I was suddenly aware that I was glowing. I know, not your average night. I panicked for a few seconds. Trying to peer at the brand-new limbs I'd sprouted. Then Peri, my voice of reason, chomped down on my ear.

"Chill, you're just projecting. It's leftovers from the energy Apophis spilled into you," he explained.

"This is..." I stared at the pair of small green and blue wings on my back, they looked like Peri's, "this is that thing Percy told me about! Astral...? Astral something."

"Astral fauna projection, yeah. We shouldn't be able to do this yet but, Apophis is pretty powerful."

I stopped admiring the little claws on my feet and started to feel sick. "I want to stop."

"Just wait a bit, it's almost out of our system. This type of magic burns like hay." Peri laughed weakly. He was snuggled against Eryan's bag, about to fall asleep from exhaustion.

The grass moved in front of me, and I realized Apophis was gone. Eddie had given her a cane, and stood by her to make sure she didn't fall as she limped away. He looked back at me as I shone, his eyes drawn by my light. He stopped moving.

I found myself stumbling towards him. My knees shook with every step, but still, somehow, each step was light and full of air. I felt like a newborn wolf pup walking on clouds. Then just as Peri promised, it faded away and I was hit with a wall of dull pain. I fell to the ground, tears squeezed out of my eyes as the rocks dug into my knees. I crawled towards Eddie.

"Fight me," I commanded, though it came out more like a squeak.

Eddie sighed, then fell into a stance. "Let's just get this over with."

I rose to my feet, trying my best not to fall over. Eddie glared at me, like he wanted nothing more than to knock me out and set the field on fire. I stood up straight, and tried to look intimidating. I sucked in a deep breath, took one step, and fell forwards.

Eddie caught me.

"What are you—get off!" He grunted, as my fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt.

I squeezed the las bit of my power into his body, and clutched him tightly in my arms. Eddie gasped, and stopped trying to pry me off. I leaned back, holding onto his arms for support. Something was happening where our hands touched. Flames licked both of our fingers, but they with bright green. I could feel... everything. His pain, his longing, his deepest cravings. Everything in his heart was reflected in mine, like a mirror. I did my best to reflect back love.

I glanced up, and saw tears streaming down his face.

They left clean streaks on his dirty face, and dirty heart. I held him like he was made of crystal. My head buzzed from the effort, but I refused to let go. I can do this, I can heal everyone.

"Ellie, come on!" Apophis yelled at him, annoyed.

Eddie let out a pained choking noise, then pushed me away. I fell back down to my knees, still buzzing with the connection I'd made between us.

I smiled, and as always, passed out.