If they were there, though, they made no sign of showing it. Aside from a few appraising glances from the rest, Vir had received no attention at all. In fact, more people seemed to look at Tara until she shifted back to her humanoid form.
“Cirayus, we need to talk,” Vir muttered. “We ran into some trouble back there.”
Vir filled Cirayus in on the Iksana assassin and the group that had been hired to take him out.
The giant listened in silence, stroking his beard. “Not unheard of, though concerning nonetheless. You were right to act as you did. I will let Thaman know, and I’ll put out some feelers of my own. Whoever they are, I doubt you’ve seen the last of them.”
“I agree,” Vir said. He was about to say more when Tara came up to them, wearing an easy smile.
“You certainly seem popular,” Vir commented.
“Not me, specifically,” Tara replied. “Just that Panav fighters are exceedingly rare in these tournaments. We only have one Bloodline Art that’s offensive, and even that isn’t really designed for one-on-one duels. Panav fighters usually lose pretty miserably early on, unless they’ve mastered an Aspect.”
“Even then,” Cirayus commented, “there’s a reason Bloodline Arts are carefully passed down—even the regular ones. They tend to manifest powerful effects far more often than the Aspects. Not to mention, a Panav with all of their Bloodline Arts won’t have space for an Aspect, anyway.”
“I see,” Vir replied, appraising Tara. “Which means you have some other advantage if you hope to win.”
The Naga snorted. “Sorry, win? I think we all know who’s winning this one,” she replied, glancing at Cirayus. “No, I have no delusions about winning. I’ll just be happy if I make it to the semifinals.”
“Right,” Vir said with a wry smile.
“What about yourself? What’s your goal?” she asked.
Vir laughed sheepishly. “Oh, y’know… As far as I get, I suppose.”
“Makes sense. As newcomers, we’ll have a hard time. Fighting in the Tournament’s not like most fights. The rules make it tougher, and the ones who do the best know the competition like the back of their hand. Anyway, I gotta run. Looks like Thaman’s about to clear us out soon, anyway.” Tara nodded at the Bairan Raja, who was currently addressing a growing number of Bairans.
Judging from their sigils, Vir guessed they were Baira’s army—or at least, the closest thing they had to one. Every Bairan wore their own style of armor and wielded their personal weapons. There was no uniformity to it at all, unlike the armies of the Human Realm, or even those of the Chitran.
“I suppose they’re preparing to rescue any demons stuck in the Ash,” Tara muttered. “Well, I’d better be off. Thanks a million for the help. See you in the Tournament. No hard feelings if we fight, yeah? I know I’ll be watching your fights closely.”
“As will I,” Vir replied, waving at the Naga as she walked away.
“Well, lad?” Cirayus said. “Do you agree with her assessment?”
“About the troops? Sure, that’s definitely part of why they’re here.”
“And the other reason?” Cirayus said with a knowing smile.
“Come on, Cirayus. It’s not hard to guess. Thaman now has unfettered access to a stable Ash Gate. One big enough to move entire columns of troops through. If I were him, I’d have my troops train nonstop on the other side. Right up until the moment the Gate destabilizes. I mean, it’s what I did with my troops. They’re there even now, growing stronger.”
And I’m not there with them, Vir didn’t add. While his time here was necessary, it was time away from the war effort. All the more reason to ensure he won. Failure not only meant missing out on Balancer of Scales, it’d mean he had burned weeks of precious time as well.
“Indeed, he does, lad,” Cirayus responded, eyeing the Gate. “Thaman’s a crafty leader. No doubt he intended for the Tournament Warriors to clear out Ash Beasts on the other side before his own troops moved in to set up camp. Free labor, so to speak. Do you understand what this means?”
Vir frowned. “It means Thaman has a leg up on the other clans thanks to the Gate… Which is good, since they’re one of the most likely to rally to our cause. Once I prove my worth, as you said.”
“All true, but not the point. Don’t you see how this new ability of yours has you soaring in the eyes of anyone who knows? This boon you provide… It has a very useful quality in that it requires you to constantly replenish the prana within your Gates.”
“More of a hassle, than anything,” Vir grumbled, but stopped short. “You’re saying that my continued involvement means I hold power over whoever I grant access to these Gates.”
“Exactly, lad! Think about it. You need do nothing to allow them to expire. Perhaps that might not mean much now, but imagine. Imagine a Demon Realm interconnected by your Gates. A realm that relies on supplies traveling through them from one end to the other. The prosperity it will bring is simply immeasurable. And—”
“And the devastation it would cause if it ceases to be would be equally immeasurable,” Vir completed, heart pounding as the ramifications began to dawn upon him.
“Aye, lad. Once clans depend on you, you become vital. Forget old feuds—they’ll be falling over themselves to keep you happy. And safe. Your livelihood and cooperation will be the pillar that supports demonkind. Not militarily, but economically. In every age, those who destroy are hated. Those who excel at creation, however, are protected like a national treasure.”
“That’s… I admit, I hadn’t thought that far ahead,” Vir said. Once entrenched, and if demonkind truly prospered the way Cirayus said they would, he’d be able to demand nearly anything from the Rajas. Riches, Ultimate Bloodline Tattoos… They would dance in the palm of his hand.
“I would never do that to those I call friends,” Vir said immediately.
“No. But in politics, insurance never hurts. Besides, while you may not threaten your friends, I have a feeling you’ll have far fewer compunctions about doing so to those you once called enemies,” Cirayus said with a knowing look.
Vir’s eyes narrowed. “Perhaps.” He knew right then and there that he absolutely would use such tactics against the Chitran to keep them in line. Though where that line between friend and foe was drawn, he wasn’t exactly sure.
“Tournament begins tomorrow,” Cirayus said. “What are your plans? Will you finally take a moment to relax?”
Vir shook his head, coming out of his thoughts. “No time, I’m afraid. There’s something else I need to do before my first fight.”
His gaze settled on the Ash Wolf beside him. “I need to teach Shan how to use his tattoo.”
The task was easier said than done. For this, Vir, Cirayus, and Shan headed outside the city to a remote location near the Ash Boundary almost an hour away. The chances of being seen in the empty fields here were low, and the prana density would allow Shan the greatest chance of mastering his power.
Unfortunately, the Ash Gate they’d used for the qualifiers was now under heavy Bairan guard, and while Cirayus might’ve been able to convince Thaman to grant Vir an exception, it’d have attracted too much attention. Vir already had too many eyes on him—the Iksana assassin was more than enough proof of that. The prana near the Boundary would have to suffice.
Vir knelt before the Ash Wolf. “Shan… I never know how much you understand of what I say, but you’re smart. I know you are. That tattoo we put on you,” he pushed down his armor to reveal his own mark, “I want you to push your prana into it. Like this.”
Vir demonstrated by moving his prana according to the pattern of the tattoo.
Shan watched intently as Vir did this several times.