The Forsaken Hero

I floated through the darkness of sleep for barely a second before my mana thrummed within my soul, a thousand scathing needles seeking escape. Given time, its relentless throb would erode my resistance and I would be swept away into a vision, but this time, instead of fighting it, I relaxed and allowed it to flow. The surge that followed nearly jolted me awake, bubbling up until it spilled out of my soul, filling my entire body with suffocating warmth.

Bright ribbons of light materialized around me, rapidly weaving together in a tapestry of color and sound. Within the space of a single breath, spacious walls rose around me, covered in banners and murals depicting great battles and stone-eyed generals. A heavy stone table dominated the center of the floor, stained dark and inlaid with gold and some sort of multi-faceted gems. The precious stones blazed with mana, projecting a life-like, topographical illusion of a wide swath of land across the surface of the table.

Armored men and women clustered around the map, staring intently at small icons representing various things–troops, resources, fortress, etc. Servants entered through several thick doors, carrying scrolls or refreshments to the assembled leaders. More faces in priest and mage robes mixed with the generals. Advisors, perhaps. The entire room was as tense as a drawn bowstring, the air crackling with sharp, frustrated voices.

I shrunk back, overwhelmed by the sudden immersion into such a charged atmosphere, feeling like I had just plunged into a lake of hot water. Nothing about the scene felt familiar, save a few faces, which teased at my memory.

Before I could fully adjust, or even make an attempt to recall any details, a smooth, silky voice slid through the clamor, bringing an abrupt silence to the room. The voice sent a violent shudder through me, freezing me in place. No. It couldn’t be. Reluctantly, I forced my trembling perspective to shift, turning toward the face of the speaker.

”That’s quite enough of this fruitless debate,” Alverin’s words slithered over the room. He lounged on a throne gilded with gold, the metal gleaming like a serpent’s eye. ”We cannot simply abandon the northern lands. If the demons are allowed to expand, their powers will only grow. What is the status of the church reinforcements? Are we able to open another portal soon?”

I stared with disbelief at the man seated above the table, previously out of my view. His appearance was so unlike the manner of our first meeting that I doubted it was him, but the cruel glint in his eye and condescending voice was unmistakable. He wore rich, purple robes thick with gold trim and embroidery, the garb appearing even more expensive than the crown upon his head. A gold scepter rested in his right hand, a jewel-encrusted sword at his side. There was no denying it. Alverin Truthsworn, the Lord of the Circle, and...King of Brithlite.

The revelation staggered my mind, absorbing so much of my attention I nearly missed the small child at his feet.

Sari! My voice echoed silently in my mind, a cry of desperation that would never reach her.

The momentary relief of her presence vanished as I took in her disheveled appearance. She was pale and scrawny, dressed in rags, a thick iron collar clamped about her neck. Her tufted fox ears and tail drooped hopelessly, her normally soft, brushed fur torn and unkempt. My heart dropped in horror as her eyes dropped open, staring lifelessly around the room.

”What’s the report from the front lines? Is the Justice Hero holding?”

A general stepped forward, pressing his hand to his breast in a military salute. He had peppered white hair and a red strip across his burnished breastplate. ”The battle grows fiercer by the day, and as much as I’m loathe to admit it, without the Hero’s help, we might have broken already. After the tragedy at the double gates, the Last Light Company is all that remains of our main force. The recruits are still too weak to match the demons, especially with the growing numbers of third and fourth level evolved.”

”Milord,” Another general said, glancing up from a paper. ”We’ve taken unexpected heat on the western lines, particularly from the evolved. There have even been reports of a fifth level one that broke through some weeks back, though as there were no follow-up reports from any nearby villages, it’s been dismissed.”

”A fifth-level demon? How is that possible?” a high-ranking priest gasped. ”At this stage, such a thing has been declared by the gods as impossible.”

The first general cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. ”Milrod, perhaps it’s time we reconsider Lord Bethiv’s claims. Perhaps the demons truly are siphoning power from the gates. If that’s the case, we must petition the Divine Throne for–”

”That’s enough. I won’t hear of my brother any longer,” Alverin cut in imperiously. His glare swept around the room, resting on each face in turn. By the time it returned to the general, the king let out a sigh. ”But I cannot deny your words. We must face the truth, no matter how unpleasant, for only then will be able to conquer it. General, send your petition. Cornax, how is the crown prince faring?”

The second general who had spoken bowed low. ”His Highness is exceeding our expectations. His magic has recovered to its peak and has only continued to expand. It will not be long before he breaks into fifth-level.” The man’s face tightened as he delivered his next bit of news. ”He has continued to request his fiancée join him, sending letters daily. I’ve intercepted them for now, but I do not know for how much longer I can remain in secret.”

”Very good, and you may assure him his precious fiancée is in good hands. After the bit of trouble she stirred up among the beastkin, it became clear we just couldn’t allow her to remain active. I’m afraid my son will have to wait a longer, till she’s been properly trained for this court. Until then...” Alverin settled back on his throne, glancing down at Sari. His smile widened viciously, sending a shiver down my spine. ”It’s good to have a second bargaining piece. This one might not last much longer.”

Bargaining piece? If Sari was the first, then who was the second? The only other person I knew with a connection to Brithlite would be Elise, who was engaged to the...the...crown prince. My soul shuddered as I made the connection, everything clicking into place. Elise’s fiancee’s father was Alverin. What kind of trouble had she caused? If something had happened to her...no, that was ridiculous. She was royalty, and a human besides. The training must be referring to court etiquette or some other matter. It had to.

But Sari, on the other hand, was in much worse shape. The fifth-level demon they spoke about had arrived at Westfall barely a day or two ago. It would have taken several weeks to travel down from the northern lands above Brithlite, the same amount of time since the general heard of it. That could only mean this vision was one of the present, or at the very least, not far from occurring.

I nearly broke off my mana then and there, determined to return to my body and prepare to leave Westfall, but my mana tingled, pressing me to remain. I obediently settled down, waiting out the next few minutes as the king inquired more of the war. I didn’t recognize many of the names or places spoken of, but it became clear they were steadily losing ground.

At long last, as I was beginning to doze off, the Alverin let out a long sigh. ”Thank you for your reports, generals. Relay my orders to the front lines, and ensure our request for aid is sent to the Divine Throne. I would hear of the anomaly, next.”

An aged priest stood, bowing low. ”As you wished, milord, I have gathered the reports. The anomaly has steadily moved across the southern range of the kingdom, nearing the western boundary. The evacuation of the region has been successful thus far, and we’ve avoided significant casualties, but with our manpower strained with the war, I’m uncertain whether we’ll manage the entire city of Corridor. Additionally, more than a hundred small towns and villages are without the range of our magic, meaning we’ll require even more men to send warnings on foot.”

Alverin rubbed his forehead, his brow creased. ”Must these challenges never stop?” he muttered to himself before raising his voice. ”Do what you can, Father. What of the territory behind the storm?”

”Frozen over, completely. I’m certain you’ve noticed a drop in the temperature here already, a phenomenon we expect will continue as long as the anomaly is nearby. Reports state the difference is felt as far as the eastern border, and even the city of heartland, where it seems to be headed. The land behind the anomaly melts, but the unexpected freeze has killed the majority of crops, guaranteeing we will need to import even more next year.”

”Do we have any idea what caused it to move? Where is it headed?” An advisor asked, voice strained.

The priest shook his head. ”Angela, our ninth-level mage, is still investigating. Last we spoke, she said it was all she could do to slow its progress, and would likely need an entire company of ninth-level mages to destroy or stop it. As for where it’s headed, if it remains moving as it has, it should hit a little south of Heartland, likely destroying that entire mountain range and forest. Some time ago, I sent a company of inquisitors to investigate the city, perhaps find if something is drawing it over, but they haven’t reported in weeks.”

Before anyone could respond, one of the doors flew open, slamming against the wall. A soldier, dressed in the uniform of the palace guard, stumbled through, his eyes wide and shocked.

”M-milord!” he cried, collapsing on one knee and bowing low. ”T-the Earth Hero! He’s...he’s...”

”He’s what?” Alverin asked, tone sharp.

”S-sorry, milord. He’s heavily injured, and collapsed the moment we found him. Captain sent for a healer, but...”

Alverin’s eyes narrowed and he stood, reaching down to grasp Sari’s chain. ”Council dismissed. Soldier, lead the way.”

The clustered advisors and generals parted, allowing the king to stride through them. Sari stumbled along behind, nearly tripping as he gave a sharp tug on her chain. The world began to grow dark, breaking into ribbons of light once more. Desperately, I grasped my mana, willing the scene to return, to show me Levin, but my concentration scattered like leaves before the wind. My soul was weak and heavy, drained by the prolonged vision.

Within seconds, the vision was gone, plunging me into total darkness. My soul began to drift, too exhausted to maintain my consciousness any longer. As I slipped into sleep, one final thought burned within my mind. I’d found Sari, and nothing would stop me from saving her.