The Forsaken Hero

I tumbled out of the gate breathlessly, landing on something warm and soft. Teleporting always left me feeling weak and disoriented, and even though Haven welcomed me as its master, it was a struggle to pry my eyes open again. Fable’s familiar scent tickled my nose, tempting me to snuggle deeper into his fur.

It was the lingering tingle in my soul and Bethiv’s sharp cough that finally dragged me back to reality. I groaned reluctantly as I forced my eyes open and sat up.

"What the hell is this place?" Bethiv’s voice echoed with awe. His eyes shone, reflecting the countless stars that adorned the endless night sky, mirroring the wonder and awe I felt at being back in Haven.

"Haven, please keep anyone from following us in," I said, looking around as I spoke to thin air.

"As you wish, my Lady." Haven’s spectral voice reverberated through the air, causing Bethiv to jump, his hand flying to his sword.

We’d appeared on a small island about twenty feet or so away from the central island with my shrine, at a slightly lower elevation. The ground resembled an ancient courtyard, paved with flag stones over grown with weeks and bearing several tattered pennants. The flags bore faded designs of stylized stars on soft gold and silver fabric. Several larger chunks of paving stones created a unstable floating trail up to the shrine. It would be impossible to traverse without jumping from stone to stone, and I didn’t want to think of what might happen if one fell here.

I breathed in a long, deep breath, filling my lungs with the sweet air of my sanctuary. A soft breeze caressed my cheek, bearing a hint of the aroma given off by the flowers I wove my wreath from. That was a change, and certainly hadn’t been there the last time I visited. Perhaps the realm was still growing and evolving, or perhaps it was a conscious choice on behalf of Haven itself.

"Xiviyah," Bethiv’s voice startled me from my tranquil reverie. "How did you summon a demon gate, and just what exactly is this place?"

"Haven," I answered softly, drifting over to the edge of the island. To my surprise and wonder, the floating flagstones drew together, forming the first few steps toward the shrine. I gingerly stepped on the first one, and several more rocks formed the next one up.

Bethiv followed me up the stairs, his hand on his sword hilt and aura only partially suppressed. He tested his weight on the first step, and when it held, cautiously followed me up to the island. He opened his mouth to speak again several times, but never actually spoke, choosing to simply follow and see for himself.

The view from the Shrine Island was as glorious as before, the full vista of the night sky on full display. The floating castles drifted amid the stars, looking lost and forlorn yet filled with an enticing mystery. I itched to visit them, but I pushed the urge away. There would be time for that later, and Bethiv had already been patient enough.