Zayn's arms tightened around Aria, his mind reeling from the Fate Reversal System's stark declaration. Origin: Subject Aria Carter. The words burned, twisting the knife of dread in his gut. His sister, the very heart of their sanctuary, was not merely perceiving the encroaching chaos; she was inadvertently amplifying it.
"Aria," he whispered, his voice hoarse, pulling back just enough to look into her tear-streaked face. Her eyes, wide and luminous, mirrored his own terror. "You are not the the problem, do you hear me? This isn't your fault." He struggled to keep his voice steady, to project a calm he didn't feel. But it is, isn't it? If the system is right.
"But… the system said—" Aria began, her lower lip trembling.
Leo, his face a mask of weary resolve, stepped forward. "The system i
