Daniel woke at dawn to the sound of distant horns. Not musical ones but sharp calls that rose through the fog like warnings. The guest room Elara had given him was small and drafty with stone walls that felt older than any building he had ever touched. He sat up rubbing sleep from his eyes. His mind was still spinning from yesterday the sudden shift from his old world to this one and the overwhelming tide of fear in the people around him.

He stepped outside the room into a long narrow hall. Elara waited there leaning against the wall boots muddy from her early rounds at the guild. She tossed him a small piece of bread and said You should eat before the morning council starts. You are expected.

Expected Daniel asked chewing slowly. Elara nodded. The throne regent wants to know why a stranger fell from the sky in the middle of the capital. She paused studying him. But he is not the one who matters today. It is the guild. They handle the crises that the crown ignores. And they want to test you.

Test me Daniel repeated. Elara pushed open a door sending in a burst of cold air. You claim to understand fear she said. So they will give you someone who is drowning in it. Someone neither humans nor demons can approach. If you can reach him they will trust you.

They walked through the city where morning markets struggled to open. Merchants shook hands to stop the trembling. Soldiers watched rooftops with sharp darting eyes. Children moved in quick careful motions as if afraid the ground might crack. Daniel felt the tension clinging to the air like thick mist.

Inside the guild hall a group of adventurers stood around a sealed iron door. Their faces were tight with concern. Elara stepped forward. Has he calmed at all.

A man with scarred arms shook his head. Not once. He screams all night. Talks about shadows moving under his skin. Anyone who gets close feels sick. We think he met something on the demon border. Something that tore at his mind.

Daniel stepped toward the door and the adventurers stared at him like he was walking into a storm with no armor. Elara touched his wrist lightly. If you feel overwhelmed step back. I am not losing another person today.

Daniel gave a small nod. Then he opened the door.

The room inside was dim lit only by a single lantern. A young man sat on the floor back pressed to the corner shaking so hard his breath came in broken gasps. His hands were pressed over his ears and his eyes darted back and forth like some nightmare was chasing him even in this small space.

Daniel took one slow step in. Then another. He lowered himself to the ground keeping his voice low and steady. My name is Daniel. I am here to listen. Nothing else.

The young man flinched as if struck. He rocked forward whispering They see me. Even when I close my eyes. They whisper in the dark. They say I should not exist.

Daniel felt the edge of the fear in the room like cold fingers drifting across his skin. This was not the fear of an enemy. It was the fear of someone who had been broken. Someone who needed a lifeline.

Daniel spoke softly Tell me one thing. When did the fear become louder than your own voice.

The young man’s breathing hitched. He squeezed his fists against his temples. It was after the raid near the demon frontier. I saw both sides. Humans screaming demons screaming people dying who never wanted to fight. I think something entered my mind that day. Something full of hate.

Daniel leaned closer. Not touching only offering presence. You survived something impossible. You are not weak for being shaken. Anyone would be. Fear grows when you carry it alone. Let me carry it with you just for a moment.

The shaking slowed. Just slightly. Enough that the young man lifted his eyes toward Daniel for the first time. His voice cracked How do you carry something like this.

Daniel answered Because you just told me the truth. That is the first thread. We will follow it together.

Minutes passed. The man breathed deeper steadier. The room warmed. The air softened. Outside the adventurers whispered in disbelief. No one had been able to calm him for days.

After Daniel stepped out Elara stared at him with wide unreadable eyes. You did not use magic. You did not even touch him. You just spoke.

Daniel shrugged with quiet exhaustion. People do not break all at once. They crack in small places they do not talk about. When someone notices the cracks they feel less alone.

Elara exhaled a slow breath. The guild master will want to meet you. And maybe the crown too. But before any of that she said there is something I need to know for myself.

She looked into his eyes with a steady raw honesty. Why did the world choose someone like you.

Daniel answered I do not know. But I think fear brought me here. And fear is something I understand.

Elara nodded once a small fragile smile forming. Then we start from here counselor. This world needs someone who can hear the parts we all try to silence.

Outside the horns sounded again calling the city to another warning. And Daniel realized this was only

the first step into a world drowning in its own trembling heartbeat.