The scent of grilled meat and campfire smoke filled the air as Rehan and Zaydan followed a soldier through the wooden gates of the outpost. The place was buzzing — adventurers sharpening weapons, mages reading grimoires, mercenaries arm-wrestling over drinks. This was no ordinary village. It was a frontline station — a place where survival and strength were currency.
Inside a modest command tent reinforced with stone runes and leather drapes, a man sat cross-legged on a thick rug. He wore light armor over casual cotton, his beard trimmed, and a Five Star chocolate bar half-unwrapped in his hand.
"Captain Gael Arkwright," the soldier announced.
"Yeah, yeah, I heard them walk in." Gael took another bite and grinned lazily. "Sit, boys. You don't look like bandits, but you sure don't look like locals either."
Zaydan and Rehan took their seats across from him, trying to act natural. Rehan nudged Zaydan with his elbow.
Gael raised an eyebrow. "Let's make this easy. Who are you? Where are you from? And why do your clothes look like... uh, silk pajamas mixed with battle robes?"
Zaydan took a deep breath. "We're commoners, Captain. From a distant town—India, in a kingdom called Earth."
Gael blinked. "Earth? Never heard of it."
"We're...far out," Rehan added quickly. "Almost forgotten by the map. Our town was attacked by demons a few days ago. Panic everywhere. And then this man—he chanted some weird incantation, and poof—we woke up in that forest."
"We tried to find our way out," Zaydan continued, "but we were attacked by a fox."
Gael tilted his head. "A fox? That's it?"
"Well, at first, it was small. Then it grew larger... then antlers sprouted... and then wings."
Gael paused mid-bite. "...That's not a fox, lads. That's a Vulmare. A rare mana-beast."
Rehan nodded nervously. "We barely survived. Used up all the stored mana we had brought from home. When the smoke cleared, there was a man in white robes. He knocked us out. That's all we remember."
Gael leaned back, still chewing slowly, eyes watching them with relaxed suspicion.
"And your names?"
"Zaydan."
"Rehan."
"And what did you say your town was again?"
"India," Zaydan replied smoothly. "Small but peaceful. We even ran a small trade business. Sold... exotic spices and, uh, battle manuals."
Rehan joined in. "I was one of the town's best duelists. Beat twenty men once with a broomstick. Not bragging, though."
Gael chuckled. "Right. And I'm a unicorn with tax problems."
Zaydan laughed nervously.
The captain stood, brushing crumbs from his armor. "Well, Earth boys, you're in luck. This land may be dangerous, but it's not heartless. There are guilds in the nearby city — Adventurer, Merchant, Mercenary, Healer... they help people like you. Build up, gain status, survive."
He handed them a small scroll with a map. "You'll find the city of Lydenport just east of here. Show this to the city guards. It'll let you in."
Zaydan bowed slightly. "Thank you, Captain. We'll make our name."
"I'm sure you will," Gael said, smirking. "Oh, one more thing." He gestured to a nearby soldier. "Captain Ryn, follow them quietly. Let's see if our 'Earth traders' are full of truth or just full of hot air."
The boys exited the tent, chatting casually. Rehan whispered, "You think he bought it?"
Zaydan smiled. "Enough to give us a start. That's all we need."