The Forsaken Hero

Instead of waiting for an answer, the remnant’s sword streaked across the sky. Space itself caught on the tip, condensing together in a wave of power that launched in an arc toward us. It happened so quickly that I couldn’t consciously react, slamming against us before I had time to blink.

Fable had no such limitations, however. I hadn’t even registered that he’d moved when he appeared in the air between me and the arc of shadow, intercepting it with his claws. The ensuing explosion swept through the cathedral with the force of a hurricane, breaking against my ward. The impact sent cracks spiderwebbing across the shimmering shields, and my breath caught in my throat.

Just how strong had that attack been? Both of my wards were at the peak of the fifth level and had proved able to withstand sixth-circle spells. But this was just the shockwave from the attack! If Fable hadn’t been there...

My wolf landed again, hackles raised, and lips curled around his teeth in a growl. The remnant lowered his sword, eyes locked onto me, and asked again, ”What have you done?”

It wasn’t a question of curiosity but condemnation, filled with enough malice to make me shiver. As before, it followed up the question by drawing another line across the sky with its sword, launching another arc of shadow at us.

But this time, I was ready, casting before its sword began to move. ”Distortion!”

The star atop my staff lit up like a beacon, releasing a pulse of...nothing. It had no color or form, visible only as a slight, wavering distortion in the air, from which the spell’s name derived. It looked like water vapor evaporating on a hot day, expanding and reaching the ends of the great hall in an instant.

The arc of darkness leaped from the remnant’s blade, slashing toward us faster than my eyes could follow. But the attack never reached us. It kept moving and moving, humming angrily, never slowing but never actually making progress toward its destination. An impossible paradox, but unfolding before my very eyes.

But the reprieve wouldn’t last. The sheer power of the arc was overwhelming, and the distorted space began to unravel. Within seconds, it would break free.

”Come on!” I urged, scrambling onto Fable’s back. ”Run!”

He turned and lunged away, reaching the cathedral entrance as the arc pierced through the distortion. A tremendous shockwave swept over us as the attack slammed into the ground where we’d been standing moments before, shaking the cathedral to its foundations. Thankfully, we’d gained enough distance for the force to weaken, and my wards held firm.

Fable exploded into a sprint as we cleared the building, and I squeaked, clinging to his fur for dear life. He didn’t bother waiting for a bridge to form, instead launching himself across the hundred-foot gap to the next island. I made the mistake of looking down into the starlit void, and the wind ripped a scream from my throat. We landed hard on the island we’d just left, the cobblestones cracking beneath Fable’s powerful paws.

I risked a glance behind us, my breath catching in my throat as I saw the Remnant hovering above the cathedral’s highest tower, its shadowy form a dark blot against the starry sky. It made no move to pursue us but simply watched, its red eyes burning with intense, unwavering hatred.

Before Fable leaped to the next island, I caught a final glimpse of the strange light on the horizon of the realm. I knew in my heart it was where the rift had landed, and that if nothing was done, it might grow to consume all of Haven. The spirit had claimed to be able to contain it, but I was under no illusion that it would be indefinite. One look around us showed how much its presence weighed on the realm, and it had only existed for a few weeks.

We crossed the realm far faster than on our way in, partly because Fable didn’t bother with the bridges but mostly because of the Remnants. They’d remained hidden until now, watching us from the shadows, but now made no such effort to conceal themselves. They stood on buildings and floated in the air between islands, hundreds of silent onlookers to our frantic escape. None attacked or attempted to bar our path, simply watching silently as we tore past, but their presence drove us onward.

They were all similar, crafted from shadow, lacking depth or color, in the shape of what looked like adventurers. Some held swords, others bows, and a few wielded staffs. Their only truly identical feature was their eyes, which glowed like burning coals, filled with malice. I couldn’t determine their strength without souls, but none emanated power as terrifying as the one in the cathedral.

Despite our speed, with the eyes of the Remnants boring into us, our flight seemed to take an eternity. When we finally reached the island we arrived on, Fable wasted no time diving through the gate. As the rush of frigid energy enveloped me, I huddled against Fable’s back, clinging to him with my arms around his neck.

After a brief sensation of weightlessness and a wave of nausea, we burst back into Enusia. Kahlen stood nearby and tensed at our sudden appearance, his swords whirling into an offensive stance.

”C-close!” I gasped, breathlessly shoving my hand towards the gate. Though the Remnants hadn’t followed us, the thought of leaving a portal open so close to such powerful, enigmatic creatures filled me with dread.

The portal spun shut, vanishing in a shower of golden sparks. When the last one faded, I let out a shaky sigh and slumped against Fable, hugging him tightly until my trembling subsided. That had been too close.

When I raised my weary head, Kahlen cleared his throat. ”How was he?” he asked, his voice carefully neutral.

”S-sorry?” I mumbled, straightening myself on Fable’s back and taking a more dignified pose.

”The Lord of Ash,” he clarified, a hint of impatience in his tone. ”Was he everything you imagined?”

I froze, my hand mid-stroke on my horn. ”You knew?”

”I can sense his presence on you,” he replied. ”It’s faint, but I couldn’t miss his mark.”

A shiver ran down my spine, and I unconsciously touched my chest, where the slave crest had once been. ”He was... imposing,” I finally admitted in a hushed tone.

Kahlen’s eyes lit up with fervor. ”Yes, isn’t he? It’s part of what makes him so admirable. His conviction for his cause is unlike any demon I’d met before, in or out of the Devoted. I could hardly wait to swear fealty when he opened my gate and presented himself with such magnificent power!”

His outburst was as unexpected as it was passionate, revealing a different, almost fanatical side of the usually composed blade demon. But Kahlen didn’t seem to care, muttering happily to himself as he snatched one of his swords out of the air and flourished it with a practiced hand. It was almost endearing in a way, if the subject of his admiration wasn’t a demon who just single-handedly burned an entire city to the ground, all because they supposedly hurt something ”precious” to him.

”Let’s get back to camp,” I said with a sigh, shaking my head. ”I’m sure they’re wondering where we are.”

Fable padded away, and Kahlen was quick to join us. His temperament had returned to normal as quickly as it shifted the first time, but he seemed to be in a good mood as we returned to the rows of tents, humming an unfamiliar toon. I glanced at him curiously, watching from the corner of my eye. Demons could hum? Or, better question, they had music?

”Xiviyah, where have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you!” Korra cried, breaking between a gap in the tents. Gayron was quick behind her, though he slowed and hung back as she practically dragged me off of Fable and wrapped me up in a hug.

I winced, squirming in her grip as her embrace accidentally pressed against the sunpurge, sending a wave of fiery pain across my skin. ”K-Korra, please...”

She gasped and quickly released me, but kept one of my hands firmly clasped in hers. ”Sorry about that,” she said, her voice filled with concern. ”I keep forgetting.”

I rubbed my shoulder, a soft groan escaping my lips. ”It’s alright. And I’m sorry I worried you.”

”Where did you even go?” she asked, her brow furrowed. ”Gith said you vanished a few hours ago, but I couldn’t find a portal in your tent. I thought you might have been kidnapped or something.”

Her grip tightened on my hand, her eyes filled with worry. I looked away, unable to meet her gaze, my tail drooping.

”I’m...sorry. There was something I had to do. Alone.”

She studied me for a long moment before finally shrugging. ”Honestly, I’m just glad you didn’t come back half-dead,” she said, a hint of exasperation in her voice. ”I feel like that happens every single time I let you out of my sight.”

”That seems to happen a lot more now, doesn’t it?” I remarked, glancing at Gayron.

She stiffened, her face flushing a delicate shade of pink. ”Hey! What are you trying to say? No, wait,” she said, quickly regaining her composure, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. ”Were you trying to tease me? Damn it, that almost worked. I guess I’ll have to keep my guard up around you from now on.”

”Something like that,” I admitted, gently extricating my hand from hers. She laughed, but I couldn’t bring myself to join in, instead glancing at Gayron. He smiled at first, clearly amused by Korra’s playful antics, but his grin faded as he noticed my watchful gaze. He shifted uncomfortably, his tail twitching nervously, and I averted my eyes. Out of the three of us, it seemed two knew I hadn’t been joking.