Chronos Elior
After arriving home I made my way to my room. The door slid open with a whisper. This room had once been our sanctuary, a place of solace. Now, it's just a gilded cage, a shrine to a life that no longer fits. The plush carpet muffled my footsteps, but it couldn't muffle the echo of absence. Sunlight, filtered through sheer curtains, cast a soft glow on the room, but it failed to illuminate the shadows of memory.
The scent of sandalwood, once a shared indulgence, hung heavy in the air, a bittersweet reminder of days gone by. This opulent cocoon, filled with possessions carefully curated for aesthetic perfection, was a stark contrast to the simplicity I held dear. Material wealth was a fleeting illusion, a distraction from what truly mattered. Yet, here I was, a prisoner of circumstance, dwelling in this gilded prison.
I crossed the room, my gaze drawn to the large glass pane that dominated one wall. Dawn stretched before me, a living patchwork of neon lights and deep shadows, every flickering bulb hiding a thousand stories I’ll never know. But it was a world I observed from a distance, a detached spectator. I sank into the leather chair, its softness a mockery of the hardness within. I looked out towards the city of Dawn.
Dawn was not always a city, first, it started off as a man-made continent, then a vacation hotspot, and then after that people began to settle down here. I watched the entire thing, from the beginning when Aeon was trying to prove a point, to now driving a kid to his home. Just thinking about it makes me feel old. Well, I am old, but it doesn’t make me feel better to have been alive way before the continent even existed.
I usually sit here on some days and just watch the city. I can see everything clearly. My senses can expand far enough to engulf the entire city. With a small amount of effort, I can focus and watch everything as if I’m CCTV. Is it a breach of privacy? Probably. But hey, I’m no voyeur. I prefer more refined distractions.
This is actually the exact thing I was doing when Rai caught my attention. I was watching the neighborhood he ran through. Mrs. Newton always has the most interesting interactions when she has her fellow elderly over. They were celebrating her 141st birthday. She never advanced past green, just settled down and enjoyed the extra years she gained from awakening. I was watching her and her friends bake a delicious peach cobbler when my show was so rudely interrupted by a young boy running as fast as his legs could take him from three others.
It was certainly interesting watching him be chased by them as I wondered what the one kid with the bind would do. Sure enough after some time he removed his bind and bolted straight through an offshoot of homes. Jumping the fences with ease. Granted it did take him a bit as he needed to recover his aura. Regardless it worked. It was then I was waiting to be sure he didn’t actually harm Rai while he had his bind off. They were roughly 30 miles away so I could easily intervene if they got a little carried away. Luckily for Rai that one kid, I think his name was Tony, put his bind back on. So there is no need for me to do anything. Well, I could at least get an ambulance for him.
I figured they would just get rough with him and then call it a day, but they were getting very physical. I watched for a while longer, weighing my options. Let the kid tough it out? Or step in and play savior, as always? In the end, old habits won. I try not to get involved with things like this too often because I get back into old habits of never returning home and trying to fix everything I come across. Amelia would always get on my ass for doing that. She would always tell me, "Chronos, my love, the burden of humanity has already been paid in full. Your heart is beautiful, but you don't need to shoulder every struggle you see. Come home and rest sometimes."
Sorry Amelia, but old habits die hard.
Not long after the boys started fighting I lay on a lounge chair on the roof of a building directly across the alley. I had a good line of sight and no one could see me due to the tarp on top for construction. Soon after watching I was noticing how two of the boys had some form of training for combat. Tony was clearly into some boxing and Bill seemed to know taekwondo, at least the intermediate level. Mateo on the other hand, a disappointment. Clearly never bothered to learn anything and just takes advantage of the fact his friends know something.
However, regardless of all the punches and kicks, this kid, Rai stood firm, silent under their assault. No cries for help, no cowardice—just raw defiance in every hit he took. He just covered up and blocked the best he could. There were a few instances where he almost fell, but he regained his composure and stood firm.
Not bad kid.
As I watched the brutal confrontation unfold before me, I used my heightened senses to pick up minute details invisible to mortal eyes. Rai, the lone defender, was pinned against the rough brick wall by Tony's meaty forearm. The boy's body told a story of escalating trauma and imminent collapse.
As I observed, I noted several telling signs:
Rai's pupils were dilated unevenly, the right more than the left. This subtle asymmetry indicated a mild concussion, likely from an earlier blow to the head. I could see the delicate capillaries in his eyes, strained and pulsing.
His chest heaved in rapid, shallow breaths. I watched the intercostal muscles strain visibly, working overtime to compensate for reduced lung capacity. A cracked rib, perhaps, restricting full inhalation.
Microscopic tremors rippled through Rai's limbs, invisible to human eyes but clear as day to mine. They betrayed the near-depletion of his body's adrenaline reserves. His fight-or-flight response was faltering.
A pallid hue had crept into Rai's normally warm complexion. I could sense the redistribution of blood flow to vital organs, leaving his extremities cold and weak.
Rai's neck muscles had gone slack, his head lolling slightly to one side. I perceived his brain's struggle to maintain equilibrium and spatial awareness.
To my enhanced hearing, Rai's heartbeat was a staccato rhythm, arrhythmic and strained. I could almost feel the organ nearing its stress threshold.
His eyes darted erratically, unable to focus. I observed the rapid deterioration of the connection between visual input and cognitive processing. His body was ready to shut down.
As Tony's fist cocked back for the final blow, I calculated with cold precision. The cumulative damage, combined with the impending strike's force and angle, would be the tipping point. I could sense consciousness clinging to Rai by a fraying thread, and I knew this punch would sever it completely.
I watched, impassive, as the pivotal moment approached. The threshold between awareness and oblivion was mere seconds away, defined by the arc of a single, brutal swing. Part of me wondered if I should intervene, but I remained still, a silent witness to the unfolding drama of mortal frailty.
Then, something peculiar caught my attention. A sudden fluctuation in Rai's heartbeat, a split-second arrhythmia that didn't fit the pattern of impending unconsciousness. It was as if his heart had skipped a beat, then surged with renewed vigor. I had missed it before because I wasn’t focused on his vitals. I figured something was off when I noticed how easily his eyes followed everyone's movements and his body was having almost instantaneous reactions to everyone's attacks.
My senses, attuned to the subtlest of changes, detected a shift in the air around Rai. It was imperceptible to mortals, but to me, it was like a ripple in reality itself. In that fleeting moment, I sensed something awakening within the boy, a dormant part of him stirring to life.
As Tony's fist hurtled towards Rai's face, I saw a glint in the victim's eyes. It wasn't the dull glaze of someone about to lose consciousness, but a sharp, predatory focus. In that instant, I realized this fight was far from over. Rai's body might have been on the brink of collapse, but something else, something primal and hungry, had taken control.
I found myself intrigued. This boy, it seemed, was more than he appeared. As his eyes locked onto Tony's incoming fist, I sensed a transfer of... something. Knowledge? Power? It was as if Rai was not just seeing the attack, but absorbing its very essence.
The so-called victim had become a predator in sheep's clothing, and I had a feeling I was about to witness something extraordinary. The battle junkie had awakened, and with it, a power that could change everything. I settled in to watch, my curiosity piqued by this unexpected turn of events. Rai, then smiled. A predatory maniacal grin. And a little, “heh”as if he was about to laugh.
Well I’ll be damned.
The boy's potential was evident, but so were his limitations. His physique was far from ideal for combat: skinny arms with little muscle definition, coupled with a small protruding belly – telltale signs of a diet high in carbohydrates and low in protein. Clearly, the lad needed guidance, though I'd probably do it more for my own entertainment than his benefit. Someone like... well, me. After all, I’ve been around long enough to know a thing or two.
A proper diet would be a start. Not that I’m a nutritionist or anything, but reducing carbs and upping his proteins would help him shed that bit of belly. Sure, I could whip up a training program, but let’s be honest, my version would probably scare the kid half to death. He’s lucky I don’t get too hands-on these days. I chuckled to myself, imagining the boy's face if I were to suddenly appear as his personal trainer. Now that would be entertainment. After all, my so-called 'Greek god' physique didn’t just happen overnight. It took plenty of boredom and way too much free time. If nothing else, I’ve mastered the art of looking impressive, even if I rarely have to do more than lift a finger.
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His technique, while impressive given its spontaneous nature, was unrefined. Formal martial arts training would do wonders, honing his instincts and teaching him to maximize the efficiency of each movement. Given his unique ability to assimilate fighting styles, I mused that he could become a formidable martial artist, blending various disciplines into a personalized, unpredictable style. Of course, if he had me as a sparring partner, he'd be unbeatable in no time. I smirked at the thought, an immovable object meets and unstoppable force. That boy will become a walking paradox.
Most intriguing was Rai's adaptability. In a prolonged fight, he would be a constantly evolving threat, learning and improving with each exchange. With the right training to build his stamina and endurance, he could become a true force to be reckoned with. And who better to provide that training than me? Though, to be fair, my methods have always been a bit... intense. I’ve shattered more than a few egos, and limbs, over the years. But hey, they always come out stronger. Most of them, anyway. I gave myself an internal eye roll for my usual, over-the-top sense of modesty. But hey, when you’ve been right this many times, it’s hard not to indulge in a bit of self-congratulation.
As I analyzed these potential improvements, I felt that unusual sensation again, a small grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. This boy, Rai, had awakened something long dormant within me: curiosity. I found myself looking forward to seeing how he would develop, and what chaos he might bring to this world. And if he needed a little divine intervention along the way? Well, I'd be more than happy to oblige. After all, what's the point of having all this power if I don't meddle in mortal affairs from time to time? Sure, it's a bit self-indulgent, but let’s not pretend it doesn’t make things more interesting. Besides, who else is going to keep me entertained?
As the fight reached its climax, I watched with growing interest. Rai's newfound prowess was impressive, if unrefined. The way he dispatched his opponents showed a raw talent that, with proper guidance, could become truly formidable. I couldn't help but smirk at the irony of his attackers becoming the catalysts for his battle junkie awakening.
The moment Rai raised his fist in victory, I sensed a shift in his demeanor. The fire in his eyes, the slight curl of his lips, all telltale signs of a battle junkie born. How delightfully chaotic.
But as quickly as it had come, the thrill of battle faded. I observed as the adrenaline drained from Rai's system, reality crashing down upon him like a tidal wave. His body, pushed beyond its limits, finally rebelled against its reckless treatment.
I watched him stumble back against the alley wall, his labored breathing echoing in the narrow space. As he slid down into a puddle, utterly spent, a ray of sunlight broke through the clouds. How poetic, I mused. A spotlight for our unexpected hero. Except it looks like he pissed his pants now since he landed in that puddle.
Deciding it was time for a closer look, I stood from my perch atop the nearby building. With a casual step, I allowed myself to fall, manipulating my aura to cushion my descent. I landed on the wet pavement without so much as a whisper of sound. Sometimes, I even impress myself with my graceful entries.
Adopting the air of a concerned passerby, a role I've perfected over the millennia – I strolled towards the battered boy. Time to play my part in this little drama.
"Yo, kid, you breathing?" I called out, infusing my voice with just the right amount of worry and curiosity. As I approached, I could see Rai's eyes struggling to focus on me. Poor lad looked like he'd been put through a meat grinder, a rather successful meat grinder, I might add.
I squatted down in front of him, making a show of examining his condition. "You need me to call someone, or should I just take you to a hospital?"
Rai mumbled something, his words slurring together in a delightful cocktail of exhaustion and possible concussion. I waited patiently, fighting back a smirk as he finally managed to string together a coherent sentence.
"I'm not sure, just a dude sitting here after attempting to defend myself from three guys. Clearly I'm all good to go, I'm just sitting here to enjoy the nice smells."
Oh, I like this one.
Even battered and broken, he still had a spark of sass. I scratched my chin thoughtfully, playing along with his little act. "Ah, is that so?" I made a show of turning around, surveying the scene of carnage around us. The three unconscious bodies sprawled across the alley told quite the tale. "Although to be honest," I added, unable to resist a little prod, "I personally wouldn't call it an 'attempt'."
Internally, I chuckled at the absurdity of it all. Here I was, a high ranking Ascendant, trading quips with a schoolboy who'd just discovered the intoxicating thrill of combat. The kid had no idea who he was bantering with, a cosmic joke if I ever saw one.
As I turned back to face Rai, I allowed a hint of amusement to flicker across my features. This encounter was proving far more entertaining than I'd anticipated. Perhaps I'd stick around a bit longer, see how this fledgling fighter would handle the aftermath of his first real brawl. After all, what's the point of being an immortal being if you can't occasionally meddle in the affairs of particularly interesting mortals?
As I watched Rai's eyes struggle to focus, I could practically see the gears turning in his battered head. His gaze wandered over my shoulder, taking in the carnage of the alley. I didn't need to turn around to know what he was seeing, the yellow wall with its fresh blood splatters, the strewn trash, and of course, the three unconscious bodies decorating the scene like macabre art installations.
I bit back a chuckle as I watched realization slowly dawn on Rai's face. The poor lad looked utterly bewildered, as if he'd woken up in the middle of someone else's fever dream. His eyes widened comically as he took in the state of his former attackers, one face-down, arms outstretched like a failed Superman, another slumped against a dumpster sporting a lovely vomit accessory, and the third flat on his back with a blood-stained shirt. It was almost adorable how confused he looked.
Deciding to nudge his memory along, I casually remarked, "You know, even though you look almost as bad as they do, I think you should pat yourself on the back for winning a 1v3."
The speed at which Rai's head snapped up to look at me was impressive, given his condition. "Huh?" he sputtered, immediately wincing at his own sudden movement. Oh, he was going to feel that tomorrow. And the day after. And probably the week after that.
I could practically hear the thoughts rattling around in his concussed brain. The disbelief, the confusion, the slow trickle of memories returning. It was like watching a particularly violent episode of amnesia in real-time. Fascinating, really.
As Rai's eyes began to lose focus, I realized the show was coming to an end. "Uh oh, he's about to go lights out," I announced to no one in particular. Rai's mouth moved, but no sound came out. Poor lad was running on fumes. "Okay kid, just rest up. I'll take it from here."
I watched as consciousness finally slipped away from Rai, his eyes fluttering closed. As silence settled over the alley, broken only by the labored breathing of four very battered individuals, I couldn't help but smile. This day had taken quite the unexpected turn.
As silence settled over the alley, broken only by the labored breathing of four very battered individuals, I couldn't help but smile. This day had taken quite the unexpected turn.
"Well, well, well," I mused aloud, surveying the scene once more. "Looks like I've stumbled upon quite the diamond in the rough. Or should I say, a berserker in the back alley?" I chuckled at my own joke. "Rest up, kid. Something tells me this is just the beginning for you."
Now, time to tidy up this little mess. Wouldn't want anyone asking too many questions, would we?
I took a deep breath, centering myself and tapping into the vast well of Aura within me. The air around me began to shimmer slightly, an invisible force rippling outward. With a casual flick of my wrist, I lifted the three unconscious attackers off the ground. Their limp bodies floated through the air as if gravity had suddenly become optional.
"Let's see," I muttered, a mischievous glint in my eye. "How about a little surprise when you boys wake up?"
With precise movements of my fingers, I arranged the three boys in a cozy group huddle. I positioned Tony in the middle, his arms draped over his companions' shoulders. Bill and the third attacker were nestled on either side, their heads resting on Tony's chest. It was a picture of brotherhood and camaraderie, or it would be, if not for their battered faces and the setting. Which I then healed up nicely and now they just look like an odd cuddle puddle with dirty clothes.
"There we go," I chuckled. "Nothing like a good bromance between the boys."
Next, I turned my attention to the alley itself. With a sweeping gesture, I gathered all the scattered debris – candy wrappers, discarded cans, and other assorted trash into a neat pile. Another wave of my hand, and the pile vanished, whisked away to the nearest proper disposal site.
The blood splatters on the wall presented a more delicate challenge. I focused my Aura, visualizing the stains lifting away. Slowly, the crimson marks began to fade, the molecules breaking down and dispersing into the air. Within moments, the wall was clean, bearing no evidence of the recent violence.
Finally, I knelt beside Rai. With gentle use of my aura, I straightened his limbs and propped him up next to me in a more comfortable position. A soft pulse of Aura-infused energy rippled through him, subtly accelerating his body's natural healing processes. It wouldn't fix everything, that would be too suspicious, but it would take the edge off his injuries at least until I get him back home.
"So I'm going to need to find an excuse that would give me enough time to come back and say 'Hey it turns out I was wrong! You actually can just casually heal someone as long as you’re a high enough rank.'" I mused aloud. "No wait, I can't be wrong in this situation, meh I'll figure it out later." This is a prime opportunity for me to play a mysterious role.
Stepping back, I admired my handiwork. The alley was spotless, three unconscious teens were all snuggled up, and not a trace remained of the brutal fight that had occurred. To any passerby, it might look like a group of friends who had perhaps partied a bit too hard. Or too zesty… oh well.
"Well, my young friend," I said, turning to the unconscious Rai, "it's time we made our exit. I think you've had quite enough excitement for one day."
With a casual wave of my hand, the air before me began to ripple and distort. The very fabric of reality seemed to fold in on itself, creating a shimmering portal that pulsed with ethereal energy. Through its swirling surface, glimpses of a lavish, otherworldly dwelling could be seen, my home.
I gently lifted Rai with my aura, careful not to jostle his injuries. "Let's get you somewhere more comfortable, shall we? I have a feeling we have much to discuss when you wake up."
As I stepped through the portal with Rai floating beside me, I couldn't help but chuckle. "I didn’t wake up today planning to take in a stray berserker, but life's full of surprises. Even for someone like me."
With a final glance back at the alley and its snoozing occupants, I stepped fully through the portal. It closed behind us with a soft whoosh, leaving no trace of our passage.
And now we are here. In my room looking out my window remembering the day. Ah, I wish you were here for this Amelia, you’d have loved the kid. Probably think he was a little me. Although you probably would have wanted to ‘talk’ to the families that raised those boys.
My phone then buzzed interrupting my thoughts. Opening my phone I see that I received a text from Rai’s mother. It appears a decision has been made.