The Next Day
Most of the agents hadn't been able to attend the nearly monthly memorial service—most were still busy with their assignments.
"Let us honor the death of our two Timer agents by bidding them farewell today—" began the General of the Timers as the ceremony commenced.
"Look at Ashfall—he doesn't even look sad or angry... what a cold-hearted man," whispered two other Timer agents as they glanced toward him.
"He's not even really human anymore. He's got more machines in him now than before," the other murmured back.
All around the hall, people were gossiping—despite this being a funeral for two comrades.
The subject on everyone's lips: Ashfall's cold demeanor.
The memorial ended after just a few minutes, and the attendees filed out of the small hall—still talking about Ashfall as if he weren't there.
"Doesn't seem to bother him at all that comrades died under his command..."
"I'm starting to think he only ever saves his own ass and leaves everyone else behind."
Ashfall also left the hall, expressionless. He focused on his steps, trying to block out the voices.
Same thing every time... everyone pretends to care, but they just take out their frustration on me because I don't show emotions.
The General and the two officers watched him with pity in their eyes.
"He's been through so much—no wonder he comes across as cold," said one of the officers, adjusting his black-and-red uniform.
"Six years ago, he joined us as a teenager—completely traumatized by the Ash War. But even then, he had a clear goal: destroy and maintain balance," the General recalled, adjusting his brand-new peaked cap and polished medals before following the other agents out of the building.
It felt as if the comments and accusations circled around Ashfall like haunting ghosts.
Yet he remained firm, intending to leave the Timer compound—until one of the officers stopped him at the security gate.
"Commander Ashfall, you've been assigned a new mission: you're to retrieve two new agents from the training facility and introduce them to our—"
Ashfall walked past him without saying a word, heading home.
"Ashfall... if the General or the other officer hears about this, you'll be stripped of your rank in no time—do you understand?" the officer whispered in a panic, glancing around nervously.
"The other agents could report you for insubordination."
Ashfall stopped and turned around.
"Let them. I haven't been wanted here in a long time," he said coldly—first glaring at the officer, then at the gossiping agents now approaching the gate as well.
The officer sighed and laid a hand on Ashfall's shoulder.
"By the way... your sister was here yesterday. She asked about you," he added, eyes downcast.
Panic briefly flashed across Ashfall's face, and with a frustrated sigh, he gave in and listened to the briefing.
With a sly smile, the officer explained the mission:
"Your task is to take the two recruits into your team and travel to World 1. The second hand on the Great Clock has been swinging back and forth between 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock for some time now."
"The Early Age and the Bronze Age are out of balance? That's rare—those epochs hardly ever cause problems."
"That's what's troubling. Since you haven't fully recovered and will have two rookies with you, we've assigned you the lowest-risk mission."
"How kind of you..."
Ashfall's first stop was the training facility to pick up the new recruits—then he was to fly to the Great Clock at the center of Aethra Prime to access the portal to the Early Age.
Even thinking about the mission gave him a headache, despite its supposedly easy nature.
Doesn't matter. I don't have a choice if I want to stay alive... the mission will be done.
He waved instead of saluting and made his way toward the massive training facility outside the capital.
Ashfall stared out the shuttle window, lost in thought.
Erat and Uka were good comrades who died under my command... why did it have to come to this? Why was I so powerless? Why... why did I have to watch them die again?
If only I had the power of a demigod—this never would have happened...
After a one-hour flight, Ashfall finally arrived at the training center of the Internal Security Department—known simply as ISD.
With these two rookies, this will be my twelfth and hopefully final team...
Rain poured down so heavily that even the umbrella barely helped, and his suit was completely soaked.
Two ISD soldiers in silver-blue armor, stationed at the entrance gate, ran up to him and escorted him through.
"Please wait here, Sir. An instructor will come get you shortly," said one of them, saluting before returning to his post.
Just seconds later, an instructor arrived—flanked by two more ISD soldiers—and led Ashfall to the training grounds.
"So you're here for the two fully trained Timer recruits? Just make sure we don't see them again next week—after their next funeral," the instructor said mockingly.
Ashfall showed no reaction, though deep down he would've loved to put a bullet in the man's head.
"There they are," the instructor called out, pointing at the running recruits in their filthy, worn-down white armor.
"Recruit R-271.011 and R-220.527," he said, tapping on their profiles on his tablet.
With that, signals were sent to their wristbands, prompting them to leave training and approach Ashfall.
Exhausted and completely drenched, the two stood before him and saluted.
"I am R-271.011—also known as B-Day, Sir!" one of them shouted.
The other followed: "R-220.527, Sir!"
"You can take them now, Ashfall. Until next time," the instructor said as he turned and walked back toward the main building.
Ashfall briefly inspected the two before giving his order:
"Take off your filthy armor and report to the front gate in clean uniforms. I'm leaving in ten minutes."
Without hesitation, both recruits dashed toward the barracks at the far end of the facility, while Ashfall returned to the dry comfort of his shuttle.