The Forsaken Hero
Chapter 281: A Promise of my Own

Chapter 281: A Promise of my Own

Flowers to choose? With some uncertainty, my eyes skittered over the overwhelming display of blossoms For a second, the vibrant splashes of color swam together, making my head spin, blurring until I felt panic well up in my chest. The expectant gazes of my friends weighed heavily, and I felt my tail swish nervously behind me. Was I bound to disappoint them already?

Suddenly, like a ray of sunshine, a single flower came into focus, a small, unassuming pile in the back. My hand hovered over the dizzying display of color, hesitating but for a moment, and darted forward, selecting a white blossom delicately balanced on a thin stem. The petals were soft and round, with a hint of pink at the heart, like a shy blush.

"This one?" I asked hopefully, the stem twisted between my anxious fingers.

Korra’s smile was instant. "That’ll be perfect. Looks like there’s enough, too." She gestured at the small pile of flowers I had selected from.

The muted weight of their expectations and my anxiety faded away as we began to work in earnest. Holding my breath, I delicately wound the fragile stems around the larger red flowers of the frame, trying to mimic their dexterous example. It was exactly like working with mana, only here I was forced to use my fingers instead of my imagination, and the craft refused to come as easily. My lips curved into a frown as I gazed at one of the flowers, its stem broken between my fingers.

A thrill of panic raced through me. Had I just ruined everything?

Noticing my distress, Tana folded her hand over my own, smoothing the flower into place. "It’s alright, Xiviyah. The flowers have already been picked, so they’re going to wilt eventually. All we can do now is enjoy their beauty," she said, almost wistfully, her hand rising to brush my cheek. Her piercing green eyes stared deep into mine, filled with something I didn’t quite recognize, and there was a catch to her voice. "Even if they’re broken, flowers can still be beautiful and bring joy to those around them. See?"

I followed her gaze, looking at the half-finished wreath. No matter how hard I looked, the damaged flower was nowhere to be seen, fitting seamlessly in with the rest.

"If they’re tightly wound together, the flowers work to support each other. Even though a stem is broken, it won’t fall out as long as it stays close to the others. Every flower has a place, and a purpose to fulfil. Without any individual piece, the entire wreath would fall apart."

I nodded, swallowing a lump in my throat, and she returned to her own wreath. I stared at the circle of white flowers for a long time before picking it up and returning to work. For some reason, Tana flashed Korra a grateful smile.

The evening wore on quickly, and soon, even the most faithful patrons had left the inn. I let out a relieved sigh when the final flower finally slipped into place, completing my wreath. Korra and Tana had finished several different decorations, ranging from wreaths to bouquets, their work far more deft and delicate than my own. I gazed longingly at their beautiful creations, then down at my own wreath, my eyes inevitably drawn to the crumpled petals and torn leaves.

"Did you mean what you said?" I asked softly, raising my eyes to meet Korra’s gaze, "About the flowers? Even if they’re hurt, and broken, and alone...do the other flowers still need them?"

"I meant every word, Xiviyah," she said, voice thick with emotion. "No flower can stand alone, not in a wreath, or a bouquet, or anything. Only together, flaws and all, can their true beauty be known."

"Let’s put that to the test," Tana said, snagging the white-flower wreath out of my hands. She inspected it closely, letting out a small smile. "This is actually pretty good. Are you sure you haven’t done this before?"

I lowered my head, starting to nod. Before I realized it, her hands were there, running through the crimson locks of my hair. The gentle weight of the wreath eased over my horns, settling on my head like a crown. As the half-elf lowered her hands, I looked up at them, eyes wide.

"Beautiful," Korra said warmly, eyes glowing with admiration. "I see now that Fate truly does guide your hand. You couldn’t have picked a more fitting flower."

Her praise warmed my cheeks, and I turned away blushing, just in time to see Tana nod in agreement. She chanted a quick spell and summoned a single magic circle that rotated vertically in the air. Despite my embarrassment, I couldn’t help but memorize the simple spell, watching in wonder as the air shimmered within the circle, forming a rippling mirror like the glassy surface of a pool of water.

My reflection met my gaze–wide, golden eyes that glistened with stars. The wreath rested lightly upon my brow, and though the flaws were still there, they now seemed insignificant. The soft whites and pinks of the flowers drew the vibrance of my hair and eyes, my horns dark and polished. Gone was the lost, frightened child of my memory, in her place a young, graceful woman. There was a faint flame of confidence, a conviction, I barely recognized.

Was that really me? Tentatively, I raised a hand, touching my own cheek. Instead of the malnourished gauntness that had accompanied me my whole time in Enusia, my fingers ran across smooth, healthy skin, warm to the touch.

Before I knew it, my eyes were wet again, an unfamiliar sensation rising deep in my chest. I tried to swallow it, to douse the growing heat, but a small sniffle escaped. Tana and Korra both frowned, sharing an uncertain glance, but their concern faded as I met their eyes. I slipped the wreath off and clutched it to my chest, my heart throbbing as the feeling blossomed, the comforting warmth seeping into the darkest, coldest places of my heart.

"Thank you," I whispered, brushing away an errant tear.

Tana smiled, smoothing a lock of brown hair behind her pointed ear. "It’s just a wreath, Starlight. No need to get so sentimental."

"But you’re welcome. I’m glad we got a chance to do this together," Korra finished.

As they began gathering the remaining flowers, I looked down at the wreath in my hands. "Together..." I echoed faintly.

Another tear trickled down my cheek, but I let it fall. Together. Just like the flowers in the wreath.

The warmth in my chest spread further, sending a tingling rush down my spine and tail, my soul vibrating with an energy I’d never known. Even the air seemed different, each breath filling me with an unexpected sweetness that went beyond the heavy aroma of the flowers.

"Together..." I whispered again, the word somehow more profound. That’s right, I wasn’t alone anymore. There was Korra, the Glory Chasers...Elise.

The sensation was effervescent, swelling until my heart ached, desperate for release. The rush of emotions caught me completely off guard, throwing my mind into confusion. Should I frown? Cry? Should my tail lash behind me?

"Hmm? What’s this?" Korra tilted her head quizzically, pulling something out of a bundle of flowers she was collecting. "Did you accidentally take it out of your ring with the flowers?"

Blinking away unshed tears, I made out a small, battered badge with a fist on one side and a glowing rune carved on the other. My breath caught as I recognized it, my heart giving another throb, spilling over as Elise’s memory flashed through my mind. I’d thought it lost when I was seized by the inquisitors. How had Thron...?

Looking at me curiously, Korra handed the badge to me. I turned it over in my hand, staring at the rough, magically etched rune, finally giving a name to the warmth in my breast.

Joy.

My hands trembled, tears spilling over once more as I traced the rune. I’d been wrong the entire time. I’d never been alone, even in the darkest of nights. Elise’s laughter echoed faintly in my mind, her face brightened with a pure, joyful smile.

That’s...that’s how this feels. Before I could stop it, a flicker of warmth spread across my lips, and the corners of my mouth curved upward. I clutched the flower wreath to my chest as my heart overflowed, a warmth I’d never known spreading through me. Korra and Tana both froze, sensing something amiss, turning toward me.

"Xiviyah?" Korra stammered, her eyes widening in shock. "You’re...you’re...."

It was slight, barely a twitch of my lips, but it was definitely there. Joy, as I now knew it, continued to well up inside me, growing even greater as Korra swept me up in a hug, pulling me in tight. I could feel her tears wet against my face, but I didn’t care. I was so warm and light, free of the thousand shadows that bound my heart.

Scarcely had Korra released me then Tana was there, grabbing me in a quick hug. "I didn’t think I’d ever see it," she whispered, her voice soft in my ear. "I’m happy. Thank you."

As they pulled away, their gazes lingered on me, filled with the same joy that still smoldered inside me. Together. For the first time, I truly felt what that meant. I wasn’t supposed to be alone, lost to darkness. The shadows were easy, the pain familiar and comforting, but they’d never given me anything like this. For this moment alone all the betrayals, the anguish and suffering, were worth it.

I yearned for it to last forever, and as they gave me a final hug, I refused to let go, afraid that once they left, I might never feel this way again. Korra smiled faintly, patting my head gently, and Tana let out a small laugh.

"Oh, Starlight, you don’t have to worry, we’re not going anywhere," The half-elf said, "You’ll see us in the morning. Promise. After all, you promised to come, remember?"

I nodded, my cheeks reddening. "I-I’m sorry, it’s just..."

Korra squeezed me a final time before I reluctantly allowed her to pull away. "Night, Xiviyah."

Fable looked up at me as I slipped through the door, eyes flashing in admonition.

"I’m sorry, I know it’s late," I admitted, a lingering excitement dancing in my chest. "But I did it, I finally kept my promise!"

My smile faltered as he stared, his gaze filled with both admonition and concern. A wave of dizziness washed over me. My body ached from the morning’s battles, my mind drained by the emotional exertion of the evening. Exhaustion settled into my bones as I stumbled toward him, struggling to keep my eyes open, and I wasted no time slipping out of my dress and laying my ring on the nightstand.

Yawning, I curled against Fable’s fur, lost in his warmth. Despite my overwhelming tiredness, I raised a finger to my lips, feeling a thrill at discovering that the ghost of a smile still lingered on my lips. As I drifted off, succumbing to the dark, there were no nightmares or visions, only peace–the contentment of a promise kept.

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