The Sea of Ice (Sun and Moon Book 2)

Chapter 33 - Melt

CHAPTER 33 - MELT

We walk forever. It's warmer in the tunnels than it was up there, about the same as a winter in the South Pole. Even though it's summer right now.

Neither of us is sure what we'll find when we reach Araden, and our uncertainty keeps us quiet as we trek through a world made entirely of ice. A strange blue light fills every crevice, but I can't tell where it's coming from. After a few minutes of walking, it feels like we're no longer in our world, but in another that's fundamentally different from our own.

Every once in awhile I place my bare palm against an icy wall and close my eyes. We're literally walking through my element, and I can feel the water all around us, giving me power and strength. I could tap into it if I wanted--I could unfreeze this entire ocean despite the weather outside. I could change the currents, make them move in such a way that the water COULDN'T be frozen.

It's an exhilarating feeling, to know that I have that much power.

I can also feel the tunnels, and I know where they dead end and where they keep going, where we need to turn when one branches off. The water knows the way, and it shows that way to me.

Even with all that, it feels like we've been walking in these tunnels forever, though it can't have been more than a day or so. Zuko's hand on my arm stops me, and I glance over my shoulder at him.

"We should stop. I'M tired." He puts extra emphasis on the 'I'm', and I feel bad, because I know he's referring to my stubbornness. I nod. "Okay."

He unties his furs from his pack and lays them on the ground, then sinks onto them with a sigh. I follow suit, leaning back against the tunnel wall. We've been walking forever. I don't remember what it feels like to NOT be exhausted in my bones. I look at Zuko; he is curled up with his head on his arm, but his eyes are open. I want to tell him I'm sorry. I want to tell him about Lia, about everything.

But I'm so tired that I barely have the strength to pull my furs over my body before I'm asleep.

**__**

"Are you certain? The pair from the Prophecy? Here?" Linna's voice was incredulous, as well it should have been. Everyone knew humans couldn't survive the journey across the Sea! But the scout in front of her was certain, she could feel it. She sighed. "Send a Klichnna. Bring them to the Great Hall."

The scout was surprised. "You're going to assemble the Council of Elements AGAIN? So soon after the Avatar--"

"Do not speak of that. The Avatar is a child who allows his emotions to overrule his sense of duty." Linna sighed, her expression softening. "But allowances can be made for one so pure of heart. Have you found him yet?"

"No, Lady Light. But evidence concurs with your theory--he never left Araden. He's here somewhere."

Linna sighed again. "Find him! If the rebel factions get ahold of him, there's no telling what will happen to his world."

"Yes, Lady Light." The scout bowed and departed, and Linna rubbed her forehead. As if the Prophecy wasn't causing her enough stress, the Avatar had disappeared after their meeting two weeks ago, and no one had seen or heard from him since. On top of that, the ice in the sea was beginning to melt. The fighting between the spirits of water and fire in the spirit world was transferring into the mortal world--including Araden.

If something wasn't done soon, Linna feared that her city might be swept off the face of the earth, drowned beneath the sea. She had teams of lightbenders out every day, reinforcing the blocks that held the sea's dome in place. But Linna feared that it wouldn't be enough--and now, to top it off, two MORE mortals were about to enter Araden!

She wouldn't kill them, because they were the two from the Prophecy and that would be very bad. But she didn't like such meddlesome creatures in her city. The Avatar was bad enough, at least he was one of them, in a way. Linna sighed yet again, and opened her mind to call the Council of Elements together.

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Okay guys. I'm sorry, but there won't be many updates from now till Monday. I'm going to a convention (yaay!) So I won't have much time (if any at all) to write. I'll update if I can, I promise! Sowee. :/

Love y'all!