Chapter 42: The Storm
The afternoon sun hung high over Bintan, casting long shadows across the bustling town. The air felt heavy with anticipation as Monk Tenzon and his group of master airbenders made their way back to the base of the mountain after discussing reconstruction plans with Lady Kiva and the town leaders.
As they arrived, Tenzon spotted Lady Kiva waiting, her dignified poise unshaken despite the weight of recent events. Her dark brown hair was pinned back, her earthbender's robes pressed and spotless. She turned as they approached, a respectful bow acknowledging their presence.
"Welcome back, Monk Tenzon," she said, her voice steady. By her side stood Chief Jialun, the head of Bintan, a stocky man with graying hair and a deep, resonant voice.
Tenzon returned her greeting with a warm smile. "Thank you, Lady Kiva. We have come prepared to assist you and your people however we can. Your community has been through much."
Together, they walked to the town hall, where they could discuss the rebuilding plans in earnest. A modest but well-maintained building, the town hall served as Bintan's nerve center, where town leaders and visitors alike gathered. Inside, the dimly lit space offered a welcome respite from the sun, casting soft shadows over the large, round table at the room's center.
Once seated, they delved into their plans. Monk Tenzon began, his voice filled with the calm assurance of his years. "The air nomads will help you rebuild. Many of our benders are ready to assist with labor, clearing debris, and transporting supplies."
Lady Kiva nodded, her gaze appreciative yet reserved. "We are deeply grateful. But the task will be long and expensive, Monk Tenzon. Until then, my people will rely on Bintan's hospitality to sustain us. I hope we can count on your understanding."
Chief Jialun inclined his head, his expression thoughtful. "Of course, Lady Kiva. We will provide what support we can. The Air Nomads' help in organizing labor will ease the burden on Bintan's resources."
They continued discussing the finer details—material costs, supplies, and labor, agreeing on an arrangement that would best suit both sides. Eventually, Tenzon nodded, satisfied, his work in the meeting complete. "I'll leave you both to finalize the specifics that don't require our involvement," he said, rising.
As Tenzon departed, Lady Kiva turned to Jialun, her gaze steady. "I hear troubling things have happened within the temple. I was told that Renji, one of the most promising young airbenders, is now imprisoned in the Stone Chamber."
Jialun looked at her thoughtfully. "Yes. It seems his actions were too bold for the elders' tastes. But it concerns me as well, Lady Kiva. The air nomads… perhaps they need new leadership—someone willing to embrace change."
She nodded slowly, her eyes thoughtful. "Precisely. The air nomads need someone decisive, someone willing to act for the people—someone like Renji."
At that moment, a faint rustling sound came from above, and both turned to see Kezin drop from the rafters, landing with a quiet thud. His presence was unexpected but not unwelcome; his calculating smile was sharp, his eyes focused. With a smooth confidence, he approached, his tone persuasive. "If it's change you seek, there's only one way to accomplish it. The elders have grown comfortable in their seats of power. To see Renji claim his rightful place, the old regime must be… removed."
Lady Kiva raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Removed? And how exactly do you propose we accomplish that? The elders and the airbenders outnumber us—many are far stronger. The masters alone would be a challenge, and then there are the elders like Tenzon, Kaijo, and of course, Nara. Any one of them could turn an army."
Kezin inclined his head, conceding the truth. "Renji was prepared for this. He planned carefully, even using family connections to lure Monk Nara from the temple. She's been distracted, and her absence weakens their unity. And with enough support, even the legendary Kaijo could be overpowered… or so Renji believes."
But within his own thoughts, Kezin saw through the impracticality of Renji's vision. He had witnessed Kaijo's bending prowess firsthand, felt the power radiating from the elder like a storm ready to be unleashed. Kaijo isn't a man—he's a force. Only a god could silence him.
Still, Kezin smiled, his voice full of conviction. "Believe me, I regret having to kill Kuno—it was the only way to save Yogan and Yoan from certain death. And I know it pains Renji to see his fellow students suffer under the current leadership's neglect. With your support, and the right allies, Renji will be the leader the Air Nomads need."
Kiva and Jialun exchanged looks, weighing the proposal carefully. "It's not that simple, Kezin," she replied. "The airbenders are strong, their masters skilled and loyal to the elders. Without a more powerful force, we would be walking into a losing battle."
Just then, a figure emerged from the shadows—a young woman, her presence striking and poised. She was of average height but carried herself with a calm authority. Her hair was dark, falling in loose waves around her shoulders, and her skin held the deep, warm tone of those from the Southern Water tribes. Her robes were simple yet elegant, and her eyes sparkled with a sharp, knowing intelligence.
"Lady Kiva, Chief Jialun," she said, bowing respectfully before meeting their gazes with confidence. "My name is Zora, sent here as a vassal of Renji's father. I'm here to assist in realizing his vision."
Her words held weight, and Jialun's brows lifted in surprise. "You're from the Southern Water Tribes?"
"Indeed," she replied with a nod, "but not from the northern or southernmost tribes you might know of. My tribe is one of many smaller groups who live near the temple's southern edge, hidden from the greater world by the isolation of the continent."
Kezin studied her with mild surprise, recognizing her features and her tone as distinctly from a region not unlike his own tribe, a much larger and influential settlement near the coast. Her people were indeed numerous, but Zora's smaller tribe had made a name for themselves by producing skilled benders who valued secrecy and tradition.
Zora's gaze swept over them all, her voice calm and measured. "With Renji's connections in the temple and the support he has cultivated among the earthbenders and young airbenders, we need only to release him from the Stone Chamber. With that, he can claim his rightful place—not merely as a leader, but as the king of the air nomads."
A quiet murmur of astonishment swept the room, Jialun and Lady Kiva sharing a glance of barely concealed awe. Kezin's expression shifted, momentarily shocked at the depth of Renji's ambition. He quickly hid his surprise, a slow smile spreading across his face. So, Renji wants more than leadership—he wants dominion.
Lady Kiva recovered first, her gaze sharp with newfound intent. "Renji… aims to become king?" she asked, her voice filled with a reverence that was edged with intrigue.
Zora nodded confidently. "Renji and Yogan were sent to the temple with this purpose in mind. But while Yogan became distracted by his antics, Renji remained focused. Their father—the King—has supported Renji's rise, seeing him as the one worthy of his trust."
This revelation deepened the silence as the full weight of Renji's lineage and plans set in. Lady Kiva's eyes gleamed with excitement, and Chief Jialun sat forward, visibly impressed. "If Renji truly means to bring about this change," Jialun said thoughtfully, "then we are ready to support him. But we would expect certain assurances in return."
Kezin's voice cut in smoothly. "As would I. I am willing to lend my talents… in exchange for a favor to be named later."
Zora regarded them all with a shrewd, calculating look, her mind already racing with the implications of their alliance. "I have been granted some latitude in making decisions, so long as they support Renji's ascent. I believe we can work together."
Her words solidified their conspiracy, an unspoken bond forming among them. In that moment, a storm began brewing—not in the skies above, but in the hearts of those gathered, a storm that would soon sweep through the air nomads, threatening to break centuries-old traditions and reshape the temple's future.
[A/N: Hey guys. So a happy new year to you all. Please enjoy this double chapters for the new years. It means double with the previous chapter please so don't sue me. If you enjoyed this chapter and want to see more, don't forget to drop a power stone! Your support helps this story reach more readers! Anyway the end of book1 or volume 1 is fast approaching. You can start reading the second already over a dozen chapters in on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels]