Appearance
Kronus, the Eldari of Continuance and Time, was the embodiment of the concept of cotime, the force that gave direction and structure to the cosmos. His form, though abstract, was often perceived as a flowing, endless spiral—an ouroboros of time winding upon itself. To mortals, Kronus appeared as a shifting, ethereal figure, ever-changing, never static, like sand through an hourglass. His very essence was an infinite loop, representing the past, present, and future in a single moment of existence.
Origin
Kronus was born from the subconscious dream of Azhorra'tha, the Watcher in the Abyss, along with the other Eldari. However, while some of other Eldari embodied more tangible aspects of reality—Matter, Energy, Force, and Creation—Kronus was unique in that he represented the very flow of existence itself: time. His influence governed the progression of events and ensured that reality would unfold with continuity. In this way, Kronus gave the cosmos the concept of progression, the arrow of time, where all things began and eventually ended.
Existence
Unlike his chaotic siblings, Kronus was defined by his intrinsic connection to the notion of order. Yet, while Prism embodied Symmetry and Order, it was Kronus who ensured the continuity and flow of events. Without time, there would be no distinction between chaos and order, creation and destruction, as everything would exist in a singular moment of flux.
His existence was tethered to the idea that all things—gods, stars, mortals, and even time itself—must come to an end. And where Kronus ended, Nox (the Eldari of Void) began. The Void was the absence of time, the end of all things, and Kronus’ influence ceased there.
Powers and Abilities
As the Eldari of Time, Kronus governed the temporal flow of the universe. His powers included:
- Temporal Continuance: The ability to govern the flow of time, ensuring that events unfolded in an ordered sequence.
- Temporal Manipulation: The potential to slow, accelerate, or even reverse time within the bounds of his influence.
- Endless Loop: The existence of Kronus was a closed loop, an eternal cycle that repeated across the ages.
- Containment of Chaos: Kronus’ influence ensured that the Plane of Khaos and the Void of Infinitum remained beyond time’s grasp, confined within the The Continuum Crystal.
Connections
Kronus had intrinsic connections with several other Eldari, including:
- Prism: As the weaver of Order, Prism worked closely with Kronus to give structure to the universe. Time and order were intrinsically linked, with Prism ensuring the stability of the planes while Kronus ensured their progression.
- Nox: The end of all things, Nox was inextricably tied to Kronus. Where Kronus ended, Nox began, and the void consumed all that had passed through the stream of time.
- Ael: As the Eldari of Creation, Ael relied on Kronus to ensure that the universe he shaped would not unravel into timeless chaos.
Legacy and Legends
During the Solis Singularity, as the Eldari sacrificed themselves to forge the cosmos from Primordial Pandemonium, Kronus' role became crucial in establishing the order of time. His essence was transmuted into the Continuum Crystal, a divine artifact that became the lynchpin of temporal existence. Within this crystal, all timelines, past, present, and future, were contained and governed, ensuring that time would continue to flow across the planes (thus beginning The Infinite Continuum).
The Continuum Crystal became the foundation upon which the timelines of the universe were structured. However, its importance did not end with the mere flow of time. It also served to contain the Realm of Chaos and the Void of Infinitum—the places beyond time itself, where the madness of Azhorra’tha resided. The crystal’s existence ensured that these chaotic realms could not leak into the ordered universe, keeping them sealed beyond the reach of time’s influence.
When Kronus was transmuted into the Continuum Crystal, he did not disappear entirely. His essence flowed into the crystal itself, transforming into the hourglass of eternity through which all timelines passed. To maintain the order of time, the god Oronos was born from Kronus’ essence. Oronos took on the mantle of the God of Time, ensuring that the hourglass continued to turn, regulating the passage of time and keeping the universe in balance.
Oronos acts as the custodian of the Continuum Crystal, managing the timelines of the universe. He ensures that temporal disruptions are minimized and that the flow of time remains intact. Though he wields immense power, Oronos is ever aware that the end of time—the domain of Nox—is always looming at the fringes of existence.
Destruction
Kronus was not destroyed in the traditional sense, but was transmuted into the Continuum Crystal, becoming one with the hourglass of time. His essence was split between the divine crystal and the god Oronos, who now acts as the keeper of time. In his death, Kronus ensured the survival of the universe, locking the chaotic forces of the abyss beyond time and allowing existence to unfold in a structured manner.
Thus, the end of Kronus was the beginning of time itself—a force that, like him, will eventually end in the void.