In the immediate calm, Samuel secured the captured Chronos Shaper, Onyeka, and the recovered Seed Cache.
Esther, leaning against the cold stone of the wall, felt the profound exhaustion of fighting across three timelines. She looked at Samuel, who was now fully human, his amber eyes soft but alert.
"We secured the past, and we defeated the future threat," Esther said, tracing the faint lines of stress on his forehead. "But Onyeka's warning still stands. The fabric of time is fragile. And we are the only ones who truly know what he planned."
"We will guard that knowledge," Samuel promised, drawing her into a fierce, protective embrace. "The Golden Leaf is our anchor, but our Àṣẹ our command is the choice we make together."
The Pack elders and Tunde gathered around them, their expressions a mix of awe and renewed commitment.
"Alpha Samuel," Elder Bamidele said, his voice respectful. "The Seed Cache is yours. What is the new command?"
Samuel looked at the deadly seeds within the iron chest, the potential for chaos they represented. He looked at Esther, the Keeper of Balance.
"The seeds of chaos will not be destroyed," Samuel declared, his voice strong and clear. "They will be sealed in the deepest, most secure part of the university the vault where the Golden Leaf Casket resides. They are a constant reminder of the failure we averted. But they will also serve as a final resort."