Chronos opened the door to his new home in the men's barracks. Winston had shown him earlier; a rather nice place which came bundled with its own washroom, wardrobe, although it was empty, a computer, and a TV all for use at his leisure. The bed looked rather enticing at the moment as it was late, him and Pharah had talked for a while. Resting upon where he'd be sleeping tonight were all his possessions - not much say the least: consisting of nothing more than a Chinese saber with a scabbard to match, a bow, and a run down quiver. The rest of his belongings he was wearing. The look on Winston's face when he'd seen that stuff. He was probably thinking he was going to have another Hanzo or Genji on his hands.

The room had a bittersweet feeling to it. His master would have never approved of such conditions, much preferring a more austere atmosphere. On the other hand, it was nice to see modern technology again. A long time had passed since he last used a computer or watched TV; the last time being when he was still living his original life. Which life was he on now? He knew it was his third, but it hurt to think about it.

Currently, the year was 2077 but he wasn't sure if this was even his timeline. Ahead of himself, there were a few ways he could find out definitively but he swept those ideas away, not sure whether to pursue them. The realization came after his arrival here, having died and been cast out from the last world he lived in, and the one before that - his original life. The thought had crossed his mind before but he'd never seriously considered it until a week ago when he'd gotten here. But now, in hindsight, it all made sense. He couldn't die. At least not in the way he thought you were supposed to. The kind of death where everything goes black and its all over.

Forever.

But that wasn't what he had. What he had was curse. The burdens of memories of his past lives he could never escape, destined to stay with him for eternity as he awoke into a new world with every death. The first time it happened, he was glad to be alive again, but now he was beginning to realize the gravity of his situation. His first death was quick. Fortunately, the brief nature of a car crash had spared him the throes of death. Back then, he was a new driver at the young age of 16, not yet a man yet not a child but the challenges to come were sure to change that.

It was a stupid way to die.

He'd gotten too overconfident, thinking he could run a red light, chalking it up to the inexperience of his youth. Being an introspective person, it surprised him a little thinking about it. At that age, he was already much more sophisticated than his peers, showing an aptitude for rational thought and a sharp perspective insight. He had been blessed with being able to see the world and himself for what it really was. Was it even a blessing? However, those same aptitudes that had been bestowed upon him had also left him alienated from his peers, who he'd found too disparate from himself to be associated with, not that they wanted to associate with him anyway. In honesty, he was disgusted with the way most people acted - finding it to be animalistic, primal, and most of all selfish even if it was hidden behind a layer of humanity. It troubled him to no end because those same traits he despised and saw so much in others he discovered present in himself as well, perhaps not to the same extent but they still existed. Maybe, it was why he'd gotten into a car crash in the first place, why he'd let overconfidence get the better of him like he was some common fool. Maybe it was just the way of the world. Regardless, he always was the lone wolf and they were the sheep. The experience forged him into a man of few words, preferring to listen rather than talk, observing quietly from the sidelines - a behavior that he took up well and found complementary to his keen perception. At the time, sometimes he'd catch himself wishing to leave the world - tired of its flaws and imperfections.

Heh.

It seems he'd gotten his wish. His father was in the car with him then. Maybe he was spared the same fate. Why was he thinking about all this anyway? This was a new life after all. The point is to start over again isn't it?

Change is hell.

Wanting to escape his thoughts, he found himself on the bed, eyes closed.

Hopefully, the world was still the same when they opened.

Some backstory of Chronos. I edited the story name and summary so it more accurately reflects what I have in mind and the rating may become M as well. Also, please review if you are willing. I enjoy feedback of any kind.