No one moved. Not at first. The forest held its breath. Then, Noah stepped forward. You need to let him go. His voice was calm. Too calm. Kael didn't even look at him. His eyes stayed on Elara. Like she was only thing that mattered or the only thing that ever had. You brought him here? Kael asked quietly. Elara frowned. I didn't bring, she doesn't belong with you. Now Kael looked at Noah. And the air changed. Cold. Sharp. Dangerous. Noah didn't back down. She can decide that for herself. A faint smile touched Kael's lips. Not amused. Not kind. That's funny, he said. Last time, she didn't. Elara's heart slammed against her ribs. What does that mean? Neither of them answered. Answer me! She snapped. Her voice cracked, not weak. Angry. And something inside her...shifted. the air around her trembled. Both boys noticed instantly. Elara, Noah started. Too late. Flash. The world split open again. Kael standing in front of her. Closer. Softer. Different. Trust me,he said. His voice wasn't cold. It wasn't broken. It was warm. Another Flash. Noah pulling her away. Don't listen to him! Another. Elara screaming. Crying. Choosing. Everything overlapped. Too many versions. Too many choices. Too many endings. I can't she gasped. Her knees buckled. Reality cracked harder this time. She saw it, clearer than before. Two paths. In one, she stood beside Noah. The Town burned behind them. But she was alive. In the other, she stood with Kael. The world was darker. Colder. But he, he was smiling. Both felt real. Both felt wrong. Make it stop...she whispered. But it didn't stop. It got worse. Because now, she saw something new. A third path. Empty. Silent. No Noah. No Kael. Just her. Alone. And the feeling that this was the one she had already chosen.
