The Gathering Storm

The morning sun had just begun to rise over the wide, fortified gates of this Nation under fire continent, casting golden light over its thick stone walls and metallic emblems of thunderbolts embedded into the archway. Dan stood before it, clutching the strap of his travel bag with one hand and yawning with the other. The crisp air carried the scent of dew-drenched grass and the faint aroma of smoke from a nearby merchant stall.

A familiar voice barked out ahead of him.

"Where is the lightning boy? Share a drink with someone and suddenly you think you know them," grumbled Greg, the laid-back yet sharp-eyed Knight supervisor, adjusting his travel cloak while holding a small flask.

"Sir, I really don't think you should be drinking with a kid," DG, his younger and far more responsible assistant, said as he side-eyed Greg with a frown.

Greg just chuckled and gave a wry grin. "Hehe… well, I can't control myself sometimes."

Vixen, ever punctual and never amused, stood with her arms crossed, her twin iron chains swaying with each impatient tap of her foot. "Sir, we should've left thirty minutes ago. I swear, when I find that kid, I'm going to—"

"Heyyyyy! Wait for me!" Dan's voice rang through the still morning air as he sprinted toward the group, hair windswept, cloak trailing behind him.

Vixen's eyes narrowed. She wasted no time in ensnaring him with one of her chains. "You!" she snapped, tightening it around his waist. "Where the hell have you been?!"

Dan scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Ermm… I slept late last night. My older sister hugged me for too long and wouldn't let go. Also, a friend of mine, Ruby, made me promise I wouldn't forget her—or this place."

Greg's smirk widened. "Young love, huh?"

Vixen grumbled and loosened the chain. "You're lucky the General decided to wait for you. Otherwise, you'd be walking the whole damn way."

Dan tilted his head. "Walking? Isn't the place three or four days away?"

Greg burst out laughing. "You really are a funny one."

DG explained, "The Five Nations use horses energized by a rare substance—it greatly enhances their stamina and speed."

Vixen added, "Yeah. You think we'd waste three days getting to a kingdom under attack when we could arrive in under one?"

Dan's eyes widened. "Whoa. Super fast. So how long will it actually take?"

Greg adjusted his gloves. "Five to eight hours. Depends on the terrain."

"Wow… that is fast."

"Alright!" Vixen barked. "Mount up. We're heading out!"

Dan sat inside his horse-drawn carriage, legs bouncing with excitement as trees zipped past the window. The world was opening up to him at last.

"Boy oh boy, I can't wait. I'm going to the grand stage," he muttered to himself, gripping the window frame. "I have to do it. Learn more, train more, express myself more… I will become the Lightning King and prove I'm the strongest knight." A smile crept across his face.

By the next day, they arrived in the 8th branch of the fire nation, a massive city nestled in the heart of a stone valley. Towering buildings and majestic spires loomed over the paved streets. A magnificent hotel awaited them—shining marble steps, a grand golden arch, and wide halls buzzing with voices and the aroma of warm food and polished wood.

Dan stretched his arms. "I can't believe we had to take a break yesterday because of some fallen trees… But at least we're finally here."

Greg turned to the group. "Alright, kiddos. Head up to your rooms. We'll brief you on the event tomorrow."

"Yes, sir!" the contestants chorused.

Dan's eyes lit up as he stepped into the hotel's opulent interior. "Time to sleep on a proper bed… Whoa. This hotel is huge."

Elsewhere in the lobby, Greg spoke to DG while watching kids rush toward the elevators.

"Have the other candidates arrived?" he asked.

"Yes, sir. Just the other day. Ash… had a bit of a bar incident," DG replied.

"That little brat. Already into liquor, huh?"

"Lady Esther arrived yesterday, too."

"And White?"

"He said he had more important matters to attend to."

Greg leaned against a pillar and grinned. "This year… it's going to be interesting."

Down in the hotel lounge, Dan squeezed his way through a maze of tables and bulky contestants. He dodged elbows and brushed past packs and weapons strapped to chairs. A voice rang out beside him.

"Hey, move! I said move outta the—" A girl, likely around his age, was shoved by accident and began to fall backward—head-first.

Dan stepped in quickly, catching her with one arm. "Hey, bozo! The girl said move!"

The man who'd bumped her looked down, embarrassed. "Oh… Sorry. I'm just too pumped for the exams."

Dan relaxed. "No worries. I guess we all are." He turned to the girl. "You alright?"

She nodded, brushing a strand of silver-blue hair behind her ear. "Yeah. I'm fine."

Dan disappeared into the crowd to find a seat.

"Rebecca!" a boy called out. A lean teen with a sharp jawline and forest-green jacket made his way to her.

"Chase," Rebecca replied flatly.

"Did something happen?"

"No, nothing at all. Let's go."

Dan finally found a spot and sat down.

"Ah, finally a place to—"

"Sit and relax?" a calm voice said beside him.

Dan turned to find a boy with white skin, dark brown hair, thick eyebrows, and a soft, kind smile.

"Huh? Who are you?"

"Didn't see you there. Sorry, this place is so packed. Name's Samuel."

Dan smiled. "Yeah, it's packed alright. I'm Dan."

"Nice to meet you."

They got to talking.

"How old are you?" Dan asked.

"Sixteen. You?"

"Same!"

"Where did you qualify from?"

"A kingdom in the Fire Continent."

"Same as well."

"Favorite food?"

"Rice balls."

"Same!"

"Favorite drink?"

"Berry juice."

Dan made a face. "Ew. Mine's mango."

They both laughed.

They talked until Dan noticed the time. "Wow, it's late. Gotta get my room number. Later, Samuel!"

"Later, Dan."

Dan followed a hotel staff member to the top floor, where the balconies offered views of the surrounding mountain range. The corridor was lined with luxurious doors and glowing lanterns.

As he entered his room, a soft sigh escaped his lips. "Finally, a good bed."

But as the hours passed, he tossed and turned.

"Damn it. I'm too hyped to sleep. The exam isn't even tomorrow." He got up and walked outside with a chilled mango juice in hand.

The cool night air brushed his face. He leaned against a railing, looking out at the stars.

A voice spoke beside him.

"Beautiful night."

Dan blinked. "You again?"

Samuel grinned. "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing…"

"Can't sleep?"

Dan nodded. "Yeah. I'm too excited."

"Same. Feels kinda… unreal, doesn't it?"

Dan smiled. "Exactly. By the way, what's your chi?"

Samuel raised a hand. A glowing white beam shot into the sky, splitting into faint trails of light.

Dan's eyes widened. "Whoa. You have light chi? That's freakin' awesome!"

"I know. I am awesome," Samuel chuckled. "And yours?"

"Lightning."

Samuel's jaw fell open. "What?! But you said you were from the Fire Continent."

"I was. But I didn't know I had lightning chi. I was wearing a chi-blocking bracelet. Long story."

Samuel laughed. "Your story doesn't sound real either."

Dan grinned. (This guy's fun. Kinda reminds me of Damon… It's okay to have two best friends, right?)

They stayed up talking until exhaustion finally claimed them.

The next morning…

Dan yawned and stretched. "What a night… Tomorrow is the big day."

A knock on the door startled him.

He opened it to find a well-dressed man standing outside.

"Hello, Mr. Dan. I'm Edgar. You're wanted in the main hall."

"For what?"

"All the children from the Five Nations are gathering for a formal introduction."

Dan's nerves fluttered. "Alright… I'll be right there."

The hall was enormous—its vaulted ceilings adorned with banners from each nation: bolts of lightning, flames, icy spears, swirling winds, and shimmering silver weapons. Light poured in from tall windows, casting geometric patterns on the polished floor.

Dan approached, hands shaking. Just be calm… I'll meet others from my nation and beyond. I hope they don't judge me. I'm just like them… right?

He stepped into the hall, lips parting to greet them with a friendly "Hello"—but he didn't get the chance.

THWANG!

A sword zipped through the air, narrowly missing him and embedding itself deep in the wall beside his head. Gasps echoed across the hall.

Dan froze. What the hell?! That sword almost took my head off!

A tall boy with short blond hair and a smirk approached, pulling the blade from the wall.

"Apologies if that harmed you. You should've been smart enough to dodge it—I didn't aim for you," he said casually.

He turned to another boy across the room.

"And you, Steven… how dare you knock my sword out of the air like that?"

A hot-tempered teen with a flame-red jacket and burning eyes stomped forward. "You pointed it at my face, asshole!"

"So what if I did?" the swordsman said, stepping closer. "What'll you do—beat me?"

"Don't push me, Alexis."

Before blows could be exchanged, a smooth voice interrupted them.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen. Let's not start a war before the exams."

A handsome young man with icy blue eyes and white hair slid between them, arms draped casually over both their shoulders.

"Get your hand off my hair," Alexis snapped.

"Get your disgusting hand off my shoulder," Steven added.

"Oh, come on," Ash chuckled. "Can't we all just get along?"

Dan watched from afar, eyes wide. The tension in the air was thick—like something volatile and ancient. The aura around those three… it was suffocating.

Who the hell are they?