Guardian of Vulnerable Flames

Chapter 12

As the final echoes of Furie's elemental onslaught subsided, the cavern, once fraught with shadows, transformed into a realm of eerie calm. Yet, in this newfound tranquility, the very heart of the volcano seemed to pulse with an unnatural energy. The molten rock, once a simmering pool of potential chaos, now exhibited a heightened restlessness, its glow intensifying with each passing second.

In an abrupt cacophony, a contingent of the Queen's soldiers, clad in regal armor and wielding enchanted weapons, rushed through the portal. Their footsteps echoed through the volcanic cavern, and their eyes darted anxiously, anticipating a confrontation with the shadow creatures that had plagued this sacred space. However, to their surprise and confusion, the cavern was now devoid of the malevolent shadows. The once-threatening darkness had been replaced by an atmosphere of profound stillness, disrupted only by the whispers of steam rising from the residual heat of Furie's elemental mastery.

Following the soldiers, a figure emerged from the portal with an unmistakable aura of regality. Queen Guaya, adorned in a gown of majestic dark blue, carried herself with an air of unwavering authority. Her auburn hair, intricately braided, framed a face that bore the marks of countless battles and the wisdom of an ageless sovereign. The Queen's expression, though concealed beneath a veneer of composure, revealed a readiness for conflict. Her eyes, sharp and penetrating, scanned the cavern in search of the shadows that had threatened the sanctity of the volcano. However, the cavern's emptiness betrayed Furie's swift victory. Queen Guaya, despite her commanding presence, arrived too late to witness the chaos that had transpired moments ago. The soldiers, now standing at attention, awaited their Queen's orders, their weapons glinting with latent enchantments. In the face of Furie's pre-emptive triumph, the Queen's regal countenance momentarily masked any disappointment she might have felt.

The Queen's gaze shifted towards Furie then Blaze. It looked like the Queen was checking on her daughters. Was she making sure they were not wounded? Furie's eyes, alight with the residual energy of her conquest, met the Queen's gaze with an unyielding determination. In that silent exchange, a subtle acknowledgment passed between them—Furie had safeguarded the sanctity of the volcano, even before the Queen's arrival.

Furie, her eyes still aglow with the remnants of her elemental fury, swiftly turned away from the Queen and headed towards Leaf. The Guardian was on his knees, clutching his side where the shadow creature had struck. Despite the pain etched on his face, Leaf managed to offer Furie a reassuring smile as she approached. "Furie," he rasped, his voice strained but filled with an underlying calmness. "I'm fine, just a scratch." Furie knelt beside him, concern etching her features. She could see through his attempt at bravado. "Leaf, that's not just a scratch. We need to get you to a healer." Leaf's eyes met Furie's, a subtle gratitude flickering within them. "Don't worry about me. I've endured worse. It's you and the others that need to be alright." Despite Leaf's attempt to downplay his injuries, Furie gently pressed her hand to his side, inspecting the wound. "You have been so brave," she murmured, her voice a mixture of gratitude and concern. "Let's get you some help, you need it." As Furie and Leaf exchanged these words, a few steps away, Zephyr and Blaze were already tending to Ash, who lay motionless on the ground. Zephyr used her Air magic to assess Ash's condition, while Blaze, her face a mask of worry, hovered nearby.

Furie, realizing the urgency, helped Leaf rise, supporting him as they made their way towards the portal. She looked at her three friends and told them to come along. "Let's go to the healers. Zephyr can you bring Ash with your magic?" Blaze and Zephyr jumped onto their legs and got ready to follow Furie and Leaf. Zephyr created a cloud that flew underneath Ash. She managed to have full control on the fire Guardian and made him float behind Furie. The group of friends exchanged some looks with the Queen's soldiers as they walked by them. Nothing was said.

The group of Guardians, each nursing their wounds, walked through the crowd of Queen Guaya's soldiers. The Queen, her face a mix of concern and acknowledgment, attempted to address Blaze as she passed. "How are you do..." Guaya began, but Blaze swiftly raised her hand, cutting the Queen off mid-sentence. There was a palpable tension between mother and daughter, and Blaze wasn't in the mood for niceties. "We have done your job here. And killed eight shadow creatures," Blaze asserted, her tone cutting and unyielding. The Queen's expression tightened, realizing that Blaze was not one to mince words. Blaze, still harboring resentment toward her mother, continued without remorse, "I don't want to tell you how to do your job. But you really need to investigate the Obscure world, Guaya. This is getting out of control."

The Queen, though visibly affected, nodded in reluctant agreement. She reminded Blaze to use the crystal she had previously given her for clues and information gathering. Blaze responded with a nonchalant "sure" and moved on, leaving the Queen to deal with the aftermath of the shadow creature attack. Her soldiers could watch the relic for them. It was their turn to guard and protect.

As the group exited the volcano grounds, they made their way to the healer center in Skyland, determined to tend to their wounds and regroup. The echoes of their confrontation with the shadow creatures lingered, but so did their resolve to protect their world and confront the growing threat that encroached upon the Obscure world.