Destiny of Light

Luna took the locket into her hands. "Grandmother, this is all you have left of Airen, of Mother. Why are you giving this to me? This isn't just a lesson. What is it?"

"There wasn't much left that we could leave your mother, in which leaving even less for you. One of these days, I won't be here. And you'll want something to carry close to your heart." Layla glanced back outside. "Parents aren't supposed to bury their children. It's the other way around. Of course, I outlived both of them. I'm mortal now and I've never felt so close to them both that I do now."

Luna stayed quiet.

"Airen has always pushed me into new things, and he's doing it again despite him being deceased. You don't know what life is like until you've had it taken away from you, Lunalia. Jargos, Airen, and I all know what it feels like to some extent." Layla sighed. "I'm sorry for failing both Madalyn and you. I should've been around more."

"You couldn't help that. You were forced away by something you didn't foresee."

"I still should have come home. When Airen died, Madalyn encouraged me to move on and get the help I properly needed. I was in a depression I couldn't get out of. Going to Nicca got me out of it."

As a moment passed by in silence, Luna asked, "What was the point you were trying to get across?"

"You haven't lived life yet. I know this. Take the time to read. To learn." Layla turned to walk out the door. "Most importantly, follow your heart with Kreig. You're closer with him than you let on. I'm not as oblivious as you think I am."

"How did you know?" Luna was a bit shocked.

As Layla was about to open the door, she replied, "Because I was given the courage to let myself follow my heart. And that same path led me to Jargos." Layla left the room.

Jargos was waiting for Layla when she came out into the hall, his usual smile on his face



Kreig followed the scent, fighting countless shadows, each stronger than the last

Layla stood next to Jargos. "It was hard to give it up, but Luna needs that necklace more than I do." She laughed a bit. "I've always worn it, and now it feels sort of empty to feel for it and it not be there."

"I'm proud of you, Layla" Jargos said



Kreig kept fighting, relentless in his hunt for the cause of all of this

"It's not something I could do easily. I know one day I won't be here to teach her the lessons she needs to learn. I'm hoping that the necklace will stand in that place. I've carried it with me for a long time. It was my daily motivation because I felt like I had no other. Of course, when you returned, that, alone, pulled me through."

"Let's try to relax until Kreig gets back" Jargos told her while he put an arm around her shoulder to hug her



Kreig was unstoppable

Layla nodded. She looked out the window again. The storm seemed never-ending.

Kreig fought with a fury that these shadows could not match, yet their increase in power made him wonder if the scent was who he was looking for

Layla watched out the window. "The storm is powerful. Something seems unnatural about it."

"Part of it is coming from Kreig. His bloodline is indeed remarkable" Jargos told her "But the other part, I cannot explain"



Kreig's struggle seemed never ending

"I fear that Kreig may be in danger. Do you think we should go out there? The more powerful the storm seems to be, the more uneasy I feel about this."

"We should ask Luna" Jargos decided



Kreig sustained only minor scraps and bruises, and only one shadow remained. He circled his prey, a creature twice his size, yet the thing knew it was no match

Layla nodded. As she was going to knock on the door, Luna was already stepping out.

"I was going to ask you if any word had been heard from Kreig. This storm is getting nasty," Luna stated.

"We were going to go find out how he was holding up but Jargos suggested we ask you first."

"It's up to you two."

"No, this is her decision" Jargos said



Kreig struck and killed the beast, only to reveal a young man, early twenties at most, standing behind the fallen shadow. He wore only dark flowing garments from the belt down, even partially covering his feet, but his upper body was exposed, and on it were dozens of angry crimson scars. The man was completely hairless, and his fingernails were extremely long, even longer than Kreig's claws. The man looked at Kreig and laughed. Kreig barked at the man

"This is all the world can muster to stop me?! A Mutt?!? A Mangy House Pet!?! HOW DARE YOU!!!" He screamed at Kreig, pointing at him with a long fingernail, to which Kreig replied with more barking. The storm became much worse, normal folk would be pulverized by the rain and hurled by the wind

Luna thought for a moment. "I feel like something is getting ready to happen. As much as I believe Kreig can handle himself, I just can't help but get the feeling that something isn't right. I say we go and interfere only if we have to."

Layla pulled the book from the bag. Grabbing a thick cloth sitting on top of a nearby shelf, Layla wrapped the book up in it. Returning the book to the bag, she tightened the strap that kept the bag closed. "It's pouring down and I can't leave this thing unattended. It should be protected now. If you want to check on things, we can go. Even I have a bad feeling coming on."

The man mocked Kreig by making weak barks and pretending to be scared. The man was tall and thin, but Kreig was tall and hulking. He roared out and lunged forward, only to meet a shield of darkness which flung Kreig back, but he caught himself on a tree and tried his assult from a different angle


Jargos nodded to the women

As Luna went to lead the group out, she realized how hard the rain was pouring down. It was almost as powerful as hail.

"I'll handle this," Layla stated. With a quick hand movement, a white aura surrounded the group. "I can extend my shield for a while as long as we stay out of combat. Let's go."

Try as he might, Kreig could not puncture the shield. Finally, he had enough and howled out, the echo reaching Darkwoods, Zeizea and everywhere in between. Kreig began to focus his energy, drawing in static energy from the air. Sparks arced from his claws and runes

As soon as Luna heard Kreig, she immediately dashed off. Layla had to run about as fast as she could to keep up.

While the man hid behind his shield, Kreig was drawing in all the energy from the charged air, the storm meant a plentiful supply of electricity, and once he began absorbing it, he became a lighting rod. Bolts of lighting were striking him and his fur was beginning to stand on end. Soon, electricity could been seen under his leathery skin and in his diamond eyes. Kreig let loose a second, more powerful howl at the same time a bolt of lightning struck him



Jargos kept up easily

Luna knew she was just nearby Kreig. "This way!" she called. She sensed he was in some trouble, but, with her own worry mixed in with fear, she couldn't exactly tell what was going on over the distance. After a couple of minutes, Kreig was in sight.

Kreig was in a rage, striking the dark shield with bolts of lightning and electrically super charged claws and fang. His power was astonishing, yet the shield held firm. He had to calm down, but he made a mistake, he absorbed too much energy and he wasn't releasing it fast enough

Layla went forward ahead of Luna. "Luna, stay back behind one of the trees!" She was determined to keep Luna protected, seeing as Luna was the only person that Layla knew could keep Kreig under control. Luna tried to get ahead of Layla but was stopped by her arm.

"Let me go, Grandmother!"

"I have to keep you safe. Get back, Lunalia. If something happens to you, we're all screwed."

Kreig could hear them arguing, but he knew if he looked their way, he might hurt them. A brilliant idea came to mind. With all his effort, he began to flood all his energy into his claws, the man behind the shield laughed

"OOH, LOOKIE LOOKIE, ANIMAL CONTROL IS HERE TO LEASH YOU, DOG!!! YOU WERE CHEWING ON THOSE BOOTS AGAIN, WEREN'T YOU?!?! BAD DOG!!! DOWN!!!!" He mocked Kreig once more



Jargos laughed at the man

"We should get back, Layla"

Jargos put a kind hand on Luna's shoulder, trying to warn her


Kreig howled out one last time before he leaped high into the air, his silhouette against the foggy moon was the last thing that could be seen before he disappeared in a flash of lighting, aimed at the shield

(OOC: If it wasn't for the fact that my mother can't know I'm awake, I probably would've just busted out laughing completely.)

Layla and Luna stepped back, in which Layla still insisted of staying in front of Luna. "I have a feeling that someone's about to get shredded to pieces," Layla stated. "You're probably right, Jargos. We better get back."