Days of future's past

Justin sat on the cold metal bench, arms crossed, eyes locked on the ceiling of the Framework's interrogation room. He had stopped shouting a while ago. There was no point. The people here weren't going to let him leave. Not yet.

The metal doors slid open with a low hum. He expected to see one of the soldiers or the man who had threatened his life earlier. Instead, she walked in.

The stunning girl who had been watching him earlier.

She had long, flowing blue hair, strands of it glowing faintly under the sterile white lights. Her features were sharp yet delicate, like a painting that had come to life—deep violet eyes, high cheekbones, and a confident smirk. She wore a tight combat suit, sleek and modern, lined with faint blue circuits that pulsed like veins.

"Hey," she said casually, tilting her head. "You actually handled that Echo alone, huh? Not bad."

Justin raised an eyebrow. "And you are…?"

She smirked. "Name's Aeris Vale. And you are Justin Reyes, right? The big bad rogue who took down three Echoes without breaking a sweat."

He scoffed. "I didn't have a choice."

"Nobody ever does," she said, leaning against the wall. "But that doesn't mean you weren't impressive. Most recruits take months before they can handle even one Echo. You took out three."

Justin frowned. "So, what? You're here to butter me up before your boss tries to kill me again?"

Aeris laughed, pushing off the wall. "Nah. If Kain really wanted you dead, you wouldn't be sitting here talking to me." She folded her arms. "Look, the Framework isn't some evil organization or whatever you're thinking. We deal with Temporal Echoes—rogue versions of people, places, and even entire realities slipping into our timeline. Most of them? Dangerous. Some? Survivable. A few? …Well, I guess we just met one of the 'few' in you."

Justin leaned forward. "And if I don't join you?"

She shrugged. "Then you go back to your crappy shack, keep lifting cement bags, and hope the next Echo that pops out doesn't rip your spine out before we get there."

He was about to respond when the door slid open again. A soldier in black tactical gear entered. "He's up next."

Aeris sighed. "Guess that means your test starts now."

Justin narrowed his eyes. "Test?"

"Yeah." She tapped her wrist, and a holographic screen projected between them. It showed a dark, abandoned train station, flickering lights barely illuminating the empty platforms. "We need to see what you can do. No weapons, no backup—just you and the Echo inside. If you pass? You live."

Justin scoffed. "And if I fail?"

Aeris smiled. "Then you die. Simple as that."

The soldier grabbed his arm, pulling him to his feet. As he was led away, Aeris called out, "Oh, and Justin?"

He glanced back.

"Try not to disappoint me."

--

Justin was dropped into darkness.

The air in the abandoned train station was damp and thick with dust. The overhead lights flickered like dying fireflies, casting long, twisting shadows across the cracked tile floors. He could hear the distant drip of water, the faint hum of something... unnatural.

He exhaled slowly.

Then, it began.

From the shadows, something moved. A low, inhuman whisper echoed through the station as a figure stepped forward.

It was humanoid—but wrong.

A shadowy, faceless thing, its body twisting like smoke, its eyes glowing white, empty yet knowing. It mimicked Justin's stance, tilting its head at the same angle.

Justin's instincts screamed at him to move.

But his muscles locked.

His mind… wasn't in the station anymore.

---

The train station melted away.

Suddenly, he was back in the shack.

His grandmother stood before him, eyes hollow, the rusted knife in her hand dripping blood. His blood.

"You're nothing," she whispered.

Behind her, shadows moved. The skewer seller. His boss. His coworkers. All of them sneering, laughing.

"You think you're strong now?"

"You're still worthless."

"You'll always be nothing."

Justin clenched his fists.

---

Justin's mind snapped back. The book had given him power. He wasn't the same person anymore. The fear flashed away from his eyes,it seemed that the Echo had the ability to make people relive their worst tragedies.

He turned sharply—just in time to see the Echo charging at him.

Justin dodged, barely missing the swipe of its clawed hand. His speed kicked in, his reflexes sharper than before. The Echo's claws scraped across the tile, sparks flying.

Justin countered with a punch.

The impact sent the Echo flying back, slamming into a rusted train car.

Justin grinned. He wasn't scared anymore.

And that's when the second Echo appeared.

---

A new figure stepped out of the shadows.

Justin's stomach dropped.

It was him.

Same height. Same stance. Same face.

But different.

This Echo Justin was stronger, faster, and crueler. He smirked—a twisted, mocking version of Justin's own smile.

"Well," the Doppelgänger said, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see if you're as strong as you think you are."

It attacked.

Justin barely ducked as a kick sliced through the air, faster than anything he had ever faced. He rolled, evading a second strike, but his doppelgänger was relentless—every move a perfect counter to his own.

They clashed, fists meeting in a flurry of blows that sent shockwaves through the station.

Justin gritted his teeth. He couldn't win by force alone.

He had to be smarter.

---

Justin lured the Doppelgänger back toward the rusted train car.

The moment it lunged, he dodged at the last second, letting the Echo's momentum carry it straight into the electrified rails.

A surge of blue lightning erupted, the Echo screaming as its body disintegrated into shadow.

Justin panted, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Damn."

Then he turned—just in time to see the first Echo trying to escape through the portal.

"Not happening."

With one final burst of speed, Justin grabbed all three Echoes and hurled them back into the swirling rift.

The portal Snapped shut.

The team watching through monitors froze.

Aeris's eyes widened. "Did he just…?"

Kain's voice came through the communicator. "Get him to the Framework. Now."

Justin stood in the empty station, breathing hard. The air still crackled with energy.

Then, from behind, the three Framework operatives emerged.

"You need to come with us," one of them said.

Justin wiped blood from his lip. "Yeah? And if I don't?"

The leader snapped his fingers. A prison of energy encased Justin, locking him in place.

"Then we take you anyway."