Timeless Valor
Sir Gareth Valor stood beneath a sky of angry storm clouds, his armor reflecting sputters of distant lightning. Though he hailed from an age of dragons and round tables, the rumble around him was not from common thunder. He’d traveled here—some future battlefield—on the Time Keepers’ mission to foil a temporal breach. A monstrous war machine towered on the horizon, spewing sparks into the murky gloom.
Undaunted, Sir Gareth drew his longsword. Its blade glimmered, an ancient relic standing firm against chrome and steel. He pressed a hand to the battered $TIME watch strapped around his wrist—an odd device for an Arthurian knight, but essential for bridging centuries. It vibrated with hidden power, urging him onward.
Metallic clanks echoed from the monstrous machine, each footstep sinking the ground. Sir Gareth dug in his heels, recalling the code of chivalry taught to him in his own era: act with courage, protect the innocent, never yield to fear. A surge of light sparked along his sword, as if the watch and the blade shared an unspoken vow.
He plunged forward, dodging the mechanical behemoth’s swinging arm. Shrapnel hissed by, close enough to slice his plume. Drawing on the last of his strength, he flung himself at the creature’s leg. A mighty crash sounded as his sword bit into the metal casing. Sir Gareth gritted his teeth, driving the blade deeper with one final shove. Sparks showered down in a brilliant cascade, painting his armor in molten color.
With a grinding roar, the war machine collapsed. Sir Gareth staggered back, panting, adrenaline still coursing through him. Around him, the wind howled, dragging the storm’s dark clouds away.
He glanced at the watch—the $TIME device flickered, half-spent. He had preserved this century’s fragile equilibrium… but at a cost. A wave of exhaustion threatened to pull him under. Still, he refused to kneel. Honor demanded he stand ready for whatever new menace the timeline might throw at him.
As the lightning receded, Sir Gareth Valor lifted his head toward the clearing sky. One battle was won, but there were countless others locked away in the chapters of time itself. The knight from Arthurian legend, armed with steel, heart, and the mysteries of $TIME, set off to meet them all—undaunted, sword in hand, watch at his side.
Micro stories are a content feature offered by $TIME's dev Woj. Handwritten and accompanied by art, they serve to deepen the story world we're creating here. Enjoy!
