The Forsaken Hero

The citadel, the heart of Bluegate Keep, loomed before us, a stark monolith of blue stone against the fiery backdrop of the sky. It was a sprawling complex, a labyrinth of towers, walls, and courtyards that seemed to stretch into the heavens. The architecture was severe and functional, prioritizing defense over aesthetics, every surface, every angle, designed to deflect spells and arrows and protect the inhabitants within. The walls themselves were sheer and smooth, offering no handholds or footholds for any would-be climber foolish enough to attempt a direct assault.

As we drew closer, the sheer scale of the fortress became overwhelming. The outer wall, easily twice the height of the inner district walls, was studded with towers every fifty feet, each bristling with ballistae and shimmering with active defensive enchantments. Banners bearing the crest of Brithlite and the symbol of the Divine Throne hung limply from the battlements, a stark declaration of the powers that resided within.

While the city was eerie and quiet, holding its breath, the keep bustled with activity. The loud groans and creaks of wood rumbled from the towers as ballistae were armed and aimed outward, their heavy bolts gleaming ominously in the fading light. Between the towers, archers stood with bows strung and arrows nocked, ready to draw at a moment’s notice.

The defenses were strongest at the gate itself, overseen by two short, squat towers far thicker than the rest. Instead of ballistae, the platforms atop these towers were armed with what seemed to be canons, if such a thing were possible.

”Just what in the hells are those?” Korra asked, staring at the unfamiliar weaponry.

Orion’s face darkened as his brow creased. ”Damned if I know. Lady Xiviyah, think your magic will protect us?”

I studied them for several seconds longer, tail twitching with uncertainty. The weapons were mounted on reinforced wheels and operated by several third-level mages. Instead of a traditional cylindrical barrel, they had a flat two-pronged blade. The steel prongs glittered with hundreds of tiny, studded sparkles, likely gems or crystals of some kind. Even inactive and from this distance they radiated intense, concentrated mana.

My heart pounded against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat that echoed the growing tension. I had known this would be dangerous, that we would face resistance, but the reality of it was far more daunting than I had anticipated. Doubt gnawed at the edges of my resolve, whispering insidious suggestions of retreat, of abandoning this foolish endeavor before it was too late. This was even more insane than attacking Vithrass’s stronghold!

But then I looked at Korra, her face a mask of grim determination, and felt the warmth of Fable’s presence at my side. I could not turn back, not now. Sari was somewhere within those walls, and I would reach her, no matter the cost.

Taking a deep breath, I focused my mind and peered into the swirling depths of the Oracle of Eternity. The stars of fate shimmered before me, revealing the intricate threads of possibility that lay ahead. There would be danger, yes, and loss, but also a path to victory.

”We should be fine,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. ”The residual mana is only at fifth level. They seem to use fire and lightning elements, which usually have few secondary effects, but still be careful.”

A flicker of a smile crossed Orion’s face. ”Then let’s get this over with,” he muttered, drawing his sword.

As we moved closer to the gate, I felt a shift in the air, a prickling sensation on the back of my neck. Gith, his senses ever keen, tensed beside me, his hand instinctively reaching for his bow.

”We’ve been spotted,” he said, his voice low and urgent. ”Fifteen hostiles, three of them mages.”

Orion nodded and slowed, taking his sword in both hands and leveling it in the direction Gith gestured. ”Luxxa, take point. Keep them off us. The rest of you take them as quickly as possible. We can’t afford to be delayed any longer.”

”As you command. It pains me to slay our countrymen, but I shall not falter.” Grimacing slightly, Luxxa extended her arm to the side. Her ring flashed and a large steel shield materialized on her arm, withdrawn from her spatial storage.

We tensed as the subdued silence of the city was rent by the harsh groan of steel and leather. Soldiers rushed from their hiding place behind the building, rapidly forming into a semicircle before us. This group was stronger than the guards at the gate, with souls measuring between third and fourth levels. Not a threat to the strength of our party, yet not a force we could ignore, either.

”Halt!” A soldier with a crest on his helmet stepped out before the others, sword and shield gripped tightly in his gauntleted hands. ”Surrender the demons and you’re traitorous lives will be spared! Resist and we shall be forced to slay you.”

”Luxxa, now!” Orion cried, charging forward.

He was led by another arrow, which buried itself in the throat of a soldier next to the squad captain. Instead of charging after him, Luxxa stabbed her sword into the ground again, finishing up a rapid chant.

”Smothering Vines!” she cried.

The ground beneath the soldiers exploded in a wave of verdant greens and browns. Thick, twisting vines and branches broke through cobblestones to grasp at the soldiers, coiling tightly around their legs, weapons, and anything else in reach. They kicked and shouted, struggling to break free of their living bonds, but our party gave them no time.

Orion danced around the edge of the spell, careful to avoid the plants lest they ensured him too. His sword glittered in the light, sending droplets of crimson blood spraying with every slash of his sword. Thunder growled somewhere behind me, and a lancer of lightning plunged into the midst of the tangled soldiers, leaving several soldiers squirming in agony as their flesh blackened and sloughed off their bones.

Sickened, I glanced behind me with wide eyes, finding Jenna already casting another spell. It was another fourth-circle lightning spell, which she used to kill the captain, who had managed to break free of the vines.

”Hmmm, I wonder,” Korra mused, transfixed on Luxxa’s spell. Another scream rent the air, and she shrugged. ”Might as well try.”

The excited light in her eye discouraged any of my desires to inquire what she meant, and I contended myself with watching as she dove into the maelstrom of flailing vines, swords, and limbs. Just as they had with Orion, the vines grasped at her indiscriminately, but, shockingly, they failed to so much as touch her. It wasn’t that they turned insubstantial, or just missed their reaching fingers, but slid off of her like water.

Was this her Tranquil Soul Ability at work? She’d said it prevented her from being slowed or affected by any sort of magical impairment, yet to see it in motion was stunning. I was tempted to forget the battle and study her with the Oracle of Eternity, yet I pushed the urge away. It was hardly the time for curiosity.

”Overflow!”

Shouting the name of her newest Magic Art, Korra lashed out in all directions. Her fists were little more than shadow punches, but her mana stormed out with each strike, taking on the form of lunging dragons. The aqueous beasts effectively allowed her to strike every creature within twenty feet with a fourth-level attack.

The last surviving soldiers screamed as the dragons sank their fangs and claws into them, tearing them limb from limb. Korra clapped her hands together, and the dragons exploded with great force into the mist. The blast ripped flesh and armor alike, abruptly stilling the screams of the soldiers. Even Orion stumbled back a step, caught off guard by the sudden mist of blood and gore.

The fog dissolved back into mana and faded from view, leaving us gaping at a veritable crater. Chunks of plants, stone, and steel littered the ruined street, surrounding the blood-soaked hero standing in their center.

”Korra?” I gasped tentatively, gripping the hem of my skirt with trembling fingers. Was this really the girl who had hugged me so gently just minutes before? It was so easy to forget she’d been in hundreds of battles and, well, loved it. A true battle maniac.

She moved then, looking over her shoulder and giving me a bright grin. ”Looks like it works!”

Luxxa let out a shaky breath, shaking her head in disbelief. ”So it seems. didn’t think we’d make such a good team. Most of my spells and techniques lock down opponents, but they often give allies a hard time. With you though...”

She let her sentence trail off, not bothering to hide a grin. Korra flicked her hair over her shoulder, summoning a small drizzle of rain to wash the grime from her clothes.

”Let’s get going,” Orion said, stepping over a piece of what had once been the captain of the guard patrol. ”They’ve already shut the gate. We need to get through before more reinforcements arrive.”