Legend: Light after Darkness -Book II

Prologue

Previously in Book I...

We find Lili and Jack returned to the forest after defeating darkness.

Lili denies Jack and turns down his declaration of love, fearing he will not be accepted by the court should they marry.

They part ways, both broken hearted, until Lili's father, King Roland, agrees to meet Jack, yet unknown to Lili, intends to talk them out of marrying.

Lili returns to the forest to find Jack, begging for his forgiveness and restoring hope that they will find happiness together.

Jack forgives her and agrees to meet her father to ask for his blessing to marry her, despite Jack's suspicions of the King's agreement for them to meet.

Meanwhile, Darkness has returned, disguising himself as King Roland, while the real Roland lays beaten and locked in a dungeon cell, unbeknown to both Lili and Jack.

As Lili leaves the forest to tell her father that Jack will agree to meet him, Holder of Magics , Honeythorn Gump - mystic Elf and Jack's fellow soldier against Darkness' original plan to destroy the unicorns - visits Jack revealing to him that he is the last halfling heir to the lost kingdom of Valtoria.

The Kingdom of Valtoria, once peaceful and powerful birthplace of light and pure beings, was decimated by Darkness who influenced an invasion by the neighbouring kingdom of Gilder. Misguided Gilder soldiers, led by Darkness' Goblins, destroyed Valtoria, ultimately wiping out all halflings, including Jack's mother and father, King Tiberius.

It is here we learn of the prophecy, a spell designed to undo Darkness' complete dominion over Valtoria and all of Fantasia.

King Tiberius, King Roland and Gump agreed to sacrifice what they hold dearest in order to start a chain reaction that would release Darkness' hold over the Great Tree, the former home and kingdom of Valtoria, and return it to its former glory.

Their sacrifices... Jack, Lili and the Stallion Unicorn.

The prophecy stated Lili would kill the unicorn, Jack would kill Lili and then turn a blade upon himself. After all sacrifices were completed, Valtoria would live again.

Yet, this did not come to pass and Darkness was not truly conquered.

As retribution, Darkness tricks Lili and Jack into meeting him, under the guise of King Roland.

Before meeting with King Roland, (AKA Darkness) , Jack and Gump visit Nell, a fallen fairy who traded immortality for her familiar, now husband, Joseph. As Nell helps Jack prepare for his meeting, Lili arrives distraught by her father's strange and cruel demeanour.

Assuming Darkness' control over Roland, Jack, Lili, Nell, Gump and Oona prepare for a potential ambush.

Meeting with Jack, Darkness' intention was to kill him, as Jack was the last halfling that could restore Valtoria. Instead, Darkness steals Lili away with him to the underworld, murdering her by throwing her off the top of a castle tower.

Devestated, Jack begs Gump to resurrect her, however Gump denies him, knowing Jack would have to die in her place, thus destroying the last halfling alive and the last chance of restoring the kingdom of Valtoria.

Defying Gump, fairy Oona grants Jack his wish to save Lili from Darkness' clutches, in turn she tricks Jack into self sacrifice.

Instead of trading his life for Lili's, Oona alters the spell, resurrecting Lili, however turns Jack into a sprite against his will, so she can make Jack her mate.

Despite his disapproval, Gump agrees to complete the spell, ensuring Jack and Lili have no memory of one another as a form of protection against Darkness, with the proviso that should they reunite, the spell could be safely broken, but only if Lili and Jack fall back in love naturally, without coercion or interferrence.

If anyone were to force their memories back the spell would unravel, returning Lili to the underworld with Darkness and Jack alive returned to his halfling self, but forever heartbroken.

Days pass.

As new forest sprite, Jack learns the power of transmogrifiction, adopting the form of a hawk to safely leave the forest and explore.

Lili wakes to continue her life as though she never met Jack and agrees to her father's wishes to start courting suitors, one being the brash and charming Prince Balthazar.

Upon Lili's journey to neighbouring Kingdom of Floren, she stops to visit the forest with Balthazar.

Jack sees Lili and becomes enchanted by her after discovering her ability to speak with a finch, a skill only sprites, halflings and forest children possess.

Despite Oona's protest, Jack introduces himself to Lili, presenting himself to her as a tame and clever hawk. Prince Balthazar swats at Jack, causing Lili to protect Jack and scorn her new suitor.

Lili leaves the forest to continue her trek to Floren, leaving Jack to return to the forest, beguilded by her, much to Oona's displeaure.

Oona taunts Jack into a play fight ending with Oona seducing Jack momentarily, until Lili falls off her horse, revealing a psychic connection between her and Jack.

Jack abandons Oona in aide of Lili, finding her on the ground and head bleeding. He then magically heals her and flies back to the castle to watch over her upon her recovery.

Lili welcomes Jack, as a hawk, to stay with her as a pet companion, feeling an inexplicable bond, despite him appearing as a bird.

Meanwhile,Oona is captured by Darkness and coerced into working with him to break the life giving spell she cast upon Lili and Jack, in hopes of returning Lili to Darkness and surrendering Jack to Oona's affections.

Jack's fascination with Lili compells him to keep visiting her, watching over her as silent companion.

King Roland throws a masquerade ball for Lili to meet and choose a suitor. Lili laments to herself, wishing Jack to transform into a man for one night as guest at the ball.

Unbeknown to Lili, Jack plans to grant her wish and returns to his tree house to find Oona devestated by his refusal of her affections.

In an act of revenge and in aide of Darkness, Oona curses Lili, inducing her long forgotten past, only for her curse to back fire, torturing both Lili and Jack in the process.

Both Jack and Lili survive Oona's psychic attack, however Lili's real feelings start to emerge from the depths of her mind, confusing realities.

Jack meets Lili at the masquerade ball, revealing his true identity to her.

Fearing his attendance will garner the attention of fellow party guests, Jack leaves the ball but promises to meet Lili back in her chambers after, so he may tell her the truth of him being a sprite and her familiar.

As, Jack and Lili further their connection at the ball, Oona forces herself into self imposed exile at the edges of the Valtorian forest and cursed lands inhabited by Darkness.

Blix, head goblin to Darkness, retrieves Oona to meet again with Darkness.

Oona fears Darkness will torture her in retaliation to her failed attempt to break the spell, however Darkness offers her an opportunity to remove the guilt that prevents her from completing the curse.

She accepts his offer and transforms into a Siren, a dark angel, and seduces Darkness to thank him for her liberation.

Gump, sensing Oona's transformation and betrayal, himself suffers a psychic attack.

worried for Gump, Jack nurses him back to health, keeping Lili waiting for his return at the castle.

Gump survives and becomes strong again, revealing to Jack that Oona was responsible for the attack on Lili and ultimately him.

Jack returns to Lili, waking her from sleep. Lili welcomes Jack to stay with her and seduces him.

Embracing her affections Jack becomes enraptured by her, until Lili learns his name, triggering her memories to come rushing back to meet her...

Was it a dream..? Is she now in heaven with Jack..?

Will Darkness and Oona tear them apart and keep Valtoria and Fantasia in perputal night and death..?

To be Continued now in Legend: Light after Darkness - Book II