Ice Phoenix crouched on the icy ground, her hands clutching her head as voices from the past clawed at her mind. Echoes of her failures surged like a relentless tide, drowning her in a sea of guilt.
"You failed us, guardian..."
"How could you let this happen? We trusted you!"
"The children... they're gone because of you!"
The voices swirled and multiplied, overlapping until they became unbearable. Ice Phoenix shut her eyes tightly, her breath hitching as she whispered brokenly, "Stop... please stop..." Her knees trembled, and she curled inward, as if trying to shield herself from the weight of her own mind.
The haunting memories of the children's laughter—their innocent games, their trust in her—only made the accusations sting more. She could see their faces, frozen in time, forever lost because of her inability to stop the devastation eons ago.
"You were supposed to protect us!"
Her voice cracked as she muttered, "I... I didn't mean to..." The icy winds around her seemed to mock her pain, howling in cruel harmony with the voices.
Then, a warm hand rested gently on her shoulder.
Startled, Ice Phoenix jolted upright, her glowing blue eyes wide as she turned to see Arfrotian. His calm gaze met hers, and for a moment, the noise in her mind dulled.
"A-Arfrotian?" she stammered, her voice fragile.
"You shouldn't let yourself drown in what's already happened," Arfrotian said, his voice steady yet soothing. He knelt beside her, his grip firm but reassuring. "The past is painful, but it's also what shapes you into who you are. Don't forget it, but don't let it destroy you either."
Ice Phoenix blinked, his words cutting through the haze of guilt. She searched his face, expecting the same dismissive platitudes others had offered before. But his expression held no judgment, only understanding.
"You mean... I shouldn't move on?" she asked hesitantly.
"No," Arfrotian replied, his tone firm. "Don't move on. Learn. Your failures are lessons. If you forget them, you'll make the same mistakes again. But if you carry them as reminders, they'll guide you to become stronger, more resilient."
The sincerity in his words struck her like a wave, and she felt an ache in her chest that was equal parts relief and pain. Unlike others who had tried to console her with hollow reassurances, Arfrotian's approach was grounded in reality.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she whispered, "But it was my carelessness that caused all of this. They're gone because of me..."
Arfrotian didn't look away. His voice softened but held its firmness. "If you truly believe that, then honor them by living in a way they would have wanted. Do you think those children, those people, would want to see their guardian broken like this?"
Ice Phoenix's breath hitched as memories resurfaced—moments of joy and laughter with the people she had sworn to protect. Children tugging at her gown, giggling as they played in the snow. Their bright smiles and innocent voices echoed in her mind, and for the first time, the guilt lifted slightly.
"They... they said they wanted me to be happy," she murmured, her tears falling freely now.
Arfrotian nodded. "Exactly. Crying over the past won't bring them back, and it won't honor their wishes. But standing strong, learning from your mistakes, and ensuring this never happens again? That's what they'd want."
His words were a lifeline, pulling her from the abyss she had been sinking into. Yet, the weight of her promise to him loomed in the back of her mind—a promise that terrified her.
"But..." Ice Phoenix hesitated, her voice trembling. "What if... What if I fail again? What if I can't stop this devastation from happening?"
Arfrotian leaned closer, his hand still on her shoulder, and looked her directly in the eyes. "You won't fail," he said firmly. "Not because of blind faith, but because you've learned. Because you care too much to let it happen again. And because you're not alone this time."
His words carried a warmth that melted the icy barriers around her heart. She looked at him, her breath catching as she felt the sincerity in his gaze.
"I... I don't know if I can believe in myself," she admitted, tears still glistening in her eyes.
"Then don't," Arfrotian said with a small smile. "Believe in the faith others have in you. Believe in the people who loved you, who trusted you. Believe in me, because I believe in you."
Ice Phoenix's heart pounded as he spoke, her emotions swirling in a way she couldn't quite understand. The warmth of his words, his presence—it all felt overwhelming yet comforting.
When Arfrotian pulled her into a gentle hug, she froze. His embrace wasn't just an attempt to console her; it felt genuine, like he was sharing her burden.
"You don't have to carry this alone," he whispered. "Let me share the weight with you."
Her breath hitched again, but this time, it wasn't from pain or guilt. It was something else—something warmer, deeper.
As he released her, Arfrotian rose to his feet and turned to face Zenian, who was still clutching the Eternal Frostheart. The divine spear's power radiated uncontrollably, the icy devastation from eons ago threatening to repeat itself.
"I promised you," Arfrotian said, glancing back at her. "I won't let what happened in the past happen again."
Ice Phoenix felt her chest tighten as she watched him walk toward the danger without hesitation. "But how?" she called out, her voice breaking. "That spear is too powerful... even I couldn't—"
"Have faith," Arfrotian interrupted, his tone unwavering. "Not just in yourself, but in the people who trusted you before. Be strong, Ice Phoenix. The devastation may be near, but you're the one who can guide us through it."
His words lingered in the air as he stepped closer to Zenian. Ice Phoenix watched, her heart pounding for reasons she couldn't fully understand. The memory of his touch, his words, and his unshakable belief in her filled her with a mix of emotions she hadn't felt in ages.
As she steadied her breathing, her face flushed slightly, and her thoughts raced. Arfrotian's perceptiveness, his kindness, his resolve—everything about him seemed to pull her closer.
But then, the dread of her promise returned. If he loses control... I'll have to kill him. The thought made her stomach churn, and she clenched her fists.
As she stood there, torn between her duties and her emotions, she whispered to herself, "Arfrotian... please don't make me keep that promise."
For now, though, she pushed the fear aside. She couldn't let it consume her—not when Arfrotian had so much faith in her.
"I won't let you down," she whispered, her voice steadier now.
As Arfrotian faced the storm ahead, Ice Phoenix silently vowed to stand by his side, no matter what.
The devastation radiating from the Eternal Frostheart loomed ever closer, but for the first time in eons, Ice Phoenix felt a spark of hope amidst the chaos. All because of the man who had promised to share her burdens and stand by her side.