Chereads / The Loom of Beginning and End / Chapter 2 - Here We Go Again!

Chapter 2 - Here We Go Again!

On July 17, 2050, the sky above Nova Citadel darkened as the Primordial Dragon ChronoGravitus emerged from the depths of the Aurora Rift. The majestic city, once a beacon of human achievement, was obliterated within hours. Entire skyscrapers crumbled like sandcastles, and the streets ran red with the blood of innocents. By July 20, over 20% of the world had been annihilated, swallowed by the wrath of ChronoGravitus. 

The Primordial Dragon, was a monstrous entity that defied comprehension. Towering over the ruins of Nova Citadel, its presence alone struck terror into the hearts of those who dared to look upon it. Its scales, darker than the deepest abyss, seemed to absorb the very light around it, creating an aura of impenetrable darkness. Each scale was the size of a tower shield, etched with ancient runes that glowed ominously, pulsing with otherworldly energy.

Its eyes, glowing orbs of molten gold, bore the weight of countless millennia, filled with an intelligence and malice that no human could fathom. When ChronoGravitus opened its maw, rows of razor-sharp teeth glistened, each one capable of rending steel and stone with ease. Its breath was a harbinger of doom, a swirling tempest of temporal energy that could obliterate anything in its path, warping time and space itself.

Massive wings unfurled from its back, each span large enough to eclipse the sun, their membranes crackling with arcs of raw power. The wings bore countless scars from battles long forgotten, each one a testament to the dragon's enduring might. As ChronoGravitus moved, the very ground trembled beneath its weight, and the air vibrated with an eerie hum, a forewarning of the destruction to come.

Its claws, long and serrated, could carve through the strongest defenses, while its tail, a formidable weapon in its own right, ended in a spiked club capable of crushing entire buildings with a single swipe. Along its spine, jagged spikes protruded, each one humming with energy, ready to discharge a lethal burst of power.

The dragon's presence was accompanied by an unnatural chill, as if the warmth of life itself fled in its wake. Shadows deepened and lengthened wherever it went, and a palpable sense of dread hung in the air, suffocating all who stood in its path. ChronoGravitus was not merely a creature of immense power; it was a living cataclysm, an embodiment of destruction that threatened to consume the world.

I, Ray, was among the many who faced this colossal beast. Armed with nothing but my determination and rusting sword, I confronted ChronoGravitus, only to be struck down by its devastating temporal charge beam. When I awoke, I found myself inexplicably nine years in the past, in a world that had yet to experience the dragon's fury. 

Frantically, I sought help, my mind racing with the knowledge of the future. "Mrs., you need to inform the president, the army—anyone with the power to devise a plan to defeat this monster!" I implored a receptionist.

"Sir, I think you need to calm down and lay off those comic books you're reading. Do you seriously believe in a creature so strong that even the Crown Guard can't defeat it?" she replied, her tone dripping with disbelief.

"Please leave," she added, pity coloring her voice.

"Fine, I'll do it myself then," I resolved, my heart steeled by the weight of my mission.

With the foresight of the impending catastrophe, I devoted myself to rigorous training. I spent nine relentless years mastering swordsmanship and other combat skills, hoping to stand a chance against ChronoGravitus. But each encounter ended in my death. Whether blasted by its beam, crushed by its immense paws, or obliterated by falling debris, I could not prevail. 

I experimented with various weapons—swords, spears, axes—but all proved futile. Even magic, once thought invincible, was ineffective against the dragon's impenetrable scales. Yet, in my final moments of one loop, muscle memory took over. I managed to land a single point of damage with a spear before being crushed by the dragon's tail. It was then I realized the skills I had accumulated across loops remained dormant in my mind, accessible when needed.

Determined, I spent subsequent loops mastering every skill the Aurora System had to offer. I honed my abilities to perfection, believing this would grant me the power to vanquish ChronoGravitus. Seventy-two loops and countless skills later, I found myself 36 hours before the dragon's reappearance, praying my efforts would finally bear fruit.

As I observed people enjoying their time with loved ones, oblivious to the impending doom, an old lady's voice broke my reverie. "Excuse me," she said.

I turned to see her. "You look very tense for a man living a life no one else can," she remarked. Her eyes held a knowing glint. I put on a defensive face. "You've put in a lot of effort. Here, take this. I hope it gives you the extra kick you need," she continued, handing me a ring.

When I looked up to thank her, the old lady had vanished. Bewildered, I pocketed the ring and sought lodging for the night.

The following morning, I awoke to a scene of impending doom. The sea began to rise, and three colossal pillars formed a triangle. Water and magical energy coalesced, summoning ChronoGravitus. The ground quaked as the dragon's form materialized, causing buildings to collapse. I grabbed my gear and rushed outside. The instant I stepped out—BAM!—dragon breath engulfed me, and I died once more.

This time, I awoke in a vast ocean, surrounded by an expanse of dark space studded with countless stars.

"Finally, Ray, you're here," an ominous voice echoed.