For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a low hum resonated from the device, vibrating through his arm and into his chest. A faint, blue light emanated from the seams of the brass housing, growing brighter until it illuminated the snow around him.

The shifting stars above began to slow their frantic dance. They settled into their proper places, forming the familiar patterns of the winter sky. The howling wind died down to a gentle breeze, and the sense of disorientation passed.

Elian looked down at his wrist. The display had returned to its steady glow, the main counter now reading 10:12:15. The temporal rift had been sealed, and this pocket of reality was safe once again.

This was no ordinary watch. It was a prototype Chrono-Stabilizer, designated model 440-2838-008