Ashborn Primordial

Chapter 25: A Tale Of Ice And Wind

Maiya sat on the edge of the training dome, shivering as she watched Vir trade blows with Riyan in the early morning chill. She felt cold, but she was sure neither of the combatants felt the same. In fact, it was the perfect dueling temperature.

Most of the domes sandy floor was covered by Riyans monstrous obstacle course, but there was still enough room around it for a duel to take place.

Both Vir and Maiya had grown by leaps and bounds over the past several weeks, but the gap between herself and Vir only continued to widen. Even with a half dozen handicaps, Vir would beat her with ease, while it felt like she still struggled with even the most basic moves.

The situation was the same on the obstacle courseif she was honest, it was even worse. Her friend had always possessed a knack for moving his body gracefully. His balance and flexibility were far superior to hers, and that gap had also widened.

He leaped dauntlessly into swinging scythes and rotating swords while she tiptoed in his footsteps. And that too, only thanks to his endless instruction and advice. Dont step there, transfer your weight gently, dont put too much weight on that rope!

She knew she shouldnt feel badher progress had been immensebut she was always reminded of that saying: Even an aristocrat feels poor when in the company of royalty.

With only Vir and Riyan to compare againstboth monstersit was hard not to feel inferior.

Clang! Ping!Clash!

Maiya could barely even follow Virs duel with Riyan as they traded blows. She was sure shed missed at least half of Riyans attacksall of which Vir had blocked. To her eyes, they both looked superhuman. Vir was formidable, but Riyan was in another realm again. He was Balar 150 for a reason, a fact that still boggled her mind. But at the same time, he was only Balar 150. There were warriors and mejai out there who boasted ranks several times that.

She clenched her fists. What role could she play now? Shed always looked out for Vir. Shed warded off the village bullies and supported him whenever she could. Now She wanted to protect her friend, but it was more likely that hed be the one protecting her. Thanks to Kalari and his chakram arts, hed become a force to be reckoned with.

Maiya had come to realize that she would never beat Vir if she played to his strengths. It was ironic her friend still couldnt hold a candle to her in endurance, but it almost didnt matter anymore. Hed devised so many ways of ending fights quickly that she could never even begin exploiting that weakness of his.

If she wanted to compete, shed have to play to her strengths. That meant magic. Well, magic and that other thing Riyan was teaching her on the side, but she had to master magic at all cost. Yet no matter how much she pestered the man, he always had the same answer: Patience. Arrangements are being made.

Though, there had been some progress on that front. After pestering Riyan for the hundredth time, hed revealed a date. Two more weeks until Tanya arrived. Then her mejai training would begin in earnest.

Only two more weeks!

Maiya snapped out of her thoughts when Vir was sent tumbling, crashing heavily into a wooden post. She used to panic whenever that happened, but she soon stopped worrying. Her friend was a lot more resilient than she gave him credit for. Or at least, his pain threshold was far higher than hers, and Riyans Life orbs always patched him up afterward.

Vir slowly rose to his feet, testing his arms and legs to ensure he hadnt sustained any major injury. Then he was running again, rushing right back at Riyan to continue the fight.

But instead of engaging, their instructor held up his palm. Take these, he said, tossing some chakrams and chakris at Virs feet.

Vir crouched and picked them up, a confused look on his face. These are steel weapons. I cant use these on you.

Riyan snorted. The day when I need you to worry about me is the day I die. You pose no threat to me, boy. Come at me with everything you have. Show me the fruits of your training.

Vir faced off against the big man, whose only protection was his talwar. Maiya could see the suspicion in Virs eyes, as if he was trying to guess Riyans intent behind this duel.

Maiyas heart pumped faster. She desperately wanted to see him go all out, if only to wipe that arrogant smirk off of Riyans face. But she knew he wouldnt. Itd be stupid to reveal the full extent of his power here She held a small hope nonetheless.

Not attacking? Then I shall! the Ghost of Godshollow said, Leaping to Vir in an instant. Her friend threw himself aside, barely avoiding Riyans wooden sword. Two chakris flew toward the man even before Vir had landed. Both flew true, but Riyan casually avoided one and blocked the other with his talwar. The small disk embedded itself into the wooden weapon.

Maiya realized shed been wrong all along. Vir didnt have the luxury of hiding his power from Riyan. Hed have to throw everything he had at the man just to avoid being battered and broken.

Vir launched a chakram and immediately followed up with his katar. Riyan was forced to defend, but he managed to successfully counter both.

Maiya had never seen the big man pressured like this before. Will he actually lose!?

It seemed like such an absurd thought, but as Vir relentlessly attacked Riyan, forcing him to step back again and again, Maiyas hope grew.

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Down to his last chakram, Vir grasped it with his left hand and sliced at Riyan, but the man used Light Step to gracefully jump away. Vir's final chakri missed.

And that was when Maiya realized Riyan had been going easy on Vir all along. The man rushed Vir and smashed his stomach with the pommel of his talwar. Her friend was literally sent tumbling.

He rolled to a stop, unconscious. Maiya cried out and ran to his side, turning him over.

Good, said Riyan.

How is this good!? Maiya shrieked. Heal him!

He merely fainted. I ensured he suffered no actual damage. Tend to him. And let him know that I am pleased. He is progressing well. Quite well. His chakram skills are truly something else. I wish I could say the same for you.

Maiya stared him down, refusing to buckle under the mans withering gaze. You know what I need.

"Two weeks," Riyan said as he turned and left, leaving her alone with Vir.

Maiya took a deep breath and tended to Vir as best she could.

He came to in a few minutes, his head resting on her lap. I feel like I just got impaled by an Ashva.

Not too far off, actually, Maiya said with a wry smirk. Cmon, lets get you to the bedroom. Ill give you a massage.

Vir frowned. I dont think Ill be able to give you one after, though. Not today, Maiya.

No worries. Its my treat, she said with an angelic smile, which, of course, put Vir on high alert.

What do you want? he asked. His voice dripped with suspicion.

Why would you think I want something? Havent I done stuff for you before? She said, but she knew full well that Vir wouldnt fall for her tactics.

This is different. Youre up to something, Maiya, he said as she got under his shoulder, helping him limp to the edge of the training dome. Riyan had really done a number on him. But knowing her friend, one massage and a grotto soak later, and hed be as good as new.

She brought Vir to the shower, where they each went their separate ways to clean off. No grotto today. A quick rinse would have to suffice.

They met back up again in the bedroom a few minutes later, where shed prepared sandwiches for them.

Thanks Maiya! Vir said, munching on his sandwich while she had hers. It always made her happy seeing him enjoy her cooking that much.

Glad you like it, Vir. But were honestly running low on ingredients. Someones gonna need to make a supply run soon. And you and I both know its not gonna be Riyan. Bet you anything hell have us go and do it.

You might be right about that, Vir said between mouthfuls. I dont even know how far wed have to go. Whats the nearest city?

Probably Saran Which is not close. At all. But I hear it's a pretty big city. I'm actually kinda hoping he asks us to go. Anyway, get down on the ground when youre done.

Vir lay down on the floor mat while she stepped onto his back, grasping the fabric tassels suspended from the ceiling for balance as she massaged him with her feet.

S-So? Vir asked, doing his best not to blush. He still hadn't entirely gotten used to these massages. What did you want to talk about?

Hmm? Whyd you think I wanted to talk about something? she asked with a playful smirk. Lying face down as he was, Vir couldnt see it.

Cmon, MaiyOw!

Shed stepped on an especially tight knot on his back. It must have been painful.

My bad! she lied.

They fell silent for a few moments before she cut to the chase.

I think its about time I got serious about this magic stuff, she said. I cant train without a mentor, but itd be stupid to ignore your ability to see prana. I wanna know everything you can see about me. I want to know my strengths and weaknesses, anything that can give me an edge.

Vir grunted through the pain of the massage. Doesnt work like that, Maiya. All I can see is the prana in your body. That doesnt mean I can see your weaknesses or anything like that. But I can tell you what affinities you have. In fact, I already did.

Oh. Right. Uh, what were my affinities again? She asked with great hesitation. Shed erased that earlier conversation from her memory as soon as hed said she didnt have an affinity for fire.

You really want to know? Vir said. You know its not fire, right?

Maiya bit her lip. Yes. Tell me.

Alright. I think you have a greater Ice affinity and a lesser affinity for Wind. Doesnt look like you have an affinity for anything elseOw!

Maiya drove her heel into his shoulder.

Chalas Knees, Maiya! Youre the one who asked me to tell you! Dont take your anger out on me, Vir said, turning over to stare her in the eyes.

Im sorry, Vir. This time, she meant it. She honestly hadnt meant to hurt him.

Vir sighed and returned to his face-down position. Whatever. I just hope you believe me.

I do, she said. As much as I dont want to, avoiding the facts isnt going to change anything. And besides, maybe I can develop a fire affinity later somehow.

Ice and wind are pretty great, if you ask me, Vir said.

Hmm. Ice is good for slowing and stopping opponents, and its got some really powerful spells at the higher tiers. But its slow. Only fireballs are slower than ice spells, and ice doesnt have the sheer destructive power or range that fire does.

What about wind? he asked.

Winds not bad. Wind spells tend to be fast. Actually, I think only Lightnings faster. And their range is decent. I dont really know what most of the Wind affinity spells look like, actually.

Vir spoke up. I overheard some traveling merchants at the village a long time ago. They were talking about all sorts of magic. I think one of them knew a mejai who could shoot blades of wind. That always sounded pretty dang seric to me.

Hmm. What did they say about ice?

Vir thought for a moment, struggling to recall. They mentioned Ice Prison as one spell, if I remember right. It sounded incredibly powerful.

That does sound nice, Maiya said. Hmm. Maybe this isnt so horrible after all. You think you could share what you learn about magic with me? I dunno if it'll help me, but at least I'll feel like I'm doing something until Tanya arrives.

Happy to, Maiya, Vir said, rolling his eyes. And you do realize youre talking to someone who has zero magical potential, right? Id kill to have an affinity. Any affinity!

He might have had a point a month or two ago, but now, Maiya had little sympathy for her friend. You dont need magic, Vir. With how fast youre learning Riyans techniques, youll be a skilled assassin in no time.

Vir fell silent. You really think hes gonna ask me to kill someone?

I dont know, Vir. I truly hope not. For both of our sakes

The more they trained, the more anxious Maiya grew. She knew theyd be forced apart to do Riyan's taskthe man had said as much. But for how long?

She shook her head, clearing away the dark thoughts that threatened to crush her.

Nothing would separate her from Vir. Not Riyan. Not even Fate itself.

Next time: 26 - Cloaks & Daggers

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