Misunderstood Destinies (2)

Layla didn't wait for a response. She knew he needed to know. "Some woman, who I honestly can say I don't know, came to me last night. She seemed familiar, yet, at the same time, I have never seen her before. I'd call her a blind seeress, but even I cannot say for sure. The woman kept saying that our destiny was not to die today. That, despite what tricks Balthazar would have up his sleeve, we'd make it through somehow and someway. It brings more confidence and ease, but I have my suspicions about her. More importantly, about our task at hand.

"For all we know, Balthazar could have the crown. And if he does, then we're in more than serious trouble. If the legends are true, and all the myths passed down in the rumors about the royal family, that crown can channel an infinite amount of magic. It can steal the magic of another person. Even transmit one power to another person. I remember as a child that my mother once told me that, hidden in the secrets of the Garlan Royal Family, there was a sacred item that could decide the fate of the land depending on the holder. I understand now why the king and late queen never said much about it."

This knowledge just fueled Jargos and he dashed even faster

Layla sighed. "We're going to have to go beyond limits if my fears are true. Which means we'll have to reserve as much energy as possible for our ultimate strike. It won't be easy to land it. It'll take some strategy and timing. Not to mention some insane amounts of magic."

Jargos moved at blinding speed, but there was the one thing that he couldn't avoid . . . A deer was about 200 yards away and he changed course to kill it and eat it

Layla laughed a bit when she saw the deer in sight. She had a feeling Jargos was targeting it. She didn't say a word to him about it. Rather, she started to think about some sort of strategy to use against Balthazar.

In less than a moment, Jargos tackled the deer and tore it in half, gorging himself

Layla could really only look away. Although she was used to seeing the killing of an animal, it still sent chills down her spine. She shook it off.

Jargos shredded the body, innards flying everywhere as the spine was crushed in half. He devoured all of the edible parts, which was everything to him. Soon, he lapped up everything and sniffed the air

"Is something wrong?" Layla asked.

Jargos roared and dashed in a wayward direction until a dark figure came into view. It was a Dark mage mounted on a Bone-beast, and it was charging them just as they were charging them. The most guttural and bestial sounds came from Jargos as he vaulted forward

Layla pulled her staff to her side. "Well, looks like someone's looking at a joust." Layla avoided using her shield for conservation sake. "Let's see what he's got!"

Jargos saw red as he collided with the Bone-beast, the only thought in his mind was to kill

Layla pushed her staff forward, knocking the mage off, before he could hit her. "Jargos, remember, we still have one more battle waiting for us. Don't waste your energy."

Jargos roared out before biting the Bone-Beasts shoulder and tearing it off of the body. He swung with his right claw, crushing part of it's jaw

"Jargos, we don't have time." Layla started focusing her power of runes. When her eyes glowed white, the ground started shaking. "I'll start an earthquake under their ar**s if I have to."

This got Jargos' attention. He heeled instantly, even sitting back on his hind legs, then looked to Layla

Layla stopped what she was doing and pulled her hand back. "Let's go. We don't have time to waste."

Jargos nodded and dashed forward to Garlan

Layla glanced up at the sky. "We're in for trouble. I can already hear yelling from out here. Be ready for anything."

Jargos raced forward

Layla saw Garlan come into view. As they entered the gates, Balthazar was seen heading back into the castle. Something shined in the distance.

"Oh, bloody he**..." Layla grabbed her staff. "We're in trouble. Jargos, after him! I see Balthazar, and he does have the crown!"

Jargos centered in on Balthozar and before the two could blink, he was about to claw at him, but Balthozar vanished before their eyes and Jargos' claws crashed into the wall, collapsing it

Layla spotted Balthazar in the distance. "Jargos, stay steady and let me pounce off. I'm going to try to get him on the ground before he merges forms."

Jargos steadied himself as he went forward to Balthozar

Layla stood on her forefoot on the saddle and then jumped off. "Hold it, Balthazar!" Layla grabbed onto him and pulled him to the ground.