204 Part Two: The Shadow and the Ravager Redux (Patreon)

Note: RR showed an interest in seeing a fight between Vir & Cirayus when Vir returned from the Mahadi Realm. Here it is! All tiers will be getting the same chapter today. Back to the regular schedule tomorrow.

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The dark cave that had only recently been the final domain lord’s lair seemed an appropriate location for a duel between such combatants as the Akh Nara and the Ravager.

The only light that filtered in came from the hole through which Vir and Cirayus had descended, but if the low light bothered the giant, he certainly didn’t mention it.

Not like he needs light with that Third Eye Chakra of his, Vir observed.

It was a fateful moment for Vir. When he’d first fought the demon, it’d been less a battle, and more a predator toying with his prey. Forget putting up a fight—if Cirayus had wanted him dead, Vir would’ve lost his life before he knew what hit him.

Vir was no longer that weak boy, however. Not after Mahādi. Not after Ashani. Not here in the Ash, where his affinity reigned supreme. This was his domain.

Even so, though he couldn’t wait to see the look on Cirayus’ face when he bested the giant, he wasn’t immature enough to let it get to his head.

Despite his many recent strength gains, this would be a difficult fight. Even with Cirayus opting not to use Sikandar. Instead, the giant wielded the same weapons he had during the their first duel.

For defense, he carried an enormous tower shield that was closer to a wall than a shield—and likely weighed as much, too. For offense, he hefted a poleaxe, a normally two-handed weapon, in one hand, and in his two upper hands, he clutched a greatsword.

How fitting that even our weapons are the same as that day, Vir thought. He’s underestimating me, another, darker voice said.

While Sikandar was a monumental force, Vir was unsure whether the enormous sword would do well here, in this cave. Though easily tall enough to allow Cirayus to swing the greatsword and poleaxe without issues, Sikandar needed a lot of space. Even in here, Vir felt the giant might be restricted in its usage.

Regardless, Cirayus’ choice of weapon left a bitter taste in Vir’s mouth. He wanted to fight the demon at full power, and briefly considered moving the duel. If he did, however, he’d lose Dance of the Shadow Demon. Luckily, there was a simple remedy.

“Seeing how you’re not using your ultimate weapon, I’ll forego mine as well,” Vir said, throwing his Artifact Chakram into a wall, where it dug deep and remained lodged. For this fight, he’d use his katar, his two ordinary chakrams, and his half dozen chakris.

“You sure you want to do that, lad?” Cirayus asked, cocking a brow. “I won’t have you complaining later.”

“When have I ever complained? Besides, you’re assuming I’ll lose. If I win, won’t it be even more of an accomplishment this way? Beating you even without my Artifact?”

“Empty bravado? Or do you truly believe that? I see the Mahādi Realm has given you confidence. Though is it well founded, I wonder? Or will it crack under the slightest pressure? We shall soon find out. We fight to knockout or surrender. Ready yourself, lad. The duel begins when the dagger strikes the ground.”

Cirayus produced a dagger Vir had never seen—likely one he’d pilfered from the Mejai of Realms’ men—and hurled it at the ground between them.

Vir activated Haste, and the world slowed to a fifth of normal. The dagger’s every spin became visible as it sailed through the air. Not slowly, but slow enough for Vir to track.

He did more than watch, though. Prana Current surged to its absolute maximum, strengthening the Prana Armor, which was always active.

In the few moments before the dagger hit, Vir had already coalesced prana around his body, bolstering the armor, making him more durable.

His heart pumped madly.

This was the moment he’d wished for. To test his mettle against a truly capable opponent. The Domain Lords hadn’t been strong enough. Cirayus, though? Had he truly grown strong enough to defeat the giant?

The dagger struck, its clang against the rock coming like a low boom, pitch shifted and deep.

A volley of Chakram Barrages erupted from Vir’s fist the moment it did.

The disks of pure Ash Prana ripped forth in deadly succession. Vir fired off half dozen before Blinking around to Cirayus’ back and firing six more. Then he repeated the, Blinking and firing barrage after barrage.

Vir knew that mobility was his greatest weapon. He understood Cirayus’ strength better than most, both offensive and defensive. It took a lot to hurt him.

So it was to Vir’s immense satisfaction that small gashes opened up in a dozen places round the giant’s body. Though shallow, blood wept from each—a darker crimson against Cirayus’ red skin.

He can’t even dodge with how fast I’m attacking!

Just to throw off Cirayus’ uncanny sixth sense, Vir alternated between Blinking randomly around the demon, and sinking into the shadows. From there, he could strike from practically any surface—this truly was an environment that favored him.

Still, despite his dozens of attacks—each of which would rend lesser Ash Beasts—he’d failed to deliver a crippling blow.

Aspect of the Final Sanctuary.

Vir had never once seen the demon use that tattoo. It was an unaffiliated art, meaning any demon from any clan could use it, and its specialty was defense, protection, and restoration.

As with the other Aspect tattoos, it was abstract in nature, its exact powers changing based on the wielder’s imagination and mastery.

Vir had never seen him use it because the demon had never once been injured in their time in the Ash.

That was when the reality dawned on him.

That’s the first time he’s taken an injury. I… injured Cirayus?

Until now, he wasn’t even sure if the giant could bleed. Giant’s Hide made the demon nearly impervious to weaker attacks; Vir had witnessed Shredders chomp onto his arm, only to flail in desperation as Cirayus casually swatted them off—ending them.

Yet bleed he did, even if his wounds rapidly healed. Though, Vir noticed, not nearly as swiftly as he’d feared. The healing rate, while faster than Vir’s pranites could manage, was nowhere near Ashani’s own capabilities. Or those of the Garuda Vir had fought in the Ash, for that matter.

Which means… if I keep this up….

Vir flashed back and forth, alternating between Chakram Barrages and the stronger, but slower Katar Barrage. Each attack left its mark on the demon’s skin, covering him in wounds.

He felt bad about hurting Cirayus like this, but he blamed the demon for being as strong as he was. Also, if he was honest, he had a lot of pent up frustration to release. Cirayus just so happened to be the perfect target.

More!

Vir Blinked to within melee range. Prana Blade erupted from his katar, and Cirayus’ eyes lit up in surprise. Its deadly energy was so thick, even the giant saw it.

Vir swung, and for the first time in their duel, Cirayus attempted to dodge.

Attempted, but ultimately failed. With how quickly Vir moved, the demon’s large frame was a hindrance. Vir’s katar traced across his chest, and a great gash opened.

But Cirayus did not buckle, nor did he even grunt in pain.

“Your mobility is truly impressive, I must admit,” Cirayus said, lecturing in his normal, measured tone. “When you learned to accelerate your body, you gained an edge. I see now that you’ve managed to improve upon it. What is it now—four times your normal speed? Five, perhaps?”

Vir clucked his tongue. How can he be talking so calmly after taking such a wound?

“As entertaining as it would be to fight you like this, I must admit I am at a disadvantage. Let us balance the scales a bit, shall we?” Cirayus said, grinning at his own joke.

“Go right ahead,” Vir shot back. He’d seen Balancer of Scales in action. He knew its power. Ten times his weight would slow him, yes, but it was nothing he couldn’t—

“Hrrgh!” Vir’s knees buckled, and he went crashing to the ground. An almighty force pressed upon him with the weight of a mountain. Like his Foundation Chakra training had manifested in reality.

Yet this was no chakra attack.

Balancer of Scales!? But how?

“There is an old saying among demons. A wise one.” Cirayus cracked his neck. “The Shrike hides its talons. Until now, you have seen me increase the weight of objects tenfold. When applied to a large area, this is indeed my limit. But when coalesced? Right now, you are experiencing fifty times your own weight. Even with your prana-strengthened body, I doubt you can shrug it off, yes?”

Fifty!? The old geezer’s been hiding his abilities!

Vir realized that wasn’t quite correct. Just that he’d simply never needed to use them before.

Grinding his teeth against the pressure, Vir slowly worked his way back to his feet.

This… might be a problem.

While he could at least stand, his body had become unbelievably sluggish. With Haste active, his mind was still running at full speed, but his body could no longer respond as it did. It was like wading through a thick syrup.

How’s he manage that, anyway?

On several occasions, Cirayus had harped on just how difficult it was to master Balancer of Scales. To concentrate the ability on just Vir alone meant he had to not only track Vir’s movements, but also keep the ability centered upon him at all times. Just what godlike level of control did it take to manage such a feat?

Damned old chal. He’s probably spent hundreds of years getting it to this state.

To Vir’s horror and frustration, he saw Cirayus’ next attack coming. That didn’t mean he could do anything about it, though.

Cirayus was almost casual in the way he stomped up to Vir. The tower shield surged forth, and Vir went flying.

Prana Armor might’ve protected him from the blunt force trauma of being struck by a shield the size of a wall, but it didn’t cancel the weight of the blow.

The strike knocked the breath out of him. Struggling to breathe, Vir sailed into the rocky cavern.

If Cirayus was hoping to incapacitate him with that blow, however, he was sorely mistaken. Vir was no amateur. Even while asphyxiating, he maintained his presence of mind.

The Shadow Realm opened, and Vir sunk in.

He knew now how to defeat the demon. If Cirayus was concentrating Balancer on him, he simply needed to shirk the demon’s eye. Not even he could follow Vir into the Demon Realm. No one but the Iksana could.

Immediately choosing Cirayus’ own shadow, Vir exited. So did all the momentum he’d carried in.

Using the force of Cirayus’ own strike that had sent him flying, he extended his katar, wreathed in the most violent and powerful Prana Blade he’d ever mustered.

The magic poured from his body onto the blade in such a torrent that it destabilized around the katar, arcing off the blade.

Wasteful, but ultimately even stronger than his ordinarily deadly variant.

The blade passed effortlessly through Cirayus’ Giant’s Hide bloodline art and penetrated deep into his flesh. But not flesh that mattered.

Cirayus had defended with one of his arms—the blade passed through his bicep.

How did he…

The truth dawned upon Vir. The demon might not be able to follow him into the Shadow Realm, but he didn’t have to. He had something that could track Vir the very instant he popped up. That, when combined with his monstrous intuition, gave the demon a sort of limited prescience.

The Third Eye Chakra.

Vir cursed as Cirayus grabbed his arm with a vice-grip, preventing him from sinking back into the shadow. Vir flared prana, causing it to surge from his body, but the demon held strong, despite the agony he must’ve endured.

“You’ve come a long way.”

“Eat this.”

Prana Blade extended, turning into Blade Projection, which ripped clean through Cirayus’ flesh.

The demon roared in pain and let go. Vir instantly dove back into the Shadow Realm, where he took his time to plan.

Getting close to him’s too dangerous. To have any shot at winning, Vir had to remain unpredictable. His only chance was to pop into the cave, fire an attack, and retreat to the shadows. If he was fast enough, he might avoid Balancer of Scales. Even if he couldn’t, his attacks would still fly true, despite Vir’s reduced speed.

Mind made, Vir extended just one arm from a shadow above Cirayus’ head. Simultaneously, he extended another arm through the giant’s own shadow, below him.

He’d tried this, once, but the act had been incredibly disorienting. Controlling his body from two separate places was not something his mind was created for, and the result was generally a haphazard attack where he flailed his limbs.

The trick was not to look. Vir closed his eyes and fired off two Chakram Launches.

Hit from both directions, Cirayus narrowly dodged one, but he could do nothing against the other.

Yes!!

Vir popped out from a shadow, employing the same tactic. Again, one of his strikes connected.

And then, when his head emerged from the third, Cirayus made his move.

Vir froze, unable to register just what had happened. It wasn’t until a few moments later, when he saw Cirayus’ glistening blade, when he felt the blinding, debilitating pain exploded from his throat, that he understood.

Cirayus’ poleaxe’s speartip had skewered his throat.

Vir’s first thought wasn’t of fear for his life, or that he’d lost. It was disbelief. He felt betrayed. Never in his dreams did he think Cirayus would harm him like this. It was partly why he could afford to take risks fighting the demon.

Hadn’t Cirayus’ sacrificed everything to protect him?

Why?

And then, all at once, the pain disappeared. He stood before Cirayus, who’s talwar was pressed against Vir’s throat. His intact throat; the weapon had drawn only a trickle of blood.

Vir was unharmed.

“What in the realms…”

And then the truth dawned upon him.

“Chakra!?”

Cirayus nodded, grinning. “Congratulations, lad. You now know how it feels to be attacked by an illusion of the Life Chakra.”

Vir dropped his katar and fell to his knees. He felt his throat. The small prick Cirayus had inflicted had already clotted—Vir barely felt it. And yet he still felt like his throat had been skewered.

“I… concede.”

Vir was too exhausted to be enraged. It was as if all of his energy had been suddenly drained. He fell over, and laughed.