Chapter 1: A World Lost to Time
Leona's first breath in the ancient world was sharp and unexpected. The air was thick with the scent of earth and rain, and the sounds of birds and rustling leaves replaced the hum of technology. She opened her eyes slowly, the bright sunlight forcing her to squint.
"Where…?" Her voice trailed off as she pushed herself up from the ground. Her long curls, tangled and dusted with dirt, tumbled over her shoulders. The golden streaks shimmered as the sunlight caught them, creating an almost ethereal glow around her. She brushed her hair back, her ocean-blue eyes scanning the unfamiliar landscape. Towering trees surrounded her, their trunks wide and ancient, their roots twisting like veins across the forest floor.
Kieran's voice broke through her thoughts. "You're awake."
She turned to see him leaning against a tree, his dark eyes watching her intently. His shirt was torn at the sleeve, exposing a tanned, muscular arm smeared with dirt and scratches. There was something primal about him here, like he belonged to this untamed world in a way that was unsettlingly natural.
"What happened?" Leona asked, her voice hoarse.
"The portal dumped us here," he replied, his tone clipped. He pushed off the tree and strode toward her, his movements fluid and confident. Even in their current predicament, he exuded an air of control. "Wherever 'here' is."
Leona stood, brushing off her clothes and looking around. "This… this is incredible," she whispered, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Incredible isn't the word I'd use," Kieran said dryly, scanning the forest with a wary gaze. "We don't know where we are, what's out there, or how to get back."
Leona ignored him, her curiosity overpowering her caution. She knelt to examine a nearby plant with leaves that shimmered faintly, like they were dusted with gold. "Do you realize what this means? We're in the past. A time before recorded history."
"And you're excited about that?" Kieran's tone was incredulous.
She stood, meeting his gaze. "This is everything I've ever dreamed of. Seeing the past with my own eyes. Understanding it. Don't you see how amazing this is?"
Kieran's expression softened, but only slightly. "Yeah, well, let's see how amazing it feels when something tries to kill us."
As if on cue, a distant roar echoed through the forest, sending a chill down Leona's spine. She turned to Kieran, her wide eyes meeting his.
"What was that?" she whispered.
His jaw tightened. "Something big. Let's move."
He grabbed her hand, his grip firm but not harsh, and started leading her through the dense forest. Leona stumbled after him, her heart pounding. For the first time, the excitement of their discovery was overshadowed by a growing sense of danger.
They had traveled through time and entered a world of mystery and wonder—but it was also a world of peril, and their journey was just beginning.