Chapter 254 - 3.11 The Life of Chronos (1)

Author’s note: To provide some insight into the types of things Chronos sees, I am going to be doing some creative things that show different "realities," with Sora and Xander. Zander will be Xander for clarification. I thought this would be a cool twist. If it doesn’t work, please provide that feedback. -AJK

^Some things will appear out of order, as Chronos sees so many different timelines and potential Universes at once. It’s intentionally confusing. This might be weird, but it’s something I wanted to try out!

The twins looked at each other, and to their surprise, they looked like they always did.

"What kind of dream is this? I guess that fight took more energy than I thought?" Mina thought.

"This is not a dream, Mina Hart. I am Chronos, the god of Time and you are in my unique realm. The realm is called ’World’s End.’ It is where the very few souls who can reincarnate end up when they have fulfilled their purpose in a particular life."

"But reincarnation is just a myth. No human has ever been known to reincarnate." Sora complained.

"Correct. Until today. The Demon King Vigor struck a deal with me, that on the day he met twins, who shared eye colors, one blue, one green, he would betray the god of Darkness. Who am I to say no to such a wonderful deal. One soul for two!"

"But we can’t create demons or anything. So wouldn’t his soul be better?" Mina asked while rolling her eyes.

"Depending on what universe and time you are sent to, there is always the chance you will have magical abilities, or turn into beasts, perhaps create some minions of your own. Anyway I’m wasting valuable time."

"Aren’t you always here, though?" Sora said with a laugh.

"Do not mock me, I am a god! As Vigor said, you will reincarnate every time you die. I will send you on various quests throughout different eras, different realms, different species and your goal is to complete the quest."

"And our reward is death, only to come back here? Now I see why Vigor ditched this onto us..." Sora thought.

"Your reward is retaining the memories and abilities you’ve learned and mastered via the twin ChronoQuest system, which I will activate for you now."

<><><><>

ChronoQuest system activated. You now share a system.

Green: Mina Hart. Blue: Sora Hart. Level 1.

Current race: Human.

Skills: Master of weapons [common]

Passive: Reincarnate: Reborn when you die. 1 of 3 options:

1. If reborn due to quest completion, quest rewards will be presented.

2. If reborn due to suicide, all rewards and progress will restart.

3. If reborn due to failure of a quest, the quest will restart.

"Are you seeing what I’m seeing Sora?"

"Yes I am. Chronos, can you please explain in a little more detail for us. I’m sorry we laughed before. This just isn’t something humans expect to experience."

"For your humility, I will no longer give you an impossible first task. The system will be active at all times. It will show a list of skills, races, and anything else you pick up on your journey. Once a race is in your system, you can choose to change to that race, in any realm, if you feel it benefits your mission."

"So we’re not demons?" Mina said with relief.

"No. Vigor betrayed the god of Darkness, much to the delight of my peers. They summoned me yesterday to inform me to start your first quest."

"How long do these quests typically last?" Mina asked.

"That depends and it varies. Some a year, some 10 years, some 100, maybe even some that will take 1000. It all depends on the realm, purpose and which god requested assistance." Chronos said.

"1000 years?! Humans can’t live that long!" Sora exclaimed.

"Correct. Humans cannot. Other races and species can. Lucky for you two, the gods have allowed you to pick from 3 options for your first quest." Chronos said.

"How do we see our options and current quest?" Sora asked.

"Are you that daft, brother? Just think ’system’ and the system information will display in your head.

Sora thought ’system.’

"Name. Sora Hart. System twin: Mina Hart [alive] Level 1. Quests: locked."

Sora didn’t need to reread the skills, they were straightforward.

<><><><>

"So which quests are you going to unlock for us, Chronos?" Mina asked politely.

"Here are the options. Please keep in mind a specific god requested each of these. Try to earn as many blessings of the gods as you can!"

Chronos unlocked the quests tab and three options showed on both of their invisible screens.

Year: 1000. Humankind is war ridden over an antidote to a disease that takes the lives of many. The rich can afford it, the poor cannot, which drove nations to war. Race: Human. Objective: Win the war and mass produce the antidote.

Year: 750. The Elf race is facing extinction by the hand of Humankind. They have been pushed back to their last remaining Kingdom, "Sanctuary." Race: Elf. Objective: Save the elven race and bring them back to prosperity as Humans equal.

Year: 100. Dragons rule the world and allow for humans, elves, dwarves and wyvern to exist. The Dragons are at war, as some feel they should rule over the weak, as other dragons feel they should all exist as one. Race: Dragon. Objective: Pick a side and end the war.

"These are all very interesting Chronos, is there any reason they are in that order?" Mina asked.

"Ah, you are the bright one aren’t you! Yes, the tasks are ranked from easiest to most difficult. You now have 15 minutes to make a selection.

"Dragons. Definitely dragons." Sora blurted out quickly.

"Are you sure you want to become a dragon with the only skill of Master of Weapons? That seems foolish. It’s also the most difficult task." Mina responded.

"Oh, good point. Chronos, will the quests remain the same or change?" Sora asked.

"Some may stay, some may go, but your selection today selects a certain ’guide’ of sorts. I would listen to your sister about the Dragons. That is my one free tip." Chronos said.

"Being an elf sounds kind of cool, doesn’t it?" Mina asked Sora.

"Yeah, and in human lore elves are strong with nature and can produce magic!" Sora said.

"If you would please enter your selections into the system." Chronos said.

Sora and Mina opened their system, and Sora saw that there was a green highlight already over it. He scrolled to dragons, where his blue highlight showed and as he scrolled over option 2, Year 750: Elf, he noticed a check mark appeared.

"No going back now, would you do the honor sister?" Sora asked.

"Remember. No killing yourself. That seems to be the biggest taboo." Mina reminded her brother.

’You have successfully selected option 2. You must aid the elven race while avoiding extinction. Bring them back to prosperity. Your quest will be completed when humans see elven kind as equals and a peace treaty is assigned. -god of Nature’

"So we’re helping the god of Nature, that’s pretty cool. Hey Chronos, how many gods are there?"

"That is for a different day. Your body and skill functions will now be changed."

The god of Nature thanks you for choosing him first. Reward, additional skill granted for both users: Vitality. Passive healing over time when not active in battle. This skill can be used in battle if your twin allows you to rest.

Your bodies have successfully changed into Elven Royalty.

Sora and Mina looked at each other, and despite their pointy ears, pale skin, and unique new earrings, they looked like identical twins. Even the eye color stayed the same. Mina had the same green right, blue left eye pattern that juxtaposed with her brother’s blue right eye and green left eye.

"You will enter the Kingdom as beings sent by the gods. Here is an amulet to present to the Elven Queen to verify. Teleportation begins now."

The next moment, Sora and Mina were in the woods, alone.

"You look cool as an elf," Mina said.

"Just keep the boys and men away from you, I don’t want to fail because I kill someone admiring you," Sora joked.

Mina laughed, they both checked their system, saw the amulet was there and began walking out of the forest, straight for the ’Kingdom of Sanctuary.’

<><><><><>

While walking out of the woods, Mina and Sora were adjusting to walking in their new bodies and clothing. Sora was now 5’9, not nearly as muscular as his human form and his blonde hair flowed down to his shoulders.

Mine was now 5’6, also not as muscular and her jet black hair was a shorter cut, also down to the shoulders, with bangs, something she was not used to.

They were both happy to see their unique eyes remained the same.

They both wore green tunics with golden design patterns and were pleased with how comfortable they were. Mina wore black leggings, with brown boots and Sora had long, black socks, up to his knees and also wore brown boots.

"System, I’d like to change my race to human." Mina said out loud for her brother to hear.

"Ding! Transformation complete."

Sora stood in awe, as his sister wore the same clothing he last saw her in, yet it was clean and brand new.

Little did they know, elven scouts saw the transformation and reported it to the royal guard.

Things were in motion that couldn’t be undone and the twins had no idea what was coming for them.