The Forsaken Hero
Chapter 353: Eve of Battle

Chapter 353: Eve of Battle

There was a stunned silence as Orion and Joel took in Luxxa’s claim. After a second, Orion leaped to his feet and strode over to the window, throwing the shudders aside. It was early evening, but the western horizon was alight with streaks of red. The sun was still high in the sky, far too early for sunset.

"A fire gate," Korra said softly, her arms around me tight, holding me close. The pressure sent a burst of tingles dancing through my Sunpurge, but I ignored them a moment longer, letting her stroke my head softly.

My eyes opened slowly and I held out my hand, summoning my staff from where it had fallen on the floor. Noticing the motion, Korra reluctantly stood, helping me to my feet. I took a deep breath and looked down at the map, eyes locked on the central citadel.

"It’s time."

Joel got to his feet quickly, staring at me. "Are you sure? Forgive me for saying so, but you do not seem to be in the best condition. Even with the appearance of a Gate, we need to rush into danger. The armies of the church will move and close it in a few hours. Perhaps we should strike when they’re distracted."

"That won’t be possible," I muttered. "No one’s taking the Gate this time. Luke’s already here."

"Luke?" Korra blinked at the unfamiliar name, then shook her head. "No, that’s not the important part right now. What the hell just happened? Are you–" she choked on her words, voice strangled with disbelief. "You...didn’t, right? What you just did...no, that’s not possible!"

It wasn’t so much an accusation as a question, but an uncomfortable tightness seized my chest and my tail began to twitch anxiously. "Not...intentionally. When I heard of what happened to Elise, I just...called," I mumbled, staring down at the staff in my hands. "And the gate answered."

"Wait just a damn second. What are you saying?" Joel said, staring at me. He followed my gaze back to the window, and his eyes widened in disbelief. "No, you can’t be serious. All that noise and the gold light and the stars, and now the gate?"

"What? What did she do?" Luxxa asked, looking between us wildly.

I looked away, clutching my staff tightly. "It...it doesn’t matter right now. We need to get moving. I have to save Sari and Elise."

"We’ll discuss this later," Orion said with a voice that left no room for arguing. "I’d rather have waited until dark to move, but I suppose this gate will provide an even better distraction. Korra, I’m leaving Xiviyah in your hands. We’re going to be too busy fighting from here on out to ensure her protection."

"Naturally," Korra said with a smile. "Are we going with the earlier plan?"

The soldier nodded. "There’s no time to make a new one. If the demon army is really here, our objective changes, but the means do not. We need to rescue the Last Light Company from the curse before that bastard takes the opportunity to sacrifice them to the demon hordes. If we can do that, it’ll give us control of the canyon, allowing the rest of our forces to escape."

Joel stood, still eyeing me warily. "I’m going to get back to my men. The moment they’re free, I’ll take charge."

"Good. Luxxa, find Jenna and have her inform Jackal of the plan. Then, get ready for battle. We’re storming the citadel."

"Just the five of us?" A smile spread across the female knight’s face and she saluted sharply. "Yes, sir!"

As she disappeared through the door, I looked at Korra, brow creased in confusion. "How will they tell Jackal?"

"Jenna’s a wind mage," she replied, "Adie from her affinity, I heard she’s lucky enough to have an ability that lets her communicate with others over long distances."

"It’s called Wind Whisper, and it only allows one-way communication. The range is limited to about ten miles, too." Orion added. His gaze hardened as he glanced out the window at the premature sunset. "You two get ready. I’ll get the rest of the guards prepped on the details."

In all honesty, I hadn’t been listening too closely during the meeting. There’d been a lot of back and forth, and I’d had too much to think about. Ever since Joel revealed the rumors about Elise, it was all I could do to restrain my fear and fury, leaving energy for little else.

Before I could ask for the details myself, Korra pulled me away, shuttling me upstairs to our room. Fable waited for us on his feet, fur bristling and golden eyes glittering with worry. I didn’t need the soul bond to know it was for me, for he was at my side the moment the door opened. He couldn’t miss the storm raging within me, or the the uncontrollable outburst from earlier.

As Korra began dressing for battle, I fell on his neck, letting the tears slip out again. His fur tickled the Sunpurge, but I didn’t care, wrapping my arms around his neck, my shoulders shaking with gentle sobs. As I finally let myself cry, all of the fear, anger, and pain came pouring out at once.

"They have Elise." My voice was cracked and broken.

He shifted closer to me, his tail curling around my entire body, drawing me in. I was faintly aware of Korra tightening the laces on her garments and striding over to me, but still flinched as she laid a hand on my shoulder.

"Xiviyah, are you going to be alright?" she asked softly, stroking the back of my head tenderly.

I nodded, taking a few breaths before trusting myself to speak. "I have to be."

With my declaration, the tears stopped, a strange calm settling deep into my heart. Korra’s hand shivered to a stop, resting just beneath my horns, as she felt the change in my aura.

"Korra, I think I finally understand," I whispered, raising my head to meet her piercing green eyes. "About demons. You were right. The gods, demons, they’re all the same. Demons want power, so they invade. Gods want power, so they enslave. My hands are red, stained with the blood of thousands. Levin’s blood."

"Xiviyah, it wasn’t your fault."

I shook off her sympathy, my tail steeling with conviction. "I felt guilty for killing him, Korra. For all of them. There have been so many times I’ve tried to change, to let go of this darkness, and yet it always comes back. But now...? I don’t feel it anymore."

She stared at me, silent, an unknown light dancing in her eyes. After a moment, she said, "What are you saying?"

"That I’m ready. I don’t feel it anymore, the guilt, or pain, or darkness. They made their choice, and I’m ready to make mine. For real this time. You said it was okay for me to feel angry, to lash out, but I didn’t want that. I didn’t like hurting people, or taking their lives. I can’t fight for anger, or revenge, not like you or the others. I’m going to fight for freedom and truth. For peace."

I took a breath, a final tear streaking down my cheek.

"And I’m going to fight for you," Korra said suddenly, throwing her arms around me and pulling me off Fable into her own embrace. "We’ll find that peace together, no matter the price."

Until now, we’d fought in the far away obscure corners of the world. Even our battle in Heartland against the Circle was underground in a secret lair. But this was a direct attack against a kingdom at war. This was the beginning of the war I had been dreading with no small amount of trepidation.

After a few long seconds, I allowed Korra to bring me to my feet. I looked her in the eye, our hands clasped together.

"Korra, if we can make it to the Shard, we will win this fight," I said solemnly.

She tilted her head in confusion. "Oh? And where does this confidence come from?"

"I’m serious. But, after we win–" I joined her in smiling "You can’t tell Elinore, alright? I might have to break some of her rules."

She looked worried. "Is that going to be alright? With the Sunpurge and all?"

I chuckled, letting her hands slip from mine and summoning my staff. "In all honesty, this is the strongest I’ve ever felt on the eve of battle. Normally, I’m lucky to have half of my mana, but even after...well, the gate, I feel strong. Not physically, obviously, I’ll still need help if we need to run somewhere, but my magic is ready."

"Good. Now, shall we meet the others?"

I nodded, reaching out to tangle my hand through my wolf’s fur. "Let’s go, Fable. From here on out, there’s no more hiding."

He got to his feet, eyes flashing with anticipation. Korra mirrored his expression, an extra bounce in her step as we descended the stairs. I shook my head, tail twitching in amusement. Battle maniacs, the both of them.

Maybe that wasn’t a bad thing, not with what we had waiting for us. It was time to start a war.