Spirit Animals: The Keeper's Book

Chapter Four: Final Confrontation

In the depths of her dream, Jenna seemed to be standing somewhere she had never been before. All around her seemed to be the faint outlines of the mountains from the mist. She seemed to be plunged into mist and everything around her had became dark blue. Jenna was surprised to feel a soft, gentle breeze blowing through.
"Keeper... Keeper, wake up!" Jenna's breath was caught in her throat when she saw the Great Swan, her white wings expanded in a bright canopy of feathers and recognized her as Ninani. Instead of opening her beak to speak, Jenna heard Ninani's melodious voice speak in her head. "The one who hunts you is here!" Jenna gasped, understanding the weight of the situation. "You've made me so proud, my Keeper. You and your spirit animal." She smiled at Ninani. "Now rise, and meet Drina. Show her the power of Ninani's Champion!"
At Ninani's words, Jenna bolted awake and headed towards the window, frowned after she spotted Drina outside of her home. She pulled out her best sword called the Marble Sword of Ninani. She also brought forth her favored archery gear that's perfect for hunting and has a great range. Jenna quickly summoned Destiny and quickly told her what happened, in which the wolf understood the situation. Jenna hesitantly took out the talisman that she'd found. Each talisman was a pendant in the shape of an animal — a Great Beast — and each bore a portion of the beast's power. There was a delicately detailed swan carved from marble. There was a panda wrought in bamboo and a gorilla was made of obsidian. The wolf and the falcon were made of precious metals, silver and copper, but the most beautiful to Jenna's eyes was the leopard of amber. It seemed to glow with its own inner light. Jenna soon made up her mind about which one she should use and put the Marble Swan around her neck.
Just as Drina was about to break into Jenna's home, she glared at the sight of her rival. The two of them both started to circle each other like two predators making out for their territory with their respective spirit animals by their sides.
"You're awake. It's better that way. Attacking while you were asleep wouldn't have been very satisfying," Drina told her. "Zerif says I failed my uncle. And failed Shane. He says there's only one way to make up for it." A brief glint of guilt and regret flashed in Drina's eyes, which surprised Jenna and she felt conflicted towards Drina. "Sorry it had to end like this, but I've got no other choice!"
That's when a fierce battle has begun between the two of them. The young Conqueror against the young Greencloak, one of their spirit animals is enforced by Bile while the other is bonded by Nectar. She was a strong warrior, but so was Jenna and her bond with Destiny is more alive than hers. Their weapons clashed against each other, steel against steel and enemy against enemy. Destiny's agility and strength is a strong match against Iskos's abilities. Jenna had used her skills and powers to get out of trouble more than once from Iskos's attempted attacks at her and Destiny.
And just as they took their fight to the middle of the courtyard, the two of them both charged to each other with great ferocity. Jenna quickly countered it by using the combined power of her bond with Destiny. It caused Drina to fall down roughly and onto the floor. The scratches and scrapes showed the signs of their fight between them. Jenna had even received a brand new scar over her right eyebrow.
With a frown, she stepped forward and looked down at her sworn enemy. She lightly stroked Destiny's fur as the wolf silently joined her side from her fight with Iskos. Jenna silently watched as Drina summoned her spider spirit animal back into her tattoo.
"Y-You won." Drina seemed to be in shock as she shakily get up and gazed at the Keeper and her spirit animal. "I can't believe it. Zerif will never forgive me." She glared at Drina, of course he'll be behind this mess. The two opposing girls glared at each other. "But this isn't the end, Keeper. They have so many plans. You don't know the half of it." Jenna narrowed her eyes at Drina warily, she tried to understand the weight of the situation that she's hearing from Drina. "Nowhere is safe. Not even Greenhaven." At that being said, Drina ran away from the duo and the castle with the speed of a runaway spider.
Silence.
Jenna smiled as Destiny threw her head back and howled her heart out joyfully. Once Destiny was done with her song, Jenna threw her arms around Destiny's neck. She couldn't tell if she was laughing or crying, but it didn't matter. Relief flooded her. Despite the past battles that Jenna and Destiny had fought together, they remained strong protectors to the point of protecting their new home from their worst enemy. At least they're both going to be okay from the battle. They had defeated Drina. That was what really mattered.
"Jenna!" The Keeper and Destiny both turned to see Olvan and Lenori watching her with proud smiles. Jenna patted Destiny's face before she got up and walked towards the members of her new family.
"Drina escaped," Lenori told the Keeper, clearly glad to see that Jenna is still alive. "The girl is as crafty as her spirit animal."
"I can't believe she was bold enough to attack you directly in Greenhaven," admitted Olvan, clearly worried and angry about the situation.
"But I'm curious, Keeper." Jenna gazed at Lenori curiously, wanting to know her question. "How did you know she was coming? None of our guards heard anything until your battle."
"I was resting from my latest mission," admitted Jenna. "But as I rested, I saw this glowing swan and she warned me about Drina's presence. She called me Ninani's Champion before I woke up and gotten ready for the battle."
"I see." Her eyes are like the ocean, bright and mysterious. "No, I'm not surprised. In the vision that brought us to you, a voice spoke to me and named you Keeper. It was so clear and sweet. Deep down, I knew..." Lenori smiled warmly at Jenna, clearly seeing her as great and kind Keeper. "Ninani has chosen you! She watches over the Greencloaks, even now."
Jenna smiled softly at the thought, remembering the stories of the generous Great Swan. She had made herself known to them to bring the three of them together and have given Jenna her beloved spirit animal. Ninani is the sole reason that Jenna has become the Keeper of Greenhaven and a great Greencloak.
Olvan smiled at Jenna proudly. "You, Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan. Five young heroes touched by the Great Beasts. I hope it will be enough." Jenna returned his smile with a shy, but joyful and serene one. Her journey felt like it had happened over a million years ago. But she was glad that she had joined them as a fellow Greencloak and a new member of their ever growing family.
"Drina dropped this on her way out." Lenori soon showed a bronze talisman with the carving of an eagle to Jenna. "The Bronze Eagle of Halawir. How the Conquerors got this is a mystery, but thanks to you, it's safely with us."
"It sure is." Jenna smiled as Lenori gave her the Bronze Eagle and she slipped into her pocket.
"Are you okay Jenna?" Keith soon joined them with Gavi, Kirsi, Desta, Nico, and Emilia behind him. At that, all of the Greencloaks went into the Greenhaven Castle to celebrate the founding of the Great Beasts' talismans.
But little did they know, they were being watched by a solemn boy with a black panther on a shadowy rooftop. His covered eyes were on the Keeper as she went into the castle.