Chapter 301: Unmasked—Unchained

Chapter 301: Unmasked—Unchained

More than a few heads perked up. Looks of confusion, excitement, and skepticism regarded Vir from all directions.

Balagra was one such, having recently arisen from his well-earned rest. Malik also regarded Vir intently, though his eyes flitted regularly from Vir to the crowd, as if he was as interested in their reactions as much as Vir’s own words.

Were this a couple of years ago, he’d have shrunk back, losing his words, but time and experience had tempered both mind and body, and Vir did none of those things.

“I suppose I should start from the beginning,” Vir said, ensuring his voice carried to the farthest parts of the camp. With almost two hundred assembled, however, he doubted everyone would hear him. That was alright. What his voice didn’t communicate, gossip surely would.

And there would be no end to the gossip, that was for certain.

“Due to various circumstances, I was not born in the Demon Realm,” Vir began. “Soon after my birth, my godfather was forced to flee with me across the Ash. Through its very depths, to the other side. To the Human Realm.”

Whispers broke out, but Vir didn’t pay them any mind.

“It was there that I grew up, in a rural village as a lumberjack’s son. Oblivious to who I truly was. Events happened to force me out of that cradle, and I had to adapt. Adapt—and grow strong.”

“You returned?” Balagra called out. “Through the Ash?”

Vir nodded. “That I did. With the very same godfather who ferried me as an infant. The journey was neither short nor simple. I spent years in this realm, growing stronger. I’ve fought and defeated thousands of beasts, big and small. In fact, I’ve spent more time here than I have in the Demon Realm.”

Prana Current surged through Vir’s whole body, forming an attractive current unparalleled to any he could create in the Demon Realm.

Vir slowly unclasped the cheap iron cuirass he wore, allowing it to fall to the ground. “As for who I am? I left out one important detail. I said I was not born in the Demon Realm, and that is true. Nor was I born in the Human Realm, however. I was born, here, in the Ash. I am Ashborn.”

Prana coalesced around his body like a tornado, reinforcing Prana Armor.

Vir unbuttoned his undershirt, and for the first time in his life, bared his chest to the world, turning slowly so that all could see.

“I am the Akh Nara, and after a lifetime of being away, I have finally returned.”

The jet-black prana compacted, growing denser and denser... Until, suddenly, it manifested visibly.

All at once, black flames erupted to life, wreathing Vir’s body like a cloak. Those nearby jerked away. This wasn’t mere flame, but something far, far deadlier.

The flames continued to mount, and soon, Vir’s body was no longer even visible.

What stood in his place was a demon in every sense of the word—a mythical figure of Ashfire, whose red eyes promised the end of all those he called his enemy.

“I show you this not to threaten or to scare you,” Vir said, his voice altered by the prana flowing through him. “But to inspire you. Because I have fought Wyrms and survived. I have visited Mahādi and met with ancient gods. And I come here to you today to tell you that there is a brighter future for our people. For all of Demonkind.”

What greeted him was a sea of wide eyes and nearly two hundred demons who’d become frozen in place.

“Those of you who wish to leave,” Vir continued, “are welcome to do so the moment I find a suitable Gate. I will not fault you. For the rest, stay with me, and I will forge you into warriors the likes of which the Demon Realm has never seen. And then! When no Ash Beast can challenge you, we will march. Together! To take back what is rightfully ours! To reclaim Samar Patag for the Garga! To show the world what our clan truly is!”

Deafening silence followed Vir’s speech, and for the briefest moment, he wondered how ridiculous he must look, talwar extended to the sky.

I failed... He hadn’t motivated them. He ought to have known better—for all he knew, these demons hated him. Resented him for bringing them to this blighted place. For pitting them against the Chitran without a choice.

Vir slowly began lowering his talwar, wondering how he’d extricate himself from this mess, even as his cheeks began to flush with embarrassment.

And then, someone roared. Vir’s eyes snapped to the red demon in the distance, standing with his weapon to the sky. It was Lagen, and he bellowed a guttural battle cry that resonated all the way to Vir.

“You say that, but I question whether you truly mean it,” Vir said, looking the naga in the eye. Balagra glanced down immediately, perhaps thinking it improper to make eye contact with one such as him.

“I am Panav. Your fight is for the liberation of your people,” Balagra said, though there was no confidence behind his words.

“Yes, as my first task,” Vir replied. “Once Garga has been restored, I plan to turn my eyes to the rest of the demon realm. Surely you don’t need me to tell you the benefits of aiding me?”

Balagra smirked. “Aiding the Akh Nara? Herald of change? Why, I couldn’t fathom how that might be in my best interests.”

Vir smiled back. “Good. So you do still remember how to tell jokes.”

Balagra’s eyes went wide as he realized what he’s done. His mouth opened and closed, but no words came.

Vir burst out laughing, which made the naga huff with embarrassment.

“If you’ve had quite enough of that, how about we discuss the plans for this base you’re planning on constructing,” Balagra said, desperately hoping to change topics.

“Yes, lets,” Vir said. “Between our powers and the tools I brought from Praya Parul, I think we’ll have ourselves a little home in this blighted landscape before very long.”

After consulting with Balagra and Malik, Vir had the troops stop a few hundred paces outside the forest. Close enough to allow easy access to the work site, yet far enough that they retained enough buffer against threats emerging from the forest.

While there were a few extra tents carried on the backs of the Chitrans’ Ash’va, most had to do without.

At least it would be a temporary affair.

By the end of the first day, they’d selected a site and cut down all the trees surrounding the camp—a job easily accomplished with abilities such as Blade Launch and certain Aspect tattoos.

Food and water were procured by demons running supply missions twice a day to the springs and vegetation within the forest, and security was provided by those demons who possessed combat tattoos, of which there were a decent number. The going was difficult at first, slowed by thick vines and shrubs, but as more and more demons trod the same path day after day, a trail formed, making the journey less arduous.

It certainly didn’t hurt that Vir regularly ranged a mile into the forest, taking out any Ash Beasts who dared venture too close. Despite their addled minds, they eventually began to understand that this territory was taken.

As the days passed, fewer and fewer beasts attacked their camp, and by the third day, Vir felt comfortable relocating the demons to the work zone within the forest. With nearly a half-mile of trees cleared, they’d have ample warning, and with the new garrison being constructed over a surging spring, only food had to be gathered.

Morale remained high, and grew even higher as demons applied themselves to their work. As Balagra had said, there was something immensely satisfying about building something from nothing.

Despite that, the inevitable tussle finally arrived one day. Led by Lagen, a zealous faction had formed, intent on stamping out any skepticism or disagreement with the Akh Nara.

Vir clamped down on them with an iron fist, though he feared this was only the beginning. For better or worse, the reputation of the Akh Nara was deeply steeped in demon history. Overcoming it would be no simple feat.

Flattening and preparing the grounds, digging the deep holes required to hold the walls, and preparing the land for an eventual moat had taken the longest.

When the first enormous palisade went up, the demons all gathered and cheered. It didn’t take long after for the outer wall to be erected.

A mere week after entering the Ash, Vir and his two-hundred demons slept within the sturdy protection of their own base. A base with palisade walls twenty paces high with trunks five across, as well as the beginnings of a solid rampart.

It’d take more than Ash Wolves and Shredders to break down something this sturdy, and for the first time in a while, Vir breathed easily, knowing he was no longer the only line of defense for these demons.

When the barracks and a few other basic structures had been built, the demons’ training would begin.

Vir couldn’t wait. After years of worry and anticipation, it was finally happening.

Though it’d occurred in a way he could never have expected, the seeds of rebellion were now sewn. All that remained was to water them.