The Forsaken Hero

”Korra, I really don’t think this is a good idea. This is exactly why Elinore warns me about you. I shouldn’t be fighting at all, especially when it’s unnecessary.”

Korra glanced at me, a smile tugging at her lips. ”Come on, Xiviyah, live a little. There’s nothing wrong with a little duel. You might even have fun!”

I shook my head, my tail twitching back and forth behind the bench we were sitting on. It had been doing that a lot lately, and I couldn’t help but sigh. I’d managed to convince them to at least let me eat something first, but the impending duel hung over my head like the executioner’s axe. I’d managed to stave off the offer initially, but the moment the soldiers heard I might be participating, it spread like wildfire throughout the camp. I had until we finished our meal to find a way to somehow convince everyone I wasn’t going to do it. But the mere thought of disappointing everyone after they’d fought so hard for me left me practically shivering with fear.

Korra leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed into my anxious eyes. ”Funny how the thing you’re worried about isn’t even yourself. Are you really that confident about beating Gayron?”

”It’s not about that. I can’t duel, Korra. I’m not like you, where I heal just a few minutes after the fight. I get hurt just being close to a high-level fight, much less actually facing the attacks themselves. Even if I survive, any stress on my body has a chance to make the sunpurge spread. It’s just too dangerous.”

She shook her head, clicking her tongue. ”I know you too well to think you’re worried about that. You really are worried about hurting him, aren’t you.”

I fell silent save for the anxious swishing of my tail, and she grinned.

”I thought as much. This could be a good chance to test out your new powers. It must be difficult to adapt to a seventh-level soul without having a chance to explore it to the fullest.”

”I guess,” I muttered, though I didn’t honestly believe it. My soul was the one thing I was most comfortable with, especially now that I’d literally rebuilt it from scratch. I hadn’t broken through to a new level, either, and this wasn’t my first time at seventh level. I already knew a seventh-circle spell and could probably cast it as well as I had before shattering my soul. Magic just kind of stuck with me, as natural as lacing my boots.

We both looked up as Luxxa sat on the bench beside me, her armored weight creaking the wood. Gith and Jenna were with her. Jenna slid onto my other side, and Gith stood near the head of the table, keeping a vigilante watch on the nearby soldiers.

”I agree with Xiviyah; it’s too dangerous,” Luxxa said, staring at Korra.

”Oh, lighten up, all of you,” Korra said, gesturing at Gith. We’re literally in the mess hall right now. No one’s going to attack us.”

Gith spared her a glance before returning to his watch. Jenna chuckled and leaned back, folding her arms beneath her ample breasts.

”It seems a little risky, but I’m with Korra on this one. And not just because Luxxa disagrees, but because I think everyone in camp needs a little distraction right now.”

”Did you have to mention me?” Luxxa grumbled, and then her face turned serious. ”As much as I hate to admit it, you might have a point. Many of our comrades are still recovering from the battle in the gate, especially those forced to fight the Undead Hero and their own countrymen. Seeing you fight would be good for morale, at the very least. Let them know their sacrifice wasn’t in vain.”

Jenna’s mouth dropped open. ”Wait, did you just change your mind? Is something like that even possible?”

”Naturally. You’ve just never said anything before with enough merit for me to do so,” Luxxa replied.

I giggled, causing them both to stare at me. I blushed slightly and rubbed my horn, but my smile remained. ”Thanks, both of you. If you think it means that much, then maybe it’s okay.”

”Great! I’m sure Gayron’s more than willing to take you on. I’ll go tell him it’s on!” Korra leaped to her feet, leaving her mostly finished bowl of stew behind. Before I could respond, she dashed away, leaving just the faint scent of the sea lingering in her wake.

”Always in a rush,” Jena added, shaking her head. ”She should learn to sit down and appreciate the simple luxuries of life. If you play your cards right, there’s always a man willing to do the grunt work for you.”

”Xiviyah, you should be careful,” Luxxa said, ”Gayron is strong. He and Korra have been sparring almost nonstop since he showed up in camp, and he wins at least one out of three. His abilities are strange but powerful, and the fact that he lost to you last time certainly wounded his pride.”

I blinked, shivering as I pictured a duel with a revenge-fueled apostle. Gayron was strong, and though he seemed harmless now, I didn’t trust him. What if he really was lying about his intentions and used the cover of a duel to try and harm me? Even if he accidentally lost control of his temper and went all out, I still didn’t have the confidence of not accidentally killing him. I’d done everything in my power to avoid using my mastery of fate to tear apart people’s souls, but if it were a matter of life or death?

My hands tightened into fists, my tail twitching. Elise needed me. There was only one answer.

”Can I fight with Fable?” I asked.

Luxxa shrugged. ”I don’t see why not. What do you think, Gith?”

The ranger blinked, taking his eyes off our surroundings just long enough to give me an appraising glance. ”Many rangers consider their soul-bonded beasts an extension of their power. Your tie with your wolf is different from theirs, but it is there all the same.”

”That’s a yes, by the way,” Jenna added with a grin.

”Oh. In that case, there’s nothing to worry about.”

”Sure of ourselves, are we? Careful, overconfidence leads to mistakes,” Luxxa chided gently.

Jenna rolled her eyes and stood, stretching her arms over hear head. The motion caused her chest to strain against her bodice, catching the eyes of the nearby soldiers. ”Lighten up, Luxxa. I think it’s good for Xiviyah to have little confidence. The gods know she needs it.”

A small smile made its way across my face as Luxxa stood to join her, the two bickering back and forth. I appreciated their two perspectives, and just chatting with them made me feel at ease. For a time, I felt as I did back in heartland, surrounded by friends and away from the burdens of this world.

Gith relaxed slightly as the two women left, his eyes straying back to my face. I felt, more than saw, his gaze and looked at him.

”Yes?”

He hesitated a moment before sighing, his shoulders sagging. ”Xiviyah, forgive me for my lax watch before. I brought shame to the Star Guard.”

I blinked, taking a moment to remember what he was talking about. ”Oh, at the gate? It’s nothing, really. I was safer inside Haven than anywhere else in this world.”

”Even so, I must...wait, Haven?”

”The name of that realm. I have much more to tell you about it, too, but I think it’s better if I save it for later,” I said, standing. I accept your apology if that’s what you want, but I don’t hold it against you. It was unfamiliar and strange, and anyone would have been uneasy.”

He shook his head. ”I’m not supposed to be just anyone. But if you say it’s alright, I’ll drop the matter for now. I won’t fail you again.”

”Thanks, Gith. I mean it. Now,” I glanced toward the field, where I could feel several powerful auras gathering. ”Let’s get going. I’d rather not delay this any longer than possible.”

He nodded, and we slipped out of the mess hall. I paused as we exited, finding Fable and Sari waiting for us outside. The foxkin had her arms wrapped around his neck, nuzzling his neck with her cheek. From the look of things, she had no intention of letting him go anytime soon.

Having noticed our arrival, Fable gently prodded her with his paw, but she was oblivious to everything.

”So soft,” she murmured, eyes fluttering in pleasure.

He looked helpless at me, and I couldn’t help but laugh. ”Sari, we’re back. Do you want to watch me spar with Gayron?”

Her eyes flashed open, and she jumped to her feet, Fable forgotten. ”Really? You’re going to do it?”

I nodded, and Luxxa folded her arms, watching the foxkin thoughtfully.

”It would be good for you to watch, Sari. If you truly want to be an adventurer, you should know what you’re getting into. There’s no better way to learn than to witness a high-level fight.”

Sari’s eyes grew wide as saucers. ”You mean it? You’ll let me watch? Isn’t it dangerous?”

I shrugged, a grin tugging the corner of my lips. ”Probably, but not for you. Or me, for that matter. Now, come on, let’s go. We shouldn’t keep an apostle waiting.”