The Forsaken Hero

Fate gave me a final hug and stood, letting her hand rest comfortingly on my head.

”You’re going to be tired for the next few weeks while your body adjusts to your new mana, but try and get up now and then. It’s not good to lie around all day,” she said.

”May I get up now?” I asked, clasping my hands together.

She smiled and nodded. ”If you’d like. Just be sure not to push yourself. Don’t leave, Haven, either. Your condition has mostly stabilized, but I want you close in case something goes wrong. Also, you–”

She coughed, breaking her normally flawless poise. I tilted my head, unsure whether goddesses could even cough in the first place.

”Regardless,” she said, giving me a stern look, ”Be careful, and...gentle. You’re not the only one under a lot of pressure right now.”

I gave her a questioning look, but Fate’s lip curled in a mysterious smile. Stars materialized around her, growing into a thick, golden mist. Her presence faded, and when the light died, she was gone. My fingers twitched, closing around the empty air Fate’s hand had occupied just moments before, and I shivered, clutching the blanket to my chest. My chest tightened, and my gaze darted around the room.

”Fable?” I called, a tremor in my voice.

His soul blazed brightly in the Nexus, feeling close enough I could touch him, but the wolf was nowhere to be seen. I shivered again and shifted to a sitting position, my legs dangling over the edge of the mattress. The floor was warm beneath my feet, and the subtle smell of smoke tickled my nostrils.

With a shallow breath, I rose to my feet, holding onto the headboard for support. My legs trembled, but with some effort, I straightened, made my way over to the window, and parted the sheer, white drapes. Soft starlight streamed into the room, enveloping me like a hug. The anxious jittering of my tail slowed, and I took a deep breath, letting the sights of Haven wash over me. Remnants drifted aimlessly across the islands, only occasionally conversing with each other. It was peaceful and quiet, far removed from the wartorn carnage of the city outside.

As I gazed around the realm, I absently fingered the hem of my nightdress. The fabric was soft and silk, but a bit heavier than I was used to, the skirt just a touch longer. Even more surprising were the sleeves, which hung across my shoulders. The slight pressure felt strange, and I caressed my shoulder through the fabric, sending a twitch down my tail.

I found my spatial ring waiting for me on the nightstand and pulled the nightdress over my head, shivering as the cool morning breeze wafted across my bare skin. After some thought, I selected a white satin dress and tied it around my waist with a red ribbon. The sleeves rested properly on my upper arms, leaving my shoulders bare. I still would have preferred a cut of dress that didn’t expose so much of my chest, but after so much time catering to the sunpurge, it felt too weird to wear something with real sleeves.

Doing a little twirl, I admired the swish of the satin skirt in the small mirror atop the nightstand before retrieving my comb. I lifted a long, crimson curl of hair before sighing and letting it drop. My comb disappeared into the spatial ring. A few weeks without care had left my hair a mess far beyond my limited skills. Maybe Elise or R’lissea could help.

The thought of my friends brought a flutter to my chest, and I turned toward the door. My legs had firmed up some since rising, so with a final look around the room, I made my way out and down the stairs of the First Light Inn. The scent of smoke grew stronger as I neared the bottom.

Scarcely had I stepped into the common room, when a flying tackle greeted me.

”Xiviyah! You’re awake!”

I stumbled back as Elise embraced me, squeezing me so tightly black spots flashed before my eyes. She was only a few inches taller, but my feet left the ground as the golden-haired princess twirled, spinning me around with a joyful cry.

”E-Elise,” I croaked, ”P-please...”

She gasped and drew back, gripping my arms and looking me up and down. ”Sorry, I just...you’re okay!”

I nodded, and Elise drew me close again, this time allowing me to breathe. Looking over her shoulder, I found the common room of the First Light Inn just as I remembered. The remnant innkeeper stood behind the bar, casually polishing a glass as he pretended not to pay us any special heed. A few round tables and chairs scattered around the room, and a hearty fire roared in the corner.

Elise’s chair lay sideways on the ground. Behind it, R’lissea sat on the other side of the table, hands clasped in her lap. She met my gaze for a split second before her eyes darted away, and her fingers curled into her skirt.

”I can’t believe you’re finally awake!” Elise said, grabbing both of my hands. ”It’s been forever!”

”Only a few weeks,” I said, returning my gaze to the beaming princess.

”You make it sound like it happens a lot!” she exclaimed.

I chuckled dryly. ”Something like that. It was a lot worse after Brithlite, remember?”

”Right, Brithlite...” her gaze darkened a touch, and she forced a smile. ”Why don’t you sit down? I’m certain Rivlitt will put something out for you.”

”Rivlitt?”

I glanced at the remnant behind the bar. He nodded to me and gestured at the table. A small, steaming bowl of broth appeared on the side closest to the fire.

”Thank you,” I called, returning a slight curtsey.

”Now, won’t you tell us what happened? Luke didn’t know much, and Fyren was tight-lipped,” Elise explained.

”Fyren? Is he here?” I asked.

She shook her head. ”He won’t enter Haven. Said it wasn’t safe for demons.”

”He’s probably right,” I muttered, glancing at Rivlitt. ”But what about Fable? I can feel he’s close by, but I...”

”Wanted to pet him?” she grinned, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

A faint blush colored my cheeks. ”...among other things.”

Rubbing the red from my face, I eased into the chair and glanced at R’lissea. She flinched and lowered her head further, elven ears drooping. Elise frowned and leaned forward, trying to get a look at her face beneath bangs.

”Is something the matter? Do you want something else?” Elise gestured at the plate of soft bread and thinly sliced roast.

”It’s nothing,” R’lissea mumbled.

”Alright, if you say so. But Xiviyah’s finally up! Couldn’t you at least smile?”

R’lissea’s knuckles whitened, and she sniffed. A small, crystalline tear trickled down her cheek, catching on her chin.

”I’m sorry,” she sniffled, dragging her sleeve over her eyes. ”It’s just...I’m sorry. I’m so sorry!”

She burst into tears and buried her face in her hands, shoulders shaking with sobs. I shared a look with Elise, who looked as stunned as I felt.

Gingerly, afraid of upsetting her more, I reached over and laid a hand on hers. She shuddered at the touch. Moisture gathered in my own eyes, and a lump built in my throat.

”What is it?” I whispered. ”What happened?”

”I betrayed you,” she sobbed, ”I...I didn’t want to, but I...I’m so sorry.”

”R’lissea,” I said softly, sinking from my chair onto one knee and wrapping my arms around her shoulders.

She stiffened. ”What are you doing? I’m just Soltair.”

”No, you’re not,” I said. ”I believe in you.”

”But how? You said you couldn’t trust me, that even after everything, you were scared I would abandon you. And now I have.”

I hesitated, blinking to keep the tears away. ”I...used to think that. That trust was something you had, or you didn’t. And I didn’t have it. But then I learned that was wrong. Trust is a choice, and I chose to believe in you.”

”You don’t understand.” The desperation had faded from her voice, and she softened slightly into my embrace. ”After we crashed, I knew where you were. But the church found me first, and I let them take me away. I told them you were hurting me and that I had escaped. I didn’t know if you were alive, or hurt, but I...I walked away.”

”That’s not fair!” Elise began, but I silenced her with a look.

”R’lissea, I don’t blame you for anything. You did what you had to in order to survive. I did the same. It was hard, and I really was hurt, but we made it together. Fate’s path is rarely straight, but we both made it to the end.”

”I was so scared,” she whispered, surrendering entirely into my arms. ”I didn’t want to lie to you, and when Verity made me say all those things...I’m sorry, Xiviyah. I didn’t mean any of them. I care about you so much, and I couldn’t bear it if you hated me.”

I shivered, the words penetrating deep into my heart, and I had to take a deep breath before continuing.

”Trusting you was one of the hardest things I’ve done, but the moment you decided to go through the gate and not expose me, I knew you hadn’t betrayed me. It was then, I think, that I understood what Fate said about trust. It was a dangerous choice, with lots of risk, but that’s what made it worth it. I...I care about you, too, R’lissea. I’ve never had a sister, but maybe...if she was like you, it would be good.”

R’lissea’s lower lip quivered as she finally met my gaze. Her soft, green eyes wavered with tears, but her entire face brightened with a small, tentative smile.

”Really? So you forgive me?”

I nodded, squeezing her before sitting back down. ”There is nothing to forgive. You’re my friend, after all.”