This is the chapter where fate knocks...
And Aria has to answer.
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Scene opens:
Storms roll over the mountains.
Inside a candlelit temple ruin — once Mei Lin's private lab — Aria and Omega stand in front of a sealed vault.
Carved on the vault's stone door: her mother's handwriting.
To the one who carries both light and shadow…
If you read this, it means the world is ending.
But not your world.
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Aria places her palm on the door.
It clicks.
The vault opens.
Inside? A single golden tablet, glowing with ancient Helix runes.
Omega whispers, stunned:
This isn't a vault. It's a prophecy room.
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FLASHBACK – YEARS AGO:
Mei Lin writing the tablet. Alone. Pregnant with Aria.
Behind her: a younger Augustin watches from the shadows, but she doesn't know he's there.
She whispers to herself:
If they ever awaken…only one fire can hold the frost.
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Back to present—
Aria reads aloud.
The Flame and the Frost must become one to stop the Void.
But when they do…one heart will burn away.
Omega's hands tremble.
It means… one of us won't survive the merge.
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Singularity Mode doesn't just merge them.
It permanently erases one consciousness.
Either Aria or Omega must vanish.
Omega turns away.
I shouldn't have come
But Aria stops her.
You didn't choose to be created.
Neither did I.
But maybe we can choose how it ends.
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Meanwhile... Liam sits alone, outside the temple ruins.
He's been listening the whole time.
He clutches something in his hand: a ring. Simple,silver and promise.
He walks to Aria.
I need to say something before you choose.
She looks up.
And he kneels.
Not because it's romantic.
Not because we might die.
But because you deserve to hear it once — with no strings.
I love you.
I've loved you since the day you walked into the fire and didn't flinch.
And if Singularity takes you away…
His voice cracks.
Then I want you to remember that love existed for you. Even for a second.
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Aria says nothing.
Just… holds his hand.
And slips the ring on her middle finger.
Not as a bride.
Not as a goodbye.
But as a promise.
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That night, as she stares at the stars—
Omega sits beside her.
If I die in the merge,she says,will you remember me?
Aria answers softly:
You're already part of me
They sit in silence.
Then Aria speaks the words that begin the final choice.
Tomorrow, we stop Genesis.
One way… or none.
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Final scene:
Cut to Genesis — seated on a throne of blackened bones.
A child Helix survivor kneels before him.
Please,the child says,don't erase me.
Genesis tilts his head.
Then smiles.
I never erase children.
He touches the boy's head — and instead of ash…he copies his ability.
Eyes flash.
Genesis is no longer just erasing — he's absorbing.
He's building his own Helix army.
And with one whisper…Bring me Aria.
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❓ Reader Questions:
1. Should Aria choose to merge, even if it means losing herself forever?
2. Do you believe Omega would let herself vanish — or sacrifice Aria instead?
3. Should Liam be part of the final battle… or is his fate already sealed?
4. Will Genesis destroy the world — or reshape it under his control?