The Forsaken Hero

I let out a sigh as the tension flowed out of me. Whatever Korra’s intentions were, they weren’t likely to be hostile, and I found myself instinctively liking her. Blushing slightly, she laid a hand on her chest and looked out over the sparkling lights of the city. Her short brunette curls framed her startling green eyes, which caught the sparkling light of the stars in a wistful gleam.

"When we first arrived in this world, we were scattered across the nations. I found myself as an acolyte in the Oceanic Temple. After I was awakened, they shipped me off here, and I arrived in about a week. I was so nervous during the wagon ride. I didn’t know what the future held, or if I’d get along with the other heroes. Fortunately, everyone else felt the same, and they held a welcome banquet similar to this one. Alex tripped coming onto the platform, then made some corny joke from his old world. I’ve never seen a king cringe before, but there were several that night. Even the Pope cracked a smile."

"That must have been nice," I murmured. To even imagine such triviality a week after my summoning would have been a luxury. I shuddered, the horrors of my humiliating presentation making my tail tingle.

"Oh," she said, gasping and grabbing my hands. "I didn’t mean to sound insensitive. This is a very special night for us, one we’ve been looking forward to ever since we parted. I don’t want you to think anyone’s intentionally leaving you out, we just haven’t got the chance to know you. In fact, your luckier than most in that you’ve got to be with another hero the whole time. Out of the whole world, we ten are the only ones who understand each other and it’s only natural we’ve become friends.."

I closed my eyes, a fresh wave of tears threatening to spill. Friends... Could I even count Soltair as one anymore? My voice trembled with bitter loneliness as I spoke, my voice falling to a torn whisper. "Understand? You know nothing about me, much less understand."

She stepped back, rubbing her eyes in frustration. "Gods I’m bad at this. I just wanted to tell you you’re not the only one dealing with hardship. Before we were summoned, I, uh, died."

I muttered, "Would that I hadn’t." The memories of my past life felt like a distant dream, and I berated myself for casting them aside so lightly. Even though I endured physical abuse before, I’d choose to wake up in an alley, bloodied and naked, a thousand more times than face the sorrows that rent my heart here. Loss only matters if something is taken away, Something I keenly understood now.

Korra brushed the hair from her face, eyes shimmering with moisture. "I-I had a good life. A family, friends, a good school. Even a boyfriend." Her darkened at the mention of the last, and she took a shaky breath before continuing. "I thought he loved me, but it was all an illusion. We went out on a drive into the mountains to watch the sunset. He pulled over too early, and, and..."

My heart softened as tears rolled down her cheeks. "It’s okay," I whispered, turning back up at the sky. The stars twinkled coldly, as though mocking the tragedies we were forced to bear. "You don’t have to say anymore."