Jake Carter felt a mix of conflict and confusion as he faced his ultimate choice. He had to choose between his duty and his heart, and he had to face his ultimate destiny. He had to decide whether to stay with Aria in Atlantis or return to Earth with his friends. He had to also confront Zane in a final battle that would decide the fate of both worlds.
He was standing at the portal, where he had met with his team and his allies. They had returned from their missions, where they had found allies and clues that could help them defeat Zane and his army. They had also faced many dangers and obstacles, such as traps, curses, and enemies. They had overcome them with courage and skill.
They had told him their stories: how Morgan and Lisa had gathered the scientists and engineers who could improve their technology and weapons; how Sam and Alex had negotiated with the merchants and traders who could provide them with supplies and information; how Jack and Max had protected their base and fought their enemies; how they had also discovered some secrets and mysteries about Atlantis and Earth.
They had also told him their plan: how they would use the portal to launch a counterattack on Zane's stronghold, where he was preparing his final assault on both worlds; how they would use their technology and magic to infiltrate and sabotage his defenses; how they would use their allies and resources to support and distract his forces; how they would use their skills and weapons to fight and defeat him.
They had asked him to join them: how they needed him and wanted him; how he was their friend and leader; how he was their hero and savior.
They had looked at him with hope and trust, as if they believed in him and relied on him.
He had looked at them with gratitude and respect, as if he appreciated them and admired them.
He had agreed to join them: how he owed them and thanked them; how he was their friend and leader; how he was their hero and savior.
He had nodded and smiled, as if he was ready and willing.
But he was not.
He was not ready or willing to leave Aria behind.
He was not ready or willing to say goodbye to her.
He was not ready or willing to lose her.
He loved her more than anything in the world.
He loved her more than himself or his duty.
He loved her more than life or death.
He looked at Aria, who was standing next to him, holding his hand gently. She looked at him with love and sadness, as if she knew what he was feeling and thinking.
She knew that he loved her more than anything in the world.
She knew that he loved her more than himself or his duty.
She knew that he loved her more than life or death.
She loved him too.
She loved him more than anything in the world.
She loved him more than herself or her destiny.
She loved him more than life or death.
She spoke to him softly:
"Jake, I know this is hard for you. I know this is hard for me too. I know you have to go. I know you have to do this. I know you have a choice to make," Aria said.
Jake squeezed her hand softly and spoke back:
"Aria, I don't want to go. I don't want to do this. I don't want to make this choice. I want to stay with you. I want to be with you. I want to love you," Jake said.
Aria smiled sadly and shook her head:
"Jake, you can't stay with me. You can't be with me. You can't love me. You have a duty to fulfill. You have a destiny to follow. You have a world to save," Aria said.
Jake frowned angrily and pulled her closer:
"Aria, I don't care about my duty. I don't care about my destiny. I don't care about my world. I care about you. I care about us. I care about our world," Jake said.
Aria sighed deeply and kissed him gently:
"Jake, I care about you too. I care about us too. I care about our world too. But we can't be selfish. We can't be reckless. We can't be foolish. We have to be noble. We have to be brave. We have to be wise," Aria said.
Jake shook his head stubbornly and hugged her tightly:
"Aria, being noble is not worth it if it means losing you. Being brave is not worth it if it means hurting you. Being wise is not worth it if it means leaving you," Jake said.
Aria looked into his eyes deeply and whispered:
"Jake, being noble is worth it if it means saving our worlds. Being brave is worth it if it means facing our enemies. Being wise is worth it if it means fulfilling our destiny," Aria said.
Jake looked into her eyes deeply and whispered back:
"Aria, what is our destiny? Is it to fight and die for our worlds? Or is it to live and love for each other?" Jake asked.
Aria closed her eyes and whispered back:
"Jake, I don't know. I wish I knew. I wish we could have both. But we can't. We have to choose. And we have to choose now," Aria said.
They opened their eyes and looked at each other. They saw that they were both torn and conflicted by their choice. They saw that they were both scared and worried about their future. They saw that they were both hurt and betrayed by their fate. They saw that they were both alone and lost in this strange world.
They also saw that they were both still attracted and affectionate towards each other. They saw that they still cared for each other and wanted to help each other. They saw that they still shared a bond that transcended their differences. They saw that they still loved each other in this strange world.
They reached out for each other and held each other tightly. They comforted each other and reassured each other. They apologized to each other and forgave each other. They confessed their feelings for each other and kissed each other.
They decided to make their choice in this strange world. They decided to face the truth and deal with it. They decided to overcome the challenges and conflicts. They decided to fulfill their destiny and save their worlds.
They decided to love each other in this strange world.
They were Jake and Aria, son of James, daughter of Orion, explorers of Earth and Atlantis, who had been waiting for each other all their lives.
They made their choice.
They chose to stay together in Atlantis.
They chose to live together in Atlantis.
They chose to rule together in Atlantis.
They chose to love together in Atlantis.
They were the chosen ones of Atlantis.
They were the king and queen of Atlantis.
They were Jake and Aria, son of James, daughter of Orion, explorers of Earth and Atlantis, who had been waiting for each other all their lives.