Chapter 12
Demonstration of Power
We rushed across the Fountain Yard. The wind was blowing up clouds of mist and spraying water in our faces. Master Sonam, Lamara, and I used our bending to help block the storm. When we got to the gates in the wall, Chief Arnook had to shout at the top of his lungs to be heard over the wind, so the guards could open the doors.
Outside the walls, the Plaza Square was deserted. I looked around and saw a black speck on the mountainside. By the look of it, the speck had come from the palace and was now going into the city. We continued to fight the storm as Chief Arnook bid us good night, and he and the Court went back into the palace, as they were staying there.
I said goodbye to everyone and headed toward my house with Hiko and Wei. I let Hiko hold my items, so I could move freely in my bending moves. Master Sonam took Koluk to his house, and Lamara took Lina. There were people here and there rushing to their homes. There was a flash of lightning, and a building in front of us started to collapse. A couple in the street cried out as the rubble threatened to hit them. Wei and I used water bending to shield the people. Their thank yous were lost in the wind. After we discovered no one was in the building, we continued on. Wei went to his separate house, and Hiko and I headed home.
When we got to our house, a flash of lightning revealed a person down the street struggling against the wind.
"Hiko!" I cried out over the wind. "Go in the house. I'm going to help him out." I pointed to the person.
He nodded and ran to the house. The wind threw me all over the place. I could almost hear the robed man laughing as I struggled to walk. I saw the person get slammed into a wall and collapse. If this was a demonstration of power from the robed man, then I was going to show that I have power to. Besides, the person might be injured and need help. I looked to make sure no one else was nearby. I closed my eyes and concentrated. I entered Stage One, and my irises began to glow. I knew they would be beacons of light in this storm, but it was worth the risk. I then moved my hands in a very slow and complex circular motion. I made a safe bubble around myself and started to walk to the fallen person. It wasn't far to walk, but I had to walk slowly to make sure I kept up my air bending technique. When I got to the person, I kneeled down to see who it was. It was Hana. She was still wearing her large dark blue coat, which seemed to be ruined by the storm. She didn't look hurt, but she was dazed. I helped her to her feet and put my right arm around her to hold her steady as we walked. I kept up the air bubble with my left hand.
"Hyriu?" she mumbled. I glanced at her. "Is that you? Your…your eyes look weird."
I looked forward again, and I could see lights of nearby houses. As I got closer to her house, I could see the windows illuminated, and there was a voice calling out, "Hana!" I stopped my air bending and came out of Stage One, and I had to carry her to her house the rest of the way. In the doorway of the house, I could see the silhouette of a figure.
"Hana?" the woman called. "Is that you? Oh, it is! It is! Honey?" she yelled into the house. "Honey, it's Hana. She's back."
A man then came out of the house and ran to me. We both helped Hana to the house.
"Oh Hana," the woman cried as we came into the house. "Hana, look at your ruined coat. What happened out there?" She looked at Hana, then she seemed to notice me for the first time. "Oh, who are you?"
"My name is Hyriu, a friend of Hana's," I replied, out of breath.
"Oh, Hyriu," the mother said. "I have heard so much about you. Hana talks about you all the time. Isn't that right, Yukan?"
"Oh yes, the 'Legendary Hyiru'. Hana is obsessed with you," Yukan joked.
I blushed.
"I am Meili," the mother said, "and thank you so much for finding Hana and bringing her back safely, and ... er ... well, mostly unharmed," she said and laughed a little.
"Oh, uh, you're welcome," I said and headed toward the door.
"What are you doing?" Meili cried. "You can't go out there during that storm. You already look exhausted."
"I have to. My little brother is home alone, and he gets scared and worried easily. Though, I appreciate your concern," I said kindly.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
I insist," I said.
"Well, let me give you something as a thank you," Yukan said.
He went out of the room and came back with a package.
"Here. These are Sea Prunes." He offered the incredibly expensive food to me.
"Oh, no. I couldn't…" I began.
"I insist," he said.
I took the package and thanked them, and then I headed out into the storm. I was too tired to reenter Stage One, so I had to use my normal bending skills to beat my way through the wind. After what felt like hours, I finally arrived home.
"Hyriu," Hiko cried out and hugged me. "I was so worried."
"I know, but I'm alright," I told him. "There is nothing to worry about."
We went to bed*,* and he came to sleep with me because the storm scared him. He hadn't slept in my bed since when he had nightmares as a little kid. That night, I had terrible dreams about robed men and storms along with another dream. I was in a destroyed house. Everything was blurry. I could see patches of flickering light. A red figure came into view. The person seemed to be holding up one arm. Suddenly I woke up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. I laid back down trying to fall asleep. Finally, in the early hours of the morning, the storm had ended, and I finally found the deep peace in sleep.