The Forsaken Hero

”Oracle! Have you been well?”

Gathrin’s voice boomed across the bridge, welcoming us onto the central island. He stood in the center of the road leading to the main gate, gauntleted hands resting on the cross guard of his massive great sword. The point was driven into the ground, gleaming duly in the glittering starlight.

”I feel fine,” I said, giving the knight a slight curtsy. ”Thank you.”

”So respectful,” he said, grinning.

Haven stepped forward, squaring with the remnant. ”Lord Gathrin, it would please my lady if you referred to her in a more casual manner.”

”It would?” Gathrin scratched his cheek, then his eyes lit up. Ah, that’s right. ”I seem to recall you mentioning something about it.”

”Seven times,” Haven said. ”Every day since she woke up.”

”Really? I wasn’t certain she was being serious.” He leaned over, peering at me with a slight furrow in his brow. ”You ought to speak up a bit if you want to be heard.”

”S-Sorry,” I said, tail curling around my ankle. ”I just...I’m not good at these kinds of things.”

”Nonsense.” the remnant patted my head, startling a squeak from me. ”Considering your past and experience, you’re a wonderful leader. All you need is a little confidence. And stature.”

”That’s hard,” I admitted, fidgeting with my sleeve. ”You can lift a castle with one hand, but me...? I can’t even walk here without catching my breath.”

He pursed his lips. After a moment of thought, he crouched on one knee, bringing his hand to rest on my shoulder. I shuddered at the cool, smooth texture of the remnant, my tail curling back and forth. But something about his touch soothed my urge to recoil and shy away.

”Listen, Xiviyah. Strength is more than brawn and weapons. A strong man might lead through fear, but a true leader inspires others to follow them. It means courage, determination, and strength of character.”

”Those things don’t win battles,” I whispered.

”No, but if a powerful man could win by himself, what need would there be for an army? Battles aren’t fought alone, no matter what the stories say. In my prime, my skill in martial combat was nearly unrivaled, even among the other Archons. My skill in magic, on the other hand, was rather lacking. Were it not for my companions who supported that shortcoming, I would have fallen prey to mages weaker than myself many times.”

”A party,” I said softly. ”That’s why the gods called so many heroes. They wanted us to work with each other.”

”It’s not just the gods who have such foresight.” the remnant’s face crinkled in a smile. ”From what I’ve seen, you’re surrounded by those who compliment your abilities.”

Haven cleared his throat, staring pointedly at Gathrin. The remnant chuckled and shook his head, patting me on the shoulder before gently pushing me toward the city gate.

”I suppose I’ve rambled on long enough. The point is, you don’t need to do everything by yourself. Like Fate said, it’s alright to ask for help, and to lean on others.”

”You knew about that?” I asked, tail going rigid.

”All the usual gossip in this realm’s been around for millennia. It shouldn’t be a surprise new of anything remotely interesting spreads like wildfire.”

Haven laid a guiding hand on my shoulder, his warmth washing over the coolness of Gathrin’s touch. I hesitated, tail flicking as I bowed my head to the remnant.

”Um, thank you.”

He raised an eyebrow. ”For the gossip?”

I colored slightly. ”N-no, for what you said. I didn’t really know what Fate meant before, so...thank you.”

He returned to his sword, letting his hand rest on the pommel. ”Always a pleasure, little one.”

”Little one?” I mumbled as we passed into the city.

Haven smiled at me, and I shook my head.

”I’m not a star,” I grumbled under my breath.

The citadel was beautiful, but remained eerily empty. I pressed against Haven as I shivered, finding it much too similar to the abandoned city. There was street after street, home after home, all devoid of the life that should be here.

Flickering forms appeared as we approached the city center. Remnants gathered around, watching us pass and occasionally hailing me. Their eyes lit up when they saw us, but dulled when we were passed, and they continued their aimless drifting.

”It’s so...lonely,” I whispered.

As we reached the cathedral gates, I turned and gazed out over the city and islands beyond. A faint, incandescent ripple rolled through the realm, a mere echo of a shockwave. It wasn’t the first I’d noticed since leaving the inn, but only now did I have a chance to ask what had been on my mind the whole time.

”Where’s Fable at?” I asked, frowning slightly. ” I can feel him here, but...”

”I believe he’s sparring with Invica,” Haven answered.

I frowned. ”Sparring?”

”My Lady, regardless of your experience last week, you should understand that your wolf is driven by more than mere battlelust. You’re not the only one who understands your vulnerability.”

I sighed, rubbing my horn. ”I know, it’s just...” My voice shrank. ”I wish he were here.”

The corner of Haven’s lip twitched, but when I looked up, he was as expressionless as always. A slight blush colored my face, and I turned bashfully, brushing the hair from my face.

”N-never mind. Come on, I bet Fate’s waiting..”

Gentle white light radiated from the inner sanctum of the cathedral. As we passed through the doors, I stopped, lips slightly agape. The Shard of Omniscience sparkled like a prism, sending rays of multicolored light refracting in all directions. Ribbons of mana, some thicker than my arm, filled the air, weaving together in an intricate, if loose, mural. The mana was different than anything I’d felt before, giving a cold, sterile impression that raised goosebumps on my arms.

In the center of it all, Fate stood with her arms raised, fingers outstretched. Her lips moved silently, and her eyelids fluttered. Her eyes were vacant, staring deep into the heart of the shard. I opened my mouth to call to her before a remnant appeared in front of me, finger to his lips.

”Arantius?” I whispered.

The remnant moved to stand beside me, giving a nod to Haven. The spirit saluted and, with a small smile, dissipated. My heart lurched, but I withheld from reaching after him. He was already gone.

”IS this all true mana?” I asked.

Arantius nodded. ”It is. May I inquire for what cause you have sought us?”

”Something’s happening outside, and I’m, well...no one else is here.”

His golden eyes glazed over slightly, a faraway look on his face. His body lit up like a torch, causing me to shield my eyes. After a few seconds, the light faded, and he blinked, shaking the trance off. His eyes narrowed, and he dropped his hand to his sword.

”What happened?” I asked, tail curling back and forth.

”Stand back, little one.”

Fate’s voice caused my head to snap up. The currents of true mana continued to fill the room, but she’d turned to face us. She favored me with a soft smile before her eyes hardened, turning to the entrance. I shivered, rubbing my arms as the temperature abruptly dropped.

A brilliant light flared in the center of the sanctum, forcing me to shield my eyes. An overwhelming presence descended, filling the room with stifling pressure. I gasped for breath, thoughts wavering as it gripped me. My legs trembled, and I staggered, black dots bursting across my vision.

One of Arantius’s strong hands caught me, pulling me against his side. His blade appeared in his other hand, and his aura surrounded me, forcing the unknown pressure back. I sank against him, gasping for breath, my tail lashing.

The light resolved into a man. He was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in flowing white robes and a cloak of deep purple embroidered with golden runes. Like Fate, he didn’t possess a discernable soul, but his very presence warped the very air around him.

The god looked around with eyes that glowed purple, the same shade as laced the crystal enchantment. I shrank back as they passed over me, gripping Arantius’s arm tightly. This wasn’t my first time seeing this god or feeling his power. It was he who deceived me before, searching for his missing shard. And the same god who Nithalee claimed now wished to speak with me.

Magic’s gaze stopped on Fate, his lip curled in a sneer. ”To think you survived all this time in such a small, pathetic realm. It didn’t even take me a second to breach the dimensional wall.”

Fate’s face was a mask of tranquility. ”Magic, it’s been a while. I never got the chance to thank you for sparing my Hero before.”

The god inclined his head slightly. ”At least you haven’t forgotten your place. Even if our alliance was between equals, you are far from my match now.”

Fate’s smile actually widened slightly. ”Things are as they should be. Not even I could have predicted the path fate has taken. But as for you, I’m surprised you came here in your true body. Aren’t you worried I might be desperate enough to renege on our alliance?”

Magic snorted, folding his arms.

”You make it sound like you could threaten me. Do you think I would fear a few fallen archons and this child? You aren’t the kind to speak rashly, yet I...” He trailed off as his eyes flitted back to me.

No, not me, but the remnant I sheltered behind.

The room was silent as the two gazes met. Then, with the rudeness of a summer thunderstorm, Magic’s aura surged. A flicker of uncertainty crossed Magic’s face, but it was quickly replaced with fury.

”You!” he growled, summoning a staff of pure, purple light. ”How are you still alive?”