Chapter 306: Return of the Guardian (One)

“And I call myself a Naga,” Balagra said, spitting on the ground. “I suppose my excommunication is complete if I cannot even recognize my own country!”

“To be fair, you were right,” Vir replied. “This could be anywhere.”

“Still… I thought I felt something familiar. The scent of the air, perhaps,” Balagra said, making Vir smile. That would’ve been quite the ability, should such a thing really exist.

“What do you plan to do now?” Malik asked. “I admit, reinforcing this position seems… inconvenient.”

“Indeed,” Balagra said. “We’re a ways from the border. The mountains you saw lead to Vraj Parah, which tells me we’re nearly all the way east. I’d reckon we’d hit the ocean if we went much further. Not much out here, other than a possible relief area, as Malik said. Could be worse, though. Panav likely won’t make a ruckus, even if our presence here is discovered.” Balagra gestured to the surroundings. “An exceedingly unlikely proposition, as you might’ve guessed.”

“Practicality aside, I’ll be needing this Gate for at least a while,” Vir said.

“Why? Do you have business in the demon realm?”

Vir nodded. “I need to meet up with Cirayus. And ideally Gunin, too. I need to bring more demons to our cause.”

“The Ravager, eh?” Balagra said, stroking his chin. “I admit, I would like to meet that fabled warrior. He’d prove an invaluable asset for training our troops.”

“He can also ferry demons if need be. I’d love to have him with us again,” Vir admitted. “I don’t wish to occupy our soldiers with guard duty, though. I’ll be quick about this. I promise.”

“Look at this!” Balagra chortled. “The Akh Nara! Apologizing to his lessers!”

Vir received awkward looks from the other demons, as if they didn’t know how to react.

“A bit of advice?” Balagra continued in a voice low enough so that only Vir could hear. “Drop the humility. It doesn’t suit one such as you.”

Vir’s lips tightened. “I’ll… keep that in mind.”

Truthfully, he wanted to remain the same. He hated the airs someone in his position was expected to put on. But Cirayus had said the same—that leaders with too much humility appeared weak and incapable.”

“We shall remain at the Gate and man this position until the Akh Nara returns,” Balagra said, barking orders to the demons. “As long as it takes.”

Vir nodded, then turned and Leaped away, happy to finally be rid of the demons’ reverent stares.

Vir took few supplies with him as he bounded across the realm at speeds matched only by Acira, and while those avian beasts needed to rest every several hours, Vir did not. His body could survive for days without sleep, water, or food, allowing him to travel lighter, which in turn made him faster.

Even so, crossing a mountain range and a border took him longer than he’d have liked, as he was forced to stop for directions at every settlement until he found the single road connecting Panav with its Chitran neighbor to the south.

The going became smoother after that, though Vir had to be wary of anyone traveling the path. While no one could identify his face as he bounded, he’d undoubtedly attract unwanted attention that way.

Crossing the border into Chitran territory, Vir turned west and crossed yet another mountain range before finally coming up familiar territory near the Boundary.

The journey felt far longer than it ought to have—something Vir attributed to the never-setting sun. Time became difficult to keep, and the only reason the concept of a day existed was due to tradition and convenience.

The other reason for the lengthy journey was Vir’s mounting exhausting due to his diminishing prana. Despite rationing as best he could, with so many invocations of Leap, he’d depleted nearly all of it, forcing him to slow towards the end.

Resting regularly would not have helped, given the lack of prana. Not even Prana Current could replenish what wasn’t there, so Vir had opted to drain himself and recharge near the Ash Boundary, where Ash Beasts roamed aplenty.

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Despite his best efforts, however, the Ash Boundary proved out of reach. Rather than slog there, Vir had another idea. One that would allow him to kill two birds with one stone and offer an opportunity to reunite with some old friends.

Cutting south, Vir changed his destination, a newfound spring in his step.

Vir sunk into the shadows and appeared within the walls of Samar Patag, bounding lightly across rooftops, using only the strength of his own muscles to propel him.

Not a minute later, a black form blurred up to him, knocking him down mid-flight, and grappling with him until he crashed heavily onto a rooftop.

Vir wasn’t angry, however. How could he be, when Shan was licking his face happily?

“Easy, boy!” Vir laughed, petting his old friend. “Don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy!”

For a split-second, Vir thought someone had replaced the Ash Wolf with his old bandy, Neel.

“I’ve missed you too, buddy,” Vir said, righting himself. “You been keeping everyone safe?”

Shan yipped, nuzzling against Vir’s chest. “You must’ve been so lonely, if you’re showing me this much affection. Now, how about we go pay a good friend a visit?”

Standing, Vir jumped off the rooftop, sailing to another.

It’d been so long since he’d been back to a city, let alone a city so dear to him as Samar Patag.

It empowered him. Refreshed him. And with Shan by his side, the world felt right again. Better than it had in a long while.

By the time Vir dropped silently into Janani’s orphanage, he’d all but forgotten his exhaustion.

“Hey,” Vir said, popping up from behind Janani, who’d been diligently preparing a meal in her kitchen.

The petite demon swung, and to her credit, her hand was not empty. She swung the cast-iron skillet with all the force she could muster…

Only to have her strike nullified by Vir’s palm, which wrapped around her wrist, killing her momentum.

He grinned, watching her expression turn from fear to shock to recognition.

“It’s been a while. Thought I’d drop by to chat.”

“N-Neel?” Janani said breathlessly. Her wrist lost strength, and the pan fell, but Vir caught it before it could hit the ground.

“Better watch it with that! What would you have done if I’d gotten burned?”

Janani flushed in shame as she shook her head. “Ah, you! You’re teasing me. You saved this entire city on your own, and now you fear a cooking pan?”

Vir grinned, carefully setting the hot pan back on the wood stove. Vir might be resilient to burns, but he was quite sure Janani was not.

“I take it things are well, then?” he asked. “I don’t see any riots in the streets. That has to be a good sign, right?”

Janani gave him a smile, and while she did her best to hide it, Vir couldn’t miss the pain in her expression. One that said things were not going well at all.

Vir’s expression darkened. “Tell me everything. What has transpired in the months I’ve been away?”

Janani shook her head. “No, I apologize. I did not mean to worry you. Let me make some chai, and we can chat.”

The orphanage teacher seemed to leave no room for argument, so Vir obediently took a seat at the small square table nearby and waited.

Shan, who’d watched the whole encounter from nearby, settled on his haunches beside Vir’s chair.

The tea Janani brought out shortly thereafter was hot, rich, and absolutely delicious.

“An improvement from last time,” Vir noted, earning himself a look of contempt from Janani.

“How rude! I am just as proficient at tea making as I was a few months ago.”

“Then it must be the ingredients. You’re using higher-quality leaves, and some spices, too.”

“I suppose,” Janani said, sipping her tea. “Provisions have never been an issue after what you did for us. Shoes, clothing, food… The children eat well these days.”

“Then the issue isn’t with the orphans… but the city at large? Is it the rebels?”

“Yes… and no. The rebels have been more active lately, though I can hardly blame them. In fact, I am thankful that they protect us when the fights break out.”

“Asuman’s at it again, I see,” Vir said, already thinking of a plan to refresh the governor’s fear.

“No, actually. Asuman has been doing his best to keep the peace, and our faithful guardian has dutifully defended us in your absence.”

Shan exhaled sharply, straightening his back.

Janani chuckled, petting the Ash Wolf. “Y’know? Sometimes I almost think he can understand us.”

“He’s the most intelligent wolf I’ve ever seen,” Vir admitted. “Though, if not Asuman, then who?”

“The Warriors. Well, all the kothis, really, but they are led by the Warriors. The Rulers remain mostly under Asuman’s thumb, but the Warriors hold sway due to their physical strength. It’s normally never an issue because the families are always squabbling with one another. This time, though… I’m afraid you’ve provided a very compelling flag for them to rally under.”

“Asuman can’t squash them without looking like he’s Gargan-friendly, but he’s also scared of Vaak, should he allow the Warriors to harm us.”

“A sticky situation if there ever was one,” Janani said, taking a sip of her tea. “I’m afraid we may have a civil war on our hands if nothing is to be done.”

The way Janani looked at Vir strongly implied her desires.

“I’m sorry, Janani. You know I want Gargans back in control of our city, but it’s too early. I’ve only just started assembling an army. They’re not ready. I’m not ready.”

Janani deflated. “I’d assumed as much. Still, to hear you already have an army gives me hope. I only pray you are quick enough.”

“No prayers required,” Vir replied. “The gods will not keep Samar Patag peaceful. Only action will. It appears I need to pay Governor Asuman a visit.”

“I think I speak for all of us when I say that would be appreciated,” Janani said with relief. “Shall I prepare your room?”

“Appreciated, but no,” Vir said, finishing his tea and standing up. “I’m not here long. I’ve business at the Ash Boundary and only stopped in to check up on things. Before I head out to see the governor, though, I’d like to visit Bolin. Has he recovered from his injury?”

Janani’ tea cup stopped halfway to her mouth. Slowly, she set it down and smoothed out her apron.

“Neel…” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “Please understand that I am grateful for all you’ve done. The orphans are so grateful. I need you to promise me you don’t blame yourself for all that happened.”

“Janani?” Vir said, frowning. “What are you saying?”

“You couldn’t have known. Even if you’d been here, you couldn’t have helped. Neel, Bolin is gone.”