Rise of the Night/Run of Night

He never explained to them his reasons for leaving. He never thought he was going to have to. He was always talented in magic. Even when was younger and was alot more inexperienced then he was now. He showed signs for improvement with his magic and he saw what the royal guards could do with their magic skills after seeing them in Manehatten after they took over the city. He saw that they were on a different level entirely. While growing up he was a fighter, he always protected them when they were younger. But his magic had a tendency to cause more danger for them or fail altogether. He wanted more control, more power to protect them better.

“I left to become stronger. I wanted more control to protect you all what danger I could but with my level of experience and magic back then I would only put you all in danger.” he said as he dropped the guard on his face. The expression was one of sadness. He truly felt it was his fault for the deaths of many back then.

“That's not true Shadow. You never put us in danger.” Lyla said to comfort him.

“Really? What about that time we both played middle-man to that deal with the New Brotherhood before Congo had them disbanded. You nearly got killed and only got away because I took the hits, not to mention they took the tops of my ears as trophies.” he said pointing to the missing tops and the v cut that were cut into his ears. He remember the incident very clearly. They were suppose to watch over some deal. However things went south and they ended up fighting for their life. Shadowstep ended up fighting most of them and tried to use a teleport spell to get himself out after Lyla ran and hid somewhere in the catacombs, but it failed and they got him. They took the tips of his ears and cut a v into his ears as a warning after beating him for about 5 hours. Congo founded him on his way back from the surface and instantly stormed the Brotherhood's base and wiped them out. Those that survived ran far away from Manehatten.

“It wasn't your fault. Congo had no idea the deal would go south or that they would even dare touch us.” she said trying to calm him down, which seemed to work.

“I know but still I can't stand to see that there are people better then me at a certain skill. I'm one of the strongest fighters the gang has besides Congo himself and yet I am still weak compared to some of the members in the royal guard.” he said as he looked down at his hands. In one hand shadows wrapped around his hand and moved like a snake. In the other an ice crystal started to form. He put both his hands together. He opened his hands to show an ice star with a black core inside.

“I know I haven't gotten you anything for your birthday for the past six years so here is something.” he said as he placed it in her hand.

“It's so beautiful. Wait it's made of ice so won't it melt?” she asked as looked at the crystal.

“Normally yes, however I placed a shard of my magic inside so that it will never melt. Not as long as I'm alive.” he said. She looked at it and smiled. He had never given her a gift much like the one he just gave her. In fact all of his gifts paled in comparison to the star. A couple of day before he left he gave her a knife he found in the catacombs but it still didn't match the level on which the star did. She was happy. For the first time in a long time he saw her happy. He decided to make a jump for himself, he didn't care how bad it turned out. He leaned forward and planted a kiss right on her lips and for the first time in a long time he made a jump for himself instead of anyone else.