Ashborn Primordial

Chapter 231: Reunited (One)

Vir stared at the shadow where Ekanai had disappeared, his mind a jumbled tangle of shock and disbelief.

What is happening here? Is this real? Ekanai? Hes alive!?

No, Vir knew that was impossible. And yet, he was clearly there. Manifested in a way he'd never before been.

Is-Is it really you? Maiyas hesitant voice sounded, breaking Vir out of his thoughts. The very sound of her words blew away the maelstrom that was brewing in Virs head, leaving his mind empty.

Vir looked her over, taking in her pitiful state. Her feet were bare, and she wore a faded garment that wrapped her body like a bathrobe, but Vir couldnt make out its color. In fact, Maiya didnt have much color to her. Her normally fiery hair had washed away, merely a pale imitation of its former luster.

The same went for the rest of her. Through her translucent form, Vir could see the rocky cave behind them, the bioluminescent moss casting an eerie glow through Maiya.

Are you hurt? Vir asked, panicking. Are you alright?

Hed never seen her so frail. So fragile.

It wasnt just her appearance, either. Maiya trembled, and before he knew it, hed Blinked to her and embraced her in his arms.

For a moment, he feared hed sink right through her skin. That she wasnt really there. To his relief, his hands found her skin, and he clutched tightly. He felt her press into his chest, allowing herself to be wrapped up in his protective embrace.

Vir she whispered, but she said nothing more. Neither did he. In that moment, as they rocked gently back and forth, nothing needed to be said. Their feelings came through loud and clear. Virs desire to protect her, to feel the warmth of her body, and Maiya, fearful and anxious, basking in his security and love.

Despite every instinct in Virs body screaming at him to fleethat Ekanai could strike at any momenthe was unable to move. They both needed this, and if the demon attacked, Vir would protect her, just as she'd always protected him when they were young.

They stood that way for several minutes until Maiyas tears abated.

Vir? she whispered with upturned eyes. Whats happened to me? What is this? Maiya asked, looking at her own skin. Am-am I dead?

Hed never heard her sound so terrified. So forlorn. This wasnt the strong mejai hed grown attached to.

Then again, who wouldnt be terrified in her situation? Even Vir didnt know what was going on, but at least he wasnt semitransparent.

I Vir started, but what could he say? What did he know about Maiyas situation?

Was she dead?

Virs heart clenched at the idea, but he forced it from his mind. She was very obviously not dead. And as far as Vir knew, ghosts didnt exist.

No, something else was going on here. He was just as confused as she was.

But thats not what she needs to hear, Vir realized. Shes scared. She needs an anchor.

You are alive, he stated emphatically, wiping her tears away. Her tears, instead of moistening his hand, disappeared off his fingers as if they were never there. Youre right here, arent you? Though, even as Vir said those words, Ekanais ominous oath blared in his head.

Ill consume her.

Vir shuddered, and Maiya felt the goosebumps on his skin.

Vir?

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No. Its nothing, he replied immediately. Maiya, whats important right now is that were both safe. I Ive been doing alright. Er, why dont I fill you in on all that Ive been up to? But we should leave this place first.

Maiya nodded, wiping away her tears, then looked around, as if for the first time.

Do you know where we are, at least?

Yeah Vir replied. Kinda. I think were in the Ashen Realm, from the prana density. Believe me, I'm just as confused as you are. This cave leads out to a volcanic wasteland with magma, and Vir paused when he saw Maiyas mounting bewilderment. Actually, why dont I just show you?

Maiya looked away. I dont know if I should be walking much, Vir. To be honest, I feel really weak. Weaker than Ive felt since well, since Brij. Its such an awful feeling. Like Im naked. Like all the work Ive spent training myself was for naught.

It wasnt, Vir said. There's clearly something strange going on. Well find a way through. Together.

Vir proceeded to scoop her up in his arms. Whether it was because her translucent form was lighter than usual, or because of his enormous strength gains, he hardly felt her weight at all.

A part of him still wondered whether this was all real, or merely an elaborate illusionsome trick the realm was playing on him. There were far too many oddities, yet, Maiya felt so real. The more he saw, the more his confidence waned.

V-Vir!? Maiya yelped, flushing furiously. What are you doing?

Well, since you cant walk, Ill just have to carry you, wont I? Vir said with a smirk.

I didnt say I cant walk! I just said!?

Vir bounded down the corridor, retracing his steps. Maiya squirmed in his arms for a moment before accepting her fate and wrapping her arms around his neck.

Just as she was getting used to the sensation, Vir Blinked, eliciting a startled yelp from her.

Her expression went from bewilderment to suspicion, and finally darkened, landing on grim acceptance.

How can you move so quickly? she asked. Blink isnt supposed to take you this far! This is cheating!

Virs tension eased. Whatever happened to her had spooked her to her core. He was glad to see a bit of her usual demeanor resurface.

They soon reached the magma fields, and the heat hit them in the face.

This might actually be worse. Is there anywhere cooler? she asked.

Well Vir said, looking up.

Maiya followed his eyes and promptly gasped when she found the floating islands.

Are those

Yep. Dont ask me how, but they are. And that feeling of wrongness youre experiencing? Its because that isnt a sky up there. Were underground. This whole world is underground.

Maiya went silent for a moment as her eyes meandered around the stunning scene.

Are sights like this common in the Ash? she asked softly.

Not quite like this, Vir replied. But Ive seen some things you wouldnt believe.

Id like to hear about it. If you dont mind. But, yknow, maybe after we get out of this oven?

Maiya gave him a small smile. He knew she was forcing it, but was glad to see it, nonetheless.

Gods Ive missed her.

Virs heart clenched. What if this was all a deception? What if he was dreaming, and that none of this was real? These moments they were sharing together Would they remember them after? What did it all mean?

Vir shook off the thought. Just leave it to me, he said.

Look at you! Talking so big. Since when did you become so dependable? Is this the Ashs doing?

Vir stared into her eyes, smiling. Im not the same person I was when I entered this place, Maiya.

Maiya, still cradled in his arms, blushed furiously, but she didnt manage much more than that, because Vir High Jumped to the sky, sending them soaring three hundred paces into the air.

Maiya gulped and tightened her hold around his neck, leaning in closer against his chest, which made Vir feel very nice.

Cant get distracted, he thought, his eyes threatening to slip down to Maiya's.

The task at hand required intense concentration or itd be a very long drop. The few hundred paces hed managed, while impressive, was still nowhere near the height of the floating island hed initially fallen from. Those hung about a mile in the air.

Luckily, there were intermediate islands he could use to bootstrap his way up. Enough of them to allow him to reach each with a single Leap or High Jump.

There was just one issue.

It was why he hadnt spotted them earlier, and why he couldnt just rest atop one of these islandsmost were tiny. So small, in fact, that they were barely islands at all. More like floating pieces of rock in the sky, hardly wide enough to stand on.

Vir landed on the tiny sliver of rock hed aimed for, then balanced on one foot, taking a few moments to locate his next target. How the minuscule island didnt fall from his weight was beyond him, but so was a translucent Maiya. This whole place was one nonsensical thing after another.

Locating his next target, Vir Leaped, aiming precisely so hed land exactly where hed intended. The margin of error was small, but hed had a lot of practice getting used to his abilities in the past year. He wasnt about to miss.

Maiya stared up at him inquisitively but kept quiet. She was aware of just how much concentration he had to muster.

Vir made his way up, leapfrogging off of each rock, sometimes bound for a distant rock that he could only just barely discern with Prana Vision.

They climbed higher and higher, the volcanic basin falling away into the darkness. Eventually, they found themselves atop one of the massive floating islands, and Vir finally set Maiya down.

We should be safe here for now. We should be able to!?

He let her go, but she didnt. Grasping his arms, Maiya brought her head to his chest and leaned against him.

Ive missed you, she murmured.

With just three, simple words, Virs mind went blank.