The Forsaken Hero

The structure housing the Shard of Omniscience stood apart from the main castle. Like Bluegate Keep, it was a formidable tower, nearly two hundred feet tall, with four imposing entrances. Small towers rose on either side of the gates, but their turrets seemed empty. A translucent, shimmering haze surrounded the tower, saturated with an almost palpable aura, keeping the chaotic swirls of dust, ash, and mana at bay.

”What kind of spell is that?” Jenna asked, gesturing to the barrier.

I gripped my horn, rubbing it gently as I considered the sight. ”I think it’s some sort of defensive measure from the Shard of Omniscience against the Mana Storm. It should be fine to pass through, though whoever’s inside will be at full strength. We should be careful.”

The Star Guard shifted into a state of heightened alertness, their grips tightening on their weapons. Kahlen’s smile widened, his four swords beginning to orbit him like eager comets. Did he not understand the concept of ’careful?’

The silence grew deafening as we approached, broken only by the groan of destabilized masonry or the crash of a building coming down somewhere in the city. Occasional screams and cries of distress caused me to jump, and I gripped my staff tightly, eyes swiveling in every direction.

The lack of guards was disconcerting, as there weren’t even any bodies in the courtyard. We were at the city’s central keep, where the City Lord lived. This should have been the center of activity, with messengers running in and out, carrying orders in the wake of our assault. Just where was everyone?

”Wait,” Gith’s hand rose in a gesture that halted Fable mid-stride. He made a subtle motion towards the small towers flanking the keep. ”They’re waiting in ambush.”

I shivered, once again grateful for Gith’s ability to sense souls with such precision. While I could feel the general strength and sometimes even the direction of powerful souls, he could pinpoint their exact location. It was the ability that had earned him a place in the Star Guard, a decision that had proven its worth time and again.

”How many?” Luxxa asked softly.

”Four. They’re strong; one’s at least seventh-level.”

”Leave that one to me. The rest of you protect Lady Xiviyah,” Kahlen said, not at all trying to lower his voice.

Luxxa frowned, ”Wait, we should–”

But the demon didn’t pause, striding out in front of us. He waved his hand and brought his swords to bear, releasing his infernal aura for the entire city to feel. I gasped, my hand flying to my chest. He’d been at the beginning stages of sixth level after his evolution but now strained against the threshold of seventh. Had there really been so much death and despair for him to devour in this city?

”Come out, cowards!” Kahlen taunted, his voice echoing across the courtyard, his gaze fixed on the towers. ”Come, give me your souls!”

I tensed, my staff glowing faintly as I prepared a spell, but for a moment, nothing happened. Then, the hollow echo of footsteps broke the silence, and four figures emerged from behind the parapets. They were tall and intimidating, their billowing white cloaks and identical armor gleaming in the midday sun. Inquisitors.

”Colluding with demons,” their leader, a black-haired man with a scar across his cheek, sneered. His eyes filled with contempt as he glared at me, his aura spreading across the courtyard. ”It seems the traitor has sunk to new lows.”

”So it’s true,” I said, my voice trembling slightly, my tail flicking nervously. ”You sided with the Circle?”

The inquisitor’s lips curled into an arrogant smile. ”We sided with the gods who stand with the mortals they protect and serve. It just so happens that the Circle’s goals align with theirs: peace and harmony for all worlds.”

”Peace? Is this what you call peace?” I asked, gesturing around us, ”Enslaving souls for your masters?”

”Our mission will redeem countless words from the demon threat, but it’s no wonder a filthblood can’t understand it.”

”That’s enough,” Luxxa said, stepping before me. ”You’ll insult my Lady no longer, Inquisitor. Retreat, or we’ll send you to meet those gods you profess to love so much.”

He clicked his tongue dismissively, but I noticed a subtle shift in his posture, a tightening of his grip on his sword. ”My cause is just, traitor, but what about your precious filth-blood? What does she stand for?”

He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before continuing. ”Her actions have brought ruin to countless lives. She’s sided with demons, traitors, and slaves. And yet she dares to accuse the gods, holy as they are, of the very evils she herself is guilty of.”

Kahlen’s laughter was chilling, like scraping steel, sending a shiver down my spine. ”If she’s chosen us over you, perhaps you should consider why.”

”I’ve chosen no one,” I cried, clasping my hands to my chest as my tail lashed back and forth. ”I just want to be left alone. Why do you still hunt me? Haven’t you taken enough?”

The inquisitor’s grin was cruel. ”I have no need to justify my actions to filth. Surrender, and I can guarantee your security until your trial. There are many who wish to see you suffer and die, and should you resist, I will not be able to protect you from them.” His gaze flicked towards his companions, the malice in his expression leaving no doubt about who those people might be.

They were inquisitors, vile and cruel enough to stand beside the Circle in my mind, and yet I’d given them a chance. Reluctant as I might be, my heart demanded that much. But even I had limits, and it was clear that reason was futile here. And the longer we delayed, the more innocent lives would be lost.

So, with a heavy heart, I let out a long, weary sigh, my tail drooping in defeat. ”Kahlen, do what you must.”

With an eager roar that reverberated through the courtyard, Kahlen lunged forward in a blur of motion too swift for my eyes to track. The inquisitor’s eyes widened in alarm as the demon seemed to vanish from his spot, but he barely managed to raise his sword in a clumsy parry. Sparks erupted as the demon’s claws screeched against the steel. By the time I registered the clash, Kahlen’s body was already a fading afterimage, leaving my vision struggling to catch up.

The inquisitor whirled, and just as quickly, Kahlen reappeared, striking from behind. During that exchange, he’d regained his footing and hit back, his sword exploding with sun mana in a sixth-level magical technique. The demon snorted and met him head-on, summoning his swords to attack from the side.

A blinding explosion engulfed them as their attacks clashed, forcing me to shield my eyes. When my vision cleared, they had already exchanged a dozen blows and separated again. The inquisitor touched his face, wiping away a thin line of blood drawn by one of Kahlen’s swords.

”Impressed?” Kahlen taunted, a cruel smirk twisting his lips.

Despite being a level stronger, the inquisitor took an instinctive step back; his voice laced with fear. ”What the hell are you? How are you immune to sun magic?”

”Your pitiful gods are nothing compared to the might of the infernal horde.”

The inquisitor’s eyes narrowed, and he raised his hand, summoning a massive amount of mana. The light grew blinding again, causing my sunpurge to flare with pain. I grimaced, biting my lip to stifle a cry, and sought refuge behind Fable’s bulk. That was a seventh-level magical technique capable of bypassing Adaptive Resistance.

”Burn in hell, demon!”

As the inquisitor unleashed his magical technique, Kahlen lunged aside with inhuman speed. An eruption of pure white light burst from the inquisitor’s outstretched hand, swelling into a beam almost a dozen feet wide. It tore through the air, punching through the walls and buildings behind where the demon had stood moments before. The beam winked out a second later, revealing a quarter-mile scar of scorched ruin extending deep into the city.

Before we could fully comprehend the devastation or even see if Kahlen had arrived unscathed, the other inquisitors advanced. There were three of them, each radiating an aura of immense power at the peak of the sixth level, nearly an even match for the Star Guard.

Luxxa stepped forward, her voice resolute despite the palpable danger. ”Xiviyah, get inside and do your thing,” she ordered, not glancing back. ”We’ll handle this.”

”Go on,” Jenna urged, already beginning to weave a spell. ”At worst, we just let your ability do the tanking. They’re all sixth-level, remember?”

Gith just nodded, an arrow nocked on his bow, glowing with magical energy.

I hesitated for a heartbeat, my gaze darting anxiously between the inquisitors and my companions. They wanted me to abandon them here? And what of the Circle lurking within the tower? Would they leave me alone to face them?

Fable growled softly, sending comforting vibrations resonating throughout my entire body. ”You’re right,” I whispered, stroking his neck. I wasn’t alone. I just had to trust them, as they trusted me. I might not have been able to do it before, but now...?

With a shaky breath, I tightened my grip on Fable’s fur and nodded. ”I’ll do my best. Be careful.”