All good things co to an end. Even the best things.
My feet felt heavy as the sun began to sink, and we returned to Sorrin and Tana’s ho. The rest of the Glory Chasers had joined Tana and after lunch, and we’d spent the entire day exploring the city, reminiscing about old tis. and sharing the experiences we’d had since being apart.
"You don’t have to go tomorrow, do you?" Tana asked, nudging my shoulder as we walked.
I hesitated, my tail swishing slowly. "No, I don’t have to. But I think I should. Elise is in danger. The church won’t let her take over this area easily."
She was quiet for a long ti before asking, "Is she going to conquer Heartland?"
"I...I don’t know. Would you like her to?"
"I an, if she can bring stability to the region, I don’t see why not," Dyson said, leaning back as he walked, resting his head on his hands. "As you saw, there’s a heck-ton of monsters around, and they’re only getting stronger."
"That’s true," Sorrin said. "And honestly, no one’s been in charge of this place for a while. The adventuring guild has kinda taken over, but eventually, it’s going to collapse. Helron can only do so much."
"The biggest problem is the distance," Tana said. "The Blue Canyon separates us from the rest of the continent. It would take over a month to make it from the capital of Brithlite to Heartland."
"I rember," I said softly, stroking Fable’s feathers. That had been one of the longest, hardest journeys I’d ever made. If it hadn’t been for Fable and Korra, I probably wouldn’t have made it.
"Before the demons showed up, you could make it to the border in only two weeks’ ti," Sorrin said, rubbing his chin. "So it’s not that far to the old kingdom itself. Just the capital."
"I’ll ask Elise when I see her. If it ans helping you, I’ll beg if I have to," I said.
"You don’t have to go that far, but thanks," Tana said, grabbing my hand. She held it all the way back until we made it to her ho. As we stepped inside, the sun vanished beneath the horizon.
When it rose again, I made the bed with the knowledge I wasn’t going to be sleeping in it again. When I dressed, I pulled on soft leather travel boots, not the pretty ribbon slippers I favored, with the ribbons lacing halfway up to my knees.
As I slipped on my spatial ring and settled my wreath about my horns, a knock at my door sounded. I opened it, feeling a touch of unease. On the other side was Sari. She still wore her nightdress, a thin white dress that barely reached her knees. Her hair was mussy and her eyes red and bleary, as if she’d been crying. She sniffled, rubbing the corner of her eye, and fell into my arms.
"It’s alright, I’m here," I murmured, stroking her hair. Her tail flicked anxiously, but it cald as I held her.
"You’re really leaving?" she whispered.
My hand stilled. "I have to. You know that."
"I...thank you."
My tail twitched once. That wasn’t what I had expected.
"Whatever for?"
"Everything." She looked up, a small smile breaking through like a sunbeam after a storm. "But mostly for bringing back. I didn’t want to. I really didn’t. But the mont I saw Ror..." She sniffled again, but her eyes shone. "I missed him so much."
"It must have been hard, being away from him for so long. You two are all you have, now."
"No, that’s not true," she said, shaking her head feverishly. "M-mom and Dad...when they died, it was. But now, I have you. And R’lissea, and Emlica, and everyone. I know I’m too weak to fight in this war, but I’m going to get stronger. and Ror agreed. You won’t have to worry. Next ti, you can be the one to stay ho, and I’ll protect you."
"Next ti?"
She nodded firmly. "There’s always a next ti. If it’s not demons, it’s monsters. And if not monsters, then mortals. Those are the scariest. But Ror and I will get so strong you’ll never have to fight again."
I smiled, ruffling her hair. "Then I’ll leave it up to you. Just rember that strength isn’t all that matters. The gods are strong, and the demons are too." I lowered my hand, resting it on her chest. "This is what’s important, alright? I want you to be happy more than I want you to be strong. That’s what I’m fighting for."
She covered my hand, holding it to her chest. It was the sa size as mine. Maybe a little bigger.
"Be strong, Xiviyah," she whispered, "Don’t let them hurt you anymore. Please, visit again. I...I love you."
A lump ford in my throat as she embraced again, tears welling up in her eyes. I didn’t have the words, so I just held her. Or maybe she held . It was hard to see through my own tears.
"I love you too," I finally managed to whisper.
It was hard to let go, but we had to. I pressed my forehead against hers one last ti before we left together, joining the others downstairs. If anyone noticed the tears shimring in our eyes, they didn’t say anything.
The morning was spent in final goodbyes. As I hugged Ror, Sari, and the other Glory Chasers, the Star Guard gave us so distance, keeping the world away.
"Be brave, Starlight," Tana whispered as we hugged for the last ti. "I hope you accomplish your mission, but I hope even more that you’ll do it safely, and co back to us again."
"No matter what happens, what you do, or who you beco, you’ll always have a ho here," Sorrin said when it was his turn.
"Don’t forget to smile," said Dyson. When everyone gave him strange looks, he grinned. "What? Her smile’s lovely. The world deserves to see it more."
I giggled, squeezing him tight. "Thanks. And I will."
"I kinda missed the old Starlight. As cute as your laugh is, your blush is way better," he muttered, patting on the head affectionately.
His wish was granted as I let out a small squeak, my cheeks reddening.
"Dyson!" Tanna hissed. "Are you forgetting Serra already? You don’t have to make a pass at every beautiful girl with soone like her waiting for you in Eastfall Village."
"It’s Starlight. I can’t help it. Her reactions are adorable," Dyson said, rubbing the back of his head.
Rasce rolled his eyes, his hug short but warm. "Ignore him. And I don’t have much to tell you. You’ve gotten far stronger than any of us. But rember to trust your allies. Like when we fought against Vithrass beneath the city. You don’t have to do everything alone."
"I thought you had actually betrayed ," I admitted, "But I won’t ever make that mistake again. Betrayal hurts, but being alone and unable to trust anyone hurts more. Thank you for showing that."
I embraced Ror and Sari at the sa ti.
"Be brave," I told them. "There will be a ti for you to rise and claim your destinies. And great are those destinies. But not yet. Let carry the world for a little longer, alright?"
"Why are you talking as if you won’t be seeing us again?" Sari asked.
I gave her a sad smile. "The future is unpredictable. But even if I don’t, even if, in the end, I fall, I won’t do so without securing a future for you and the others. No matter what happens, I’ll make sure no one is ever enslaved by the gods again."
"Be safe, Starlight," Ror said. "When you co back, we’ll be stronger. Together."
Sari nodded, and I smiled, ruffling their hair with both hands. "I look forward to it. Just don’t overdo it, alright? And Ror, look after Sari. She’s really good at getting into trouble."
"This coming from you?" The foxkin girl muttered, her ears flicking in annoyance.
I giggled again, and with that, my goodbyes were finished. With a nod at my Guard, I led the way out into the small garden courtyard outside the house. The Glory Chasers trailed behind. Tana sniffed, wiping a tear away, but gave a bright smile.
"Good luck," she whispered, quiet enough that my keen ears barely registered it.
I nodded, and taking a deep breath, I summoned my staff. The night before, I had spent hours walking through Brithlite and had a location already in mind. My aura swirled as I began to cast, and in only five minutes, the spell resolved. A black crack appeared in the air, widening to reveal the top of a crumbling wall. Luxxa and Kahlen burst through, swords at the ready, followed by the other two guards.
Waving one last ti at my friends, and with a heavy, but hopeful heart, I stepped through after them, Fable and Borealis at my side. I looked back behind , watching as the fissure slowly closed, and the faces of my friends disappeared into thin air.
The wall was empty, a remnant of the fortifications defending the original castle. Once she’d finished clearing it, Luxxa approached, saluting.
"What are your orders, my Lady?" she asked.
I was quiet for a mont before turning from where the rift had vanished and setting my shoulders. I tightened my grip on my staff, mustering my mana. "Prepare for battle."
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