"I love you, Max"
The words kept ringing in his head. He couldn't shake it off. No matter what he tried he couldn't open his eyes too. Was he finally dead? That was a huge fall, he thought. There had to be no way to survive something like that. But the voice didn't go away.
"I love you Max"
Max couldn't recognize the voice at first, but the third time he heard it, he remembered. That beautiful voice didn't belong to anyone in his family. In fact it belonged to the only girl, other than his family members, that had ever loved him.
Vaishaali....
That was her name. She was an Indian-American, who also happened to be his classmate back in school. Max had a huge crush on her, but he feared how she would feel. After all, it was a small crush, as they were still sixteen years old. He was extremely shocked to know that she also felt the same about him. And on a chilly Febraury evening, she directly asked him out saying that she loves him.
Of course Max was taken aback at this. In American culture, couples usually date for a while before even saying "I love you". But according to Indian culture, explained to him by Vaishaali at a later date, they usually propose and ask people out with the three magical words. But Max didn't know that back then, and his heart was beating fast, unable to process his amazing luck.
The very next day they started dating each other, and all it was, was cute exchanges and glances at each other. Holding hands and being teenagers. He also remembered that a week after they got together, she invited him to a fancy restaurant. And that's where Max was shot in the head.
Umm...what...I was shot..? Wait...what....what's happening to me..? What happened after that?? I got shot..? Shot in the head?? No what..??
For some reason, Max was not able to understand anything. Even though his entire memories had returned, what happened before him waking up here, was always unclear. He had decided to ignore it for a while, hoping that it would eventually return anyway. But Max was wrong. There was still something very wrong.
??: Wake up, Your Highness...
Max heard an unfamiliar voice, trying to wake him up. Max slowly opened his eyes to see debris everywhere. He couldn't see the ceiling, but then suddenly he felt every bit of pain that was coursing through his body. The very next second, he coughed up blood, and slowly tried raising himself to sit down. Even though it hurt, Max knew that the level of pain he felt, was extremely low than what it should be. He fell hundred meters on his back and was still somehow alive.
Max straightened his back, but heard the sounds of bones cracking. He somehow didn't feel a sharp enough amount of pain. He then slowly raised his head to look ahead, to see the person, to whom the unfamiliar voice belonged.
In front of Max was a guy completely covered in robes. His legs were not visible as the light green cloth touched the ground covering everything up. It had a fairly complex artwork and only one of his arms, were out holding a highly detailed staff. The arm that was visible, had a unique gold-black bracelet and his nails were painted golden. His arm was skinny.
What was curios although, was the fact that this mysterious person was wearing a mask. It was the same colour as the robes and blended perfectly. Only the right eye side had a hole for the person behind the mask to see through and there were patterns on it too. And the man was towering over him, and was almost seven feet tall.
???: I think it was about time you woke up, Your Highness. I've been waiting for you...
Max: Who are you..?
The mysterious figure went back a step listening to Max's voice. It felt like he was insulted and disgusted at the same time. Max was unable to understand his over theatrics.
???: Oh,....it's still ..YOU...Maximus...
Max: Do I know you, weird robed man??
For some reason, the mysterious stranger's tone had changed while talking to him. It felt like he looked down on him. The stranger's voice hinted that they looked at Max as if he were an insect.
???: It appears that you have forgotten our entire exchange prior to this, in the Temple. Fear not, I shall say my name again. I am Time.
Max was trying yo process the sudden information dump but couldn't. He had no recollection of talking to a weird guy in this outfit, but the person said that they met in a "Temple". He wondered what they meant by it.
Max: And seriously, your name is time...?? Who names themselves time..? That's like....so stupid!!
Time: I see...that you have not lost your ability to annoy, even when you lost your memories.
There was a lot of annoyance in their voice now. Max wanted to ask him questions as this person looked like someone who would hold lots of information.
Max: Why did you call me "Your Highness"?
Time: I wasn't referring to you, Maximus. I was talking to my God. The God of Perseverance. ..
Max: I mean you were looking at me...unless he is invisible behind me...you were talking to me.
Time: This is why I hate humans. They believe the world revolves around them.
Max was confused on everything. So far the people he had met, even though they did inhuman feats, they always felt like they were human.
Max: Can I ask you a few questions?
Time: Ask away...you don't have time anyway.
Max took a breath and asked the most important thing.
Max: Am I dead..? Is this an alternate reality..?
Time: No...you are not dead yet..thanks to US. But you soon will be anyway. And this isn't some alternate reality. It is the very planet you grew up in. It's just, you are in the future.
Max: Future..?? But they said the year is 1807..?? What did they mean by that??
Time: Just ask them..
Max was almost angry. He wanted answers and someone capable of providing them was in front of him. But he was annoying.
Max: Then...what am I?? I wasn't like this before.
Time: You are a mere speck of dust. A simple useless human being called Maximus Augilerris Steefan. That's it.
Max was growling in anger. Somehow being called a useless human was very insulting to him.
Time: But ....even though you are a human...unfortunately you also happen to be the tenth incarnation of the God of Perseverance, my Master..
Me....? A god...??
Max was astounded by his words. He was left speechless. But before he could ask any further questions, even though he was baffled, Time continued.
Time: It doesn't matter if I tell you anyway. You will soon cease to exist..
Max raised his head again.
Max: What do you mean by that..??
Time was quiet without answering he just stood in the exact spot he already was, as the wind blew, making it look dramatic.
Max: ANSWER ME...!!!
Time moved a step near him and raised the staff to his face. The gem in between the staff began glowing and strange letters that looked like runes started appearing out of thin air. Time was looking at it and trying to read it.
Time: It seems you will be gone in 71 days anyway. That's it.
Max: Seventy one...days??....
*********
[Maximus Augilleris Steefan: 71 days till Erasure]