Ashborn Primordial

Chapter 191: Serenity

Incredible! Ashani said, her eyes twinkling. To think they thought it auspicious to build their cities under our Vimana! Fate can truly plot a strange course at times.

Why? What are the Vimana? Vir asked, though his heart wasn't in it. Not truly. Every word he uttered felt like nails in his chest after what he'd done.

He sat on a comfortable chair across from Ashani, high on the rooftop of a nearby buildingone so tall, it pierced the curtain of clouds that covered Mhadi. Ashani had set up something of a retreat there, with a chair, table, and awning to block the ashen rain. She'd silenced Vir's apologies and instead insisted they come up here after the orb had cracked.

Despite the heaviness that weighed down on Vir, he had to admit this was a novel experience. Hed always wondered what the world was like above the clouds. Hed envied the birds that soared so high. What did they see from their towering vantage?

Now he knew. Clouds extended to the horizon in every direction, the dead citys dark skyscrapers piercing them like islands in a stormy sea.

A quiet sea. It was as if a god had slowed time, bringing the ocean to a halt amid a hurricane, allowing only the half-dozen Wyrms to slink lazily between them.

The knowledge that everything he beheld, from the towers to the thunderclouds to the Wyrms, resulted from a self-induced apocalypse lent an air of melancholy to the scene. It was enough to move a demon to tears.

How could something so terrible be so beautiful? Vir thought.

Even knowing those terrifying beasts roamed the skies, Vir couldnt believe the tranquility, witnessing the blighted realm from above. The devastating lightning and the dramatic thunder were muted here, reduced to pops of light and faraway rumble. Even the Wyrms blended into the background, adding to the spectacle.

I can see why she likes it up here, Vir thought.

He could hardly believe this beautiful scenery was a part of the Ashen Realmfor while they were above the clouds, they were also below a cloud layer that floated even higher.

Clouds above and clouds below, and only Mhadis central spire pierced them both. Vir wished he could capture this image. He was sure his eyes would never behold such an awe-inspiring vista again.

We used the Vimana for a multitude of purposes, Ashani said in a wistful voice, her legs crossed as she gazed out at serenity. They were works of art. They were research vessels, and they also functioned as portable cities. Some of the larger models could hold and house thousands of souls.

Did people tour the world in them? Vir asked, imagining them as the ultimate long-distance skyship.

Ashani pursed her lips. Not quite. All our Vimana also served as mobile defense platforms. Crime was nonexistent in our time, but the nature of research and experimentation is that it sometimes led to undesirable results. Be it guardian automata gone rogue, or the creation of new types of lifeforms that got out of hand, there was a need for powerful weapons.

What kinds of weapons are we talking about? Vir asked, thinking of the cities that had been built directly under them.

Weapons that could eliminate even the strongest of Ash Beasts, Ashani said.

Even Prana Swarms?

But of course.

Vir paled. Ashani read his expression and quickly elaborated. There is nothing to fear. Those weapons cannot be activated without special Imperium key codes. Though, you're wrong about one thing.

What's that? Vir asked.

Prana Swarms are not Ash Beasts. It is more accurate to call them Pranite Swarms.

Vir stared at the goddess blankly, then turned his gaze to the swarm that covered the central spire.

No badrakking way...

Then... Vir said, his voice faltering.

Indeed. Though I know not how, our pranites got loose after the fall of the Imperium. They began to multiply. They... broke out of their original programming. Though, this applied only to active pranites at the time of the fall. Every Swarm in existence dates back to that day. They grow and split, but to my knowledge, no new Swarm has been birthed.

Vir didn't know whether to be relieved or terrified.

Regardless, Ashani continued, the ones who possessed those key codes are all long gone.

Maybe, Vir said darkly.

Meaning?

Just out of pure curiosity Would Lord Janak have possessed these codes?

Ashani nodded. Why, yes, I would imagine so. As the head of the Imperiums most prestigious pranic research division, his work occasionally resulted in those mishaps I mentioned.

Oh no.

Vir bit his lip. Ashani, Janaks alive.

Ashani smiled sadly. Would that it were true.

Its true. Well, almost. Janak is dead. A copy of him still exists. I ran into an avatar of his at Dahathat city I told you about? There was an outpost there, called Valaka Amara.

Ashani frowned. Valaka Amara? Meaning the Procession of Immortality. You say it lies in the Human Realm?

Vir nodded. Why?

I know of it. Twas far from Mhadi. Janak sometimes used it for his research. Though I wonder how it came to reside in your new realm. Apologies. I digress. Please, continue.

Truthfully, I wanted to tell you, but something felt off, Vir said. In all this time, why hasnt Janaks copy contacted you? Knowing what I now know I think youd have been a priority for him. Perhaps even his top priority, after Siya.

Ashani shook her head. I cannot say. This is a revelation. Until now, Id assumed he was gone. All high-ranking Imperium citizens had replicas of their minds created, should some tragedy ever befall them. I had simply assumed that they, too, were destroyed.

So, its not the real Janak, then, Vir said.

No. If what you say is true, then Lord Janak has indeed perished as I'd feared. I am grateful that you informed me.

Are you going to look for him? The replica, I mean? Vir asked.

Were this a thousand years ago, I might have. Now, however, I believe I no longer have that luxury, Ashani said with a smile.

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Once more, Vir felt like he'd taken a dagger to the heart.

She cant go after him. She doesnt have enough energy.

Come now, why the long face? Ashani said, her expression gentle. Why the long face? Did you not promise not to feel sad for my sake? Among my people, promises were sacred things, you know?

There must be others out there, Vir said, his voice cracking. I refuse to believe your prana cores were the only ones the Imperium had. I mean, they can't be. I saw some in the Human Realm! Vir thought back to the Prana Siphon the Pagan Order posessed, and the orbs the Tribunal carried for personal protection. Granted, I don't think they were anything like the ones that you must use, but... Youre not telling me something, are you? I mean, how do you survive for four thousand years on a single core? It doesnt make sense.

It would be impossible, yes. Operating continuously, my energy core would have run out within a few years time. Far less, if I use my powers extensively. However, my body consumes no power when I lie dormant. Sometimes for years, sometimes decades at a time, arising only when an imminent threat appears.

Vir wasnt buying it. Youre telling me such large threats appear so infrequently? Id think itd be a daily occurrence.

You are correct. There is little I can do near the center of the city. I simply try to protect the areas I can. Janaks home, and the surrounding area, mostly. Enough for my people to return to, though after all that youve said, I now fear my efforts to have been a waste. Truly what meaning have my actions had, I wonder?

Thats not true. It has had meaning. It has, Vir said, though even to his ears, he sounded like he was convincing himself.

Indeed, Ashani said, firming her resolve. For I have met you. I shared the tale of my people. Now, you can inform the world of our fate. So that we are not forgotten.

How could I have messed up like that?

Hed destroyed Ashanis only spent core. Such a precious Artifact, and hed given no thought to whether his way of charging it had been safe.

How long? he asked. Until your current core runs out?

Tis only partially full. After I send you back Around a month of continuous time.

A month?

Ashani reached over to squeeze Virs hand. Tis longer than it seems. When stretched, it might even last years.

But what life would that be? Vir asked. Youd be dormant, sleeping your life away like you've always been.

Please dont feel that way, she breathed. I am but a vestige of an age long past. Of a people who no longer exist. I know that now. I suppose I had always known. My time would have expired one day, anyway. What difference does it make if it happens a few centuries early? I have the answer I have sought for so long. Even if it isnt the one I hoped for I can rest peacefully now. All thanks to you.

No! Vir said. Im the reason youre depleting your energy.

If you didnt have to send me back, how much longer would your energy last?

Vir couldnt voice those thoughts. As much as he wanted to help Ashani, he couldnt linger here forever. His place was with Cirayus. With Maiya.

I shortened her lifespan so much, and theres nothing I can do to fix it.

Vir felt like curling up in a ball in some dark corner.

Please, you bear no blame for what happened. That core was spent. You did nothing to worsen the situation.

As it stood, Vir had no confidence he wouldnt just break another orb. It hadnt broken while hed been filling it; itd broken after, giving him no inkling why.

Im going to need several more if I want to figure this out.

Ashani, please! Vir said. Im begging you. Just tell me where they are.

The goddess hesitated. Only if you swear to me you will not seek them.

Its that dangerous?

Vir, there is a reason I reside here, in the outermost reaches of Mhadi.

The prana density, right? Vir asked.

Yes, but also because the beasts closer to the core are far, far more dangerous. Even for me. And

The implication was obvious. Vir hadnt seen the full extent of Ashanis powers, but there was little doubt she was stronger than him. She could heal mortal wounds, she moved instantly and could summon lightning on par with A Grade magic from her rod.

He couldnt compare.

I understand, he said. I swear it.

Ashani pointed to the central spire, and for a moment, Vir dreaded she was about to tell him they were there. Covered in a Prana Swarm that reached to the sky, Vir didnt dare tread anywhere near that beast.

As if confirming his fear, the Swarm casually extended a tendril to a passing Wyrm. There were no sounds that Vir could hear from this far away, but when the Swarm pulled away from the Wyrm moments later, there was nothing left. It was the least dramatic destruction of a city-ending beast Vir had ever seen. Which only made it even more terrifying.

Halfway between here and the core of the city lies a vault. One of many, but it is the only one that would have spare prana cores.

Vir breathed a mental sigh of relief.

You stay away because of the beasts? he asked.

Yes, the vault is protected by an Imperium working. A Yaksha Guardian Automaton.

Like you?

Actually, unlike myself, Ashani said. They are highly advanced machines, rather than a living entity like me. The Yaksha can freely shift their shape and freely alter their size. They are built exclusively for defense and combat. They are both ruthless and exceedingly dangerous. You will surely die if you venture near their domain.

Domain? It guards the vault? Vir said, thinking that these Yaksha sounded downright terrifying.

Ashani nodded. I tried fighting them, once. I lost half my body.

Vir winced.

Even if Id defeated it, the vaults doors remain firmly shut. So, you see? Tis a pointless endeavor.

Ashani paused, looking off into the distance. When she spoke again, her voice was calmer, mirroring the melancholy of the scenery.

Do not grieve for me, Vir. Rather than risking everything to prolong my life, will you not make our final hours together special? Will you not give me a memory that I may fondly cherish for the rest of my days? Please, tell me everything about the outside world. Tell me of the world that has come to exist after the fall of my people. What all has occurred over all of those long, long years? Who walks upon the earth now?

A tear fell down Virs face. Its ironic, isnt it? he said, hasitly wiping it away. How I feel now? It must be how you felt with Siya. Her condition

All we can do is strive to live our lives without regrets, Ashani said, smiling gently. Yet despite our best efforts, we err. The regrets accumulate as the years pass. I can only ask that you try to move on. Remember the good. Forget the bad, for there is already enough strife in our lives. As a being of flesh and blood, you have that luxury.

I will never forget you, Vir rasped. Ill spread your name, far and wide. The world will know.

That would make me happier than you could know, the goddess said.

Come back with me, Ashani. Dont spend your last days here alone. Maybe you wont live as long, but youll be awake! Youll see more of the world than you ever have.

Perhaps. I may consider it. But that all depends.

On? Vir asked.

On Ashani hesitated. Why, on the quality of your narration, of course! Have you forgotten? You owe me tales!

I have tales, though I make no promises theyll be interesting, Vir said with a chuckle. Im no good at telling stories. Truthfully, I wish I knew more. I wish Id seen more. But Ill tell you everything I know.

Good! Now, what are these humans you mentioned?

Well, they live in the Human Realm. They

How many realms exist? What are they called?

Well, theres the Human Realm, the Ashen Realm, and the Demon Realm. There are some others, like the

Demon realm? What are demons?

Vir did his best not to roll his eyes.

This is going to be a long day.

Ashani ended up forcing words out of Vir for the better part of a day, leaving his voice ragged and his mind spent. It turned out that even with Virs limited knowledge, one day wasnt nearly sufficient to tell her everything she wanted to know.

Using the buildings elevatora lift, but one that ran the length of the preposterously tall buildingthey returned to Janaks home. Vir couldnt believe such a contraption could exist, and riding it had been the thrill of a lifetime.

Ashani? Vir asked once they were back inside. Id like to analyze your core.

Convincing Ashani to shut down and give him her only core would be an uphill battle, he knew. Why should she trust him? She barely knew him, and hed broken her spare core. Vir knew it was folly to ask, and yet, he had to do something.

I Ashani hesitated.

I swear I wont attempt to charge it. I just want to analyze it. I wont do anything to jeopardize your life.

Ashani bit her lip. Vir, you must understand the danger this poses to me.

I absolutely do. I realize what Im asking for is reckless. Its imprudent, and you have no good reason to agree. Also I want to spend the next several weeks acclimating to the Ash. This is an unprecedented opportunity for me. One I cant afford to waste.

I see. Staying active for a whole month would significantly shorten my lifespan.

I know, Vir said. Youd be hibernating anyway, right?

Ashani firmed her expression. Very well, then. I shall trust you, Vir. Tis Fated, after all.

What does that mean? Vir asked with a frown.

Ashani shook her head, smiling sadly. She then turned and entered her bedroom, where she sat on the edge of an ancient bed.

Please wake me when you wish to depart. Or if ever danger arises.

I will, Vir said, looking her in the eyes.

The goddess shut her eyes, becoming still. With a hiss, the skin on her back dissolved, revealing the orb nestled within a glowing compartment.

Vir carefully removed it. The lights in the compartment winked out.

Ashanis life was quite literally now in his hands.

Did she agree because she felt she no longer had anything to live for? Or does she really trust me that much? If so, why?

Vir hadnt liedhe was planning to expand his prana capacityas well as some other things.

Rudvik. Apramor. Aliscia. Hed been powerless to prevent their deaths.

Not this time. Hed grown. He was stronger now. But what good was strength if he couldnt protect those he cared about?

Never again. Im not going to lose you, Ashani. Im done losing people I care about.