The Forsaken Hero

Korra coughed weakly in my arms, black blood bubbling up her throat and trickling between her lips. Every breath was forced and labored, her heartbeat erratic and weak. She held my hand tightly, fighting through the pain to give me a small, shallow smile before her eyes drew shut.

I waited for her breathing to slow, signaling she was fully asleep, before allowing my shoulders to slump in despair. Her plan seemed sound, possible even, yet I couldn’t bring myself to muster any hope. The battle against the centipede had drawn us miles from the road, leaving us lost in the blue ridges, crevasses, and rivers of the Blue Canyon. Even if I somehow backtracked and found the road, would I even be able to find help in time? Even a large military encampment would be unlikely to have someone powerful enough to heal the poison. Life mages were extraordinarily rare in Enusia, with most healing being done by priests or other mages who happened to learn life magic. The chance that we could find one who would be able to cast the specific sixth-circle spell necessary was abysmal.

Another wave of despair crashed over me, smothering what little light I had left. If I had only been stronger, I could have saved her. If only I could have spent more time studying magic instead of wandering the village or shopping in the town. What use was it if I learned to smile but lost the one who taught me? She was going to die and leave me all alone, and it would all be my fault.

Beside me, my staff shivered, a subtle presence rising out of a long slumber. I was so caught up in my grief that I failed to notice it until a thread of mana brushed against my soul, sending a chill of familiarity down my spine. I looked up, eyes blurry with tears, and found the star atop the glassy haft gleaming with light. An image flickered through my mind, a kind smile, tufted fox ears, and deep, gentle eyes. A second later, that same face turned gray and dull, covered in terrible bruises and lacerations, one ear torn off. Even as the memory faded, I could feel the weight of her broken body in my arms and the pain and sorrow that had taken me in that moment.

Aurle. My chest tightened, my breath coming in rough gasps. An uncontrollable tremor passed through my body, starting in my chest and riding out to the tip of my tail and horns. Fate had decreed she be taken from me, stealing the light that sustained me through the starless night. I didn’t care if this was meant to be, or foretold in the stars. Could I really just sit and cry while another died in my arms?

I didn’t have to answer that question. Cradling Korra with one arm, I extended my other hand and opened my fingers. The staff rose into my grasp, shivering as it met my conviction. The presence retreated, but there was no time to think of just what exactly had stirred up this tempest within.

"Fable, hear my call!"

The staff flashed and a portal opened up in the sky, revealing the shattered cliffs where I’d left Fable. My wolf appeared a moment later, soaring through the hole, his coat bright and clean again. He landed softly beside me and padded over, an anxious light flickering in his golden eyes. He nuzzled my cheek for a moment, drying my tears with the soft fur of his face. A low whimper sounded in the back of his throat, a sad, mournful cry for the girl in my arms.

"We’re going to save her," I whispered fiercely. "I won’t let her die."

Fable nodded his great, silver head and sat beside me, his long tail curling to swish around my body protectively. Comforted by his presence, I took a shaky breath and closed my eyes, opening up my soul. Though my mana had begun to accumulate once more, there wasn’t much. But it was enough. It had to be.

With a silent prayer, I activated the Oracle of Eternity. The ability pulsed warmly within my soul and the stars of fate appeared, a glistening web of truth and reality. Korra’s soul was dull and dim, sending a pang of sadness into my heart. Gripping my staff tightly, I tore my eyes away and looked up into the sky. Never once had I dared explore the territory before me, but to save Korra, I would brave any land or any foe. Even the darkest corners of my nightmares, and the visions that came with them. I needed to see.