The sun did not shine in the Weeping Vale. Thick fog covered the sky, and the ground was wet and soft. Harvie walked forward slowly, his boots making small splashes. Behind him, Edna held her flame close, the soft light making the shadows move.
"This place... feels wrong," she said. Her voice was quiet.
Harvie nodded. "The Seal is here. I can feel it."
They walked together, past broken trees and strange red flowers that looked like they were crying. Their squad stayed behind, guarding the entrance. This mission was for Seal-bearers only.
Harvie's hand stayed near his weapon. His body felt heavy. Maybe it was the Seal calling to him. Maybe it was fear.
As they reached the center of the Vale, the ground opened. A loud sound like metal grinding filled the air. The Flesh Clock appeared.
It was not a normal monster. Its body was made of skin and gears, turning with each heartbeat. It had many arms, each one holding a clock hand. Its face had no eyes, just a ticking mouth.
"That's it," Harvie said. "The guardian."
The Flesh Clock screamed. Time twisted around it. Trees moved too fast, then too slow. Harvie pulled Edna back.
"Stay close. I'll handle this."
He rushed forward. The monster swung its arms, and Harvie dodged. He used [Monster Reflex], his body moving faster than normal. One hit came close, cutting his cheek.
He jumped up, slashing the creature. But it healed quickly. Time magic.
Harvie gritted his teeth. "I need... more."
He focused, waiting for the right moment. When the Flesh Clock raised its biggest arm, Harvie jumped again. He stabbed deep, right into the heart of the gears.
A strange power entered him.
[Skill Acquired: Chrono Fang]
His mind burned. He saw time move like a river. He could speed it up, just a little, in a small space.
He landed hard, his knees shaking.
"Harvie!" Edna shouted.
He raised one hand. "I'm okay."
But he wasn't. Blood ran down his arms. The skill had a heavy cost. He had pushed his body too far.
He turned to Edna. "We need to leave. I have what we came for."
She looked at him, worried. "You're not okay. You can't hide it."
Harvie smiled, but it was weak. "I'm used to pain."
They left the Vale. Behind them, the broken body of the Flesh Clock ticked once, then stopped.
---
Later, Harvie lay in the infirmary bed. The white sheets felt cold. Edna sat beside him, her hand holding his.
She didn't speak right away. She just watched him.
Finally, she said, "Back there... you looked like you wanted to die."
Harvie turned his head. "I just wanted to protect you."
She held his hand tighter. "Don't protect me by dying. Protect me by staying."
Harvie wanted to speak, to tell her everything. About the rewinds. About how many times he had seen her die.
But he couldn't. The system warned him every time.
So instead, he said, "Thank you. For staying with me."
Edna nodded. She leaned closer.
"You're not alone, Harvie. You don't have to carry it all alone."
He closed his eyes. For a moment, it felt like he could rest.
But deep inside, the new skill [Chrono Fang] ticked like a clock, reminding him that time was never on his side.