Jin had embraced his new life as a guide, training fresh rankers in the art of survival. He moved through the training fields with a quiet authority, his past hidden beneath the mundane routine of his current existence. To the world, he was a retired warrior, a man who had abandoned the battlefield. But the scars of his past lingered within him, silent yet unforgotten.
Meanwhile, in the Celestial Council, the highest-ranked celestials gathered in a grand chamber, their faces solemn. Supreme Commander Lillian sat at the head, her gaze locked onto an ancient scripture they had recently uncovered.
"The prophecy speaks in verses," one of the elders began, his voice echoing through the hall.
The world shall crumble, the sky will weep, Two years hence, the cycle repeats. When light is devoured, when chaos is sown, A new order shall rise, yet all shall be thrown.
Silence followed as the words settled in the air.
"What does it mean?" one of the Chris asked.
Lillian clenched her fists. "Two years until destruction. A forced reset of existence."
One of the council members sighed. "We've been detecting increasing surges of mana in several locations, some disrupting the very magnetic fields of the world. This is no mere coincidence. The convergence is accelerating."
Lillian's mind flashed back to Zeus's last words to her. 'After two years, Gaia will wield her ultimate weapon—one strong enough to erase even Olympus itself.'
Her breath caught. "Then we must prepare. If we cannot stop it, we will be forced to survive it."
Elsewhere, in the solitude of his home, Jin sat in his dimly lit living room, eyes half-lidded as he mindlessly flipped through channels. The news flickered on the screen.
"Reports of unexplained mana surges continue to flood in from across the globe. Experts warn that these disruptions are unprecedented—"
Jin frowned as the broadcast continued.
"The newly appointed Supreme Commander, Lillian, has made an official request. She urges former Supreme Commander Jin Shang to return, stating that his experience and leadership are crucial in these uncertain times. However, no trace of him has been found since his disappearance."
Jin turned off the television. He leaned back, rubbing his temples.
"Not my problem anymore."
Then, suddenly—
Time froze. The world around him came to a standstill.
Jin's eyes widened as a familiar presence materialized before him.
"Thomas," he whispered.
Thomas stood there, his expression unreadable, his eyes filled with the weight of knowledge. "It's time for your return."
Jin exhaled sharply. "No."
Thomas laughed. " Oh I forgot that your nothing but a pathetic boy."
Jin didn't show any expressions. " I will not step on your trap."
Thomas stepped closer and now his expression was serious." Jin, I Know that you have lost everything but Use the gift I gave you. This will help you to rise again."
Jin's gaze flickered down to his hand. A strange sensation surged through him, and before he knew it, his palm had instinctively risen. A flicker of energy pulsed—and there, strapped around his wrist, was a watch.
A gift. A key.
Thomas's voice echoed in his mind, a memory replaying itself.
'This will take you to Olympus when the time comes.'
Jin clenched his fist. He had buried this memory, ignored it, discarded its significance.
He looked up at Thomas. "I won't go back."
Thomas only smiled. "We'll see."
And with that, he vanished, leaving Jin alone in the stillness of frozen time.