Misunderstood Destinies

As Layla slept, she kept dreaming about the brawl between her and Airen. Little discomfort was shown in her face while in reality. But, in her dreams, she felt a pain that seemed to last non-stop.

One of the wolves noticed, but decided not to interfere

In the dream, it flashed to a different setting. The two were still fighting, though it wasn't for Zeiza. It was Airen's hatred versus Layla's anger. The couple brawled it out until Layla awoke later the next day.

When Layla awoke, Jargos was practicing fire magic, and the animals were gone hunting. He noticed her begin to wake and smiled, then passed her a gourd of water

Layla was still a bit shaken up from the day before, but her strength was returning quickly. She accepted. "Thanks."

"Thou art welcome"

Layla kept thinking about the dream from the previous night. She was still so angry with Airen. Never in her life had she expected this to happen. She thought it was going to be her destiny to defend Zeiza as a Warrior and travel the world when her duty was done. Layla supposed it was a destiny that was misunderstood. She didn't really know where else there was to go. She was thankful to have found Jargos. She was thankful to finally understand the truth of her people, but she didn't know if it was worth the cost she had paid. Layla felt cold inside, as if a piece of her had turned to ice under the influence of the memory.

Layla didn't blame Jargos for anything, and she would've gave her life if he had ever lost his in a brawl. She was glad he was safe. Although Layla was aware he could defend himself, she didn't want him hurt. The two, she knew, were now the only ones who were paying any mind to the Dark Mages, and now the only thing right on hand that would give them any leads as to where to even start would be what little history she knew on her people and the Mages. Stories passed down were eventually only kept in the minds of the Elders.

Jargos knew she was hurting, but nothing he could do would do anything to aid her

Layla stood up, pushing her thoughts away for now, and glanced off into the distance. It was still a great way away from Garlan.

"So." She turned back to Jargos. "Where to next?"

"We could go to Garlan and beseech the king's aid, or to Darkwoods to try and hunt them down ourselves'

"Considering their royal guard's reputation with you, I think the question is which is safer."

"I have no fear of the guards, the king is known to be a reasonable man, abet, a bit rash in fear"

"Perhaps. I've never known the king or his royal family, but I'm willing to trust in either you think is best."

"Hm . . ." Jargos thought for a moment. If he was wrong and the king wouldn't listen, her would have endangered her, but his aid would make stopping the dark mages so much simpler

"If going into danger is what you're worried about, seeing as that is one of our Cons at the moment, then one contradiction could say that we both could train against one another to prepare. You're more skilled physically than I am, and I'm more skilled as far as my kind of magic is concerned. I know you have your Runes, in which that skill is far beyond my ways of knowledge. However, it might be possible that training with one another against one another might help."

Jargos nodded. The best way to prepare would be to train, and they could only fight each other.


"If thou wishes it"

"Only if you want to. I'm fine with whatever."

"Training would be helpful, and there is no one else to train against" Jargos took a deep breath

Layla nodded. "Extended weaponry aside." She nodded in the direction of her staff, meaning she wasn't planning to use it. She stood in a defensive stance.

Jargos exhaled slowly and made a ball of fire in his hands, the split it in two and began focusing his energy into the spheres

Rocks began to float into air and took form around Layla's hands into solid earth.

Jargos did not let his runes glow yet, but instead shot tiny fire balls from his hands. It was clear he had little control over them yet

Layla deflected with the rocky surface of her hands. "Stay focused. Concentrate. Imagine yourself sending out flames of whatever form or power you want them to take. Don't use it too strong, however, or you'll burn yourself out faster. Remember how I formed the ring of fire around me to stop Airen from attacking me? Do what I did. Use your hands as an extension. Form the ring around you and control it. If you lose control, I'll deflect. Don't worry about me. Pretend I'm not here if it'll help you."

Jargos took a horse stance and thrust his arms out in front of him, then out to his sides. He closed his eyes and let his runes begin to glow red, as a ring of fire formed around him. He began to let it spin, then a spear of fire shot out from the ring . . . Backwards. It disintigrated, and Jargos tried once more