The Forsaken Hero

Haven stirred as we entered the realm. The stars were bright and twinkling. Remnants filled the air around the entrance island, drifting close. Worried.

”I can walk,” I mumbled, squirming in his arms, as he strode from the gate. The remnants parted for us, letting us cross to the Heart of Haven.

”I don’t think so. I didn’t stay behind just to not hold you. Besides, you can barely keep your eyes open. Just let me do this.”

My lips twitched in the beginnings of a pout, but a yawn split them apart. Luke chuckled, and I blushed, burying my face in the crook of his neck. Despite everything Jessia had said, all the doubts she’d given me, I really didn’t mind resting in his arms. Even if everyone was staring.

Luke slowed as a burly remnant glided down, hovering in front of us. I peeked up, giving a small, tired smile as I saw it was Gathrin.

”You lived,” he said, folding his arms. He looked stern, and I bit my lip, feeling chastened.

”We won,” Luke said, his back straight. ”It was all thanks to Xiviyah.”

Gathrin snorted, turning and falling in alongside us. ”Naturally. I expect nothing else from the Oracle. But you, apostle, surprise me. Ninth-level, yet you come here instead of taking that strength against the gods?”

”I’m where I want to be,” Luke said.

”Hmph. Good. Emlica returned in quite a foul mood, so I suspected the worst. But I see my fears were for naught.”

We made it to another island before Jasrin suddenly appeared, his bow strung across his back. The remnant’s eyes glowed as he hovered in front of us, bobbing up and down in excitement.

”Did you see them? How did they do?” he burst out before he even fully formed the words.

”Slow down,” Gathrin said, giving him a hard look.

The ranger rolled his eyes. ”I don’t remember asking you. Xiv, Apostle, how were my Fatesworn?”

I couldn’t help but smile, but it faded into another yawn. ”They were wonderful, Jasrin. It’s because of them we were able to win.”

His chest puffed with pride. ”I knew it! Those boys and gals, and demons, I suppose, have spunk. Leave it to old Bethiv to pull an insane plan like this off.”

”Insane hardly begins to cover it,” Luke muttered. ”Three ninth levels. Three.”

Jasrin’s eyes widened. ”What?” He turned to me, placing his hands on his hips. ”Why didn’t you call me? I could turn them into pincushions.”

”Jasrin, enough,” Gathrin said. ”If you wish to bother someone, go bother Emlica.”

He jerked back, a shudder running through his translucent body. ”Just wish me dead already, why don’t ya? But point taken.”

His form dispersed, and he was gone.

Gathrin sighed, shaking his head. ”Hurry along. I’ve gotten the gist of what happened, and can sate the rest of their curiosity,” he shot a glare at the other remnants circling us like vultures, before giving me a nod. ”Rest, little one. Fate will want to speak with you when you awake again.”

”I know. I’m sure she’ll berate me, too,” I mumbled, letting my eyes flutter closed.

”Wait, Xiviyah, don’t leave me now,” Luke said, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his voice. ”Where were we going, exactly? Starfall Keep?”

”With Jasrin?” I shivered. ”The Firstlight Inn, please. Haven, if you don’t mind?”

Luke stiffened as stars swirled around us. The last thing I saw of Gathrin was him waving before the world turned gold. When the light cleared, we were standing on the rim of a remote island. There was a small hill, with a spring at the top, and a brook winding its way over the edge. The two-story Firstlight Inn had flickering firelight in its windows, warm and welcoming against the twilight sky.

Luke sighed, giving himself a shake. ”I wish it wouldn’t do that so suddenly. Even more jarring than using the Wayfinder Compass.”

I hid a smile against his chest. For some reason I didn’t quite understand, seeing him frown like that was endearing.

The common room was bright and cheery, with a blazing hearth in the fireplace. A few old, scarred soldiers sat at tables, one with a fate scion under it like some kind of dog. They quieted as we entered, stiffening in surprise and jumping to their feet with salutes. Rivlett stood behind the counter, idly polishing a mug. He raised an eyebrow, setting the mug down.

”You look terrible,” he said, gliding around the bar.

”You don’t mind if we stay for a while?” I asked.

His face softened in a smile. ”Of course not, child. I merely expected you would stay at the Keep.”

”It’s too cold there,” I said, shivering despite Luke’s warmth.

He nodded. ”I think I know what you mean.” He spread his arms. ”The Firstlight in always welcomes its oracle. Would you like something to eat, or just a bed?”

I suppressed another yawn. Or tried to. It still slipped past.

”A room, for now,” Luke said, his tail giving an amused flick.

”For the both of you?” Rivlett chuckled to himself, withdrawing a key from his sleeve. ”And in the middle of a war. How bold.”

”L-Luke!” I squeaked, blushing furiously as the soldiers stared at each other, wide-eyed.

”What?” Luke shook his head wryly. ”I didn’t say anything.”

Rivlett snorted and turned, leading the way up the stairs. ”Follow me, if you will. And don’t pay the others any mind. I’ll make sure they don’t say a word.”

That sounded even more worrying. Luke didn’t seem to mind, carrying me up the stairs after the innkeeper. We were led to the end of the hall, where Rivlett pressed the key into Luke’s hand.

”I didn’t know these doors locked,” he said, staring at it.

Rivlett shrugged. ”Didn’t use to, but there are too many folk coming around here now, and many of them are looking for some privacy. Not that it helps much against remnants floating through the walls, but against mortal folk? It’s good enough, I suppose. Just don’t be too loud.”

He left with a wink. Luke rolled his eyes and pushed the door open. It was small and homely, exactly like I remembered. I sighed contentedly as Luke lay me on the bed, sinking into the blankets.

”You’re not going to do anything weird, are you?” I asked as he stood by my side, looming over me.

He chuckled, shaking his head. ”I could never. Though I’ll admit, you’ve got a certain charm when you’re all tired and vulnerable like this. You’re even more adorable than usual.”

My cheeks warmed. ”You can’t say something like that,” I mumbled, my tail curling before resting in exhaustion. ”Just...don’t leave me.”

He reached out, took my hand, and squeezed it. ”I’m not going anywhere.”

I nodded, letting out a long breath. Already the world was growing fuzzy, but I held on to his warmth and mumbled, ”That’s a promise.”

I didn’t hear his response, but slipped into a restless sleep. It felt like just skimming the surface, slipping between dreams and nightmares as my subconscious processed the day’s terrors and pain. There were a hundred things that had gone wrong, but a thousand more that could have, and my body wasn’t going to let that go so easily. But whenever I shifted, startling awake or whimpering in my sleep, Luke was there. Eventually, after hours of unease, I slipped into the deeper sleep my body desperately needed.

But my soul wasn’t idle, and my consciousness returned as the darkness parted in a sea of stars. My soul space was brighter than I remembered, responding eagerly to every idle thought and will. Which was tricky, because all I wanted to think about was Luke. Was he still holding my hand? Or maybe more? He knew Rivlett was just teasing us, right? Not encouraging? The thought caused butterflies in my stomach.

It wouldn’t be right to spy on him. Not when he was right there.

So I pushed my mind elsewhere, returning to Darkreign Keep. The city had transformed since my last vision. Fires raged across every skyline and district. Ancient fortifications that had stood for hundreds, maybe thousands of years, lay toppled across homes and markets. Smoldering craters littered the streets where spells and mana cannon fire had fallen.

A few skirmishes still rang out beneath the heavy smoke and silence, where Fatesworn subdued the last vestiges of resistance. A single skyship hovered over the ruins of the main citadel, flying the star of Starfall Keep.

I shifted to the cathedral, but found it empty. Drawing on the Oracle of Eternity, I followed the magical residues of Korra and Grace across the city to the fortress that housed the underground catacombs leading to the second shard. The Fatesworn had set up a temporary command center there. Bethiv, Jackal, and a dozen other officers surrounded an illusory three-dimensional map of the city and surrounding area, with glowing markers indicating the positions of Fatesworn units and hostile forces. Just outside the city was a seething mass of infernal signatures. Luke’s horde. They covered the earth like an ocean, hundreds of thousands strong. Maybe even millions.

Past them, in the throne room where Fable and I had broken through, did I finally find my friends. Korra was leaning against Gayron, his arm draped around her shoulders. Both looked exhausted, stained with blood and grime. R’lissea knelt on the floor in front of them, her staff in one hand, her other resting on the chest of the unconscious storm hero. The Heart Crest pulsed beneath her fingertips, fighting against the magic of a Liberation spell flowing from her palm.

Korar shifted, her hands clenching into fists. ”Is she going to be alright?”