“The One Who Makes Whole,” Cirayus said, appraising Vir. “So, you’ve accepted your true name.”
Vir nodded. “I still don’t know what I’ll do when I get to the Demon Realm, but I at least want to see how Gargans live. I want to see what they’re like. Then I’ll make my decision.”
Cirayus clapped his back. “’Tis all I could ask for. And remember. You are not alone. I’ll be with you every step along the way.”
“I’ll be counting on you,” Vir said. “Still, feels wrong to keep using my old name. I like my name. Rudvik gave it to me. But I also want to honor the name Maion and Shari bestowed.”
The One Who Makes Whole. It was an oddly fitting name. Had his parents given it to him in the hopes that he’d reunite demonkind? Or was there some other meaning behind the name?
“Well? Why not use both?” Cirayus asked.
“Meaning?”
“In the Human Realm, the realm of your foster father, be Ekavir. In the Demon Realm, be Sarvaak Garga, Prince of Garga.”
“And in the Ash?” Vir asked with a smirk.
“In here, you are the Akh Nara. The Primordial. With Ash prana running through your veins, I’d wager you’re more at home here than anywhere else.”
There’s some truth to that.
Vir could genuinely call himself strong now, even if that strength was amplified by the Ashen Realm. It was uniquely beneficial to him, and him alone. The realm of nightmares was his realm.
“But that still leaves us with a problem,” the giant said, stroking his beard. “You can’t use your full name. Not while the Chitran reign. You’d have assassins chasing you to the ends of the realm.”
“Is it an especially unique name?” Vir asked.
“Not unique, but rare. That you are a gray demon makes it worse—many saw you as a baby before we fled. I fear your name and your complexion together would be too risky.”
“Hmm. How about Vaak, then?”
“Vaak, eh?” Cirayus said. “Somewhat similar, but that is in fact quite a common name in the Demon Realm. It could certainly work.”
“Vaak of Garga?”
“No. It would be foolish to claim a relation to your clan. Especially defeated as they are. Not until you are ready to reveal yourself as the Akh Nara.”
“Should I say I’m clanless, then? Or maybe of the Panav, after my mother?”
Cirayus shook his head. “Would be safer to not claim a clan at all. There is a title we give to our best warriors. Those who have fought the beasts of the Ashen Realm and survived. When anyone asks you about your clan, say that you are of Ash.”
Vaak—of Ash.
Vir liked the sound of that.
“Of course, even if we hide your identity, it will be difficult to hide you from anyone with the Iksana Sight Bloodline tattoo,” Cirayus said.
“Right. Them.” With all the recent events, Vir had nearly forgotten about the ghael demons of the Iksana. “What are we gonna do about that?”
“I have some friends among the Iksana. I shall inquire when we arrive. Luckily, the Iksana stick to their tunnels and caverns. They rarely ever venture above ground.”
Cirayus stood and stretched all four of his arms. “We have accomplished everything I’d hoped for here. We’d best move on. Deeper into the Ash. To the Demon Realm.”
Vir bounded behind Cirayus as they returned to the valley—and then the home the giant had carved into the volcanic rock.
It was strange to think of the back of a city-ending ancient beast as cozy, but the home Cirayus made for them felt like the only safe harbor he had in a land of constant danger.
That was less of a problem now, with Vir’s recent gains. He felt more comfortable in the Ash. While there were still beasts that could end him without blinking an eye, he no longer felt like the bottom of the food chain anymore. Among the more common beasts, he was actually closer to the top.
Staring out at the valley, Vir saw that new Domain Lords had already moved in, claiming the spots of the ones he’d dispatched only hours earlier. As always, the Ash continued to fall, coating the turtle’s back. Now that it had stopped moving, the soot had begun to accumulate in force.
“Lad, you mind helping me in here?” Cirayus called.
Vir turned—and came face-to-face with a pair of glowing blue eyes.
Instinctually, Vir threw himself into a reverse somersault, then activated Micro Leap, bringing his katar to bear.
Before him sat an Ash Wolf, regarding him with intelligent eyes.
Prana Blade flared… and Vir held his attack. Something about the beast struck him as familiar.
“You’re… one of Ashani’s wolves, aren’t you? You’re the runt!”
The Ash Wolf growled.
“Sorry, sorry!” Vir said, raising his palms. “I meant the leader. But how did you… You followed me through her gate, didn’t you?”
The wolf simply stared at him.
“So that’s the bugger who was tailing us,” Cirayus said, appearing from the home with an enormous rucksack he hefted with no sign of exertion.
The wolf Blinked away, positioning itself where it could keep an eye on Cirayus.
“Cautious thing, isn’t it?”
“He’s harmless,” Vir replied. “Well, not harmless. But friendly.”
Vir turned to address the wolf. “Why though? Why come back with me? You know you won’t be able to return to her, right?”
The wolf snorted, circling Vir before lying down several paces away and looking up at him.
“That’s quite the intelligent wolf,” Cirayus said. “Surprised its mind is so coherent.”
“It’s one of Ashani’s wolves,” Vir said. “She rescued them when they were pups and gave them pranites—the miniature machines I told you about. That’s what allowed them to acclimatize to the Mahādi Realm and keep their minds. I can’t fathom why this one followed me back through her Ash Gate.”
“Curious. It seems to want something of you.”
“I don’t know what I could give it. I’d wager this guy is nearly as strong as I am. He’s not just an ordinary Ash Wolf.”
“Ordinary, is it?” Cirayus said with a smirk.
“I mean, no Ash Wolf is ordinary,” Vir admitted. “But hers are pretty special. Most of his siblings were far larger, and they’re all much stronger than the wolves I’ve seen in this realm. Just one look at them left me shivering. I think having all that prana growing up forged them stronger, so I call them Ashfire Wolves.”
“Hmm. Is that so?” Cirayus asked. “This one is intelligent, yes, but is it truly any stronger than the other wolves? It does not appear different to my eyes. ’Tis about the same size as well.”
Vir frowned. It was true. The visible flames of black prana that burned off its hide were nowhere to be seen.
Looking within the beast, Vir understood why.
Its prana density was a mere echo of what it had been in the Mahādi Realm.
“There’s less prana here. You feel weakened, don’t you?”
The wolf continued staring at him intently.
“You… want me to do something about it?” Vir asked. “I’m sorry. I don’t know how to help you.”
The wolf growled. Vir was sure it couldn’t understand him, but as he’d seen during his vault raid, it had an uncanny sense of intuition.
He must be reading my gestures and the tone of my voice, Vir thought, wondering if he could use that to his advantage.
“Look, this is going to be hard since we can’t communicate…”
“I doubt it’ll let you go until you give it something, lad.”
“True,” Vir said, taking a seat across the wolf. “He’s helped me out so many times. I suppose this is the least I can do.”
The Ashfire Wolf remained stoic, but its tail began wagging.
He’s just like Neel… Vir thought, smiling.