"Why did he have to leave?" I whined, the question echoing for the tenth time that night.
"He only said it was important, remember?" R’lissea’s response remained patient, though a slight strain in her voice betrayed her growing weariness with my incessant questioning. "It’s best to let him handle it and ask when he returns."
Fyren had departed an hour ago, vanishing into the twilight after exchanging a few final words. I had risen to embrace him, pleading once more for his swift return, before collapsing beside R’lissea again. Elise already occupied the coveted spot against his warm, furry stomach, so we snuggled together in front of the fire, our backs pressed against his flank.
"It’ll be fine, Xiviyah; there’s no need to worry," Luke said, his gaze steady and unwavering. He hadn’t looked away from me once, and it was starting to warm my cheeks. "Even with Fyren gone, nothing has changed. I won’t allow anyone – god, mortal, or demon – to attack you."
It was a curiously inclusive promise, considering the most immediate threat came from the demons surrounding us. I briefly wondered if this had something to do with Fyren’s sudden departure but quickly dismissed the thought. I had just managed to calm down, and dwelling on it would only reignite my anxiety.
"Is that why you haven’t left yet?" R’lissea asked pointedly.
He shrugged. "You know as well as I do that would be unwise. If they manage to slip past him..."
I groaned, rubbing my horns. "Please, if you don’t want me to know, can we at least stop talking about it?"
"Fine, fine," Luke conceded with a chuckle. "Is there something else you’d rather discuss?"
I fell silent, tilting my head against Fable’s flank and watching the stars traverse the night sky. Haven’s warmth beckoned from within, enticing me with the promise of its restored beauty.
"Um, Luke...?" I ventured, meeting his gaze. "Would it be alright if I went to Haven? I... I don’t want to wait any longer."
R’lissea started to object, then paused, tilting her head as she studied me intently. "That might actually be a good idea," she conceded. Her gaze shifted to Luke, her confidence wavering slightly. "Assuming you don’t mind."
He stood, stretching his arms overhead. Even through the black fabric of his robe, I could see the muscles in his arms and shoulders flexing.
"I agree. Xiviyah, would you like me to accompany you?"
I nodded, too embarrassed to speak my thoughts aloud. I would have preferred to wait for Fyren, but his absence only intensified my yearning for the comfort of my realm. Luke had kept the secret of the shard and my goddess thus far. Surely, one more visit wouldn’t hurt.
"I’ll be fine," I reassured her, offering a faint smile. "I don’t think I could sleep right now anyway."
She held my gaze, searching my eyes, before releasing my hand. "Be careful. And make sure Luke exits Haven first when you’re done."
It was an odd request, but I nodded in agreement. Perhaps she was just worried he might try to do something when I wasn’t there to watch him. "Alright. Just wait for me."
She yawned, then gave me a small smile. "We’ll see. Fable will keep watch, though, right?" she asked, looking up at the wolf.
He growled in affirmation, and I felt a wave of amusement through our bond. He had been remarkably quiet throughout most of our interactions, content to observe me wrestling with my emotions. If he was anything like Korra, and I knew he was, he probably found a perverse sort of amusement in it. Objectively, he was probably right, but I hated the helplessness I felt while learning to navigate these unfamiliar emotions, especially embarrassment. Not to mention the other feelings, like excitement and happiness, which I had never truly experienced before in either life.
Luke readied himself swiftly, summoning his staff and sword, securing the blade across his back and grasping the staff in his hand.
"Ready?" I asked, summoning the Final Star.
At his nod, I channeled my mana into the staff, opening a gateway to Haven. There was no need for extravagance; a simple portal the size of a small door would suffice. Luke might have to duck slightly, but it wouldn’t draw undue attention from nearby demons. They had long since grown indifferent to our random magical experiments, of which they would likely assume this was another.
With a final smile for R’lissea, I stepped into the swirling maelstrom of golden light, closing my eyes as its warmth enveloped me. The sensation of teleportation was akin to rising through warm water, so mild and pleasant that I was reluctant to let it go when I emerged in my realm.
That feeling evaporated the instant I opened my eyes and took in my surroundings. Tears welled up, and I bit my lip, stifling a sob. It was... breathtakingly beautiful.
The veil of darkness had dissipated, revealing a sky shimmering with stars that glistened like morning dew. Bright and close, they filled the realm with their gentle light. The islands remained fragmented and adrift, but the buildings had lost the tarnish and taint of the rift. They no longer bore the scars of disrepair, standing proud and whole, something that hadn’t been so even before the rift.
Lush greenery carpeted the islands, with flowers and vines sprouting underfoot. Lichen crept up the walls of the buildings, and thick trees shaded the grounds from the starlight. The gate had deposited us on the entrance island, as Haven and I had initially decided and remained open behind us, a swirling portal to Enusia.
Despite the transformative changes and visible repairs to the ancient ruins, something else captured my attention, eclipsing all other thoughts. There were people!
Not people, exactly, more like... silhouettes. Fewer than a dozen were in sight, and they turned towards us as we entered. At first, they seemed foreign and unfamiliar, but my mind instantly drew comparisons to the remnants. However, instead of dark and shadowy, these figures glowed with a soft, golden light. They lacked substance or form, appearing wholly translucent, with stars drifting through their bodies like motes of dust in clear water. They were eerily similar to the Ally of Fate who had descended from the gate to protect me, down to their flawless features and lifelike expressions.
Luke stumbled out of the gate behind me, his eyes wide with awe as he took in the surroundings. He quickly recovered his composure, moving to my side, staff clutched tightly in his hand. His soul blazed with mana, ready to strike at the slightest hint of danger. But even as he drew near, his gaze remained fixed on the ethereal beauty of Haven.
"Well, this is... different," he murmured, his voice hushed with wonder.
"Isn’t it beautiful?" I breathed, a smile blooming on my face. I couldn’t suppress the joy that bubbled up within me, growing more wondrous with every detail I absorbed.
The remnants, for that’s what they had to be, watched us curiously from their positions amidst the floating islands. I sensed none of the hostility or darkness they had exuded before, and I let my staff dissipate in a cloud of shimmering stars.
"I think it’s safe," I declared, taking a final moment to savor the sight before clasping my hands together. "Haven?"
"I’m here, my lady," Haven’s voice responded, causing Luke to jump. He instinctively raised his staff as Haven materialized before us, but I quickly placed a reassuring hand on his wrist, urging him to lower it. I stepped toward the spirit, blinking rapidly as tears welled up in my eyes again.
"You’re here!" I breathed, beaming despite the tears glistening on my lashes. "I was so worried."
"Forgive my negligence, my lady," the spirit said, bowing low. "I wished to appear to you many times, but the goddess restrained me."
"That’s right," Fate’s voice chimed in as she materialized beside Haven. Luke flinched again, and she gave him an amused smile before gliding towards me, enveloping me in a warm embrace. "Our attention was consumed by the rift and holding this realm together. As much as we yearned to guide you, allowing fate to run its course was wiser. And look, everything worked out, didn’t it?"
I nodded, nuzzling my cheek against her chest, letting the tears flow freely. These were tears of joy and relief, so very different than those I had shed when Fyren left.
"Xiviyah...?" Luke’s voice was cautious, his grip on his staff unwavering. "Are you sure you should let them act so familiarly? What if the remnants learned to disguise themselves, and—"
"How foolish, young demonkin," Haven interrupted, gliding closer to Luke with an appraising, critical gaze. "Can you not tell a realm spirit from a remnant?"
I bit my cheek to stifle a laugh. Honestly, if I hadn’t known better, I would have mistaken Haven for a remnant myself. And Fate, for that matter, though Luke likely recognized her.
"Everything’s fine, Luke," I said, pulling free of Fate’s embrace to gesture broadly at my realm. "This is the real Haven."