The Forsaken Hero

Once Emlica was gone, I shrank back to the cliff, hiding in its shadow. Not that I could actually hide; my aura made that all but impossible, but having something to my back quelled my trembling tail.

”Remember, all combat arts hold inferior power, flexibility, and efficiency when compared to spells,” Ernyst said, lecturing Korra and Gayron. ”If you try and compete head-on with a mage, you’re going to lose. But, even as their strengths counter your weaknesses, the opposite is also true. Use the time they spend casting spells to close the gap and put them on the defensive. Every ward they cast is one spell aimed at you. Every ally you cause them to summon to their defense is another nor harrying your own mages.”

”And what about fighting other combat art users?” Gayron asked.

”Simple. Be better than them. Train, grow stronger, improve your personal combat style and strategy. But above all, remember this one thing: the winner is not the strongest, or the fastest, or the cleverest. The winner is the one who walks away in the end. If there is an advantage, use it. If they have a weakness, exploit it. There is no such thing as honor or sportsmanship in a war. At the end of the day, one of you is going to end up in the dirt, drowning in your own blood. Don’t let it be you.”

”Ruthless,” Gayron murmured. ”I like it.”

Ernyst nodded. ”Such is the way of war. And Xiviyah, I haven’t forgotten you. Please, quit hiding and come here.”

I jumped, blushing as I made my way into the middle of the arena. Korra gave me an encouraging smile, and the remnant’s expression softened.

”No need to be frightened. We’re all allies here,” he said.

I ducked my head. ”I know, it’s just... I don’t like it.”

”Like what?” he asked.

”Battles,” Korra offered.

”I fail to see how that’s relevant. Battles are a hero’s way of life.”

”I’m not scared of fighting,” I said, gripping my skirt, avoiding their eyes. ”But every time I do, it always hurts. The noise, the shockwaves, seeing lives torn apart...I hate it.”

Korra rubbed her chin. ”It’s true. R’lissea told me to always be on guard. Apparently, she gets hurt every single fight.”

”I can understand your aversion, and I admire your courage in stepping forward every time you must. Truly, having a weak constitution is a death sentence in a battle among the strong,” Ernyst said. ”But if you wish to be stronger, to be strong enough, you cannot limit your combat experience to when you’re forced to fight. Instinct honed in training is instinct available in battle.”

”Then what would you have me do? I can’t fight,” I asked.

He grinned, gesturing to the far side of the arena. ”Just stand over there. If you can’t practice throwing attacks, you must practice taking them. At the very least, you should be able to hear the clash of steel without flinching.”

I gave Korra a helpless look, but she just smiled. It was probably meant to be reassuring, but it came off as predatory. I sighed, and with a deep breath, crossed the arena.

”Is here good?” I asked when I was halfway between them and the wall.

He nodded. ”Perfect. Now, you’re only job is to stand there and practice using your ability.”

”That’s it? But what about... everything else you said?”

”Merely placing yourself in harm’s way will be your best teacher. Just don’t panic, and trust us. This isn’t a real battle, no matter how dangerous things might seem.” He turned to Korra and Gayron. ”This is also an ideal scenario for you to refine the combat arts I’ve shown you. Here’s a live mage with real wards you can attack. Just remember to keep your attacks under the fifth level. Technique, not power, is what’s important here, and I won’t have you stressing the oracle’s limits. Her soul is still fragile, remember.”

”Naturally.” Korra flashed a feral grin.

”If we must,” Gayron muttered.

”Good.” Ernyst rose into the air, folding his hands behind his back. ”Now, begin.”

I barely had time to register his words, much less feel the trepidation gathering in my gut, before Korra kicked off the ground, launching herself toward me. Even restraining herself to the fifth-level power, she was a blur across the ground. Her fist, sheathed in a blue aura, collided with my wards, stopping a hairsbreadth in front of my face.

I stumbled back, heart pounding in my chest, barely holding back a scream. Before I could come to terms with the sudden violence, she pressed forward, unleashing a flurry of punches. Ripples of light spread across my wards from every strike, creating a disorienting kaleidoscopic effect around me.

A sudden impact from behind caught me totally off guard, and a scream actually did slip out. Gayron, taking advantage of the flaring wards as a smokescreen, had approached from behind. His sword left shining burning lines against my defenses, tracing every attack.

”Focus, Xiviyah,” Ernyst’s voice rang. ”Remember your ability.”

As the initial terror of the assault wore off, I managed to catch my breath. Every blow caused me to flinch, but the impact of the noise, explosions, and trembling ground dulled. Taking a deep breath, I drew on Adaptive Resistance, manipulating it like Emlica showed me to absorb their combat arts. Most of the force of the attacks was physical. Still, the flowing water and fire mana released were enough to practice without getting overwhelmed and hurting myself by mismanaging the absorbed mana.

As the minutes drew on, my breathing evened, and my heart no longer jumped with every explosion. Ernyst circled the arena, offering pointers to Gayron and Korra. While intimidating, their attacks didn’t actually damage my wards much, stressing my soul very little. Any mana I expended strengthening them was replenished by the meagre trickle I drew from Adaptive Resistance. Emlica had drawn almost a hundred percent of the mana absorbed into her soul, yet I could barely manage a tenth of that. Even after half an hour, my efficiency hadn’t crossed fifteen percent.

Half hour turned to an hour, and then to two. Korra and Gayron never let up, lashing out again and again, practicing the same moves over and over. Sweat dripped down my forehead, and my legs ached from standing, but I didn’t dare complain. My efficiency hadn’t grown much, but

By the end of the third hour, I couldn’t maintain it any longer, sinking to my knees.

”That’s enough,” I panted, letting my staff disappear.

Korra and Gayron stepped back, panting lightly. I was pleased to see a sheen of sweat on their foreheads, and immediately felt guilty at the thought. Why did it matter if they were tired, too?

”Very good,” Ernyst said, touching down. ”You three still have a long way to go, but this should give you an idea of what proper training looks like. I don’t expect you to be able to come here often, so repeat this exercise as often as you are able.”

”I don’t know how often I can do this,” I said, looking up at him. While it wasn’t physically strenuous, my soul was beginning to ache. Constantly forcing my ability into a state of overdrive like this was exhausting.

”We can just spar whenever you’re resting,” Korra offered.

Gayron nodded. ”As useful as a free punching bag is, I find a live opponent more satisfying.’

”There’s strength in diversifying your training, but be careful not to spar just with each other. Even well-intentioned, you’ll pick up on each other’s habits and subconsciously find ways to take advantage of those instead of sharpening your own skills,” Ernyst cautioned. ”But that would be fine. Use sparring as a chance to internalize and apply the technique you train with Xiviyah.”

He gave a few more words of advice before dismissing us. Korra took my hand, carefully pulling me to my feet.

”You were amazing,” I said, leaning on her as we left the colosseum.

She laughed. ”I can’t believe how much we didn’t know about anything before coming here. To think I was so proud of ’inventing’ my own combat arts when, in fact, they’re the most basic thing any real warrior learns.”

”There’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Gayron said, giving her a gentle smile. ”And for the record, you are pretty amazing. I’m almost nervous to spar against you tomorrow.”

”Oh? Perhaps we should do some more training tonight, to get you all warmed up, then,” she said with a playful lilt to her voice.

”Can’t say no to that!”

”Korra!” I squeaked, burying my burning face in my hands, tail twitching.

”Hmm?” They both looked at me, wearing matching expressions of confusion. ”What’s wrong with training?”

My blush darkened. ”But you...I thought...didn’t you mean...?”

Korra froze, her eyes growing wide. She met Gayron’s eyes, and her face turned a shade of pink. She touched her hair, shyly smoothing it behind her ear. Gayron flushed, averting his gaze, but his rapidly flicking tail left nothing unsaid.

”Unbelievable,” I muttered, pulling away from them.

They lingered behind, drifting together until their hands met. I rolled my eyes, but stopped as I sensed a familiar aura rolling across the islands.

”You two go ahead, just use the portal to leave,” I said, forgetting my embarrassment.

”What is it?” Korra asked. ”Did something happen?”

I looked at the island city floating on the horizon, and nodded. ”I’ll be out soon. There’s something I have to check.”

They bid me farewell before taking off, flying into the sky with their newfound combat arts. I watched them just long to be sure they were heading in the right direction, then turned back to the city. It seemed Fyren had got my message.