Percy Jackson
The wasteland was dusty beneath his feet as Percy, along with Harry, walked back over to where the rest of the group was waiting. They all looked rather confused, even if some were attempting to hide it.
Once reaching them, Percy and Harry began to explain what exactly had occurred: how they'd seen the strange light source, traveled to it, and the strange tendrils leading outward which had been severed by getting rid of the light source.
"So, pretty much, they were all just projections. They weren't real," Percy finished, explaining the conclusion he'd previously come to.
The area was silent for a few moments, before Annabeth spoke up. "Well, if they weren't real, why were they here? And why were we send here to deal with it? I can't believe that it was Elyssae-Lydian's doing to send us away, not when the kingdom is under considerable threat."
"This brings up a point, though," Harry began, as if realizing something. "If this wasn't real, and therefore not a threat, where's the real threat?"
It was true. As Percy looked around, there was no sign of the supposed threat that had resided in the Iobystine Wasteland. "So either the entire kingdom was lying or-" Percy broke off, realizing something. "-they've already left."
Comprehension dawned on Annabeth's face as she spoke once more. "So we weren't send here to fend off an army. We were send here as a distraction. Meaning Primordia-" Percy, along with the others realized what she was saying. "-is undefended."
The traitor who had been mentioned back at the kingdom had gotten his way. He'd found away to lead away a large source of protection for Primordia, and then attack when they were weak.
"We have to get back," Percy said, narrowing his eyes in determination back at the mountains. He glanced down at the map they were given. "And I think I can find a shortcut."