theLumenUniverse
In a world reclaimed by monstrous flora and fauna after humanity's fall, Maya Chen survives by wits, salvaged tech, and respecting the deadly beauty of the Kouko Vallis. Harvesting rare plants is her trade, navigating bioluminescent forests and dodging mega-predators her daily routine. But the forest holds deeper secrets than just survival. When strange sensor readings lead her to an impossible encounter-an intelligent, genetically uplifted primate named Kaia, fleeing mysterious creators-Maya's carefully managed existence shatters. Now, hunted by both the valley's natural dangers and unknown human forces, Maya must decide whether to protect this fugitive discovery or betray it to the powers rebuilding the world. Survival is no longer the only goal; understanding might be the only way forward.