I expected the camp to devolve into chaos the mont word got out, but the Last Light Company surprised again. Before I even made it back to my tent, news of my declaration of war had spread through the camp, moving like wildfire. Wherever I went, Soldiers whispered restlessly, shooting uneasy, or sotis excited glances at . I expected as much from the older veterans, but even the young soldiers, just third and fourth level, maintained strict discipline and composure.
Elinore, arms crossed and expression stern, waited for outside my tent. I shrank back instinctively as her gaze landed on , burying myself further into Fable’s fur. But my wolf, intentionally oblivious to my unease, bounded the last few dozen toward her.
"Oh, stop hiding. I’m not going to scold you," Elinore sighed, her stern facade cracking slightly. "I think that duel of yours was reckless, but I won’t complain about the opportunity it’s given us. Now, hurry up and get off that beast. I’d like to do a full examination right away."
I breathed a sigh of relief and slid off Fable’s back, reluctantly ducking under the tent flap she held open. Fable pushed his head inside after , but Elinore’s glare stopped him in his tracks, and he ekly backed out. I just make out his massive silhouette through the tent canvas, pulling my gaze away only as he circled once and dropped to the ground, taking up his customary watch in front of the entrance.
Before I knew it, Elinore had my dress off and was examining my side and shoulder. She whispered a few words and summoned several thin strands of mana to probe the sunpurge, though what she was looking for was anyone’s guess. My knowledge of Life magic ended with basic healing magic, and I barely recognized even half of the runes she used.
It didn’t hurt, but her gentle touch sent tingles racing through the sunpurge continually, leaving trembling, gasping for breath. After a few minutes, she gave a slight, satisfied hum and sat back.
"I can’t find any indication the sunpurge spread, or was even significantly stressed by the battle," Elinore concluded, a note of relief in her voice. "You should be fine to push yourself a little when it cos to magic, though I think it would be best to avoid anything too physically taxing or exhausting your mana completely."
"So the sunpurge really is tied to the soul, then?" I asked.
She nodded. "Everything we’ve seen points to that conclusion, but that doesn’t an you’re completely free now that your soul is healed. If you exhaust your mana, your soul is naturally weakened. While I doubt that alone is enough for the sunpurge to spread, add any sort of impairnt or injury to your physical body, and I wouldn’t be so sure."
"Alright, I understand. Thank you."
She shrugged and stood, smiling faintly. "It’s the least I can do. I’m just grateful Korra found soone else to play with. I was getting a little worried about how often she managed to drag you into her sches."
I giggled, bashfully rubbing my horn. "She’s not like that. Korra’s just...okay, maybe she’s like that a little."
"Exactly," she replied with a self-satisfied nod. Then, her face softened. "Xiviyah, it’s good to see you smiling. After I heard the Commander’s declaration, I was worried you might be, well, disheartened. I know fighting and conflict aren’t easy for you, but this goes beyond that. Brithlite and its cruel king are responsible for so much of the hurt you’ve suffered. Are you really going to be alright facing them?"
I sighed, my hand slipping off the familiar ridges of my horn and falling into my lap. "I will do what I must to save Elise and free the innocent people caught up in the gods’ sches."
"As long as you remain true to that path, we’ll fight beside you to the end." She paused halfway through the flap and looked in the eye. "Please, Xiviyah. Even though you healed your soul, please don’t push yourself too hard."
Her words hung in the air long after the tent flap swished lost after her, leaving in silence. With her gone, I let my shoulders sag and collapsed onto the bed, rubbing my horn tiredly. I’d tried my best to hide it from her, but in the end, Elinore had seen right through . I was tired, well and exhausted.
Perhaps agreeing to a duel so soon after recovering had been a little much. The stress and anxiety of so many social monts weren’t any easier to bear, especially the unexpected call to stand in front of Bethiv and the other officers. It was only noon, but my eyes were heavy, my muscles exhausted, and I yearned to sleep. Just a quick nap, then I could–
The scent of ash trickled into my nostrils, and a tingle coursed down my spine. A faint, oily presence brushed against my soul, causing to stiffen, my eyes flashing open. With a weary sigh, I shifted myself into a sitting position with my legs tucked to one side and waited for the presence I felt to appear.
"Forgive the intrusion, my Lady," Kahlen said, materializing in a harmless storm of sparks. But I’m impressed you noticed . As expected of the Oracle of Eternity."
The Blade Demon’s soul was the sa, but his physical form differed. Instead of a vaguely humanoid form made of skeletal blades, it seed...human, with a decidedly muscular male physique. He wore silver robes woven of tallic thread that glead in the dull sunlight that penetrated the canvas. His skin was similarly tallic, and his eyes were cold and steely, devoid of iris or pupil. Most striking, however, was his soul.
"What happened?" I asked slowly, my eyes narrowing. "When did you break through?"
The demon grinned, revealing teeth more pointed than any human’s. "Our last fight was...delicious. There was so much suffering, so many dead. Truly, I was fortunate to have been gifted to you."
I shivered, the tip of my tail drawing agitated circles across the soft cotton sheets. Hundreds, if not thousands, of soldiers fighting alongside Connor perished during the battle. Had he truly absorbed all of their souls? What of the other demons?
It took a few monts to ask my next question, and even the words ca out strangled. "And...this?"
"Ah, my new form. It isn’t uncommon for demons to evolve into more powerful bodies upon ascending to a new level. I assure you it has no impact on my calling to serve you."
"Is that why you haven’t been here?"
"Demons require ti to consolidate a new realm. I regret that I wasn’t there to see your mont of triumph, but it was imperative that I retreat to a secure location to evolve. Any interruption can have catastrophic consequences during the process and likely results in the death of the demon. If that is the case, we lose what power we have gained, taking nothing with us back to the infernal realms. It was a truly disappointing experience."
As he spoke, I drifted into thought, a rather unsolicited mory breaking through the haze surrounding my most painful experiences. This wasn’t the first ti I’d been abandoned by an ally in the middle of a fight. I hadn’t felt Kahlen’s disappearance as keenly and only now wondered where it had been, but the last ti left a scar in my heart that still ached.
"Fyren..." I whispered, tears welling up in my eyes.
"My lady?" Kahlen asked, brow creasing in an unexpectedly human expression.
I jumped slightly, startled, and shook my head. "It’s nothing, just... rembering sothing. A long ti ago."
"Fyren..." Kahlen said thoughtfully. Suddenly, his expression froze, and his lips parted as he drew in a sharp breath. "Wait, Fyren?"
"...that was his na. He left a long ti ago. It’s nothing; just forget I said anything."
He looked at until I bit my lip and looked away, gripping the end of my tail as it curled into my lap. The tip continued to shiver as I stroked it softly, running my fingers over the feathery scales until my heart cald. When I finally raised my eyes again, I found the demon watching unblinkingly.
Unnerved by his gaze, I licked my lips nervously before asking, "The Lord of Ash. Why did he send you?"
Kahlen blinked, seeming taken aback. "The Lord of Ash? But you just....you an you don’t...erm," he coughed, clearing his throat. "As I explained before, I am yours to do with as you see fit."
"But why? Why is the Lord of Ash so interested in ? Why did he run down half the country looking for ?"
The demon fell silent, considering his words long before speaking, his tallic voice slow and deliberate. "I do not pretend to know the will of my Lord, but this I know. He cares not for the others, be they heroes or apostles, and wishes only for your well-being."
I groaned and rubbed my horn. "Riddles. Always riddles. If you really want to serve , can’t you just speak plainly?"
He smiled thinly, clasping his hands behind his back. "It is not my place to speak for my Lord."
"Do you at least know why he attacked Gornrod?" I still didn’t know where that was, but I’d been pondering it ever since. The only thing I knew about the kingdom was that it was adjacent to Brithlite and was ho to the Dead Wing Legion.
Kahlen shrugged. "Vengeance, I dare say. That’s what’s motivated all of his actions until now."
"Vengeance?" I echoed, tilting my head slightly. What cause could a demon have for vengeance? They were the aggressors in this world, weren’t they?
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