"Mighty is God on high,
Ruler of His people below;
Swift and terrible is God on high,
His mandate has many statues.
Heaven gives birth to the multitudes of the people,
But its mandate cannot be counted upon.

To begin well is common;
To end well is rare indeed."

Shih Ching, "Mighty is God on High"

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To End Well
Prologue

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Korra pressed the knife against his trachea.

"I don't feel sorry for you," she hissed, staring him dead in the eye. "Not one bit. Not one damn bit. Monsters like you don't deserve sympathy."

Amon could only glare down at her. Just one move forward, just the tiniest, and he would be that much closer to a slit throat. Even speaking would be hazardous – not that he did much of that anyway. In all honesty, she was surprised she hadn't flinched yet. Forcing him against the wall was terrifying enough, but holding him at knife point . . .

It had all happened so quickly.

Not that she was complaining.

Korra smiled darkly at her achievement, only continuing on with sheer willpower and adrenaline. Her common sense fled the moment she brandished the knife. So this was how power felt, thought Korra. This was how Amon must've felt every day of the revolution. It was nice.

A chuckle bubbled to her lips. Oh, it was hilarious how the great Amon, the man who struck fear into the heart of thousands of benders was now beneath the thumb of a teenage girl. Granted she was the Avatar, but still.

Confidently, Korra leaned in closer, rising on the balls of her feet. "Now, you're the weak one," she taunted. They were so close that his breath fanned on her face. So close that she saw his eyes darken from blue to black. And she was drawn in so much by that flicker of intensity that she didn't notice his hand creeping up behind her.

"What now, pal? Where's your big plan-"

Korra screamed as he yanked her ponytail back. Pain exploded at her scalp, and white stars burst behind her eyes. Amon grabbed her wrist and twisted, causing the knife to slip from her grip and clatter to the floor. He spun her about, took hold of both her arms, and slammed her against the wall, crushing her against the wood with his own body.

And then he was speaking to her, whispering in her ear.

"That was unwise."

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