The Chosen Phoenix (PART 2)

Chapter 4- Depressed in Darkness

' Dormont Village? What happened here? This... this isn't the core, ' Jyn wondered out loud as she stepped over bricks, but what she was most interested in, was the dead bodies, spread all over. Some were just trying to escape, but most tried to protect their loved ones. These brave souls were what Jyn was most interested in, for she had spotted something she didn't expect to find. There, in front of her, lay a couple. Jyn kneeled down before them, and, from her right pocket, she took out a photograph no one knew, not even Ben, that she had it with her all along. 

' These two, it matches my parents' looks. Then... they are my parents! ' Jyn stood up and stepped back, and turned to Ben, her shock was overcoming her.

' You said they moved to Elliot Village! ' she said madly. Ben sighed.

' I know they belonged here— '

' Then why didn't you tell me?! I was born in Dormont Village, my Mum was! But then what about my Dad? Why is he even here?! Why won't you tell me? ' Jyn raised her voice.

' I wasn't supposed to! I was forced to— '

' Oh yeah? Well then, let's see whether you're a caring person or not! Don't tell someone a secret about her family just because you know you're not supposed to, but just kept it away from someone who just wants to know, who just loves her family...? '

' Jyn... '

' ... or tell no matter what so that at least that person gets to feel more comfortable? So that she will know why everyone has been acting like mad buffaloes to her? So that... '

Jyn paused, trying and failing continuously to control her anger.

' ... so that she will at least know who she really is. And now then she eventually knows. When her parents are dead. When she eventually finds out that she originally belongs to the enemy of where she grew to trust her whole life. '

' Jyn, you don't understand... '

' Oh I understand perfectly, Ben! You just want Leader Anthony to be proud of you just because you're the Leader of Elliot Army! 17 years, Ben! And you kept it all to yourself! So that you can just turn your back on me and keep your stupid promise for your own selfish reasons! '

Ben sighed, he was hurt by this, but just slightly. He nodded and walked off. Jyn didn't care, the one whom she trusted her whole life had been betraying her instead, her parents' best friend. The Stone fused in Ben's hand. Ben put it in his pocket, he didn't want to think about it anymore. Jyn was most focused on the dead bodies of her brave parents. Tears began to roll down silently down Jyn's face. They then, one by one, touched the ground. Jyn slowly went into the forest and returned a while later with a bouquet of flowers and laid them in the middle of her parents. She was still crying by then, unable to control it, she felt defeated, alone, as if the whole world had just turned against her. And it had. Ben felt the same, but he was mad with himself. He could've just told Jyn where she really came from, who she really was, no matter what promise he made, at least she could've felt loved. All this time Jyn felt different, she had no idea who she was, where she came from, or who her parents are, but she was a dreamer, a happy person who tried for 17 years to forget about it. She visited Ben every day and chatted with him. 

' And now I made her feel like she was nothing. ' Ben muttered. Leckeo appeared out of the blue appeared beside him and nudged him gently.

' Go on, Leckeo. Go find Jyn. You're better off with her. And I'm better off alone. ' 

Leckeo refused, he whimpered as he crouched besides Ben. Ben knew he understood his feelings. Ben stroked Leckeo gently. It took him more than five hours to think of getting back to Jyn and apologising. 

Meanwhile, Jyn had been sitting on a grassy hill. She had chosen that spot because it looked a lot like the hill she found herself on when she had entered the Spirit Realm. Watching the sunset, she sighed. Her face was still red from crying. She had been sitting there until Ben came. He took a deep breath and exhaled sharply.

' Hey uhh... Jyn. ' Ben murmured loud enough for Jyn to hear. Jyn didn't answer.

' Look, I'm sorry I lied to you. I knew you were going to get the scroll, so I just put the unnecessary information in it. I know how it feels to lose your parents only after they're dead. But you don't know how it feels to be forced to keep a promise you don't want to keep. '

Jyn still didn't answer. Ben sighed.

' Look I'm really, really sorry, Jyn. I betrayed the two of my best friends. The whole group of three... I was just a traitor... '

This time Jyn slowly turned around and stood up, she wasn't smiling, but she relented being mad with him now that she understood.

' Okay, ' she said. Ben smiled. She smiled too. They walked closer to each other and gave a bear hug. Eventually letting go, Ben took out the Phoenix's Stone and nodded at her. Jyn nodded back and stared at the Stone. Carefully placing it onto the map, the Stone gave out its path of light towards the core. They chuckled and continued their journey, with Leckeo bounding after them, barking with relief as he went.