Jack's heart pounded as he stared at the man in the dark suit. His instincts screamed danger, but he knew they had no choice but to listen. The artifact was still glowing faintly, and its rhythmic pulsing felt more intense, almost like a warning.
Sigurd narrowed his eyes, stepping closer to Jack. "This man smells of deceit."
Jack nodded subtly. "I know."
The suited man chuckled, unfazed. "You're both causing quite a stir. Time travel isn't something that goes unnoticed, especially with an artifact like that." He gestured toward Jack's hand. "Walk with me, and I'll explain everything."
Jack hesitated. He had no reason to trust this man, but he needed answers. He glanced at Sigurd, who gave a reluctant nod, and they followed the man down a quieter street, away from the bustling city center.
They entered a sleek, black car that waited at the curb. Inside, the air was cool, the seats luxurious. Jack clenched the artifact tighter as the doors shut, locking them into whatever came next. The hum of the city outside faded as the vehicle glided smoothly through the streets.
The man adjusted his cufflinks and leaned back. "Let's start with introductions. My name is Agent Caldwell. I work for an organization that monitors anomalies in time and space."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "So, what? You're some kind of time police?"
"Something like that," Caldwell admitted. "But our interest isn't in arresting you. It's in what you brought back." He leaned forward, eyes fixed on the artifact. "That device doesn't just open portals. It records them. And it's been picking up signals from other places, other times."
Jack swallowed. "You mean…"
Caldwell nodded. "Someone—or something—is trying to reach through time. And you may be the only ones who can stop it."
Sigurd scowled. "We have battled monsters, survived the cold death of winter, and faced creatures beyond imagination. If more dangers lurk, then we will fight."
Jack exhaled slowly, his mind racing. They had finally made it home, yet the past—and possibly the future—wasn't done with them.
Caldwell smirked. "Good. Because this is only the beginning."
The car sped into the night, carrying them toward a new adventure.
Jack shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Where exactly are you taking us?"
Caldwell glanced at him. "To a secure facility where we can analyze the artifact. You don't understand its full capabilities yet, do you?"
Jack shook his head. "I only know it opens doors. And it nearly got us killed more times than I can count."
Caldwell chuckled. "Well, it does more than that. This device isn't just opening doors—it's destabilizing them. Every use leaves a ripple, a crack in time that something can slip through."
Sigurd gripped his spear. "Then we must seal these cracks before more horrors emerge."
Caldwell's expression darkened. "That's exactly what we're afraid of." He tapped on the partition, and the car turned down a secluded road. "We've detected something… an anomaly from the same Ice Age era you came from. Something came through after you."
Jack stiffened. "What kind of something?"
Caldwell's lips pressed into a thin line. "We're not sure yet. But whatever it is, it's not alone."