The Chosen Phoenix II

Chapter 16- The Core of the Earth

Lava leaked like slime down bedrock as burnt rocks sent ashes floating all over the place. Jyn looked around as memories came rushing back since she was last here. The Phoenix Statue stood right in the middle, just as she remembered. She smiled at it. The eyes of the statue gleamed dim red as she entered the cave with Ben and Axel. 

' Well, so we don't have the Army with us and were here alone bound to defeat an enemy stronger than Asuss Quet. Neat. ' Ben sighed. Jyn knew what he meant. Backup for the weaker, individual for the stronger. But she only had two choices, she'd win, or she'll die. Then Tom would win. She already knew how hard it was to fight against a relative, no matter how evil and menacing or bad he or she is. She let out a long sigh. Axel nudged her gently on the cheek. She smiled and stroked his smooth, pure, warm feathers. Ben looked at Jyn.

' You ready? ' he asked as he put an arm on her shoulder. Jyn nodded, anxiety growing in her every minute that passed.

' Alright. Do what you must. ' Ben said with a nod. Jyn stepped forward. She closed her eyes and the Phoenix Statue started to glow all over. The eyes brighter than ever. And the next moment, Jyn was on the hill, once again, in the Realm of Good Spirits. There was no Gunnar to be seen, she knew why. But Axel's spirit was gliding in circles above her, and she knew she wasn't alone. She closed her eyes and exhaled sharply.

' Alright, you can do this, Jyn... just... think about the 5 Values. Compassion... ' Jyn whispered.

She thought of everything she had done back in Elliot Village, everyone she had helped.

' ... respect... '

The way she had treated the Leader of Elliot Village the since very first time she had met him.

' ... bravery... '

The way she had talked to her enemy, or so, her Uncle. Just then, Red light surrounded her as a phoenix started to form behind her. She opened her eyes slowly into a squint.

Its working! Jyn thought excitedly. She continued.

' ... confidence... '

How Jyn stood up to Asuss the very first time they met in the Forbidden Forest. 

' ... true. ' 

How she admitted what she had done, the truth when she escaped the boundary. Everything she had done, when she became the Chosen Phoenix. She had done them all.

But without using her powers, she was back in her world. Ben was standing by the entrance, his eyes had grown wide. Jyn opened her eyes. She turned and gasped.

The Phoenix Statue was glowing. She smiled as the eyes flashed, blinding her and Ben. 

' Jyn Lesley. The Chosen Phoenix, the ancestor of Gunnar Lesley, the— '

' Yeah, yeah I know who I am! ' Jyn chuckled as she ran towards him to give a big, bear hug. 

' I can't believe you did it! You did something that Gunnar himself couldn't do! Impressive. ' Ben smiled. Jyn smiled back. Axel chirped, half proud of Jyn, half proud of how whoever had built the statue. The torches burnt, their flames prickling wildly like a wildfire.

' Okay, so... what's next? '.

' It's in the letter, ' Ben guessed, ' I think you have to perform your true potential you've unlocked here! '

' Oh! Right, thanks, Ben!... but what would that bring? I've always wanted to ask that... '

' Who knows? You may be the first one ever to figure that out. '

Jyn nodded. But before she could even start, a high menacing laugh echoed in the cave, a laugh Jyn had no trouble recognising. Immediately before he could even enter, she used her powers and blasted the bits of the cave, blocking the entrance. There we yelling— it had begun.

' Who the heck is that! ' said Ben as he rushed over to stand beside Jyn.

' My Uncle! ' Jyn yelled briefly before turning to the statue.

' We have to do it quick. '

Ben thought, then he gasped.

' Wait! Okay, Jyn you have to use your true potential right now! It will block the entrance to the Darkness and not even a single soul could enter! Gunnar will be back in the Realm of— '

But the rocks blocking the entrance had been pushed back. And there stood Tom Lesley. Jyn spun around.

' The legend says that Gunnar had to die, so the enemy would think they've won. But due to his good deeds, he was given the rarest permission— having a second life. ' Ben explained at a quick rate. Jyn then knew what to do, but she couldn't do it so soon. She stepped forward, the Phoenix's Sword in her hand. 

Axel swooped down and created a ring of fire around the two, causing the guards to step back, some tripping over and some fell straight into the fire. Their agonised screaming were heard as Tom took his helmet and threw it over the fire.

' Ah, Jyn. Here we meet again. ' he drew his sword and aimed it at Jyn. She narrowed her eyes.

' I tried to warn you that it had never worked. You didn't listen. But I was the one who told you you had Phoenix Powers, wasn't I? ' 

' You never warned me. ' said Jyn.

' Very well. Then do consider this as a warning. '

Tom leaped high in the air and brought his sword up above his head down, aiming at Jyn's chest. Jyn dodged. The sword aimed for the ground instead. Tom landed safely on his feet and drew the sword out of the ground. He growled and kept firing his sword at his target, but the target seemed to be a quick thinker. Jyn skirted to the left then to the right, she dived and glided in between Tom and the sword and with one move, Tom was on the ground. She pointed her sword at Tom. 

' It's over, Tom. ' said Jyn, her eyes narrowed as she looked into his green eyes.

' Oh, no, it's not. '

Jyn quickly took a form of a phoenix and it flew around and created circles, and a red shimmering, splendid tornado started to form.

Then without warning, Tom fired his sword at Jyn's chest once again... and succeeded. 

Unbearable pain flowed through Jyn as she tried to hold it. A smirk grew on Tom's face as he yanked sword out and Jyn fell to her knees. But she was strong, fierce, and braver than she used to be. She looked up with a scowl at Tom. The ring of fire died down and immediately Ben saw what had happened. Rage filled him as fury burned in his eyes.

' Didn't I tell you? You can't beat me, ' Tom said in the evil tone of victory, his green eyes roved straight into Jyn's brown ones. Dark smoke started to rise behind him. Ben stepped back, his rage was reaching the brim. The smoke pushed Jyn hard towards the wall. Jyn let out a grunt as her back collided against the wall and landed with a loud thud onto the ground. Ben couldn't take it anymore. He kicked his spear from the ground into the air, catching it and charging at Tom, yelling in anger as he went.

Though the Chosen Phoenix was gone, the war, has just begun. What Gunnar had feared was coming.