Cronus' system: Against the gods
Chapter 53 Fate's Eyes

"About me? Is there any problem with me, General?" Rex asked, his voice feigning innocence, though a chill crept down his spine. Silas's demeanor shifted, the atmosphere in the room thickening as he pondered how best to explain the gravity of the situation.

Silas fiddled with the pen, its smooth surface gleaming under the soft glow of the office lights. "You see... there's a particular law in this city, one that must be heeded, no matter how evil it sounds." His tone was grave, the seriousness of his words wrapping around Rex like a suffocating shroud.

Rex swallowed hard, his heart racing. "Evil law? What does that have to do with me?" The unease in his gut intensified, and he instinctively took a step back.

With a flick of his wrist, Silas sent the pen hurtling towards Rex, who instinctively raised his hands and caught it mid-air. The moment felt suspended in time, the pen resting in his palm a small victory against the encroaching dread.

"Hmmm... So you really have awakened," Silas mused, his expression a mix of admiration and concern.

"Yeah, I have..." Rex replied, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "But what does that mean for me?"

"Rex," Silas said, leaning forward, his gaze piercing through the tension. "This city operates under a law designed to control those who possess abilities especially those who fail to awaken like you at first late. It's known as the 'Law of Shadows.'" He paused, gauging Rex's reaction before continuing. "The higher-ups believe that those who fail the awakening pose a potential threat.

Why they think that, I don't know but they normally say that they're unpredictable and hard to contain."

Rex's brow furrowed. "What kind of threat? I'm just a kid trying to figure things out."

Silas took a deep breath, the weight of his words palpable. "The law also states that any late bloomer who shows signs of awakening must be monitored, and if deemed dangerous, they're... eliminated. It's a preventative measure, one that's deemed necessary to maintain control.

Rex's heart raced. "Eliminated? You mean killed?" The word felt heavy on his tongue, each syllable tasting bitter.

Silas nodded, his expression solemn. "Yes. They believe that if they can't control you, they can't allow you to live freely. It's harsh, and I've fought against this law for years, but the higher-ups have a grip on power that's hard to shake."

Rex's mind whirled. "But I didn't even know what I was capable of until recently! Why would they want to kill someone who's just figuring things out?"

"Because they fear what they don't understand," Silas replied, his voice steady but filled with urgency. "And they're afraid that if you awaken your full potential, you could challenge their authority."

The silence in the room grew heavy as Rex processed this new information. "So, what do I do? Just stay hidden? Is that why they sent Ralph after me?"

"Yes," Silas confirmed, his brow furrowing. "They wanted you dead! and hence, they ordered me to send an assassin after you. Believe me I tried all my best to persuade them but their minds were already made up! I'm sorry...

Rex clenched his fists, a sense of determination flooding his veins. "I'm not going to let them dictate my life! I'm tired of being treated like a pawn in their game."

Silas regarded Rex with a mixture of admiration and caution. "That's the spirit, but you must be careful. The higher-ups are watching you closely, and they won't hesitate to act if they feel threatened."

"Who are these higher-ups?" Rex pressed, needing to know his enemy.

"That, I can't tell you," Silas replied, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Not yet. It's too dangerous."

Rex felt a frustration bubble beneath the surface. "So I'm supposed to just take your word for it? About a law that could get me killed? I need more than that, General."

"Rex, I understand your anger, but trust me when I say that knowledge can be as dangerous as ignorance in this case," Silas warned, his eyes narrowing. "There are eyes everywhere, and I need to protect you. The less you know, the safer you'll be for now."

Rex clenched the pen tightly, feeling its cool surface steady him. Then he tossed the pen back at the General and walked out of the office, his mind processing all the information that Silas just told them. He had learned two things from the convo.

one was that Silas wasn't the one behind Ralph's assassination and the next was that the higher-ups were Chairman Voss, Director Simmons and Lieutenant Graves.

During the conversation, when he asked who are these higher-ups, he was asking the system and not General Silas. Hence, he was able to get the names.

"This fate's eyes is really something else," Rex thought as he walked out of the office. During the talk with Silas, his god's eyes had leveled up into fate's eyes finally and he could now use it! He instantly read the information and knew just how well to use it. Ordinarily, his god's eyes would have failed to get the names of the higher-ups

"Yea, it'll be useful in the challenges to come!" Cronus remarked.

ABILITY; FATE'S EYES

Effect one: Allows the user to see into the future(Cost: 100 Aether for each second)

Effect two: The user can see the "fate lines" that connect people and events. These threads reveal who is linked to significant events, as well as connections between allies and enemies. By observing these threads, the user can tell if two individuals are destined to clash, cooperate, or influence each other.

"The first effect was basically unable to be used now due to his poor Aether reserves but the second one... it was complicated but he still slightly understood it!

"Okay... Now I know what I'm dealing with!

The hallway echoed with the soft sounds of footsteps and murmurs, but Rex's focus was elsewhere. He closed his eyes, activating Fate's Eyes, the surge of power coursing through him like electricity. It felt different this time, stronger, more precise. He could feel the threads of fate weaving around him, shimmering in ethereal colors.

"Wow," he breathed, awed by the spectacle before him. Each person he passed had threads connecting them to others, intertwining like a vast web. Some were linked to each other with each of their names revealed

Timmy parker xxx Andrew Simmons- Close friends

Theresa Williams xxx Ella Palmer- Love rivals

"Look closer," Cronus urged, his voice echoing in Rex's mind. "Those threads can tell you more than just alliances. They reveal destinies, choices yet to be made."

Rex opened his eyes, adjusting his focus. As he scrutinized the threads, they began to shift and dance, revealing more than he had anticipated. He noticed a dark, jagged line connecting him to Ralph Zipper, a thread of animosity tinged with violence.

He looked around again and this time....

Timmy Parker- Destined to kill Andrew Simons

Theresa Williams- Destined to lose to Ella Palmer and then commit suicide

"That's.....dark" Rex whispered shakily

"Beware harbinger! To use this ability normally! Thou must get approval from the three sisters of fate" Cronus remarked

"Three sisters of fate?! Who are they?" Rex asked...

Cronus's deep voice echoed within Rex's mind, carrying a tone of both reverence and warning. "The three sisters of fate... They are ancient beings, far older than gods, older than time itself. They do not control fate as you may think, no, they weave it. Each thread of destiny, each life, every choice... all spun by their hands.

To tamper with fate is to invite their gaze, and it is a gaze few can withstand."

Rex frowned, intrigued but wary. "You mean they're the ones who control this ability of mine? I need their approval?"

Cronus gave a low hum of affirmation. "Indeed. Your Fate's Eyes, powerful as they are, is but a glimpse into the grand tapestry they weave. The first sister, Clotho, spins the thread of life. She decides when a soul begins its journey, setting the events of one's life into motion. The second sister, Lachesis, measures the thread.

She determines the course a life will take choices, victories, and failures. Finally, the third sister, Atropos, cuts the thread when one's fate is sealed, determining the moment of death."

Rex's heart raced. He knew the power of fate was formidable, but the thought of these three ancient beings determining everything from life to death gave him chills. "So they control everything?" he asked, incredulous.

"Not exactly," Cronus corrected. "The threads they weave are not set in stone. They allow for choice, free will, and sometimes... chaos. But if you interfere too much, change too many destinies, they will notice. And their judgment is...

swift."

Rex exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "And what happens if I cross them? If I use my powers without their approval?"

Cronus's voice dropped to a grave whisper. "The sisters have little patience for those who think they can play with the threads they control. They may curse you, bind your abilities, or worse—rewrite your fate to one far more perilous. Those who anger them may replace themselves living out the very worst of destinies."

Rex swallowed hard. "How do I gain their approval?"

"You will need to meet them, harbinger," Cronus replied. "They reside in a realm beyond time, where fate is woven. Few have visited and returned. But to unlock the full potential of your Fate's Eyes, you must present yourself before them, acknowledge their power, and seek their permission."

Rex stood silently for a moment, absorbing the weight of Cronus's words. These sisters, guardians of fate could control everything. And yet, his power was tied to them.

"Where do I replace them?" Rex finally asked.

"That is a journey for another time," Cronus replied cryptically. "For now, I'd say don't use the second effect anymore. Do not provoke their attention... not yet....

"Hmm... I get a new ability and then the consequences? Ugh!!! Can't I get one without a consequence?"

As Rex walked out of the hallway, he suddenly noticed someone standing behind him with a gloomy expression on his face. Rex instinctively turned around

"Oh... Coach! I'm sorry... I might not be able to come to dodgeball sessions today, I've got some things to do" Rex scratched his head nervously ad then...

Name: ????

????

???

???

"Your eyes won't work on me!" Coach Jefferson spoke, his tone devoid of emotions.

Rex's eyes widened in surprise, taking steps back in fear "H...h..ow..."

"Who's this mortal?" Cronus' voice sounded shocked too

"Follow me! We have things to discuss!" He spoke, turned around and walked away