Threads of Dawn

The morning air carried the scent of damp moss and crackling pinewood as Rurik stirred the stew pot over the dying campfire. Birds chirped in the swaying cedars above, shafts of sunrise breaking through drifting mist.  “Eat up, twig boy,” Rurik grumbled, handing Kaen a bowl heaped with thin broth and tubers. “We’ve a long walk to town, and your scrawny arms won’t carry their own weight without breakfast.”Kaen pouted dramatically. “Says the dwarf whose belly jiggles like pudding.”Rurik growled, flicking his beard. “This belly weighs more than your entire ribcage.”
Across the small clearing, Reina tied her braid neatly and packed away salves into her satchel. Shin sat on a folded blanket nearby, silently sipping warm broth. The steam rose into his dirt-smeared face, soothing his chapped lips with its earthy aroma.  
Kael finished strapping his sword to his back and glanced down at Shin. “How’s your leg?”Shin flinched slightly. He bent and touched the faintly bruised skin below his knee. The healer’s magic had closed the worst tears, but dull throbs still pulsed with each movement.  
“It…still aches but I can walk,” he said quietly.“Good,” Kael replied. “We’re moving out. Don’t fall behind.”They left the camp behind, weaving through mossy trails lined with whispering ferns and giant cedars. Birds darted above, flickers of emerald and gold against the endless forest canopy. Wind rustled through high branches, carrying scents of damp wood, wildflowers, and faint river mist.Shin limped slightly, using the rusted sword as a walking stick. Each step sent jolts of pain up, but he forced himself onward. I must keep up… I can’t be a burden…
I’m… really in another world. A world with swords, magic… monsters…He glanced up briefly. Ahead, Kael moved with silent precision, each step balanced, hand resting lightly on his sword hilt. Reina walked beside him, humming softly under her breath, moss-green robes swaying with each step. Rurik and Kaen bantered at the rear, their laughter echoing among the trees.  
It felt unreal. Like he’d stepped into one of those fantasy light novels on bookstore shelves… except here, his life was on the line with every breath.By noon, the forest path widened into a dirt road flanked by crooked fences and small farm plots. Rows of cabbages, purple root vegetables, and stalks of wheat bent under warm winds.  
In the distance, stone walls rose against the horizon, banners fluttering atop square towers. Wooden houses clustered around the outer gates, smoke curling lazily from their chimneys. Beyond them, tilted rooftops stacked along gentle hill like layered scales. Distant bells chimed, mingling with calls of street vendors drifting on the breeze.Shin’s eyes widened as they approached the gates. Lines of merchants, farmers with donkey carts, and wandering adventurer's queued under armoured guards. Colourful cloth stalls spilled into the roadside, displaying baskets of dried herbs, cured meats, and rusted weapon scraps.  
So… this is a town in Neverland…He felt a cold emptiness bloom in his chest. Everything looked so normal… and he was just an outsider. A boy with nothing – no money, no skill, no place in this world.Inside the gates, crowds bustled along stone-paved streets. The air reeked of roasted meat smoke, horse dung, stale ale, and sweet bread. Tavern signs creaked overhead, children
weaved between carts, and armoured adventurer's argued over quests in front of a giant wooden notice board.   Reina tugged Shin gently toward a clothing vendor shaded under patched canvas.  “Your uniform… it stands out too much,” she murmured softly. “Wait here.”He hesitated as she sifted through folded tunics and trousers.  “Here.” She held up a dark-grey cloak with a high collar and deep hood. “Try this on. Over there.”Shin blinked as she nudged him behind a hanging sheet used as a makeshift changing screen. The fabric smelled of dust and wind.  He slipped off his torn blazer and pulled on the cloak. The coarse wool itched slightly, but it draped down to his calves and hid his blood-stained uniform entirely. He stepped out awkwardly.Reina smiled, eyes soft. “It suits you.”
“… Thank you… Reina-san…” He clutched the collar. Its warmth felt comforting – like a barrier between him and the world’s cold stares.  “Wearing that, you have no excuse to die on us.” Her tone was teasing, but her eyes held unwavering seriousness.Further down the street, they stopped at a blacksmith stall. Rusted daggers, chipped iron swords, and gleaming steel longswords hung from wooden racks. The heat of the nearby forge radiated across packed earth, making Shin’s skin prickle.  

Kael gestured to the rows of simple short swords. “Choose one.”Shin blinked. “Eh…?” “You’re defenceless with that broken stick,” Kael said calmly, nodding at the rusted sword in Shin’s grip. “If you’re walking with us, at least carry a blade that won’t snap when a goblin sneezes at it.”
Shin swallowed hard and approached the weapons rack. His gaze drifted along simple short swords, their edges honed to clean silver. Finally, his fingers hovered over a short sword with a black leather grip and plain steel guard. No flashy engraving, no polished gems – just balanced weight and honest steel.  Kael raised an eyebrow. “That one, huh?”“… it feels right,” Shin whispered.“Good instincts.” Kael nodded once. “Can you show me your stance?” “M-My… stance…?” Kael crossed his arms. “Hold it like an enemy stand before you.”
Shin hesitated, then raised the blade clumsily, feet too close together, knees locked. Kael sighed, stepped forward, and nudged his left foot back, rotated his hips, adjusted his grip. “Again.”  Shin repeated the stance. His shoulders aligned, elbows tucked, blade level. His heart beat faster – a flicker of pride sparked in his chest. “Horizontal cut,” Kael ordered.Shin swung. The blade wobbled mid-swing. Kael reached out, guiding his wrist and elbow.“Power comes from here,” Kael tapped his tightened core, “not your arms alone.” Shin tried again. The blade hissed cleanly through air. Kael gave a single, short nod.  “Better. You’ve got potential.”
As they walked toward the guild, Shin gathered his courage.  “Kael… Reina… can I join your team…? Kael looked at him, unreadable grey eyes calm. “Why?” “I… I want to learn,” Shin continued softly. “How to survive… how to fight. Even if I’m useless now, I… don’t want to stay like this. I can’t. ”Reina smiled softly.“ I think it’s a good idea.”Finally, Kael sheathed his newly oiled sword and said quietly, “Learn fast. We’re not babysitters.”
Rurik snorted, scratching his beard. “Hah. But we don’t leave cubs to die either.”Kaen grinned and clapped Shin lightly on the back, nearly knocking him over. “Welcome aboard, rookie.”Shin bowed his head deeply. “Thank you… I’ll do anything to keep up.”
As they walked back into the bustling street, a loud voice carried across the market square.  “-I’m telling you; a demon beast was spotted near the western forest again. Black scales, glowing eyes – two caravans vanished this week alone!” “Bah, probably bandits,” another man scoffed. “Demon beasts don’t roam this close to town without reason.”Shin’s chest tightened at the words. Demon beast… like that serpent in the forest? His fingers curled unconsciously around his new sword hilt.  They walked toward the outer tavern district as sunset dyed the town rooftops in molten gold. Long shadows stretched across market stalls now closing for the night. Somewhere, a flute player’s notes drifted like smoke above murmuring crowds.  They reached a tall timber building reinforced with iron bands. A carved sign above read: Adventurer’s Guild.
Inside, warriors sat at tables oiling weapons or boasting of hunts. A massive quest board dominated one wall, parchment requests pinned in chaotic rows. The air smelled of oil, ale, and dusty parchment.  At the counter, the receptionist – a woman with short black hair and sleepy golden eyes – stamped a rough parchment and handed Shin a thin copper tag engraved with his name. its edges were worn and cool under his fingertips.Kael gestured to a pinned quest notice.  “There’s a demon beast quest that people were talking about outside. Difficult job for a beginner and for us too but we’ll go tomorrow.”Shin’s stomach twisted with dread, but Kael’s next words calmed it slightly.“Stay behind me. Don’t get yourself killed.”“… Y-Yes…” Shin whispered, clutching his tag tightly.  
Mom… Airi… I don’t know how I ended up here. But if I want to keep my promise… I must survive. I have to fight… even if my legs tremble.Fear coiled in his stomach like ice, but… alongside it flickered a fragile spark.> Even if this world rejects me… I won’t reject myself.  A sword in his hand. Companions at his side. A place – however fragile – to stand in this world.
For the first time since awakening in Neverland, Shin felt his heart whisper:  > Maybe… I can survive here.