CHAPTER ASHBORN 451: ENEMIES WITHIN. ENEMIES WITHOUT.

For the first time in years, Andros was happy. True, there were the victories against Hiranya and the conquests into Matali. There was the Hiranyan subjugation and their inroads into Sai. Those pleased him, of course. But true happiness? That had proven elusive.

How could the Imperator be happy when a disgraced Hiranyan general now sat upon the throne of Sai? How could he be pleased that the Altani now controlled Hiranya, even if it was on a ‘provisional’ basis?

How could he rest his mind knowing that thing was out there, plotting his demise?

And yet, for the first time in their lives, his children had set aside their greed. They’d seen past petty personal politics and scheming for the throne, and while it had taken his near death and nearly losing the empire to his traitorous daughter, they no longer connived behind his back stealing power wherever possible for their petty schemes. Always thinking of themselves and never the empire. Until this day, that was.

For there was nothing quite as powerful as a common enemy to unite even the most fractious among them.

“If this Primordial is as strong as the Pagan Order myths would have us believe,” Prince Kyren said, slamming the large mahogany table that sat at the center of the empty war room in rage, “then we might as well march out in glorious blaze, that we may meet our deaths with dignity.”

Princess Nayra scoffed. “No demon is that powerful. They took us by surprise, is all. A weakness they will not be able to employ again.”

Andros stared off into the distance. “Kyren is right to worry, yet both of you fail to grasp the significance of this threat,” he said. “Only fools underestimate their enemy, and fools we are not. I’m afraid this Akh Nara’s powers vastly outstrip my own. Should we fight in single combat, I will surely lose.”

Though, he will struggle to kill me, Andros thought privately. The plethora of Artifacts the Imperator had scoured over the years ensured that no one, no matter how strong, would have an easy time ending him. Yes, he might bleed. Yes, he might be vulnerable to the pain of being boiled alive, but the healing granted to him by the gods was beyond the ken of human understanding. Even as their wielder, Andros could scarcely believe the power they granted.

Nayra drew in a sharp breath, while Kyren grew sullen.

“It is difficult to believe you would lose to anyone,” he muttered.

“Indeed,” Andros said. “And before our encounter, I believed the same. Perhaps a coordinated ambush from Altani mejai, but a lone Talent wielder? Unthinkable.”

“If that is true, then what hope do we have?” Nayra asked, desperation creeping into her voice.

“Rather, what hope does Kin’jal have?” Kyren replied. “This demon seems to support our sister, and he’s proven he can pop up in Sonam without anyone the wiser. If his demons choose to attack our capital, I’m afraid we’ll suffer the same fate as our army.”

The army’s utter annihilation at the hands of the Akh Nara’s demons alarmed the Imperator far more than the Akh Nara himself. While the demon might beat Andros, he was a lone individual, only capable of being in one place at a time. In the worst case, Andros could hide—rule the empire from the shadows—while this demon went on a wild goose chase.

That delusion died the moment Andros received word of his troops’ demise. For such a small force to reave through his own Balarian Guard so quickly—so casually? It sent shivers down the ruler’s spine in a way that precious little did these days.

“You are correct,” the Imperator said at last. “We are doomed. Doomed, that is, only if we choose to fight this enemy alone.”

Kyren frowned. “You suggest we ally? With whom? The Rani Queendom lacks any military might, and while the Pagan Order might not have declared it publicly, we all know they’ll flock to their fellow demon’s side. Our operatives report that this Akh Nara and the Tribunal have had past dealings. I see no way to woo them.”

“He’s not talking about the Pagan Order,” Nayra muttered, almost too quietly to hear. “He speaks of... Of the Altani. Isn’t that right, father?”

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Kyren froze, his eyes slowly turning to the Imperator.

“I suppose it’s time I paid a visit to that old skeleton, cooped up in his too-high tower,” Kin’jal’s ruler replied with a sour smile.

“The Prime Mejai? Father, you can’t be serious!” Kyren said, breathless. “The Altani are our sworn enemy of centuries! To ally with them… It’s nearly worse than what Ira wishes to do to the Empire!” ꭆΆ𐌽ȪᛒËṥ

“You have both seen the destruction the Akh Nara’s warriors—the so-called Asura—have wrought. We likely outnumber them twenty to one, and yet, our numbers are meaningless before an invulnerable enemy. Yet I can think of no reason we cannot fight on their level. Imagine the combined might of our two people! Our finest Balarian Warriors, augmented by the best Altani magic.”

Kyren was silent a long moment. “Even then, will it truly be enough?”

Andros let out a breath. “Doubtful. Those demons boast not only stronger constitutions than humans but also strange arts that seem to rival even Altani magic.”

Nayra grimaced. “Then…”

“We may not best them, even augmented,” Andros said. But we can hurt them. This is my estimation of the situation. With the Altani’s aid, our warriors will be able to fight back. And then? We swarm them with our numbers.”

“And all it will cost is our honor,” Kyren spat.

“It will cost us nothing. On the contrary, it is both the logical choice to preserve our Empire,” Andros said, “and to deal with the Altani for good.”

Kyren went silent, his shock giving way to a budding smirk. “You mean to backstab them! To strike when they’re not looking?”

“We will uphold our duty as faithful allies,” Andros replied, “that is, until the Akh Nara threat has been weakened sufficiently to deal with on our own. Then, we strike. Under the pretext of cooperation, we will plant our Warriors in their cities. We will infiltrate their deepest strongholds. And then…”

“Then we do what no Imperator in Kin’jal history has achieved.” Andros closed his fist. “We conquer them. Once and for all.”

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Hiya didn’t know how it all went so wrong.

She’d just been out with Ekta on a task for Janani, ferrying food and water to some overworked Asura—Hiya didn’t know if it was just their loyalty, or if they really did need to work that hard, but she scarcely ever saw them sleep or take breaks. They said they didn’t need it, but she knew better.

Hiya loved those demons, though it hadn’t always been that way, of course. With all the prana leaking from their bodies, she couldn’t even get close without feeling nauseous.

She’d gotten used to it. It was actually Ekta who’d spoken to them first, forcing Hiya along. She’d been downright terrified. These were Vaak’s elite warriors! They trained deep in Mahādi and fought Wyrms and Mahakurma single-handed!

But actually, they’d been nice! They gave out candies and smiled at them. Apparently, most of them were farmers and other Laborer Callings before the Vaak found them.

Since then, she’d become friends with over a hundred of the Asura, and even others in the Akh Nara’s army. Apparently, Hiya and Ekta were famous, and so there was no end to the number of treats given out. It’s like they had a hundred parents, all wanting to dote on them.

It was nice, but Ekta would grow fat if she ate too many, which forced Hiya to tag along and confiscate them. Whenever Ekta glared up at her with her big eyes, Hiya would just remind her of the importance of sharing, and that it was wrong to take them all for herself.

That usually did the trick.

They’d just been having that exact same conversation when they’d stumbled upon a kothi.

That in itself wasn’t surprising. There were plenty of kothis left in Samar Patag, though unlike the Chits who forced Gargans to stay when they were in charge, nobody stopped the kothis from leaving.

Hiya thought it was pretty telling that so many of them were still there. It meant that Vaak was a good ruler, and no one would tell her otherwise.

And so, she’d been about to greet this kothi when more had appeared out of nowhere, ambushing them.

Then the world went dark, and when she woke up again, she found herself in a cell next to Ekta lying next to her.

She’d scarcely had the chance to ensure her friend was alive and just sleeping deeply when a door creaked open.

“Good, you’re awake!” a kothi said. Hiya didn’t recognize his face. He wasn’t the same one they’d seen earlier.

“Who’re you?” Hiya spat, scowling. “Let us out!”

“Oh, I will,” the kothi replied with a smile that somehow made him look even scarier.

“Y-you’ll get nothing if you torture us!” Hiya said. “I’m just a kid! I don’t know anything!”

“That’s where you’re wrong. Hiya, right?” the kothi said. “Seems you’re quite popular among the Asura. Got all their trust, don’t you?”

Hiya’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”

“Your services. You will help the Chitran regain control of this city.”

“And why would I ever do that?” Hiya asked, rolling her eyes. “I’ll die before I help you. Wow, you’re more of a chal than you look, and that’s saying something.”

The Chit smashed the cage, which made Hiya jump back in fright.

“You might be willing to die, but what about her?”

Hiya froze. “You’re a monster,” she whispered in terror. Would they really do it? She didn’t think anyone could be so cruel, but then…

No, that’s not it. Vaak is invincible. I’ll just tell him, and he’ll come kill all of these monkeys. Ekta will be safe. I just need to tell Vaak…

“To prevent you from going running to your savior, we’ve fitted both of you with proximity explosive armbands,” the evil kothi said. “Do you know what that means? Or do I need to explain it?”

Hiya simply glared.

“Ah, right. You’re just a child. It means that should you approach Janani, Greesha, any Asura, the Akh Nara, or any of his retinue, your armbands will detonate, killing you and everyone around you. Oh, and that goes for your friend as well. Should either of your armbands explode, the other will too. You wouldn’t want that now, would you? No, I suspect you wouldn’t. Now, will you help us?”

Hiya had gone white as a sheet, and her fingernails dug into her palms.

“What… What do you want me to do?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.