The Forsaken Hero

"What is it, my Lady?" Rodrick asked, looking at me with a slight frown.

I summoned my staff, activating the Oracle of Eternity. Fate opened like a blossoming rose. The stars glittered, bright and clear, but nowhere could I find the thread binding the gate to the Final Star. Instead, a subtle flow of mana seeped from the air itself, sustaining the gate.

It wasn’t connected to me at all. I might have opened this gate, but right now, I could no more close it than I might be able to close a demon gate. That didn’t mean it was impossible, for after I’d learned of fate, I could probably figure out something, but I was much more curious as to why.

"Haven?" I asked, dropping the Oracle of Eternity.

The spirit materialized, faint and wispy.

"What’s going on?"

"Forgive me, my Lady, I thought you were aware. The ambient fate mana in High Valley is so thick that when your presence waned, it was drawn in to support it. I allowed the shift, as otherwise, it would have directly severed the means by which you called forth the Fatesworn. The Skyknights would have lost their ships, and the line collapsed before the demon horde."

"How is that even possible?" I asked.

He shrugged. "The mana signature embedded within High Valley, and this mist, is practically identical to your own. It’s how Haven can project here at all."

"Wait, that’s why? I thought it was because we formed a bridge between you and Enusia."

"In part, but the issue is not possibility, but scale. If you had enough of your own mana, calling forth the Fatesworn, and even remnants, anywhere wouldn’t be impossible."

"Yet another reason to break into ninth-level," I grumbled, my tail twitching irritably. I shook my head, banishing the thought. "So what am I supposed to do? Just leave the gateway open for anyone to sneak into Haven?"

He smiled faintly. "They would do so at their own peril. But, if you wished, I could sever the flow and close the gate. Doing so would likely disrupt the fate mana gathered here, potentially breaking apart the protective mists. Or, I could craft a new landing island for this gate, and you could assign a guard to maintain its security."

"And I could open a new gate?"

"You’ve never been limited to only one."

I pursed my lips, thinking hard. Leaving a gateway open to High Valley didn’t seem like the worst idea. It would give us instant access to a safe place in Enusia from anywhere I was. If we had to move civilians, I wouldn’t be forced to open a rift or hold them in Haven. The Fatesworn could escort them through.

"If this gate remains open, does that mean I could have more open as well? If I were able to store enough power, or create a crystal others could inject mana into, I mean?"

"It would certainly be feasible, though I would insist you consult Emlica before trying anything of that magnitude."

"I could open one in Sylvarus, and Last Light!" I said, my eyes lighting up. Maybe there was no need for spatial rifts at all! I could sustain a network of gates around the world using Haven as a hub, and visit my friends whenever I wanted!

Haven cleared his throat. "Might I suggest focusing your mana and energy on the current fight ahead? There will be plenty of time to explore such thoughts afterward."

I forced myself to take a long, deep breath, stilling my swishing tail. "You’re right. Thank you. Let’s leave this gate open for now. After everything that’s happened here, I can’t risk stripping the stars away. Aurle, everyone, deserves to rest."

"Very well. Then I shall reorganize the gateways. I believe some of the remnants had some ideas about an island dedicated to portals. Perhaps under the watchful shadow of Starfall Keep?’

I waved my hand, content to let them sort out the details themselves. They were always concerned about security and logistics. I was more eager to see the look on Elise’s face when I told her I could visit whenever I wanted.

"You said the mana of this place was similar to mine?" I asked, struck by a passing thought. "What does that mean? I didn’t cast Starfall. That was Fate’s doing."

"Then your answer lies with her. Good luck, my lady."

With that, the spirit vanished, and I sighed, an irritable twitch stirring my tail. What was he doing, acting all high and mighty like that? It wasn’t like he had anything else to do than talk to me. He wasn’t even a person!

"My Lady," Rodrick said tentatively. "Am I to understand that this gate will remain open?"

"Yes, it seems that way," I said, turning away from it with a sigh. "I suppose that makes you steward of it. Protect it, and Haven will be a shield to you in the dark times ahead."

There was a soft thump, and I glanced back, freezing as I found him on his knees, his head bowed.

"Your faith humbles me, my Lady. That you would trust one such as I with so great a responsibility is more than I deserve."

"Please, it’s not like that. And I do trust you. You’re the only one who helped me after..." I bit my lip, looking away. "Rodrick, this place is filled with shadows. Under your care, the first hints of dawn have come. Continue to guide and protect it, especially Rylam. He’s a little...impulsive, I think."

"Your will be done, my Lady. Safe travels. May the stars light your path."

I gave him one last hug before leaving the church behind. The next morning, we left High Valley Behind. A small company of Fatesworn, led by Commander Bethiv himself, marched in the midst of Luke’s horde, while I rode Fable with R’lissea. Korra, Grace, and Gayron flew about the skies, chasing each other in a game that seemed suspiciously like tag, flitting for hours through the gray, snow-speckled skies.

Luke came by often, gliding up without warning and snatching me into his arms and hugging me fiercely. I kissed his cheek before he would set me down, nod at R’lissea, and then fly to discuss something with Fyren and Bethiv.

The horde moved slowly, but relentlessly. They didn’t stop for rest or the night, rolling forward in an unceasing tide of darkness. Every evening, I opened a gate to haven, letting my Star Guard and the soldiers accompanying us rotate with fresh replacements. The Fatesworn were strong enough to march for weeks without rest, but the closer we got to Roann and the Divine Throne, the more Bethiv wanted to keep everyone fresh.

One week after we left High Valley, the first battle broke out. It was little more than a skirmish, fought between a roving pack of scions and Radian scouts, but blood was spilled. When Fatesworn Nightwatch reported in, having hunted down the survivors, it became clear the church knew our movements and was preparing a response.

"Let’s hope the intel from the War hero is accurate," Bethiv muttered that evening, rubbing his chin. "We’re already stretched thin. We can’t afford to be caught off guard."

"Just what did he say?" I asked, half-afraid he might actually answer.

Bethiv shrugged. "Mostly logistics and strategies. The church should be setting up an ambush for us in the final mountain passes on the approach for Roann. If they end up attacking us, we’ll know whether or not he and the Apostle of Secrets can be trusted."

We reached the beginnings of those very mountains that afternoon, and by nightfall, had penetrated the range. The sky clouded over, blotting out the stars, and great white snowflakes began to fall. They filled the hills and vales, rapidly piling up until the earth was fresh and white. The flakes clung to Fable’s coat, dulling the silver sheen to his fur.

"I hate it," I murmured, shivering as one landed on my nose, and sneezed. It was well and truly dark now. The walls of cliffs loomed around us, framing a steeply descending valley. The snow hid the peaks ahead, but I could make out a few glimmering souls where some of Luke’s demons scouted ahead. From what Bethiv had said, we would reach the plains beyond before dawn.

R’lissea giggled, wrapping her arms around my waist from behind, hugging me to her chest. "It’s just snow. I think it’s exciting. Just think, by the time it’s done falling, spring will come, and this war will be over."

"Will it ever?" I asked quietly, shaking snow out of my hair.

"Just a few more battles. Once we defeat Fate and the church, Enusia will be defeated. Courage, Xiv. Just one more war."

Suddenly, a shiver ran through my soul that had nothing to do with the cold. Verity flickered into being, her sword drawn.

"Ready yourself," she said, casting a searching look at the cliffs overlooking the valley. "That war is about to begin."