The Earth Empire Returns
Book 1: Friendship
Chapter 1: A New Life Part 1
A fair woman with long black hair that pooled around her sat on the dusty floor of her cell meditating. Another woman walked up to the bars on otherside. She had shoulder length brown hair and skin with piercing blue eyes.
It had been exactly one year since, the former woman had been imprisoned, and the woman on the other side always visited her. "Yes, Avatar Korra," the woman spoke, opening her eyes to reveal their green shade.
"I've spoken with the guards, and they have agreed to release you," Korra responded smiling and sounding extremely happy with herself.
"I don't deserve it," the woman replied, and she turned her back on Korra, "If I wanted to escape I would have bended myself out to freedom. No, I need to repent for what I have done."
"And you have Kuvira," Korra replied, her mood brought down drastically. "I have talked it over with the other world leaders, and they believe you have repented long enough. Most people were not hurt even those you put in the reeducation camps."
"One year will never make up for what I did to those people," Kuvira said solemnly, choosing to keep her back towards the Avatar.
Korra sighed but continued relentlessly, "No and no amount of years ever could. Please Kuvira? Even Suyin misses you."
Korra heard a scoffing sound, and the woman stood up and faced Korra. "If Suyin actually cared for me, why has she not visited me?"
Korra didn't have an answer, but it killed her inside to know that the woman who seemed so strong had now become a shell of her former self. She grit her teeth and slammed her hands on the bars of Kuvira's cell. The sound resonated through the small space, and Kuvira looked in shock.
"Stop feeling sorry for yourself," Korra said to Kuvira, "I cannot cover for Suyin. I don't know what she is thinking, but surely she misses you." Korra sighed, "Look, I'm not some wise sage, but you're not going to make up for what you've done locked up in a cell. You do that by living and helping others. My offer still stands."
Korra was about to walk away, when Kuvira walked up to the cell. She wrapped her hands around the bars, as if they were her lifeline. "Wait," Kuvira whispered, and Korra stopped to listen, "I'll take your offer."
Korra smiled, "Good, there is one condition though."
"What is it?" Kuvira asked desperately, "I'll do anything!"
"You must promise me that you will never attempt to gain power again," Korra said, holding out her hand. Kuvira shook it without hesitation. "I'll see you outside in a few minutes." Korra then left, shutting the door behind her, which put Kuvira in almost total darkness. The only source of light coming from her only barred window.
When Korra arrived outside, she stretched her arms and breathed in deeply. Kuvira followed shortly, and blinked as her eyes met the full force of the sun for the first time in a year.
"It is amazing how much one misses the sun, when it has been deprived from someone for a year," Kuvira commented taking in the sun and air. "I would be lying, if I said that not one day went by where I missed this freedom."
"Then remember this freedom, when you think of others," Korra commented, looking seriously at the former dictator.
Kuvira nodded, but quickly shielded her eyes as a skybison landed in front of them. "Well, my ride is here," Korra said. Kuvira looked down until Korra spoke up again, "And yours too. We've picked out a small town. No one should recognize you, so you should be able to live there peacefully."
"Thank you Avatar Korra," Kuvira replied smiling slightly. She followed Korra and the animal soon took off into the air. Kuvira relished the air flowing over her face. It was fresh, and it didn't smell like the stale air in her platinum cell.
It wasn't long before the group had arrived on the outskirts of the small town Kuvira would now be living in. Korra and Jenora, who was the owner of the skybison, hopped off using their airbending, while Kuvira used the beast's tail.
"Kuvira," Korra said happily and waving an arm towards the town, "Welcome to the town of Nuan!"
Kuvira walked up next to the Avatar and took in the small town. It was filled with more than just earthbenders. She saw firebenders cooking, waterbenders watering some of the fields and gardens, and a few earthbenders tilling the land with their earthbending.
"Come on," Korra said to Kuvira, putting her hand on her shoulder, "We'll show you your new home." She and Jenora began to walk towards the opposite side of town, and Kuvira began to follow them. It was at this time, that she was glad she was not wearing the uniform of the Earth Empire, and instead a typical clothing for those of the Earth Kingdoms.
The house that Korra and Jenora showed Kuvira was humble. It had a small farm, and it seemed that the Avatar had decided to help her a little more by supplying her with two koala-sheep and an ostrich-horse. In the shed was supplies she could use and the seeds for wheat.
Inside the house were the basic necessities. She had two bedrooms, though only one was furnished. There was a bathroom that held her basic needs. The kitchen was also furnished with a few dishes and some canned food.
"Thank you," Kuvira said turning to Korra, as the latter showed her everything in the living room.
"It was nothing at all," Korra said getting up and offering the woman a hug. Kuvira indulged her, and the two hugged deeply. "I'll come and check up on you sometime," Korra promised after they let each other go, "Don't forget to write!"
Kuvira smiled and nodded. She waved them off as they crossed the town back to where the skybison was. She sighed and closed the door to take in her new home. It would be a while, before she was back on her feet, but Korra had managed to give her a temporary crutch.
The first few weeks were tough. The townspeople were kind enough to not ask too many questions and were eager to give her advice on her farm. The children loved to come to her house and help her with her chores. Her days were peaceful, and she relished it.
"Kuvira, could you help me for a second?" an elderly woman asked. She worked the town's general store along with her husband. They were also the couple that helped drive off some of the suspicious townsfolk, when she said her name was Kuvira.
"It would be my pleasure Mrs. Ling," Kuvira replied carrying the heavy load for the woman. She had started to help many of the people whenever she could. It eased the suspicion of her connection to the 'Great Uniter' and helped ease her own guilt.
"Such a good woman," Mrs. Ling commented, "Makes me wonder why you haven't found yourself a good husband yet."
The comment made Kuvira think of Baatar Jr. She remembered how she fired the spirit weapon at him, and she dropped her load. Baatar had not once visited her in prison. He had sent her letters asking about general things, but not once had they approached the subject of her firing the cannon at him. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she felt Mrs. Ling's arms wrap around her.
"Oh dear, I'm sorry, if I had upset you," Mrs. Ling apologized, wiping Kuvira's tears away. The elderly woman's voice snapped Kuvira away from her thoughts, and she picked up the dropped load.
"No, I should be apologizing," Kuvira responded. Mrs. Ling looked at her with a questioning gaze.
"Everyone has their past, so I won't stick my nose where it doesn't belong, but are you sure you're alright?" The elderly woman scanned Kuvira with a critical eye, but only her red eyes gave away the fact that the young woman had shed a tear.
"I'll be fine," Kuvira whispered. Mrs. Ling shrugged her shoulders and led Kuvira to the back of the store. The older woman pointed to where she wanted the load to go, and tossed an apple at Kuvira.
"Take it," she replied to Kuvira's questioning look. Kuvira smiled and bowed her thanks.
Kuvira munched on the fruit, as she walked home. The children of the town were laughing and chasing each other, and Kuvira had to maneuver around them, as they almost knocked her over in their game. She watched them for a minute before, turning to head back home. She waved at some of the townsfolk, as they said hello to her.
She smiled when she finally reached her house. She gave her core to her koala-sheep, before going inside. She took in a deep breath and headed to her room, where a small desk was sitting. She opened a drawer and pulled out a little journal.
It has been a while, since I've last thought of Baatar. It makes me wonder what he is up to. I doubt he still holds feelings for me, after I shot a giant spirit weapon at him. But, there is not a single day, when I don't regret what I did to him and wish he could share my life with me on this farm.
It is a humble settlement, but it is home. I've helped many people, as I've lived here, and while it may not do much to ease my guilt, it helps.
The days go by quickly, and I can't help but to look forward with each passing day. The beginning was tough to live here at first, and I wanted to leave, if I'm honest with myself. Many of the townspeople suspected me of being Kuvira the Great Uniter, when I introduced myself. Of course with the help of a few others, I managed to convince them otherwise.
How it pains me, that I caused these people to suffer, while I was uniting the Kingdoms. I wonder what they would think of me, if they were to find out that I was indeed that same Kuvira.
They would probably be angry and want to seek justice, and who am I to argue that? But now that I think about it, I want to live.
Yes. I want to live.
Kuvira put her pen away and reread her work. She couldn't deny it, that she would want to keep living.
She got up and went to prepare for bed, but as she was about to turn off her lights, a knock sounded on her door. She put on her robe, and opened the door hesitantly. No one would be knocking on her door at this hour.
A young boy looked up at her. She could tell he hadn't eaten in a while. His skin clung to his bones and his eyes were dull and sunken in.
"Please lady, do you have some food?" he feebly asked. His arms trembled as he lifted them up to accept whatever Kuvira graced him with. Kuvira frowned and sighed. She was going to regret this decision.
"Come in boy," she said and moved aside to let the boy in. He seemed surprised at her command and walked in tentatively. Kuvira led him to her kitchen table and motioned him to sit down.
As he sat and looked around, Kuvira began to prepare a meal for him. She didn't have much to offer in the ways of something grand, but she managed to make him a decent sandwich stuffed with lettuce, turkey-beef, and mustard. She also set down a glass of water for him.
It didn't take long for him to delve into the meal. When he was finished he turned to her, "Thanks lady." His voice already sounded much better, and Kuvira smiled. She led him to her room.
"You can sleep here for tonight," she said and watched as he smiled and got into her bed. Kuvira sighed as she turned out the light and went to sleep on the couch. She had a bad feeling about letting him sleep in her bed, but he must not have had a good night's sleep, and he wasn't going to get it by sleeping on the couch.
Kuvira yawned turned out the kitchen and living room lights and settled on the couch, using her robe as a spare blanket.