The Forsaken Hero

I awoke slowly, curled tightly in Fable’s encompassing embrace. My room had a bed, of course, but I found it impossible to sleep without Fable’s deep, rhythmic breathing and his silky fur tickling my face. His coat felt particularly soft and warm, and, still half-asleep, I nuzzled my cheek against his stomach, slowly building motivation to leave his embrace.

At long last, I forced myself to move, breathing out softly as I stretched my arms overhead. An unexpected chill crept across my extended arms, the cool air stealing down my skin and seeping into my core, sending a wave of goosebumps across my flesh. The year had longed moved into summer, yet this felt more like a brisk spring morning, an unwelcome echo of a season long past. Shivering, I dove back into Fable’s fur, breathing out a sigh of relief as his warmth surrounded me.

Faint trails of light seeped through the sheer gray curtains, painting the room in the subdued colors of the Heartland sunrise. It was early, so perhaps I could get away with sleeping in a bit. My magical training could wait, it wasn’t like I had anything else to do today.

Just as my eyes began to drift closed, they shot open, my breath catching in my throat. I sat up quickly, startling Fable from his lazy drowsing, a shot of panic dissolving the lingering lethargy of the night. There was one very important task I had today, something even more important than sleeping in, or even practicing magic.

Somehow, I extricated myself from Fable and stood, standing shivering in my nightdress. The white fabric was delicate and light, nearly sheer, and did very little to protect me from the morning chill. Taking a short breath, I quickly changed into something more suitable for the day’s activities, settling on a white dress with a simple red trim. Off shoulder, of course, as were all my garments, to ease the pressure on the Sunpurge.

”Isn’t it supposed to be summer?” I grumbled, plopping down on the bed.

Fable looked at me curiously, finally rising to his feet and padding over. He was large and sleek, almost ten feet long now, his dark horns lustrous and smooth, like polished obsidian. They were a little darker than my own, and I couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke them.

”Where should we look?” I asked, absently running my hand along his horns, marveling at how similar the curves were to mine. ”Do you think that field is still there? Or...did those flowers only bloom in the spring?”

For as quickly as I volunteered to find flowers, I knew very little about them, or where to find them. When I was still healing from the injuries I suffered after arriving in the Northern Continent, I explored the forest around the village. Apart from the stump in the clearing, one other place had stuck out to me, about a three-mile walk from the village. With any luck, there’d still be flowers there.

Lacing on my boots, I summoned my staff and slipped downstairs, Fable pacing obediently at my heels. The common room was empty, save for Bilev, who stood behind the counter polishing a mug.

”Mornin’, Starlight. You’re up early,” he said, smiling brightly. The pain in his eyes from the night before was gone, replaced with a cheery glint of expectation. Tana and Sorrin weren’t the only ones excited about the wedding, it seemed.

I nodded shyly, fidgeting with my staff. ”I’m going to look for some flowers. For Tana,” I added quickly, seeing his baffled expression.

”Ah, for the wedding,” he said knowingly. Then he reached under the counter and pulled out a small bundle wrapped in an unassuming handkerchief. ”Care for something to eat?”

”T-thanks,” I stammered, taken aback by the unexpected gift.

He laughed, pushing the bundle into my arms. ”Don’t act so surprised, you did live here for a few months, after all. It would be hard not to notice your tendency to forget to eat, especially when you had something on your mind.”

Turning a bit red, I stuffed the parcel into my spatial ring, staring at the ring for a moment before retrieving my cloak and drawing it over my shoulders. I winced as it whispered over the Sunpurge, and fastened the clasp with the broach Tana had given me.

”A bit chilly, isn’t it,” Bilev remarked, looking out the window. ”It’s a little strange. Perhaps there’s a storm on the way or something.”

”Yeah, and thank you,” I said again, bowing my head gratefully.

”Be safe out there. Just because our village’s been safe from monsters so far doesn’t mean they aren’t out there.”

I rested a hand on Fable’s shoulder. ”We’ll take care of them if they’re there. I won’t let anything get in the way of the wedding.”

He chuckled, picking up another glass mug and beginning to polish it once more. ”I suppose that’s true. Now off with you, I’ve held you up long enough.”

Bidding him farewell, I slipped out the door into the village beyond. The town was quiet in the early hour, and there was a subdued, melancholy feeling in the air, lingering from the devastation caused by the Circle. It was certainly cold, but as I passed the final houses and into the trees of Heartland Forest, the sun’s rays grew warm and pleasant, raising the temperature to something more fitting for a summer day.

A gentle breeze whispered through the ancient trees, rustling the dense canopy overhead and playfully tugging at my hair. The peaceful days I spent recovering in the village felt distant, overshadowed by the cruelty revealed by the Circle and Inquisitors, but the forest’s rich, familiar scent brought a sense of ease, a breath of fresh air amidst the worry consuming my mind since losing Sari.

Before I knew it, I stepped from the trees into a gently sloping meadow. Long, slender blades of grass tickled my legs above my boots, and vibrant splashes of color danced over the greens and yellow, thick blooms of blossoming wildflowers. Their mingled scent filled the air, a sweet, heady aroma that nearly overwhelmed my demonkin senses. Sunlight filtered through the break in the canopy, bathing the scene in a soft, golden glow, the warmth a welcome touch after the forest’s shade.

A contented sigh escaped me as I dropped to my knees at the edge of the clearing, reaching out to caress a clump of flowers. Their petals, like delicate velvet, brushed against my fingertips, sending a shiver of delight through me. It was just like I remembered all those months ago, though the colors had shifted with the season. Instead of the blues and yellows of before, vibrant reds, purples, and pristine whites painted the clearing now.

I gently plucked a droopy, white flower, bringing it close and inhaling deeply. Its strangely familiar scent tickled my memory, an unscratchable itch. Trithe’s face drifted through my mind, and a pang of sadness struck me. This must have been her favorite perfume, something she wore anytime she wanted to be with Soltair.

Laying the blossom down, I stood, my earlier joy slightly dimmed. Fable had found a comfortable spot in the middle of the clearing, lounging on his side, his tail drawing lazy circles in the rippling grass. For a moment, I longed to join him, to recapture the morning’s simple comfort, but shook my head. Tana was counting on me, and I couldn’t afford to waste a second.

Despite my conviction, my eyes strayed back to Fable, who let out a wide yawn, eyes closed blissfully. On second thought, if I hurried, there might be time for a quick cuddle and nap.

Motivated by the thought, I spent the better part of an hour wandering through the field, searching for perfect flowers. The meadow was far bigger than its cozy appearance warranted, a sprawling expanse of never-ending flowers. As soon as I a flower I liked, I’d spot another clump of flowers just waiting to be examined. Soon, my spatial ring held a wide assortment of blossoms, from wide purple petals shaped like bells to something that resembled a rose.

I decided to take a break after my stomach growled, informing me it was well past noon. Fable remained in his place, head resting on his paws, practically beckoning to me. I couldn’t resist the call and settled into the crook of his large body, nestled between his front and back legs. He whined at being disturbed but quickly shifted to accommodate me.

I rested a second, then remembered the handkerchief parcel Bilev had prepared, retrieving it from my ring. It contained a small loaf of fresh bread and a few thin slices of lamb, a staple meal for the local farmers and shepherds. It was mostly flavorless and was a tad dry, but when I was done, I licked the remnants from my fingers, making a mental note to thank the innkeeper later.

No sooner had I settled back, resting my head on Fable’s flank, than a thrill of unease ran through my soul. My breath caught as my mana writhed violently, and I sat up, pressing a hand to my rapidly palpating heart. Fable growled softly, shifting to a more responsive position, and my eyes darted about the meadow. Upon finding us alone, I closed my eyes and embraced my mana, rapidly weaving one of the spells I’d been working on.

”Detect Presence!” I cried softly, reaching down to touch the ground.

The fourth circle spell activated, releasing a pulse of invisible mana. The power flowed along the ground in a perfect circle, washing through the meadow and into the forest beyond, only fading several miles out.

Immediately, my eyes shot open, and I looked north, the direction opposite the village. Something huge and dangerous lurked there, merely a mile away, a monster with a soul no weaker than fifth level, maybe even sixth. Its presence was a foul taint on the delicate net of mana, reminding me of the chaotic fury of a demon’s soul. But what could something like that be doing this far away from the war?

Before I could move, five more presences registered in my senses, approaching from the eastern direction, toward Heartland City. They were each fourth level, but one in particular caught my attention. The soul was deep and complex, nearly as refined and powerful as mine own. The face of the individual eluded me, but the strange, unfamiliar pattern of their mana cycle and distinct affinity for water was unforgettable.

A moment later, a shiver ran down my spine, traveling out to the tip of my tail. I recognized that soul, having glimpsed it several times before.

”Why now?” I asked, getting to my feet, complaining to no one in particular. ”Would it have killed them to stay away for just one more day?” Sighing, I summoned my staff and nudged Fable with my foot. ”Let’s go. Let’s take care of these inquisitors before whatever that demon thing is catches up.”