The Forsaken Hero

It didn’t take long for me to dress and ready myself to leave the piracy of my tent. Sarra returned with the promised cup of water, which I greedily drank to the last drop. As I moved to push through the flap, small fingers pressed into my hand, and I glanced down to see Sari looking up at me. Her large, hazel eyes glistened with worry.

"Are you scared?" she asked.

I blushed slightly, aware of the other three women’s eyes on me. I wasn’t sure if it was even okay to be scared right now. After all, I was the Oracle of Eternity, the self-proclaimed Daughter of Fate.

"Yes, a little," I admitted softly. "I’m scared they’ll betray me and try to hurt more people I care about. I don’t want anyone else to die, not you, Korra, or Elise...I already miss him..."

"Xiviyah..." Korra laid a hand on my uninjured shoulder, her own eyes wet. Just how many times had she and Orion trained together?

I sniffed and wiped a tear from the corner of my eye, then let out a long, shaky breath. "I’m alright, just...tired. Tired of the pain, but mostly of always hiding in the dark. Orion didn’t die so I could feel sad or guilty. I’m done running after every hurt and betrayal. Even if it hurts, I will press on and hope, trust, and love. I hope you’ll stay beside me to the end."

Korra nodded and relaxed. "Of course. We’re sisters, remember?"

"What about me? Me too?" Sari asked.

I smiled faintly and blinked away any more tears before they could fall. "You too."

When we actually did leave the tent, my heart felt lighter than it had in months. Orion was gone, but his memory burned bright. I wouldn’t let his–or anyone’s–sacrifice be in vain.

The camp of the Last Light Company had been established in a shallow valley between two lightly forested peaks. Snow drifted from the gray, formless clouds blanketing the sky, and a bitter wind wound through the white canvas tents.