New Town

I handed Jasmine my shirt to cover herself, then we left the hill as the sun set. Before us lay a vibrant town brimming with activity. Somehow, we could read and understand the language here. People wore diverse outfits in vibrant colors, perfect for the hot summer night. Lanterns illuminated the streets, giving the town a welcoming, festive feel.

Jasmine, despite our ordeal, couldn't resist exploring. She dragged me through shops, trying on jewels and clothes. Her frugal nature showed, but I thought it was a waste of time since we had no money and needed to find a place to sleep. She teased me, calling me a nerd who didn't understand women's interests.

We entered a perfume shop, where the owner, an old woman wearing fine garments and a crystal above her head, greeted us. Jasmine struck up a conversation and tried a few perfumes, asking for my opinion. I was uninterested and said I didn't like any of them. Eventually, Jasmine found one she liked, but we had no money.

As we were about to leave, the old woman asked us to stay. "Wait, young ones. I can see you are not from around here."

"Our clothes make us stick out," I said.

She nodded knowingly. "Ah, but it's more than that. I know you are from another world."

Her words struck us both with surprise, interest, and apprehension. Jasmine's eyes widened, and I felt a knot tighten in my stomach.

"What do you mean, another world?" Jasmine asked, her voice trembling slightly.

The woman smiled gently, her eyes filled with wisdom. "Come with me. There is much you need to understand."

She led us to a backroom, and we hesitantly followed. She took the crystal ball off her head and placed it on a table. "I am a medium," she began softly. "Every now and then, otherworlders like you find their way into this realm. The last time was over 150 years ago. It is not widely known, more of an urban legend. But I sense great power and purpose in your arrival."

"We don't have any money," I said, the reality of our situation weighing heavily on me.

She waved away my concern with a graceful hand. "Jasmine, stay close to John. In this world, otherworlders must stick together. There is a strength in you, John, a potential that must be nurtured. As for you, Jasmine, the timing is significant. This is a fertile night for you, you should use it well. Your bond with John will be your anchor."

Jasmine flushed with embarrassment. The old woman continued, her tone more urgent. "Your mother and sister, along with others you know, have also been brought here."

"Where are they?" I asked, my voice tight with urgency.

"They are separated," she said gravely. "Your mother is in the forest you escaped from, and your sister is in a castle to the north."

I stood up, determined. "We have to go back to the forest."

The old lady's expression turned stern. She chanted softly, and batons of light pinned me to the ground. "You know nothing of this world. To rush back now would be to court ****. Go to 'Fairy Tail' first. Learn, grow stronger, and only then seek your loved ones. This world is fraught with danger and wonder alike. Prepare yourselves, and you will prevail."

Helpless and frustrated, I realized we had **** but to follow her advice.

We left the old woman's shop in an awkward silence, the weight of her words hanging heavily between us. Jasmine walked beside me, uncharacteristically quiet, not once asking to stop and look at the shops. Her earlier enthusiasm had vanished, replace by the cringe of it all. Was she still thinking about what she said about having sex tonight?

Eventually, we found the inn the old woman had mentioned. A wooden sign swung gently above the entrance, adorned with the name "Fairy Tail" in elegant script.

Pushing open the door, we stepped inside. The inn was bustling with activity, filled with people talking, eating, and drinking. We approached the front desk, where a kindly-looking woman greeted us.

"Welcome to Fairy Tail. How can I help a happy couple?" she asked with a friendly smile.

I hesitated before replying, "We were told to come here. We... we need a place to stay."

We stepped into the bustling inn, the warm light and lively chatter a stark contrast to our uneasy silence. As we approached the front desk, a woman with a kind smile greeted us.

She nodded and quoted a price in the local currency. I had no idea how much it was, but it sounded exorbitant. My heart sank as I awkwardly tried to explain, "We don't have any money right now."

Before she could respond, a group of men sitting at a nearby table started whistling at Jasmine. Their leers and crude remarks cut through the air.

"Hey there, beautiful!" one of them called out. "Why don't you ditch the broke loser and come join us?"

"Yeah," another chimed in, his eyes raking over Jasmine's body. "A man should provide for a woman. We'd be happy to take care of you if you agree to be a good little girl for us."

I felt a surge of anger and protectiveness. Jasmine's face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger, but she didn't respond to their taunts.

The men got more excited, their jeers growing louder. One of them, a burly guy with a smug grin, stood up and sauntered over. Before I could react, he slapped Jasmine's ass, making her yelp.