Project Knightfall

“There really is a city here…” Nick muttered to himself.

After walking for about an hour, a city rose in the distance, surrounded by a sea of farmland that stretched in all directions. Crops swayed gently in the breeze, painting the fields in hues of green and gold, while the distant calls of farmers echoed across the landscape. Rows of wheat, corn, and vegetables dotted the countryside, with the occasional figure tending to the land, offering an odd contrast to the distant looming walls of the city.

Nick adjusted the hood of his black hoodie—a sleek, minimalist piece that fit snugly over his shoulders. The faint red accents along the seams gave it a subtle edge, though in this medieval fantasy world, the modern design would probably make him stand out just enough to attract the wrong kind of attention. It was the kind of outfit you’d wear if you didn’t want to look out of place back on Earth—but here, the combination of comfortable pants, running shoes, and a hoodie would definitely be odd.

Despite that, he wore it deliberately. He wanted to feel like himself, even in a world of magic and fantasy. And since he got the clothes from his wardrobe, they were indestructible, so they were better than any armor.

He glanced sideways at Ray, whose silver hair and mismatched eyes had been carefully concealed beneath the hood of a simple cloak he once used to cosplay an edgelord at an Anime convention. Of course, he didn’t consider the character to be an edgelord back then, but that’s normal for a cringy high schooler.

“Listen,” he said quietly, keeping his eyes forward. “When we get closer, I need you to follow a few rules for me.”

Ray tilted her head. “Rules?”

“No biting, no killing, no touching anything unless you tell me why first,” Nick said. “We’re stepping into a whole new situation, and things will get needlessly difficult if we turn ourselves into criminals on our first day in civilization.”

“I can control myself, you know.”

Nick scoffed. “No offense, but the way you fought that adventurer isn’t exactly inspiring any confidence.”

A faint grin tugged at the edge of her lips. “That was fun,” she admitted. “Then I’ll rephrase: I won’t do anything for now, so let’s find more bad guys later.”

“Sure, sure. This is a human city, so there’s bound to be all sorts of terrible people around.”

As they reached the city gates, Nick scanned the scene ahead. The walls were sturdy, not overly grand but well-maintained. There were a handful of guards stationed at the entrance, chatting idly among themselves. One in particular, a tall, broad-shouldered man with sandy brown hair and a disarmingly friendly smile, waved them forward. Despite his genial face, Nick noticed a distinct sharpness in his eyes.

“Morning, travelers!” he called out. “Name’s Rhett. You folks coming from somewhere nearby?”

Nick smiled politely. “We’ve, uh… been traveling for a while,” he said, keeping his voice casual. “Mostly just… wandering around.”

“Wandering, eh?” Rhett raised an eyebrow. “From where, exactly?”

Nick paused. He had little idea what the local geography was like, and making up random place names in this kind of situation was a bullshit tactic that should never actually work. Instead, he scratched the back of his neck, playing up the awkwardness. “Well, truth be told, we got a little turned around. Been out in the wilderness for longer than we planned, and I’m not great with directions.”

Rhett’s gaze flicked between Nick and Ray, his brow furrowing slightly. “You’re not from any of the nearby towns?”

“Not exactly,” Nick said, trying to keep his tone light. “We’ve been out in the woods near the mountains. Hunting, mostly. Picked up an odd job here and there while trying to figure out what the hell we’re doing, if I’m being honest.”

“Huh…” Rhett crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing slightly as they settled on Ray. “And what about her? She doesn’t seem too keen on showing her face. Something wrong?”

Nick felt a subtle tension from Ray beside him, though she remained silent. A bead of sweat trickled down the back of his neck as he imagined her losing control and attacking this man who was just doing his job. He needed to get past this quickly.

“She’s, uh… a little shy around strangers,” he said. “Doesn’t really like crowds or too much attention.”

Rhett didn’t look convinced, which was fair because Nick knew it was a weak excuse. “Shy? That doesn’t explain why she’s covered up like that. People tend to get nervous when they can’t see who they’re dealing with, especially this close to the border.”

Nick forced a laugh. “Yeah, I get it. But it’s true that she’s sensitive about her appearance. Had a rough run-in with some dangerous types a while back, and she’s been a bit self-conscious ever since.”

The guard’s gaze lingered on Ray a moment longer, and Nick could feel his heart thudding in his chest.

“Look,” he added, lowering his voice and leaning in slightly, “we’ve had a rough few months. She’s been through a lot, and I’m just trying to help her get back on her feet. I know you need to do your job, but please don’t add too much to her trauma…”

There was a pause, and Nick braced himself for more questions. But Rhett let out a soft sigh and leaned back, crossing his arms once more.
“I can’t say I haven’t seen my fair share of folks who’ve been through hard times,” he said, his tone softening a bit. “But understand, security’s tight here. We’ve had trouble with monsters trying to sneak in disguised as humans before. I can’t let just anyone walk through the gates without knowing who they are or where they’re coming from.”

Nick nodded, thinking quickly. “I get it. Honestly, we’re just looking for a place to rest up and find some work. Maybe even settle down for a bit. Is there an adventurer’s guild in town?”

“Adventurers? You do have a certain air about you…” The guard rubbed his chin, still eyeing them both carefully. “You’re not the first to come looking for that, though asking if there’s an Adventurer’s Guild in Cairel, of all places, tells me you really have no idea where you are.”

He chuckled. “Cairel’s not just any old city. It’s a military outpost first, adventuring town second. You two don’t seem like you’re from around here, so let me give you some advice.” His voice lowered, the friendly tone replaced by something sterner. “Keep your head down. Don’t start any trouble, and don’t go looking for it either. And by the gods, please come up with a better excuse. Or better yet, just say she dyed her hair silver and her eyes are the result of a unique trait.”

Nick couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head. “Noted. I’ll use that next time. Thanks for the tip.”

The guard’s posture remained professional. “Just keep your heads down. It’s better for everyone.”

Nick nodded. “We’re not looking for trouble. Just a place to rest and earn our keep. No heroics.”

Rhett studied him for a moment longer, then gave a short nod. “Alright, head on in. The adventurer’s guild is up ahead, past the market. You can’t miss the sign.”

“Thanks, Rhett,” Nick said while gesturing for Ray to follow.

As they walked through the gates, Nick leaned toward Ray and whispered. “Alright, rule number one of blending in: Nick probably has no idea, so we make it up as we go and pray it works.”

Her lips twitched in amusement, though she said nothing.

The noise hit them as soon as they passed through the gates. The streets were bustling with activity, vendors hawking their wares from colorful stalls that lined either side of the road. The air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread, roasted meats, and the tang of spiced ale. Farmers with carts of produce, craftsmen with displays of weapons and tools, and adventurers with rough-edged gear all moved with purpose, creating a chaotic but oddly harmonious atmosphere.

Nick glanced at Ray, whose hood still concealed her distinctive features. Despite her usual impassive demeanor, he noticed her head tilted slightly as if she were absorbing the sounds and smells around them.

“So far, so good,” he muttered, keeping his movements casual. He scanned the crowd, taking in the sheer variety of people. “At least we don’t stick out too much.”

Her lips curled upward. “This place is… lively.”

“There’s a lot of people, so we should be able to get to the guild without any trouble.”

They maneuvered through the crowd, dodging clusters of people and sidestepping carts full of goods. As they walked, Nick’s eyes wandered over the market stalls. One vendor displayed various fruits and vegetables, while another was selling what looked like monster hides and alchemical ingredients. A nearby stand had weapons for sale—basic iron swords, axes, and a variety of daggers, likely meant for travelers and mercenaries.

A group of children ran past, laughing as they chased each other through the narrow alleyways between the stalls. For a brief moment, the scene reminded Nick of home—though far less chaotic and less dystopian.

His attention was drawn to a nearby stall where a burly man was selling what looked like chunks of meat hanging from iron hooks. The sign above the stall read “Orc Jerky – Freshly Hunted!” and beside the display was a cage, inside of which sat a hulking orc, its green skin mottled with bruises. Its tusks were chipped, and its arms were bound by thick chains that rattled as it shifted uncomfortably.

Nick’s stomach churned at the sight, and he quickly turned his gaze away. “So eating humanoid monsters is normal…” he noted to himself.

Ray glanced in the direction of the cage, her crimson eye gleaming faintly from beneath her hood. “That green man is afraid. Why is he chained up like that? Did he do something wrong?”

He glanced at the orc again. He’d seen enough movies and read enough fantasy novels to guess the situation: “I guess monsters and humans aren’t on friendly terms in this world. The reason you need to hide your identity is to avoid ending up like that.”

“I wouldn’t let them put me in a cage,” Ray said quietly, her voice cold but calm. “I’ll rip apart anybody who tries.”

Nick smirked. “Sure, but that’s exactly the kind of behavior they probably use to justify this, so let’s avoid that if we can.”

He kept his smirk in place, but he couldn’t shake the unease that crept into his gut. Watching Ray stare at the orc was a reminder—she might look like a young, teenage girl, but there was something primal, dangerous, just beneath the surface. Something that might not be so easy to control if things got ugly.

“Let’s get moving,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “The faster we get to the guild, the better. We’ll get our bearings there and figure out what kind of place this really is.”

She didn’t respond immediately, her gaze lingering on the orc a moment longer before she finally turned away. As they continued walking, Nick kept his eyes forward, but his mind raced. He didn’t know much about this world’s history, but fantasy settings like these usually had a deeply rooted human-monster conflict. He wasn’t sure of the extent, yet, but it was already obvious that this world had one as well.

They passed more market stalls—vendors selling everything from fresh produce to enchanted trinkets. As they walked deeper into the city, the stalls gave way to sturdier buildings: blacksmith shops, general stores, and a few inns.

Eventually, the towering silhouette of a building with an unmistakable wooden sign came into view: a sword and shield crossed over each other, painted above the words “Adventurer’s Guild.”

The two simple words made his heart race and brought back all sorts of memories from his previous life. Back in simpler times, he would spend hours every day immersing himself in fantasy stories. One of the most frequently recurring elements across stories was the Adventurer’s Guild.

If his story here turned out anything like the ones he used to read, then this would be a special, hallowed place: the humble beginnings of many great men and women.

“Is this where we find more bad guys to hunt?” Ray asked.

Nick chuckled. “Depends on how lucky we get. Adventurer’s Guilds usually have job boards, so we might find something that lets you legally murder to your heart’s content.”

They reached the entrance of the guild, and Nick pushed open the door. The interior was a stark contrast to the bustling streets outside. It was lively but in a more subdued way. Adventurers of all kinds—warriors, hunters, mages—sat at wooden tables, sharing drinks and stories. A few glanced their way as they entered, but most paid them no mind.

Nick scanned the room, his eyes landing on the front desk where a stern-looking woman in her thirties was flipping through paperwork. She glanced up at them, her eyes narrowing slightly at Ray’s hooded figure, but said nothing as they approached.

“Morning,” Nick greeted with a polite smile. “We’re new in town. Looking to register as adventurers.”

The woman raised an eyebrow but nodded. “We can handle that. Names?”

Nick hesitated, realizing that he hadn’t considered whether they should use aliases. Before he could decide, Ray piped up, her voice soft but clear.

“Ray.”

The woman scribbled something down before glancing at Nick expectantly.

“Nick,” he said, keeping it simple. “We’re just looking for some work, and maybe to get a feel for the place.”

She flipped through a stack of parchment and handed them each a small form. “Fill these out. Once you’re registered, you can take jobs from the board. If you’re serious about sticking around, you might consider joining or forming an official party. You’ll need at least four people to take higher-level contracts.”

Nick nodded, taking the form and glancing at the questions before filling out what he could and was willing to reveal:

Adventurer Registration Form:

• Required:
  • Name: Nick
  • Age: 26
  • Skills: Fireball, Execute
• Optional:
  • Current Stats: —
  • Known Titles or Achievements: N/A
  • Previous Guild or Party Affiliation: N/A
  • Bounty or Criminal Record: N/A
  • Magic Limitations or Known Curses: N/A
  • Preferred Contract Types: Combat or Support
  • Emergency Contact or Next of Kin: N/A

He finished his form and pushed it toward the receptionist. She took the form and examined the contents closely. While he waited, he glanced at Ray’s form out of curiosity and almost had a heart attack when he saw what she wrote:

Adventurer Registration Form:

• Required:
  • Name: Ray
  • Age: 7602
  • Skills: Vampiric Bite, Immortal Body, Immortal Mind, Immortal Soul
• Optional:
  • Current Stats: Mind is 15. Body says NaN for some reason. Soul is 15.
  • Known Titles or Achievements: First Sin
  • Previous Guild or Party Affiliation: I don’t know.
  • Bounty or Criminal Record: Not yet, probably.
  • Magic Limitations or Known Curses: I lost my memory.
  • Preferred Contract Types: Killing bad guys.
  • Emergency Contact or Next of Kin: Nick.

He nearly choked on his own breath as he read her form. “Ray,” he whispered sharply, his voice barely audible. She looked up, eyes wide in what seemed to be innocent curiosity. “You wrote a bit too much.”

“It’s all true, though,” she replied.

Nick ran a hand through his hair, trying to keep cool. ‘A little bit too true…’ he wanted to say, but he didn’t want to draw too much attention. He needed to fix this, quickly. He shot a quick glance at the receptionist whose attention was conveniently pulled away by an adventurer approaching the counter. Quietly, he moved his fingers to the corner of Ray’s form. Whispering under his breath, “Fireball,” a small flame sparked at the tip of his finger, quickly burning the corner of the paper.

The flame licked up the side of the parchment, and Nick carefully waved it back and forth, making it look like an accident.

“Oops!” he said louder than necessary, giving a sheepish grin to the receptionist. She barely glanced their way.

Ray tilted her head as she watched her form catch fire. “You could have just asked me to rewrite it,” she said.

Nick gave her a pointed look. “Next time, write something that won’t get us killed.”

She shrugged, unfazed. “Fine. But I don’t want to lie. Lying is wrong.”

“You can’t write your real age down. And ‘killing bad guys’ isn’t a preferred contract type.”

Ray blinked, looking genuinely confused. “Why not?”

Nick exhaled, keeping his voice low. “Because as far as these people are concerned, we are probably considered ‘the bad guys’.”

Her smile faltered briefly, but then she gave a small nod. “Okay, got it. Next time, I’ll try to be more subtle.”

“Sure…” Nick muttered as he turned back to the desk.

The receptionist, now looking in their direction, raised an eyebrow at the smoldering remains of Ray’s form. “Uh… Everything alright?”

Nick flashed a grin. “All good! My friend here just had a little trouble filling out the form. But don’t worry, I’ll help her this time.”

She gave him a skeptical glance but nodded. “Right. Just make sure you fill it out properly this time. And no more of that funny business with the Fireball spell, alright?”

Nick’s grin stiffened slightly, but he kept his tone light. “Of course, no more funny business. My bad.”

The receptionist slid another form toward Ray and went back to organizing the pile of paperwork at her side. Nick grabbed the new form, turning to Ray with a sigh. “Alright, let’s simplify things this time. Your name, a believable age, and that’s it.”

She stared at him blankly for a moment. “What’s a believable age for me?”

Nick examined her for a moment before answering. “16.”

“Wouldn’t that be dishonest?”

He sighed. “We can talk about ‘integrity’ later. Right now your choice is between honesty and being alive.”

She blinked, as if considering his words, before nodding. “Fine, I’ll write down something they can handle.”

Ray wrote her name and age on the form and quickly passed it forward. She was so fast that Nick didn’t quite see what she wrote.

The receptionist retrieved the form and glanced at it before furrowing her brows. She studied Ray with a critical eye. “You’re 76?”

Nick let out a little cough to hide his shock. He had to stop himself from glaring at Ray, whose expression remained perfectly serene as if she hadn’t just written down something completely absurd.

The receptionist raised an eyebrow, her disbelief clear in her eyes. “You don’t look a day over 20, to be honest. 76? Really?”

Nick forced a smile, leaning in slightly. “Uh, yeah… she’s got one of those… youthful complexions, you know? Good genes and a better skincare routine.”

She gave him a flat look, clearly not buying it. “Right. And I suppose next you’ll tell me she drinks some kind of magical elixir to stay young? Or is it a black magic ritual where she drinks the blood of orphans?”

Ray chimed in. “That sounds yummy. Do you sell those here?”

The receptionist smirked. “What, magic elixirs, or orphans?”

Nick pinched the bridge of his nose, suppressing the urge to groan. “No, no elixirs or… orphans. Look, she’s just…really bad with numbers. Dyscalculia, you know? It’s a condition.”

Her eyebrows climbed higher. “Dys…what now?”

“Never mind.” Nick waved it off with a dismissive chuckle. “Just put her down as 16.”

She eyed them both for a long moment before sighing and scribbling something on the form. “Alright, fine. 16 it is.” She stamped the form with a final thud. “Welcome to the Adventurer’s Guild. Do try to keep the drama to a minimum, please.”

Nick offered a short nod of thanks. “Before we head out, could you direct us to where Ray might learn some combat skills?”