The Forsaken Hero

”Great danger?” Sorrin asked, ”What are you talking about? We’ve beaten back the inquisitors and suppressed the Circle. You don’t have to be afraid, Starlight. Our party is strong, we can handle anyone who comes hunting you.”

I shook my head, feeling the weight of my horns swaying through the air. ”You don’t understand. It’s not the Circle of Inquisitors I’m worried about. It’s the demons.”

Rasce’s eyes narrowed. ”You don’t mean...?”

”Mean what?” Tana demanded, ”Aren’t the demons all fighting Brithlite?”

”All of them except the one in the forest,” Dyson muttered. He shook his head, grinning sardonically. ”And whatever else managed to make its way here. But we’re so far out of the way. What could they possibly...oh.”

I nodded, tail flicking back and forth, as the thief arrived at the same conclusion as Racse. ”They’re not wandering here by chance. They’re hunting. Hunting me, specifically. In my vision, one of the generals reported heavy attacks on the defensive line just north of us by powerful evolved demons. All demons are drawn to mana like moths to a flame. Scions lack any sort of discipline, completely consumed by their bloodlust, and attack the nearest lifeforms. Evolved demons are strong enough to have gained real sentience, as well as a hunger for more pure, refined souls.”

The fire cracked and popped, filling the heavy silence that followed my words. Eventually, Sorrin raised his head, ears twitching. ”Even if it’s as you say, there’s something I don’t understand. There are plenty of powerful people from here to Brithlite, many far stronger than any of us here. Why would they come for you specifically?”

I opened my mouth, but my tongue was heavy and swollen. I frantically grasped at words, trying to find a way to say it without sounding arrogant, but nothing came. Did they really not understand the difference between our souls?

I turned away, a hint of red entering my cheeks, as Korra chuckled. ”I guess I’ll spell it out for you. Xiviyah’s special. I’m not exactly certain why, but it might be due to her...unique circumstances. If the regular soul is an uncut gem, hers is the polished masterpiece of a master jeweler. I spoke with some of the Last Light Company in Brithlite before making my way to Heartland, and they said that the moment she appeared on the battlefield, every demon within a mile went into a frenzy, running themselves upon their blades in an attempt to reach her.”

”So that demon the other day?” Rasce asked, peering at me intently.

I nodded. ”It came for me. If Fate hadn’t allowed me to meet Korra at that time, we would all be dead. Everyone in this village, and Heartland to follow. Right now, we can handle a fifth-level demon together, but they’re not the only threat. There’s the anomaly, too. I think it’s looking for me.”

This time, even Korra looked surprised, which was to be expected. In this rural corner of the world, our only source of news was merchants, who mainly passed along hearsay and gossip.

”I’m sure you noticed the unseasonal cold,” I said, drawing nods from the others. ”It’s from the storm. I’m not certain, but I think it started moving toward us at the same time I awakened the Eyes of Fate and had a vision. According to Brithlitian advisors, its path is a straight line from where it started to here, in Westfall Village. The land for a hundred miles behind it is locked in an eternal winter. If it really is following me, then between it and the demons...”

”Then you have to go,” Rasce finished softly.

I nodded solemnly, grasping the hem of my dress in trembling fingers. It was an answer no one, except perhaps Korra, wanted, me least of all. I had only just learned to trust the Glory Chasers, yet everything pointed me to being drawn away again. It was just like with Elise, at Western University. Only this time, I was forced to choose to leave, not have my path chosen for me. Somehow, that made it infinitely harder.

The table descended into a heavy silence. Even the ever-present Bilev, too far away to hear our hushed voices, paused, looking around uneasily. My heart pounded as I watched their expressions, shifting from denial to frustration, and finally to acceptance.

”I can’t say it,” Tana finally said, ”I just can’t say it. I don’t want you to go. Not after everything we’ve been through.”

”I agree,” Rasce said, surprising me by the sincerity in his voice. ”But at the same time, it feels like our only choice.”

Sorrin let out a long sigh, giving Tana’s hand a comforting squeeze. ”Starlight, what do you want to do? If you don’t want to go, we’ll find some other way. You don’t have to do this by yourself.”

As everyone nodded, a warm glow spread through my chest, my heart growing light and free. I bit my lip to keep it from trembling, holding back a sob. Korra flashed me a smile, nodding encouragingly, and I bowed my head.

”I...I don’t want this place to be destroyed. I want to protect it, and you, and the memories we made. Even if that means we’ll be apart for a little while, that’s a sacrifice I have to make. For Sari.”

He nodded, wolf ears drooping. ”I see.” Then, turning to Korra, ”She’ll be in your hands. Don’t even think of betraying her.”

Korra smiled grimly, her eyes shining with conviction. ”I did that once before. Never again. I’ll be there till the end, and even beyond if I can.”

Tana nodded, tears in her eyes. ”I...wish you luck. Korra, please take care of her. Make sure she eats, too. Starlight actually really likes sweets, even if she won’t admit it. Also, give her lots of hugs, especially when she has a nightmare. There’s lots of nights when she wakes up crying–”

”Tana!” I cried, flushing red, my tail quivering in embarrassment.

Korra hid a giggle behind her hand, and Tana smiled.

”Don’t worry, I got it,” Korra said, standing. ”Now, I think we ought to leave today before it gets any later. I’m going to pack.”

I hesitated, looking between her and the other Glory Chasers. Dyson stood and circled the table, offering me a hand. Placing my slender hand in his, I allowed him to lift me to my feet, letting out a squeak as he pulled me into a tight hug.

”We’re going to miss you around here,” he murmured and pulled back to look me in the eyes. ”Don’t forget to smile, alright?”

I nodded, and Rasce reached out, laying a hand on my uninjured shoulder. ”Don’t trust anyone. I know you can see souls, but it’s the unseen heart that’s most dangerous. You’re demonkin, you’re going to attract a lot of negative attention in Brithlite. ...watch yourself, and come back safely.”

My gaze followed the two humans as they left together, and I sighed softly. They had both been so intimidating in their own way, yet now, watching them leave, I felt a pang of loneliness.

A heavy hand rested on my head, rubbing between my horns. I looked up, eyes wide, as Sorrin smiled down at me.

”H-hey!” I protested, but despite my embarrassment, I couldn’t bring myself to shake him off.

He smiled softly, offering me a wolfish grin. ”I realized I never got to thank you for picking up Tana’s ring. So...thank you, Starlight. For that and everything else you’ve done.”

”Yes, thank you,” Tana whispered, drawing me into an embrace, nearly squeezing the breath from my lungs. I nodded wordlessly, afraid that if I were to speak, I’d just end up crying instead.

”Take care of yourself,” she murmured, her breath tickling my ear. After a long pause, she pulled just far enough away to look me in the eyes, an anxious light flickering in her eyes. ”You’ll come back, won’t you?”

”Can I?” I asked, eyes widening. ”I mean...do you want me to?”

”Of course! No matter what happens, you’ll always have a place with us here. Please, come home now and then.” She smiled mischievously. ”Or I might get lonely and come looking for you.”

My lips twitched into a faint smile of my own, ”I wouldn’t mind so much. I’ll never be able to replay everything you’ve done for me, but if something happens, call on me. I’ll be there. But even if nothing happens, I’ll try and visit whenever I can.”

Home. Something I’d never had in either world. A place to return to, a place of love and peace. That’s what this village was to me, the closest thing to family I’d had since my mother abandoned me. I opened my mouth, intending to express as much, but Tana cleared her throat, sharing a look with Sorrin, who nodded.

”I guess we’d best get going,” she said, giving my hand a final squeeze before pulling away. ”I’ll miss you, Starlight. May your travels be safe, and lead you home again.”

They were leaving? Already? Almost by instinct, I reached out and grasped her sleeve, holding her close. ”Wait, Tana, I wanted to say...well, thank you. For everything. I’ve spent my entire life running from people, afraid of getting hurt, but thanks to you, I even learned to smile. I...don’t know else to say, but thank you.”

”Oh, Starlight...” Tana cupped my cheek, smiling at me gently. ”You still have that wreath, don’t you.”

It was more an accusation than question, and I looked away, a slight blush coloring my cheeks. ”W-well, I, um, couldn’t bring myself to...you know...”

She let out a simple, joyful giggle, and held out her hand. ”Give it here.”

Still feeling a little bashful, I pulled the flower wreath out of my spatial ring and placed it in her hand. It was still white and pure, wound tightly together, but it wouldn’t be long before it started to wilt. Even so, the memories contained within stayed my hand, and I was determined to cherish it, no matter how many petals it lost.

My eyes grew wide as Tana began to chant softly, two magic circles dancing in her palm. It was a simple life spell, but not one I’d ever heard of before, nor could I ascertain its purpose. Tana soon finished the spell, and soft, green magic flowed into the wreath. As the light faded, the wreath looked more vibrant, as fresh as the day I made it.

”Alright, bend over,” she instructed, laying the wreath on my head as I complied. ”Perfect!”

”What did you do to it?” I asked, reaching up to touch one of the delicate petals. It was soft and crisp, but carried a mysterious, warm energy that sent a tingle through my hand.

”It’s one of the elves’ folk spells, usually used for preserving herbs and medicinal poultices. They’re pretty secretive about their magic, but–” she pinched the tip of one pointed ear ”–being a half-blood has its perks. You memorized it, didn’t you?”

I nodded, my tail flicking uncertainty. ”Is that alright?”

She winked at me, pressing a finger to her lips. ”Probably not, but it makes me happy I was able to teach you something, too. Just don’t tell anyone, alright?”

With that, she gave me a final hug and left with Sorrin, leaving me to prepare for our journey. I touched the wreath again, a faint smile tugging at my lips. The Glory Chasers had grown precious to me, as much friends as Elise, or Thron. Even after having said my goodbyes, my heart felt warm and full, and I had to wonder why I hadn’t seen it before. Friends, family, a home; all something I had been terrified to lose. But now...?

Turning my face to the horizon, I touched my cheek, still warm from Tana’s hand. I wasn’t afraid anymore. Now I knew that love wasn’t something to lose, it was something to protect. And so, even should the heavens fall and hell freeze over, I would protect it.