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Cirayus bounded across the Bairan countryside with Vir perched on his shoulder, while Shan traveled beside them, happy to stretch his legs. Cirayus had returned Vir’s Artifact chakram and seric katar that he now wore. For the first time in a very long time, Vir felt complete again.
“What can you tell me about the tournament?” Vir asked. “How many people are we talking about?”
“The Bairan Competition is an old tradition,” Cirayus began. “Some say as old as the clan itself. It has seen many changes across the millennia, but it has always been a trial of combat. Thousands generally show up for the qualifiers, coveting one of the sixteen starting positions. In its current form, the tournament is single elimination, and is held in the Rav—er, the Colosseum at the center of Camar Gadin.”
“A Colosseum, huh? Sounds interesting.”
“Aye, it is a sight to behold, lad. While thousands apply to fight, many times more come to spectate. With the seats filled, the din of cheers when you step out onto the ring is unlike anything you’ll ever experience.”
Vir doubted he’d receive the same level of applause as Cirayus did—he doubted anyone would—but he refrained from mentioning it.
“So. What it’s called?” Vir asked, half-guessing the answer. “The Colosseum, I mean. I assume it has a name?”
“Oh, er…” Cirayus scratched his head, looking as if he were fighting some internal war in his head. Finally, his shoulders sagged, and he sighed. “It’s… the Ravager’s Den.”
“The Ravager. Cirayus…” Vir said flatly. “They named the place after you, didn’t they?”
The giant laughed awkwardly.
“W-well. Let me tell you about the history of our great city,” Cirayus said, awkwardly trying to change the topic. “Did you know that Camar Gadin has never been taken by another clan? Not even during the Aindri conquest of the realm.”
Vir smiled wryly, but played along. As fun as it was to tease the ancient giant, he was genuinely interested in the current topic.
“The Aindri attacked Baira?” Vir asked. “Isn’t their territory farthest to the north?”
“Indeed—and that ought to tell you just how fearsome their conquest was. While the borders of all countries were recently redrawn, they were the northernmost clan even before. Riding their beasts, they raided clan after clan, though their expansion came to a halt at the unbreakable walls of Camar Gadin.”
“I never knew the Aindri were so combative.”
“They’ve changed a bit in recent days. They expanded too far too fast, and their might crumbled soon after. There was significant backlash from the Warrior families, who slaughtered the Rulers responsible. Mind you, this is a tale of a millennium ago. Ancient history for some. Since then, they’ve become mild-mannered. Some would even say cowardly.”
Vir chuckled. For someone as long-lived as Cirayus, that was barely two generations.
“Then again, the Aindri are hardly the only clan to have invaded Baira,” Cirayus continued. “Ours is a long and bloody history, and the Chitran, and even the Garga once attacked us.”
“The Garga? I thought our clans had been allies since the beginning.”
“Not quite the beginning, lad. Demon history runs long. Longer than most can comprehend. Can you believe there was even a time when the Iksana didn’t exist? Ghaels simply lived among the other clans. They were eventually ostracized for their… unique mannerisms. Ghaels tend not to behave like most other demons. After being forced out, they formed the Iksana and retreated underground.”
Vir thought back to his deception at Samar Patag. He truly hoped word wouldn’t find its way back to the Iksana, though he admitted the possibility of that was exceedingly low. It was an issue he’d have to deal with eventually.
A sudden thought occurred to him.
“Will the Iksana be participating in the tournament?” he asked, panic swelling within him.
“Aye, there’s usually a handful of Iksana fighters. They don’t usually win, but I admit, some are decent,” Cirayus said. “Expect to see plenty of them in the audience as well. The Tournament’s one of the few places you’ll see them above-ground. Each clan has their own allotted section in the stadium, and every clan always attends. We may even see the Iksana Raja there if we’re lucky.”
“Lucky?” Vir asked. “Isn’t that a big problem? They’ll see who I am!”
“It certainly would be… If I hadn’t already devised a solution. I’ve been working with a Thaumaturge I trust in Camar Gadin. She’s managed to come up with a temporary tattoo that ought to mask your prana signature.”
“Like mejai armor?” Vir asked, thinking back to how mejai armor interfered with Prana Vision. If he was correct, it was nearly identical to how Iksana’s Sight functioned. The only difference being Sight leveraged a tattoo and used a different affinity.
“Aye, that’s actually where I had the idea,” Cirayus replied, taking another great, bounding leap. The Gargan countryside closely resembled the rest of the demon realm, though the temperature had dropped noticeably compared to the temperate Garga and Panav.
“This won’t give you any armor, though, and we still don’t know if it’ll work with Ash prana. That’s the big unknown. Worked on both myself and the Thaumaturge, though! We’ll just have to get there and see.”
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If it worked, it’d be a windfall for Vir. He could traverse the realm without fear of discovery. And if he could meet with sympathetic Rajas at the tournament…
This could offer an unprecedented opportunity. There was Balancer of Scales, yes, but even if Vir failed to obtain that, the connections he could forge and the inroads he would make might be worth even more.
“So this is what you were doing when you left me at Samar Patag.”
“This, as well as other things. Meeting old friends, getting the lay of the land and the Clan politics. As well as informing those I trust the most of your return. Sowing the seeds, so to speak. Seeds, however, take time to grow, and require watering. I… didn’t wish to get your hopes up until I was sure they’d bear fruit. I hope that time is near.”
“You and me, both,” Vir said, thinking of his budding army. Most of all, he needed more troops. More Ash Gates, and more recruitment efforts. Two hundred was no army. At best, it was a couple of companies of troops. When the rebellion began, Vir hoped to have at least ten thousand.
“I guess I already know a thing or two about the Iksana from Ekanai, but what else can you tell me?” Vir asked. “The more I know, the better equipped I’ll be to fight them.”
Cirayus thought for a moment. “As you know, the Iksana live underground, in vast tunnel networks that are a sight to see. Though, few outside their clan ever get to. And Jallak Kallol. Now that is a true jewel.”
“Their capital stronghold?” Vir asked. “Is that underground as well?”
“Aye, though most demons think the tiny sliver of the city that sits on the surface is the extent of it. They could not be more wrong. The surface city is but a facade—a means to trade with the few merchants who make the long and arduous journey to its gates. The actual city lies beneath. In a great cavern of incomprehensible size. Lit by naturally luminescent crystals and moss. It is perhaps the most impressive city these eyes have ever beheld.”
“What is the Iksana Raja like?” Vir asked. “Do you think he’ll be receptive to our cause?”
“Sagun'Ra. An old fossil of a demon. Hard to say with that one. Always has been. He’s one of the few demons who openly resists me at every turn.”
“Wait. He’s older than you?”
“Hmm? Oh, no. We are similarly aged.”
Vir didn’t say anything for a moment, hoping Cirayus would realize that he’d just called himself an old fossil.
Cirayus carried on, entirely oblivious. “Sagun'Ra may have tussles with me, but I feel he might be receptive to the Akh Nara’s return. Could go either way with that one. The Iksana are an unpredictable lot to begin with, and Ra is no exception. He’s as likely to kneel before you as he is to stick a dagger in your back.”
“I’ll be careful, then,” Vir said. “What of Baira and Panav? I’m guessing we can at least count on Baira?”
“Aye, Thaman is an old friend. Trained that lad up myself, a couple of centuries ago. Good ruler. Good head on his shoulders.”
“That’s a relief,” Vir said. “I was beginning to think we had no allies at all.”
“Well, we don’t. Thaman sympathizes with our cause, but you’d do well to expect no aid from him. Not until we’ve proven ourselves to demon kind. As much as I hate to admit, any clan found openly throwing their support behind the Akh Nara becomes a target. I fully expect the Chitran to mobilize the other clans against you, lad. Without laying the proper groundwork, we risk fighting not just the kothis, but the full might of the entire realm.”
“And that would be suicide,” Vir said. “You don’t need to tell me. We’ll act only once we’re ready. Brick by brick.”
“Stone after stone,” Cirayus confirmed with a nod.
“Besides, I need to win this tournament before anything can begin,” Vir said. “Let’s talk about my powers and what I can use. I want to use my Artifact Chakram. I’m sick of fighting without my best weapons. Is that allowed?”
“Aye, no issues with Artifacts. Besides, they’re not quite the Beast mincers they are in the Ash. You’ll have no issues with them.”
“Good. I’m going to use my katar, too. I know they’re not common, but I don’t think anyone’s going to suspect me of being the Akh Nara, either.”
“Agreed. There’ll be no issues with either of those weapons. Rather, it’s your abilities we ought to talk about.”
“I’m guessing Dance of the Shadow Demon is out,” Vir said. “Especially with Iksana in attendance.”
“Aye. Even with the tattoo hiding your prana, there’ll be no concealing that ability. Tis an Iksana Bloodline Art, after all.”
“Speaking of, what about Ultimates? Will you be using Balancer of Scales? And do I need to worry about others doing the same?”
“Nay. Ultimates are strictly forbidden. Instant disqualification for anyone who does. Neither are the Rajas allowed to participate. That’d be too unfair to the rest of them, so you won’t have to worry about that.”
“Alright, that’s good to know. My other movement arts should be fine—I’ve been using them until now without issue. What about Prana Darts, Prana Blade and Blade Launch? Will the tattoo hide those as well?”
“I’m afraid it won’t. Once your prana leaves your body, the attack will be seen for what it is.”
“That… makes things really difficult, Cirayus,” Vir said. “Without those, my offensive power is severely limited.”
“I know, lad. I am aware. I also know that you’re one of the most ingenious demons I’ve ever met. If there is a way. I’ve no doubt you’ll find it.”
“Well, thanks…” Vir was at a loss for how to reply. For Cirayus to pay him such a compliment was truly humbling. Yet, it was a fact that this competition would be far more difficult, with most of his abilities sealed. Even if he emerged victorious, he’d have to face down Cirayus in the finals. Could he beat his godfather without relying on every tool at his disposal?
Could he defeat Cirayus even at his full potential?
Vir couldn’t honestly say.
At least I should be able to use Prana Current. That’s something.
The Artifact Chakram would help immensely as well. Even if it couldn’t resharpen itself and fly around on its own like it did in the Ash. It was less lethal, too. Which, in this case, was perhaps a good thing.
He didn’t want to decapitate his opponents, after all. Still, it’d have been nice if he could control their lethality. It would be useful to give his foes a glimpse of the Chakram’s true power, before dialing it down. It’d force his enemies to be on their guard, limiting their options.
Of course, there’s Shan as well…
Vir looked at his Ash Wolf friend.
“Say, Cirayus? Do the Aindri fight with their beasts in this tournament?”
“Aye. Of course.”
“Is that a special provision for their clan? Or can anyone do that?”
“Nothing like that. Those who wish to fight alongside a beast may do so. Just that outside the Aindri and their bloodline arts, nobody does. Nobody’s managed to make beasts useful enough to fight against demons. Also, the rule about no killing doesn’t apply to any animal companions.”
“I see…” Vir said. That was a little concerning, though if he was honest, Vir doubted there were many capable of killing an Ash Wolf. And Shan was no ordinary Ash Wolf. He wasn’t even an ordinary Ashfire Wolf. He was an Ashfire wolf with Imperium pranites flowing through his body. A wolf who’d retained his sanity, and who’d learned to control his prana.
“Alright lad, I think this is where we make camp,” Cirayus said, putting Vir down.
“Here? There’s nothing here,” Vir replied.
“That’s the point. Too risky to have you enter Camar Gadin without your tattoo. Wait here while I fetch the thaumaturge.”
Vir nodded. “Don’t take too long,” he teased.
“I’ll be back before you know it,” Cirayus replied with a wink, before bounding high into the air.
Vir turned his attention to Shan, who locked eyes with him.
“Well, Shan? Would you like to fight together?”
The Ashfire Wolf’s howl was all the response he needed.