Timeline Anchor: Edo-Tokyo Variant 1857.3X
(Unstable. Subject to paradox. Wear goggles.)
Kael landed face-first in a puddle of oil.
He groaned and rolled over, his ribs protesting every breath. Above him, steam-belching towers rose like metallic cherry blossoms, silhouetted against an orange smog-choked sky. Samurai in bronze exosuits patrolled the streets, their armor humming with arcane energy. Neon kanji signs flickered beside paper lanterns.
It was ancient Japan… rebuilt by someone who had clearly watched too much anime.
A voice buzzed in his ear.
"—Welcome to Anchor 1857.3X. Your mission: Infiltrate the Meiji Clockforge and eliminate Kael Voss."
Kael sat up, spitting oil. "Excuse me? Me?! I'm right here!"
"Not you, obviously. Your Variant. Codename: Ghost Ronin. Leads a rebellion against the Empire. If he succeeds, temporal energy destabilizes and collapses five other anchors. Including yours. So: kill him."
Kael cursed. "Do I at least get a gun this time?"
A small crate shimmered into existence beside him. Inside: a plasma katana, two smoke grenades, and a scroll with his own face painted on it — labeled "WANTED: DEAD BY SUNSET".
He squinted at the scroll. "Flattering."
Footsteps echoed nearby. Kael ducked into a side alley, heart pounding, as a group of armored guards passed by dragging a prisoner — a young girl with silver hair and goggles strapped to her head.
"—She hacked the loomwatch again," one grumbled. "Little freak's lucky we didn't vaporize her."
The girl spat at him. "You wouldn't last ten seconds in a real loop, rust bucket."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
No civilians involved, the Weaver had said.
No witnesses, the Weaver had said.
But something about the girl felt… off. Like she was watching him before he even moved. She caught his gaze. Gave the tiniest nod.
Then she mouthed two words:
"Wrong Kael."
Kael's mind reeled. Did she know? Could she see the timeline bleed too?
The guards turned, noticing him. "Hey! You there—"
Kael flipped his katana, the blade igniting in blue flame. "Right," he muttered. "Time to make history bleed."