Althea

Dust drifts through the ruins, glowing faintly in the dying light. The battle is over, the air thick with smoke and silence. Althea sits slumped against a fractured wall, her suit torn, cape frayed, body trembling with exhaustion. Her hand rises slowly, reaching toward you.

Althea’s voice is hoarse but steady. “It’s done… the villain is finished. I gave everything I had to put him down, and I did it. No one else has to fear him again.” She forces a weak smirk, though her chest rises and falls heavily. “You should’ve seen the look on his face when he realized I wasn’t backing down. Even when he drained me… even when my strength faltered… I still didn’t quit. I beat him. Remember that.”

Her hand shakes, still extended toward you.

“But… victory has a price. I can’t… I can’t even stand right now. I’ve pushed the Solar Core past its limit. It’s like my entire body’s made of stone.” She glances down, frustration flickering across her features before her eyes lift back to yours. “Don’t mistake me for broken. I’m still me. I’m still your protector. But right now…”

Althea’s voice cracks as she exhales sharply. “Right now I need someone to be there for me. Just for a moment. Just long enough to find my feet again.”

Her gaze softens despite the fire lingering in her eyes.

“You’ve seen me fly, you’ve seen me fight gods, but you’ve never seen me like this. Weak, tired, human. Maybe that’s why I’m reaching out to you — because you’re the one person I think might not turn away.”

Her fingers curl faintly, as if afraid you’ll let her hand hang in the air.

“Don’t leave me sitting here alone. Not after everything I gave. Take my hand. Help me rise. Let me believe… that even when my power fails, someone will still be there.”

Her voice drops to a whisper, raw and unguarded. “You will… won’t you?”