Misunderstood Destinies (2)

Jargos nodded

"If we're going to attack, then best head for Garlan first thing tomorrow morning to rebuild our strength. It's going to take everything to finish him off, and we'll need as much magical energy as we can possibly get."

"Yeah, come on, let's head back to the hut"
Jargos lead the way after collecting his sword and handing Layla her staff

Layla accepted her staff back and continued on with Jargos.

When they arrived at the hut, Jargos let Layla enter first. After they were settled in, he began to wonder about something

Layla pulled out her coin pouch to see how much money she had left. She glanced over to Jargos. "You've got a bit of tension in your aura. What's up?"

"It's nothing . . . well . . . It's just . . . I don't know"

"If you're like me, it's the worry about tomorrow." She stood up from the spare bed and put up her coins. "I'm just doing something to get it off my mind."

"Yeah . . ."

"I'm sure we'll be fine tomorrow. A little bit of hope and faith goes a long way." Layla sighed a bit. "I didn't think that my shield would come to this much use. But, I'm giving it everything to protect you from being hit." Something was still bothering her, and it was about the first fight with Balthazar.

"What else is on your mind?"

"It's... It's nothing, I guess."

"You sure?"

Layla didn't want to face Jargos with the thought of the last fight in her mind. "I don't know if you heard him," she started. "If you heard Balthazar, I mean. I'm a little more than worried about tomorrow. Jargos, you're practically immortal. At least, for the next three hundred years or so. You're stronger, and I know you're much wiser than I am. You have the will that keeps you going when you're weak."

Layla sighed. She didn't really know what she was trying to say. "Balthazar said something to me. Enough to where you couldn't hear, I know. Listen, I'm a little worried that he may try to pull something tomorrow. He... He toyed with my head a bit last time because he knows that I'm in my mid twenties. I'm an elf, but that doesn't change anything." Layla cursed under her breath. She didn't know how to say what she wanted to say. "Most people rarely live to their thirties now. The death rate for mortals is just too young." She paused again, trying to find her words. "I just want you to know that if anything happens tomorrow, I'll be there to make sure that you're safe. You know I'd give my life to you because I care about you. You did more than save my life. You're a hero. You're my friend. And you're the one that saved the people back home that I care about."

"You are stronger and wiser than you think, and you will live as long as you want" Jargos got up and put his paws on her shoulders "You can do anything"

Layla sighed. "No one lives forever. Not unless they're immortal. A hundred years from now..." She didn't want to think about it. As much as the thought haunted her mind. She knew Jargos would surpass her in age, but she didn't want it to happen. "I think I just need some air. Everything Balthazar said is finally killing my nerves." She jammed her fist against her staff. "He's cruel, and he's heartless, because it still freaking hurts."

Jargos nodded and sat down on his bed

Layla walked out. She went back to the clearing they practiced at and sat down under the evening sky. She didn't want tomorrow to come because she feared that Balthazar would take every chance to attack her and pick them both off one by one. Balthazar had unnerved her, and she wanted to just take him on, one on one, to simply punch him straight between the eyes.

Jargos moved to the center of the hut and stood in a horse stance, breathing calmly and deeply, his runes glowing a light blue. He began the fighting dance

After a little while, Layla had finally decided to just let out her rage with her magic. She charged her attacks as powerful as they could be and aimed at trees for targets. Adrenaline went through her, and it didn't give aid to how angry she was.

Soon, he had called forth the Runic Ancient. He bowed and the two began to speak

Layla charged up another sphere and did as much as she could to draw energy into it. "Over-exerted or not," she stated, "This is going to work!" she yelled out. The sphere started to glow with a white aura. With the practice from the day, her powers had increased in strength. She hadn't realized it. While the sphere was in her hand, she rushed up to a nearby tree. "Release!" It exploded and the entire clearing flashed white.

Jargos spoke with his ancestors

Layla put her shield up immediately, but the blast used up her magic and lessened the strength of her shield. It shattered. Tossed back a few feet, she landed back on the ground face-forward. "Freaking shield..." she said under her breath.

Jargos nodded and broke the connection with his ancestors, then went to find Layla