Chapter 253: The Fable

Chapter 253: The Fable

Vir left Greeshas temple with a torrent of emotions welling inside him. There had been so much more to say, but the time wasnt right. Vir hadnt even broached the topic of Greeshas prophecy of his birth and wasnt sure when he would. He was afraid that if he had, he couldnt have restrained his pent-up anger.

And so hed forced it down. Right now, he simply couldnt afford to lose even a single ally.

Vir crossed the streets, passing by Kothis, red demons, and bandies with his Chitran Laborer Calling badge slung around his neck. There was another in his bag, with a different name and Calling.

Hed altered his makeup and now bore the face of a red demon. Similar to the previous one, yet different enough not to be mistakenthis way, he had a couple of legitimate identities he could shift between as needed. Greeshas pull was realshed had the badges made in just moments, instructing Vir to seek a woman named Janani.

Vir wasnt really sure what he ought to be doing. For the first time in as long as he could remember, he had no concrete goal, other than the vague desire to grow closer to the Gargans living in Samar Patag. He hoped this Janani might give him a bit of direction.

A black blur in the corner of Virs vision interrupted his thoughts.

About time

Shan was waiting for Vir on a rooftop. The pointed cones of the buildings made for awkward footing, but they also perfectly hid anyone who managed it.

About time you showed up, Vir said, kneeling and stroking the Ash Wolfs jet-black fur. Itd taken the better part of a year for the animal to open up to pets, and Vir considered it a hard-fought perk. He was willing to bet that for most people, petting an Ash Wolf was the last thing they ever pet.

Bet you were out exploring the city, werent you? Find anything good?

Shan snorted.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

No? Well, Im gonna need you to keep doing your own thing for now, alright? I might be able to disguise myself, but you stick out like a sore thumb.

Shan bared his teeth and growled.

Hey, you know its true! How many other wolves like yourself have you seen around here?

Grumbling, Shan started licking his paw.

Dont worry. You know megetting into troubles what I do. When that happens, you can go wild, alright? Just stay close, in case I need you.

Shan gruffed at Vir and threw him a look of what Vir swore was concern before bounding off.

Would it kill that wolf to roll over for some belly rubs from time to time? Vir muttered, sighing.

Through the merchant district, near the northern wall. In the depths of the slums. When the surroundings have gone from bad to worse, youll find the orphanage.

Those had been Greeshas instructions to Vir. Hed dreaded that hed find Janani in the same sort of squalid neighborhood where hed first entered the city.

It wasnt the same neighborhood. But it was just as bad.

The people living here were just a few steps away from death. Some were dead, as Prana Vision revealed.

Vir had only just purged the depressing sight from his mind, and now he was forced to confront it yet again.

The only silver lining was how the slums were contained within the city walls, offering them protection from the elements and animals, unlike Daha. Though, Vir doubted it was out of consideration for the slum dwellers well-being.

It was the voices of children playing that helped Vir find the buildinga two-story affair that was on the verge of falling apart.

The demon children all ran around barefoot, as was the norm for most of the denizens of this part of town.

Come quick, youll miss it! a girl squealed, rushing back into the orphanage. Her friends followed, pouring into the building.

Vir edged closer and peeked through the open doorway. Thirty children packed tightly into the room, which, despite its tall ceiling, was actually quite small. Janani had likely repurposed whatever building she could find.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

Tell us that one again, Janani! a boy said.

Yeah! That one!

Bracing himself, Vir resolved to soak up every word.

The children whispered excitedly, and Vir heard Akh Nara mentioned over and over. Vir scanned their faces, but he didnt see even a hint of resentment. Only hope. And awe.

However! Janani shouted, silencing the whispering children. The prophecy had a dire condition. The baby would have to be born within Hara Chakaiwithin the Ashen Realm itself.

What happened then, Janani? a girl asked.

King Maion bravely took the pregnant Queen Shari and marched into the Ash with Cirayus, his loyal friend.

The Ravager! Bolin shouted.

Indeed. They were accompanied by their entire royal retinue. The strongest Gargan warriors protected them. Yet the journey was an arduous one. The beasts they fought were unimaginable. Terrors beyond anything you lot can imagine!

The children were silent now, as if holding their breaths. Vir could almost feel their fear. Fear of the unknown. Of horrific beasts stalking the Ash.

They arent wrong to fear.

And yet, they persisted. They prevailed! And the young Akh Nara was born! True to the Seers prophecy, the baby bore the tattoo of his predecessors, proving that

What happened to the Akh Nara, Janani? Bolin shouted but was silenced by Jananis angry rebuke.

Bolin!

S-sorry!

No one knows, Janani replied wistfully. Some say he disappeared into the Ash, where he lives to this day. Others say that Chitran killed him when they sacked Samar Patag.

W-what do you think? Ekta asked.

Me? I she paused, and Vir leaned forward unconsciously.

I believe hes alive, somewhere, Janani said softly. Waiting for the right moment to reveal himself. Biding his time to take revenge on those whove taken everything from us. I believe I hope that someday, he will return.

When he does, will we get new clothes? another girl asked. I want shoes! Will he give us shoes?

Janani smiled gently. When he returns, Hiya, you shall have all the shoes you could ever want.

The room burst into joyous hoots and yells.

Vir backed away, his knees unsteady.

This, more than anything Cirayus had ever divulged about his past, hit hardest. It was one thing to be aware of the expectations of strangers. Faceless masses, realms apart.

It was another entirely to witness a room full of children cheering. Rooting. For him. For the hope of a brighter future.

Virs heart pumped madly, but what he felt was not excitement, nor even the hope for which these children so desperately yearned.

It was guilt. Guilt over being so late. Guilt that he couldnt possibly live up to their expectations.

Vir made to leave.

Ah, look! Janani said. It appears we have a visitor!

Every eye in the room in the eye locked onto him. Virs legs nearly buckled. His instincts, honed to perfection in the Ash, told him to run. To flee. To sink into the shadows. Anything to avoid facing the weight of those faces.

But Vir did not run. He hadnt come this far, only to cower. He hadnt risked his life over and over in the Ash, nearly dying, to hide.

It didnt matter if the burden of responsibility weighed as much as a Godhollow. Too many had sacrificed too much for him. For the hope he represented. He couldntleave. He didnt want to.

Vir turned and he mustered his friendliest smile.