The Forsaken Hero

Fyren arrived shortly after the curse demon died, landing in a smoking crater. He stood, wreathed in his flames in his demonic form.

”What happened?” he asked.

I explained the curse demons’ attack, and his face twisted in the infernal equivalent of a frown.

”Damn it. That knows you’re here. Or at least nearby.”

”What? But I didn’t sense him using any magic like that,” I said.

He shook his head. ”That’s why he doesn’t know your exact location. But from that demon’s words, they must have explicit instructions to seek you out. If it died...no one else could be responsible.”

”What, exactly, is it you wish to accomplish?” Zephyriss.

I bit my lip, rubbing Fable’s back. ”I...need to speak with Luke. He’s the only one who can promise to save the elves’ shards.”

”Is there nothing else?” she asked.

My fingers curled around a lock of silver fur. ”I don’t know. Neither you nor Fate tells me anything. It’s just one step at a time, and this is the next step. I think.”

Fyren folded his arms. His claws tapped on his scaly forearm, a harsh, ringing sound.

”As much as I hate to admit it, bringing the horde any closer is a poor idea. Rash’alon is aware of our coming and likely knows our relative location. His forces grow stronger with every hour, coming in from gates breaking all over the continent.”

”You’re worried about being surrounded?” Zephyriss asked.

”It’s a risk. A gate of ten thousand hitting us from behind as he leads an attack would throw our forces into disarray. Even if we outnumber them, he only wants Xiviyah. We’d have to kill every single one of them.”

”Why not have Xiviyah leave?” Evla asked.

The demons turned, regarding the apostle with sharp eyes. She took a small step back, tail twitching.

”I, er...I could take her to Luke,” she said in a small voice. ”The curse demon knows where our horde is, but not where she is.”

”Impossible. She’d have to travel alone, save perhaps Fable and Borealis,” Fyren said. ”Rash’alon’s evolved demons are familiar with the auras of every other powerful demon in our horde.”

”Indeed,” Zephyriss said, nodding. ”As I know them, so do they know us.”

”And that’s precisely why he wouldn’t expect it. Why would she leave all of her forces behind and head into the middle of a hostile horde? Evla asked.

”Because it’s suicide,” Fyren stated flatly. ”She’s good at hiding her aura, but a single slip will bring them upon her head.”

”Not if I’m with her. I can flout mine, covering anything that might escape,” Evla argued.

”And what if Luke betrays her?” Fyren asked.

Evla hesitated. She looked at me and swallowed hard. ”He won’t.”

”Perhaps, had you said that with confidence...” Fyren muttered. He shook his head. ”He’s hurt her once before. We can’t take the risk that he won’t do it again. Rash’alon is a master manipulator, preferring more to tempt and entice than overpower. We can’t take the risk he has something Luke needs, especially with them serving the same Emperor.”

”What does Xiviyah think?” R’lissea asked suddenly.

I flinched, staring at the ground as everyone’s eyes shifted to me. My tail curled over Fable’s back, warming from the friction against his fur.

”I...would it just be us?” I asked.

Evla said, ”And perhaps Borealis. But I’m afraid every demon in Luke’s horde knows of the Inevitable, and rumors would have spread amongst the curse demons, too.”

”Not even in his condensed form?”

She shook her head, and I tightened my grip on Fable’s fur. He whined softly, curving his neck and shoulders to look at me. Worry filled our bond, though from what side I couldn’t tell.

”I have to speak to Luke,” I whispered, softly petting his head.

”You’re not seriously considering this, are you?” Fyren asked.

Elise jumped in. ”It’s way too dangerous. You know how reluctant he was to accept the empire’s surrender. What would we have to offer to get him to leave shards alone? That’s the whole purpose of their invasion!”

”I don’t know. But we’ve come too far to give up now. Fate’s depending on me.”

”The same Fate you’re too frightened to speak to now?” Fyren asked.

I flinched as if struck, tail growing more agitated.

”Yes,” I said, lowering my head. ”But...I will.”

”You sound as if your mind’s made up,” R’lissea said.

I looked at her, trying to ignore the glares of the others. She alone smiled softly, giving me a slight nod. I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with air. It did little good–I deflated the instant I tried to look at Fyren–but I wouldn’t be dissuaded.

”You continue to surprise me,” Zephyriss said. Her feet touched off the ground, her wings of cloud fluttering. ”If this is your choice, I shall do what I can to aid you.”

A low growl reverberated in Fyren’s chest. ”No, this isn’t happening. It’s too dangerous.”

His words cut deep, smothering the little flame of courage in my chest. I wanted to curl up and hide, to say anything that would make him stop looking at me like that. Like I’d failed him.

Instead, trembling from the tip of my horns to the end of my tail, I slid off Fable’s back. I forced my feet to move, carrying me to his hulking form. Heat rolled off him in waves, reflecting his anger, his eyes boring holes in my head. I reached out, getting on my tiptoes, and took hold of the tip of his claw. It was hot to the touch, but I held him tightly with both hands.

A shiver ran through his body, his hand tensing. I winced as the point dug into my palm, drawing a bead of blood, but I pulled it close, touching it to my cheek.

”This is my choice,” I whispered, looking up at him. ”This is what I was preparing for. It’s why I went into that gate. It’s why I left the empire. Why I let Brithlite, Heartland, and even Westfall Village.”

”You don’t know how dangerous Rash’alon is. He’s destroyed entire worlds by corrupting the mortals there, never even lifting a finger himself. He would have anticipated this move already, perhaps even expects it. Luke might already be dead, or a pawn in his game. There’s a reason I had to persuade two demon lords to descend right now, to protect you.”

”Was it more dangerous than when an inquisitor cut my throat?” I asked, blinking as tears gathered on my eyelashes. ”I was a breath away from death, and so many other times, too. But you taught me not to give up, so long ago. I haven’t forgotten your lessons. And so, even if I only know one step, I’m going to take it. Please, I’m already so scared. Don’t make this any harder, or I...I....”

I sniffled, a tear trickling down my cheek onto the tip of his massive claw. Fyren’s claw shifted, growing softer. I blinked back tears, looking up as his form crumbled into ash. A warm, living hand took the place of the claw, cupping my cheek gently. I held it close, holding a sob as his thumb brushed the tear from my cheek.

Fyren, in his human form, sighed, closing his eyes. When he opened them, he was no longer tense or coiled with anger.

”You’re right, Xiviyah. Not about this plan, which is foolhardy and dangerous, but that this is your path to walk. I’ve guided you as much as I can, yet there were many times you’ve been forced to stand on your own, and survived regardless. If you’re making this choice, even after hearing my warnings, it’s my duty–no, my honor as one who carries the mark of fate to support you.”

A sob broke out of my throat, and I buried my face in his chest, hugging him tightly. He stiffened, looking anxiously at R’lissea. She smiled at him, gesturing with her arms in a circle. He loosened, hugging me and patting my back.

”Thank you,” I whispered, ”Thank you.”

Once the decision was made, there was little we had to prepare. I bid a tearful farewell to Fable, Elise, and R’lissea. The first two were reluctant to let me go, but R’lissea gave me a quick, decisive hug before gently moving me back, her hands on either of my shoulders.

”I’m proud of you,” she said, looking deep into my eyes. ”But just because it’s hard to do, doesn’t make it the right choice.”

”There are no ’right’ choices, are there?” I asked.

She shook her head. ”Not according to fate. Every choice made was the choice meant to be. But some choices lead to pain, others to growth, and some, even, to joy. I want you to be brave, but do not discount Fyren’s wisdom. He knows Rash’alon well. Too well, I think. Maybe they’ve just rubbed shoulders over the eternities, but something seems off. Just...be careful.”