The silence was sacred.
Time stood still, suspended between the beats of a divine heart. At the center of the arena, Léon lay unconscious, wrapped in a golden light. The monster, still frozen, was now nothing more than a memory of chaos.
The Deity of Time finally set foot on the ground.
His gaze stopped on Léon, filled with a mix of respect, curiosity, and certainty. Slowly, he extended his hand, palm open, and spoke in a forgotten tongue:
"He who carries the Gift of Faith... shall not fall before fulfilling his destiny."
A blue wave burst from his hand, warm and soft like an ancient summer breeze. It entered Léon's body, closing his wounds, reviving his muscles, restoring his breath.
Then he turned toward another point in the arena.
There lay Jason, still unconscious, in the arms of the guard who was also weakened, on his knees, covered in wounds.
The deity stepped forward, time slowly resumed around them.
A white, pure, brilliant light enveloped Jason. His chest suddenly rose, as if pulled from water. He opened his eyes abruptly and took a deep breath, confusion in his gaze.
Jason: "What… I'm alive?"
The guard, trembling, looked up as well. He didn't understand what was happening, but felt his pain fade. His bones realigned, his skin healed.
The Deity of Time looked at them both and said:
"The future is not yet lost… but you must understand, this world will never be the same."
With a simple wave of his hand, he stirred the air above the arena. A vortex of light rose into the sky. Fragments of stone, metal, and earth began to lift from the ground.
The arena rebuilt itself.
The broken pillars reformed. The shattered floor was restored. Even the roofs of distant buildings rose back into place.
Everything was restored as it once was… but something deeper had shifted.
The deity remained silent for a moment, observing the world he had just healed.
Then, in a deep voice, he declared:
"Creation has chosen you. And I, Time, grant you my protection.
This battle was only the first step. Prepare for what is coming. For the Balance of the world… is crumbling."
Jason slowly regained consciousness. He sat up, still gasping for air, his eyes wide open, as if returning from an endless void. The golden light surrounding him began to fade.
He placed a hand over his heart, as if to make sure he was truly alive.
Jason (weak, trembling voice):
— I'm... back? How...? That was the end. I felt my mind breaking... Who… who saved me?
The Time Deity stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back, his aura still as imposing as ever. His eyes met Jason's, though his gaze seemed to pierce far beyond the present.
Time Deity (calm voice):
— You brushed against the abyss, traveler from the future. But the thread of your fate has not yet been severed. It was I who brought you back.
Jason squinted, trying to fully rise despite his exhaustion.
He looked around—at Léon, still unconscious, and at the guard, still kneeling. He realized he no longer carried the burden alone.
Jason:
— Why did you help me? You know what I am… what I tried to do with time. You could've let me die.
Time Deity (calm but firm):
— I know your sins. Your manipulations… your pride. But I also know your heart.
You didn't run from your duty, Jason. You tried to save this world—even at the cost of your own life.
Jason lowered his gaze in silence for a moment, then lifted his head with a clearer look in his eyes.
Jason:
— Then… do you believe there's still a chance? That the future can still be changed?
The deity stepped closer, placing a finger gently on Jason's forehead.
Time Deity:
— It is not for me to believe. It is for you to prove that your future deserves to exist.
And you won't be alone anymore. The bearer of Faith has awakened. Balance can still be restored.
Jason looked one last time at Léon, whose body still faintly shimmered with celestial light.
A new breath filled the air.
Jason (softly, with determination):
— Alright… Then this time, I won't turn back.
The light surrounding Jason hadn't fully faded when the Deity of Time raised a calm hand. A golden circle of energy enveloped Jason, bathing him in a warmth both gentle and powerful. His breath steadied. His wounds closed. The energy drained from time travel and battle surged back into him—completely restored.
Jason opened his eyes wide, overwhelmed by the sensation of full renewal.
Deity of Time (deep, echoing voice):
— I grant you a second chance, Jason. But it comes with conditions.
Jason remained silent, listening intently.
Deity of Time:
— You defied the laws. You walked between seconds, bent hours to your will. This time, you must walk with time, not against it.
He stepped closer, his gaze piercing.
Deity of Time:
— First condition: you shall no longer travel through time without my permission. Any abuse, and I will take back what I've given.
Jason (humbly):
— Understood...
Deity of Time:
— Second condition: you are to protect the Bearer of Faith—Léon. He is a key. As long as he lives, balance may yet be restored.
Jason slowly nodded. He turned his eyes to Léon, still unconscious, then back to the deity.
Jason:
— And the final condition?
Deity of Time:
— You must face your past, Jason. What you've run from in your own future. This world cannot heal unless you heal your own.
A heavy silence followed. Jason clenched his fists.
Jason (resolute):
— Then I accept. I will honor these conditions. I will live this second chance. And this time, I won't waste it.
The deity nodded slowly, then raised both arms. A wave of light swept through the arena, restoring shattered walls, scorched earth, even the sky above. The red moon softened, the clouds dispersed. Even the traces of the monster vanished.