The Chosen Phoenix III

Chapter 2- Zac Vester

Pushing her way through the bushes, Jyn followed the direction of the sun as she made her way down to the river, leaping on the rocks that were popping out, leading her to the other side. Leckeo was right at her tail, bouncing from one rock to another. Ben was last, slowly stepping over the gaps between the rocks while Axel was gliding effortlessly through the sky before landing gently on a tree branch a few trees away from where Jyn was. 

' I think the village is this way, ' Jyn wondered out loud as she made a left turn, indicating the others to follow her. The sunlight grew brighter and brighter as they went deeper and deeper. 

' This forest is nothing like the other forests... is this part of the Forbidden Forest?... no way, the Forbidden Forest is all the way over the other side of that mountain— will you hurry up now, Ben? '

Jyn stood there impatiently as Ben slowly dragged himself towards her, panting like a dog as he leaned against a tree.

' Legs— are— numb— can't— breathe... '

' Ben! ' Jyn said in a slow, dangerously calm way, knowing what he was up to. But it was too late. As fast as a squirrel he pushed himself off the tree and sped down the path Jyn pointed to earlier  on.

' You've got to think quicker! ' a faint voice was heard down the path. Leckeo barked with laughter as he grunted, bounding after the voice. 

' Hey! ' Jyn chuckled as she leaped high, jumping from one branch of a tree to another, then leaping in a zigzag way from one tree to another until she made it to a tree right before Ben and landed on the ground.

' I win! ' she triumphed victoriously, shooting a fist into the air. Ben came to an abrupt halt, his face suddenly looking completely shocked as though he had just been attacked by a wild boar. 

' Jyn... don't— move— a muscle. ' he said slowly. Jyn followed Ben's eyes and slowly, she turned and found herself staring into the blue eyes of a humongous creature; the biggest one she's ever seen; there, standing less than an inch away from her, stood a huge wolf, as big as an ox, it's eyes looking like eyes of menace. A loud gulp was heard in Jyn's throat. She stared into the wolf's eyes, which all of a sudden turned from dangerous to joyful as the huge body threw itself at Jyn. Jyn fell back onto the ground, her cheeks suddenly getting drenched in the wolf's saliva as its tongue went up and down, trying to reach every bit of her.

' Woah! Do I know you— hey! Stop, that's my sword! ' Jyn yanked her scabbard, which contained the Phoenix's Sword, out of the wolf's mouth. Clinging it back onto her belt, Jyn stood up and observed the wolf's playful position. 

' Does that wolf know you? ' came Ben's voice as he cautiously stepped up beside Jyn. The wolf barked happily once he saw Ben.

' Seems like it knows all of us... ' Jyn guessed. Just then rustling was heard behind the wolf. The wolf yelped, somewhat startled and turned. A figure leaped high into the air from behind a hedge aimed the blade of the spear at Jyn. Ben took out his spear and knocked it out of its position. 

The figure was rather someone who was about an inch taller than Jyn, but Jyn couldn't take a clear glance at the face. He turned and knocked Ben out of the way and aimed his spear at Jyn once more. Immediately Jyn pulled out the Sword and blocked it, but the young man was smart, and seemed to be a quick thinker. He turned his spear around and kicked the Sword, causing it to fly out of Jyn's hands all the way to the other side of the clearing, it's blade digging hard into the hard soil. Jyn had no choice as the man didn't give up, so with one move she kicked him in the stomach. He landed with a thud on the ground. Jyn kicked him again, causing him to bump hard into a tree, and with one wave, she created waves of tamed fire, which was following her every move. Recognising it as Phoenix Powers, dropped his spear and gaped.

This particular man, who seemed more of someone new Jyn's age, had dishevelled dusty brownish blonde hair and sea-blue eyes. He wore a leather sleeveless jacket, with a white long-sleeved shirt on the inside, he had a leather-made sling around him, which, on the back, was where his spear was contained. His white long pants matched his white shirt.

' The Chosen Phoenix... ' he whispered. Jyn was about to chain him before hearing his whisper. Her powers faded. Ben leaped up and helped the man up.

' You should have observed us carefully before you even started your first strike. ' Ben said. The man's face brightened up.

' Ben! It's you! ' he dashed into a hug with Ben.

' It's been so long!... wait... where's Lucas? Emilie? Where are they? '

Ben shook his head slowly in a quite intense way. The man paused and looked down, suddenly realising what he had said.

' Sorry... I was just a boy when I last saw them. They're just so nice! I sometimes forget that they... well... '

Jyn knew he was talking about her parents the moment she heard their names. The wolf, who was crouching down by the corner this whole time, leaped up and landed beside the man, giving him a gentle nudge.

' Oh, and sorry for the attack earlier. I thought my wolf was being threatened. This is Hunter. Hunter, this is Ben, and this here... she's the Chosen Phoenix I can't believe it! You're the Chosen Phoenix! When Gunnar disappeared, I thought his family line faded along with him! But no! Y- you're the Chosen Phoenix! I can't believe it! I'm talking to the— wait. If you're the Chosen Phoenix then... are you Jyn Lesley? '

Jyn was surprised he knew her name, even though it seemed really obvious since he knew her parents.

' Erm... yeah. That-that's me... ' Jyn stammered awkwardly with a nervous chuckle. He smiled. Jyn stared at his smile, trying to not make it look too obvious that she was staring at his smile. Suddenly she felt a feeling she had never felt before...

' Name's Zac Vester by the way. ' Zac interrupted Jyn's thoughts. ' Pleasure to meet you. You were only about 3-years-old the last time I saw you. I was only 6... w-would you want to come with me? I'll show you my village. You really need to get your energy back anyway, you two look like those people from the Stone Ages. '

Ben rolled his eyes.

' Actually yeah, that's where we were heading. ' Jyn said, looking from Ben to Zac.

' Brilliant! Follow me, it's this way. '

Ben chuckled as Jyn nodded and whistled for Axel. The phoenix swooped down and chirped, landing in Jyn's shoulder.

' Woah! A phoenix! ' Zac gasped, amazed. ' I've never seen one before... but if I had it'll be the weird drawings from the little kiddos. '

' Sure it is, ' Jyn smiled. She followed Zac down the path, with Hunter leading the way, and Ben tailing them behind. Leckeo bounded up to Hunter and let out a bark, catching Hunter's attention. The next moment the two, big and small, were playing around as though they were just pups.