Chapter 70: Into The Sewers

Chapter 70: Into The Sewers

The sewer entrance wasnt difficult to findVir let his nose guide him to a gate in a small alley, where a black-bearded city guard sat on a stool. Hed never seen anyone look so bored.

But Vir didnt approach the man just yet. Though the bestiary had said that Jatu were mostly harmless, especially for someone of Virs skill and power, he wasnt going to take any chances. Not when there was still low hanging fruit to be picked.

Vir Danced up to a nearby rooftop with clothes hung from a line. Dahans tended to make good use of their flat roofs for drying clothes, though the Vimana that floated overhead likely reduced the efficacy of that tactic.

Hopping over to another, more empty rooftop, Vir launched into his experiment. Empower had so many useful combat applications that they were almost impossible to list.

Yet, as hed found, it had proven difficult to pull prana from his feet all the way up into his hands. Kicks were useful, and his Kalari training allowed him to incorporate prana-empowered kicks into his fighting style, but punchesor katar swipes and thrustswould be far more deadly.

He was sure there was some way of getting prana into his arms, but until then, perhaps a quick workaround would suffice.

Vir touched a hand to the roof and evacuated blood from his arm. Though he was on a rooftop, the clay construction conducted prana well, and it only took a second before Ash affinity prana came surging up into his arm.

Then it was just a matter of willing the prana to accelerate his katar slice.

Similar to when hed learned this technique for his legs, the first several times he attempted it, he either used too much or too little prana. That caused his arms to shoot off with extreme forcestraining his shoulderor just petering out to no effect.

The nice thing was that overall, his arms consumed less prana than his legs, which made sense since they were smaller and had less blood flowing through them. This would normally make prana-empowered arm attacks weaker, but weapons more than made up for that.

Satisfied with his progress, and unwilling to drain too much Ash affinity prana from this area, Vir Danced back down and approached the sewer guard.

Id like to enter the sewers. Brotherhood business.

The guards eyes slowly meandered over to Vir, and the man spoke in an equally lazy drawl. Initiation, I spose?

Vir nodded.

Well, go on in then, he said, unlocking the gate for Vir.

Uh, you dont need to see my Brotherhood writ?

Boy, you think anyone sane wants to go into that place? Only people who eer come here are Brotherhood folk seeking initiation.

Vir had to wonder whether this was the real reason the Arbiter told him not to ask anyone for help. The exam would be rendered useless if word got out. Then again, it sounded like someone would tail him to ensure there was no foul play. Either way, Vir wasnt about to cheat. Not like he needed to, anyway.

Vir descended the stairs into the sewer tunnel, thankful hed heeded the librarians advice and changed into rags. The stench was something else.

Knock when you want out. And be sure to be back before dusk, else yell have to stay there overnight or find yourself another exit.

Liquid detritus ran in the center of the cramped tunnel in a canal, while a narrow stone walkway ran along one side. The tunnel was made of arched stone, damp and wet. Virs head spun at the sheer intensity of the smells.

Tying a rag around his mouth helped just enough to allow him to function.

The tunnel extended into the darkness in both directions, so Vir just picked one at random. He really had no clue where these Jatu might make their nest, so either worked.

He decided to contact himif he could guide Vir to the Jatu, then hed take it. Any more time in the stinking sewers, and hed vomit.

But just as he was about to pop up in front of the boy, sounds echoed through the tunnelthe boys pursuers from earlier. Panicking, the boy ran but in the wrong direction. At his pursuers. The tunnel echoes made isolating sound direction difficult, but Vir was sure he was heading straight to them.

Approaching the boy from behind, Vir reached out and put a hand on his shoulder.

Youre going straight to them, yknow? he said in a low voice.

Unfortunately, the boy screamed and continued to scream as he cast his Magic Candle upon Vir, right until Vir clasped his mouth shut.

I shouldve expected that Vir thought. Popping up out of nowhere in the middle of a pitch-black tunnel would scare anyone.

Sure enough, the footsteps of their pursuers grew louder, and the sounds of their voices were now distinct enough to discern. This way! He went this way!

Come on, Vir said, grabbing the boys skinny wrist. We need to lose them.

Together they ran. The boys untrained footsteps rang like sirens in Virs ears with each step, making him cringe.

Luckily, a fork presented itself, one that Vir had already been down. He took the path he came from, and only when they arrived at the subsequent junction and took a right did he allow them to rest.

They waited with bated breath while the footsteps grew louder, then finally dissipated. While the boy was likely worried about being harmed, Vir was more worried hed be forced to use Dance to slip away.

The fewer people who knew about that ability, the better.

So, uh wh-who are you? the boy asked, averting his eyes.

You first, Vir said. Why were you running from those people?

The boy pulled out what looked to be a loaf of bread from under his clothing and sneaked a grin. Vir mightve seen it through Prana Vision if hed paid closer attention, but only if hed been standing very close to the boy.

I kinda stole some bread.

Vir narrowed his eyes. Theyd chase you into the sewers for swiping some bread? I find that hard to believe.

Ha ha yeaaah, well, he replied, scratching his head, times are rough, yknow? Ha ha ha.

Really? Vir said. Rough times, even for those who possess dual water and lightning affinities?

Shock flickered across the boys face, but only for the tiniest instant before it was gone, replaced by a look of suspicion that made him look several years older. How could you know that?

I have my ways, Vir replied. Who are you, really?

Hmm. Well, I can see why he sent you. Youre better than you look. You pass!

Sorry, what?

The boy grinned. Im Riyan Savars contact. Welcome to Daha.