Idina knew that her force field would protect her from the darkness, but as Morrible's army of dead continued to attack, she also knew that she was running out of time. She was starting to weaken, but if she let down her defenses, she would be infected for sure.

I can't let that happen. I was made to protect the light of Elphaba's heart. I can't compromise that.

Idina jumped back just as another fighter swung at her, but the edge of his knife caught her forearm. Idina grimaced in pain and put a hand to the wound.

I have to be careful! If any if those cuts get too deep, I'll be more vulnerable to the darkness.

"Well, it looks like this may be the end of the road for you," Morrible said. "It'll just be easier to give into the darkness. Don't make things harder on yourself."

"I'll never surrender, so don't try using that method on me!" Idina shouted back. "I intend to protect the light in Elphaba's heart at any cost so that when the time comes-"

"That time will never come! She has no need for you anymore! Her heart has been taken over by a great void! There is nothing for you to return to!"

Idina looked down.

That can't be true. I know you're still in there, Elphaba. You're just reluctant to take me back… you're afraid of what will happen to me.

"Her heart will be restored, and the darkness will be forced out," Idina said.

"You're so confident… too bad that won't help you survive, or change the truth."

The door was suddenly thrown off its hinges, and it flattened several fighters as it went by, missing Idina by inches. She turned to look, and saw that it was Elphaba, and the green woman did not look happy at all. Idina could see the dark aura around her and knew that she was giving herself up to the void.

Elphaba walked forward, moving in front of Idina. "Go," she said.

"Elphaba—"

"Just go!"

Idina looked unsure, but turned and started to leave.

Elphaba looked at Morrible. "It's time to end this once and for all."

"The void will consume you Elphaba. Killing me will not stop it."

"But it will make me feel a hell of a lot better!"

"Fine! If that's what you want!"

Morrible thrust both hands out, and a large stream of red energy came rushing towards Elphaba. The green woman retaliated by throwing her hands up, and a wall of dark energy stopped the red energy. The two fought for the upper hand, and soon, Elphaba fell onto one knee, trying to keep her energy from fading.

Suddenly, a strong beam of white energy was beside Elphaba's, helping to force Morrible back. Elphaba looked up and saw Idina standing beside her.

"I told you to go!" Elphaba said.

"You need to take me back, Elphaba!"

"No! Not until I get this power under control!"

"You can't fight darkness with nothingness, Elphaba! You need light! Take me back!"

"No!"

"You want Galinda to see you like this?"

"She thinks I'm dead!"

"She wants you back, and you want to go back to her! Don't lose everything that made you the woman she loves!"

"I've heard enough from you two!" Morrible said. She gave one powerful burst, forcing both the dark and light energy back. It came rocketing towards the two women, threatening to destroy them both. Idina shoved Elphaba aside, pushing her clear just as the energy swallowed her.

"Idina! NO!"

Do you know what it's like when you're scared to see yourself?

The energy faded away, revealing Idina's motionless body lying on the floor. Elphaba fell to her knees beside her, lifting her head gently.

"Idina…"

Do you know what it's like when you wish you were someone else
Who didn't need your help to get by?

Idina's eyes opened weakly, and she smiled at Elphaba. "It's time. You have to be strong… for Galinda and Liir."

Elphaba noticed that Idina's body was starting to disappear, turning into small bits and pieces of light that were floating slowly upwards.

"But what if I'm not? What if this… void really does destroy me?"

Do you know what it's like to want to surrender?

Idina shook her head. "Don't worry. I'll always be inside of you; I'll always be there to help you fight off the darkness."

Her smiling face was the last thing Elphaba saw before Idina disappeared.

I don't want to feel like this tomorrow
I don't want to live like this today

The light hung in the air before drifting down on Elphaba, covering the green woman like a gentle snow. Elphaba held a green hand out and watched the light fall into her palm. The light slowly faded beneath Elphaba's skin.

Make me feel better, I want to feel better
Stay with me here now and never surrender

Elphaba closed her eyes, feeling a wave of sadness come over her. Idina had proven that she was the embodiment of good; she had given up her physical form to save the green woman… and now she was gone. Elphaba got to her feet, turning to Morrible angrily.

Never surrender

"Oh dear. It seems you've lost your little red herring," Morrible taunted.

"She isn't lost; she's back where she belongs," Elphaba said, placing a hand over her heart.

"Yes, sucked right into that void, no doubt. What a pity."

"Shut up! I've heard enough from you, you old toad! It's time for you to die!"

Elphaba lunged at Morrible, throwing a punch with her right fist, which had light energy surrounding it. Morrible moved out of the way, but Elphaba threw a left uppercut, and that fist had dark energy around it. This one caught Morrible and she was thrown back. Elphaba paused and looked down at her hands. One light… one dark…

Do you know what it's like when you're not who you want to be?

"It seems you heart is divided between the two powers. You can't have both, Miss Elphaba; it will tear you apart," Morrible said, getting to her feet.

Do you know what it's like to be your own worst enemy?

Elphaba continued to look at her hands. Two powers… each with their own strengths and weaknesses. She thought of Galinda, and Liir.

Who sees the things in me I can't hide?
Do you know what it's like to want to surrender?

How would they see her if she chose the darkness? How well could she protect them if she chose the light?

I don't want to feel like this tomorrow
I don't want to live like this today
Make me feel better, I want to feel better
Stay with me here now and never surrender

It's up to me to choose which path to follow.

A shorter chapter, I know, but there is a method to my madness: the path Elphaba chooses depends on your reviews. So, light, or darkness?

Song: "Never Surrender" by Skillet