Disclaimer: See chapter 1

There is not much to do in darkness, where the sun never shines, and warmth is an old memory. I could recall my past, but that would not be uplifting. I could try and firebend, but I fear the disappointment I have when no flame comes.

So, there is nothing.

Or, almost.

After all, I can still sing.

People used to say that my father and I shared a gift of words, being able to twist and warp them to our own goals. This gift serves me well in the dark. Singing does not bring me pain, for some reason. No matter what the subject is, I just feel joyful. So when anguish overpowers me and threatens to break the fragile gates to my mind, I open my mouth and sing. I've made a few pieces, but I always forget them, in time. Sometimes, I just let words pour out, ones that have no relation to the ones before.

That's what I'm doing now.

"Leaves of green, mountain dew,

Calling out,

So restlessly,

Falling to earth,

So quietly,

Like old petals to the new dawn…"

I trailed off. No words came to me now. I shifted uncomfortably and laid my head back against the wall with a sigh. Biting my lower lip, I sang no more.


"Calling out,

So restlessly…"

"What is that noise?" Ilesh asked, turning to Hidhi.

You see, not all places were as dark and damp as the cell in which Lu Ten languished. In fact, in the very same prison, there were such places. One, was a small office, belonging to Captains Ilesh and Hidhi, brothers, wardens of Shí Prison, ever loyal to the Earth Kingdom and Earth King. Though the office was both of theirs, Ilesh preferred to go through reports and other things in a separate one. Today, however, the coca-haired man had joined his brother. It was a simple thing, adorned with two desks and an overhanging lamp. It had been much more lavish in the hands of the previous warden, but the two had made sure it had only what was needed.

"Hm?" Hidhi hummed an answer, not even glancing at his sibling.

"That singing." Ilesh clarified, slipping his quill into the ink and standing. Hidhi raised his head and the albino turned to meet his brother's gaze.

"What of it?" Ilesh stared at him, hands held in exasperation.

"Where's it coming from?"

"Oh, just him." The elder responded, turning back to his paperwork.

"Who?" The brunet asked.

"Oh, I don't know his name, but he's a fire nation prisoner. Sings to pass the time. Most of them appear to be his own."

"You don't know his name? Then why is he here?" The younger captain questioned.

"Well," Hidhi answered, scratching something out on the parchment, "he was captured during the Siege of Ba Sing Se by General Iroh." Ilesh's face froze in shock.

"Hidhi… that was five years ago." His brother responded with a sigh.

"I know."

"What do you call him?"

"He's earned the name, the Song-Spinning Firebender."

Author's Note:

I was bored. You get two this week. Because this one's early, it's short. Sorry.

Drop a review and tell me what you think, please! Did you like Ilesh and Hidhi? I can have them appear again!