The familiar sensation of his soft bed washed through his body as he stood up, rubbing his eyes. He felt very lightheaded, maybe it was because he just had a bad dream of dying and meeting a gigantic human, "That was one heck of a dream" He said as he rubbed his eyes again. Suddenly, a voice spoke in his head
"Young one, thou shall begin thy journey to godhood now"
"What the?!"
Rex stood still, his heart racing like a wild beast. The voice in his head was deep and powerful, unlike any voice he had ever heard before. It was calming and at the same time it was scary, it had a tone of command that made him feel cold. He looked around his room and everything appeared to be in order within a few seconds. It was just like any other morning, but there was a voice in his head.
"What the hell is going on?" Rex asked himself aloud, sweat forming on his forehead. The memory of the dream or what he had thought was a dream rushed back to him in vivid detail: the destroyed city, the giant kaiju, the time of his death, and the meeting with Cronus, the Titan of Time. Everything appeared to be so genuine, yet he was lying in his bed, awake and alive. Or was he?
"Fear not, child," the voice went on, but with an authoritative tone to it. "I am Cronus, the Titan of time. What you saw was not a dream but a vision of the future where you died in battle. But I have decided to give you another chance, to turn back time and start anew. You have been chosen to wield my power and control time.
Rex's mind was working overtime as he tried to comprehend what he was being told. He glanced at his hands, waiting for them to emit some sort of light or have some sort of mark that Cronus mentioned, but they were just his hands, trembling from the rush of adrenaline.
"A reset? You mean… I've gone back in time?" Rex asked, feeling stupid for talking to an empty room but too eager for answers to care
"Indeed," Cronus replied. "This is the morning of the day you were destined to die. But now, armed with the knowledge of what is to come and the power I bestow upon you, you have the opportunity to alter your fate."
Rex's breath caught in his throat. He had a chance to change everything, to prevent the horrible events that led to his death. The weight of that realization settled heavily on him. This was his second chance, but it was also a responsibility, one he wasn't sure he was ready for.
"But… why me?" Rex asked, his voice trembling. "Why did you choose me for this? I'm not special, I couldn't even awaken like the others."
"You are more than you believe yourself to be," Cronus answered, his tone unwavering. "Your lack of awakening was not a failure, but rather a sign that you are destined for something greater. The power within you is not tied to this mortal plane; it is bound to the very fabric of time itself. You are to become my Harbinger, the one who will walk between the threads of time and shape the future."
Rex sat down on the edge of his bed, trying to steady his breathing. It was too much to process all at once. He had to relive the day he died, but this time with the knowledge that something terrible was going to happen. And now, on top of that, he was supposed to wield the power of time? It all felt like too much for a single person to bear.
"So… what do I do now?" Rex asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Just as he asked, a holographic screen appeared, blocking his entire vision
The harbinger's system
Name: Rex Xander
Level: 1
XP to next level: 0/1000
Race: Human
Class: ???
Strength: 10
Agility: 12
Endurance: 12
Intelligence: 10
Aether: 10/10
Active Skills
Aether control (level 1)
Gives the user the ability to control Aether, the very same essence breathed by the gods
Passive Skills
god's eyes (level 1)
Gives the user the ability to see information regarding someone. The amount of information provided depends on the level of the user
???( Level ???)
"Wait, what?! When did an ancient god become a game addict?" Rex asked as he noticed the flowing letters in his view.
"I have studied humans ever since my body was locked in Tartarus, I guess this is the way you'll understand everything....." Cronus replied
"What?!! Where did your Shakespearean voice suddenly go?" Rex asked after noticing Cronus' change of accent.
"Dost thou want me to Speak this way?" Cronus asked changing his accent again.
"Yeah, I kinda prefer this one" Rex replied and then asked "What the hell is this Aether thing and how do I use this god's eyes" He was really excited at gaining these powers now. He couldn't wait to test them out.
Cronus chuckled, the deep resonance of his laugh echoing in Rex's mind. "Patience, young one. All will be revealed in time. Aether is the energy, the essence from which gods draw their power. It flows through the very fabric of the universe, and now it flows through you. As for god's Eyes, simply will it, and the truth shall be revealed."
"Right," Rex said, standing in front of the mirror. "Here goes nothing."
He focused, trying to summon the power within him. His reflection stared back, looking slightly more determined than usual. After a few seconds, Rex sighed and rubbed his temples. "Come on, eyes, start glowing or something… Do I have to say some magic words? Alakazam?"
"Focus, Harbinger," Cronus said, sounding mildly exasperated. "Thou art not performing a parlor trick."
"Okay, okay," Rex replied, closing his eyes this time and trying again. He imagined the Aether flowing through him, just like Cronus had said. Slowly, he opened his eyes and....
Rex Xander
Harbinger of Time
Level 1 - Human
Strength: 10
Agility: 12
Endurance: 12
Intelligence: 10
Aether: 10/10
"Whoa…" Rex whispered, his eyes widening at the sight of the information. It was like something straight out of a video game, but this was his life now. He looked at random objects around his room, a book, a chair, his phone and similar boxes of information appeared, each detailing basic properties and their current condition.
"Interesting," Rex murmured. "So, this is god's Eyes… I can see stats and details about everything around me." He turned his attention back to the holographic screen. His mind was buzzing with questions, but one thing stood out more than anything else. "Cronus, what about leveling up? How do I get stronger?"
"Through battle, experience, and the wise use of your powers," Cronus explained. "You will gain experience points (XP) and abillity points by overcoming challenges, whether they be in combat or through mastering your abilities. You will level up when you accumulate enough XP, enhancing your attributes and unlocking new skills."
Rex's excitement grew. This was exactly what he needed, a nice way to get stronger and ensure he was ready when the time came. But he knew he couldn't rush into this blindly. He needed a plan, a way to make the most of this second chance.
"So, I have to relive this day, right?" Rex asked, already forming a strategy in his mind. "But this time, I need to be smarter, stronger… I need to stop whatever killed me before."
"Precisely," Cronus affirmed. "You will have to learn fast, and be able to cope with what is coming next, and use your powers to the best of your ability. Every decision you make today will affect the future. If you use your time wisely, you may live to see the next day."
Rex only nodded, his face set in grim lines. "Okay. First of all, I have to find out what killed me. I remember the kaiju and the man… but there must have been something else. And then, I have to train, to get ready for it to happen again."
He got up, and he could feel the power of Aether within him, a sensation that was rather peculiar but invigorating. "Alright Cronus, let's do this, I am ready."
"Very well, Harbinger of Time," Cronus said. "Let the time be your companion. Remember, with great power comes great responsibility," he added
"Yeah, yeah, Uncle Ben, I got it," Rex replied with a grin, feeling a newfound confidence bubbling up inside him. Cronus didn't respond, but Rex could've sworn he felt the ancient god roll his eyes in some timeless dimension.
With that, the voice of Cronus receded into the background and Rex was left alone in his room, but not the same Rex as before. He was prepared to confront the day with a new mission, new strength and the resolve to alter his destiny.
Rex looked at the clock, it was just time for school again.