The Forsaken Hero

At the Orion’s directive, Joel’s face tightened. He looked about to protest, but with another glance at me, he slumped and nodded. He begrudgingly cleared his throat and met my eyes.

”Very well. In all our years patrolling this canyon, we’ve never once heard whispers of a sixth-level crawler. Even fifth-level crawlers require an entire battalion to face, so how is it possible you and this...Korra defeated such a monstrosity on your own? Please be accurate in your accounting. Even the smallest detail could prove useful.”

I sat back on my hands and stared at the sky, recalling the moment the dreadful creature exploded out of the ground. After a moment to collect my thoughts, I turned and began to tell the story. It was much easier than sharing my experiences the night before had been, not only was it fresh in my mind but I had plenty of practice now. All of my hard work over the last few days was starting to pay off.

As I neared the end and detailed our strategy, the Orion raised his hand, stopping me. ”Forgive the interruption, but how exactly did you pin the monster down? You claimed your wolf did this, but I have a hard time imagining something so small controlling such a massive monster.”

I blinked and tilted my head, feigning confusion. ”But he wasn’t small?”

I smiled faintly at their confusion and continued, allowing them to think what they wished. I had no obligation to share every secret, nor would I.

A second later, Joel frowned and leaned forward. ”And how is it you managed to kill the monster? It’s bore several injuries, yet nothing grievous enough to be a mortal blow.”

”Korra killed it. She broke its shell and–”

”Sorry...broke its shell?” he asked skeptically.

I nodded, and the look of inequality on both of their faces only deepened.

”My lady,” the soldier said hesitantly, ”Such a claim seems rather outlandish when you’ve fought as many crawlers as we have. Not even Bethiv can break its shell–and we’ve only fought fifth-level crawlers. To crack the carapace on a sixth-level crawler...you’d have to be at least seventh-level.”

I shrugged and gazed at them solemnly. ”We disabled its ability and broke its shell. That provided an opening for Korra to land a magical technique and kill it in one blow. It was like...shouting in a cave. Her magic bounced off the shell like an echo, destroying its vulnerable organs. That was when she...she...It must have caught her with its mandible when it died. The cut on her back...”

I looked down at my hands, my tail twisting anxiously. Joel breathed a sigh and sat back, eyes far away and distant.

”Simply Incredible,” he muttered. ”To think such a thing is possible. It’s something right of a story. You’d think you two were heroes by the way you talk.”

I gripped my skirt tightly, and bit my lower lip, when a sudden bark of laughter from the Orion startled me. I looked up, eyes wide, just in time to see him smack the lieutenant on the shoulder.

”Heroes? Are you serious Joel? Lady Xiviyah was the literal Fate Hero before the church stripped the title and her god fell. Haven’t you been listening to the stories? She’s the one who took on the Demon Gate by herself and healed all the infernal corruption in our souls. The Final Star of the Last Light Company itself!”

Joel jerked up to stare at me. ”Infernal Corruption? Like...healed it? Is that even possible?”

His reaction was curious, but I brushed it away. ”You were there?” I asked Orion, my voice soft and tentative.

”Of course, my lady. Most of the original company is with Commander Bethiv at the Bulwark on the northern edge of the canyon, but a few of us remained behind to train the lads and get them battle-ready. The disaster at the gate left our forces cripples, and we’ve been spread thin since the first gate broke.”

”You’ve recovered well,” I muttered, casting a critical eye at his soul. ”I’d thought the corruption had scarred you all permanently.”

The corruption had been my fault. In the ice gate, I’d used the vast oceans of mana to drive back the demons. I hadn’t known any better, but my naivety almost forced us to pay the ultimate price. The chaotic mana had flooded the Nexus, tainting the souls of the entire Last Light Company and myself. If I hadn’t experimented with Fable and figured out how to distill the mana, our souls might have just collapsed, or at least been permanently crippled.

”Again,” Joel said, ”You can heal corruption?”

His gaze held such intensity I shivered and clutched my tail, finding relief in stroking the soft, smooth appendage. ”Y-yes,” I stammered.

Fortunately, he relaxed and even smiled faintly. ”I see.” A moment later he stood. ”That is all, Xiviyah. Orion, see that the recruits work through their morning regiment.”

”Of course, Lieutenant.”

Sparing me a final glance, Joel turned on his heel and strode away. Only when he finally ducked into the command tent did I allow myself to relax, sagging back and letting out a deep breath. I let my tail slip out of my hands and curl behind me, twitching with the rapid beat of my heart.

A second later, I groaned and rubbed my horn. Somehow, Joel had completely dodged my request to see Korra, and I’d been too timid to press the issue again. Why couldn’t I have been just a little more confident or assertive?

Orion chuckled, and I jumped, startled by the noise. In my relief that Joel was gone, I’d completely overlooked the veteran soldier’s presence. My ears turned red and my face grew hot, and I timidly looked at the soldier.

”So, even heroes blush,” Orion said, smiling faintly.

My hands tightened in my lap, and I looked away, the tip of my tail quivering in embarrassment. ”S-sorry. I, um, just...well, thanks...”

Orion glanced over his shoulder in the direction Joel had gone. ”Think nothing of it. He’s not all bad, that one. Simply has a high respect for authority and the chain of command, sometimes a little too much. But he’s honest and he has more integrity than I do gray hair. It’s why the commander placed him over this region in the first place, under Jackal’s supervision, that is.”

I ran a hand over my horn, closing my eyes as the familiar tingles raced through my scalp. ”He doesn’t seem to like me very much.”

”I can’t say he does, though that’s perhaps more due to your background than race. He’s not a native Brithlitian, actually, but came north with the Earth Hero. After the incident, he might just be feeling a little bitter about the whole situation. I mean, you were able to kill a sixth-level crawler, and the Earth Heroes is just...” Orion coughed and waved a dismissive hand through the air. ”Regardless, don’t judge him too harshly. To a strict, loyal man like himself, the fact that you’ve been branded a traitor and exiled is enough to condemn you, regardless of his personal thoughts. Not that he’d seek to enact judgment upon you,” he added quickly, ”but you can see where he’s coming from?”

I nodded slowly and let my hand fall back to my side. ”I...think I understand. Thank you for telling me.”

It was a lot to take in, but if Orion was willing to vouch for Joel, I could at least try and trust him. He’d been distrustful and even a little hostile, yet even when he tried to censure me, he’d maintained a decent level of dignity and respect. Just like an officer should for his subordinates, which to him, I was.

Without warning, Orion reached over and patted my head. His hand was heavy and calloused, but gentle. I went rigid at the sudden gesture, my eyes going wide.

”H-hey!” I squeaked and turned bright red, pushing away his hand and covering my head with my hands.

Orion chuckled, his eyes twinkling mischievously. ”Sorry, just couldn’t help it. You remind me a lot of my daughter when she was your age. She used to hate that too, but your reactions are just adorable.”

I slid my hands down my head and covered my face, desperate to hide my blush. Why did every old guy I meet say that same thing? It was embarrassing!

”You know, the lads told me they invited you to train with them,” Orion said, his voice growing more serious. ”It might not be a bad idea. I still remember your striking image in the ice Gate, overlooking the battle. I was one of the ones on the front lines, and every time I was about to give up hope, I looked up and found the will to fight. I could feel your resolve, but also your fear and sorrow, a reminder of all those we fought for. Your friend is lucky to have you waiting for her.”

”Korra? You know where she is?”

He shook his head, and my face fell again.

”I only know she was taken to the city to be treated by the healers. They’re adept at treating all sorts of poisons and have plenty of experience with crawlers. I overheard a report to Joel, and it seems they’re unable to cure her completely, but they’ve staved off death for now. Captain Jackal’s going to bring someone back with him from the frontlines who can take care of her.”

”Thank you,” I whispered. A weight left my shoulders, one I hadn’t known I’d been carrying. Korra was going to be alright. I looked up at him, my golden eyes shining hopefully. ”Can you help me see her?”

”That’s not my prerogative, unfortunately. There’s not a lot of trust for demonkin in these lands, and that city is no exception. I could get you in, but it would turn violent quickly.”

”Is it really that bad?”

He nodded slowly. ”Unfortunately, yes. This city was built as the waypoint through Blue Canyon. If we can’t stop the demons from advancing, they’re sure to make their way here. I’ve already heard of a demonkin slave being slaughtered in the streets under the accusation of being a spy, trying to gauge our strength. Given that this is the northern battleground’s headquarters, that’s not entirely unlikely.”

”Oh.”

My tail drooped, falling limp on the ground, and I stared at my lap. If Korra was safe, then there was nothing I could do anyway. My presence would only stir up conflict, which would be detrimental to her healing. Perhaps this really was for the best.

I let out a long breath and looked up, blushing slightly as I found Orion staring at me. He smiled and scratched his cheek, fingers rasping over his stubble.

”About the training,” I began timidly, ”If it’s alright, I wouldn’t mind watching.”