The Keepers entered the tunnel.
Silent.
Relentless.
Five.
Ten.
Fifteen.
Jonas whispered,
"…that's a lot."
Orion didn't even look at them.
"They will clean this."
Mira stepped forward.
"Not today."
She pulled a knife from her coat.
The Keepers stopped.
One of them raised its hand.
Aria whispered,
"…Mira."
Mira glanced back at her.
"Relax."
Then she smiled.
"Someone has to stall them."
Kael stepped forward.
"No."
Mira shook her head.
"You two run."
Aria grabbed her arm.
"Come with us."
Mira's smile softened.
"Not this time."
The Keepers moved.
Fast.
Mira attacked first.
The knife flashed.
A Keeper's head snapped back.
Another grabbed her arm.
She kicked it away.
Jonas shouted,
"Holy—"
More Keepers surrounded her.
Aria screamed,
"Mira!"
Mira looked back once.
Just once.
"Take care of him."
The Keepers reached her.
Their hands touched her shoulders.
Her body flickered.
Like broken light.
Time began pulling her apart.
Years.
Moments.
Memories.
Aria ran forward.
"No!"
Kael grabbed her.
"Aria."
Mira's voice weakened.
"Don't waste it."
Her form faded.
Piece by piece.
Until nothing remained.
Silence filled the tunnel.
Aria's voice broke.
"…she's gone."
Kael whispered,
"Yes."
Orion watched quietly.
"Time has been corrected."
Kael's eyes burned with rage.
"This isn't over."
Orion smiled faintly.
"Oh."
"It has only begun."