The Forsaken Hero

At Captain Bethiv’s command, the soldier saluted smartly. ”Sir!” he exclaimed, hurrying off. While the captain redirected his attention to me, several other men dispersed, each heading in different directions, calling for Rebecca.

”It’ll be alright,” Bethiv said, patting my cheek gently. ”Rebecca will get here in a second. She’s the best healer we’ve got.”

Despite his attempt to reassure me, the strain on the captain’s face and the fear in his eyes was evident. I coughed again, tasting blood, questioning the severity of my wounds. I’d lost track of time purifying the wolf, but it couldn’t have been less than half an hour. I felt fine then, so shouldn’t I only be better now?

But strangely, as we waited for the healer, my strength ebbed away. My soul trembled, straining against the threads, trying to break apart until black spots clouded my vision. Desperately, I summoned what little mana I could and cast a few Life Dews, yet the Life Magic only provided a brief reprieve from the agony.

The world seemed to flicker in and out, each scene introducing a new face or location. There was the Captain, then a worried girl, followed by a white tent. Finally, everything stilled in familiar darkness, and I slipped into unconsciousness.

I awoke rather suddenly, completely disoriented. Had I even slept at all?

The young woman from before, pretty but too plain to be beautiful, hovered over me with an anxious expression. I tilted my head, eyes searching, and I found myself in a white tent. The instant I opened my eyes, her face lit up with excitement.

”You’re awake!” she exclaimed. ”I’m actually the best!”

”The hero’s awake?”

”Finally!”

”Someone fetch the captain!”

A chorus of voices inundated my senses as an impromptu celebration erupted among everyone in the tent. Dozens of other cots bearing just as many wounded soldiers surrounded me, the eyes of every man and woman fastened triumphantly on me. Attempting to rise, a wave of nausea overwhelmed me, and the girl gently pushed me back down.

”Easy now,” she said, her voice proud and firm. ”I managed to heal most of the major damage, but you were hurt pretty badly. It’ll be a moment before you’re—”

”Thank you, but you’ve done enough,” I interjected, placing a hand on my head until the dizziness subsided.

Drawing on my mana, I cycled it through my body, checking for any lingering issues. Apart from a faint ache in the depths of my soul, the strange weakness had vanished, and my mana was fully replenished.

”Listen, even heroes have to listen to the healers, you know,” she said, placing her hands on her hips. ”And you’re not even older than me, like the soldiers. Just lay back down and-”

”Restoration,” I murmured, Soul Casting the fourth-circle Life Magic.

The healer paled, stumbling backward as four magic circles materialized around me, bathing me in a soft, green glow. My skin tingled as wounds across my body knitted together; an itch traced from the tip of my horns to my tail. The Sunpurge throbbed painfully as the laceration on my shoulder mended, but I endured it, clenching my teeth until the pain subsided.

”How...?” She stammered, wide-eyed. ”There was nothing! No chant, no runes, nothing!”

”Please step aside,” I requested softly.

She began to protest, gesturing toward the bed, but as our eyes met, she froze. ”Y-Yes!” she squeaked, hastily curtseying before practically fleeing to the other side of the tent.

Sighing, absently fondling a horn with my hand. The eyes of over a dozen wounded soldiers and mercenaries were on me, but they dropped, staring at the ground the moment I looked in their direction. Were my eyes really that unsettling?

Outside the healer’s tent, the sun shone high, signifying I had slept for at least half a day. Judging by the muscle soreness and lingering haze in my mind, it might have been much longer. The armies had reestablished their camps, but their troop counts were visibly diminished. As I stared at the sky, an infernal haze drifted through the clouds, rising alongside several plumes of smoke on the edge of the camp, where thousands of corpses burned in massive piles.

I rubbed my eyes and blinked, and the illusory sight was gone, but I could still feel the thick, tainted presence of Infernal Mana. Ever since the curse demon forcibly opened my eyes, I’d been unable to ignore it.

”Xiviyah!” Captain Bethiv’s voice scattered my thoughts.

He approached, accompanied by his men. Jackal grinned, causing an old scar on his cheek to ripple. I nodded in acknowledgment, about to greet them when they abruptly dropped to their knees, bowing before me.

I froze, my tail rigid with astonishment. ”W-What are you—”

”Damn it, Xiviyah, I... I’m sorry,” he muttered, his gruff tone contrasting sharply with his usual commanding presence. His weathered face was etched with regret, a sentiment echoed in the depressed expressions of his subordinates.

I blinked, shivering at the tangible sincerity of their apology. Words lodged in my throat, but I didn’t know what to say or how to say it. My cheeks warmed as the nearby soldiers peeked at me, curious as to why their captain was kneeling on the ground.

”N-No need. I only did what was necessary,” I finally stammered, my voice a strangled whisper. I averted my gaze, unable to meet anyone’s eyes. How could they spring this on me? And with everyone watching?

Seeking solace, my fingers traced the gentle ridges of my horn until my racing heart slowed, and I could take a few deep breaths.

Captain Bethiv cleared his throat, still refusing to raise his head. ”Listen, lass,” he continued, the gruffness in his tone softened by an unspoken understanding, ”we failed you. We promised to protect you, but we...couldn’t. Instead, it was you who threw yourself on the gallows in our place. What a sorry lot of mercenaries we are. Just thinking about our damnable boasts as the Last Light Company makes my skin crawl.”

”Please, at least stand up,” I implored, fidgeting with my skirt. ”Everyone’s starting to stare.”

Bethiv raised his head, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the grizzled mercenaries gathered. ”What the hell are you all doing? Get on your knees and apologize you sorry bastards, or I’ll make sure you won’t sit for a year!”

As befitting trained and disciplined warriors, their response was immediate, prostrating themselves alongside their captain. Apologies echoed around the clearing for nearly a minute, continuing until I burned with chagrin.

”Please, I forgive you!” I cried, covering my face, my tail switching back and forth. ”Just stand. Someone like me doesn’t deserve something like this!”

”At least that’s something we can agree on,” Alex’s voice cut through the camp. ”Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick!”

The Last Light Company stood, saluting sharply as the Fire Hero strode through the tents, joined by other high-ranking generals and Connor, the Undead Hero.

”Soltair asked me to watch over you. But these soldiers wouldn’t tell me where they were hiding you,” Alex continued, casting a sharp glance at Captain Bethiv.

”Our healer said she mustn’t be moved, Fire Hero,” Bethiv responded. ”I’m afraid your request to take her away couldn’t be met.”

Alex scowled. ”I just wanted to ensure she was cared for properly. It’s not safe for such a young, beautiful girl to be surrounded by wild, old men.”

Tension crackled as Bethiv and his soldiers bristled. ”How dare you insult the honor of the Last Light Company?”

”That’s enough, Captain,” the general of the Brithlite army intervened. ”Even if you are the king’s brother, I can’t permit contention with a hero. They are the hands of the Divine, remember.”

”How could I forget?” Bethiv muttered under his breath. ”You damn keep reminding me.”

Alex snorted and turned to me, his expression softening as he flashed me a smile. ”It looks like you’ve recovered from whatever wounds these bastards allowed you to suffer. If it were up to me, I’d string them all up right here and now for putting you in harm’s way, but that’s out of my hands. Anyway, come with me, Xiviyah. We’ve got to, uh, strategize for the upcoming assault. Why don’t we use my tent?”

I shivered as his lecherous eyes traced over my modest curves, wishing my dress were thicker, but I could only take a step forward as Soltair’s command compelled me to obey the Fire Hero.

”Right here?” Connor asked, glaring at Alex. ”At least wait until you’re alone. And don’t use the Slave Crest to force her.”

”What do you mean?” Alex feigned innocence. ”We were heading to the command tent. I thought she might appreciate a chance to freshen up after being in that grimy hospital. My party includes women, remember, so we have plenty of supplies.”

”Fine, whatever,” Connor muttered. ”Let’s go, generals. We have a war to plan.”

A knot twisted in my stomach as they departed, leaving me alone with Alex. The Last Light Company watched helplessly as he approached, holding out his hand. ”Come along, Xiviyah. I’ll take good care of you.”