With the first defensive position being overwhelmed by the numerous enhanced Fire Nation soldiers, the bottleneck that was the only path they could take was no more, allowing far more to invade the Temple at once, which wasn't good for us. Our second defensive position wouldn't last for long, and every few seconds that passed, the soldiers were slowly whittling away at the walls thanks to the intense flames they now possessed, allowing them to further push forward with their overwhelming power.
Despite every moment feeling like an eternity, it only took them roughly two minutes before they finally broke through the second defensive position; however, unlike the Air-Nomads who sacrificed their lives in the first defensive position, the surviving Air-Nomads hurriedly retreated to the third defensive position. I'm sure they could've held the soldiers off for a little bit longer if they didn't retreat, but with them no longer being bottled neck by the somewhat narrow passageway, it wasn't worth it since the amount of time they would manage to stall them for would only be for mere seconds.
Although one would think that with more Air Nomads, the third defensive position would last longer than the previous two, the further our people retreated, the wider the pathways became, meaning more soldiers could attack at once. Given the sheer difference in strength, it only got worse for us.
'Only two more defensive positions left after this one fails. Ten minutes… If we can just last for ten minutes.' Thought Aang with a deep frown as he gazed at the destructive battle happening at the base of the temple, watching as flaming spirals were redirected into the very sky, painting it red.
I'm sure it pained everyone, but the Sky Bisons were a massive help to our defense; although usually peaceful and soft-natured, their large and powerful bodies weren't just for show, as they mowed everything down in their path. Not only were they powerful, but they were intelligent enough to position themselves in front of the defensive positions before they were brutally killed, further halting the soldier's advances.
It was a painful sight to watch so many loveable beasts murdered, though just like us, this place, the Air Temples, was their home, and they held just as much right as us to fight and protect their homes.
'Still… it isn't a sight I'd ever like to see.' Thought Aang with a pained gaze as he inwardly winced while watching his people perish.
Despite holding on strong for what felt like hours, the third defensive position only managed to last barely two minutes, which puts us at roughly nine minutes in total, meaning we still had to get through twenty-one minutes before the Great Comet would leave. To be honest, after these past nine minutes, surviving another twenty-one sounds nearly impossible, especially since the last ten minutes, I'll be unable to use Storm Caller as I'll have exhausted my chi.
"But, just maybe, we'll last long enough." Muttered Aang optimistically as he watched the fourth defensive position put up a fierce fight for as long as possible.
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Standing above, alongside my fellow Elders, we gazed at the fifth and final defensive position, which, although didn't nearly hold on for as long as we liked, they resisted with all of their might, and that's all we could ask for me.
"Brother Mo, how much time has passed since the Great Comet's arrival?" Asked Gyatso solemnly as he furrowed his brows while gazing at the collapsing defensive position, his words prompting an older man and a few people to left to glance at the sky.
"About 13 minutes, Brother Gyatso." Said Mo with a slight frown as he glanced back down towards the ground, the anger coursing through his body constrained and controlled.
"So, we've got roughly seven more minutes of Storm Caller; after that, we'll be on our own." Remarked Hame with a slight nod as she held her hands behind her back while her hair fluttered in the aggressive winds thanks to Aang.
"The traps… Are they ready?" "Yes, they're ready for when Aang exhausts himself of Chi." Said Cholo and Ful, respectively, as the former glanced at the latter, prompting her to nod in response.
"With everything set, I suppose it's now our cue to step in. We will hold the Fire Nation back for the next seven minutes… After that, we'll retreat up the Temple with the remaining surviving Air-Nomads." Stated Gyatso with a hardened gaze while he unclasped his hands, causing his baggy clothes to flutter violently in the wind as it surged at his command.
No more words were said amongst each other as we all silently leaped from our higher elevation down to the battle below just as the soldiers began to step past the final defensive position, landing on the ground beside our injured and exhausted brethren in one swift motion, we commanded the raging wind to rush towards the soldiers.
With our combined effort and might, we managed to overpower the attacks of the enhanced soldiers and sent a large group flying out of the base of the temple and into their own men behind them. Just as we intended, our surprise attack reinvigorated our brethren and further boosted their morale; we didn't know much when it came to the art of war, but even we knew one's morale and spiritual state could greatly affect one's physical and mental capabilities.
"We know you're exhausted, injured, distressed, and sad; however, we must continue, Brothers and Sisters… Our home demands it." Said Gyatso solemnly as he turned and gazed at his fellow Air-Nomads, his words sparking life within their hearts as they all nodded.
"However, remember, we're to defend, not to fight. That applies to us as well." Stated Tashi firmly as he glanced at the numerous Air Nomads before shifting his focus to his fellow elders, who all nodded.
Unfortunately, our little respite was brought to an immediate halt as the soldiers quickly returned to the fifth position. They began to attack us fiercely, though we quickly used our surroundings as cover while we defended. However, while we were slowly getting pushed back, at the rate we were moving, we should have been able to last the required seven minutes.
'Though it will not be an easy feat.' Thought Gyatso with a determined expression as he moved with masterful precision despite his elderly body, redirecting waves of powerful flames all by himself.
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Glancing down at the puddle of sweat that surrounded my body, I struggled to continue using Storm Caller; my chi was practically empty as of now, and I was merely relaying on my own will as I ignored the pain that coursed through my body, slowly increasing with every passing second.
A little more than twenty minutes had passed, which was great; we had somehow survived two-thirds of the Fire Nations Invasion, of course, at the cost of many lives; nonetheless, we still succeeded. However, as of now, even with the elder's help, we've been nearly pushed up all the way to the top of the Temple, where we will be holding our final stand with the help of various traps that we've yet to use.
"J-Just a little… L-Longer." Muttered Aang between his laborious breaths, his chin dripping with sweat onto his lap while his eyelids fluttered with every passing second, exhaustion quickly consuming his body and mind.
I struggled for as long as possible, but I was only able to last roughly thirty more seconds before my technique started to distort violently, followed by it fizzling into nothingness a moment later; collapsing to my left, I gasped for breath, only to start violently coughing as I covered my mouth.
Feeling warm liquid flowing out of my mouth and onto my hand, I glanced at my hands with my slightly blurry vision, only to slightly widen my eyes at what I saw.
'Blood? I-I must've pushed myself too hard.' Thought Aang weakly as he gazed at his blood hand, only to slowly reach for his remaining water.
Taking multiple gulps and drinking some of my own blood in the process, I sat back up and took a moment to regain my composure while I glanced at the Temple below, watching the battle that was occurring. Without my technique, Storm Caller, there was a noticeable difference in our ability to defend against the powerful assault of the Fire Nation Soldiers; we were getting pushed back much fiercer than before.
However, it was fine as of right now since, without my technique, we weren't defending like before; instead, we quickly retreated up the Temple, intending to make our final stand using the many traps we had laid throughout the temple.
Crawling to the edge of the ceiling, I gazed down at the several Air Nomads that were guarding my area and called out to them.
"I-I'd like some assistance." Said Aang softly as he called out to the Air Nomads, his words causing them all to look up while Appa gently roared before flapping his tail.
Although Appa came to me, Muly arrived first as she quickly helped me stand on my feet, which I needed since I could barely stand on my own right now.
"How are you feeling, Aang?" Asked Muly in concern as she glanced at Aang, who lightly shook his head with a wry expression.
"Terrible, but I'm alive. Anyway, go and help defend our home; you all are no longer needed to protect me. I can hide now, so I shall be fine." Repled Aang weakly as he leaned against Appa's head while looking at Muly, who furrowed her brows.