Chapter 1: A Love Beyond Time

As Sienna took in her bizarre new surroundings, she blinked and felt her breath seize in her throat. The massive, towering trees appeared to be filled with a timeless vitality as their shadowy boles curved and twisted into forms that were beyond her comprehension. Above her, the stars glowed brightly, giving off the impression that the sky itself was alive, and the air was thick with the smell of moist dirt. But it was the sense of total isolation and the realization that she was no longer a part of her world that gave her a shiver, not the beauty of this foreign realm.

When she grabbed for her phone, she discovered it was missing. A panic sprang throughout her chest. It must have been a dream. She could hardly have merely been strolling home after hanging out with pals and arriving here.

"Greetings from your new world. Fulfill the responsibilities of the Moonlit Heart System, or else you could disappear forever."

That quiet, impersonal voice within her skull kept repeating. She felt a chill go down her spine because it was so genuine and so evident. Spinning around, Sienna tried to find the source of the voice, but she couldn't find anyone. She had no company at all.

She tried to calm herself and repeated to herself, "What...what is happening?"

"Task initiated: Find the one bound to the curse of eternal life."

A stranger emerged from the shadows before she could comprehend the meaning of the enigmatic message. Her eyes met his, and her heart began to skip a beat. He was tall, and black his hair glinting in the moonlight gave him an almost unearthly appearance. His silver eyes gleamed in the darkness, his pale complexion a stark contrast to the rich reds of the moon. Even though he had a distant, icy atmosphere, there was something about him that pulled her in.

"Who are you?" Only a hint of an inquiry could be heard from Sienna.

She felt as though the man could see straight into her soul with his intense look. While not totally out of terror, Sienna's pulse raced as he moved closer. She couldn't help but stare at him because of his unmistakable charm and charisma.

"I could ask you the same," he said in a calm yet aloof tone. "You don't come from this place."

As Sienna's mind raced to come up with an answer, the enigmatic voice reappeared in her thoughts.

"Target located: Lucian, cursed immortal."

Her gaze became wide. Lucian, condemned to live forever? Though her instincts begged her to go, something held her in place. His presence had an odd familiarity that made her feel as though she had been waiting her entire life for this.

Finally, despite the maelstrom of turmoil inside of her, she murmured, "I'm Sienna." "I'm not sure how I got here, but I believe that you are the reason I should be here."

As he examined her, Lucian's silver eyes narrowed and his demeanor worsened. "What are you discussing?"

"To be honest, I'm not sure yet," Sienna said. But there's this voice in my mind. It states, "I have." to finish projects. A system known as the Moonlit Heart System. It is signaling to me that I must locate you.

Lucian's icy veneer flickered at the mention of the system, giving way to something more reserved. He stepped back, his jaw tensing. He said, "The Moonlit Heart," as though the words had great weight. "I assumed it to be merely a myth."

Sienna felt her heart beat faster. "What is your knowledge of it?"

For the first time, Sienna noticed a glimmer of vulnerability in Lucian's eyes as his gaze softened. "The Moonlit Heart is both a curse, a relic, and a means of salvation. It keeps those like me who are cursed with eternity bound and keeps us from experiencing genuine love or serenity. His tone was to finish projects. A system known as the Moonlit Heart System. It is signaling to me that I must locate you.

Lucian's icy veneer flickered at the mention of the system, giving way to something more reserved. He stepped back, his jaw tensing. He said, "The Moonlit Heart," as though the words had great weight. "I assumed it to be merely a myth."

Sienna felt her heart beat faster. "What is your knowledge of it?"

For the first time, Sienna noticed a glimmer of vulnerability in Lucian's eyes as his gaze softened. "The Moonlit Heart is both a curse, a relic, and a means of salvation. It keeps those like me who are cursed with eternity bound and keeps us from experiencing genuine love or serenity. His tone was low, nearly melancholic. For ages, I have been lost in the never-ending cycle of loneliness as I roam this planet. No matter how much time goes by, the curse still affects me.

Even though Sienna didn't really know him, her heart longed for him. However, since the system led me here, perhaps I might be of use. Perhaps I can lift the curse.

Lucian cast a hopeful but skeptical glance at her. "Many have made an attempt. Nobody has been successful.

Sienna inhaled deeply. "Well, I'm not their type. Even though I'm not from this planet, I might be able to make a difference if this system wants me to assist you.

Although Lucian's demeanor softened, a glimmer of uncertainty lingered in his gaze. "You're not aware of what Sienna; you're getting yourself into trouble.

"Perhaps not," she answered, "but I'm not giving up." Not with the pain you've been through.

They stood there for a minute, the weight of their destiny bearing down on them. Then suddenly Lucian moved in closer, becoming so near Sienna could feel his chilly breath on her skin. His glistening eyes stared deep and inscrutable into hers.

He said, "I don't know why you were brought here, but there's something about you that seems different."

Once more, her pulse raced and Sienna's breath caught, but this time it wasn't only from terror. Unquestionably, Lucian had a magnetic quality about him that gave her the impression that they were connected in ways she wasn't yet aware of.

Lucian extended his hand, his finger brushing her face. Despite his frigid touch, she felt a surge of warmth. Take caution, Sienna. This world is rife with perils. And I don't want its cruelty to claim another victim like you.

With unyielding conviction, Sienna met his eyes. "I don't feel scared. I'm going to assist you since I'm here for a reason. Assuming you accept it or not.

After giving her one more minute of attention, Lucian retreated slightly and let out a quiet sigh. Excellent. I'll assist you in surviving if you persist on staying. But keep in mind that neither I nor this world are nice.

After that, he turned and started to go into the night. After a brief moment of hesitation, Sienna followed him, her heart racing with ambiguity—as well as another item she was unable to fully identify.

With the start of the adventure, Sienna realized that nothing would ever be the same.