The Chosen Phoenix III

Chapter 5- It All Runs in the Family

Jyn awoke finding herself in the Spirit Realm, which was a place she hadn't been for months, which stretched into almost a year.

The reason why struck her like a sharp spear right into her heart. This reminded her of Gunnar. Gunnar was the only reason why and how she could enter the Realm, but he was already in the Darkness, and Jyn had managed to enter the Spirit Realm without him. Probably because of my powers... they must have grown so strong that it had gained the ability to allow me to enter the Realm at any time... Jyn thought as she leaped down the hill. Axel's spirit was hovering above her. It looked down and chirped welcomingly at her. Jyn smiled as she boosted herself with her powers and leaped onto Axel. The phoenix glided gracefully around the Realm, to places Jyn never bothered to go to, which was where the things that Jyn never bothered to discover were. She peered down throug the misty clouds and she saw figures... she saw people. She gasped in surprised as Axel swooped down and landed where all people were. Immediately when Jyn's feet felt the ground, people looked up.

' She's alive... ' Jyn heard one of them whisper. But that wasn't all. As Axel shifted back into his normal size and landed on Jyn's shoulder, Jyn walked past many people, and heard other whispers like, ' Of course she's alive! Look! She has the Chosen Phoenix's little pet! ' and, ' That must mean she is the Chosen Phoenix! Guess Gunnar wasn't the last one at all! '

Upon hearing Gunnar's name Jyn immediately made it clear who these people were. They were the past villagers of the three pillars: Fort, Dormont and Elliot. This was where they stayed after their time on Earth have come. Some even died in battles, as Jyn figured. Little did she know, although she knew these were the spirits of the people over the years, that a young couple was staring at her, their looks were more surprised than the rest. They started whispering at each other. Jyn heard their whispers, ' It's her, I can't believe it— it's her! After all these years... '

Jyn thought she was used to all these curious whispering, but her attention was caught by those last four words from the whispering of a young man, who looked like he was married to the young lady crouched next to him. The two stood up and stared. They stared at Jyn. Jyn stared back at them. Axel chirped and flew over and landed on the tree they were crouched below. Jyn took a step towards them, they took a step towards her. It was something about their looks that seemed extremely familiar. The lady had a pure brown hair that shone in the light and her eyes were green, as pure as the stagnant water surrounding the island in the Realm. And the man looked young, his hair was brown too, but his eyes, it was the purest of brown Jyn had ever seen. His eyes, it seemed to somehow match her own eyes. 

' Jyn... ' the man began gently as he stepped up towards her. Soon they were at least five inches apart. ' Don't you remember me? '

' Not exactly... ' Jyn said slowly, still trying to figure out who he actually was.

' Of course you don't. You were only three when I had to leave you... I'm so sorry, but Dormont Village was under attack, I had no other choice. I had to save my wife because Elliot Village didn't allow any of their villagers to marry a Dormont villager... we're so sorry. '

' Wait... that story sounds familiar... ' said Jyn. She squinted at them and she suddenly caught misty eyes. 

' Mum? '

The young lady nodded slowly as she stepped up to join the young man.

' Dad? '

The young man nodded.

The next thing Jyn knew, she was running into the couple's arms, her face drenched in tears. 14 years— for 14 years Jyn could finally see her very own parents. The reunited family were hugging together so tight that it attracted the attention of every spirit in the Realm. Even the Spirit Animals gathered around. Axel chirped as a few warm sparks surrounded them. Jyn was already sobbing, but not because she had no idea how to get back out or if she even wanted to, but of happiness. 

' I-I c-can't believe it-it's you! I m-miss y-y-you so much! ' Jyn just wanted to babble out whatever that comes to her mind.

' Look at you... all grown up. ' Emilie smiled, but Lucas's smile was prouder.

' We're so proud of you, ' he said, ' I can't believe you managed to fight an entire war single-handedly fight a war! '

' Not exactly, ' Jyn blushed. She suddenly had an uncomfortable feeling of blushing in front of her parents, but her cheeks were still as red as a tomato from crying of happiness so they couldn't see her blushing. ' I had Ben to help me too. '

' Ben? As in Ben Copper Jr.? He was my best friend— well— our best friend. ' Lucas said as he put an arm around Emilie. Jyn smiled, but her smile faded into a look of enthusiasm.

' Wait... Dad, ' she said suddenly as a thought occurred her. ' You fought in a war right? The one that is still ongoing? '

' According to what we saw from here, yes, it's the war we fought in. '

The rest of the spirits of people started to gather around.

' Well, ' Jyn continued, ' I was wondering if you could tell me how the war begun. '

' It began when a huge argument broke out with Gunnar and Asuss. It all happened at the entrance gate of Fort Village. I just arrived with your mother and you when they turned the argument into a fight. We tried to hide our attention from them, so we quickly rushed to the Main Square, and that was when we met the leader of Fort Army, Isaac Vester, who also happens to be the father of a young lad, I believe you've met him, Zac Vester. '

' Yeah... ' Jyn said shyly. She felt the blushing coming back to her. She suddenly felt like she wanted to have a peaceful moment recalling all the times she had spent with Zac, but she urged herself to keep on listening.

' I'll tell you the entire story somewhere else, come with me. '

Jyn nodded as she followed her parents into a cave, wait no, not a cave— the cave. It was the exact same cave where Jyn and Gunnar last saw each other.

' Have a seat, Jyn. ' Lucas settled down next to Emilie. Jyn sat opposite them. Axel swooped into and created a small fire between them and settled down by the corner.

' Okay... Ben followed us to Fort Village and that was where we met Isaac Vester, the father of Zac. He explained to us that Asuss wanted total peace, but what he actually meant was tilt the balance of the world and brush the dark side away. But Gunnar disagreed because the world has to be balance in order to have a world. '

' Yeah I know... Asuss told me when I confronted him. Pretty boring, actually... ' Jyn rolled her eyes, not believing she still remembered something she wanted to forget. ' But how exactly did actual chaos begin? '

' Your father and I fled before we could see it. We don't exactly know but from what we were told... ' Emilie looked at Lucas who nodded his head, then she looked back at her daughter.

' ... the war began mainly because of what Asuss did. But Gunnar had a reaction and that reaction started a war. '

' So you mean they both started the war? ' Jyn asked. She was confused now.

' No, not exactly, ' said Lucas, ' if Asuss hadn't done it, then Gunnar would never have the reaction. '

' Then what did Asuss do? ' Jyn asked. Her parents paused. It seemed like they were hesitating to tell her. Jyn asked again and they turned to look at her, Lucas suddenly looked so serious.

' Asuss killed Gunnar's parents. ' he said darkly.