He knows! He knows Im the Akh Nara. Cold chills crept down Virs back. His grip on his katar tightened.
Saunak had known all along. And yet, the mad thaumaturge had said nothing. Hed revealed nothing. Was it because he simply didnt care? Or was there more going on here than t the eye?
Vir turned around slowly, scanning his surroundings. Imdiately, several smaller automatons caught his eye.
Were there this many just a few minutes ago?
Well? Out with it! Saunak said, his eyes full of anticipation. What did it show you?
Oh, uh. Not much, Vir said tersely, doing everything he could to maintain a calm voice. Just scenes of so people I care about.
Ah, yes, Saunak said, nodding. This seems to be a common the.
Um, Cirayus? Vir called. He locked eyes with the demon. I think we should leave.
Saunak appeared mortified. But why? Youve only just arrived! Why not stay longer? Theres no rush.
Vir turned to Saunak, hoping to bluff his way out of this sticky situation. With as perceptive as the thaumaturge was, hed have to put on his best act to have any hope of deceiving him. Even then, Vir didnt hold out much hope. Itd have been best to minimize how much he said to the demon from here on out, but that was equally likely to raise his suspicions.
I saw sothing in the Ink of Clarity just now, he lied. It showed demons in the Demon Realm who were in danger. I think Cirayus and I should make haste to head there. Peoples lives might be in jeopardy.
Saunak hung his shoulders. Very well, then, he said in a deflated voice. If youll follow , I can recalibrate your Artifact.
He actually bought it? Vir thought incredulously. Virs shoulders sagged as the tension flowed out of him.
The thaumaturge continued, muttering sothing under his breath. Vir only caught bits and pieces of it. Such a sha. So long But what if? Oh yes! Yes, that could work!
Saunak perked up visibly after his conversation with himselfsothing that put Vir on edge.
Vir sidled up next to Cirayus, whispering. We need to get out of here as soon as he fixes the orb.
Cirayus nodded, sensing the urgency in Virs voice. He had the tact not to inquire any further, lest they be overheard.
Saunak humd to himself as he led the two to another, smaller room. This, too, was constructed of pure white floors, walls, and ceiling, all of which emanated a cool glow.
Artifact, please! Saunak said, opening his palm to Cirayus. The demon handed over the orb, and the thaumaturge inspected it from every angle.
Yes, this should be a simple affair, Saunak said, placing the orb into a receptacle that looked designed for it. The mont he did, the black tal stand glowed white with life, illuminating the orb.
Several images popped up above the table, resembling the tables Ashani had used to craft Virs Artifact chakram. Saunak peered at them intently, muttering to himself.
Cirayus, can you be a dear and lend a hand? he asked.
The four-ard demon approached reluctantly, but Saunak held a hand up. Over there, if you please. You see that panel?
Cirayus walked over as instructed. Aye. What of it?
Push the black button on there, will you?
Cant you do this yourself?
I am needed here, Saunak said, staring at the diagrams that floated above the table.
Cirayus shrugged, then pushed the button.
The instant he did, he disappeared.
Vir spun on reflex, katar in hand, Prana Current flaring.
He found himself in a small, triangular room. Had he been transported sowhere?
No, thats not it, he realized. These are new walls!
Saunak had erected a series of walls, separating Vir from both Saunak and Cirayus. Theyd risen so quickly that Vir hadnt even noticed.
Ahem, ahem. The sound of Saunak clearing his throat reached Virs ears, though he couldnt tell where the sound was coming from. It was as though his voice emanated from all the walls at once, throwing off Virs sense of direction.
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What is the aning of this? Lad, where are you?
To Virs surprise, it was Cirayus voice.
Cirayus? he shouted. Can you hear ?
Aye, I can, lad, the demon growled. Saunak, may you burn in the Ash! Release us at once, damn you!
Now, now, Saunak said in a patronizing voice. Settle down, you brute. If I wished to simply imprison you, I assure you I have other, more interesting ways. Look! You can even talk to each other through my speaker system, hmm? Not a luxury most captors would afford their prisoners, yes?
While true, they were still his prisoners, Vir reflected.
The sound of thumping ca through Saunaks speakers. It didnt take much to guess that Cirayus was attempting to break himself out. The constant thumping showed he wasnt finding much success.
Cirayus, friend, Saunak sneered, you can strike that wall all day long, but Im afraid the only thing youll break is Sikandar. Now, why dont you two hear out?
You expect us to believe anything you say? After this? Cirayus raged.
Vir wondered why Cirayus hadnt used Balancer of Scales, but guessed that the Imperium tal was sohow blocking its effects from carrying beyond the prison Cirayus was in.
Cirayus, hes right, Vir said. This is Imperium tal, supported by preservation inscriptions. Its invulnerable.
You should listen to the boy, Cirayus. Hes smarter than you.
Are you certain, lad? Cirayus asked, ignoring the demons provocation.
Quite. Its the sa stuff the towers made of, Not even the Prana Swarm got past that, Vir replied, though he let a Katar Launch out just to be sure. As expected, there wasnt even a trace of a dent in the wall. Besides, if he can summon up these walls at will, whos to say he wont just conjure another if we do break it?
Very good! Yes, you are quite correct, Vir. Or should I say, Akh Nara?
Vir gritted his teeth while the thumping sound coming from Cirayus prison halted.
What did you say? Cirayus asked.
Can we skip the drama? Saunak asked. Youll deny that young Vir is the Akh Nara, then Ill furnish proof, and then youll hurl threats at , swearing to kill . Yes? Now that weve summarized the exchange, how about we just skip it and move on?
Cirayus fell silent, pondering his words.
He knows, Cirayus. I saw it in the Ink of Clarity. The Ink showed him the mark on my chest. Hes known from the very beginning.
I see, Cirayus replied coldly. Vir could almost hear the giant gnashing his teeth.
What do you want from ? Vir asked.
What do I want? Saunak exclaid. Why, that should be obvious.
Uh not really?
Saunak sighed exaggeratedly. I wish for you to beco my test subject, boy! You are The Akh Nara! The only demon alive to carry Ash Prana in his veins! Can you even imagine how special you are? Youre easily the most unique test subject Ive ever had! I spent weeks thinking up tests to perform! What breakthroughs will we make together?
Vir almost laughed. Of all the things
Hed suspected Saunak of secretly being in collusion with the Chitran. He worried Saunak would deliver Vir to them in return for great riches. Or perhaps a pardon, allowing him to return to the Demon Realm.
But no. Saunak was incredibly intelligent Yet he was also simple. For him, research was all that mattered. Vir suspected no coin in the world would tempt him over the opportunity to study soone like Vir.
And that gave him leverage. Knowing the mad thaumaturges motives allowed Vir to predict his actions.
Why would I let you do this? Vir asked. Whats in this for ? And before you tell I have no choice, you should reconsider. Ive been to the Mahdi Realm. I understand Imperium magic, to a degree. While I might not be able to escape, I am quite confident I can ruin your little tower here.
It was only partially a lie. Vir did have so knowledge of Imperium magic, both from Ashanis mory transfer and from his own experience. Using that to bring down the tower, though? That was altogether different.
Oh, really, now? Saunak said with bemusent. Why dont you show us, then? Hmm?
Virs expression hardened. Hed figured Saunak would want so proof. As a bluff, it was incredibly easy to call. But if he could sohow back it up well, thatd allow a more even bargaining field.
Saunak waited patiently, a smug smirk plastered across his face.
But Vir hadnt been idle. Hed been studying the inscriptions covering the Imperium tal walls that had slid into place and found them similar to the ones at Mahdi, albeit on a much smaller scale. The runes were different, too. In fact, they more closely resembled sothing hed seen before. Sothing familiar.
The box in the Yaksha vault.
For whatever reason, the inscription patterns on Saunaks wall were nearly identical to the rune ribbons covering that box.
I wonder
Vir extended a hand to the wall, placing his fingers on its script. He reversed Prana Current, purging his bodys dense prana into the surroundings, leaving him dry and empty.
Ignoring the wave of weakness that passed over him, Vir spun up a Current loop in his fingers, pulling Ash prana from the section of wall.
Energy steadily flowed into him, but after a few monts, Vir could tell it wasnt enough. The vault boxs inscriptions were both smaller and had been on the verge of failing. To trigger the sa effect here, hed need to pull more.
A lot more.
Vir pressed his other hand to the wall and doubled the current loops in his fingers and palms.
Itll take more than pushing on the wall to defeat it, Im afraid, Saunak quipped.
Vir ignored him. Still, the current amount of pull wasnt sufficient, so he created a Current loop that coursed through his whole body. Its pulling potential was imnse, but as it stood, itd pull prana from everywhere, not just the wall.
To counter this, Vir ford Prana Dam near his skin, saturating his blood cells everywhere except for his hands.
The effect was an almighty pulling pressure that sucked prana only through his fingers.
The inscription grew dimr and dimr until it flickered and finally died.
Vir stepped away, anticipating what would happen next.
Sure enough, the Imperium tal began to rust visibly, crumbling in on itself in just monts.
W-what!? Saunaks panicked voice ca through the speaker.
Vir calmly extended his prana claws and slashed. His strike passed right through. He struck again with his other hand, forming an X.
Finally, he kicked through the wall, revealing a panic-stricken Saunak on the other side.
Vir Blinked to the demon, smashing his solar plexus, knocking the wind out of him.
What did you say about pushing, again? he asked innocently.
Saunaks mouth opened and closed, but no words ca.
Grabbing his waist, Vir sunk into the shadows.
Saunak scread for rcy. He scread for the help of his automatons. But he was too late.
You showed a prison of light. Now let show you what a real prison looks like. A prison where you cannot breathe or move or feel. Welco to my prison of darkness, Vir whispered theatrically, sinking into the Shadow Realm along with Saunak.
The mad thaumaturges screams crescendoed before silencing. The darkness had swallowed him whole.
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