Chapter 4 - Stepping into the Unknown

As morning broke, Arke stirred, awakened by the Khazel's gentle nuzzle. The soft "purr" resonated through the barn, signaling the start of a new day. Arke sat up, surprised to find Echo's entire family surrounding him. Kael, Eiravyn, and Echo herself smiled warmly, their presence a testament to their genuine concern.

Arke's lips curled into a silent smile, gratitude shining in his eyes. Without a word, he rose and stepped outside into the crisp morning air.Before him lay a breathtaking garden, vibrant with an array of plants Arke didn't recognize. His instincts hinted at their edibility, but caution prevailed. He wandered through the lush greenery, marveling at nature's beauty.

Echo joined him, her footsteps quiet on the dewy grass. "Our family's pride," she said, gesturing to the garden. "Mother's passion project.” Arke turned to her, his eyes sparkling. "It's stunning.” Echo smiled. "We grow our own food. Most plants here are edible, but some...have special properties.”

Intrigued, Arke raised an eyebrow. "Special properties?”

Echo's explanation sparked Arke's curiosity. "You're saying these plants enhance human resistance?”

Echo's angelic smile illuminated her face. "Exactly! They've adapted to our needs, evolving beyond mere sustenance.”

Arke's gaze wandered, fascinated by the lush greenery. "Incredible. Plants have come so far since...my time.”

Echo's concern was palpable. "Are you okay? Overwhelmed?”

Arke's eyes dropped, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah...but does your 'abba'...can he read minds?”

Echo's expression turned thoughtful. "Remember what I said about our connection? We're all linked through the Mindstream.” Arke's eyes widened. "You mean…telepathy?" Echo nodded. "It's natural for us. Our evolution has prioritized harmony with nature and each other.”

Arke's mind reeled. "Humans have transcended so much. Technology is advanced, yet...something feels missing.” Echo's gaze locked onto his. "That's because we've rediscovered balance. We've learned to harness technology without losing touch with our humanity and the natural world.”

As morning dew glistened on the garden's lush greens, Arke and Echo strolled side by side. "We should get you familiar with this world," Echo said, her eyes sparkling. "It's time to explore.”

Arke nodded, eager to discover.

"I need to gather some fresh sage for Ama's dinner," Echo said. "Want to come with me?"

Arke agreed, and they made their way to the barnshed. Inside, Kael and Eiravyn slept peacefully, unaware of their quiet departure. Arke dressed swiftly, not wanting to disturb the slumbering couple. Echo waited outside the gate, her bright smile a warm greeting.

"Ready?" she asked, eyes shining with excitement.

Arke nodded, and together they set off.

"Well, then, shall we?" Echo said, leading the way.

They walked, the morning sun cast a warm glow, illuminating the path ahead. Arke walked the winding pathway, the breathtaking scenery gave way to a jarring familiarity. The pavement, cracked and worn, seemed to stir forgotten memories.

"This is...impossible," Arke whispered, his eyes fixed on the remnants of a road.

Echo noticed his confusion. "My late Savi told me this was once a city, a thriving metropolis from a legendary era. That's why I called you a city boy.”

Arke's gaze snapped back to Echo. "That's why...you knew about my past."

Echo nodded. "Savi's stories hinted at a world beyond our village. I tried to learn more about your life, but the visions were fragmented."

As they walked, Echo shared tales of the old world, and Arke listened intently. The landscape shifted, revealing a heavily guarded entrance. "Hey Echo! Heading to the Preserve again?" a guard called out.

Echo smiled. "Yeah, bringing Arke with me.”

Arke's eyes widened as he took in the guard's arsenal: swords, bows, and an ancient firearm.

Echo noticed his interest. "That's a relic from the olden times. Ammo's scarce, making it nearly useless.”

Arke's mind stirred, fragments of memories resurfacing. He saw himself wielding a similar gun, fighting for survival in a desperate battle.

Echo's question broke the spell. "Did you use this kind of weapon in your past?"

Arke hesitated, memories swirling. "Um...I think so.”

A flash of images assaulted him: gunfire, screams, and the weight of the gun in his hands. But he wasn't a soldier – he was a survivor.

As Arke ventured deeper into the Preserve, his thoughts turned inward. He needed to uncover the fragments of his past before exploring this new world.

"What year is this?" Arke asked, his curiosity piqued.

Echo's expression turned thoughtful. "We don't measure time like that. Our cycles follow the sun, moon, and seasons. I don't even know my own age.”

Arke's eyes widened. "You don't keep track of years?”

Echo shook her head. "No, we mark time by harvests, migrations, and lunar phases.”

Arke took a deep breath, attempting to explain. "In my time, we used a calendar with 12 months, 365 days in a year...and we tracked years since a fixed point.”

Echo's eyes sparkled with fascination. "A fixed point? What does that mean?”

Arke smiled. "It's complex, but essentially, we counted years from a significant event."

Echo's gaze intensified. "Tell me more.”

As Arke elaborated, Echo listened intently, her mind bridging the gap between their two worlds.

Within the Preserve, a lush tapestry of herbs and vegetables unfolded. Arke recognized sage and petai, a plant he'd eaten before.

Echo pointed at the petai. "We avoid that one. Savi, Abba, and Ama warned us never to touch it.”

Arke's gaze locked onto the petai, memories stirring. A flashback seized him:

He crouched beside a crackling fire, turning the petai's toxic seeds into edible delicacies.

The smell of charred skin and smoky flavors wafted back, transporting him to a moment from his past.

"How did you know to burn the seeds?" Echo asked, curiosity etched on her face.

Arke's eyes refocused. "I...I used to eat this. In my past.”

Echo's expression turned thoughtful. "Savi spoke of people adapting to harsh environments. Maybe you….“

Arke interrupted, his voice barely above a whisper. "What if I'm from a time...before this?"

Echo's eyes sparkled. "Then your memories hold the key to understanding our world's history."

"I'm not sure...my memories come in fragments, and sometimes I recall them unconsciously. But my mind seems to block them, making me forget," Arke explained.

Echo nodded sympathetically. "We'll explore that later. For now, help me gather sage for Ama.”

"Very well," Arke agreed.

Together, they spent the morning harvesting sage leaves. Arke also collected petai plants for his own meal, expertly preparing them over a makeshift fire pit. The smoky aroma wafted through the air, captivating Echo.

"Is this how you cooked in your world?" Echo asked, fascinated.

Arke chuckled. "No, we had devices and machines. Electric and gas stoves made cooking easier."

Echo's eyes sparkled. "Show me.”

She reached out, placing her fingers on Arke's forehead. A vision burst forth:

Arke stood in a sleek kitchen, cooking on an electric stove. An electric kettle whistled, and a water heater hummed in the background.

Echo gasped. "Your lifestyle was complex. I'm not sure I could live like that.”

Arke smiled wistfully. "That was my life...but it came with a price. I needed money to afford those amenities.”

Echo's gaze lingered on Arke's face. "Money? What's that?”

Arke's expression turned thoughtful. "A system of exchange...remember when I told you about my past, how I worked and got paid?” Echo nodded, recalling their previous conversation. "You mentioned money, but I didn't fully understand.”

Arke smiled wistfully. "In my time, money was essential. But I realize now, your world has transcended it.”

Echo's eyes sparkled. "Abba – Kael – explained that our sustainable ecosystem makes money obsolete. We trade skills and resources instead.”

Arke nodded. "I remember. You showed me how your community shares and cooperates. It's remarkable.”

Echo's gaze softened. "We've learned to live in harmony with nature. No one lacks, and everyone contributes."

As they finished gathering, Arke's curiosity got the better of him. "What other creatures live around here?" he asked Echo.

Echo's expression turned grave. "Shh, get down, hide behind the bushes!" She pulled Arke away, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

They concealed themselves just in time. A colossal orangutan emerged, its intelligent gaze sweeping the area. Arke sensed a dark undertone in its demeanor.

"This is the Guardian of the Preserve," Echo whispered. "It rules this land.”

As they watched, two figures approached the orangutan. Arke's eyes widened – they resembled the elves of his past.

"Bunian?" Arke whispered, astonished.

Echo's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?”

Arke explained, "In my legends, Bunian were hidden people, elves with mystical powers."

Echo's gaze cleared. "Those are the Sylvans. They inhabit this land, but we're cautious. Abba warned us to respect their boundaries.”

The Sylvan pair wore ancient attire, reminiscent of Srivijaya or Hindu mythology. Intricate tattoos adorned their skin, and their long hair cascaded down their backs.

The male Sylvan's eyes locked onto the orangutan, his voice resonant. "Namaste, purātana."

The orangutan responded with a series of low grunts, its gaze never leaving the Sylvans.

Echo whispered to Arke, "The Sylvans use ancient tongues to show respect.”

Arke's curiosity piqued, he listened intently, sensing the weight of history in the Sylvan's words.

Echo whispered, "Let's leave this place, Arke.” Arke nodded, and they began to retreat quietly. As they distanced themselves, Arke couldn't resist a backward glance. His gaze fell upon the Sylvan woman, and he was struck by her ethereal beauty.

Her eyes shone like the darkest night sky, sparkling with an inner light. Her raven-black hair cascaded down her back, its silky strands perfectly straight, as if meticulously tended to each day.

Arke's breath caught in his throat. He felt an inexplicable pull, as if drawn to a celestial body.

Echo noticed his gaze and nudged him forward. "Come, Arke. We shouldn't linger."

Arke broke his trance, following Echo through the dense foliage.

As they reached the village gates, Echo exhaled deeply, and Arke felt a wave of relief wash over him.

The guard, a sturdy figure with a warm smile, greeted Echo with a familiar phrase: "Zhra'gha! Welcome back, young one.”

"I was worried sick when I heard the Guardian was roaming nearby," the guard continued, his brow furrowed with concern. "Glad to see you're safe.”

Echo offered a reassuring smile. "Thank you, Kinto. We're fine. Just a close encounter.”

Kinto's expression eased, and he nodded. "Glad to hear it. Your father will be relieved.”

As they passed through the gates, Echo led Arke toward her home, nestled among the village's thatched roofs.

Arke's mind whirled with questions, but he tempered his curiosity, aware that patience was essential in this unfamiliar world.