Guardian Of Ancient Wood

Chapter 22

The Guardians stood in a hushed silence, the residual magic lingering in the air as Furie moved towards Leaf, a question poised on her lips. However, Rain's unexpected revelation shattered the quiet, causing a ripple of surprise among the gathered Guardians. Furie turned her attention to Rain, her eyes reflecting curiosity. "The prophecy is real," Rain uttered, his expression a mix of surprise and contemplation. Zephyr, ever inquisitive, directed her question to Rain, seeking clarification on the mysterious prophecy. Rain, with a perplexed expression, admitted uncertainty but disclosed that he had stumbled upon something known as the Duel prophecy in one of the ancient Guardian books. "I am not sure what I am talking about. I read this a long time ago." As Rain struggled to recollect the details, Ash chimed in with impatience, wanting to know more about this "Duel prophecy." Rain, his blonde hair shaking with uncertainty, vaguely described the prophecy involving two four-element Guardians engaged in a battle -or a duel- for the position of Queen Gaya. The outcome would determine if one or both would replace the longstanding leader of the Guardians.

A heavy silence settled over the group, each Guardian processing the implications of what Rain had revealed. Leaf, visibly shocked, grappled with the revelation. The idea of Queen Gaya being replaced was inconceivable to him; she had been the revered leader for centuries, a beacon of stability in the Guardian world. Furie's mind raced with questions, and she exchanged glances with Leaf, realizing that her journey had taken an unexpected turn.

Furie, her eyes filled with a mix of determination and concern, spoke up, expressing the urgency of understanding the prophecy. Leaf, trying to assuage her worries, suggested that perhaps Rain's recollection was inaccurate or incomplete. Yet, the lingering unease in Leaf's eyes hinted at the gravity of the situation. In a gesture meant to provide comfort, Leaf clasped Furie's hand. His touch was not just for her, but a grounding force for himself in the face of the unknown. Ash, seemingly unfazed, took the lead, suggesting they locate the book that contained information about the prophecy. "Let's go find this book," ordered Ash as he was leaving the group. He strode confidently toward the temple exit, and Rain halted him with a plea to wait. "Wait for us!" Rain called out, emphasizing the need for the group to stay together.

Zephyr chimed in, confirming that their next destination was the library. "I guess we are all going to do some research." She turned to Leaf and Furie, urging them to follow the others. The group, now propelled by a sense of urgency, exited the temple, leaving behind the essence pool and the lingering magical echoes of Furie's remarkable elemental display. The temple, once a place of ceremony and discovery, now echoed with the weight of Furie's uncertain future role in the Guardian's world.

Furie couldn't help but roll her eyes at the notion of assembling a group of five Guardians just to find a book. She leaned towards Leaf and whispered, "Do we really need five Guardians to locate a book in a library?" Her skepticism was evident in her voice. Leaf, maintaining his composed demeanor, responded with a subtle smile, "Well, you know, the more, the merrier. Besides, with more hands, we might find the book faster." His eyes twinkled with a mix of assurance and a hint of mischievousness. Furie sighed but agreed, realizing that Leaf's logic had some merit. The two of them fell into step behind Ash, Rain, and Zephyr, their footsteps echoing through the temple's corridors. The camaraderie within the group was a mix of determination and curiosity, a collective effort to unravel the mysteries that seemed to surround Furie and the prophecy.