Legend of Parocaav II: Against the Darkness (rough draft)

Chapter XXXVIII: Janys, Lady of Shadows

As the Bringers of Hope walk through the town, their eyes cannot help but wander. This place is completely different than either of them expected. The feeling that they are experiencing is almost that of fear or uneasiness. The town they have entered looks like something out of a kid's story book. Everything is black here, almost as if the entire island is engulfed in a giant shadow. The houses are simple huts with pointed roofs that lean off to one side.

The sky is a bright, crystal blue and completely clear. Even here, birds are flying and chirping about. Some of which, have never been seen by the Bringers of Hope before. There are plants about being fed water through tubes leading to their bases. The soil and plants are black in color as well, adding to the eerie effect the Bringers are feeling.

The princess has lead them through the town, and are approaching a large hut atop a hill. This hut is the only thing they have seen here that is of normal color, almost as if it had not been touched by the shadows. Aor opens the door and shouts out for her mother. A rather short, middle-aged woman walks down a flight of stairs to the main room. Her dress is a bright purple with crests of shadow embroidered into to it.

"Ah, the Bringers of Hope. So good to see you again, Drayk," the woman pauses to look at Tao for a moment, "And.... Tao I presume?"

"Correct. It's an honor to meet you Lady Coreec," Tao states while politely bowing slightly.

"Oh please. Call me Janys," the woman insists, "I see no reason to be so formal."

"Janys, if I may," Drayk begins to say.

"Out with it deary," Janys teases.

"You're not the first person I don't know to say that to me. 'Good to see you again.' I'm not sure.... why," Drayk explains.

"We'll save that for another day. In the meantime, I know you have come with the intentions of studying Shadow Magic," Janys says with a more serious tone, "I will train you myself. There is however, a bit of an issue."

"What's that?" Roku asks.

"I will not train you, Drayk," Janys answers while turning to face him, "Shadow Magic is too close to the brink of darkness for you to be engaging in. Your sister fell corrupt to the will of Lord Xivaac, as could you fall to the darkness as well."

"Are you serious?!" Roku blurts out, "He needs to know how to protect himself from this magic!"

"He won't have to. He'll have you and Tao. I'm not concerned with either of you," Janys explains to her, "You have been touched by the light of Lady Parocaav, all that she knew. Tao, was trained by my mentor for a brief time if I remember her boasting right. She always talked about the first person she trained, back in the Ragnarok Wars. You were quite a hero to everyone, as the Bringers of Hope are now."

"Alright. I understand," Drayk sighs, "Where should I go?"

"Aor, escort Drayk to town. I'm sure he'll want to check the local pub out," Janys tells her, "Tell Jymm his drinks are on me. Show him where the inn is and book him a room as well please."

"Alright mother, let's go Drayk," Aor says with a smile.

The two of them walk out of the hut and start heading back to town. Drayk's head is spinning after what just happened. He was singled out because of what had happened with Sammi. In a way, he's glad she offered him drinks, he can sure use a few after that. Drayk glances back at the hut for a moment and lets out a sigh. One of the first buildings they pass is the inn. It's a very large, three story brick building. The inside is rather bland and not decorated in the slightest.

Drayk follows Aor up to the front desk. Aor rings the bell to get the innkeeper's attention. A moment later, a very tall man walks into the room. He is dressed in an all black suit and tie with short black hair. The man stops on the other side of the desk and makes eye contact with them once he sits down. His eyes are focused on Drayk, almost as if he knows about Sammi as well.

"Hello Aor. Hello Drayk. I gather you need a room?" The innkeeper asks with a deep, monotone voice.

"Yeah. The Bringers of Hope will need a room for two and a room for one, for Tao," Aor explains, "I've got them covered for the room. They might be here a couple days."

"Alright. The Bringers of Hope will be on the top floor, room E. Tao will be on the second floor, room R," the innkeeper says while handing Aor three keys with letters carved into them, "Don't forget to give Roku and Tao their keys."

Aor simply nods as she turns to walk back out onto the streets. Drayk follows her out after pausing for a moment to look at the innkeeper, who is still looking at him. Once they get outside, Aor lets out a sarcastic shiver noise.

"I always so weird after speaking to him. He's a nice guy, but I dunno. Just weird," Aor jokes, "Want to go get a drink now?"

"Yeah, I'm rather parched," Drayk replies.

Meanwhile ~

"Roku, Tao, you need to let the light within you dim, but don't let it diminish entirely. Shadow Magic is almost like the darkness. One can easily succumb to it accidentally," Janys explains, "You must always hold onto that light. Shadow Magic is not in any way evil. It is as harmonious to nature as any other elemental magic. The magic is not that easy to master. It would take you years to even pass as an amateur."

"What will we be learning?" Roku asks with intrigue.

"Let's call it, Basic Shadow Magic," Janys teases, then gets serious again, "That's the only thing I can think of to call it. I will teach you two very handy basic spells, and one powerful, unused for centuries spell. The rest you will pick up along the way when you start to experiment with the shadows. Now then. I want to close your eyes, and focus on the one thing in the world that brings you the most happiness. We will call this your Center. Once you have your Center, think of why you chose it, him, her, whatever it might be."

Roku's mind instantly goes to Drayk. He is the light of her life. If it wasn't for him, she wouldn't be here now. He was the one to help her realize her true potential. Without a doubt in her mind, Drayk is her Center. With him in her mind and heart, she cannot drift into the darkness.

"Alright, I have my Center," Roku says while opening her eyes.

"As do I," Tao states.

"Alright. Focus on that Center. Don't lose it from your thoughts. Now, imagine that Center getting farther and farther away. Dimmer, not so bright, but not out of view. Never. I repeat, never lose sight of your Center," Janys tells them is a stern voice, "Alright, now we will start with a basic spell, what we call 'melting into the shadows.' I know Tao already knows this one, but please practice anyway. It will be good for you. This spell allows you to become one with the shadows below you or near you. It is used for both stealth, fleeing and attacking. You can think of it as the most useful setup spell for much more powerful ones. So it, in itself is very important to know."

"Alright! Let's do it!" Roku shouts with excitement.