[ The Collapsing World ]

Thomas’s eyes darkened. “It is us.”

As they spoke, the room began to shift. The artifacts around them flickered more intensely, their edges blurring and fading. A heavy ticking sound filled the air, growing louder and more erratic.

“Something’s wrong,” Thomas said, gripping the journal tightly.

“The timeline,” Amelia whispered. “It’s breaking.”

Amalina looked around, her expression grave. “This room isn’t stable. It’s falling apart, just like me.”

“No,” Amelia said, stepping toward her. “We’ll figure this out. We’ll fix it. We won’t let you—”

“Disappear?” Amalina interrupted, her voice soft but firm. “I’m not afraid of that anymore, Amelia. I’m afraid of what happens if I don’t.”

Thomas turned to the final page of the journal, his eyes scanning the words. His face went pale.

“What does it say?” Amelia asked, dread creeping into her voice.

Thomas hesitated before reading aloud:

“The end begins here.”