Avatar: The Warrior's Rebirth Book 3-Tornado

Chapter 3: Aerial Escalation

Fire. Air. Water. Earth. These are the four elements. For over ten thousand years, we have learned how to bend these four elements. And in every generation, there is always one who can master all four: the Avatar. In each generation, the Avatar has always been the one to bring balance to the world.

We've reached the Northwestern Air Temple, and it feels like we're finally on top of things at last. With world affairs going in a more stable direction, we can now focus on helping Jago reach his full potential. When we made it here to the temple, we were greeted by one of its wisest masters: Shira. With her help, I feel confident Katrinus can truly become the teacher he needs to be for Jago.

At the same time, though, I know we can't fall into a false sense of security. Even with all the ground they've lost, the Order of the Sun will be pursuing Jago more relentlessly. If we're forced to leave the temple in the event they find us out, we'll be in for a tough challenge. There are only so many air temples here, and if we have to run, there won't be many places to hide.

***

"General, we're receiving an incoming transmission."

Delores turned from her viewport, taking her gaze off the cloudy sky. The day was reaching the waning hours of the morning, and the afternoon was on its way.

She knew who had to be calling. One of their spies must have sighted the Avatar. But which spy remained to be seen.

"Patch it directly to me," Delores ordered.

"Yes, General."

As the order was carried out, Delores sat beside the table where her room's radio was installed. Compared to her old lodgings she'd had with her old ground forced convoy, Delores felt tired of being confined to the air.

However, this airship was serving its purpose. For those who couldn't Airbend, any Air Temple was difficult to reach without aerial transportation. If the Avatar had already reached one of the temples, it would be critical in tracking him down and capturing him. She was growing tired of their frequent games of cat-owl and mouse-shrew.

Finally, a new voice came on from the other line. "This is Jetstream Seven. I have news on the Avatar. He's here, at the Northwestern Air Temple with Shira."

Delores smiled in satisfaction. They were closer to the Avatar than she expected. To make things even better, she was now also presented with an opportunity to destroy a meddlesome Airbender temple.

"Thank you, Jetstream Seven. We're en route to your location as we speak. Stand by and continue to monitor the Avatar's..."

But then Jetstream Seven's voice suddenly became more urgent. "Wait, I'm hearing footsteps coming toward my location. They're coming in fast. Drat, they're here!"

And before Delores could get another word out of her informant, the signal was lost.

***

Of all the people who could have walked in on her, it had to be the Avatar's friends. Why now? She wasn't ready to fight anyone. She tried turning into the shadows so they wouldn't see her face, but she wasn't fast enough.

"Akeelma?" the Firebender woman asked in surprise.

Her friend, the Kyoshi Warrior stepped forward, extending her bladed fans. "What have you done?" she demanded.

There was no way they could begin to understand. "Wake up, won't you? The Order of the Sun's supremacy is too strong. It was never a question of them one day coming here to subjugate us. I've been working for the Order for ten years now. In exchange, they've promised to leave this temple alone unless the Avatar came here."