The Forsaken Hero

A pulse of golden light washed across Haven, forming a bubble around the entire central city island. My connection with the realm muted, and I shivered, feeling unexpectedly cold.

Emlica raised an eyebrow. ”And this is...”

”I’m sure you have something like it in the library, but I made this spell to protect me from the Eyes of Fate. Verity, the Fate Hero, was spying on us, seeing our movements and weaknesses, and it fell to me to stop her.”

”Curious,” Emlica said, her gaze fixed on the runes visible only to us. ”I certainly have many spells capable of stunting traditional scrying magic, but never before have I encountered a situation where I was forced to block a heroic ability.” She gave a wry smile. ”We’re normally on the same side, after all.”

”But will something like this work?” I asked, hope fluttering in my chest.

”No.”

The answer stung, my shoulders slumping slightly, but she wasn’t done.

”Not like this, at least. You’ve fashioned this spell by separating the very fabric of Fate, but only on a magical level. To that end, it would stop the World Barrier from reading demon souls, but not their blood.”

”So it’s not a bad idea?” I asked, my voice small, still clinging to the hope.

She smiled. ”No, child. I was hoping you would come up with something like this. Fate forbade us to solve your problem for you, but you’ve come this far on your own. I’m certain she wouldn’t mind if I took it from here.”

She clapped her hands, and my magic vanished. I gasped, my soul shuddering as if it had been sucker punched. I stared at her with wide eyes. There hadn’t been a spell, chant, or even a soul cast. There wasn’t even any backlash or residual mana dischordance. How had she done that?

”Sorry, but this quiet is especially bothersome,” she said, a slight wince on her face. ”We remnants are almost entirely soul beings, not anchored in the flesh like you. It’s almost like being underwater, a feeling I’d almost forgotten.”

”I can’t say I’m a fan, either,” Arantius said from the entryway.

I looked up, startled, finding him leaning there. Hadn’t he been there the whole time? I thought he’d left! He gave me a small, knowing smile, as if guessing my thoughts. My cheeks warmed, and I quickly looked away.

”You were right about this being a weakness of the barrier,” Emlica continued. ”Show me your spell once more, so that I might memorize it, and I’ll modify it so it completely hides your presence. Be warned, however, the range is small, and will only allow you to function within the barrier, not to enter it in the first place.”

I started casting Silent Stars again, this time keeping the magic circles out in the open, not soul casting. As she watched, memorizing every rune, I thought about the other problem facing us.

”The shards,” I said, a thought blooming. ”You said the World Barrier allowed people to teleport through the shards, right?”

”You’re aware demons can’t teleport through shards?” Emlica asked, an eyebrow raised.

”Wait, they can’t?” I asked, genuinely surprised, gripping my skirt. ”I’m sorry, I don’t know much about them. But that wasn’t what I wanted to know. Why can the shards still work when everything else won’t?”

”An astute question,” she said approvingly. ”Unlike typical spells that seal space, a World Barrier is woven through fate itself, which is precisely why it’s impossible to fool with magic. Spatial magic works by bringing two separate locations together, like folding a paper in half. It then pokes a hole through fate on both ends, like stabbing a sword through said folded paper, allowing passage. The World Barrier reinforces fate, making it nigh impossible to use this method.”

”So why do shards work? Don’t they teleport too?”

”The shards are like holes that have already been poked in the paper. There’s nothing there to reinforce in the first place. But even if you managed to secure a Shard to teleport to and from, you wouldn’t be able to bring demons with you, nor would that help you find the one sustaining the barrier.”

”But I could use a Shard?” I verified, a spark in my eyes.

She shrugged. ”I suppose.” Then, seeing my satisfied expression, she leaned forward. ”Do you know how to?”

I shook my head, my newfound confidence faltering. ”No, I’ve only done it once, and I almost fainted. But you do, right?”

”Naturally.”

My face brightened. ”Then you can help me. I’ll just summon you to Enusia, and you can walk me through the spell.”

”You’re hardly skilled enough in spatial magic to do that. Even ninth-level mages can struggle learning it, and often take years to reliably move to the shard they want.”

”Oh.” My shoulders drooped, crestfallen.

Emlica raised a bony finger. ”But, if you ask nicely, I might be persuaded to cast it for you. I can do that, now that you possess the ability to call us to your world.”

My eyes widened, and a delighted smile stretched across my face. ”Really? You would do that?”

She smiled faintly. ”How could I refuse? You’re much too adorable when you’re excited like this. You remind me of a dog I once had. Its tail wagged just like yours.”

I froze, a hot flush creeping up my neck, and tentatively glanced behind me. Sure enough, my tail was wagging back and forth. I snatched it, hiding it behind my back with both hands.

”I’m not...” I mumbled, staring at the ground, my cheeks burning.

She chuckled, waving her hand dismissively. ”Now, I really must return to my research. I’ve almost cracked your Adaptive Resistance, you know. If you think your tail is excited now, just wait for that.”

I gripped my tail harder, wishing I could scold it. But I’d tried that enough times to know it wouldn’t work.

”Thank you,” I said, still pink with embarrassment.

”I’m only doing as Fate instructed. And save your gratitude until this matter is settled. I don’t envy your role in this either.”

”Right. I’ll find us a Shard to use, and the location of the mage.”

She nodded. ”Good. If you can do that, leave the rest up to me.”

Emlica clapped her hands and vanished, returning to the library. I jumped with a squeak as Arantius suddenly spoke from behind me.

”Well done, little oracle. It seems your problem isn’t as insurmountable as you thought.”

”I thought Fate said the remnants would help me. Why wouldn’t she just tell me if she had a solution?” I complained, turning to him, a slight pout on my lips.

”Fate said they would help, not do it for you. Every choice you make and every situation you overcome by your own strength gives you confidence and experience. Your role is too important for us to cripple that growth by taking away every burden and decision. The time will come when we can’t shield you, and you must be prepared.”

I sighed, letting my tail go. ”Would it kill you to be a little more helpful? I could use a few more hints.”

He laughed and reached for my head. I ducked, but he didn’t hesitate this time, and ruffled my hair.

”That’s enough sulking, little one. As much as Emlica complains, I have a feeling she’s not the only one with too much to do, and too little time to do it in.”

”I’m not sulking,” I protested, pushing his hand off me. ”And I’m not a child.”

”Is that right?”

His bemused expression put the pout right back on my face, and I turned my back on him, tail twitching in agitation. Fable, with Borealis on his head, padded over. His bond was filled with amusement. I glared at him, but couldn’t hold it as he rubbed his head against my arm. Borealis hopped off him, landing on my shoulder and nuzzled my cheek.

”You guys...” I sighed, reluctantly petting them both. I turned on Arantius. ”And you? You’re supposed to be gloomy and cold. Why are you acting like Korra?”

He raised an eyebrow. ”And you were crying a few minutes ago, yet now you’re ready to face the entire world.”

”But I...ugh, that’s not fair.”

I ducked my head, pulling Borealis against my chest. Tucking my chin against his feathers, I hide my gaze from him.

Arantius’s laugh chased us out of the cathedral. Though I left with a blush, my heart was light, and spirits high. The feeling of relief I’d gotten after talking with Fate had grown, swelling in my breast like the summer sun.

I turned as we reached the entrance portal, looking over Haven. A small smile twitched at my lips as I absently petted Fable. The stars were bright and beautiful, mirroring my mood. I stared at them for a few breaths, before turning and walking resolutely through the gate.

Just one of them. I just had to be one star.