The melody within the Tower shifted, transforming from a triumphant fanfare into a somber yet determined march. The champions, their faces a mixture of awe and trepidation, huddled around Alex, the first champion, who had returned forever changed by their harrowing journey through time.
The weight of responsibility settled heavily upon them. Alex's success, though a beacon of hope, had only confirmed the time travel mission's immense dangers. They wouldn't be sending Alex back blindly this time. Meticulous preparation was key.
"The temporal corridors," the young strategist began, their voice laced with urgency, "are unpredictable. We need to map them more precisely, identify potential landing zones in the past that are stable enough to support your arrival."
