Ashborn Primordial

Chapter 253: The Fable

Vir left Greeshas temple with a torrent of emotions welling inside him. There had been so much more to say, but the time wasnt right. Vir hadnt even broached the topic of Greeshas prophecy of his birth and wasnt sure when he would. He was afraid that if he had, he couldnt have restrained his pent-up anger.

And so hed forced it down. Right now, he simply couldnt afford to lose even a single ally.

Vir crossed the streets, passing by Kothis, red demons, and bandies with his Chitran Laborer Calling badge slung around his neck. There was another in his bag, with a different name and Calling.

Hed altered his makeup and now bore the face of a red demon. Similar to the previous one, yet different enough not to be mistakenthis way, he had a couple of legitimate identities he could shift between as needed. Greeshas pull was realshed had the badges made in just moments, instructing Vir to seek a woman named Janani.

Vir wasnt really sure what he ought to be doing. For the first time in as long as he could remember, he had no concrete goal, other than the vague desire to grow closer to the Gargans living in Samar Patag. He hoped this Janani might give him a bit of direction.

A black blur in the corner of Virs vision interrupted his thoughts.

About time

Shan was waiting for Vir on a rooftop. The pointed cones of the buildings made for awkward footing, but they also perfectly hid anyone who managed it.

About time you showed up, Vir said, kneeling and stroking the Ash Wolfs jet-black fur. Itd taken the better part of a year for the animal to open up to pets, and Vir considered it a hard-fought perk. He was willing to bet that for most people, petting an Ash Wolf was the last thing they ever pet.

Bet you were out exploring the city, werent you? Find anything good?

Shan snorted.

No? Well, Im gonna need you to keep doing your own thing for now, alright? I might be able to disguise myself, but you stick out like a sore thumb.

Shan bared his teeth and growled.

Hey, you know its true! How many other wolves like yourself have you seen around here?

Grumbling, Shan started licking his paw.

Dont worry. You know megetting into troubles what I do. When that happens, you can go wild, alright? Just stay close, in case I need you.

Shan gruffed at Vir and threw him a look of what Vir swore was concern before bounding off.

Would it kill that wolf to roll over for some belly rubs from time to time? Vir muttered, sighing.

Through the merchant district, near the northern wall. In the depths of the slums. When the surroundings have gone from bad to worse, youll find the orphanage.

Those had been Greeshas instructions to Vir. Hed dreaded that hed find Janani in the same sort of squalid neighborhood where hed first entered the city.

It wasnt the same neighborhood. But it was just as bad.

The people living here were just a few steps away from death. Some were dead, as Prana Vision revealed.

Vir had only just purged the depressing sight from his mind, and now he was forced to confront it yet again.

The only silver lining was how the slums were contained within the city walls, offering them protection from the elements and animals, unlike Daha. Though, Vir doubted it was out of consideration for the slum dwellers well-being.

It was the voices of children playing that helped Vir find the buildinga two-story affair that was on the verge of falling apart.

The demon children all ran around barefoot, as was the norm for most of the denizens of this part of town.

Come quick, youll miss it! a girl squealed, rushing back into the orphanage. Her friends followed, pouring into the building.

Vir edged closer and peeked through the open doorway. Thirty children packed tightly into the room, which, despite its tall ceiling, was actually quite small. Janani had likely repurposed whatever building she could find.

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Tell us that one again, Janani! a boy said.

Yeah! That one!

Again? I just told it yesterday! The red demon with long black hairJananisaid. She stood at a lectern at the end of the room and was the only adult around.

Vir crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway, wondering just what tale was about to be told.

The chorus of kids voices crescendoed until Janani threw her hands up in defeat.

Fine, fine! Settle down! Quiet! I swear Janani shook her head, smiling wryly.

The din died down as the kids hushed each other. Even Vir was growing excited. If they liked it this much, surely the tale couldnt be all that bad?

Cmon! Tell us!

Alright already! This is a story from before you were born. Of a time when a great Lord ruled oursorry, the Gargaclan.

Interesting, Vir thought, leaning in. Maybe Ill learn a bit about the clans history.

Our clan! Our clan! Our Clan! the children chanted, prompting Janani to look warily around.

Her eyes landed on Vir, who smiled back, but Janani frowned in suspicion.

I I, er Janni looked nervously between Vir and the kids, some of whom turned to stare up at him.

Understanding what was happening, Vir held up Greeshas emblem.

Janani mouthed an O in recognition, and the tension left her.

Cmon, Janani! Why did you stop? Tell us how great Samar Patag was!

Yeah! Tell us!

You lot already know the story! Why dont you narrate it, instead? Janani snapped, but there was a happiness to her expression she couldnt quite mask.

Nooooo! We want to hear it from you!

Janani cleared her throat. Then no interruptions. Promise?

Promise!

Janani nodded approvingly. Very well. Samar Patag was a great city back then. Prosperous and rich. Nothing like today. The streets were clean, and not a single demon ever felt the grasp of hunger.

The kids stole glances at each other, their eyes sparkling.

Not that there werent problems. There were, of course. Life was still hard for many. But the people were happy and everyone was treated fairly.

You were there, right Janani? A boy shouted enthusiastically.

Yes, Bolin. I was a teacher. I taught in a school with many dozens of students. And did you know?

Know what? the boy asked.

Not one of them interrupted me when I talked, she said, giving him a stern look.

Bolin bowed his head sheepishly.

One day, Janai continued, a great seer made a prophecy.

Old lady Greesha! a girl cried out, before clasping her hands over her mouth, looking profoundly guilty.

Yes, Ekta, Janani said, her brow twitching. The wise Greesha proclaimed the reincarnation of the fabled Akh Nara, whose birth would usher in an era of greatness for all of demonkind.

Virs heart skipped a beat. When Janani had mentioned a seer, hed immediately suspected.

This wasnt just any story. It was his story and that terrified him. These kids had heard the tale perhaps dozens of times. What did they think of him? Of the war? Did they hate him? And what of Janani? Shed lived through that dark time herself. There wasnt a chance in the Ash that shed emerged unscathed.

Bracing himself, Vir resolved to soak up every word.

The children whispered excitedly, and Vir heard Akh Nara mentioned over and over. Vir scanned their faces, but he didnt see even a hint of resentment. Only hope. And awe.

However! Janani shouted, silencing the whispering children. The prophecy had a dire condition. The baby would have to be born within Hara Chakaiwithin the Ashen Realm itself.

What happened then, Janani? a girl asked.

King Maion bravely took the pregnant Queen Shari and marched into the Ash with Cirayus, his loyal friend.

The Ravager! Bolin shouted.

Indeed. They were accompanied by their entire royal retinue. The strongest Gargan warriors protected them. Yet the journey was an arduous one. The beasts they fought were unimaginable. Terrors beyond anything you lot can imagine!

The children were silent now, as if holding their breaths. Vir could almost feel their fear. Fear of the unknown. Of horrific beasts stalking the Ash.

They arent wrong to fear.

And yet, they persisted. They prevailed! And the young Akh Nara was born! True to the Seers prophecy, the baby bore the tattoo of his predecessors, proving that

What happened to the Akh Nara, Janani? Bolin shouted but was silenced by Jananis angry rebuke.

Bolin!

S-sorry!

No one knows, Janani replied wistfully. Some say he disappeared into the Ash, where he lives to this day. Others say that Chitran killed him when they sacked Samar Patag.

W-what do you think? Ekta asked.

Me? I she paused, and Vir leaned forward unconsciously.

I believe hes alive, somewhere, Janani said softly. Waiting for the right moment to reveal himself. Biding his time to take revenge on those whove taken everything from us. I believe I hope that someday, he will return.

When he does, will we get new clothes? another girl asked. I want shoes! Will he give us shoes?

Janani smiled gently. When he returns, Hiya, you shall have all the shoes you could ever want.

The room burst into joyous hoots and yells.

Vir backed away, his knees unsteady.

This, more than anything Cirayus had ever divulged about his past, hit hardest. It was one thing to be aware of the expectations of strangers. Faceless masses, realms apart.

It was another entirely to witness a room full of children cheering. Rooting. For him. For the hope of a brighter future.

Virs heart pumped madly, but what he felt was not excitement, nor even the hope for which these children so desperately yearned.

It was guilt. Guilt over being so late. Guilt that he couldnt possibly live up to their expectations.

Vir made to leave.

Ah, look! Janani said. It appears we have a visitor!

Every eye in the room in the eye locked onto him. Virs legs nearly buckled. His instincts, honed to perfection in the Ash, told him to run. To flee. To sink into the shadows. Anything to avoid facing the weight of those faces.

But Vir did not run. He hadnt come this far, only to cower. He hadnt risked his life over and over in the Ash, nearly dying, to hide.

It didnt matter if the burden of responsibility weighed as much as a Godhollow. Too many had sacrificed too much for him. For the hope he represented. He couldntleave. He didnt want to.

Vir turned and he mustered his friendliest smile.