In the middle of a soot-choked wasteland, five figures huddled beneath a flickering protective dome. Outside, a beast that seemed a monstrous fusion of a minotaur and a dragon prowled, its massive claws raking the air with lethal intent. The dome shimmered, fractures spiderwebbing across its surface. At its center, a man with a fiery red mustache clenched his fists, veins bulging as he strained to maintain the barrier. Sweat dripped down his temple, mixing with soot on his face.

  “Crimson, hurry up! I can’t hold this thing forever!” Toby’s voice was strained, his knees digging into the cracked earth as the dome trembled.

  “I need more time!” Crimson barked, circling a glowing sphere that floated before him. His red robes clung to his sweat-drenched body, and his hands moved in precise, almost hypnotic gestures. The glowing swirls orbiting the sphere mirrored his movements, pulsating faintly. Inside the sphere, time had slowed nearly to a standstill.

  Outside the dome, the beast roared, its guttural cry shaking the ground.

  “Neon! Kraus! Reiz!” Crimson commanded without looking up. “Keep it busy!”

  The three blurred into action. Neon darted forward, a streak of light in the gloom. “??Hyperkick??!” he shouted, his foot connecting with the creature’s armored hide in a burst of energy.

  “??Trailblazer??!” Kraus followed closely, flames erupting from his path as he struck the beast with a flaming punch. “Crimson, easier said than done!”

  Reiz skidded to a stop in front of the monster, his hands weaving intricate patterns. “??Missing Wind??!” he bellowed, creating a void of air that momentarily disoriented the beast. “Move faster, Crimson—we’re running out of tricks here!”

  The beast staggered under the onslaught but quickly refocused on the dome. Its claws struck the barrier, each blow sending shockwaves through the fragile structure.

  Inside the dome, the glowing sphere suddenly cracked, releasing a piercing scream. A thin red line appeared, cutting from top to bottom. It widened into a portal, from which a pale hand reached out.

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  Toby glanced over his shoulder. “Is it working?” His eyes widened in horror at the sight of his sister, Dina, supporting Cally, who emerged from the sphere looking deathly pale. Cally’s eyes fluttered shut as her head lolled against Dina’s shoulder.

  “Her pulse is weak,” Dina whispered, her voice trembling.

  “She’s barely alive!” Toby’s focus wavered, and the dome splintered further. He clenched his teeth and threw up a new shield just as the beast’s claw came crashing through. “??God’s Barricade??!”

  It wasn’t enough. The beast’s claw slipped through the momentary gap. Kraus leapt forward, shielding Dina and Cally with his body. A sickening crack echoed as invisible claws raked his back, slashing deep. He collapsed to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.

  “Kraus!” Dina cried, dropping to her knees beside him. “??Recovery??!” Her trembling hands glowed as she tried to heal him, but Kraus remained still, his lips curving into a faint, bloodied smile before the light in his eyes dimmed.

  “No…” Dina whispered, tears streaking her soot-covered face.

  “Dina, we don’t have time,” Crimson said firmly, his voice heavy with suppressed emotion. “Get back here. Now.”

  Toby growled, barely holding the shrinking barricade. “Crimson, we can’t keep this up! What’s Plan B?”

  Dina rose shakily, her eyes meeting Crimson’s. “The Seeker’s Stone,” she said. “It doesn’t just augment lifeforce—it can locate it. Any lifeforce. Even... someone who’s already gone.”

  Neon stared at her, disbelief etched on his face. “You mean a dead person? We don’t have the resources to revive anyone!”

  “We don’t have another choice!” Dina shot back. “If we send the stone back into the past, it can find someone powerful enough to change this timeline.”

  Reiz clenched his fists. “This is insane. Do you hear yourself? We’ve fought this far—we are the strongest! No one else is coming to save us!”

  “Then let us save them,” Cally murmured, her voice faint but resolute. “It’s the only way.”

  The group fell silent. The beast’s relentless attacks echoed in the distance, punctuating the gravity of the moment.

  “Fine,” Crimson said at last. “But I’ll need time.”

  “We’ve got your back,” Neon said, his expression grim as he charged back into the fray. Reiz hesitated, then followed, his attacks more ferocious than before.

  Dina moved behind Crimson, her hands glowing as she placed them on his back. “??Astral Transfer??,” she said softly, pouring the last of her energy into him. “Make it count.”

  Crimson took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. He raised the Seeker’s Stone, its weight suddenly unbearable. “??Pace Control??. ??Rip Reality??. ??Opportunity Moment??,” he intoned, his voice steady despite the chaos around him.

  The stone shimmered and shot toward the portal, disappearing into the seam of reality. As it vanished, the world seemed to hold its breath. The air grew still, and then—

  A brilliant light pierced through the darkness, illuminating the desolate battlefield.

  Somewhere far away, in another time, the stone began its search.