The Timekeeper's Secret: Timeless Fate, #1

Chapter 1

My body convulsed over and over again, coughing, trying to get rid of the smoke, but there was no oxygen left within me. My throat was on fire. Any moisture within my body had long dried out, including the tears that once blurred my eyes, a defence response mechanism to protect them, yet even that was too late. All I saw through the little slits were vibrant colors of red, orange, and yellow, all circulating and mixing together as the heat burned parts of my body.

The flames rose high into the air, illuminating the great hall of a large, dark building. However, there was nothing darker than the fire’s roar that hid the spine−chilling screams coming from within.

Where did I go wrong? Was the thought that endlessly rang across my head.

Alvara. Squinting, I looked through the flames to see who was calling my name.

Alvara! I turned my head in every direction. Who is it? Where are you?

Alvara Harlow! I opened my eyes directly into a pair of another. My body jerked up into a sitting position, only to see more eyes staring at me. Great, back to reality. I rolled my eyes at the thought. I was stuck inside a classroom with multiple numbskulls and a professor that just woke me up.

Great to have you back, Alvara. You were missed. Professor Copper, who was both our homeroom and history professor, straightened herself back up.

Looking around, I spotted five, six... no... eight students that were not listening either, yet the Professor decided to pick on me. Professor, I think that you should address the rest of the students that are not listening. The students quickly snapped back into attention, looking uncomfortable.

I am... and you are a fine example. The Professor turned to the rest of the class. Would anyone else like to take the spotlight? Everyone quickly shook their heads. I thought so.

Professor Copper glided back to her spot at the front before turning around. "Students, I ask of you to remember the very reason you are all here... You have been accepted to Gridwick Academy of Timekeeping, one of the greatest Timekeeping academies of all time aside from Cornelia... which unfortunately was burnt down to its entirety just before the start of this academic year... Yes, we understand that Gridwick has always been open to everyone while Cornelia has strictly hosted females. Yes, we know that integrating the two cultures... two entirely different experiences... has caused a lot of discomfort for us all... And yes, we understand that many of you first years were looking forward to a different lifestyle. However, I will ask that you do not forget your place.

At the age of seventeen, only selected persons, ones that possess great abilities for manipulating time, are accepted into either Gridwick or Cornelia. You are all here for a reason. So, I expect each and every one of you to make great use of your time here. Now... let’s continue. If you could all please take out a Timekeeper’s most prized possession and tool... your pocket watch.

Our pocket watches were allowed to be of any type, design, color, and style, but Gridwick’s proper attire had to be the same for everyone. The first article was a waistcoat. The gorgeous waistcoats were burgundy, decorated in beautiful, black embroidery, with elegant bronze buttons and a lapel collar. Gridwick’s crest was sewn onto the waistcoat’s left pocket, which included a hooded figure holding a pocket watch along with the letters GW and the words Tempus Continuum.

The girls received waistcoats that were in the form of a corset, which fit comfortably, and came with a beautiful, bronze belt that buckled right around the waist. Due to the belt, a few buttons were placed just for show, unlike for the guys; however, everyone had a button with a small hole intended for the pocket watch’s chain.

A black, long−sleeved shirt was worn underneath the waistcoats while on the very top was a black blazer that contained enchanting, bronze embroidery. To finish it off, everyone wore black pants and boots.

As for me, instead of a black blazer, I wore a bewitching, black, vintage lapel collar trench coat that was beautifully embroidered with an ivory matte design and contained bronze clasps and buttons. Since I wore the rest of the uniform underneath, I didn’t get in trouble for it. The coat was perfect. I could easily get away with things unnoticed, especially since no one could see my face beneath the hood, allowing me to fade into the shadows of the night. Aside from all the practical reasons, which is why I got it in the first place, I also liked the way it flowed behind me as I walked down the halls, and it was extremely comfortable for when it rained, which happened quite often. That was probably the only thing that I liked about this world, the fashion.

As fashionable as they were, waistcoats were a requirement due to their functionality, making them the standard attire for all Timekeepers. The pocket watch was kept in one of the waistcoat’s front pockets, its long chain was connected to one of the buttons in case the pocket watch fell out. Of course, one could keep their pocket watch wherever they so desired; however, the waistcoat pocket was easily accessible, and allowed Timekeepers to keep an eye on their pocket watches in order to protect them from pickpockets and ensure people’s safety. A malfunctioning pocket watch within a Timekeeper’s possession tended to cause all sorts of trouble to the wielder and anyone within close proximity.

Reaching into my left waistcoat pocket, I pulled out a beautifully carved, bronze, half−hunter, hollow, skeleton pocket watch. A half−hunter was a pocket watch where the front case was partially see−through, while hollow meant that the see−through area was completely hollowed out, gone. Skeleton had to do with the clock’s face dial being partially or entirely removed and the gears could be seen straight through.

The pocket watch in my hand was a masterpiece, decorated by one of the greatest artists of all time. The center of its front case contained breathtaking engravings of vines, leaves, and little, intricate designs that I wasn’t sure the meaning of, but they were certainly pleasing to look at. I often traced them, feeling every tiny detail. Through these designs, the clock’s ticking hands and gears were easily seen. There were more delicate carvings and shapes around the frame. The craftsmanship was incredible.

The main knob at the top of the pocket watch, also known as the Crown, was a little, dark blue orb with a bow over it, held up by a pendant that was carved into the shape of a hollow tree. Smaller knobs surrounded the orb, three to the right and three to the left, all shaped as if they were extensions of the tree’s roots. The Crown accompanied by the six knobs was a standard set up for all Timekeeper pocket watches. The three to the left were used to set the year, month, and day, while the three to the right were used to set the hour, minutes, and seconds.

With all the scratches, dents, and marks here and there, it was clearly old, but that’s what made it more beautiful, more powerful. The memories it held within its carvings, the experiences it’s been through, were the very things that made a timepiece most valuable.

Woah, you have one of those hollow pocket watches! a girl sitting next to me exclaimed, her eyes sparkled. Guys, guys! She has a hollow pocket watch! All heads snapped towards me in shock.

You can’t be serious, a guy, clearly full of himself, began to speak. Those can’t even be... But as soon as his eyes landed on my pocket watch, his voice went down to nearly a whisper, ... tamed.

No way! Another guy looked at the watch with gleaming eyes. "Those are the most difficult to possess! Most Timekeepers have trouble keeping an eye out on the full−hunters, and those are entirely closed! I’m not even gonna mention the half−hunters. Now, a hollow watch... that’s practically−"

Open! the girl beside me finished.

Professor Copper herself was in shock. Those are extremely rare, was all she said as she remained hypnotized by the pocket watch. Quickly snapping herself out of it, she looked at the rest of the class. Students, that’s enough now, it’s rude to stare. Let’s get on with today’s lesson. The Professor quickly got everyone’s attention back. I nodded her a thanks and she gave me a wink as if saying, I got you.

I knew that hollow watches were rare, but I hadn’t realized that they were that rare. It was something that I’ve had and used practically my entire life. Something that was incredibly normal for me was apparently amazing to all of these people.

Stroking the watch with my left hand, I felt the designs and carvings underneath my fingertips, all the love that was put into this piece. Feeling objects with my bare hand was one of my favorite things to do, it reminded me that I was still human. I wasn’t able to take such comfort with my right hand as it was entirely mechanical, made up of gears, bolts and so on, from the tips of my fingers all the way up to my shoulder.

The Great Fire, that’s what they called it. A huge reckoning that occurred ten thousand years ago that nearly killed off all living things. The remains were fixed up through the use of different metals, bolts, and gears. It was the quickest way to rebuild and stabilize the cities. Of course, that was also the quickest way to fix the humans. If they lost an eye, they’d get a mechanical one. If they lost a limb, they’d get a mechanical one too. All parts were made as quickly as possible to ensure humanity’s survival. The same was done to the animals, but there were barely any left by the time we got to them.

Overtime, the metals changed the genetic structure of all living things. Babies from all kinds of species were born with gears that replaced parts of their bodies. Some were born with a mechanical arm or leg; others had half of their bodies mechanicalized. Some had their stomachs and other digestive organs replaced, meaning that they didn’t need to eat much; others had their brains replaced by gears that made them severely intelligent, while those that received the same thing could’ve become the exact opposite, such as holes for brains, literally.

Each mechanical part was either above average, average, or below average. No parts were the same and how well they would function was in question until that person spent some time with them. It was rare when someone was born ninety−nine percent human or ninety−nine percent gears, but it did happen from time to time. Nobody knew how one might turn out. The entire process was a mystery.

The Great Fire and its aftermath were taught since birth, as if trying to make sure that we remembered that we were still human, that we haven’t lost sight of our humanity. But I’d say that we lost sight of our humanity a long time ago. We weren’t that anymore. We were... something else. It would scare some people to think this way, but to me... it was comforting. This was how everyone should’ve been thinking. Instead, even after so many years, they were still stuck in the past, not seeing that this was the way of the world now. It was the truth, and the truth was always a lot more comforting. The only problem was that I was actually the one farthest from the truth.

In addition to my arm, I also had gears inside of my eyes; however, if one was to look at my face, they’d appear normal. Only if they were to look closer, into my eyes, would they see my mechanical irises changing, analyzing, seeing the world. Due to this, I did not need to wear the goggles that everyone kept on top of their top hats, both of which were also a part of the Timekeeper’s standard attire.

Top hats were allowed to be of any style and decorated in any way that the individual saw fit. Students really went out on those, the academy even held competitions for the Top top hat of the year. As for the goggles, they were special glasses that Timekeepers needed in order to travel through time. It was said that our eyes are made up of the universe and its reality, and so the goggles were used to protect them, the little universes, during time travel, and the warping and manipulation that went against all reality.

Not only that, but goggles were also needed in order to see Time Aura and manipulate it with greater precision. Timekeepers could try and manipulate time without them, but the risks were extremely high, and the accuracy would be embarrassingly low, especially if they had no idea if they even released their Time Aura in the first place.

Since both of my eyes did not need protection nor the boost to see Time Aura, I did not need goggles. What sat on top of my top hat were false lensed goggles that I could rock out whenever I chose to, though I’d rather wear my hood and slip into the shadows of this academy. Gridwick was the oldest academy in existence after all, not to mention one of the oldest buildings. Imagine what one might find?

Class dismissed. I snapped out of it, trying to concentrate on Professor Copper. Remember your homework for tomorrow.

Homework? I questioned as the Professor left. What homework?

Weren’t you paying attention? the girl next to me asked, already standing, clutching several books that were about to fall out of her arms despite the half−empty purse hanging over her shoulder.

If I was, I wouldn’t be asking, was what I wanted to say to her but decided against hurting the feelings of the very girl that was most likely to help me.

I’m afraid I missed that last part. I smiled.

"You’ll need to open your ‘Time Flies When You’re Learning History’ book."

That’s a long name, I pointed out sarcastically, but the girl ignored me. She seems incredibly serious when it comes to education.

You’ll need to read the first five chapters. They’re going to introduce tomorrow’s lesson.

Great... thanks... I went back to my pocket watch. Not before long, I realized that there was no movement. Why is she still standing there, staring at me? I tried to ignore her, but there was a limit to how long one was allowed to stare, and let’s just say that she was wayyyy past it.

Okay. My head snapped in her direction, catching a glimpse of her eyes lingering on my pocket watch before she jumped in surprise, making a sound, realizing that she got caught. Let’s have it, what do you want? Don’t you have a class to get to?

Y...Yea...b... but... I just... Well, that’s a completely different reaction than the one from a minute ago. I just wanted to ask you if... if you wanted to be friends? But then I got really distracted by your beautiful pocket watch.

"Yeah? And do you want to be friends because you actually want friends? Or because I have this thing?" I twirled the pocket watch around like a yo−yo.

What! O..of course not. The girl’s eyebrows dragged down. Tears welled in her eyes. I just... I just don’t know anyone here! Everyone else has friends... I’m all alone and I noticed that you’re all alone too! I... I... She turned around and ran out of the classroom. I just wanted to be friends!

Great, I just got here and already hurt that delicate dandelion. Sighing, I slumped my chin on my knuckle. Even though she was clearly the one in the wrong. Why must I always be the bigger person? It’s tiring. Sighing again, it turned into a small cough. Getting up, I adjusted my thigh leg bag. Well, the first lesson just finished with plenty more to go. I wonder how many more enemies I can make by the end of the first day.

Chapter 2

The hallways were brightly lit, or as bright as they could be with the sunlight seeping in through the permanently hazy sky before creeping in through the arched, vine covered, windows. Since I was on the first floor, some vines figured out a way to break through the glass and start growing inside. All the first−floor classrooms and hallways with windows were surrounded by vines, as if being guarded from the enemies outside.

Maneuvering through the hallways, I dodged students and their Tinkers wobbling around. And by dodged students, I mean that they jumped out of my way as I speed walked to the next classroom, my trench coat flowing behind.

Hey! was the word of the day as it came out of practically everyone’s mouth the moment I passed them. There were a few students that looked back, shaking their heads.

The map of Gridwick was just about ingrained in my head, having studied it a considerable number of times before stepping into the building. That being said, the layout was not to be taken lightly with all of its floors and countless rooms. Students, even professors, still got lost after spending years trying to familiarize themselves.

Soon enough, I arrived at my next class seconds before it started. Right on time. I heard it before I saw it, loud Tick Tocks and a whoosh... whoosh... of something large. Stepping inside, the first thing that came to my attention was that the classroom had an interesting shape. A clock... on the ground?

The entire place was dim as a gigantic pendulum swung high above, whoosh...whoosh... The Professor would soon take a stand on the semi−lit stage made up of giant, creaking gears in the middle of the room. Groups of students sat higher up, their black attire perfectly filling in the numbers, allowing them to be vividly seen. The clock’s three enormous hands moved low on the ground, ticking, matching the present time in Ashenburgh. These hands were connected to the giant stage gears that operated the entire device. Anyone that entered the room was automatically part of a giant clock.

There wasn’t one thing in this entire classroom that wasn’t highly distracting; however, I heard that this was going to be a lecture course, just a professor talking to their students with a few questions here and there. No assignments, nothing. Just a class to broaden our minds.

Finding the closest seat available, I sat down on the bottom part of the number 7 just before the Professor strode in. Easily balancing on the gears, she gracefully avoided all the bone−crushing, limb−cutting dangers before getting to the top of the stage where it was smooth to walk on. Her cloak and top hat were entirely littered in gears and watches. I couldn’t understand her, her walk told me one thing yet her attire another. One thing was obvious, this professor was confident and had thought through every small, intricate detail, whatever her reasoning was. With grey hair on her head, it was clear that she was wise beyond her years if she was about to teach us The Concept of Time course.

The name is Professor Gorva... her voice was loud and clear. I suggest that you unlearn all the concepts of time that you have gathered up in here. She pointed to her head. Because it is all incorrect in its entirety. Those were the first words that came out of her mouth. No, Good afternoon. No, Hello. Just straight to business. I sat closer to the edge of my seat. She doesn’t waste time. I like her.

"Everything that you know... everything that you’ve been told... everything that you might have thought... just throw it out. From a young age, we are told that time has only one direction, and it is forward, which is not true... That there is a past, present, and future. Also... not true... That there are fixed points in time, points that can never be changed. Again... not true...

"The truth is that all time belongs to you, it is yours to do with it as you wish. Time flows freely... Time is freedom. There are those that are bound by time, restricted by it, but that is only because they don’t understand it, they don’t know how to use it. Time is and it isn’t... It can be your greatest enemy or your greatest friend. But it all depends on you. Time is what you make of it. It is not about time being on your side... it is about you being on time’s side. Time doesn’t exist... It is something that we have created, cultivated, tamed into these little devices called pocket watches.

To the regular people, time is seen as a burden... it always seems to be slipping away. They never have enough of it. But you, you guys are different... you see time as an opportunity! The Professor clenched her fist. Something that you can grasp! Something that you will always have an abundance of... Professor Gorva squinted, trying to see into the dimmer parts of the room. Yes, my dear?

Professor Gorva, how is it that time having a past, present and future not true? My head snapped towards the familiar voice as the girl to the right of me spoke. Dandelion? Out of the corner of her eye, the girl saw me recognize her and turned her head a little more away from me, still pouting.

Great question, Professor Gorva praised. Time is a funny thing, you see. The past, the present, and the future are actually all happening at the same time. They are all here, right now, for you to... grasp. She released a frustrated sigh. It’s something that one cannot put into words.

Could you please try, Professor? someone else called out.

Professor Gorva thought about it. Alright, this is not what I was trying to explain, but I will provide another concept of it. Let’s take the memories in your head for example... You are aware of what is happening right now, but you could also be thinking about what you ate for breakfast and what you will eat for lunch. It’s almost like that, but not quite because there might be slight delays as you process your thoughts while there are no delays in time... Any more questions? Yes, the gentleman over there. Professor Gorva gestured to a student. Actually, let’s state our names before we speak so that we can learn more about each other, shall we?

Er...Yes...Ma’am... T...Thomas...Er... I wanted to ask... why is the entire classroom a clock?

Ah! Question of the day! Professor Gorva seemed to be glowing, having clearly been waiting for that question to be asked the entire time, like a child waiting for field trip day. "Why is the entire classroom one giant clock, you ask? Well... I like to constantly be connected to time. To feel time at all times. If you want to understand time, you have to be time. You have to listen to time... the secrets and wisdom that it shares with you. The miracles and opportunities that it might be hinting at or trying to provide to you. Oh, so many things! Things that others might miss by being loud. Time needs to be taken care of... paid attention to. That is why you are all sitting here... to be one with time."

Literally, I thought.

The entire lesson was very entertaining and insightful. Before I knew it, it was over... too quickly, I might add.

Off with your day now, class! See you tomorrow, and don’t forget... be one with time. It will always be your greatest relationship after all. Greater than with your husbands and wives... greater than with yourself! And with that, Professor Gorva strode out of the room the same way she strode in, her balancing skills on point.

Usually, professors say something along the lines of, Make time for yourself and your health. While this one goes off and says, Make time for time. I shook my head.

Wow! I jumped in my seat as the girl next to me suddenly slammed her hands on the desk, propping herself up as if trying to extend her body all the way to the stage. That was great! Then she planted her butt back in the chair. "I absolutely love this professor and the way she explains things! Plus, this classroom looks so fun, doesn’t it?

I thought you weren’t talking to me, I reminded her.

The girl’s smile quickly disappeared from her face as she went silent for a moment. Then she quickly recovered, and her smile was back on. Perhaps, but there’s no point to dwell on the past... is there?

There’s always a point, it just depends on what you decide to do with it.

Once again, the girl was lost in thought. Without removing her gaze, she quietly said, Where are your books?

Sorry. I leaned in to hear better. I couldn’t hea−

Where are your books! the girl exclaimed. How are you going to study anything!?

I... didn’t have time. I shrugged.

Didn’t have time! With a pocket watch like that, I don’t believe it.

Ugh, she’s getting on my nerves. Believe it or not... that’s up to you, I stated, wondering if I accidentally hurt her again, but the girl wasn’t listening. Grabbing books out of her purse, she slammed them on the table. Bam!

"‘I’ve Got All The Time In The World,’ that’s for this class... Although we only have readings, there will be an exam at the end of the year." She put the book in front of me, then continued to go through the rest of the pile.

What’s with these long nam−

Bam! I didn’t finish my sentence before she slammed another book down, continuing to lecture me, "Then there’s ‘Time Flies When You’re Learning History.’ That’s obviously for our history class."

Bam! "‘Life Is Too Short, But Time Is Forever,’ is for our philosophy class."

Bam! "‘Not To Fear All Them Gears,’ is for our pocket watch and other mechanics building class."

Bam! "‘Manipulate Yourself, Not Other People,’ is for the class where we manipulate time and practice traveling through time by ourselves."

Bam! "And lastly, ‘Manipulate Others, Not Yourself,’ is where we practice on other objects or people. These are all the main books that you must have! She detached herself from the books and looked back at me. W...what?" the girl asked as I gave her the side−eye, my nose all scrunched up.

Who in the universe came up with such titles? I was disgusted and the look was clearly written all over my face. Is this a Timekeeping academy or a giant therapy session? Plus, what are these? I peaked into her bag. "‘Oops, Time Got Away From Me?’ ‘Time Flies Away From Me And What I’m Doing Wrong?’ ‘I Wish I Had More Time?’ What in the utter− Someone cleared their throat, distracting me. I mean... what kind of books are those?"

Oh. The girl looked down. "Those...those are my actual therapy books... They’re not part of the curriculum... They’re for myself... I’m always late." That’s why I didn’t notice her when I came in, there was no one sitting there in the first place... Wait a second...

A Timekeeper that’s always late? I questioned.

Yeah...I know, the irony. She released an awkward little chuckle. Laugh all you want... most people do when they find out.

I shook my head. I am not laughing. The most dangerous thing a Timekeeper could do is be late. It could put everyone in danger, including yourself. The results could be...deadly. You really need to work on that and fix that problem of yours as soon as possible.

Silence. The girl gawked at me.

W...What? It was my turn to ask the girl to explain her reaction... or lack of. Did I hurt her again?

Her eyes suddenly started to gleam and tear up at the same time. No one’s ever said that to me!

It’s no big deal. I shrugged.

No, but it is! She grabbed my hand. "You actually listened to my words and gave me a serious, well thought out response! I thought you were so mean at first, but you really are nice!"

No... I’m not, trust me, I denied once again.

Oh, but you most certainly are because only a nice, caring person could’ve responded like that. Let’s be friends!

I don’t need any friends. I pulled my hand away, got up, and left the classroom. As always, walking at the perfect speed, I headed straight towards my next destination with determination and purpose.

Hey! the students exclaimed as they jumped out of the way.

Hey! another student.

Hey! another one again.

I nodded to a few and said, Hello.

The girl caught up to me. But come on! Don’t you need someone friendly to talk to?

No worries, I’m good. Just look, there are plenty of friendly students all around. I pointed out.

Three students jumped out of the way. HEY! all of them shouted.

Hello. I nodded my head and turned back to the girl. See, they’re all saying ‘hello.’ We entered the classroom.

The girl’s eyes were wide open. I don’t think those students were actually saying−

Hurry up! Get in and close those doors! the Professor shouted from his stage at the top. What an odd room. The girl and I hurried to take our seats, craning our necks to see the professor ahead of us, standing there as if he was headlining at a concert.

Great, let’s get to it. This is ‘Philosophy of Time,’ and I am Professor Fanterbill. Time is the truth and nothing but the truth. Nothing is truer than time itself. Time is...

I zoned out as the Professor covered topics that I already knew. It was said that, back in the day, before The Great Fire, humans or living things made up of natural materials were able to travel freely through time. Everything that Professor Gorva said in her previous lesson was true; however, everything she said was just a dream, an ideal way of life. But life was never ideal, it had a way of pulling cruel tricks on you. She didn’t mention the most important fact... the fact that things were different now that