TALES FROM THE ARK [CORRUPTION OF THE CALAMITY TRIO S4 CHARACTER STORIES]

Story 2 The good witch Luz

[Takes place before chapter 15 shattered memories]

Luz sat in her dimly lit room, staring out at the dense, dark forest that surrounded her Earth house. The soft rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of crickets outside seemed distant, almost muted compared to the storm of thoughts swirling in her head.

Flashes of her battles in the Ark's core against Anne played like a reel behind her eyes. The chaos, the destruction, the sheer weight of responsibility pressed on her chest, making it hard to breathe. She winced, remembering the moment she was so close to victory.

"I was so close... The petrification glyph—it was working, I know it was!" she muttered, her fingers clenching the edge of her desk. "But Roman... somehow, he stopped it."

Frustration bubbled inside her, and without thinking, she slammed her head against the table she sat at. The dull thud echoed in the quiet room, but it did nothing to drown out her spiraling thoughts.

"I'm a failure," she whispered, her voice shaky. "Even with Layla's help... I don't know how we're supposed to win."

Her mind reeled with the overwhelming odds stacked against them. "How can we win? Roman has an army... a space station with a world-destroying cannon. And—three girls... three girls with the powers of gods at his command."

Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over as her shoulders trembled. "I failed the Boiling Isles... and everyone who lived there. I failed Hunter, Gus, Willow... Eda... King... Lilith... Amity... Emira." The list of those she'd let down felt endless, their faces flashing before her like ghosts.

But the thought that hurt the most came next, stabbing her heart like a knife. "But the one I failed the most is Ayzee..."

Her sobs grew harder, louder. She buried her face in her hands, her chest heaving with every ragged breath. "I'm a terrible mother... I couldn't protect her from those things Roman sent..."

The weight of guilt crushed her, making it hard to even lift her head. All the battles, all the sacrifices—none of it seemed enough. And now, the future felt darker than ever.

Luz's sobs filled the room, echoing off the walls as she sat hunched over her desk, her tears soaking the sleeve of her shirt. The weight of her failures sat heavy on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

The soft creak of the door went unnoticed, muffled by her anguish. Amity stood in the doorway, her brow furrowed in concern. She had heard Luz crying from down the hall, and her heart ached at the sound. Silently, she stepped into the room, her eyes never leaving Luz's trembling form.

"Luz?" Amity's voice was gentle, but it still made Luz flinch. She quickly wiped her tears away with the back of her hand, trying to compose herself, but the crack in her voice betrayed her.

"I'm fine," Luz whispered, her back still turned to Amity. "Just... just leave me alone for a bit."

Amity wasn't about to listen to that. She closed the door softly behind her and crossed the room in a few steps, kneeling beside Luz's chair. "You're not fine," she said softly, placing a hand on Luz's arm. "Talk to me."

Luz shook her head, her body still tense. "I don't know what to say... I've failed, Amity. I failed everyone. Ayzee... The Boiling Isles... everyone I've ever cared about."

Amity's heart sank, but she stayed composed, squeezing Luz's arm just a bit tighter. "You haven't failed anyone."

"I have!" Luz's voice broke, and she finally turned to face Amity, her tear-streaked face etched with pain. "I was so close, Amity! I was going to stop Roman, to stop everything. But I couldn't... I couldn't stop him. Now he's stronger than ever, with an army, a space station, and those girls... I don't know how we're supposed to fight back."