The Forsaken Hero

Following the mishap, I took a few minutes to examine the Mirror Sphere with the Eyes of Fate, only relaxing when everything seemed in order. ”Looks like the spell worked.”

”I’d say,” Korra laughed, walking over to me. ”I wasn’t expecting something like that.”

”I’m sorry. I tried to tell you, but-”

”I know,” she held up her hands, ”I kind of jumped the gun. But it was exciting, at least. I can’t remember the last time I was put in a corner that easily. That chaotic magic effect is especially terrifying.”

”But the spell only works on magic, so I’m still helpless against martial combat. I doubt it would be too effective if the enemy knows about it, either.”

”Don’t sound so cynical,” she chided, ”It’s only natural it can’t do everything, but that doesn’t stop it from being any less impressive. Judging by its performance, it might even be able to reflect sixth, and potentially seventh-circle magic.”

”Do you really think so?” I asked hopefully. The thought that my magic could reach that high despite my current strength felt optimistic, but a small thrill ran through me all the same. If it was true, then wouldn’t I be able to help Soltair, even at his level?

”Well, there’s only one way to know for sure,” Korra said, leaping back and raising her hand again.

I tilted my head, watching in confusion as she began chanting again. She couldn’t seriously think to cast a sixth-circle spell, right? Even if Mirror Sphere was strong, sixth-circle magic was on an entirely different level. Doubt knotted in my stomach, and I paled as her magic circles winked in around here.

”Glacial Lance!” She cried, completing the spell after a few seconds.

. I nearly tripped, blood draining from my face. Glacial Lance? That was the improved version of her previous spell, save it was significantly more powerful. I’d heard it boasted the highest attack power out of any sixth-circle water magic!

I lacked the mana to cast a spell. Not that anything I knew would make a difference, but the extra layer of helplessness squeezed at my heart. My eyes widened in horror as the six magic circles combined into one, their light turning glacial blue. An impossibly dense shard of ice emerged from the circle, sticking out like it was leaving a portal. After a breath of hesitation, it disappeared. My every instinct screamed in terror, but before I could react, a tremendous force struck my defenses. A thunderous crack split the air, and I cried out, clutching my ears as cracks spread out along the entire surface of the sphere.

As I braced myself to death, the sphere released a pulse of light, and the pressure exerted by the ice lance disappeared. The very air trembled as it twisted, impossibly inverting itself to point at Korra. I knew just how terrifying the might of the spell was, yet Korra looked unconcerned. Instead, she smiled and clapped joyfully, like a small child.

”Beautiful!” she cried, waving her hand. The Glacial Lance glowed white and vanished. Fear gripped me as I closed my eyes, unwilling to see Korra struck by the unstoppable force.

After a tense moment, nothing happened, and I cracked my eyes open to see Korra watching me with concern. ”Is everything alright?”

”Korra!” I gasped running forward and throwing my arms around her. ”I-I thought you were...”

She chuckled, reassuring me with a tight squeeze. ”Dead? You said it yourself. What kind of Water Hero would I be if a mere water spell could take me out?”

Her confidence caught me off guard, but I couldn’t deny her words. Despite the magnitude of the attack, she was hugging me, unharmed. ”But your magic. I thought you couldn’t use it.”

”Oh, that’s what worried you? It caught me by surprise the first time, but I wouldn’t have reacted so recklessly if I couldn’t nullify it.”

Nullify? I tilted my head, unable to recall ever hearing that concept before. Before I could ask, she gently pushed me away, and I blushed, realizing I was still clinging to her. ”S-sorry.”

”I don’t mind. You kind of remind me of a little sister, actually.”

”Little sister?” I mumbled, my mind going blank.

”Not in a bad way,” She said hurriedly, ”But like family. Ever since the banquet, I’ve felt like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I think some of the other heroes noticed too... Alex even asked me out, for some reason. As if he doesn’t have enough women crawling into his sheets already,” she snorted. ”It’s not...”

Family. The word reverberated in my ears, and I failed to hear anything after that. At first I instinctively rejected the notion. The only family I’d ever had rejected me as a child, damning me to a hopeless life of abuse and suffering. But maybe, if it were Korra... it would be alright. Like a blanket, peace settled over my mind, chasing away the cynical whispers that warned me away.

”...and-Xiviyah? Are you alright? Why are you crying?” I blinked as Korra grabbed me by the shoulders, feeling a solitary tear trickle down my cheek. Her eyes shone with concern, and I furiously scrubbed at my eyes, feeling my face heat up. An unbearable warmth stirred my heart, and more tears gathered in my eyes, spilling down and wetting my cheeks.

”It’s okay,” I whispered, continuing to wipe away the tears as they fell. ”I’m just-I don’t know.”

”Shhhh, it’s okay,” she murmured, drawing me close and holding my head against her breast. Her soothing, oceanic fragrance tickled my nostrils, and I squeezed my eyes shut, allowing the tears to fall. ”Everything’s alright now.”

She held me close for several minutes, stroking my hair and occasionally running a hand along my horn, waiting patiently until my tears finally dried. Whenever shame urged me away, the warmth in my heart would pulse and her arms would tighten. Surrendering myself to her embrace, I lost track of time and place. Only the peace in my chest and her encircling love mattered.

”Xiviyah,” she eventually murmured, ”I’m here for you. Even if the rest of the world turns against you, I’ll always love and support you.”

”How can you say that?” I asked, tilting my chin to look up in her eyes. Her words sent ghostly chills down my spine, a near echo of something Soltair told me. Yet, was he truly on my side, even now?”

”Of course,” she said, her smile illuminating the darkness of my thoughts, ”didn’t I say you’re like my little sister? That’s what family does.”

”Is it?” I mumbled, lowering my head and resting against her chest again.

”I promise. Now, I think I’ve been away long enough. My companions are probably starting to worry.”

I raised my head, reluctantly holding onto her as long as I could. She placed her hand on my cheek, brushing away a lingering tear with her thumb. ”I heard about the tournament. Even if you don’t participate, would you come to watch me fight? It’d help knowing someone like you is cheering me on.”

I nodded, unable to trust myself to speak. My heart continued to burn, filled to the brim with something I hardly recognized.

”Thanks. It’s in two days, and don’t be late.” she laughed, turning and casting a spell. The water vapors gathered under her feet, propelling her out of the arena. She paused, hovering above the wall, and waved, then stepped into the stands and vanished through an exit.

”Sister?” I murmured, pressing a hand to my chest. Could I truly rely on her? On another hero? After Soltair came so close to betraying me already? Although I knew I shouldn’t trust her, that ’love’ only made pain stronger, the feelings in my heart were clear. I raised my hand, staring at it before closing it in a fist. No matter what the future held, hadn’t I already decided to live the best I could now? Even if it hurt, even if I died again, I had to trust and care. Would I truly be any different from the demons if I didn’t?

Mana rushed into me, replenished after the long wait, and my eyes shot open, filled with power. I couldn’t only trust in others’ favorability. I needed to give them a reason to stay beside me. With that conviction burning in my mind, I began to cast.