Chapter Ashborn 368: Reckoning

Chapter Ashborn 368: Reckoning

Well before Cirayus arrived, Tara already knew what she had to do. As the only person present with any meaningful healing capacity, the burden fell upon her shoulders.

And what a burden that was...

“Aida?” Tara said, nearly choking on the words she was about to say. “I’m sorry, but I can’t heal three at once. Especially not someone perhaps on the brink of death.”

For a Panav, withdrawing healing in someone’s time of need, when their life depended on it, was just about the worst possible offense. It went against Tara’s upbringing. It went against everything the Panav held dear.

“It’s... It’s fine,” Aida replied, only just barely holing back her panic. “You can stop healing me. I’ll... I’ll live.”

“No, you won’t,” a voice said.

The fort’s gates opened, and out came, to Tara’s surprise, another Naga, in his half-serpent form.

“Never thought I’d see another Panav here, of all places. Whoever you are, girl, you’re either courageous, or stupid.”

Tara raised an eyebrow. “You... don’t recognize me?”

“Should I?” the demon asked. “Forgive me, but I’ve been a bit estranged from Panav society for some time.”

“Oh...” was all Tara managed before Cirayus arrived, carrying the crippled Vir in his arms.

“Focus on the Akh Nara,” the demon said hurriedly. “I will heal you and the Bairan.”

Tara worked furiously with Cirayus to strip away the Akh Nara’s armor. Armor that had done him no good against such an overwhelming attack. Worse, it had fused together in several places, making the task of removing it far harder, requiring Cirayus to cut it open down the chest and pry it open with his four hands.

“You bear Yuma’s Embrace?” Tara asked, shocked and elated to find someone with the art in this remote place. With a second Ultimate Art, they might actually stand a chance.

“Er, no. Only Yuma’s Touch,” the demon said, somewhat taken aback. “I’ve plenty of experience with it, however. It should suffice to keep you two conscious.

Tara’s hopes came crashing down as swiftly as they had formed. She very much doubted Yuma’s Touch would be enough to undo the damage the ambient prana was doing to Aida and herself, but she didn’t argue, despite her reservations. It would be a painful experience, but she ought to last long enough to at least save the Akh Nara.

As for herself... She tried not to think about that, distracting herself with the task at hand.

Save the Akh Nara... Tara thought, looking at Vaak’s charred body. How?

Yuma’s Embrace could bring a demon back from the brink of death, yes, but not even the Panav knew how to resurrect the dead. Not after they’d lost Ultimate Sacrifice, their second Ultimate Art, so long ago.

Tara began the moment Cirayus had set Vaak upon the ground, as did the Naga. The pain set in immediately. As she’d thought, the Naga proved incapable of fully healing the damage, but she was at least thankful for this. Without it... Would she even have stayed conscious enough to administer healing upon the Akh Nara?

Within seconds of starting, however, she understood just how horrific Vaak’s wounds were.

“Is he alive?” the Ravager asked.

“Barely,” Tara replied through gritted teeth. These moments were the most critical, and despite Tara’s vast talent, she felt herself falter in the fact of this challenge. “Only the faintest trace of life remains.”

“Which means you can heal him, yes?” Cirayus pressed. “The Panav always boast that Yuma’s Embrace can bring anyone back from the brink of death.”

Yet, on she pressed. Hour after hour. What had become of the Guardian? Where was everyone now? Were they still there, watching over her? Or had they returned to sleep?

Tara was tired. She was in pain, and she was so hungry, she could no longer tell whether the pain was from her hunger or from prana poisoning.

All of that felt like a secondary concern, however. Something distant. Something far.

Tara’s mind slowly became numb, and the line between consciousness and unconscious blurred. Vir’s limbs steadily regrew, however, and at last, the process was complete.

She scarcely even noticed when it was done—only when Yuma’s Embrace refused to channel any more prana did she realize the truth.

Tara had brought Vaak back from death. She, alone, had saved the Akh Nara’s life.

And though she could not know it then, Tara had changed the future of not just the Demon Realm, but all the realms. Irrevocably, and forever.



Vir awoke to the pleasant scent of freshly cut timber and distant voices. Something immediately felt off. Like he was a stranger in his own body, wearing a second skin, though he couldn’t place why.

Tentatively, he moved his arms and wiggled his toes. All seemed normal. Just a bit of soreness—something Vir hadn’t experienced in a long while.

“You’re up,” someone said from nearby. “Good. Not even last night’s storm could wake you.”

A gruff voice. Familiar, though one Vir couldn’t immediately place. Until he turned on his bed and came face to face with a weathered Naga.

“Balagra?” Vir asked, confused. “So, we won, then? I... Can’t seem to recall what happened.”

Balagra shrugged. “Oh, it was nothing too eventful. Just two Automaton Guardians, which were about to annihilate us before your timely entrance with the Ravager and a mysterious beautiful lady. Several beautiful ladies, in fact. Beautiful and capable.”

Vir frowned. “And the Guardians?”

“They left on their own, though only Adinat knows why. We thought we were doomed.”

“So my Life Chakra attack worked, then...” Vir muttered.

“You landed a Chakra attack on them?” Balagra asked, incredulous.

Vir nodded. “When my physical attacks did next to nothing, I knew I had to try something different. And I know from experience that Imperium machinations are vulnerable to Chakras. Just, vulnerable doesn't mean weak. I'd been trying to hit them the whole fight. It was only by concentrating exclusively on the Chakra that I managed to project an illusion that fooled them.”

“What did you have them see?”

“Nothing,” Vir said. “Just an empty field. Even that simple projection took all I had...”

“I see...” the naga said, frowning.

“Say, Balagra? Why does my body feel so stiff? Was I injured?”

“Were you injured?” Balagra said, brows raised slightly. “My dear Akh Nara, were it not for the miraculous actions of your friend Tara, you would have died.”