The city hummed with its usual neon glow as Aria and Elias sped through the streets on foot, their footsteps echoing against the empty pavement. The urgency in the air was palpable—the anomaly's location was less than a mile away, but the time was running short.
Elias's gaze flicked to his wrist device, his eyes narrowing as he read the latest update. "Five minutes until the distortion peaks. We need to get inside the building, or we'll miss it."
Aria quickened her pace, her mind racing. "What's the plan when we get there?"
He shot her a grin, one that looked almost casual. "Simple. We sneak in, gather the data we need, and get out before the Tribunal sends their agents to sweep the area."
"Of course. Sneak in, gather evidence, and avoid getting captured. Why didn't I think of that?" she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Elias laughed, a sound that seemed too light for the situation. "Hey, it's worked so far. And besides, I like our odds."
Aria shook her head, but she couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. "You know, one day your optimism is going to get us both killed."
"Maybe," he said, a playful glint in his eyes. "But until then, I'm going to enjoy it."
They approached the target building, an old corporate office with shattered windows and flickering lights. The place looked abandoned, but Aria knew better—locations like this were perfect for the Tribunal's operations. Remote, easy to hide anomalies, and unlikely to draw attention.
Elias paused, scanning the area before gesturing to a side entrance. "That way—there's a maintenance access point we can use. Should be clear."
Aria nodded, following close behind as they approached the door. She watched as Elias pulled out a small electronic device, hacking into the lock. The door clicked open, and he pushed it ajar, motioning for her to enter.
"Ladies first," he said, giving her a mock bow.
She rolled her eyes. "Trying to be charming won't work."
"I'm not trying—I just am." He grinned, but the smile faded quickly as they slipped inside. "Stay close. And be ready."
The hallway stretched out before them, lit by dim emergency lights. Aria felt the tension in the air as they moved, each step bringing them closer to the anomaly. She could feel the electric buzz of the temporal distortion—it made her skin prickle and the hairs on her arms stand up.
"Okay, we're close," Elias said, his voice low. He stopped at a junction, glancing down both paths before choosing the one on the left. "The anomaly should be up ahead. I'll set up the scanner."
As he knelt down to assemble the device, Aria watched him, her mind working. There was something about Elias that didn't quite add up. His confidence, his ease with the equipment, the way he navigated their missions—he was far more skilled than any Tribunal agent she'd encountered. And yet, he hid behind humor and deflections whenever she pushed for answers.
"So, how did you really get involved with all this?" she asked, crouching next to him. "You seem too familiar with the Tribunal's operations for just an average agent."
Elias didn't look up, his hands steady as he adjusted the scanner. "What can I say? I like to keep busy."
"Right. But you know more than you're letting on," she pressed. "You said you've been tracking me for months. Why?"
His expression remained neutral, but she saw the flicker of something in his eyes—something guarded. "I've been investigating time anomalies for years. Your name kept coming up in the Tribunal's reports."
Aria frowned. "And what did those reports say?"
"They called you a rogue scientist—brilliant, resourceful, and dangerous." He glanced up, and his mouth quirked into a grin. "But they forgot to mention that you're also incredibly stubborn."
Aria narrowed her eyes. "And you believe their version?"
"No." Elias shook his head, the humor fading from his voice. "I believe my own eyes. And I've seen enough to know that you're not like the people they claim to protect." He paused, the weight of his words hanging between them. "But I can't tell you everything—not yet."
Aria's frustration bubbled up, but she held it back. "Why not?"
"Because the more you know, the more dangerous this becomes." His tone was serious, a contrast to his usual lightheartedness. "The Tribunal doesn't just want to control time—they want to control anyone who understands it. And right now, that includes you and me."
Aria's grip tightened on the strap of her bag. "Then why are you still protecting me?"
He paused, and for a moment, the mask slipped. There was a flicker of something—hesitation, maybe even vulnerability—but he covered it with a smile. "Because I like a challenge."
Aria rolled her eyes. "Nice try, but I'm not buying it."
Elias just shrugged. "Can't blame a guy for trying." He finished setting up the scanner and stood, motioning for her to move further down the hallway. "Come on. The anomaly's about to peak."
They moved quickly, the air thickening as the distortion intensified. Aria felt the familiar pressure in her chest, the pull of the timestream growing stronger. She clenched her jaw, keeping her focus as they reached the doorway to the central chamber.
Elias placed the scanner on the floor, activating it. The device emitted a low hum, its lights pulsing as it captured the energy fluctuations. "It's almost there—just a few more seconds."
Aria's eyes scanned the room, noting the strange warping effect around the anomaly. The air seemed to ripple like water, distorting the space around it. She'd seen time distortions before, but this one felt different—unstable, like a storm ready to break.
"Elias, this doesn't look normal."
He nodded, his expression serious. "It's a stronger pulse than usual. The Tribunal's been experimenting with higher frequencies, trying to stabilize larger jumps."
"And what's their endgame?"
His eyes flicked to hers, and the guarded look returned. "I'm not sure yet. But it's nothing good."
Just as he spoke, the scanner beeped, the lights flashing red. The air around the anomaly rippled violently, and Aria felt the ground tremble beneath her feet. "Elias, we need to move!"
"Almost done—just a few more seconds," he muttered, adjusting the scanner's settings.
But the anomaly surged, sending a wave of energy through the room. Aria staggered, feeling the pull of the timestream as the distortion intensified. She grabbed Elias's arm, pulling him back. "Elias, it's too unstable!"
He didn't argue. Grabbing the scanner, he yanked her towards the exit. "Go, go!"
They sprinted down the hallway, the walls warping around them as the anomaly pulsed. The distortion followed, like an invisible tidal wave tearing through the space. Aria's heart pounded as they burst through the exit, diving behind a support pillar just as the energy wave crashed into the hallway.
The shockwave rippled past, the air vibrating with an unnatural hum. Aria held her breath, clutching the edge of the pillar. When the noise finally subsided, she risked a glance back at the corridor. The entrance was warped, twisted beyond recognition.
Elias exhaled, shaking his head. "That was close. Too close."
Aria's eyes met his, and she felt the lingering tension between them. "You think?"
He laughed, but it was forced, the humor an attempt to mask his concern. "Hey, if it were easy, it wouldn't be exciting."
Aria shook her head, a small smile forming despite the chaos. "One of these days, your idea of 'exciting' is going to get us both killed."
Elias shrugged, his grin returning. "Maybe. But until then, I say we enjoy the ride."
Aria sighed, but there was a warmth in his eyes that made her feel strangely at ease. Despite his evasions and the mysteries he carried, she couldn't deny that she felt safer with him than she had in years.
But she knew better than to let her guard down. The truth about Elias was still out there, waiting to be uncovered—and she was determined to find it.