Knowing what was coming, Vir jumped high into the air, but Sagun’Ra launched out of his shadow before it could close, wrapping his hand around Vir’s ankle.
Taking full use of the opportunity, Vir surged as much prana as he could into the Iksana’s hand, only to find the Ghael had already let go.
Even so, Ra hadn’t emerged unscathed. The prana surged out of Vir’s leg, turning into Prana Darts that the Raja couldn’t avoid.
They fell back to the ground, with Ra sinking into his shadow while Vir sunk into his.
The only way to defeat an Iksana, it seemed, was in the Realm of Shadows.
Cirayus’ word of warning echoed in his head. He’d once said that he wouldn’t dare fight an enemy in that Realm of Shadows and darkness.
And now, Vir knew why.
Like the Yaksha Guardian Vir had fought so long ago, Ra could move freely, even as time stopped on the outside.
Ra pursued Vir from shadow to shadow, yet instead of exiting and fighting in the Demon Realm, they fought within the shadows themselves.
The experience was unlike anything Vir could describe. Neither of them moved. Not in the normal sense. Yet their positions changed. It was similar to dancers before a fire at night. One could not see the progression of their movements—only glimpses every second or so. Each time, Ra changed positions, and Vir was left guessing what the Iksana’s next attack would be based on the stance of his legs and the positions of his arms.
This was, as Vir quickly learned, absolutely lethal.
Never having fought in this way, Vir was inflicted with slices to his legs and punctures under his armpits and other gaps in his armor. Before long, he was forced to exit.
Despite the entire bout having taken no time at all, and despite having never actually moved his body whilst in the Shadow Realm, Vir crumpled to the ground, panting. His heart beat madly, and he gasped for air.
Sagun’Ra’s katar touched his exposed neck, held by the gangly gray Ghael, who stood above him.
“Sagun’Ra!” Cirayus bellowed. “Cease this madness! Do you wish for war?”
The Raja, whom Vir was surprised to find was also dripping in sweat, grinned. “Cautious. Is good. But you do not see Clarity. The Akh Nara. In name only. To the Iksana. Only a demon. Not the savior. Not yet.”
The Raja stared into Vir’s eyes, and after several seconds, slowly retracted his katar and sheathed it.
Backpedaling several paces, the Iksana Raja sank into the wall of the abode. He uttered only two short sentences before the shadows consumed him.
“Friend and foe. Jalak Kallol. The Gates are open.”
Slowly regaining his breath, Vir looked at Cirayus, who was already beside him, pressing Maiya’s healing orb against his skin.
The cuts were thankfully shallow, and while it pained him greatly, between Cirayus’ administration and the pranites, they were of no concern.
“You fought in the Shadow Realm. Didn’t you?” Cirayus muttered.
Vir nodded. “Not doing that again. I suppose this means we’re at war with the Iksana…”
Cirayus frowned. “What gave you that impression?”
Vir stared at his godfather, unsure if he was joking. “The surprise attack? How close he came to killing me?”
Cirayus snorted. “Lad, if Sagun’Ra wanted you dead, you’d have died only moments into that duel. He didn’t use a single Chakra.”
“That’s… true,” Vir admitted. “Then, why?”
“My guess? He wanted to test you.”
“And? Did I pass?” Vir asked, already knowing the answer.
“I daresay you did!” Cirayus said, clapping his back, and surprising everyone in the room.
“Uh, how?” It wasn’t Vir who asked, but Aida. “He said ‘Friend and Foe.’ What’s that supposed to mean?”
Cirayus shrugged. “Don’t try too hard to make sense of that one’s words. It’ll drive you crazy. Still, Jalak Kallol is the name of the Iksana underground capital. No one is allowed there unless invited. As Ra said, the Gates are open. That was an invitation if I ever heard one. One that I suggest you do not ignore.”
“Huh…” Vir muttered. “Well, maybe we stand a chance of winning them over, after all. Let’s just hope the rest of the meetings are less violent.”
With impeccable timing, the door to Cirayus’ home swung open.
All eyes turned to watch Raja Thaman enter and bolt the door behind him.
“Quite the crowd outside. I suggest—” Thaman’s eyes took in the upturned table, the destroyed furniture, and the ravaged walls, and he froze mid-stride.
“What in the name of all the gods transpired here?”
121FOUNDATIONS OF ASH
Thaman put a hand to his face and groaned. “I told him not to do anything rash. Praise Janak that you’re as level-headed as you are. What was he thinking?”
“What was he thinking?” Cirayus asked. “Whatever it is that all Iksana think! I’d say this was very usual of him, wouldn’t you?”
Letting out a long sigh, Thaman nodded. “Afraid it is. I apologize, Cirayus. I’ll have your home repaired on my coin.”
Cirayus barked a laugh. “Why suffer for the actions of a Ghael? I’ll go swindle some of their clan and win it all back ten times over. This should rightly come out of their coffers, not yours.”
“Even so,” Thaman said. “Regardless, I’ve come to invite all of you to my palace. I’d anticipated a crowd, but this? Well, would you mind accepting my invitation?”
Aida looked around. “Compared to living in this mangled hovel? Yes, please!”
Cirayus shrugged. “Give me a flat piece of rock and I’ll be happy. But if the others wish to go, far be it for me to refuse.”
“Akh Nara?” Thaman asked, meeting Vir’s gaze.
“Please. Just call me Vir. Or Vaak. Or, uh… Sarvaak,” he said. “The names just keep piling up.”
“And they’ll continue to!” Cirayus said. “Might as well add Champion to that list, for starters.”
“Champion, then,” Thaman said with a satisfied nod.
Vir gave Thaman a look that said, ‘Of all the names, that’s the one you chose?’ But the Raja deftly ignored him, glancing curiously at Ashani.
Oh, boy. Here we go again, Vir thought, but before he could introduce the goddess, she spoke up first.
“Ashani,” she said. “I’m a good friend of the Champion’s. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“N-no,” Thaman said. “The honor is mine. Though, I must ask. Do you have a sister, perhaps? One with black hair and red eyes? I, er… It pains me to admit, but I’ve never seen a demon with skin as fair as yours. Nor eyes the color of the sea, or hair as bright as the sun.”
Vir rolled his eyes. If he didn’t know better, the leader of Clan Baira was hitting on Ashani.
“Careful, lad,” Cirayus said, addressing Thaman. “I’d not speak to her so frivolously, if you know what’s good for you.”
“Oh… My apologies,” Thaman said, bowing his head to Ashani. “I meant nothing of the sort. Just that in all my years, I’ve not laid eyes on a beauty as fair as yours.”
“Thaman,” Cirayus said in a lower voice. “I mean it. Cease this, if you know what’s good for you.”
Giggling, Ashani waved aside his concern. “Oh, please! I’m not some Ash Beast who’ll chomp his head off! I can assure you I do not bite.”
“She’s the same person who opened that Ash Gate for me at the stadium,” Vir said as he stood up. “Ashani can shift her hair and skin color at will.”
Vir had debated about whether to confide in the Bairan Raja, and ultimately decided to. Thaman already knew of Vir’s ability to stabilize Ash Gates, and was currently the only Raja Vir could count as an ally. For that reason alone, Vir felt he had to tell him. He refused to base this relationship on a foundation of secrecy and mistrust.