The Heroes of The Elemental Academies Book 3 The Tides of War

Chapter 1: War Meeting

Stratos Bannot

Stratos hated war meetings. He had attended his fair share of them throughout the course of his life and they never got any easier. It was true that the Academies were never truly at peace because they had the job of making sure the demons didn't wreak havoc in the Normal world. But War, as in full on engagements, sieges, and battles with armies on both sides that hadn't happened in about a hundred years. Ever Since Reaper was sealed inside his prison By Seth's mother Katie.

The War room inside the HQ had many new faces in it as various agents from the Academies began arriving. These new faces were the agents chosen by their Academy's respective leaders to serve as generals in the coming conflict. Strat recognized the faces of several agents he knew about only by their reputation and he couldn't help but wonder what skills they would bring to the table. This was the problem with being immortal almost everyone from the conflict a hundred years ago had either retired from the Academies, (Which was extremely rare) or they had died. Aside from Katie, Samson, and the usual people who took part in these meetings Strat barely recognized anyone. Seth was in the Normal World with Jack on his first ever retrieval mission. Ever Since war had been declared, new agents had been popping up all over the World. (No doubt God's influence). The Academies were having trouble just keeping up with all of the new recruits. So with them gone it could be said that Strat was feeling a tinge lonely.
    "Announcing his Majesty King of the Elves Stevos Arnoclaee," Trumpets flared as the doors to the war room opened. Two full armored elves rushed into the room taking up positions on either side of the door. Their golden scale armor sparkled even inside as they stood at attention waiting for their King to enter. Everyone inside the war room stood and respectfully waited by their chairs as a familiar face came in. Strat stood and went to go greet Stevos as he entered. He looked a little more haggard than the last time Strat saw him he had deep circles under his eyes. It was clear that the idea of war was weighing heavily on his shoulders. 

   "Stevos it's good to see you," Stratos said touching his right hand to his heart and giving a slight bow. Stevos mirrored Strato's movements and then moved to embrace Strat. After hugging Stevos Strat motioned toward an empty chair that sat next to where Samson sat. 

   "Thank you Master Samson for letting me sit in on your war talks." Stevos expressed as he sat down. After he sat the others in the room also sat. 

    "Yes, well the demon's army will most likely move through elven lands first so it is only right that you sit in on this meeting," Samson said his deep voice rumbling throughout the room. The Elven king sighed as he reached up and rubbed his eyes. He was clearly tired.

    "This is a fact that has been weighing on my shoulders heavily," Stevos said solemnly.

    "Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help," Stratos added sensing the King's distress. Stevos bowed his head in gratitude before taking a seat. Strat sat as well.

   "Where is my son," Stevos asked Strat. "Normally he would be in on these discussions right?"

   "That is correct your majesty," Samson said. Strat sighed, as his eyes scanned those in the room. 

   "Matt is also missing," Strat said taking note of the missing leader of the air academy. Samson nodded yet again.

   "Yes they will both be absent for this meeting as will Michelle from the Water Academy, because I've sent them for a retrieval in the normal world," Samson replied. "As you know we have been swamped with new prospective agents lately and we just didn't have enough agents to do retrievals so we enlisted the help of Seth and Matt. 

    "Isn't that a bit dangerous Samson?" Strat asked. Recently Seth had improved quite a bit so it wasn't that Strat was worried about whether or not Seth was strong enough. 

    "With you being his teacher I'm sure he will be fine," Samson said. Strat shook his head.

    "I know that's what I'm worried about i didn't really teach him how to be subtle." Strat watched Samson's face freeze before he looked at Strat with a stern look.

    "Oh don't look at me like that Samson, When exactly have I had time to teach him how to operate in the normal world. We have been in a constant state of movement since he first came to us." Strat defended.

   "That's fair," Samson said. Turning to the whole group of people he clapped his hands to quiet everyone down before he began to speak.

   "We are here today to begin to talk about our strategy in this war and to make sure we have a clear plan in all this. So first I would like to pray so that God will watch over this meeting, and then we will do introductions. Most of us have heard of each other but we've never met in person so it's a good idea to get to know each other a little better. The better we work together the less of a chance the enemy will have to find openings."

   Stratos once again let out a sigh and settled into his seat for what he was sure was going o be a long meeting. He couldn't help but think that he would rather be in the normal world with Seth. After the meet and greet was done they began to discuss plans and two agents brought in a map for them to look at. Stratos stood his mind turning as he pointed to the fortified city of Darius which sat near the edge between the Elven lands and the Academy lands. The had begun talking about what the safest place for any refugees would be. Stratos pointed to the city

   "Darius should be our main forwarding base," He stated looking around the room at the different faces present. Many wore looks of surprise as they stared at the map as if trying to see it from Stratos's perspective.

  "Tell us why do you think that Darius should be our forwarding base," Samson said.

   Strat opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted as the door to the meeting room slammed inward and in tumbled Michelle who to Strat's trained eyes bore the wounds of a very serious fight. Stratos rushed over to her and caught her before she collapsed on the ground.

   "Michelle!" Stratos exclaimed. Michelle was bleeding from several wounds all over her body. the most prominent being a large and deep looking sword wound to her gut. She was barely conscious by the time Strat caught her. Her armor was in tatters and a black smoke kept rolling off her body

   "What happened to you?" Strat asked desperately. "Weren't you on a mission with Seth and Matt?" As week as she obviously was she wasn't able to answer that instead she gripped Strat's arm as tightly as she could a look of desperation quickly giving way to the nothingness that was unconsciousness.

    "Seth and Matt need help! New York... subway... eight," was all she was able to get out before she slumped in Stratos's arms.