Destiny of Light

Jargos nodded and made his way to Garlan

When they got to the inn, Layla rented out a room with the money she had on hand.

"Take a seat. You might want to."

Jargos nodded and sat down

Layla sat on the bed across from him. "A little under ten years after you left, Jargos... I became deathly sick. I was traveling around, viewing nature, nearby towns, and such. I came into contact with many other travelers like me." She paused to think back to the event. "For a while, I thought it was just a cold. Like a seasonal one, you know? Well, I know I was headed to the east of Garlan until I had to take a break. Setting up camp, all I remember was that I collapsed. When I woke up, I was in a camp I assume not too far from where I was venturing." Layla waited a moment for Jargos to allow her to continue.

Jargos was dumbstruck

Layla continued on. "I was in care of a medic at the camp, a Dark Mage at that. Now, the Dark Mages that are still alive have come to a truce with the world, obviously. This mage was actually not an evil one. He told me I had come down with a severe case of influenza, which is currently one of the number one killer viruses. He couldn't heal it." Layla was nearly put into tears. "He told me he could give me a choice. For freeing his people of the burden of the evil Magi, either he could give me immortality at a price or I would die within days. I chose immortality to find you, but the side-effects of it would be at the cost of my vision." Layla turned her back to Jargos. "Jargos, I didn't want to die and leave you behind."

Jargos got up and hugged Layla again

"Immortality only prevents me from dying from sickness and age. It doesn't change by weaponry or magic. A spell cast by Dark Magic allowed it. Meaning, anyone that can remove the spell can take away the immortality. I'd get my vision back, but..." She didn't want to finish her sentence. "I had to find you, Jargos."

"I'm so sorry, Layla"

Layla wanted to change the topic to get the thought off her mind. "So, what have you been up to?"

"I've been atop the mountain, training to have control"

"That's why you came back, then?"

"No . . . I could feel a presences darker than my inner self. I haven't finished yet, but I feel in control enough to keep you safe"

Layla smiled. "I'm just glad you're back, Jargos. I wish Airen would have been here to see you again." She revealed a hidden necklace around her neck. Layla, Airen, and a younger girl inbetween them were in a photo within a locket. "I always carried this with me."

Jargos smiled when he saw the photo, but he was concerned

"Are they . . . ?"

"Airen and my daughter. I finally managed to forgive him enough to go back into a relationship. Of course, we did soon Bond to one another. I told Airen and Madalyn of what had happened when I returned home. I am sad to say however that both Airen and Madalyn have passed away. I'm a widow now, but one with a grand-child." She smiled. "Age one-twenty-five and still going with one trace of family left in the line."

Jargos was very happy, and if he had a tail, it would have been wagging

"When will I meet her?"

"When we make our next trip to Zeiza. The village, I hear, is under new leadership. But it's all under a trustworthy leadership." Layla closed the locket. "I never did get to meet my grand-daughter after she was older. All I know is that her name was Lunalia. She was fairly young when I last saw her."

"That sounds wonderful, Layla. I'm so happy for you!"

Layla smiled. "Thanks, Jargos." She glanced outside. It was getting dark.

"Just wondering, did you ever feel the tension of the evening like this before? I've been gone from the lands for some time. It doesn't feel like it did."

"No, but I have been at 17,000 feet for 100 years, it's different up there"

"Something doesn't quite seem right. I can't put my finger on it, though."

"I agree. It feels as if the land is sick"

Layla started to wonder what was going on now that it was closer to evening. "It's like everything has gone silent. I can't hear the sounds of any birds and such."

Jargos nodded, then realized that she couldn't see him, so her told her that he agreed