Legend: Light after Darkness -Book II

Part XVIII - Secrets we hold

Previously...

Jack learns from the unicorns that he has been chosen to be tested by the Southern Oracle.

He disharmony with his elder-self, Vallon, and his self-sabbotaged relationship with Lili, has garnered the attention of the Oracle. It is his self doubt that must be challenged when rising to the gauntlet of the Oracle.

If successful, he will be rewarded with the Oracle's help in order to save Fantasia from Darkness and the elusive 'Nothing' that devestated the dimension Vallon is from.

Meanwhile, Lili has become Vallon's new protégé in combat.

Unfocused and egocentric at first, Lili fails to impress, but soon her skills at archery, and the increasing sexual tension between her and Vallon, has her wanting to learn more than hand to hand combat.

Before any further flirtation surfaces, Gump interrupts, advising the unicorns have arrived back in the Valtorian forest.

Keen for the challenger to be named, Gump and Vallon leave the castle grounds and search the forest only to find Jack has already found the unicorns...

Will Jack and Vallon put their grievance aside and seek the Oracle out together?

Or, Will Lili, herself, become a greater threat than darkness as her combat skills grow..?

Part XVIII

Oona patrols the castle lookout lining the courtyard. She gazes out toward the forest, watching in nervous wonder at the dark churning vortex, still brewing above the tree tops where the Great Tree lies in the horizon.

'You won't fool me again, Darkness. I am no longer your damned whore...' Oona scowls to herself, glaring at the vortex with the combined absolution of both jaded former lover and newly appointed defender of the Empress.

Below where she stands, Lili continues to practise her archery, determined to win over Vallon and acquire his respect.

Oona glances down at Lili, the scorn she once wore, when looking upon her, is now traded for the watchful eye of an overprotective mother,

"Lili, please rest now. You exert yourself. Its not good for the Empress." Oona calls out to her.

Lili lowers her bow and stares back at Oona, exasperated and annoyed,

" I'm barely a week pregnant, Oona. .. " lili protests, " I'm fine. She's fine. When did I ever become your concern, anyhow?" Lili mumbles to herself as she draws back her next arrow.

"As soon as the empress spoke to me, that's when..." Oona replies, manifesting next to Lili, frightening her to carelessly release her bow and catapult her arrow onto a nearby hay bale.

"OONA-! Don't creep up on me like that. I could gave skewered a guard!" Lili chastises her as she catches her breath, startled.

" Clearly, Vallon hasn't taught you how to act under pressure. Do you think a Goblin is going to hold its attack so you can take a clean shot? You have much more to learn, Princess." Oona scoffs.

"I intend to. Vallon has entrusted me to learn from him and I have no intention of wasting his time." Lili asserts as she lines up her shot, her arrow and target in tune with her eye... she shoots...

The arrow hits the target, perfectly impaled next to 10 other arrows nestled in the centre of the target.

" Learning a lot from him, I see." Oona comments, her voice still peppered with mild jealousy.

Despite her redemption her infatuation with Jack still holds true, more so now that there are two of him.

" Tell me, does Vallon speak of me?" Oona asks, coy and eager for a 'yes'.