The Forsaken Hero
Chapter 95: The Crimson Guard

Chapter 95: The Crimson Guard

I pulled my cowl low as we stepped from the carriage, concealing my demonic features. We were within a spacious courtyard within the sprawling city of Viriden, before the City Lord’s keep. Unlike Lord Byron’s mansion, it was a solid building with a high outer wall and soaring towers. A contingent of soldiers stood at attention, led by a man with gleaming plate and a scarlet cloak. He removed his helmet, placing it under the crook of his arm, and dropped to one knee.

"It’s a pleasure to welcome, great heroes. I only wish it were under more tranquil times. I am Andres, vice commander of the Crimson Guard, leading the Second Guard."

Soltair’s brow creased as he peered at the ranks of trained soldiers. "Did Alric send you?"

"Indeed. We were deployed the moment he heard the first Demon Gate appeared in Radia. I humbly request you allow us to accompany you in your mission."

"It would be an honor, Commander," Soltair replied, voice strong and clear. "But let’s save this for the road."

"As you wish. Men, move out!"

The ranks of gleaming steel moved as one, nearly a hundred strong. Each carried auras no weaker than the fourth level, with some of the stronger approaching the sixth. Soltair, Trithe, and Commander Andres took to the front of the column, leading the small army out of the courtyard and through the city streets. To avoid drawing undue attention, I stuck near the rear, where a small contingent of mages marched. Although I left distance between us, they subtly shifted their pace, enveloping me in their ranks.

Their leader, a wizened old man with more hair more white than gray, fell into step beside me. "Judging by your aura, you must be the Fate hero. According to our estimates, it’s about an hour’s march to the Gate, so I hope you don’t mind if I borrow your ear."

His respectful tone took me by surprise, and I glanced over the rest of the mages. They wore heavy white robes emblazoned with the Radian Royal Crest and carried identical staffs. Unable to find so much as a derogatory smirk, I nodded. "As you wish."

"Oh, I understand. In that case, we won’t bother...wait, what? I mean, it’ll be our pleasure," the old man said, recovering swiftly.

As we left the city center, civilians gathered in the streets, thronging about our column like it was some sort of parade. Cheers erupted as Soltair raised his hand, waving widely wherever the citizens gathered, and the joyful toll of the church bells echoed from the towers. The atmosphere clashed with our experience in High Valley, where the only laughs and smiles were pasted on the masks of merchants and whores.

"It’s alright, my Lady," the old mage said with a laugh, "there’s no reason to be afraid. These cheers are for you, after all."

With a start, I realized I’d moved behind him, hiding within the ranks of the other mages. With cheeks burning in embarrassment, I lowered my head, not wanting to meet his or anyone else’s gaze.

"Only until they learn the truth."

"Then let them. The Scarlet Guard stands against the demons, which means we stand with those who fight alongside us. Every man here is willing to lay down their life to preserve yours."

I looked up, meeting his unwavering gaze. His conviction was mirrored in the eyes of his men, and it warmed my heart. Still, I hesitated to let down my guard. Soltair had looked at me with similar assurance once before. Even so, I relaxed as their ranks tightened, shielding me from the crowds.

"Thank you...sir? I paused and looked at him expectantly.

"Archmage Riven, but you may skip the honorifics," he replied seamlessly. "And Xiviyah, if my fading memory hasn’t failed me altogether."

Nodding, I turned my eyes to the swiftly approaching city gate. The crowds dispersed behind us as we marched on, the sodden marshes replacing them as we passed beyond the walls. The road was hard-packed and well-maintained, but bugs swarmed from the banks of mud on either side.

"Repel," I muttered, waving my hand and summoning a single magic circle. A dusty green haze sprung about me, driving the buzzing insects off my skin. Although the green light faded quickly after, its effects would remain for the rest of the day.

"Incredible!" Riven gasped, and I turned in surprise, finding half the mages staring at me.

"I’m sorry?" I replied, clasping my hands together. "Is everything alright?"

"Of course it’s alright! I don’t think I’ve ever seen that spell before. Where did you learn it?"

His question immediately made me wary, but I decided to respond in good faith. "The carriage we were on bore an enchantment to keep the insects from bothering the passengers. I’m afraid I’m not familiar with enchantments or magic items, so I just copied some of the runes and crafted a personal version. It’s not very good, but it-"

His sharp exhale cut me off. "You created the spell from a couple of runes? In the time it takes to ride from High Valley to here? I heard rumors of your magical abilities, but it seems they weren’t very accurate."

My step caught, and I broke away from the other mages, falling behind. Perhaps being proud of only this much was too arrogant. "I’m sorry to have disappointed you."

Riven’s weathered face brightened with a hearty chuckle. "What are you going on about? The rumors claimed you were mediocre among the heroes, at best, but I find that laughable. There’s not another hero who can create their own spells. In fact, there might not be ten mages in the entire world capable of that! Drop the long face and raise your head high, girl. You might just be our greatest weapon against the demons."

His words continued to resonate within my heart, amplified by the awestruck looks of the other mages. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to fully embrace them. "I don’t follow. I can’t even fight."

Before I knew it, they’d slowed down, wrapping me up in their midst once more. "Our world has no need for more fighters. No demon capable of more than ninth level can descend on a mortal world, and those are rarer than they are among humans. The real threat is not their power but their cunning and experience. I have full faith in humanity’s ability to repel this great evil, so my real concern is preserving as much of this world as possible. It’s not like they will simply line up and challenge us in a fair fight. So be content, Xiviyah. You don’t need to be the other heroes. Walk your own path, prepare for your own future."

His unbridled optimism wasn’t something shared among the upper echelon of the Divine Throne, but I found it strangely comforting, endearing even. It was difficult to reconcile, especially their estimation of my abilities. Even if I could devise intricate tricks or strategies, how could they ever measure up to the raw power Soltair effortlessly wielded?

Yet, the idea of playing a part remained alluring. Maybe Soltair’s perspective would change... no. I shook my head, banishing the thought. Dwelling in the past, pinning after moments come and gone, would only hold me back. Somewhere, in some world, there might have been a future where I would stand by his side, our relationship untainted and pure, but that was not this future. Fate, maybe, held the true understanding of reality: acceptance. What is meant to be, will be. Altering fate simply sets it on its course.

For some reason, the realization left me feeling liberated. The clouds of my doubt and uncertainty parted, and a new conviction replaced my old dependencies. Whether I like it or not, circumstances had placed me at Soltair’s side as he journeyed through the world, yet it didn’t mean I had to depend solely on him. The church’s concern about my adaptive resistance surpassing the Slave Crest’s control hinted at a potential future of freedom. What then?

"My own path," I murmured, voice curling wistfully, "perhaps you’re right."

"What was that?" Riven asked, tilting his head curiously.

"Nothing. Thank you for your words."

"Naturally. But don’t rest easy yet, the demons are no simple foe. It will take all we have to defeat them."

As the next few hours passed, I found myself enjoying the lively company of the Crimson Guard. Their soldiers lost their stiff, formal composure, dropping into the same familiar expressions of their mages. I didn’t have much to say, but it was enough to bask in their good-natured familiarity. A tinge of reluctance seeped into my heart as a fiery red circle appeared on the horizon, stretching over a hundred feet into the air. The Demon Gate.

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