The Chosen Phoenix III

Chapter 6- Isaac Vester

Jyn sat in her lent room back in Fort Village, not being able to get her mind off her parents. Suddenly she heard knocking, and found herself face to face with Zac.

' You okay? You seem like you've been going through tough stuff... ' he said worryingly. Jyn shook her head.

' No, it's nothing, I'm just tired. ' she lied. Jyn wanted to tell who she had met in the Spirit Realm to Zac, but she had to keep it a secret— for now.

The next day, Jyn managed to temporarily get her mind off her parents as she tried riding Hunter for the first time with, of course, Zac's help.

' I always ride Hunter. He's the biggest wolf I've ever met. Honestly I never expected him to grow this big; when he was a pup he was only the size of a chicken! ' Zac said as Hunter rolled around, trying to get his back scratched by the rough grass of the afternoon.

' I named him Hunter because after I saved him from being trapped in a canyon not too far away, I never thought I'd see him again— ran off the moment I set him down. He unexpectedly popped out of nowhere and helped me catch a huge number of fish! Then the next moment I found him following me wherever I go. My Dad saw the bond I created with him, and he let me keep him! '

' Wow... ' Jyn said softly, somewhat amazed, ' you two really have a backstory. '

' Yeah, ' Zac sighed. Hunter rolled over and licked his cheek. He chuckled and patted him on the back. ' Shall we give another go? '

Jyn nodded and stood up. Jyn leaped onto him, with Zac at the front, and they sped off, with Axel soaring above them. They seem to go so fast that Jyn couldn't get a clear view of the trees they ran past. The forest seemed lively; the breeze blowing at Jyn's hair. For the first time in years, she felt like she was free. Even Hunter seemed to have a wonderful time, leaping over fallen, mossy logs and going under trees looming over the path. 

As Axel gripped his claws firmly around a branch on a tree, he stared as Jyn stared at her reflection down at the river. Zac and Hunter were playing around, tackling, wrestling, in a playful manner of course...

Jyn giggled softly as she watched Zac being thrown over into the river. Hunter howled in triumph before sniffing the water for his owner. Zac swam up and splashed water at him. Hunter shook his head wildly, intended to get the water off him before he was suddenly being pulled into the river. Despite the two playing like a pair of wild mad ducks, the river didn't seem to mind, it only streamed peacefully down the valley ahead, following the direction of the sun. 

' Hey, ' Zac greeted as he swayed his way towards Jyn. Jyn sat up straight as he picked hoisted himself up to next to her. Hunter was still splashing about in the water.

' Hi, ' Jyn greeted back. A sudden anxiety filled her, clouding her thoughts of what to say next or whether it was a good thing to say, or if it was something she would not regret saying.

' So... how is it exactly like— in Elliot Village? ' Zac asked suddenly. Jyn looked up at him. Weeks. It's been weeks since she last heard the name of the village she grew up in.

' It's f-f-fine... nice people, most of them quite cranky, ' Jyn thought of Ben's father as she spoke, ' some people changed though, ' she though of Jill the farmer, ' some were very loyal, and they disobeyed their orders to do the right thing, ' she then thought of Zachary Speeder, the Village's only blacksmith and author of " Legend of the Chosen Phoenix ". 

' Wow, your village seems... quite satisfying if you want me to be honest. ' Zac said. They both chuckled. 

This was the moment. Jyn noticed this weird feeling. She seemed to like Zac... more than normal. She wanted to tell him, but like any other she was most afraid of rejection.

Zac doesn't seem like a guy who would reject, Jyn thought. So she decided to give it a try. And without a second thought...

' Zac I really like you and I think that we were meant for each other! ' she blurted. Zac, eyebrows raised in surprise, looked at her. Jyn, realising what she had just said, quickly looked away in embarrassment.

' Erm... l-let's go meet my Dad, shall we? ' Zac said quickly after a while of awkward silence and whistled for Hunter and they sped off, just with Jyn on Axel this time. 

As they reached the gate of Fort Village, Jyn leaped off Axel and landed at the Training Grounds. A man, looking a lot like Zac, just with a beard and with grey eyes, turned and smiled as Jyn approached him, with Zac and Hunter catching up.

' If it isn't the Chosen Phoenix herself stepping into my Training Grounds. ' he said with a chuckle. Zac dismounted Hunter and hurried to park beside Jyn.

' Jyn, this is my father. He's the Leader of Fort Army. Y-you should already know that by now... '

' It's really a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Vester. ' Jyn said as she shook hands with Isaac. Isaac smiled, ' And it's an honour to finally get a chance to officially meet you. I believe you already know my son well enough. '

' Yeah, heh... erm, I definitely d-d-do know him well... yeah... that... ' Jyn stammered a little, shoving her hair behind her ear shyly.

' You two look a little hungry, let's head down to the Main Square shall we? ' Isaac offered politely.

' Yeah sure definitely we should go I'm starving! ' Jyn said swiftly as she rushed off with Axel to the Main Square. Zac looked at his father and they shrugged, smiling as they headed after her.