The Forsaken Hero

The hall was so quiet I was certain everyone could hear my heart beating in my chest. The princess wore a sulky pout while her older brother frowned at her. The emperor cleared his throat, projecting authority over the entire hall.

”I am aware of the many challenges your houses are going through and the tenuous stability of the empire. The church’s plot and demon forces have strained our foundations to the root and have pushed us to the point of breaking. Even now, a week after this catastrophe, our people struggle to rebuild their homes and lives. Nothing is certain.” The Emperor sighed and touched his graying hair, smoothing it behind his crown. ”But our fathers did not get us this far by living in the past but working for the future. As such, I have called this banquet to commemorate the struggle and sacrifice demonstrated by friends and allies of this empire. Many lives were lost, but even more were saved. I offer you who fought and sacrificed my humble thanks.”

The emperor bowed his head to the hall. A muted gasp went up, the nobles staring at each other wide-eyed. Elaine and Avant looked taken aback, not to mention the members of the royal family and powerful officers at the head table.

”Father!” Belisa whispered, looking aghast. ”How could you...?”

Given her distance from the rest of the shall, it was likely only the most powerful beings with enhanced senses heard her. And myself, given my demonkin hearing. Elaine shot her a sharp look.

The emperor raised his head, humility dissipating into a regal bearing. He extended his hand toward our party.

”I recognize, especially, the efforts of these outsiders. They came to offer us surrender, yet instead brought salvation. While these actions are expected of those who wear the heroic mantle, there are those who have no obligation. Elise, once daughter of Ornyth and last surviving member of Brithlite’s court, I thank you for your efforts in negotiating a treaty to bring us peace. Over five separate demon armies have embarked through our land, but casualties have numbered only a few dozen. No major settlements have been approached, save for the claiming of their shard. Beyond this, I would offer you my personal gratitude. Your efforts exposed the treachery of the church and shattered a curse meant to claim my life.”

Another murmur rippled through the hall, yet it was a murmur of dissent this time. Angry eyes stared holes at Elise, led by the princess herself. The emperor released a fragment of his aura, bringing silence to the hall again. He cleared his throat and continued.

”The price of the debt we owe you cannot be measured, for you truly saved millions of lives, so allow me to offer a token of our gratitude. I offer you the title of ambassador with the rank and status of a lower noble.”

Elise shivered, biting her lip. ”Your majesty, this is a most generous offer, but I’m afraid I have other obligations to fulfill. I could not live up to your expectations.”

The emperor smiled, but it wasn’t the cold grin of a conqueror but a kindly, fatherly smile. ”Worry not, for I would not seek to chain you to this land. I grant you full independence without responsibilities or ties to the crown, the title being a symbolic gesture of friendship. No matter where you travel and what positions you attain in the future, you will always be welcomed and respected in our empire.”

Elise’s breath caught. She glanced at me wide-eyed before lowering her head further. ”Thank you, your majesty. In that case, I accept.”

The emperor’s tone hardened in an official proclamation. ”Then following the traditions of our empire, I bestow upon you a surname fitting one of your status. In our lands, you shall be called Elise Lastlight, for you were the last spark I saw when the church’s curse claimed me. May you continue to bring hope, light, and freedom to all those who depend on your name.”

Lastlight? I looked up sharply. From Elaine’s gentle smile, it was clear she was expecting this. They had to know about the Last Light Company. I refused to believe it wasn’t tied to that or the nation they came from. Something told me this wasn’t as token a gesture as the emperor claimed. No, the cunning light in his eye said everything I needed to know.

”Now then, I offer the same branch of friendship to the Life Hero and Oracle of Eternity. May you always know peace and kinship in our lands.”

R’lissea nodded nonchalantly. ”Thank you.”

I hesitated before dropping another low curtsey. When I rose again, I continued to grip my skirt, hoping to hide my shaking hands.

”Come,” Elaine whispered, leading us from before the imperial table. ”He’s got a long list of families to thank for their contributions during the recovery efforts, and I don’t intend to let you stand here the whole time.”

”That’s it?” I blinked, gripping my skirt tighter.

That couldn’t be right. There had to be more. It was that time when the host of the banquet would draw attention to my bloodline or make some disparaging remark to put me in my place. Even if I didn’t have a slave crest, many nobles here would have attended the Sun Festival at the Divine Throne. There’s no way they could have forgotten who I was or the humiliation I suffered when the Pope leveraged the slave crest to display my submissiveness and obedience.

But none of them did. As Elaine promised, the emperor started listing unfamiliar surnames and the feats they accomplished. Many were noted for slaying undead, while others were praised for sending their personal forces to secure villages and towns nearby. Elaine led us to a small, unoccupied table near a side entrance. A maid stood at attention, curtseying as we approached.

”I...I think I need some air,” I whispered.

Fyren frowned. ”Is something the matter?”

”No, I’m alright. Just...overwhelmed. I’m going to walk around for a bit.”

”Want me to come with you?” R’lissea offered.

I shook my head. ”I’d like to be alone, I think.”

Fyren started to protest.

”Please?” I asked, voice wavering.

He sighed, his shoulders relaxing. ”Fine, but don’t leave the courtyard. And I’m coming the moment I sense any distress.”

I gave him an uncertain look. Since when could he sense my emotions? Was it because he accepted my mark? Whatever the case, I gave them a slight curtsey and slipped out the door, Fable padding after me.

As the door closed, Elaine asked, ”Are you certain it’s safe for her to leave?”

R’lissea shook her head. ”I know that look. If she stays any longer, she’s going to start crying or pass out. Maybe both.”

I flushed slightly, the door closing with a click. The hallways were unfamiliar, but the manor wasn’t that big, and I enjoyed the stillness after the suffocating atmosphere of the banquet hall. With Fable watching our surroundings, I let myself sink into my thoughts and wandered wherever my feet took me.

Before too long, the muted buzz of the emperor’s voice faded away. I found myself before a large iron-bound door, drawn by the same subtle resonance I’d felt looking at the east wing of the manor. There was a familiar charge in the air, like a thunderstorm hovering overhead.

I pushed on the door. I opened silently, its hinges greased with an enchantment. I stepped through and gasped.

”A shard?”

There, in all its brilliant glory, was a shard of omniscience. Rainbow sparkles flitted around the room, blending with the soft light of the evening sun streaming through the upper windows. The floor was swept and smoothed by countless footsteps, and a few books were open on the desk by the entrance, yet the entire hollowed tower was empty. It was as if the priests responsible for its care just up and left. After what had happened with the church, maybe they had. But it still didn’t make sense to leave a shard unattended, what with the demons around.

I reached out, drawn to the pulsing mana within the crystal. Titillations ran down my spine as it reacted with my soul, the smooth, glassy texture warming against my palm.

Name: Xiviyah, Daughter of Fate, Forsaken Hero

Race: Demonkin

Status: Sun’s Divine Curse; Fate’s Blessing; Heir of Divinity; Soul Contract: Fable (Unique); The Final Star (Awakened); Infernal Mark of Fate;

Abilities: Affinity: Fate (9th); Adaptive Resistance (Awakened) (7th): Sun (8th), Curse (8th), Fire (8th); Oracle of Eternity; Soul Casting (6th); Sun Vulnerability;

The shimmering runes lingered as I gazed at them. So many things had changed I didn’t know where to begin. Adaptive Resistance had grown exponentially, but that was expected given the raw levels of mana I’d been facing. Linking it was Avant’s barrier might have been the best thing I’d done for it, as it had been exposed to all of the lava dragon’s fire attacks for entire minutes on end.

The changes in my status were more puzzling. It was easy to assume the Infernal Mark referred to how I’d marked the demons. The Mark of the Inferno was no longer there, which meant it had been referring to Fyren somehow.

The Final Star was the only status I’d never confirmed, and it had now awakened. The only thing to change in my soul was the strange power Fate had conferred on me just hours before. Might it refer to my potential to use my staff’s abilities?

As I puzzled over the changes to my identification, a soft cough caused me to freeze. Slowly, trembling, I turned, meeting a familiar pair of violet eyes.

Luke frowned, staring at me hard. ”Well, this is unexpected.”