### Chapter 34: *"The Vessel's Choice"*
> _"To carry the storm is not to control it. It is to become what you once feared."_
---
Fatima stood before the door.
Not touching it.
Just watching.
Waiting.
Behind her, Majid watched with eyes still black, still hollow — but filled now with something close to fear.
Rana stepped forward.
Her voice cracked.
— You don't have to do this.
Fatima didn't turn.
— I know.
She reached out.
Paused.
Then spoke softly:
— But I want to.
Majid took a step toward her.
— You won't come back.
Fatima finally looked at him.
Her expression was calm.
Too calm.
— Maybe that's the point.
Layla whispered from behind:
— What if she becomes worse than the Sleeper?
Fatima smiled.
A slow, sad smile.
— Then at least I'll be free of myself.
She turned back to the door.
Placed her hand on it.
It opened.
Not with a creak.
Not with force.
It simply… let her in.
---
### 🔮 Part II: The Vessel Speaks
Inside, the chamber was unchanged.
The being still stood at its center.
Its eyes held galaxies.
Its breath was silence.
Fatima walked forward.
Spoke without fear.
— I offer myself.
The being tilted its head.
> _"Offering implies choice."_
> _"You already chose."_
Fatima blinked.
— When?
> _"Before you were born."_
> _"Before your name was written."_
> _"You were always meant to carry me."_
She swallowed.
— Then why wait?
The being stepped closer.
Its presence filled the room.
> _"Because vessels must understand what they carry."_
> _"And you were not ready."_
Fatima closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, she whispered:
— I am now.
The air changed.
The chamber pulsed.
A low hum filled the space.
The being raised a hand.
Touched her forehead.
And in that moment…
She remembered.
Everything.
---
### 🧩 Part III: The Memory That Was Never Hers
Images flooded her mind.
Not hers.
Not his.
No one's.
But all of them.
She saw the first gate.
The first traveler.
The first betrayal.
She saw Abdul Karim trying to close it.
Saw Layth screaming into silence.
Saw herself — not as she was — but as she had been.
In another life.
Another spiral.
Another time.
She gasped.
Fell to her knees.
The being watched.
> _"Now you understand."_
> _"You are not new."_
> _"You are repeated."_
Fatima looked up.
Her voice trembled.
— I've done this before.
> _"Yes."_
> _"And you will again."_
She shook her head.
— No.
She stood slowly.
Eyes burning.
Voice steady.
— Not this time.
She turned.
Walked back toward the door.
The being did not stop her.
Did not speak.
Only watched.
As if waiting.
For what, no one knew.
--
(End of Chapter)
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