Introduction
This page will be explaining the cases under which additional Temporal Dimensions qualify for Higher Dimensions, and/or grant Tier 1 ratings.
Note that, we cannot and will not assume automatically that any of these cases hold true for a fictional work, unless that fictional work specifies details that imply such cases do, in fact, hold true. This can be proven with sufficient enough feats, or reliable statements easily to grant a Tier 1 rating.
Similarly, all the cases below first hold the basic assumption that the universes/timelines/worlds/space-time continuums (or whatever in question) must already be stated to have different temporal Dimensions/Axes, otherwise these would not be applicable to begin with, as even under the general theory of relativity, we know that the same time dimension can have different flow rates at different places, with real life examples being near or at the singularity of a black hole, this however, does not make our universe a multi-temporal dimensional one. With that out of the box, lets get straight into the cases.
Case 1: Hypertimelines
The concept of "Hypertimelines" was originally introduced in the popular series we know as DC Comics. This concept has now been expanded in many other fictional works, some of which also include popular works like Dragon Ball, TenSura, Sonic the Hedgehog, and many other fictional works that might not be as popular.
If a Timeline A branches Timeline B and C at point X, and a character is able to travel in time via a special time travel ability, to a point where those timelines had not been branched, or even existed, it would denote the existence of a Higher Time Dimension, as simply travelling to the past of any of those individual timelines would not make the character be able to travel to a point when those timelines did not exist (i.e. if he travels to the past of Timeline B, he cannot arrive at a point where B or C didn't exist]. This means, if those timelines were contained within a "Space", than the only possible way to go to a point where timeline B and C did not exist, would be if that "Space" was a snapshot of a higher timeline, with a prior snapshot of that "Space" existing where those timelines (B and C) did not exist.
Another example would be if a Space-Time Continuum as a whole is destroyed, which would resultantly destroy all of its uncountably infinite snapshots of the past-present-future as well, but a character via some Time Travel ability is still able to go to the "Past" where the Space-Time Continuum was not destroyed, it would imply the existence of a higher temporal dimension, as explained below, resultantly qualifying for Low 1-C 5D.
Case 2: Unsynchronized Timelines
The concept of "Unsynchronized Timelines" induces that there is some sort of Time Difference between different Temporal Dimensions of different Space-Time Continuums. This can also lead to difference in precedence of events of a timeline, thus making it so that the Temporal Axes extend to different directions, albeit, whether they are Orthogonal or not, individually, depends on the context given.
Lets say the there are two Space-Time Continuums with their own Time Dimensions, but equal flow of time, in other words, there is no Time Difference between such Space-Time Continuums, making their Time Dimensions synchronized, which means those Time Dimensions exist parallel to each other. This is why there can be as many, even countably Infinitely many, Space-Time Continuums in a Multiversal Space each with their own individual Time Dimension, yet all of the Multiversal Space as a whole still only be 4-D.
However, what if they are Unsynchronized? In that regards, there are two possible approaches to this scenario :
Approach 1: Infinite Un-synchrony
In this approach, we consider the Time Dimensions are un-synchronous, in other words, they have different flow rates, however, the flow rate has an infinite difference, or at least, an "imaginable" amount of difference. What does that mean? It basically means a difference of like "Infinite time", "no matter how much time", etc. This basically means even if a billion years pass in one of the Worlds (Space-Time Continuums), no time, and absolutely no amount of time (0 time) would pass in the second World w.r.t the first World.
This basically means that no matter how much time passes in one World, the other World will remain at the same point in time. If the Time in one World is 12:50 AM, 5/12/2024, and in the other World the time is 1:24 PM, 8/11/1855, than even if the time in the other world becomes 1:24 PM, 7/7/8877, the time in the first world would remain the same (i.e. 12:50 AM, 5/12/2024).
This can be easily explained by using the X-Y plane, where no matter how much you go forward in X plane alone, your Y coordinates will always be 0. Similarly, no matter how much you move at the Y plane alone, your X-coordinates will always be 0, which is only possible when X and Y are perfectly orthogonal to each other. In other words, the "Space" containing them must be at least 5-D. Why? Because the two different Time Dimensions would require not one, but two additional orthogonal directions.
Surely, the spatial aspects of the two Space-Time Continuums can still be denoted within the same 3-Directional Space of the Hyperspace containing them, but about their Time Dimensions? Those Time Dimension, which are perpendicular, in other words, orthogonal to each other, would require to have 2 additional directions to occupy, which then requires a 2-D Space. These thus means the "Space" containing those Space-Times would be 5-D, whereas in case there's a Higher Time Dimension overarching that Hyperspace, than the totality of this Higher Space-Time Continuum as a whole, would be 6-D.
Additionally, this example can extend to Infinitely many or any larger amount of Space-Times Continuities being enclosed in the Higher Space-Time, and as long as all of them fulfill the requirement of Infinite Un-synchronization, than each additional such Space-Time continuum would grant a Qualitative/Dimensional Superiority to the higher/containing Space-Time with its own independent Higher/Overarching Time Dimension. Therefore, if lets say there is a Space-Time Continuum (with its own Time Dimension) containing 26 Space-Time continuities each with their own temporal Dimension, such that those temporal Dimensions have an Infinite Un-synchrony each (each Time Dimension is orthogonal to each of all the other Time Dimensions), then the Higher Space-Time Continuum will be 27-D, and so on with each additional Space-Time (and Temporal Dimension). A graphical Diagram would likely help.
This is because, one cannot draw a 3rd line perpendicular to both of the previous lines simultaneously on that piece of paper, and would instead require one to draw a line perpendicular to the 2-D plane itself, extending to 3-D Space. This process can go on infinitely, and each time, you would need to extend the additional Orthogonal line perpendicular to the previous N-Dimensional plane, thus requiring N+1 Dimensional Space.
Approach 2: Finite Un-Synchrony
In this approach, we consider the Time Dimensions un-synchronous, yes, in other words, they have different flow rates, however, unlike before, even that flow rate has a finite difference, or at least, an "imaginable" amount of difference. What does that mean? It basically means a difference of like "A few hours", "A few days", "A few Months", etc., extending to years, hundreds of them, and even thousands or billions. This basically means if a billion years pass in one of the Worlds (Space-Time Continuums), only a few hours, a few days, or any amount other than "a billion years" (an exact amount) would pass in the second World w.r.t the first World.
In such a case, the Time Axes between those Worlds, while not parallel or overlapping, would also not be Orthogonal to each other. However, there is indeed the fact that if those Time Axis are independent of each other in the sense of having a different direction, even if not orthogonal, then they can qualify for additional higher Dimensions, which would be needed for those time axes to extend to.
Basically, this is because you can draw as many "Lines" on top of each other in a 1-Dimensional Plane, and all those lines would still be in the same direction, even Anti-Parallel Lines would essentially be extending in the same direction, only difference being, simply in reversed flow. Therefore, they can still be represented in a 1-D plane. This is also why in cases where there's a Multiversal construct containing many Space-Time Continuums, by default, we assume that the Time Dimension of each of those Space-Times extends in the same direction, and therefore would not qualify for an additional Higher Dimension, as there's no need for such a higher Dimension to exist for those individual temporal Dimensions to extend to.
However, what if you draw 2 lines that are non-Parallel or "completely" overlapping? This results in you requiring a 2-Dimensional Plane to contain or draw those lines, because those lines, even if intersecting, must have some "Space" between them, if they are not parallel or completely overlapping. Even if one of the lines is parallel or overlapping with the X-Axis (and thus having its Y-coordinates as 0), the second line, which is not parallel or overlapping to it, must have "some" Y-Coordinates. Resultantly, 2 such lines would always require a 2-Directional plane to represent. A graphical representation would preferably explain better, I suppose.
However, this would not extend to the need of additional Higher Dimensions for each additional Time Axis, because while two lines having different directions need a 2-D plane to be presented, infinite such lines can also be held within the same 2-D plane. We know that Time by nature is Orthogonal to Space, therefore, a Multiverse fulfilling this case must be at least 5-D, the 3-D Space of such a Multiverse would hold the Spatial Aspects of all the Space-Time Continuums it holds, whereas the latter 2-D Plane will hold all the Time Axes of those Space-Times extending in their respective direction. Resultantly, the totality of the Hyperspace would be 5-D. Additionally, in case the Hyperspace also has an overarching Time Dimension, then the Hyper Space-Time would, in this case, be 6-D on total.
Case 3: Temporal Acausality
The concept of "Temporal Acausality" revolves around the notion of extending Acausality to not just spatial independency between Timelines (i.e. one timeline is not affected in the slightest if another is destroyed or created) but also extending it temporally. This approach is, in essence, just a way to differently name Case 2 : Approach 1. Do note that, here, we need "Complete" temporal Acausality, meaning, absolutely no synchrony between the Time Dimensions of different Space-Time Continuums or Worlds. To understand this, we first must understand what Acausality basically is.
In simple terms, Causality, also sometimes called the Law of Cause and Effect, is a property stating such that for everything that "happens", there must be a cause of why that something happened. In other words, for all Effects, of any range, there must be a cause. This can also be stated in reverse, such that, for everything that happens, there must be an Impact on it. Alternatively, this can be worded as, for everything that began, and/or, for every cause, there must always be an impact, an effect that happened due to that cause or event taking place. A common example would be, us clapping our hands, and a sound being produced, we lost a portion of our kinetic mechanical energy, that was used to move our hands and clap. Here, a sound was produced. Why? Because we clapped our hands! In simple words, it means that because we clapped our hands, we caused something, that was the Cause, and its effect must exist, in other words, we will always lose something, such as kinetic energy, and/or, we will always produce something, i.e., sound of clapping.
But what if one of those things is missing? What if there is a cause without an effect, or what if there's an effect without a cause? Such things are considered Acausal, in other words, Causality doesn't apply to them, at least not the normal notion of it. Note that, Causality is an absolute law, thus, in reality, we cannot practically prove Acausality, with real life logic, where that logic itself follows a System that holds true to the Law of Causality. However, we can theoretically form different ways to understand what Acausality is, such as what I said above. There are also various fictional settings having their own working of Acausal relations.
Now, lets begin with Temporal Causality between Time Dimensions. To understand this, we can assume that there are 2 Worlds (Space-Time Continuums) with different Time Dimensions. This means that, to an observer from World 1, World 2 will seemingly "have" a flow of time. In other words, if an observer from World 1 observes World 2 for 5 minutes, than 5 minutes would actually also have passed in World 2 during the time the observer was viewing that World 2. In other words, those Universes hold true to temporal Causality, this can alternatively also be stated as, that they hold true to Temporal Synchronization, or that they have zero Un-synchronization, the flow rates and flow of events between both universes are the exact same. This can also be explained with the example that, lets say a character from World 1 travels to World 2 via a Spatial ability (Not a Time Travel ability), and then spends X amount of Time in World 2. If the Time Dimensions between those Worlds are in a Causal Relation (i.e., they are not acausal to each other), then when the character returns to World 1 via the same Spatial ability (again, not a time travel ability), the same amount of Time (X) would have passed in World 1 as well.
Now to understand what I meant by "Temporal Acausality". In essence, this is basically the complete opposite as the explanation above. In other words, lets say a character from World 1 travels to World 2 via some spatial ability (not temporal ability), and spends a Y amount of time in World 2. If the Time Dimensions between those Worlds are completely acausal to each other (there is no temporal causality between them), then when the character returns to World 1 via the same Spatial ability (not time travel), the same amount of Time (Y) wouldn't have passed, in fact, no amount of time (zero time) would have passed.
Alternatively, this can also be established when, and means that, no matter how much Time has flown in World 1, no amount of time would have flown in World 2. In other words, these two Worlds have no connection between their passage of time. This can be understood better with a graphical diagram.
This, as we've established in Case 2 Approach 1, means that the Time Dimensions of World 1 and World 2 are Orthogonal to each other. This case can be extended to any amount of Time Dimensions, where each additional such time dimension filling the requirements would grant an additional qualitative superiority, the reason for this is the same as the reasoning for Case 2 Approach 1.
Note : Here, I am strictly referring to a temporally acausal World. In other words, just because they have different law of causality does not, in any way at all, mean that their temporal dimensions will behave in the same manner. If they're just stated to work on different laws of causality, does not mean that property extends to their temporal dimensions in literal, as well. Here, by "Temporal Acausality", I'm strictly only referring to Un-synchrony between their Time Dimensions , to an Infinite extent. In this case, we take the Un-synchrony between Acausal Time Dimensions as infinite, or a better word would be, Uncountably Infinite, by the term "Acausal".
For example, lets take 2 statements
A : There exists no causality between different Space-Time Continuums.
B : There is no connection to the passage of time between different Universes.
Now, if we take just one of these statements, it would not be so sure that this is referring to temporal Acausality, but if we combine these statements, assuming there also already exists a statement denoting that these Worlds have different Time Dimensions, we can conclude that the "No Causality" between these Worlds extent to their Temporal Dimensions too, the same as what I described above.
Qualifying and Non-Qualifying Context :
These will be listing some examples where despite having different temporal dimensions or showing related feats, it would qualify or not qualify for additional Higher Dimensions :
- About Case 1, for such feats to be considered qualifiable for an overarching Time Dimension, the verse must first establish some sort of "Higher Time" that exists above or before regular time, otherwise such feats would, in themselves, contradict the destruction of said Space-Time continuities to begin with.
- For example, for Statements such as involving Time Travel after Space-Time destruction feats, it needs to be consistent. In other words, if its just a single line that makes some readers think that a Higher timeline is involved, that may not always qualify.
- Additionally, if such statements are divided into parts of "Space-Time destruction" and "Time travel despite that", and mentioned in different chapters of some novel, they may just be inconsistencies. Therefore, even more care should be taken while evaluating the validity and consistency of such statements.
- About Case 2 : Approach 1, it should be noted that, "Orthogonal" here means that if there are 3 Space-Times (A, B and C) inside the bigger Space-Time (Each with their own Time Dimension), then the Time Dimension of A must be orthogonal to both B and C simultaneously, and the Time Dimension of B must be orthogonal to both A and C simultaneously, the same repeating with C. The same should b repeated with any number of Space-Time continuums enclosed within the Hyperspace or Hyper Space-Time Continuum.
- The same must hold true for Case 3 as well, simply having no temporal causality between two of the many or infinitely many universes would not lead to an additional qualitative superiority for each of the infinitely many universes.