The object in his hand was ancient —
but it activated instantly upon contact with Kael's LIGA disc.
A hologram projected into the air.
And the voice that came from it… was his own.
Recorded.
From a future version of himself.
---
— If you're seeing this — the voice said —
it means the cycle is repeating.
You've been here before.
You've tried to warn…
and you've failed.
Kael looked at the Shadow, still standing silently at the chamber's entrance.
— This doesn't make sense.
Is that really me?
Speaking from a future that hasn't happened?
The Shadow answered calmly:
— From a future that always happens.
Until someone breaks it.
---
The recording continued:
— The temple is an anchor point.
A knot.
It connects every Kael who has ever tried to interfere —
and every one who was consumed by their own shadows.
Kael felt the weight of the revelation.
Then, the recording ended with a choice:
— If you want to break the cycle, destroy the relic.
If you want to continue… bury it again.
But remember: every choice shapes time.
Even yours.