The Forsaken Hero

It was late when I returned to Enusia, yawning and exhausted. I had enough mana to attempt Spatial Rift almost twenty times, yet not once had I even made it to the seventh-circle. But I hummed contentedly, my tail swishing as I walked back through the Sunsinger Gardens, slipping in through a side entrance. The servants and guards we passed peered at me anxiously, but they needn’t have bothered. Tired as I was, my aura barely reached the edge of the estate right now and was incredibly stable.

The only reason I even thought of Luke right now was because I wished I could tell him everything I’d learned. All the progress I had made. I could only imagine how he’d smile and pat my head, and pull me close. Thinking of that made me feel a little cold and lonely, but I shook it off, squirmed out of my clothes, and threw myself into bed. Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.

But an easy night wasn’t in the cards, and no sooner had I drifted off than I awoke in the midst of a vision. My heart sank as I looked at the thick haze of infernal mana hanging over the mountain valley I stood in, and the demon hordes surrounding me. Perhaps thinking of Luke right before bed hadn’t been the best idea.

But still, as I recognized his mark on the scions, my heart fluttered a little. I was trying to be strong, but...it wouldn’t be bad if I saw him, right? Just a little peek? To make sure he was alright?

The small forest clearing was empty, but that quickly changed. Jessia and Luke appeared in a puff of shadows. Luke glanced around, his eyes narrowed, before he slowly relaxed, letting out a long, heavy sigh. There was something sluggish about his movements that made me want to embrace him, to ask what was wrong, but I couldn’t.

Letting out another sigh, Luke turned from Jessia and made for the edge of the clearing, but she vanished and reappeared in front of him, hands on her hips.

”That’s far enough, don’t you think?” she asked, scowling. ”You didn’t say the lines! We practiced those, remember?”

He stared at her, numbly, for what felt like forever, until even she shifted, looking a touch uncertain.

”I made her cry,” Luke whispered, staring at his hand. It closed into a fist. ”I promised myself I’d never do that again. She’s already shed too many tears.”

”’Destroying the gods is more important than anything, even you. That’s why I have to leave.’” Jessia growled in a low voice eerily similar to Luke’s. She rolled her eyes as he flinched, and asked, exasperated, ”Is it really that hard to say?”

Luke didn’t answer.

”You’re impossible,” she muttered, throwing her hands up. ”Who cares if she’s a little sad. You said it yourself, she cries plenty. What’s a few more tears? It’s not like you’re not ever going back, assuming you straighten out your priorities. Now stop pouting and give me your hand. We need to fill in the council on your little breakup. They’re waiting for good news. It is good news, isn’t it?”

Jessia held out her hand, palm up, fingers curled invitingly.

”It’s not a breakup,” Luke said.

”Then go back to her. Or come with me, and see this through. For your sister.”

Luke hesitated, then swore softly, and took her hand. They vanished in a puff of shadows, leaving me alone until my soul space reclaimed the forest, leaving me in cold, faraway starlight.

”Jessia...” I muttered, scowling into the cold expanse of stars. Just why did she decide to start meddling now? She’d never cared about Luke and me before. Was it because of the council? But Incinderus was a member of the council. I couldn’t believe he would hide something this close to my heart from me. Unless...

My tail twitched as the thought crossed my mind. I rejected it, but it wouldn’t leave. Fyren, Incinduers, Zephyriss...three incredibly influential and powerful demons. I still didn’t know their agenda. If they felt that Luke was getting in the way of whatever it was they came to Enusia for, would they have sanctioned a decision to take us apart?

I didn’t want to believe it.

I took a breath, letting the foreign heat in my heart cool. I wouldn’t jump to conclusions. I’d suffered too much heartbreak, cried over too many betrayals, only to find out that particular path of fate had never actually come to pass. If there were a reason to mistrust the Devoted, it would come from their own actions.

Assuaged by that conviction, I let my worries rest and departed my soulspace, succumbing to the call of sleep. No matter what happened, I trusted Luke. He said he would be back. He would be. He had to be.

The following day, Elise and I made for the Last Light Company, riding upon Fable’s back. The peace I’d found the night before had vanished between dreams and nightmares of things yet to come, and perhaps never to, but I pushed them to the back of my mind, my agitation known only by the occasional twitch of my tail.

”Welcome, fair ladies,” Bethiv said, saluting as Fable landed in the midst of their camp.

”Where is Commander Joel?” Elise asked, bidding him rise with a smile. ”There’s much I have to speak to him about.”

Bethiv waved, calling a team of fourth-level soldiers to him. Speaking to their leader, he said, ”Take Lady Lastlight to the main company. See that no harm nor disrespect befalls her.”

The team, ten in number, saluted rather sharply. This way, my Lady,” The leader said, bowing low.

Elise left her thanks with the commander, disappearing deeper into the forest alongside the escort. Bethiv watched her go before turning to me, his expression serious once more.

”Were you able to reach a decision?” he asked.

My tail swished as a smile blossomed on my face. ”She said yes!”

He cracked a smile. ”Then we’ll be in your care.”

He let a small burst of aura from his soul, letting it ripple across the camp. Soldiers perked up, and in minutes, the entire thousand were assembled around us. I looked around, my tail flicking shyly as their gazes rested on me, shrinking a little closer to Bethiv.

”That’s everyone, Commander,” Jackal said, stepping out from amongst the rest. ”Every sword was ready for the call.”

”Excellent.” Bethiv nodded firmly. ”Lady Xiviyah, if you’re ready?”

I grasped my staff from the air and summoned a gate. A shiver ran through the soldiers as it swirled open, the skin around their eyes tightening. More than a few gauntleted hands fell to their hilts. I took a half-step back, startled by their reaction.

”At ease,” Bethiv barked, quelling even the most agitated man with a glare. He smoothed his expression, voice softening as he said, ”Forgive them, they’ve entered more than a few demon gates in their time. Even with you among us again, it’s an old habit.”

”Oh, that’s all?” My smile crept back, and I eased my grip on my staff. ”You’re all going to love it. Haven is a lovely

place.””Aye, the Lady speaks the truth!” Avrass’s voice called.

I found him in the back, standing tall. He waved, wearing a cheerful grin. I gave a small wave back, but he mistook my relief for an invitation and shouldered his way to the front, followed by his team of rangers clad in their mottled leather armor.

”Care to lead the way?” Bethiv asked the man, nodding at the gate.

I glanced at him, my brow knitting together. Wasn’t that his job? Wait...don’t tell me he was nervous, too.

Avrass’s grin showed his teeth. ”With pleasure.”

Without bothering to consult me, I marched through the gate, vanishing into the swirl of starlight.

”W-wait! Let me go first!” I squeaked. Ducking my head to Bethiv, I hurried after him, praying Haven recognized his soul and didn’t blast him from the realm. Not that he would. Then again, the closest thing to an uninvited guest I’d ever seen was Rash’alon’s demons, who Arantius had promptly erased from fate.

Fortunately, when I burst into the realm, Avrass and his rangers were safe and sound, standing in a small ring around the entrance. Haven had taken physical form, and Jasrin was there, somehow. The remnants poke with animated expression, gesturing wildly.

”...perfect place. It still has most of the walls! And our flag,” he said, proudly.

”I’m certain it will be perfect for our needs, but please allow the commander to arrive and inspect it himself,” Avrass said with a polite smile.

I hurried over, and Jasrin turned, his face lighting up.

”Hey, there you are! I was worried about you after you showed up yesterday. Most of us were, actually. It was pretty obvious when you got better, but you could have stopped by and said something.”

”I-I’m sorry.” I lowered my head, overly conscious of the ranger’s curious stares.

”Hah, no harm done. Now, how many soldiers did you say you were bringing?”

”A thousand. Did you forget the briefing already?” Gathrin said, appearing beside me. I jumped slightly, and he smiled, bowing slightly. ”Forgive me, my lady. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

I swept my tail up in my hands, blushing as I shook my head. ”It’s fine. And I’m sorry about yesterday.”