[ Astral Royal Castle - Prince Chronos's Bedroom ]

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<< IN CHRONOS'S MIND >>

My surroundings were pitch black except for blindingly bright white the spot light shining on me. Looking up, I noticed two lifeless red lights examining me. My eyes hadn't yet grown accustomed to the spotlight, everything was a blur.

The first thing I realized was that I was strapped onto an X-shaped contraption, my limbs sprawled like the "Vitruvian Man" by Leonardo da Vinci. I tried yanking myself out from the restraints but to no avail. Almost as if in response to my struggle, I felt a large needle piercing into the back of my neck.

"ARRGGGHHH!!"

I shrieked, with each drop of an unknown serum invading my body, I could feel an uncontrollable and volatile explosion of strength. My Core groaned under the pressure and the sigil on my forehead lit up in crimson hue, it felt like it was about to implode. My veins felt like they were being torn asunder as this foreign source of energy coursed through my system.

I was in such inexplicable agony that I hadn't realized another contraption had already appeared in front of me. There was a tube shaped drill hollowed in the center and it was drilling straight toward the sigil on my forehead.

"NOoo....NOOOO... LET ME GO!!!" I screamed, trying to yank myself out of the restraints but to no avail. In a blink of an eye the drill had already started piercing into my skull.

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<< THE OUTSIDE WORLD >>

[ Prince Chronos's Astral Bedroom ]

"Noo... Nooo... NOOOO!!" Chronos let out a scream as his eyes shot open. Drenched in sweat, he propped himself up and frantically looked to his sides.

"Good Morning Young Master Chronos, are you ok?"

Chronos shifted his gaze only to see a beautiful lady in a maid's outfit.

The palace maid approached him with a slow, sensual sway of her hips, her voluptuous curves accentuated by the tight, form-fitting dress that hugged her every curve. Her skin was a flawless shade of caramel, smooth and supple, and her hair was a wild mane of curls that framed her face in a halo of wild, untamed beauty.

But it was the pair of magnificent horns that crowned her head that truly set her apart. They were long, spiraled horns that twisted and curled in an intricate pattern, as if they were crafted from pure gold. They seemed almost otherworldly, a testament to the strange, ethereal beauty of this exotic creature before me.

As she approached, I could see that her eyes were bright and full of life, twinkling with a kind of mischief and playfulness that was almost infectious. Her lips were full and luscious, with a natural pout that seemed almost too perfect to be real. And as she smiled at me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of enchantment, as if I was caught in the spell of some strange, exotic goddess.

But it wasn't just her physical beauty that captivated me. It was the way she moved, the way she carried herself with a kind of effortless grace that seemed almost supernatural. Every step she took was slow and deliberate, her hips swaying with a kind of rhythmic seduction that seemed to call out to me in a voice that was both alluring and irresistible.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

And as she drew closer, I could feel a kind of heat radiating from her body, a warmth that seemed to wrap around me like a cloak. It was as if she was a living, breathing embodiment of desire, a creature that existed solely to tantalize and tempt those around her with her incredible beauty.

As I watched her move away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing, a hunger for the beauty and sensuality that seemed to radiate from her every pore. She was a creature of pure, unadulterated lust and desire, a woman who could ensnare even the most jaded of hearts with the mere sway of her hips and the flash of her seductive smile.

"I'm fine, I just had a nightmare... Excuse me, but... who are you?"

I said half-awake with a creased yet high pitched voice, slouched over, pressing a single index finger on my right temple.

"I am Hathor, Young Master, your personal maid and caretaker... Ask of me aaaanything you wish" She said cheekily with a wink, and proceeded to greet me with an Astralian Salute.

'Isn't that rather inappropriate to say to a newborn child?' I pondered.

'Then again... isn't it weird for a newborn to even have that question'

I shook my head in hopes to freshen myself up and crawled to the edge of the bed.

Hathor stepped forward, conjuring up a basin of water glistening as if it had gold glitter in it. She held it in front of me and bowed slightly,

" Do freshen up before joining the other masters for a meal."

"Thank you!" I replied as I grabbed the cloth hanging at the side of the intricately carved basin.

After dipping the cloth in the water, I covered my face with it. Instantly a wave of rejuvenation swept me, I felt some form of energy seeping through the pores of my face, completely revitalizing me.

"Wow, that felt great!" I said, letting out a deep breath

"Young Master this is sacred water from Ikaria in the Kingdom of Dadirri, Mistress Athena said that she had plundered... *ahem*.. politely requested the Dadirrian Royalty to ... *ahem* ... share some with her... She requested that I presented it to you when you wake up..."

Hathor stammered through the sentence with a squeamish smile, her eyes glimpsed fear or respect or both at the mention of Athena.

Smiling at having such a loving sister I asked,

"What's so special about this sacred water?"

Hathor replied, looking at me still in a 45 degree Astralian Salute,

"Ikaria is home to the fountain of youth...."

Before she could complete her sentence I raised my hand to stop her, my warm smile turning a little sour,

"But... I'm a few days old, am I going to turn back into a fetus?"

Hathors eyes widened, still in shock from my question. Luckily, she chuckled and said,

"You need not worry Young Master, Ikarian Sacred Water is filled with pure life force, for reasons unbeknownst to anyone, the core of the planet leaks a filtered version of its own life force into the fountain of youth..."

"Its anti-aging properties stem from this life force, but in Young Masters' case, this life force will give longevity, help refine your basic form, improve innate talents to a small degree and as Mistress Athena says... it's good for the skin.."

Even without Hathor having to say anything, I knew that the value of this basin of water must be astronomical. I smiled awkwardly, unsure if it's because I felt touched by my sister's love, or how carefree and overbearing she is.

I did not yet know how to process this feeling of actually having family, my experience back on earth left me scarred and broken. The vivid images of my final moments during the countdown flashed before me but I quickly buried them with a quick shake of my head.

"Well... Keep it safe for tomorrow, it's time to meet the family!"

I hopped off the bed, slipped and fell on all fours. I looked up at Hathor in embarrassment, my cheeks now tinted in pink.

"Young Master shall I carry you?" Hathor said with a hand on her mouth, obviously holding back her laughter.

I gave an awkward smile back then frowned. Only to see a huge smile from Hathor, 'Isn't he the CUTEST !!! I want to pinch his cheeks sooo soooo badly I'm going crazy!' Hathor thought to herself.

I considered her offer for a moment but an innate stubbornness and pride held me back.

"No thank you, just.... Hold my hand, I'll figure it out!"

I pushed both hands on the ground and had them spread out to balance myself. Soon, I felt Hathor grabbing onto my right hand. I took my first step fully expecting to fall, my PBS experience back on Earth instilled within me that newborn babies did not have adequate muscles to support their body. However, what I realized was that I was perfectly fine.

'This is strange... aside from feeling a little foreign to my body... I feel.... Strong?'

With my left hand on my chin, I pondered for a moment before taking another step. Feeling more confident, I let go of Hathor and took a few more steps. Soon enough I gained my bearings about me and decided to try jumping.

"AhhHHHhh!!"

I screamed as I found myself 20ft in the air, my pudgy arms flailing about. Luckily Hathor burst forward with a step and caught me before I fell face first into the floor.

'Mhhmmm... Bouncy...' I thought to myself, head buried in Hathor's ample bosoms, cushioning my fall. I got back up, face slightly flushed, and jumped out of her embrace.

"Ahem... Thank you Hathor '' I gave a slight cough before turning toward the exit of the room. I put both hands behind my back and slowly sauntered off trying to shake off the embarrassing moment.

Hathor quickly followed suit and quickly directed me to the Royal Garden.