No one spoke. The air between them was suffocating. You are lying, Noah said finally. But his voice, it wasn't as certain as before. Kael didn't even react. His eyes stayed on Elara. Waiting. Because this time, it wasn't about words. It was about her choice. Elara's heart was racing. Too fast. Too loud. You always choose him. Her chest tightened painfully. No, she whispered. I don't even remember, how can I choose anything? Karl's voice was quiet. Dangerously quiet. You don't need to remember. A step closer. You just need to decide. Noah grabbed her wrist. Gentle. But firm. Elara, don't listen to him. She looked at him. Those same warm eyes. Safe. Familiar. And for a second, everything felt simple. Then, flash. Noah, standing over her. Breathing hard. Hands shaking. I had to, he said. Her blood ran cold. Back to now. She pulled her hand away. I... her voice faltered. I don't understand. Kael watched her carefully. You will. And then, Everything changed. The sky cracked. A deep, tearing sound echoed above them, like reality itself was splitting open. Elara looked up and this time, she saw them. Not clearly. Not fully. But enough. Snaps. Watching. Waiting. Her breath caught. They...Kael's expression darkened. You weren't supposed to see that yet. Too late. The ground beneath them trembled. And suddenly a voice. Everywhere. Cold. Ancient. Subject unstable. Elara froze. No, she whispered. Recalibration required. The forest shifted. Twisted. And then, pain. Sharp. Blinding. Elara screamed. Memories,
Not flashes this time, real. A room. White. Cold. People around her. Watching. Writing. Again, one of them said. You have to choose again. Her voice, desperate. Broken. I don't want to, you don't have a choice. Back to now. Elara, what is happening?! Kael didn't move. Because he already knew. They are resetting it,he said quietly. What does that mean? Noah snapped. Kael looked at him. It means he said, you are about to die again. Silence. What? Too late. Something dropped from the sky. Fast. Violent. And slammed into the ground between them. A figure. Not human. Not fully. Its eyes locked on Elara. Choice required. Noah stepped in front of her instantly. Get behind me. Kael moved too, but in the opposite direction. Positioning himself, between Elara and something else. Something unseen. Elara, he said sharply. Listen to me. Her vision blurred. Her mind breaking under the pressure. You can't save both of us. Her heart stopped. No, you never could. Noah turned. What is he talking about? Choose, Kael said. The creature stepped forward. Selection pending. Elara's breath came in short, broken gasps. No, there has to be another way, there isn't. Kael's voice softened. For once, a step closer. Don't choose him. Noah's eyes widened. Elara, don't, her head snapped toward him. And suddenly, she saw it. Not a flash. Not a vision. The truth. Every time, standing right here, making the same choice. Saving Noah. And losing, everything else. Including Kael. Tears filled her eyes. I can't she whispered. The creature raised its hand. Decision required. Her heart shattered. She moved. Not toward Noah. Toward Kael. And grabbed his hand. Silence. Everything stopped. Even time. Noah's face, shock. Disbelief. Something breaking. Elara?
The world screamed. Error. The sky cracked wider. The watching things. Shifted violently. Unacceptable deviation. Kael's eyes widened slightly. You changed it. Elara's voice trembled. I'm not losing you again. Behind them Noah fell to his knees. A dark crack spreading across his chest. Elara, he whispered. And this time, she didn't move toward him.