Their response was swift and efficient—the hallmarks of a well trained organization that had drilled group combat tactics to perfection.
The Bloodline Art was followed by another, with waves of prana rippling through the ranks. Warlord’s Domain. The Chitran ability that sped up allies, slowed enemies, and allowed the caster to sense the location of all enemies in its domain.
Vir sunk into the shadows before the wave passed over him, revealing him to the caster.
The Chitran Bloodline Arts were ill-matched against Prana Vision, though by no means did that make them any less worthy of respect. The battlefield was where the Chitran arts shone brightest—with each invocation of their ability compounding to boost their allies and cripple their enemies.
It was due to this multiplicative effect that Chitran combat prowess was so feared by the other clans. One Kothi was a joke, but a hundred? Better to bring an army several times that size to have any chance of defeating them. The Chitran knew this well, and it was why they boasted one of the largest, most organized militaries of all the demonic clans. Not quite on the scale of Kin’jal or the Altani, but far more than anyone else in this realm.
Unfortunately for the prisoners, they had neither the numbers nor the individual skill required to overpower such a foe. Forget outnumbering them—Vir’s demons didn’t even match the Chitran in that area.
To fight was to die. A fact driven home when Vir’s final Leap took him soaring into the camp. As he landed, a fellow Gargan fell, but he wasn’t dead. He twitched on the ground, having been struck by some unseen force. Alive, but vegetative, his mouth foaming as he spasmed.
No magic had done this to him. Vir could feel the aftereffects of the Warrior Chakra. No, this was an attack to the soul. The first of its kind Vir had witnessed anyone sustain.
While only moments prior, the demon had a life, a future, and perhaps even a family, now, the poor, crippled soul was doomed to this state that was neither life nor death. It was his fellow demon who brought his ax down on his friend’s neck, ending his suffering, and leaving Vir stunned into silence.
The downed demon twitched once more, before he exhaled his final breath and his movements stilled forever. His killer looked Vir in the eyes with desperate insanity. “To ease his suffering,” he said, then climbed back up to the ramshackle stone wall to rejoin the fight.
That was the true horror of Chakra attacks. Unless one opened their Heart Chakra—the fourth in the line—there was no recovery. No healer in the realm could undo the damage, nor would it even heal on its own.
And I’m as exposed to it as this demon here. This is what lies in wait for me if I sustain even a single such attack…
Vir shuddered at the thought, murmured a quick prayer for the dead demon, before forcing his legs to move. Now was not the time for such considerations. He had to find Balagra, and fast.
The task was thankfully not difficult. While Vir’s first instinct had been to head straight for the command tent, he knew Balagra would not idle by when there was a battle going on—not even if he was crippled.
Vir found the demon in his half-serpent form by the wall, directing troops the best he could. Which was to say, with limited success. Lacking training, the demons fought as most demons did—individually, with little regard for organization or group tactics.
“You have returned,” Balagra said with obvious relief. “I only wish it were under better circumstances.”
“As much as I want to know what happened, that can wait for later.”
“Indeed. I presume it was you who halted their advance?” the Naga asked.
Vir nodded. “They probably suspect an enemy in their ranks now, which is why they’re being so slow to advance.”
His attack had never been intended to get them to rout or retreat, but rather to buy some time. Vir thankfully succeeded in that endeavor.
“Well, I appreciate the breathing room. Yet, what now? You must know we cannot win. I’ve fought my fair share of battles, and I have to say this situation is hopeless. Can’t fight, can’t run. Can’t surrender, either. Even if we wanted that. Which we don’t, of course,” he added hastily.
“You’re wrong,” Vir replied.
Balagra looked at Vir like he’d grown an extra head. “You truly intend to surrender? Impossible. They have made it clear they wish to take no prisoners, and good luck getting our demons to lay down their arms. It’s either death here or death by execution. Pick your poison.”
“Not that. You’re wrong about fleeing.”
Balagra scoffed. “Even if we could somehow escape our encampment, where do you suggest we run? The Ash?”
When Vir failed to reply, Balagra’s mocking expression morphed into one of confusion, then understanding, then terror.
“You’re joking. Oh, Adinat, please, have mercy on our souls…”
58
LEAPS OF FAITH (PART TWO)
“There are so many issues, I do not know where to begin,” Balagra said, staring at Vir with a mixture of confusion, fear, and hope. Malik had joined them, and was nodding in agreement.
“Then speak quickly. We have little time,” Vir replied, peering out over the rock wall at the halted Chitran troops, some hundred paces away.
The order had been given to break camp, and demons rushed this way and that. A few had questioned the intent of the order, but none resisted. After all, to stay was to die, and thus far, Vir had kept far more of them alive than the Overseer ever intended.
“Supplies. Food and water,” Malik said.
Vir didn’t address Malik directly, but instead turned to Balagra. “You’ve been to the Ash, you know how bountiful its land is. Food will never be a problem there. As for water, we’ll find a spring. Until then, we’ll make do with lake water.”
“Indeed, the land can be bountiful, if one is strong enough to brave the dangers,” Balagra said. “I suspect you certainly are. And with your ludicrous mobility… With you as our scout, we may very well find what we need to survive there. But what of the beasts?”
“You’ve seen the strength of the wolves and Shredders coming through this region of the Boundary,” Vir replied. “They aren’t the strongest. Which means we’ll end up somewhere in the periphery.”
“Even so, that is a gamble. The Boundary is known to fling people to the deepest parts of the Ash, regardless.”
“That’s a gamble we’ll have to take,” Vir said. “It’s either this or attempt to hide from the Chits here in the Demon Realm, and that is a losing proposition.”
“I suppose,” Balagra grumbled. “If they can survive the beasts.”
“I will protect them until they are strong enough to defend themselves. Besides,” Vir said, “the beasts are part of the training. When we return, it will not be as a ragtag mob, but as an army.”
“How exactly do we plan to return, though?” Malik asked. While the demon’s worry was obvious, he kept it out of his tone, which Vir greatly respected.
“I know you’re afraid,” Vir replied in a soothing tone. “We all are. I just ask that you trust me. I will scout the Ash far and wide until we find a suitable Gate. If we enter the realm near the periphery, as I’m hoping, there should be several Gates leading back to this realm. It’s deeper in the Ash that they become nonexistent.”
“Would be good if we end up near the edge,” Balagra said. “Most of these demons haven’t been to the Ash. They’ll be sick with prana poisoning. Without me, several would almost certainly die. Aren’t you glad you have a Panav in the group, eh?”
Balagra smiled, attempting to bring some levity to the situation.
Vir gripped the larger demon’s shoulder. “That I am, friend. Now, let’s get these demons out of here.”