A Timekeeper’s Awakening

"It was you!" The first-year said while pointing at me. 

Cron was shocked at the student pointing at him, but he understood why. "Uh, yeah."

"Thank you so much for saving me back there!" He said excitedly. "My name is Omar."

Omar was fifteen, like Cron. He had short brown hair and brown eyes to match. His robe still had stains from last, like a scar. But Omar was cheerful about seeing Cron as his roommate.

"Well, I didn't save as much as distract," Cron chuckled.

"No matter, you helped me! That's more than anyone else has done for me."

Cron felt a connection between them. Cron guessed Omar was a lot like him because it seemed that Omar was constantly bullied like he was. But unlike Cron, Omar grew up with an Orgone; Cron did not.

"Fair enough, but it's a small world, don't you think? The first time we meet, we're getting the snots kicked out of us."

Omar chuckled. "Yeah, I guess it. But I have to ask, did you really do that?"

Cron knew what Omar was asking him, but he was nervous about answering it truthfully. "What do you mean?"

Omar scoffed. "You know what I mean. I was beaten badly, but I still saw everything. You used all three time abilities!"

Cron was nervous about being put on the spot. But he knew there wasn't a way to hide it. Plus, Omar deserved the truth.

"Yeah, I somehow used all three of them."

"Somehow? What do you mean somehow? It's not like you didn't have one."

"Actually, I didn't have one until last night," Cron answered honestly.

Omar looked like his mouth was about to drop to the floor. "Wait, when those kids said you were Timeless during the assembly, they were telling the truth?"

Cron nods. "Yes, while everyone else got their Orgones, I never got mine. Well, again, until last night."

"How is that possible?"

Cron shrugged. "I don't know. My dad used to tell me it was because I was a late bloomer. Of course, I didn't believe him, but I guess he was right after all."

"Was your dad a dual wielder?!"

"What? No! Dual wielders are fake," Cron said matter-of-factly.

The concept of dual wielders has always been a hot topic in New Onyx Province. Some have said they have seen people use two time abilities before. But no one could ever prove it. As far as people know, dual-wielding is a myth and a wild fantasy.

"Well, after last night, I don't think so," Omar said. "I saw you zip around, slow down, then freeze completely. There is no way you didn't use all three of them."

Cron sighed. He couldn't hide it from Omar and wished he could have talked to Lia first about it. "Fine, I did, but I think it was a one-time thing. I don't know if I could do it again."

"Have you tried?" Omar asked.

"Honestly, I don't want anyone to know yet."

"What? Why not? This is history in the making! Why wouldn't you want to tell everyone?"

"Because I don't know," Cron answered truthfully. "All my life, I wanted an Orgone to be a part of the world. But now I have all three types of time. Maybe people would call me a freak next."

Omar nodded at Cron's way of thinking. "I guess I can understand your hesitation. But, you know how New Onyx Province is; we celebrate time. So, you having all three, you'd be a star!"

Cron thought about that: what if he performed during the Time Festival? Cron has always loved the performers for every Time Festival. How each of them would show their skill with their Orgones was always a sight.

However, since the Burning Skies, the Time Festival has closed indefinitely. However, there have been talks about doing another Time Festival this year. But if there is another catastrophe, the people in charge will disband the entire Time Festival, never to return.

"Maybe you're right," Cron said. "But, I don't want to tell the world until I feel I'm ready. Can you keep it a secret?"

Omar nods excitedly. "Absolutely, your secret is safe with me!"

"Thank you, Omar," Cron said.

"But could you answer one question," Omar asked.

"Yeah, what is it?"

"How did it feel? You know, casting your Orgone?"

Cron thought back to that moment. The intensity, with high adrenaline, was exhilarating. Then, the three beats underneath his skin—though it was a new feeling to Cron, it felt right.

Cron explained it all to Omar. Omar was in wonder how one Orgone could feel so different from everyone else's. 

"Three beats? I only felt the one beat. That's honestly the most incredible thing I ever heard!"

Cron didn't want to admit it, but he enjoyed the praises of his Orgone. But there was one thing Cron wanted to ask Omar. "So, why didn't you use your Orgone?"

"Well, Slow isn't a counter to Speed. I was at a loss. It was weird that that guy thought I had Stop."

"Rom is dumb," Cron said. "Strong, but dumb."

"You can say that again," Omar agreed. "Hey, have you eaten anything? I haven't. I came to the dorm to relax for a minute."

At the mention of food, Cron's belly rumbled. "You know, after mentioning it, I feel hungry. Do you know where to go?"

"Yup, it's near the Grand Auditorium," Omar said.

"Great, let me put my bag down, then we can go, okay?"

Omar agreed. Cron went to an empty side of the room. The bed looked soft enough; next to it was a simple desk and chair for studying. Cron put his bag on the chair and nodded to Omar. They both left the room in search of great food in their academy.