Guide to the temple
After the vicious battle, the group returned to Vaniella's central building. Hilary had stayed with the group during the trip from the colosseum to the throne room. Thanks to the special Wika medicine, both Hilary and Jessica were on their feet and ready for more. Both were sitting next to each other in Vaniella's throne room, giving each other a look of respect. They had both made the same mistake of underestimating each other. Zach was sitting next to Jessica as well. He didn't need to say anything to show that he was very proud of the way Jessica had battles against Hilary. Wally sat at the front near Zach, with Bonji being in between both Wally and Zach. Bonji somehow felt that they were going to be her best protectors, though she was sitting in front of Sylvester Jr. Hilary gave a respectful eye to Vaniella, worried that the Wika queen would be unhappy about the battle's outcome. Although they didn't say it, many of them were nervous as to how the queen would react. She was looking at the group with a very stern expression, especially at Hilary and Jessica. It was hard to tell whether she was happy or unhappy. Even Danielabella, who was standing next to Vaniella, couldn't tell whether the queen was happy or not. The entire atmosphere was very tense. The group didn't know it, but many other Wikas had gathered outside the hut. All of them were anxious as to what Vaniella would say to Jessica and the rest of the group, and to see whether Hilary would be punished for not winning the battle. The tense silence that occurred lasted for a few minutes, until a lone Wika guard approached Vaniella, carrying a golden spear. The Wika bowed and handed the spear to Vaniella, who took the staff in both hands. She then stood to her feet from the chair where she was sitting.
"Jessica Bunny, step forward." Vaniella instructed with authority. Nervously and cautiously, Jessica stepped up and approached Vaniella. The rest of the group had to stay back, but they watched very nervously. Zach put a hand on his weapon, just in case something happened. Wally looked on anxiously, though he didn't hold his weapon like Zach did. Bugs was probably the most nervous of the group He was worried that Jessica's time in the game would be cut short by a spiteful queen. Hilary was ready to object should something go wrong. She was aware that she could be exiled from the village if she disagreed with Vaniella, but she felt that Jessica deserved to live. She hadn't seen Vaniella with a golden spear before. Vaniella suddenly spun the spear so that the tip was pointing in Jessica's direction, but the tip itself was aimed in the air. The group did gasp when the spear was spun. A thick air of tension suddenly descended upon the group. Nobody was quite sure what would happen next. Jessica looked visibly worried when Vaniella spun the spear. She instinctively took hold of her weapon, but didn't draw it. She just held onto it as a precaution. Everyone looked up as Vaniella lowered the point of the spear slowly, like a drawbridge being lowered, directly onto Jessica's right shoulder. It was only a touch, not enough to cause harm. Even so, the group shuddered at the sight, all except for the Wikas. Jessica didn't move an inch, her defence instincts were telling her to stay still and only react if an attack was launched. Sylvester found himself having to restrain Daffy, who nearly rushed in to attack. The group just watched as Vaniella raised the spear and lowered it onto Jessica's shoulder. Many of the group now recognized what was going on. The movement Vaniella was making with the spear was the same movement when someone was being knighted. This eased a huge amount of tension in the group, and Vaniella was just about done, giving the spear back to a guard. "Jessica Bunny, I hereby declare you an honorary Wika. You and your friends are free to move in and out of the village as you like." This announcement came as a huge relief to the group. Those who were holding their weapons let go of them. Some of them wanted to cheer but many didn't out of courtesy…
"Woo-hoo…" Daffy had begun to cheer, only for Bugs to clamp his beak shut with his hand.
"Quiet Daffy!" Bugs hissed quietly at the duck. Hilary had noticed the scene out of the corner of her eye and gave a very quiet chuckle. Zach gave a very grateful smile towards the front. He was relieved that Vaniella hadn't harmed Jessica for winning the battle against Hilary. Rather the opposite, she looked genuinely impressed at the battle. However, she then surprised the group quickly by changing the subject.
"So then, you now all have my permission to enter the temple in our care." Vaniella spoke. Jessica gave a polite bow.
"Thank you Vaniella." Jessica said. A moment after, Hilary spoke up, wanting to say something to Vaniella.
"Vaniella, I made a promise to Jessica that I would guide her group to the temple should she win her battle…" Hilary began before Vaniella interrupted, seeing where the conversation was going.
"And so you shall Hilary. Besides, your gauntlets are needed to enter the temple." This came as a bit of a surprise to Hilary. Apparently her bracelets had a property that she didn't even know about. All she did was raise her arms and look at her bracelets for a moment. Until now, she only used them as decorations or as weapons, like when she used then to counter Jessica's aerial attack during the fight. She couldn't think to ask anything about the bracelets. She didn't have time, as Daffy was getting impatient.
"Come on guyseth. The more we dawdle abouteth here, the more time we wasteth." Daffy suddenly spoke. Zach looked back at Daffy once before looking at Vaniella.
"Although I hate to admit it, Daffy is right here." Zach said, looking at Vaniella and Hilary. "We should be getting to the temple." Zach continued.
"What does that mean Zach?" Daffy asked, before Bugs clamped Daffy's beak shut again.
"Daffy, that's enough." Bugs hissed again. This time, most of the people in the room chuckled at the display; even Vaniella couldn't help but laugh.
"I see that one of your crew is restless." Vaniella chuckled. Jessica chuckled again. "You'd all best be getting on your way." Vaniella added.
It was soon after that when the group was on its way to the temple. Hilary, Jessica and Zach were at the front. Bonji was in the middle of the group, the idea being that anything trying to attack her would have to go through everyone else first. Although none of the members of the group were mad at each other for any reason, there was an unusual amount of tension in the group. Many of them, such as Sylvester, Sylvester Jr, Daffy and Penelope weren't immediately trusting of Hilary. That said, some of them, such as Bonji, Jessica, Zach and Wally, trusted Hilary enough. While the rest of the group were unsure of what to think of Hilary. They were unsure of whether they should trust the Hyena or not. Many of them were keeping quiet, keeping an eye out for any attackers. Jessica, Wally, Zach and Hilary however, were already engaged in a discussion, most of it revolving around the fight earlier.
"That was a great match you two." Zach told Hilary and Jessica.
"Thanks." Both girls replied simultaneously, getting a chuckle immediately from Zach and Wally. Hilary and Jessica realised what they had done and began to chuckle as well. "You know girl, you're much stronger than you look." Hilary told Jessica. Jessica gained a smug smile.
"I know. A lot of people tell me that." Jessica replied.
"If you think she was strong then, you should see her when she's angry." Zach joked, getting a stare from Jessica.
"Zach, watch your mouth and what comes out of it." Jessica spoke. Hilary gave a chuckle.
"Judging by that, I'd say that you two are pretty close." Hilary's comment caught the rabbit's attention. They both looked directly at her. "I've heard that the more a boy and girl fight each other, the more they really like each other." Jessica and Zach looked at each other for a moment before laughing. Wally couldn't work out what the laughter was about at first, though he did have a suspicion.
"Ok, you got us. We are a budding couple." Zach said. Wally gave a nod, joining in the discussion.
"I thought so. When I first met you, you did seem to battle very much in sync with each other. That sort of teamwork can only normally work if the two fighters have absolute trust in each other." Wally said. Both rabbits turned to look at each other for a moment before laughing again. "I think that you two make a really nice couple by the way." Wally added.
"Why thank you Wally." Jessica said to the wolf. Zach gave a very quick cough, deciding to change the subject.
"Hilary, how did you learn to fight?" Zach asked.
"Most of it's natural. I do have a fair bit of natural strength. And Wikas are strong anyway so it was kinda second nature." Hilary replied, turning to Jessica again. "Though I do have some skills that set me apart from other Wikas." This caught Jessica's attention. She didn't have much in the way of natural talent; she had trained to get to where she was. However, Hilary had just revealed that she had a natural skill.
"What would that skill be Hilary?" Jessica asked the hyena.
"I never fall for the same trick twice." Hilary explained, giving a smile at Jessica. "For instance, during the fight that we had, you used the trick of using your sword to pole vault over me and attack from behind. The first time I was caught by surprise, but the second time you did that, I knew how to counter it…" Hilary explained before Jessica finished.
"By throwing your bracelets like boomerangs, forcing me to defend and allowing you to go on the offensive." Jessica finished.
"I can see why you make a tough opponent. I'm glad I wasn't the one fighting you." Zach added. Hilary and Jessica both laughed.
"I have to give credit to Jessica though. She was a lot faster than I gave her credit for. I'm surprised that you haven't trained as a ninja. You certainly have the speed for it." Hilary commented. Jessica gave a smile at Hilary. Both she and Zach kept quiet about the unbeknownst irony of the statement Hilary had just made. As they walked, they past a wooden statue on the path, a statue that caught most of the group's attention. It looked like a totem pole, with the heads of a bear, a pig, and eagle and a cat. The group approached the statue with admiring glances.
"Cool totem pole." Bugs commented.
"What? No ducketh?" Daffy asked.
"At leasteth they have a cat." Sylvester commented.
"I love the architecture." Penelope commented.
"An excellent place to perch and rest our wings." Tweety said as he and Aaooga perched on the statue.
"Say, what is it anyway?" Sylvester Jr. asked.
"It's a totem pole. Those horrible faces are meant to keep evil spirits away." Bonji explained.
"We're almost at the temple. It's just on the other side of those bushes." Hilary said, pointed to some bushes nearby. The group instinctively went to the bushes Hilary had pointed out. Zach allowed Hilary to go first, since she was the one who was guiding them to the temple. As Hilary said, the temple was on the other side of the bushes. It was not easy to miss, since it was huge. It looked very much like one of the ancient pyramids, except the sides were decorated with statues and carvings. There were also numerous vines growing on the temple. The temple was grey but it still looked spectacular. However, one member of the group wasn't impressed by the temple.
"What has happened?" Hilary asked, looking a little shocked.
((Acosta, let me know if you think I've made any mistakes with Hilary and Wally. And sorry this took so long guys.))
