Anarchist Time Knights — Day 1: Rift of the Medallion
[Image: Under a blood moon, Tobal with scarred face, short dark hair, glowing medallion, blue militia coat, stands in a cracked New Rome street — Lucas in black tunic, short black hair, astral sheen beside him — Fiona in sky blue gown, loose chestnut hair, spinning golden time threads — OAK Nexus rift cracks with reptilian shadows looming — vivid, gritty]
Tobal Kane crouched in the shadows of New Rome’s rich district. A blood moon painted the sky red, casting an eerie light over streets cracked like broken glass. His blue militia coat — snagged from a school costume rack — rubbed against fresh scars on his face. Around his neck, a heavy gold medallion glowed warm, showing a man and woman holding hands in a circle — a gift from parents he barely remembered. The ground shook hard, not the usual city buzz, but something wild and deep. He stumbled, gripping the medallion as it flared with golden light. Footsteps crunched nearby — Lucas slid up beside him, his black tunic shimmering faintly in the dark. “It’s starting,” Lucas said, voice calm but firm. Tobal nodded. Time was splitting open, and they were caught in it.
A sharp scream rang out — Fiona burst from an alley, her sky blue gown swirling, golden threads spinning from her hands. “They’re here!” she shouted, chestnut hair flying wild under the red moon. The street split wider, a glowing rift tearing through — OAK Nexus energy pulsed, bright and golden. Tobal’s medallion burned hotter, matching Fiona’s threads — she was a spinner, bending time itself. Lucas grabbed Tobal’s arm. “Reptilians — in the rift.” Dark shapes moved inside, scales catching the light, eyes like blood. Tobal swore — his parents’ medallion dragged him into this mess, and he wasn’t ready. Fiona’s threads snapped out, grabbing the rift’s edge, holding it steady. “Leap or fight,” she said, voice sharp. Tobal sucked in a breath — leap.
Lucas went first, diving into the rift, his black tunic trailing a faint glow. Tobal followed, medallion blazing — Fiona jumped last, her threads whipping around them. Time twisted, a tunnel of light and shadow pulling them in. Reptilian hisses bounced off the walls, claws scraping close. Tobal hit the ground hard, boots sinking into cobblestones — Old Seattle, old as dirt, air thick with fog and smoke. Lucas steadied him, eyes scanning the dark. “Portal hub,” he said, nodding at a brick shop — 2424 Oak Street, Antiquities and Curiosities. Fiona’s threads hummed, keeping them tied together. A shadow moved — scales flashed — danger wasn’t done with them yet.
The shop door flew open — a reptilian, tall and ugly, claws gleaming — lunged at Tobal. He ducked, coat ripping, medallion flaring gold and blinding the thing. Lucas spun fast, fist smashing into scales with a crack, his tunic glowing brighter. Fiona’s threads lashed out, wrapping the creature’s legs, tripping it hard. Tobal kicked its jaw — bone snapped. Three more burst out — tails whipping, claws slashing. Lucas grunted, “Ambush.” Fiona’s threads tightened — rift energy surged, wild and gold. Tobal’s scars burned — he wasn’t running this time. He roared and charged, fists flying into scales.
A claw grazed him — Tobal slammed the reptilian into the wall, brick crunching. Lucas took another down, fist glowing as scales shattered. Fiona’s threads wove a net, trapping the last — her voice cut through, “Seal it!” Tobal gripped the medallion — light exploded, syncing with Fiona’s threads. The rift sparked and hissed — golden energy burned brighter, shrinking it down. Reptilians thrashed, then vanished. Lucas breathed hard, “They’re gone.” Fiona sank back, threads fading. Tobal’s scars throbbed — pain mixed with victory. The fight was theirs.
Old Seattle went quiet — the blood moon softened overhead. Tobal held the medallion — its glow dimmed, spreading calm through him. Lucas clapped his shoulder, “Good call.” Fiona smirked, “We’re a team.” The cobblestones gleamed underfoot, Nexus energy steadying around them. Tobal nodded — rift sealed, scars warm — they’d held the line. A crow cawed overhead, breaking the stillness. They’d fight again tomorrow, but tonight, they stood together, glowing under the moon.
