A Moment Too Late

The days following Liriana’s arrival were a mix of new routines and adjustments. Squad GX took on the role of both protectors and caretakers, each member finding ways to bond with the quiet girl who’d suddenly become part of their lives. Though still reserved, Liriana slowly began warming up to the squad, responding to their small gestures with nods and shy smiles.

During the day, Rhea was her constant guide, showing her the ins and outs of the Time Tower, often with Mira and Talia by her side, while Jessie lightened the mood with his usual antics.

One evening, Jessie had taken her to the observation deck, pointing out all the sparkling lights of Neotera. “See that? That’s the best taco stand in the city,” he said with an exaggeratedly serious tone, “And right over there, that’s where Mira almost drove the Strider off a building.”

Mira shot him a look. “I did no such thing!”

Talia smirked, adding with a chuckle, “Well, maybe not almost, but it was close.”

Over the next few days, each member took turns keeping watch over Liriana at night. Mira would explain her gadgets, showing Liriana small, harmless devices she’d been working on. Talia shared stories of her early training, while Jessie would tell her ridiculous tales of his past mischief, which, though slightly exaggerated, sometimes made her laugh shyly.

Through it all, though, Dax kept his distance. He was kind to Liriana, gentle in his manner, but rarely lingered, always excusing himself or staying silent when the others engaged with her.

Finally, the night came when it was Dax’s turn to watch over the girl. He entered her room quietly, seeing her sitting on her bed, legs tucked under her, staring at the window.

Dax hesitated before he spoke, “Can’t sleep?”

She looked up at him, her face solemn, and shook her head.

Dax took a seat on a chair nearby, keeping his tone gentle. “It’s alright. Sometimes… it’s hard to shut your mind off.”

Liriana glanced at him, studying his face for a moment, then returned her gaze to the window. The silence stretched between them, and Dax found himself speaking before he’d thought it through.

“Liriana… do you remember the man who…” He hesitated. “Made you do all those things… Reid?”

At the mention of Reid’s name, her shoulders tensed, and she curled into herself slightly. But then, seeing the softness in Dax’s gaze, she nodded.

“What was he like?”

Liriana seemed to consider her words, clutching her hands together. “He… he was cold. He never talked to me much. Only told me what to do, where to go. He was angry. Always angry.”

Dax nodded, not wanting to push her any further, but he couldn’t shake the weight of her words. Reid had always been intense, but the man Liriana described was twisted by anger, consumed by it. Dax’s mind returned to Reid’s accusation, the venom in his voice as he’d claimed the Knights had killed his family.

Liriana eventually lay back, her eyelids growing heavy. As she drifted to sleep, Dax sat by her side, his thoughts spiraling deeper into memories and unanswered questions.

Once he was sure she was asleep, he quietly left the room, heading to a place he hadn’t visited in a long time. There was a small, dimly lit bar just a few steps away from the Time Tower, a spot where Knights often went to unwind after missions. It wasn’t exactly Dax’s usual hangout, but tonight, he felt the need to be somewhere away from the silence of his own thoughts.

He ordered a drink and took a seat by himself at the bar. Just as he was beginning to relax, a familiar voice called out.

“Well, well. Look who finally decided to show up.”

Dax looked up to see Calian Lager, his old squadmate from his first days in the Knights, grinning down at him.

“You know this place for me is what the gym is for you. Heaven.” Cal sighed exaggeratedly, as he winked at the barmaid serving drinks.

“You don’t say…”

Cal slid onto the stool beside Dax, flagging down the bartender with a casual wave. His presence was easy and familiar, the kind that invited conversation without saying a word. He was a man in his mid 30s, an angled moustache that went well with his easy-on-the-eyes features and long well-kept hair. When he looked at Dax, though, his face grew more serious.

“So,” Cal began, lowering his voice, “is it true what I’ve been hearing? That Reid’s alive… and running with those… Aequitas now?”

Dax tensed, his grip tightening around his glass. He nodded slowly, keeping his gaze fixed on the counter. “Yeah. It’s true.”

“Man... I’m sorry, Vanon. I know how close you two were.”

“Yeah.” Dax’s voice was barely above a whisper. “We went through everything together.”

Cal let out a slow breath, shaking his head. “Thane’s got my squad in his Aequitas hunting division too, you know. Guess I’ll be seeing more of this mess than I’d like. But, man…” he gave Dax a knowing look. “Why would he betray us, after all he went through to become a Knight?”

Dax hesitated, then decided he couldn’t keep the truth buried any longer. “He said the Knights betrayed him first. Reid thinks the Knights were behind the incident that got his parents killed.”

Cal frowned, taking that in, his easy demeanor slipping into something more thoughtful. “You really think that’s true?”

“I don’t know.” Dax rubbed a hand over his face, feeling the weight of it all. “He was so certain. I mean, the anger, the bitterness—it was real. Reid never talked about his parents much, but I knew it haunted him.”

“I get it. I do. Past ghosts… they stick with you. But, hey.” He leaned closer, patting his old squadmate on the back, “Don’t let it get you down, okay?”

Dax didn’t reply, merely gulping down his drink before waving at the bartender for another.

“I mean more than you are now… Shit.” Cal sighed.

“I just want answers, Cal. I want to know what really happened…” Dax grimaced, “I don’t want to believe the Knights had a hand on Reid’s past.”

“You don’t have to… Yet.” Cal clapped him on the shoulder, leaning in, “Listen, Vanon. Whatever’s happened… you can’t let doubt creep in. Blindly believing is one thing, but paranoia… a whole other.” Finally, he raised his glass, offering a small toast.

“Anyway… To finding answers, yeah?”

Dax sighed and clinked his glass against Cal’s. “To finding answers.”

Just as Dax was about to gulp down another glass, a sudden, urgent alert blared from both their wrist devices, a holographic panel of red letters flashing out.

Explosion detected at Time Tower. Code Red. Immediate assistance required.

Dax’s heart leaped into his throat as the implications hit him like a freight train. Liriana. Her room was at the Tower, vulnerable. 

The room HE was supposed to be guarding. He bolted upright, barely registering Cal’s startled look as he dashed out of the bar, his mind racing with panic.

He tore through the streets, the glow of distant city lights blurring past as he sprinted toward the Tower. He’d left without his gauntlets, with nothing to protect him, but he didn’t care. Liriana was in danger, and that was all that mattered.

He was just turning into a narrow alley shortcut near the Tower when he stopped short. Blocking his path stood a group of cloaked figures, their faces obscured, their postures tense and poised for battle.

Aequitas here? How? 

Dax barely had a chance to register that thought, before they advanced, cutting off his escape.

“Where is she?” Dax demanded, his voice a growl. But he was weaponless, exposed.

“Silence.”

The first blow came hard and fast, slamming into his side, and he staggered back, gritting his teeth. He swung back with a fierce jab, landing a punch on one of the cloaked figures, but more swarmed him, their fists, boots, batons and weapons landing blow after blow. Dax fought as best he could, struggling to stay on his feet, but he was outnumbered and outmatched.

Soon he was on the ground, his vision blurring as pain radiated through his body. He struggled to rise, but another kick to his ribs sent him back down. They beat him again and again, his consciousness slipping.

The leader of the group knelt beside him, his voice metallic and void.

“The commander is waiting for you… Dax Vanon. If you want the girl to live, you’ll come alone. Settle this once and for all.”

Dax’s eyes narrowed, defiance sparking in his gaze even as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

“This isn’t over…”

The brawny knight tried to push himself upright once more, but his body was too badly damaged to follow through the attempt. Suddenly, as he lay there in the cold, hard concrete, it hit him. Did all these hours he trained for even matter? If he couldn’t save one little girl at the end…

Dax felt something cool and metallic slip into his hand—a small data chip.

As his vision darkened, Dax felt the last traces of consciousness slip away, the sounds around him fading into silence.