Chapter 187: The Story Of Us (Two)


    Ashani approached the door to a housethe one Vir had woken up in. Janak''s home. Instead of the ck, cold home from before, the abode was a brilliant white, decorated in gold.


    The door dematerialized for her, and inside, Vir found a beautifully decorated home. Where Sawai aristocrats adorned their walls with paintings andvish colors, the Imperium preferred prana as their paint instead.


    Despite knowing it was the same ce, Vir still struggled to ept the facts. The house he knew was dead. This one seemed to burst with life.


    A mural covered an entire wa work of pure prana. This one depicted a tranquil tropical jungle. Even the ground and ceiling had their own beautiful prana patterns, with water affinity contrasting fire and wind against lightning.


    Inside, Vir saw Ashanithe Ashani as she was at the height of the Imperium.


    You havent aged a day, Vir muttered. While dressed in an borate gold dress that flowed behind her, the goddess looked the same.


    Does this surprise you? she asked, freezing the simtion as she stood next to her younger self. Like the rest of my people, Automata do not age.


    Her simple, unadorned white one-piece cast an entirely different impression from her old self. While her in attire made her look like a benevolent, earnest goddessthe younger Ashani looked <em>regal </em>in a way no mortal could. <em>Like an empress.</em>


    With her bangles, oversized earrings, and neckpiece, the younger Ashani fit right in with the rest of her people.


    She also looked nervouseven scared. How the other upants of the room could scare someone like Ashani, Vir couldnt say.


    He shifted his attention to the two others.


    The man caught Virs attention first. He sported short ck hair, an enormous headdress, and a waxed handlebar mustache. He looked to be in his early thirties, but for all Vir knew, the man could have been centuries old.


    His exposed, sculpted abs showed not a hint of fat anywhere on his body, and despite his slightly slender build and average height, he looked every bit a god. Like everyone else Vir had seen, his bronze skin was unmarred by even a single blemish, and his face appeared as though itd been sculpted to perfection from a b of bronze.


    Janak. Siyas father, Ashani said quietly.


    You cant be serious. <em>Thats </em>Janak? Vir cried.


    He was nothing like the aged sage from Vka Amara. Granted, that had been a prana avatar of something like a copy of Lord Janak, but even so, the difference was just too vast. The mans behavior only highlighted that point.


    Siya, look! the man said in a doting voice, kneeling in front of a girl no more than eleven or twelve. Daddyyy has brought youuu a sweet, sweet friend!


    <em>This is a god? This is The Janak?</em>


    The man looked like a normal father spoiling his child. An ornately dressed, rich father.


    Theyre talking normally? Vir asked. When Ashani had first spoken to him, he couldnt understand a word shed said.


    I have modted their speech to your dialect, Ashani replied. I imagine the conversations in this simtion would sound unintelligible to you.


    Thank you, Vir said, grateful for her consideration.


    The simtion continued.


    I dont need any friends, daddy! Karadis my friend, Siya said, clutching her bear tighter and eyeing Ashani with deep suspicion. Shes too pretty.


    Vir felt Siya was hardly one to talk. Like Janak, his daughter also boasted perfect facial features, though if there was a family resemnce, Vir didnt see it. Where Janaks face was edged and powerful, Siyas was rounded and soft. Where his hair was a curly mess, hers was flowing and long. Even her clothing contrasted his. She wore a simple blue dress and wore no adornments, save for a single golden ne.


    <em>She looks like a doll, </em>Vir thought.<em> A delicate, frail doll.</em> The toy bear she clutched only heightened that imagea bear that actually moved its limbs.


    Aiya, little rajni! Daddy made her himself! Just for you! You always wanted an older sister, didnt you?


    If the man wasnt a god, Vir mightve found the scene funnysuch a handsome, imposing man talking like a child made for a truly endearing sight. But Janak <em>was </em>a god, worshiped by all and surpassed only by Adinat himself. The thought was a bit disconcerting for Vir.


    Janak constructed me to be Siyas friend, Ashani said. The friend she never had.


    Come, Ashani. Introduce yourself!


    Young Ashani took a step forward and knelt in front of the young girl. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Siya. I am Ashani.


    Ashanis lines came stiff and terse, and Siya darted back in her floating chair, hiding herself behind her father.


    Ashanis expression fell slightly, but she maintained her smile.


    Go on, Siya, Janak said soothingly. Why dont you greet your new friend?


    Siya hesitated, then peeked out from Janaks back. P-Pleased to meet you.


    Janak spun Siyas chair around and looked her in the eyes. I know you cant go out much these days, and I have been busy with my work. See? Now you wont be alone anymore!


    Siya tightened her grip on her bear. I only need you, daddy, Siya said quietly.


    <em>Shes such a sweet little girl, </em>Vir thought. The scene warmed Virs heart, but he sensed something off. Her arms and her legs looked thintoo thin, even for a small girl like her.


    She cant walk, can she? Vir asked.


    The scene froze.


    The symptoms started manifesting when she was only four, Ashani said, looking at Siya with sadness. With each year that passed, she lost more and more control over her body.


    I thought you said the Imperium had solved disease? That youd be immortal?


    We had, Ashani said, walking around the frozen simtion. Siyas case was an exception among exceptions. For all our magic and our technology, we proved no match against a single disease. It was why Janak devoted thest two decades of his life to his research.


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    Research? He was an academic? Vir asked. Wait, two decades? Siya doesnt look that old. Or did Imperium children age slower?


    No, Siya was twelve at the time.


    Which means Janak knew about the disease before she was born, Vir said. How?


    Her mother, Bhumi, had the same condition.


    Wait. If Janak was still researching it, then that means


    It imed Bhumis life, yes, Ashani whispered. Her mother subjected herself to test after test, but her condition stymied our most prominent minds.


    I dont understand, Vir said. If everyone could be as smart as everyone else, how could <em>any </em>disease stop you?


    This was the Prime Imperium. Living gods. For a single illness would stymie them for so long seemed absurd.


    And yet, this is the truth. I now believe her illness was one that attacked the spirit, not the body.


    The spirit Vir said. Like the chakras?


    Ashani frowned. Chakra. Circle. I am familiar with the word, though not in this context.


    Its Well, I dont understand it all that well myself, but it has to do with the spiritual. It can be made to attack the soul and the metaphysical. At least, thats what Ive heard.


    I see. Then, yes, it is likely exactly as you say. My people were entirely blind to the existence of the spiritual domain. Advanced in the ways of prana though we were, somehow, we knew nothing of the metaphysical. Indeed, I had felt the same, until I obtained my own power.


    The Ash Gates, Vir said.


    Yes. I feel the source of this power is beyond anything based in the physical realm. Perhaps that is why it is able to ignore reality, bridging two ces that would otherwise never have met.


    Just surprises me that your people wouldnt have known about it.


    Rather, I feel as though the spiritual realm has grown stronger after the Fall. As though it had been dormant, only manifesting when my people fell.


    It was an interesting thought. If whatever the gods had done fundamentally reshaped the world, who was to say that the concept of chakras only came into being after? Hed always thought of the fall of the gods as a period of destruction. But what if it was a time of creation, too?


    There was nothing wrong with her or her mother. Not physically, Ashani said. She just stopped functioning. Bhumis illness began with her lower body. No matter what my people did, her impediment did not regress or slow. Siyas mother died just before I was created.


    Ashani allowed the simtion to y out again. The young Ashani did her best to speak to Siya, but both were clearly very nervous. Their interactions were stilted and awkward, and Janaks presence did little to help.


    Vir now understood why the young Ashani looked so distraught earlier. She was created quite literally to be Siyaspanion, and yet the girl was rejecting her.


    The search for a cure consumed Janak, Ashani said. It became his sole purpose in life. Every second of every minute of every day was spent in research. It swallowed him in the end. In his desperation to save his daughter, he lost himself.


    Hed just lost his wife, Vir said. I I think I know how he felt.


    <em>Id do exactly the same, wouldnt I?</em> Virs heart clenched at the thought of losing someone dear to him. He didnt <em>have </em>to imagineVir had Naraks memory. The feelings hed had when hed lost his wife, Reyi, had nearly crushed Vir. The feeling had faded with time, and Vir took sce knowing it was just an echo from a prior incarnation.


    <em>What if it was Maiya? What would I do? </em>Vir didnt know. Would he break down and lose his way? Would he endure and carry the wound with him for the rest of his days? He couldnt say, and that scared him. Deeply.


    The tragedy of Bhumis death was eclipsed by the time he lost with Siya. The precious, <em>precious </em>time he had with his one and only daughter. For someone like me, whose memories never fade, those emotions feel as raw as the day they happened, all those years ago.


    Im sorry, Vir whispered, balling his fists. I can only imagine what that must feel like. Reliving such memories, feeling everything shed felt back then It must have eaten at her.


    Ashani bit her lip but kept her silence.


    Come, my little rajni, Siyas doting father said. Why dont you explore the new park with your friend? I think youll get along <em>just </em>fine, Janak cast the young Ashani a stern nce only she could see.


    Ashanis younger self stiffened.


    Janak never lost hope, Ashani said. Right until the end. He never epted that Siyas condition couldnt be reversed.


    Was it her disease that brought down the Imperium? Did it spread?


    A good guess. But no. No, Im afraid our Fate was far worse.


    The scene shifted abruptly around them. Siyas bedroom faded, reced by the bustling foot traffic of a busy road. A young Ashani pushed Siyas floating chair, navigating around the crowd.


    I bring you now, to the moments before the end, Ashani said.


    Vir gasped in shock.


    While the automaton looked identical to the day shed met the young girl, Siya certainly did not. Her limbs had all atrophied visibly. The frail girl of before now looked like a stiff wind would break her. And yet, despite her miserable state, there was an unquenchable fire in her eyes. Her condition might have attacked her spirit, but as far as Vir could see, the girl zed brightly despite it all.


    Do you think hell like it, Shani? I think he will. He really likes Water Affinity jewelry, Siya said, chatting animatedly with her friend.


    Little rajni, your father will treasure <em>any </em>gift you give him, Young Ashaniughed, and Siya giggled back.


    You really think so? Siya asked, smiling bashfully.


    <em>How can she be so cheerful, knowing what was in store for her? Knowing what happened to her own mother, </em>Vir thought, tears trickling down his face.


    I <em>know </em>so, little one.


    Shani, thats rude! Siya huffed. Im not little! Im just petite.


    Of course, dear, Ashani replied.


    Their rtionship had progressed so much, Vir could hardly believe it. The stilted dynamic of their first meeting was gone without a trace, and if someone said the two girls were sisters, Vir wouldve believed it.


    Siya was like the sun to me, Ashani said, freezing the world in its tracks. She was <em>so </em>strong. So blindingly bright. Never once did shein. I envied her so very much. All I could think about was how this precious girl, my only friend, would soon leave me. Her life should have been measured in millennia, not months. For it to be robbed so cruelly was It was unbearable for me. Those days were the happiest of my entire life, and my saddest.


    Shall we see some dresses, Shani? Siya said.


    <em>Again? </em>Young Ashani asked. Did we not just visit the other day? You said their selection wascking!


    I know But didnt you hear? Theres a new line of dresses by Lady Vera herself! I cant wait to see you in them, Shani!


    Me? Why me? Ashani replied. Why not you?


    Because youre pretty, Shani! And those prana patterns are just so delightful, dont you think? I feel like I could stare at them all day long.


    Yes, yes, princess. Whatever you desire.


    Im not a rajni!


    Youre my <em>rajni</em>, rajni, young Ashani whispered, nearly inaudible, but Siyas cheeks flushed, anyway.


    The scene sped forward as Siya and the young Ashani made their way to the dress shop.


    Janak left a hole in her life, Ashani said. A hole I so desperately tried to fill. If Siya could be so strong in the face of her illness, how could I wallow in sadness? I did everything I could. I became the sister she never had But there was no recing Janak. Entire weeks went by without her seeing him. Precious time that Janak would never recover.


    Shani quick! Make me presentable! Siya said, moving her hands weakly. The pair still hadnt reached the dress shop, but Siya had brought her floating chair to a hard stop.


    What is it, my dear? Young Ashani asked, bending next to the girl.


    Siya tugged on the sleeve of Ashanis golden dress. Look! Its Amar! she said, face flushing red.


    Hesing over! Hes going to see me!


    You look <em>fine, </em>Siya. More than fine. Be confident. You are perfect as you are! Young Ashani whispered before righting herself and stepping back.


    A fine day to you, Siya! Amar said, approaching. Around the same age as Siya, he wore the same golden garments as everyone else, though even Vir could tell the man would grow up to be handsome. Even now, as a child, he cut an impressive figure.


    I-I-I, good! Siya stuttered.


    Amar cocked a brow in amusement. Tis good that you are well!


    How, um. H-how


    I am fine, Siya, Amar replied with a chuckle. Ive been meaning to ask you About the uing ball


    Siya waited patiently for Amar to continue, and Vir could almost hear the heavy beats of her heart.


    Y-yes? she asked, when the boy slowly turned away from her.


    Siya looked absolutely stricken, and young Ashani squeezed her arm in constion.


    What is that? Amar asked, pointing to the central spire that rose in the distance.


    Vir followed the boys gaze and found a column of white clouds, enveloping the spire.


    Oho! Siya said, pping her hands together. A demonstration? How surprising. Isnt it wonderful, Amar?


    N-no, Siya. That isnt


    Like a drum, a deep sound thundered in their chests. Vir felt it as well.


    A siren red, and a disembodied voicemanded all to return to their homes. The weather control dome has failed. Please seek shelter. The weather control dome has


    There was no warning. Buildings ruptured like waterskins filled with too much liquid. Prana barriers red to life, but were immediately extinguished by some unseen force. A colossal force that eradicated all that it touched.


    Inscriptions, previously invisible, lit up on all the nearby buildings. They held for a moment.


    kes of material crumbled away, and then all failed.


    Amars body flew like a rag doll. Siyas floating chair tumbled end over end, ejecting the paralyzed girl.


    Young Ashani leaped up to cradle the falling Siya, but the roads under her undted, like fabric swaying in the wind.


    Streets cracked, buildings crumbled.


    The heatwave hit, and the shockwave followed.


    Vir watched in horror as all of Imperium creation was vaporized in the instant before the world turned white.