The Forsaken Hero

”How did you know she would find anything?” Elise asked as we left the negotiating room.

I shrugged, still shaking some from the confrontation. ”I, um...trusted my intuition. I just felt like there would be.”

”That’s the last time I doubt you,” Jessia said, strolling behind us with her hands behind her head. ”I haven’t had that much fun since we infiltrated Whitecliff City!”

”This isn’t a game,” Elise said, frowning at her.

Jessia shrugged. ”Sure it is. Just because the stakes are life and death doesn’t make it any less so.”

Elise shook her head, grumbling to herself.

”Thank you, Jessia. They wouldn’t have believed us without you,” I said.

”This is better for me, too. Humans have waaay more interesting secrets than demons. I’d hate it if we killed them all just like that,” she said.

”I hope Luke feels the same way,” I said, biting my lip. ”I’m grateful, though. Please, thank him for me.”

”Can’t you do that yourself?” she asked.

I shook my head. ”I...better not.”

”That’s right,” Elise said with a firm nod. ”She gets much too excited around him. It’s not good for her recovering soul.”

My cheeks warmed slightly, and I looked down. Jessia laughed, and even Elise cracked a smile. A few minutes after that, we were back in Elise’s room.

”I wish I could have done more,” Elise said, sinking into her chair. ”You guys did all the work. I was just...helpless,” she said, then added in a whisper, ”Like always.”

”That’s not true!” I protested. ”Even if Jessia and I brought you the truth, we never could have done what you did. You were like a thread of mana in a magic circle, tying the runes together to finish the spell! No matter how powerful the rune is, it’s worthless without a skilled mage. That’s you.”

”An analogy about magic?” Elise said, her lip twitching in the beginning of a smile. ”I suppose I Should have expected as much from you.”

”But it’s true!” I insisted.

She sighed and rubbed her head, smoothing her hair back. ”I...guess. Thanks.”

I opened my mouth, wanting to reassure her, but nothing else. I settled for reaching out and grabbing her hand, squeezing it gently.

”You were great. I mean it,” I said.

Her smile felt forced, but at least it was there.

”Um, about your title,” I said awkwardly. ”What’s going on? What is that letter?”

She avoided my gaze. ”It’s not important right now. Let’s just focus on getting this treaty smoothed out.”

”Oh. Okay,” I mumbled, dispirited. Maybe Korra or R’lissea could have gotten more out of her, but I didn’t even know where to begin. It was obvious she was hurting, but I knew better than anyone how hard it was to lay personal wounds bare. It didn’t seem right to ask that of her, even if I wanted to help her.

Servants brought us dinner a few hours later. After that, I hugged Elise and followed Jessia back to my room. As we descended the levels, the servants grew more plentiful, reminding me of the slave quarters in the lower level of the Divine Throne. It was certainly a far cry from the plush guest suite Elise was staying in.

As we entered the room, the back of my neck pickled—the sensation of being watched. I scanned the room with the eyes of fate, but there was nothing hidden behind the weak enchantments supporting the walls.

”Jessia,” I said, ”Are you sure this is mine?”

”Of course! This is where those church maids took us, after all,” she replied cheerfully.

”It’s just...” I bit my lip, tail twitching.

There was no window, and the walls were stark gray, making the room feel smaller than it was. As Jessia walked out the door, shutting it behind her, I shivered, sitting on the bed. Fable padded up to me and rested his head in my lap, licking my hand. His fur tickled my thighs, making me smile.

”Thanks,” I said, scratching him between his horns. ”I wonder why they put me here. Do you think R’lissea has to sleep in the basement, too?”

He sent a wave of indifference, and I sighed, nodding.

”You, you’re right. There’s no sense worrying about it. We’re just going to Haven, anyway.”

He whined softly, placing a massive paw on my hand as I tried to summon my staff, pinning it to the bed.

”Hey!” I frowned at him.

He shook his head, sending a ripple through his fur. A few impressions followed, and I slumped, lowering my head.

”But I...are you sure?”

A wave of confirmation followed, and I slumped, lowering my head. He rose up half on the bed, rubbing his head against my chest. It would have been cute if he were a quarter the size, but as is, his head was bigger than my torso, and he ended up knocking me back onto the mattress.

”Alright, I get it! I’ll cheer up,” I said, pushing him away. ”But for the record, I don’t like it here. If anything happens, it’s your fault.”

He gave me a long look, and I groaned, rubbing my horn.

”I don’t care if Jessia left me here alone. You should have seen her earlier. It was...awful. I think she might actually prefer it if this whole thing ends up being a trap. Even more so if I’m the bait.”

Despite every instinct urging me to flee to Haven, Fable was right. If the demons could enter a realm and know its location, so could the gods. All it would take was one inquisitor or priest slipping through the gate after me and the location of my realm would be exposed. In an ironic twist of Fate, I was far more terrified of that happening than a demon getting in.

With that discouraging thought, I rose to change, loosening the broach holding my cloak. As my finger ran over the familiar groove of the glory chasers symbol, I hesitated, glancing at the door. The feeling of being watched had yet to fade, and a small murmur in my soul kept me on edge. It wasn’t clear if the Oracle of Eternity could properly warn me under the influence of whatever barrier Elaine had talked about. I would be exposed, relying entirely on Fable if something happened.

Given my helplessness, it might be better to leave my cloak on. It wasn’t much, but if R’lissea’s wards failed during the night, a fifth-level protective enchantment was better than one of the flimsy nightgowns I usually spent in.

Still clothed, I climbed onto Fable, nestling against his side. His tail wrapped around me like a blanket. I hugged its warmth, nuzzling my cheek against his fur, and sighed contently. Even if the stars of Haven were far away, at least I didn’t have to sleep in a bed.

”Wake me if anything happens,” I mumbled, sinking into sleep.

I came to in my soul space, surrounded by darkness. The stars that usually kept me company were gone, a creeping chill in their place. It struck me to my core, reminding me of the terrible darkness that had corrupted my realm.

My spirit form was faint and weak, occasionally flickering to a hazy wisp. My thoughts grew far away during those times, and when my consciousness returned, it was like no time had passed. Like I simply hadn’t existed for a few seconds.

After adjusting to the strange, state, I closed my eyes and summoned the Oracle of Eternity. It resisted my call, stubbornly clinging to the depths of my soul until I finally dragged it out. Ribbons of light began twirling around me, but as my soul flickered they dispersed, plunging me back into darkness.

I tried again, but each time ended in failure. It didn’t matter whether I asked for things inside or outside of the city, I was repulsed like water sliding off a mirror.

After several more tries, I was by another flicker. It came hard and fast, jarring like the clang of a broken bell, and the Oracle of Eternity slipped out of my grasp. When I regained thought, it had already slunk back into my soul.

Letting out a groan, I sat down and rubbed my translucent horn. Was this how Verity felt whenever I dismissed her prying eyes?

There was only one thing left to try. With little hope, I reached out to the Mark, drawing up the thousands of threads that bound me to the Devoted. Fyren’s thread appeared front and center, leading into the inky blackness of my soul space. I tugged on it and was startled as it responded, filling me with warmth and tickling my nose with ash.

Taking hold of his essence, I willed myself toward him. Following the thread was like hiking one of the many mountains Soltair had dragged me across. My grip was tenuous, and occasional flickers disrupted my progress, but I persevered.

After what felt like an eternity, at the edge of my mental Fortitude, I burst through the darkness. The fabric of fate unfolded, placing me in an alleyway in the city below. The vision was loose and blurry, but I instantly recognized Fyren. He stood in his human form, back to the street, looking at something in his hand. I crept closer, peering around his arm, and gasped.

A golden chain dangled between his fingers, fixed to a familiar, golden amulet. And from the amulet radiated a presence beyond description, of chaos, hatred, and roaring flames. Its aura was similar to one I’d experienced long ago but could never forget—a demon Lord.