Chapter 25: Fractured Realities

Back in the Nexus, the guardians immediately sought the counsel of Eldric, the Time Seer, an ancient being with an innate understanding of the flow of time. His chambers, deep within the Nexus's core, were adorned with celestial charts and spinning orreries.

Sasha placed the Chrono Shard on a pedestal in the center of the chamber. Its pulsations, though muted now, still held a restless energy.

Eldric, his eyes ageless and deep, studied the Shard for a moment before saying, "The Shard is not just agitated; it's fragmented. Time itself is splintering, and this is a reflection of that fracture."

Draken frowned, "Splintering? How is that even possible? And more importantly, how do we fix it?"

Eldric gestured to a large hourglass, its sands moving erratically, "Time, as you know it, is not linear. It's a vast web, interconnected and interwoven. Right now, somewhere in its vast expanse, there's a tear."

Nebula asked, "What caused it?"

Eldric replied, "Many things can strain the fabric of ti