Disoriented, Jana surfaced to find herself in the middle of an ocean, an island barely visible on the horizon. Jade was nowhere to be seen.

She took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. The orb was lost, and Jade was somewhere in time. But she would find him. She would set things right. She swam toward the island, ready for whatever came next.

Jana's powerful strokes brought her closer to the island, the salty ocean spray mingling with the sweat on her brow. As she pulled herself onto the shore, her muscles screamed in protest, but she couldn't afford to rest. The orb was out there, and so was her brother.

The island was dense with vegetation, the dense foliage above blocking out much of the sunlight. Jana paused to catch her breath, scanning her surroundings for any sign of Jade or the orb. She had landed in an unknown time and place, and her first priority was to get her bearings.

Using her wrist communicator, she activated the temporal locator, however it couldn't work properly because the orb was no longer where it should be, powering the system. The device emitted a soft hum, and a holographic display projected in front of her, showing a map of the island and the surrounding area. The orb's signal was faint, she suspected it was lost in the depths of the ocean, hidden beneath the relentless waves off the coast.

"Shit!!" she muttered, frustration creeping into her voice. Retrieving the orb from the ocean would be a challenge, but not an impossible one.

Determined, she made her way inland, seeking higher ground for a better vantage point. The island's terrain was rugged, with steep inclines and rocky outcroppings. Jana's training as a field agent served her well, her movements agile and surefooted despite the uneven ground.

At the top of a small hill, she found what she was looking for: a clear view of the island's coastline and a path that led down to a small village nestled in a cove. Smoke from cooking fires rose lazily into the air, and she could hear the distant sounds of activity.

Brushing the sand off, she began walking towards the tree line, the undergrowth thickening with each step. Birds called out from the treetops, and insects buzzed around her. The air was humid, and sweat quickly soaked through her clothes.

After what felt like hours of trekking through trees and bushes, she stumbled upon a narrow path, barely visible but clearly worn by frequent use. She decided to follow it, hoping it would lead her to some form of civilization.

The path wound through the jungle, occasionally opening up to reveal glimpses of the ocean. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows through the trees, she finally saw smoke rising in the distance. Her heart leapt at the prospect of finding people.

Jana quickened her pace, and soon the path opened up into a small clearing. Nestled within it was a quaint village, huts made of wood and thatch, with villagers milling about, tending to evening chores. She observed for a moment, taking note of the anachronistic elements that suggested this was no ordinary island. The clothes, the tools—everything hinted at a blend of eras.

Approaching the nearest hut, she saw a woman drawing water from a well. Jana's appearance startled her, but she quickly composed herself.

"Good evening," Jana greeted, her voice steady but gentle. "I need help. My ship wrecked off the coast, and I got separated from my crew."

The woman eyed her skeptically, taking in Jana's disheveled appearance and tattered clothes. "Leave, you beggar."

Jana quickly offered her an earring she wore, and the woman's expression softened. She invited Jana inside.

Jana followed her into the hut, where a small fire burned in the hearth. The woman introduced herself as Elara and offered Jana a bowl of stew. As she ate, Elara asked questions about the supposed shipwreck, and Jana crafted a plausible story, carefully omitting any mention of time travel or her true mission.

When Elara mentioned a tavern where travelers often sought refuge, Jana's interest piqued. It would be the perfect place to gather information and possibly find someone who could help her recover the orb.

"Thanks for your kindness, Elara," Jana said with a hint of sarcasm while finishing her meal. "Can you tell me how to get to this tavern?"

Elara nodded, giving her directions. "Careful. There are many who would take advantage of a stranger, especially dressed like that." She handed her a cloak that made her look more disheveled than she already did.

Jana set off towards the tavern without looking back. The village grew quieter as night fell, and Jana moved with purpose, her mind already strategizing her next steps.

The tavern was lively, a stark contrast to the tranquil village outside. Laughter and music spilled out into the night, and the scent of ale and roasted meat filled the air. Jana pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped inside, immediately drawing curious glances.

She scanned the room and approached the bar, catching the eye of the burly bartender. "Ale and information," she said, sliding a few stolen coins across the counter. "I'm looking for someone who knows these waters well."

The bartender eyed the coins before nodding. He filled a tankard and handed it to her.

"New face around here," the bartender remarked. "What brings you to our little island?"

"Shipwreck," Jana replied smoothly. "Got separated from my crew. I'm looking for someone who knows these waters well."

The bartender nodded towards the sailor. "Roderick's your man. Knows these waters better than anyone."

Jana thanked him and made her way to Roderick's table, her drink in hand. "Mind if I join you?" she asked.

Roderick looked her up and down, a sneer curling his lip. "What do you want, lass? If you're looking for work, you won't find it here."

Jana kept her gaze steady. "I'm looking for something valuable that was lost at sea. I need a skilled sailor to help me find it."

Roderick laughed, loud and mocking. "A woman, looking for treasure? You must be joking."

Jana's jaw tightened. "Have you heard of a jewel that glows blue?" she asked, trying to arouse the sailor's interest by describing the orb in terms he would understand.

Roderick's expression changed instantly, his eyes widening. "The Tear of the Siren," he whispered.

Jana, confused, nodded rapidly, taking advantage of his sudden interest. He probably knew of the orb because time doesn't flow the same for everyone. Once you enter the jump vortex, even a second's difference can mean years for someone else. Jade and the orb have been here longer than she has. The thought of this stressed her, especially because she doesn't know exactly how long her brother has been here or if he is even still alive.