The Shadow of the Future
What follows here is a micro story, or piece of flash fiction, set in the $TIME universe. $TIME is a unique coin, one that's all about worldbuilding, developing characters and offering an epic narrative. Enjoy!
Liora Finn crouched atop a crumbling skyscraper, scanning the ruins below with her multi-spectrum visor. Somewhere amid the twisted steel and shattered glass was her objective: a briefcase containing the blueprints for a revolutionary energy source. Her orders were clear—secure it before history could be altered.
The ground quaked as a shadowy portal shimmered open nearby. Liora stood, one hand on the hilt of her plasma staff, as a figure emerged from the rift.
It was her.
“Liora,” the older version of herself said, her voice weary and grave, “don’t take the briefcase.”
The younger Liora frowned. “What’s this? A scare tactic from whoever sent you? I’ve heard the stories about time doubles, but I didn’t think I’d meet mine on this mission.”
“This isn’t about intimidation,” the elder Liora said, stepping closer. Her armor bore scorch marks, her face lined with exhaustion. “If you take it, the blueprint’s innovations will lead to a catastrophic arms race. Billions will die. I’ve lived through that future.”
Liora hesitated, her grip tightening on the staff. “And leaving it here? What happens then?”
“It’s destroyed in the natural course of events,” the elder replied. “The world finds a better, safer path forward. I can’t explain all of it, but you have to trust me.”
The younger Liora’s visor beeped—enemy drones closing in. She looked from her older self to the distant shimmer of the briefcase.
“What proof do I have that you’re really me?” Liora challenged.
The elder Liora held up a silver pendant, engraved with a symbol only Liora recognized. It was the pendant her mentor had given her when she became a Time Keeper.
The drones drew nearer, their mechanical hum growing louder. Time was running out.
Liora exhaled and lowered her staff. “Alright. I’ll trust you… for now.”
As the elder Liora vanished back into the rift, the younger turned her back on the briefcase, retreating into the shadows. For the first time in her career, she left a mission incomplete, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the choice that truly preserved the timeline.
Micro stories are a content feature offered by $TIME's dev Woj. Handwritten and accompanied by art, they serve to deepen the story world we're creating here. Enjoy!
