Luna nodded, "So somewhere between 15 and 20."

Lightning nodded. *but that wont be for a while, as shes only 3.*

Emerald, listening, asked, *Daddy, wats the pwice for ani...anuh...anamis majic?*

Lightning sighed, and looked at the Pheonoxes and asked, *do you wanna hear it? Its not pretty.*

Luna raised an eyebrow, "We should know." she said simply.

Lightning sighed, and nodded. *very well.

Most Skrill hatchlings know, or learn, to control their powers. Every year, we have the Talons of Power ceremony, trying to find out which dragons are animi. But after that spell, if they are animi, hey are immediately trianed to use it properly, and only for the good of Skrills, or in emergencys. Becuase the price is huge.

Its your soul. Losing your soul happens in stages. It starts with feeling cold inside, but thats normal for after a spell. Next is bloody thoughts, or small, but violent behavior. This occurs normally after a violent, deadly spell. Next, hiding yourself away from others. This normally occurs after a spell goes wrong, and something bad happens. And finally, the breaking point. When you show back up to everybody, it can happen anytime. I certain thing said. Seeing a certain someone. Or just snapping. What happens after that...* Lightning shuddered and said, *its horrible. They use their magic rapidly, killing constantly. After they run wild, they must be stopped. By any means necessary, including killing.

Animus magic is a blessing, for Skrills, and allys. But its a weapon, and if used to much, a massacre.*

Pyre was shocked by this, Luna, on the other hand, took it easier, "That must be terrible!" Pyre said.

Lightning nodded. *it is. We had a massacre like that about 3 centuries ago. I had submitted my challenge for king by then, then had to go into hiding when the Skrill, her name was Sparkblood, went wild. We killed her 73 years later, with another animus spell. We then took a vow to not use gaint spells, or use too much magic. Bolt had gone wild, but he was saner then most.*

Pyre shook her head, "Why are animus Skrills even allowed to use bad spells?"

Lightning shook his head. *they arent, besides in training when a spell is missworded. More likely, they do it in secret.*

Pyre shook her head, "That is terrible."

Lightning nodded. *i know. I was at the massacre. Im also one.*

Thunder, shocked (excuse the pun), said, *your an ANIMUS?*

Lightning nodded. *Skrills cant posses lightning when dead, Thunder! How do you think this happened? Hm?*