Cold. Warm. Ebbing and flowing. But everything is dark.

“Where am I?” the words echo out and bounce back off of nothing. Hands splay out, unable to be seen in the pitch-black atmosphere.

“You are simply where you need to be to go to where you must.” A similarly echoing voice rings out. “But I can at least illuminate the path.” A radiant, divine light billows out from the sea of black and illuminates the area.

Hands splay out again. Flexing and twisting around in confusion. “This is a dream?” The voice’s echo is starting to die down and gain clarity. A robed figure approaches in a sitting position. Hovering and slowly coming forward. “Totally a dream.” the voice calls out in dismay. “You look like some generic anime God.”

The masculine robed figure laughs out as it comes into a much clearer view. Dressed in white with gold and red trimming. Divine looking vestments that only the highest of priests would wear. The would-be anime God speaks up again. It’s tone is formal and wise. Backed by decades… centuries… or possibly even millennia of experience. The man’s hand waves around in a beckoning motion, but it’s a blur that becomes difficult to track with the eyes.

“I apologize for meeting you in this way. Abrupt and informal. I have come to bid for your aid, Hero.” the anime God maintains a serious and plain expression. Speaking rather plainly and bluntly.

The would-be Hero responds. “Pff. C’mon. I’m not some ‘hero’. This is just some whacked out dream because I ate way too much ice cream or whatever. I bet I’m gonna wake up and I don’t even remember this. I barely remember my dreams anyway.”

The anime God shakes his head dismissively. “I dislike having to do this, but I must correct you, Hero. I have been keeping my eye on your world for over a decade straight now. Watching every living human being on the planet for one who meets my requirements.” The anime God beckons to himself. “I am Chronus. A God of Space and Time.”

The would-be Hero blinks and then laughs out. “So what? I’m special? How am I special? Because I’m 27 and don’t have anything special going on except having a dog at home?” Chronus shakes his head dismissively once more.

“You possess the capability to take the seed of all 3 of the Goddesses of the world I wish to save.” Chronus bluntly responds. 

The would-be Hero laughs out. “Oh c’mon. You seriously couldn’t have phrased it any better than that? Now you’re trying to fuck with me.” Chronus lets out a long, deep sigh and waves his hand to his side. Opening up a window that rapidly fills with a rainbow of color. After about 6 seconds, it materializes completely. 

“I had a feeling your personality would not be amicable to the situation at hand. You have always been a logical sort.” Chronus points to the window and beckons the would-be Hero over. This time, the incorporeal body responds and floats over. Currently just a set of hands while the rest forms. “This is the world I wish to protect. ‘Helenia.’ It is facing the most dire of circumstances imaginable.” 

Inside the window is a live image, or so it seems. A swarm of undead. Primarily skeletons. Some zombies. Hundreds upon hundreds, becoming thousands as the view changes around. All patrolling across completely desolate wastelands. The ground has turned black and gray with hints of a sickly violet-purple color. As if the land was bled out of life and left an empty husk of what it once was.

The would-be Hero speaks up. “Huh. An undead apocalypse? Isn’t this world kind of already ‘destination-fucked’? Even if this was real, unless I’m a God like you, I can’t do a thing in this situation. I’d be woefully outnumbered and just die to the swarm. If you’re so interested in this ‘Helenia’, why can’t you go save it yourself?” 

Chronus speaks up. “As a greater deity, I am not allowed to intervene directly. What support I can give, must be indirect.”

The would-be Hero rolls his eyes. “Isn’t sending a ‘Hero’ to the world pretty much direct intervention? Pretty sure you’re gonna get in trouble anyway.”

Chronus lets out a sigh. “It is like you said. This is the upper-limit of what I am allowed to do before repercussions go against me. However… The 3 Goddesses that reign over this world are in danger. Their light grows slightly more dim by the day. And I fear that if nothing is done, I will lose my dear daughters.”

The would-be Hero looks at the image closer. “But… I’m still kinda fucked if I go in there, aren’t I? I feel like this whole situation is decades late. This world seems pretty much done for.”

Chronus glares over. “I was told that you were a pessimist. I didn’t think it was this bad.” The would-be Hero retorts. “I’m a realist. And I really think this world is ‘destination-fucked’.”

Chronus lets out an even deeper sigh. “I’ve only shown you the bad so far. The rest of the world is still fine. The races of the world have somewhat banded together for the common goal of keeping the horde of undead at bay. But each year they gain a little bit more of the map in their favor. At this rate, this world will not make it another century before it is overrun and claimed by the swarm you see.”

Chronus waves his hand and the window starts to change to completely different images. Bustling cities, towns, villages, and everything in between. Dozens upon dozens of different species living. Some coexist, and some do not. Chronus speaks once more “There are millions upon millions of living souls in this world I would like to save as well. They deserve a fighting chance.”

The would-be Hero rolls his eyes. “So what? Most of them seem blissfully uncaring towards the fact their world is dying. Hell… it looks like some are even making a profit off of it. Dirty money that won’t be any good when they’re all fuckin’ dead anyway.”

Chronus looks back over. “I am genuinely shocked at how crude your language can be. I learned your mouth was somewhat foul, but this exceeds expectations.” The would-be Hero shrugs in response. “Regardless. The reason why I am calling upon you now is because based on the criteria I set when looking for heroic souls, yours was the one that showed as the most likely to get the job done.”

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The would-be Hero looks over. “And what criteria was that? Look dude, I’m willing to believe this place needs help. Sure. But I’m feeling a little out of my league here. I’m not a bodybuilder or anything. Hell, since high school and college I gained quite a few pounds if anything.”

Chronus responds as bluntly as before. “Determination.” Chronus continues. “I don’t need someone swinging a sword in the name of justice. Or to be doing every good deed in the book. I don’t even need someone who is that nice to people.” Chronus turns to fully face the would-be Hero’s slowly forming apparition. “I need someone who has the Determination to get the job done no matter what happens. Even if it takes years. I’ve watched how you’ve handled interactions over the years. You may be lazy most of the time, but once your mind is set on something you become an unstoppable force until you get what you want.”

The would-be Hero shakes his currently smokey head. “Sorry bud, I appreciate that you think I’m super determined and stuff. Granted you kinda hit me with a ‘compliment sandwich’ there. But I can’t afford to just disappear for years.” The young adult voice continues to explain.

“I don’t live close to family, but I have a friend that lives with me as a roommate. And my dog. They’re like a total replacement for my blood family. I can’t abandon them for a world I’ve literally never even heard of.” He thinks for an extra moment. “And my buddy would probably be more suited for this anyway. He watches and reads so many fuckin’ isekai things that he’s basically one with the genre.”

Chronus taps his chin. “So, you’re telling me that if you did not have to abandon them, you would have no qualms about setting forth on this task for me?”

The would-be Hero laughs out. “Well it ain’t that easy either dude! You mentioned years, right? If I’m gone for years, even if it’s just 3… 4… or 5, everything I own will probably be gone by the time I get back. Not to mention I’d miss my dog a lot. She keeps me company and makes the quiet days not so lonely.”

Chronus nods. “You’re aware of time dilation, correct?” The would-be Hero nods. Chronus smiles. “I’m glad you have a background in mathematics and science. You’ll understand what I’m about to tell you a little bit better. But it’s pretty simple anyway.” He ahems. 

“For each year you spend in this world, only one minute will pass on Earth. Your body will remain there, rendered unconscious, and only a copy of your soul will be placed into your new body. Once it is time to return, your souls will peacefully merge and it will be like you never even left. I already copied your soul while you were sleeping. You sleep about 6 hours a night, maybe 7 tops. So what is that… over 360 years to work with? I believe you with your determination… you could be done in under a decade.” Chronus smiles wide. “It’ll be like you never even left. One a few minutes will have passed by the time you’re back.”

The would-be Hero blinks a few times and thinks. “Wait so… you already copied my soul? Is that why-?” Chronus cuts off the question.

“I am currently in the process of applying your copied soul to a body befitting this world. That is why your features are forming so slowly. Granted, it would go a bit faster if you were cooperative with the process and allowed it to do it’s magic quickly.” 

The would-be Hero shakes his head angrily. “You’re abducting me! Dude! I didn’t agree to any of this and you’re apparently copying my soul? And you’re saying that I’ll just go back like nothing even happened when everything is said and done and I fix up your little rescue job?”

Chronus shakes his head. “Well, you will still have your experiences. Your memories. Whatever you acquired? You would have all of it. Picked up some spells? You’d even be able to cast them on your Earth.” The would-be Hero blinks confusedly. 

“Most worlds have Gods or Goddesses watching over them. Sometimes several, if they are lesser deities. The one that created your world was a greater deity who had a rather ‘hands off’ approach. Whoever created your world, after a time, left it to develop on its own without any interference. Like a parent seeing their child off to school. But as a result of this, your people lack Divine Seeds.”

The would-be Hero asks pointedly. “There it is again. ‘Seeds.’ What the fuck is a seed?”

Chronus quickly explains. “A Divine Seed, is a miniscule piece of a God or Goddess’ essence. Which is imbued into every living creature when it’s born. And every living creature responds differently to seeds. Regardless, it becomes a spark for magical abilities.”

Chronus turns to the window and displays pictures of Earth. “Your people have no seeds and thus, no real magic. But what you’ve lacked in magic you’ve made up for with technology. I am actually quite astonished by what your people are capable of without a single fleck of magical abilities or spells. Buildings so high it boggles the mind and imagination both.”

The would-be Hero sighs. “So you’ve beat around the bush but… I don’t actually have a choice in this, do I?” Chronus turns and shakes his head before speaking.

“I was hoping you would be more amicable before this detail came to light. Assuming it ever would. But you are correct. I cannot stop the process that I have started.”

The would-be Hero laughs out. “Can I make a request?” Chronus’ expression brightens. 

“Now we’re on the right track. What may I help you with?” The deity is nearly beaming now that the would-be Hero isn’t refuting everything.

“I want my friend to come too. This may sound dumb, but while we were watching one of his isekais, we made a ‘pact’. A deal if you will.” He laughs out a single time. “I told him that if either of us ever got pulled into an isekai, that they would have to bring the other along... so we weren’t all alone and stuff.”

Chronus thinks. “A second hero? He lacks the same determination that you have, but he seems like he certainly wouldn’t slack given the right pushes either. He wouldn’t be my first choice, but I’ve been surprised before. And from your memories you seem to think well of him.”

The would-be Hero nods before speaking. “Yeah. He’s my best friend. If anyone can help me, it’s him.”

Chronus nods. “Perhaps a bending of the rules is in order. After all, you said it yourself. This world may be far enough towards the brink of destruction that extra intervention may be allowed. If this will make you agree and save this world, then I will accommodate you.” The would-be Hero’s mouth forms out of the apparition of shadow and smiles wide.

The would-be Hero thinks for a moment before continuing. “Yeah. And if we die, nothing bad happens to our bodies, right?”

Chronus claps. “Nothing at all! It’s a copy of your soul. So it’ll just be lost and die out as well. You’ll wake up back in your body like nothing ever happened. But… given how much time passes from your world to this one, it will be long gone before you could ever be summoned back.” The would-be Hero nods and smiles before talking again.

“Then bring his fat ass along. I’m gonna need all the help I can get.” Chronus nods and waves his arms. His fingers form into specific patterns and soon, a second apparition begins to form much more quickly.

“So Hero, what shall your name be?” Chronus looks back over with a smile. “I think it’s only appropriate that you take on a different name than your own for this new world.”

The would-be Hero thinks and looks over to the apparition forming. Speaking somewhat quietly. Almost a whisper. “Raze.” He says it again. Louder and more confidently. “Raze. It’s the name I’ve used for like over a decade online for games and stuff.” Chronus smiles again.

“I’m glad we’ve started to see eye-to-eye, Raze. I’m confident you and your friend can save this world. No matter what it takes.”

Raze looks over to the second apparition and waits patiently as it forms a lot more quickly than his own is. Catching up at a rapid pace.