The third gate creaked open with a sound like a rewinding vinyl record and heartbreak in stereo.
Kai squinted. "If this is the part where we meet our future selves and one of them is an MLM influencer, I'm out."
Rania squeezed his hand. "We've survived emotional jelly orbs, ex-boyfriends, and confessions. We are *not* losing to our hypothetical futures."
Melvin's voice came in flat through the comms.
> "Statistically, humans fear one thing more than death: seeing who they could've been… and still losing."
"Cool. Thanks for the existential dread," Kai muttered.
They stepped in.
Suddenly, they were standing in the middle of a colossal arena—a floating stadium carved from starlight. But instead of an audience, the seats were filled with... **versions of themselves**.
There was CEO Rania in a suit of diamonds, directing robots to sell love algorithms.
There was Long-Haired Martian Farmer Kai, holding a ukulele and crying over a singing cactus.
And worst of all—Rania and Kai who had never met. Sitting apart. Alone. Gray.
Above them, a screen flickered to life:
> **TRIAL THREE: THE ARENA OF WHAT-IFS — Confront your alternate paths. Choose your truth. Or stay lost in might-have-beens forever.**
One by one, the alternates spoke.
**Rania #4:** "In my world, I never built a rocket. I played it safe. I got rich. But every night… I dream of you."
**Kai #3:** "I never met her. I married someone else. I forgot what laughter sounds like."
Rania's fists clenched.
Kai stepped forward, hands raised. "Alright, listen. I get it—we're messy. We crash things. We fight about pizza toppings. But I'd rather live one chaotic life with *this* girl than be perfect with anyone else."
Rania walked up beside him. "I used to want stability. A plan. But Kai? You ruined all that. And I love it."
The arena pulsed.
Their other selves smiled... and faded like morning fog.
Above them, the sigil changed again—from **TRIAL** to **TRUTH.**
Melvin's voice cracked, slightly choked.
> "Gate Three: Passed. Honestly, that was disgustingly romantic."
Kai grinned. "Told you we're unbeatable."
The next path shimmered ahead—rising into the sky like a glowing stairway made of moonlight and unresolved feelings.
At the top, Zalaya—the Alien Love Witch—stood, staff in hand, eyes like galaxies.
"You've passed desire. You've passed memory. You've passed illusion," she said. "Now comes the final gate."
Her voice echoed.
> "The Gate of Sacrifice."
And as the last door creaked open, Rania whispered:
"…What happens if we fail?"
Zalaya smiled, haunting and soft.
> "Then love dies. And so does everything else."💔 What would *you* give up to protect someone you love?
The Final Gate awaits. Memories may be lost. Hearts may be broken. And someone... might forget everything.
🚀 Don't miss Chapter 33: The Choice That Could Break the Moon.
❤️ Add to Library, leave a comment (Team Kai, Team Rania, or Team Melvin-who-deserves-his-own-spin-off), and let's finish this emotional rollercoaster together.
#MoonRocketLove