A Light in the Darkness

The group had found shelter in a small, hidden glade nestled between jagged cliffs. The wind outside howled relentlessly, carrying with it the chill of the mountain’s malevolence, but inside the glade, the air was still. A fire crackled softly, casting warm light on the weary faces gathered around it. Kyran remained unconscious, though his breathing was steady now, thanks to Jason’s intervention.

Annabeth sat near the fire, the scroll fragments resting in her lap, their faint glow barely visible beneath the shifting shadows. Her heart felt heavy as she turned the fragments over in her hands, her thoughts racing.

Jason sat across from her, his staff resting beside him, its amber light dimmed but present. Emmalyn and Annie were seated nearby, speaking in hushed tones about their next steps, though the weight of their journey seemed to stifle any real planning.

Annabeth felt a pull—not from the scroll, but from within herself. It wasn’t the first time she’d felt this pull, but tonight it was different. Stronger. Urgent. She set the scroll fragments aside and looked up at the others.

“I need to say something,” she said softly, her voice cutting through the quiet.

The others turned to her, their faces reflecting curiosity and exhaustion in equal measure.

“What’s on your mind?” Jason asked, his tone gentle.

Annabeth hesitated, her fingers twisting in her lap. “I know we’re all struggling with what’s ahead. We’ve seen so much darkness, so much pain. And I know how easy it is to feel like we’re alone in all of it. But... we’re not. I believe there’s someone greater watching over us—guiding us—even when it doesn’t feel like it.”

Emmalyn raised an eyebrow. “You mean... God?”

Annabeth nodded. “Yes. I’ve believed in Him for as long as I can remember. And even now, with everything we’ve been through, I still do. I believe He has a plan for us, even in this.”

Annie leaned back, her expression thoughtful but skeptical. “That’s a nice thought,” she said, her tone cautious. “But if He’s out there, why would He let all of this happen? The scroll, Wendee, the mountain—it feels like we’re on our own.”

Annabeth’s gaze didn’t waver. “I’ve asked myself that same question more times than I can count. Why does He let the darkness creep in? Why doesn’t He just fix everything? But I’ve come to realize that it’s not about Him fixing things for us—it’s about Him giving us the strength to face them. The scroll, Wendee, even this mountain—they’re not just obstacles. They’re chances for us to choose hope, to stand against the darkness, to trust that we’re part of something bigger.”

Jason watched her closely, his expression unreadable. “You have a lot of faith,” he said finally. “I’ve met many who lost theirs in the face of the scroll’s power. What makes you different?”

Annabeth took a deep breath, her voice steady. “Because I’ve seen what happens when we let the darkness win. I’ve seen people give up, lose themselves to fear, to anger, to despair. But I’ve also seen what happens when we don’t. When we fight back. When we trust that light is stronger than shadow, even when it feels like we’re drowning in it.”

Emmalyn sighed, her sword resting across her knees. “I want to believe that, Annabeth. I do. But it’s hard when everything around us keeps falling apart.”

Annabeth reached out, placing a hand on her sister’s arm. “I know it’s hard. But I believe God doesn’t abandon us, even when it feels like everything is crumbling. He’s in the little moments—the fact that we’re still here, still fighting. The fact that Wendee let us go when she didn’t have to. That wasn’t just a coincidence.”

Jason’s eyes flicked to Kyran, who lay motionless by the fire. “You think that was His hand too?”

Annabeth nodded. “I do. And I think He’s given us this moment, this chance to regroup, for a reason. Maybe it’s to remind us that we’re not fighting alone. That even when things seem impossible, there’s still hope.”

Annie was quiet for a long moment, her gaze fixed on the flames. “I’ve spent my whole life relying on myself,” she said finally, her voice low. “Trusting anyone else—it’s always ended badly. But... you really believe we’re not alone in this?”

Annabeth smiled faintly. “I do. And I believe that faith—hope—is what will get us through this.”

The fire crackled softly, and for a moment, the weight of the journey ahead seemed to lift. The glade felt warmer, safer, as if the darkness outside had been pushed back just a little farther.

Jason nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. “I don’t know if I have your faith, Annabeth. But I see the strength it gives you. And I think that might be enough for now.”

Emmalyn sighed, shaking her head with a small smile. “Well, if you’re betting on hope, I guess I’ll stick with you. Someone’s got to keep you out of trouble.”

Annie chuckled softly, though her eyes still held a flicker of doubt. “I’ll think about it. But I’ll admit, it’s nice to hear something that doesn’t feel so... heavy.”

Annabeth looked around at the group, her heart swelling with gratitude. “Thank you,” she said quietly. “For listening.”

Jason rested a hand on his staff, his amber light glowing faintly. “Rest now. We’ll need every ounce of that faith when we face what’s coming.”

Annabeth nodded, her heart feeling lighter as she settled beside Kyran. As the group prepared for the long night ahead, she silently prayed, trusting that the same God who had guided her here would continue to guide them through whatever lay ahead.