Bab 15: The Land of the Moon

*Ten hours before the council of Kings*

They had arrived just right after sunset. The island was as beautiful as Helios remembered, but the exhaustion and rage clouding his mind didn't let him enjoy the scenery. All he wanted to do was wring his hands around Averys' neck till the Crow died.

Flying over the island's long encirclement of trees, Helios could see the dim lights from a small camp set up not too far off.

"Helios!" Sol said, spotting the lights. "Control yourself! Please!"

Helios hadn't realized it, but the flames on his back had increased in size. He had intended on being subtle about his arrival, but he was sure he had alerted everyone of his arrival with a fire of that size.

He chose not to listen to Sol, increasing the intensity of his flames as he rocketed towards the camp. They breezed past a large, lush field with nothing but colorful flowers growing across it. Helios didn't want to ruin the sight, but he was sure the flames on him had jumped off his body as they flew.

The camp soon came into sight. A small tent was set up with a carriage, and five horses were a few meters away from it. A campfire was lit not too far off. He guessed it was the light he had seen from a distance. Helios could see three armored men standing outside the tent, all staring in his direction. He tried to make out the symbol on their armor.

"Those are men of the Dragon King!" Sol yelled. "You don't need to do this!"

Disappointed as he realized it wasn't Averys or his men, Helios took in a deep breath, drawing in his fire. The symbol looked like a wavy line, but as he drew closer, he realized it was an image of a wingless dragon. He nearly erupted into flames out of annoyance, but he managed to control himself, landing right in front of the men as he shut off his flames.

"My lord," the men greeted in unison, falling to their knees.

Helios scoffed. "Oh please, get to your feet. Where is your King?"

"Right here, brother," a voice answered from inside the tent.

The curtain in front was pulled aside to reveal a tall man with cropped, dark brown hair. He had troubled brown eyes that alerted Helios at once.

"Is anything wrong?" he asked.

"Besides the fact you nearly turned the entire island into a living hell?" Yam said, shaking his head. "You looked like a sun of your own up there. It's a wonder Sol didn't burn to ashes."

"I thought-"

"You thought I was Averys? I know." Yam turned, heading back into his tent. "Now come in, talking outside... I would prefer if we stayed away from the shadows."

Sol gave Helios a warning glance and patted him on the back. Helios blushed slightly, embarrassed. If Sol hadn't alerted him on time, Yam would have retaliated immediately. A clash like that... Helios was glad it had been avoided.

"Thank you."

"It's my job to keep you in check," Sol smirked. Then he looked past him, his eyes fixed on the tent. "You should head in now. Don't keep him waiting."

Nodding at Sol, he headed into the tent alone. The interior was simple. A small, black mat was on the ground, in the middle of the tent. A lamp hung from a string above the mat, illuminating the tent. Yam sat, cross-legged, looking up at Helios as he came in.

"Would have been nice to bring more men," Yam mused. "Or perhaps you ego is bigger than it was last time we met?"

Rolling his eyes, Helios eased himself to the ground, imitating Yam's pose. "We were ambushed. My men..." the words choked up in his throat.

Yam scowled. "No doubt who's responsible for that."

"I plan to kill him on sight, actually."

Yam lifted an eyebrow. "I understand how you feel, but you mustn't do anything to Averys while we're here."

"This is the only shot we'd get to put things back in order," he argued. "He has to die here."

"There will be no conflict here," Yam repeated himself, stressing his words as sternly as possible.

Helios felt his temperature increase slightly. He had assumed Yam would have sided with him, but the Dragon wanted to keep the Land of the Moon sacred as well.

"We have to do whatever it takes, brother," Helios said, pleading. "We swore to keep the peace. This is the only way."

Yam gave him a sympathetic look. "I understand how you feel. Losing Raijin nearly tore me apart as wel. But we must not use underhanded methods to handle Averys."

"Remind me why we declared this island sacred?"

"It was the place fate united us," Yam answered. "It was the place the war ended."

"Yes. We chose here to be sacred. We can change that."

"We're not rule or oath breakers, brother. Averys has already gone against our oath as brothers. He will not be spared once the council has been adjourned."

"It's still all the same," Helios growled. "Why not just kill him now."

"He has a right to explain himself." Yam had a tired look on his face, like Helios was starting to be overbearing. "We'll judge his honesty and then take action afterwards. But for now? We do nothing. In the event where you do something stupid, I will deal with you myself. Do you understand?"

Helios looked away, scowling.

"Helios," Yam said. "Do you understand?"

Giving a slight nod, Helios reluctantly agreed.

"Good. Now, let's discuss other matters," Yam said, clapping his hands. "Louis is due to arrive tomorrow. Hopefully there are no hiccups during his journey."

"And Typhon?"

"He is with Averys as we speak. No doubt he's siding with him now."

"Three against two is fair," Helios sighed. "No matter what happens, we have the upper hand.

Yam went silent again.

"Is something wrong?" Helios noticed the brooding look on his face. It was worrisome.

"I've heard... rumors," Yam said. "Louis is the wildcard here."

Helios' fist burst into flames. "He wouldn't dare. He's not that stupid."

"I hope not," Yam shrugged. "But just be wary around him. He might not be who we are expecting."

Helios shook his fist, putting out the fire. Louis was someone he had liked as soon as they met. He didn't strike Helios as an oath breaker. But his recent silence was concerning. If he betrayed them as well, Helios wasn't sure he'd be able to control himself during the council.

"Any good news?"

"None yet," Yam chuckled. "Let's hope the council goes as planned tomorrow. As for today, you can stay with me."

"Thank you," Helios said.

Yam nodded in acknowledgement. Helios smiled at him, panic slowly building in his chest. He had been hoping for a fight all journey, but now he realized war could break out once more. They had to prevent that.

Even if it cost him his life, he had to stop Averys somehow.