𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕

𝑾𝒆'𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚

             Chapter thirty seven
Elora

"Welcome to our grand invasion HQ!" Sokka declares theatrically, gesturing towards the sprawling field before us. In the distance, koala sheep moseyed about, adding an unexpected touch of whimsy to our strategic meeting point.

Toph arches an eyebrow. "And how, pray tell, did you settle on this picturesque location?"

Sokka grins mischievously, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Oh, you know, a little bit of map-reading, a touch of intuition, and perhaps a dash of Appa's navigational skills."

I chuckle at his playful explanation, admiring the tranquil beauty of the surroundings. "Well, however you found it, it's perfect for our planning session."

Katara nods in agreement. "Absolutely. And we're here four days ahead of schedule."

Aang jerks upright from his sleeping bag, his eyes bulging with disbelief. "Four days?! The invasion's in four days?" His sudden burst of anxiety startles us all. I exchange a puzzled glance with Sokka, silently questioning the reason for Aang's distress. After all, didn't we strategize around the eclipse, when the Fire Nation's power would wane? There's no need to fret, is there?

As Sokka let out a colossal yawn, he pulled me towards the makeshift bed, his words fading into slumber mid-sentence.

"Sokka's onto something, Aang," I said, casting a glance at my dozing brother. "We've got this under control. The key now is to rest up and stay sharp."

Aang's sigh was heavy with exhaustion. "I guess you're right," he mumbled before succumbing fully to sleep.

✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾

The rhythmic thudding rudely dragged me from a blissful dream, leaving me squinting into the too-bright world. Groggy and irritated, I traced the source to Aang, who was mercilessly pummeling a nearby tree. His relentless assault echoed through the clearing, aggravating my already frayed nerves and stirring others from their slumber.

I approached Aang with a mixture of curiosity and concern, his relentless assault on the tree baffling me.

"How long have you been at it?" I asked, hoping to understand what drove him to such vigorous training.

"A couple of hours," he replied between punches, his focus unbroken. "I've got a lot more skills to refine if we're gonna fight Ozai."

The mention of facing Ozai sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn't help but protest. "We? Aang, I'm the one who will face him. You're crazy if you think I'm letting you near that action."

Aang didn't miss a beat, his determination unwavering. "No, you're crazy if you think I'm letting you do it alone. You don't even know any firebending yet, and the invasion is in three days, Lora."

"Firebending isn't really going to be that helpful on the eclipse. Firebenders lose their bending, remember?"

"I don't care," he declared, his resolve firm. "I'd better spend the whole day training so you can have as much backup as possible." With that, he turned and rode off on an air scooter.

I sighed softly as I turned away from Aang, knowing that convincing him to stay away from the impending danger would be an uphill battle. After everything we'd faced in recent months, the last thing I wanted was to see him hurt.

Approaching Sokka, who was engrossed in studying a map spread out before him, his eyes lit up as he noticed me. Pulling me close, he began detailing the battle plan with a passion that was uniquely his own. His voice carried a warmth and intensity that seemed to resonate with every fiber of my being, drawing me in despite my distracted thoughts.