Albert the Time Guardian
Once upon a time, in a busy city named Metropolis lived a humble watchmaker known for his extraordinary craftsmanship. His name was Albert, a man of thin build, sharp eyes, and a heart full of love for his craft.
Albert’s shop was not just a store, it was a sanctuary for him. Shelves, crammed with parts of watches, cuckoo clocks chiming in perfect harmony, the scent of oil mingling with fresh wood. Remnants of time – all cohabited beautifully within the cozy walls of his shop. Over time, he became known as Albert the Timekeeper.
One day, a formidably tall and stout man named Roger walked into his shop, holding a beautiful antique pocket watch. Roger was a well-known businessman in Metropolis, but his reputation was marred by his eager willingness to bend laws for personal gain.
“The watch has stopped working, Timekeeper,” Roger said casually, placing the watch on the counter.
Albert's expert fingers opened the timepiece, revealing incredibly intricate mechanics underneath. Something was noticeably odd. Albert discovered a mysterious note folded within, which had a single word written - “Kronos”. Intrigued by the discovery, he felt it was something more significant than a mere watch repair.
Compelled by an intangible force, Albert began his quest to understand the mystery behind the Kronos timepiece. He found out that the watch was crafted during the 18th Century by a Swiss watchmaker named Henri Durant. The word 'Kronos' signified a powerful entity in Greek mythology, the god of time. Albert wondered if this watch had magical time-altering abilities as insinuated by the legend of Kronos.
Unable to contain his curiosity, he cautiously adjusted the watch to read the time 24 hours back. The surrounding world began to spin, divulging into a whirl of colors and sounds. After a few dizzying moments, he found himself reliving the previous day. He tested it several times, confirming the watch's capabilities – it indeed was a time-travel device.
Suddenly, the true intentions behind Roger’s activities became clear to him. With such a device, Roger could manipulate time for his own nefarious purposes. Albert was torn, what if he refused to repair the watch? Roger was a man of power; a refusal could mean danger.
Lying awake in his bed, he conceded that the ‘Timekeeper’ had a greater responsibility. It was not about an individual, but preserving the sanctity of time. He decided to embark on a mission - he would fix the watch but sabotage its time-altering ability. After days and nights of laborious work, Albert successfully accomplished his mission.
When Roger returned, he handed him the restored watch but kept the Kronos secret to himself. “It’s a real treasure, treat it well,” Albert said cryptically. Unbeknownst to Roger, the watch had now become a simple timepiece, bereft of its magical abilities.
From that day forward, Albert held a renewed respect for time - he was not just the Timekeeper of Metropolis; he became the Time Guardian. His commitment to his craft and responsibility made him the unsung hero the city never knew they had, someone who quietly saved their time from falling into the wrong hands.