Book 5 Absolution
A/N: The Earth Empire is plotting and someone is even more pissed off at Kuvira than Su.
Well that was an enormous fuck up on Zevon's part. "How many have seen this report?"
The Empire general remained immobile in his chair as he spoke, "The team that was sent to investigate, two clerks here, and myself."
Ghashiun closed the thick folder and dropped it on his desk with a satisfying thwok! Good. "What do you propose we do to remedy this Kuvira situation?"
The subordinate was silent as he stared at the folder. "If she does mean to tear us down, we'll need to keep the borders on high alert, though I suspect she will easily circumvent such a move, especially since she's better acquainted with our security than even I am. Trying to seek her out would be a waste of resources. . . . Our best course of action would be to predict where she'll strike and apprehend her before she can complete her objective."
The emperor nodded before standing and pacing slowly behind his desk. "We'll need to be careful - if these pictures are any indication, she will be quick and merciless." He rubbed the stubble on his chin. "On the flip side, we can also use this to our advantage. What better way to reaffirm the loyalty and dedication of the people than to tell them of a cowardly, underhanded attack by the enemy?"
"Are we going to claim Kuvira is our enemy?"
"No, that information is not to leave this room." He stopped and addressed the general directly, "I need you to gather everyone who has seen or participated in the creation of this report and inform them they've been chosen to join a high security task force. They will be expected to attempt to predict Kuvira's movements and, should they fail, investigate any attacks and spin the truth to fit our narrative that the United Republic or their allies are to blame."
"And the surviving members of Fort Senlin?"
"They will be the force behind our new task force. Summon them here and begin with their training. It's time we brought back the ways of the Dai Li." I never should have let her disband them in the first place.
"Yes, sir."
He walked past him and opened the door. "Time is of the essence and I have another meeting. Is there anything else?"
The general stood and walked with measured steps to the door. "Once we have her . . ."
Don't fuck it up. "Eliminate her. I don't want a repeat of Senlin." Ghashiun watched him leave for a moment before closing the door and making a call. "Send him up."
It was only a matter of time before she broke. It's a pity it has to end this way. He opened the folder again and stared at the pictures of Zevon's corpse. At least she did me a favor by ridding me of this idiot. Always questioned every order that didn't come from her directly. Would have had to do it myself eventually.
"Sir, you wanted to see me?"
Ghashiun looked up to find a stout older man holding a long wooden box standing in his doorway. "Yes, Lee, is it ready?"
He nodded and hurried forward nearly tripping over his own feet in excitement. "Initial tests have been very promising," he muttered as Ghashiun cleared the report away to make room on his desk. "We can head down to the catacombs now if you'd like to see for yourself."
"That is the plan, but let me have look at it first," he chuckled as he opened the box. Lee is so much more pleasant to work with than the whiny twits Kuvira dragged around with her.
Nestled on an emerald green cushion, laid the gleaming weapon. Longer than a crossbow (and without the bow), the barrel was almost entirely platinum; its stalk was constructed of shining hardwood. "The backfiring problem has been fixed?" he asked patiently as he lifted it out of the box.
"Yes, sir. We haven't any more deaths or injuries since."
"Range?"
"Further than our testers can see. We're working on developing a mounted telescope for it."
"Is it named yet?"
"That honor goes to you, sir. We are simply calling it a hand cannon."
Ghashiun smirked and lifted the weapon to his shoulder and looked down the sight. "I suppose we should give it something historical. I'm tempted to name it for the late queen, but that wouldn't fit with our modern nation." He lowered it back into the box. "Are the spirit vines still encased in glass shells?"
"No," Lee said proudly. "The amount of vine needed for each shot is small enough that it doesn't need to be vacuumized, so we've been using thin steel instead."
"Cheaper?"
"Much and easier to produce."
Perfect. "And it can penetrate metal and rock?"
"Platinum, no. Steel, about two centimeters. Rock, depends on the make up - we've seen up to a meter and as little as half that."
Fantastic, if only Kuvira had waited until now to attack we might not be in this mess. "How soon until we can get these to every outpost?" he asked closing the box and putting it under his arm. I need to see this in action.
"Production has already begun," Lee said excitedly. "The city will be armed by tomorrow morning and shipments will leave in the afternoon with your approval."
"Have I ever told you how much I appreciate your initiative, Lee?" Ghashiun chuckled, throwing an arm around the older man as he led them from his office.
The engineer beamed with pride. "You have, but it's still nice to hear."
The soft staccato of a bird's chip echoed through the mountain pass as Kuvira walked by. Compared to the last week of imprisonment and unrelenting guilt, today had been a small slice of paradise.
Let's see what's ahead. It had become a rhythm as she made her way out of the mountains, every five minutes stomping the ground to check that she was alone. Small rodents and birds in trees surrounded her as she took a deep breath and enjoyed the relative silence. Another five kilometers until I reach the nearest village then. I could think of worse ways to spend my time, she thought sardonically.
A cool gust of wind rushed past her from behind, bringing with it the faintest sound of laughter. Pulse suddenly racing, Kuvira quickly took cover in the shadows off the trail. Airbenders? A spirit maybe? She scanned the small bit of the sky she could see.
"Ha, ha, ha." It was a melodious echo, but in a menacing minor key. Where are you? she thought as she prepared to attack.
"Hm." Nearly jumping out of her skin, Kuvira turned around only to find the rocky side of the mountain pass. I swear that was right behind me. The echoing must be playing tricks. . . .
"Sweet little bird has wandered far from home. Is she looking to return, I wonder?" a woman's voice taunted hauntingly from every direction. "Perhaps I can help."
"Who are you?!" Kuvira called out. "Where are you?!"
"I'm right here," the voice said with a madding echo.
"What do you want?" she said standing in the middle of the path, prepared to fight. Show yourself, coward.
"There's no need for that, though a good spar would be quite the thrill." A gust of wind whipped around the former dictator, whirling around in front of her, revealing the blue outline of a young woman.
Kuvira stared in confusion as she fought to recognize her - her clothing was dated, old fire nation military by the look of it. "Why are you here?" she asked hesitantly.
"To find you, silly. There is someone who wants to have a word with you." The woman's smile sent a chill down her spine, not that Kuvira let it show.
"Who?"
"I'll need to bring you to her. She doesn't make trips to the physical world often." The spirit began to approach her.
"Stay where you are," Kuvira ordered with confidence she didn't feel.
"Or what, little bird? Will you fly away? There is no where I won't find you. There's no harm in having a conversation, is there?"
"You are anything, but reassuring," she admitted. She took a half a step back as the spirit reached out a delicate hand and pressed a finger to her forehead.
In an instant, the world around her changed with a sickening jolt. The beautiful trees and fresh air were replaced with the entrance of a dark musty cave. Around her, spirits floated before her guide shooed them away. "This way, little bird."
Kuvira followed nervously, trying to figure out what just happened. What the hell?! Where I am - the spirit world? How do I get out of here? Where is the portal from here?
"My lady, your guest has arrived," the woman said with a somewhat insincere flourish.
Kuvira's frantic worrying came to a sudden halt. From the depths of a large pool in the center of the cavern, an enormous spirit lethargically emerged. She watched with unconcealed awe as the spindly entity filled the cavern. "So this is the human responsible for so much destruction," an aged voice boomed. "Kuvira the Great Uniter, you have made quite the name for yourself in the spirit world."
Kuvira stared on in terror as the spirit's many faces turned at random to focus on her. Words refused to form in her mind.
The spirit pressed on. "I am the Mother of Faces, a spirit of great mercy and empathy - neither of which I have to spare for you. Your destruction of our vines has not gone unnoticed, nor has your bastardization of our life force."
"I am not that person anymore," Kuvira pleaded earnestly, ignoring the tiny part of her ego trying tell her such an act was beneath her.
"No one ever is when faced with the consequences of their actions. That is one of the many reasons why humans seek me out." The spirit allowed a new face to turn to her. "You will not be allowed such an escape. If you are so different, why should I allow you to roam unpunished for your crimes?"
What punishment can she give out? she wondered in fear. Where is Korra when I need her? Korra . . . "Isn't the avatar supposed to handle this? She is supposed to be the bridge between-"
"She has said herself she is no longer the bridge between the spirit and physical worlds after she opened the spirit portals. She has also allowed you to escape punishment in the physical world, something I cannot abide."
"She allowed me my freedom to correct my mistakes in the physical world," Kuvira tried to reason. "I need to free my people from the oppressive government I created."
"A human crime and a human resolution," the spirit said heartily. "I see no punishment for your crimes against the spirit world and my people."
Kuvira let her despair show. "How can I atone for my crimes against your people?"
"Bartering will get you nowhere if you do not intend on honoring an agreement. An eternity in the Fog of Lost Souls had been your chosen punishment, but if you are serious about atonement perhaps something else can be arranged."
The earth bender bowed her head clenched her fists to keep them from trembling. "I didn't realize the gravity of my decisions then. I want to make things right."
The spirit barked out a short, humorless laugh. "That you cannot do. The damage has been done and suffering will not be forgotten. What I have in mind is an arrangement similar to that of your escort. She was once human as I'm sure you have noticed."
Kuvira glanced at her and was surprised to see her, not in shades of blue, but in full color and completely solid. Lifting her hands, she stared in surprise at her own transparent, blue fingers. I'm a spirit?
"My lady can give your existence purpose and free you of your burdens if you so choose."
"If you find the terms agreeable, instead of eternal damnation, you can serve me and be my eyes and ears to the physical world."
"How?"
"Upon your death, I will come for you and escort your spirit here. You will then flit to the physical world to do the lady's bidding until she sees fit to release you to pass into the afterlife." Her escort stared hard into Kuvira's wide eyes. "It may be many lifetimes before your service is completed."
Kuvira swallowed nervously as she absorbed the terms. What choice do I have? "If that is what it will take, then I accept."
The Mother of Faces nodded slowly. "Then I will return you to the physical world. Until we meet again, Kuvira the Great Uniter." A knotty finger extended from the spirit, connecting between her eyes, jolting her back to her body.
"Shit!" she hissed as she lost her balance and fell to the rocky ground. Staring up at the darkening sky, Kuvira laid on her back in shock. What have I just agreed to?
A/N: Am I allowed to write an entire chapter of a korrasami fic that doesn't have Korra or Asami in it? I mean, you all overdosed on fluff with the previous chapter, right?
So the Kuvira-spirit thing - she needs someone around to talk to other than Korra so who better than my favorite villian of all time? I'm pulling this from the ATLA comics, so if you want a bit of context check out The Search or just hit up a wiki. (It'll get explained, I promise. Just another subplot.)
More fluff is to come, as well as bending-bro bonding time - I just had to set up that next half of the story with this chapter. Thanks for reading! (and reviewing if you do that sort of thing)
