Chapter Ten: Restoring Serenity

The obscurity of the darkness enveloped every cornor of the temple hall, and only the soft, pulsating colours of the sphere illuminated a small area of which it lay.

It had been a matter of minutes since the Guardian promised to retrive the departing soul of his saviour's companion. It was only fair; he had returned the relic back to the temple, in the Guardian's possession once again. Now that the obnoxious soldier was sacrificed upon the stone altar, the remnants of the lost civilization can live in peace for a prolonged period of time, in hope that no one else dares to disturb their slumber once again.

James held the lifeless body of his friend in his arms, praying that the Guardian will return with her spirit very much soon. He would not let go, he would never until she awakens from her eternal sleep. He waited. And waited. And waited... it was only he and the silence that gave eachother a complacent, yet despairing company.

He had no fear in letting the tears fall from his bloodshot eyes, but fear was still present in him, no matter how hard he tried to conceal it. Too much had happened too fast. None of them would've thought for any moment that a peaceful journey through a sunlit valley could turn out to be a struggle for survival from the hands of greedy mortals. Though, as a small part of hope remained, they would be back to their everyday routines once they leave this forsaken forest. There was no promise of it, however.

The sphere behind James illuminated the entire room in a wave of resplandant rainbows of colours. He didn't move, or even flinch. It was expected - half-expected, that is that the woebegone thoughts didn't take the better of his being. The only movement he did make, though, was a small smile.

He was pressuming that the Guardian would appear beside him with the departed soul in his hands, although that was not the case. It was only a flash of light from the relic, and then the darkness proceeded once again. The smile from James' face faded. He glanced down at her, hoping that she would move, if not, breathe at least.

Alas, nothing happened during the lenthy seconds that passed by. Perhaps the Guardian was not able to retrive her from the otherside. A pain ensued in his heart, and a new wave of bitter tears began to develop from his broken eyes. He softly shook her body, believing it could awake her.

Nothing...

He tried once again.

Yet the same happened as before. Nothing.

'Jessie,' he whispered, 'Please wake up.' He glanced back at the sphere - it was glowing, but nothing magnificent occured. He arose and approached it, 'Why haven't you returned,' he asked it, 'Where are you?'

If he was half expecting an answer to echo from the core of the whirling colours, he was wrong. It continued to pulsate rainbows, but nothing else. Sorrow effortlessly took him over, 'Please..' he breathed, and he let the despair rule him over.

... A stir came from behind him at that moment. James didn't take much notice of it; his mind was too englufed in melancholy. It was only until he heard breathing, when it captured his full attention. He rapidly turned around, to lay his eyes upon a mircalculous sight. Suddenly, all the despair that lingere inside perished, and hope had returned to him.

Jessie, although befuddled to find herself shrouded in darkness, feebly managed to pull herself up. James quickly rushed over, and beamed, 'You're alive!' He cried with much joy. Jessie blinked in reply; very much confused. She glanced around, and saw the relic lighting up the altar. It did captivate her immensily. She gazed back at James, and smiled.

'I'm so glad to know you're living again,' said James, 'I thought I'd lost you.'

She didn't say anything, but only arose her eyebrow in question, 'What do you mean you lost me?'

'I...,' he paused for a moment, then sighed, 'It doesn't matter.' He glanced at the Guardian statue at the behind the altar, 'Thank you.'

'Who you are thanking?' Jessie asked curiously.

'No one, ' He helped her to her feet. His smile seemed to unerve Jessie, 'Why are you smiling like that?'

'No reason. I'm... I'm just, happy to see you.'

'... Okay,' she smiled back, 'And... and I'm happy to see you too. That moment at the camp; I thought you were gone. But, no, you came back. Back for me?'

'Of course! I'd never leave you, Jessie. You're my friend. I don't know what I would do without you.'

She smiled gently, '... And I don't know what I'd do without you.'

They both smiled lovingly at one another, and then embraced each other. Throughout a majority of quarrells and fights, they knew deep down, they cared deeply for eachother. For what would she do without him, and he without her? For once, they didn't fear to let their true feelings show through. At that moment, fear seemed to vanish from them. At that moment, they were inseperable once again...

* * *

They left the temple, and found themselves in the most beautiful sunset, with they rays shinning across the canopies of the Crescent Forest.

Meowth sat impatiently on the bike, and glanced up to find his human companions in well condition (only slightly). He grinned at them, 'What took ya so long? Did ya defeat Samuel?'

James nodded, 'Yes, he's gone now. We're fine again.'

'I'm not gonna ask what happened to him, but whatever the case, it's good to see ya both breathing.'

'Indeed it is,' Jessie said.

Meowth hopped of the bike, 'Do ya tink those guys are still after us, Jimmy?'

James shook his head, 'I highly doubt that. I'm thinking they'll be out of this forest when the night is out,' he glanced at the Temple, 'they'll make sure of it.'

Jessie sighed, 'Can we get out of this forest now? I'm not fond of it anymore.'

'And yet you were da one who suggested a walk would be great.' Meowth said.

Jessie glared at him, 'Well, how was I supposed to know that we'd be attacked by a troop of soldiers, get captured and get seperated from another?'

'I dunno.'

'Exactly. Now hush.'

Something caught James' attention from behind one of the trees. He gradually made his way over to it.

'Hey, Jimmy, where ya going?' Meowth asked.

'Just stay here for a moment,' he said, and left Jessie and Meowth sharing curious glances at eachother.

James walked into a clearing, and smiled upon a wondrous sight, 'Hello,' he greeted. The spirit of the Guardian stood there, surrounded by the phantoms of others as he. The Guardian bowed, 'Hello, James.'

'What are you all doing here?' He asked.

'Our souls are no longer bound to the power of the sphere. We are no longer imprisoned.'

'Does this mean you're free?'

The Guardian nodded, 'Yes. For your heroic efforts, and the sacrifice you made, we finally have the chance to depart on to the next world.'

'But what of the sphere,' James began, 'What if somebody came along and found it? What would happen then?'

'Not to fear, James,' replied the Guardian, 'The sphere is just stone. A power had enslaved us to become trapped inside. We feared the destruction of our world because we were powerless to defend it. But by you, we managed to be set free. The sphere was the prison in which we were sentaced to suffer. Nobody can threat us any longer.'

'And by that sacrifice, you are free?'

'That was the promise those years ago.' The Guardian stated.

James smiled, ''I'm glad to know that you are free.'

'But we could not of done it without you. If it weren't for you, our souls would still be trapped inside. For returning us to the altar, and by offering sacrifice, the curse is lifted.'

'A curse was held upon you?' he asked.

The Guardian nodded, 'Yes.'

'That is upsetting.'

The Guardian nodded, and glanced up at the setting sun, 'It is ready for our departure,' he whispered, 'It is time to move on.'

'I hope you'll find peace there,' said James.

'We hope so too,' he smiled, 'Thank you, James.'

'You're welcome. Oh, and thank you... for returning her.'

The Guardian didn't reply, but nodded. They all turned towards the sun, and let the whistling breeze flow them away into the horizon. No longer will the civilization be disturbed, and nor will the people. For so many things that James failed to succeed in, this was one he was proud to have suceeded in.

* * *

He returned back to the others with a smile. He sighed, 'Well, I think it's best we take our leave, don't you agree?'

'Yes,' agreed Jessie, 'It is best.'

'Well, come on then! The sooner we get outta ere the better. I can't wait to have a bath, lie in a bed, find 'em twerps again. We've very much lost track, we'd better head back to da road. Ah, this forest is very much annoying-'

Meowth walked off, complaining as he did. Jessie and James smiled with amusement at him; their beloved feline. She gazed far into the horizon, watching the crimson sun set over the mountains, 'Such a beautiful time of day,' she said, 'I could watch that sun forever.'

'So could I,' James said, 'But, we'd best be on our way. We still have business to attend to on the other side of the valley - still have twerps to deal with.'

'Indeed we do.' She faced him, and gazed into his emerald eyes, 'Though we never succeed. We always fail.'

'... At least we fail together,' he smiled, 'But it is clear. We've succeeded in something...'

She glanced at him curiously, 'What exactly?'

'... Being a team.'

She smiled, 'And a team we shall remain.'

He nodded. There was a certain affection they held for eachother, and they let that be clear, when they gazed at one another's eyes, and shared their devotion with a loving kiss.

As the sunset illuminated the heaven's with crimson and sapphire, the forest felt alive with such beauty. For these passing days, they knew they'd never abandon one another, no mater what obstacle fell upon them. They were a team - and a team they will always remain...

The End

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I hope you enjoyed it. Be sure to read my next story, A Fire Inside, which also includes these wondrous characters. Thank you for reading. :)