The Earth After Rebirth

Chronos understood how he was feeling so he didn't bother him. He just walked over to the chairs to sit and relax.

This particular jump made his body even worse. He'd gone before a couple of times, he had to make sure he knew everything before he let Kiro come with him — and most importantly, that it was safe.

"What — what the hell. What happened? Why did you bring us back? It wasn't over yet!" He was still on the ground.

The goosebumps he was feeling were indescribable. He saw it — Percival — he hurt it. If it could be hurt, that meant they had a much better chance as guardians to kill an ancient one. He had a crazed looked on his face, one of hope.

Chronos didn't notice that he had dragged himself to where he sat. He looked at him, those hopeful eyes made him want to stick around much longer. He had a great feeling that, this kid would be the key to doing things that have never been done before.

"I know you saw the light. That was the end. I've never lingered around after that light, I don't know what would happen to you if we did but I can assure you that was the end."

"How do you know?"

"Because soon after, our Lord went down to your world to duke it out with the ancient one. That's why he was weakened, that's why he's been asleep this whole time. The fight between the supreme gods of their respective universes drained him." He explained, taking a long drag from the pipe.

"Why do you even smoke that thing? It's not like it does anything."

"I just like how it feels."

Kiro managed to get up from the ground, he threw his body on the chair. If he was this exhausted he didn't want to imagine how fatigued the god of time was. He was the one using his powers this whole time after all.

"Are you dying?" He finally gathered the courage to ask, he wasn't able to look at him as he asked.

"Yes. Even for us gods there are rules we cannot break. Meddling in your world and life, well I've broken about a thousand and so I'm just paying for my dues." He didn't seem all that sad that he was dying.

Kiro couldn't quite stop the guilt that was welling up from the pits of his stomach. He felt a little sick.

If only he got it right from the very first time Chronos turned back the time for him. But he was busy being a loser to change anything about himself, he only had the courage to once his memories were with him.

He looked at the god in front of him. He'd given him a lot, those memories were the start of everything great in his life. He got to even meet his new siblings, thanks to this man — being — god whatever he was.

"Don't feel guilty. I knew what I was getting myself into."

Kiro understood that he also did all this to ensure the survival of humanity, using him as the constant. He couldn't help the guilt he felt nonetheless, he was at the centre of it all.

"I'm really sorry. But can you please tell me more about Kaos and Hubris' home?"

Chronos sighed, "I have no idea about those. They're not part of my code, my best guess? You fell into another dimension. Don't forget that Harbingers use Asgard as their gateway.

"So it's not exactly farfetched that a crack to another dimension would open. It was completely a coincidence that you fell into Hubris' home.

"Oh and Kiro, I know you got quite the abilities down there. That damned idiot decided to meddle too, to help you, help me. But if you ever find yourself in another dimension, don't die.

"I theorise that you'll either be affected in real life, entering a coma or something very much worse, death. So be very careful. Asgard is your safe zone, make sure to fight them within your safe zone, nowhere else."

Kiro couldn't believe the system let him tame a being from another world. It was such an insane concept to grasp.

He nodded in understanding. Remembering how scared he was to die in the Underworld. To think his gut was right on the money about the serious consequences.

"Who's the idiot? The monkey King?" He was the only being that helped them down there, it couldn't be anyone else.

"Yes. My oldest friend." He looked at his wrist as if checking the time from a nonexistent watch. "It's time for you to leave. Even when I die, the game will continue on protecting your world as long as you protect it too."

"Pheew! That's a relief. I thought you'd tell me I'd need to take over the game as its owner or something. I'm glad it's not like that, I have too much on my plate as is."

Chronos simply smiled. He never wanted to burden the boy, so he made things much easier for him. His only job was to fight back harbingers, that's it.

Kiro took out fire whiskey from his storage, he poured on two of the glasses and offered one to the god that was always looking out for him even when he didn't know it.

"To the time god, thank you for being my guardian angel — no, thank you for being humanity's guardian angel. I'll make you proud." He raised his glass and downed the liquid in a single go.

Chronos followed suit. He felt hot, he wasn't sure if it was the whiskey or he was being very emotional. And suddenly attached and sentimental.

"Oh and Kiro, leave the bottle."

Kiro chuckled and tossed it.

He wasn't sure that dying was the right thing anymore, but it was too late for regrets he knew it too. Before Kiro could make him think twice about his decisions, he waved his index finger and the boy was gone.

"The tower was just my way of calling you here, when you go back. It won't be there anymore."

The voice rang inside his heart and he cheekily smiled. Not knowing this would be the last time he sees Chronos.