Chapter 4 - A Night at the Hazy Inn

Luna couldn't contain her joy at the sight of the bustling city. "Hey, why don't we look around, Edward?" she suggested with enthusiasm.

"Alright, I'll be with you in a moment," Edward replied. As he took a step, something was triggered, and he felt it, causing him to pause.

"Hey! Why did you pause again?" Luna inquired, a hint of impatience in her voice.

"N-Nothing, nothing at all. Let's continue," Edward stammered, his focus still divided.

As they explored the city, they encountered a diverse array of beings—people, demi-cats, and individuals with horns on their heads.

"Hey, Luna," Edward began, "Why don't we find an Inn to stay the night and talk about our situation later?"

Luna's face lit up with a smile. "Sure!" she replied, her eagerness evident. Edward couldn't help but return her smile.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, both of them were momentarily lost, feeling like children in this new and wondrous place. Their momentary lapses into childish wonder were in contrast to their adulthood.

"Why don't we go ask someone?" Edward suggested, his tone slightly embarrassed.

Luna agreed, equally bashful. "Yeah, sure."

Approaching a nearby citizen, Edward inquired, "Uhmm, hey there. By any chance, do you know of any Inns around here?"

The citizen responded, "Oh yeah, uhh, take a straight path and then turn left when you see a Saloon having a Elves sculptured on their post. Keep going until you find an Inn named 'Hazy Inn.' I recommend trying the pork chop dinner there; it's delicious and filling."

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"Thanks," Edward replied. "Here, take this."

The citizen waved off his offer. "Nah, it's just directions. Anyway, good luck!" With that, he went on his way.

"What a weird guy," both Edward and Luna mused silently. "Anyway, let's just go," Edward suggested.

Following the directions given, they eventually reached the Hazy Inn. The moon, visible through the inn's entrance, provided a marker for the night, even if it couldn't offer details about the month and year.

Upon entering, they encountered an odd scene—drunken patrons, raucous laughter, and a woman singing a song that was an assault on the ears of her unfortunate crewmates. The noisy crowd failed to notice their arrival, but when Edward muttered "Awesome" to himself, the entire room fell silent, with every eye fixed on him.

Edward and Luna were now the center of attention, pierced by the collective gaze of the inn's patrons. Disregarding the odd situation, Edward made his way to the counter, and Luna followed closely.

"Congrats for passing the test!" the lady at the counter announced. Suddenly, the lively atmosphere returned, as if nothing strange had happened.

The lady inquired, "Would you guys like to stay at the Inn? And for how long will you be staying?"

Edward replied, "Depending on the circumstances, it may be extended, but for now, 2 rooms and 3 nights, would that do?"

"Certainly. That will be 30 coppers," she said.

Edward handed over the payment, including three copper coins he had acquired from the bandits. All that remained was 15 silver coins and 10 copper coins.

As they stood on the inn's threshold, Edward made a plan. "Tomorrow, early morning, on the deck, got it, Luna?"

Luna yawned sleepily, her cat-like mannerisms evident. "Aye aye, sir," she replied with a nod.

As Edward entered his room and closed the door, he suddenly collapsed onto the bed. Something was triggered within him. Memories flooded his mind—knowledge he couldn't recall, images and sensations. His parents, his brothers, his previous job—all flashed before him so rapidly that he couldn't catch a breath. All he could manage to say was, "WHY!?"

Hours passed, and the onslaught of memories eventually ceased. His eye appeared darker and deeper, and some of his black hair strands had turned white. He focused his thoughts on clearing his mind, trying to regain his composure.

"What was that... Why did I accept that offer? I regret this; why couldn't I have thought more about my life on Earth?" As time went on, his mind was filled with thoughts of his family, his former life on Earth, and his decision to venture into this unfamiliar world. His brain was overloaded with the weight of his past, leaving him emotionally drained. The sun began to rise, casting its early morning light on a new day.

The journey through this extraordinary realm had only just begun.