Wandering Firebender

Nineteen: The Swamp

"Feels like forever since the last time I had a chance to sleep on a regular bed," Elio commented as he and Cindra walked side by side down the road. "First good night of rest that I've gotten in a long time."

"When was the last time you slept in a 'real bed'?" Cindra asked curiously. Elio hummed as he thought about it.

"I can't say how long exactly. A number of weeks now." He answered.

"Since you left home, right?"

"Yeah. Feels like another lifetime ago at this point." He said with a shake of his head.

"Yeah... Do you hear that?" Cindra asked.

Both of their ears became alerted to the sounds of a herd stampeding towards them. Elio's head tilted oddly as his ears fixated on the noise. The low thuds hitting the ground in a certain way... Something about it was familiar.

"That almost sounds like...komodo rhinos!" Elio exclaimed as he saw them coming.

Elio jumped in front of Cindra and pulled out his staff. He spun it to deflect the fire blasts being shot at them. Fire Nation soldiers riding on top of the komodo rhinos began to approach and encircle them.

"Elio, son of General Sol! You are being placed under arrest!" One of them shouted. Elio held a protective arm up in front of Cindra and they took a few steps back.

"On who's authority?!" Elio demanded.

"Mine," One of the soldiers dismounted his komodo rhino and removed his helmet. "You've got some explaining to do, Elio." Cassian said angrily. Elio's eyes widened.

"Cassian? What's going on here?!"

"I have a message for you from your father!" Cassian shouted, shooting a fireball directly at him. Elio quickly spun his staff, creating a wall of fire to protect himself and Cindra.

"See a way out of this?!" Elio looked back at her. Cindra looked around in a panic.

"Uh, there's that thick forest behind us! We can use it for cover!" Cindra shouted, pointing behind him. Elio looked back and saw a thick, mucky forest behind them.

"Go!"

"What about you?!" She shouted.

"I'll be right behind you!" He promised. Cindra swallowed nervously and began running towards the forest.

Elio spun in a circle while still spinning his staff, bending the wall of fire in a huge circular arc around him. He sent it out towards Cassian and his men. As it shot towards them, they all shouted in surprise and shielded themselves. Some of them were thrown off of their komodo rhinos.

Cassian punched a fireball directly at Elio through his attack. Elio nearly fell over just blocking the attack. He slid his staff back into his sleeve, spreading his hands out to nullify Cassian's second fireball. He threw a fire kick back at him and jumped backwards, boosting himself with fire out of both feet.

"Don't let him get away!" Cassian shouted as he bent Elio's attack towards the ground.

Elio backflipped through the air and landed awkwardly on his knees, sliding backwards down a hill towards Cindra. He fell on his chest but quickly pushed himself back up to his feet. He ran to catch up with her and she took his hand as they ran into the forest.

"Friends of yours?" Cindra asked.

"Unfortunately! The leader's my best friend." Elio explained. A fireball shot past them, forcing them to let go of each other's hands. Cassian began bringing his hands around in circles, creating fire. He stared at Elio with a wrathful expression.