The Forsaken Hero

”M-my Lord,” the bearkin stammered.

His iron grip around my waist slackened, and I fell through his fingers. His claws raked through my dress as I fell, drawing lines of fire across my skin. I whimpered as I hit the ground, my tail twisting painfully beneath me.

”I won’t ask again. What do you think you’re doing?”

”My Lord, we caught this whore filchin through your tent. She thought to make off with all yer valuables,” the demonkin said. He bowed low. ”No need to thank us. Just doin’ our duty.”

I groaned, collecting myself on my knees. My hips ached where the beastkin’s claws had gripped, already developing bruises. My mana actually responded as I called, allowing me to soul cast a simple Life Spell, taking the ache from my body.

”Whore?”

Luke’s voice was dangerously quiet. A powerful pressure suffused the air, making breathing difficult. The demonkin and bearkin groaned, staggering a step away from him.

”T-that’s right, my Lord,” the bearkin gasped.

I looked up, blinking back tears. Luke. It really was Luke. He’d come for me.

Luke met my gaze, and his face turned to stone. The pressure of his aura increased, forcing everyone within a hundred yards to their knees. The tents buckled beneath the weight, the air itself wavering like it was underwater. Slowly, Luke raised his hand, shadows curling around his forearm and fingers.

”I should thank you for being so diligent,” he said coldly. ”Here is your reward.”

The darkness streamed from his hand in thick black ribbons, snapping around the two before they could react. They screamed as it drew tight around their limbs and torsos, their skin graying wherever it made contact. They kicked and struggled, but as the taint spread, draining the color from their bodies, they grew weaker, their muscles wilting, skin drawing tight across their bones. In seconds, they hung limp, held upright by the shadowy tendrils alone. Their eyes alone showed they were even alive, rolling with fear and pain.

A hand appeared before me, and I jumped, letting out a terrified squeak. Luke stood over me, his face a mask of worry. I took his hand, allowing him to pull me to my feet.

”Are you alright?” he asked, checking me all over.

I shivered as his hand smoothed down my back. The rough handling had left my dress hanging around me, barely preserving my modesty. Gently, as he searched me for visible wounds, he straightened my dress before cupping my chin, looking me in the eye.

”They didn’t hurt you, did they? Why didn’t you use magic to protect yourself?”

I shook my head, struggling to speak. A rasp came out, and then a whimper, and his expression darkened.

He turned, letting his aura flow over the camp. Dozens of demonkin and beastkin had gathered. All shied away from his gaze.

”Your lives are worth only as much as you are useful to me,” he growled. He wasn’t shouting, but his voice carried across the entire camp. ”Yet you, your comrades–” he spat the word ”–dared hurt she who is most precious to me. They now reap their fate, one every single soul here will suffer if anyone, anyone, so much as touches her again.”

He turned back to me, taking me by the hand and leading me back to the tent. I followed, hardly daring to breath. Hundreds of eyes burned into my back, setting my tail flicking in agitation.

As we passed the bearkin and demonkin, I asked in a small voice, ”What did you do to them?”

”Only what they deserve.”

”Are they dead?”

”Of course not. Death is too good for them. That particular curse will keep them alive for days, slowly tearing their soul apart. I developed that spell to deal with inquisitors, yet I find its use hear fully fitting.”

”That’s...awful,” I whispered.

”Not as terrible as what they would have done to you.” He turned sharply, right before the tent entrance. ”Xiviyah, when we spoke yesterday, there was something I didn’t mention. I have another conviction that I will not compromise on.”

I stared at him, wide-eyed. Through all the memories I’d recovered, there wasn’t anything he cared about on remotely the same level as his vengeance.

”Yes.” He nodded gravely. ”I have taken on a great darkness to gain the power I need. But I will never, ever, allow it to touch you. You belong in the light, basking in the warmth of faith and hope, and I will do everything I can to let you remain there.”

”Luke...” I took his hand, still trembling slightly, and said as earnestly as I could, ”One day, I hope you’ll join me there.”

He sighed, rubbing his horn. ”Maybe. Maybe one day.”

Once we were inside the tent, he led me to the cot. I sat down, and he made to sit in the chair, but I clung to his hand, unwilling to let go yet. He smiled wryly and sat next to me, allowing me to hold his hand in my lap. After collecting myself, I explained everything that had happened, from rediscovering my staff to the way my mana scattered when I tried to protect myself.

”You mean...you didn’t remember your staff until now?” he asked. ”That can’t be right. Wouldn’t that mean you don’t know about Haven?”

”Haven?” I tilted my head. ”It does sound familiar.”

Luke stood sharply, his face pale. ”That’s...are you certain? What about Fate? Your goddess?”

I frowned, my forehead creasing as something itched in the back of my head. Fate. For some reason, I was sure it was a name. The image of the starry woman in my memories came to mind, and everything clicked into place.

My tail stiffened, rigid as a board. Memories crashed upon me like a waterfall. Countless emotions spread over literal years compressed into a few, overwhelming seconds. I clutched my head as it started to ache, tears welling in my eyes. The Divine Council, the shadows of Haven, mending the rift, and being held in the arms of my goddess. It was impossible to say if it all came back, for I had felt I was whole after remembering Luke, but it was enough.

I summoned my staff, but as I opened my mouth, a surge of trepidation stole my voice. I looked at Luke, on the edge of tears, biting my lip.

His expression softened, and he rested his hand on my knee. ”It’s alright, Xiviyah. I’m here. I’ll go with you.”

Reassured by his calm voice, I nodded and squeaked, ”Open.”

The gate to Haven swirled open just like in my memories, but I felt a sense of wonder, as if viewing it for the first time. The feeling had accompanied everything I’d done since waking up here, as if everything that had happened before was part of another life. Like the stories I’d read in Luke’s journal. The sense of distance was welcome in regards to the more painful memories I carried, yet I always felt like something was missing. Every time I experienced something like this, that sense faded, the new memories replacing the shadows of the old.

Luke stood, offering me a hand. I took it, holding it even after he pulled me to my feet. He gave me a reassuring smile, and together we stepped into the golden swirl.

My grip on Luke’s hand tightened as a tingle swept over my body, the ground vanishing beneath my feet. I waited for the terrible jerk and pain of being ripped apart to come over me, but the feeling that followed was gentle and pleasant, like bathing in warm water. I felt a tinge of regret as we stepped out into Haven, casting a reluctant look behind at the gate.

”My Lady,” a deep, resonant voice said.

I turned at the familiar voice, eyes widening as Haven greeted us with a salute. My hand slipped from Luke’s, and I ran forward, embracing the armored spirit.

”I’m glad you’ve returned safely,” he said, awkwardly patting my back.

I sniffled. ”I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry everyone.”

I held him a moment longer before stepping away, wiping a tear from my eye. Haven regarded Luke closely, frowning slightly as he watched me retake his hand.

”I see you’ve brought the apostle back. Perhaps that’s for the best. I believe Fate wished to discuss something with him.”

”The goddess?” Luke raised an eyebrow. ”You know I have no love for her kind.”

”Luke?” I asked, looking at him pleadingly. ”Please?”

He sighed, rubbing his horn. ”Fine, but only because I’m taking you to see her. If she has something to say, I’ll hear her out. More than that, I can’t promise.”

We made our way across Haven’s islands, tracing paths that felt familiar but new at the same time. Butterflies danced in my stomach as we crossed floating pathways, nausea rising in my throat whenever I looked over the edge into the endlessness beyond. As we crossed the final bridge to the island city, my foot slipped as a floating stone bobbed unexpectedly beneath my boot. I squeaked, grabbing Luke’s arm, squeezing my eyes shut. He quickly steadied me, letting me clutch him until I felt stable enough to move.

”I’m sorry, my Lady,” Haven said softly as we reached the other side. ”You had finally begun to feel comfortable here, too.”

”I...I will again. I promise,” I said.

Despite the quiver in my voice, I was determined to hold to that oath at all costs. With every breath of clean, astral air and every step beneath the twinkling stars, I felt my sense of self returning. Just being in this realm was refreshing, anchoring me to the past I felt so detached from.

We passed Gathrin, a name I remembered only as he greeted us. He regarded me with a tight, worried expression, but stepped aside with only a simple salute. The other remnants in the city regarded us the same, concerned but distant. I felt uncomfortable leaving them behind without any words, but deep inside, I knew there was a conversation I had to have first.