154: Sarvaak, Of Garga

LONG chapter for you!

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There was so much packed into Cirayus’ words, Vir hardly knew where to begin. More than the mention of the Akh Nara, though, there was something else the giant said that caught his attention.

“One born in the Ash. You’re telling me I was born… in the Ashen Realm?”

“You are Ashborn, aye.”

“Ashborn’s just a misnomer people have for demons,” Maiya said with a frown.

Cirayus heaved a great sigh. “In this realm, yes. It is but one of the many misconceptions humans have, I’m afraid. ‘Tis right in the name. Ashborn. One who was born in the Ashen Realm.”

“Is that even possible?” Maiya asked. “Only the greatest human mejai stand a chance of surviving the Ash. I know demons are stronger, but a baby? Wouldn’t that be incredibly dangerous? Wouldn’t it be dangerous for the mother?”

“Indeed.” Cirayus’ eyes wandered to a faraway place. He said nothing for a long moment. “Vir’s parents took a great risk birthing him in the Ash. To this day, there are those who wonder if it was for the best.”

“Why? What happened?” Maiya asked.

“She died having me.”

Maiya’s fingers slid into his, and she squeezed, lifting him out of his depressing thoughts.

“Aye. Shari Garga received the very best healing demons possess, but the Ash is a brutal place. We… could only save one of you. It was her decision to prioritize your life over her own,” Cirayus said softly, as a crushing weight fell over the room. A heaviness that Balancer of Scales could never hope to rival.

“She sacrificed herself for me,” Vir whispered. “Why? All for a stupid prophecy? This tattoo has caused nothing but trouble my whole life! I wish I never had it!”

Cirayus offered no counterargument.

“Was it worth her life?” Vir asked.

“She certainly believed so,“ Cirayus said. “And, if I might be so bold, so do I. Her death was a tragedy, I don’t dare refute that. But what you are, Ekavir—what you will be? There are no words to describe the importance you will have for the Garga. For all of Demonkind.“

“The Akh Nara,” Vir whispered. Nearly all his prior incarnations had mentioned it. At least the ones who spoke. “Do you know what I am?”

“In the old tongue, it means The Perfect Man, though most know it by the tattoo on your chest. A tattoo borne by each of your predecessors. Predecessors who each left their mark upon the Demon Realm. Bar none. Whether it be a golden age of prosperity, or all out war. From Parai the Ancient to Reaper Ekanai, each incarnation became the most powerful demon of their era.”

“So, the Akh Nara are powerful demons?” Maiya asked.

“Not just powerful. Tell me, lad. You knew of Dance of the Shadow Demon. A power that should not exist in this realm. A gift from your ancestors?”

“Well, not exactly a gift. Most of the abilities I’ve seen in my memories, I’ve had to learn on my own. Shardul offered to give it to me, once I’d ventured to the Ash.”

“Interesting. I admit, I know little of the details of how you commune with your ancestors. Did Shardul relent, then? You clearly possess a form of the ability.”

“Not quite. I… kinda learned how to do it myself, after seeing him use it in a memory.”

“From a mere memory, you say? How?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. It wasn’t easy, and it took some effort, but I managed it.”

“Lad, it normally takes a tattoo, and years, if not decades, of training to learn that. Granted, your power is nowhere near as strong as the real thing, but I’ve never heard of anyone doing what you have. Not even your prior incarnations.”

Vir remained silent, hoping the giant would continue. This was the information he’d wanted to hear for most of his life. Finally, it was actually happening! He didn’t dare even breathe, for fear of missing Cirayus’ words.

“Well, then it makes some sense. All beings reincarnate. Yet only the Akh Nara reincarnates with the memories and powers of his past lives. Some believe he appears to balance the forces of order and chaos whenever the scales tip too far in one direction. Others say he appears during our darkest hours as a beacon of hope and salvation.”

I never realized Shardul and Ekanai had such reputations. What of the others? Which of them had been forces of chaos?

“What do you believe?” Vir asked.

“I believe, that is there is any hope left for the Garga, it is with you, and you alone. It’s obvious to anyone that the scales have indeed been tipped too far in one direction. The wrong one.”

“The Garga… my clan?” Vir asked, piecing the puzzle together. It wasn’t the first time he’d heard the name—Both Shardul and Ekanai’s memories had mentioned it. At the time, he’d lacked the context to understand its significance.

So I’m a Garga… Or at least, my current incarnation is that of a Gargan Prince.

It was all terribly confusing, and made even worse by the memories he retained of Ekanai, Shardul, Narak, and Parai. Several of whom belonged to different clans.

“Aye. Your clan. A great and prosperous country. One of the best. Until the Chitran destroyed them.”

“The Chitran? Is that another clan?”

“The worst of us, aye.”

Ekanai was Iksana, Shardul a Gargan, and Narak had been Bairan. Parai… he wasn’t sure of, but he’d never heard of Clan Chitran before.

“It became too dangerous for you to remain in Gargan land. Together with a few other of your Gargan retainers and volunteers from the Iksana and the Panav, I came up with a plan to hide you. We considered alternatives, but the Chits had agents in all clans. After much debate, we chose the one place their reach did not touch. We chose the Ash.”

Vir couldn’t guess at the number of arguments that decision would’ve sparked. It couldn’t have been an easy one.

“It was, ironically, the safest place for you. Then Samar Patag fell. Your father remained behind, fighting to his final breath to defend the castle. To draw the invaders’ eyes long enough for us to escape.”

The weight of Cirayus’ words continued to mount until Vir felt like he was being buried under a mountain. How many people have died for me?

His father—a king. His retainers. Those volunteers from the other clans. His own mother.

Dizziness overtook Vir, and only Maiya’s comforting presence steadied him, the security of his hand in hers acting like an anchor in a vast, dark ocean.

“Why? Why did the Chitran attack my clan? What did the Garga do to them?”

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It was greed. Pure and simple. The Chits are always plotting and scheming. Always eyeing the other clans for an opportunity. Never satisfied with what they have. They merely saw an opportunity and took it. Worse, they even roped in the other clans. Your father stood no chance.”

“The other clans? How’d they manage that? Why would anyone align with them?”

“Their bloodline arts. Demonic Overlord, Coercion, Warlord’s Domain… they all deal with manipulating and controlling others. Their schemes run centuries deep. It was merely a cruel irony of Fate that their uprising happened when it did.”

Hardly a surprise at this point, Vir thought. Fate had robbed him of so much already, what was a clan’s demise added on top of all that? While Vir breathed easier that he hadn’t been the cause of the war as he’d feared, the fact remained: people had died to protect him.

“My Gargan brothers and sisters fought valiantly,“ Cirayus said, “but there was little hope against the forces the Chits mustered.”

“You’re Gargan?” Vir asked. “I thought you said you’re Bairan?”

“I am. I’m only half-giant.”

“Half giant?” Maiya said. “You’re saying real giants are even bigger than you?”

Cirayus chucked. “I’m a runt among my Bairan brothers and sisters. I might be half again as tall as a male human, but giants are easily double their height! Not that I’d lose to any of them in combat, of course. Size isn’t everything.”

Vir tried to laugh at his joke, but couldn’t find it in him. Not now.

“So, fearing for my life, you took me and fled through the Ash?”

“'Twas the only way. The Garga are—were—strong. In the old tongue, Garga means bull. They more than lived up to the name. They were among the fiercest, most honorable warriors I’ve had the honor of knowing.”

Were? “You make it sound like…”

“Whatever became of the Garga, I cannot say. I wasn’t there to see it. But I've lived through my fair share of wars. I’m sorry, Vir. I fear most would have lost their lives like your father. Those who survived would’ve been forcibly converted to Chitran. They would not be treated well.”

A heavy silence weighed on the room for a moment that stretched far too long.

“So, I’m the prince of a clan that was sacked sixteen years ago? My mother’s dead. My father’s dead. And my people are extinct?”

Vir wondered whether he’d done something in a past life to make fate hate him so much, or if the world just enjoyed heaping misery upon him.

“Not extinct. Dormant. I won’t lie, the Garga took a heavy blow on that day, yes. The worst in the clan’s history. But they are survivors. You are a survivor. So long as you live, there is hope.”

A lamp lit in Vir’s head. Ever since Cirayus revealed himself, he’d wondered what the demon expected of him. Why he’d gone to such lengths to keep Vir alive.

“You want me to return to the demon lands… To restore the Garga. That’s why you brought me here. That’s why you hid me. Isn’t it?”

Cirayus didn’t answer, but his eyes shone with such intense fervor, Vir nearly pulled his chair back. “This is a great deal to absorb. Take some time to digest this while I scout our perimeter.”

Vir and Maiya breathed a collective sigh the moment the demon left.

“Grak, he wasn’t kidding. That is a lot to take in. How are you holding up, my liege?”

“Not now, Maiya,” Vir snapped back, though he couldn’t prevent his lips from curling up.

“Sorry. Sorry! Bad timing.”

“I… I dunno? It’s hard to believe. The prophecy, the Chitrans, the Garga… war. My mother. It all happened so long ago, and yet, I can’t help shake this feeling. Like I’m the one at fault here. Like this is all my responsibility.”

Maiya crouched in front of Vir and held his hands in hers. “It’s not. Not like you wanted to be born with that tattoo, right? You said it yourself. It’s caused nothing but trouble for you.”

Vir’s fingers grazed the mark on his chest. “It has. But tell that to my mother. Tell that to all the retainers who died in the Ash to protect me.”

“Come on, that’s not fair.”

“I know,” Vir said with a sigh. “I know it’s not my fault. But still…”

“What will you do?” Maiya said after they’d been silent awhile. “Are you... gonna go?“

Though she did her best to hide it, Vir could feel her anxiety.

Vir stepped forward and embraced her tightly.

“Perhaps eventually,“ he said softly. “But there's no rush. I'll have Cirayus train me before heading in.“

Maiya smiled. “That would make me feel a lot better. Though... I guess this means you'll really be going, one day.“

“I don’t want to leave you, Maiya. You know I don’t. Just… if there’s anyone left, I feel like… I gotta meet them. I have to see how things are.”

“That destiny, or whatever. That’s Cirayus’ wish. Not yours. Don’t let him bully you into doing what he wants,” Maiya said, searching Vir’s eyes. “You can say no.”

“I know. I don’t think he’d be too happy about it, but if I felt that way, believe me, I would. I’m not the same bullied outcast I was a year ago. Just… our interests align. For now. I want to visit the demon realm, and so does he. That’s all I’m signing up for. I mean, look at me. Do I look like savior material to you?”

Though she did her best to suppress it, the corners of Maiya’s lips curled up.

“Exactly. Whatever I decide, I’m gonna need strength. And what better place to gain it than the Ash?”

The land where I was born, Vir thought.

Even now, he found it hard to believe. Why was being born in the ash a prerequisite to the prophecy? Did the whims of the gods just work in mysterious ways? Or was there another reason? Maybe I’ll be able to visit the place of my birth…

“Well, I’m still not happy you’re leaving, but I gotta say, I feel a lot better about all this with Cirayus at your side. He’s strong, Vir. And I don’t think we’ve even seen his full might.”

“Maybe if I get strong enough, he’ll be forced to go all out against me next time we duel,” Vir said with a grin.

“It'll be exciting watching you two train together,“ Maiya said, looking up at him. “Maybe I'll learn a thing or two.“

They moved closer, their lips just inches apart.

“I’m afraid that won't be an option,” Cirayus said, ducking back into the room.

Vir and Maiya immediately broke their embrace, as if caught doing something they shouldn’t be. Cirayus smirked, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

“We're being followed,” he said.

“How?“ Maiya asked. “I would've noticed if someone was tailing us! Unless...“

“Aye, lass. They're tracking us,“ he said, lowering his head. “I believe they're tracking me.“

“I don't understand,“ Vir said. “You broke the subjugation collar, didn't you?“

“That I did. I'd nearly forgotten, but when they fitted it on me all those years ago, it had pricked me. I felt... something foreign enter my body, but then it was gone.“

Maiya's eyes went wide. “Grak it! Why didn't I think of that earlier?“

“Think of what?“ Vir asked.

“I read a report studying those things. Kin'jal also uses them. The collar injects something into the person it's on. They usually come with a control unit that allows you to keep an eye on the wearer's condition. It lets you know if they're alive or dead. And...“

“And it informs them of your location,“ Cirayus completed, scowling. “I suppose it'd make sense for an Artifact to have such abilities. I was only able to defeat it after a decade of effort, after all.“

“Then what do we do now?” Vir asked, glancing at Maiya in panic. “If they're tracking us, no place is safe.“

“Aye. I'd wished to train you here, lad. To prepare you for the Ash. But even if I defeat those who come after us, we'll have no peace. No time for you to prepare.“

Then...

“The Demon Realm needs you, my liege,” Cirayus said, meeting Vir's eyes. ”Garga needs you.

There it is again. He’s just assumed I’m going to fulfill this destiny of his.

“We must enter the Ash. We must journey to the only place they cannot follow.”

Maiya had turned rigid. She clutched her arms, staring holes into the floor.

“No,“ Vir said. “I need more time. I can't--“

“You should go, Vir,“ Maiya said softly.

“Maiya?“ Vir asked. He'd never expected those words from her.

“Cirayus is right, Vir,“ she said. “You came with me to avoid unncessary death, didn't you? Do you really want Cirayus to kill dozens of mercenaries? And what about the Order? You can bet they'll come flying to your side the moment they learn you're staying here. And even if the mercenaries eventually give up, Mina certainly won't.“

Vir had no response. She was right. Staying would be exceedingly difficult now.

“I'll not jeopardize your wishes just to force you to stay with me,“ she said. “Cirayus, will he survive the Ash if he goes now?“

“I would never suggest it if I didn't believe he would,“ the demon replied.

“You're really alright with this?“ Vir asked.

Maiya bit her lip. She nodded.

“Perhaps this is for the best,“ Cirayus said. “We’ve precious little time left as it is. The longer we wait, the worse the situation in the demon realm grows. The Chitrans have had sixteen years to consolidate their power, and soon, we may have no hope of reversing the wrongs they’ve wrought.”

“You really think I'm that strong?“ Vir asked, fully understanding the hypocrisy of his words. Just yesterday, he'd been planning on braving the Ash alone.

Cirayus sighed, stroking his beard. “No, not strong. You’ve done well with the limited means you’ve had, but you are still weak. The failure is mine, for not being able to train you. I take full responsibility for your deficient growth.”

Vir’s face grew hot. Deficient? Sure, he’d been stunted most of his life, but he’d come far on his own, without a mentor.

But Cirayus held up a palm before he could retort.

“I do not mean to demean you, lad. As I said, your accomplishments are impressive. Evaluated alone, I might even say more than impressive. However, compared to the average demon, you are weaker. This is a fact.”

Vir averted his eyes. After all that effort. After coming so far… I’m still considered weak?

Sure, when compared to Cirayus, most would look that way. But even an average demon?

“Your weakness is my fault, and my responsibility alone,” he said. Then he did something completely unexpected. He kneeled before Vir. “Please forgive me, my liege. Had I evaded the humans, I could’ve raised you myself, in secret. I was lacking.”

“No! Please, don’t feel that way. You risked everything just coming here. That’s hardly fair,” Vir said, flustered, urging the giant to rise. The thought of someone so old and powerful kneeling before him agitated him greatly. It felt so wrong.

“I'm afraid I must,“ Cirayus said. “With the proper guidance, you ought to have been as strong as I by this time, if not stronger.”

“As strong as you!?” Vir said, finding his words difficult to believe.

“Lad, I don’t believe you understand your own potential. I am strong amongst demons, yes. But should you develop your powers to the extent of some of your predecessors, even I will be no match. And… rumors abound.”

“Rumors?”

“Aye. Rumors that none of your predecessors unlocked their full potential. Apparently, these words were spoken by Reaper Ekanai himself. Apparently, the power his prior incarnations wielded was but a small fraction of its full ability. The Reaper might not have wielded as much power as some of your other predecessors, but he was strong in his own right. For him to say such a thing… I shudder to imagine what such power might resemble.”

“But that’s all what-ifs,“ Vir said. “Right now, I’m weak.”

“Aye, though as I said, I believe you are strong enough to survive the Ash. Do not mistake survival for being able to cross the Ash safely. There are many monsters in that godsforsaken realm I wouldn’t dare dream of fighting. But with adequate caution, I believe it will be the best approach.”

Vir glanced at Maiya, who smiled and nodded back.

“Then let’s not delay,” Vir said, feeling his resolution growing. “Let’s do this.”