The whole town's outer residential areas are covered in trails of smokes and fire. Ashes littered across the earth mixed with the blood of once living creatures. The acolytes pillaged all in sight, leaving none to mercy. It's as if a bad weather is all it takes to rattle the wrath of disasters, attracting a whole horde of armed men to this insignificant place on the map.
As for people living here, their fate does not belong to them. Yesterday they were still living an impoverished but undisturbed life, now none of it mattered. Not all the people in the lower class district were able to escape when the defenses were overwhelmed. Many were too late to realize what was going on, and failed to retreat to safety. And now as time goes on, the defenders of the inner wall can heard less and less of the painful cries of the peasants. With each passing minute, even lesser people were seen fleeing to the inner gate as the raiders are preoccupied.
And after a few hours, the whole town is silent, not even the dogs can be heard barking. It's possible that the raiders simply got tired and left, or maybe, there are no longer any people in the outer district to be slaughtered. The eerie atmosphere only dwell on the suspenseful fear, everything is dead silent.
Standing on the walls guarding the inner district, Temujin stood like a sentry, observing every little movement through the thick fire smokes.
Satchiko sat down next to him, her hands had been covering her ears the whole time, blocking out all the voices she does not wish to hear. She couldn't help them, she is weak. If she can't even save that little girl, what can she even for others?
Temujin's brown deels are a mess, and his hair is all in disarray. Right now, the gates are still open, a risky move that would be detrimental should the attackers rush for the gate.
"We need to close the gates, they are all here aren't they?" Suo pleaded with the Khan, who has effectively 'outrank' the guard captain by just being here.
"Wait, there could be more people coming!" Satchiko implored Temujin. She didn't want to close the gate just yet, fearing someone might still be heading here.
Temujin didn't respond immediately, he walked to the other side of the wall and looked to the ground. So far, all the peasants have been sent away from this area to the mayor's palace. They are more useful there by not being a hinderance to everyone else here.
So far, only a small handful of militias are stationed near the wall. To make things worse, some of his own warriors are injured, and only a few are still able to fight at full capacity.
"I heard that you are planning to use the gold inside the mayor's vault to bribe those cultists, tell me, why do you think that would work?" The Khan questioned, already prepared to berate Suo's incompetence. "Their goal cannot be satisfied by mere material wealth, the likes of them only pursue ideological victories." Temujin asked Suo as if this is an interrogation. The airbending steppe lord has never held warriors manning walled cities in high regard. And Satchiko already knew Temujin is not the type to trust in any ideas of a simple civil servant.
Suo couldn't find a straightforward answer, but he tried to explain his reasoning anyway. "Look, if these Acolyes of Vaatu are very some sort of daofei cult that attacks anyone who is 'not pure', I'm certain even the most devoted people would be defeated by money! And trust me when I said this, the treasury of this town is enough for you to be set for life! My men are going to the vault to fetch the good, we will leave the carts outside and let those daofei take it! Why would they bother continuing their attack if they have already taken everything? I can already feel that the belongings of the dead peasants are enough for their appetite."
"And the mayor?" Temujin asked suddenly, catching Suo off guard. "What is he going to say about this?"
"He is fine with it!" Suo replied with a suspiciously confident expression. "Knowing him, sacrificing the treasury in exchange for the people's safety is a small price to pay!"
"Very?" Satchiko's unforgiving tone advanced into Suo's act. "Weren't you sent back here to get the Earth bending guards so that we can keep those bad people out! What were you doing?!" She pointed at him with an accusatory manner, disgusted with his lack of honor.
All eyes were on Suo, Ganbaatar only watched as he wasn't there when the guard captain was tasked to fetch the Earth Benders. But like many other Kheshig, he too doesn't place his trust in these so called soldiers.
Sounds of footsteps can be heard approaching the wall's base from behind, and Suo's face lit up immediately. "See, my men are back!" He avoided Satchiko's furious gaze as he hustled down the stone stairs. He is deliberately avoiding the question, and she knows this.
"That man, and that fat mayor." Ganbaatar started to talk behind Suo's back. "They all remind me so much of that old incompetent fool who abandoned us!" He gripped his scimitar even tighter, veins thickening.
Remembering past conversations, Satchiko knew that Ganbaatar wasn't referring to Temujin. He is badmouthing whoever that was ruling the city they used to dwell in.
"We will one day get our revenge, even if it takes generations." Temujin consoled. "When the right opportunity is present, we will repay the debt tenfold to those who have harmed our people. And I knew when that day comes, our children would also be there to carry it out."
Ganbaatar suddenly looked around, making sure that no one is ear dropping on their conversation. Judging by his action, or inaction, it's clear to the Kyoshi warrior is welcomed. So far, there is only three of them on directly above the gate.
"About Batu, he appears...different." Ganbaatar asked cautiously. He didn't knew the full detail, but he saw the dead acolyte assassin on the ground as he retreated to the sky bisons. The arrow stuck in the corpse can only belong to one person, the kid who is holding his composite bow.
Temujin breathed in, and out. "We will discuss this in a more...stable environment. Right now, you are to not speak of any of this to Khenbish and Saran. That goes for you too, warrior of Kyoshi."
Ganbaatar bowed slightly, and Satchiko just stood there. She greeted Temujin with an understanding nod. And she might also knew why they wanted her mouth to remain shut about Batu's action.
"What!" Suo cried below. Satchiko run to the edge of the wall and found the guard captain in great disbelief and panic. The carts did not return with the amount of money Suo was hoping for. Instead, the guards sent to the treasury have only returned with only a handful of coins. "We are doomed!"
Satchiko noticed that amongst the people sent to get the gold from the vault, was Mayumi. The older Kyoshi warrior then report the situation to Temujin.
"The vault is empty," She said, stating the obvious. "Someone has already taken all the valuable inside the mayor's mansion."
"What!" Now it was Satchiko who is confused. "Who would be doing something like that in the middle of an attack?"
Temujin's eyes wondered towards the rows of fancy houses and villas. They suddenly now look empty. "And the peasants, where have they gone?"
"They took refuge inside the mayor's palace, when we got there, everything is empty."
Satchiko can heard Temujin's breathing getting louder, angrier. She wouldn't even dare ask him what is going on.
The Khan jumped off the wall, he used air-bending to slow himself when he landed behind Suo.
"Hey hey hey! What's the idea!" Suo felt a large hand gripped around his neck. Strangely, the captain felt his skin is being pierced by claws. Temujin then slammed him against the wall's smooth surface.
"Answer my question, where are the elites of this town hiding? And what funny business the mayor is up to?" Temujin tightened his hold, and the defenseless Suo can only conceal so much.
"Look!" Satchiko pointed at a large green airship in the air. Temujin looked up, and he only got angrier.
"They-they left without me." Suo's tone was a greatly dismayed one. For a man that has worked for the mayor for so long, borne the insults and be the mayor's enforcer, he felt betrayed. "They left without me?" He repeated it.
"What a familiar sight!" Temujin can't help but laugh a little. He let go of Suo, who fell to the ground like a lifeless person. "Looks like it's just me, all over again!"
This laughter, is unnatural. It has grief, sadness, and the abandonment of hope.
"What should we do my Khan." Batzorig asked. "Should we stop that airship?"
"Even if we do, I doubt there would have any space left to carry everyone on it." Temujin said after he looked at the size of the airship. The air vehicle cannot hold the massive numbers of additional refugees inside the inner district.
"I will not allow my own people to be in danger, that is final. Gather all the Kheshigs, we leave at once." Just as Temujin is about to walk towards that large grey bison, a hand suddenly grabbed his arm.
Batzorig froze, noticing what is happening. It's Satchiko, she is the one that stopped Temujin from reaching the bison. While this simple action doesn't appear to have done any harm, to the Kheshigs present, it is a great disrespect to their leader.
"Little girl, what are doing!" Jargal warned, but too afraid to directly intervene. "Let go, quick!" He hushed.
Temujin only stared at her, coldly.
"You are just going to abandon everyone in this town just like that?" Satchiko asked the air-bending Khan, who doesn't appear bothered even in the slightest degree. "I know what your people have been through, and I am sorry. But does it very mean you can just sit on the sideline and watch others suffer similar fate?" She spoke with great sincerity, respecting the Kheshig with her soft tone.
Mayumi stormed over and snatched Satchiko's hand away. She then bowed deeply to the Khan. "Forgive my sister, for she doesn't understand respect yet! Satchiko, bow, quickly!"
"No!"
Satchiko ignored Mayumi's plea to maintain their good relations with the Kheshig, she understands that they still needed them to transport them to Ba Sing Se. Yet, she isn't thinking about her own journey, right now, she cared more about the well-being of everyone inside this wall.
"When your people were being abandoned, the bisons came to your rescue. They didn't care how dangerous it is, yet they still saved you and your people! They made a difference!" Satchiko continued her argument, trying to convince the Khan to change his mind. Even until now, she still felt is it the righteous thing to do by defending the weak.
"Satchiko, you have said enough!" Mayumi muttered, still trying her best to repair what is left.
Temujin sighed. "My people have endured too much already, I do not want them to be causality of today's battle. This isn't our fight, this is supposed to be just between those dreaded cultist and this town only. Yet I still sent my warriors to the front, hoping to halt the pillagers at bay. But at last just as I have predicted, it is a futile battle. I may not be able to save this town, but I can at least prevent the Kheshig from being part of its destruction. Everyone else here are all strangers to me, they are not my family friends, why should I ever risk mine and my people's life for them?"
"That is just making excuses!" Satchiko made a fierce rebuttal. "I didn't care about whether the people here know me or not. I only know that helping them is the right thing to do!"
"The right thing to do, heh, well aren't you an idealistic adolescent!" Temujin echoed that line. "As a former White Lotus member, I can tell you, that no matter how much good you do in this world, in the grant scheme of things, it will amount to nothing. Nothing I tell you! If you have a million fish washed onto the shores, you alone can only save a small handful before they all die. Think you naive girl, what difference can you very make? Even if I did successfully save this town, there are still countless other Earth Kingdom settlements that are being pillaged and the inhabitants slaughtered, what difference will I even create?"
The Khan sounded tired. Perhaps seeing so much destruction and lost hope have dampened his willingness to help others. Understandably, he is after all the leader of the Kheshigs, and every decision must be made to ensure his own people is safe first.
Satchiko thought about it for a while, and decided to choose an answer she felt it is the best choice. The wisdom is not hers, but it is from Hakaru. "My dad told me once, that there will be many trouble you face in life. Sometimes, it would feel overwhelming, that all you wanted to do is to escape. But eventually, you will have to face your fears. You might not feel that you are making any difference at all Temujin, but hear this. If you can only save a small handful of fish out of a million, then you have already made a huge difference for that small handful of fish that successfully returned to the ocean."
The large grey bison behind Temujin roared in approval. Even they can understand this simple message. Even though Satchiko challenged the Khan's decision and even used his personal name, no one called her out. The Kheshig warriors on the scene didn't spoke a single thing to denounce her, much to Mayumi's relief.
Temujin just stood there, contemplating. The old Khan looked at his claw infested hand. Satchiko wondered, under what circumstances did he obtain such unworldly body part. The Kheshig has white fur instead of his skin, and sharp claws replaced his nails. Is this is some sort of curse? Or perhaps because of something supernatural?
"If I were to defend this town, I will do it alone." Temujin walked up the grey bison and climbed onto the saddle. There he retrieved his armor, weapons, which he had used against the four bending acolytes. "If my body dies, let my body die, but do not let my people die."
Jargal suddenly came up to Temujin, all worried at what has gotten into their leader. Temujin held up his hand and waved in determination. All the Kheshig silenced themselves.
"Um, since you have decided to defend this place, how about I officially make you in charge of the city's defenses?" Suo offered. "I bestow to you, the custodian of Shang!"
"Very well, after all, the strength of a wall is neither greater nor less than the courage of the men who defend it." Temujin then commanded his warriors to help him put up his armor. After the whole daunting process is done, the Khan now is once again wearing his iconic heavy armor. Countless pieces of lamellar encircled his body, covering every above his knee with the exception of his eyes. It made him look like an iron tower, with a round helmet on the top. Temujin then have his polished scimitar situated on the side of his waist, his round sturdy shield in his right hand. Jargal tied a quiver of arrows on the Khan's back, and Satchiko can only imagine how much weight Temujin is carrying.
"Your bow, my lord." Batzorig kneeled down and presented Temujin with the Khan's personal composite bow. Since these nomads placed a higher emphasis on archery, the bow is naturally a more significant part of their warrior, even more so than their melee weapons. Temujin's bow is made of bison horn in core, a sturdy material that can only be accessible to them. Of course, they would never take the horn of live sky bisons.
"Everyone!" Ganbaatar yelled from the top of the wall. "Those creatures are approaching!"
Temujin tried to talk under his armor, which he proven to be quite difficult.
"Ganbaatar!" Temujin's muffled voice called out. "Should I fell, take our kin and leave."
The Kheshig captain nodded. There wasn't much unnecessary facial expression, after all, it's a command.
Temujin headed for the gate, and Satchiko followed.
"I'm coming too!" The Kyoshi warrior without her golden headdress said. "Hey, let go!"
Mayumi quickly used her both arms and tied it around Satchiko's waist. This time, the force used is much stronger. No matter how much Satchiko struggled, she cannot get free.
"You stay put, you are not ready." Temujin's word put Satchiko at rest. She felt it's because of her failing performance earlier that have made Temujin come to such conclusions. But in all honesty, maybe he has a point. As of now, a part of her heart is also afraid of what is right outside. Yet, she still told the Khan to face the horde.
Temujin finally exited the gate, large wooden doors behind him shut with a loud bang. Mayumi let go after seeing Satchiko is no longer energetic. The younger Kyoshi warrior sulked, remembering that orphan that just got killed. Maybe things could have been different had she done something more or perhaps an alternative path that would have saved the nameless girl.
"Quick everyone, let's get up and see what is happening!" Jargal suggested, prompting everyone including captain Suo to head up to the wall walk.
The sounds of mecha tank and the footsteps of thousands can heard. But amongst those were also hideous laughters of the acolytes, all were pleased with their 'work'. The whole contingent stopped, facing the gate which Temujin is guarding.
"Hahahahaha!" Tufei the firebender laughed. "By the will of the master, I am free! You thought you have seen the last of me, but guess what, your pathetic plans will never hinder us!"
"Silence Tufei!" Taotie punched the fire-bender's stomach. "For a pure warrior, you have disgraced yourself by being captured! After generations of refined selection, your possession of pure bending does not excuse your failures!"
Tufei suddenly looked scared, frightened. He quickly cowered and curled up into a small bow. He mumbled a lot of words, begging forgiveness for dishonoring his master.
Taotie then refocused on the man in pagoda armor that is Temujin. "We have destroyed half of the town, and brought purity to everyone. Do you still wish to resist?"
"Do you wish to die?" Temujin asked callously.
"What-why you! Ow!" Taotie felt his head was hit with a wooden staff. It was Qiongqi, the freaky old man with blood all across his elongated beard.
"Elder, why this reaction?" Taotie asked indignantly. "We have successfully cleansed a good bunch of people, why stop now? Ow!" He was hit again by the wooden stick.
"Your lack of priority disgust me!" Qiongqi berated Taotie. "You wish to waste even more men to fight that thing!" He pointed at Temujin.
"But he is just one guy!" Taotie replied. "I have thousands of believers, I will send them and they crush that gate! In fact, the master told us to destroy anything impure, those air-benders are especially evil, and we must destroy any we came across so that they do not have offsprings. Also, the master said, we need lots of resources to pay for the-ow!"
Taotie's forehead now appears to be bruising. Satchiko wanted that creepy old man to beat Taotie more. Secretly, she wanted Taotie to be killed for what he has done for that orphan girl.
Qiongqi stepped forward, addressing the people standing on top of the walls. "You saw what we are capable of, now, what is your next step?"
Temujin used his unsheathed his scimitar and banged the shield, challenging the whole army of daofei cultist to a battle.
"Wait!" Suo yelled. "We don't even have anything left!" He threw a bag of coins near Qiongqi's feet. "This is all we got from the treasury, I promise you, there very isn't anything valuable left! Whatever goal you have, it's not worth it. Just leave us be and you don't need to waste your precious time!"
Qiongqi caressed his beard. His attention is focused on the armored Khan. Then, his head turned back and looked at the back of their army. Massive carts loaded with money and other resources to trade have already been organized. His head then wondered to Tufei.
"You!" Qiongqi pointed his wooden stick at Tufei. "Redeem your honor, attack that man!" He is referring to Temujin.
"Simple!" Tufei's face brightened with determination. Fire-benders seems to have an unexplained affinity to their honor. The ruffian saw Temujin, and charged right towards the Kheshig.
"Watch out!" Ganbaatar cried from the wall.
Tufei dished out multiple fire fists, all of which were blocked by the Khan's massive round shield. The fire-bender, unamused by his lack of initial success, started to deliver a continuous stream of flame.
The Khan, who is having none of it, started to swing his scimitar in round circles. With each swing, he swung it faster. Until he quickly stepped forward and slammed the sword to the ground, and a powerful current was conjured from the atmosphere around him.
"Die!"
Tufei was pushed by a tremendous amount of air, and the whole army behind him can feel the force as they firmly stood their ground. The man was propelled all the way to the back, properly severely injured.
A few hundred non-bending acolytes at the front were also blown away by the wind. Their bodies were flung to all over the place, roof, balcony, or smashed into houses. Only Taotie and Qiongqi managed to stood firm as they burrowed their feets into the earth. A few mecha tanks were also pushed backwards, but not flipped over. This is a very destructive force Temujin just delivered, and Qiongqi's expressionless face finally displayed a tiny hind of surprise.
"Just as I thought," Qiongqi said. "You are the leader of the Kheshig. Only someone like you can ever bend air with such ferocity alone."
"How do you know who I am?" Temujin demanded.
After witnessing the destructive capabilities of the Khan, the whole army of acolytes do not dare to move. Even their fierce fanaticism failed to sooth their fears.
"Elder, let us attack, the whole army attacking that impure air-bender at once will definitely kill him!"
There was long silence from Qiongqi. Instead of granting clearance for an attack, the old man turned around and saw the airship above in the sky. He sighed.
"Taking down that man will spend two thirds of all our followers." Qiongqi calculated. "I will not waste so much for so few. After all, we already came for what we are here for, let us leave."
The whole army turned around to evacuate, bringing them countless carts and wagons supplied with many resources and valuable goods.
Temujin appeared confused, he expected them to perform a frontal assault against the inner district.
"Are they just going to leave us?" Satchiko asked, failing to comprehend. "After killing so many people, they DARE leave!"
She wanted to climb over the walls, but was restrained by Mayumi and a few other Kheshig. Unlike her, they are definitely not complaining that the attackers have willingly left this establishment.
"Do not interpret this as a retreat, for I am simply doing what is best for the master's plan." Qiongqi's speech halted Satchiko's restlessness. "As for you unnatural air-benders, your end is inevitable."
Temujin narrowed his eyes. He straightened his back, watching the acolytes gradually withdrawing. The mecha tank's sound still felt like a nightmare. For the Kheshig people, they bring back terrible memories of a past they wish to forget.
It felt like ages, but afterwards, the whole area in front of Temujin's eyes are completely devoid of any life. To the Khan, it is obviously a relief. While his powers can allow him to fight one thousand men at once, it is unlikely that even a senior man like him can withstand an assault of more than a few thousand and mecha tanks.
The gate didn't need to open again, for the Khan used his air-bending to propel his whole body weight across the walls. He landed on the wall turret above the gate, where everyone else is also standing.
"You-you did it!" Suo cannot help but be thankful of the Khan. Even though Temujin didn't do much. "You scared them away! This calls for a celebration!"
Temujin shaked his head disapprovingly, and grabbed Suo by his collar. "Victory? Hardly." Temujin then let go, and headed for the ground below and begins to undress his whole suit of armor. Perhaps the Khan is mentally exhausted from the pressure, and simply wanted to rest a bit. After preparing to fight a whole army of murderous cultist, suddenly not doing it has drained his excitement for the day.
As Ganbaatar and the rest decided to head down, he noticed that the two Kyoshi warriors are still left on the wall.
"We will be with you in a moment," Mayumi said to the captain.
Satchiko stood still, overlooking the whole outer district from the highest point of the wall. Everything before her is in ruins, houses burnt down, people slaughtered. This is the first time a young girl like her have witnessed such brutality.
"How many people do you think made it behind to safety sister?" Satchiko asked with an uneasy tone. While she does want to know the exact number, at the same time she is reluctant to know the truth.
"You don't need to know that, those are not your concerns." Mayumi put it as simply as possible.
"I...I can't, I can't stop thinking about things." Satchiko said. "This is the world we live it?" Her tone was incredulous, highlighted with disbelief and delusions. "What kind of person am I to allow such thing to happen?"
"It isn't your fault!" Mayumi forcefully reminded. "Those people, the Acolytes of Vaatu probably also wanted to attack Kyoshi island too, but we were there to stop them from trying anything."
"But...what if one day Kyoshi island also becomes just like-" Satchiko wouldn't dare finish that sentence. The image of burning wooden lodges and dead Kyoshi warriors are all in her brain, causing her to increase her rate of breathing just by thinking about it. And even worse, all the people she knew would suffer an unimaginable fate.
"Stop," Mayumi rested her hand on Satchiko's shoulder, you are imagining things. "The spirit of Avatar Kyoshi watches over us, nothing bad will ever happen."
"You promise?" Satchiko sounded like a child.
Mayumi didn't immediately said it.
"I promise," her tone was firm. But Satchiko isn't certain if her sister truly believe her own words. "Sometimes, you weight yourself down with negative thoughts. You let them define who you are, and they consume you. I will be here if you want to talk."
Mayumi then lead Satchiko to the stairs, and the younger sister took one last peak at the destruction. What did the people of this town did to deserve this?
...
Nightfall have arrived early, campfires were started on the courtyard just outside the mayor's palace. Since all the richer residents and the officials have abandoned their posts, Suo didn't intervene when the peasants helped themselves by taking whatever they wanted from the buildings. After all, why should the people ask permission from those who have abandoned them? Besides, the guard captain himself couldn't help but did a bit of 'borrowing'.
There were plenty of food in the mayor's personal granary, including some fine wine and meat. Since everyone is hungry, they used the food to fill their stomach. After the devastating event today, it is a surprise everyone still got the appetite,
There are about a mere few hundred civilians in the courtyard, all scared and tired. They are not sure what the future hold, but at least they still have their lives and family with them. As for the remaining enforcers in the town, Suo ordered them to maintain the minimal amount of stability. It's during times like this where petty theft occurs.
Mayumi used a metal ladle to bang the cauldron, making a loud sound. "Soup is ready!" She yelled violently. It's as though she is a tired mother who is feeding a whole school of children.
Asides from the soup, there also balls made of rice. A few fights even broke out at the makeshift cooking station, since food is free, the starving civilians wanted them and their own families to get their rations first.
"Do not fight, you will get the rations eventually so be patient!" A militiaman ordered the crowd. He tried to organize them all into all straight line, but it's pointless.
"We need more ingredients," Mayumi notified the other women, who just so happens to be servants left behind by the mayor. Their presence did help to reduce the workload by a great margin.
"I need more cauldrons set up, and Jargal, stop burning the meat!" Mayumi yelled at the hunter, who is still trying to learn the complicated world of culinary. He initially tried to set up a small fire by using air-bending, the wind enlarged the flames too much, toasting the meat until they are inedible. It destroyed the appetite of even the most hungry people.
On one side of the courtyard, Satchiko sat with Aunt Meng, enjoying the food. The elder complimented the cooking style, citing it's distinctive taste and technique.
"It's strange how you people on Kyoshi island eat rice in such fashion." Meng said. "I don't suppose there are other ways you folks enjoy food?"
"Well, we also eat rice with fish, the ocean is where we get most of our food from." Satchiko replied earnestly, giving Meng an accurate depiction of her own. "We even have a method of eating Elephant Koi meat and rice by wrapping both of them in seaweed sheets. Then we use small mats of bamboos and rolled them together." She never felt that sharing a cooking method with someone else can feel so...interesting. This is the first time she had this type conversation. It reminded her when they first met Batu, how he expressed his people's cuisines with a sort of passion that is solely sharing one's culture.
"Let me guess, the food is called Elephant Koi roll," Meng asked as she sipped all her soup all at once.
"Uh, yeah, lucky guess." Satchiko cannot help but stare at Meng's appetite. The older woman managed to finish her portion before her.
"The Earth Kingdom truly is interesting, people with different languages and traditions, such a diverse place." Meng placed the empty bowl on the grass nearby, she doubt someone is coming to pick it up. "Say, what is up with your friend there?"
Satchiko looked at Batu, who still haven't touched his food, he just sat under the tree all alone. Not once did he moved.
"I hope he is ok," Satchiko sighed. "He lost his parents when he was very young."
"Oh," that was all Meng said. Silence ensued.
Satchiko, hoping to restart the conversation with something on a more pleasant note, decided to inquire more about Meng's fortunetelling. It can distract herself from the horrific events today, and kill some time if possible.
"What can you tell me about who my sister will marry?" Satchiko knows that Mayumi does not very care as much about finding a spouse as to their journey, but her own curiosity still gets a hold on her. "Was there something else my sister didn't say to me?"
Meng gave her a strange look, telling Satchiko to make up her mind. I thought you don't believe in fortunetelling!
"There is actually something I did not tell your sister herself." Meng's word struck a nerve in Satchiko, who didn't expect to hear so downturning message.
"What is it!" Satchiko quickly asked, not leaving a single moment to know what is wrong. "Did my sister's weird preference of strong men created an abusive relationship!? If so, I will beat him up!"
Meng wasn't as upbeat as she is. "No, not that."
Satchiko relieved, strange as she still does not believe in fortunetelling.
"There will simply be a few challenges before they can both be together. As for what challenges specifically, I cannot tell." Meng looked up to the sky. "Your sister is very hardworking, she cares about you a lot, I can tell. Sometimes, maybe you should show some support in whatever she is doing. She already has enough burden on her, maybe it's best you do not tell her about what I just say, at least for now."
Satchiko checked on Mayumi, who is working tirelessly to cook as much soup as possible. There are still many mouths to feed. They even have to compensate for Jargal's cooking hinderance.
"I do hope that whatever business you have in Ba Sing Se is successfully." Meng got up from the ground. "And by the way, you still have a long way to go, both of you." Meng then left, presumably to find a place to rest for the night.
Satchiko sat there alone, finishing her last remaining soup and rice ball. Clearing her mind, she wished that her teeth is grinding the flesh of Elephant Koi meat. Closing her eyes, she imagined the room of her house, her mother coming from the kitchen, bringing a whole feast worth of dishes made of elephant Koi. Elephant Koi stew, Elephant Koi rolls, Elephant Koi fillets, Raw Elephamt Koi, Elephant Koi soup and even dried Elephant Koi.
"Hey!" Someone called out to her. It's Ganbaatar. "Why sit there alone, join us!"
Satchiko came forth and arrived at a small circle of people around the fire, all of them sat closely to the cooking station. Half is made up of Kheshig warriors of the Khan, and the other half, random townspeople and some working class peasants. A few children were also in the circle, listening to the stories of the nomads and their journey around the Earth Kingdom.
"Wow, your leader disrespected Tenzin himself!" A farmer asked, both excited and a bit incredulous. Many people held Tenzin in high regard, which is why it is very shocking to meet a group of people, especially air-benders that disrespects Aang's son. "You people went to one of their temples and burned it down? You madmen!"
Ganbaatar drank a full bottle of wine down his throat. "Tenzin? Who care about what he says about us. Those monks can do whatever they want. As for us burning down the temple, don't worry, it was just a small wooden shed me and Khenbish burned down to create a distraction. Nothing too serious." He then went back to drinking, and the alcohol still haven't affect his consciousness.
"Well, they do seem very concerned when they found out about that shed." Khenbish commented. The man procrastinated as he continued to eat his food. "There were a few objects in it..."
"Bah! I doubt it's anything that important, I mean, if those monks very like artifacts so much, they shouldn't have put it a poor wooden shed like that one right?" Ganbaatar tried to lighten up Khenbish's mood, to which the nomad only nodded a few times. While the two are close friends, it is only until now Satchiko notice their different personality. Ganbaatar acts more aggressively whereas Khenbish seems to be less confrontational.
"So they we were, riding on our sky bisons, charging through their temple's gate and rescued our children!" Ganbaatar finished his story.
"Eh, that's so simple, it's like you are skipping over so many things." a little boy complained.
"Yeah! Why don't you make it sound better!" Another little girl churned in her thoughts.
"Listen, I'm not the one that do stories in my tribe, we have a specific musician for that." Ganbaatar defended himself. "So, do you all wanna hear anything else?"
Many people around the circle shaked their heads. It's clear that Ganbaatar is not very good at keeping the stories interesting.
"Wait a second," the farmer said. "I feel like we are forgetting something. Isn't today supposed to be that?"
The nomad captain stopped drinking for a moment, and he looked at Batzorig, who gave him a affirmative nod.
"I think it is," Ganbaatar said in a solemn tone. "Assuming we are all correct."
Satchiko watched, it could be something serious, the faces of nomad and locals have all became indicative. Since it's the local farmer who raised the question, this must be something the mainlanders all know of.
"We need more wine!" Ganbaatar's expression suddenly became cheerful, and so is many other people around the circle. It seems that they have completely forgotten that the whole town was raided, something Satchiko doesn't feel comfortable with.
She can heard cheers and laughter erupted around the campfire, except for Khenbish, who only made a light smile.
"What...what is going on with you guys?" Satchiko asked. Her curiosity is now through the roof. "Is today some sort of holiday? Why didn't I know of this?"
"Don't you know?" A woman next to her said. "It's the death of her today!" She whispered lightly.
Satchiko still does not understand, but she felt that this group of people's celebratory mood is inappropriate. They should be mourning for the dead right now, not enjoying holiday about a person dying.
A few people elsewhere have all of them nervous looks, and she knew that it's about whatever subject that farmer have brought to the table.
"You people from Kyoshi island don't know?" Khenbish said with a sympathetic face. "It's not your fault, here, take this."
"What is this thing?"
Khenbish gave Satchiko a piece of newspaper, and immediately the Kyoshi warrior's eyes are glued to the title.
Seventieth Anniversary of Korra's death
"Ko-rra?" Satchiko's face became extremely confused. She butchered her pronunciation of a water tribe. This is also because of her rather mediocre performance in school, which caused her to have difficulty in interpreting certain words that are more complex. Even though it was her own father that taught her in class, since his the teacher, it seems that Mayumi was the brighter one of the two. Also because of her own lack of interest in education like reading and writing.
"Who is this Ko-rra person?" Satchiko is as clueless as ever, what is the context? Why are some people in the courtyard rejoicing at a person's death and the others not?
"It's Korra." Khenbish clarified. "I don't know how to read or write as well as the students in Ba Sing Se university, but I do know that is how it's pronounced. Young girl, are you seriously telling me that you don't know who Korra is? Remember that night when the four air-nomads came to our camp, ringing any bells?"
Satchiko entered deep thought, the name now sounded very familiar all of a sudden. As if she just recovered some lost memories about a very small detail. "Now that I think about it, that woman named Jinora said this name!"
She looked up from the pages, and noticed that many people are already enjoying the wine from the mayor's food pantry. A mood only grew more festive as more people joined them. Even Suo, who had always been on the bad side of the Kheshig, cannot help but join in the fun.
Someone handed her a cup of wine, the smell felt like knives to her sensitive nose.
"This first toast is for today, our Khan fended off those filthy Acolytes. But at the same time, we should also rejoice, as we celebrate the death of Avatar Korra!" Ganbaatar gave a toast. Everyone surrounding the fire lift up their cups, to the local peasants who couldn't even afford food, the wine tasted even sweeter than normal.
"Good riddance!" They all chanted in unison.
She can hear the laughter increase like a fire that have oil being sprayed on. Everyone is happy, yet, something within her felt she must not partake in this, and should not condone this. The Kheshigs are happy. The locals are to her surprise, even more passionate about what Ganbaatar was saying.
The death of the last Avatar, is celebrated?
Her hands temporarily lost her grip as she tried to comprehend this phenomenon. The cup with wine fell to the ground, and a sharp sound of glass breaking also interrupted the mood in the courtyard.
All eyes were on her. Khenbish is now afraid, he might just knew what would occur next.
"This-this is wrong." Satchiko said, extremely quietly. No matter how much she tries to justify what they are doing, she cannot accept this behavior. No matter what opinion a person had with a past Avatar, it's dishonorable to cheer a person's death like it's nothing.
The whole area fell into an awkward silence, they can even heard the sounds of cricket during the night. It wasn't until someone broke the silence.
"What's your problem?" Ganbaatar asked, a bit concerned with Satchiko's behavior. "It's not an official holiday, we were just having some fun."
The farmer across Ganbaatar also nodded approvingly. Many locals evem gave her angry stares.
Ganbaatar then continued. "I mean, no harm is done when we are having some drinks to celebrate good things that have happened, right Mayumi?" He asked the older Kyoshi warrior.
"Uh, right, definitely!" Mayumi felt out of place as she hastily agreed with the Kheshig. It's obvious she is only going alone with the flow, ensuring no other conflict arises. "Me and my sister are also glad that it happened, right Satchiko?"
Satchiko can visually notice the cues from her sister, don't get into more trouble or we are done for!
"No, I am not." Satchiko admitted. Her conscience can no longer allow inaction. "You are all celebrating the death of a person, an Avatar!"
"Uh yeah, we know, which is why we are celebrating! You should join us!" A woman still tried to smile, but the mood of the crowd made it even more difficult.
"But if you know, then why are you celebrating?" Satchiko asked all of them. "An Avatar is a person who dedicate themselves to help the world, how could you people do something like this?"
Mayumi quickly threw away her aprons and fly out of the cooking station. She came to Satchiko's side and quickly tried to smooth things over. "She drank too much wine, she didn't mean what she said!"
"What!" Satchiko exclaimed. "I didn't drink any! Why are you taking their side!"
"Satchiko, I will explain about it later, right now you need to-"
"No!" Satchiko outright refused her sister's authority. Her rebellious nature have been dialed up by a margin. "The Avatars have been guardians of our world since forever, you all can't just disrespect the last one! What have the Avatar done to you people that made her deserve such treatment?"
Batu walked from the shadows of the tree, unimpressed with the Kyoshi warrior's remark. "The Avatars only create problems. They can bend all four elements and that it. Why should I respect the Avatar?" Batu the took another bite out of his rice ball. "The Avatar can sink two feet under foot for all I care, I own nothing to them but misery!"
Satchiko wanted to expose Batu for killing someone today, knowing that there would definitely be a reaction from Khenbish. But she retrained herself out of respect. "But Batu, the Avatar is a force of good in this world. I just don't understand why, why do all of you hate her so much?"
None of them answered. Are the reasons too complicated to explain in one sentence, or maybe the cause is very unjustifiable?
"Why shouldn't we hate her?" They are turned around, seeing Temujin in his plain brown deels. Accompanied by an injuried Amgalan with a bandaged leg, courtesy to Subutai. Both of them arrived near the campfire.
The Khan sat down on the ground, there is something about a leader sitting on grass that made this moment worthy of being documented. But now isn't the time for that.
Temujin looked into the fire as he said this. "The Avatar, a person that can bend four elements, only one can exist at a time. For some reason, we all have to listen to that a human born with such powers, and let the fate of the whole world be shaped by them alone. We humans have a flaw, and that is sometimes, we tend to over rely on someone who is just a regular person. A person that is stupid, incompetent, sometimes foolish in such ridiculous ways that you can trick them into doing your bidding. The days of heroic Avatars fighting for the world's balance have long gone, now, the Avatar are nothing more but tools used to control the world by those who can harness it. Maybe it's better that there is no more Avatar in the future, that way, the fate of the whole world would not dangle on the fumbling fingers of someone who just so happens to bend four elements."
"But-but that's wrong, the Avatar isn't here to make things terrible, they are meant to fix things!" Satchiko argued.
"And what happened when they don't improve things to your liking? What happens if an Avatar in a split second made an uninformed choice and affected the lives of everyone. Or worse, what happens if the Avatar is evil? Have you ever thought about that? It is possible you know. And when one of those scenarios occur, what can we very do about it? Because as far as I know, the Avatar has no accountability to her actions. She made one wrong move and millions must put up for her stupidity. Who is going to keep the Avatar in check? The order of the White Lotus? Maybe they can in the past, but now they are nothing more but senile lapdogs who act as the Avatar's glorified body guards."
"Yeah!" A middle aged peasant in ragged clothes jumped up from his seat. "Why should I respect the Avatar? What did she ever done for the Earth Kingdom exactly? Why should I mourn for her death when she live so comfortably in a place built on stolen Earth Kingdom land. Like I mean seriously, many of my relatives from the capital city died fighting in the northern border skirmishes that wasn't meant to happen if the Earth Kingdom is still in one piece! If she and King Wu didn't divide the Earth Kingdom into separate states, the situation wouldn't be this bad!"
The words felt deep, too complex and complicated for Satchiko to form a counter argument. Her father have never talked about the last Avatar. Even her own mother never even mention the name of Korra before. Kyoshi is an Avatar greatly revered, but even Kyoshi warriors, who have dedicated their lives to their founder, cannot ignore certain flaws of the last Earth Avatar. The creation of the Dai Li for one, remained a strong contention to Kyoshi's legacy. The sinister secret police who have once betrayed the Earth Kingdom and aiding the capture of Ba Sing Se.
"Perhaps that is one of the reasons why the Avatar killer decided to take it upon himself to slay Korra." Temujin ended it. "So that the Avatar's action can no longer cause further detrimental damage to the Earth Kingdom."
A lone object dropped out of Satchiko's kimono, and Temujin immediately noticed it. He stood up and walk right in front of her, picking up the doll once belonging to the orphan girl.
"What is this?" Temujin asked bluntly as he examined the doll. Satchiko can notice his face change to a darker expression.
"Just a doll I found, nothing much." Satchiko sounded said meekly. She is anxious at what Temujin is going to do next. She can also feel the glares of many people as they too noticed the doll.
"Is that so?" Temujin said.
Without any warning, he then furiously tossed the doll into the fire. And Satchiko immediately became distraught.
"Satchiko, no!" Mayumi cried out loud.
Satchiko risked her own safety by retrieving the doll from the fire, her hands felt torched as she used her hands to grab the burning doll. Despite wearing gloves, she can still feel the burns. But at least the doll is still intact.
Satchiko then held the doll protectively, refusing to let go. "What is the meaning of this?" She is frightened. Her own gloves now have multiple holes in them. "Why did you do that for?"
"That doll is a perfect image of that puppet King Wu. And I am disgusted that there are still people who adore that inept idiot after everything that has happened!" Temujin yelled at her. "He too is guilty, for creating flawed policies that have failed to improve the situation, and have only exacerbated the existing problems. He is being lazy, he is afraid of responsibility, he is putting his singing career before his people. And the worse of all, he and the Avatar created a mess, and I no longer cared about fixing any of it."
Temujin then slumped heavily next to the fire, drinking some soup from a bowl. He looked tired from everything around him.
"Some believe they're fighting for power, for justice, and even for peace. Truth is, these are just fancy words not worth dying for." The people listening Temujin fell silent, even the children ceased their childish games just to hear what the Khan is saying. "Me? I am just grateful I can still fight, and breathe. I do not prioritize foolish ideals, as I can only safeguard the people I care about."
Satchiko gently caressed her slightly burnt fingers across the Wu doll's face, the cotton and string have been damaged severely. She needs someone two fix it. Perhaps when she return to Kyoshi island, she can get Orihime, who is also a weaver girl to help her. "But the Avatar is a force of good in this world," Satchiko still refuses to give in to the sentiments. "Even if you all don't believe in the Avatar and hate her, I will not hate the person who is also Kyoshi!"
"You young people are all think the same, always believe they are doing the right thing." Temujin went back drinking his soup. "But to be completely honest, I was like that as well, thinking that the world is worth saving."
Satchiko's eyes manage to land on the two children near her, they are staring, probably wondering what she is even doing, She can see in their innocent eyes that the world is a dark place, and they just realized this.
"Oh, and a bit of advice." Temujin said. "You shouldn't judge us for how we act. Asides from leaving the portals open and allow the unimaginable creatures travel into our world, that girl from the South Pole also did something else, something even more serious. Mark my words, today you defended her, eventually, even an Avatar devotee like you will succumb to hatred. You will become just like one of us!"
Author's note:
-The name Korra in characters is 柯拉. The name has Greek origins, meaning maiden.
-The Ainu diet differs from normal Japanese cuisine as eating raw is actually rare. Boiling, roasting and curing meat is actually more common.
-I felt Temujin is not the right person to fully explain the situation the Earth Kingdom is in right now. But I do have plans for someone else to do it in a more comprehensive manner, and no it's not Lei.