The Portal: Serbia

Wilds of Time

Dr. Milena Petrović stood at the helm of the lab in Belgrade, her eyes fixed on the shimmering quantum portal that hummed with energy. Alongside her were Dr. István Kovács, with his eccentric flair for mathematics, Dr. Aida Hadžić's relentless curiosity, Dr. Marko Jovanović's practical ingenuity, and the young, tech-savvy Dr. Ana Vuković. This eclectic team was on the verge of their most daring exploration yet—an alternate reality where the Starcevo culture never existed.

As they stepped through the portal, a wave of vertigo washed over them, transporting them to an unfamiliar world. They emerged into a landscape that was both alien and eerily familiar. The air was crisp, and the terrain bore the rough contours of the Balkans, but what should have been bustling streets and modern infrastructure were instead dense forests and scattered nomadic camps.

Belgrade, or what should have been Belgrade, was a sprawling wilderness. The absence of the Starcevo culture meant no early agricultural revolution, no permanent settlements, and no complex societies. Instead of the towering buildings and vibrant city life they knew, they saw clusters of tents and makeshift huts. Smoke from countless campfires curled into the sky, mingling with the scent of wild herbs and roasting meat.

Milena's heart raced as she absorbed the scene. "This... this is astounding," she murmured. "We're witnessing a world where civilization itself took a different path."

István, ever the puzzle enthusiast, eyed the wild grains growing untamed in a nearby field. "Imagine the missed potential," he mused. "No farming, no cities, no written history."

Aida, always empathetic, approached a group of nomads. They were dressed in fur and woven grass, their faces marked with the ruggedness of a life dictated by the whims of nature. She communicated with them through gestures and a few words of an ancient dialect. They learned that these tribes moved with the seasons, their lives a constant quest for sustenance and survival.

Marko, with his practical mind, examined the tools they used. Stone-tipped spears, simple bows, and arrows—it was a stark contrast to the technological advancements he was accustomed to. He marveled at their craftsmanship, yet couldn't help but think of the possibilities that lay unrealized.

Ana, her mind buzzing with algorithms and simulations, began to map out this alternate history. "Without the Starcevo culture," she explained, "Europe's entire trajectory shifted. Technological progress slowed, and the rich tapestry of interconnected societies never wove itself."

As they walked further into the heart of this untamed Belgrade, they encountered a central gathering place where the tribes held councils. The leader, a venerable elder with a deep, resonant voice, welcomed them. Through Aida's translation, they learned of the oral traditions that preserved their history. Stories of great hunts, battles with rival tribes, and the mystical forces of nature that guided their lives.

Milena couldn't help but draw parallels. "Our world had the Starcevo culture as a cornerstone," she reflected. "Agriculture allowed us to build cities, develop writing, and advance in ways these tribes never imagined."

István, always the theorist, pondered the implications. "What if they had discovered agriculture on their own, later? Would their trajectory eventually mirror ours, or would it diverge in unpredictable ways?"

The team spent days immersing themselves in this alternate reality, documenting every detail. They saw how the lack of early farming kept populations small and spread out. Social structures remained egalitarian, with power dynamics based on strength and wisdom rather than wealth and land ownership.

Their evenings were filled with stories by the fire, listening to the tribes' legends and sharing tales of their own world. Marko's humor bridged the cultural gap, eliciting laughter from both his team and the nomads.

On their final day, the team gathered one last time in what should have been the heart of Belgrade. They stood together, contemplating the vast differences and the small, poignant similarities. The world they saw was raw and primal, a reminder of humanity's resilience and adaptability.

As they prepared to return to their reality, Milena addressed her team. "We've seen what could have been—a world without the foundations of the Starcevo culture. It's a sobering reminder of how pivotal those early advancements were."

Ana nodded, her eyes reflecting the flickering flames of their final campfire. "And how even small changes can ripple through history, shaping entire civilizations."

With a final look at the untamed wilderness that mirrored their beloved city, the team stepped back through the portal, their minds filled with newfound wisdom and a deeper appreciation for the fragile thread of history.