Elphaba's mind was racing as she left Zara's tent. The chosen one? The fate of Aethereia hanging in the balance? She felt overwhelmed, unsure of what to do next.
Aurora seemed to sense her unease and took her hand, leading her to a nearby stream. They sat down on a rock, watching the water flow by.
"What are you thinking?" Aurora asked, her voice soft.
Elphaba sighed. "I don't know if I can do this. What if I fail?"
Aurora squeezed her hand. "You'll never know unless you try. And you're not alone. I'm here with you, and Eamon, and the others. We'll face this together."
Elphaba looked at her, feeling a surge of gratitude. She was right. She wasn't alone.
Eamon appeared beside them, his eyes serious. "We need to make a decision. The darkness is growing stronger by the day. We can't wait much longer."
Elphaba took a deep breath, feeling a sense of determination rise within her. "I'm in," she said. "I'll do it. I'll use the crystal orb to save Aethereia."
Aurora smiled, her eyes shining with excitement. "Then let's get started."
The three of them stood up, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
As they walked back to the camp, Elphaba felt a sense of purpose she hadn't felt in a long time. She was ready to take on the challenge, with her friends by her side.
But as they approached the camp, they saw a figure standing at the edge, shrouded in shadows. Elphaba's heart skipped a beat as the figure stepped forward, revealing a cold, calculating smile.
"Well, well, well," the figure said, her voice dripping with malice. "Look what we have here."