CHAPTER THREE-THE PAST AND THE FUTURE

The forest was quiet.
Sunlight spilled gently through the towering trees, scattering golden fragments across the mossy ground. A breeze rustled the leaves above, carrying the faint chirping of unseen birds.
Two figures lay motionless on the forest floor—STEVE and STELLA. Their faintly glowing implants flickered, humming weakly like embers struggling to reignite.
STELLA gasped suddenly, clutching her chest as her systems flared back to life.“Th—thank God... we’re not dead.”
Beside her, STEVE blinked slowly, his eyes adjusting to the dazzling shafts of light filtering between the branches.“Yeah... but—” His gaze darted around, searching the clearing. “Who rescued us?”
STELLA pushed herself upright, still trembling.“I... don’t know.”
Then STEVE froze. His eyes widened, pointing past the trees.“Wait—look there!”
Through the hazy morning light stood MICHAEL, calm and smiling as if he had been waiting for them all along.
Without hesitation, STEVE bolted forward and threw his arms around him. His voice cracked as he spoke.“Thanks, bro! We thought... that was it. The end of everything.”
MICHAEL grinned warmly, ruffling his brother’s hair like he used to when they were kids.“Don’t be like that. It’s my duty to protect my little brother... and his girlfriend.”
Both STEVE and STELLA froze. Heat rushed to their faces.
“G-Girlfriend?!” STELLA stammered, her cheeks crimson.
“A–anyway!” STEVE quickly cleared his throat, desperate to change the subject. “Where even are we? How did we end up here?”
MICHAEL’s smile softened. He motioned for them to sit on a mossy log, his tone calm and measured.“Alright. I’ll explain everything I know.”
STEVE and STELLA exchanged a glance, then sat beside him, waiting.
MICHAEL’s voice lowered, thoughtful.“You know I was researching our ancestors, right? During that research, I came across strange languages and old traditions... things that shouldn’t exist anymore.”
He paused, staring at the forest around them.“They all match this world.”
STEVE frowned. “Wait—what does that mean?”
STELLA’s eyes widened as realization struck her.“Does that mean... we time-traveled?”
MICHAEL nodded gravely.“That’s my theory. This world is Neon. But not the Neon we know. It’s Neon from 900—maybe 1000 years ago.”
STEVE’s heart pounded.“B-but how? How did it happen?”
“The comet,” MICHAEL replied. “Everyone who looked at it... might have been pulled through time.”
For a moment, silence filled the clearing, broken only by the distant whisper of the wind.
STEVE clenched his fists. “I thought we were the only ones brought here...”
“Which means,” STELLA whispered, “there might be others. Maybe even someone behind all this.”
MICHAEL’s eyes darkened.“Maybe. Or maybe not. But one thing’s certain—this wasn’t random.”
STEVE leaned forward, desperate.“But who could even *make* a time machine?”
MICHAEL’s expression was firm.“It can be made. But only under very specific conditions. I need more time to figure it out.”
STEVE’s voice trembled with a fragile hope.“So... can we go home?”
MICHAEL hesitated before giving a slow nod.“I’ll try my best to make a way. But first—” his tone shifted, more serious—“we have a bigger problem.”
He looked straight at them.“Your power cores. I used up all my backup energy reviving you both. If we don’t build a new generator... you’ll shut down in forty-eight hours.”
The weight of his words pressed down on them like cold steel.
STEVE straightened, forcing a confident grin despite the dread gnawing at him.“Don’t worry, bro. We’ll make one. I’ve got no fear when you’re here.”
MICHAEL smiled faintly. “Good to hear that.”
But STELLA’s brow furrowed, anxiety clouding her features.“You said others were brought here too... where are they now?”
MICHAEL’s expression hardened.“There’s a war going on.”
Both STEVE and STELLA froze.
MICHAEL continued, his tone heavy.“Between us... and our ancestors. Neither side understands what happened. Each believes the other is a threat. The fighting’s already getting worse. Some of our people are... dead.”
STEVE shot to his feet, fire in his voice.“Then we have to help them!”
“We will,” MICHAEL said firmly. “But first, we need to stop the war. I know the ancient language. I’ll try to negotiate with the ancestors before more blood is shed.”
From his pocket, he pulled a small, glowing chip and handed it to STEVE.“Here. The blueprint for the generator. You two—build it.”
STELLA’s hands trembled as she accepted it, worry flashing in her eyes.“But will you be okay by yourself?”
MICHAEL smirked, turning toward the distant echoes of battle.“I’ll manage.”
STEVE grinned and puffed out his chest.“Don’t worry. This professional engineer and his girlfriend will take care of it.”
STELLA’s face turned bright red.“Seriously...? You’re impossible.”
MICHAEL chuckled, waving as he walked into the trees.“Don’t slack off. We’re running out of time. Okay, you two?”
“Yeah, yeah!” STEVE shouted after him. “Go save the world already!”
The sound of his laughter faded into the forest, swallowed by the distant clash of war.
Left alone, STEVE and STELLA exchanged a look of quiet determination.
“Let’s make this thing,” STEVE said, holding the blueprint tightly. “We only have two days.”
“Then let’s not waste a second,” STELLA replied, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes.
They knelt by a fallen tree, unrolling the blueprint across the bark. Sparks crackled as their tools activated. With limited resources, fading light, and everything on the line—they began.
The future of their world rested on what they could build in those two days.
TO BE CONTINUED...