"This… Sigh…"
If Zain's words were enough to stir his heart, the status panel notifications were the final declaration that revealed the truth of this newfound 'third choice'.
Rio finally realized that he was 'afraid' of change and was being a coward due to the possibility that he could lose his love for Lia forever, but this cowardice was also the reason he was being held back.
Rio needed to cast it all away if he wished to win the final gamble!
"I understand… I only have one way forward, and that is to gamble it all on the future version of me…"
The 'First choice' was to abandon all emotions and ascend.
The 'Second choice' was to abandon ascension and retain whatever emotions were left.
And the 'Third Choice' that Rio had created anew was even simpler, 'Ascend first, ask questions later!'
