Chapter 1236: One Last Quiet Morning

Haven kept its peace throughout the night, watching over me as I slept curled up with Fable before the Firstlight Inn’s fireplace. My sleep was troubled by dreams and visions, and the weight of mana against my soul continued to mount.

I awoke feeling lazy and lethargic, yawning and blinking groggily. "Gods," I mumbled, pressing a hand to my temple. A dull ache pounded behind my eyes, and worse, my soul throbbed. I felt like I hadn’t slept at all.

Fable’s tail slid under my arms and lifted me to my feet. I yawned again and stumbled to the table. The inn room was too cramped for a creature of his size, and his shaggy flank blotted out the only window.

I collapsed into a chair, groaning and clutching my head. The pain faded as I whispered a life magic spell, but using mana drew my attention to just how tight my soul was. Every fiber strained and stretched, tearing in long, jagged lines of fire. I hissed through my teeth, gripping my horn so hard it ached something fierce.

"Xiviyah? Are you alright?"

I looked up blearily. R’lissea stood in the doorway. I hadn’t even heard the door open.

"Fine," I mumbled.

She rushed to my side, lifting me up. I sagged gratefully into her arms, breathing a sigh of relief as her mana washed over me.

"You’re burning up," she gasped. "Why didn’t you heal yourself?"

"I did..."

She sighed, stroking my hair as she began to cast more magic. "Gods, you’re really such a handful sometimes. You’re in no state to join the attack on the Divine Throne like this."

"Is it that time already?"

"Luke wanted to attack before it got dark. The sun’s already reached Radia."

"He really waited?"

"You don’t have to sound so happy about that. It’s going to be a hard fight as it is. No sense giving up the cover of dark."

I covered my mouth, hiding the small, creeping smile from her annoyed stare. She gave up trying to suppress her own smile and returned my grin.

"Glad to see you’re smiling, though I’ve got to admit, you’re in rough shape. There’s nothing wrong with you physically. It’s all your soul. It’s really trying to initiate a full breakthrough right now. I wish we had time to consult Fate, or Nellie. Or any remnant, really."

I straightened, stepping back from her, though I kept a steadying hand on the back of the chair. "I’ll be fine. For a little while at least. Once we get into battle and I can expend my mana, things will get better. Waiting here’s only going to make it worse, until I can’t hold it back any longer."

"I know, but I don’t have to like it." R’lissea took my hand and held it tightly. "No matter what happens, just make sure you’re safe, alright? I can’t bear to think of what would happen if I lost you."

I managed a small smile. "That’s what you’ve got Esvitt for, isn’t it?"

Her cheeks reddened. "S-so? There’s, um... nothing going on between us... yet..."

I giggled. R’lissea was adorable when she was flustered. Wait, was that how the others saw me? Was that why they were always teasing me?

"You have a wonderful future together," I said, taking her other hand.

"We have a wonderful future. You’re going to be a part of it, alright? Even if you want to live in Heartland or something, we’ll find a way to visit. Or you can come to us with one of those Spatial Rifts."

Her words stirred my memories of a conversation from the night before, one I had hoped was only a dream. Now, I knew it had been real. As I pondered what Fate had told me, my smile faltered, and I turned away. The war on Enusia was just the beginning, and I was central to her plans going forward. A mortal vessel of fate and oblivion. As things stood, leaving Enusia didn’t just align with that plan; it was the only chance I had of surviving. Despite everyone else’s reassurances, I was certain I wouldn’t survive the process of reaching ninth level. The Soul Binder was incredible, but my body was just too weak.

"Xiv? Does it still hurt?"

R’lissea hovered over me, her eyes filled with concern, but I just shook my head.

"I’m fine. Please, would you help me with my hair? One more time?"

Her face softened. "Always."

She sat me on the bed and began to run her hands through my hair, followed shortly by an ivory comb. I closed my eyes, letting her gentle touch and soothing strokes empty my mind. Too soon, she finished, but I took a deep breath, feeling much more relaxed.

"There, done." Her arms slithered around me as she hugged me fiercely from behind. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I could feel hers wet against my hair. I wanted to turn and embrace her fully, but I couldn’t seem to bring myself to break her hold.

"One last battle. One more fight. Then the killing can finally stop. Then we can heal," she whispered, as if to herself.

"One more," I said, a tremor in my voice. Would there ever be just one more? If there was, I wondered if I’d ever get to see it.

A knock sounded at the door, and Luxxa’s muffled voice wafted through. "Lady Xiviyah, Lady R’lissea, it’s getting late."

"Right, coming," I called, wiping the tears from my eyes.

R’lissea did the same, and we shared a small giggle that quickly faded, choked by the silence. Fable stood and stretched, nearly knocking us over with a swish of his oversized tail.

"Hey, stop that," R’lissea scolded him, getting to her feet. She offered me a hand, not letting go after she pulled me up. "Ready?" she asked.

I nodded, and together, we left the Firstlight Inn.

Haven was quiet as we descended the floating paths and islands toward the Heart. It was as barren as the first time I’d laid eyes on it. A few distant remnants, unwilling to leave the realm for the war, wandered the skies like glowing golden motes on the horizon. Only a few soldiers hurried here and there, making their last preparations for war. Verity quietly appeared, trailing after us.

"Are you alright?" she asked, looking between us.

R’lissea and I exchanged a look. I sniffled slightly, and she dabbed the corners of her eyes with her sleeve.

"You might have it hard, but at least you have a body. I’d kill to be able to hold hands with someone and actually feel their warmth," Verity said with a long sigh.

I squeezed R’lissea’s hand, finding some courage there. There was truth to the fate hero’s words. So long as I wasn’t alone, I could bear whatever came my way. Only... it wouldn’t be long until I was alone. Alone with Jessia, that is. I wasn’t sure what was worse, but I had given my word to Luke. If I wasn’t going to back down, then I might as well approach my fate with a smile.

Fate was there to see us off, flanked by Arantius himself. The remnant gave us a slight nod, his hand hovering by his sword.

"You won’t need that. We’ll win this fight," I assured him with more confidence than I felt.

Fate smiled kindly. "We believe in you, child, just as we always have."

"I only wish we could have fought more by your side. By the time you grew strong enough to call me, your battles were too few," Arantius said.

"You did more than enough. If you hadn’t been there, Fate would have... thank you." I bit my lip, looking away. There was one other I needed to thank who would never hear the words.

Fate placed her hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes. "Act with courage, child, and have faith. What shall be is meant to be. Trust in that."

"It’s just a bunch of inquisitors. I think they’ll find I won’t be so easy to break."

"That’s the spirit," Fate said, squeezing my shoulders. She drew me close, and I leaned in, hoping for a hug, but she bent down and pressed her lips to my forehead.

"Go with the blessing of fate. And in the absence of one who would grant it, with that of oblivion. You carry our hopes and dreams, little one. Bear them well."

I stepped back, eyes shimmering. "I will."

"Come on, Verity, R’lissea," I said, turning to face the entrance island. "We have a war to win."

We left the Star Guard at the entrance to the gate. I gave them each a hug, even Kahlen. All of them were reluctant to part, but there was nothing they would be able to do. We were playing with forces beyond their strength.

Luke awaited us on a small ridge overlooking the battlefield, alongside the other members of our strike force. Korra and Gayron whispered together, Grace stared darkly at the towers of the Throne, and Nithalee spoke in a hushed voice with the remnant Emlica. The latter two glanced over when we arrived, their eyebrows knitting in concern. Jessia gave me a small, mischievous wave.

And then there was Luke. He swept me up in a hug, kissing me until my toes curled.

"L-Luke," I squeaked, panting and breathless at how sudden it all was. "Everyone’s watching!"

"Good. Let them." His tail brushed against mine, his thumb wiping away a lingering tear from the corner of my eye. "How are you feeling?"

I’d been asked that enough in the last few minutes it was tiresome, but never coming from him. "I couldn’t ask for more. You’ve already stalled for me long enough."

He shrugged. "Guilty. But I’m afraid I can’t sit still any longer." He turned toward the Divine Throne, taking me with him. "Xiviyah, would you open the rift? Let’s end this once and for all."