CHAPTER 804: OUT OF MY DEPTH

I was breathing heavily again by the time I reached the city. Gathrin greeted me with a worried expression, taking my arm and forcing me to stop until I caught my breath.

"You look exhausted," he said.

I nodded, explaining the training Ernyst and Emlica had laid on me. He sighed, shaking his head.

"Grim are the times that forced this upon us, but I understand their foresight. Should you ever require a training partner more concerned with you than landing a good blow, please seek me out."

I thanked him and gave him a quick hug, causing him to stiffen in surprise, before I slipped into the city. A few remnants addressed me, but I pushed by them all with a curtsy and rushed apology, eager to reach the cathedral. Fyren’s presence grew stronger, intermixing with Arantius’s unmistakable aura.

I burst into the great hall, panting lightly. As I guessed, Fyren was there, as was Arantius and Fate. The goddess’s hands were clasped before her, a thoughtful look in her eye. Arantius leaned against the wall, arms folded. His eyes searched the demon, but there was no hostility there, only wariness.

"Ah, Xiviyah. Perfect timing," Fate said, giving me a smile. "I see you’ve been busy."

Her smile was warm and inviting, and before I could think better of it, I slipped into her arms, hugging her tightly. A feeling of warmth enveloped me, washing away the aches and weariness of the last few hours. Tears gathered in my eyes, and I rested my head on her chest.

"Is training that difficult?" she asked with a wry smile.

I nodded, sniffling.

She chuckled, ruffling my hair. "Then you were very brave."

"Don’t tease me," I mumbled, closing my eyes.

"I wouldn’t dream of it," she said.

After a few calming breaths, I risked peeking at the room. The tension I’d sensed earlier was gone. Fyren offered me a smile.

"What were you talking about?" I asked, tentatively looking between him and Arantius.

Fyren shrugged. "Merely the terms of our association."

"And that is...?"

Arantius answered. "You."

His response caught me off guard. My tail curled, brushing against Fate’s dress.

"Me?" I said in a small voice.

"Hush, child," Fate whispered, smoothing a hand down the back of my head.

Arantius straightened, taking a step off the wall. He stared hard at Fyren, bringing the tension up a notch.

"Are you certain this is the path you want?" he asked.

Fyren looked nonplused. "There are no other options."

"There are always options," Fate said.

"Maybe for the divine, but we demons no longer have the luxury of that belief. "Once that choice was made, there has never been another one. You received fate, and we oblivion."

"It isn’t so different. No matter how many paths there are, they all have an end. It is the nature of fate. All leads to the end."

"I am the end," he growled.

She inclined her head. "And I’ve waited a long, long time to meet you there. But as you are the end, so am I the beginning. Journey and destination, everything and nothing."

"Fate and Oblivion," Fyren muttered.

"This conversation strays to forbidden territory," Arantius said.

Fyren shook his head. "The time is close when nothing shall be hidden."

"Yet it is not yet," Fate chided. Her arms tightened around me. "For now, we dance on the whims of mortals. This one, particularly."

Fyren’s lip twitched in a small smile. "For once, I can agree. Have you reached a decision, Xiviyah?"

I looked between them, tail flicking back and forth. "I...decision?"

"The shards."

"Oh, right. They’ve hidden the location of the formation core with an artifact. The only way we can find it is by asking someone who knows."

"Nithalee?" Fate asked, sounding a touch surprised.

"Don’t do that," I mumbled, nestling further back into her arms.

I could hear the humor in Fate’s voice as she said, "What’s wrong with using the tools I’m given?"

"Nothing, but I–"

She spun me gently, tilting my chin up with her finger. "Perhaps there’s a lesson in that for you. See if you can find it before your next visit. Fyren, would you please see her out?"

I stared at her, blinking in surprise, as Fyren took me by the shoulder. I wasn’t sure whether to be more unsettled by her challenge or the fact that she called him ’Fyren.’ Before I could decide, Fyren guided me away, toward the exit.

Arantius blocked our path, staring hard at Fyren. The two towered over me, tension crackling between them.

"Not a scratch, demon," Arantius said, cold as ice.

"Jealous?" Fyren flashed him a vicious smile. "If only you could walk beside her in a mortal world, is that it? You lost that chance when you allowed Fate to fall."

"A mean it," Arantius said.

Fyren sighed, letting go of my shoulder. "Her path is her own to walk. If she’s determined to throw herself into danger, I won’t stop her. But you can be damn well sure I’ll follow her as closely as I can."

The demon and remnant held each other’s gaze for a moment longer before Arantius’s head lowered in a begrudging nod. He glanced at me, noting my wide eyes and the tail tucked between my legs.

"Come on," Fyren said, brushing past the remnant. "There’s no reason to delay here any longer. Everything’s been said."

"Good luck, Xiviyah. Tell Emlica not to be too impatient, tomorrow," Fate called.

I looked over my shoulder at her, opening my mouth to ask what she meant, but she just smiled, waved, and vanished in a puff of stars.

"Fate..." I sighed, reluctantly allowing Fyren to drag me away.

When we emerged from Haven, Fable jumped to his feet and trotted over, curling around my back like a cat. He rubbed my cheek with his head, tail wagging.

"I’m happy to see you, too," I said, giggling as his tongue dabbed my cheek. "But we weren’t gone for that long."

He whined, nuzzling me harder, his tail curling around my leg, keeping me from pushing him away. Beneath his affection, worry pulsed through our bond.

"Did something happen?" I asked, losing the smile.

He pushed his nose against my side, finding a small tear in my dress. I gasped, touching the rip and soul cast a mending spell, leaving no seam behind. My eyes filled with tears, and I hugged him tightly. Sometimes, I forgot our bond went both ways, and given what I’d been up to...

"You were worried about me? I was just training. It was just a little stressful."

Korra’s laugh drew me back from my wolf. I straightened, looking around to find her with Gayron and R’lissea.

"She said what?" Korra asked.

R’lissea suppressed a smile. "It’s hardly a laughing matter."

Korra broke into another chuckle. "This Elise girl. I have to sit down with her. I can’t believe she told the city lord to shut up and sit down. I’ve wanted to say that since we showed up, but...Isn’t she worried about getting thrown out?"

"Seriously," Gayron muttered, shaking his head. "These elves have no sense of gratitude."

"That’s rich, coming from you. You didn’t even know the word ’thank you’ till I taught you. That was what, a month after we started traveling together?" Korra said, prodding his side with her elbow.

He rolled his eyes. "I simply never met anyone worth thanking. Until you."

"Sweet talker. You must have really liked Xiv’s suggestion about training tonight," Korra said.

"You two...together?" R’lissea asked, blinking. "But he’s a...and you’re--"

"Perfect for each other," Korra said firmly. She slipped a hand around Gayron’s broad shoulders, drawing him close and leaning her head on his shoulder. "I thought you already knew."

"Well, Xiv mentioned something, but..."

She flushed, staring at her feet.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Korra said, bouncing on her feet. "Watch this!"

Letting go of Gayron, Korra surrounded herself with a layer of light blue mana. Taking a step, her foot never landed. Instead, she rose into the air, wobbling unsteadily as she gained a few feet of altitude. Her grin could have sent storm clouds scurrying for the horizon.

"Flying?" R’lissea’s eyes opened wide. "Did one of the remnants teach you that?"

Korra gingerly guided herself in a lazy spiral, struggling to look nonchalant. "They helped, I suppose. But we picked it up almost immediately. I could teach you if you want."

"I bet Xiv’s not too happy about this," R’lissea said, shaking her head. "And no thanks, I’m not one for arts. But I don’t think you’ll be leaving me behind. You’re not the only one to pick something up from the Haven."

She took a deep breath and clasped her hands together. Ribbons of green light burst out of her back, weaving together into two translucent feathered wings. She raised her head and smiled, stretching her wings in the same manner as Borealis when he was greeting the morning sun. In a rustle of magical feathers, she lifted off the ground. Her wings caught an updraft, letting her hover across from Korra.

"They’re beautiful," Korra murmured, doing a small circle around R’lissea, examining the wings.

My stomach twisted just looking at the two, but I had to admit she was right. The wings shimmered like a mirror, catching the light of the sun, dying it green. They didn’t seem to flap much, either, relying as much on magic to keep her airborne as lift generated by their motion.

"I learned them from Villie, one of the remnants," R’lissea admitted. "But it was Selena who helped me actually cast this spell earlier today, while you were gone. She’s an amazing life mage. I only spent a few hours studying with her, but I’ve already learned so much."

It was then they noticed me. Korra grinned and flew down, hovering a few inches above the ground. I shivered, stepping closer to Fable, my back against his shoulder. She was teasing me with that. She had to be.

R’lissea and Gayron joined us. R’lissea, at least, landed softly on the ground, wings vanishing into ribbons of dissipating light.

"How did it go with your errand?" Korra asked. "It looks like you caught up with Fyren. I didn’t think they let demons in that realm."