Pendant Of Dreams:
Be warned, the first chapter is not heavy on main cast because it is essential backstory. Persist please: My first attempt at writing anything longer than a 2000 word essay. Open to feedback, good and bad. I myself am 17 from GB and am taking English Lit A2 next year. Enjoy the tale, the next chapter will indeed have some Makorrary stuff, not sure whether I will go along with Bosami. Check out my tumblr:
avatarsamdeking . tumblr .com if you're on. Have a lovely day.
He perched on a cluttered assortment of parchments and unread books, furrowing his brow fervently and sipping on his morning tea, whilst simultaneously slipping his heels into his new boots. He raised his heavy arms and stretched, before heaving himself out of the door, shining the doorknob with his sleeve as he left.
It was still dark as he brushed past the overgrown bush outside, squinting and readjusting his home-made spectacles, pulling his oversized coat tighter across his thin frame. He was leaving it all behind, but first he had one last errand. In his bag, sewn together with a mismatch of cloths and what appeared to be some sort of bearskin, there were remnants of his childhood; a few old, tea-stained photographs and some necessities for his journey south.
His ankle was gently clipped by the ridges of his boots, which provoked a wry, uneasy smile across his thin lips. Yet he bore on silently, looking over at the horizon for the first signs of daybreak. He was only a few miles down the uneven path when he saw the small settlement he was looking for. Corrugated metal plates. Damp campfires. Withered faces. A dark river ran nearby the forgotten land and at one end a young mother was washing a pile of red and green shirts.
"I thought you would come", Estak was carrying his sister Katya who was sucking on her thumb, "It's been too long brother".
He nodded and smiled, pulling them towards him, "Where is Lahna? We need to leave this place, for good."
"Semak, the people here need us. How could we leave Ta Mei? Any news from Republic City?", Semak nodded, flicking off some of the moist dirt on his shoes after a gentle wrist motion.
"I feel this is a journey you must take on your own." Estak placed Katya gently down and dug his feet deep into the ground, forming a large ridge around the river to avoid flooding while Semak was gone. These people had been kind and accepting to their family, and in return they offered their services whenever he could.
Lahna was in one of the larger tents hovering her arms over a small child's wounded leg. His bravery in the face of what was a deep cut could easily have been attributed to his love of the bright colours bouncing off the water Lahna perfectly controlled. She was only 13, but in her brief time in the Northern Water Tribe she had gathered experience healing with her bending. The conversation between her and Semak was a silent one, for they had been in this situation many times before. He was leaving, for what could be the last time.
Semak left swiftly so as to avoid any over-emotional farewell; although he felt his past had not scarred him there were feelings he wouldn't care to admit boiling deep within. Days on end were spent wondering why, and how, their parents could have left them. And after all that, he had done the same. Again, and again. Part of him couldn't bare to live with Estak and his sisters, with the constant reminder of their individual failures, but it was being apart that was the true self-inflicted torture. He whistled a gentle tune, instilling the courage and vigour of the warriors in the Hundred Year War.
His dark, wild hair shadowed his face, with only his lop-sided spectacles and the tip of his nose protruding from the untamed mop. Semak appeared fully grown with regards to height, but despite his predominant Water Tribe heritage his build was far from that of Avatar Toruk. He had, had a clear focus on the mental and spiritual side of bending, seldom relying on brute strength. Semak was not weak, per say, however when compared to the warriors that the Water Nation had created in the past he was certainly pale in comparison.
He could just see Ta Mei in the distance, covered by a dark cloud, when three hooded men walked past him.
"Do you reckon they have any kind gifts for us down there?", the shortest man grimaced with a gargoyle-like expression, "That old man we stole from hardly...", he was cut of with a swift elbow to his angular ribs, which would have hurt considerably but for the inch or so of flabby meat. A muscular man with a red mark on his right arm had provided the blow; he snarled and darted his eyes towards Semak with a ferocious gaze, dragging the third man along with him towards Ta Mei.
"Avoid eye contact" Semak thought, focusing on the road ahead. His brother was more than a match for those hoodlums, and what good was he any more? However, his mind couldn't settle, with half of him wishing he had tried to stop them or warn his brother. Semak's fists were clenched and his spectacles kept steaming up as he breathed heavily up the steep inclination. As his legs were starting to ache the ground finally began to level off. With one last look at Ta Mei, he wiped the sweat off his brow and marched onwards towards a large tree and decided to make camp for the night.
However, as he approached the towering oak he saw a distorted figure cowering below it and groaning desperately. He dropped his satchel and ran towards it, opening a water pouch in preparation to help this poor man. His skin was cut and torn, with discolouration around each of his eyes.
"Help", he whimpered, gasping for air as if he were resurfacing from water.
Semak had never seen anything like this, he thought that the world beyond Ta Mei and its neighbouring villages were peaceful following the Hundred Year War. He was only aware of a modicum of the dangers he would behold but he was certain of one thing; his family were safer as far from it as possible.
The man, who must have been in his late sixties used his last ounce of energy to raise his head and look into Semak's misty brown eyes. "They took it, they don't know... but they stole it".
"Who?" Semak poured some of the water onto a fleshy wound on the old man's arm.
"Three men, who follow darkness and pursue evil. Men that destroy the light of dreams. They must be stopped, they don't know!"
"Don't know what?" There was no answer and an empty silence sat within the man, who left the mortal world with a pained expression, fearing the shadows. Semak rested him on the ground before standing up and looking back towards Ta Mei. From the looks of the wounds the trio contained tremors firebenders, and he had let them walk right into his family's domain.
Semak had little time to think. He grabbed his satchel and ran back down the hill. An empty Satomobile was at the bottom, a rarity in these parts, but he barely acknowledged its presence. A burst of flames in the distance. A pained shriek. In a panicked daze he mentally calculated the time it would take to retrace his steps. Darkness was surrounding him, the clouds had spread and rain was falling leaving a soft, slushy pathway ahead of him. Semak twisted his head frantically before noticing the car that was conveniently placed in a small groove.
He had been reading about Satomobiles the night before he left to prepare himself for life in Republic City. He had seen them take people away from Ta Mei in the past, mothers and children, never to return. Yet, for once it could allow him to help the people rather than move them out of obscurity and into the unknown. He just had to pray it would start.
After applying great force to the door he managed to squeeze it open and jump into the driver's seat. The muffled shrieks continued but he didn't listen. He couldn't. Semak opened the glove department and spotted a dark, metallic object in the corner. Please let it be a key. He reached in, eyes shut, and grabbed it. Spirits! He breathed a premature sigh of relief upon seeing the key and thrust it in, removing the handbrake and setting off with his foot pressing down on the acceleration.
The road was not easy to manoeuvre, with dips and mounds resulting in a bumpy ride which ached Semak's lower back. But he wasn't going to stop. He looked around to make sure no one was nearby to get hurt, but spotted no one, only a cage with bars behind him as if this was the police forces' vehicle. As he approached the devastation it sunk in. How would he live with himself if they were harmed?
Semak's focus was on the growing flames. He didn't see the pool of mud and water ahead of him. The Satomobile bolted and he launched forwards, crashing his head against the dashboard. The dull weather outside was mirrored in his mind; storm clouds circled in his head as his eye-lids were firmly shut with the screams growing louder and louder.
The clouds dispersed and a ray of light entered through a crack in the ceiling. Semak's mind was hazy, and he lay bound in ropes with his face pressed up against the cold floor. He felt tremors as the ground beneath him was moving, before attempting to prop himself up against the side of the small box he found himself in. He was surrounded by three sets of bars and a wooden panel which gave out a quiet murmur every few moments. He was in the back of the Satomobile which he had driven into the ditch.
His mind hurt as daggers of a broken memory were sieved into his conscious thoughts. Ta Mei burned to the ground in search for something. But they didn't know. They had no idea what they were looking for. Estak fought hard but couldn't stop them taking hostages. They destroyed a cesspit, but it was more than that. A community. A home. They think we know. Lahna and Katya... where are they?
The road suddenly became smoother and Semak could hear them sliding the panel across to see him. He ducked his head and pretended not to hear them, but he heard every word.
"We've taken them to Republic City as he asked", it was the familiar voice of the short gargoyle of a man, "The hostages are in the bunker. Someone around here has to know where it is. We'll just have to force it out".
"But what of the Avatar?"
"I hear she is going to go back to the Southern Water Tribe to spend time with her family as she works on... you know, Avatar stuff. She'll be gone this time next week and the remaining triads can strike."
The Satomobile pulled up into a dark building and stopped. If the Avatar was here now then he would have to work fast, but at the moment saving the hostages had to be the main priority. Here in Republic City they would have a new chance to start afresh, the chance they had always deserved. To remove the undeserved title of outcasts.
He wanted to save them, but he would have to use his head. Run, and he would be a sitting duck waiting to be shot down. He tried to loosen up and allowed the larger man to carry him out of the car and down a passageway, although he couldn't see exactly where he was going due to the vile, old bag they forced over his head. After a few moments he was thrown onto the floor and heard a large clink of a door locking, followed by their footsteps leaving. Semak just about contained a groan as his arms smashed against the hard ground beneath him.
"Brother?" Estak's voice warmed Semak slightly, but there was a serious tone with a slight cracking as he spoke, "They've got Katya", he pulled the bag off Semak's head and tossed it aside, "Lahna stayed behind to tend to the weak, but they have taken her. They think we know something."
"Can't you tunnel us out? Have you been able to metal bend, you said you were making progress", Semak snapped at his brother.
"It's not easy, maybe if you had stayed around you could have helped me. You understand how these things work!"
"Please be quiet," a small voice echoed from the corner, attached to a young boy from their tribe, Nari. "Where is Mama?".
Semak and Estak shared a look, unsure of how to approach the question. "We told Lahna to bring everyone here when they are strong enough. We are a family, we stick together" Estak said, having a small jibe at Semak who avoided eye contact, "She was hurt pretty bad, you mother, but I trust Lahna with my life. She is the strongest healer we have now that..."
"Enough." Semak placed his hand on Estak's shoulder, "Enough. We need to break out, I think I heard them saying there were some others here. If we can get out and tell the police then we can save everyone".
"But how? We're trapped" Nari held a blanket close to his face and a single tear traced his cheek.
"I will teach you how to Metalbend Estak." Semak planted his feet firmly on the ground and indicated that his brother should do the same, Nari followed along. Although not having any bending he had always been intrigued with everyone's abilities.
"Remember bro, metal contains impurities of earth, which you have no problem bending. If you think of it all as one in your mind then you can work with it in the same way. Similarly to taking water from different sources, the metal is not only an extension of the earth but of yourself."
"I need time brother." Estak's focus was unrivalled, however all he was moving were a few pebbles scattered in the corners of their cell, capable of harming no one.
"I... we believe in you," said Semak. Nari held onto Estak's leg and he affectionately ruffled the small child's dark, wavy hair.
Slowly the ground beneath them began to move up and down rhythmically, and after much deliberation Estak split the bars in half. They were still for a moment before collapsing in a giant heap, making a sound that resonated through-out the metal walls of the building. They didn't have much time.
"I did it! Wahoo! Thank you my brother" Estak leapt about a foot in the air before grabbing Nari by the sleeve, "Lets run. We need to get out of here".
The three of them raced down the corridor, and after two lefts could see the light of day.
Semak stopped running and looked around, "Estak you go and keep Nari safe. Call the police and tell them to help out, I will find the others!" Before Estak could protest Semak was back off down the same passageway to find them in the maze. However, before Estak and Nari could get past the door they were confronted my one of the three men that had attacked Ta Mei.
"This is for destroying my home!" Estak roared triumphantly as he knocked the non-bending villain aside with his newly found metalbending skill.
"...and this is for hurting my Mama!" Nari trod on his back as he walked over him towards the door. They had got away, although it seemed a little to easy. Where were the other two men?
Semak wandered around yet encountered no one, just empty cells, one after another. However, he could hear a faint ringing in his ear which got louder and quieter as he approached and left certain parts of the labyrinth of passageways. He followed the sound, running faster and faster. Eventually it became a deafening roar, he was barely able to stand it, but he had to follow. It was calling him towards a large door with no cells either side. He pulled on the handle but it was clearly locked. Suddenly, he heard noises from within. Startled, he hid in the corner behind the door and waited. It was the strong man with the red mark on his right arm. As he walked around the corner the door swung shut just as Semak leaped inside, snagging a small part of his clothes in the door.
The room was very confining, which intrigued Semak based on the size of the door which restricted its accessibility. It was almost entirely bare, aside from a single table with a small brown box on it. The box contained the few items which the three men had considered valuable. Semak's eyes trained over the contents, mainly rings and scrolls, before fixating upon a most remarkable item. Although it was not altogether aesthetically pleasing; an unsymmetrical hexagonal shape with a rusted chain attached, it bore into Semak's mind as if it were speaking to him. He emptied the contents of the box into his pocket and placed the pendant around his neck.
Having studied historical artefacts, this was not something that he could place his finger on. Although the deep blue would suggest Water Nation, the craftsmanship seemed more fitting to the Earth Kingdom and the use of high temperatures to solder and smelt the object would indicate Fire Nation Origins. It was curious in that it seemed to have no weight, or indeed it gave the impression of weight lifted of his shoulders. Could this have been what the old man spoke of? They were looking for this pendant, but why?
At that moment Estak re-entered the building with the backing of a group of Metalbenders and a tall Firebender wearing tight uniform, as if handed down by a younger sibling. He seemed lost yet eager, his bold eyebrows frowning as he focused and his arms were in position to attack. They tied up the man that Nari and Estak had dealt with and split up to find Katya and the other hostages, hoping to find the man with the red mark and the gargoyle. By the time they had searched the first two corridors and found nothing there was one left and Semak had caught up with them.
"Hi, I'm Semak," He smiled holding his hand out to shake the firebenders'.
"Mako. Can you get out of the way some of us have a job to do." Semak stood back as Mako charged the door down leading into the final corridor. They heard cries of help, which indicated that the hostages were down there. However, the place was totally immersed in darkness, with the hostage's moans followed by the gentle dripping of a tap.
"Let's shed some light on this situation". Mako created a large ball of fire to guide everyone through the corridor, illuminating the darkest corner. His power was palpable, and if he hadn't been dressed so ridiculously perhaps he would have been in a better frame of mind. He needed to make a good impression, not just for himself.
At the end of the corridor they found the cell containing six hostages, all of whom were gagged with their hands tied behind their backs. There was true fear in their eyes as they squirmed about trying to speak. Mako looked behind at the others, before looking back at the prisoners.
"If they are gagged, then who was screaming for help?" Suddenly the room was lit fully and a deep voice could be heard with a dull, monotonous tone.
"Very clever. They said you had joined the police. But I'm afraid you cannot escape." There were speakers in every corner booming out his every word."It's such a shame, you truly were a fantastic pro-bender. I'll be sure to read your obituary." The voice cut out and there was a silence, as the four metal benders broke the bars with Estak's help and helped everyone out, Katya included. Estak picked her up and after sharing a nod with Semak he left to keep her safe. There was something unnerving about the room, they could taste the fear.
They hurried the remaining hostages out safely but continued to look for the men and search for clues with regards to the voice which had threatened Mako. After a full hour searching every room in the building they decided that the men had got away and that they should leave.
"But I saw another man here, he had a red mark on his right arm." Semak insisted.
"He's gone Sakem, we've done all we could." Mako seemed sincere, and Semak chose against correcting his name, having got off on the wrong foot.
Just as they were about to leave, however, a loud cackle could be heard from the walls. "Hide and seek. You didn't find us!" It was the short man's distinct nasal tone.
"Shut it Grum." The larger man said entering the room and bowing his flat cap towards Mako and the other officers, "We believe we have a acquired something that will make life very difficult for you, Mr. Mako."
The metalbender's released their ropes to tie the two of them up although Grum managed to muster a giant wall of fire which not only stopped them but left them marred on the ground giving off a dark fume.
"You see we found something in Ta Mei. The... what was it called again Tikem?" Glum snorted.
"It doesn't matter, we have it now and we will burn you to hell. Starting with you, friend of the Avatar. Although... I heard it was more than that. I'm sure she'll be devastated to find her boyfriend burned to a crisp," Tikem rubbed his red mark and fastened a shiny, untarnished ring, lacking imperfections. The ring had a dark blue rim and was something that Semak knew all to well.
"We have traced this ring back to Republic City's birth and believe it possesses..." Tikem slapped Grum. "Why would you tell them this? Well, I suppose it doesn't matter because they will not live to tell the tale of their excruciating demise."
Whereas the Metalbending cops were clearly showing some signs of fear, many of whom were beginners themselves, Mako stood strong and instantly threw a barrage of short fiery bursts at the two men, Grum and Tikem. This only made them laugh, their self-professed power provided an heir of arrogance. The metalbenders had lost their main weapons and there was no metal or clear earth source nearby, as if this had been a plan to take down the police. Tikem and Grum took a few of Mako's shots, but it only knocked each of them back a single pace. The continued laughing.
The two evil henchman mustered up all their energy and pushed it out with a flame which would have destroyed a city twice the size of Ta Mei alone. It was the most violent flame Mako had ever seen, his memories of his parents deaths reverberated and rang in his head. He looked at the ring and thought of the power which it must hold. Mako thought of Korra and Bo, and how he had failed them. How he had failed himself; and on his first day of police work.
However, just when hope seemed lost, Semak felt the pendant on his chest glowing and emanating a forceful wave. He picked it out from the inside of his shirt and pointed it towards the oncoming wave of fire. He shut his eyes, as did the Metalbenders, whilst Mako stared into the face of death. The pendant's wave was pure and white, although slightly faded like a ghost. When the two waves collided there was a miasma twice the size of the burnt weapons with the same stale stench. But they were alive, somehow.
The blast had knocked the two men unconscious, which allowed the embarrassed policemen to tie up the criminals and place them with their assailant; behind bars for as long as the law permitted. Semak, in shock with the power of the pendant, swiftly hid it beneath his shirt again.
"I'm sorry. Was it... Semak?" Semak nodded. Mako looked into his eyes. He saw a lot of himself within, "How did you do it? I've never seen anything like that, and I travel with the Avatar".
Semak was stunned silent, he paused for a moment. "I don't know." He tried to change the subject back to Korra, "Maybe the Avatar will know?".
Mako smiled, "Who knows, she surprises me everyday. Do you want to come over to Air Temple Island for a meal? Air Nomads can't turn away a hungry traveller and I owe you. You saved my life and the life of my officers."
"I'll be there for sure."
Everything was going to plan. He had never meant for anyone to come to harm, but finally after all these years things could return to normality. Semak looked into the pendant, rubbing and shaking it to evoke some sort of response. Nothing. In truth, he had no intention to talk to Korra about the pendant, he needed her to help him. He had heard what she had done for Lin Bei Fong. He had read what she had done for Tahno the pro-bender. Now he would ask for her to do it for him. After five long years, he was going to get his bending back.
to be continued...
