them

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Her eyes narrowed as she watched her brother scurry around, playing around with his newfound abilities. She knew that it really wasn't his. It was another's magic. He wasn't born with anything at all. But she was. She was born with the ability to tell the future, and even every possibility of futures. As soon her brother had received her gift, a million new possible futures revealed themselves and others disappeared.

She knew this, and studied each and every one of them closely. Learning more. And every now and then she'd tip something to roll to a new, better future. Or what she considered to be a better future. And in it, she gained more and more knowledge. She only did this, to help her family. To be of use. To help prevent tragedy for all of them, which she could foretell happening in many timelines.

But, this new ability of her brothers. It worried her. For him, for his soul, for his safety. For all of our safety. This new gift, combined with his ambitions, would not go well. She knew it for a fact.

She was deep in thought, studying how the timelines went, until a voice broke her concentration. An elegant, slim figure approached from behind where she was sitting, and suddenly the world went dark. Not as in she passed out, but everything around her faded to black. Except for her and her father.

"Hello."

"Hello, Aspen. You seem to be interested in something.. Mind telling..?"

She shivered. This was a part of one of the many darker timelines. This is where her father attempted to kill her. If she could play her cards right, she would be able to survive, and help Gabriel, her father, even more in his path to happiness. Which was her goal from the start. Many timelines closed in her mind. She studied the new ones making themselves known before answering. It was often what she would do, to get the best result. Although thinking, she could still feel her fathers burning glare above her. Then she spoke.

"I am just watching Carnelian. He is doing well controlling his own magic. His own self though, he risks."

Her father nodded in agreement. They often did agree on Carnelians sake. He was always such a dumb, dumb boy. But it made him happy, so let him do it. There's still hope for him in the future after all. Her mind immediately got back on track to the present instead of the future when she heard a soft clink of metal. This was the blade timeline. This would be easier than she thought. Relieved, she calmed some more. Just keep still, and calm like usual. She thought, taking a deep breath in and out. Her father spoke, a sickly sweetness to it. But edged with a poison that made the hairs on her neck stand up.

"I know that you know what I've done. I know. I can't risk having you tell anyone. You used to be such a good child.".

She finally looked over her shoulder to look at him. She remembered exactly what she should say. Her life depended on this moment. And she destines herself to live.

"I remember when you hadn't snowed yet. But now it's too late. And the sand is falling. But it's okay. Because you still have the possibility to have a good future. And that future includes not killing me."

Her father narrowed his eyes in distrust, hesitating.

"And how exactly am I supposed to believe you? You shouldn't even have been born. You, nor your brother."

She understood his own hesitancy. After all, she is seen as an enemy to him. And enemies have not ever ended up alive and well in his story.

"I don't just know the past. I know the future. And I can show you. I don't want to be your enemy. I want to help you. And I see a future, where I tell. And this family is destroyed."

That specific timeline comes up. She nudges him as the black world slowly fades into a normal-ish scene. It would be normal, if it wasn't filled with the sounds of arguing. Gabriel watched the scene quietly, seemingly unfazed by the scene. She knew her father well enough that something was behind those neutral eyes. The arguing turns to screaming. The screaming turns into the squelching of blood dripping. Then more screaming, but from only from one person. Gabriel. On the floor. The life slowly leaving his eyes, his pretty robes stained red. She watched this. She had already seen this, many many times. And it's exactly what she didn't want. That's why she had to show Gabriel the right way. She can't change the past, but she can help nudge others to the better path.

Finally, Gabriel spoke. His voice trembled ever so slightly.

"Surely this isn't the only timeline that you die in.."

She shrugged, knowing that soon her father would back off. She could see it.

"No, of course not. There are many, many more. But this is the one with the best outcome."

Gabriels fists clenched.

"You're bluffing."

"Am I?"

She asked. She knew Gabriel knew that she was telling the truth. She hadn't told a lie in her life. She always stated the truth, even when you wish she wouldn't. Gabriel shook his head.

"I will spare you for now. But, you're on thin ice. Make one move and you're dead."

She nodded. Many more timelines made their way into her mind, and others closed up. Mainly the more bloody ones closed. She sighed in relief as she heard the clicking of Gabriel's heels as he left. She had did it. She had avoided more destruction. Now she just has to figure out what to do with Carnelian.

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