Guardian Of Ancient Wood

Chapter 32

The fiery landscape of the Fire Guardian world greeted Leaf and Furie as they arrived at the meeting place. Ash, Zephyr, and Rain were already there, awaiting their arrival. Each Guardian had a unique way of greeting the newcomers. Ash, with his playful demeanor, decided to playfully tease Furie. He held a small flame in his hand, shaping it into a star-like form. "Look who's here, our shining star," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Furie raised an eyebrow at the unexpected compliment, not quite accustomed to being referred to as a star. "A star?" she questioned, a bemused expression on her face. Ash flashed a charming smile and explained, "Well, you can control four elements, and you're on the path to becoming Queen. That makes you a star among us, Furie." Furie couldn't help but laugh at the humorous notion. "Sure, finding out that I have a sister who wants to duel me makes me a star," she retorted, her sarcasm evident. Ash rolled his eyes, clearly used to Furie's quick-witted responses now. The banter continued, setting a lighthearted tone for their upcoming journey to the forbidden land.

As the group approached Luminocity, the air grew heavy with an eerie stillness. The once vibrant city, now reduced to ruins, stood as a testament to the destructive power of fire. The remnants of what was once a bustling metropolis loomed like ghostly shadows against the backdrop of the Fire Guardian world. The skyline of Luminocity was marked by twisted, skeletal structures that reached into the ashy sky. The ground beneath their feet crunched with each step, as the remains of burnt buildings crumbled under their weight. The air was thick with the scent of charred wood and smoldering embers. Ashen particles danced through the air, creating a haunting atmosphere as if the very essence of the city was still dissipating into the atmosphere. The sky, once blue and bright, now carried a perpetual grayish hue, a constant reminder of the destruction that had befallen Luminocity.

As they walked through the desolate streets, Furie couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine. The burnt remnants of what was once a thriving community seemed to whisper tales of the tragic event that had unfolded here. It was as if the city itself mourned the loss of its former glory. The Guardians continued their journey through the silent city, the echoes of their footsteps mingling with the distant whispers of the past.

The group of Guardians, gathered in the burnt ruins of Luminocity, tensed as they heard footsteps behind them. A voice cut through the silence, "You finally came." The amber-eyed woman, B, emerged from the shadows.

Furie, always ready to take the lead, stepped toward B. She saluted, a symbol of acknowledgment and respect, and inquired about the woman's name. B, with a corner smile playing on her lips, took a moment before responding. Furie stared at her, studying the mysterious woman who claimed to be her sister. B's shoulder-length dark red hair framed her face, and her amber eyes seemed to hold secrets. "B," Furie began, "what's your name?" Before answering, B gazed at Furie and the group, as if sizing them up. Finally, she spoke, "Blaze."

Furie didn't let the conversation end there. Her curiosity pushed her to ask more questions, seeking answers about Blaze's origins and intentions. Blaze, however, remained elusive. "You're too curious, Furie," Blaze remarked, her tone cold and detached. "You don't need to know who I am. We are enemies, and the only thing I want to know is how to win a duel against you." Furie was taken aback by the sudden declaration of enmity. She tried to reason with Blaze, explaining that she came to Luminocity not for a fight, but to have a conversation. Furie emphasized that she wanted to connect with her newfound sister, not engage in a battle. The stark contrast between Furie's warmth and Blaze's coldness hung in the air, creating a tense atmosphere in the ruins of the once vibrant city.

Blaze's essence was unmistakably composed of the fire element. The flickering flames that seemed to dance within her amber eyes and the subtle, smoldering aura around her gave away her fiery nature. However, despite being a creature of fire, her demeanor was cold, her words cutthroat. Leaf, unable to tolerate Blaze's harsh tone, stepped forward. Positioning himself next to Furie, he spoke up, addressing Blaze with a calm and steady voice. He explained that the group of Guardians came not seeking conflict but hoping to find a solution, an alternative ending that wouldn't involve a duel between Furie and Blaze. He emphasized the importance of peace and understanding. Blaze responded to Leaf's words with a disdainful cough. "You are so full of peace, Earth Guardian," she retorted, her skepticism evident. "I am here to claim my destiny, not to chitchat!"

Furie felt a pang of hurt at Blaze's dismissive words. She, in turn, expressed to Blaze that she had no intention of fighting her, especially after only discovering her Guardian identity a few days ago. However, Blaze remained unyielding. She declared that she didn't care about Furie's feelings or the short duration of her Guardianhood. Blaze asserted that she was raised in the fire land, dedicating her entire life to training for this moment. "I am ready," Blaze declared with an unflinching determination. "It is time to duel."

Furie, horrified by the prospect of facing her newfound sister in a duel, took a step back. The atmosphere grew tenser as Furie realized her sister was lost in her anger. She hoped to peacefully talk but her sibling had no words for Furie. All in Blaze's stand showed Furie that she was a lost cause.

Furie urgently reached out to Leaf through their telepathic connection, her mental voice carrying a sense of urgency." We need to leave, now. This is escalating too quickly." Leaf, sensing Furie's distress, immediately concurred. He began positioning himself between Furie and Blaze, a protective stance, ready to shield her if necessary. Blaze, noticing the change in Furie's demeanor and the protective move from Leaf, raised an eyebrow, suspicion evident in her amber eyes. Ignoring Furie's telepathic plea, Blaze, with a panther-like readiness, screamed at Furie, ordering her to fight. Leaf, now physically blocking Blaze's line of sight to Furie, took charge of the situation. He addressed the group of Guardians, stating, "It's time to go. Blaze is not listening, and we are leaving."

Blaze, growing furious at the apparent defiance, started following the departing group. She yelled at Furie, demanding her to stop running away. Unleashing her fiery magic, Blaze threw several balls of fire towards the retreating Guardians. Ash, displaying quick reflexes, swiftly raised his own powers and blocked a fiery projectile, preventing it from reaching Furie's face.

As Blaze unleashed her fiery magic, a collective understanding passed among the group of Guardians – it was now open season to counteract her powers. The response was swift and dynamic. Zephyr, with a swift gust of wind, summoned a tornado that she blew out of her mouth towards Blaze. The whirling winds spiraled menacingly, aiming to engulf the fiery Guardian. However, Blaze, displaying remarkable agility, skillfully avoided the incoming tempest. With a focused effort, she utilized her own powers to shrink down the tornado rapidly. In a surreal display of control, she made the once ferocious tornado disappear within the grasp of her hands.

Meanwhile, as the group continued walking away, Rain seized the opportunity to launch his own attack. He invoked a storm, rain cascading down in torrents from the clouds that materialized above Blaze only. Blaze initially laughed defiantly, relishing the sensation of raindrops on her skin. However, her amusement abruptly halted as the laughter was drowned out by the ominous roll of thunder. Rain, demonstrating his mastery over the storm, intensified the assault. Thunderbolts crashed down, forcing Blaze to react quickly. She threw herself to the ground, narrowly avoiding the electric shocks that crackled dangerously close. The once-confident Blaze found herself challenged by Rain's strength.

As the confrontation unfolded, Zephyr seamlessly joined forces with Rain, combining their elemental powers to create a harmonious storm. Rain summoned the thunder, and Zephyr added her gusts of wind, swirling them together into a formidable tempest. The collaborative effort between the two Guardians resulted in the formation of a mini-ecosystem, a controlled chaos of raindrops and gusts that pushed Blaze away.

Furie observed with admiration the concentration etched on Rain and Zephyr's faces. Their synchronization turned them into a formidable team, a testament to the strength that came from unity. With a collective burst of power, they propelled Blaze backward, prompting a resonating scream from the fiery Guardian. Without hesitation, the group of Guardians seized the opportunity and bolted away as Blaze struggled against the forces of nature. Their footsteps echoed loudly as they sprinted, adrenaline pumping through their veins. The landscape blurred as they made their escape, leaving Blaze behind in the tumultuous storm.

Breathless and exhilarated, the group pressed forward until they reached a portal that led to the tranquil Woodland. As they crossed through the magical gateway, relief washed over them, accompanied by the calming sounds of nature. They emerged on the other side, catching their breaths in the serene surroundings of the Woodland, grateful to have escaped the tumultuous encounter with Blaze.