The Forsaken Hero

”Xiviyah, is everything alright? You seem...distracted.”

It took a few seconds for Korra’s voice to register. I lifted my head from the back of my hand, blinking slowly, and looked at her.

”It’s fine,” I said with a heavy sigh. ”Just the war.”

Her brow furrowed, and she pursed her lips, but if she sensed the lie, she didn’t push further. Maybe she’d actually let it go?

It had been almost a week since Jessia confronted me, and still, I hadn’t worked up the courage to speak to Luke. We’d passed each other, spoken, and he’d even kissed me once or twice, but I hadn’t managed to look him in the eye even once. I hadn’t seen Jessia once, but just the thought of her twisted a knife in my gut.

And now, everything had come to a head. The call had come, every preparation made. The hordes were gathered, waiting for us to lead the way. It hadn’t felt real, even just an hour ago. But it was happening all the same.

Now, on the eve of battle, Haven was preparing for war. Korra had cornered me after our final council in Starfall Keep, dragging me with her to the top of the tower, where a grand balcony overlooked the realm. The air was clear, the stars bright, and a gentle breeze caressed my cheek. I took a deep breath, savoring it as the scent of flowers rose from the gardens below.

She raised her hand, patting my cheek, forcing my eyes to focus on her again. ”Are you sure you’re ready? Are you sleeping at night? Is the Prism charged?”

”I said I’m fine,” I mumbled, my eyes skating to the side. I fiddled with my necklace, rubbing the Soulbinder between my fingers. Even now, in Haven, I could feel his presence. It caused my tail to twist, knocking against the balcony with enough force to make me wince.

”Hey!” Korra snatched my chin, turning me back to face her. ”Look at me.”

I sighed, but met her eyes, putting on a small smile, but it fell almost immediately. I squirmed at the earnestness of her gaze. I must have been naive to think she’d let it go that easily.

”Have you ever, um...lied to Gayron?”

”Huh?” She blinked, taken aback. ”What’s that supposed to mean? I lie every time we spar. It’s so easy to win when he lowers his guard.”

”You know that’s not what I mean,” I mumbled.

She opened her mouth, then closed it, eyes narrowing as she studied me. ”I’m not sure I do.”

”I...I mean, have you ever lied to him about something important? Something that hurts to say? Or maybe you didn’t even know if it was true, but thought saying it might change things?”

”What are you hiding?”

”I-I was asking about you!”

She snorted. ”Right. Let me guess, it’s about Luke. Just tell me what’s going on this time.”

I hesitated, gripping the ring tighter. But the silence was anything but my friend, weighing heavier and heavier, until I cracked. Slowly, word by word, my voice trembling, everything Jessia accused me of spilled out.

”She was right,” I finished, hovering on the edge of tears.

”I thought you already made peace with all that?” Korra asked. ”You said you were okay if Luke left, that you were fine to simply enjoy the time you had with him.”

I looked down, sniffling. ”I thought so too. But I’m not.”

”So you believe her, then.”

I nodded, curling my tail between my legs. ”Jessia’s many things, but she doesn’t like to lie.”

”Let me guess: she’s the one who told you that.”

”Well,” I hesitated, biting my lip. ”She’s never lied before. Not directly.”

”Has she ever done anything out of the goodness of her heart before?”

”No,” I admitted.

”Then maybe you and Luke aren’t in as bad a state as you think. Sure, based on what you said, you guys have it rough, but it’s not irreparable, is it? Say you decide to be honest and tell him how much you want him to stay. What’s the worst that can happen?”

”I don’t want him to know!” I burst out, covering my mouth, before continuing in a small voice. ”If he thinks he’s hurting me, he’ll just pull away, and I’ll lose him even faster.”

”And you don’t think that’s happening?”

”Whose side are you even on?” I asked, looking up, gripping my skirt tightly.

She gave me a flat look, and I ducked my head, hunching my shoulders.

”Sorry,” I mumbled.

”I’m always on your side. Even when the entire world is against you. But that doesn’t mean you’re right all the time. In fact, I half agree with what Jessia said, I just don’t think her motives are as innocent as you believe. You and Luke do not have a healthy relationship right now. He keeps sidelining you, and you refuse to tell him how much that hurts. You told him the opposite, actually. Sure, he’s not perfect, but what’s a guy supposed to think?”

”So what do I do?” I pleaded.

”Damn it,” she muttered, crossing her arms. ”I hate to say it, but exactly what Jessia said. Start small, and tell him you want him to fight with us at Darkreign Keep.”

”But won’t that ruin our plans?”

She scoffed. ”What plans? He can’t do anything until we bring down the world barrier but sit there and wait. Sure, the idea was for him to reserve his mana for Radia, but if I know Luke, he’ll jump at the chance.”

”And what about going to the Divine Throne? And then...when he leaves?” I asked.

”Yeah, those do seem like bigger deals. But that’s why you practice now, with the small stuff. Got it?”

I swallowed hard, but nodded. ”Okay...I’ll try.”

”Don’t try. Do,” she said, reaching up and squeezing my shoulder. ”I’ll be there with you the whole way.”

A lump grew in my throat, and I nodded again, looking down and rubbing my cheek. ”Thanks. I feel kind of silly. I’ve been worrying about this so much, but the problem only got bigger and bigger. It makes so much sense when you say it. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

”Let’s not find out, yeah?” she chuckled, pulling me into a quick hug, nearly squeezing the breath from my lungs.

”Yeah.” I rested my head against her, breathing deeply. She smelled of sea salt and the earthy scent after a rainstorm.

A powerful aura approached us, soaring through the skies, but I clung to her, nuzzling her neck with my cheek until Nithalee cleared her throat, hovering just above us. Korra patted my back, gently pushing me away.

”Is it time already?” I asked, turning to the ninth-level mage.

”Already? Everyone’s already gathered. We’re just waiting for you,” she said impatiently.

”You could have sent Haven to tell us,” Korra muttered.

”Never mind that. Hurry to Starfall Keep. Emlica is growing impatient. You know how she gets when she’s away from the library.”

My tail went stiff, and I clutched at Korra’s sleeve. ”Come on! Haven?”

Stars exploded around us, folding us across the realm. Solid ground came up fast, and I stumbled, still gripping Korra for support. As I looked around, I found the grand lattice of the Keep rising around us, the courtyards packed with orderly lines and battalions of soldiers. Demons were mixed among them, every one of them a full-fledged demon.

”Ah, we were just beginning to wonder if you’d show up,” Bethiv said, giving me a salute. It was echoed by every Fatesworn, even the demons, lowering their heads.

”About time, I say,” Emlica muttered, scowling at no one in particular.

The remnant floated beside the Commander, Fyren, and Incinderus. Another half-dozen remnants were scattered about, including Jasrin and Gathrin. But it was Fate who drew my attention, her long hair shifting in the astral breeze. Her gentle smile melted my nerves, and I ran to her and embraced her.

”You came to see us off?” I asked, looking up, beaming.

”How quick your temperament changes,” she said with a light laugh, ruffling my hair. ”And what kind of goddess would I be if I couldn’t see my hero off to war?”

”It’s really happening, then?”

”Your apostle is waiting outside. The hordes are growing impatient. They’ve waited a long time to taste the blood of this world in pitched battle.”

”Is this really going to work? Can we do it?” I asked hopefully.

She smiled. ”If fate wills it.”

”I thought that was your job,” Korra muttered from behind me.

I flicked my tail, quieting her.

”Be careful,” Fate said quietly, for my ears alone. ”You might be allied with Luke, with his horde shares not his loyalty. Once you show the power you hold, they will understand why Rash’alon sacrificed everything to hunt you. No more secrets before them.”

”No more secrets?” I glanced at Korra. She nodded, and I nodded back.

Fate patted me on the head once more before giving me a little push. ”Get going. I’ll be watching you the whole time. Show them what my Oracle’s capable of.”