Chapter 205: Of Kings and Queens (One)
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Chapter 205: Of Kings and Queens (One)
Cirayus could hardly believe Virs progress. When the boy disappeared only a day before, hed been struggling. True, hed gained the ability to launch prana attacks at his enemiesa significant advantagebut he was still sorely lacking. From his physical strength to the level of his magic, his powers were nothing like his prior incarnations, even accounting for the tattoos.
But now? Now, the lad ended Ash Beasts barehanded, with claws of prana so thick, even he could see them.
After witnessing Vir reave through enemies that would have given most warriors pauseand do so barehandedCirayus had shuddered. After fighting against him himself, he was now sure. This was power on a level most demons could only dream of.
Power that he would sorely need for the trials that lay ahead.
Whatever made his ancestors so strong, Vir had found it in that blighted realm. And hed found more, apparently.
You mean to say the energy for your magic comes from within you? Cirayus asked for the fourth time.
As I told you, my prana capacity is roughly a hundred times what it was when I first entered the Ash, Vir replied.
Hed handily decapitated the Nagathe most fearsome Ash Beast on the Mahakurmas backonly moments earlier, making an enemy that would have ended most demons look like a pushover.
And Im telling you, Cirayus said, following Vir up the hole that led to the surface, youre the only demon in recorded history to pull anything like that off, lad! Cirayus said. Not even your past selves had such an ability!
It was true. Powering spells off of ones own prana had been the pipe dream of many demons throughout the ages. Demon children throughout the realm fantasized about wielding the power of Ash Beasts in their prana-starved lands. A delusion they swiftly abandoned, when faced with the stark reality.
Demons were beholden to their barren realm. Even Cirayus was no exception. Despite the prana capacity he'd painstakingly nurtured over the centuries, he couldn't fuel Balancer of Scales at its full power even once using his body's reserves alone.
What Vir had accomplished, no demon ever had. Certainly not ever to this extent. The amount that coursed within a persons body was simply insufficient, even for the most basic of magic, let alone powerful Bloodline arts.
And the lad managed it within a day?
Granted, hed spent nearly a month in the Mahdi Realm, but even still
No. Tis the opposite. He grew so strong because he survived that realm.
Whether or not he had help didnt matter. Vir had ventured to a place where no one ever daredor at least, those who had never returned alive.
Cirayus beamed with pride.
Hes ready. More than ready.
At least, his body was. But what of the rest? What of his mind?
I suppose it is time.
Vir scrambled up to the surface, and Cirayus lightly bounded up behind him. Destroying the Domain Lords had helped take his mind off Ashani, but thoughts of her now came crashing back, souring the sweet taste of victory. He wanted to go back to her. Needed to. And yet, he couldnt.
Lad, youre out of sorts, Cirayus asked, climbing out of the hole in the Mahakurmas back. Sikandar lay draped across his back. Ive seen that look enough times to know that youre in for a hard time if you keep all those emotions bottled up.
Well, I already tried killing things, Vir said. Didnt really help.
Aye. So talk to me. Lay it all out.
I just What do I do, Cirayus? I promised Id bring her back.
Then its simple, isnt it? he said. You keep your promise. You find a way back to her.
Easier said than done, Vir replied. If you happen to know of any Ash Gates that lead to the Mahdi Realm nearby, Im all ears. Even if you could, I have no way of getting her out of there.
Lad, correct me if Im wrong, but I didnt hear you promise youd return today. How long do you have?
Vir clenched a fist. If she survives those wyrms possibly years. Maybe even decades. Shell just go to sleep again, most likely.
Then there you have it. You have your goal. If she means this much to you, you can spend your days in the Demon Realm searching for a way back to her.
You really think Ill find one?
Perhaps, Cirayus said hesitantly.
This place is pretty and all, he said, but that cant be the only reason you brought me here.
Cirayus removed Sikandar, leaning the enormous blade against the tree. He placed a hand on the trees trunk.
Your father and I. We used to fight in the Bairan competitions regularly, you know?
The one where Ill get Balancer of Scales if I win?
Aye, the same. Your father was the only one I ever lost to.
He was that strong? Vir asked. Hed seen what Cirayus could do. For his father to have bested the giant, he must have been quite the warrior.
Strong, yes. But also cunning. And quick as an Acira. Still, dont get the wrong idea, lad. I beat him far more often than he beat me.
Vir rolled his eyes. What a surprise.
Cirayus chuckled. You see, while the Tournament gave us no end of good fights, the event is held only once every four years. We longed to test our mettle in the interim.
Yep. Father was a battle junkie, alright.
You fought other demons?
Cirayus shook his head. Nay. Few demons could offer us the level of fight we wished for. We came to the Ash. Forced ourselves to survive here until we found a gate back home.
The giant laughed.
The thing about Ash Gates is you never know where theyll take you. You just have to peer through, and if the other side looks like the right realm, you jump. Only the gods know where youll land! And thats only if you find one. Theyre quite rare, as youve seen.
That sounds insane, Vir said.
Oho? Cirayus cocked a brow. Dont tell me you wouldnt do the same, lad.
Vir couldnt stop the grin on his face. Maybe.
Anyway, we once found this Mahakurma here, though it was dormant at the time. We figured itd be the perfect training ground.
You saw a world-ending creature, and you decided to jump right onto its back? To train
Your fathers idea, lad. Let it be known that I was usually the voice of reason.
Uh, huh.
He must have been quite the character, Vir said, feeling like hed have gotten along really well with his old man. Though he couldnt imagine his mother would have approved of such reckless behavior.
The cozy scene played out in his mind. He could almost see the happy family together, warm and caring.
Aye, Cirayus said wistfully. Aye, that he was. We spent many months here. This engraving? he pointed to an M and a C engraved into the trees trunk. Ours. In case we ever returned. Proof that we were here. That wed braved the Ash, penetrated its depths, and lived to tell the tale.
Cirayus moved aside, allowing Vir to run his fingers over the mark. Evidence that Maion Garga had been here, decadesperhaps centuriesago. Clanlord. King. His father.
The engraving was so simple. So crude. And yet, Vir was so moved. He couldnt understand why. Hed never even met the man, and yet, he missed him dearly. He missed them both.
That was So very long ago. Honestly cant believe the mark is still here, Cirayus said, sighing. It feels like just yesterday to me. I cannot tell you how much I wish they were still here.
Vir turned to find a tear trickling down the giants face. The sight caused his own tears to well.
What What were they like?
The giant hesitated. I do not wish to add to your burden, lad. You are already grieving for one.
Please, I wish to know, Vir said. I need this. Ill never get to see them or hear their voices. Ill never get to listen to their stories, or hear their laughter. The least I can do is remember who they were and carry that within me. Please.
Cirayus sat against the tree and motioned for Vir to join him.
Then I shall, for I knew them both better than most. Come, have a seat. This will be quite the tale.
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Chapter 205: Of Kings and Queens (One)
Cirayus could hardly believe Virs progress. When the boy disappeared only a day before, hed been struggling. True, hed gained the ability to launch prana attacks at his enemiesa significant advantagebut he was still sorely lacking. From his physical strength to the level of his magic, his powers were nothing like his prior incarnations, even accounting for the tattoos.
But now? Now, the lad ended Ash Beasts barehanded, with claws of prana so thick, even he could see them.
After witnessing Vir reave through enemies that would have given most warriors pauseand do so barehandedCirayus had shuddered. After fighting against him himself, he was now sure. This was power on a level most demons could only dream of.
Power that he would sorely need for the trials that lay ahead.
Whatever made his ancestors so strong, Vir had found it in that blighted realm. And hed found more, apparently.
You mean to say the energy for your magic comes from within you? Cirayus asked for the fourth time.
As I told you, my prana capacity is roughly a hundred times what it was when I first entered the Ash, Vir replied.
Hed handily decapitated the Nagathe most fearsome Ash Beast on the Mahakurmas backonly moments earlier, making an enemy that would have ended most demons look like a pushover.
And Im telling you, Cirayus said, following Vir up the hole that led to the surface, youre the only demon in recorded history to pull anything like that off, lad! Cirayus said. Not even your past selves had such an ability!
It was true. Powering spells off of ones own prana had been the pipe dream of many demons throughout the ages. Demon children throughout the realm fantasized about wielding the power of Ash Beasts in their prana-starved lands. A delusion they swiftly abandoned, when faced with the stark reality.
Demons were beholden to their barren realm. Even Cirayus was no exception. Despite the prana capacity he'd painstakingly nurtured over the centuries, he couldn't fuel Balancer of Scales at its full power even once using his body's reserves alone.
What Vir had accomplished, no demon ever had. Certainly not ever to this extent. The amount that coursed within a persons body was simply insufficient, even for the most basic of magic, let alone powerful Bloodline arts.
And the lad managed it within a day?
Granted, hed spent nearly a month in the Mahdi Realm, but even still
No. Tis the opposite. He grew so strong because he survived that realm.
Whether or not he had help didnt matter. Vir had ventured to a place where no one ever daredor at least, those who had never returned alive.
Cirayus beamed with pride.
Hes ready. More than ready.
At least, his body was. But what of the rest? What of his mind?
I suppose it is time.
Vir scrambled up to the surface, and Cirayus lightly bounded up behind him. Destroying the Domain Lords had helped take his mind off Ashani, but thoughts of her now came crashing back, souring the sweet taste of victory. He wanted to go back to her. Needed to. And yet, he couldnt.
Lad, youre out of sorts, Cirayus asked, climbing out of the hole in the Mahakurmas back. Sikandar lay draped across his back. Ive seen that look enough times to know that youre in for a hard time if you keep all those emotions bottled up.
Well, I already tried killing things, Vir said. Didnt really help.
Aye. So talk to me. Lay it all out.
I just What do I do, Cirayus? I promised Id bring her back.
Then its simple, isnt it? he said. You keep your promise. You find a way back to her.
Easier said than done, Vir replied. If you happen to know of any Ash Gates that lead to the Mahdi Realm nearby, Im all ears. Even if you could, I have no way of getting her out of there.
Lad, correct me if Im wrong, but I didnt hear you promise youd return today. How long do you have?
Vir clenched a fist. If she survives those wyrms possibly years. Maybe even decades. Shell just go to sleep again, most likely.
Then there you have it. You have your goal. If she means this much to you, you can spend your days in the Demon Realm searching for a way back to her.
You really think Ill find one?
Perhaps, Cirayus said hesitantly.
This place is pretty and all, he said, but that cant be the only reason you brought me here.
Cirayus removed Sikandar, leaning the enormous blade against the tree. He placed a hand on the trees trunk.
Your father and I. We used to fight in the Bairan competitions regularly, you know?
The one where Ill get Balancer of Scales if I win?
Aye, the same. Your father was the only one I ever lost to.
He was that strong? Vir asked. Hed seen what Cirayus could do. For his father to have bested the giant, he must have been quite the warrior.
Strong, yes. But also cunning. And quick as an Acira. Still, dont get the wrong idea, lad. I beat him far more often than he beat me.
Vir rolled his eyes. What a surprise.
Cirayus chuckled. You see, while the Tournament gave us no end of good fights, the event is held only once every four years. We longed to test our mettle in the interim.
Yep. Father was a battle junkie, alright.
You fought other demons?
Cirayus shook his head. Nay. Few demons could offer us the level of fight we wished for. We came to the Ash. Forced ourselves to survive here until we found a gate back home.
The giant laughed.
The thing about Ash Gates is you never know where theyll take you. You just have to peer through, and if the other side looks like the right realm, you jump. Only the gods know where youll land! And thats only if you find one. Theyre quite rare, as youve seen.
That sounds insane, Vir said.
Oho? Cirayus cocked a brow. Dont tell me you wouldnt do the same, lad.
Vir couldnt stop the grin on his face. Maybe.
Anyway, we once found this Mahakurma here, though it was dormant at the time. We figured itd be the perfect training ground.
You saw a world-ending creature, and you decided to jump right onto its back? To train
Your fathers idea, lad. Let it be known that I was usually the voice of reason.
Uh, huh.
He must have been quite the character, Vir said, feeling like hed have gotten along really well with his old man. Though he couldnt imagine his mother would have approved of such reckless behavior.
The cozy scene played out in his mind. He could almost see the happy family together, warm and caring.
Aye, Cirayus said wistfully. Aye, that he was. We spent many months here. This engraving? he pointed to an M and a C engraved into the trees trunk. Ours. In case we ever returned. Proof that we were here. That wed braved the Ash, penetrated its depths, and lived to tell the tale.
Cirayus moved aside, allowing Vir to run his fingers over the mark. Evidence that Maion Garga had been here, decadesperhaps centuriesago. Clanlord. King. His father.
The engraving was so simple. So crude. And yet, Vir was so moved. He couldnt understand why. Hed never even met the man, and yet, he missed him dearly. He missed them both.
That was So very long ago. Honestly cant believe the mark is still here, Cirayus said, sighing. It feels like just yesterday to me. I cannot tell you how much I wish they were still here.
Vir turned to find a tear trickling down the giants face. The sight caused his own tears to well.
What What were they like?
The giant hesitated. I do not wish to add to your burden, lad. You are already grieving for one.
Please, I wish to know, Vir said. I need this. Ill never get to see them or hear their voices. Ill never get to listen to their stories, or hear their laughter. The least I can do is remember who they were and carry that within me. Please.
Cirayus sat against the tree and motioned for Vir to join him.
Then I shall, for I knew them both better than most. Come, have a seat. This will be quite the tale.
Chapter 205: Of Kings and Queens OneCirayus could hardly believe Virs progress. When the boy disappeared only a day before, hed been struggling. True, hed gained the ability to launch prana attacks at his enemiesa significant advantagebut he was still sorely lacking. From his physical strength to the level of his magic, his powers were nothing like his prior incarnations, even accounting for the tattoos.But now? Now, the lad ended Ash Beasts barehanded, with claws of prana so thick, even he could see them.After witnessing Vir reave through enemies that would have given most warriors pauseand do so barehandedCirayus had shuddered. After fighting against him himself, he was now sure. This was power on a level most demons could only dream of.Power that he would sorely need for the trials that lay ahead.Whatever made his ancestors so strong, Vir had found it in that blighted realm. And hed found more, apparently.You mean to say the energy for your magic comes from within you? Cirayus asked for the fourth time.As I told you, my prana capacity is roughly a hundred times what it was when I first entered the Ash, Vir replied.Hed handily decapitated the Nagathe most fearsome Ash Beast on the Mahakurmas backonly moments earlier, making an enemy that would have ended most demons look like a pushover.And Im telling you, Cirayus said, following Vir up the hole that led to the surface, youre the only demon in recorded history to pull anything like that off, lad! Cirayus said. Not even your past selves had such an ability!It was true. Powering spells off of ones own prana had been the pipe dream of many demons throughout the ages. Demon children throughout the realm fantasized about wielding the power of Ash Beasts in their prana-starved lands. A delusion they swiftly abandoned, when faced with the stark reality.Demons were beholden to their barren realm. Even Cirayus was no exception. Despite the prana capacity he'd painstakingly nurtured over the centuries, he couldn't fuel Balancer of Scales at its full power even once using his body's reserves alone.What Vir had accomplished, no demon ever had. Certainly not ever to this extent. The amount that coursed within a persons body was simply insufficient, even for the most basic of magic, let alone powerful Bloodline arts.And the lad managed it within a day?Granted, hed spent nearly a month in the Mahdi Realm, but even stillNo. Tis the opposite. He grew so strong because he survived that realm.Whether or not he had help didnt matter. Vir had ventured to a place where no one ever daredor at least, those who had never returned alive.Cirayus beamed with pride.Hes ready. More than ready.At least, his body was. But what of the rest? What of his mind?I suppose it is time.Vir scrambled up to the surface, and Cirayus lightly bounded up behind him. Destroying the Domain Lords had helped take his mind off Ashani, but thoughts of her now came crashing back, souring the sweet taste of victory. He wanted to go back to her. Needed to. And yet, he couldnt.Lad, youre out of sorts, Cirayus asked, climbing out of the hole in the Mahakurmas back. Sikandar lay draped across his back. Ive seen that look enough times to know that youre in for a hard time if you keep all those emotions bottled up.Well, I already tried killing things, Vir said. Didnt really help.Aye. So talk to me. Lay it all out.I just What do I do, Cirayus? I promised Id bring her back.Then its simple, isnt it? he said. You keep your promise. You find a way back to her.Easier said than done, Vir replied. If you happen to know of any Ash Gates that lead to the Mahdi Realm nearby, Im all ears. Even if you could, I have no way of getting her out of there.Lad, correct me if Im wrong, but I didnt hear you promise youd return today. How long do you have?Vir clenched a fist. If she survives those wyrms possibly years. Maybe even decades. Shell just go to sleep again, most likely.Then there you have it. You have your goal. If she means this much to you, you can spend your days in the Demon Realm searching for a way back to her.You really think Ill find one?Perhaps, Cirayus said hesitantly.This place is pretty and all, he said, but that cant be the only reason you brought me here.Cirayus removed Sikandar, leaning the enormous blade against the tree. He placed a hand on the trees trunk.Your father and I. We used to fight in the Bairan competitions regularly, you know?The one where Ill get Balancer of Scales if I win?Aye, the same. Your father was the only one I ever lost to.He was that strong? Vir asked. Hed seen what Cirayus could do. For his father to have bested the giant, he must have been quite the warrior.Strong, yes. But also cunning. And quick as an Acira. Still, dont get the wrong idea, lad. I beat him far more often than he beat me.Vir rolled his eyes. What a surprise.Cirayus chuckled. You see, while the Tournament gave us no end of good fights, the event is held only once every four years. We longed to test our mettle in the interim.Yep. Father was a battle junkie, alright.You fought other demons?Cirayus shook his head. Nay. Few demons could offer us the level of fight we wished for. We came to the Ash. Forced ourselves to survive here until we found a gate back home.The giant laughed.The thing about Ash Gates is you never know where theyll take you. You just have to peer through, and if the other side looks like the right realm, you jump. Only the gods know where youll land! And thats only if you find one. Theyre quite rare, as youve seen.That sounds insane, Vir said.Oho? Cirayus cocked a brow. Dont tell me you wouldnt do the same, lad.Vir couldnt stop the grin on his face. Maybe.Anyway, we once found this Mahakurma here, though it was dormant at the time. We figured itd be the perfect training ground.You saw a world-ending creature, and you decided to jump right onto its back? To trainYour fathers idea, lad. Let it be known that I was usually the voice of reason.Uh, huh.He must have been quite the character, Vir said, feeling like hed have gotten along really well with his old man. Though he couldnt imagine his mother would have approved of such reckless behavior.The cozy scene played out in his mind. He could almost see the happy family together, warm and caring.Aye, Cirayus said wistfully. Aye, that he was. We spent many months here. This engraving? he pointed to an M and a C engraved into the trees trunk. Ours. In case we ever returned. Proof that we were here. That wed braved the Ash, penetrated its depths, and lived to tell the tale.Cirayus moved aside, allowing Vir to run his fingers over the mark. Evidence that Maion Garga had been here, decadesperhaps centuriesago. Clanlord. King. His father.The engraving was so simple. So crude. And yet, Vir was so moved. He couldnt understand why. Hed never even met the man, and yet, he missed him dearly. He missed them both.That was So very long ago. Honestly cant believe the mark is still here, Cirayus said, sighing. It feels like just yesterday to me. I cannot tell you how much I wish they were still here.Vir turned to find a tear trickling down the giants face. The sight caused his own tears to well.What What were they like?The giant hesitated. I do not wish to add to your burden, lad. You are already grieving for one.Please, I wish to know, Vir said. I need this. Ill never get to see them or hear their voices. Ill never get to listen to their stories, or hear their laughter. The least I can do is remember who they were and carry that within me. Please.Cirayus sat against the tree and motioned for Vir to join him.Then I shall, for I knew them both better than most. Come, have a seat. This will be quite the tale.
