Time’s True Face

As the group gathered themselves, Mira finally broke her silence. For the first time, she shared her story—of the village she had loved, and the tragedy that happened. The squads listened intently, some with understanding, others with visible shock. Finally NX offered their apologies for doubting the mechanic.

Nightfall crept over the battlefield as the two squads headed back toward the nearest Chrono Knight base to regroup and assess their losses. However, the battle wasn’t over—there had been no word of the hourglass over the comms. For now, they could only steel themselves for whatever lay ahead.

◔

The base was silent, the aftermath of the battle weighing heavily on everyone. The squads settled in to recover, their wounds tended and their armor repaired as best as the support staff could manage. Jessie sat on the edge of a cot in the medical bay, as a medic cleaned the fresh scar running from his cheek to his jaw.

Across the room, Mira lingered near the door, her arms clasped tightly behind her back. She watched the medic finish patching Jessie up, her cheeks carrying the faintest hint of color. Finally, as the medic stepped away, she approached slowly.

“You… okay?” Mira hesitated, looking anywhere but his eyes.

Jessie shrugged, smirking, “I’m fine. Just a scratch. Adds character, don’t you think?”

Mira rolled her eyes but didn’t bite back with her usual sarcasm.

“Jessie… I just… wanted to say…” She trailed off, her voice faltering as she looked away, her cheeks growing warmer. “Thank you. For what you did out there. You didn’t have to—”

Jessie interrupted gently, his tone sincere. “Of course I did. I wasn’t about to let you get sucked into that distortion. You’re part of the team. You’re important to us. To me.”

Mira’s breath caught, her eyes widening slightly as she looked at him. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she swallowed hard, willing herself to speak.

“Jessie I.. I think I—”

Before she could finish, Tidus floated into view, its voice cutting through the tension with its usual mechanical precision.

“Observation: reddened face detected. Is Mira Chen experiencing heightened emotional distress, or is this indicative of an illness? Beginning analysis—”

“Tidus!” Mira snapped, her face burning, “Shut it! I’m fine!”

“Hypothesis: Mira Chen is flustered. Analysis confirmed.”

“Out! Now!”

Jessie couldn’t help but laugh.

Before Mira could muster a retort, the base’s comm system blared to life. The sharp, commanding voice of Ambrose Thane cut through the air.

“Attention, all knights,”

Everyone turned.

“The hourglass has been located. All remaining squads report to the designated coordinates immediately.”

◔

The squads followed the coordinates, hope flickering amidst the exhaustion—perhaps the end of this grueling mission was in sight.

When they arrived, the cave loomed ahead, its gaping entrance framed by jagged stone and eerie silence. Squad AX was already there, stationed near the entrance with their usual swave.

The knights entered cautiously, their steps echoing faintly. But as they moved deeper, unease grew in their ranks. The cave was empty—no signs of the hourglass or Aequitas forces, only desolation.

“What is this?” Rhea muttered, as her eyes scanned the surroundings.

Before anyone could answer, the sound of footsteps reverberated. Figures moved at the entrances and exits, as Aequitas blocked every exit.

Panic flared, but it was the figure emerging from the shadows that silenced the room. Commander Thane stepped forward, something darker in his gaze now—something unrelenting and cold.

Erling Krause took a step forward, his squad moving behind him. His voice, calm but laced with suspicion, echoed through the cavern. “Supreme Commander Thane, what is the meaning of this?”

Thane looked on, his expression almost pitying as he surveyed the gathered knights. “You’ve all served well. But I believe it’s time the masks fell.”

The room tensed as Thane spread his arms wide.

“I am Ambrose Thane,” he said, his voice growing colder with each word. “Leader of the Aequitas. And your time is up.”