The Forsaken Hero

The battle wound down soon after, with the vast majority of the fortress’s defenders perishing. The demons moved into the surrounding areas, hunting down anyone who might prove a threat to us. Luke planned to move into Tormod’s breach when this side was secure.

It was an endeavor that would likely consume the rest of the day. Jessia had already teleported away with the captured Father, leaving me, R’lissea, and Elise to our own devices until Luke returned. I considered finding an abandoned building within the ruined city to rest and recuperate, but R’lissea quickly vetoed the idea.

”We should stay here as Luke asked,” she insisted. ”I don’t like the idea of church assassins sneaking up on us while we’re vulnerable within the city. Here, on this exposed ridge, we’re at the center of everything. They’d have to fight their way past Fyren’s demons if they wanted to get to us.”

I sighed, rubbing my temple. We’d been on the ridge for hours, and after the stress of the battle, not to mention the Father, I needed a change of scenery.

”Then how about I take you to Haven?” I asked, brightening up. ”You haven’t seen it yet, have you?”

They both shook their heads, and before I could second-guess myself, I summoned my staff. As soon as the gate appeared, Fable rose to his feet and padded forward, nudging me toward it.

”What is it, Fable?” I asked, scratching his massive head as he pressed against my side.

”I bet he’s just tired of keeping an eye on everything. I don’t think he’s lowered his guard once all week,” R’lissea said with a chuckle. ”Once we’re inside your realm, our safety is guaranteed, right?”

Elise shuddered. ”Unless those shadowy things come back.”

”They won’t,” I said. My tail started to flick back and forth, causing them both to smile. ”You’re going to love it in Haven. The remnants are actually quite kind and protective.”

”I hope so,” she mumbled, hugging herself tightly. ”Let’s just get this over with.”

I frowned, opening my mouth to protest, but thought better of it. The only time Elise had been to Haven was under the Heart Crest’s dominion. She would see for herself in a moment just how wonderful my realm truly was. There was no need to argue about it now.

The moment I stepped out of the portal beneath Haven’s starry sky, I turned and waited for my companions to follow. Elise emerged first, stumbling out of the shimmering portal with an inelegant lurch. She caught herself before I could react, her shoulders tense and her expression wary. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as she slowly straightened, her eyes widening with wonder as she took in the breathtaking panorama of Haven for the first time.

R’lissea stepped through the portal with confidence, accustomed to traversing the chaotic pathways of demon gates. The moment she raised her head and looked around, however, her composure broke. Her eyes lit up, reflecting the starry sky, and she moved an unconscious step forward, hands clasped behind her back.

”This place is incredible, Xiviyah,” she breathed, twirling to face me. ”It’s like a demon gate, but so soft and...warm.

I returned her smile. ”Haven actually wants you here.”

Elise remained silent, her gaze fixed on the swirling constellations above. ”I didn’t know the stars could look so beautiful,” she finally whispered.

”Haven,” I called out, clapping my hands lightly.

There was nothing for a moment, and both Elise and R’lissea looked at me curiously.

”Here, my lady.”

Elise jumped with a startled squeak as Haven materialized beside us, stepping out of a swirling cloud of stars. R’lissea grasped her mana, only letting it trickle away again once Haven made no further moves.

”I need to speak with Fate,” I said. ”Would you mind showing them around?”

”Wait, you’re leaving?” Elise asked, clasping her hands together.

”There’s someone I need to speak with,” I said.

Although Luke knew of Fate’s existence, I wasn’t convinced they were ready to meet her just yet. Discovering I had a goddess residing in my personal realm might be even more shocking than the realm itself.

”As you wish, my Lady,” Haven replied, giving a casual salute. ”Do you anticipate being long?”

”I’m not sure,” I admitted, chewing my lip uncertainly. ”But we’ll be in Haven for a few hours, at least.”

”Then I shall introduce them to several of the remnants and sights of the realm. I believe they’ll love the orchards, and perhaps we’ll make it to the Star Well.”

I paused, giving the realm a hesitant look. I’d spent all of my time in the core regions of Haven and had never once had a chance to explore. This ’Star Well’ sounded interesting, and I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of fruit they might grow in orchards here. Were they using magic to make up for the lack of sunlight here? Did the remnants act as gardeners?

Haven smiled as my tail began to flick back and forth, reaching out to ruffle my hair. I blushed, conscious of my friend’s smiles, but didn’t pull away.

”I, um, want to see it too,” I mumbled.

He chuckled, patting my head once more before withdrawing. ”Run along, my lady. There will be plenty of time for curiosity later.”

”But I...okay.”

A low chuckle rumbled in his throat. ”Good girl. Now, I’ll bring your friends to the First Light Inn when we’re done.”

I tilted my head, ”You have inns here? But there’s no travers.”

Haven chuckled, shaking his head. ”No, not yet, I suppose. But that doesn’t mean there won’t ever be. And even if they’re not fully present, some of the remnants enjoy a drink now and then.”

”Alright. I’ll call for you when I’m done?” I asked.

He nodded, and I turned to go, only to stop as R’lissea caught my sleeve.

”Wait, Xiviyah, is it really alright for us to, um, you know...” she trailed off, glancing at Haven.

I gave her my best reassuring smile. ”You’ll be fine. Right, Haven?”

”Do not worry, friends of the Lady. So long as you remain here, I will watch over you.”

She held my gaze for a moment longer before nodding and letting go of my sleeve. ”Alright. We’ll see you later. Good luck speaking with, who was it, um...Fate? Wait, you can’t possibly mean–”

”I’ll tell you later,” I said,” I said quickly. ”See you!”

Before she could question me further, I turned and ran across the floating bridge. Haven was right, after all, and if I tried to explain every little secret I had, I’d never have a chance to speak with Fate. I also needed a second to myself to use the Oracle of Eternity. The hints and guesses we had of the gods’ plan were frightening, but I had to know for certain before I committed to a path.

The realm’s energy swirled around me in a faint, starry mist, putting a small bounce in my step and a wave to my tail. The buildings had lost their dust and tarnish, now gleaming brightly beneath the starlit sky. The air itself was sweet and clear, carrying the fragrance of the flowers scattered between the cobblestones.

The Remnants I passed on my way to the center of the city watched me with open curiosity. A few drifted alongside my path, their ethereal forms mirroring my path toward the city, but none came close enough that I felt obligated to hail them. They were all as unique and diverse as the heroes and apostles I’d encountered in Enusia, each with a look and personality becoming a great hero. It took all of my effort not to stop and try to talk to one, to hear their stories and the worlds they had seen.

At last, I made it to the fortress island in the center of Haven. A tall, muscular remnant clothed in full-plate armor stood at the road. He rested at attention just before the gate, his hands resting on the hilt of his sword, the blade of which driven into a gap between two cobblestones.

The remnant’s eyes followed my approach, his figure a stark and imposing silhouette against the soft starlight. He stood alone but didn’t seem lonely, and I found myself staring in awe, wondering what he must have been like in life. What abilities did he have? Just how strong was he compared to Soltair or Luke?

”Greetings, Oracle.”

His baritone voice was strong and noble, radiating authority, and I squeaked as it startled me from my thoughts. A year’s worth of court manners took advantage of my disorientation, and before I could stop myself, I dropped into a curtsy. I froze at the bottom of the gesture, and a wave of heat crept up my neck.

”S-sorry,” I stammered, quickly straightening. ”I didn’t mean to stare or, um, curtsey. It’s just...you sounded a lot like...I mean...sorry.”

”Think nothing of it, Oracle,” he reassured me, a gentle smile softening his stern features. ”It gladdens my heart to see one so young and bright under these hallowed skies. I would much rather you see all that Haven offers than avert your gaze in shame and let its beauty go to waste.”

”O-oh, right,” I said, ”is, um, Fate here?”