The storm behind them still howled, but the bridge had stabilized—for now. The Sentinels of the Final Code lay shattered across the void, their paradox shells crumbling into forgotten histories. Akuzai, Abhishek, Aditya, and Rivan stood at the threshold of a new realm: a hollow dome wrapped in golden threads of memory, floating above time's deepest fracture.
It was called the Cradle of Rivan.
Not built by him—but for him.
Rivan stared ahead, visibly shaken. "I… I never saw this place. He kept it hidden."
Akuzai glanced sideways. "Then why's your name carved across its walls?"
As they entered, memories flickered across the dome like film reels projected in air. They saw images of Rivan as a boy—lost, curious, powerful. Then manipulated. Then broken.
And watching from the shadows in each memory: the First Chronomancer.
"He never meant for me to lead," Rivan muttered. "Only to open the path."
At the dome's center stood a pedestal, inscribed with ancient glyphs. A hollow at the top pulsed faintly—made for a blade.
The Eternis Edge vibrated.
"This is it," Abhishek said. "This is where your journey started, Rivan. And where his next one begins."
Suddenly, the walls of the dome rippled. The Chronomancer's voice returned—closer this time.
"You were born to serve, Rivan. Not to rule. Your failure was your freedom."
Rivan fell to his knees, clutching his head. "He's still inside me."
Akuzai stepped forward, placing the Eternis Edge into the pedestal. Light erupted, and the dome transformed—showing not just Rivan's past, but every timeline the Chronomancer had touched. Whole civilizations erased. Heroes never born. Wars ended before they began—not by peace, but by erasure.
Abhishek muttered, "He didn't want to fix the multiverse. He wanted to erase its soul."
The light turned red.
And in its center appeared a new figure—taller, cloaked in prismatic fire.
Not an echo.
Not a memory.
The Chronomancer Ascended.
He had left the throne.
And he had come to reclaim his instrument.
Akuzai pulled the blade free. "You won't control him again."
The Chronomancer stepped forward. "You misunderstand. I don't want Rivan back."
He raised one arm—and pointed at Akuzai.
"I want you now."