Guardian of Vulnerable Flames

Chapter 40

The spectacle of Rain and the Fire Guardian's duel began to attract a growing crowd, drawing attention away from the once-festive Winter Reception. The music came to a halt as people gathered around the combatants, forming a ring to witness the clash of elements. What had started as a duel between two Guardians now took an unexpected turn, transforming into a public display that captured the fascination of onlookers. Guardians in the crowd began to encourage the combatants, treating the confrontation as if it were a thrilling performance. The joyous atmosphere of the festivities gave way to an odd mixture of excitement and concern as the duel unfolded before the Winter Reception audience.

Leaf, frustrated by the growing crowd's encouragement, shook his head at the spectacle. Furie, noticing the increasing number of spectators, turned to Zephyr with a concerned expression. "Do we need to intervene? Should we stop this?" Furie asked. Zephyr, her gaze fixed on Rain, responded, "It is against the Guardian's rules to stop a duel. I wish we could, but someone could get hurt if they stand in this mess." The three friends found themselves unsure about the course of action to take, torn between the desire to stop the spectacle and the recognition that interfering in a Guardian duel could lead to unintended consequences.

As the duel progressed, Rain surprised everyone by incorporating his Air abilities into the fight. Tornados began to swirl around him, catching the Fire Guardian off guard. His confident expression turned to shock as he found himself facing not only water but also powerful gusts of wind. Zephyr, watching with a big smile on her face, relished the shift in the Fire Guardian's demeanor. The once-boastful opponent now showed a hint of fear as Rain continued to display his mastery over multiple elements. The combination of water and air manipulation proved to be an exhausting challenge for the Fire Guardian. Rain's focused expression remained unwavering, determination etched across his face. His goal was clear – to prove that the Fire Guardian's bravado had backfired spectacularly. Rain skillfully trapped his opponent within a large air ball, gradually increasing the speed of the swirling winds. The Fire Guardian struggled to maintain his stance, his face contorted with pain as the force of the wind intensified. Unable to withstand the powerful strength of air, the Fire Guardian finally succumbed. His knees buckled, and he fell to the ground, defeated. Rain's victory was evident.

The Winter Reception crowd erupted into cheers and applause as Rain emerged victorious in the elemental duel. Amidst the celebratory noise, Zephyr wasted no time, rushing through the crowd to reach Rain. She skillfully maneuvered through the onlookers, pushing anyone in her way until she stood in front of Rain. Grabbing his shoulders, she admonished him, "Don't do that ever again!" However, her stern expression softened into a cute smile. "But thank you for standing up to that asshole." Rain, caught off guard by the mix of reprimands and gratitude, had no time to respond before Zephyr, on her tiptoes, planted a kiss on his lips. At first, Rain was surprised, but as the realization set in, he understood that the woman he had desired for so long was making the first move. In a swift motion, he moved his hands, pulling Zephyr closer to his chest. The two Guardians finally shared a cute intimate moment. As Rain and Zephyr shared a passionate kiss, their connection deepened amidst the remnants of the duel's energy.

As Ash and Blaze made their way back to their group of friends, they walked right into the midst of Zephyr and Rain's passionate kiss. Blaze, in a hushed tone, couldn't help but exclaim, "Finally!" while Ash, with a smirk, remarked, "You have finally opened your eyes, love birds." He walked over to Zephyr, tapping her on the shoulder before giving her a playful wink. Zephyr, rolling her eyes at Ash's comment, grabbed Rain's hand, and the two new companions blushed, not having a chance to respond before the Queen's voice cut through the air. "I didn't remember planning for a show tonight," the Queen said, her raised eyebrow indicating a mixture of curiosity and mild amusement. The group turned to face Guaya, and an uncomfortable silence settled over them. Rain, realizing that the Queen might have taken offense at his duel with the other Fire Guardian, held onto Zephyr's hand tighter, his gaze fixed on Guaya with a mixture of concern and apprehension. He was uncertain about the Queen's reaction to the events that had unfolded.

As the Queen mingled with the group of Guardians, a hushed ripple of whispers swept through the entire room. The Winter Reception, which had initially been filled with festive music and laughter -then a duel- was now enveloped in a curious buzz. The regular Guardians, accustomed to seeing their Queen away or on an icy stage tonight, were taken aback as Guaya conversed with the little group of Guardians, breaking away from the usual formalities. The crowd's attention swiftly shifted to the Queen's presence, and all eyes were drawn to her, noticing the departure from the expected regal demeanor. The Queen was engaging with the ordinary Guardians, becoming a part of the crowd instead of remaining aloof on her icy stage.

However, what stirred even more whispers and glances were the three women standing together – Guaya, Furie, and Blaze. The rumors that the Queen's hidden daughters had been invited to the Winter Reception were no longer gossip but concrete. The undeniable resemblance between the three women confirmed their familial connection, and the mystery surrounding Furie and Blaze's lineage was unraveled for all to see. The crowd couldn't help but be curious about the two newfound princesses in their midst. The air was thick with speculation and intrigue as regular Guardians exchanged glances, attempting to decipher the implications of this unexpected revelation.