CHAPTER ASHBORN 430: PRECIPICE OF LIFE

Vir wasted not a single moment returning to Ashani, flying through the Gate without slowing. On the other side, Vir found a fabric medical tent and Tara’s team of nagas in their half-serpent form, assembled and waiting out front. Even Balagra was there.

“Who, uh… Wow,” Tara said, freezing in her tracks as she stared up at Vir’s horns. “Vaak? Is that really you?”

Vir released Aspect of the Demon God, and the horns melted away, turning into pure prana, as did the rest of his jet-black armor of bone. He shrunk down to his normal size, wearing his now-broken segmented plate armor.

“In the flesh,” Vir said. “Time is of the essence.”

“Right. Questions later. Who do you want me to work on first?” Tara asked, her medical training taking over even before Vir had set down his precious cargo.

“Maiya,” Vir replied without hesitation. “Prioritize her life at all costs. Try to save them both if you can.”

Though he felt terrible about the princess, there was no question who came first here.

“That’s the idea,” Tara said, before squeezing Vir’s arm. “Relax. You got to them in time. Their burns are severe, but it shouldn’t be anything I can’t handle. I did bring you back from the brink of death, didn’t I?”

Vir’s back slackened at her words, and he let out a long breath. “Yes, you did. Now please, don’t let me distract you.”

Tara nodded. “Strip off their rags and get them on the medical beds,” she commanded, assisting in the process herself. “And cool this tent! I want it as cold as possible in here!”

Then she got to work, placing her hands gently on Maiya’s seared flesh.

Maiya stiffened and grit her teeth under the pain of contact, and her whimpers brought Vir to tears.

“Easy, Maiya,” Tara said in a soothing voice. “I know this must hurt beyond reason, but you’re in good hands. I’m healing you now. Try not to move too much. Your body is very damaged.”

Maiya didn’t reply, and Vir couldn’t know if she’d heard.

The burns were far worse than he’d feared, and it took all of his willpower not to look away. For as desensitized to violence and death as he’d become over the years, his mind still reeled at the sight of Maiya in pain, her body mangled and mutilated. While he ought not to watch to preserve her modesty, he couldn’t help it. Not when her life was on the line.

Ensuring he stayed out of Tara’s way, Vir drew closer and gently cupped Maiya’s hand. Fully aware of the pain any amount of physical contact must cause her, he applied only the slightest hint of pressure. Just enough to let her know she was there.

Maiya seemed to lapse in and out of consciousness, groaning in pain as her skin bubbled over, despite the packs of ice Tara had placed on her.

Similar sounds could be heard from the other bed. Though he hadn’t so much as glanced at the princess, Vir appreciated the divider the nagas put up, hiding her from sight.

The water the Kin’jals had prepared had been especially nasty. Not only was it boiling, but its prana had somehow been made denser as well. Likely due to another Artifact in Andros’ possession and perhaps similar to the one the Pagan Order used.

While Maiya had spent time near the Ash Boundary, even she couldn’t survive the densities of the Ash. Both the heat and the prana had done a number on her, and were she healed in the Human Realm, Vir might have lost hope.

Yet Vir had seen what Tara could do firsthand. If she could regrow limbs and bring him back from the state he’d been in, there was no reason to think she couldn’t heal Maiya.

As for Ira… That was another story. Tara worked miracles, but miracles tended not to pay heed to schedules. Depending on when Tara finished with Maiya, it might be too late for the princess, despite several healers attempting to do what they could with Yuma’s Touch.

Against burns of this degree, Vir knew their lesser bloodline art simply wouldn’t suffice. At best, they would only delay the inevitable. Whether they could keep her alive long enough was anyone’s guess.

Vir once again cursed himself for not having pressured the Panav more. If they’d parted with their Ultimate Art, he might’ve been able to help her.

As it was, he could only stand and watch as Tara stabilized Maiya’s condition. Her breaths slowly eased, changing from erratic and sharp to calm and stable, and while still very much in pain, her eyes opened for the first time.

“Maiya!” Vir cried, leaning closer. “I’m so sorry. You’re going to be alright. You’re going to be fine.”

“Never… doubted,” Maiya wheezed. The words sent her into a coughing fit that was calmed only when Tara placed her hands on Maiya’s chest, soothing the damage.

“No talking,” Tara admonished. “You’re in a precarious state right now. You’re stable, but your whole body was burned. With that much damage, you need a lot more work before your body can heal on its own.”

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Maiya nodded weakly, but then her eyes suddenly widened in panic. “Ira! Is Ira…”

“What did I just say?” Tara muttered. “I swear, you’re as stubborn as each other.”

Were this any other time, Vir would have responded to Tara’s jab. Instead, he stared deep into Maiya's eyes.

“In the bed next to you, but I’ll be honest,” Vir said, gently squeezing her hand. “Tara here is the only one with the power to save you. She’ll move to Ira the moment you’re well. Until then, our other healers are doing what they can to keep her alive.”

“No,” Maiya said with such force it surprised everyone assembled. “Heal her. I’m safe. Right?”

“For now,” Tara replied, frowning. “But I can’t—”

“Heal. Please?”

Tara opened her mouth, then glanced at Vir.

“How long can you leave Maiya before her condition worsens?”

“Best guess? Less than a minute. Still, she’ll survive for another hour on her own before her burns claim her.”

There was not one part of Vir that wanted Tara to abandon her work on Maiya. The thought of Maiya taking even one second longer than absolutely necessary to recover terrified him.

“Hey,” Maiya whispered. “I'm fine. I’m… strong.”

“I know Ash-damned well how strong you are, Mai,” Vir muttered. “You’re the strongest person in the world to me. And the most precious.”

“She’s… my friend. She’s… precious.”

It wasn’t her words, but the gentle squeeze that finally broke Vir’s iron will. Some things, it seemed, never changed. Maiya had always had a way of softening his edges.

“Thirty minutes on Ira, then come back to Maiya,” Vir said. “Alternate between them as you deem necessary. But I reiterate. Should things take a turn for the worse, I want you to prioritize Maiya’s life.”

“Understood,” Tara said with a nod. “Now, get out of my way so I can work.”

The nagas who’d been working on Ira switched over to Maiya, swarming her and doing what they could in Tara’s absence. A few eased Maiya’s pain, while the others went to work on the smaller burns that covered her body.

Though her skin looked no less mangled than when Vir had rescued her, Prana Vision showed that her pathways were far less chaotic than before. There was healing happening there. He simply had to convince himself it was enough.

Vir stood in silence, holding onto Maiya’s hand and trying not to show his panic, when a cough from nearby drew his attention.

“Akh Nara,” Balagra said, facing away from Maiya’s exposed form. So bad were her burns that not even towels could be placed on her. “A word, please?”

Vir gave Maiya’s hand another gentle squeeze. “I’ll be right back, alright? Don’t go anywhere.”

Maiya chuckled, but Vir regretted his words when she entered into another coughing fit.

“What is it?” Vir asked, stepping outside the tent with Balagra.

“Congratulations on the rescue,” Balagra said. “I’ve no doubt Tara will nurse them both back to full health.”

“Nor do I. Yet I’m guessing you didn’t call me out here to say just that?”

“No, I’m afraid the situation is quite dire.”

“What’s happened in my absence? Have the Chitran regrouped?”

“Worse—they’ve joined forces with the Aindri, assaulting from both the Ash Garrisons to the west and the east. Together, they’ve besieged Samar Patag and have established strongholds at a number of the other villages around the clan’s territory. They’re rounding up villagers and taking them to detainment camps, where they’re threatening to kill them should we not surrender.”

“Typical Chitran treachery,” Vir spat. “I assume you’ve sent our forces?”

“The ones we could spare, yes. Luckily, our Warriors are easily ten of theirs. They are swiftly gaining a reputation amongst the Chitran. Seems they’re calling us the Asuras now.”

Vir chuckled wryly. “The real demons, huh? It’s not a bad title. They’ve been successful, then?”

“We’ve already liberated several of these camps with minimal casualties on our side. Much work remains, however. Thus far, the Chitran have abstained from killing our innocents, but that can change on a moment’s notice. Not to mention their many garrisons. We’ve left those largely untouched for now.”

“Annas must be leading them,” Vir said, his blood boiling at the very thought of that kothi. “What of the situation in the city?”

“I can’t say it is much better, Akh Nara. Rampant hunger plagues Samar Patag. Matiman saw fit to burn the city’s food stores before he met you and the Ravager in the field of battle. We’ve salvaged what little remains, but I’m afraid we’ll start running out of food before the week’s end. We’ve cut rations in half, but given how malnourished our people were to begin with, several have already succumbed.”

Vir cursed. “I suppose ordering our healers to help Maiya and Ira hasn’t helped.”

“It was a necessary decision,” Balagra said solemnly.

“Yes, but at what cost? Order our troops to ask those with extra food to donate. Tell them they will be amply rewarded. We all know the Chitran were well fed. No doubt they stockpiled prior to the battle.”

“And if they don’t?”

“Then take it forcibly, but do not harm them. The last thing we want is to stoke the flames of hatred any more than they already are.”

“Understood, Akh Nara.”

“Morale can’t be good. Has panic broken out?”

“Thankfully not yet, though every day brings us closer to the edge. The Ravager and Raja Thaman’s combined presences have gone a long way, but everyone is anxious about you. They wonder where their leader disappeared and whether the goddess Ashani has forsaken them.”

Vir put a hand up to his forehead. “We’re gone a few days, and they think we’ve abandoned them…”

“This is their time of need, Akh Nara. And ours, if I am honest. The troops aren’t the same without you. You’re… you’re no longer just a leader. We all know you to be something more. Something else. Without you and Goddess Ashani, what hope do we have?”

“We’re just two people, Balagra, no matter what you say about us. As a percentage of the fighting force, we’re insignificant. I’m comparable to Cirayus, and Ashani has only one attack art.”

“And yet, the very air holds its breath the moment you two take to the field of battle. Your presence alone fills your soldiers with strength and robs the enemy of theirs. It is a force more powerful than any art. Do you not understand how significant you are to us?”

“I do,” Vir said with a sigh. “I do. And I will boldly announce my presence. This, I assure you. But not until I know that Maiya is safe.”

“I can return immediately,” Ashani said, walking over. “I’ve just been getting appraised on events. I am ready to assuage the people and help wherever I can.”

“Are you certain?” Vir asked. “I wouldn’t wish to put you in any uncomfortable situations.”

“And I wouldn’t wish for the people of this world to give up hope when there is so much to be had,” Ashani countered. “I am at your service.”

“That will be an immense help, Lady Goddess,” Balagra said, taking a knee.

Both Vir and Ashani had long ago given up on stopping such behavior, and so they just nodded as gods and goddesses were expected to do.

“Thank you, Ashani. Truly.”

“And you, Akh Nara?” Balagra asked hopefully.

“I will return as soon as I am able,” Vir repeated. “The world has survived without me these past days. It can survive another few hours. That said, have Saunak prepare one of his Automatons. The largest and most fearsome-looking of the lot.”

A smile crept onto Vir’s face, but there was no joy in his eyes. “If it’s a morale boost people need, then we might as well give them something special.”