The Forsaken Hero

Luke was casting an eighth-circle spell. It was still in the early stages, the seventh circle only now emerging into view, but the sheer amount of mana it drew in made the air shimmer and distort as if we were submerged underwater. It was a breathtaking sight, both ethereal and ominous, with a growing sense of impending doom radiating from it. This was no mere protection or buff spell; this was a spell of large-scale destruction, akin to the one the Curse Demon Lord had unleashed at Western University.

And yet Grace, locked in combat with the Edrin, the air apostle, seemed entirely oblivious to the looming danger, continuing to exchange blows at an almost leisurely pace. Their exact movements were hard to discern through the swirling tempest of clouds, wind, and rain each attack generated. Occasionally, I could glimpse their silhouettes illuminated by flashes of lightning that pierced the downpour, but had no idea of either’s actual abilities.

"Well, this isn’t looking good for the Storm Hero, is it?" Gayron remarked with a chuckle. "It’s a shame. I heard she was rather strong and looked forward to fighting her. Pity"

Korra frowned, folding her arms and shifting nervously. "Why isn’t she running? She should be able to sense something like that!"

"What kind of spell is it?" I asked, unable to tear my eyes from the eight swirling magic circles. It was a thousand times more complex than Mana Storm or any of the other seventh-circle spells I was currently studying, but, honestly...it didn’t look that hard. At the very least, it was nothing compared to the intricacies and delicate design of souls or abilities, and I’d already come a long way in mastering those.

Gayron snorted. "As if I’d know, curse magic is hardly my specialty. But, knowing Luke, it’s not a normal large-scale destruction spell. He loves tacking on all the little digs and jabs of curse magic, so I doubt she’ll remain unscathed even if it doesn’t outright kill. Or who knows," he added with a shrug, "maybe it will. Luke’s been acting differently since he met you, so you never know."

"No..." Korra whispered, her voice filled with horror. "What are you doing, Grace? Get out of there!"

A sudden mana surge rippled around the battling hero and apostle, forcing them apart. I frowned, just making out the faint traces of a powerful spell’s residue beneath their feet, before Grace’s lips curled into a triumphant grin. She launched a weak bolt of mana at the apostle’s head, providing cover as she kicked off the ground, soaring several hundred feet backward. Edrin cried out in surprise as translucent green tendrils of pure life magic erupted from the earth, slicing through his wards and ensnaring his limbs.

"What? She’s here too?" Korra said, clapping her hand excitedly. "I knew there was a plan!"