Epilogue

Moses was the only one who had several secluded spots to take shelter around the Legacy. He escorted Jay to his original hideout in the Misty Mountains. Currently, Jay was staring out the window with his dagger in hand, while Moses stood behind him, in front of the bed.

"So what's up, Jay?" Moses asked. "Talk to your big brother!"

"I don't know, Moses," Jay said. "You're the one who wanted to talk to me."

"No, I know you got stuff on yer mind. I wanted to let you talk about 'em! So start talkin'!"

Jay said nothing, but only tossed his dagger into the air repeatedly.

"It's about Thyra, isn't it? Are ya really plannin' to kill her?"

"Didn't you hear what I said?" Jay snapped. "I'm not planning to kill her. But I will if she attacks me. Whether I kill her, or she kills me...it won't be pleasant."

"No kiddin'," Moses said. "So all you gotta do is make sure that she doesn't attack you."

"Right. And that's precisely what's weighing on my mind. I'm taking Norma's suggestion to do something for Thyra, but I can't decide what to do. We need to find some way to make a peaceful accord."

"Do you think what Bubbles said was true? Y'know, about Thyra actually likin' ya?"

"Ugh...I hope not. If she did like me, I'd vomit!" Jay kicked the wall, then walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.

Moses sat next to him, wrapping an arm around him. "Well, if you ever need anythin', you can always come to Moses. I was afraid that Thyra really was gonna be your girlfriend. I still love ya, Jay."

"Mmm...given the choice between you and Thyra, I'd choose you without a second thought."

Moses jumped to his feet. "Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"YAAAAAAHHHHOOOOOO!!!!" Moses quickly ran from the room in pure excitement.

Jay held back his laughter. As annoying as Moses was, he was still able to make Jay smile. That was an ability that Thyra just did not have. That was why Jay chose Moses.

"Yahoo!!"

Jay stood up and went to the window again. From there, he could see the bandit racing down the mountain paths.

I suppose there's no reason to linger here any longer, Jay thought. Perhaps I should ask Maurits for advice on getting along with Thyra.

With his plan in mind, Jay left the bandits' lair.

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Meanwhile, Thyra was still walking back home to the Ferines Village. She had declined to take the ducts for the chance to think as she waded down the shallow waters.

Suddenly, a Phynx monster dove at her from above. Thyra screamed as she ducked, allowing the Phynx to fly over her. She stood up and turned to see a whole pack of Phynx flying towards her. She tried to outrun the creatures, putting one foot in front of the other as fast as she could. Despite her efforts, though, she could still hear the wings flapping louder and louder. Thyra threw herself to the ground, burying her head in her hands.

"Ahh!" she screamed. "Get away, get away!"

Thyra was too terrified to move. She lay in the shallow water, anticipating the pain of being ripped to shreds by these flying creatures.

"H...Help..." she sobbed, although she knew that there was probably no one nearby to hear her cries. "Help me!!"

Realizing that she had not been physically harmed yet, Thyra tried to run once more. This time she only made about ten strides as she felt the monsters descending upon her again. Thyra fell to the ground again, rolling onto her back. One Phynx landed on top of her and began clawing at her and snapping at her with its jaws. Thyra kicked and screamed, struggling to repel the monster's attacks.

Suddenly, someone tackled the monster, startling Thyra. She sat up to see what had happened. The monster was tackled by the last person she ever expected to see...that filthy Orerines, the one called Jay. He stood up after the attack with his dagger ready.

It's...him! Thyra thought.

The Phynx turned to Jay now, as they all flew at him from opposite directions. Jay leaped into the air, hopping off all three of them, and then landed on the ground. In a seamless motion, Jay hurled a dagger at the Phynx in front of him, knocking it out of flight. The Phynx corrected themselves in midair, then began diving towards Jay from all directions again.

"Look out!" Thyra cried.

Jay narrowed his eyes, bracing himself for the right moment, when the monsters were within attacking distance. He then planted his fists on the ground, swirling his leg into the air in a breakdancing maneuver. "Hawk Talon!!"

His feet struck the monsters repeatedly, throwing them off balance until they backed off in midair. Jay flipped back to his feet again and threw three more daggers – one at each Phynx. Each dagger hit squarely, finishing off the monsters, which disintegrated into sparkling blue stones. Jay paused for a moment to catch his breath.

I can't believe it, Thyra thought. Of all the people out there who could've rescued me, it had to be him...

Jay turned to face Thyra. "Are you all right?"

"Y...yes...I'm fine," Thyra said.

"Great. Well, good day." Jay walked past her and began to leave.

Thyra shook her head. What...but he's an Orerines! Why is he being so nice to me all of a sudden?

"Wait!" she called out. "Why did you save me?"

Jay stopped. He knew the reason, but it was unlikely that Thyra would believe him.

"No particular reason," he responded, as he started to walk again.

Thyra called out to him again. "Jay."

Jay turned back to her. "I see you remembered my name."

Thyra ignored his comment. "I...thanks for saving me."

"Please, don't mention it."

"Also...what I said before about killing you...I'm sorry."

Jay assumed his innocent pose, with his hands behind his back and his right heel forward. "It's all right. Many people would see me dead if they could."

"How can you say that so calmly?"

"Because I have confidence in my abilities."

"All right," Thyra said. "But just remember that I still don't like you."

Jay straightened himself. "That's fine. I'd rather you didn't like me anyway. By the way, the Ferines village is close by, is it not? Do you think you could make it there from here?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine."

"Good. Just don't expect me to save you again. Farewell."

Jay turned and walked away again. This time Thyra didn't bother to stop him.

Jay...

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Jay returned to Werites Beacon and headed to the north of the town. He was actually looking for Shirley and was on his way to Madame Musette's house. However, when he passed the bandits' cam, Moses called out to him.

"Yo, Jay!"

Jay shrugged and entered the camp, answering Moses' call.

"What happened to ya, Jay?" Moses asked. "When I got back to the hideout, you were already gone."

Jay looked surprised. "You actually went back?"

"Yeah. I couldn't leave you all sad and lonely in there."

"Thanks, but I'm fine."

"Hey, you look pretty happy right now. What's goin' on?"

"Well, the good news is that Thyra and I have agreed not to kill each other."

"All right!" Moses cheered. "Hey, since it's Valentine's Day and all, whaddaya say we...you know..."

Jay considered it for a moment. "If it's Valentine's Day...I suppose so. The holiday is all about love."

Moses grinned. "All right! That's what I wanted to hear! Come on in, Jay! I'll keep your place warm!"

He puled himself into his tent, while Jay paused for a moment. Is this the first time I've actually agreed to this?

Jay walked over to the tent flap, but hesitated. Without warning, Moses reached out and grabbed Jay by the jacket, yanking him into the tent.

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Thyra went straight to her bedroom upon her return to the Ferines village. She was filled with so many emotions that she couldn't tell what she was feeling. All she could think of was that annoying Orerines boy. The boy she so hated was the one who saved her. Not just from the Phynx, but when they were captured by the ninjas as well. Thyra found it more and more difficult to hate him after he had rescued her.

Jay... she thought. Why can't I stop thinking about him? And what is this feeling that washes over me when I think of him? I hate him...but this feeling doesn't feel like hate at all. Could it be...?

Thyra gasped as a revelation struck her. "No...it can't be! Is this...love? No, no, that can't be right! There's just no way..."

She clutched her chest tightly as if in great pain. "No! Please tell me this isn't happening! Me...in love with an Orerines...it just can't be! Nerifes, please tell me I'm wrong! Tell me I'm not really in love with him! Please!"

Tears began streaming down her face, and she couldn't hold back any longer. Thyra broke down, sobbing. "Why? Why did it have to be him? He's an Orerines...I'm in love...with an Orerines! And of all people, it had to be him.

"Jay..."

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Thyra received the title of "Hypocrite"
You can't deny your love for the Orerines boy. You have now betrayed your own race.