The Forsaken Hero

It took four hours before I was back on the deck of the Azure Wing, gazing over the side as the world passed slowly below. The veil of black mist had lifted from the land, and though dusk now approached, the forests, hills, and abandoned villages seemed lighter and free. From the shadows that draped from the peaks of the hills to the shade cast by the trees, there was no longer a taint of undeath.

”What are you thinking about?” Luke asked, coming up behind me.

I leaned against him as he put his arm around my waist, my eyes following the horizon. ”About whether Fyren’s ever going to tell me the truth. Not that he’s been lying, but...”

Luke chuckled dryly. ”He’s certainly evasive.”

I let out a huff. ”When I asked him what Connor was talking about, he just stared at me like I was the crazy one. He’s worse than Fate, sometimes. At least she finally told me her plan.”

”That’s true, though it’s just as insane as whatever Fyren’s planning. Does she really think she can rewrite the cycle?”

”I want to believe in her. But right now, I’m more worried about winning the war first. How long until your demons are ready?”

Luke was quiet for a long time, his tail swishing audibly. I looked up curiously and was struck by the dark look in his eye. My chest tightened, and I gripped my skirt.

”What is it?” I asked.

He let out a long, pent-up breath. ”Nothing. Nothing yet. It’s just...I’ve been thinking about what that bastard said. I think he might be right.” He gave himself a shake, forcing a smile. ”I have to check in with the other apostles. I wish I could tell you more, but until I know for certain, I’m not making any promises. But it’ll be soon, that much I can say for certain. The longer we wait, the stronger our enemies grow.”

Silence drifted between us, broken by the distant voices of the elves and the rustle of the wind. I gradually eased, resting my head against his side, nestled in the crook of his arm. Neither of us spoke as the first stars appeared and the last glimpse of Ebber’eve disappeared behind us. The war was foremost in my thoughts, but for now, I was content to bask in his presence.

The flight back to Sylvarus was long and uneventful, dragging out almost a full week. Aside from talking and planning with my companions, I spent the days studying spellbooks or visiting Haven, and the night cuddling with Fable and Borealis. The avian demon had grown even more attached to me as of late, a constant weight on my shoulder, or perched on the posts of my bed. He glowed with the same luster as my aura, pulsing warm like a lantern.

By the time the seventh day passed, and the forests of Sylvarus came into view, I’d discovered yet another matter to worry about. Ever since the battle, my aura had refused to come under control. No longer could I hide the glittering mists of stars, no more could I suck it into my soul. Everywhere I went, the starlight followed, swirling around the deck of the ship, trailing off the back like the tail of a comet. It was subtle and soft, but noticeable even under the noonday sun.

It wouldn’t have been worth mentioning save that its power had begun to manifest. Occasionally, a passing elf’s eyes would glaze over, his mind whisked away in the currents of fate. Visions came to me more easily, taking me as I dozed while reading or daydreamed in Luke’s arms.

But it seemed I was the only one bothered by the restless nature of my aura. The elves grew more reverent with every passing day, greeting me respectfully, with low bows or salutes, and always going out of their way to assure my comfort. The mages, especially, always found excuses to be nearby, bathing in the power of my aura. They claimed it helped them focus their own mana, but I had a feeling they were after the visions. Not that they were predictable. But that didn’t stop them from trying.

At last, we glided into the skyport in Duskwood. The Azure Wing was the last ship to arrive, and as soldiers and sailors rushed around, beginning the docking procedures, Luke flew me over the edge. We landed beside Selena in the courtyard, where a Sunsinger Carriage already awaited us.

”You look well,” Selena said, smiling as I stumbled, the ground unsteady beneath my feet.

I shivered, grabbing Luke’s arm and flushing in embarrassment. ”Is the ground supposed to be moving this much?”

Her smile widened. ”Who’d have thought you, of all people, would get sea legs?”

”Sea legs?” I tilted my head, aware she was teasing me, but not quite sure how.

”It happens to sailors who spend too long on boats,” Korra said, alighting beside us. ”They get used to the rock of the waves. It’s a lot worse on the real ocean than in a skyship, but I’m not surprised. We were on that ship for like eight days straight.”

”Leave it to you to know something like that,” Gayron said, nudging her with her shoulder.

”What? I like boats,” Korra said. ”One day, I’d like to take you all on a real ship in the ocean. There’s nothing quite like feeling the ocean breeze in your hair or tasting the salt in the air.”

”The ocean seems kind of scary,” I admitted.

She looked aghast, ”What? That’s it, once this war is over, we’re definitely going. I won’t take no for an answer.”

”Alright, alright,” I said, giggling.

”Are you sure it’s not the other way around?” Korra asked, nudging me with a grin.

I looked down, my smile fading. ”I have to tell her what happened. Ornth was her kingdom, once.”

That chilled the air, as everyone nodded solemnly. I pondered the weight of what we’d seen and done the entire carriage ride back, a knot growing in my stomach with every bump and rut. Too soon, the gates of the Sunsinger Estate opened before us, and Luke took my hand, guiding me from the carriage.

”Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” he asked as we made our way inside.

I half-expected Elise to be waiting in the lobby, but there were only the maids and butlers. Somehow, rumors had arrived before we did, and they practically buzzed with excitement as they greeted us.

Taking a long look around, I shook my head. ”I should speak to her alone. It won’t be easy for her to hear. Ornth was her home.”

”Dinner afterwards?” he asked.

I gave him a worn smile. ”Sounds lovely. I’ll look forward to it.”

A servant offered to lead me, but I refused them, as well. I knew the way to Elise’s quarters almost as well as to my own room. But as I stood before the door, I started to wish I’d taken Luke up on his offer. My hand shook as I raised it, swallowing hard, before lightly rapping on the heavy wood.

There was no response. Sensing Elise’s aura within, I tried the doorknob and found it unlocked. Easing it open, I slipped inside.

”Elise?” I called, butterflies in my stomach.

”In here.” Elise sounded tired, defeated. My nervousness evaporated into worry.

I found her in her study, slumped in the ornately carved chair over a pile of documents on the table. She looked up as I lingered in the doorway, and her eyes widened.

”Xiviyah? You’re back!” she rose, dropping a worn, crumbled letter on top of the others.

I gasped as she embraced me, squeezing the air from my lungs.

”I was so worried,” she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. ”You were gone for so long!”

”We’re back now.”

”I heard you won,” she said in a small voice.

I nodded, slipping out of her arms and taking a seat. She listened silently as I explained everything that had happened, from slaughtering the Risen in their cities to R’lissea delivering Connor’s judgment.

”I’m sorry,” I said when I finished. ”I know....I know they were your people.”

She bit her lip, looking down at the old letter. Her fingers curled, crumpling it in a loose fist. ”I...I can’t say that. Not after I...” She squeezed her eyes shut, a tear escaping her lashes and trickling down her cheek.

”Elise,” I reached across the table, resting my hand on hers. She flinched, looking away. Her hand tensed beneath mine before she deliberately loosened it, letting out a shaky breath.

”You’ve had this for a long time, haven’t you?” I asked, ”I remember you getting it in Blacksand. That felt like a lifetime ago.”

She nodded, trembling. ”It was.” She opened it slowly. The parchment crackled like autumn leaves, yellowed with age and stained by dark blotches that could only come from tears. ”It’s from my father. The last words he ever said to me. Before the undead hero killed him.”