||THE WAY OF THE WIND||

CHAPTER 8 - PREPARING FOR WAR

Breeze arrived at the Fire Realm, Volcano dangling from her claws. The gash at his tail had become infected, and Volcano didn't have the strength to fly anymore. As soon as General Eruption saw Breeze carrying his leader, he unsheathed his claws.

"Stop." Volcano weakly meowed.

"She saved me." Eruption had a look of surprise, but invited the pair into the Fire Palace. Breeze delivered him to the medic, which Eruption had pointed the way. The medics had the same reaction as Eruption, but offered Breeze a place to stay for now. Temptation pulled her to the Sky Kingdom, but Breeze knew she had to make sure Volcano was alright.

"Volcano!" a voice roared. Breeze's fur spiked. She knew that voice. What did she want?

Torrent strutted in the Fire Palace, seven Water Soldiers snarling at any Fire Element who got close enough to their glorious leader. Eruption looked at them grimly.

"Why aren't we attacking?" a soldier yelled. "Who lets any random Water Element in here? We have enough numbers to drive them out!" Eruption hissed in annoyance.

"Believe me, I want to. But I do not attack if Lord Volcano didn't ask me to." The protesting Fire Element snarled and sank into the gathering crowd.

Finally Torrent laid her bloodshot eyes on Breeze. "Where's Volcano?" she demanded.

"Why do you want him?" Breeze asked coldly. Torrent's tail twitched.

"General Stingray, tell your soldiers to stop." A muscular Water Element raised her tail, and then suddenly the Water Elements stopped hissing. "I want to apologise to Volcano." she announced. "He was innocent after all that time, but I never listened to him. I chose that deceiving liar's lies over his truth." Torrent spat, dipping her head in shame.

"I accept your apology. I heard what happened." Volcano stepped out of the medic room; ointments covered scars. "I'm sorry too. I let my anger control me." While the two siblings discussed apologies, Breeze respectfully told Eruption that she was returning to her kingdom. Eruption bowed.

"I hope your trip is well. Thank you... for bringing back my Lord." Breeze nodded, winging away to her kingdom.

When she'd arrived, Breeze was glad that her kingdom was still in order.

"Everyone!" she yelled. "Gather in the Sky Hall!" Sky Elements started to file into the Sky Hall, Breeze landed at the Sky Hotel.

"Ember!" she yowled, walking past the empty registration desk. Finch must already be in the Sky Hall.

"Yes?" Ember answered. "What's wrong? How's things?"

"Grim," Breeze replied.

"Grim?" the Fire Element questioned, tilting his head. .

"You'll understand." Breeze reassured him.

"For now, gather in the Sky Hall. You'll see."

"Okay," Ember agreed. "I'll see you there," Then he took flight. Breeze followed a little behind. She took a deep breath.

This meant war. Defying her queen was her doing. Yet she's dragging her kingdom into something she did. Will they fight for me? Breeze wondered. I don't know.

As Breeze swooped into the Sky Hall, all eyes pivoted to her. Flutter had gone missing after Breeze claimed the leadership of the Sky Kingdom. Now she was off to who knows where.

"Loyal dragoncats of the Sky Kingdom!" she yowled.

"We are under pressure, about to turn into war!" The dragoncats erupted into pandemonium.

"Stop!" Turbulence appeared out of the crowd. "Listen to your Lady!"

Breeze cast Turbulence a grateful glance before continuing. "We have to fight... Pendant. She's out for war, and she's gathering her army." Breeze raised her tail as her kingdom was about to object.

"I will send some scouts to Torrent and Volcano. Vine... is not to be disturbed right now. We will fight Pendant, because she doesn't deserve to be queen. Listen carefully."

As Breeze began to explain what had happened at the Royal Palace, she sent Turbulence to Torrent and Cloud to Volcano. Now the only thing left was hope.