Divine Reward

"I... I finally found it. So all these years... it wasn't in vain after all," Kyriaki muttered, overwhelmed with joy and relief. Struggling to stand, he used a nearby stool for support and made his way back to his research bench. Looking at his notes and past experiments, he couldn't help but laugh.

His large white lab only had a few dim lights that shined as the others were all broken or malfunctioning. This wasn't a problem for Kyriaki as long as he could see what he was doing, it was considered 'fine'. 

It was the 24th of December, 2199, in a world far from the peace it once knew nearly two hundred years ago. The United States of America had lost its global superpower status, now considered only a regional power.

Technological advances had propelled humanity to nearly a Type 1 civilization on the Kardashev scale, with control over oceans and lands but not yet the sky. With abundant energy, large and efficient farms sustained the fifteen billion world population, but overpopulation and overcrowded cities were pressing concerns. While some problems like global warming had been addressed, others intensified.

Kyriaki's recent discovery promised solutions to modern world problems, from pollution to extreme malnutrition. Tearfully acknowledging his team's dedication over the century-long research, he declared, "Henry Falocs, Linnia Falocs, Yuna Ino, Jana Wila, Brandon Vuen, and everyone else who is not present today, I thank you all for your dedication, hard work, and the times we had spent together during this century-long research. You may all now finally rest in peace. I shall handle the rest."

As he wiped away tears, Kyriaki reflected on his age. "I started this project when I was only sixteen, and now I'm one hundred and twenty-five. That reminds me, the turn of the century is near, isn't it? That means I'm going to be one hundred and twenty-six soon. If I could live that long, that is. Ha-ha-ha!"

Doctor Kyriaki Haris, an influential person in the Republic of Arias, the second-largest country in the world boasting a massive 57.4 million square kilometres in total and second-largest in terms of pure land area, behind Oronine's 45 million square kilometres and 53 million including water territories.

Arias still holds an impressive 44.7 million square kilometres though, with its territory stretching from the North Sea in Europe across Eurasia, the Sea of Japan (East Sea), crossing the North Pacific and onto the western territories of the United States.

The Republic of Arias' capital is Flenas, located near the world's largest freshwater lake, Lake Flenas, formerly known as Lake Baikal. Covering an area of nearly 100,000 km2, its urban area holds a population of nearly 84 million, with downtown Flenas alone holding 56 million. An impressive feat even in the 22nd century. 

The Campaign for Survival that occurred over a century prior in August of 2034, and lasted until the 2060s, was a series of wars across the world against a much bigger threat. Humanity was united under one singular banner and together, they eventually defeated their enemies, but at the cost of billions of lives. 

And so, with the world brought back to the bronze age in terms of population, countries that still had a large population incorporated neighbouring countries that had a much smaller population and as a result, created massive countries. 

Alongside the Republic of Arias and Oronine, there were six other countries. Those were:

- Oceanic Union, whose territories included the Pacific Ocean and countries such as Japan, Australia, Indonesia, etc. It is currently the world's largest nation.

- Alkebu-Lan, the country created as a result of the African Advance during the late 2030s, covered most of the African continent from the former borders of Morocco all the way to the former borders of South Africa and Nambia, where it borders Southern Portland. Speaking of which,

- Southern Portland is a relatively small county, merely covering 3.5 million square kilometres. However, its power is mainly in its naval power, boasting the strongest and largest fleet in the entire world. 

- Arabic Caliphate, born after voting to be independent from Arias in 2075, its territories include all of the former Middle East, most of Northern Africa, Italy and the Balkans. 

- The Southern Republic of India, also born after voting to be independent from Arias in 2064, is just the southern half of the former Republic of India. 

- And finally, the European Union. It is Western Europe and the Atlantic Ocean. It is the smallest country out of the current eight, but considering how much the continent of Europe has suffered during the Campaign, it is a miracle that it still exists. 

"Let's see... it's currently eight... sixty-four..? Huh? Is my watch broken?" Kyriaki questioned his malfunctioning watch. He hit the watch a few times hoping it would be repaired, but it did nothing. Kyriaki did not mind though, deciding to get it repaired soon, he continued with his thoughts.

Just as Kyriaki was about to use the energy orb for further research, a clear snap echoed. Startled, he found himself on a grassy plain, confronted by a being with ancient black armour and two faces before he could even process what was going on. 

"Dear mortal," the being spoke. It was a lovely voice in Kyriaki's opinion, with a rather high pitch compared to the average pitch of a human. "You, Kyriaki Haris by my authority as the God of Time, I, Janus, shall grant you a Divine Reward for exceeding the limit of knowledge for all mortal beings, a very impressive feat.

That said you shall be sent two million years into the past, in which we hope you can learn more, and hopefully become an apostle to myself. You may choose to bring three things across all of your lives as different people throughout these two million years. That is all. Once you have made up your mind on what things you have to have across all your lives, I shall guide you through the door into the past."

Then, the being just disappeared. Kyriaki was still trying to process what just had happened when he found himself in the grassy plain and adding what the being just said, was overloading his brain. It was also no use with the fact the grassy plain surroundings had also returned back to his lab of the modern world. 

Huh? Wh-what just happened? What did that being say? two million years into the past? And what for?! 'Exceeding the limit of knowledge for all mortals' was the reason wasn't it?! I don't know if it's an honour for a being like him to say that to me, but one thing is clear. With all those decades of mistakes, errors and failures, it had finally paid off. Are you guys watching this? Your sacrifices weren't in vain after all. 

"Deep breaths... calm down," he said to himself. "Is this some kind of joke?" 

"No, this is not a joke, Kyriaki," a voice suddenly said. The voice was unfamiliar, and just like the sudden encounter with the mysterious being that spoke directly into his head, this voice did the same. "Oh, can I call you that?" 

"Who are you first?" Kyriaki replied. 

"Whoopies. Hang on, give me a minute."

A small light materialised out of nowhere. It was like a firefly, small, but surprisingly strong for its size. It blinded Kyriaki for a few seconds, but after a bit, he had gotten used to the light. 

Upon closer inspection, Kyriaki saw a small humanoid figure in the ball of light, so he figured that being was the cause of the light itself. 

"Sorry about that. I am a being of low standing, so there is no need for me to mention my name. I serve the greatest god, Lord Janus, and I am here as a guide to make your preparations." 

"Ummm... I see. So, can you decline this 'Divine Re-" 

"Absolutely not." the being cut off Kyriaki mid-sentence. 

"Okay..." taking a deep breath before exhaling, Kyriaki collected his thoughts and made up his mind. "Three things I could bring across all of my lives during these two million years... oh, I got it. My three hundred and twenty-page notebook and pen... maybe a self-defence weapon?

Not a gun, since I will run out of bullets in the long term, but a sword should be fine. Humans have used a sword for most of history so it shouldn't stand out that much. And for my last item... my energy orb. Harnessing a limited fraction of the power of Time itself is going to be extremely useful."

He packed the items he had chosen, his notebook containing all of his important discoveries and research along with his favourite pen, a short sword and the most important item yet, the energy orb that was the product of his, his friends and everyone else who worked together during the past century to create, into a leather bag and waited for the being to show himself again. 

"That was pretty quick. Thirty minutes," the being took a quick glance at Kyriaki, "You know you can bring more things right? My Lord only specified three things that will follow you everywhere no matter what-" 

"I know. I can figure that out myself at least." he scoffed. 

"I like your attitude. Well then, are you ready?" 

Kyriaki nodded calmly. "Yes." 

"Very well. I shall take my leave now, and my master shall continue the process. I bid you farewell," the pixie-like being flew towards the ceiling. It suddenly stopped, "And good luck." it said before disappearing. 

With the pixie being gone, Kyriak began reminiscing the time he had spent with his friends working on this project. While doing so, he had even shed a tear. 

"Everyone... I hope you can forgive me for taking two million years off the research project. But I'll swear I'll finish—no, perfect it once I get back." he said. And just for a moment, he thought he heard his friends reply with 'No problem. See you later.' 

"So you guys are indeed watching over me," he scoffed, before whispering "You better not expect too much of me." 

Maybe Kyriaki has gone crazy for him to hear the voices of the dead, but reality is often stranger than fiction. And who knows? Maybe this divine figure has allowed this to happen. 

The being with two heads appeared again, and the grassy plains also once again surrounded them but this time with something like a translucent black glass barrier around them. 

The being in front of him spoke, "It appears that you are ready for your reward. However, I sense that you are not very happy about it. I had expected a much larger reaction towards this, apart from feeling displeasure." 

Kyriaki scoffed again, "Well, I'm not one to complain. Either way, if I refuse or not, you're gonna force this 'Reward' down my throat either way, right?" 

"..." The divine being looked at Kyriaki with amusement in its two pairs of eyes. "You are a peculiar individual. Maybe my understanding of humans is outdated and limited. Kyriaki Haris, utilise this time to learn new things. I will erase your memory of this meeting and the purpose of your time travel. We have high hopes for you, Kyriaki. That is all. When you're ready, you may go through the door."

"Oi, answer my damn question." 

"No comment." 

"Grr..." 

Despite that, Kyriaki held his chest up high and despite being nearly one hundred and twenty-six years old, his passion as a researcher and scientist burned brightly inside of him. "Two million years into the past. What a reward indeed," he mumbled.

Walking through the door which also appeared in front of him a bright light consumed him and once it was gone, he opened his eyes to see a beautiful grassland filled with life—from animals to flowers, insects to trees, it was nothing like anything of what Kyriaki has seen in his entire life. "So this... is the past."

<Central 2 East [Alkebu-Lan], Continent of Africa, mya>