Raiden Alaric
After roughly 20 minutes we finally arrived at my home. It’s a comfortable home, nothing as over the top as Chronos here. It’s not like we are poor either, but if you compare Chronos to us, well. It wasn't anything fancy, just a two-story place with a modern twist—weathered cedar planks, contrasted with clean, dark window frames. A simple metal swing swayed gently on the porch, a familiar spot to unwind. The driveway leads to the garage that houses the only two cars, two modest SUVs a Subaru and a Chevy. Doesn’t stand out in the slightest in this neighborhood. Every other home has a similar atmosphere.
Chronos pulled aside the curb, turned off the truck, and exited. I exited the trunk myself and waited for him. But he just looked at me and then said, “Hey, it’s your house, you go knock and introduce me.”
"But you said you would-"
"And I will, but there’s a way this works, you gotta introduce me then bada bing bada boom everything works out."
I wasn’t sure what to say. Either way, it was clear I still needed to start everything. So I walked up the driveway and walked towards the front door. One step after the other I continue to dread the possible outcomes of what will happen. What if she figures it out? What if she doesn’t believe what Chronos might say? What if she doesn’t allow me to train with him? There’s so much running through my mind that I reach the door before I can gather my thoughts. I knock on the door and wait. A cold chill runs up my spine as I wait for the door to be answered. A few seconds later the door opens and it’s my little sister.
The moment she sees me she beams brightly. "Mama, Rai is home!" She shouts as she grabs the bottom of my shirt, as if trying to prevent me from running off.
I give a rye smile, "Hey Iris, I’m home."
Before she can reply she notices Chronos who is standing behind me and waves to him, her golden hair bouncing as she lightly hops on her toes. Chronos waved back to her as my mom arrived at the front door. My mom was wearing a floral dress as well as some simple jewelry. As she approached she first laid her eyes on me. Now listen, I’m not exactly an expert on reading people. However when it comes to my family, which I spent my entire life with. Then yes, you can pick up on subtle looks everyone gives especially if they are directed at you. In this case, the look she gave me was essentially: I remember saying 5 o'clock, not 7:12. I'm going to need an explanation.
She smiled at me warmly, "Welcome home Rai. What took you so long?"
"Hey Mom, sorry I'm home late I sort of got delayed." I answered.
Raising an eyebrow she questioned, "Sort of?"
My stomach lurched at Mom's words. The summer heat seemed even harsher under her gaze. Thankfully, Chronos, ever the hero, swooped in. "That would be my fault, Mrs. Alaric," he said smoothly.
She turned her head to Chronos, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. "Ah, hello," she said, her voice softening. She reached her hand out in welcome. "My name is Regina, Regina Alaric. You are?"
He reached out and shook her hand, a courteous smile on his face. "Chronos, Chronos Elior, pleasure to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too," She replied, her gaze lingering on him for a moment before returning to me. "Please, come inside. If you're here to defend Rai on his tardiness, I'd rather you both not explain yourselves out here."
With a welcoming smile, she stepped aside, gesturing for us to enter. Chronos shot me a quick look, then I followed him through the doorway. Mom closed the door behind us, the cool air conditioning a sweet relief from the summer heat. While I walked little Iris held onto the end of my shirt. Either she’s trying to set me at ease before my mother’s wrath, or thinks I’ll run away after I get a good scolding. Odd to be consoled by a 4 year old.
"Please remove your shoes and follow me. The living room's this way," Mom said, leading us down a short hallway, the plush carpet a welcome buffer against the hot tiles we'd just been standing on. We reached the living room, and Mom continued, "Why don't you both have a seat? I'll grab some glasses of water."
Mom disappeared into another room, and Chronos and I settled into opposite couches. Iris climbed onto the couch next to me, still holding onto my shirt.
You’re beginning to scare me, my little golden clone. Am I that screwed?
The living room was tastefully decorated, with cool colors and inviting furniture, a perfect escape from the summer sun. A few moments later, Mom returned carrying a tray with three glasses of ice-cold water. She handed one to each of us, then settled into an armchair at the head of the living room to us. "Now," she began, a hint of amusement creeping into her voice, "can you explain why you say it is your fault Rai is running late?"
"Ah yes, you see he was under my care after an incident that occured between him and a few students."
Chronos? Buddy? Pal? What are you doing?
My mom's eyes widened, "Incident? What happened?" Oh no, she's going into a panic.
"There was a scuffle between the kids, Rai was being attacked by three other students after they chased him around."
CHRONOS YOU FOOL! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
Without listening to anymore she placed her glass down and rushed over to me, beginning to check me all over. She grabbed my face between her warm palms, her thumbs brushing away any stray dirt as her eyes scanned for scrapes. My arms were lifted, the fabric of my shirt inspected inch by inch. Her touch was frantic, but gentle, searching for any sign of injury. I flinched, not from pain but from surprise as her hands moved down my chest, feeling for hidden injuries with a worried mother's intuition.
Before she could lift my shirt to check for bruises I stopped her, "Mom I'm fine!"
She glared at me, "Are you sure about that? How do I know they didn't do anything to-"
"I can assure you that he is just fine. Any injuries he had I treated."
CHRONOS PLEASE I'M BEGGING YOU!
"INJURIES?!"
YOU FOOL YOU'VE DOOMED US ALL!
My mom began to pull at my shirt, and I was pleading with her to stop.
Chronos, the damn traitor, chuckled at the site before him as he continued, "Any and all injuries have been taken care of. I have some good friends in the A.A. so he was properly treated with Medela items."
This seemed to have gotten through to her, at least to stop trying to strip me so she could make sure there wasn't a hair out of place.
"You said he was in a fight, yes? What happened to the other kids?" She asked.
"Yes, it was a fight, Rai defended himself and managed to drive them away."
She looked at me in both shock and awe, "Is this true?"
I hesitated, "Y-yes, it’s true…"
She continued to look at me, then turned back to Chronos. "He… drove them away? What exactly happened?"
Chronos responded, "Well, as crass as it may sound, he has a talent when it comes to combat. Skipping the details of the fight as it is not my story to tell…" He winked at me, cheeky asshole. "...He was able to defend himself and drive them away."
Mom turned to me and raised an eyebrow. Using my incredible skills of reading the expressions of my family, I can see she was… impressed? I turned to Iris who had yet to say a word and she stared at me, eyes beaming with excitement.
A thoughtful look crossed Chronos' face. "Speaking of his talent, would you consider training?" He mused, seemingly to himself, "there are those who dedicate their lives to honing such… unique talents." He glanced at me, then back at Mom. "Perhaps structured guidance could help Rai avoid future brawls and channel his abilities productively. As I’m sure you are aware he has yet to awaken and I would like to ask your permission to train him."
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"Train him?" Mom questioned.
"Yes, I see something special within him. I believe he can become a great Ascendant. Just his fighting prowess alone would allow him to climb high. There is no telling what could happen after he awakens."
Sitting back down she spoke, "What is in it for you? I’m sorry, but considering how well you are suppressing your aura I can assume you are at least a Nexus?" She probed.
While I am aware of my mom being an Ascendant herself, she’s only blue. As far as I’m aware at least. She never really speaks about it other than the fact it helps her with her job. To assume Chronos is a Nexus is within reason since I assume he is as well. To be a Nexus you’d need to be at Red rank, which is the midway point of the seven ranks. Hence the name Nexus. People considered to be a Nexus usually reach a bottleneck and can’t advance any further and decide to settle down. With their extended lifespans, it wouldn’t surprise me if Chronos was also a part of that group.
He gave a warm smile, "Yes, ma’am you are correct. While I am high ranked, I find satisfaction in helping individuals grow. I am already well off, so money is nothing I need." Mom was about to speak again but Chronos continued before she could, "While I know it sounds ‘too good to be true’ I am willing to offer an Oath of the Open Heart."
This was not a response I was expecting from Chronos. An Oath of the Open Heart is not something that can be taken lightly. To expose your innermost intentions to be judged while also binding the user's aura to ensure alignment with the agreement. The consequences of trying to either deceive the other or stray away from the original intentions will have drastic effects. I remember an instance that we studied in class. A man had made the oath to his wife. He promised to stay faithful to her as he was going away to another country for work. A month later he was found in a paraplegic state, this was because he began to have an affair with someone else. He didn’t even manage to make it back to her apartment.
Putting her thumb to her lips and nibbling on it as she began to contemplate his offer. This is a common habit of hers. She nibbles on her thumb any time she is given a tough decision. Last time I saw her do this was when she was debating on letting me attend school or be homeschooled. Thankfully my dad was there to make the final decision. Since he’s not here she could decide here and now.
After a long moment, Mom finally spoke, her voice measured. "Mr. Elior, I appreciate your offer and the gravity of the Oath you're willing to take. However, this is a significant decision that I can't make alone. I need to discuss this with my husband—Rai's father—before giving you an answer."
Chronos nodded, a look of understanding on his face. "Of course, Mrs. Alaric. I wouldn't expect anything less. Family decisions should involve all parties."
Mom stood, and we all followed suit. "Thank you for bringing Rai home safely and for your... interesting proposition. We'll be in touch once we've had a chance to talk it over. Could you please give me your contact information?"
“Ah, yes of course,” said Chronos. He reached into his pocket retrieving his phone. After exchanging numbers, Chronos bowed slightly, "I appreciate your time and consideration." He turned to me. "Rai, would you mind walking me out? I have a few things I'd like to discuss with you."
I glanced at Mom, who nodded her approval. "Just don't take too long," she said. "Dinner will be ready soon." She walked off into the kitchen, Iris following her.
As we stepped outside, the heat of the day had mellowed into a warm evening breeze. Chronos waited until we were a few paces from the house before he spoke, his voice low and serious. "So, Rai, now it’s up to you"
“UP TO ME?!” I sputtered out. “I thought you were supposed to help me out here, not confess everything to my mom.”
“Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” He chuckled as he ruffled my hair. “Trust me, it’s better to rip off the bandaid now. Plus, you get to talk about everything that happened freely. You don’t have to have that nagging side of you that is keeping this event a secret.”
He's right of course, but I'm still afraid of the potential conversation I'm going to be having with my parents. My dad might be on board, but my mom clearly has reservations about it.
Taking a deep breath, I looked up at Chronos, a newfound resolve settling within me. "I will trust you, Chronos. I will wait and see what my family decides," I said, a sense of determination coloring my words.
Chronos nodded approvingly, his gaze steady. "That's all I can ask for, Rai. Patience and trust often pave the way for understanding."
I raised an eyebrow, “Are you purposefully being philosophical with me?”
He smirked, “Am I doing well?” He winked and turned to leave, his figure blending into the evening shadows as he made his way down the driveway to his truck. As I watched him disappear from sight, a sense of calm enveloped me, knowing that I had made a choice. A choice that will change my life. I’m going to be an Ascendant.
After seeing Chronos off I walked back into the house and headed for the kitchen. The tantalizing aroma of lasagna hit me like a comforting wave. The rich, meaty scent mingled with the sharp tang of tomato sauce, and the sweet, buttery undertones of cheese. It was an intoxicating symphony of smells that enveloped me, promising warmth and satisfaction. Which was an immediate reminder that I was supposed to help her with dinner. So I had a subtle wince after allowing myself to take in the beautiful scent of food.
Mom stood over the stove, her brow furrowed in concentration as she stirred a bubbling pot of stew. The day's events with Chronos still weighed heavily on my mind, and I sought refuge at the table. Iris met my gaze, her eyes filled with unspoken questions and unbridled curiosity. She even got out of her chair and came to sit next to me. The lingering uncertainty of Chronos' offer cast a long shadow over us, and I felt its weight pressing down.
"Well," she began, her voice gentle yet laced with determination.
"Are you really going to be an Ascendant?" Iris's excitement was palpable in her voice as she spoke first, envisioning the endless possibilities that awaited me as an Ascendant. For all she knows, Ascendants are superheroes who save the day. Upon hearing those words Mom clearly didn’t like the idea.
"I don't know yet, Iris," I replied carefully, trying to sound as reassuring as possible. "It's a lot to think about." I’m obviously lying, but it would be in my best interest to not add fuel to the flames that is my little sister.
Mom finally turned off the stove, her expression unreadable. "We should wait until your father gets home," she said, her voice firm. "This is a big decision, and we need to talk about it as a family."
A knot tightened in my stomach. I knew she was right. But a part of me dreaded the conversation. I glanced at Iris, who was already starting to pout.
"But, Mom," she whined, "Rai could be like Superman!"
Mom sighed, clearly exasperated. "Iris..."
“He’ll have super strength, and shoot lasers out of his eyes.” She paused and turned to me, “You’ll be able to shoot lasers out of your eyes right?!” She was practically vibrating in her chair.
I couldn’t help but smile at my little sister's enthusiasm. It was a stark contrast to the heavy weight of responsibility I was feeling.
I patted her head, chuckling, “Maybe, but oh, it would be so tragic if you were to spook me and I accidently turned you to ashes.” I wiped away an imaginary tear from my eye.
Her eyes widened, “NO! I mean… maybe laser eyes aren’t the best. Flying is better.”
“Now that, I can get behind.”
Mom watched the both of us bantering, a warm smile on her face, resting her chin in her hand. She glances over to the monitor at the corner of the kitchen island watching the timer she set.
"Alright, you two," Mom interrupted, her smile softening, "Dinner will be ready soon and Dad is going to be home in a few minutes. Set the table, please."
Iris jumped up eagerly, ready to fulfill her assigned task. I followed suit, my mind still buzzing with thoughts of potential superpowers. As I pulled out plates, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was on the cusp of something far more exciting than I'd ever imagined. I pictured myself in the midst of a chaotic battle, adrenaline surging, every muscle tensed. Being able to punch through brick, hell, taking a punch that is capable of going through bricks. All of it excited me.
A sharp clap brought me back to the present. Mom was standing by the stove, a steaming pot of stew in her hands. "Dinner is ready," she announced, her voice cutting through my daydreams.
Iris, ever the optimist, clapped her hands together. "I get to make Daddy’s plate!"
I forced a smile, the image of a battlefield fading into the background. For now, at least, there was food.
It wasn’t long after we finished setting up the dinner table that Dad arrived home. The door creaked open, and Dad filled the doorway like a living, breathing statue. His dark hair, always in that perfect state of controlled chaos, framed a face that could launch a thousand ships. Or at least, make a teenage girl forget how to breathe. Iris's mouth dropped open, and she pointed at him, her eyes wide as saucers. Mom's eyes got big too, but she smiled.
His jawline was sharp, almost cruel, but softened by those damn captivating red eyes. They held a mischievous glint that didn’t match the intensity of their color. Even in casual clothes, you could see the lean muscle beneath his skin.
I rolled my eyes, trying to act cool, but I couldn't help the surge of pride that filled me. My dad was a walking, talking work of art. And my mom couldn’t show him off enough. I recall the last time we had company over she was stuck to his side like glue. Essentially screaming “Yes, this is my husband, bow before me you lesser beings.” This goes without saying but Mom is also extremely beautiful, so in other words my dad mirrors her behavior of showing her off. She was a stunning woman, with a figure that could make a siren blush. Her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her blue eyes held a captivating sparkle. Which makes me feel very subconscious. I’m not exactly fit, I have a little bit of a belly, my arms are skinny, and acne to boot.
I guess now I have two reasons now to want to get that training from Chronos.
He walked in with a tired smile, the scent of his cologne mingling with the aroma of the food. Dad's presence brought a sense of calm and familiarity, grounding me amidst the whirlwind of emotions and possibilities that had been swirling around me all day.
Mom placed a bowl of salad on the table and gestured for Dad to take a seat. Iris practically bounced in her chair, unable to contain her excitement as she filled his plate with generous portions of lasagna and a bowl of stew.
As we settled into our seats, the tension in the air was palpable. It was clear that Mom and Dad had briefly discussed the day's events over the phone while I was talking to Chronos, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension. I fidgeted with my napkin, stealing glances at each of them as we began to eat in silence.
Finally, Dad cleared his throat, breaking the quiet that had settled over us like a heavy blanket. "So, Rai," he began, his gaze steady as he looked at me. "From what I can see in your mother’s eyes, there seems to be something you need to bring up.”
Ah, yes the skill of the Alaric family.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation that was about to unfold. “So after I got off of school, there was this girl…”