Misunderstood Destinies (2)

"I'm . . . giving you . . . a hand . . .Urgh" It was clear this was taking up a huge amount of energy. The tendrils began to break off in small parts and formed shapes that soon looked think runes "Uurgh" Jargos was gritting his teeth in effort

"Jargos, you know I wouldn't ask for anything from you if I could help it." She wanted to stop whatever he was doing, but she knew for a moment he didn't want her to.

"You've done . . . So much . . . This will help you until you . . . use it up . . . You don't need my help . . . You're stronger than you know . . . This is like a kick start to show you what I already see . . . Urraagh!" He guided the glowing, floating runes around Layla and they formed into an armor of sorts, not touching her skin, but aiding her none the less. A surge of power flowed into her, yet it made her sleepy. Jargos passed out, falling back, his own runes glowing a soft green

Layla saw Jargos black out and she immediately came to his side. "Jargos?" He was still breathing. She suddenly felt a drowsiness come over her, but pulled him onto the other bed. "You can be such a crazy person."

Jargos was out like a light. Layla's runes glowed a soft green, just like Jargos', signaling healing

Layla walked back over to the spare bed and observed the armor. It looked strange, but she only hoped that Jargos knew what he was doing. Exhausted from the power release out at the clearing, she laid back on the bed and quickly fell asleep within minutes.

Jargos did not dream, but her slept

Layla had dreams, and it was one of a bit of comfort rather than pain. But, she didn't quite understand it. A woman, hidden behind a cloak and blindfold, appeared in front of her.

"Who are you?" Layla asked.

"A friend. Not your enemy. Someone you'll meet eventually. I'm here to tell you something to ease your mind a bit. You will get through tomorrow, and so will your friend. Neither of you are destined to die. And, Layliana, you'll understand that death can be fought. Maybe not defeated, but you can fight your way around him. Balthazar will do everything he can to end both of you. Your only disadvantage compared to Jargos is that you are mortal and a human elf. Nothing more. Nothing less."

"Did you have to remind me? I'm going to die eventually, and it's going to make me leave him behind. I don't want that."

The woman sighed. "You don't understand, and you won't until you see some of the things I have. Use your animal instincts, use your elven instincts. You've got the magic of Elf and Rune, and an animalistic appearance in your magical suit. You're not going to lose. Keep that in mind."

She disappeared. When Layla woke up, it was morning.

When Layla awoke, Jargos was just getting back in the hut with a massive plate of barbecued meats and aged cheeses. He had already brought back a huge jug of water. It was as if he was preparing for a massive energy drain. He smiled when he saw her wake.

"Good morning. I brought breakfast"

"Morning." She looked around, expecting anything strange after the dream. Layla shook it off and stood up to stretch.

Jargos sat down and began eating ravenously, almost like he hadn't eaten in months. He didn't tell Layla, but he had a plan to get them to Garlan in only a few hours, instead of the few days it would take otherwise. His runes weren't glowing at all and his body seemed different somehow

Layla straightened her outfit up a bit and glanced outside. The sky had a strangely darker red tint than it normally did in the morning. "He knows we're alive, but I don't know if he knows we're coming. I can sense it, and it's sending a cold chill up my spine. Something seems so off but I can't put my finger on it."

Jargos nodded. He felt it too and the sensation was making him want to shift, which was part of his plan. He kept eating until he cleared the plate and downed the jug, then got up and stretched

Layla still had concerns for the day to come, but her worries weren't as bad as before. "Whatever happens is going to happen, and we're Garlan's last saviors." She didn't speak of what she saw, as much as she wanted to tell Jargos.

Jargos nodded and slowly popped his neck. He picked up his sword, and what looked like a horse reign and saddle, yet, the looked like they were modified for a larger animal. He left his boots in the hut as he went outside

Layla glanced at him as he walked out. She sighed silently and followed him outside. "Everything okay?" she asked.

Jargos was breathing heavily and his body seemed to be shifting as his runes faded into his skin

Layla didn't want to interrupt Jargos, but she was still concerned.

Jargos opened his jaw wide and put the reign in his mouth, then started his ascension. His body began to grow and his skin began to darken. It became clear what the plan was, jargos was to act as a mount for Layla, allowing them passage to Garlan

Layla summoned her staff. "I suppose there is really only one way in, then."

After some roaring and raging, Jargos finished changing. He tired his best to steady himself to let Layla fit the saddle

Layla climbed on, gripping her staff tightly. "It's now or never, and it better be now. I've got a bad feeling."

Jargos roared out and dashed forward faster than the wind, trampling everything under foot

As they went on, Layla questioned whether or not she should tell Jargos of the dream she had. She felt it was his right to know being that it concerned both the destiny of them both.
"Before we get there," she started. "There is something I feel you deserve to know just as much as I do."

Jargos, unable to communicate, even in the language of the beasts, he could not tell Layla that he was ready to hear her