The crowd murmured louder. Adrian's pulse quickened. "Another world?"
She smirked faintly. "You're not the only one who woke up in the wrong place, Engineer."
Adrian froze. The word Engineer wasn't from this world's tongue—it was English.
He took a cautious step closer. "You're from Earth."
Kaela nodded. "Was. Now I'm from the Outlands."
They sat later by the remains of the kiln, speaking quietly while the villagers watched from a distance.
Kaela explained between sips of broth, "There are others. Scattered, like us. Some died early. Others… adapted. A few formed settlements like yours, using what they remember. But most fell to the Dominion. They have tech—old relics, scavenged from ruins that don't belong in this world."
Adrian frowned. "You mean, Earth technology?"
"Fragments," she said. "Broken rifles, generators, even small engines. Things they don't fully understand, but enough to dominate weaker tribes."
She leaned forward. "That's why I came. I've seen what they do. But I also saw your wall from miles away. You're doing something none of us could—building stability. Order."
Adrian studied her closely. "And what do you want?"
Kaela smiled faintly. "An alliance. My group's hiding three days west, near the iron hills. We've got fighters, tools, and a few secrets. You've got structure and vision. Together, we could make something that lasts."
Torren crossed his arms nearby. "Or she could be bait, leading the Dominion straight to us."
Kaela didn't flinch. "If I wanted that, I'd have brought soldiers instead of walking alone."