Misunderstood Destinies (2)

"We can launch it together, but I'm going to do all I possibly can to hold a shield over both of us. He won't know it. Any magic thrown at it I can handle up to a certain point. As long as we're holding hands, I can focus the shield around you and I."

"That doesn't matter now! We have to attack, don't worry about the shield! Give it everything you've got!" He almost shouted and began to move forward

Multi-tasking with the attack and the shield was strain on her magic, but she was able to keep it going for a short time. Moving along with Jargos, she said under her breath, "You tried to kill me once, and I won't let you harm me or anyone else again."

Balozar raised the dark energy ball above his head and was preparing to swing in down on them but their attack struck first

Layla gripped Jargos' hand tightly to keep the shield held in the case of after-blast. She saw everything turn red and white from the attack. Tossed back from the blast, Balthazar and the duo were separated upon the explosion.

Jargos crashed into a wall, falling back to the ground unconscious, the crown falling from his hands The Bone-Beast was eradicated and Balthozar was thrown back as well

Layla was tossed back against a nearby wall and came close to blacking out. She saw Balthazar try to stand, but even he was too weak to fight. Too close to death to try. When he spotted the crown, he tried to grab it. Layla got up as quick as she could to grab it and did beat Balthazar to it. He stood in her face.

"This... this isn't over."

"...Yes, it is, Balthazar. Check-mate." She landed a blow to his face. He fell backwards and dead, Layla most likely assumed. She tended to Jargos who was close by. Using what magic she could, she tried to bring him back to consciousness.

Jargos let out a sigh, but we was still unconscious

Layla used what bit of magic she could until she reached her limit to heal whatever wounds Jargos had and bring him back to consciousness. Even with the reserve of the power of the runes, she had used up immense power to focus both the shield and the blow.

"Jargos," she struggled to say. "...There's nothing else I can heal by magic. The rest is up to you...!" she spotted an incoming medic from Garlan briefly. Her magic would regenerate on its own, she was sure. As the voice of the woman echoed in her mind once more, she felt reassured. Everything turned to black, and the voices approaching into the distance faded into the silence. Layla blacked out next to Jargos.

Jargos slowly began to wake up

The medics from Garlan came in after it was safe to re-approach the castle. The crown was placed right nearby the duo. The king was seen with the guard coming from the inner castle grounds.

Jargos pulled himself up, His body almost numb as he pulled Layla close to him. He made sure she was okay before letting the medics do their jobs and help them. He refused treatment and got to his feet, the crown in his hand. He walked to the king, then fell to his knees, making cracks in the floor. He holds the crown up to the king before falling back, only half conscious

The king accepted the crown back, then offered his hand to pull Jargos to his feet and get aid. "Thank you for restoring the crown back to the Garlan Royal Family. We'll treat you both from inside the castle for safety in the case any more of the Mages are lurking around. We'll do all we can to heal both you and your friend. You have my promise." He still held his hand out. "Come on. Let us get you inside." One of the knights were standing by to offer any extra support in case needed.

Jargos crawled back to Layla out of instinct, then his body began to shake and his runes slowly began to glow, but it almost seemed like a dying light

The king dismissed the soldiers and then walked over to the two. "If it'll put you at ease, and if you'll give me a hand, we both can take her inside. I won't let anything happen to the both of you. Garlan is saved, and it's the least I can do."

Jargos growled a bit, feeling over protective, but nodded and toook the King's help getting Layla inside

The king helped Jargos in bringing Layla inside. Within a short bit of time, they were in the infirmary and Layla was under the care of the castle medics.

"Perhaps you should also rest. We can speak of the battle later unless you're feeling up to it. I won't push you after the ordeal both of you went through."

Jargos shook his head and stood guard

The king respected his decision. "A meal will be prepared soon by our chefs and such. If you are hungry, you are free to join me later or I'll have them send you enough to satisfy you should you choose to remain here. I won't deny to whatever choice you make." The king turned to leave. "I would have joined your fight sooner, but you could say I was a bit tied up with some matters." He laughed a bit with his unintentional pun, then walked out of the room.

Jargos nodded and stood there like a monstrous golem with an almost sad look on his face

Some time later, after medical attention applied to the wound on her upper stomach, Layla shifted slightly and started to wake up. Her magic had already started to regenerate and it was enough for her to sense Jargos nearby.

Jargos growled instead of breathing. His runic glow was barley visible

Layla, when she realized where she was for a moment, sat up and rubbed her forehead a bit with her hands. "Well," she said quietly. "Glad to see you're okay after all."

"I've been through worse" He lied as he knelled by her bed
"How're you? You . . . You okay?"

Layla smiled and nodded. "I'm fine. I will admit Balthazar was a bit of a pain when he decided to attack me, but that doesn't mean I was going to let him actually end my own life. I'm not leaving you. I promised you that." She put a hand to the side of his face. "Sometimes, all you need is a little luck and a little faith."