The Forsaken Hero

Two demons with ancient, incredible auras approached us, surrounded by an entourage of powerful demons.

The first was a blade demon, reminding me of Kahlen, Fyren’s follower. he was tall and broad-shouldered, with two long-handled axes floating in the air behind him. Their heads were crescent-shaped, each as long as I was tall. His actual body was literally just a suit of plate mail, with a shut visor. Two silver orbs floated where his eyes should have been.

The second was a fire demon, with a sleek, equine body. A single horn protruded from its forehead, glowing white like the hottest coals. Its tail and mane cracked and jumped like a fire, leaving a trail of embers behind it. Though he wore a bestiality shape, his eyes gleamed with cunning.

”Greetings, apostle,” the blade demon said, folding its arms.

The two axes hovered just over its shoulders, tilting so their blades caught the flickering light of the fire demon. There was nothing warm or welcoming about it. If anything, I felt the axes were watching me. Disapprovingly, even.

Luke glared up at the demon. It was a head taller than he was.

”And you are...?”

”Lord Bloodsteel,” it replied imperially. ”I’m surprised you do not know me.”

Luke shrugged. ”Rash’alon preferred to monopolize our interactions. I apologize for never making my way to your hordes.”

”Apology accepted,” a hot, crackling voice said.

I winced, touching my temple. The voice hadn’t spoken so much as sounded in my mind.

”Firemane, is it?” Fyren asked, ”Incinderus sends his regards.”

The horse’s nostrils flared, releasing a spurt of embers. Its voice sounded again. This time, I was certain I wasn’t hearing it with my ears. Some sort of telepathy.

”His presence is most...unexpected. As is yours, Lord of Ash.”

Fyren’s eyes narrowed. ”Care to explain that curse demon? You frightened the Oracle.”

The demon lords’ eyes landed on me. I shivered, shrinking against Fable.

”Her soul...” Bloodsteel’s glowing eyes widened. ”An aura? I’d heard nothing of this.”

”Rash’alon left his forces unorganized. We believe he selected demons in line with his mission to accompany him. It’s no surprise a few lashed out after his query,” Firemane said.

”And are you such demons?” Luke asked

The horse cantered back a step, ears lying flat. It shot an uneasy glance at Fyren. ”Don’t be absurd. I serve the Emperor, and the Emperor alone.”

”Her soul does look delectable, but my purpose is greater than a petty demon’s vengeance. I had no reason to interfere with Rash’alon, but as he’s gone, I see no reason to let his actions stand between us,” Bloodsteel said.

Luke’s expression didn’t change, remaining cold and aloof, but I felt him relax. For some reason, that made my tension loosen, too. Fyren gazed at the two avatars a moment longer before nodding.

”Then we have only one thing to settle,” Luke said. ”As it stands, the horde is divided. Rash’alon sought to challenge me for control of this invasion, and now he and a third of his horde have fallen. Will you try the same, or will you accept my mark?”

”Hmmm, decisive,” Bloodsteel muttered. He eyed Luke, a soft hum coming from beneath his visor. ”I’ve conquered thousands of worlds, and yet a mortal dares put himself above me?”

Luke’s voice was deadly quiet. ”Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear. Either you fall behind me, or fall beneath me. The choice is yours.”

The following silence was suffocating. I looked between Luke, Fyren, and the two demon lords. My tail twitched anxiously, the only sound above the crackle of Firemane’s mane. I pinned it to my lap, hardly daring to breathe lest their focus turn to me.

”You’re aura...” Firemane’s voice came as a whisper. ”...Fate?”

Fyren smirked, and Firemane’s eyes widened.

”I accept your offer,” the horse said, lowering its head to Luke.

Bloodsteel glanced at the horse. It was impossible to see behind his helmet, but I got the feeling he was raising an eyebrow.

Luke frowned slightly. ”I...thank you.”

He looked at Fyren, noting the demon’s smug grin. When he glanced at me, I shrugged.

”I suppose it wouldn’t be meaningful for me to refuse, then. I can hardly stand alone,” Bloodsteel muttered. His armor clanked as he shifted his footing. ”But I’ve known too many mortals to trust the future of this world to one.”

”I have a proposal,” Fyren said suddenly.

Everyone turned to him in surprise. My tail slowed, coming to rest on Fable’s back. There was something in Fyren’s eye, a confidence he shouldn’t have. Had he...planned this? No, that was too much, even for him...wasn’t it?

”Speak, Lord of Ash,” Bloodsteel said.

”This invasion is unlike any other, complicated by the unexpected escalation of the war and the existence of the apostles. There are too many factions with too much investment to risk it. Yet, the Divine doesn’t have enough worlds left to squabble over, and potentially lose this one. Thus, I propose a council. Each faction will have a representative, with the apostle himself at the head.”

”A council? I’ve never heard of such a thing, save in the Divine and on mortal worlds. Certainly, no demon has ever sat on a council. It is lead or be led,” Bloodsteel said.

Fyren shrugged. ”I’m afraid the apostle made the choice clear. Not lead or be led, but to follow or die.”

Bloodsteel hummed softly, looking between Luke and Fyren. At last, he made a sound approximating a sigh, but closer to the scrape of steel.

”I can consider this proposal, but on one condition.”

”And that is?” Fyren asked.

”That I believe the apostle acts in good faith for the subjugation of this world. He must do more than pretend to lend ear to our counsel. If it becomes clear he seeks to lead alone, I will not hesitate to rebel against his mark. Better to be free again in the infernal realms than a slave under a mortal.”

”Agreed,” Fyren said. He turned to Luke. ”What say you?”

Luke squinted up at Fyren. ”This is...unexpected, even for you. Did Xiviyah put you up to this? What exactly are you planning, demon?”

Fyren chuckled, shaking his head. ”Not this time, though I’m certain she agrees.”

I swallowed hard as everyone turned to look at me. My voice trembled slightly.

”There...won’t be any fighting? And the curse demons?”

”If they refuse the apostle’s mark, I’ll personally slaughter them myself,” Bloodsteel said. ”As the Lord of Ash said, we cannot afford to be divided, even if it means allowing a mortal at the helm.”

”Then, um, it seems good?”

Luke chuckled, shaking his head. ”Ah, Xiviyah...” He rubbed his horn, composing his expression again. ”I accept your condition, but with two of my own. First, I will require you to retain control of your own factions, save that they shall bear my mark. Second, you must keep your demons under a tight leash. You are not to allow them to bother, hunt, or harm any of the mortals under our horde’s protection. That includes, most especially, the oracle. I will hold you accountable for every hair on her head.”

The blade demon regarded me again. I blushed slightly, staring at the ground.

”Very well,” Bloodsteel said, returning his gaze to Luke. ”I shall accept your mark.”

”As will I,” Firemane said.

The horse nickered softly, walking up and lowering its head. Luke stretched out his hand, releasing a ribbon of mana into the demon’s soul. It hissed slightly, a flicker of flame escaping its nostrils.

”Bitter,” it muttered.

Bloodsteel accepted the mark, a shiver running through his armor. ”Indeed. You feel as vile as any curse demon.”

”You should accept the oracle’s mark sometime,” Fyren said, grinning. ”It’s...different.”

”The mark of Fate. Were the situation different, I might be persuaded to do so. Certainly an experience for the eternities,” Bloodsteel said. ”I almost wish it were me in your place.”

”No, you don’t.”

Fyren’s response cut the conversation short. Luke nodded to me, and together with the apostles, we turned and left. I glanced over my shoulder, surprised to see Fyren lingering. He flashed me a smile before turning to face the demon lord avatars. Whatever he said was lost to the wind.

”Thank you for coming,” Luke said, relaxing as we left the demons behind. ”I’m sorry about that curse demon, I didn’t mean for it to get so close.”

”It’s fine, Constance was there.”

I gave the blade apostle a small smile, which, for some reason, caused Luke to frown. It cleared up as he looked at me again, his eyes warm.

”Would you join me back at our camp? There are some things I’d like to discuss with you. Like our plans, and the elves’ shards.”

”Just me? Could I bring R’lissea and Elise?”

His smile tightened ever so slightly. ”Of course.”

Jessia giggled, prodding his shoulder. ”We’ll be there too, don’t forget. You’re not missing out on anything by them coming.”

He shot her a glare. ”It’s a meeting. Nothing more.”

”’Unfortunately,’ right? That’s what you’re thinking?” she shot back.

Evla laughed. ”Ignore them, Xiviyah. You’ve probably noticed by now, but they’re always bickering.”

”True,” Edrin said, nodding. ”But we’ll make you feel extra welcome. Luke might even let us have a bonfire!”