Chapter 4: Lina

Deep in the isolated forest, the tribe that holds Lina captive prepares for a ritual steeped in ancient mystery. To them, Lina is a reincarnation of a figure from their past—someone with abilities they believe essential to their survival. In her “past life,” they remember, Lina’s powers only manifested fully in the presence of her husband. To unlock these powers again, they know what must be done, and they wait for Alec to come to them.

Meanwhile, Alec is with his team, engrossed in their work to track and manage the timeline anomalies, when he receives a message on his device. It’s cryptic, pieced together in fragments, but the message is clear: the anomaly controlling the tribe holding Lina demands his presence. If Alec does not find them within the week, Lina’s life will be at risk.

The gravity of the message is overwhelming. Despite the team's new bond, this crisis puts Alec on edge. He shares the message with Ruson, Ulbert, Snow, and Yusen, who react with a mix of concern and urgency. Yusen, however, remains oddly calm, suggesting they prepare strategically rather than rushing in. Alec’s adoptive father, Ken, is immediately wary of Yusen’s reaction, sensing something deeper behind his calm exterior.

As Alec wrestles with his emotions, the team rallies around him, determined to find Lina. Yet, with the looming threat of the tribe and the possibility of more time distortions, Alec realizes that he’s facing a challenge he never anticipated. The clock is ticking, and he’s forced to question his trust in everyone around him—even Yusen, whose motives have always been uncertain.

They only have one week.