Adventures in Interning: Becoming the Sentinel pt2

The Grove of Fall’s Bounty felt dark and foreboding as Kaytlyn fled through it. None of the other druids would look at her, much less help the young fennec. There was a portal on the far end of the Grove that would take her to Drakethorpe, but Archdruid Violet was hot on her heels and angry.

 

    “You can’t run from me in my own Grove,” the purple-eyed lioness called as she rapidly pursued her acolyte. “I’m not angry! We just need to talk!”

 

    Quickly, Kaytyn ducked into a clearing with a portal at the far end. Picking up her pace, the sandy-furred fox girl ran for the portal. Suddenly, purple energy swirled around the portal, snapping it closed. Kaytlyn turned to see Violet standing behind her.

 

    “If you are going to dismiss me from the circle just do it,” the fox angrily spat out. Kaytlyn knew there was no way she could fight the Archdruid, but maybe she could outrun her through the woods. The fox was smaller and could duck through places the lioness couldn’t.

 

    “I’m not excommunicating you,” Violet assured her trainee as she dropped to her knees. “You did break a direct order and used your talisman to sneak into the altar, but truthfully, I’m not angry at you. I can’t tell you not to do this but we need to discuss some things before you decide if you want to go through with this and that you’re doing it for the right reasons.”

 

    “I’m going to be the Sentinel and protect the natural cycle,” Kaytlyn insisted, knowing it was partially a lie.

 

    “This about more than Vondell,” the Archdruid wrapped her arms around the fennec. “If you do this, you will be able to see him as much as you want, but your path will be locked in for the rest of your life. There is no quitting being the Sentinel. If you perform the final ritual, you are locking in your entire future now. Take the time to think about it. I can hold the council off for a week.”

 

    Kaytlyn started to say something but stopped as the lioness released her. A portal reopened itself at the far end of the Grove. Violet nodded and sent her young charge on her way. With a lot to think about, Kaytlyn went on her way back home. Once again depressed, the fennec went through the portal and returned to her bed.

 

    Finding the energy after two days of laying in bed, Kaytlyn tried to meditate to connect with nature to find the answer she needed. Unfortunately, too much turmoil inside her prevented a meaningful connection. Frustrated, the young fox girl went to find her brother Varick and his partner Raine at the guild hall. She found them in his room sorting through clothing orders.

 

    “Kaytlyn! How are you feeling,” Varick asked as the mahogany Clydesdale put a final stitch in a shirt. “Violet told us what’s going on. She wanted to make sure we were aware.”

 

“Need cookies or candies,” Raine inquires as the blue and green spotted snow leopard holds up a handful of each.

 

“I just need someone to tell me what to do,” Kaytlyn cried, “because I’m not sure what to do anymore. Everything around me is changing too fast.” Varick immediately dropped his work and leaped over to wrap Kaytlyn up in a hug.  

 

“Raine, break out the emergency ice cream,” the blonde horse picked his sister up and put her on his bed. “You don’t have to, but we are here if you want to talk about it.”

 

“I’ve got fifty-two flavors,” Raine smiled as they opened a hidden mini-freezer to reveal her treasure. “Also all the toppings you can think of.”

 

Since Varick and Raine already knew about Vondell, Kaytlyn skipped that as she devoured several bowls of ice cream. She told them about the kiss with Johana and why she did the Ritual of Selection. Kaytlyn admitted that she did do it for the wrong reasons. However, when the earth mother told the fennec she was the one she had wanted all along, it made her feel like she had found her calling. The problem was that this was a lifelong commitment, and Kaytlyn wasn’t sure she wanted to make it.

 

“Ever since I met you, Kaytlyn, I have only wanted two things for you,” Varick smiles at his sister. “I’ve wanted you to be happy and safe. If this path is going to make you happy, then go for it. You don’t need my blessing if that’s what you came for, and Mom and Dad will support you no matter what you choose.”

 

“I think I’m going to do it. I’m going to be the Druid Sentinel,” Kaytlyn declares as she stands off the bed. “I’m going to make the world a place where everyone can be happy and safe, not just me!” With that, she hugged her brother and Raine and ran out of the room.

 

“Are you crying,” Raine asks their husband as the fennec leaves. “She’ll be back won’t she?”

“Hopefully in our lifetime, but I’m happy she found her calling regardless,” Varick replied, wiping a tear away from his eye.

 

Kaytlyn spent the next few days saying her goodbyes to everyone. She was sure she’d return before everyone else was gone, but the fox tried to remain strong. There was a chance that with the powers of the Sentinel, Kaytlyn could return in time, even if her training took her hundreds of years. With a heart burdened by sadness from farewells and determination to make a better future, the fennec took her place at the Earth Mother’s Altar and pledged her life to service of the nature cycle with one last ritual.

 

As the ritual finished, everything around the altar seemed to fade away, leaving Kaytlyn alone. An unnatural stillness filled the area as a human-looking woman with long green hair that flowered like exotic vines and skin like the bark of an ash tree walked up behind the fox. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around Kaytlyn, pulling her close. Something about this woman’s embrace felt familiar and calming, as the fennec wasn’t frightened by the sudden hug.

 

“Kaytlyn, I will be taking your magic and your soul on a journey of many hundreds of years,” the being the fox realized was Jord, the earth mother, explained in a voice that sounded like the music of nature. “Your body and mind will remain here where the other gods will visit you. They won’t take their true forms as I have but rather forms they think will test you. Now meditate while you wait for your first visitor.”

 

“As you wish, earth mother,” Kaytlyn solemnly nodded as Jord released her from the embrace.

 

Taking a seat on the ground, suddenly alone again, the young fox girl began to meditate as instructed. Reaching out into the planet was difficult as Kaytlyn didn’t have the magic that generally aided in this endeavor. After an eternity, the world around her began to taste, feel, and smell like Spring. Kaytlyn became aware of a presence that had joined her. She opened her eyes to find Varick standing there wearing a dress made of flowering pink flowers. Which wasn’t usual for him, but the glowing pink eyes were.

 

“Welcome to spring Kaytlyn,” the Varick imposter greeted her. “I am Idunn, goddess of rebirth and regrowth.”

 

“You honor me with your grace,” the fennec stands and bows to the goddess. “If you honor me with your blessing, I promise to use the power to protect the natural cycle of seasons.”

 

“To gain my blessing, you need to tell me why this face is one of your rebirths,” the goddess smiled as she lifted Kaytlyn’s head with an affectionate hand on her face.

 

When Kaytlyn was in the orphanage, the other children bullied her for being a girl. Everyone told her she had to be a boy, but that wasn’t who the fox was. Then, one day, Varick appeared to make costumes for everyone amid despair. He heard her, made her feel safe, and let her be herself. Kaytlyn hoped that Varick would adopt her as his daughter, but she was okay with settling for being his sister.

 

“You picked my big brother because he gave me a chance to be reborn as the person I wanted to be. If you want someone who knows what rebirth feels like, then I am the fennec for you,” Kaytlyn confidently proclaimed. “Also, Varick has the hips for that dress. I don’t think Kriv would have looked as good.”

 

“Excellent answer,” Idunn smiled with the Clydesdale’s face. “You have earned my blessing. With my power you will be hard pressed to find an injury that can’t be healed by you. I grant you Spring’s Renewal.”

 

    Idunn Varick faded away in a warm breeze that enwrapped Kaytlyn. Her body felt different and strange. A strange feeling from behind alerted the fennec that she now had a pink second tail! On the end was Idunn’s rune that glowed softly. Looking down, Kaytlyn realized that she was now taller and had boobs? Carefully, the fox girl checked, and they were real!

 

    “Don’t get too distracted by those,” a voice laughed as the season shifted to summer around the area. Looking up, Kaytlyn was surprised to see the sun naga Hotpop slithering from behind a tree wearing a purple bikini top. “Trust me, I know they can be distracting, but that’ll have to wait for later. As Freya, the goddess of Summer, it is time for you to earn my blessing.”

 

    “Yes of course,” Kaytlyn bowed to Hotpop’s duplicate. It felt odd to show this level of reverence to a friend, but she was warned the gods like to take on familiar guises. “Please excuse my momentary lapse in attention.”

 

    “All is well, little one,” Frya laughed as she wrapped the colorful naga body around the fox. Warmth and fun flowed from the fake Hotpop as she held Kaytlyn like she enjoyed doing. “Summer is the time of life and fun; now earn my blessing as you had done with Idunn. I need to know the lessons you learn from this colorful and well-endowed naga.”

 

    Kaytlyn met Hotpop at the guild hall while doing guild surveys. Immediately, the dark-skinned naga gave the small fennec body envy and more than a bit of a crush. There was a period in the beginning where Kaytlyn could barely form sentences when Hotpop was around. However, the naga liked the fox and taught her so much. Kaytlyn learned about games, technology, and other cultures from her new friend. She wouldn’t have the F3NN3C P1NK mech armor if she hadn’t gotten the idea from one of Hotpop’s streams.

 

    “While she did teach me how to have different types of fun, Hotpop taught me self confidence,” Kaytlyn declared as she tried not to get distracted by the goddess’s visage. “The self confidence to live my life and chase my dreams.”

 

    “That is a wonderful answer,” Freya Hotpop smiled while adjusting her cat ear headphones. “My blessing of Summer’s Longevity will ensure you have plenty of life to live and serve as the Sentinel.”

 

A kiss on the cheek was all Kaytlyn’s warning before the Naga duplicate disappeared. The warmth of the summer sun flowed through the fennec as she felt her body changing again. Not only was she taller now but older and stronger. A new green tail with Freya’s rune accompanied her other two not. Luckily, it didn’t hurt to grow new tails like Kaytlyn thought it would. The surrounding area shifted to fall as Archdruid Violet walked into view with blue eyes instead of the lioness’s usual purple ones.

 

“Greetings Kaytlyn, I am Sif goddess of fall,” the duplicate Violet introduced herself. “I’m sure this guise comes as no surprise to you.”

 

“You honor me with your presence,” Kaytlyn bows to the goddess disguised as her teacher. “As I have always sought to do, I will protect the harvest.”

 

“I’m sure you will, but that isn’t what I need from you,” Sif Violet nodded firmly. “The harvest was how people of the ancient times planned for the future. I know the Archdruid didn’t want you to pursue this path, but do you know why?”

 

Kaytlyn had assumed that her teacher hadn’t wanted her to become the Druid Sentinel because she wasn’t ready, but maybe that wasn’t the case. Violet was firm about not wanting the fox to attempt the ritual but wouldn’t explain why. The lioness had always told Kaytlyn she had incredible potential and would make a powerful grove warden one day. If that was true, why wouldn’t Archdruid Violet want her protege to be the Sentinel? Unless there was another plan that Kaytlyn was supposed to fulfill that she wasn’t supposed to know about. Why would the Archdruid take her first-ever apprentice without a special purpose?

 

“She wanted me to be the next Archdruid,” Kaytlyn sniffled as the realization brought a tear to her eye. “I was being groomed to replace her.”

 

“That you were, but as you can now see, the future isn’t always as foreseeable as people think. No matter how hard you plan or how prepared you are, the future will shift and present new paths,” Sif explained as she knelt before Kaytlyn. “You would’ve made an amazing Archdruid, but I think you’ll be an even better Sentinel. With Autumn’s Promise and some practice, you will be able to glimpse the future, but remember that just because it could happen doesn’t mean it will. I want you to know I am proud of you, but Archdruid Violet might still be prouder.”

 

    Red, orange, and gold leaves swirled around Kaytlyn as Sif disappeared. Another new tail appeared to accompany the others. This one was orange with Sif’s rune on the end. Additionally, Kaytlyn’s eyesight somehow felt crisper. She hadn’t realized it yet, but the fox could now see things on several different spectrums that she couldn’t before, including time. That didn’t stop her from being surprised as Johana walked into the area around the altar as it transitioned to winter.

 

    “Hail Kaytlyn, I am your final test,” the duplicate of the rabbit witch laughed as she pulled a long knife from her black robes. “I am Ullr, and you will fight me or die.”

 

    “What? No,” the fox shouted as she stepped out of the way of a stabbing attack. “I can’t fight Johana!”

 

    “Why not? Winter doesn’t care who your friends or family are. It comes for them all in time,” Ullr Johana cackles, trying to slash at the would-be Sentinel.

 

    Kaytlyn was conflicted by what was happening. Sure, Johana had bullied the fennec and taken her first kiss, but there were feelings there. Good feelings. Maybe something more than a possible friendship, but that was what Kaytlyn had with Vondell. There were people with more than one boyfriend or girlfriend. Was it greedy to want both? While dodging a knife, many complex, strange new feelings and emotions exist.

    

    “Wait,” Kaytlyn shouted, sidestepping a strike and grabbing Johana’s wrist. With a quick twist, the fox disarms her attacker. “We don’t have to fight! Even winter can be an ally if you let it! I can’t fight the natural cycle, and no one should try. If that makes me fail this test, then so be it.”

 

    “Wise words from someone so young,” Johana smirked, freeing her wrist and stepping back. “Are you sure you haven’t already earned my blessing? Winter is a time to learn lessons that shouldn’t be forgotten. Some judge the cold season to be too harsh but maybe you will be the one to change their minds about it. My blessing is Winter’s Wisdom, use it well to guide others.”

 

    A brief snowfall fell around Kaytlyn as Johana disappeared. Suddenly, a sharp pain radiated through the fennec’s skull. The pain brought new knowledge of place, people, magic, and words she had never heard. As quickly as the pain set in, it subsided as the altered area around the alter reset to a neutral season before she stood all the deities again in their guises of Varick, Hotpop, Violet, and Johana.

 

    “Well then, do we have a unanimous consensus then,” Jord asked, walking up beside Kaytlyn. The earth mother’s long green hair was alive with many flowers. “Will Kayltyn stand as our new Sentinel?”

 

    “Yes she will,” the assembled gods answered in unison.

 

    “Then that she will be,” Jord declared as she turned to put her hands on Kaytlyn’s shoulders. “There’s no further tests. I now return to you your magic and your soul. They have been trained for the journey ahead. With my blessing of divinity you may one day ascend to our ranks but for now you will walk among the mortals as one of them. Protect the cycle and don’t forget to live your life as you do.”

 

    “I will perform this sacred task with honor and dignity,” Kaytlyn bowed to Jord and the rest of the assembled audience. A gasp of surprise escaped her lips as the fox’s robes erupted into a purple dress, and Jord’s rune lit up on her regular tail. Kaytlyn’s favorite weapon, Brick Brick, floated out of her bag and hovered behind her head with a halo of colored violets.

 

    “I know you will. Now go back to your realm. It’s been five months, and I’m sure people are missing you,” the earth mother kissed the fennec on the forehead.

 

Before Kaytlyn could react, she felt herself pushed back through the veil with a flash of light. The newly minted Druid Sentinel found herself on her butt in the same form she started in. No extra height, tails, or halos anywhere. An assembled crowd of assorted druids looked on in awe as the fennec righted herself.

 

“Tell me. How can the Sentinel help you,” Kaytlyn inquired of the crowd. A snap of her fingers amazed the crowd with a magical transformation into the five-foot-tall kitsune. “Because I’m not here to lead. I’m here to help protect the natural cycle by aiding you however you need it.”