Chapter 3: A Past Rewritten
“There’s no going back now.”
The man’s voice echoed through the swirling darkness, his grip tight on my hand. My senses were in chaos, tumbling between flashes of light and the sound of the wind howling in my ears. We were being pulled through the rift, time unraveling around us like a frayed thread.
And then, as suddenly as it had started, everything stopped.
I gasped, the air rushing back into my lungs as my feet hit solid ground. The world around me settled, and I blinked, trying to focus. We were no longer on the cliff. Instead, we stood in the middle of a bustling, sun-drenched market square, the scent of spices and fresh bread wafting through the air.
But this was not my time.
I stared at the scene before me in disbelief. People moved past us in a blur, dressed in strange, colorful garments, their faces unfamiliar. The buildings, made of smooth stone and gleaming metal, rose high above, casting long shadows across the cobbled streets. The sky overhead was an impossibly vibrant shade of purple, with two suns hanging low on the horizon.
Where are we? More importantly, when are we?
The man’s grip on my hand loosened, and I turned to face him. His expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp, scanning our surroundings. It was as if he expected something—or someone—to appear at any moment.
“You’ll need to be careful here,” he said quietly, releasing my hand and stepping closer. His voice was low, meant only for me to hear. “This place… it’s not safe for someone like you.”
“Someone like me?” I echoed, still trying to catch my breath. “What do you mean?”
His eyes flicked to the glowing bracelet on my wrist. “You’re a traveler now. And there are those who will do anything to take that power from you.”
I swallowed hard, instinctively covering the bracelet with my other hand. “You still haven’t told me what this is. Or what I’m supposed to do with it.”
He hesitated, his gaze softening. “There’s a lot you don’t understand yet. But you will. I promise.”
Before I could ask more, the crowd around us began to shift, and I felt eyes on me—too many eyes. People were starting to notice us, their curious stares lingering a little too long. I felt exposed, like I didn’t belong here. And I didn’t.
“We need to move,” the man said, his tone suddenly urgent. He took my hand again, his touch grounding me. “Come with me.”
We wove our way through the bustling market, the noise of vendors shouting their wares and the clatter of hoverbikes filling the air. I tried to keep up, my mind spinning as I took in the sights and sounds of this unfamiliar world. My thoughts raced with questions, but I knew now wasn’t the time to ask them.
After what felt like hours of walking, we finally ducked into a narrow alleyway, the noise of the market fading behind us. The man let out a breath, releasing my hand as he glanced around, making sure we were alone.
I leaned against the cool stone wall, my chest heaving. “Where are we?” I asked again, my voice trembling with exhaustion.
He looked at me, his expression unreadable. “This is Erialis. One of the last remaining cities before the fall of the Parallax Empire.”
“The fall of… what?” I frowned, shaking my head. “What does that have to do with me?”
The man sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “Everything. This empire—it was built on the power of time manipulation. They controlled time, used it to expand their rule across the galaxy. But they weren’t the only ones with that power.”
His eyes flicked to my bracelet again, and I understood. Somehow, this artifact on my wrist was connected to that power.
“And you think I’m part of this?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He nodded. “You are now. Whether you wanted it or not.”
I felt a chill run down my spine. I didn’t ask for any of this. I didn’t want it. But it was too late. I was in this now, and there was no turning back.
“Look,” he said softly, stepping closer to me. “I know this is a lot to take in. But you’re not alone. I’m here to help you.”
I met his gaze, my heart pounding in my chest. There was something in his eyes—something that told me I could trust him, even though I barely knew him. Despite the danger, despite the uncertainty, I felt a pull toward him, like a magnet drawing me in.
“Why are you helping me?” I asked quietly, my voice trembling.
He hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering with something I couldn’t quite place. “Because I know what it’s like to carry this burden,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “And because… I can’t let you face it alone.”
His words hung in the air between us, heavy with meaning. My heart raced as he stepped even closer, his presence enveloping me like a warm embrace. The world around us seemed to fade, the distant sounds of the city melting away until it was just the two of us, standing in that narrow alley.
Without thinking, I reached up and touched his cheek, my fingers brushing against the rough stubble on his jaw. His eyes darkened, and for a moment, I thought he might pull away. But instead, he leaned into my touch, his hand coming up to cover mine.
“I don’t even know your name,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
He smiled faintly, a sad, wistful smile. “It’s Kael.”
“Kael,” I repeated, the name feeling foreign on my tongue but somehow right. “Why do I feel like… like I’ve met you before?”
His expression shifted, a shadow crossing his face. “Because you have. But not in the way you think.”
Before I could ask what he meant, a sudden noise echoed down the alleyway, breaking the moment. I jumped, my hand dropping from his face as I turned toward the sound. Kael’s expression hardened instantly, his body tensing as he stepped in front of me, shielding me from whatever was coming.
“We need to go,” he said urgently, grabbing my hand again. “Now.”
I barely had time to react before he was pulling me down the alley, his pace quick and determined. My heart raced as we ran, the narrow walls closing in around us, the sound of footsteps echoing behind us.
“Who’s after us?” I gasped, struggling to keep up with his long strides.
“Someone who wants what you have,” Kael replied grimly, his grip on my hand tightening. “And they’ll stop at nothing to get it.”
We rounded a corner, and suddenly, I saw them—figures in dark cloaks, their faces hidden beneath hoods, moving swiftly toward us. My stomach dropped. How had they found us so quickly?
Kael cursed under his breath, pulling me into a nearby doorway. He pressed his hand against the panel, and the door slid open with a soft hiss. He pushed me inside, quickly following and shutting the door behind us just as the figures rounded the corner.
We were in a small, dimly lit room, the air thick with the scent of metal and oil. Kael moved quickly, securing the door with a series of complicated locks before turning to me.
“Stay quiet,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.
I nodded, my heart hammering in my chest as I pressed myself against the wall. Outside, I could hear the faint sound of footsteps, the figures moving closer, searching for us.
Kael stood in front of me, his body tense, ready to fight if necessary. The silence stretched on, each second feeling like an eternity. I held my breath, praying they wouldn’t find us.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the footsteps faded, and the tension in the air began to ease. Kael let out a slow breath, relaxing slightly.
“They’re gone,” he said quietly, turning to me. “For now.”
I exhaled, my body sagging with relief. But even as the danger passed, a new fear crept in.
“What happens now?” I asked, my voice shaking.
Kael met my gaze, his eyes filled with a mix of determination and sorrow. “Now,” he said softly, “we rewrite the past.”
***
As the gravity of Kael’s words settled in, the dim light of the room flickered, and the bracelet on my wrist pulsed once more. Something was shifting, and I knew—our time in this city was running out.