Chapter 1010: Tir'Anu

Chapter 1010: Tir'Anu

We have matters to discuss, then, ArdNara said. Of those who came before you, and their fates

MariKha has already spoken to me of your expedition, Leon said with a friendly nod sent to the Ulta suit, which the suits head mirrored in recognition, though Im also quite sure you have context to share that she couldnt.

Did she? You and your father were known to me, MariKha; your father was known to be a great master, and his loss devalues the universe entire.

You flatter me, Eminent Star, Mari replied, her tone audibly shaking.

ArdNara spared her a brief nod before asking Leon, As the guest upon this plane, why dont you tell me what you know so far, and Ill fill in the gaps youve undoubtedly accumulated.

Leon agreed, and did just that, taking several minutes to give a brief accounting of all hed learned of Arkhnavis fall so far. However, it seemed that as he spoke, ArdNara found Tiraeses to be the most interesting part of the story, even though Leon hardly mentioned the man.

When Leon finished, ArdNara was fully staring at Tiraeses, his mismatched eyes staring holes into the man. Tiraeses himself seemed completely at ease under such scrutiny, though.

Judging by your story, ArdNara said, you came to my plane far to the west, beyond the Mandian Lands.

Yes, Leon confirmed.

And you, Tiraeses, you are from the west?

A crack finally appeared in Tiraeses demeanor, and he seemed to war with himself for a second. He took just long enough to respond that Mari started first, forcing him to cut her off.

Hes usi

I am from the Kingdom of the Blue Sky originally, Tiraeses said, his voice remaining steady, but after pausing a moment, his voice hitched. I-I left for making many mistakes and committing many crimes.

ArdNara nodded, then waved his hand. I shall deal with you in a moment. Do not attempt to leave, else my Cloud Piercer shall pierce you, as well. To emphasize the threat, the Azurian Prince leveled his magnificent spear at Tiraeses for a moment.

Tiraeses bowed slightly in acknowledgment. He wasnt going to run away; Leon was certain of that.

Now, ArdNara continued as he relaxed and turned back to Leon, I will start by confirming the deaths of Queen Larkoina and Alle Kon Harae. All doubt as to their fates is to be banished; they are dead.

I thought as much, Leon replied. MariKha indicated that your last battle went quite poorly for everyone involved.

ArdNara paused, frowned, then nodded slowly. It was a hard-fought battle, and one we did not end up winning. The Red-Eyed One had much work to do that day. If I fail in my task, then she shall have much more work ahead of her.New novel chapters are published on

How did you escape that battle? Leon asked instead. He watched the Azurian Prince carefully, looking for any sign of deceit, but he only saw a stone-faced Prince who answered quickly and readily.

The battle turned quickly, Nara explained. My uncle, The Majestic Star, commanded the army well, but there were traitors amongst us, though not, I think, by choice.

The Devils power? Leon wondered as he subtly brushed his hand against his armor right above the spell protecting him from the darkness magic in the environment.

Yes, Nara confirmed. Paranoia and madness were afflictions we all combated throughout the campaign, but in a moment, the pressures intensified, and brother slaughtered brother. My uncle was killed by his own best friend. With our head so cleanly removed, no place we could retreat to with the cities wed liberated falling back into devilish hands the hordes descended upon us, and we were torn apart.

Leon listened intently, the Princes story lining up with what Mari had told him thus far.

I was in the thick of the fighting, Nara continued. No other place for a Prince, and my Cloud Piercer carved a great many devilish monstrosities to pieces that day. But I could not win the day alone, and my friends and bodyguards fell around me. Even our best Ultian pilots were laid lowthough I will say that to see you, MariKha, alive and well, is a blessing. That the gods show even this small favor is proof enough that we are not forsaken.

Thank you, Eminent Star, Mari replied, her voice wobbling enough that Leon could almost see her blushing.

When it was clear that the battle was lost, my retainers gave their lives to buy my escape, Nara narrated. They without the armies of the Red Sky, we wouldnt have gotten as far as we did, and we only had the Red Skys support because I married the Scarlet Princess. My wife remained behind, thank the gods, and Id hoped to return to her, to claim my throne and aid my people in surviving this calamity. What I wasnt expecting was to be approached several weeks after my escape by a strange-looking mage with tenth-tier power and not even a spark of the gods within hima man hoping to use me to investigate the Mandian Lands.

Leon wordlessly conjured the images of the ten mages sent ahead of him, with Larkoina and Alle Kon Harae dimmer than the others. Nara scanned the remaining eight images and raised Cloud Piercer at one image showing a heavily tattooed man with purple eyes, silver skin, and long blue hair.

Iluva, Chosen of the Lords Three, Leon identified. Sent from Numith.

Iluva; such was his name, Nara confirmed. He appeared from the dark and demanded my aid. Given the situation and the need to solve the Blue Skys crisis, and reasoning that two men can move faster and more stealthily than an army, I rendered that aid. I escorted Iluva westward, for hed desired to see the place where the first ritual had taken place.

Why would he come here? Leon asked. Did he say why? Why not go straight for Tell Kirin?

Leon suspected that the reasons were the same for why hed come to this city, but he only suggested it because Naxor Amis was essentially on the way to Tell Kirin. For someone from the east to come here instead of the seat of Qo Weylekh was strange to him, despite the potential boons that couldve been found.

I asked him that myself, Nara confessed. He nearly took my head for it. I did not ask him again, and simply continued to act as the godless mans guide.

You hardly sound like his biggest fan, Leon observed.

What is your opinion, King Leon? Tiraeses asked.

My opinions irrelevant. Or, this argument is, at any rate. Right now, we need to focus on getting into Naxor Amis, not on political strategies.

Tiraeses opened his mouth to argue but seemed to think better of it. Wise Farangeun speaks through you, Leon Raime.

If he does, then let him speak your true name, Nara said as he glared down at Tiraeses. You have acknowledged the supremacy of the Blue Sky. As Crown Prince, and soon to be King of the Kingdom of the Blue Sky, I order you to give me your real name.

Tiraeses surprised eyes turned to Nara, and his mouth opened and shut like a fish. Eminent he whispered, unable to finish whatever it was he was going to say.

It would take the gods themselves intervening to save you from this question, Nara said, subtly assuming an aggressive posture. Leon even noticed Mari slowly circling around to try and cut off any escape routes that Tiraeses mightve had. Your real name, Tiraeses. Now.

Tiraeses closed his eyes and mouth in thought, his face wracked with indecision. The moment stretched to an almost uncomfortable length before he opened his eyes again, resignation carving deep furrows in his cheeks and brow.

TirAnu, he said, his tone somber, his shoulders hunched, his head lowered.

A mortal couldve heard a pin drop in the moment after Tiraeses spoke. Even the plane of Arkhnavi seemed to take a break as the wind stopped blowing and the darkness seemed to recede slightly.

And then ArdNara and MariKha brought the hells to the physical world.

YOU! Nara roared as he walked forward and took Tiraeses by the throat, dragging him to his feet. YOU, EXILED IN PERPETUITY, DARE TO RETURN! THAT YOU DRAW BREATH AND MAKULI DOES NOT! HARTUN AND JOMBAN! Nara grimaced and halted his castigation, but Mari was all too willing to take it up.

Youre TirAnu? she asked in disbelief and disgust. The same one who purged half the nobility in the Blue Sky? Who plunged the Kingdom into fifty years of darkness and terror? That TirAnu?

I should kill you right now, Nara growled.

Tiraeses didnt move. Even with Naras fingers tightening around his throat, he stared back at the other two, shame and acceptance in his eyes.

Leon, however, wasnt quite so accepting. He reached out with his power and forced Tiraeses and Nara apart, though the darkness in the environment didnt make it easy.

What are you doing?! Nara demanded as he spun to face Leon, his eyes alight with fury.

Keeping you from killing him, Leon said with a nod to Tiraeses. We dont have the luxury to do that right now. We have a certain Iluva to find and a city to investigate. Killing Tiraesesor TirAnu, I supposewill not avail us of anything.

Hes a criminal who deserves nothing but death! Mari shrilly insisted. He killed most of my family!

Leon cocked an eyebrow. Mari was young enough that she would never have met most of those Tiraeses had killed since the monk had been absent from the Blue Sky for centuries. Still, hed never met his mother before, but he wanted to find her with a quiet ferocity that put the matter into a more understandable perspective.

His golden eyes fell upon Tiraeses himself, who had fallen back to his knees after Nara was forced to unhand him. Acceptance was writ large upon his face, his eyes promising no resistance or judgment for Mari or Naras actions against him.

I deserve death, the monk said, confirming Leons impression. I could spend ten thousand years attempting to become a virtuous man, and I would fail. Kill me; I will not resist.

Nara glared down at him, a look of revulsion passing over his face. My father told me stories about you. They kept me up at night in my youth, prayers to Valiant Ashatar never far from my lips. I saw your enforcers in every shadow, in every corner The suffering you wrought in the Blue Sky is incalculable.

Why?! Mari demanded. What were you hoping to gain?!

Tiraeses quietly smiled and chuckled self-deprecatingly. That hardly matters now. Do what you will. I have failed to become a virtuous man, despite my long years of study and effort to change my ways. Leon Raime, I thank you for your words, but please dont interfere again. This is a matter for the Blue Sky, and its King. I submit myself to his judgment.

Leon sighed and did as requested. If Tiraeses wanted to die, then he wasnt going to stand in the monks way, even if meant one less pair of hands working to save Arkhnavi.

Fortunately, it seemed Nara had other plans. The Crown Prince surged forward and slammed his fist into Tiraeses face, sending the monk flying across the hill. Nara pursued, beating the hells out of Tiraesesand never, Leon noticed, used any kind of weapon or elemental magic. It was an old-fashioned beatdown, and one that was over almost as quickly as it started.

After a few good blows, Tiraeseswho, true to his word, didnt defend himself at allwas left bloody and battered, but still strong enough to remain upright when kneeling.

Our circumstances are dire, Nara finally said as he cleaned Tiraeses blood from his knuckles. That is the only reason you yet draw breath. Thank the gods for that.

By the Mothers Above and Below, I thank you for your mercy, Eminent Star, Tiraeses managed to croak out.

Turning to Leon, a furious Nara said, We have a mage to find and a city to clear. Lets get on with it.

Leon gave him a skeptical look, but as Mari fell in beside him, he decided he didnt need to spend too much time dwelling on this. Besides, some time spent clearing a city ought to help get the violence out of their system.

He hoped. Regardless, it seemed hed have to deal with this drama before the day was out.

Finding Iluva and killing these cultists is going to be the easy part of my day, wont it?