In the hallway they walked side by side, footsteps perfectly in time. Neither mentioning if one seemed to be slowing down as they headed to their destination. Leaving the dormitories, they headed down a flight of stairs and entered into the cloister. To the right of them were the classrooms, used by the students of time, far more than necessary. Despite being the main university of the realm of Chriyo, it only offered one course. At its highest student count in Chrona's time, there had been thirteen students. But since four had dropped out leaving just nine. None had passed. Of its 30 teachers, all were graduates, but none of any actual power. Chrona suspected that they had been granted their titles due to pity, not skill. They knew the teachings perfectly to pass on. It was the fate she suspected for Sia in the future.

To the left past the colonnade, the courtyard could be seen. Perfectly maintained, in the centre was an amazing fountain, the centrepiece showing a golden Chronos holding his signature hourglass to the sky, water rising from the top and spraying out in a wide arch. Chrona had been caught attempting to give the statue a monobrow and moustache whilst drunk several times. She maintains it had been worth the reflection time. Beyond the fountain was the hall. Above its large double doors was a circular glass window, showing an incredibly detailed sun. It would of course be quicker to cut across the courtyard. There were cobbled paths for this exact purpose. However the two choose instead to remain walking around through the cloister. The university had been built as a square. The centre open, the cloister continuing all the way around the courtyard. 

The silence between them stretched on, their footsteps echoing around them. The brief easing of tension from the end of the conversation was gone now. Chrona could feel the dread returning. She considered that she could just...leave. As long as she didn't graduate, nothing stopped her from simply dropping out. Those were the terms. However she suspected that this would no longer be accepted. Fire curled in her stomach, her throat burned. Hopefully they did not require her to speak, because there was no chance she was keeping her breakfast down. Later, much later, after the ceremony was over and the sun was setting, Chrona will realise she never actually had breakfast that day. 

The dream kept coming unprompted back into her mind. She had called the feeling she had felt anticipation. But that wasn't quite right, it had been driving her mad trying to name the feeling. An itch in her head that would not pass, no matter how long she had pondered it the word would not come to her. All thoughts were promptly pushed back by the sounds of running. Looking ahead, two of the teachers were heading towards them, both looking thoroughly fed up. Things could not be dragged out any further. 

Essentially, times up. The irony.

"I don't know why I was expecting you to at least try to be on time, just this once. You have always been such a problem student." The teacher who approached them first said, he was tall and thin with a gaunt face topped with neatly clipped brown hair. His robes appeared to be of the too wide variety, his overly long purple sash doing a lot of work holding it to his frame, wrapped around several times. Chrona wished she remembered what the colour stood for, as she'd always liked the colour purple. Maybe she'd have been happier about this turn of events wearing purple. Not that she disliked gold, she decided she'd get purple and gold robes for her, instead of the white and gold, once she was allowed to wear whatever she wanted. They would fit perfectly, off the shoulder with a clock motif. Not that she'd spent many hours thinking about it.

"Calm Amser, you can see that they were on their way. There are still a few more minutes until the ceremony is due to start." The second teacher placed a hand on the other's shoulder. He was average height and a little on the round side. His robes were too tight, but perhaps they had fit at one point. His face was kind, his eyes warm. 

"What is your excuse this time?" The first teacher, Amser, asked while completely ignoring the other. Chrona stared at them, mind blank, unable to think of a single reply. Not that she'd be able to speak even if she could, her mouth was so dry. The desert in her dreams was always dry and hot. This was a first for her. This was getting uncomfortable, they were waiting, she was meant to be saying something. Honestly she'd already forgotten the question, things weren't going well.

"I think the seriousness of it all has finally hit her sir. For once she wasn't playing around, simply stilled by nervousness." Sia interjected into the growing silence. The disbelief was evident on Amser's face, not shock, just a simple look that was clear that he felt that Sia was lying, making up an excuse to help her friend. 

Chrona wondered if that's what they were for the first time. Were they friends? Sia was definitely one of the only other students who put up with her antics. Going out of her way to get her, helping when there was nothing in it for her. It was a painful realisation, why had she never considered it before. In her mind it had just been Chrona, alone, against the worlds. She had a sudden thought that maybe she owed Sia rather a lot. She vowed she'd make it up to her. A feeling in her gut told her she never would. The feeling of dread intensified. Maybe she should have been a bit more honest? Maybe this secret didn't need to be one? Maybe lying to herself now would get her through the day. It had been working fairly well so far.

"There is no point arguing, let us hurry on." The other teacher gestured them onwards. Zaman, Chrona's mind prompted her, that was his name. She'd never been great at remembering the teachers' names. Or more likely she'd just never cared to learn them.

"Today is the day your attitude must change, Chrona...." Amser started. "...once you graduate, once you pass Chronos' test you will leave this place..." There was a certainty in that statement that Chrona did not feel. "...and once you do, you will be representing this place and all of us. No matter where you choose to go, there will be those who are greater than you..." Chrona had heard this so many times, what made someone greater than her? This was a question she was apparently not meant to ask. "...uphold the values and teachings of this place, follow our rules even after you leave and you'll get on fine. Your power will continue to grow tenfold..." 

See, this Chrona also questioned, for she had been taught to be pious or lose her powers. Yet she'd heard the stories of people like Zeus in Olympus and his many children from many different women. She'd heard something about a swan? It was best not thought about too much. Of Sif of Asgard's primary way of dealing with conflict through drinking contests. Of Susanoo in Yomi choosing to destroy his sister's lands and defecate in her palace to celebrate beating her in a trial. None of these things followed the 'rules and values' they had been teaching her. Yet she suspected none would dare call Zeus weak, well, not if they enjoyed living. Whenever she had questioned this, the answers were always vague, and the topic quickly changed because this too, was a question that was not meant to be asked. She'd figured out the answer though of course. These were her supposed betters, so they, obviously, could do whatever they wanted to whoever they wanted. 

"...you may not understand this..." oh he was still talking. Chrona had fully zoned him out. She'd heard this lecture before so many times. Be careful, listen, be respectful, the rules are the rules for a reason. "Chrona!" Amser suddenly turned to look at her. They'd reached the large double doors of the hall. Sighing, he turned away from her, placing one hand on the door handle. Pausing. "I get that you don't believe this. But truly, everything we say and do, it really is for the best. Believe it, trust in it, trust in the being of Creation as deeply as you can. One day you'll understand I'm sure." He opened the door, and without looking back he stormed off to find his place. Zaman trailing behind him. Sia paused and gave Chrona's elbow a squeeze before leaving to join the other students.

Standing alone in the doorway, the soon to be graduate was becoming acutely aware of all the eyes on her. She took one step inside. To her left the students were seated, to her right the teachers. She wasn't sure if they were expected to stand or not, she noticed some were still talking amongst themselves, clearly disinterested. Ahead of her were the four heads of the university. One cleared his throat in a clear effort to get Chrona moving. The sound echoed loudly. Behind them stood a large statue of Creation. The stone lovingly carved, the fabric on the body looked like it would sway in the breeze. The eyes rested upon the entrance of the hall, as you entered the gentle gaze settled on you. The face looking like it may move at any moment. The hands loosely holding on to a sapling in front of them.

The statue placed more dread in Chrona than anything else so far. She stepped forward again, finally walking slowly to the front. Her footsteps loud on the stone floors. Her mind refused to stop, her dream returning to her mind unwillingly.

(She'd been in a barren land, walking forward. She was filled with emotion.)

She stopped in front of the heads. One started talking, but her blood was thumping so loudly she could no longer hear. This was it, there was truly no going back now. But it would be fine.

(Suddenly before her was a crying child, crouched upon the floor.)

The teacher held a staff with one hand whilst reading from a book held with the other. They gestured for Chrona to kneel. She did. She would trust in Creation, like she had been told. Creation who had created the world, who had made everything good. Trust like all the others did. For what reason did she have to doubt? Not that she did, of course not. Why would anyone doubt the being whose love had shaped everything from the very beginning. No, she was just anxious, and it was normal to be anxious during big events like this.

(The child looked up, they opened their hands to reveal a seed.)

Another of the heads walked around and placed a golden stole around her shoulders. A hand rested on her shoulder a moment longer than necessary. Chrona looked up to meet a kind smile. She could feel the other woman's attempt to reassure her. The bile began to form at the back of her throat.

(They placed the seed in her hands and cupped their hands around hers.)

The book was held out for her to place her hand over. There was a vow she was meant to say. She'd learnt it before, she should know it, but yet the words refused to come.

(The seed grew suddenly and the child smiled....

That was it...

Please...)

The teacher said the first line of the vow to prompt her.

(No more.)

Chrona stared numbly, she could see his mouth moving, but the sound was stuck. Lost. 

(It hurts!

STOP!!!)

Suddenly she realised everyone was completely still. No one moved a muscle, not a sound to be heard. It was like everything had stopped...time...had stopped...

(Chrona tried to pull free from the child's grip, but it was pointless. Moving was no longer possible, the plant had grown and grown. The previously barren land was now an overgrown forest. Tall trees all around her completely blocking out the light. In every empty space, things grew, more and more. Never stopping. She looked down and a branch of a sapling was piercing her stomach, blood ran along the branch dripping onto the leaves below. Her whole body was trapped in the growth. She couldn't breathe, she was being crushed. She wanted it to stop. Desperately. She could hear herself screaming. Please. She couldn't see the child anymore, but she could hear them laughing. This was it. She was a god, gods shouldn't die. If only...

If only someone would help...

She screamed...

Begged...

Pleaded...

Please...

Then suddenly a new voice said: 

"okay")

Chrona stared at the statue in the motionless room. The secret she had kept refusing to leave her mind. The name of the emotion she had felt suddenly came to mind. It hadn't been anticipation. No, it had been tripidation. The whole dream was filled with fear and anxiety, right until the word 'okay' and then she had woken up, no resolution, was someone going to answer her cries and how? For the first time since waking the young goddess felt oddly calm. Someone would answer, she would trust that. Things would be fine.

A small smile tugged at her lips, her eyes looked into the face of the statue ahead of her. Chrona would do as advised, she'd put all her trust in Creation. Or, at least...most of it. She would trust the 'okay', because things would be okay, it was certain. She sighed. As Chrona exhaled two things happened at once. First time seemed to return, everyone started moving again, sound returned. Second, perhaps more importantly, the statue shattered. The word 'okay' echoing in her head.

The next moment someone was screaming, the book under Chrona's hand was on fire. Things, it would seem, were most definitely not okay. Confusion was thick in the air. The would-be Time student graduate knew two things very clearly, somehow all of this was her fault and in a moment everyone around her would realise it too. Obviously she could explain, these were reasonable people. They knew her, she'd be fine. They would understand that she hadn't meant any of this. They'd help her...

She ran. It was the only real option. She couldn't explain this. She didn't understand this. She didn't trust any of them to understand this. So she ran, fast.

And, for the first time since her dreams had started, she felt relief.

***