Chapter 18: Worst Decision

March 30, 2061

The atmosphere was heavy with tension as Kyle stood with his elite Ranker team, facing the formidable entity known as Volaw. The gods of the Entics had arrived, and the battle to protect humanity was about to begin. The world hung in the balance, and every second counted.

**Kyle:** "Everyone, stay focused. We can't let Volaw's presence overwhelm us. We've trained for this. We've faced adversity before. Today, we fight not just for our lives but for the future of humanity."

**Zara:** "Understood, Kyle. We've come too far to back down now. Let's show them what we're made of!"

**Lena:** "I'll take the lead. With the Eracer power, I can disrupt their formations. Be ready for my signal."

**Finn (from his wheelchair):** "Good luck, everyone. I wish I could help, but I'll support you however I can from here."

The battle commenced with a ferocity that shook the very ground. Volaw, a towering figure with an aura of darkness, commanded a monstrous army that surged forward. Kyle and the Rankers fought valiantly, their powers clashing against the onslaught of enemies.

**Kyle:** "Chrono Shield, now!"

Kyle summoned a shimmering barrier of temporal energy that deflected a barrage of attacks. He watched as Zara unleashed a series of powerful blows, her athletic prowess cutting through the enemy ranks with precision. Lena's Eracer power disrupted the monsters' formations, buying precious moments for the team.

**Volaw:** "You are but mere mortals, struggling against forces beyond your comprehension. The Entics are destined to reshape this world, and you are powerless to stop it."

**Kyle:** "We refuse to accept your fate. We will fight for every last breath!"

Despite their best efforts, the tide of the battle turned against them. Volaw's monstrous army pressed forward, overwhelming the Rankers with sheer numbers and relentless aggression. The battle grew chaotic as Kyle saw his comrades fall one by one.

**Zara (breathing heavily):** "Kyle, we're losing ground! We need a new strategy, or we won't make it through this."

**Kyle:** "Hold on! We can't give up now. We need to..."

Before Kyle could finish his sentence, a massive wave of dark energy engulfed the battlefield. The force was overwhelming, and Kyle felt himself being struck by a powerful blast. His vision blurred, and the world around him dissolved into a blinding white light.

---

**After a few moments, the light faded, revealing a serene, ethereal space. Kyle found himself standing before an old man clad in a dark and gray-shaded coat. The old man looked to be around ninety years old, with deep lines etched into his face and a gaze that carried centuries of wisdom.**

**Old Man:** "Welcome, Kyle. I am your future self from a shattered timeline."

**Kyle:** "What... What's happening? How am I here?"

**Old Man:** "You've made the worst decision of your life, attempting to confront the gods of the Entics without fully understanding the consequences. The battle was lost, and the timeline has been irreversibly altered."

**Kyle:** "So, this is... what's left after failure?"

**Old Man:** "Not just failure. It's a moment of clarity. The timeline you've been fighting to protect is now shattered. Your actions, though noble, have led to a devastating outcome. The path you took has caused immense suffering and destruction."

**Kyle:** "Then, what am I supposed to do? Is there no way to fix this?"

**Old Man:** "The future you once knew is gone. But there is hope. Your journey is far from over. You possess the power to rewrite history, but it will require sacrifices and difficult choices. You must learn from this failure and use it to forge a new path."

**Kyle:** "I... I want to make things right. I want to protect the future and the people I care about."

**Old Man:** "Then you must embrace your role as a Temporal Guardian fully. Use your Time Control abilities with wisdom and understanding. The fate of countless lives rests in your hands. Remember, even in the darkest times, there is always a chance for redemption."

**Kyle:** "What should I do next?"

**Old Man:** "Time travel back in 2024 and meet man called "Belbern Etiht" he will help you a lot and also..

With those words, the old man began to fade, and Kyle felt a powerful surge of energy as he was pulled back to the battlefield. The white light engulfed him once again, and he found himself back in 2024