chrono-wars: legacy of past

Elara's next assignment took her far back into the mists of time, to a pivotal moment in Indian history: the reign of Emperor Ashoka, a ruler whose transformation from ruthless conqueror to devout advocate of peace shaped the cultural and political trajectory of an entire region. But now, the Revisionists were targeting this era, threatening to undo the very foundation of his legacy.

The Time Pod landed with a soft thud on the banks of the Daya River in 261 BCE. The air was thick with the aftermath of battle. The cries of the wounded echoed through the valley, mingling with the metallic scent of blood and ash. Elara stepped out, cloaked in the attire of a Mauryan court official, her heart heavy as she surveyed the grim scene.

"Chrono, status report," she said, keeping her voice low.

"Temporal instability detected in the aftermath of the Kalinga War. Historical records indicate this is the moment Ashoka's transformation begins, triggered by the immense suffering he witnesses. However, Revisionist interference is disrupting this event."

Elara scanned the horizon. Ashoka's chariot stood nearby, his figure unmistakable as he moved among the dying and dead. His face was pale, his eyes wide with horror as he took in the consequences of his conquest.

"This is it," Elara murmured. "The turning point. Without this moment, Ashoka might never embrace Dhamma or spread Buddhism."

"Confirmed. Scans indicate Revisionist agents are attempting to manipulate Ashoka's perception of the event."

Elara frowned. "Manipulate how?"

"By altering his emotional response. They've introduced advanced neural stimulators into the battlefield, designed to suppress guilt and amplify aggression."

Elara's stomach churned. "They're trying to turn him into an eternal conqueror."

"Correct. If successful, Ashoka will continue his campaign of violence, destabilizing the Indian subcontinent and altering global history."

Elara took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "Not on my watch."

Elara made her way through the battlefield, her cloak blending with the dust and smoke. She activated her temporal scanner, searching for signs of Revisionist tech. The faint hum of advanced machinery led her to a cluster of bodies near Ashoka's chariot.

Beneath the corpses, she found a small device embedded in the ground, its surface pulsing with an unnatural blue light.

"Chrono, confirm: neural stimulator?"

"Confirmed. The device is emitting a field that influences neural activity within a 50-meter radius. Ashoka is within its range."

Elara knelt, carefully disabling the device. The field flickered and died, but her relief was short-lived.

"Well, well," a voice drawled behind her. "If it isn't the Chrono-Guard's finest."

She turned to see a Revisionist agent stepping out of the shadows. He wore the armor of a Kalingan warrior, but the sleek energy weapon in his hand was anything but ancient.

"Don't you people ever quit?" Elara said, drawing her disruptor.

The agent smirked. "You're too late. Ashoka's fate is already sealed."

He fired, the energy blast scorching the air. Elara dove for cover, returning fire as the two exchanged shots amidst the chaos of the battlefield.

As they fought, Elara noticed something strange. Ashoka had stopped moving. He stood frozen, his expression blank, as if caught in a trance.

"Chrono, what's happening?" she demanded.

"Scans indicate additional neural stimulators are active. Ashoka's cognitive functions are being suppressed."

Elara cursed under her breath. The Revisionists had a backup plan. She had to act fast.

Taking advantage of a brief lull in the firefight, she activated her cloaking device and sprinted toward Ashoka. The Revisionist agent shouted after her, his shots going wide as she reached the emperor's side.

"Ashoka!" she called, shaking his shoulder. "You need to see this—really see it!"

He blinked, his eyes struggling to focus. "Who… who are you?"

"That doesn't matter," she said urgently. "Look around you. This is what your conquest has wrought. These are your people—your responsibility."

His gaze wavered, and for a moment, she thought she'd lost him. Then, a flicker of recognition passed over his face. He stepped away, his eyes scanning the battlefield with growing horror.

"What have I done?" he whispered, his voice breaking.

The Revisionist agent wasn't finished. He charged toward them, his weapon raised. Elara turned, firing her disruptor and knocking him off balance.

"You're too late," the agent spat as he fell. "Even if you save Ashoka, you can't save the timeline. The cracks are already forming."

Elara ignored him, her focus on Ashoka. "You have the power to change this," she said. "But only if you choose peace over war."

Ashoka sank to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "No more," he murmured. "No more killing. I will devote my life to healing these wounds."

Elara felt a wave of relief. The timeline was stabilizing.

"Chrono, mission status?"

"Temporal stability restored to 84%. Additional adjustments required to ensure long-term continuity."

She nodded, standing over the defeated Revisionist. "Mission accomplished."

But as she prepared to leave, a troubling thought struck her. The Revisionists weren't just targeting random events. They were attacking the very foundations of human history, one pivotal moment at a time.

And Elara couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.