Avatar: The Warrior's Rebirth Book 3-Tornado

Chapter 5: Cut Off

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 can never seem to catch a break for more than a few days. The Order of the Sun is after us more relentlessly than ever before. They've always caused trouble for us and those around us, and now they've shown their cruelty once more by sacking an entire Air Temple. All its inhabitants were driven into hiding, and some have tragically lost their lives.

None of us are taking their losses well, most notably the loss of Master Shira, who we turned to in assisting Jago in his quest to master Airbending. With her now gone, Katrinus is on his own in help Jago complete this critical step to restore balance to the world. I just hope Katrinus can master his own struggles in time.

***

Following Avatar Jago's escape from the Northwestern Air Temple, Akeelma had set off north with Delores. She was acting as the latter's guide as she continued to pursue and capture the Avatar.

Delores was company the likes of which Akeelma was not yet used to being around. When she wasn't asking for the most direct patch for them to take, she was quiet and withdrawn. As such, all Akeelma really had for company were her own thoughts.

Her mind kept drifting back her fellow Airbenders from the temple. She wondered how many had been captured by the Order of the Sun. At the same time, she wondered if there were others still on the run.

She couldn't say she was happy it came to this. She had truly done all she could to ensure the Order of the Sun never had reason to come to her temple. But the Avatar had to show his face and force her hand. He brought them to this, and even if it was the last thing she did, she would make him pay for what he'd done.

Akeelma was interrupted from her vengeful thoughts when Delores suddenly came to a stop. Akeelma understood why. Delores had led them deep into a forest where humans seldom ventured into.

This was Cletus Forest, home to countless creatures locked in never-ending battles of survival. Akeelma remembered reading about some of the creatures residing in this forest, none of which she wished to meet.

"Ah, do you hear that, Akeelma?" Delores said, a disturbingly pleased tone in her voice. "If I'm not mistaken, a pack of hyena wolves have caught our scent. Just like I hoped."

Akeelma didn't understand. Delores sounded overjoyed to announce the news to her. No sane person would be looking forward to the prospect of coming faced with a single hyena dog, let alone a pack. There had to be a method to the madness with Delores.

And then they were surrounded. "Now all we need to do is capture two of these creatures and drive off the others," Delores announced like it was the easiest thing in the world.

The hyena wolves seemed to sense hostility in Delores's words. As one, they lunged at them. As the Airbender rolled to one side, she glanced over at Delores. Initially, she felt concerned for her commanding officer; now she saw that it was the hyena wolves who had to worry about her.

The largest hyena wolf, perhaps the alpha of the pack, charged ahead of the others, charging directly at Delores. In a flash, the Order of the Sun's general drew her sword and sliced at the hyena wolf's leg. The creature backed away at once, sporting a long fresh cut on its leg.

As the hyena wolf pulled back, the others faltered in step, Delores took advantage of their hesitation. Akeelma assumed Delores would press forward offensively with her sword, but she was wrong. Holding her weapon with one hand, Delores pulled out a handful of small darts and threw them at two of the hyena wolves.