The Forsaken Hero

Eventually, the barrage of questions subsided, and I sank back into my chair, exhausted. I couldn’t remember the last time I had spoken so much, and my throat felt dry and scratchy, voice growing hoarse. Thankfully, Luke seemed to notice my fatigue and stood, clapping his hands to gather everyone’s attention.

”Thank you for waiting patiently this week,” he said, meeting each of the apostles’ eyes in turn. ”I know you have your own plans as we move towards Sylvarus and the Alliance, but it was important we took time to gather our forces.”

”And for a certain someone to wake up,” Jessia added, giving me a playful grin.

Luke glared at her, and she shrugged, muttering, ”Just saying.”

I stared at him, my eyes wide. They had delayed their plans for an entire week so I could recover? If he wanted access to Haven, there was no need to allow me a stable place to sleep. He could have just kept marching and, whenever I awoke, forced me to open a portal. What kind of plan had he made that required me to be comfortable and well-rested?

”Regardless,” Luke continued, his voice regaining its authority, ”I’ve divided up the available demon gates in the Alliance, and each of you can claim the reinforcements at your leisure. Jessia and I will cut a path to the center and take Tormod’s Breach, securing passage into the Blacksand Empire’s territory. We’ll meet up there at the beginning of spring for the final campaign to Sylvarus.”

”And what of the other heroes on the continent?” Evla asked.

Luke hesitated for a moment, shooting me a glance. I held his gaze before averting my eyes, nervously clutching my skirt. His eyes lingered on me a moment longer before he sighed.

”If they try to interfere, eliminate them,” he said, his voice hardening. ”But our focus should be on gaining strength, not wasting scions on heroes. The last thing I want is to arrive at the Empire in the same weakened state as we did here. There won’t be another Haven to rely on this time; we’ll have to use our full power.”

”Haven?” Edrin frowned at the unfamiliar name.

Luke’s lips tightened into a thin line. ”That’s... the name of the condition Xiviyah had.”

My tail stiffened in surprise, and I gasped. He hadn’t told them? He’d had an entire week while I slept, yet he hadn’t mentioned the Shard or the realm to anyone? Even Jessia lacked the knowing smirk she usually wore when privy to a secret, though, from the way she glanced between Luke and me, it was clear she suspected something.

”And what of Xiviyah and the Life Hero?” Constance asked, his deep voice rumbling through the room.

”They will remain with me, where I can keep an eye on them,” Luke said firmly, his response much better prepared this time around.

That seemed to satisfy them, and after a few more questions, they stood and bid their farewells. I was surprised when Evla reached out and took my hand, clasping it tightly in hers.

”I don’t know what you’ve done to Luke,” she whispered, leaning close so no one else could hear, ”but don’t stop now. There was a time I was afraid that he... no, never mind. Just stay close to him, and he’ll protect you. I’m sure of it.”

She gave me a small smile and squeezed my hand once more before pulling away, leaving me bewildered, watching as she went. Constance and Edrin barely spared me a nod before exiting, and Jessia offered a flirtatious smile. Then, I was alone with Luke.

”How are you feeling?” he asked quickly, the composed mask he had worn throughout the meeting falling away. ”You’re looking a little pale. Are you really sure your soul is settled again?”

I nodded. ”Sorry, I’m just not used to so much talking at once,” I admitted. ”But Luke, why didn’t you tell them about Haven? About the... the...”

I hated to remind him of it, but I had to know. None of his actions since entering Haven with me made any sense. He had to have some scheme to claim the Shard or get revenge on Fate, and yet... I could see nothing. Every smile, kind word, and friendly gesture seemed genuine. Why did it feel like he was trying to befriend me? Didn’t he know he was strong enough to take what he wanted? And failing that, he could always extort it by using R’lissea and Elise as leverage.

He frowned for a second, then abruptly reached toward me, his hand brushing mine. I recoiled instantly, flinching back, my heart pounding in my chest as I watched him with wide, terrified eyes.

”I see,” he said slowly, his gaze falling to my rapidly twitching tail. ”So that’s what this has been about.”

The panic slowly subsided as he did nothing but watch me, sadness clouding his expression, and my racing heart began to calm. I clutched my hand to my chest, willing the lingering warmth of his touch to fade.

”Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he apologized, lowering his head. ”I was just... curious. About how you felt.”

I shivered, taking another step back. Only now did I fully realize we were alone. Fyren’s soul had disappeared from my range, and though I knew he hadn’t wandered far, any distance at all felt like too much if Luke decided to harm me. My only options were to keep talking and hope Fyren returned, or find an opportunity to escape.

”Why didn’t you tell them?” I asked, struggling to keep the tension from my voice.

He shrugged and sat back down, seeming more tired than I’d ever seen him before. ”I... couldn’t. I barely understand it myself, and for all I know, that shard might have just been another illusion conjured by that strange realm. It is the same as the being who looked similar to a goddess. It wouldn’t be the strangest thing I’ve seen around you, after all, so who’s to say they weren’t just memories, like before?”

”You don’t believe that,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He looked up at me, meeting my eyes. A playful twitch curled the edges of his lips up. ”Who’s to say?”

My head spun, and I leaned forward, resting my weight on the chair. I tried to suppress my relief, certain I misunderstood him, but the knot of tension in my stomach loosened regardless, and tears welled in my eyes. The constant threat had left me perpetually on edge, draining me more than any social interaction ever could. Every word, every gesture, seemed to carry an ulterior motive. But was this a ruse to lower my guard, or had my fear been unfounded?

”No...” I whispered, squeezing my eyes shut. I was doing it again. Trusting someone who held my life in their hands. I couldn’t.

”Xiviyah...” Luke whispered, his voice unexpectedly close. I startled back, stunned to find he had stood and moved to my side without my noticing.

”Please, stay away,” I begged, biting my lip, stumbling back a step. ”Don’t hurt me.”

He froze, his hand outstretched towards me. ”Hurt you?” he echoed, his brow furrowed in confusion. ”When have I ever... wait, where is this coming from?” His eyes narrowed. ”You weren’t this scared in the city, or Haven.”

Tears welled in my eyes, but I quickly looked away, refusing to let him see me cry. That would only reveal more weakness and expose another weakness for him to manipulate.

Then, his hands were on my shoulders, his face inches from mine, his eyes searching my own. It was so sudden that I barely had time to let out a squeak before his gaze locked with mine, dark and filled with concern.

”What happened?” he asked, his voice serious. ”Did someone hurt you?”

I tried to pull away, but his grip didn’t loosen. ”N-no,” I finally mumbled, ”it’s just... why do you pretend? I’m already your slave, just... stop, please. Just take what you want already.”

He recoiled as if I had struck him, and I took advantage of his shock to slip out of his grasp, putting distance between us.

”Slave?” he whispered, his eyes widening in disbelief. Then, his gaze sharpened, a flicker of anger igniting within them. ”Who said you were my slave?”

”Y-you did,” I whispered, lowering my eyes. ”And... your demons.”

”Ixtra,” he hissed, his aura turning icy cold.

I shivered at his unrestrained hostility, instinctively taking a step back. He took a few deep breaths, and his aura retreated, simmering within his soul like a distant thunderstorm.

”Xiviyah, I’m sorry,” he said, his voice filled with regret. ”I thought I made myself clear to them, but the folly was mine.” He let out a sardonic chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief. ”How naive of me to assume creatures that have lived for eternity would change just because one young mortal asked them to.”

My heart wavered at his apology, tears streaking down my face. Nothing made sense. He had made it clear to me that I was his slave, and if I refused to obey, he wouldn’t protect R’lissea. But... was I really his servant? If so, then why did he seem so angry?

The storm I’d felt gathered before I forgave him for using Haven as his weapon returned stronger than ever. All of my fear and anxiety, the affection I’d gained for Luke, came together violently, causing my heart to tremble. Again, I was forced to consider the truth and how my perspective might have tainted it. Was I really giving him the fair second chance I thought I was, or was I too afraid to consider the possibility he might actually mean the words he was saying?

Without waiting for me to gather my thoughts, he whirled and stalked towards the door. His hand grasped at empty air, and shadows responded, curling from the dark corners of the room to coalesce in his hand, forming his staff.

”Luke...?” I sobbed, my hands clasped together, my tail swishing nervously. What was he talking about? Where was he going? Was he really not going to hurt me like Soltair had?

”Come, Xiviyah,” he said, glancing over his shoulder and meeting my frightened gaze. Upon seeing me sob, his eyes grew even colder, if such a thing were possible. ”It’s time I teach those monsters the cost of making my oracle cry.”