They were definitely actual people. In fact there were two who were definitely recognizable. Laki and Freed. Laki had her arm up as if trying to ward or perhaps cast a spell, while Freed was standing in the process of turning towards Laki to shout a warning.

Luna, Lucy and the dragon moved forward careful to avoid the vines, wary, and there's a sudden gasp from Luna. "Oh no..!"

"Levy.." Lucy covered her mouth with her hand.

On the one hand, she was unsurprised that Levy was the closest to the source of the trouble, she was one of the smartest in the guild. But she had obviously been unprepared for what happened next - they all had.

Notably, not much further off -- well not much further off by Natsu's senses, there's barking, a sound that was somewhere between angry and scared.