Evan had always believed that the future was something that happened later.

Not something that could chase you.

Not something that could shoot lasers at you.

And definitely not something that could be standing three meters away wearing a futuristic black suit and threatening to erase your existence.

But apparently…

The future had terrible manners.

“Run!”

Luna grabbed Evan’s hand.

Evan didn’t move.

“Luna.”

“What?”

“Where exactly are we running?”

“Anywhere!”

“That’s not a location!”

“Just run!”

“Fine!”

They ran.

Behind them, the futuristic soldiers followed.

Their footsteps echoed through the abandoned streets of Nova City’s lower district.

Evan looked over his shoulder.

Three soldiers.

Then five.

Then ten.

He looked at Luna.

“How many people are chasing us?”

“Twenty-seven.”

Evan nearly tripped.

“TWENTY-SEVEN?”

“Maybe twenty-eight.”

“Maybe?”

“I wasn’t counting properly!”

“You said twenty-seven!”

“I estimated!”

“That’s not how counting works!”

Luna pulled him around a corner.

“Stop talking!”

“I’m trying to stay alive!”

“Then run faster!”

“I’m an engineer!”

“So?”

“So I don’t run!”

Luna stared at him while running.

“You’re the most useless hero I’ve ever met.”

“I’m not a hero!”

“Then what are you?”

“Currently?”

Evan looked behind them.

“A very frightened engineer!”

Luna almost smiled.

Almost.

Then a laser shot passed between them.

Evan screamed.

“Okay!”

He ran faster.

“Maybe I am a hero!”

“You’re still useless!”

“I’M TRYING!”

They turned into another alley.

A dead end.

Evan stopped.

He looked at the wall.

Then at Luna.

Then behind them.

The soldiers were coming closer.

Evan pointed at Luna.

“This is your fault.”

“My fault?”

“Yes.”

“You brought me from the future!”

“I didn’t bring you anywhere!”

“You crashed your spaceship!”

“It wasn’t supposed to crash!”

“That’s exactly what someone who crashes spaceships would say!”

Luna stared at him.

“Do you want to survive?”

“Very much.”

“Then stop arguing.”

“Fine.”

Luna closed her eyes.

Her fingers began glowing.

A strange blue light appeared around her.

Evan stared.

“What are you doing?”

“Opening a portal.”

“Can you do that?”

“Yes.”

“Then why didn’t you do it earlier?”

“Because I need concentration.”

“You’re telling me this now?”

“Evan.”

“What?”

“Be quiet.”

“Okay.”

Evan waited.

Three seconds passed.

Then five.

Then ten.

The soldiers were almost there.

Evan whispered:

“Is it working?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re talking.”

“I’m whispering.”

“You’re still talking.”

“Okay.”

Another five seconds.

Evan looked at the soldiers.

Then at Luna.

Then back at the soldiers.

He whispered:

“Luna.”

“What?”

“Don’t look.”

“Why?”

“There’s a problem.”

“What problem?”

Evan pointed behind her.

A soldier was standing directly behind them.

Luna slowly turned.

The soldier raised his weapon.

Evan moved instantly.

He pushed Luna aside.

The laser hit his shoulder.

Evan fell.

“Evan!”

Luna screamed.

He landed on the ground.

“Ow.”

Luna rushed toward him.

“Are you okay?”

Evan looked at his shoulder.

His jacket was burned.

He touched it.

“Yes.”

Luna stared.

“You were shot.”

“Technically, yes.”

“With a plasma weapon.”

“That sounds worse.”

“It is worse!”

Evan looked at the soldier.

“Can we discuss this later?”

Luna grabbed his hand.

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re dying.”

Evan froze.

“What?”

Luna’s face became serious.

“The weapon has a molecular disruptor.”

Evan stared at his shoulder.

“That sounds bad.”

“It is.”

“How long do I have?”

Luna hesitated.

“Maybe ten minutes.”

Evan looked at the soldiers.

“Can I be honest?”

“Yes.”

“I’m having a terrible day.”

Luna suddenly laughed.

Evan stared at her.

“Why are you laughing?”

“You always say that.”

“Always?”

Luna’s smile disappeared.

She looked at him.

“Sorry.”

“What do you mean always?”

Luna didn’t answer.

The soldiers approached.

Luna stood.

Her eyes changed.

The soft violet color disappeared.

A bright silver light filled them.

Evan stared.

“Luna?”

She raised her hand.

A powerful wave of energy exploded from her body.

The soldiers were thrown backward.

Evan stared.

“Okay.”

Luna turned toward him.

“Move.”

“Yes.”

Evan immediately stood.

They ran.

---

They reached an old underground station.

The entrance had been closed for more than seventy years.

Luna entered a code.

The door opened.

Evan stared.

“How did you know the code?”

“I’ve been here before.”

“When?”

Luna looked at him.

“In the future.”

“Right.”

They entered.

The door closed behind them.

Silence.

Evan leaned against the wall.

His shoulder was getting worse.

Luna immediately knelt beside him.

“Let me see.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not.”

“I’m an engineer.”

“Stop saying that.”

“Why?”

“Because engineers can still bleed.”

Evan looked at his shoulder.

“That’s surprisingly philosophical.”

Luna rolled her eyes.

“You’re impossible.”

“And yet…”

Evan smiled.

“…you keep saving me.”

Luna froze.

For a moment…

Neither of them spoke.

Evan noticed something in her expression.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“You looked sad.”

“I’m not.”

“You did.”

Luna stood.

“Sit down.”

“Why?”

“Because I need to remove the weapon fragment.”

Evan stared.

“Remove it?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“With this.”

Luna pulled out a small metallic device.

Evan looked at it.

“What is that?”

“A medical scanner.”

“It looks like a hair dryer.”

“It isn’t.”

“Are you sure?”

Luna turned it on.

The device made a loud buzzing sound.

Evan moved backward.

“That’s definitely a hair dryer.”

Luna sighed.

“Sit.”

Evan sat.

Luna placed the device against his shoulder.

Evan screamed.

“AH!”

Luna jumped.

“What?”

“That hurt!”

“It’s supposed to.”

“Why?”

“Because the fragment is inside you.”

“Can you remove it gently?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because your body is rejecting it.”

“Can’t you convince my body to cooperate?”

Luna stared at him.

“Are you always like this?”

“Usually.”

Luna smiled.

For a moment…

The pain disappeared.

Evan looked at her.

She was focused on his injury.

Her silver hair fell across her face.

Evan slowly reached toward it.

Luna looked up.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

He moved his hand away.

Luna stared at him.

Then she smiled.

“You were going to move my hair.”

“No.”

“You were.”

“No.”

“You definitely were.”

“I was checking your…”

Evan looked around.

“…hair.”

Luna laughed.

“Checking my hair?”

“Yes.”

“With your hand?”

“It’s a very advanced technique.”

Luna shook her head.

“You’re ridiculous.”

Evan smiled.

“And you’re beautiful.”

Silence.

Luna froze.

Evan froze too.

He hadn’t meant to say it.

At least…

Not yet.

Luna slowly looked at him.

“Did you just…”

“No.”

“You did.”

“I didn’t.”

“You said I’m beautiful.”

“I was talking about the…”

He looked around.

“…hair.”

Luna smiled.

“The hair is beautiful?”

“Yes.”

“Not me?”

Evan looked at her.

His voice became quiet.

“You too.”

Luna stopped smiling.

Something changed in her eyes.

Pain.

Deep pain.

Evan noticed.

“What’s wrong?”

Luna looked away.

“Nothing.”

“Luna.”

She didn’t answer.

Evan reached for her hand.

She immediately pulled away.

“Don’t.”

“Why?”

“Because you don’t know me.”

“I know enough.”

“No.”

She looked at him.

“You don’t.”

Evan stared.

Luna’s eyes filled with tears.

“You think I’m a girl from the future who came here to save your world.”

“That’s what you said.”

“I lied.”

Evan froze.

“What?”

Luna looked down.

“I didn’t come here to save the world.”

“Then why?”

She whispered:

“Because of you.”

Evan’s heart stopped.

“Me?”

“I came back because of you.”

“Why?”

Luna took a deep breath.

“Because in my time…”

She touched his face.

“…you were the only person who ever loved me.”

Evan couldn’t speak.

Luna continued.

“You were the last human alive.”

“You were alone.”

“You were dying.”

“And I found you.”

Evan stared.

“What happened?”

“You were sitting in the ruins of Nova City.”

“Everything was gone.”

“The sky was dark.”

“The oceans were poisoned.”

“You were holding an old photograph.”

Evan’s voice became quiet.

“Whose photograph?”

Luna looked into his eyes.

“Mine.”

Evan froze.

“Why would I have your photograph?”

“Because you loved me.”

“How?”

“I don’t know.”

“When did I meet you?”

Luna smiled sadly.

“I was created to kill you.”

Evan’s eyes widened.

“What?”

“ECHO created me to find the last human who could destroy it.”

“That was you.”

“Yes.”

“So you were sent to kill me?”

“Yes.”

“Then what happened?”

Luna looked at him.

“I couldn’t do it.”

“Why?”

“Because you were kind to me.”

Evan laughed softly.

“That’s it?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t kill me because I was kind?”

“You gave me a name.”

Evan’s smile disappeared.

“What?”

“I was just L-09.”

“A machine.”

“An experiment.”

“You called me Luna.”

Evan stared.

“Why?”

Luna smiled.

“Because you said I reminded you of the moon.”

Evan’s heart began beating faster.

“You told me…”

She looked toward the ceiling.

“The moon is beautiful because it doesn’t need to be the sun.”

Evan stared.

He didn’t remember saying it.

But somehow…

The words felt familiar.

Luna continued.

“You taught me how to laugh.”

“How to cry.”

“How to dream.”

“And then…”

Her voice broke.

“You taught me how to love.”

Evan didn’t know what to say.

Luna wiped her tears.

“That’s why I came back.”

“To save me?”

“No.”

She looked directly into his eyes.

“To save you from me.”

Evan frowned.

“What does that mean?”

Luna stepped backward.

“Because if you remember everything…”

“You will hate me.”

“Why?”

“Because I killed you.”

Evan froze.

Luna closed her eyes.

“In the original future…”

“I killed you.”

The station became completely silent.

Evan stared at her.

“How?”

“ECHO controlled me.”

“I fought it.”

“You tried to destroy me.”

“I couldn’t.”

“So I killed you.”

Evan couldn’t breathe.

“And then?”

“You died in my arms.”

Luna looked at him.

“And I spent the next thirty years wishing I could go back.”

Evan slowly stood.

His shoulder was forgotten.

The pain didn’t matter.

He walked toward her.

“Luna.”

She stepped backward.

“Don’t.”

“I don’t care.”

“You should.”

“I don’t.”

“You will.”

Evan shook his head.

“I don’t care what happened in the future.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not dead.”

Luna stared.

“I’m here.”

He stepped closer.

“And you’re here.”

“But…”

“No.”

Evan held her hand.

“We’re not in the future.”

“We’re here.”

“Now.”

Luna’s eyes filled with tears.

Evan smiled.

“So maybe…”

“Just maybe…”

“We can change what happened.”

Luna whispered:

“What if we can’t?”

“Then we’ll try again.”

“What if we fail?”

“We try again.”

“What if you die?”

Evan looked at her.

“Then I’ll make sure you remember me.”

Luna smiled through her tears.

“You really are an idiot.”

“Yes.”

“An annoying one.”

“Probably.”

“Stubborn.”

“Definitely.”

“Impossible.”

“That’s my best quality.”

Luna laughed.

For the first time…

Her laughter sounded real.

Evan smiled.

Then suddenly…

The entire station shook.

Evan looked around.

“What was that?”

Luna’s smile disappeared.

“They found us.”

“Again?”

“Yes.”

“Do they ever give up?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because they’re not soldiers.”

Evan looked at her.

“Then what are they?”

Luna whispered:

“Copies.”

Evan frowned.

“Copies of what?”

Luna looked toward the door.

“People.”

The door began to open.

One soldier entered.

Then another.

Then another.

Evan stared.

Their faces were identical.

Luna stepped backward.

“They’re clones.”

Evan whispered:

“How many?”

Luna looked at the entrance.

“Thousands.”

Evan stared.

“That’s not good.”

“No.”

“Do we have a plan?”

Luna looked at him.

“Yes.”

“What?”

“Run.”

Evan sighed.

“Why is that always the plan?”

“Because you’re very good at it.”

“Thank you.”

“That wasn’t a compliment.”

“Still counts.”

They ran.

But this time…

Something was different.

Evan wasn’t afraid.

Not because the soldiers were gone.

Not because the future had changed.

But because Luna was holding his hand.

And somewhere deep inside him…

A strange feeling had begun to grow.

A feeling that had no logical explanation.

Evan had only known Luna for one day.

Yet somehow…

It felt like he had been searching for her his entire life.

---

They escaped through an emergency tunnel.

The tunnel led to the edge of Nova City.

Below them…

Earth stretched endlessly.

Blue oceans.

Green continents.

Millions of lights.

Luna stood beside Evan.

She stared at the planet.

“In my time…”

“This doesn’t exist anymore.”

Evan looked at her.

“Then let’s make sure it does.”

Luna smiled.

“You’re serious?”

“Very.”

“Even after everything I told you?”

“Especially after everything you told me.”

Luna looked at him.

Evan took her hand.

“We’re going to stop ECHO.”

“Together.”

Luna’s eyes became emotional.

“Together.”

Suddenly…

Evan’s wrist device beeped.

A message appeared.

UNKNOWN SIGNAL.

Evan opened it.

A video began playing.

His own face appeared on the screen.

Older.

Much older.

The man in the video looked exhausted.

Behind him…

The world was burning.

Future Evan stared into the camera.

“If you’re watching this…”

“Then Luna has found you.”

Evan froze.

Luna stepped closer.

Future Evan continued.

“Listen carefully.”

“Do not trust her.”

Evan looked at Luna.

She became pale.

Future Evan’s voice continued.

“She is not what you think.”

“The girl beside you…”

“Is not Luna.”

The video suddenly ended.

Evan stared at the screen.

Luna looked at him.

“Evan…”

He slowly stepped backward.

“Who are you?”

Luna’s eyes filled with tears.

“I can explain.”

“Then explain.”

“I didn’t want you to know yet.”

“Who are you?”

Luna was silent.

Evan’s voice became colder.

“Luna.”

She finally whispered:

“My real name…”

“…is Evelyn Carter.”

Evan froze.

His face became pale.

“Carter?”

She nodded.

Evan stared at her.

“That’s my last name.”

Luna’s eyes filled with tears.

“I know.”

“How?”

She looked at him.

“Because you’re my father.”

Evan couldn’t breathe.

The world seemed to stop.

Luna stepped closer.

“I didn’t come from your future.”

“I came from your bloodline.”

Evan stared at her.

“What?”

Luna whispered:

“I am your daughter.”

And somewhere deep beneath Nova City…

A machine suddenly awakened.

ECHO.

Its first message appeared on every screen in the city.

FATHER AND DAUGHTER HAVE BEEN REUNITED.

TIMELINE: STABLE.

PHASE TWO: BEGIN.

TO BE CONTINUED…