'' My name is Aeon. I am the guardian of the ruins and temple and the 6th head of the clan that oversees the Time, the 'Time Clan.' But I am not God. I used to be a human once .''
''What?''
''Yes, I am not human like you.''
''So are you some kind of spirit sealed here?''
''In laymen's terms, yes, but I am not sealed in this temple per se. I can move around in my domain freely. But in reality, this is my astral body linked to this temple and its system.''
''That sounds complicated, but I understand the gist of it. In summary, the astral body is linked with this temple, and you can do anything as long as you are within the temple's boundaries.''
''Yes, you are a smart boy, Ark.''
''Hey, wait, how do you know my name? Oh, I see that is what you mean by anything. Never thought you could read my brain.''
''You are partially correct about that speculation of yours.''
''Partially?''
''Yes, What I read is not your brain but your Time. All you have done in the past until now, I know everything about it. I even know how your choices affected the people around you.''
''That's a pretty terrifying ability you have.''
''YES, it really is.''
..... For a few seconds, we just stared at each other.
''Okay, that was nice knowing you. If you don't mind, I am taking my leave.''
I turned around and walked towards the hallway to leave the temple.
'God, that is some intense, complicated stuff I got myself involved in. I must leave before he does anything.''
''Are you perhaps trying to leave the temple? I suggest you stop; otherwise, you will be thrown in time vertex.''
''Even I don't know whether you will end up. You can even be thrown to the end of Time itself.''
''What? You are bluffing. There is no way that can be true. The temple is on solid ground. There is no vertex anywhere.''
''You won't believe me. Then see it by yourself.''
Snap
He snapped his fingers, and the walls and floor became transparent.
''What is this? Isn't this place supposed to be on a mountain? why this is outside looking like aaa... nothing?''
Yes, when I looked through the transparent walls, there was 'nothing' I couldn't see anything. It's like the place itself is swallowed by a black hole, and no one can escape it.
''Oh, right, you are still a human, so you cant see it. Since humans can see only in 3D, you can't see something in 4D or higher dimensions. Your brain couldn't comprehend something like that.''
''No worry, it's temporary, but it will help you see it take it. Come here''
'Since I can't go anywhere without his permission, I will follow what he says. I am also curious about what he wanted me to see.'
I walked to the throne and kneeled on one knee in front of him.
''Good, close your eyes and don't open them until I order.''
I closed my eyes, waiting to see what he would do. I could feel him put his hand above my eyes.
Warm
My eyes felt warm for a few seconds and then returned to average temperature.
''Open your eyes.''
I opened my eyes and finally saw it. 'IT' really made me speechless. I don't know what it is, but I know deep down.
''What in front of you is the Time itself. The white line in front of you that goes straight like there is no end to it is the principal timeline, and the branches attached to it are the divergent times. These branches represent the different futures and choices that the world takes that affect its future. Depending on the future the world takes, the length of the principal line increases and decreases.''
''Excuse me, but earlier you said choice world take; I didn't understand what you mean. Isn't that supposed to be choices that the people take?''
''You are correct, Ark. It is the people who discover, create, exploit and destroy the resources. They create a new path every Time something new discovers. But is not the people who made a choice ts the world.''
''Think of it as this suppose a person X discovers a dangerous element that could by pure accident then he experiment on it, research about it in labs and when he was about to present it to the world he died, by a heart attack, by accident, or by the side effects of the Element. The world does not want it to be discovered by humans, so the X person dies; with his research data gone, the Element remains undiscovered until humanity can understand it. ''
''Similar cases can be found worldwide, a fitness freak died due to heart failure or someone who takes the bus every day to work decided to go via taxi. Thus it's not the humans who choose. It's the world.''
''Do you understand now how the world influences the people's actions?''
''Aaa... sorry, but I didn't understand anything after the X person died.''
''What seriously can't you understand this? Hah, what am I gonna do with you?''
''Maybe send me home already; it's getting pretty late.''
''How about I throw you out of the temple for a few seconds.''
''No, I understand what you want to say; it's the world that chooses, not humans. I understand it very well. Thank you for your generous explanation. And please don't throw me out, I will die.''
''Oh, you understand good, then tell me what the world chooses?''
''Chooses?''
''You said chooses, but what does the world choose to do? Tell me.''
''Aaa, maybe who discovers the element?''
''Seriously, how much idiot can someone be? Now, Ark listens to me very carefully.''
He gave me an hour-long sermon about Time and the world's influence on the people.
''Now tell me what you learn today.''
''The world chooses which path it wants to take and manipulates the living beings according to that.''
''Good, I will end our talk for today. Even though I am an astral body, I am exhausted. We will continue our talk tomorrow; go and sleep.''
''Excuse me, but can I go home now? It's two days, and my grandparents must be worried about me.''
''Don't worry about it. It's been only 30 minutes since you left your grandparent's home. The moment you entered my domain, the Time flowed differently for you and the rest of the world.''
''What? only 30 min, but it took me so long to reach the forests.''
''Yes, the Time is moving at a normal speed there, but it moves according to our will. Well enough chitchat for today. Your room is on the left side of the hallway; go and get some rest.''
I followed his instructions and found the room in the hallway. Strange, I didn't see it last time when I entered the temple. Maybe it has to do with what he did to my eyes.
''Well, I will ask him about this tomorrow as well.''
The door opened itself when I came near. I entered the room, and the lights turned on automatically.
''What the... how could this room be 5000 years old. This room is like 5000 years from the future.''
The room looked like a modern sci-fi film set. Great view from bulletproof windows, distinctive design on walls with RGB lighting, a king-size bed, attached bathroom etc.
''This is too much for my mind to take in. I will take a bath and sleep. I have too many questions for him.''
I took a bath, and after 2 hours of trying, I slept. Thinking about what will happen if I wake up tomorrow at my grandparents' home and all of this is just a dream.
Outside the temple, Aeon sits on a crystal bench while Ark sleeps.
''It's time, Rudra, the final showdown of the war we were waiting for, is about to come.''
''With Ark, finally here in this Time Palace. We will be able to end this war for Good this time and end the demon king's corruption of the time.''
''I hope you are doing well, my friend.''