The intensive care unit at Northwest hospital alarms buzzed loudly, "Code One, please follow Code One procedures." The alarm echoed throughout the hospital. The flashing red lights of the alarms caused panic and worry amongst the patients. The hospital staff dreaded these situations, as the Code One alarm meant someone under the age of 18 needed immediate attention.
The ambulance arrived and paramedics quickly rolled the gurney to the nurses and doctors waiting on the first floor. They rushed the victim into the room reserved for life and death situations. The surgeon arrived and the team quickly started operating on the young man.
The surgery's intensity continued to increase as they'd get a pulse, only to lose it in the following moments.
"Dr. Johnson, his pulse is back. We have a heartbeat."
"He's losing too much blood, these burns... they're making it difficult to properly follow protocols."
"Stop the hemorrhaging, use an escharotomy if you have too!"
"Hemorrhaging stopped, but his oxygen is low again."
"We lost him again!
"Starting Defibrillator automation."
"Pulse returned. Oxygen and blood levels stabilizing."
The fight continued for over three hours. Other surgeons and teams may have given up. Thankfully, Dr. Johnson was the top surgeon in America. His team never panicked, never lost hope, and always kept fighting to save lives.
"Great job everyone! Let's clean the wounds and do a final visual inspection..."
Dr. Johnson's voice faded as a sudden burst of beautiful white energy caused the scene to change--
"What do you two want to do for your 18th birthday?" a young man asked identical twin girls.
"Celebrate! Thanks to the donations you helped raise, we can enjoy University while not having to worry about working or paying rent!"
"Seriously, thank you so much! We're having a party here, at St. Marks in three months when we finally turn 18! I can't believe your birthday's next week!"
"Yeah, you still haven't told us what you want to do!"
"I'm sure we'll have a great time! I don't want a big party. I just want to spend time with you two before I move out west next month."
"We love you, big bro!" The twins smiled as they hugged him. "You better stay in touch!"
"Of course..."
A brilliant blue Aura swirled, only to turn jet black. Out of the darkness, another scene emerged--
"Someone should stop Sora from going after more of the children! The fire department arrived, they can do their jobs," an older gentleman screamed.
"He's already burned to bits! How many kids has he saved now? 12?! He's going to end up dying! That's the last thing we need," an older woman cried.
The young man ran out with two children, handed them to a firefighter muttering "my sisters..." as he collapsed to the ground. Two final screams inside the Orphanage were erased as the building collapsed. The overwhelming odor from the burnt flesh from the victim lingered in the heavy smoke as onlookers stood in shock.
****
A cool breeze drifted through an open window, causing Sora to wake up.
"Wait, we're in a hospital. There's no way a window should be open?" Sora thought.
Everything around him seemed normal. He scanned the room, and as his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he noticed an older gentleman sitting down. The man dressed in a black cloak with vibrant white edges that illuminated in the darkness of the room. He appeared to be sleeping, although it was difficult for Sora to tell, as he laid in his hospital bed, slightly elevated to alleviate some of his pain.
Sora clicked the page button on his handheld remote, but the page didn't go through. "Is my machine broken?" Sora's heart started to race. "Who is this man? Did he come to kill me?!" Sora feared for the worst.
"Ah! Sora, you're finally awake. You look like you've seen a ghost! I'm so sorry if I startled you."
"Wait, how can you see my facial expressions, I'm wrapped up in bandages like a freakin` mummy!" Sora yelled, for the first time since he started his countless surgeries.
The pain was intense, but he hoped his scream caught someone's attention.
"Save your words my dear boy! Your nurse prayed every night since you arrived, and well, this last prayer, finally caught my attention! I am Chronos, the god of time," he said. Chronos placed his cool hand on Sora's shoulder.
Suddenly, a calm, tranquil feeling overwhelmed Sora. For the first time in weeks, he laid in his hospital bed without any pain. Sora looked at Chronos in confusion.
"Good, that seems to feel better, doesn't it? What if I told you I could give you a second chance at life? A new world, new beginnings, a second chance due to your selflessness as a human?" Chronos asked, with a polite smile.
Clearly confused, Sora asked. "What do you mean, Chronos?"
"After speaking with the gods, they agreed we are in dire need of assistance from someone like yourself." Chronos said, calmly and deliberately.
"Ok, so there has to be some sort of catch, right? You can't just be here to send me off to some perfect situation," Sora said.
Chronos noticed the sadness in his voice, and answered, "Yes, a small catch, but we'll get to that. You will be transmigrated into Sora Lockheart, a half-god half-Uthra, born of the goddess Aphrodite and the Uthra hero Cyrus Lockheart. Cyrus passed away many years ago, but you will want and wish for nothing. Your host body has been active since its birth, with something I implemented and known as the Chrono system." Chronos explained.
"That's so cool!" Sora said.
Ignoring Sora's comment, Chronos continued, "The system has no feeling or emotion, but will assist you with your skills, your abilities, as well as getting you up to speed about your seat at the King's council, the state of affairs, and if I can mildly brag, will get you accustomed to your new body." Chronos said with a polite laugh.
"Also, my dear boy, you will have all SSS abilities, but you will start at level 1. I encourage you to start clearing dungeons, find party members you can trust, and make seals with them. This sealing magic will prevent them from betraying you, and it is imperative because unfortunately, the gods have seen two outcomes. You save the world– or you destroy it." Chronos finished.
"I don't see how I can possibly destroy a world, but what about my body here? Can't I just live out a normal life? Or if I say yes, what happens?" Sora asked.
"Well, if you decided to stay on Earth, you will be bed-ridden and eventually pass away around 20 years from now with no real life to speak of. However, if you choose to take on this new life, you will simply pass away, in your sleep, tonight. We must not waste time!" Chronos said eagerly, almost as if he knew Sora would say yes.
"Can you do me a favor, Chronos?"
"Depends, but what is it my dear boy?"
"Can you write a thank you note to my nurse, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson from the Orphanage, the hospital staff, and write up and will? Please give all my financial assets to the Orphanage and $500,000 to my nurse and $500,000 to my foster parents. You can just have it notarized and drafted like a lawyer would, right?"
"Ah, yes that should be simple enough." Chronos said with a smile, and with a simple gesture, he had something in Sora's hands. "Does this work?"
After reading over what Chronos wrote, Sora teared up. He also liked that Chronos dated it the third day Sora was in the hospital, and worded it, "If in the event I am to pass away, please…"
"Ok, thank you, Chronos. Is there anything else I should know before I get going on this new adventure?" Sora asked excitedly.
"Remember, finding party members and those allies that will stay close to you, protect you, and most importantly, keep you on the path of saving the world and not destroying it is of utmost importance. Your eyes are also a gift from me," Chronos said while smiling.
"Lastly, the King will choose you to be his heir. Please accept this position."
"Ok, thank you, I'm ready," Sora said, nervously.
Sora made sure the note was neatly tucked inside his tablet's case, where someone would certainly find it.
One last breath, and all his pain stopped.