Arknights Chronicles One

TG - 8 Decisions & Questions

Year --II--, --II--, --II--,
Location : Unknown



"Are you sure about this, kid?" A deep voice rang out amidst the steady rhythm of boots on concrete and the shouts of soldiers prepping for their mission. In the bustling hangar, Ace stood with a worried look, his eyes fixed on a lone figure sitting quietly atop a crate. The figure clutched a long, wrapped object resembling a sword, held protectively against his side.

"I have to," the man responded dryly, his face hidden beneath the shadow of a black hoodie. "This isn't just any mission." His gaze remained locked on the floor.

Ace frowned, towering over the seated figure, his concern deepening. "You don't have to go. You've fought enou—"

"Your concern is unnecessary, Ace." His words were cut short as the man suddenly stood up, cutting through the moment of hesitation. The man's head turned just enough to reveal his face. Dark grey hair and a face that had two scars marred his features. One slashed across his left eye, and the other, more disfiguring, cut through the corner of his mouth, leaving a visible gap in his cheek that exposed part of his teeth beneath.

"Ro—" Ace began, but was interrupted by the sharp crackle of the intercom.

"Attention everyone. Departure in 10 minutes. Please make your way to your teams," came the announcement over the speakers. Both Ace and the man turned their heads toward the sound.

The man sighed, his voice flat. "That's our call." He closed his eye briefly before reopening them, his crimson gaze void of any emotion, as if drained of life. His eye met Ace's, hollow and distant.

"Well," the man muttered, turning to pick up his weapon from where it had rested against the crate. He hefted it onto his shoulder with a firm grip and began walking toward the cluster of soldiers preparing to depart. "Good luck on the battlefield, Ace," he called over his shoulder, waving his free hand while the sword rested securely on the other. His voice was distant yet resolute, leaving an impression of unwavering determination.

Ace stood there, watching the man walk away. The conversation had been brief, yet it carried a weight that lingered in the air. Concern gnawed at Ace as he watched the figure slowly disappear into the sea of soldiers, fading into the crowd with each step, until he was out of sight.


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Year 1096, December 23, 19 : 15 PM
Location : Unknown

"Ace?"

The sudden shout snapped him back to reality. Blinking, Ace looked around the dimly lit tunnel where he and his teammates were gathered. For a brief moment, confusion clouded his mind as he tried to reorient himself. His eyes landed on the nearby guard, holding a radio.

"Sorry, what were you saying?" Ace asked, his voice still laced with the remnants of his earlier distraction.

"It's Scout," the guard replied, holding out the radio. "He's trying to contact us. I was about to hand it over, but you weren't responding—you just kept walking, staring at the floor."

Ace frowned slightly, realizing he had been lost in his thoughts again, thinking of someone far away from this moment. Nodding in understanding, he reached out and took the radio. "Thanks. I'll take it from here."

The guard handed Ace the radio before turning to rejoin the rest of the team. Ace stared at the device for a moment, before pressing a button on the side.

"Scout, this is Ace," he said, trying to keep his tone steady.

"Finally! I thought you were lost in daydreams," came the playful reply.

"Very funny. What's the situation on your end?"

"Reunion is still moving around the city. The Ursus police force has been nearly wiped out. Our exfil point remains clear, but we'll keep scouting the area for any changes."

"Got it. Let us know if anything comes up or if your team gets into trouble."

"Sure, sure. By the way, what were you daydreaming about? Your teammate mentioned you were just wandering off, deep in thought."

"I—" Ace hesitated, searching for the right words. Should he share this with Scout? Should he admit he'd just heard the voice of someone who had died nearly two years ago? A flurry of questions raced through his mind, but ultimately, he chose to speak up.

"Hey, Scout. Call me crazy, but while you were out there with your team, did you happen to hear the kid's voice?"

"The... kid's voice? What kid?" Scout asked, confusion evident.

". . . . . Ronin's."

Silence hung in the air on the channel, stretching uncomfortably. Ace regretted bringing it up, wondering if he should have kept the question to himself.

"Ace, this isn't something to joke about, especially not with Ami—"

"She's not here, Scout. That's why I'm asking." Another long pause followed before Scout finally replied, his sigh audible through the radio.

"No, I haven't heard his voice. Guess that explains why I'm not feeling annoyed or anything."

Ace chuckled lightly. "Right, I forgot how much he used to get under your skin."

"Get under my skin? It was his stupidity that drove me crazy. His total lack of self-awareness and ability to keep himself safe."

"But Ace, why are you bringing this up now? Is that what had you daydreaming? The past?"

Ace didn't respond right away, carefully considering his words before speaking. "Yes, that's exactly it."

"Why?" Scout pressed on to the current subject.

". . . . . After we took down the Reunion soldiers and their ringleader who ambushed us, I stepped away from the team to contact you. Remember when I asked for your current position?"

"Yeah, I remember."

"Well, right after I hung up, one of the Reunion soldiers, who I thought was down, stood up and tried to attack me from behind."

"That's when you heard Ronin's voice?" Scout asked, intrigued.

"Yeah. He shouted my name to warn me about the enemy behind me."

"Are you sure it wasn't one of your team members, or Amiya, or Dobermann's teammate?"

"No. I swear it was his voice. At first, I wasn't confident about it, but now I am."

"It was his voice, Scout."

A heavy silence settled between them, thick with unspoken memories. Finally, Scout broke it, his tone firm. "Ace, Ronin is dead."

The seriousness in Scout's voice cut through the air like a blade, each word heavy with the weight of truth. Ace's gaze fell to the ground, a mix of shame and sorrow flooding his thoughts. He could almost feel the ghost of Ronin beside him, and the thought only deepened his pain.

"I understand you miss that idiot. We all do," Scout continued, his voice softer now but still resolute. "But we made a promise to Ghost and Rose not to talk about him, especially around Amiya."

"I. . I know." Ace's voice trembled slightly, the ache of loss evident as he fought to keep his emotions in check.

"I get it, Ace. Believe me. But there is no way he could have survived what happened that day." Scout insisted, his tone tinged with concern.

Scout shifted his tone, trying to lighten the moment. "Maybe you heard his voice because you're tired out from today. Or maybe you heard him because he's watching over us, like our guardian Sankta or something."

At that, a small chuckle escaped Ace's lips, a brief flicker of warmth in the cold reality surrounding them. "Yeah, he probably is."

He glanced up, the faintest hint of a smile crossing his face as he imagined Ronin, with his usual grin, ready to jump into the fray once more, reckless as ever. "He probably is."



Year 1096, December 23, -- : -- ??
Location : Unknown



The sky stretched out in a serene expanse of clear blue, dotted with soft clouds drifting lazily above towering mountains. This tranquil scene was mirrored perfectly on the surface of the still water below, creating the illusion of endless space in this mysterious realm.

Amidst the infinite horizon of sky and water, a solitary island stood, crowned by a towering sakura tree. Its delicate pink petals hovered just above the glassy surface as if suspended between earth and sky in this ethereal place.

"YOU IDIOT!"

The unknown realm, which seemed to be a sanctuary of balance and peace, was suddenly shattered by a loud outburst.

This tranquil place, serene and timeless, was not always so peaceful or quiet, as two figures stood beneath the towering sakura tree, their presence interrupting the calm.

"'I understand my mistake, and I apologize,' he says."