The wolf noticed the change in his expression, and its tail stilled.
Vir sighed. But he’s too smart for his own good…
“Alright, I can’t explain this to you, but I’m gonna show you what I do. You’ll have to see into my body. You’ll have to see my prana, okay?”
“It can see prana?” Cirayus asked. “Are you certain?”
“Pretty sure. Back at Mahādi, these guys led me through pitch-black tunnels without breaking stride. I can’t think of anything else they might use to let them see in the dark like that.”
“Curious. I wonder if this applies to other Ash Beasts as well. Do they all possess Iksana’s Sight, I wonder?” Cirayus trailed off. “Alas, do not let me distract you, lad. Carry on.”
Vir could think of two solutions for the wolf to regain its normal prana density. Prana Barrier—Parai’s intricate technique for actively repelling prana, or Prana Dam, the more basic version.
Dam functioned by forming a supersaturated layer of blood right next to the skin. Vir no longer used the ability because Prana Current superseded both, but it was far simpler than Current. Vir didn’t even consider attempting to teach that to the wolf. He doubted it was able to decouple prana from its blood.
He settled on Dam. It was easier to learn, and it’d be effective enough for the wolf’s purposes.
Vir deactivated Current and allowed the blood near his skin to saturate.
The wolf looked on blankly as Vir released the layer and repeated the process a handful of times.
“That’s the first step. We’ll get to the second part once you learn that. I don’t know if you can, and even if you’re capable, it’ll take some time—oh.”
The wolf perfectly mimicked him, creating its own saturated Ash prana layer.
“That… is unfair,” Vir whispered. “That took me so much effort to learn.”
Cirayus laughed. “A fast learner, is it? Can’t say I’m surprised. Beasts have always been more attuned to the workings of nature than humans or demons. I suspect that is even more true for Ash Beasts.”
Though the wolf’s expression looked the same as before, Vir could’ve sworn he now saw a trace of smugness.
“Well, okay then, hot stuff. How about this?”
Vir moved prana away from his feet, creating an area of low prana density. At the same time, he opened a hole in the Dam, allowing the ambient prana to rush in, filling it.
“Your body will naturally generate prana over time,” he said, “but if you want to speed things up, you can try something like this.”
Vir was happy to see the wolf struggle with this complex process.
“It’s understandable,” Vir said, and now it was his turn to be smug. “You won’t believe how long it took me to learn that.”
He was just about to repeat what he’d done when the beast moved prana away from its paws, sucking prana into its body.
It repeated the process rapidly, filling its body until the flames once again manifested.
Vir’s expression darkened. His ego had just taken a serious blow.
“Now that is impressive,” Cirayus said, stroking his beard.
The wolf Blinked around them a few times, reveling in its newfound vitality. It wasn’t slow before, but its speed improved tremendously, outpacing even Vir’s own Blink. Its lithe body was simply better designed for the stresses of extreme movement.
The wolf stopped right in front of Vir, and he knew it was gloating.
“Uh, huh? You think that’s impressive?” Vir said. “Watch this.”
Prana Current flared, and a vortex of prana swarmed around Vir. He cycled the loops faster and faster, spinning them to blinding speed.
The vortex coalesced, compacting into a tornado of blackness that surrounded him.
The Ashfire Wolf whimpered, backing off. Cirayus laughed in glee.
Vir canceled the current, allowing the prana around him to dissipate, an expression of supreme smugness plastered across his face.
“Look at you, lad,” Cirayus roared. “Showing off to an animal!”
Vir narrowed his eyes. “I know you don’t actually mean that.”
The giant hadn’t been laughing at him. He’d been laughing at the prana he’d summoned. In awe.
Vir looked back at the wolf.
“Well, I guess this is goodbye, then. I don’t know why you came here, but you’ll be fine now. Just don’t fight any Wyrms on your own again, okay?”
Vir hoisted his own rucksack and followed Cirayus, Leaping his way to the edge of the Mahakurma’s back.
The Ashfire Wolf followed every step of the way.
“I think it means to accompany you, lad!” Cirayus said.
Vir faced the wolf.
“Is this what you want? You want to come with me?”
The wolf barked.
“It’s not going to be an easy road, you know?”
It barked again.
“It might be years before I see Ashani again.”
This time, the wolf howled, wagging its tail.
“Handy to have such a powerful ally at your side, lad,” Cirayus said. “I can think of no other demon who’s ever befriended an Ash Beast. Let alone one from the Mahādi Realm.”
“Alright.” Vir smiled, extending a hand to pet the wolf. “I’d be honored to have you—ow!”
The wolf had bitten his hand, drawing blood, and was now growling at him.
Vir scowled in confusion while Cirayus doubled over in laughter.
“I don’t understand,” Vir said.
“Lad, that is a wolf. Not a bandy! An Ash Wolf. And a mighty proud one at that, by the looks of things. You can’t treat him the same as your old friend.”
“That much is obvious,” Vir said, sending pranites to his hand.
Challenge accepted, he thought, staring at the beast. I’ll get you to let me pet you soon enough.
“Well, then. He’ll be needing a name, yes?” Cirayus said.
Vir thought for a moment. “How about Ash? After the Ashen Realm?”
The wolf snarled.
“Don’t think he likes that, lad. Quite unimaginative too, I must say. Can’t you do any better?”
Vir furrowed his brows as he thought. He’d found the wolf in the Mahādi Realm, but nothing felt suitable. Maha? Adi? They didn’t fit.
He thought again about its role. It was a protector… of Ashani.
It clicked. Ashani’s protector!
“Shan,” he declared. “After Ashani. As evidence of my oath that I will one day return for her.”
The wolf locked its glowing blue eyes on him, then sauntered away.
“Shan it is.”
54
THE TRIAL OF FAITH (PART ONE) (MAIYA)
Maiya shivered at the chill of dawn in Jatan Forest. While not nearly as ancient as the Godshollow—the trees were shorter and less girthy—it had its own mystique. Moss covered the trunks and ferns decorated the forest floor. The variety of flora surpassed the Godshollow tenfold, and sounds of birds and rodents filled the air as the forest awoke.
Were it not so close to the Ash Boundary, it might’ve become a tourist destination. As it was, Jatan Forest went largely unvisited by humans.
Sane humans, at least.
A crowd gathered at the spot the cultist priest informed them about a month before, and Maiya saw several familiar faces. Yamal, unfortunately, being one of them. The man searched the crowd, likely looking for her, but Maiya ensured she stayed far away.
For this Initiation ritual, Maiya wore only light gambeson, concealed under her faded brown cloak. The hood concealed her red hair, which was tied back into a ponytail. She’d even smeared a bit of dirt on her face to better blend in with the type of people she’d seen at the Children’s briefing she’d attended a month prior.