Chapter 160: The Chakra System
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Chapter 160: The Chakra System
Chakra Is that related to my disks? Vir asked.
Related in principal, yet entirely different in execution. But first, eat. A warrior cannot survive on an empty stomach, after all, Cirayus rummaged through his rucksack and tossed over a blackened melon.
Vir was about to protest, but one look at Cirayus told him the giant wasnt about to say another word until hed eaten.
This has no right being edible! he thought, gingerly hefting the oversized fruit in his hands.
Everything grew larger in the Ashen Realm, with its abundance of prana, and the fruits were no exception. The melon was larger than his head, and it was still smaller than the one Cirayus was eating.
Cirayus wiped away the Ash that covered his own melon, revealing a lighter gray fruit that did all of absolutely nothing to whet Virs appetite. His mind simply couldnt fathom how this passed as food.
Dig in!
Vir watched with horror as Cirayus chomped down, squirting purple juice. The way the demon relished the thing only made the spectacle even more surreal.
Vir dusted off his own fruit, leaving his fingers stained black with ash. Then, after intense mental preparation, he bit down.
He wasnt quite sure what to expect. Bitterness, or something awful tasting. Certainly not delicious nectar.
Virs eyes opened wide as he registered the incredible sensation that filled his mouth. He took another bite. Sweet, complex flavors flooded his mouth. He couldnt stop himself. He tore into the fruit, desperate for another mouthful of this incredible fruit.
Noticing Cirayus eyes on him, he finally managed to stop himself. The demon was grinning.
Do you always eat that messily, lad? Im afraid its no way for a prince to eat.
Prince, huh? Vir thought, staring at the half-eaten fruit in his hands. Even now, the idea seemed absurd to him. Wrong. As if someone had blundered and mixed up his name with someone elses. What did that mean for him? For his future? Was it a title in name only? Or would it someday become something more?
Dont dwell on it, lad. Youll come into your position, just as one dons a fresh set of clothes. Just give it time. Though, er, perhaps clean yourself up?
Vir looked down and noticed the purple liquid that stained his clothing. The same liquid that covered half his face.
Flushing in embarrassment, he turned away, furiously wiping away the juices.
S-sorry. This is this might just be the best fruit Ive ever had.
Good! Cirayus laughed. Well be living on it. That, and the vegetables that grow here, he said, chomping into something that looked like an oversized onion.
Youre not going to cook that? Vir asked, dreading the answer.Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)
Cook? You see firewood nearby, lad?
Sure enough, surrounding them was a sea of endless ash, broken by the occasional blackened shrub that poked through.
Is it like this everywhere? Are there no trees in the Ash?
There are forests, yes, with trees the likes of which youve never seen. Rare, though. Be glad theres any vegetation here, lad. Many places are true deserts, lacking even a bite to eat.
Whatever enthusiasm Vir had before disappeared upon the realization that most of their meals would be consumed raw from now on.
Resigning himself to his fate, he bit into the onion and winced. It wasnt just big; the taste was also far stronger than any regular onion.
Dear Maiya, please help. Your poor friends been condemned to eat raw onions
His prayers went unanswered. Thankfully, Cirayus didnt allow him to linger on his woe for long. The moment hed finished, the giant stood up, gesturing for Vir to do the same.
Virs heart pounded in his chest. Whats he going to show me now?
Nothing, it seemed.
Throw a punch.
Just a regular punch? Vir asked.
Aye. Humor me. But use your best form and hold your stance once youre finished.
Oh, he did mention that. During their fight, Cirayus had called out his sloppy form. Having practiced diligently, the giants comment came as a surprise to him.
Vir made a fist and fell into the stance, throwing the cleanest punch he knew, keeping his arm extended as instructed.
Again, Cirayus commanded, walking around him with the eyes of an Acira.
Once more, Vir threw his best straight punch, but Cirayus grasped his shoulders. Rotate more. Step less. Youre overstepping to make up for your shorter reach. Rotating your shoulders will add power to your strike. Again.
Vir did as he was told, rotating his shoulders a tad further and reducing his forward motion.
The difference was slight but immediately noticeable. He could feel the extra power in the attack, and his subsequent punches all felt stronger as well.
T-thanks, Vir said, ashamed he hadnt discovered it himself. It was such a simple thing.
Habit. Once you learn a form and ingrain it into your muscles, change becomes difficult. We fall into our routine, thinking weve perfected our technique, though the reality is that our form is always shifting, like the Ash. If unchecked, once-perfected movements will deviate over time, slowly drifting away from the ideal. Revisit your foundations periodically, and correct any mistakes as they develop. Bad habits are difficult to unlearn.
I will, Vir replied. He meant it, though he couldnt understand why Cirayus chose this moment to coach him on the minutiae of his technique.
Your chakra is only as strong as your foundation, young Ekavir. Sloppy form pollutes the spirit. Watch.
Cirayus adopted a striking stance and threw a punch, nearly identical to Virs own. The giants stature and four-armed physiology meant his punches would never be quite the same, but it was as close to Virs own technique as the giant could manage. Just refined. Perfected to the absolute limit.
It would certainly put you on a more even footing.
An even footing? Vir thought, confused. Confusion that swiftly devolved into panic. Wait. No. Nonono. Dont tell me. Are you saying that Ash Beasts have unlocked chakras?
Cirayus regarded him with a bemused expression. Most certainly!
Ha ha ha, Vir choked out. Of course.
Not all, mind you. Only the strongest ones, deep within the Ash.
Vir shook off the despair, seeing the opportunity buried within. To best such beasts, hed have to unlock his chakras.
The fifth chakra is especially important, Cirayus continued. The Heart Chakra augments ones vitality and their ability to heal from metaphysical attacks. As I mentioned, spiritual attacks bypass normal defenses to attack the very soul, crippling you on a level that is difficult to describe.
Has has that happened to you?
Never allowed it, thank the gods. Though I know those who have. Living with a fractured soul has been described as a fate worse than death. You live your days alive, yet fundamentally broken. The Heart Chakra can undo such damage, to a degree, but its best to avoid the situation if you can. Protect your soul as closely as your own heart, is what I say.
Vir made a note to do exactly that. You already mentioned the fifth one, so what are the last two?
The sixth chakra is one few ever unlock, though there isnt a demon alive who doesnt covet it. Tis the chakra of the Third Eye.
Third Eye so it lets you see more?
In a sense. Attack me however you please, Cirayus said, producing a cloth and blindfolding himself. He went a step further, plugging his ears as well.
No matter how experienced the demon was, robbed of his sight and sound, there would be little he could do to defend against Vir. Then again, this was Cirayus, and with an ability called Third Eye, Vir would show no mercy.
Vir sunk into his shadow, leaving one arm out to pass a few seconds to throw the giant off balance. Then he jumped from the demons shadow, sending an Empowered fist at his back.
He never got the chance. Cirayus fluidly twisted his torso, causing Virs strike to miss.
He tried again, and again he was foiled. Eventually, Vir resorted to a flurry of fists and kicks, but Cirayus nimbly avoided each one.
Its almost like
Vir walked a full forty paces away, then extended fingers behind his back. How many am I holding up?
Threenow two. And now four.
H-how? Vir asked, his voice hoarse. Cirayus lacked Prana Visionhed said so himself. At the distance Vir stood, not even that ability could tell him how many fingers someone was holding up.
The Third Eye boosts intuition, Cirayus explained, undoing his blindfold, allowing one to grasp the true flow of reality. When mastered, one detaches themselves from their physical body, witnessing the world from the perspective of a bird, soaring high above. It eliminates blind spots, drastically boosting ones combat potential. As such, it can be exceedingly difficult to kill anyone who has opened the Third Eye.
That did sound powerful. Incredibly powerful. Like Prana Vision, except one that allowed him to witness all threats, from any angle. If coupled with Dance of the Shadow Demon, hed be untouchable, slinking away from threats before they ever hit him.
And now we come to the seventh and final chakra. The hardest to open, and thus precious few demons wield it. It is also the most abstract of them all, and many question if it might even be the weakest.
Is it?
You tell me.
The giant did nothing. He merely stood with one pair of arms crossed, the other pair on his hips. His height hadnt changed. Nor had he even moved.
Then his aura flared.
Vir collapsed, driving his head to the ground. He didnt deserve to exist in front of such a godlike presence. He ought to prostrate. To beg forgiveness from this mythological being who stood before him. The avatar of a giant stood behind Cirayus. A being whod grown so tall, its body nearly touched the skies. A giant among giants. One that could not be seen, but only felt.
The sensation was all-consuming. Against it, Vir was but a reed, destined to sway in the giants wind.
Then it was overthe avatar gone without a trace.
The Chakra of the Crown. The apex, and the destination of all those who embark upon this path. It is the manifestation of a spiritual avatar, representing the core essence of who you truly are. Similar to the Warrior Chakra, except instead of imbuing merely an attack with metaphysical weight, it gives your entire existence weight. It projects an aura whose heaviness is limited only by the strength and purity of your soul.
The strength of your soul is that something that grows over time? Vir asked, standing on his shaky legs.
Through time, experience, and hardship. Luckily, we have an abundance of the latter. As for the first two, well, theres no better time to begin that than the present, wouldnt you say?
Cirayus sat crosslegged on the ash, motioning Vir to do the same.
Now, meditate on the concept of solidity. Think of the great mountains, unmoving.
Vir closed his eyes and did so, imagining the tall, jagged peaks of the Ash. How long had they stood, resisting the efforts of the world to bring them down?
You are that mountain, Cirayus continued, placing his hand on Virs chest. Do not resist. The sensation will feel strange, but open yourself to me.
Vir suddenly felt an alien presence in his body. In his soul. But it was not a dangerous one. He did as he was told, allowing it into him.
Suddenly, the weight of an entire mountain crashed into him, and he felt like he was being crushed. He couldnt breathe. Every second was agony.
Then it was gone.
Apologies, Cirayus said. It is too soon. You are not yet ready.
Vir gasped for breath. Maybe I should start a little slower?
Aye. You will get there. Of this, I have no doubt. Now, let us discuss another matter, Cirayus grinned. I think its about time for your first field test.
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Chapter 160: The Chakra System
Chakra Is that related to my disks? Vir asked.
Related in principal, yet entirely different in execution. But first, eat. A warrior cannot survive on an empty stomach, after all, Cirayus rummaged through his rucksack and tossed over a blackened melon.
Vir was about to protest, but one look at Cirayus told him the giant wasnt about to say another word until hed eaten.
This has no right being edible! he thought, gingerly hefting the oversized fruit in his hands.
Everything grew larger in the Ashen Realm, with its abundance of prana, and the fruits were no exception. The melon was larger than his head, and it was still smaller than the one Cirayus was eating.
Cirayus wiped away the Ash that covered his own melon, revealing a lighter gray fruit that did all of absolutely nothing to whet Virs appetite. His mind simply couldnt fathom how this passed as food.
Dig in!
Vir watched with horror as Cirayus chomped down, squirting purple juice. The way the demon relished the thing only made the spectacle even more surreal.
Vir dusted off his own fruit, leaving his fingers stained black with ash. Then, after intense mental preparation, he bit down.
He wasnt quite sure what to expect. Bitterness, or something awful tasting. Certainly not delicious nectar.
Virs eyes opened wide as he registered the incredible sensation that filled his mouth. He took another bite. Sweet, complex flavors flooded his mouth. He couldnt stop himself. He tore into the fruit, desperate for another mouthful of this incredible fruit.
Noticing Cirayus eyes on him, he finally managed to stop himself. The demon was grinning.
Do you always eat that messily, lad? Im afraid its no way for a prince to eat.
Prince, huh? Vir thought, staring at the half-eaten fruit in his hands. Even now, the idea seemed absurd to him. Wrong. As if someone had blundered and mixed up his name with someone elses. What did that mean for him? For his future? Was it a title in name only? Or would it someday become something more?
Dont dwell on it, lad. Youll come into your position, just as one dons a fresh set of clothes. Just give it time. Though, er, perhaps clean yourself up?
Vir looked down and noticed the purple liquid that stained his clothing. The same liquid that covered half his face.
Flushing in embarrassment, he turned away, furiously wiping away the juices.
S-sorry. This is this might just be the best fruit Ive ever had.
Good! Cirayus laughed. Well be living on it. That, and the vegetables that grow here, he said, chomping into something that looked like an oversized onion.
Youre not going to cook that? Vir asked, dreading the answer.Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)
Cook? You see firewood nearby, lad?
Sure enough, surrounding them was a sea of endless ash, broken by the occasional blackened shrub that poked through.
Is it like this everywhere? Are there no trees in the Ash?
There are forests, yes, with trees the likes of which youve never seen. Rare, though. Be glad theres any vegetation here, lad. Many places are true deserts, lacking even a bite to eat.
Whatever enthusiasm Vir had before disappeared upon the realization that most of their meals would be consumed raw from now on.
Resigning himself to his fate, he bit into the onion and winced. It wasnt just big; the taste was also far stronger than any regular onion.
Dear Maiya, please help. Your poor friends been condemned to eat raw onions
His prayers went unanswered. Thankfully, Cirayus didnt allow him to linger on his woe for long. The moment hed finished, the giant stood up, gesturing for Vir to do the same.
Virs heart pounded in his chest. Whats he going to show me now?
Nothing, it seemed.
Throw a punch.
Just a regular punch? Vir asked.
Aye. Humor me. But use your best form and hold your stance once youre finished.
Oh, he did mention that. During their fight, Cirayus had called out his sloppy form. Having practiced diligently, the giants comment came as a surprise to him.
Vir made a fist and fell into the stance, throwing the cleanest punch he knew, keeping his arm extended as instructed.
Again, Cirayus commanded, walking around him with the eyes of an Acira.
Once more, Vir threw his best straight punch, but Cirayus grasped his shoulders. Rotate more. Step less. Youre overstepping to make up for your shorter reach. Rotating your shoulders will add power to your strike. Again.
Vir did as he was told, rotating his shoulders a tad further and reducing his forward motion.
The difference was slight but immediately noticeable. He could feel the extra power in the attack, and his subsequent punches all felt stronger as well.
T-thanks, Vir said, ashamed he hadnt discovered it himself. It was such a simple thing.
Habit. Once you learn a form and ingrain it into your muscles, change becomes difficult. We fall into our routine, thinking weve perfected our technique, though the reality is that our form is always shifting, like the Ash. If unchecked, once-perfected movements will deviate over time, slowly drifting away from the ideal. Revisit your foundations periodically, and correct any mistakes as they develop. Bad habits are difficult to unlearn.
I will, Vir replied. He meant it, though he couldnt understand why Cirayus chose this moment to coach him on the minutiae of his technique.
Your chakra is only as strong as your foundation, young Ekavir. Sloppy form pollutes the spirit. Watch.
Cirayus adopted a striking stance and threw a punch, nearly identical to Virs own. The giants stature and four-armed physiology meant his punches would never be quite the same, but it was as close to Virs own technique as the giant could manage. Just refined. Perfected to the absolute limit.
It would certainly put you on a more even footing.
An even footing? Vir thought, confused. Confusion that swiftly devolved into panic. Wait. No. Nonono. Dont tell me. Are you saying that Ash Beasts have unlocked chakras?
Cirayus regarded him with a bemused expression. Most certainly!
Ha ha ha, Vir choked out. Of course.
Not all, mind you. Only the strongest ones, deep within the Ash.
Vir shook off the despair, seeing the opportunity buried within. To best such beasts, hed have to unlock his chakras.
The fifth chakra is especially important, Cirayus continued. The Heart Chakra augments ones vitality and their ability to heal from metaphysical attacks. As I mentioned, spiritual attacks bypass normal defenses to attack the very soul, crippling you on a level that is difficult to describe.
Has has that happened to you?
Never allowed it, thank the gods. Though I know those who have. Living with a fractured soul has been described as a fate worse than death. You live your days alive, yet fundamentally broken. The Heart Chakra can undo such damage, to a degree, but its best to avoid the situation if you can. Protect your soul as closely as your own heart, is what I say.
Vir made a note to do exactly that. You already mentioned the fifth one, so what are the last two?
The sixth chakra is one few ever unlock, though there isnt a demon alive who doesnt covet it. Tis the chakra of the Third Eye.
Third Eye so it lets you see more?
In a sense. Attack me however you please, Cirayus said, producing a cloth and blindfolding himself. He went a step further, plugging his ears as well.
No matter how experienced the demon was, robbed of his sight and sound, there would be little he could do to defend against Vir. Then again, this was Cirayus, and with an ability called Third Eye, Vir would show no mercy.
Vir sunk into his shadow, leaving one arm out to pass a few seconds to throw the giant off balance. Then he jumped from the demons shadow, sending an Empowered fist at his back.
He never got the chance. Cirayus fluidly twisted his torso, causing Virs strike to miss.
He tried again, and again he was foiled. Eventually, Vir resorted to a flurry of fists and kicks, but Cirayus nimbly avoided each one.
Its almost like
Vir walked a full forty paces away, then extended fingers behind his back. How many am I holding up?
Threenow two. And now four.
H-how? Vir asked, his voice hoarse. Cirayus lacked Prana Visionhed said so himself. At the distance Vir stood, not even that ability could tell him how many fingers someone was holding up.
The Third Eye boosts intuition, Cirayus explained, undoing his blindfold, allowing one to grasp the true flow of reality. When mastered, one detaches themselves from their physical body, witnessing the world from the perspective of a bird, soaring high above. It eliminates blind spots, drastically boosting ones combat potential. As such, it can be exceedingly difficult to kill anyone who has opened the Third Eye.
That did sound powerful. Incredibly powerful. Like Prana Vision, except one that allowed him to witness all threats, from any angle. If coupled with Dance of the Shadow Demon, hed be untouchable, slinking away from threats before they ever hit him.
And now we come to the seventh and final chakra. The hardest to open, and thus precious few demons wield it. It is also the most abstract of them all, and many question if it might even be the weakest.
Is it?
You tell me.
The giant did nothing. He merely stood with one pair of arms crossed, the other pair on his hips. His height hadnt changed. Nor had he even moved.
Then his aura flared.
Vir collapsed, driving his head to the ground. He didnt deserve to exist in front of such a godlike presence. He ought to prostrate. To beg forgiveness from this mythological being who stood before him. The avatar of a giant stood behind Cirayus. A being whod grown so tall, its body nearly touched the skies. A giant among giants. One that could not be seen, but only felt.
The sensation was all-consuming. Against it, Vir was but a reed, destined to sway in the giants wind.
Then it was overthe avatar gone without a trace.
The Chakra of the Crown. The apex, and the destination of all those who embark upon this path. It is the manifestation of a spiritual avatar, representing the core essence of who you truly are. Similar to the Warrior Chakra, except instead of imbuing merely an attack with metaphysical weight, it gives your entire existence weight. It projects an aura whose heaviness is limited only by the strength and purity of your soul.
The strength of your soul is that something that grows over time? Vir asked, standing on his shaky legs.
Through time, experience, and hardship. Luckily, we have an abundance of the latter. As for the first two, well, theres no better time to begin that than the present, wouldnt you say?
Cirayus sat crosslegged on the ash, motioning Vir to do the same.
Now, meditate on the concept of solidity. Think of the great mountains, unmoving.
Vir closed his eyes and did so, imagining the tall, jagged peaks of the Ash. How long had they stood, resisting the efforts of the world to bring them down?
You are that mountain, Cirayus continued, placing his hand on Virs chest. Do not resist. The sensation will feel strange, but open yourself to me.
Vir suddenly felt an alien presence in his body. In his soul. But it was not a dangerous one. He did as he was told, allowing it into him.
Suddenly, the weight of an entire mountain crashed into him, and he felt like he was being crushed. He couldnt breathe. Every second was agony.
Then it was gone.
Apologies, Cirayus said. It is too soon. You are not yet ready.
Vir gasped for breath. Maybe I should start a little slower?
Aye. You will get there. Of this, I have no doubt. Now, let us discuss another matter, Cirayus grinned. I think its about time for your first field test.
Chapter 160: The Chakra SystemChakra Is that related to my disks? Vir asked.Related in principal, yet entirely different in execution. But first, eat. A warrior cannot survive on an empty stomach, after all, Cirayus rummaged through his rucksack and tossed over a blackened melon.Vir was about to protest, but one look at Cirayus told him the giant wasnt about to say another word until hed eaten.This has no right being edible! he thought, gingerly hefting the oversized fruit in his hands.Everything grew larger in the Ashen Realm, with its abundance of prana, and the fruits were no exception. The melon was larger than his head, and it was still smaller than the one Cirayus was eating.Cirayus wiped away the Ash that covered his own melon, revealing a lighter gray fruit that did all of absolutely nothing to whet Virs appetite. His mind simply couldnt fathom how this passed as food.Dig in!Vir watched with horror as Cirayus chomped down, squirting purple juice. The way the demon relished the thing only made the spectacle even more surreal.Vir dusted off his own fruit, leaving his fingers stained black with ash. Then, after intense mental preparation, he bit down.He wasnt quite sure what to expect. Bitterness, or something awful tasting. Certainly not delicious nectar.Virs eyes opened wide as he registered the incredible sensation that filled his mouth. He took another bite. Sweet, complex flavors flooded his mouth. He couldnt stop himself. He tore into the fruit, desperate for another mouthful of this incredible fruit.Noticing Cirayus eyes on him, he finally managed to stop himself. The demon was grinning.Do you always eat that messily, lad? Im afraid its no way for a prince to eat.Prince, huh? Vir thought, staring at the half-eaten fruit in his hands. Even now, the idea seemed absurd to him. Wrong. As if someone had blundered and mixed up his name with someone elses. What did that mean for him? For his future? Was it a title in name only? Or would it someday become something more?Dont dwell on it, lad. Youll come into your position, just as one dons a fresh set of clothes. Just give it time. Though, er, perhaps clean yourself up?Vir looked down and noticed the purple liquid that stained his clothing. The same liquid that covered half his face.Flushing in embarrassment, he turned away, furiously wiping away the juices.S-sorry. This is this might just be the best fruit Ive ever had.Good! Cirayus laughed. Well be living on it. That, and the vegetables that grow here, he said, chomping into something that looked like an oversized onion.Youre not going to cook that? Vir asked, dreading the answer.Follow current novels on novelbin.comCook? You see firewood nearby, lad?Sure enough, surrounding them was a sea of endless ash, broken by the occasional blackened shrub that poked through.Is it like this everywhere? Are there no trees in the Ash?There are forests, yes, with trees the likes of which youve never seen. Rare, though. Be glad theres any vegetation here, lad. Many places are true deserts, lacking even a bite to eat.Whatever enthusiasm Vir had before disappeared upon the realization that most of their meals would be consumed raw from now on.Resigning himself to his fate, he bit into the onion and winced. It wasnt just big; the taste was also far stronger than any regular onion.Dear Maiya, please help. Your poor friends been condemned to eat raw onionsHis prayers went unanswered. Thankfully, Cirayus didnt allow him to linger on his woe for long. The moment hed finished, the giant stood up, gesturing for Vir to do the same.Virs heart pounded in his chest. Whats he going to show me now? Nothing, it seemed.Throw a punch.Just a regular punch? Vir asked.Aye. Humor me. But use your best form and hold your stance once youre finished.Oh, he did mention that. During their fight, Cirayus had called out his sloppy form. Having practiced diligently, the giants comment came as a surprise to him.Vir made a fist and fell into the stance, throwing the cleanest punch he knew, keeping his arm extended as instructed.Again, Cirayus commanded, walking around him with the eyes of an Acira.Once more, Vir threw his best straight punch, but Cirayus grasped his shoulders. Rotate more. Step less. Youre overstepping to make up for your shorter reach. Rotating your shoulders will add power to your strike. Again.Vir did as he was told, rotating his shoulders a tad further and reducing his forward motion.The difference was slight but immediately noticeable. He could feel the extra power in the attack, and his subsequent punches all felt stronger as well.T-thanks, Vir said, ashamed he hadnt discovered it himself. It was such a simple thing.Habit. Once you learn a form and ingrain it into your muscles, change becomes difficult. We fall into our routine, thinking weve perfected our technique, though the reality is that our form is always shifting, like the Ash. If unchecked, once-perfected movements will deviate over time, slowly drifting away from the ideal. Revisit your foundations periodically, and correct any mistakes as they develop. Bad habits are difficult to unlearn.I will, Vir replied. He meant it, though he couldnt understand why Cirayus chose this moment to coach him on the minutiae of his technique.Your chakra is only as strong as your foundation, young Ekavir. Sloppy form pollutes the spirit. Watch.Cirayus adopted a striking stance and threw a punch, nearly identical to Virs own. The giants stature and four-armed physiology meant his punches would never be quite the same, but it was as close to Virs own technique as the giant could manage. Just refined. Perfected to the absolute limit.It would certainly put you on a more even footing.An even footing? Vir thought, confused. Confusion that swiftly devolved into panic. Wait. No. Nonono. Dont tell me. Are you saying that Ash Beasts have unlocked chakras?Cirayus regarded him with a bemused expression. Most certainly!Ha ha ha, Vir choked out. Of course.Not all, mind you. Only the strongest ones, deep within the Ash.Vir shook off the despair, seeing the opportunity buried within. To best such beasts, hed have to unlock his chakras.The fifth chakra is especially important, Cirayus continued. The Heart Chakra augments ones vitality and their ability to heal from metaphysical attacks. As I mentioned, spiritual attacks bypass normal defenses to attack the very soul, crippling you on a level that is difficult to describe.Has has that happened to you?Never allowed it, thank the gods. Though I know those who have. Living with a fractured soul has been described as a fate worse than death. You live your days alive, yet fundamentally broken. The Heart Chakra can undo such damage, to a degree, but its best to avoid the situation if you can. Protect your soul as closely as your own heart, is what I say.Vir made a note to do exactly that. You already mentioned the fifth one, so what are the last two?The sixth chakra is one few ever unlock, though there isnt a demon alive who doesnt covet it. Tis the chakra of the Third Eye.Third Eye so it lets you see more?In a sense. Attack me however you please, Cirayus said, producing a cloth and blindfolding himself. He went a step further, plugging his ears as well.No matter how experienced the demon was, robbed of his sight and sound, there would be little he could do to defend against Vir. Then again, this was Cirayus, and with an ability called Third Eye, Vir would show no mercy.Vir sunk into his shadow, leaving one arm out to pass a few seconds to throw the giant off balance. Then he jumped from the demons shadow, sending an Empowered fist at his back.He never got the chance. Cirayus fluidly twisted his torso, causing Virs strike to miss.He tried again, and again he was foiled. Eventually, Vir resorted to a flurry of fists and kicks, but Cirayus nimbly avoided each one.Its almost likeVir walked a full forty paces away, then extended fingers behind his back. How many am I holding up?Threenow two. And now four.H-how? Vir asked, his voice hoarse. Cirayus lacked Prana Visionhed said so himself. At the distance Vir stood, not even that ability could tell him how many fingers someone was holding up.The Third Eye boosts intuition, Cirayus explained, undoing his blindfold, allowing one to grasp the true flow of reality. When mastered, one detaches themselves from their physical body, witnessing the world from the perspective of a bird, soaring high above. It eliminates blind spots, drastically boosting ones combat potential. As such, it can be exceedingly difficult to kill anyone who has opened the Third Eye.That did sound powerful. Incredibly powerful. Like Prana Vision, except one that allowed him to witness all threats, from any angle. If coupled with Dance of the Shadow Demon, hed be untouchable, slinking away from threats before they ever hit him.And now we come to the seventh and final chakra. The hardest to open, and thus precious few demons wield it. It is also the most abstract of them all, and many question if it might even be the weakest.Is it?You tell me.The giant did nothing. He merely stood with one pair of arms crossed, the other pair on his hips. His height hadnt changed. Nor had he even moved.Then his aura flared.Vir collapsed, driving his head to the ground. He didnt deserve to exist in front of such a godlike presence. He ought to prostrate. To beg forgiveness from this mythological being who stood before him. The avatar of a giant stood behind Cirayus. A being whod grown so tall, its body nearly touched the skies. A giant among giants. One that could not be seen, but only felt.The sensation was all-consuming. Against it, Vir was but a reed, destined to sway in the giants wind.Then it was overthe avatar gone without a trace.The Chakra of the Crown. The apex, and the destination of all those who embark upon this path. It is the manifestation of a spiritual avatar, representing the core essence of who you truly are. Similar to the Warrior Chakra, except instead of imbuing merely an attack with metaphysical weight, it gives your entire existence weight. It projects an aura whose heaviness is limited only by the strength and purity of your soul.The strength of your soul is that something that grows over time? Vir asked, standing on his shaky legs.Through time, experience, and hardship. Luckily, we have an abundance of the latter. As for the first two, well, theres no better time to begin that than the present, wouldnt you say? Cirayus sat crosslegged on the ash, motioning Vir to do the same. Now, meditate on the concept of solidity. Think of the great mountains, unmoving.Vir closed his eyes and did so, imagining the tall, jagged peaks of the Ash. How long had they stood, resisting the efforts of the world to bring them down?You are that mountain, Cirayus continued, placing his hand on Virs chest. Do not resist. The sensation will feel strange, but open yourself to me.Vir suddenly felt an alien presence in his body. In his soul. But it was not a dangerous one. He did as he was told, allowing it into him.Suddenly, the weight of an entire mountain crashed into him, and he felt like he was being crushed. He couldnt breathe. Every second was agony.Then it was gone.Apologies, Cirayus said. It is too soon. You are not yet ready.Vir gasped for breath. Maybe I should start a little slower?Aye. You will get there. Of this, I have no doubt. Now, let us discuss another matter, Cirayus grinned. I think its about time for your first field test.
