Deep within the Fractured Realms, the trio encountered a colossal figure—the Sentinel of Time—an ancient guardian whose duty was to maintain the flow of reality. Its form constantly shifted, appearing as past, present, and future simultaneously.
"You trespass in realms you do not understand," it thundered, its voice echoing across dimensions. "To proceed, you must prove mastery not just over strength, but over causality, choice, and consequence."
The Sentinel forced Kairo and his companions to relive alternate versions of their lives—timelines where they failed, allies were lost, and darkness prevailed. Every decision had consequences, and the trio had to learn to act in unison, predicting outcomes across branching realities.
Through grueling trials, Kairo attuned the Ember to the flow of time itself. He discovered he could manipulate temporal pulses—slowing enemies, accelerating allies, and even glimpsing potential outcomes before they occurred. Ryo and Ayla adapted their abilities to complement these temporal shifts, creating attacks that spanned seconds and minutes simultaneously.
After countless trials, the Sentinel declared them worthy, granting access to the Core Nexus—a realm that served as the origin point of the rifts and the source of interdimensional power.