Ashborn Primordial

Chapter (Arc 2) 10: New Beginnings

Vir awoke to dark and earthen surroundings. The only light in the room filtered in through small openings high above, with the Godshollow nowhere in sight.

He shifted and realized he was on a small bed inside what looked like a dome of clay. He sat up, but immediately regretted it.

Ugh Pain shot through his body, and the slightest movement aggravated it.

But pain he could deal with. What was worse were the bizarre colors that polluted his vision. Significantly dimmer than before, but still very much present. The dark surroundings only highlighted his distorted eyesight.

No, not distorted he couldnt quite make out what it was. He saw everything he usually saw, but now he saw more layered on top. Glowing motes of various colors swam through the air, through the bed under him, and even through his very body. It was in almost everything. Vague and dim, entirely unlike before.

Also gone were the voices in his head. The voices that had spoken to him since the cultist encounter were now silenced. As if exchanged for this new sight.

The sight had shown him the bandies weak points, so he was sure there was more to this than met the eye. Ill have to experiment with it, he thought in an attempt to distract himself.

He failed, and broke down sobbing. Father...

Rudvik. His invincible hero had been cut down by a knight out for Vir. Guilt crushed him. His heart threatened to burst. My fault. It was my fault! How can I ever!?

Then Neel jumped onto the bed and began licking his face.

Oh, Neel, Vir said, crying into his fur. The poor bandy was covered in bandages, but he didnt seem to limp at least.

A weight lifted off his shoulders now that he knew his faithful companion was alive and well. He didnt even want to think about losing Neel. You fought so hard, didnt you, boy?

Vir? Maiya asked, bolting upright. Hed completely missed her sleeping form on the floor next to the bed.

Vir!! She tackled him with a hug. I was so worried, Vir. I thought I thought youd she stammered, sobbing against his chest.

They cried together for several minutes before running out of tears. They sat there, embracing each other for who-knew-how-long. He's really gone, Vir whispered.

Y-yeah.

But I'm alive, Vir whispered, looking Maiya in the eye. Why?

IVir, Rudvik gave his life for you. For us. You think he'd want you talking like this? You think he'd rather he lived and you died!? she shrieked.

I... Vir had no comeback. She was right. Rudvik had protected them both. If given the choice, he'd do it again. But hearing that didn't make it any easier. Thanks, Maiya. I guess I owe you my life, too, huh? For bringing me here?

Maiya shook her head. I did nothing. It was all Riyan.

Riyan? Vir echoed.

The girl broke her embrace and looked him in the eyes.

Hes the one who killed the knight. Hes, uh hes the Ghost of Godshollow, she said, scratching her nose in embarrassment. Cant believe I actually believed he was a spirit. Turned out he was just a normal old man all along. Said hes been to the Godshollow several times, and that he wasnt surprised backwater villagers concocted such droll nonsense.

The memories came rushing back to Vir. The knight. His ax, about to strike Maiya. And the figure in white whod shown up at the end.

So I didnt just imagine that. How long have I been out? Vir asked, thankful for the distraction.

A couple of days. Riyan said youd have died if he hadnt treated your burns immediately. Same with Neel. Luckily, he seems to know his way around Life Affinity magic. He used hot water, some medicinal herbs Id never seen before, and his Life orbs on both of you. Said youd both make a full recovery. He brought us back here on his Ashva.

Huh. Didnt think wed be rescued by the Ghost of Godshollow, of all people.

Theyd all thought the knights would never find them in the forest. Hed chided Maiya for believing in ghost stories. Hed been wrong on both accounts. Fate seemed to have its own sense of irony.

He lives here? Vir asked. Where is he?

Yeah, this is his place. Hes out doing something right now. Didnt say what. Its kind of an unusual home, but its way nicer than any house in the village, she said with eyes glinting. Cant wait to show you around when youre well enough to walk.

Maiya, I almost got us killed! He blurted, his voice hoarse and broken. He found himself unable to meet her gaze.

Huh? What in Veras name are you talking about, Vir? You fought and ran so far, even though runnings hard for you. I could hardly believe my eyes. That, and

And what? he asked.

Vir, howd you move like that? You slit those two bandies throats like it was nothing. Like youd killed a hundred bandies before. But Ive never even seen you train with knives before, Vir. And Im pretty sure you havent killed a single thing in your whole life. Have you been secretly training or something? She said with a searching gaze.

I

What had happened back then? His memories were still hazy. The young man looked at his hands. Had these hands really felled two bandies? They certainly hadnt felt like his hands when hed done the deed.

I dont know, Maiya. Honestly dont have a clue. One minute, I was me, and the next I wasnt. And now my eyes are all messed up.

Messed up? What do you mean?

Its hard to explain, but I see things now that I hadnt before. And its driving me crazy, if Im honest. Makes no grakkin sense.

Words like Primordial, Garga, Iksana, and Clarity filled his head, but he couldnt figure out what these words all meant. The one thing he remembered clearly was Ekanai.

The voice that wanted me to kill Maiya

He averted his gaze.

Whats wrong, Vir? Are you in pain?

How could I have even thought that?

Vir shook his head. It wasnt him. It was Ekanai. Ekavir didnt want to hurt Maiya. He wanted to protect her. His best, only, and dearest friend in the entire realm. Of course, he couldn't even manage that. Rudvik was gone, and without Ekanai, Maiya would be as well.

He had to ensure such a thing never happened again. If Ekanai ever possessed him in the future, hed have to make sure it was he who won, and not the Reaper.

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A small voice at the back of his head told him that next time, he wouldnt win. That he was going up against powers he couldnt possibly fathom.

Vir squelched that voice with the weight of an anvil.

Grasping for anything to distract himself, he turned his mind to Ekanais memory. When hed fought, Ekanais presence had felt so vivid. Almost as if hed transformed into that gangly gray warrior himself. But now, he could hardly remember anything. The memories felt so distant. Like something hed once known, but had long ago forgotten.

Was that why the knights were hunting him? Because he was possessed? For all he knew, he very well might be. Ekanai was strong. Did the knights know something he didnt? Did Riyan know something?

Vir shook away those thoughts. He needed to figure out his immediate situation first.

What happened to the knights? Are they still looking for me? he asked.

No, Riyan says theyll be heading back to the capital soon. Especially after losing one of their own.

Virs eyes narrowed. His mind was foggy and all he wanted to do was curl up in a ball and forget everything. But he couldn't do that. To do so was to avoid reality. He forced himself to converse with Maiya, though his heart wasn't in it. How do you figure? Theyll know we killed him when they find his body, wont they? Thatll just give them more reason to come after me.

No. Riyan, he, uh he mangled the knights corpse, Vir. I couldnt bear to watch. Said that this way, itll look like the knight lost control of his bandies and succumbed to them.

Does that actually happen? Vir asked.

Maiya shrugged. He says the other knightsll believe it. And he said that youre not worth risking losing any more of their number she paused. We, er we brought Rudvik back as well. But weve been waiting to perform his last rites. I I insisted that youd want to be present.

Just like that, all of his efforts to stop thinking about his father fell apart.

Rudvik Tears welled up in his eyes again. Fathers really gone.

The man hed always looked up to, whod never once fallen sick or been injured. Dead. Just like that.

Vir clammed up. The walls closed in on him and the earthen dome felt like it was collapsing on his head. He began to hyperventilate. He couldn't stay here.

Panicking, he jumped to his feet, nearly losing consciousness from the pain.

He needed out. Right now. He pushed through the discomfort.

Vir, no! Youre not well. You need to rest!

Neel barked, as if agreeing with her.

Vir ignored them and hobbled to the door. Every inch of his body throbbed with pain, but his back was the worst. Even now, it felt like it was still burning, smoldering under the bandages, even though he knew that couldnt possibly be true. He didnt even want to know how horrible his back must look.

He finally made it to the door and reached for the knob. Locked.

Were prisoners, then? I shouldve expected this, he thought, his panic rising. He needed another way out. There had to be another way out.

Maiya sighed and made her way to the door. She rested her hand on the knob, which clicked and turned effortlessly. Magic Lock, Vir.

Oh right.

Were not prisoners. Riyan said were free to leave if we want.

Vir walked into a common area with a much taller roof than the bedroom. This room also had a dome of clay, just larger. Silk rugs with intricate patterns decorated the hard earthen floor, while leather sofas, wooden tables, carved bookshelves, and various knickknacks furnished the large space. The rich scents of spices, incense, and sandalwood all mingled together and tickled his nose, reminding him of Apramors temple.

Whoever Riyan was, he had refinedand expensivetastes. And he was organized. Not a single thing was out of place.

Vir wandered the home in awe, his panic overridden by curiosity. Each room connected to each other through large open archways, giving the space an airy feel, despite its lack of windows.

Maiya followed him silently, staying close in case he collapsed or needed help.

Were underground? he asked. All the skylights and windows were high above, and the entire home gave off a subterranean feel. Though it somehow felt cozy and warm at the same time. Maybe because of the Magic Lamps embedded in alcoves on the wall and which hung from the ceiling, filling the room with their soft amber glow.

Yep. The entire homes built into a hill. Its practically invisible unless you know its there. I didnt even realize wed arrived until we were less than ten paces away.

This is incredible, Vir commented. Most of the rooms and halls had hard clay floors, while some had sand, making them feel wild and exotic at the same time. In these rooms, sunlight from the skylights reflected off the sand, casting a warm glow on the earthen walls.

I know, right? Maiya said excitedly. I wouldnt mind living here

Are we in a desert? Vir asked, itching his bandages.

His friend nodded. A few hours Ashva ride from Brij. Im pretty sure were somewhere north of Brij, but Riyan took a lot of turns to get here so its hard to know for sure. Said it was a precaution against any pursuers.

Most of the rooms of the home were open and connected by broad, tall archways. Despite the open floor plan, Vir couldnt find the exit. Hed gotten lost within minutes.

Youve got no clue where youre going, do you? Maiya said with a giggle. Here, lemme show you the way out.

How can I help it? I feel like half the village could fit in here!

She took his hand and led him through another couple of rooms before activating the orb lock on a door, leading them through.

Vir belatedly realized he actually was trapped in this home, since he couldnt open any of the locks. If Maiya wasnt here to help, hed be in big trouble.

He stepped out onto hot sand, with the golden hues of a sun setting against a sea of dunes for as far as he could see.

Where are we? he asked. Vir hadnt known of any deserts very close to Brij. But that wasnt saying much. Maiya would be the first person to tell him he sucked at geography.

Somewhere between Brij and Saran, in the central desert. No idea where exactly, though.

Vir looked at her expectantly.

Its a Hiranyan port town, she said, rolling her eyes. Merchants bound for Saran sometimes passed through our village. You really oughta know this, Vir.

Y-yeah. So, were still in Hiranya, huh? That didnt bode well for Vir, knights and all.

I wouldnt worry about it too much, Maiya said. No ones gonna find us here.

Yeah? What makes you so sure?

Maiya pointed a thumb back at the house. Vir turned and gaped in shock.

This this is pure seric! Vir exclaimed.

He could hardly believe there was a home behind him. Apart from a couple of windows here and there, the house was completely invisible. From a hundred paces away, itd be undetectable. A sense of security settled over him like a warm blanket.

So were really not prisoners, huh?

At least, it doesnt seem like it? Riyans not the friendliest guy around, but hes interested in us. Well, no. I think hes interested in you.

Why me, though?

Whats your read on Riyan? Vir said. Youve met him. Think we can trust him?

I I dunno, Maiya replied. We oughta be careful. I cant just accept that hed take us in out of his own goodwill. Theres gotta be something more to it.

Vir nodded. Right. Hes after something. I mean, who exactly is he? I mean, what kind of person has a secret hideout like this? He simply couldnt imagine what a pair of village teens could offer a man with the wealth Riyan possessed.

He didnt say. Just that hes experienced in combat. I mean, thats obvious. He took down that knight as easily as Maiya stopped suddenly, but Vir knew what shed meant to say.

As easily as the knight killed my father, he completed. Hes gone. Isnt he, Maiya? Rudviks really gone

Maiya didnt respond.

He told me he wasnt a good father. But yknow? Rudvik was always nice to me. He never hurt me or shouted at me. And he treated me like I was normal. Like an equal.

Vir turned to look Maiya in the eyes, tears now flowing freely down his face. Why did he have to die, Maiya?

Maiya frowned. We couldnt have done anything about it, Vir. You cant blame yourself.

No, Maiya. Thats not right. We couldnt do anything because we were weak. Too weak to resist. I hate this, Maiya. I hate being powerless.

Vir thought back to Riyans words right before he lost consciousness.

Do you desire strength?

He realized he did. He craved it so badly that hed do anything to have it. Because with strength

No one will ever have to sacrifice themselves for me again.

The two sat upon the sandy hill, watching the sun set in silence. As the last rays of light fell, a lone figure suddenly appeared beside them. Neither had heard his approach.

Vir gulped. The Ghost of Godshollow had arrived.

Next time: 11 - Riyan Savar

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