Harvesting a Moment Lost

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm orange glow over Cyrillia, the squad received a message summoning them to the mayor’s estate. It was an invitation they couldn’t exactly refuse. The mayor had extended a gesture of goodwill, offering a formal dinner as a way to show the town’s hospitality.

The estate itself was grander than anything else in Cyrillia—an old building with weathered stone walls and ornate iron gates. The grounds were well-maintained, with rows of hedges lining the path that led up to the front doors.

Jessie, who had spent most of the walk trying to lighten the mood with his usual jokes, finally fell quiet as they neared the entrance. Even he could feel the uneasy atmosphere settling over them like a thick fog. 

“Great, nothing like a fancy dinner in the middle of a mission,” The young knight muttered, adjusting the collar of his jacket. “I’m sure this won’t be awkward at all.”

Dax chuckled, “I fancy the food, but I’d rather have my chrono gear on hand. Something feels off.”

Rhea, always composed, kept her voice low as they stepped up to the door. “Keep your guard up. We’re here as guests, but we’re still on a mission.”

As they entered the estate, the grandeur of the interior contrasted sharply with the modest homes in town.

“Welcome esteemed Knights.”

The mayor himself, a tall, imposing figure with graying hair and sharp eyes, greeted them with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. The dining hall was lavish, the long table set with polished silverware and glowing with soft candlelight. Servants moved quietly about, setting platters of food.

“Thank you for the invitation.” Rhea nodded her head politely, as the squad took their seats.

Talia sat stiffly, her gaze flitting between the mayor and the townsfolk seated around the table.

Jessie, never one to miss an opportunity, leaned over to Mira, who was sitting to his right. “So, any bets on how long it’ll take before this gets awkward? My guess is… already.”

Mira gave him a quick smirk, “Maybe try not to poke the hornet’s nest this time, Jessie.”

Rhea, seated at the head of the table opposite the mayor, kept her tone civil as she exchanged pleasantries with him. The mayor’s answers to her questions about the town and any unusual disturbances were vague, evasive and dismissive.

As Jessie opened his mouth to swallow a bite of food, that persistent feeling of unease from before crept up his chest and neck, hitting him on the head like a hammer. Something was off.

At that moment a faint tremor shook the floor beneath their feet. The candles on the table flickered, and for a moment, everyone froze. Then, suddenly, the faint glow of chrono energy rippled through the air outside, visible through the large windows that overlooked the fields.

“What the hell—” Dax stood up, knocking his chair back as the tremor grew stronger.

Rhea was already on her feet, her sharp blue eyes locking onto the distortion in the distance. “That’s a distortion. Out in the fields.”

The mayor stood as well, his expression alarmed but guarded. “I assure you, everything is under control—”

“I’m sure it is,” Rhea cut in, her voice icy. “But we need to take care of this. Now.”

Without waiting for another word, the squad was already moving, chairs scraping back as they rushed out of the dining hall. The soft evening light had faded, replaced by the eerie glow of the distortion tearing through the fields in the distance.

“Let’s move!” Rhea ordered, her chrono whip coiled in her hand.

As they reached the fields, the distortion pulsed again, sending a shockwave of energy through the ground. Time itself seemed to warp and twist in the distance, the fields shimmering with an unnatural light. Crops flew, the ground cratering.

Jessie skidded to a halt, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. His hand flew to his head, clicking his tongue. “Man that thing’s going wild… does anyone else feel weird around it or is that just me?”

“Weird? Apart from worrying about time, I’d say no.” Mira said, looking up at the shimmering colorful energy.

Rhea’s voice was sharp, commanding. “Stay sharp everyone. We don’t know what’s causing this, but it’s not natural. Dax, Jessie, with me. Mira, scan the distortion and pinpoint what’s causing it. Talia, you cover us if something happens.”

With a nod, the squad split into action, moving with the precision of trained professionals.

The chrono distortion rippled through the air, warping everything around it—the ground trembled, and the energy flickered. Yet as quickly as the distortion appeared, it began to fade, like a mirage slipping out of sight.

“Mira, can you get a read on that?” Rhea asked.

Mira, tapped rapidly on the small holo-display in front of her. She cursed under her breath, frustration flashing across her face, “It’s… gone. The distortion just vanished, like it was never there. No readings, no source—nothing to track.”

“That’s just great. We’re chasing ghosts now?” Dax grumbledz

Jessie scanned around them, “So it just fades out of existence and leaves us with no leads? That’s new. This mission’s getting better by the minute.”

Before anyone could comment further, the farmer who presumably owned the field came stomping toward them, his face twisted in anger. His eyes flicked between the Knights and the wrecked soil of his land.

“What in the blazes happened here?!”

“Sir, there was a time distortion here, but it… faded. I’m afraid your land paid the price.” Rhea said calmly and apologetically.

“Well that’s just bloody brilliant, ain’t it? People think we can just tough out winter without our crops, is that it?!” The old farmer spat.

“Who thinks so, mister?” Rhea narrowed her eyes at him, something that made the man glare at her.

“None of your damn business! What we say and do in this town is no concern of yours!” He cursed, before he stomped his way back to his house. 

“This is his fault… Damn, that lunatic! I told them that cursed machine was no good!”

Talia’s head snapped as she overheard the man talk to himself.

Lunatic? Machine? Could this be a hint?

She took a few cautious steps forward, but caught herself. The others didn’t seem to have overheard him. That’s for the better, Talia thought. There was a chance he wouldn’t say anything if the whole squad simply started asking questions.

“Mira scan the surroundings one more time… Dax run the perimeter, maybe we’ll find something out of place.”

Talia was suddenly caught in two minds. This was her chance to slip away if she wanted to. With silent deliberate steps, she turned around deciding to follow the farmer.

Talia?

Yet Jessie, sensing something was off, hung back from the squad and turned his attention towards his disappearing teammate.