Ashborn Primordial

Chapter 174: Foundational Stability

Cirayus regarded the sleeping Ekavir with a concerned frown. Hed assumed many roles over the centuries. Of them all, he considered himself a capable teacher. More than capablethere was no end to the number of demons who sought apprenticeship with him. Hed even run his own school for a few decades, long ago.

These days, he turned down all but the most talented, though there was a time when hed mentored dozens. Hed seen all types of students. The ones who slacked and needed to be pushedthose were the most commonand those who excelled naturally owing to their talent.

Then there were the precious few who had both the talent and the drive to do whatever it took to improve. Those were one in a million, and Cirayus now understood Ekavir was among their number.

Hed initially thought to pressure the boy, to test his limits. That style of teaching worked well for the masses; everyone benefited from a little push.

Unfortunately, it tended to have disastrous consequences on the self-driven. Hed pushed hard, and Vir had pushed himself even further, working himself to the bone. If left unchecked, Cirayus had no doubt Vir would drive himself to the ground. Elsewhere, that might have resulted in a career change. Here, it was a death sentence. They had no such luxury in the Ash. There was no rest here. Only death offered that release.

Spose I ought to lean off him a tad, Cirayus thought, stroking his beard.Rather, he might very well have to do the oppositeact as Virs brake rather than his prod. Though, can I really manage that, with whats at stake?

The boy had a good head atop his shoulders, but everyone had their breaking point. Cirayus had seen too many good demons crack. Be it the pressure of military command, or the weight of a judges decision in royal court Few seldom rebuilt themselves if pushed beyond their limit.

Facing the boy was what mightve been the most monumental challenge one could undertake. The lives of an entire realm were at stake.

Vir had a good heart. He mourned for his late father. He bore the weight of his every sin, and he wanted to do right by everyone. That was precisely why Cirayus worried.

How will he react when he learns that thousands have died? Not for their clan, but for him? How will he endure when thousands more perish for his cause? Will he be able to order good demons to march to their deaths?

He wasn't ready for that knowledge. Still, the boy would eventually have to be, and it was Cirayus role to prepare him for that burden. Even if it turned Vir into someone he didnt want to be. The burden of royalty was heavier than most ever knew.

The giant moved across the humble abode hed built for the two, hoisting the chipped greatsword the Hiranyans had given him. The sword was never designed to cut through rock. Soft sandstone though it was, the blade neared the end of its life. To Cirayus, it was a toy. One that had nearly outlived its usefulness.

Rest well, lad. Well see to your training when you wake.

Cracking his neck, Cirayus got to work.

Vir dreamed of a grassy hill with a lone tree, ruffled by a peaceful breeze. The sun shone gently, and there wasnt a cloud in sight. Under the cool shade of the tree, Neel and Maiya awaited.

His furry friend lay splayed on the grass, accepting belly rubs from the crimson-haired girl, who lounged atop a picnic mat in a flowery red dress.

Sensing Vir, Neel yelped, bounding up to lick his face furiously. Maiya waved, an angelic smile on her beautiful face.

Its been forever, my prince! Please, come join us!

Maiya saying such an embarrassing line without bursting into laughter tipped him off that this was a dream. The surroundings were all wrong. For one, a hundred demons surrounded the hill in a ring, prostrating before him.

The Akh Nara returns! He will help us!

Vir shirked back, only to find thousands behind him, pointing their spears at him.

The Akh Nara returns! Burn him to Ash!

Lightning cracked. The scene transitioned, and now Vir stood in a vast, featureless expanse of ash, battered and beaten, fighting the sort of beasts that might appear in nightmares. No matter how many he killed, more came.

Where are you now, Ekanai? Shardul? he thought in spite.

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Vir dodged lightning bolts and wondered if he might not intentionally get hit by one to get his ancestors to appear.

Until he felt a presence behind him.

Vir whirled, expecting another beast. Instead, he found an impossibly beautiful woman with hair as white as snow that reached down to her back. She wore a simple white dress with pristine, flowing white hair, and smiled back at him.

It doesnt have to be this way the womans musical voice transmitted to Vir without sound. The burden is not yours to bear alone.

Then she was gone. The scene shattered like a broken mirror, and Vir fell into an endless void of darkness.

When he woke, it was through the thick haze of a half-remembered dream.

Maiya. Neel. And someone else?

Memories flickered through his mind. Brij. The Godshollow, but perhaps because of Maiyas communications orb, Virs thoughts focused on the bandy. How many years would it be before they reunited? Would Neel still be alive? The boy wasnt old for a bandy, but he was close. It wouldnt be inconceivable for him to have passed.

Lightning struck outside. Torrential rain darkened the already-blighted sky, battering the forest and mirroring his heavy thoughts.

But that was outside. Nestled within his new abode, and with Cirayus nearby, Vir felt safe and secure.

How do you feel, lad? Not even last nights storm could wake you.

Groggy, Vir replied, taking in his surroundings. How long was I out?

Cirayus had expanded the home while hed slept. Where before there was a single room, now there were three, with the living space having expanded deeper into the mountain.

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Long enough to recover from your overtraining.

A day, at least, Vir thought. Nearly another week in the Human Realm.

Sorry. I lost track of time, he said, blinking away the cobwebs. Speaking of, how do you keep track of time here?

The lack of a day/night cycle had affected him more than hed thought, forcing him to stay awake when he would normally have slept, and sleeping when he shouldve been active.

I learned to develop an innate sense of time centuries ago. Really about the only solution, here in the ash, other than a timestone, and I dont have any of those.

Uh, time stones? Vir asked. This was the first hed heard of such a thing.

Obsidian tablets made of volcanic rock, etched with pranic inscriptions. We use them for a variety of tasks, from locking doors to transcribing messages.

So, like orbs? Vir said. Except instead of crystal, you etch them on plates!

Cirayus stroked his beard. Aye, I suppose youre right, though our plates cannot keep a charge, and we do not use them for combat purposes. Time stones burn a special incense stick. When powered with prana, they detect the amount of incense burned and display a time reading.

Thats kinda ingenious, Vir thought. He wondered why obsidian tablets couldnt hold a charge, and why demons had never discovered orbs. With their knowledge of prana, Vir figured theyd have learned of it long ago. There had to be a reason, but when asked, Cirayus admitted hed never delved into the secrets of Thaumaturgythe art of inscriptions.

Virs list of topics to investigate in the Demon Realm continued to mount.

Well, I guess Ill return to training, he said, dreading the thought of going out in such a downpour.

Do you have a death wish, lad? Its raining lightning out there right now. Just because Ash Beasts can brush off a lightning strike or two doesnt mean you can. At least, not yet.

Virs eyes narrowed. Aspect of the Demon God, right? My clans tattoo?

Aye. Here in the Ash, you'd be untouchable with it. Without that... even with that incredible prana manipulation of yours, I doubt you could manage such a feat.

Vir considered his words. Lightning strikes contained a staggering amount of Lightning prana. It was possible that someone with Apex affinity for that element might be able to circulate their blood fast enough to shunt the strike into the ground But it felt unlikely. Vir doubted it was possible anyone could expand their bodys prana capacity that much. Especially since Lightning strikes were nearly instantaneous.

Besides, Ash Beasts didnt even have that affinity, which left only one other explanation.

Prana armor?

You saw it on those beasts with your Iksana Sight, didnt you? Ash Beasts can cloak their body with armor as durable as seric. A quirk, it seems, of those with your particular affinity. Or so I believe.

Trust me, Ive tried. I know Parai managed it with his cycling technique, but Ash Beasts dont use that. Theyre getting their armor some other way.

Then Im afraid I cannot aid you there, lad. My own armor comes from my tattoo, Giant Hide.

Right. So, what now? I cant go outside, and this home isnt ideal to work on my Talents. Dont want to destroy the place.

I wouldnt allow you to train, even if you could go outside, Cirayus said firmly. Your body needs rest.

Vir was about to cite how much time hed already lost sleeping when Cirayus beat him to the punch.

Instead, well begin your Chakra training.

That got Virs attention. I thought you said it took years to open the Foundation chakra?

It does. Normally. With the proper guidance and a talented student, we might hasten that process a tad.

Hasten it by how much? Vir asked.

I imagine we could get you there in a handful of months if youre diligent.

So slow, Vir thought.It was a massive improvement, but compared to his progress with his other abilities, it felt like an eternity. Not to mention there were six more to go.

Your feelings may as well be written on your face, lad. Y'know, your father and I had a saying. More of a mantra, for when we struggled to advance our training.

Hard to imagine either of you struggling, Vir said.

Cirayus chuckled. More often than you'd think, lad. Of that, I can assure you.

So? What was the mantra? Vir asked.

Brick by brick. Stone after stone, Cirayus replied. The same as any mason building a house. Each stone may not seem like much, but taken together, they form something grand.

Brick by brick. Stone after stone... I like it, Vir said softly.

Vir had no leads for accelerating the pace. He'd simply have to put in the hours.

Well? Will you accept my training?

Vir rolled his eyes. You know I will. Ill take every edge I can get.

Good. Now sit on the floor with me and cross your legs, like last time. Back straight. Close your eyes. Yes, like that. Now clear your thoughts. I'll be more gentle than last time. Focus.

Vir attempted to do so, though it was easier said than done with all the hammering rain and cracks of thunder. It was as if the skies had waged war on the turtles shell.

Now, guide your thoughts to the concept of sturdiness, Cirayus said in a low, soothing voice. Hmm, yes. Think of the Mahakurma upon whose back we sit. Think of its ancient disposition. It has existed for millennia before you were born, and will exist for millennia after. It is eternal, like the earth itself. Solid and unshakeable. Immovable. Yes. Hold this image in your mind for as long as you can.

Following Cirayus guidance, Vir meditated on the concept. This still felt foreign to him despite having done it once beforehe normally kept his mind clear, focusing solely on cycling prana or expanding his bodys blood pathways. The act of cycling itself was usually meditative, putting him in a trance-like state.

Focusing on a single idea was much harder. Virs mind would drift, often to Maiya and Neel. Errant thoughts of unlocking Talents turned the ocean of his mind choppy, and before he knew it, hed had a half-dozen random other thoughts.

Your mind will wander, Cirayus said soothingly, perhaps sensing Virs mental state with his Life chakra. This is normal. Do not dismiss the errant thought. Recognize it. Accept it for the distraction it is. Then whisk it away.

Vir tried Cirayus strategy. It did work, initially. But soon, Virs mind became so preoccupied with shuttling thoughts away, he had no time to actually meditate.

This isnt working, he grumbled.

Your mind is agitated. Allow me to help.

How, exactly? Vir asked, thinking back to their prior experience.

You will feel a presence in your mind, like last time. It will feel strange to you, but do not resist it. It won't feel nearly as invasive. Understand?

Vir nodded, unsure of what to expect. He found out soon enough. An alien sensation touched him. Not his body, but something deeper. It felt a little like standing under Riyans shower, except one that had two spigotswith one burning hot, and the other chillingly cold.

Though his body jolted at the sensation, Vir did his best to allow it to wash over him. Soon, the hot and the cold melded with each other, enveloping his mind in a warm, comfortable blanket.

Vir felt the pent up frustration dissipate. So what if he took an extra week or two to cross the Ash? Maiya wasnt going anywhere. She knew Cirayus was with him. She knew hed be out of touch for a while. Maiya was a big girl who could take care of herself.

Good. Now focus.

The thoughts were fewer this time, and Vir felt his mind guided toward the concept of sturdiness. It wasnt anything as strong as mind controlVir retained his thoughts and he didnt sense that Cirayus was reading his mindbut it helped. It soothed him, and he sunk into the feeling.

Soon Vir felt a heaviness settle upon him. Light as a feather at first, then progressively weightier until it felt uncomfortable.

There was something there, though. Past the discomfort, like a mountain seen through a veil, far away. A sense of powerof presencethat Vir had never experienced before. This was strength on a dimension Vir hadn't even conceived of before.

Well done. Cirayus voice radiated sincerity, and Vir wondered if hed imbued it with the Life chakra. The giant retracted his influence from Virs mind, and the weight lifted. You have taken your first step to opening the Foundation Chakra. How did it feel?

Heavy. Like youd activated Balancer of Scales on me. But it was different from what you did the other day when you showed me all the different Chakras.

Aye, it would be. There, I used my chakras to suppress and attack. Here, I wished to aid you. Chakras are not inherently destructive in nature. They are colorless; it is the wielder that dyes them with their intent. The heaviness you speak of is the sensation of the Foundation Chakra. Sometimes also called the Root chakra, both for its location at the base of your spine, andlike the roots of a great treeimmovable.

Well? Do you wish to go again? Cirayus asked, regarding Vir intently.

Is that even a question? Vir smirked. We train until the storm passes. And then, Im fighting that Ash Beast.

Cirayus smiled, but there was a sadness to his expression. A sense of foreboding that Vir couldnt place. As you wish, my liege.