章 34: New sun
A blinding yellow-orange light drove away the night that hovered over the new republic turning the night for those few moments into day and with that light came a plethora of heat and sound that made sure no one except the dead would still be sleeping soundly tonight.
The few citizens who were not in bed before the light erupted were lucky enough to witness a miniature sun erupt from under the city hall, a vital part of the city where most parliamentary meetings are held and decisions which affect the republic as a whole are deliberated upon.
At first, the whole city was quiet for a moment apparently shocked but then screams and shouts of confusion soon filled the streets.
Some individuals who were closer to where the blast originated quickly walked to the location and were shocked at what they found.
The building joking called the meeting place by the locals was not visible anymore, it was all in ruins leaving only a gaping hole leading underground and various materials burnt to ash, dead bodies of security personnel were lying around and the sickening smell of burnt flesh filled the air.
In a matter of minutes' security forces who came to investigate the situation arrived, the earth benders among them could feel the vigorous vibrations coming from below indicating a hectic battle but as they were about to call reinforcements and head underground they suddenly stopped, an immense feeling of danger appeared and suppressed them all, in front of them was a masked man with double sabres in his palm was staring at them, before they could react the figure suddenly disappeared and the figures around were knocked out by the masked assailant, in the distance screams and curses echoed from all parts of the city, the curious citizens who were headed here were now running back hiding in their homes trying not to be implicated in the chaos.
Zahir who had left the house immediately as soon as the overpowering light appeared was on the streets saving residents from bloodsuckers who had appeared as mysteriously as the explosion, May was also with him saving the wounded, her nephew Raiden had already left for the meeting place to see exactly what was going on.
Zahir wanted to tag along also but was persuaded by the fact that May needed someone to stay with her as she was healing residents.
Not only bloodsuckers were roaming around also various spirit creatures used this opportunity to feed and fan the flames of chaos, in just a few minutes he had experienced no less than 20 battles, although these fights weren't that dangerous the scale of the enemies was already tiring him out, and the fact that he had to be careful with his flames so as to not destroy property or cause accidental damage to others was not helping his situation in any way.
Raiden was rushing towards the meeting place, immediately he saw the light and heat erupting earlier he knew someone was trying to break into the library, as the head of the institute and a secret member of the white lotus stationed in the new republic he knew the location of the gateway to the library and that was beneath the meeting room and was guarded by master Lin an old powerful fire bender that has guarded the new republic for decades, although no one has seen his shot in recent years it was highly rumoured that he was the greatest grandmaster alive in the world today.
Raiden knew the rumours weren't false even the former president had stated so confirming the rumours to him before, but even knowing Lin's strengths Raiden was still worried after all the library was very important, it could be said that the library and master Lin were the foundation of all the new republic had today.
Upon reaching the explosion site Raiden noticed the masked figure with the moon sabres guarding the hole that was now periodically sending out plumes of flames.
"the red lotus" Raiden said in affirmation upon noticing the masked figure's garb.
"lightning Raiden, the previous executioner of the white lotus, the best lightning manipulator today, I have a move named lightning flash please taste it."
The masked figure said with a hint of excitement in his tone while pulling out his sabres from their sheath and assuming a fighting position.
Raiden gaze grew colder upon seeing this, the masked man was giving him a profound sense of danger and Raiden was sure he was also a master level figure who also practised that weird technique that had been circulating around which increased the threat level of non-benders.
Raiden touched the metal device on his waist, it was created by the scientist of the institute using the knowledge gained from the library, it contained a portable battery filled with electricity that saved him from the lengthy process of creating lightning, as Raiden touched his waist the masked figure as quick as lightning appeared in slashing distance of Raiden and moved his sabre aiming to give Raiden a cut on his neck.
Raiden noticed this and with a flick of his fingers, a thick bolt of lightning headed towards the ground beneath his feet creating an explosion and giving him enough thrust to quickly move backwards, while in the air Raiden twisted and lightning surged from the battery creating a long whip-like attack that quickly hit his opponent, with a slash equally fast the masked attacker split the attack in two.
Raiden seeing this sighed in annoyance, the distinctive features of the weird practice circulating around was that it made one able to slash through benders attacks without destroying the weapon and it greatly increased the practitioner's perception, this two features basically destroyed Raiden's bending advantage.
'can't end this fight quickly, have to suppress him with long-range attacks or else I'll be killed' Raiden thought as he landed while remembering the swift and sharp slash that had split his lighting earlier.
Putting his fingers forward he channelled and compressed the lightning to his forward two fingertips and kept sending bursts of lightning toward the rapidly approaching attacker.
Although his opponent could cut through his attacks but Raiden knew the masked figure couldn't cut through it every time, cutting through benders attack took a lot of toll and it was by no means a continuous move.
As the battle continued there was a loud noise coming from below and a thick bloody smell started to ooze from the hole, the masked figure seemed to notice something and instantly retreated leaving Raiden's sight.
Raiden did not have time to be surprised at his enemy's act of fleeing the battlefield because a few seconds a big round sun-like fireball expanded in front of his eyes the force of which gave him severe injuries and burns while sending him spiralling into the next street.
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