Guardian Of Ancient Wood

Chapter 62

The tense air in the Hollow Water cave crackled with anticipation as Blaze's adoptive father, Aiden, faced off against Blaze, Guaya, and Furie. The embers in Aiden's eyes burned brighter with disappointment and frustration as he looked at Blaze. Blaze couldn't hide her incredulity. "What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice tinged with a mix of confusion and defiance.

Aiden's response was a low growl, his disappointment palpable. "Blaze, I've spent my entire life training you, preparing you for this moment. It's time for you to fulfill your destiny, to claim the throne in a duel with Furie." Blaze's eyes widened in shock. "What? Duel Furie? That's absurd! I told you I did not want to do it!" Aiden's fiery gaze bore into Blaze as he continued, "If you won't do it, then I will. I won't let this opportunity slip away."

Blaze's frustration boiled over. "This is not what I want, Dad! I won't fight Furie for a throne I never asked for." Guaya, sensing the rising tension, stepped forward. "Aiden, this is not the way. Blaze is her own person, and forcing her into a duel against her will is not the path to unity among Guardians." Aiden scoffed, "Unity? The throne must be claimed, one way or another. If Blaze won't do it, then someone has to." Aiden stared at the Queen, "It is time for a change of sovereign, Guaya."

Guaya's eyes flashed with a warning as she spoke, "If you continue down this path, Aiden, you risk the wrath of the Guardian Council. Treason comes with severe consequences." She stared at the leader of the group before looking at the rest of the Guardians standing behind him. "All of you will be facing treason consequences, if you fight your Queen." Aiden glared back defiantly, his determination unyielding. "I've made my choice. Blaze, decide now—fulfill your destiny or watch me take matters into my own hands." The tension in the cave escalated, the looming threat of conflict hanging heavily in the phosphorescent air.

Blaze's emotions churned within her, a tempest of anger and sadness swirling in her heart. The man she had called father, the one who had been her guiding force, was now pushing her into a corner with his unyielding demands. Her eyes, once filled with defiance, now betrayed a mixture of sorrow and determination. As Aiden continued to press his agenda, Blaze felt something inside her break. The realization that her adoptive father was willing to go to such lengths, to disregard her wishes and dreams, was a painful revelation. The ties that had bound them, once strong and unbreakable, now seemed strained and fragile.

In that moment of internal turmoil, Blaze made a choice that was both heartbreaking and empowering. She would not let Aiden harm her newfound family, her sister and biological mother. The bond forged with Furie and Guaya was too recently found to jeopardize for the sake of an inherited throne. With a heavy heart and tears threatening to spill from her eyes, Blaze stepped forward. "Aiden, I won't let you hurt them. I won't let you ruin what we've found together."

Aiden's eyes flickered with disappointment and frustration as Blaze's defiance clashed with his expectations. He underestimated the strength of Blaze's resolve, the determination to protect the family she had discovered. She steeled herself for what came next, ready to face the consequences of standing up against the only father she had ever known.

"Alright. I'll do it myself then," Aiden declared, his voice a low growl resonating through the cave. The air tensed with the impending clash as Aiden took a step forward, preparing to face the three women standing before him.