The Forsaken Hero

Not five minutes later, Fable landed in the courtyards of the Sunsinger Estate, padding over to a secluded grove on the edge of the gardens. A few elves who’d been seeking privacy themselves scattered, casting wary looks at the gigantic silver wolf.

”Hey, um, Xiviyah?” Sari asked, sliding off Fable’s back. ”Can I still come?”

I smiled faintly, unable to help ruffling her hair. ”I think we should postpone our visit. Things are going to be a little busy today.” My smile tightened. ”Why don’t you go watch the tournament with the Star Guard? I bet Korra would love to see you in the stands cheering for her.”

She ducked away from me, giggling. As she came up, her ears perked, her tail swishing eagerly. ”I think I’ll do that, just for a bit.

She threw her arms around me in a quick, tight hug before bounding off, her laughter trailing behind her as she went in search of Luxxa and the others.

I watched her go for a moment, a small, wistful smile touching my lips. Then I turned, my expression serious once more. Watching as Nithalee landed, stumbling a single step on the landing. The demons were on either side of her and remained in the air overlooking the grove.

”You intend to take her to Haven?” Fyren asked.

”Yes, so please keep watch. I gave Luxxa and the others the day off.”

”The mortals make sense, but where is Kahlen?”

I shrugged. ”I think he went with Jenna somewhere. She said they were going to the tournament, but knowing her...shopping?”

He gave me a flat look. ”You think a blade demon went shopping?”

I couldn’t help the smile twitching at my lips. ”He’s...different, and getting more so every day. Like Borealis,” I said, looking to the sky, catching the golden glitter of his wings high above.

Ever since the battle, the ice demon hadn’t left his post, continually circling above me. I had half a mind to call him and order him to relax, but that was just because I wanted to pet him. The truth was, with Zephyriss on the ground, I felt safer with him in the sky, keeping an eye on things.

”That demon has almost entirely assimilated the mantle of Fate,” Fyren murmured, stroking his chin. ”It won’t be long until he begins developing more than visual symptoms.”

”I’m curious to see which ability he develops. It might hint as to our own future,” Zephyriss said, twirling a little circle in the air.

I hushed them, glancing dubiously at Nithalee, but she didn’t seem to care for our conversation, instead studying my aura. My tail twitched, but I guided it behind me with a hand and turned to her.

”Come,” I said, waving my staff.

Her eyes widened as the gate appeared, and she took a half-step backwards as I gestured toward it.

”You can open a gate so easily? Where does it lead, a demon realm?” At my frown, she shrugged, a smile playing across her lips. ”Can’t blame a mage for being a little skeptical. I’ve seen my share of demon gates, and this is practically identical to them.”

”That’s because it’s a gate. Demon gates are simply a name for gates leading the dimensional bubbles carrying the horde to Enusia.” I said with an exasperated sigh.

She took a sharp breath, eyes narrowing, but before she could censure me for my tone, I stepped into the gate. The tension left my shoulders as the sweltering weight of Enusia vanished, and the fresh, mana-rich air of Haven filled my lungs. I opened my eyes, blinking in the soft starlight, my tail curling contentedly as I stepped onto the entrance island.

”Haven,” I called.

The spirit appeared, pressing his hand to his breastplate in a loose salute. ”Here, my Lady. I’m gladdened by your return. It’s been some time.”

”Barely a week,” I said, a faint smile touching my lips as I shifted my staff, holding it behind with both hands, and leaning forward slightly. ”Did you really miss me?”

The spirit chuckled. ”Only a little.”

The gate flashed, and we both turned as Nithalee staggered from the swirling stars. Her chest heaved as she caught her balance, hands clasped tightly around an ornate wand with an amethyst stone floating an inch above its tip. She looked around the ancient, peaceful vista with eyes wide with shock, her lips parting in a silent gasp.

”I’ve...how is such a place possible? By what magic do those islands float, and from where does the water come from?” she asked, staring at one of the many streams sliding off an island in the distance.

”And this is...?” Haven asked, folding his arms and staring hard at the mage.

”This is Nithalee. She’s a friend...I think.”

”OH, I’d say so. At least, if being friends gives me access to a place like this,” Nithalee said, walking forward, her gaze never resting.

At seeing such childlike wonder on the old woman, I couldn’t help but stand a little taller, my tail straightening with pride. Finally, someone had the proper reaction to visiting my realm for the first time.

”You intend to take her to Fate?”

”I do. Please, could you inform her we’re coming?”

”Already done, my Lady. If you’ll both follow me? And watch your step, the bridge shift,” Haven said, leading us toward the edge of the island.

”Bridge? I don’t...incredible,” Nithalee breathed as the floating bits of stone and rubble came together, connecting the entrance to the next island.

Remnants gathered around us as we walked, whispering to themselves as they examined Nithalee. She challenged their curiosity with her own, studying them with several subtly cast spells. Whether she hid their casting because she was worried about offending them, or wished to keep them secret, was anyone’s guess. Still, I didn’t pry, finding them inferior to the oracle of the Eternity in every way. Whatever they told her seemed to impress, if confused. I hid a smile myself, knowing exactly why. I still didn’t have the answer to how they could exist without a true soul.

Gathrin waited for us at the gate of the city, hands resting on the pommel of his massive broad sword. He nodded to me, but his eyes never left Nithalee, scrutinizing her.

”A ninth-level mage. I wasn’t aware there were many in your world,” he said, stepping in front of us, blocking our path.

I introduced her again, though I knew he’d already obtained the information from Haven.

”This is Gathrin,” I said to Nithalee. ”He’s one of my closest friends.”

Gathrin jerked, a flicker of something like surprise crossing his features. ”Friends?” he mused, glancing at me.

I took a hesitant step back, tail twitching. ”Um..aren’t we?”

”Yes, I just...” The beginnings of a smile showed on his face. ”Friends. It’s been some time since I’ve been addressed as such. I quite like it.”

He hummed with satisfaction, stepping aside with a slight bow. As we moved past, my gaze remained on him. My previous conversation with Fate returned to my mind, and my tail drooped a little. That a simple word even I was used to carried such weight was just... how could I have missed that before? How could I have been so selfish?

”Soon,” I whispered to him, though we were out of earshot.

Arantius waited for us at the entrance to the cathedral, arms folded, a stern look on his face.

”So, he’s sent a mortal in his place this time. Considering his arrogance the last time, I half expected him to appear himself,” he said, looking Nithalee over.

Nithalee drew herself up to her full height, still a foot shorter than the remnant. ”Who are you to speak of my god with such irreverence?”

”Calm down, child, I’m merely observing the weave as fate has woven it. Follow me, and mind your tongue. You’re but a messenger.”

He turned and led us to the heart, where the shard glittered brightly. Fate stood before it, hands clasped at her waist. Nithalee stiffened as she noticed the strange, foreign true mana circling the room, but even that was forgotten as she laid eyes on fate herself. The goddess stood before the shard, in the midst of a slowly circling array. I counted them quickly, my tail going rigid as I came to the same conclusion as Nithalee.

”Ten?” I whispered, counting them again. There was no force or pressure, no aura to precede such a spell. And yet it was there before my eyes. A tenth circle spell.

”Forgive my impudence,” Nithalee gasped, dropping to her knees. She bowed her head so low her forehead almost scraped the ground.

The circles paused mid-rotation, the streams of mana connecting them to the shard coming to stand still like frozen rivers. She turned slowly, looking us over with her familiar gentle smile.

”Welcome, child,” she said, extending her hand to me.

I accepted her offer without a second thought, melting into her arms. She stroked my hair lightly, her soothing warmth washing over me.

”I see you’ve been busy,” she murmured, hand coming to rest on the back of my head, holding it against her bosom. ”Emlica told me of the arbiter, but seeing it through your eyes...you were very brave.”

”I...I wasn’t. I was so scared,” I murmured.

”And yet you fought anyway, and sacrificed what fate demanded of you. No goddess could be more proud of her chosen.”

A shiver ran through me, and I blinked, finding tears gathering on my eyelashes. I touched my face, cheeks coming away wet. But...why? Why was I crying? I’d never felt so warm inside. I was anything but sad.