Legend: Light after Darkness -Book II

Part XVI - Stand alone

Previously...

Gump and Oona return to the castle, informing both Vallon and Roland that the Southern Oracle has tasked the unicorns in choosing a challenger.

Meanwhile, Darkness' hold over Lili bypasses the protection spell and attempts to lure her to death by means of an enchantment spell.

Before Lili plummets to her death, Jack races into her chambers to save her, but is thwarted by Vallon, catching her before she falls to doom.

Sensing the familiar bond between Lili and Vallon, and her undeniable attraction to Darkness, Jack's jealousy and confusion gets the better of him, resulting in a heated exchange with Lili, forcing them to part ways heartbroken.

Will Lili's broken heart allow Darkness to steal her away for good? Or, will love again lead Jack and Lili back to one another..?

Part XVI

" Darkness has infiltrated the protection spell." Vallon reports, as a searing pain forces him to his knees.

"Vallon-! What is it... has Darkness breached the shield?!" Gump panics, rushing to Vallon's side.

" No, we are safe for now...the pain does not belong to me.." Vallon murmurs, regaining his strength to stand.

Before Vallon can utter another word, Jack marches out of the castle foyer and across the courtyard, refusing to meet any glance from Gump or the others.

Tears stream Jack's face, but his eyes remain fierce in resolution.

" You..." Vallon curses, " What did you do to her..?"

"Nothing you wouldn't have." Jack replies, again refusing audience as he marches toward the gates leading away from the castle and out into the forest boundaries.

Before he can step outside the castle grounds, Vallon rushes up to Jack in a flurry of movements, barely seen by the naked eye.

Vallon pushes Jack up against a courtyard wall, pinning him by his tunic collar, "You hurt her, didn't you? The pain I feel, it's hers...You did this, why?"

"It's better this way." Jack answers, pushing Vallon away from him,
" Only one of us need defend her. You know you can protect her better than I can. You feel everything, know everything. I'm the damn alternate, not you."

" You're a coward. I'm ashamed to share a soul with you." Vallon replies as he gazes upon Jack in a disappointment reserved for fathers.

" We share nothing... she's all yours." Jack snaps back as he walks out of the castle gates, only to be stopped by the King's guard.

" Jack... Whatever has occured, speak to us! You owe us all an explaination..." King Roland demands as he steps away from Gump.

"I owe you nothing!" Jack snaps back at him.

He turns away from the guards and strides back across the courtyard, locking eyes onto King Roland, with accusation and ferocity burning behind them, he continues,

"You, Gump, my father... You cursed us. You gave us up for slaughter and now you expect us to follow you into death? Your conceit in believing you could save Fantasia by forcing us into each others lives is what demands a damn explaination, better yet you beg for our forgiveness..."

" Jack, what's done is now broken. The prophecy no longer stands, you know that..." Gump interjects only for Jack to silence him with a look of disdain and a retort seething in angst.

"... I will no longer be a means to an end. Not for you or Lili...As long as I am apart from her, there will be no fear in losing the last halfling that would restore Valtoria. You know this still stands true, so let me go. It is my fate to seek out."