Chapter 353: Eve of Battle
There was a stunned silence as Orion and Joel took in Luxxa’s claim. After a second, Orion leaped to his feet and strode over to the window, throwing the shudders aside. It was early evening, but the western horizon was alight with streaks of red. The sun was still high in the sky, far too early for sunset.
"A fire gate," Korra said softly, her arms around me tight, holding me close. The pressure sent a burst of tingles dancing through my Sunpurge, but I ignored them a moment longer, letting her stroke my head softly.
My eyes opened slowly and I held out my hand, summoning my staff from where it had fallen on the floor. Noticing the motion, Korra reluctantly stood, helping me to my feet. I took a deep breath and looked down at the map, eyes locked on the central citadel.
"It’s time."
Joel got to his feet quickly, staring at me. "Are you sure? Forgive me for saying so, but you do not seem to be in the best condition. Even with the appearance of a Gate, we need to rush into danger. The armies of the church will move and close it in a few hours. Perhaps we should strike when they’re distracted."
"That won’t be possible," I muttered. "No one’s taking the Gate this time. Luke’s already here."
"Luke?" Korra blinked at the unfamiliar name, then shook her head. "No, that’s not the important part right now. What the hell just happened? Are you–" she choked on her words, voice strangled with disbelief. "You...didn’t, right? What you just did...no, that’s not possible!"
It wasn’t so much an accusation as a question, but an uncomfortable tightness seized my chest and my tail began to twitch anxiously. "Not...intentionally. When I heard of what happened to Elise, I just...called," I mumbled, staring down at the staff in my hands. "And the gate answered."
"Wait just a damn second. What are you saying?" Joel said, staring at me. He followed my gaze back to the window, and his eyes widened in disbelief. "No, you can’t be serious. All that noise and the gold light and the stars, and now the gate?"
"What? What did she do?" Luxxa asked, looking between us wildly.
I looked away, clutching my staff tightly. "It...it doesn’t matter right now. We need to get moving. I have to save Sari and Elise."