Chapter I

We find ourselves in places we hardly desire to be in. We find ourselves in places, that we wish to break from. We find ourselves wrapped in thoughts, that we wish to go away from. They test us in their own way. Is there a reason for that not to happen? No, of course not. It's a part of us. Places, thoughts, bars we're locked behind. All those elements are a part of us. And only with them we are whom we truly are. We are complete.

Our Tethers, Guru Laghima

The sun slowly rose from the horizon, shining over each and every inch of soil within it's blazing glory. The calm waters slowly hit the shores, almost as if they felt the necessity of their work but lacked the will to put their strength into it. Indication of a rather calm day. Appealing day. The towers of the Air Temple seemed to glitter, as it's habitats still rested within the comfort of their warm, cozy beds. There were some that were unable to sleep however.

Tenzin was amongst them, as he walked down the pathways of the blooming gardens. Normally, he would admire the beauty and fragility of the plants surrounding him. That was not one of those days however, as the messenger came in the morning, bearing a letter. Not for him. Not for his family. For the avatar. The news were somewhat mysterious. Somewhat grim. And all he cared about was the well being of those he had under his protection. Well being of his family. Well being of one particular pupil. And it was not what was inside the envelope, for that he did not dared to check. It was from whom the letter was.

He was not alone in the struggle to find peace however, since Korra began the day early as well. She actually felt herself at peace for that one, certain moment, in this one certain hour. The avatar was quite found of this place, as it brought calmness within her heart, more so than the ventures within the spirit world. Especially those that occurred during the night. She could safely call this haven her home, even despite the fact that she already had one. And, she felt safe in here. As the waters slowly claimed her feet, as the breeze smudged her hair, it was all perfect. She found both her purpose and her place within the world, even despite the questions that tormented her mind, and the visions of the ghosts that came from the past. But as with all purpose and peace, it tends to be shattered at some point. And for the most part, quite abruptly.

"Korra."

Tenzin appeared behind and almost out of nowhere, as whatever troubled him could not wait any longer. The avatar knew her old mentor well. And she knew exactly when something was not right. It was never hard to tell really. Just a simple glance at his face would tell her everything she needed to know.

"Hey Tenzin." She smiled, but the grin quickly faded. "What's wrong?"

He stood there and looked at her rather quietly, almost tempted not to tell her a thing. Silence would probably be the best option, judging by the fact that every time the world called for it's protector, it hardly ever ended well for the one he promised to take care for.

"Come on Tenzin, we're beyond the point of obscure silence." She rose her eyebrows. "Tell me what's on your mind."

"Many things. Numerous things. And one connected to you. As usual."

"Oh well." She shrugged. "Perk of being the avatar I suppose. Besides, I can shield myself pretty well. So what's now? Who or what needs saving this time around?"

"No doubt you can shield yourself..." He ignored the latter. The old monk sighted, as he finally passed her a small, enveloped piece of paper from within his sleeve. "No point in delays."

"What's that?" She asked, as she began to circle it around with her fingers. "A plain letter got you worried so hard?"

"More like a message."

"From?"

"Kuvira."

Now that was something he could be worried about. The Great Uniter, albeit not so great anymore, was something that could be considered a problem. And even if she and Korra ended on rather pleasing terms, despite all what happened, it was still thought provoking to receive anything from her. Tenzin simply awaited, looking at the piece of paper within her palm.

"You… looked inside?"

"Of course not." He shook his head. "But I doubt any good can come out of it."

"Perhaps." Korra nodded, more to herself than to him. "But she wrote to me. She had her reasons. And like you always said, 'you cannot run from some things Korra, at times, you need to let them happen. Just let it happen'."

"I said that?" He lightened up a bit. "I must consider my words more carefully then."

"Maybe. But hey, you always told me to listen to my teacher, so..."

Of course, it wasn't him. It was Zaheer. But that part could be spared for her old teacher. She opened the envelope, both curious and somewhat cautious. She hardly knew what to expect, knowing only that for some reason, she needed to be careful. Not that the plain letter could harm her in any way. At least, in no way she found plausible. The handwriting she saw was perfect, strict, raw and straight. She never expected anything less to be honest. Each sentence she ran her fingers through shouted the name of the Great Uniter. Still, the words were the thing that interested her the most.

Avatar Korra

We had many occasions to met, yet non of them were pleasing nor appealing. I accept that, and should my state be different, I would even try to compensate for that, for I grew found of you. Empty words, aren't they? In this place, everything seems to be just that. Empty. Still. I have something of a great importance to tell you, and it is beyond petty letters and writings, as they can be read by eyes not suitable for them. That, and I were never good in writing nonsense. But, I ask you, Avatar Korra, for your presence. This is not an order, as obviously I have no power over you. But treat it as a request. And I would be grateful, should you appear by my side in the upcoming days. But please, make haste, it's a matter which cannot wait for too long. You know where to find me. Everyone does, even if they hardly bare the wish to come near.

K.

She blinked a couple of times and sighted loudly. Just a single gaze at her mentor told him everything. No words were needed, yet she decided to speak out loud. And she of course, had to do what she had to do.

"I must go." She shook her head. "Something's wrong. And this time around, I'll be where the world needs me to be."

"That's what I feared…"

###

She was alone. Such an obscure sight, for someone whom was adored by many. Her looks, her face, her words, her voice. Especially her voice. Those were known in the whole shattered Earth Empire. The gesture of her hand was enough to raze cities. Her word was enough for her people to dedicate their lives for her very being. And now, she was locked within her wooden cage, in the middle of nowhere. A prison once used for Ghazan, now served her well, or rather, contained her well. Her cage was partially covered however, so she held a little bit of privacy just for her. She was once the Great Uniter after all.

The guards were still. They hardly ever held any kind of visitors, yet any kind of change was a nice token in this place. She was meant to spend a lot of time in here after all, and since hardly anyone said a word to her, it was a bit of a nuisance. At least a little bit of company, that's all she could ask for. And then, the avatar came. Came like she always did. Without much of a hassle, on a simple vessel, even though she could swim here all by her self. Her hair got a bit longer, her face, still the same, like a still image. No one tried to stopped her, as they knew better to trust her judgment. As she entered the wooden cage, the one inside seemed to bloom with joy, even if she tried to hid it well.

"Um. Hello."

"Greetings, Avatar Korra." She leaned down slightly in a gesture of respect. "I see you do not cast away even those about which the world forgot about. Or wishes to forget about. Same thing. A true paragon, holding to her virtues."

"How could I…"

"Not important." She chuckled a little. It was a dry and empty laughter. "You came, and for that, I'm grateful. How was your travel?"

"Fine, I suppose." The avatar shrugged. "Hardly a big deal, when you can simply use water..."

Kuvira came closer. Her eyes looked vicious at first, but her gaze quickly softened, as she placed her hand over the avatar's shoulder. Korra pondered, as the women before her never did a thing without purpose. She always had a goal within her doings and motives. And no doubt she had one now. A plan within a plan. Locket up here, she wasn't any less dangerous. She simply needed to be more clever.

"A true paragon. A... friend."

Kuvira said quietly, almost as if she wanted to make herself believe in what she just said. She even let out a slight, warm smile. Such a rarity on the face of the Great Uniter nowadays. A delicacy one would assume. She quickly shrugged off those trivial and hardly mattering feelings however, as she took back her hand.

"But onto business." The woman let go a single, long sight. "They want to put me on trial. Reiko mostly. Su has her share of… how to put it…"

"Interests?"

"Yes."

She smiled again, almost shyly, with a great dose of sadness. Korra still hardly understood the need of her presence, as well as the need of a trial that was meant to be hold. She was already held captive. Was there any need for more? For justice? In her distant memory, she remembered her own family, burdened with hardly fair accusations. Was it the same with Kuvira, she pondered. No, she saw her doings. She knew what she did. Still, why?

"So what do you want from me exactly?"

The girl eventually decided to ask, if only to break the silence. The one before her seemed to stand still, wedging her each and every word. Like a battlefield within her head, like yet another turmoil or yet another burden she needed to bear with.

"Trial is bound to have both accusers and defenders." She took a long, deep refreshing breath. "I wish you to be my defender, before they'll decide that someone else will be better suited for me."

"Should I be flattered?" Korra chuckled a bit, but quickly got serious, as she realized it was hardly the time for jests. As she realized who asks her, and what burden it holds. "It's not like you. To ask for help, to have someone stand for you."

"No, it's not." Kuvira's eyebrows rose. "And believe me, should I had the choice, I would stand on my own. I may be ashamed for what I done." She closed her eyes to recall her thoughts. "But I know exactly why I did what I did, and I would defend myself should I could."

She slowly began to circle around the room, as her slim, stable frame moved in a mesmerizing matter. The wood didn't even cracked underneath her feet. What happened within her mind, the avatar pondered. And what she aimed at. The Great Uniter changed, but how much she changed, that was the question yet to be answered. The only question she could gave an answer to, was what the Uniter changed. Nothing. Everything.

"Still. You are the avatar. And while I have no hope for my fate at this point, I would like for you to stand by me." She grimaced once again, if only vaguely. "You are the only one whom I can consider something similar to a friend, the only one that I knew that will come to my call." Kuvira paused to catch her breath. "And while no doubt I'll be sentenced, I already accepted my fate, I wish for you to vote for me."

"Well…" Korra was somewhat touched that someone bared so much fate within her. There were however matters that needed to be addressed. "That's… surprising. Don't hold this against me, but we weren't exactly on high terms. How do I know this isn't some kind of, you know, trick?"

Kuvira sighted, almost as if she was disappointed. She understood the avatar's concern, just thought that perhaps she's a bit more different. Bit less judging. The Great Uniter rose her hand and pointed at one of those that held her captive.

"See that guard over there?"

"Yes?"

"Sentimental fool." She smiled, bit menacing but at the same time, with some sort of understanding. "He could be the best bender in the world, a warlord of the Northern Tribe or whatnot. And still, he wears a metal necklace which his mother gave him. Should I wish to exit this prison on my terms, I could simply call him, strangle him, cut his throat, form a key." Her eyes were sharp. "Korra, please don't think of me so low. I came here on my own terms. I've agreed with the terms of my punishment. Therefore, I'm going to keep my word."

"Probably..." Korra shook her head. "Why Tenzin didn't mention about this. He…"

"He probably knows nothing." Kuvira shrugged. "Not yet at least. It's not a great secret what kind of man is he. Forgiving. Raiko and the others wish no forgiveness for me."

"And you?"

"And me…" The woman pondered. "I will not ask for forgiveness when I shared non. But they want to held this mockery. And I won't just give in to their games."

"Maybe they just want justice?"

"Justice is here. Being alone to the end of time. What they do, is just slipping salt all over me."

They both went silent, as no other words were necessary.

"What you want to gain in all of this then?"

"I just want to look at them all once again. Look at them, and look them in the face. They made me, in a way." She glanced between the bars, looking at the guards behind them. They seemed to listen to their words, so she tried to exclaim everything a bit louder. "Non wanted to take responsibility. When I told them that, no one wanted to listen."

"But wasn't that..."

"And you." Kuvira stated, as she hardly wanted the avatar to finish. "And you were gone. The only person to clean up the mess while others refused to do so... went missing." Chills passed down her body. "So all what was left, was an orphan, trained as a guard and a dancer to take the burden for others."

"I'm sorry."

"No, don't be sorry av... Korra." She shook her head, smiling vaguely. "Don't be sorry. My actions were my own, and you cannot always be responsible for the mistakes of others."

Once again, silence occurred. During those pleasing moments, the avatar finally got a chance to take a long glance at the former Great Uniter. Despite the initial thoughts, she looked as she remembered her. Standing tall, proud, if a bit broken. She had strength within her, she could gave her that. There was so much power still lying within her. Whom was her to let all this potential go to waste? After all, everything she wanted to achieve, was to do the exact same thing which the avatar aimed at. Unification. Balance. But she drove her goals at the expense of others. Still, wouldn't she be the same, given the circumstances?

"So, will you be my defender?" Kuvira finally broke the silence, gazing within her eyes. "I know it's a lot to ask for, avatar Korra, but…"

"I will." It surprised her, how fast she agreed to do just that. Perhaps deep inside she knew that what she will do is just. At least for her. And since everyone always told her to trust her judgment, it only seemed fit. "I do not hold grudge against you."

"The world may dislike you for that." She paused. "The world will hate you for it."
"Since when the avatar was always loved by many?" She shrugged. "I have one person to support my. And that's all the support I need."

The avatar looked at the face of her former adversary. There was a slight blush over her cheek, barely noticeable. A strange notion of someone who hardly ever had any kind of regret.

"I killed her father."

"That you did."

That simple phrase, told in a rather simple, plain way, shook Kuvira. How much the girl before her changed from the last time they meet. How much she learned and how much she differed from the time when she was still escaping from Zaheer.

"And still you will vouch for me?"

"Yes."

"Can I ask you, why?"

"I don't really know." It was obvious that she was lying. Numerous thoughts swirled within her head, but most of it all, an enormous feeling of guilt. An enormous feeling of grief. "But I will, alright? Won't that be enough?"

"Yes." Kuvira hesitated. "Yes it will be enough."