Spirit Animals: The Keeper's Book

Chapter Sixteen: The Two Protectors

It had months since the destruction of the Wyrm at the hands of Kovo's ancient snare. For one brief moment, all of Erdas had been transformed. Spirit bonds across the world were reversed. Seas had drawn back from the shores. Storms had raged in the sky. The Wyrm, housed inside Zerif's body, had been plunged into the burning whirlpool in the center of Erdas. And then, just like that, everything had returned to normal. But of course, everything wasn't normal. The Wyrm had left one final gift to the world it tried to destroy. The power that fueled the Wyrm was washed into the tides.
Every spring began to bubble with the same power that fueled the bond between humans and beasts. Every blade of grass and flower and tree became a smaller version of the Evertree. The world was connected in new ways. Jenna didn't know what this meant for Erdas. She hoped it was good.
But amid that new life, there was still pain. Jenna recalled the moments after the death of the Wyrm. A stillness had settled over the molten ruins in the Frozen Sea as the humans and beasts who had been possessed by the Wyrm's parasites recovered — blinking as if waking from a sleepless dream. She could still hear the haunting wails of grief that rang out inside the volcano as the Greencloaks regained their minds and recalled the horrific things they had done while under Zerif's control. They were free of Zerif perhaps, but they would forever be captive to their own guilt. Not just that, Shane was killed by a possessed Uraza when he was protecting Abeke in the midst of the battle and Stead became the new Redcloak Leader. Jenna was glad that she had a chance to apologize to him for Drina's passing before he passed away in the battle.
Mulop, again restored to Niri, had been able to speak with Kovo underground, and arranged a reunion. Abeke and Rollan managed to get passage to Eura, where they met Conor and Meilin, who had emerged safely from the tunnels of Sadre. Takoda was with them, too, his hand intertwined with a pale girl named Xanthe's. For the first time in centuries, the Sadreans and the people of Erdas met and communed with one another. This was important, because it would take every living soul to repair the damage Zerif and the Wyrm had done. Every port Abeke, Rollan, Jenna, and their friends passed, they saw firsthand the destruction that the Greencloaks had wrought.
When Abeke finally saw Conor and Briggan waiting for them at the shore, she leaped clear off the edge of her ship onto the decks and sprinted toward him at a full run. Conor, like the other Greencloaks, had recovered from his parasite infection. But just like them, he was haunted by his actions while under the Wyrm's control. All traces of the youthful shepherd had disappeared, leaving him looking older, more wary. And just like the Greencloaks, he now had a thin, colorless scar on his forehead, only visible in certain light.
Rollan and Meilin were surprisingly awkward upon seeing each other again. Rollan, usually quick with a joke, said almost nothing, while Meilin rambled on with uncharacteristic speed. Neither made eye contact, or even tried to approach the other. It wasn't until Jhi padded next to Meilin and shoved her straight into Rollan — forcing them into an accidental hug — that things began to turn back to normal. They were a family restored — all of them together once more.
All but one.
Beyond the safety of her friends, Jenna had one consuming concern: What had happened to the Great Beasts that had been forcibly bonded with Zerif?
This was a question no one could answer. Not even Mulop, with his powers, had been able to sense Uraza's presence. Some people speculated the Great Beasts had died when Zerif hurled himself into the lava.
Others said that they had been released into the burning currents beneath Erdas and spread to a thousand shores. But soon enough, reports began to arrive of Great Beasts being spotted all across the world.
A gallant elk emerged from the mists of Northern Amaya one morning, appearing to a tribe of nomadic hunters. The elk walked unworriedly through their encampment as the hunters gaped on, until it had reached their young healer and they reunite with each other joyfully.
In Southern Zhong, a crowded marketplace erupted into chaos one steamy evening as an enormous elephant appeared from the jungle, wearing silks across its back and bracelets on its tusks. A small, grinning girl sat astride it, waving to the crowd.
In Eura, a band of pirates was arrested when their ship crashed near a port city. They claimed an eagle had ripped their sails to shreds just as they tried to seize a merchant vessel. After leaving a steaming present on the hull of their pirate ship, it landed on the arm of a joyful girl with a strong, dignified cry.
It made Jenna relieved that she could finally rest peacefully from the battle and play with Destiny. Jenna made it over to the west side on one of the neighboring rooftops of her home, stopping just a few yards from the edge, but she wasn't concerned about that. She was too busy gazing out on the horizon far ahead, where the sun was beginning to set. All around her, the sky was painted with beautiful warm colors, the clouds turning a bluish purple in contrast. Not taking her eyes off the breathtaking sight, she lowered herself into a sitting position, getting comfortable. She sighed softly, letting a wave of calm wash over her, as well as the last warmth of the sun's rays before they would eventually plunge into night, getting herself lost in her thoughts while absentmindedly humming to herself.
She had lost track of the amount of time she sat there alone in the peacefulness, but after a while, a noise from behind her took her out of her thoughts. She turned her head, peering over her shoulder at the shadows curiously. She relaxed when she saw the familiar sight of Worthy, she relaxed, turning her gaze back to the horizon as he walked towards her and sat down next to her, but he's not wearing his mask.
"I figured I'd find you up here." Worthy gave her a warm smile at her.
"You know me too well, Worthy." Jenna shook her head before sighing softly. "Sunsets at the castle are positively gorgeous, aren't they?"
"They are beautiful, but... not as beautiful as you." Worthy smirked at her playfully.
Jenna blushed almost immediately. "T-Thanks."
"I think it's the other way around, Miss Ninani's Champion." Jenna chuckled before pausing and looked at him in confusion.
Worthy fiddled with his hands nervously. "Well... umm..." He glanced downwards embarrassedly, making Jenna frowned in concern. "I... umm, well, I don't know what I'd do without you, Jenna."
Jenna seemed genuinely shocked by his words. Didn't know what he'd do without her? Surely, she was dreaming... and yet... She slowly smiled. "I believe the feeling is mutual. I wouldn't know what to do without you."
"Hey, uh." Worthy struggled to string his words together. It felt like his heart was pounding against his chest, and his thoughts were racing at a million miles an hour. "I actually had something I wanted to talk to you about. It's why I asked you out here today."
Jenna's smile had faded a bit, and she started looking up at him with a confused and concerned expression, unsure what had him so nervous. "Sure Worthy. What's up?"
"It's something I've been hiding since we met." Worthy looked down at the smooth waters of the sea, as if he was gathering inner strength. "Something to do with you."
Jenna blinked in surprise. "With me?" She mentally cringed at the sound of it. "Not sure if I like how that sounded."
"Don't worry," Worthy assured her gently. "It's nothing bad."
Jenna titled her head curiously. "Then, what is it?"
"I've been hiding that well that I like you." He ducked his head, his dark brown hair falling around him to shield his face, his cheeks heating up.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Jenna asked, both curious and confused.
"Because of how things ended with our last meeting." He hung his head with shame. "I was heartbroken when I've learned that you had trouble remembering me." His bright golden eyes bearing a saddened gaze many could associate with a regretful heart. "I just..." He ducked his head, his dark brown hair falling around him to shield his face, clearly sad and confused over her.
"You were afraid I would accidentally hurt you again?" Jenna asked him curiously.
Worthy fiddled with his hands nervously. "Well... umm..." He glanced downwards ashamed and regretful, making Jenna frowned in concern of her companion. "Yes."
"Lloyd, I promise not to do that again." Jenna winked at him playfully. "I sworn not to do it for quite some time now." Her eyes softened as she gazed at him. "I'd also never purposely hurt you."
Then, she did something that surprised even herself. Before she knew what was happening, her lips met his left cheek. Worthy's eyes widened, but didn't move due to his amazed shock.
Jenna realized what she had done and her eyes too widened. "I-I'm... I'm sorry." She placed a hand over heart and felt it hammering within her chest. She could barely understand her actions. She did care about Worthy; that was no lie. He was so kind to her and helped her through so much... But what in the name of Erdas caused her to kiss him?
What was this feeling? 
Meanwhile, Worthy sat there on the ground, shocked. A hand was placed over the spot where Jenna kissed him as his mind raced to explain what had happened. Worthy was stunned and could feel his heart going into an excited frenzy in his chest.
"Well, if it's okay with you... Maybe we could try, hanging out?" Worthy suggested, but then became flustered when he remembered they were on a date right now. "I'm mean— I know we're having an outing right now! I just, I meant, you know—" Worthy stopped his ramblings when he heard Jenna laughed again.
"I would love to call you my partner, Worthy." Jenna gently took his left hand with her right hand, while smiling up at a flustered Worthy.  
"And I would love to call you my partner, Jenna Wiseheart," Worthy added, gently squeezing Jenna's hand that he was holding onto.
For a while neither of them spoke, nor did they move, they just stared at each other. Jenna finally broke the silence by leaning against his side with a peaceful smile as she gazed at the sunrise. Worthy smiled softly at Jenna and gently wrapped his arm around her waist while she leaned against his chest.