Kael awoke, gasping.
He was back in the square of Earth-Z3R0—only now it was splitting apart. One half gleamed with light, rebuilt and hopeful. The other burned—twisted into nightmare.
The Core had split the timeline.
And Kael... existed in both.
He could feel his mind stretching across two realities—one where he had chosen peace, and one where he had chosen vengeance. Two Kaels. Two diverging paths. And the Architect... had done the same.
A spectral projection of Reeva appeared. "Kael, you fractured the multiverse again. But this time, you're part of the fracture."
Elara's voice came from the other Kael's side. "You have seconds before the timelines seal. Pick a side."
But Kael didn't move.
He extended his hands—and merged the two versions of himself.
Not a fracture. A fusion.
The timelines rippled.
The Core began to reboot.
But something else came through the breach—
Not the Architect.
Something older.