Prologue

  Realm of Nature

  Lightning filled the skies that hung over the realm that was home to Natura herself. Rain poured down over the flooding grassy green hills. High winds carried the rain spreading it across the fields. The heavy breeze carried the tall grass, pulling on it. A light splash could be heard, as an old man planted his wood colored sandals firmly down into the puddle. Water ran between his wrinkled toes, making it harder for him to hold his footing. He leaned on his golden staff for support, planting it firmly into the flooding hills of Nature’s Realm. His legs shook, brittle and unsteady, beneath his silken white robes. Water trickled down his cheek framing his cheek bones and dripping from the tips of his long beard.

  He took another step up the steep incline barely reaching the top of the hill. His knees trembled and his toes slipped in his sandals, causing him to stumble. Before his brittle body fell forward a hand reached out and grabbed him. He planted his staff one more time, leaning on this delicately figured palm. “Are you okay Kronos?” came the soft nurturing voice of Natura. Warm smile decorated her beautiful light skinned face. Her crimson red smile and deep blue eyes pierced his God like soul. Silky platinum blonde hair covered her head and draped down over her shoulders. Her features are shown through the heavily down pouring rain as if not affected by it in the least. Lush green vines strewn with small leaves wrapped around each of her ears. She hoisted his brittle arm around her shoulder in her attempts to hold him up with her petite frame. Kronos grabbed lightly onto the lavender colored dress; whose hems hung down over her feet. “Thank you, Natura,” he chuckled, finally planting his feet again and straightening up. He smiled at her and fixed his robes looking out of the landscape. “Of all the times to water the grass, why must you choose this one?” Kronos jested, extending his legs to let the water drip out of his shoes. Natura giggled and opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by another voice.

  “He has a point, you know?” Came the all too familiar voice of Lachesis, ”Clotho almost slipped and caused Atropos and I to tumble down the hill. You knew this meeting was taking place today. Why of all times would you choose to do your garden care? Hmm? You have all of the of time to take care of nature.” Three old women poked their noses out from beneath the growing fog. All three of them were covered in black hooded cloaks. Lachesis, the shortest of the three women. All three with stringy silvery white hair. Rain trickling down between the crevices of their wrinkled skin. “Time is irrelevant here sisters. Leave Natura Alone, it’s her world after all.” Kronos said in a dried tone. ”She can do with her world what she pleases, just as you three can do with yours.” All three sisters flashed him an empty look.

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  “Thank you, father,” Natura replied with a warm smile. “Nature itself is starting to thin out more and more each day. Is it really so wrong to take care of what I have left? Humanity has already chosen to tear down their patch of nature and soon their buildings and technology will become irrelevant due to their own lust for power. I can take care of my land how I see fit.”

  “Do you mean to tell us you plan on letting my world exhaust its own resources?” A bright light shown through the thick fog. Natura’s expression changed. Her eyes widened instantly recognizing the man’s voice. The man chuckled, “you can relax my child. I only Jest.” The light that followed him was angelic in nature. His voice was deep, yet calming. The Feeling the Kronos got in his divine presence was that of comfort and nourishment. At that moment feelings that plagued Kronos’s ancient heart were set at ease. The sister’s flashed Natura a serious look, before turning their attention to the man garbed in holy linens. “We shouldn’t joke about the fate of the world creator,” Lachesis spoke up. “In Humanity's current condition their fate is on a slippery slope. People only wanting, careers until they have them. The concept of love is lost to humanity. A human puts their faith into a few relationships and when they fail, they give up entirely. Committing themselves to some wild life of just sleeping around and having fun. Those few that do believe in it, get discouraged or doubtful. Then they divorce and let themselves become just as jaded as the rest of them. A lot more people are getting the idea in their head that reproduction is a terrible consequence, when in fact it’s essential to the continuation of a species.” They’re faces were blank as they finished their speech.

  The Creator’s expression remained lightened. “I should only expect you girls to take the fate of humanity seriously. Regardless though, I have faith in what I've created. They will prove you wrong, just watch.” He said with a hopeful tone.

  The Sisters all laughed for the first time since the meeting began. “You are funny creator,” Atropos interjected.” The day you find us a mortal that can show the rest of the world such a rare thing as true love in this world. That’s the day we’ll have found another truly divine being. Humans these days only seem to believe in temporary satisfaction.” The other two sister’s nodded in agreement.

  Kronos rolled his eyes. He should be used to this. It happened whenever the World Keepers got together. He fixed his posture and violently stomped his time staff on the Ground. A Shockwave emanated from the staff, causing some of the Keepers to struggle with their footing on the dampened grassy hills. The Keepers all took a step back then turned their attention to Kronos. And heavy silence fell over the Sisters and the creator himself. Kronos cleared his throat and finally spoke, “Speaking of Divine beings. That is why I’ve called you all here.” Everyone gave him a bewildered look. He gestured to Natura. “My dear, if you would please provide us all a means to make ourselves comfortable? I’d like to get down to business.” Natura nodded and waved her hands. Several small wooden tree stumps began to rise up out of the ground atop the hill. Kronos nodded toward Natura with a warm smile. “Now Then. I’d like to discuss finding a replacement as the Keeper of time. I can’t keep this up forever. My spirit has grown weary. My mind has grown tired. I’m afraid my time as a keeper is coming to its end.”