Ad Tempus, Ad Futurum

The fractured battlefield sprawled endlessly beneath a shattered sky, its warped terrain a testament to the lingering scars of the Chrono Wars. Glimmering chrono distortions flickered, their erratic pulses warning of the chaos they could unleash. The Aequitas had been sighted here after traces of the Eternal Hourglass surfaced, their forces converging in a desperate attempt to claim its secrets. The Chrono Knights were here to stop them and ensure the artifact stayed out of enemy hands.

The assembled squads stood in perfect formation, clad in their pristine C-ES-4 Chrono-Stabilization Combat Suits. Squad GX and NX were positioned toward the south, awaiting orders among a sea of other knights. Jessie adjusted his Anchor Suit, the sleek white armor hugging his form as glowing blue lines of chrono energy pulsed faintly across its surface. His translucent helmet interface displayed the positions of allied squads, a clear reminder of the sheer scale of the operation.

Talia, glanced sideways at him, “Don’t fidget. You’ll mess up the calibration.”

“I’m not fidgeting. Just… stretching.”

“Your vitals suggest mild anxiety,” Tidus chimed in, hovering beside Mira, “Recommended action: deep breaths. Avoid compromising suit efficiency.”

Jessie sighed. “Thanks for the tip, tin can.”

Above them, on a small observation platform, Liriana sat with her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her wide green eyes darted nervously between the battlefield below and the holo-feed projecting energy fluctuations across the terrain.

Jessie glanced upward at the platform and gave a small wave. “Hey, Liri, no pressure or anything, but we’re counting on you to keep us in one piece, alright?”

Liriana managed a faint smile, her voice soft over the comms. “I’ll try… I promise.”

In the distance, the projection of High Arbiter Victor Magnus flickered to life, towering over the battlefield like a guardian of time itself, his voice booming over the ranks.

“Knights of the Chrono Order,” he began, his tone steady and commanding, “today we face an enemy that seeks not only to defy time but to destroy its balance. This mission is not merely a battle—it is a race to preserve the sanctity of the chrono stream.”

The knights stood in rapt attention, their resolve unwavering. Magnus continued, “The Eternal Hourglass is rumored to be near, and the Aequitas believe they can claim it for their own perverse agenda. But they underestimate us. They underestimate you. We are the guardians of time, and today, we show them that time itself stands against them.”

Ambrose Thane, standing imposingly among the commanders, stepped forward to address the squads.

“This battlefield is riddled with distortions, and the Aequitas have fortified their positions. Your Anchor Suits will stabilize you, but they will not save you from recklessness. Move carefully, and remember: this is a coordinated operation. Every squad has a role. Fulfill yours.”

Erling Krause, his crimson-tinted Anchor Suit a stark contrast to the white of the others, stepped forward next. His voice was calm, almost disinterested, but carried the weight of his reputation. “Squad AX will lead the vanguard,” he said, his tone confident, “The rest will follow where needed. And remember: do not hesitate. It’s kill or be killed.”

“Friendly guy.” Jessie muttered under his breath,

Victor Magnus raised a hand, “Knights, remember: time itself has entrusted us with its guardianship. Today, we answer that trust. Ad Tempus, Ad Futurum.”

The chant echoed across the battlefield as the knights raised their weapons.

“Ad Tempus, Ad Futurum!”

◔

The battlefield was chaos—a swirling storm of dust, energy bursts, and shouts that blurred into one cacophonous roar. Squad GX and NX fought side by side, moving as a seamless unit against the tide of Aequitas soldiers. Jessie ducked a swing, his glowing blade humming as he countered, slicing through an enemy’s weapon and landing a solid hit that sent the soldier sprawling.

“Hold the line!” Rhea’s voice cut through the din, sharp and commanding as her whip lashed out.

Jessie darted toward Gravik, who was locked in combat with two opponents. The hammer-wielding knight swung in a wide arc, forcing them back, but his movements were getting slower now. Jessie slid in behind one of the Aequitas, his blade slicing upward in a flash of light.

Gravik grunted his thanks, “Appreciate it. Let’s… finish this.”

Nearby, Talia fired off two arrows in quick succession, her calm precision a sharp contrast to the chaos around her. Each shot found its mark, dropping enemies before they could close the distance.

“Talia Vespera, adjust aim three degrees left,” Tidus chimed in, its mechanical tone cutting through the noise. “Enemy reinforcements advancing from the west.”

Talia didn’t hesitate, her next arrow flying true and striking down a soldier attempting to flank her. “Thanks, Tidus. Keep the updates coming.”

Skye covered her from another angle, her pistols blazing, the quick retorts of gunfire punctuating the din.

Nearby, Mira ducked behind cover, her chrono pistol firing controlled bursts at an advancing Aequitas despite her trembling hands. The aimbot AI built in seemingly bridged the gap of her inexperience.

“Liri, anything on those distortions ahead?”

Liriana’s voice crackled over the comms, nervous but steady. “They’re fluctuating… It feels like something is building up. Be careful—there’s too much movement to pinpoint!”

But the tide didn’t ebb. More soldiers poured in, and the field grew tighter, more desperate.

“Eyes up, Mira!” Jessie barked, rushing toward her as a soldier broke through the line and rounded her cover.

Time seemed to slow. Mira scrambled to get her weapon up, but the soldier was too close, their blade poised to strike. Jessie didn’t think—he couldn’t. With a burst of energy, he charged, his blade plunging into the attacker’s chest just before they reached Mira.

The soldier gasped, their weapon clattering to the ground as Jessie shoved them off his blade. He turned to Mira, his chest heaving. “You good?”

Mira’s wide eyes darted between him and the fallen enemy. She swallowed hard, nodding. “Yeah… Thanks.”

Before Jessie could reply, the battlefield fell silent. The last of the Aequitas forces had either retreated or fallen, their bodies scattered across the war-torn field. The dust began to settle, revealing the grim aftermath of the skirmish.

“You… did it.” Liriana breathed out in relief, however the foreboding silence of everyone present hung heavier.

Jessie stood still, his blade lowered but still glowing faintly. Around him, the squad regrouped. Talia wiped blood from her brow, her eyes scanning for any sign of more enemies. Gravik leaned on his hammer, his chest rising and falling heavily. Rhea’s whip coiled loosely at her side as she called out, “Status check! Everyone alright?”

Jessie’s grip on his blade tightened as his gaze fell to the ground—to the bodies. One, in particular, caught his eye—the soldier he’d just taken down to save Mira. His hands trembled slightly as he wiped the blood from his blade, the weight of what he’d done settling over him like a heavy shroud.

This is war. The thought echoed again, louder now in the stillness. Jessie had prepared for it during endless drills and training sessions. But to feel it—to live it—was entirely different.

He glanced at his squad, seeing flickers of the same weight in their eyes. Dax, Talia, Rhea, Mira they all looked, felt the same.

Jessie took a deep breath and stepped forward, his voice breaking the heavy silence. “We can do this,” he said, louder than before, his tone resolute. It wasn’t a boast or an attempt at humor—it was a declaration, a lifeline to hold onto.

Mira looked up at him, her expression softening. “Yeah,” she said quietly. “We can.”

The squads rallied, the moment of reflection passing as they steeled themselves for what was still to come. War wasn’t just about surviving—it was about moving forward, even when the weight of it threatened to crush them.