guidance, and protection."
---
Inside the Guildhall – Learning the Rules of the World
The inside of the guildhall was lively, filled with adventurers of all kinds—warriors, mages, rogues—all sharing stories of their exploits, bartering for supplies, or accepting contracts posted on a large board near the entrance. The air was thick with the smell of ale and roasted meat, and the sound of laughter and conversation filled the room.
Mellali and Hadjer exchanged a glance. This place was so different from the sterile, structured life they had come from. Here, everything felt chaotic but alive—people from all walks of life working together, surviving together.
Serra led them to a large desk near the back of the hall, where a stern-looking man with a grizzled beard sat, writing something in a massive ledger. He looked up as they approached, eyeing Mellali and Hadjer with mild curiosity.
"These two need to be signed in as affiliates," Serra said. "They're new but capable."
The man, who Mellali assumed was some sort of guild registrar, gave them a once-over before nodding. "Names?"
"Mellali Mohamed," Mellali said.
"Hadjer Alibida," Hadjer added, her voice soft but steady.
The man wrote their names down, his quill scratching against the parchment. "You'll need to meet with the guildmaster if you're looking to take any contracts. But for now, consider yourselves under the protection of Fairy Tail."
He handed them each a small bronze token with the guild's insignia. "This marks you as affiliates. It'll keep most trouble off your back while you're in town. Don't lose it."
---
Understanding Their New World
As they left the desk, Mellali pocketed the token, feeling its weight in his hand. It was small, but it felt significant. They were now part of something—however small that role might be.
Hadjer looked around, her eyes wide as she took in the scene. "This is... a lot to take in."
Mellali nodded, his mind racing. They had survived their first fight, gained some experience, and now they were standing in the middle of an adventurers' guild in a world they barely understood. It was overwhelming, but at the same time, it was an opportunity. They needed to learn the rules of this world, how things worked, what they could do to grow stronger—and how to survive.
Serra, noticing their dazed expressions, smirked. "It's a lot at first. But you'll get used to it. The guild is a good place to start if you want to learn more about the world. They've got knowledge about everything—monsters, magic, the history of this place."
Orin, standing off to the side, crossed his arms. "Yeah, and they've got plenty of work too. You'll have to prove yourselves if you want to get anywhere. No one's going to hand you anything for free."
Hadjer glanced at Mellali. "Do you think we're ready for this?"
Mellali shrugged, though a small smile tugged at his lips. "I don't know. But we're not turning back now."
---
The Guildmaster's Arrival
Before they could discuss anything further, the doors to a side room opened, and a tall, imposing figure stepped out—a woman with a commanding presence, clad in leather armor and a long, flowing cloak. Her eyes were sharp and focused, and her movements were fluid, like a predator watching her prey. She carried a staff, though not the kind Mellali had expected. It was intricately carved, with symbols that glowed faintly.
Serra straightened immediately. "Guildmaster Eryndra."
The guildmaster's eyes landed on Mellali and Hadjer, studying them with a keen intensity that made Mellali feel like she could see right through him.
"So," Eryndra said, her voice calm but authoritative, "you're the two newcomers Serra mentioned."
Mellali nodded, trying to keep his composure. "Yeah, that's us."
Eryndra's gaze was piercing. "You fought cultists, survived, and now you're here, asking to learn how to navigate this world."
Hadjer nodded, though Mellali could see the nervousness in her expression. "We... we don't know much about this place. We need to learn."
Eryndra nodded slowly, her eyes never leaving them. "You'll find no shortage of opportunities here, but know this: survival in this world is not just about strength. It's about knowledge, alliances, and knowing when to fight and when to walk away."
She glanced at Serra. "They're raw, but they have potential. Keep an eye on them."
Serra smirked. "Will do."
---
The Next Step – A New Beginning
As the guildmaster turned and walked away, Mellali felt a strange sense of relief and excitement. They had just taken their first steps into this world—into something bigger than they had ever imagined. There was so much to learn, so much to explore, but now they had a place to start.
Hadjer looked at him, her expression a mix of curiosity and determination. "So, what now?"
Mellali grinned, holding up the bronze token. "I guess we see what the guild has to offer."
A Suspicion Grows – Navigating an Unfamiliar World
As Mellali and Hadjer stood among the bustling adventurers in the guildhall, Mellali's mind raced. Something was off. The way Serra and the others kept talking—there was an odd emphasis on how they could "help them navigate this world." It felt... deliberate. Not just the town, not just the region, but this world. Why would they frame it like that unless they knew something?
Mellali's gaze flicked toward Eryndra, the guildmaster, who had already returned to her office, her sharp eyes leaving an impression on him. The way she looked at them—it wasn't just curiosity. It was like she could see something beneath the surface, as if she knew more than she let on. A heavy, unsettling feeling gnawed at him, and he couldn't shake it.
He glanced at Hadjer, who was still looking around, trying to take in everything. She seemed relieved to be here—safe, surrounded by people who offered guidance. But Mellali wasn't so sure.
They knew. He was almost certain of it now. The way they had spoken, the way they emphasized their help—this wasn't just a group of strangers offering sanctuary. There was something deeper, something unsaid.
---
The Argument – Mellali's Mistrust
As they moved to a quieter corner of the hall, Mellali leaned in, keeping his voice low. "Hadjer, we need to talk."
Hadjer turned to him, her expression softening slightly. "What is it?"
Mellali hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "Don't you think it's... weird? The way they talk about navigating this world? It's like they already know we're not from here."
Hadjer frowned, confused. "What are you talking about? They're just offering to help us, Mellali. We're in a world we don't understand—they probably say that to everyone."
Mellali shook his head, his brow furrowed. "No, it's more than that. They're not talking like we're just new adventurers. They're talking like they know. Like they know we don't belong here. Didn't you notice how they kept saying 'navigate this world'? Not this town. Not this region. This world."
Hadjer blinked, taken aback. "I mean... maybe. But you're reading too much into it. They're just trying to help."
Mellali's voice grew sharper, though he kept it quiet. "No. Think about it. Cthulhu warned us about outsiders. He said they kill people like us—people who aren't from here. And now these adventurers, these guild members, they keep talking like they know we're from another world. Doesn't that make you at least a little suspicious?"
Hadjer looked at him, a flicker of doubt crossing her face. "I... I don't know. Maybe you're right, but... Mellali, what if we're just being paranoid? We've been through a lot. We've fought cultists. We've been thrown into this world with no explanation. Maybe we're just overthinking things."
Mellali's jaw clenched, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Hadjer, I don't trust them. Not fully. They're hiding something, and I'm telling you, we need to be careful. I know you want to believe they're just good people trying to help, but people aren't always like that."
---
Cthulhu's Warning – A Bitter Truth
Mellali exhaled, the bitter memory of Cthulhu's voice still fresh in his mind.
"They kill people like you, mortal. Don't test their patience with your origins. You're not wanted here."
It wasn't just some mind game. It was a warning, and it felt true because it was too real. People fear what they don't understand. It didn't matter if they were from the same place or not. He'd seen it back in his own world—how people turned on each other over the smallest differences. It didn't matter if you lived on the same piece of land, worshiped the same gods, or even spoke the same language. People would always find a reason to exclude you, to treat you like you didn't belong.
And now, in this world, that truth was magnified. If these people ever found out they were from another world? The thought alone sent a chill down Mellali's spine. He didn't want to imagine how they'd react.
"I've seen it before," Mellali said quietly, the bitterness creeping into his voice. "People don't need much of a reason to turn on you. You don't even have to be from another world. All it takes is being different enough. Something they don't understand. Something that threatens their little bubble."
Hadjer's face softened, her eyes reflecting a mixture of sadness and uncertainty. "You're talking about... Your childhood, aren't you? Other kids hated you because you never tried to play along, just play. Be you, you were horrible at being fake."
Mellali winced. It wasn't something he liked talking about, but Hadjer was right. At some point, everybody was becoming the same, but not him. So he ended up alone, even after learning how to coexist with them. He was just more alone.
"Yeah," Mellali said softly. "I remember that day. I remember the way people looked at me, even if they didn't say it. They were scared. And that's what I think will happen here if they find out we're not from this world. I don't trust anyone, Hadjer. Not until we know more."
---
Hadjer's Resistance – The Need for Trust
Hadjer bit her lip, clearly torn. "I get it, Mellali, I do. But we're not in that world anymore. We're here, and we can't keep running from everyone. If we keep pushing people away, we'll end up alone. We need help. We need to learn. And these people can teach us."
Mellali shook his head, his voice more urgent now. "I'm not saying we can't learn from them. I'm saying we need to take what we can, learn what we can, and then get out before they figure out the truth. They can't know we're from another world. Not until we understand how things work here. It's too risky."
Hadjer looked away, her expression conflicted. "I don't want to believe everyone here is dangerous, Mellali. I want to believe we can trust someone."
Mellali's chest tightened at the sadness in her voice. He knew she wanted to believe in the goodness of people—that there were still allies in this world. But he also knew the cost of misplaced trust.
"I know you do," he said quietly. "And maybe, one day, we'll find people we can trust. But right now... we need to be smart. We need to survive."
---
A Bitter Reality
The room around them seemed to grow quieter, the weight of Mellali's words sinking in. The world they had entered was different, harsher, more dangerous than anything they had ever experienced. But the sad, bitter truth was that people, no matter what world they came from, could be cruel. Could be scared. Could see you as the other.
"People don't need to know you're from another world to hate you," Mellali muttered, his voice carrying a heavy sense of resignation. "They just need an excuse."
Hadjer's eyes shimmered with a kind of tired understanding. She knew what he was saying. She had seen it too, in the real world, how quickly people could turn against someone they didn't understand.
"Trust me on this," Mellali continued, his tone soft but insistent. "We take what we can. Learn what we can. But we don't trust them. We keep ourselves safe until we know more. We don't tell anyone we're from another world."
Hadjer stared at him for a long moment, her shoulders slumping slightly as she processed his words. Finally, she gave a small nod. "Okay. I trust you."
The sadness in her voice wasn't lost on Mellali, and it made his chest ache. He didn't want things to be this way, but he couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking a fine line. If they weren't careful, it could all come crashing down.
---
Moving Forward – A Plan
As they left their quiet corner and rejoined the adventurers, Mellali kept his expression neutral. He would play along, learn what he could, but he would always be watching. Listening. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, not when so much was at stake.
"Let's see what this guild has to offer," Mellali said softly, his eyes scanning the room. "But remember—we're not staying."
Hadjer nodded silently beside him, her expression thoughtful, though a hint of sadness still lingered. They had each other, and for now, that was all they needed.
But the bitter truth hung over them both: in this world, trust was a dangerous game.