Orion walks slowly into the room.
Like he owns it.
His agents spread out.
Weapons raised.
Jonas lifts his hands.
"Okay new rule."
"No more villains."
Orion ignores him.
His eyes move across the room.
Aria.
Lena.
The creature.
Then—
He stops.
Two Kaels.
His smile widens.
"Well."
"That's new."
Future Kael's voice is cold.
"You shouldn't be here."
Orion tilts his head.
"On the contrary."
He raises the glowing watch.
"This moment was scheduled."
Elias whispers.
"That device…"
Orion glances at him.
"You recognize it."
Elias looks horrified.
"…you finished it."
Jonas sighs.
"Why do all the bad guys finish things."
Aria asks quietly.
"What is it?"
Orion answers casually.
"A timeline anchor."
Kael's voice hardens.
"You're trying to control the fracture."
Orion nods.
"Exactly."
The cracks in the walls grow louder.
Reality tearing further apart.
Orion gestures toward the creature.
"And you."
The creature watches him.
"You interfere with system authority."
Orion's smile fades.
"You were built to enforce the timeline."
The creature responds.
"The timeline is broken."
Orion lifts the device.
"Not for long."
The watch glows brighter.
Energy pulses through the room.
The cracks begin slowing.
Jonas stares.
"…okay that's impressive."
Future Kael whispers.
"No."
Aria looks at him.
"What?"
His voice drops.
"He's not fixing it."
The device pulses again.
Stronger.
Future Kael finishes the sentence.
"He's locking it."
The room falls silent.
Aria whispers.
"…locking what?"
Orion answers calmly.
"Every timeline."
Lena steps forward.
"You'll freeze reality."
Orion nods.
"Yes."
Jonas blinks.
"Forever?"
Orion smiles again.
"That's the plan."