The air hung thick with tension, heavier than the icy mists that perpetually swirled through the temple halls. Arfrotian's calm yet audacious declaration lingered in the room, leaving both Ice Phoenix and Zenian utterly stunned. The weight of his words had shattered the fragile balance of their confrontation, and now the attention shifted entirely to his bold proposal: letting Zenian attempt to wield the Eternal Frostheart once more.
Ice Phoenix was the first to break the silence, her voice sharp and dripping with frustration. "What were you thinking, Arfrotian?!" she scolded, stepping closer to him with an expression that was equal parts anger and disbelief. "This is reckless—even for you! After everything I've told you, after all the destruction he caused, you're seriously going to suggest this?"
But Arfrotian stood his ground, unyielding, his icy blue eyes locked with hers. He didn't flinch, didn't falter, not even under the force of her anger. He was like a glacier—immovable and unshaken.
Zenian, too, spoke up, his tone laced with suspicion as he narrowed his golden eyes at Arfrotian. "What is this, stranger? Some kind of trap? Or perhaps a ploy to humiliate me further?"
Arfrotian turned his gaze to Zenian, his voice calm but firm. "No trap. No ploy. Just an opportunity for you to prove yourself—or fail trying."
The simplicity of his words sent a ripple of confusion through the room, but Ice Phoenix wasn't about to let it go. She stepped between the two men, her wings flaring slightly in agitation. "I am not letting anyone, anyone, go near the Eternal Frostheart," she declared, her voice cold and unwavering. "Especially not him." She shot a glare at Zenian, who merely smirked in response.
But Arfrotian, still calm and resolute, placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. The gesture startled her, and for a moment, she saw something in his eyes that gave her pause. Conviction. An unshakable determination that was both infuriating and, in some strange way, reassuring.
"Ice Phoenix," he said softly, his voice carrying a rare warmth, "I understand your anger. Your frustration. I know what this artifact means to you. And I know the pain you've endured because of it. But I need you to trust me—just this once."
Ice Phoenix's heart wavered at his words. She hated how easily he could read her, how effortlessly he could find the cracks in her defenses. Despite her stubborn nature, despite her resolve to never be swayed by anyone, Arfrotian was different. He had been there for her in ways no one else had. He had listened to her tragic story without judgment, offered to share her burdens, and, perhaps most importantly, had seen the darkness in her heart and never once turned away.
And then, as if sensing her hesitation, Arfrotian spoke again, his voice lower, almost apologetic. "I know I've betrayed your trust, I'm extremely sorry for that. But I promise you, I have my reasons for doing this. Reasons I can't fully explain right now. Please… let me do this."
Ice Phoenix clenched her fists, her conflicted emotions swirling like a storm within her. She hated this. Hated how he could make her doubt herself. And yet, as she stared into his eyes, she saw something she couldn't ignore—empathy. He wasn't just asking for her permission; he was offering her a part of himself, a part that resonated deeply with her own struggles.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine!" she said, her voice tinged with both anger and resignation. "Have it your way, Arfrotian. But remember this—you're going to pay heavily if this goes wrong. And I mean heavily."
Her words carried a weight of warning, but there was also a faint blush on her cheeks as she remembered the earlier teasing about Arfrotian being her consort. It was absurd, of course. Completely ridiculous. And yet… she couldn't stop the memory from creeping into her mind, making her cheeks burn brighter.
Zenian, who had been silently observing the exchange, couldn't help but chuckle darkly. "So, you're putting your faith in him, Ice Phoenix? How quaint."
Ice Phoenix shot him a glare, her voice sharp. "Don't get any ideas, Zenian. This doesn't mean I trust you. And just so we're clear, the Eternal Frostheart will never accept you. Once it deems someone unworthy, there's no going back. You'll fail again, just like before. And this time…" She hesitated, her voice lowering. "…this time, the backlash could freeze the entire Omniverse. And if that happens, Arfrotian—" she turned to him, her expression fierce—"I will hold you accountable."
Arfrotian met her gaze without flinching. "Don't worry," he said, his voice calm. "I know there will be a backlash."
Ice Phoenix's eyes widened in disbelief. "You know? Then why are you doing this?"
He paused for a moment, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "Because I have my reasons," he said simply. "Perhaps this is a chance for me to hone… or even control… the forbidden power within me."
Ice Phoenix's heart skipped a beat at his words. She pressed further, her voice barely above a whisper. "And…?"
Arfrotian hesitated, then finally spoke, his voice filled with quiet determination. "And… even if it costs me my life, I won't let the backlash take place. Not again. I won't let the lives of this icy Omniverse be consumed by ice because of someone else's arrogance."
His words struck her like a thunderclap, shaking her to her very core. How could someone be so infuriatingly complicated? Cold and unyielding one moment, kind and empathetic the next. A terrifying monster when he wanted to be, yet undeniably heroic when it mattered most.
Before she could say anything, Arfrotian turned to Zenian, his calm demeanor replaced by a faint smirk. "Well, Zenian," he said, his voice laced with mockery, "are you up for the challenge? Or are you getting cold feet now?"
Zenian bristled at the taunt, his pride flaring. He had been trying to piece together Arfrotian's true intentions, but the man was an enigma—impossible to read. And now, faced with both a challenge and a chance to reclaim his dignity, his pride blinded him to any potential danger.
"I'm not afraid," Zenian spat, his golden eyes blazing. "I'll prove to you both that I am worthy of wielding the Eternal Frostheart."
Without another word, he turned and strode toward the temple's main door, pushing it open with a flourish. The icy winds howled as he stepped into the sacred halls, his footsteps echoing ominously as he moved toward the place where the Eternal Frostheart awaited.
Arfrotian watched him go, his expression unreadable. And behind him, Ice Phoenix stood in tense silence, her heart heavy with unease. Whatever was about to happen next, she knew one thing for certain—nothing would ever be the same.