“So if I wanted to do something that would help someone in the past I can do it so long as it doesn’t affect what I’ve already done as the future version of myself?”

“ yes, basically. It doesn’t really matter if you change the past so long as you do the same stuff that you have already done. For example, if I eat an apple but go back in time and do something that would make me not eat the apple, the universe would correct this and I would end up eating the apple either way. Nothing would change. However if I altered the past so that I ate the apple but at an earlier time then the universe would have nothing to correct.”

“I get it, so as long as the events stay the same for me everything else is fair game?”

“Yes, but don’t try to cheat the system. I have seen too many people try to come up with some work around and end up facing defeat.”

“What did they just give up their power and go home?”

“No... they killed themselves.” Tim said solemnly. The area was quiet. Neither of us bothered to speak until Tim sat up from the bean bag chair. “Time is a cruel mistress and no one can control her. Those who believe they can bridle it are in for more suffering than you can imagine. It will push them to their limit and break them with no hesitation. So let me ask you. Do you still want this power?”

“...” I couldn’t speak. The warning was fair and I could tell that Tim had seen a lot. I didn’t know what was in store for me but I have met plenty of people here who actually count on me now. The old me was worthless and was seen as a nobody by everyone. I couldn’t help it. “Of course, I mean I still have to sate your boredom.”

“That’s right.” Tim said, perking up a little. “Well, I guess I better send you back.”

“Wait, do you know how I can beat this guy?”

“The Elder Ones power he has is ‘weapon creation’ from the Norse Goddess Freya. Use that knowledge wisely.” Tim said and with a snap I opened my eyes before crashing into my bed. Damn it, I have to make that little shit give me a nicer wake up. I stood up and walked out of my room to see Iscarat and Scott in the living room.

“So, how did it go? Do we win?” Scott asked.

“Yes, but it will be difficult.”

“Did you get any more information than that?”

“No, all the info was left in a letter by my future self explaining that we only win because we trick him.”

“Well at least we know we can win. The plan I’ve come up with will entrap the two but only for a moment. We have no idea where we are going to meet him so the plan is that Lou and I will make a trade. I give him Lou and he gives me the changeling. That way if the plan goes south I can kill the changeling and we will not have to worry about him attacking any more people.”

“So where do I come in?” Iscarat asked in his prepubescent old man's voice.

“You and Elysif will remain behind us. Elysif will release multiple familiars to guard the area. The familiars however will be imbued with your dimensional magic. Since the familiars are invisible to most, she can use them to make a trap.”

“So you expect me to trap this person in another dimension along with you, Lou, and the changeling?”

“Well, yes. The whole plan hinges on it.”

“It can’t be done.”

“But I thought this would be child's play for you?” Scott asked.

“ normally it would be but you told me he could teleport. If that is the case then he could just teleport somewhere else and you would be trapped there until I could get you out. That is if he doesn’t kill me.”

“So what do you suggest?”

“A similar strategy but one where I use a magic blocking gate around the area. It would be nearly impossible to hold up for too long but it was able to stop Merlin's Elder magic once before so it could work again.”

“But your Magic blocking gate doesn’t work on sigils or runes like what’s on my body so if he has one he could easily defeat us.”

“True but like you said it will not affect you. You could take him out before he can use his abilities or at the very least Lou could kill him with one of his weapons.”

“Good, a plan that involves me killing that bastard. I like it.” I said with a devilish grin on my face.