Knights, Anchors and Awkward Handshakes

Jessie adjusted the stiff collar of his formal dark blue military uniform, frowning at his reflection in the sleek, chrome-lined bathroom mirror. The uniform was crisp and immaculate, a stark contrast to the messy, laid-back look he preferred. His hair was slicked back neatly, and the polished buttons on his jacket gleaming. He exhaled sharply and unbuttoned the collar slightly.

“Better,” he muttered, finally able to breathe.

The low hum of voices filtered in from the main hall, where knights were mingling ahead of the big event.

The information Squad GX had uncovered in the aftermath of their mission was monumental, too significant to be contained within the walls of the Time Tower. Supreme Commander Thane had called for a large-scale conference, bringing together Chrono Knights from across Neotera and beyond. Representatives from every branch of the Order were summoned, their presence signaling the gravity of the situation.

The conference venue was nothing short of grand. A vast hall with vaulted ceilings and holographic displays projected onto the walls, it felt more like a declaration of power than a gathering.

Jessie spotted his squad immediately. Dax stood by a small group of younger knights, speaking in a tone so measured and polite that Jessie nearly laughed. Polite Dax was a rarity worth documenting.

Talia, meanwhile, was fielding attention from a pair of knights trying—and failing—to flirt with her. With a calm yet piercing glare, she silenced one of them mid-sentence, causing the other to nervously retreat. Classic Talia.

Rhea moved through the crowd like she belonged there, exchanging firm handshakes and polite smiles. Her composed demeanor drew others toward her, and Jessie couldn’t help but marvel at her ability to command a room without saying much.

Amid the crowd, Liriana trailed nervously behind Rhea, her small hands gripping the edge of Rhea’s coat as though it were a shield.

Unfortunately combat drones had no place in the conference, and Tidus was left charging back at base.

Jessie, on the other hand, hung back near the edges of the crowd, his hands stuffed in his pockets. He wasn’t in the mood to mingle—too many faces, too many whispered words. It wasn’t long before snippets of hushed conversations drifted to his ears.

“That’s him, right? The Valis kid?”

“Yeah… heard his father almost damaged the stream…”

“Can’t imagine carrying that kind of legacy…”

Jessie clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. The whispers pricked at his skin like tiny needles, but he kept his face neutral. He wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. Instead, he slipped through the crowd and pushed open the glass doors leading to the balcony.

The cold winter air greeted him, a stark contrast to the stuffy warmth inside. Jessie leaned against the railing, letting the buzz of the conference fade behind him. The city of Neotera stretched out below, its skyline glowing faintly.

“Skipping the conference like you skip training?” Mira’s voice cut through the quiet. Jessie turned to see her stepping out onto the balcony.

“What about you? Can’t handle all the excitement?”

Mira smirked, leaning against the railing beside him. “Excitement? You mean the endless parade of stiff handshakes and rehearsed speeches? Yeah, definitely not my scene. I’d rather be tinkering with my gadgets.”

Jessie chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “Same. It’s like they’re all trying to out-‘Knight’ each other in there.”

“You okay? Heard some of the whispers.”

Jessie shrugged, his gaze fixed on the city lights. “It’s nothing I haven’t heard before.”

“You’re a terrible liar,” Mira huffed, but smiled nonetheless, “I know it’s easier said than done, but you shouldn’t let them get to you. We told you, the squad’s here for you.”

Jessie glanced at her, a small, genuine smile tugging at his lips. “Thanks, Mira.”

Before she could respond, another figure emerged on the balcony of the grandiose building.

“Jessie Valis. Never thought I’d see you at one of these.”

The two of them turned to find a young woman with long, curly blue hair approaching him. Her piercing silver eyes sparkled with mischief as she stopped in front of Jessie, hands on her hips.

“Skye Reus,” Jessie said, his brows raising in surprise. “Well, look at you, all formal and soldier-like.”

She smirked, leaning in slightly. “You noticed? That’s a first. Usually, you were too busy dodging class to notice anything.”

Jessie chuckled, “And here I thought graduation meant I wouldn’t have to deal with you teasing me anymore.”

Skye laughed, a warm, melodic sound, “Oh, Valis, you should know by now—I don’t let go of a good thing so easily.”

Mira, her expression as flat as could get, gave Skye a quick once-over, “Friend o’ yours?”

“Old classmate,” Jessie explained, “Skye here was always one of the top flyers in class. Probably already leading her own squad, right?”

“Not quite,” Skye said, brushing a strand of blue hair over her shoulder. “But I’m flattered you think so. And look at you, part of such a high-stakes conference. Didn’t think you had it in you.”

Jessie smirked, “Yeah, well, I’m full of surprises. But I could’ve guessed you’d be here. Always knew you’d climb the ranks faster than anyone.”

“And yet, here we are, equals for the moment,” Skye shot back, her tone playful. “Maybe I’ll pass you someday.”

“Dream big, Reus.”

Just then a chime rang through the air, signaling the start of the conference. Feigning disappointment, Skye rolled her eyes.

“Well, that’s all the time we had for chatting. But don’t think I’m letting you off the hook, Jessie.” The charming knight winked, as she walked back to the hall.

“She’s… subtle.” Mira sat there watching her retreating form.

“Yeah, as subtle as a chrono grenade in a library.”

The room grew quiet as knights took their seats, their attention drawn to the grand stage at the front of the hall. Supreme Commander Thane stood at the center, flanked by two other supreme commanders from distant branches and several high-ranking commanders, including Sylvia Lorne.

“Knights of the Chrono Order,” Thane began, his deep voice resonating through the hall. “We gather here today to address a threat unlike any we have faced before. The Aequitas grows bolder with each passing day, their methods more dangerous. And now, we know their goal.”

The room hung on his every word.

“They seek the Eternal Hourglass.”

A ripple of shock swept through the hall. Gasps and murmurs broke out, disbelief etched across countless faces. The Eternal Hourglass—an ancient myth, a mere legend to most—was now being spoken of as fact.

“It is not just a story,” Thane continued, his tone firm. “It is real, and it is dangerous. If the Aequitas were to claim it, they would hold the power to rewrite time itself. We cannot allow that to happen.”

“Thanks to the efforts of one of our squads,” Thane said, casting a glance towards Jessie, “we now know where the Aequitas believes the Eternal Hourglass is hidden. It lies outside the Neotera grid, in the desolate warzones left behind by the Great Chrono War. That is where we will meet them, and that is where we will stop them.”

The gravity of his words hung heavy in the air. Knights exchanged uneasy glances, the magnitude of the mission settling in.

“This will not be easy,” Thane continued, his gaze sweeping across the room. “But we are Chrono Knights. We do not falter. We will protect the timeline, no matter the cost.”

He raised his hand in a commanding gesture. “Ad tempus, ad futurum!”

The room erupted in a unified chant, the words reverberating like a battle cry.

“Ad tempus, ad futurum!”