As the sun set behind the towering academy walls, Alex stood on the training grounds, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The memories of his past life swirled in his mind, mingling with the weight of HIS sacrifice. He clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. He thought he could have a normal life now despite the danger lurking in the new world, he thought everything would be well as long as he was strong enough.
[The Abyss. The fact that the God you're talking about is someone like me or Athena, even Gaia didn't remember must mean he already used up his karma. It means he already changed the world by interfering with fate itself. God is not Omniscient or Omnipotent. We're indeed strong but not untouchable. I asked Kairos about him and he too told me the fact he felt something missing but he didn't know why. You say he's one of the Gods of Olympus but we can't remember him.]
Alex felt a shiver run down his spine. The weight of Apollo's words was almost too much to bear. "So... you're saying that Chronos, the Titan of Time, changed the world in a way that even the gods can't remember him?"
[Chronos, is that his name? Based on the story you speak of him, he was different. He wielded a power that went beyond our comprehension. Time itself is a delicate thread, and he could weave it in ways that defied even the gods. But such power comes with a price. He altered the fabric of reality so profoundly that even the memory of him has been erased from our minds.]
Alex frowned, trying to wrap his head around the concept. "But why would he do that? What was so important that he had to risk everything?"
[That is the great mystery. Perhaps he saw a threat that no one else could see, or maybe he was trying to prevent a catastrophe that would have destroyed us all. The only thing we know for certain is that his sacrifice was monumental]
"But if even the gods can't remember him, how do we know he existed at all? Why do you believe in my story?" Alex asked, the frustration evident in his voice.
[Fragments remain, Echoes of his presence, feelings of something missing, and the occasional vision or prophecy that hints at his existence. Kairos, the god of the right moment, is particularly sensitive to these disturbances, even if he can't fully grasp their meaning.]
Alex took a deep breath, the enormity of the situation sinking in. "So, what am I supposed to do with this information? How can I understand the act of Chronos? The fact he chooses me, an ordinary person."
[You have a unique gift, Alex. You are connected to both the past and the present in ways that few can comprehend. Use your powers wisely, seek out the remnants of Chronos' influence, and perhaps you can uncover the truth. Remember, the gods may not be omnipotent, but together, we are stronger. You are not alone in this fight. Remember, Chronos that you spoke of, choose you]
Determination flared in Alex's eyes as he looked up at the communication book. "I won't let you down. I'll find the answers and honor Chronos' sacrifice. And I'll make sure the aliens regret ever setting foot on our world."
[I believe in you, Alex. The light of Apollo shines within you, and with it, you will guide humanity to a new dawn.]
*****
Alex stood alone on the academy rooftop, gazing at the setting sun. The orange and pink hues painted the sky, a stark contrast to the turmoil within him. His calm and cold demeanor rarely betrayed his true emotions, but tonight, the weight of his secret seemed heavier than ever. Chronos. He never understands what God sees in him. He is just an abandoned child in both lives, useless, untalented, and not good enough.
His emerald green eyes wander beyond the school gates and hunters who busy with the interview after closing the rupture. He glances at the pocket watch in his palm. The door to the rooftop creaked open, and Marcus, Lia, Elias, and Mira stepped out, their faces etched with concern. Marcus was the first to speak, his voice tinged with worry.
"Some burdens aren't meant to be shared," Alex replied, his tone cold and detached. "It's better this way."
Marcus frowned, frustration evident in his eyes. "We've been through hell and back together, Alex. Whatever it is, we can handle it. You don't have to bear it alone."
Alex's gaze softened for a moment, a flicker of warmth breaking through his icy exterior. "I appreciate that, Marcus. All of you. But there are things in my past that you wouldn't understand, things that could put you in danger."
"We're not afraid of danger," one of the others, Mira, interjected, stepping forward with determination. "We've faced it before, and we'll face it again. Together."
A ghost of a smile played at the corners of Alex's lips, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. "It's not that simple. Some threats... they don't just target you physically. They mess with your mind and your soul. I've seen things, done things, that I wouldn't wish on anyone."
Marcus placed a hand on Alex's shoulder, a gesture of solidarity and support. "We're your friends, Alex. Whatever you've done, whatever you're hiding, it doesn't change that. Let us help you."
Alex took a deep breath, the weight of his secrets pressing down on him. He looked at each of his friends, their faces filled with concern and determination. For a moment, he wavered, considering the possibility of letting them in. But the memories of his past, the darkness that had shaped him, surged back with a vengeance.
"I can't," he said firmly, stepping back and breaking the contact. "This is something I have to deal with on my own."
"But—" Lia began, her voice tinged with desperation.
"No," Alex interrupted, his voice resolute. "I'm sorry, but I can't risk dragging you into this. It's my burden to bear."
Without another word, Alex turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing in the silence that followed. His friends watched him go, their hearts heavy with worry and unspoken words, knowing that despite their best efforts, the distance between them and Alex had grown just a little bit wider.
Marcus clenched his fists, his frustration boiling over. "We can't just let him shut us out like this."
Lia placed a comforting hand on his arm. "He needs time, Marcus. We have to respect his decision, even if it hurts."
Elias nodded in agreement. "Alex has always been strong, but even the strongest need support. We'll be here for him when he's ready."
Lia sighed, her eyes following Alex's retreating figure. "I just hope he realizes that before it's too late."
As Alex walked away, his thoughts were a storm of emotions. He cared deeply for his friends, but the fear of them being hurt because of him was too great. The secrets he carried were a heavy burden, one he felt he had to bear alone.
The memory of his time with the mercenary corps flashed in his mind—days filled with violence, loss, and decisions that haunted him. He had seen comrades fall, and innocent lives destroyed, and he had done things in the name of survival that he could never speak of.
His friends didn't know the real Alex, the one forged in the fires of battle and tempered by the blood of the fallen. He wanted to protect them from that darkness, even if it meant pushing them away.
But as he walked into the distance, the cold reality set in. In trying to protect his friends, he was isolating himself further, building walls that might one day be too high to tear down.
*****
Marcus stood at the edge of the training grounds, his mind racing with thoughts of Alex.
"Zeus, can I speak with you?" Marcus asked, his voice tinged with urgency.
[What troubles you, Marcus]
"It's Alex," Marcus began, hesitating before continuing. "He's been distant lately, and it's affecting all of us. I'm worried about him. We've tried to reach out, but he won't open up."
[Alex has his battles to fight, Marcus. The burden he carries is not easily shared.]
Marcus sighed, frustration evident. "I understand that, but there must be something you can tell me. Some insight into what's going on with him."
[Some knowledge is not meant for mortal minds, Marcus. There are forces at play that even the gods tread carefully around.]
Marcus's gaze widened at the display of divine power. "But he's our friend. If there's anything you can share that might help us support him, we need to know."
[There are limits to what I can disclose. The balance of his fate is delicate, and revealing too much could disrupt it.]
Marcus's frustration boiled over. "Isn't there anyone else who might know more? Someone who can give us some guidance?"
[My knowledge of Alex's deeper struggles is constrained. There are aspects of his journey that are obscured even to the gods. We must respect the boundaries of fate.]
Marcus clenched his fists. "So, even with your power, there's nothing you can do?"
[I am bound by cosmic order. My ability to alter the course of destiny is limited. Some battles are fought within, and those cannot always be shared or influenced by external forces.]
Marcus looked down, feeling the weight of helplessness. "So we're left with just our support and no real understanding?"
A bolt of lightning arcing briefly in the distance. [Offer your support, Marcus. Be present for him, even when you don't have all the answers. Your unwavering presence and concern are potent forces in their own right.]
Marcus took a deep breath, absorbing Zeus's words. "I wish there was more we could do."
[Sometimes, that is all that is needed. The storms of fate must sometimes rage, and all we can do is weather them together]
The sky calmed as the lightning subsided. Marcus walked away, his mind heavy with the understanding that while he couldn't fully comprehend Alex's struggles, he could still stand by him as a steadfast friend through the unknown.