Chapter 417: Apostles
"You just want to meet us? Then why did your army attack the moment they saw us?" Korra challenged, moving to stand beside me. "Your damned apostle led the fight himself once he realized we were here, all but ignoring the Divine’s army in his attempt to break through and take Xiviyah."
Luke frowned, his tail twitching discontentedly. "I gave no such order. As you heroes act on your own, so do my apostles, free to do as they wish so long as they do not hinder the Descent."
"You think I’d believe that? You claimed to come here to meet with Xiviyah, yet he somehow arrives before you and with an entire demon army?" Korra asked, crossing her arms. "Surely you don’t truly believe we’re naive enough to believe you."
The Apostle shrugged, his gaze sliding off of Korra and onto me. His expression softened a touch as he found me weak and trembling, struggling to keep my head high. "What Gayron does with his Bound Demons is of no concern to me. I am only here to accept the Oracle’s prophecy, as we agreed."
"Xiviyah, don’t listen to him. He could–"
"Probably kill us if he wanted, Korra. Or, at least, that’s what he believes," I interrupted gently, "He’s eighth level, and even survived fighting the archon."
Though I spoke in a soft voice no human could hear, a slight frown passed across Luke’s voice. I hadn’t really tried to hide my words, but he undoubtedly had the same keen senses as I, and he didn’t look particularly pleased about how I excused his abilities. It was the first real flicker of emotion he’d given since arriving, even regarding Gayron’s defeated form on the ground as no more than background scenery.
"While I disagree with your assessment, you are correct. I have no ill intentions toward you, not so long as you remain out of my way. The gods will fall, and I will crush anyone who interferes," he said coldly.
"So much anger," Bethiv muttered under his breath. Then, raising his voice, he addressed Luke directly. "I suppose it was you who forced the Undead Hero to retreat?"
"We may have had something to do with that," Luke answered, returning to his usual, politely detached self. "I doubt he had any desire to continue the engagement with an army at his front and behind. It’s a pity, really. I would have appreciated the chance to keep the momentum going and kill a hero. It’s a pity that lightning one survived."
The white-eyed woman at his side shifted, scowling slightly. Her arms were folded, and one hand unconsciously traced her forearm, running over a thin white line on her otherwise flawless skin.