The Forsaken Hero
Chapter 443: Shrine of the Oracle

Chapter 443: Shrine of the Oracle

I tumbled out of the gate breathlessly, landing on something warm and soft. Teleporting always left me feeling weak and disoriented, and even though Haven welcomed me as its master, it was a struggle to pry my eyes open again. Fable’s familiar scent tickled my nose, tempting me to snuggle deeper into his fur.

It was the lingering tingle in my soul and Bethiv’s sharp cough that finally dragged me back to reality. I groaned reluctantly as I forced my eyes open and sat up.

"What the hell is this place?" Bethiv’s voice echoed with awe. His eyes shone, reflecting the countless stars that adorned the endless night sky, mirroring the wonder and awe I felt at being back in Haven.

"Haven, please keep anyone from following us in," I said, looking around as I spoke to thin air.

"As you wish, my Lady." Haven’s spectral voice reverberated through the air, causing Bethiv to jump, his hand flying to his sword.

We’d appeared on a small island about twenty feet or so away from the central island with my shrine, at a slightly lower elevation. The ground resembled an ancient courtyard, paved with flag stones over grown with weeks and bearing several tattered pennants. The flags bore faded designs of stylized stars on soft gold and silver fabric. Several larger chunks of paving stones created a unstable floating trail up to the shrine. It would be impossible to traverse without jumping from stone to stone, and I didn’t want to think of what might happen if one fell here.

I breathed in a long, deep breath, filling my lungs with the sweet air of my sanctuary. A soft breeze caressed my cheek, bearing a hint of the aroma given off by the flowers I wove my wreath from. That was a change, and certainly hadn’t been there the last time I visited. Perhaps the realm was still growing and evolving, or perhaps it was a conscious choice on behalf of Haven itself.

"Xiviyah," Bethiv’s voice startled me from my tranquil reverie. "How did you summon a demon gate, and just what exactly is this place?"

"Haven," I answered softly, drifting over to the edge of the island. To my surprise and wonder, the floating flagstones drew together, forming the first few steps toward the shrine. I gingerly stepped on the first one, and several more rocks formed the next one up.

Bethiv followed me up the stairs, his hand on his sword hilt and aura only partially suppressed. He tested his weight on the first step, and when it held, cautiously followed me up to the island. He opened his mouth to speak again several times, but never actually spoke, choosing to simply follow and see for himself.

The view from the Shrine Island was as glorious as before, the full vista of the night sky on full display. The floating castles drifted amid the stars, looking lost and forlorn yet filled with an enticing mystery. I itched to visit them, but I pushed the urge away. There would be time for that later, and Bethiv had already been patient enough.

"Forgive me," I said, finally turning to face him. "This place is my personal realm, called Haven. Haven, show yourself."

The faintest glimmers of light appeared, concentrating into the armored form Haven appeared in last time. Before it could take shape, however, the harsh ring of steel split the quiet calm as Bethiv jumped, his sword appearing in his hand.

My breath caught in my throat and I stumbled back a step, placing a hand on my chest. "I-It’s alright! He’s a friend," I squeaked, struggling to calm my heart, which had jumped into overdrive at the sudden motion.

Bethiv frowned, but, after seeing the armored spirit remain motionless after appearing, sheathed his sword. "Forgive me, my Lady, but there’s something unnerving about this place. Is it a Demon Gate, then?"

I shook my head, regaining my composure. "Not quite, though the principle is similar. I can summon the gate at will, though as long as I remain inside, I can’t close it again."

"And this...creature?"

Haven answered for itself. "I am Haven, the personification of this realm. I take this form only that you might see and interact with me, but know that I am always watching you here."

It wasn’t a threat, but Bethiv’s frown deepened. "And is this place safe? Or should I mandate the Star Guard follow you whenever you retreat here?"

"It’s safe, I think," I said, glancing at Haven.

Haven’s eyes flicked between us, its carrying the faintest glimmers of amusement. "This place is safe for my Lady."

Something about the way he said that sent a shiver down my spine. Was it trying to imply he, or others, might not be safe here? Bethiv seemed to have the same thought, because his eyes suddenly narrowed. But instead of pursuing it, he turned to me.

"So, my Lady, why show me this place? And why so suddenly?"

I stumbled over my reply, struggling to pierce the tranquil fog this place laid on my mind. "Oh, um...yeah, something felt wrong. I think the Fate Hero was watching us. Or maybe one of the gods."

His eyes widened slightly at that. "You can tell?"

I bit my lip and nodded, looking away. "I wish I had known sooner. Then Orion might have..."

"Never mind that it’s in the past. But are you saying this place shields us from them?"

"Haven exists outside of fate," Haven supplied helpfully.

"It does? I mean, yeah," I said, nodding quickly. That was good to know. I had acted almost entirely on instinct, or perhaps panic. The moment I felt the ripples in Fate, I knew i was either in immediate mortal danger or the Hero was spying on us. The first was unlikely given the strength of the allies surrounding me, which only left the latter.

"I didn’t want her to hear about our plans, or else they might set up another ambush. Liceria has a Shard of Omniscience, so even we march there at top speed, they would be able to teleport in more defenses."

Bethiv grinned and folded his arms. "Alerady thinking like a strategist. Perhaps I ought to invite you to more council meetings."

"Please no," I said with a note of desperation. "I...I don’t like them."

"Even so, it’s good for you to see how we operate, and your insight and abilities prove invaluable at any strategy meeting. For instance, if I had known you had an entire realm in your pocket, I would have organized things differently."

"Really?"

He nodded. "Yeah, especially if it’s safe," he stressed the word, glaring at Haven.

"I make no promises for anyone other than my Lady, though someone of your strength will have no trouble dealing with the Remnants," Haven replied matter-of-factly.

"Remnants?" I asked, eyes wide.

"Xiviyah, let’s stay focused. It’s clear this realm is as unfamiliar to you as it is to me, and we won’t be able to learn it all at once," Bethiv said.

"Okay, you’re right. It’s just...mine. I want to understand it. But later." how many did I have to remind myself of that? I hadn’t been this distracted by something other than magic since, well, ever.

"So Xiviyah," Bethiv said, regaining my attention, "Assuming we were willing, you wanted to strike Liceria?"

I took a shaky breath and nodded. I couldn’t ask it of them, not when it meant consigning some of them to death, but if they were willing, I would lead them there.

"Alright, that’s perfect. When we take the city, we’ll be able to resupply. I’ll inform the council and ensure our army is prepared to move out. If this new Fate Hero is watching our movements, we need to depart as soon as possible to decrease the time they have to prepare for us. It’s clear you can tell when you’re being watched, but just how broad is that sense? And is there any way to shield us in Enusia?"

"I’m not sure, I’ve never done anything like this before," I admitted, "But I’ll try and come up with something. It might be possible to create a spell that shields us from the Eyes of Fate, but it will take some time."

It was an opportunity cost, too. There were so many projects and spells and I needed to work on, from developing more powerful arrays to creating a counter to the Heart Crest that didn’t require my actual presence and Adaptive Resistence. But what Bethiv said made sense. I knew from my own experience that once you know your enemies every move, nothing they did would matter. The Last Light Company was strong, but they weren’t undefeatable, especially if Verity, the Fate Hero, learned their plans and weaknesses.

"Excellent, until then, would it be possible for us to hold our meetings in this...Haven?" he asked, glancing around at the starlit realm.

I hesitated, considering what exactly that meant for me. "Would I have to be there?" I asked in a small voice.

"Probably, though it would be useful to learn if you can close the gate while others are inside. That opens up an entire realm of possibilities."

He sounded a little too eager about that, but I couldn’t see why. What would it matter if a few people could hide in this gate while I was outside?

Pushing the thought away, I nodded. "Alright, I’ll try. Let’s get back now, her vision should have ended."

"Yes, this place is interesting. Very interesting," he mused, casting one last look around. "But you are right, we should return. There’s so little time and much to do."

As I glanced at Haven, he nodded. "While I can dismiss you at will, it would be more comfortable and convenient to have a fixed exit and entry point, especially if you decide to allow more...visitors. I created the island you appeared on for that purpose and think it would be wise to permanently manifest a gate there as a front entrance."

"That’s...a good idea," I admitted, a little embarrassed for not thinking of it first. "Thank you."

"To serve you is my pleasure," I said, giving me a smart salute. Farwell, my Lady, and return swiftly."