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Just as Eske was fully prepared to proceed, his attention was suddenly yanked away by a voice that cut through the air: ‘We need to talk.’

He looked up to find a boy standing before him, his striking grey hair and yellow-golden eyes seeming to pierce through Eske's very soul. The boy's gaze was unflinching as he stared at the gun in Eske's hands, his eyes betraying a wisdom that belied his youthful appearance.

Eske's grip on the Colt .45 tightened, and his finger twitched on the trigger. He felt a combination of annoyance and curiosity as he studied the boy, his mind racing with questions about this unexpected intruder. 'Who are you?' he growled, his voice low and threatening.

With his gun still trained on the boy, Eske's voice shook as he demanded, 'Who are you? Tell me now!'

Tears welled up in the boy's eyes as he choked out his response, his voice trembling with emotion. 'My name is Eve. I'm your son. I'm the reason the whole cosmos is going to collapse. I shouldn't exist... I shouldn't be born.' His voice broke as he continued, 'Killing me now won't make a difference, but you can stop me from being born and save the universe from the destruction I'll cause.'

Eske lowered his gun. 'What the fuck are you talking about.'

'I killed mum. I killed mum as soon as I was born. I downloaded our time, and all the timelines kept saved on the server data centre. Everything. I can't control myself. I'm not strong like mum. I'm...'

'You're a time-space vortex, just like Nona.'

Eve's eyes widened in surprise as Eske made the connection. 'Yes.' he whispered, his voice strained. 'I'm a time-space vortex, like Mum. But I'm not as strong as she was. I can't control my power, and it's tearing the universe apart. I've seen it, Dad. It's horrifying.'

Eske stared at his son, a mix of horror and disbelief washing over him. His hands trembled as he tried to make sense of the nightmare unfolding before him. 'So, what do you expect me to do? To kill you right now? On the spot?'

Eve's expression was a mix of determination and despair. 'You have to change the past, please. You have to ensure that I'm never born. It's the only way to save the universe from the destruction I'll cause. Save Ava. She doesn't deserve what I'm doing to her!'

The weight of the decision bore down on Eske, crushing him with its enormity. His own son was asking him to erase his existence to save the cosmos. The gun in his hand felt heavier than ever, a symbol of the unbearable choice he faced.

His mind racing, Eske tried to think of any other way to fix the situation. Still, the desperate pleading in Eve's eyes haunted him. He knew that whatever path he chose, he would be forever changed. As he grappled with the decision, the fate of the universe hung in the balance, the future uncertain and terrifying. 'Your mum... she is pregnant right now.'

'She shouldn't be. She can't. I can't...'

Eske gritted his teeth, feeling the world's weight on his shoulders. His heart ached for the son standing before him, the child he had yet to meet, and the woman he loved. He knew that he had to make a choice, and he had to make it quickly.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

'I... I'll do it.' Eske whispered, his voice choked with emotion. 'I'll find a way to change the past, to ensure you're never born. But I need to know how. How can I do this?'

'Have you opened my room?'

'Not yet. I wanted to open it with Nona and Ava. Why?'

'You'll find all the answers and tools inside that you'll need. Doesn't need any instructions. You both will understand. Everything is there.' the boy said, cleaning his tears with a sleeve. 'I'm not really here, you know. At this moment, I'm in skylab-84 with Ava. She is doing everything she can to avoid the end of everything. I don't want this for her. I'm so sorry.'

Eske stared at the boy, his heart heavy with a mixture of love, sorrow, and determination. He knew that the task ahead of him would be fraught with pain and grief, but he couldn't turn away from it. He had to save his family and the universe from the devastation that Eve's existence would bring. He had to try.

'Thank you.' Eske murmured, his voice barely audible. 'I promise you, I'll do everything in my power to change the past and prevent this future from coming to pass. I won't let you or Ava suffer any longer.'

Eve managed a small, sad smile. 'I know you will. Remember, no matter what happens, you and Mum are the strongest people I've ever known. I'm proud to have been your son, even if only for a brief moment in time.' the boy cried, and in the middle of his tears, he asked: 'Can I hug you?'

Eske hesitated for a moment, his heart aching with the knowledge that this might be the only time he would ever hold his son. But then, he nodded, his eyes filled with tears of his own. ‘Yes, of course.’

Eve stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Eske.

As they embraced, Eske could feel the warmth and love he had for this child he'd never truly known.

Eve clung to him tightly, sobbing into his chest. "Thank you, Dad," he whispered between choked sobs. ‘I love you.’

’I love you too, son. I love you too.’ Eske replied, his voice thick with emotion. He held Eve for a moment longer, cherishing the connection they shared. It was a moment he knew he would carry with him for the rest of his life, a memory both precious and bittersweet.

Eske made a silent promise to Eve and to himself. He would do everything in his power to change the past, to protect the ones he loved, and to save the universe from the destruction that his son's existence would cause. He would carry the weight of this decision with him for the rest of his life, but he was determined to make it right.

After a few moments, Eske gently released his son and took a step back. ‘I'll do this, Eve. I promise.’

Eve nodded, his eyes shining with gratitude and sorrow. ‘I know you will, Dad.’ With a final, lingering look, he vanished into thin dust of black particles following the way of the apartment that had no doors, leaving Eske to face the daunting task that lay ahead.

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