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 got 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.”
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.”
“Hmmm… Well, 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 demonkind. 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.