The Forsaken Hero

Chapter 1158: Growing Threats

They fell silent as a figure approached their table. Another woman. She wore a plain cotton dress with a blue sash and had her hair done up in a ponytail that reached her lower back. There was something about her eyes that didn’t match her appearance. They were sharp and cunning, like a predator evaluating their prey.

""Mind if I have a seat?" she asked, in a voice that sent chills down my spine. She didn’t wait for them to answer and slid into the last empty chair, leaning forward, her elbows on the table. She looked around. "You guys look strong. Are you adventurers?"

"Adventurers?" Rochelle rolled her eyes. "We’re not so common as to–"

"Something like that," Kirla butted in. "But who are you to ask?"

"Oh, just a regular, I guess, call me Kate," said the woman. She rubbed the back of her head, letting out an embarrassed laugh. "Sorry to be a bother, but we don’t get many strangers around here, especially with the demons roving around. But you’re all so fair and beautiful. Are you from Roann?"

"Sylvarus," Rochelle muttered, staring into her cup. "The old one."

"Oh, I’m sorry. I heard the demons really did a number there."

"Not demons. It was that damned traitor riling up insurgents. They overthrew my house and took everything for themselves. If I weren’t here, with the War Hero, I would have been caught up like the rest of the Ellenwinters. So many died..."

Kate gasped, covering her mouth. "How awful!"

Rochelle nodded, taking a rather unrefined swig. "Now, all we can do is plan our revenge."

Marge brightened, her long ears sticking up. "That’s right! Alex was actually planning something, but we’re not sure if it’s getting sanctioned yet. If it doesn’t, we might need some extra hands."

"The Fire Hero?" Kirla looked skeptical. "That guy’s a wildcard, even as far as heroes go. The slave’s like a cockroach. Not even ninth-level inquisitors managed to bring her in."

The rabbitkin leaned forward, whispering conspiratorially. "He’s not just talk. Not this time. He found something. A secret weapon, I think, that he can use to succeed."

"Really?" Kirla put her drink down, staring intently across the table. "If we catch her, we’ll find Ronin."

"And maybe even end the war," Marge agreed.

Niece coughed, causing everyone to look at her. "Perhaps we should keep our conversation a little more common."

Everyone turned to look at Kate, who blinked. "Me?"

"You, um, won’t tell anyone, right? I’ll get in so much trouble if it gets out," Marge mumbled, her ears drooping on either side of her head.

"I could never!" Kate said, looking offended. "You’re the hope of humanity, the last chance against the demons."

Marge bit her lip, looking at the others worriedly. "You promise?"

Kate paused, looking at her. The corner of her lips twitched, forming a mischievous smile. "It’ll be our secret."

The vision ended, but was promptly followed by another, showing countless packs of demons roving across a ruined countryside. Several massive demon gates hovered over the horizon, spread over the wreckage of burning cities. Firemane, the equine fire demon, stood on a small ridge between two hills overlooking the horde. A dark, wraith-like curse demon floated next to him, its robes ending in wisps of red. Its soul was only at sixth level, but the malevolence in its glowing red eyes made me shiver.

"You must choose," the curse demon hissed.

Firemane stamped a hoof, released a wave of sparks that hissed against the ground, causing the rock to melt. Whatever it said via telepathy made the Curse Demon’s eyes narrow.

"Your fear blinds you. The Lord of Ash is of no consequence. He came from nowhere, has no power supporting him, and will fall the rest."

A few seconds passed, and the demon hissed. "The World Barrier proves nothing. There are countless techniques to overcome its suppression. He might be ancient enough to know one, but if he were truly someone, would he not have a horde at his beck and call? Even the lowest demon lords have millions under their command. He has not even a single Infernal Realm."

The one-sided conversation continued for a few more minutes, growing more heated with every exchange. At last, the curse demon threw up his hands, his aura whipping in frustration.

"You will have time to reconsider," he growled, beginning to vanish, "But do not squander this opportunity. When the Council convenes again, we will have your support, or you will be vanquished from this realm."

Firemane snorted, turning and walking away before the demon had even finished. I watched him for a few seconds before this vision, too, ended and returned me to my soul space. I sat in silence for a long time, hugging my knees to my chest. The church had found some new, secret weapon, and the demons were already choosing who would replace Luke. Enemies on all sides were gathering, and despite my brave words to Fate, we were scattered and unprepared. I had to find Luke and the rest of the Fatesworn.

That conviction followed me as the stars faded, releasing me to blessed sleep. I was too tired to dream, and even the nightmares left me in peace.

I awoke feeling full. Not my stomach, no, that gnawed at me like I hadn’t eaten in days. But for the first time since I’d been separated from Luke and my mark, something warm pulsed in my chest. More than that, my mana had completely recovered, and my soul felt well and truly whole. I snuggled deeper into the feeling, shifting onto my side, luxuriating into the soft rasp of the blankets across my skin.

As more of my consciousness awoke, I began filtering through the scents of Haven. The familiar, smoky warmth of the Firstlight Inn, the cotton of my sheets, Fyren’s familiar musk, and...

"Fyren...?" I murmured, blinking groggily.

"I’m here," said his familiar voice. His heavy hand rested on my side, and I finally managed to open my eyes and lift my head. It was him.

Tears replaced the blurriness of sleep. I grasped his hand with both of mine, bringing it to my cheek. Rough calluses, worn skin. Not Luke’s, but...I sniffled, rubbing my cheek against it.

"I’m here, little one," he said in an almost tender voice. His thumb moved, brushing a tear away. He’d gotten better at that over the years.

"You were gone. I couldn’t feel you," I whispered, looking up into the fiery white of his eyes.

He looked troubled. "Yes, you must forgive me for that. But Fate could not be trusted. Had I left the infernal mark open, it was possible he could trace it to you."

My hand curled into my sheets. "He spoke to me yesterday."

A shadow passed across his face, and his fingers flexed against my side. "It was foolish of you to reveal yourself."

"No, I just...it felt right. Seeing him, saying those things. That prophecy."

"You think he’s running short on power?"

"Maybe. But if he had teleported the moment he saw me, no force in Enusia could have stopped him. I think he saw something here in High Valley, in me, that changed his mind. I don’t know what, or why, but it seems like he really will wait for us to go to him."

"Arrogant, or greedy, perhaps," Fyren murmured. "How typical."

I rested my hand on his, holding him close. "What matters is we got more time. And now I don’t have to hide."

"That is convenient. Part of the reason it took so long for us to arrive was I feared leading him right to you. But when our scouts caught wind of the army marching on High Valley, we hurried."

"So that’s why they moved so quickly. They were afraid you’d catch up."

"To their folly. Our intelligence confirms the battle outside the valley concluded a few hours ago. Both sides suffered catastrophic damage. Of the Apostle of Gravity’s horde, only a few thousand remain."

"And Evla?" I asked worriedly.

"Alive. I figured you liked her, and interfered before the inquisitor caught her. It was foolish of her to fight one with her skill set."

"She did it for me."

He gave me a ponderous look before nodding. "Brave, then, not foolish. But the inquisitor managed to escape."

"No matter. What of the rest of their forces?"

"They were annihilated. To the last."

My hand went to my chest, and I looked down, staring at it. "And, um...Luke?"

"I’m afraid we’ve heard nothing. But if he’s alive, he will be with his horde. Our scouts sighted what remained of that not a day’s travel away. But you should know the other demon lords and apostles are converging as well. I expect everyone will have gathered before the week is out."

I nodded, explaining to him the things I’d seen in my vision. I expected him to at least frown, but when I described what the Curse Apostle said, he just snorted.

"Rash’alon has been busy, it seems. But it won’t matter."

"Yeah. Once I find Luke, everything will work out."

He gave a noncommittal grunt and finally lifted his hand. The cool breeze ghosted over my skin in its absence. I shivered as he turned away and sat up, gathering my blankets to my chest.

"He’ll be alright, won’t he?"

Fyren glanced back, expression unreadable. "We’ll see."