The Forsaken Hero

My mind spun, shaken from my sudden teleportation into the room. The claps and cheers of the enthusiastic crowd added to my confusion, echoing around until I lost all sense of direction. Alex’s lips curved in a flirtatious smirk, his hands firm on my back. As I panted, chest heaving, his grip slid around beneath my arms, fingers curling uncomfortably close to my breasts.

Flushing, I pulled from his grasp, but nearly fell as I lost his steadying strength. With a chuckle, he reached out again, but before his hands found me, Soltair appeared, catching my shoulder. The cold band of metal on his finger rubbed against my flesh, sending a shudder through my quivering body, but I didn’t reject his support. I had yet to reconcile my feelings about his betrayal, but at least he didn’t seem like he wanted to grope me.

”I see you haven’t changed,” Soltair said, smiling broadly.

Alex chuckled, spreading his hands wide. ”I have no idea what you’re talking about. Isn’t it natural to want a pretty girl to lean on you?”

At last, the disorientation faded, and I regained my balance. ”Thanks,” I muttered, pulling away from Soltair.

”Of course,” he replied, ”I figured you’re body wouldn’t be able to handle that very well, so I tried to be nearby.”

”Don’t act like that wasn’t your first time too,” Trithe said, rolling her eyes.

He laughed wryly, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her in for a side hug. ”How could I, with you there?”

Alex looked between the two, his eyes growing wide as saucers. ”What?” he practically gasped. ”You and Trithe?”

Trithe’s glare sent the Fire Hero a step back, but Soltair just winked, saying, ”Jealous?”

”Who wouldn’t be?” Alex exclaimed. His gaze slid off the couple, landing on me. ”A gorgeous girlfriend and a slave like that? I’d kill for that sort of life!”

”M-master,” a new voice penetrated the conversation.

We all turned, watching in surprise, as a young, if scantily-clad Beastkin girl, tugged at the Fire Hero’s sleeve. Although appearing no older than I, she was well endowed with ample curves, sprouting rabbit ears, and a small, fluffy tail.

”And this is...?” Soltair asked.

”Marge. After I got caught with a few too many nobles, I figured I’d follow your example and find myself a slave. Extremely obedient, and she’s even a capable mage, so she’s a strong addition to the party,” Alex explained, puffing out his chest and sending the Sun Hero a sly wink. ”She’s a wonder in bed, too.”

”Master! Everyone’s looking!” Marge cried, flushing red, her ears stiffening in embarrassment.

”See? Isn’t she adorable?” Alex laughed, pinching her ass and drawing another bashful yelp from the Rabbitkin.

”Yeah, yeah,” Trithe muttered, turning to Soltair. ”There’d better be another hero here. We aren’t actually going to clear a gate with this idiot, are we?”

As they continued to bicker, I withdrew and peered around. The crowd of adventurers, priests, and regular citizens had begun to disperse. Several high-ranking nobles, set apart by their silks and affluent finery, stood beside a full squad of soldiers, all raising their pikes at attention. Catching my eye, the foremost among them, a tall, willowy young woman, sniffed, turning her nose up in disgust.

The Shard of Omniscience towered above all else, but was far from the only impressive sight in the locale. The room stretched over a hundred feet overhead, with vaulted ceilings and arches covered in ornate carvings. Massive stained glass windows filtered light into the room, spreading colorful tints across the polished tile floor. Grand paintings and mirrors decorated the walls, giving the room a sense of space far greater than its actual merit.

A shadow in the corner of one of the few transparent windows at ground level caught my eye. A small, pale face stared at me with red, gleaming eyes. I could make out to small bumps beneath their cowl, which was pulled low over their face. The moment our eyes met, their face lit up, and they leaned forward, pressing against the glass. As their hood fell back, it became obvious it was a male demonkin, looking 17 of 18 at most. He was dark haired and scrawny, but his eyes held an unnerving intensity. A long, thin white scar etched a line across his face, beginning at his forehead and slanting down across his left eye to his jaw.

”What are you looking at?” Soltair asked.

I jolted back, finding him and Trithe at my shoulder. But, returning my gaze to the window, I found it empty.

”Nothing. Where are we?”

”The Brithlite Kingdom, on the northern continent. It’s far away from Radia, and usually takes several months to travel here by wagon and boat,” he replied.

The Brithlite Kingdom. The name sparked something in my memory. Wasn’t Elise engaged to someone from here? It was....Jarod? That’s right. He was another student of house Titan, and one of the few to show up and support us during the duel. He seemed like a handsome and polite prince, so I was looking forward to meeting his family.

”Oh, Soltair,” Alex called, making his way toward us, ”Do you remember Connor? He arrived just yesterday, but he’s supposed to clear the gates with us too.”

”The more the merrier, although I’d rather have someone a little less...somber,” Soltair said, stroking his chin. ”Either way, with three heroes, these gates shouldn’t stand a chance. They’re only sixth level, after all.”

”Are you serious?” Alex asked, growing unusually serious. ”These are sixth level we’re talking about, and there are two of them.”

”So?” Soltair asked quizically. ”What of it?”

”My gods,” Alex groaned. ”I’m trying to tell if you’re actually an idiot, or if living with two pretty girls turned your mind to mush.”

”It’s unusual to see you so worked up,” Soltair remarked, ”but the dungeon boss is only sixth level. We can handle that.”

”Yeah, but you’re taking that way too lightly,” Alex argued. ”A sixth-level demon is nothing like a normal sixth-level person. I closed the most recent gate just a few weeks ago, and nearly lost half the army invading it with us. Jen nearly died, too, and is still in critical condition. And that was only fifth level!”

”Jen?” Trithe asked, raising an eyebrow.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. ”She’s another member of my party, a skilled archer. But even though I’m now seventh level, I couldn’t do anything to save her. We killed the boss in the end, and I know I’ll be fine, but...” Marge shivered happily as he laid a hand on her head, rubbing between her ears. ”Now I’m worried about the others.”

”Well,” Soltair said, ”If that’s all that concerns you, then I think we have nothing to worry about. We’re both at the peak of seventh level, and we already killed a few demons of the same. Just a month ago, we killed a peak seventh-level demon.”

”Already?” Alex gasped. ”But nothing like that should appear until the actual invasion!”

Soltair scratched his cheek, glancing at Trithe. ”There were...other circumstances that led to it, but the fact of the matter is that this shouldn’t be too hard. Besides, these are the first sixth-level gates, so we’ll be able to secure the first clear!”

Alex brightened, his previous soberness forgotten. ”It killed me when you got the first clear on the first gate! I’m definitely not going to lose to you on this one!”

”Excuse me, heroes.”

We turned as the nobles finally approached, bowing and curtseying politely as they stopped before us. The cold-eyed lady from before favored me with a frown before continuing to address Soltair.

”We are most grateful you have responded to our request for aid. I am Lady Elinore, here on behalf of and sister to the king of Brithlite. He regrets being unable to greet you personally, but an urgent matter necessitates his attention.”

Soltair dipped his head, face glowing with humility. ”It’s only natural for a hero to help those in need.”

”I’m glad you feel that way,” Elinore replied, lips curling in a slight smile. ”Although, I’m surprised you bring such unfavorable company. Even as slaves, we of the Brithlite kingdom understand Beastkin to be tainted by the demons. But a demonkin....” she shivered, her face twisting in disgust once more.

Soltair frowned, losing his easy-going expression. ”This is my slave, Xiviyah. You would know her as the Fate hero, and I request you show her the respect she deserves.”

Although his sentiment seemed noble, I had to question his words. Why introduce me first as a slave, and then ask them to show me respect? Respect deserving of a hero, or a slave? I sighed, looking down. It didn’t truly matter which. Soltair likely had no intention of looking after me further. He had done his duty, after all, and asked nicely.

”A hero? So the rumors are true,” Elinore muttered. She shook her head, clearing the shadow from her face, and smiled. ”Let us set aside these unpleasant matters. My Lord has prepared a feast for your arrival. The Undead Hero will be in attendance as well. Would you care to follow me?”

”We’d be delighted,” Soltair accepted. ”Lead the way.”

Lowering herself in another curtsey, Elinore turned sharply on her heel. The other nobles and guards fell in behind us, silently following our every movement. I shivered, their eyes seeming to bore into me. I had hoped, this far from the Divine Throne, there might be more of an accepting spirit, but it seems that was far from the truth.

Who then was that demonkin? When our gazes met, I felt a connection with him through my soul. It was as real as with Elise, although in a different way. While she filled me with warmth and love, his bond felt darker, similar to the strange connection I held with the Curse demon. But if he were evil, why did it feel like I knew him?