Coldsnap: Storm's Call

Chapter 8: The Bombing Of The Louvre Museum

We last read Chapter 7, where Keena, Coldsnap, and Firebird began searching for clues as to who could've caused the traumatic, torrential storm that ravaged the Grand Terminus and caused so many casualties. They begin making progress after Firebird discovers a strange, light-blue colored cloth in an isolated alleyway that doesn't belong to any of the four Mage Aspect factions. She then offers to take them to the Firelands to talk to Forgemaster Emberson for more advice, to which Keena and Coldsnap agree. Meanwhile, Geode continues his laborious Earth Sect magic training with his doting father Sledge, and Typhoon and her operatives pull off a monstrous hit on an all-too-familiar art museum. This time, we witness what happens next following Typhoon's success, and watch as Keena, Coldsnap, and Firebird try to meet up with Forgemaster Emberson for the first time.....

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Almost as soon as Keena, Coldsnap, and Firebird crossed over from the Grand Terminus into the Firelands, however, a group of fire mages were quick to rush them and inform them of the recent events on Earth.

"You guys!" one of them wailed, frantically waving their arms up and down in a panic like they were trying—and failing—to fly. "There's been a bombing at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France!"

All three girls almost collapsed on the spot.

"What?!" Firebird exclaimed, getting somewhat closer to the fire mage. "How certain are you?"

"Very certain, Firebird, ma'am. At least 100 casualties.....number will probably double or triple once the humans start clearing the rubble."

"But.....but we need to talk to the Forgemaster!" Keena countered.

Luckily, Firebird came up with a plan. "Keena, you and Coldsnap head to Earth and help out the people who survived the bombing. I'll go and talk to the Forgemaster, and update you on what I find later."

"No, we're supposed to work together!"

"The people down there need our help! No.....no, they need your help," Firebird pleaded. "Please. I got this. I promise. Besides, what's a Fire Sect mage going to do at the site of a bombing? Cause more destruction?"

Keena tried to bolt towards Firebird, but Coldsnap held her back. "No, it's okay. Let's go help Earth. I'll be right there, at your side," she assured softly. "No matter what."

Despite her lover's input, Keena still turned her head between Coldsnap and Firebird for a while, as if she were deciding what to do. After a few seconds, though, she decided to go with Coldsnap.

"Okay." Keena looked to Firebird. "You going to be good?"

"Yes. Now, go!" the Fire Sect Leader ordered.

Then, the three girls split; Firebird ventured into the Firelands to talk to Forgemaster Emberson about the light-blue cloth, while Keena and Coldsnap left for Earth to assist the survivors of the Louvre Museum bombing.

As Keena and Coldsnap darted back through the Firelands portal and reconfigured the Earth gateway in the Grand Terminus so it would lead to Paris, France, the two of them discussed what had happened.

"Who could possibly want to bomb the Louvre Museum?!" Keena cried in despair. "Art is precious!"

"The lowest of the low," Coldsnap answered. "Complete, utter scum. We get in there, we clear the site, we make sure everyone's okay, then we return to the Firelands and meet up with Firebird again. Sound good?"