With so little time to prepare, he missed the timing, grunting in pain as the force traveled up his legs and spine. The mistake would’ve splattered a normal human. Vir simply shook off his prana-engorged legs, and he was as good as new.
“Well, talk about killing two Wyrms with one Imperium elevator!” Cirayus chortled, pointing through the translucent tube. “I do believe we’ve found our exit.”
Vir followed Cirayus’ gaze and saw that the elevator had come to a halt some thirty paces above the atrium floor, where they’d entered the tower.
“That… was luck. Right? Right?” Vir asked. “Please tell me that was sheer dumb luck.”
If he planned it all… It meant Cirayus was far more competent than Vir thought possible.
“Ah! But was it?” Cirayus said, flashing him a toothy grin. “Let us make haste. I’d rather not linger in this lair of Saunak’s. Who can say what other traps that madman has in store for us?”
Agreed, Vir thought, feeling a pang of regret. It was such a shame. Saunak could have been such a powerful ally. If only he wasn’t so…
Deranged, Vir thought wryly.
The force of Balancer of Scales had mangled the walls, weakening its integrity. Thankfully, like the lift itself, it wasn’t protected by a preservation inscription, or the damage would already have been undone.
Vir’s Artifact chakram made quick work of the material and they jumped down to the atrium floor minutes later, Leaping to the entrance garage.
Cirayus bounded past, but Vir found himself lagging, staring up at the two enormous Guardian Automatons that stood inert in their berths. A railing, suspended fifty paces above the ground, surrounded them on three sides. It was what Saunak had used to mount and dismount the gargantuan machines.
“What’s the matter, lad? We’d best leave. Lest these Automatons follow us.”
“That’s just the thing,” Vir replied, coming to a halt. “What do you think Saunak will do when he wakes up? For all we know, he might already have awoken.”
Cirayus scratched his head. “Can’t really predict that one’s actions. Doubt there’s anyone alive who can, lad.”
“Sure. But in the worst case, won’t he come after us?” Vir asked, his lingering anger toward Cirayus warring with his desire to tell the demon he was sorry for doubting his words about Saunak. Yet now was neither the time nor the place for such feelings.
“Aye. Which is why we ought to put as much distance between us as we can manage.”
Vir shook his head. “You’ve seen how fast these Automatons move. Even at full speed, they’ll outpace us. And unlike us, they don’t need breaks or food or sleep.”
“Spit it out, lad,” Cirayus said, his eyes narrowing. “What are you really saying?”
“Why don’t…” Vir gulped, knowing what he was about to say was as mad as Saunak himself. He said it anyway.
“Why don’t we steal one?”
69GRAND THEFT AUTOMATON
“Apologies, lad. These old ears must’ve misheard,” Cirayus said, concern furrowing his brow. “You wish to steal it?”
“I do,” Vir replied, determined.
“An Automaton constructed by the gods…” Cirayus said, trying to gauge whether Vir was joking.
The giant ignored the pursuing spider Automatons and gave Vir his full attention. Determined, confident eyes stared back. This was no joke.
“I believe it’s possible,” Vir said. “Knowing what I now know about prana, and after watching Saunak manipulate his Automatons on the way here and within the tower… I think I might be able to copy it.”
Shivers rippled down Cirayus’ back. Were those words uttered by anyone else, or even by young Vir just a few weeks ago, he’d have brushed them off as reckless and foolhardy.
He’s been to Mahādi. He’s learned from Goddess Ashani herself.
When Vir stepped through that Ash Gate, he’d changed, and it wasn’t just his power that had grown. His knowledge of prana had soared, and he used strange terms he obtained from the goddess when she imparted her wisdom to him.
While that all might have contributed to his change, the boy had undergone some fundamental shift in that realm. As a person.
Since then, Vir had taken charge more often, taking the initiative and seeing his plans through. While he’d never been passive in the past, he’d always looked to Cirayus for direction. Even when he’d suggested plans, they’d been tainted by rose colors of naivete. But now? Cirayus found himself considering the boy’s plans more and more.
While the recklessness remained, they were tempered by the weight of experience and the wisdom of knowing his own limits. Tempered by the weight of responsibility that he appeared to have accepted.
Ekavir had entered as a boy. Sarvaak returned a man.
And yet, despite knowing all of this, Cirayus had kept him in the dark about the circumstances of his birth. He’d hidden the story of how the Chitran rallied the other demon clans specifically to eradicate him.
He saw it in Vir’s eyes. The hurt. The anguish.
Cirayus sighed. No one lived as long as he had and remained a stranger to such situations. He’d have to apologize to the lad the moment they were free. There’d be a lengthy conversation—one that Cirayus had hoped to avoid until Vir was ready to shoulder the burden—and then, hopefully, Vir would forgive him.
But this was neither the time nor the place for such a conversation.
Cirayus shelved the thought, looking up at the enormous Automaton that towered above them.
Deigning to commandeer a creation of the gods sounded impossible. It sounded blasphemous. And yet, hadn’t Saunak done exactly that? The gods hadn’t seen fit to strike him down. Tragic, that.
Saunak was no great warrior. He wasn’t even at the standard of the average demon. He was pitifully weak—yet what he lacked in physical strength, he more than made up for with his knowledge. The same sort of knowledge Vir glimpsed at Mahādi.
If we succeed… Cirayus dared not grow excited at the prospect. He’d experienced too much to allow such a fool’s hope to fester in him. He’d believe it when it was done. But if it could be done… What an incredible advantage that would give them! They’d no longer have to flee from an Ash Beast horde. Perhaps not even from Wyrms!
And if they could take it back to the Demon Realm…
Cirayus shook the thought. He knew exactly how impossible it was. They’d need an Ash Gate large enough to fit it—an event about as likely to occur as the Ashen Realm suddenly vanishing. If it was possible, Saunak would no doubt have returned to the Demon Realm commanding one. If for no other reason than to show off.
“You’re confident you can do this?” Cirayus asked hesitantly. It was as if he was afraid Vir would say no…
“I can,” Vir replied. “Just give me fifteen… no, ten minutes!”
“You have five,” Cirayus said, thinking even that would be difficult. “If you don’t have it by then, we run.”
“Understood.” The boy nodded, then jumped up to the railings that surrounded the monstrously tall Automatons at shoulder height.
Cirayus turned to the enemies pouring through the tubes and chutes embedded into the walls. Spider Automatons. Neither as strong nor as intelligent as their larger humanoid brethren, but faster, and in far greater numbers.
Swinging Sikandar lazily, Cirayus multiplied its weight tenfold for the briefest of instants, sending a half dozen of the critters slamming against a wall fifty paces away.
Against this horde of godly creations… Cirayus cracked his neck, pointing Sikandar directly at them.
“Come ye. Come to your deaths. Old Cirayus here will keep you company for a spell.”