Chapter 2
Wolf Spirit broke down into tears as her friend disappeared into the sky. She couldn't stop the water that flowed down her cheeks. Lion Song crouched down next to her and tried to comfort her, but nothing he said worked. Soon, he too was shedding tears at the loss of his brother. They sat there, side-by-side, crying for what seemed like eternity.
When darkness arrived in the makeshift village, Lion Song got to his feet and helped Wolf Spirit up as well. "We must get some rest." He breathed. "Crying about it will only drain our energy."
"But Tiger Strike could still be alive." Her breath came out in ragged gasps as she tried to speak while fighting back more tears. "We have to go find him."
"He would be dead before we got there." Lion Song almost yelled, "And even if he were alive, how the two of us take down a Roc? It's madness."
"Only if you believe it is." Wolf Spirit whispered, then an idea struck her. "What if we traveled to the four Elemental Nations and get help!"
"Now you've gone mad." Lion Song told her flatly. "Nobody would help us. They don't even know we exist."
"We have to try." She stated determinedly, "If there was even the slightest of chances, wouldn't you take it and get your brother back?"
"Of course I would." He replied.
A smile crossed her face. "Good. Then you'll accompany me."
Lion Song sighed. "Since I know I won't win the rest of this discussion, fine. I'll come with you."
Wolf Spirit gave a jump of excitement before hugging the black-haired boy. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." She repeated, then grabbed her bow and quiver. "Come on, we need to get a few things before we start."
"Right." Lion Song nodded. "I'll get my bow and my knife."
"Okay, I'll pack some food and we'll meet at the edge of the forest."
At that, they split up. Wolf Spirit raced off to wrap up some dried meat and fruit. After doing so, she slung her Birchwood bow, carved white quiver full of arrows across her back, and her dagger, heading for the woods. Lion Song was already waiting for her, greeting her as she arrived.
Wolf Spirit telepathically called to Shadow and Echo, while her companion copied her. His bonded animals leaped out in front of them: Sun, a lion, and Moon, a white tiger. Shadow and Echo joined them a few moments later and the group set off.
"Wait!" Wolf Spirit stopped, realizing something. "What about the two kids from the Earthen Cities?"
Lion Song shrugged. "What about them?"
"Shouldn't we take them with us?"
"Why? Do you want to get us killed?" he asked sharply, tensing.
"No, but maybe they can help us." She tried to stay calm.
Her black-haired companion relaxed. "Sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you like that. Maybe you're right, they could help us."
They turned back, leaving everything but Lion Song's knife in a pile guarded by Shadow, Echo, Sun, and Moon. They raced back to camp, heading straight for the prisoners.
Lion Song kneeled down in front of the two, causing Forresta to watch them warily. "This isn't easy to say," the black-haired boy began, "But we need your help getting my brother back."
"He's dead by now." Tunnel Finder spat. "Give up."
Lion Song tensed, clenching his fists. Wolf Spirit laid her hand on his shoulder and spoke to the brown-haired boy, "Either you help us or you stay here and rot."
Forresta answered before her brother could, "We'll help."
"What!" Tunnel Finder exclaimed, staring incredulously at his sister. He nudged her, "What are you doing?"
She ignored him, "We'll help, now untie us." She held her bonds out to Lion Song, who cut them.
"Remember," he muttered to Wolf Spirit. "This was your idea."
"I know." She mumbled back sharply, helping to untie Tunnel Finder's ropes. After they were finished she told them her proposition, "We need to get help from the Earthen Cities and the other Nations. I know you two can help with your own Nation at least."
Forresta nodded, "Okay, but after that, you're on your own."
"I wouldn't ask any more from you."
Lion Song led them out of the village and into the forest, stopping to pick up his brown oak bow and quiver of arrows. Wolf Spirit grabbed the bag of dried meat and fruit, her white birch bow and quiver of arrows, and her dagger before pushing through the undergrowth. Shadow and Echo followed with Sun and Moon.
Forresta walked next to her, glancing down at her dagger, "That's a beautiful knife you got there." She admired, pointing vaguely at the ivory handle. "Where'd you get it?"
Wolf Spirit unsheathed her most precious possession and held it up so that the handle was exposed. "I made it." She began. She ran her fingers lightly over the handle, continuing, "Everywhere my people have moved, I've taken a material from each place and added it as some part of this dagger."
She showed Forresta the knife, "The handle is made of the ivory from an elephant's tusk when we stopped in a large plain. That small red stone in the center of the handle is from some ancient-looking medicine man. He said it has special powers or something. The blade is pure silver, a gift from an abandoned mine we sheltered in by mistake. For fun, I carved a dragon into the blade and filled in the grooves with molten tar."
"Wow." Forresta stated. "You must have worked really hard on that. How long did it take you to finish it?"
"Almost a year, I think." Wolf Spirit answered. "Maybe less."
"Man, I'd hate to keep moving around like that."
"I'm used it." She shrugged dismissively.
Forresta changed the subject, "So, what does this friend of yours mean to you?"
"What?" she felt confused.
"The one who got carried away by the Roc. What does he mean to you?"
"Tiger Strike's a super loyal friend." Wolf Spirit began, "And he cares about me. He's always there when I need him, whether I'm in a fight or if I just need comfort. I've not thought about it much, but I know I probably couldn't live without him."
"I think you have a crush on him."
"What!" she exclaimed, "Tiger Strike? No! I mean, so we've known each other for like ever, but that doesn't mean…"
"It kind of does. Sometimes, anyway."
They walked on in silence, Tunnel Finder leading now. Eventually, they emerged into clearing, bustling with activity.
A fuzzyheaded boy about their age strode up to them. "Forresta!" he exclaimed, relieved. He hugged the blonde-haired girl, "I'm so glad- what's this?" he inspected a nervous Wolf Spirit. "More prisoners?" he sighed. "Well, go lock them up with the other."
"Cave Digger, they aren't- what other?" it was Forresta's turn to be suspicious.
"Just a Sky Kingdom spy." He shrugged.
"Who?" she pressed.
"Aero…."
"The princess!" Forresta exclaimed. "What are you thinking?"
"She's my prisoner!" he reminded the girl that only moments ago he seemed ready to burst with relief when he saw her. "I caught her in Earthen City territory!"
"Take us to her." Lion Song demanded, stepping forward.
Cave Digger snorted. "Who are you?"
"My friend and I are gathering help to fight a Roc chick that flew off with our friend." The black-haired boy explained.
"And what might you and your friend's names be?" he eyed them with curiousity.
"I am Lion Song. This is Wolf Spirit."
"Such peculiar names." Cave Digger commented.
"We need your help, sir." Wolf Spirit cut in.
"Ah, yes. To fight a Roc…" he thought out loud. "I'm afraid I can't help you there."
"Well, I'm going." Everyone stared at Forresta as she spoke. "I'm curious to see how this ends. Besides, I'm up for an adventure."
Tunnel Finder managed to stammer, "Y-you can't be serious. What would mom and dad say?"
"They'll be fine, they have you. And besides, it's not like I'll never come back."
"Then I'm coming with you." All eyes turned Cave Digger. "You'll need my experience. Now for the princess. Follow me."
Wolf Spirit hurried after the fuzzyheaded boy to a wooden cage. Inside sat a girl, eyes closed, with silver hair and ghostly-pale skin. She wore a white wrap-around shirt and white shorts with torn transparent cloths around her legs (hanging just above her knees) and arms.
As the group neared, the girl showed her silver eyes and glared at Cave Digger. She moved closer, into a ray of sunlight. Her eyes glinted like the blade of a dagger when the sunshine hit them and her hair flowed like quicksilver, draping over her right shoulder.
"Are you here to get me out?" she asked Wolf Spirit, who had come up to the bars.
"I need your help." She replied. "If you agree to accompany us, you'll be set free."
"What do you need assistance with?" the silver-haired girl questioned suspiciously.
"A Roc carried off my brother." Lion Song answered before Wolf Spirit could. "Will you help us or not?"
Aero thought for a while before finally answering, "Yeah, sure. I know the skies like the back of my hand."
"Good. Thanks." Wolf Spirit told her as Cave Digger grudgingly unlocked the cell door. Aero gracefully and light-footedly stepped out- and kicked the fuzzyheaded boy right in the stomach. He fell back, leaped to his feet, and assumed a fighting stance, but his opponent had lost interest.
"When are we going?" Aero asked.
"Now, if you're ready." Lion Song answered.
"Hold on. I'm going call my friend. He'll be a lot of help." She stepped a few feet away and spread out her arms. Instantly, the wind kicked up around her. She whispered something lightly, and the breeze moved through the trees.
She returned to the group, "It should only be a few moments now."
A few minutes later, a black spec appeared in the sky, but it was too small to be a Roc. As it flew closer, Wolf Spirit realized it was a boy. He finally landed in front of them. He had shoulder-length silver hair and sky blue eyes. He wore a sleeveless white shirt, white shorts, and a transparent cloth that draped over one shoulder (it was like a short shirt split down the middle at an angle). A black headband wrapped around his head, matching the black band on Aero's forehead. Like the girl, he was thinly built, but not skinny, and had extremely pale skin.
"Sky Rider!" Aero ran to meet the nervous blue-eyed boy, embracing him tightly. His uncertain expression faded to be replaced with a look of relief as he hugged her back.
"I'm so glad you're safe." He murmured joyfully. "I got your call and came as soon as I heard."
"I knew you would." She whispered, pulling away. "I also sent word to my father not to look for me. I told him I was going on a quest in search for a boy who was carried off by a Roc."
"Right, a Roc. A human killer. Death from the sky. Big, beastly bird with a license to kill." Sky Rider stated, as thought trying to make a point. "How do we even know this kid is still alive?"
"Hope." Wolf Spirit told him simply.
"Okay…" he brightened, "When do we start?"
"We need to travel through the Fire Clans territory." Lion Song replied, "That's where I saw the Roc go."
"Good. Enemy lines, here we come." Cave Digger muttered.
"Let's move out!" Wolf Spirit called, leading the group into the forest.
"We're going the wrong way, you know." Cave Digger called up from the back of the group. "The Fire Clans are the other way."
"Great, now you tell us." Lion Song growled. The group was surrounded by people from the Tribes of the Ocean. Two, a boy and a girl, were about their age, while the other four were older.
"What are you doing here?" one of the older men demanded. Shadow growled at him, Echo beside him, snarling.
"We are traveling to the Fire Clans, but we must have gone the wrong way." Wolf Spirit spoke nervously.
"No, 'ya think!" the younger boy exclaimed sarcastically.
"We're sorry for disturbing your patrol," Cave Digger apologized, "We'll be on our way now." He took a step toward the woods, only to be barred by a spear of ice, created by the younger girl. Sun roared at her, making her shift nervously, fear fighting for a position in her eyes.
"Go ahead, leave." One of the men ordered. "But never come back."
"We are grateful for your generosity." Aero thanked, glaring at the fuzzyheaded prince. She led the group out of the clearing, away from the Ocean Tribe people.
Night had fallen as Aqua snuck through the underbrush, River Runner in front of her. Snow Stream had told them to follow the group of kids. Two were from the Earthen Cities and two were from the Sky Kingdoms, but the other two were unknown to her.
River Runner signaled for her to stop. Aqua crouched under the arching fronds of a fern, hidden from view. She could hear the voices of the group they were tracking and could see the light from their campfire, but she dare not crawl closer to make out what they were saying. She sat there, until her companion joined under the fern.
"They've camped for the night." He breathed, whipping his head around as a female voice spoke, "Someone's out there. I can sense them."
Fear squirmed around Aqua's stomach, making her feel sick. River Runner prepared for the worst, bracing himself as a two black shapes rose from the firelight. They moved through the undergrowth.
Sweat dripped down Aqua's neck. Then she had an idea. She created a small ball of ice and shot it as far as she could away from her and her friend. Relief crushed the fear as the shadowy figures changed direction and headed over to the commotion.
Aqua slept fitfully that night, waking when River Runner shook her. They followed the group for most of the day, until their good fortunes changed.
Aqua was slinking in and out of the shadows, stalking low to the ground. She couldn't see the kids, but she could hear them. Once their shapes appeared on the other side of a bush, she hid. They continued forward, and she followed. River Runner was somewhere to her left; she knew he was crouching down to avoid being spotted. Aqua kept following, silently creeping up on them.
Suddenly, something- or someone for that matter- grabbed her and threw her forward. She landed with a thud on her face, scattering dust as she coughed. A hand gripped the nape of her neck, causing a chill to cover her body, and hauled her up. She stood captive in front of the group she was stalking. A strong arm locked around her stomach and prevented her from doing much more than trying to pry the hand off her neck, which she did.
The hand squeezed hard on her neck, causing her to grit her teeth and shut her eyes, straining against the force.
"Cave Digger, stop!" a female voice shouted. "You're hurting her!"
Aqua thought her neck would break, when the grip loosened a little. She exhaled a breath of relief- until the bushes by her and her captor rustled and a black-haired boy burst out, holding a knife up to River Runner's throat. Sweat dripped down Aqua's ice-eyed friend's forehead, but his face was creased with determination.
The boy called Cave Digger spoke. "Look at what we have here. It's the two from the Ocean Tribes."
Aqua opened her eyes wide, she wanted to scream in his face, but when her jaw dropped, nothing came out.
The black-haired boy who held River Runner captive cut in with a question, "Why did you two follow us?"
River Runner clenched his teeth and Aqua held her tongue as well, glaring defiantly the black-haired kid. He pressed the dagger into her companion's neck- but apparently pressed too hard.
Horror let itself out in a scream as Aqua ripped her neck out of Cave Digger's grasp and dashed to her friend's side. She dropped to her knees and held the white-haired boy's head in her hands. There was a deep gash in his neck and he coughed, agony wracking his body and blood spilled everywhere.
Thinking fast, Aqua thought back for a way to use her water abilities to heal River Runner. She waved her glowing blue hand over his neck, the black-haired boy was staring in horror and apologizing but she barely heard him, all she could think about was healing her friend.
As she concentrated on the wound, it miraculously closed, healing completely. At first she thought she had been too late, for River Runner was not breathing, but then he choked out a ragged gasp. Coughing and panting, he struggled to sit up.
Aqua helped him before turning to the black-haired boy. "What did you do that for!" she snarled.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to go that far." He stammered.
"Why are you here in the first place?" a silver-haired girl asked calmly.
"We were sent to follow you." River Runner felt his throat, making sure that it was really healed. "It was an order, no argument."
"And we will continue to do so." Aqua put in.
"Good." A smoky-grey-haired girl spoke up, "We'll need you water-abilities."
"You are not from the Elemental Nations. Who are you?" she asked.
"Lion Song and I are from a small nomad group. Our friend, Tiger Strike, has been carried off by a Roc and we are going to get him back." The girl replied, "My name is Wolf Spirit."
"I'm Aqua and this is River Runner."
After everyone had introduced themselves, the newly made team set off again. They now found themselves on a suddenly hot, barren desert. Soon, everyone was dripping with sweat, Aqua and River Runner especially, for the sun's heat had penetrated their low temperature bodies.
The rest of the day went by slowly and when night came, the temperatures dropped only slightly. However, even that felt cooler.
"I can't even imagine how the Fire Clans can live here." Cave Digger grumbled. "It's much too hot."
Wolf Spirit rolled her green eyes. "Maybe they like it that way."
"Yeah, well I don't." the fuzzyheaded prince retorted.
They stopped under the shelter of a single cactus, fanning out to sleep with their own Nation. Cave Digger and Forresta slept nearest to the cacti, while Wolf Spirit and Lion Song were a little ways off with their bonded animals. Aero and Sky Rider levitated in their sleep, resting on the other side of the cacti, and Aqua and River Runner curled up in the juice they had gotten from the cacti, letting the liquid soak into their skin.
Wolf Spirit woke to intense heat. At first, she thought it was merely hot because the sun was up. Then she realized that the sky was dark. She sat up with a start and saw that the entire group was surrounded by a ring of flames. The flickering light suddenly blazed to life, making Wolf Spirit bump into Echo as she jumped. The white wolf instantly knew something was up, snarling and sniffing the air. Everyone else woke up, too, clearly surprised at the fire that raged around them.
Two figures were on the other side of the flames, one keeping the blazes under control and the other stepping right through the fire! It was a boy about the same age range as the rest of the group. He had red hair and dark grey eyes. His shirt was half red and half grey with a bright orange belt holding up smoky-grey tights. His feet were bare(of course, everyone's were) and his expression was anything but friendly.