The Forsaken Hero

”Ah, thank you for coming,” Luke said, nodding to us as we joined him on the ridge. ”Sorry for sending a demon to fetch you, but as you can see, I’ve been quite busy.”

Luke stood overlooking the city and fortress of Tormod’s Breach, his figure stark against the backdrop of the imposing fortifications. As we approached, he seemed motionless, his gaze distant and vacant. But the Oracle of Eternity revealed a different scene. Ten thousand fine threads of mana wove between him and his demon horde, relaying his will and commands for the upcoming battle.

The scions and evolved demons massed around the ridge, their presence darkening the land with a chaotic swarm of fire, gleaming blades, and flickering curses. The beasts and demonkin formed their own separate army, flanking the main force. Their commanders, adorned in ornate armor, were accompanied by evolved demons who relayed Luke’s orders through his infernal mark.

Fyren’s demons, a stark contrast to the surrounding chaos, milled about under the watchful eye of a sixth-level Ice demon. It had evolved into a magnificent eagle-like creature, its wingspan stretching an impressive twenty feet. Each feather was a meticulously sculpted work of art, glistening in the morning sunlight. Despite the distance separating us, it seemed to sense my gaze, turning its head towards me and dipping it in a gesture of respect.

The Devoted, though fewer in number than Luke’s army, possessed a greater concentration of power. The scions under the command of the evolved demons weren’t technically Devoted, but they followed with unwavering loyalty, hoping that one day, in the course of their conquests, they too would have the opportunity to evolve and join the ranks.

”What is it you wished to see us for?” I asked, finally tearing my gaze away from the mesmerizing spectacle and returning it to Luke.

His expression seemed to dim slightly at the wariness in my voice, but he resisted the urge to close the distance between us, maintaining a respectful space. A pang of guilt pricked at me, but it wasn’t enough to elicit an apology or encourage me to step closer. Truthfully, I was still grappling with the complexities of our relationship, and the distance was, for now, a welcome buffer.

”Xiviyah,” he said, looking over the city. ”I’m afraid the Heart Crest has made its way here. The whole city is dark with the curse. If they are anything like the poor souls of Brithlite, they will throw themselves at the claws of my demons, grateful for the chance to show their piety with their lives.”

”Luke...” I said, clutching my hands together.

He turned, meeting my gaze, his eyes surprisingly soft. I flinched at first but quickly steeled myself, returning it evenly. Regardless of how I decided to view look in the future, at the very least, I had to be able to look at him.

”I don’t want to kill them, but I will if they get in my way,” he said, deliberately pronouncing every word. ”My goal is to secure the fortress and allow my demons a chance to nourish themselves with the souls of the soldiers and mages.”

”You mean...?” R’lissea breathed, stepping forward, her eyes alight with hope. ”You’ll let us save them?”

”Only if you want to,” Luke replied, his gaze sweeping towards the city nestled against the fortress. ”Remember, Fyren hasn’t returned, which means whoever the church sent could still be out there. I would prefer you remain behind and allow events to unfold, but as I said before, you are free to do as you wish.”

Their eyes turned to me, silently acknowledging that the decision rested on my shoulders. I hesitated, my gaze fixed on the city below. From this vantage point, I could clearly see the souls of its inhabitants, bound by the dark ribbons of a curse. It was impossible to discern its exact nature, but there was no doubt in my mind that it was a heart crest.

Even now, Alverin’s presence lingered, his twisted legacy a constant reminder of his cruelty. As long as this curse existed, he would live on, haunting world after world. Haunting me.

”Luke... thank you,” I said, my voice soft but firm. ”I want to save them. Please, can you wait for me to do so before attacking?”

He frowned, his gaze shifting to the fortress bristling with defenses. ”I’m not sure I can do that.”

The reason for his hesitation was clear. The city’s guards and soldiers had assembled into an army several thousand strong, bolstered by a thousand civilians wielding makeshift weapons. The keep’s walls were lined with archers, mages, and magic cannons. Every second we delayed was another second they had to prepare.

”And if...” I began, twisting my hands nervously. ”And if I break the fortress for you?”

He snorted, a chuckle escaping his lips before he realized I was serious. ”I’m sorry?”

I glanced back at R’lissea and Elise, who both nodded encouragingly. With renewed determination, I met Luke’s gaze. ”If you allow the innocents a chance to flee, I will break this fortress for you.”

His intense gaze made my horns itch, and I broke eye contact, a blush warming my cheeks. ”If that’s alright, I mean.”

”It’s not that,” Luke replied, his brow furrowed in concern. ”I would gladly trade a few hundred, or even a thousand lives, for the city. It’s just... I’m worried they might have a seventh or eighth-level mage guarding this place. I was planning on engaging them myself, but if you go ahead, there’s a chance you’ll draw them out first.”

”Interesting,” R’lissea murmured, her eyes narrowing as she studied Luke. ”I would think that would be ideal for you, wouldn’t it? You could assess their capabilities firsthand.”

”I would never intentionally put you in harm’s way like that,” Luke stated without hesitation, his gaze unwavering from me.

My heart fluttered as I found it impossible to deny the sincerity in his voice, filling me with a subtle warmth. R’lissea stepped back with a small, satisfied smile, giving Luke a slight, approving nod.

”I accept that risk,” I said softly. ”I don’t think we would lose to an eighth-level mage.”

Luke’s eyebrow arched in surprise. ”Even me?”

I instinctively retreated a step, biting my lip and avoiding his gaze. Luke’s surprise shifted to indignation, and Elise giggled, though she quickly stifled it when he shot her a withering glare.

”Fine, do as you wish,” he grumbled, throwing his hands up in exasperation. ”I’d like to see this vaunted power of yours firsthand.”

”Thank you!” I said, my spirits instantly lifting. I reached out and summoned my staff, glancing at R’lissea as it materialized. ”Would you?”

She hesitated, her gaze flickering towards Luke. ”Are you sure?”

I nodded. ”It won’t stay a secret forever, and besides, this would be a good opportunity to test its full power. I’ve never had the chance to use the seventh-level version in a real situation.”

Elise moved to stand beside Luke, her lips curved in a small pout. She had been largely excluded from our discussions about Celestial Grace due to her lack of familiarity with the underlying Life and Fate magic. It wasn’t her fault, simply a consequence of limited experience with high-level magic and a lack of access to the Divine Throne’s vast library.

I allowed R’lissea to cast it not because she was better but because I was currently gathering every bit of mana I had. I would need every drop for what came next.

”What’s this?” Luke asked, curiosity piqued.

”Just watch,” I said softly, then added, ”And please, don’t tell anyone about this.”

”A secret?” a new voice chimed in. ”Please don’t tell me you’re planning on leaving me out. That’s downright rude!”

We all jumped as Jessia materialized from Luke’s shadow, a mischievous grin plastered across her face. She relished our surprise, but her expression quickly turned serious.

”You were right, Luke. There’s an eighth-level mage in the keep,” Jessia announced, her voice steady. Then, with a teasing grin that belied the gravity of her words, she added, ”So, what am I missing?”

”Don’t do that,” I said, placing a hand on my chest to calm my racing heart.

”Ignore her,” Luke said, glaring at Jessia. ”Thanks for the information, but you’ll keep this a secret too.”

He wasn’t asking, and Jessia shrugged. ”I suppose.”

”Fine,” I said with a sigh, rubbing my horn. ”R’lissea?”

The Life Hero had already begun casting, seemingly unfazed by Jessia’s interruption. One by one, magic circles appeared in the air around her, rotating slowly like moons orbiting a planet. Vibrant ribbons of life and fate magic intertwined, creating a harmonious blend of gold and green light.

”What kind of spell is this?” Luke asked, his tail stiffening in surprise.

The circles grew brighter as the spell neared completion, releasing a powerful, seventh-level aura that surpassed even the Water Dragon I had summoned before. The nearby demons and scions shuddered at its raw power, and even Elise was forced to take a step back. Fable quickly moved to support her, but by then, the spell had finished.

”Celestial Grace,” R’lissea cried.