The world froze.
Not metaphorically. Not like time slowed for dramatic effect.
Literally froze.
The moment Astra stepped into the light beam cast by the Protocol entity, the surrounding ruins turned to translucent crystal. Trees, air, even the echoing hum of the sky—all became still. Like glass.
Baron blinked.
"Okay," he muttered, trying to breathe. "So this is new."
Lila clutched his arm tightly, her voice panicked. "I can't move my legs. Baron, I can't move—!"
Aria reached for her scroll, fingers shaking. "Reality stabilization at 3%. We're in a nested timeline collapse."
"That's just a fancy way of saying 'we're screwed,'" Baron said, eyes locked on Astra—who stood face-to-face with the entity that called itself Protocol.
"Do not engage," the entity buzzed. "You are a system anomaly. Reversion in progress."
But Astra didn't flinch. "And you are obsolete."
Then she snapped her fingers.
The light around her twisted violently into a vortex of glyphs, code, and fragments of memory—hundreds of them—spinning like a storm. Lila gasped as images shot across the sky: a burning orphanage, a blood-soaked wedding dress, Baron standing atop a tower with black wings sprouting from his back.
"What the hell are those?!" Lila cried.
"Possible versions of us," Aria said breathlessly. "Memories from timelines that never solidified."
The Split
The energy was too much. The Protocol entity reeled. Cracks spread across its shimmering crown.
SYSTEM OVERRIDE…
EXECUTING SPLIT RECALL…
Suddenly, two Astras stood in the plaza.
One wore white, her tattoos glowing gold. She looked calm, human, filled with hope.
The other wore black. Her eyes were hollow pits of starlight. And when she smiled, the air itself recoiled.
"I'm the part of her that believed in you," the Astra in white said.
"And I'm the part that knows you'll betray us," the Astra in black hissed.
Baron felt the pressure inside his skull spike.
"You're splitting?" he said. "Why?"
"Because you're fractured," they said together.
"You can only choose one," White Astra said gently. "Merge with me, and you'll remember the life you tried to protect."
Black Astra raised a hand of living shadow. "Merge with me, and you'll remember the power you tried to bury."
Baron's voice caught in his throat. "Why not both?"
"Because the universe breaks if you do," they said in unison.
The Choice
Lila stepped forward. "Baron, don't choose either of them without talking to us—"
Baron was already walking.
"Baron!" Aria shouted. "We need to analyze this—!"
"I've been running from the truth since Chapter 1," he muttered. "Time to stop."
He stood between the two Astras. Looked at each. Felt both.
The one in white smelled like moonlight and safety.
The one in black? Like stars dying behind closed doors.
He reached toward—
(Your choice decides the next chapter.)
CTA – Choose Who Baron Merges With!
🔥 End of Chapter 13
Two Astras. Two paths. Only one Baron.
You decide the fate of this story!
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