A Flicker of Light

The chamber trembled with the force of Wendee’s power, crimson energy swirling violently around her as she raised her staff. Annabeth, Emmalyn, and Annie stood their ground, shielding Kyran’s unconscious body from the shadowy creatures that continued to surge forward.

The scroll fragments in Annabeth’s hand glowed fiercely, their combined energy resisting the oppressive darkness emanating from Wendee. But Annabeth could feel the strain, the weight of the battle pressing down on her. She knew they couldn’t hold out much longer.

“Annabeth,” Emmalyn called, her voice tight with urgency as she cleaved through another shadowy figure. “We can’t win this! We need a plan—now!”

Annabeth glanced at Kyran, his pale, still form a painful reminder of how quickly Wendee’s power could overwhelm them. She tightened her grip on the scroll fragments, her heart racing as she looked at Wendee, who stood at the center of the chaos like a storm incarnate.

“Wendee!” Annabeth shouted, her voice cutting through the roar of the battle. “You don’t have to do this!”

Wendee’s glowing green eyes snapped toward Annabeth, her expression twisting with anger and pain. “Do you think I have a choice? The scroll’s power demands obedience! If I falter, it will consume me completely!”

“You still have a choice!” Annabeth pressed, stepping forward despite the danger. “You said you used to be a protector—a healer. That part of you is still in there! You don’t have to let this power control you!”

For a moment, Wendee hesitated. The crimson glow of her staff flickered, and the shadows around her wavered. The conflict in her eyes was clear, a storm of emotions threatening to break free.

“You don’t understand,” Wendee said, her voice trembling. “The power doesn’t just control me—it’s a part of me now. Without it, I’m... I’m nothing.”

“You’re wrong,” Annabeth said firmly, her voice steady despite the chaos around them. “You’re more than this darkness. You’re stronger than it is. You just have to remember who you were—what you stood for.”

Wendee’s hands trembled on the staff, her grip loosening slightly. The shadows paused, as if unsure whether to advance. The crimson energy dimmed, and for the first time, Wendee’s expression softened.

“I...” Wendee faltered, her voice breaking. “I wanted to help people. I wanted to protect them. But I’ve hurt so many...”

“You can still make it right,” Annabeth urged, her heart pounding. “You can help us. Please.”

Wendee’s green eyes flicked to the unconscious Kyran, then to the group huddled protectively around him. The staff in her hands trembled as the crimson light faded further. The shadows began to dissipate, their forms melting into the darkness.

“You need to leave,” Wendee said quietly, her voice barely audible over the echoing silence.

“What?” Emmalyn asked, lowering her sword in disbelief.

“I can’t hold this back forever,” Wendee said, her small frame shaking as the staff dimmed further. “But I can give you time. Take him”—she gestured to Kyran—“and go. While you still can.”

Annabeth’s heart twisted at the sight of Wendee, her tiny figure almost dwarfed by the power she had wielded. For a moment, she looked less like a menacing foe and more like a lost soul, trapped in a battle she couldn’t win.

“Wendee,” Annabeth began, her voice soft.

“Go!” Wendee snapped, the crimson light flaring briefly before dimming again. “Before I change my mind!”

Annie was the first to move, kneeling beside Kyran and lifting his limp form onto her shoulders. “We need to take this chance,” she said firmly.

Emmalyn hesitated, her grip on her sword tightening as she stared at Wendee. “Are you seriously letting her go after everything she’s done?”

“She’s letting us go,” Annabeth said, her voice heavy with emotion. “That has to mean something.”

Emmalyn glanced at Kyran, then at Annabeth, and finally at Wendee. With a frustrated sigh, she lowered her sword and stepped back.

“Come on,” Annie said, already heading toward the tunnel. “We don’t have time for second guesses.”

Annabeth nodded, gripping the scroll fragments tightly as she followed Annie, Emmalyn close behind. She cast one last look at Wendee, who stood motionless in the center of the chamber, her staff dim and her head bowed.

“Thank you,” Annabeth said softly, her words barely carrying over the distance.

Wendee didn’t respond, her small frame trembling as the crimson light flickered weakly.

As the group disappeared into the tunnel, the shadows began to stir once more, the air growing heavier with the resurgence of Wendee’s power. But for now, they were safe—thanks to the flicker of light that still remained within her.

Far behind them, Wendee stood alone in the dark, the whispers of the scroll’s power growing louder in her mind. She clutched the staff tightly, her green eyes filled with tears.

“I hope you succeed,” she whispered into the empty chamber. “Because if you don’t... there won’t be anything left to save.”