Chapter 2: Whispers of the Unknown
The forest thickened as they moved, the towering trees blocking out the sun in places, casting shadows that seemed to stretch and shift. Kieran walked ahead, his every step deliberate, his eyes scanning their surroundings like a hunter on alert.
Leona followed close behind, her breath quickening—not just from the exertion but from the sense of the unknown pressing in around them. "You can let go of my hand now," she said, her voice tinged with defiance.
Kieran glanced over his shoulder, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Suit yourself." He released her, and the absence of his touch left her feeling oddly exposed.
She paused for a moment, brushing her hands against her thighs. "We need to figure out where we are—or when we are."
Kieran stopped and turned to face her, his dark eyes piercing. "And how exactly do you propose we do that, Rivers? Knock on a tree and ask for directions?"
Leona frowned, brushing a stray curl from her face. "I'm serious, Kieran. This isn't some weekend hike. We could be standing in a timeline that predates everything we know about human civilization. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"Right now, all that matters is survival." His tone was firm, his gaze unwavering.
Before she could respond, a rustling sound broke the tension. Both of them froze. Leona's heart raced as her eyes darted toward the source of the noise.
Kieran moved first, stepping in front of her and raising a hand to signal her to stay quiet. His other hand reached for the makeshift blade he had fashioned from a jagged piece of metal he'd salvaged during their arrival.
The rustling grew louder, closer. Then, from the underbrush, a small, four-legged creature emerged. Its fur was a shimmering silver, and its eyes glowed faintly, like embers in the dim light.
"What is that?" Leona whispered, unable to hide the awe in her voice.
"No idea," Kieran muttered, his grip tightening on his blade. The creature tilted its head, its glowing eyes fixated on them.
Leona took a cautious step forward. "It doesn't look hostile…"
"Or it's just deciding whether we're worth eating," Kieran replied dryly.
Ignoring him, Leona crouched slowly, extending a hand toward the creature. It sniffed the air, its movements cautious but curious. "Look at it. It's incredible," she whispered.
Kieran stayed tense, ready to intervene if the creature made any sudden moves. "If it bites you, don't say I didn't warn you."
The creature took a tentative step closer, its shimmering fur rippling like liquid silver. Leona held her breath as it sniffed her hand. Its nose was cool and soft against her skin.
Then, without warning, it darted back into the underbrush, disappearing as quickly as it had appeared.
Leona straightened, her heart still racing. "Did you see that? It wasn't like any animal I've ever read about."
"Yeah," Kieran said, his voice low. "And if that thing is out here, I'd bet there's bigger, meaner things, too. We need to keep moving."
Reluctantly, Leona nodded, falling in step behind him once more. But as they walked, she couldn't shake the feeling that the creature's appearance had been more than coincidence—that it was a sign of something greater.
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Chapter 3: The Ruins
The forest began to thin, revealing an open expanse of land that stretched toward the horizon. In the distance, the remains of an ancient city rose from the earth, its towering structures weathered but still standing.
Leona's breath caught. "This… this is incredible."
Kieran followed her gaze, his expression unreadable. "Looks like we're not alone."
Leona turned to him, confused. "What do you mean?"
He pointed toward the city. At first, she saw nothing, but then movement caught her eye. Shadows flitted between the crumbling walls, figures moving with purpose.
"People?" she asked, her voice tinged with hope.
"Could be," Kieran replied. "Or it could be something else."
As they approached the outskirts of the city, Leona's excitement grew. The ruins were unlike anything she had ever seen—an architectural blend of styles that seemed to defy the chronological order of human history.
"This shouldn't exist," she whispered, running her fingers along the smooth stone of a nearby wall. Intricate carvings adorned its surface, depicting scenes of battles, rituals, and what appeared to be the worship of a massive, glowing orb.
Kieran stayed close, his eyes scanning their surroundings. "Don't get too comfortable. If there are people here, we don't know if they're friendly."
Leona ignored him, her focus on deciphering the carvings. "This orb… it looks like the portal we came through."
Kieran moved closer, his brow furrowing as he examined the carvings. "You think this place has something to do with how we got here?"
"It has to," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "We were meant to find this."
Before Kieran could respond, a low, guttural sound echoed through the ruins.
They both turned, their eyes locking.
"What was that?" Leona asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kieran drew his blade, his stance shifting into one of readiness. "Stay behind me."
The sound grew louder, closer. From the shadows, a figure emerged—a towering being clad in armor that seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly glow. Its eyes burned with an intense light, and in its hands, it held a massive weapon that looked like a cross between a spear and a scythe.
Leona's breath hitched as she took a step back. "What is that?"
Kieran didn't answer. Instead, he tightened his grip on his blade, his jaw set.
The figure raised its weapon, its gaze fixed on them.
"Run," Kieran said, his voice low but commanding.