Hours had passed since Vir, Cirayus, and Shan left Saunaks tower. Theyd each found the least uncomfortable positions atop the Automatons right shoulder. Cirayus stood, while Shan and Vir sat on its hard Imperium tal armor.
Unfortunately, Saunak hadnt had ti to retrofit the seats and cushions hed mounted to his older unit, and as Vir soon found out, Imperium tal did little to dampen vibrations.
Still, the journey was quite pleasant, all things considered. Or it wouldve been, were it not for the awkward silence that had settled upon the two.
Shan, sensing the rising tension, had sulked over to the Automatons neck and had snuggled up against it, out of the way. As if announcing he wanted no part of what was to co.
The only speech that ca between them was when Cirayus called out direction changes to their path as Vir led them deeper into the Ash.
They hadnt discussed their destination or even their plans. Theyd just set out, without a single word said between them, and as the hours dragged, the thick, heavy atmosphere only grew more and more oppressive between them.
Several tis, Virs thoughts drifted off to Maiya. To the horrific scene hed witnessed in the Ink of Clarity.
Whats she gotten herself into? Is she safe? If only I could help
Vir shook off the thought, forcing himself back to the mont. They were moving rapidly through so of the deepest, most dangerous parts of the Ashen Realm. Even with all their advantages, it was no place to let ones guard down.
Yet try as he might, after spending several hours on guard, Virs attention began to wane. Not only was he monitoring his surroundings, but he had to course-correct the Automaton frequently, which required precise prana inputs.
Lad, I told you to turn slightly right, not left!
Vir cursed under his breath and corrected.
How about we rest here? Cirayus suggested, sowhat stiffly.
Vir looked up at the giant, but he refused to et Virs gaze.
Over there, Cirayus said, pointing to a small valley nestled between the mountains they wove through. Itll be hard for anything to sneak up on us with all that open ground. Lets make camp there.
Cirayus moved in to scoop Vir up, but paused, awkwardly scratching the back of his head. Er, maybe we oughta do this the normal way, he said, jumping off.
Shan jumped onto Virs back, and together they followed. Cirayus fell gracefully, while Virs was less so, but they both made it down to the hard obsidian rock, covered over by soot.
The valley that surrounded them might once have been a magma flow for the nearby volcanoes, but as with all else in this realm, it, too, was covered in innurable layers of Ash.
Thanks to Balancer, Cirayus made short work of collecting firewood from the trees at the edge of the valley, and soon they had a small fire going. Enough to roast so oversized vegetables, but still small enough to stay hidden within the pit Vir had dug into the ash. Vir knew just how far fire light traveledhed made the pit to ensure no light leaked out.
Without the task of scanning for threats to occupy him, the thoughts threatening to overco Vir finally burst through the dam hed erected.
He lied to ! He lied! All those demons
The thoughts felt childish even as he heard them echo in his head. And yet, the knot that ford in his chest refused to go away.
I once had a student, Cirayus said softly. Prodigy, really. A Bairan girl by the na of Amlana. A giant, and strong, too. Talented, and she worked herself to the bone like you. Well, Cirayus hesitated. Maybe not as extre as you. I trained her personally.
Vir remained silent, staring into the fire. He supposed there was so lesson Cirayus was hoping to impart with this tale. In any other situation, Vir wouldve been interested in hearing it. Right now, though? He couldnt feel it was anything other than a hollow attempt to cheer him up. Or worseto justify his own lie.
He should be apologizing to . Not narrating so tale from his past.
Thing was, her parents they were even more accomplished, you see. Renowned warriors, both of them. Expected great things from their daughter. Expected her to surpass them. To win in the Bairan Tournant the very first ti she entered.
Cirayus continued when Vir didnt reply. The thing about pressure is, while everyone responds differently, there is always a limit. Amlana? Well, unbeknownst to , they trained her in secret. Above and beyond my own sessions. They pushed her hard. Too hard, and she broke.
Vir expected Cirayus to go on, but he didnt, simply staring down into the fire like Vir. He looked so sad. So old.
What happened? Vir asked, hoping Cirayus would continue. Hoping itd help wipe that look of grief.
She won the first round. And the second, but theyd pushed both her body and mind far too hard training her. In her third fight, she grew desperate. Her strikes grew wild, her timing off.
So she lost.
The match, and her life.
She died? Vir asked in surprise. Does that happen often in that tournant?
Not often, but its not unheard of. To be honest, I cant even bear a grudge against her opponent. He acted more in self-defense than anything hostile. The way she snapped, lad She was a different person in that fight. Possessed.
Im sorry, Vir said softly.
This was a tale of two centuries ago. Since then, Ive trained hundreds, lad. Every demon has their breaking point. Every demon has their limits, both ntal and physical. And, like the body, one does not expand those limits by breaking every bone in your body. The mind can be stretched, yes, but when taken too far, it shatters. Every. Single. Ti. Few ever recover.
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Youre saying I couldnt handle the truth, Vir said.
Aye, that is exactly what I am saying. Your body nearly succumbed, acclimating to the Ash, and your mind had plenty of duress as it was. Youd left behind the world you knew. Youd left behind the one you loved. And you were only just beginning to accept your status as the last Gargan Prince. Tell true, lad. How would you have reacted if I told you then that the Chitrans united the entire Demon Realm against you? That they committed genocide against your clan, all to kill you?
Vir opened his mouth to retort, but the words didnt co. After all, hadnt he nearly shirked the weight of all that Cirayus had told him back then? Hadnt he felt he owed no loyalty to the Demon Realm? How this was all Cirayus wish, and how Vir wanted no part in this destiny?
I might have run away, Vir admitted, lowering his head in sha. Honestly, I dont know what Id have done. Id have panicked, probably.
Youre a kind soul, lad. Seeing you visibly distraught over the deaths of your parents and retainers tore to pieces. You are our final hope, Prince Sarvaak. You are more precious than any demon in the entire realm. I knew I could not tell you this then. I could not risk it. Not until you were ready.
And when would that be, Cirayus? If it wasnt for Saunak, I still wouldnt know! Were you planning on waiting until we left the Ash? Were you going to wait until so demon ntioned it in passing?
Cirayus face filled with sha. Alas, that was my blunder. I knew. After you ca back from Mahdi. I knew you werent the sa boy whod just left. Your deanor. Your power. I knew then you were ready. I should have told you under the tree. And yet I didnt.
Vir was about to ask why, but Cirayus preempted him.
Because, it seems, even after four centuries of life, this old demon cant help but try and protect those he loves, Cirayus said, smiling wryly as a lone tear fell down his cheek. The Gods know Ive done a piss-poor job of it.
When you fell through that Ash Gate, I nearly lost myself. I hadnt felt such pure, crushing terror in, well, in centuries. The thought of losing you And then you returned, safe and sound. My relief was the equal of my worry. I thanked all the gods for delivering you to . I swore I would do better. I simply couldnt bring myself to burden you with the truth. Not then. Not at that mont.
Vir bit his lip. His feelings of indignation still raged within him, but they were overwheld by a wave of another, far more potent feeling. Empathy.
Hadnt Cirayus sacrificed nearly two decades of his own life for him? Hadnt he lost several of his family in the war against the other clans? Vir knew he was still grieving for them. That the scar of their loss still hadnt healed.
What am I to him?
You think of as one of your own, dont you? Vir asked.
Cirayus t his gaze, his face a mixture of anguish, pride, and determination. Lad, I hold you more dear than my own sons.
The response was imdiate, and without a shred of uncertainty, leaving Vir at a loss for what to say.
What could he say? That Cirayus ought to have respected Virs ntal fortitude more? That was Ashva dung, and Vir knew it. His godfather was only thinking of his well-being, and whats more, he had ample qualifications in that domain to back it up. This wasnt just so old doting parent being overprotective of their child. Cirayus had consulted his centuries of experience and judged that telling Vir wouldve done more harm than good.
Yes, he couldve told him before theyd t Saunak but could Vir really hold that against him?
Of course not. Not after all hes done.
I understand, Vir said at last. Why you did what you did. I get it. Itd be a lie to say Im not a little angry, but I figure thats nothing I cant work out with a fight or two.
Seeing Virs grin, the tension seed to dissipate from Cirayus. His shoulders slackened, and his expression turned from worry to gratitude.
Not the gratitude a retainer would have of being forgiven by their master, but that of a loved one.
And yet, Cirayus feelings were only one part of the puzzle. Seeing Virs mood darken once again, the giant laid a hand on his shoulder.
But? he asked gently.
But It doesnt change the facts. Saunak was right, Cirayus. It wasnt just the Chitrans I need to watch out for. They allied all the clans to kill . What awaits in the Demon Realm, if not a world full of people whod love nothing more than to murder in cold blood?
Which is why well disguise you, lad.
Thats not the point. I an, how am I supposed to unite demonkindgrak, how am I supposed to even help my clan when everyone hates my existence? Forget the Chitrans. The Aindri, the Panav, the Iksana, the Bairans and even Garga. Yes. The Garga. If this is all true, they lost their independence because of . And where have I been, all these years? Missing. Presud dead. What happens when I announce myself to the world, Cirayus? You think theyll welco with open arms? No. Theyll scorn . Theyll ask where Ive been, and why I didnt save them earlier. Theyll hate more than the other clans.
Cirayus had remained silent through Virs tirade, and when he spoke, it wasnt in the arguntative tone Vir had expected.
And you know all of this, do you? Cirayus said softly.
Vir scowled. Its what Id feel if I were in their shoes. Grak, its what I feel even now. A part of hates myself for having abandoned them. Even knowing that I didn't know who I really was. That I couldnt possibly have known. And even if I had, I couldnt have done anything about it. They wont see it that way. They wont care. Yknow? My old instructor taught that excuses never bring back the dead. He was wrong about a lot of things but he got that right, at least.
Aye. Excuses and apologies wont bring back the dead, lad. Would that it could. Truly, Id never have guessed that soone of your years would see reality with such clarity. Id once feared that youd react in the opposite wayfull of entitlent because of your status as Prince. As the Akh Nara. You are right that so will fear you, lad. So will, unfortunately, hate you. But what I said to you under that tree remains as true now as it did on that day. The Gargans have been downtrodden, and a people can remain angry only for so long. Especially when they are subjected to tyranny, as I fear they will be.
Youre saying theyll just forget about it all?
Cirayus shook his head. Not forget, no. But theyll be yearning for a return to better days, lad. Mark my words. Theyll be desperate to cling onto whatever thread of hope they can find.
You sound so sure Vir said. How do you know? You havent even seen what things are like.
Cirayus laughed sadly. Ive seen a lot of war in my life. As well as what cos after. Demons never change.
He said no more, but he didnt have to. Vir didnt want to imagine the horrors hed been through, to have gained such insight into such matters.
Even if what you say is true, what about the other clans? My own father couldnt fight them off, and he had the backing of Garga at full strength. He also had Aspect of the Demon God, and Im guessing other tattoos as well.
It feels so impossible.
One brick at a ti, lad. First, we make the Demon Realm. Once there, you may gauge the situation for yourself. Then, we can chip away. No city was built in a day. No kingdom in a year. No realm in a decade. The only question is, what will you do now? Will you make for the Demon Realm? Or do you wish to spend more ti in here, training?
Vir stared deeply into the fire, feeling its heat, but it didnt reach his body. He felt empty inside. Cold. All he saw were the lives of all those whod perished for his sake.
He knew it was bad to feel this way. It wasnt as if he asked those people to die for him. Hed been an infant. And yet, that knowledge did nothing to erase the fact that so many had perished. Thousands? Tens of thousands?
No, Vir replied.
No? You an to abandon your people? Cirayus asked, concern, and a bit of sadness in his voice. After what you said?
Vir glared at him. You have no right to force into this, he said. But that wasnt what I ant. Im not strong enough. Not nearly.
Clenching his fists, Vir saw the Ash prana roaring through his body. It was so thickeighty tis denser than when hed first arrived. It wasnt enough.
We train. We train like we never have. Because if Im to take on the entire Demon Realm, I need to be stronger. Strong enough to defeat you, Vir said, pointing a finger at Cirayus. Chakras, combat technique, prana manipulation I want it all. And then, once thats done, Vir pointed to the sitting demon, youll honor your promise.
Promise? Cirayus asked, raising a brow.
You promised to duel when I was ready. Im not yet ready. But one day soon, I will be. And when I am, we fight.
The giant cracked his neck and grinned. Aye, lad, we will. We certainly will.
Vir braced himself for the trials ahead. He couldnt say what his future held. Likely pain, suffering, and many, many battles. But co what may, hed brave it. Hed be reforged in the flas of this realm, and when he finally erged, hed have gained sothing precious.
The strength to protect everything.
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