Paige panted as the other three scrambled up the hill. They looked, seeing the hill overlooked Jamanakai Village. The wind blew her pale locks behind her. In front stood Homura and Seth. Both Brook and Paige found it funny at how short the fire wielder was compared to the rest of them. Either Skylor or Kai's mothers were petite, or she just had a case of being short.
It was eerie. Silence filled the air, which sent a shiver down Brook's spine. He hated it being this quiet. He was tempted to burst out with his jokes, but reading the grim looks on Homura and Seth's faces made him have second thoughts, so he kept his mouth shut.
"I say we go down and take them all on, all blades blazing," Homura said, turning to look up at Seth. The earth wielder shook his head. He was beginning to see why his father wanted them to both co-lead. Homura was always on the offensive, regardless if they were outnumbered, while Seth preferred to hang back a little before charging in like a chicken with its head cut off.
"No. We don't know what they're capable of doing. Until we know, split up. Homura and Brook, you guys take the south side. Paige and I will take the north side. If anything happens, radio with your communicators," Seth announced to the team, gesturing to a walkie-talkie he took out of his pocket. Homura nodded, seeing why Seth had split them up the way he had. "Do not engage them," he added.
Brook and Homura took off, heading to the south side. There, Brook saw four cages in the corner near the canyon. He yelped, but Homura placed a hand on her cousin's mouth. He turned, his sapphire eyes wide. Homura turned, and her eyes became as large as saucers.
"M-Mom…A-Aunt," She choked out. Her hand began to shake. Whether it was from fear or anger, Brook didn't know. He knew his cousin well enough that her outbursts often fueled her in battle, but they also got her into more trouble. "Come on, we've gotta get them outta there!"
"Woah woah woah. You heard what Seth said. He said don't engage them! Think this through Homura!" Brook exclaimed. She whipped around, fire blazing in her eyes. Brook gulped, and raised his hands in surrender.
"Then you better keep your mouth shut," The tempered girl responded. She pulled her katanas and jumped off the ledge they were watching from. Brook hissed, but stayed where he was, not wanting to disobey Seth's orders. He watched quietly. He could see his mom's terrified face, along with Seliel and Skylor trying to fight, and Pixal figuring out a way to escape.
The only thing that could be seen of a spy in the shadows was the glowing amber eyes with crimson flecks. She unsheathed her katana and held it in her offhand, which being her right, and fired a fireball towards the enemy. She saw the uncertainty in her aunt's eyes; no doubt thinking they were going to be attacked again.
"Daughter!" Skylor cried. A smile appeared on the master of amber's face as it dawned on her who was there to rescue her. The red-headed fire wielder ran over and heated up her hand. She placed it on the cage, and when it was hot enough, she used her katana to open it. Skylor and Nya ran over and hugged Homura while Seliel and Pixal nodded their appreciation. "Where are the others?"
"Brook is up on the hill on guard. Seth and Paige are on the north side. What happened?" Homura responded. She heard Nya breathe a sigh of relief that her son was okay. The fire wielder turned, her ears picking up a noise from the shadows. "Seliel, Pixal, move!"
She jumped in front of the four, pulling her other katana. Her eyes narrowed, studying the shadows. She faintly heard Brook call out for her to retreat. Homura only brandished her katanas. She shouted at the others to get to Brook and get back to the monastery. Charging, she gripped her blades' handles until her knuckles were white.
"Homura! You can't take them all! Not with their leader waiting to ambush you!" Seliel called. Cole had told her, and she had often seen how much Homura rushed into battle. She knew Seth and the others tried to calm her down, but it was what defined her. Seliel turned, bumping into Pixal. "Sorry Pix. Come on, help me get Nya back to Brook."
Out of the four of them, Nya had it rough. Seliel and the others couldn't believe he would do that to her. While Homura held her ground against the foe, the three remaining women helped the master of water up to where Brook was waiting.
"Mom!" Brook cried. He wrapped his arms around his mother, tears beginning to rundown his face. A wave of relief washed through the young lightning master. He was content knowing that aside from bruises and a few cuts, his mother was safe. His gaze went from his mother to his cousin. She was continuing her assault on the foe, ribbons of fire flaring up every now and then. "Get back to the monastery. Mrs. Brookstone, you know where that is. Please, I trust you!"
Seliel nodded and motioned for the others to follow her. Brook pulled his nunchucks and jumped down the hill. A scream tore from Homura's throat in the distance. Brook's head shot up, and quick as the lightning he controlled, he was by his cousin's side. A cut was bleeding from her cheek, and parts of her gi were ripped, but aside from those things, she was fine.
"We were told not to engage!" Brook whined. Homura sheathed her katanas and waved him away. She tightened the wrap around her arm and looked up at her cousin. She undid her ponytail, letting her hair fall to the middle of her back. Her wavy bangs hid the cut on her cheek, and she sent a smirk towards Brook.
"I never did engage fully. I just skirted attacks here and there," was the response. Brook rolled his eyes, and they started back to the center of the village.
...
Paige and Seth were camped out on a building on the south side of Jamanakai. Seth was twiddling his thumbs while Paige was using her enhanced vision to track any movement. Paige sighed, flopping onto her back. Seth looked up from where he was now fiddling with his scythe.
"I have not tracked any movement since we arrived," Paige concluded. It was now Seth's turn to sigh. He never realized how tiring it was to just wait for the foe to make themselves known. He stood up; Paige shot him a questioning look. "Seth, it is not wise to waltz right into the middle of town. My sensors have just picked up enemies on the north side."
"That's where Brook and Homura are…" Seth's voice trailed off. Paige and he hopped up, and they bolted for the north side. Seth wouldn't forgive himself if something had happened to the others. "Paige, can you tell if they're alright?"
"I can try," Her green eyes with blue flecks flickered into an icy blue, signaling she was using her sensors to try and locate the rest of their team. She closed her eyes, trying to process everything from what her sensors were telling her. Paige reopened her eyes, seeing the crystal orbs of Seth. They were wide, and his breathing was quick and shallow. "Calm down. Homura and Brook are alright, although I sense that just a scuffle has taken place. Come. They are waiting at the center of the village."
Seth struggled to keep up with Paige. Curse his muscular build that lowered his speed in exchange for strength! Paige turned, seeing Seth struggling to keep up, so she slowed her sprint to a jog. The earth wielder caught up, gasping for breath. Paige placed a hand on his shoulder, concentrating her elemental ice to cool down his internal temperature. Seth watched her, and he felt more energy than what he had previously.
"How did you do that?" Seth questioned. Paige opened her eyes, staring at one of the leaders.
"I will explain later. Come on," Paige responded. Seth nodded his head and followed. Silence fell between the earth and ice wielders as they dashed towards the center of the village. Paige caught sight of a red figure with a cobalt figure leaning over top of them. "There. I sense Brook and Homura are waiting for us at the fountain."
Sure enough, they were waiting for Paige and Seth by the fountain. Feeling the wave of relief wash over him that the others were alright, Seth breathed out a sigh. His gaze went straight to his best friend, trying to see if there was any injuries to him. When he saw that Brook was fine, he turned to Homura. Her hair was down; that rose red flags in Seth's head. What was she hiding?
"Come on. I'm sure Sensei Cole is furious that we've been gone for so long," Brook piped up. The others agreed, and they headed back to the monastery. A thought that Homura had blatantly disobeyed orders ran through Seth's head as they continued to run back home.