[ Astral Royal Castle - Royal Garden ]

Prince Chronos’s Point of View

Grandmama said lovingly still crouched in front of Chronos,

“I just want you to know that it is perfectly ok to be an average Prince, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with leading a peaceful and exuberant existence without a worry in the world with us as your shield!”

The young prince started recollecting his life back on earth. Lost in thought as memories from his past came flooding back, his mind flooded with images from his photographic memory. He could see every detail of his childhood home, the sound of his father's voice, and the sting of his father's hand as it connected with his skin.

His fists started clenching unconditionally as scenes of his mother’s soulless eyes flickered in his consciousness. In the later stages of her life, there were no tears left. Just a numb gaze of helplessness. Her bruised body and battered cheeks painted a story of choked desolation.

But even in the midst of the pain, Chronos could also remember the moments of clarity and insight that had helped him to survive. He recalled the times when he had retreated into his own mind, finding solace in the power of his memory and the clarity of his thoughts.

He knew that his photographic memory was both a gift and a curse. Every detail of his afflictions constantly tugged at the corners of his consciousness, woven into the fabric of his being in a way that can never be undone.

With a deep breath, the young prince pushed the memories away and focused on the present moment. He looked up at the loving warm face of his Grandmama and two sisters. In that moment, the boy felt a deep sense of gratitude and love. He knew that he was lucky to have found a family who loved him unconditionally, and he vowed to cherish that love and to never take it for granted.

Grandmama Tai Sui sporadically stroked his hair but otherwise waited patiently, She did not know of the details of his PBS but suspected the ordeals he had to go through to become who he is now.

A determination arose from within Chronos, he looked up with fiery eyes, both hands clenched at his sides and declared;

“ I won’t let anything or anyone dictate the state of my life or of my loved ones… “

“ So… I want to become a God ! “

The screech of chairs echoed, both his sisters stood up, looked at him both confused and shocked.

On the other hand a stern look came from Grandmama as she said, “ The journey to the top is a perilous one, amongst innumerable sentient beings in our history, only a handful has managed to transcend to the realm of Supreme…”

“While it normally is too early for us to even discuss this, I have faith in your talents baby boy… But the road to Supremacy comes with dangers you can't yet fathom, no matter how gifted you are … Even your mother… my baby girl…..”

A solemn look fell upon Grandmama’s face as she sighed and stood up to get back to her seat.

“What happened to mom and dad? What’s the Realm of Destiny?”

Chronos asked for the first time, the recollection of the conversation between the higher powers vivid to every detail. The absence of his parents had been lingering at the back of his mind and even though he knew he had probably had to brace for bad news, He finally mustered the courage to ask.

“ As you heard, they’ve been transported to the Realm of Destiny, unfortunately the laws of Tertius prevents me from sharing any more,”

“ But as long as you get strong enough, you’ll definitely be made aware of the details…”

Grandmama replied with a soft sigh.

“What’s the probability that they are still alive?”

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Grandmama sighed and said,

“ Your mother was one of the most gifted even within our Tai Kong tribe, so much so that she became a threat to certain higher powers that be.”

“There is so much about our world kept secret, it isn’t that I'm unwilling to share but many factors prohibit any discussions regarding the matter.”

Sophia cut in, “ Is it related to why Dad rushed me to perfect the PBS System all of a sudden? and the Metaverse...”

Grandmama nodded and continued:

“All I can say is that your mother was forcefully sent into a higher realm… As for her safety, your Grandpapa Tai Kong and your father’s family are all there,”

“As long as they manage to find them in time, they should be ok…”

Athena chimed in, “Do the Technians have anything to do with this? What you said yesterday to Emperor Technia…..”

“Yesterday? After I fell asleep? What happened?” Chronos asked curiously.

Athena briefly shared how she stood up for me by blasting at Zukun, how Grandmama crushed the mysterious veiled chuck of metal, threatening a DNSuit out of the Technian Emperor with her almighty black hole secret technique that Grandmama will teach her.

Grandmama rolled her eyes and answered,

“The Technians are but tools of different allied powers who are acting both for and against their interests.”

“That’s why I was content leaving with the DNSuit, do not underestimate the Empire of Technia, even the Emperor of Technia is just a puppet!”

“I'm guessing that they are laying low in preparation for something bigger, while I am strong, the Principle Stage Ceiling applies to me too…”

“Every time I project powers above the Principle Stage there’ll be a backlash and once I undo my seal I will be exiled by Tertius and sent back to the Realm of Destiny…”

“But Grandmama, you crushed that veiled guy who clearly was above the Particle Stage and your Black Hole attack… Yet nothing happened?” Sophia asked sharply.

Grandmama shot her a look,

“First, that wasn’t a guy, it was an android nonnative of Tertius; Secondly, I didn’t need to exceed the Particle Stage to crush it and as we discussed earlier, you girls and probably the whole of Tertius have some misconceptions of what the Pinnacle of Particle Stage actually is.”

“Lastly, who said nothing happened? The backlash was just minor because I shrouded the existence of the black hole with the Principle of Space and minimized the period of its existence by freezing the flow of time in that tiny area with the Principle of Time.”

“If I had actually unleashed the attack I’d have been expelled by the Laws of Tertius and probably end up half dead from the backlash, that’s why you girls need to train harder to protect your little brother! I am only a deterrence! A single use weapon of mass destruction! Hahaha…”

Grandmama seemed proud of herself but the young prince could grasp the severity of the situation. He had not spent much time with his parents before, nor did he have any idea of what having a good relationship with parents meant.

He had not really figured out how to feel about them. However, just from these few days, it was apparent that Grandmama, Athena and Sophia were truly blood. It was at this moment that he swore to himself that he would do everything it took to protect this family.

The young prince stood up on his chair, looked upon 3 pairs of confused gazes, he patted his chest twice and asserted,

“ Don’t worry! I'll protect all of you one day! “

Athena broke out in laughter,

“HAHAHA… Big words for a baby! Do you think you'd be able to surpass your two genius sisters who have 100 years on you?”

“Hmph, speak for yourself…. I’m only 21 !” Sophia grunted.

Chronos jumped off my chair before the fight between his sisters broke out. He struck a pose and snorted,

“ The weight of a man is measured by what he pursues! Don’t really know what it means yet, but one day soon enough, I will be Supreme Chronos Astral! “

As soon as his voice trailed off, the world fell into a shrine-still silence. He looked up toward the sky, like a tightening noose, it was coiling in on itself, purring with a suppressed rage. Dark-gray clouds pregnant with malice glared back onto me balefully, threatening impending doom. Splayed lightning writhed through the moiling sky like the ruinous cracks on crumbling mortar.

A single pronounced vein of arcane lightning, blazed out in the sky, a blinding flash made his heart skip a beat. Following it was a sonic boom which ruptured the eerie silence, Chronos raised his arms in defense out of reflex just as a gold spear of the Apocalypse shot straight at him.

*BOOOMMM!*

A deafening blast followed, Chronos closed his eyes beneath his outstretched arms as if they were of any use. He peeked out with a single eye and saw a whirlwind of dust and rubble surrounding him,

‘I’m… Fine??’

Grandmama, Sophia and Athena rushed forward to see if he was okay. Chronos was lucky Grandmama foresaw what would happen and projected a force-field of dimensional energy around him just in time. He fell down on his three year-old butt and heaved a sigh of relief.

Grandmama embraced her slightly disgruntled grandson and glared at the sky like a protective mother bear. She warned sternly,

“Beware of the claims you make, especially when you are weak… “

Chronos gritted his teeth, refusing to concede. He glared up toward the sky, a burning determination swept him. This would be the incident that planted the seeds of his morbid obsession for revenge.

He knew not who to enact his vengeance on but what became clear was that he needed to be stronger. The doom-black clouds rumbled one last time before dissipating as if to warn him against his newly set target.

Grandmama put him down and wiped off the excess dirt that clung onto him, his disheveled exterior taunting proof of his weakness and vulnerability. She patted him down and gave him a profound smile,

“ I wasn't joking when I said that it would be a perilous journey.”

“ Baby brother, are you alright?” Sophia pulled him into her warm embrace.

“ Woah, I know you’re talented and all, but to actually be struck by lightning……” Athena gasped.

“The path you are taking challenges ….” Grandmama looked upward and pointed to the sky.

“It is evident how petty they can be, you almost lost your life at the slip of the tongue, are you sure?”

Chronos took a deep breath, more sure than ever he said,

“ I don’t really know how to feel about mom and dad yet, I mean… I’ve barely even met them, but as the only man left in the house, it’s my duty to become strong enough to protect our family”

Athena rubbed the top of his head and said,

“Attaboy! Though that’s sexist and we don’t really need your protection, It’s always better to be strong rather than weak!”

“My suitors can form a line stretching all the way to the Kingdom of Dadirri and I can probably beat them all with one hand! Nothing’s more unattractive than a weak man…. “

Athena abruptly cut herself off when she noticed Grandmama scowling at her.

Noticing Grandmama’s change in expression, Sophia and Chronos burst out in laughter.

The sun was shining bright and warm on this beautiful morning, casting a golden glow over the lush green garden. It was a scene of pure, unbridled happiness, a moment of perfect harmony that would live forever in their memories. And as the family finished their breakfast and went on with their day, the warmth and love of that beautiful morning lingered on, like a sweet and tender embrace that would never fade away.