A whole band of travelers full of Kheshigs and refugees treaded carefully across the plain of green grass. The land stretched endlessly, populated with giant earth coins and broken war machines. Siaw Jong and Jian Sin have expended many resources and men in this land of everlasting green. If it meant they can gain even a single inch of land over the other, the warlords will pour all lives necessary to achieve that. The land of Xuedi, the border of the two warring states is nothing more but a meat grinder. Everywhere are signs of a large battle that have taken place, but there are also more recent bodies of soldiers that indicates the area is a frequent point of conflict.
Satchiko sleepily rested on the saddle of Batu's family bison. The beast, like all others including Ganbaatar's Tahki, have fallen into severe sickness. All of them are walking in snail pace, and the worst of all none of them have the strength to fly. As the Kheshig's main source of transport have been hindered by sickness, the convoy's speed have been mitigated significantly. Many infected nomads are out of action, and they are also accompanied by a group of refugees. They can only pray that no one is going to ambush them, and they are clearly in the most vulnerable stage of their journey.
So far, there hasn't been any danger they encountered on the way. But for some reason, the young Kyoshi warrior decided to not wear her golden headdress. Ever since they have left the town of Shang, she has not been wearing it. The headdress is considered an important part of Kyoshi warrior's identity crisis representing their own family's name and values as well as a badge of honor to symbolize the ending of being a trainee.
The image of that dying street girl still haunts her. There might be moments when she can forget about it and push it deeper in her heart, but it's still there.
Sarangerel used the opportunity to teach Batu the basics of being a driver of a sky bison. He didn't grasp it at first, but gradually he did get the hang of it. While he isn't 'flying' the bison, it is a good start for his future lessons. His goal now is to cram himself with as much skills as possible, so that he can one day join the others in battle.
"Sarangerel, your parents are fine. But we need to be quiet." Mayumi whispered to the other woman. The scuffling between Batu and Sarangerel on how they should guide the sky bison died down a little.
So far, Mayumi have fixed her face paint. She dedicated the time to look after the ill parents while their children are learning Due tothe sickness, both parents are too tired, and slept on saddle's mattresses. Which is why authority was temporarily given to the eldest daughter of the family.
"Thank you," Sarangerel said. "My parents meant a lot to me and my brother."
Batu nodded a bit, and he have a neutral face. It's clear that he deeply cared about his family. She does know why, but Satchiko doesn't know how to define Batu's personality. He had no qualms in killing a baby turtle ducks just as he had no issue with killing a breathing person, always acting bold and daring. Yet, at the end of the day, she knew he is also fragile at the same time. Possibly he is just like a suit of armor, hard on the outside, but only just an illusion he set up for himself.
The whole convoy continued on the path. As the bisons trotted, a large carcass of a destroyed airship came to their view. Satchiko slumped further on the saddle, her emerald green eyes lazily looked at the airship. So much pain and destruction must have been caused by the wars, yet it achieved so little for normal people like her.
"Liu," Satchiko said the man walking besides the bison. "Who is this Judge of Honghai? And why do you want to meet him so badly? I am quite surprised that you managed convinced Temujin for you to tag alone."
That very same name still eludes her, of course she still haven't forgotten. Some big brass has been talked highly by Lei and she doesn't know about. Occasionally back in camp, she would listen to some nomads talking about that person while everyone is still packing. Some sort of general from Ba Sing Se, said to have accomplished great feats of military prowess.
Liu's mood immediately became uplifted upon hearing that name. "Oh, you mean General Old Iron! He is a living legend!" Satchiko noticed his quick enthusiasm. "He is probably the greatest military leader in all of Northern Earth Kingdom! Almost all the bandits fear him!"
Satchiko listened. So far, the Judge is still a mysterious figure, it seems that people even have him nicknames. She know Lei the guerrilla fighter isn't someone who speaks highly of corrupt government officials. But for a rebel like him to even acclaim someone who works for the law, something unusual is happening here.
"That person wiped out many bandits stronghold within the borders of Ba Sing Se, even bands of daofei that threatened the borders of Jian Sin." Liu continued as he fastened his luggage onto his spear. "But perhaps, the greatest achievement was when he assisted the Western Air Temple. Many years ago, a large pirate armada intends to invade the temple. The nuns there sent for help across the world, and many answered the call. It was at that time, an army was sent from Ba Sing Se to handle the threat. It is said that the battle was so legendary, that General Old Iron defeated the pirates despite having less soldiers!"
"That's quite heroic." Satchiko tried to sound impressed. Being closed off from the outside world meant news like this never reached them. Kyoshi island is on the other side of the continent, and the locals couldn't care less about what the outside world is doing. It's good that the only people that have ever threatened Kyoshi island are mere greedy pirates, even if they have some association with the genocidal organization known as the Acolytes of Vaatu. But Kyoshi island has no strategic value, even the Fire Nation back then didn't bother to bring the island under full control.
"I want to be like him, because right now I am too weak to fight the Siaw Jong dogs and their armies. If I managed to convince the Judge to take me as a student, I might get stronger!"
Satchiko can't help but feel concerned by his goal. Liu appears very eager, and hopeful that he can be taught by the famous hero Judge of Honghai. But Liu himself is a non-bender, and she knew that will come with a set of challenges.
"What stopped you from learning under him before?" Satchiko raised the question. However, Liu immediately became uncomfortable.
"I thought I was ready, and felt fighting my enemies are easy. But I found out the hard way that on a battlefield, everything can go wrong." Liu admitted his shortcomings. If he wasn't saved by Satchiko and the others, he would have met his end there. Just like that skeleton Batu have got his new helmet from.
"Hey, I want to apologize for my attitude earlier." Liu said. "I shouldn't have insult your earth bending."
"No, don't worry." Satchiko frowned further. "It's my fault that I am bad at it in the first place. My sister and I are going to the city so that I can learn Earth bending from Ba Sing Se university."
Liu grimaced, jaws dropping to the floors. "That university!?" His words are filled with a mix of surprise and shock, and she doesn't what is causing this surprise. "You must be at top of your class to be able to enter that place!"
For someone to hear that a young man or woman is being admitted into the most prestigious learning institution in the world, it's no surprise Liu is in awe.
Satchiko immediately explained the situation. She wasn't the best in school, frankly, she was actually the worst performer. She failed at every category of education from writing to drawing. Even that weakling Kazuki have higher grades. Although her friend was only one year old than her, this does not excuse her own inability to perform decently in class. As the second daughter of the island's intellect Hakaru, she also has to fulfill expectations from other villagers. A battle unfortunately she couldn't could win.
But she loves to fight, and is the second most skilled Kyoshi warrior in her own village. If they are measuring it within the newer generation, it is undisputed that she is a force to be reckon with when fighting every other sisters in their cohort. Of course, her skill in combat cannot surpass Mayumi obviously. While being a Kyoshi warrior is more of a volunteer work rather than an actual job, she still wanted to be one who works full time. Hopefully, she can fulfill her dream of being a full fledged Kyoshi warrior after she mastered earth bending.
"Hold it, you mean you are not that good in school? But your father is the chief isn't he? Since he is a teacher and a knowledgeable man, how come he didn't spend anytime teaching you?" Liu questioned.
"He did, he tried a lot. I guess I am just naturally not good at it." Satchiko then secretly looked at her older sister Mayumi, who is tending to the care of Batu's parents. "But at least my dad managed to successfully taught someone else who is much smarter than I am."
Liu felt baffled. "But it still does not explain how you got into the university in the first place. My friends and I never got the opportunity to even be educated as little children, my family is poor, so they can't afford to send me to a school. Yet, you get to go the world's most prestigious university for free?"
Satchiko felt horrible. She was given an opportunity when she hasn't worked hard at all. Now that she thought about it, she has so far treat her entrance to the university for granted. While it is her father's initiative to open a school on the island for free, she doesn't understand why she even received a invitation to study in Ba Sing Se university in the first place. No entry exams, no paying for the school fees, she got it on a whim. It is clearly unfair to many others who have strived their entire lives just to be in that place.
"Free may not be the right word, sedentary soldier." Temujin sat alone on the grey bison. The bison brought him forward so that he can speak side by side with Satchiko. "Do you ever wonder why you got that invitation letter to study in Ba Sing Se university? You, a girl who just so happens to be the chief's daughter of the most prominent village on your island. Maybe Xuan Zang, or master Lee as you would call it, has alternative motives."
"What do you mean?" Satchiko asked. "What alternative motives can there be? Maybe it's because Xuan Zang are old friends with my parents, so he decided to have me a spot there. As unfair as if sounds."
Temujin caressed his beard, he always does that when he is thinking. "I suppose you will find that out yourself. But I have to warn you, not everything in the city is what it seems."
Satchiko then noticed some dead people and a looted cavern. They must have been refugees that have unfortunately been attacked by bandits. It is therefore vital for the scavengers to travel with harmed Kheshig warriors, who can definitely put up a good fight against wild bands of bandits.
"The road to Ba Sing Se is a long and treacherous journey. You either head to the impenetrable city or you go to the United Republic to start a new life. But at the same time, you also need to prepare to take the lives of those who wishes to harm your family." Temujin than gave Mayumi a quiet stare. The older Kyoshi warrior did nod a little to acknowledge this, unbeknownst to the naive Satchiko.
"Temujin, your people have been running all the time from those evil cultist, why didn't you all travel to Ba Sing Se? The city have walls right? Can't it protect you?" Satchiko asked.
The Khan again ignored her using his personal name, he then explained why he didn't choose Ba Sing Se as a permanent home for his people. "We are air-nomads, and nomads are not meant to have a permanent home. We go where the wind carries us, anywhere where there are grass for the bisons, and wild animals for my people to hunt. Ba Sing Se's agrarian zone can definitely provide for my people's needs, but we refuse to be confined by sedentary rulers who may one day betray us like last time."
Satchiko can understand. The Kheshig already tasted betrayal by an incompetent ruler, they are not willing to place their lives on the line for another one. The tragedy in the town of Shang is a clear reminder. When she saw the mayor's airship floating up in the sky and carrying everyone besides the common people, she already felt both despair and disappointment. The mayor didn't care a single bit about those he ruled, how did such individuals occupy the governing positions in the first place?
She then pulled out the King Wu doll, it served as her new toy for comfort. She then saw Temujin shaking his head disapprovingly, as if he is about to throw that ugly thing to the dirt. But he didn't.
"A word of advice young Kyoshi warrior," Temujin guided his bison towards the front of the line. "If you ever met that puppet named Wu, remember, use as much force as possible when you punch his pathetic face. After that, make sure you pull his tongue out and boil his remains in hot cauldrons."
Temujin left. She wondered, why would she do that to someone she doesn't even know personally without justifiable reason? She left herself to think about this. The Earth Kingdom is a mess, in chaos and tatters, it is a bad place to live in. So many people, bandits, Green Ribbon Army, Kheshig nomads as well as countless other groups are trying to exist in this war torn land. She is tired, so exhausted from knowing all of this. Sometimes, she hope she can just close her eyes and wake up to Kyoshi island. Back home with all the people she know about and oblivious to the world outside. Her parents, her aunt, fellow Kyoshi warrior Kazuki, and even that burly fisherman and his friends who provided the island with Elephant Koi meat. All of them being there waiting for her. She smiled as she thought about all of them. When she mastered Earth bending, she would definitely enjoy the reunion.
"Gah!" A man cried as the sound of arrow puncturing can be heard loud and wide. The noise of panic commotion generated is all it takes for everyone to realize something is happening.
Satchiko bursted her daydreaming, and realized that they are no longer in the green fields of Xuedi. The environment nearby is only sand, meaning, they are officially within the borders of Ba Sing Se.
She stood up and looked at the very back of the entire convoy, where the few hundred refugees are at. They are being ambushed.
"Everyone, full speed ahead!" Temujin yelled on the top of his lungs. He pulled out a horn and blew it very loudly, rallying any Kheshig warrior who can still fight and handle whatever threat that is chasing them.
Temujin rode the grey bison to battle, and everyone immediately noticed that the alpha bison itself is not at peak performance. Every trot felt restrained by the poisonous river water.
The unarmed Khan is immediately followed by Ganbaatar, leading about fifty warriors on foot. She noticed that about half of them looked very young and inexperienced. While more skilled veterans like Jargal and Batzorig are among them, many warriors in the ranks are those who had just replaced their suddenly sick fathers. Since only the Khan's bison is being used for battle, the other ones must have been too weak to even fight. The situation is dire, and all of them is heading to the back of the convoy.
"What's going on?" Batu's distracted thoughts suddenly pulled the reign to the wrong direction, which was immediately corrected by his sister.
"Do not worry about what is happening behind you when you can't even focus on what is in front of you!" Sarangerel quickly took control of the bison's reign. Like all the other bisons that is carrying people or more baby bisons on them, Sarangerel increased the speed of theirs. So that they can flee the scene quicker.
Khenbish was awoken by the commotion, he sat up and joined Satchiko at looking what is happening.
"Those refugees, they are in danger!" He exclaimed in fear. His whole body has become too fragile to hold a spear, his fingers refuse to cooperate as he attempted to hold the weapon's wooden handle.
Satchiko clenched her teeth. A large army of bandits came out of nowhere and begin to chase the refugees. Some were just laying in ambush, appearing behind the sand dunes so that they may shoot the scavengers with arrows.
The Kheshigs warriors fired back, but their counterattack is a minimal since they cannot utilize a flying bison in this intance. And since Subutai wasn't able to replenish their fire flask supplies when he was tending to his people's care, they will have to do with what they have got.
Ganbaatar and the others used their round shields to block the incoming arrow fires. With only a handful of warriors and no bisons, they have to be more defensive. Air-Benders will pummel the incoming enemies, archers will attack those from afar. It is unfortunate that they must adapt this sluggish formation. As nomads, they prefer to fight with speed and ferocity, but that can't be done when their own mounts are not battle ready.
A giant lump of earth was thrown at them. It is at a size equal to a house. The shield bearers braced themselves to face the impact. Luckily, Temujin produced a powerful air blast to destroy that rock.
The leader of the bandit horde look at the whole convoy with greed and envy. He and his men don't appear to be acolytes of Vaatu, but they shouldn't be underestimated. Their number is about a thousand strong, with benders and non-benders alike, a great cause for concern to the Khan.
"Those sky bisons would fetch good money!" The bandit leader with white hair laughed through his crooked teeth. His hulking body size wielded a long spear, sharp and sturdy. "The name is Boque, head of my daofei brothers and sister. You may know me as the new elder of the White Sparrow gang."
The other bandits behind the man chanted erratically, frightening the refugees while also damaging the morale of the younger Kheshig warriors. Jargal was also cannot help but feel intimidated, but he still tried to smile a little, a puny motivator for the others.
The man named Boque turned to another bandit, who looked very strong and wielded a sledge hammer. "Niujiu, bring a hundred of our brothers and attack the ones fleeing, I will deal with their warriors. Once we are done, we will divide the share or wealth and slaves."
The man named Niujiu obeyed. His helmet is decorated with an animal's horn, and belt made of hardened leather. As Boque's army fought with Temujin's warriors, Niujiu and his daofei contingent closed in on the slow and cumbersome refugees. Many elderly are too slow, and all the Kheshig warriors are too preoccupied to help them.
"We need to help them!" Satchiko shouted on the back of the bison. She feared that they have an obligation to support the refugees in their escape.
"I can help too!" The Jian Sin soldier offered. But Satchiko told him to not enter the battle due to his existing injuries.
Mayumi grabbed Satchiko's arm, squeezing it tightly. "Sister, no, you are exposing yourself to more danger, the Khan can handle it!"
"But Mayumi, if Temujin is too busy fighting that other group of bandits, who is going to help the refugees?"
Mayumi turned around and watched some of the bandits attacking the men and woman. She bite hard on her lips, and tried to convince Satchiko to leave it to the others. "I will not allow you to risk your life. We Kyoshi warriors do not fight our foes alone, there are only two of us here and too many of them! I only had one sister and I don't want to endanger you."
"I can fight those-"
"No you will not!" Mayumi raised her voice. "You may be a good Kyoshi warrior, but you are still a maiko! As your senior, I order you to stay put."
Maiko, a word used label inexperienced Kyoshi warriors who are not over the age of twenty. They are young trainees who still have to earn their personal metal headdresses as well as the respect of their fellow sisters. Even though Satchiko have been given a headdress early, Mayumi still cannot let her act independently. Especially not after how reckless Satchiko has shown to be.
"Mayumi," Satchiko grasped the palms of her sister to reassure the concerns. "I can't just watch them like this, if you don't want me to be harmed, then why don't you follow me."
Satchiko jumped off the bison, what surprised the others is that Batu joined her too.
"Brother, you are doing this too?" Sarangerel cried in disbelief. Khenbish tried to stop him, but failed. Batu pulled out his new bow and tested the string's strength, and run off with it.
"Get mum and dad out of here, I am going to kill some bandit scum!" Batu requested.
"Get back here!" Mayumi yelled at them both.
Satchiko and Batu's run into the fray, and Mayumi can only hopelessly chase after them. Young people love to fight for what is good, and some are even overconfident. Yet, they can also be reckless at the same time.
...
Niujiu used his hammer to launch multiple chunks of solid rocks at the defenseless refugees. As his underlings also feed on scavenger's plight, he noticed that three individuals are fighting through the daofei army.
Satchiko and Mayumi became a very good duo as they chi-blocked multiple bandits. Buying more time for the refugees to flee, they put their crafts to work as more enemies were harmlessly rendered unmovable.
Occasionally, Mayumi used her katana to cut out shallow red lines across every bandit she came across, Satchiko can notice her sister's changing approach of fighting. Less Chi-blocking was used as the density of enemies increased, Mayumi seemed to have favored her sword more. Since the enemy cannon fodders were no match for her proficient skill of the katana, she cleared a path made of injured men and women, plowing through them all with intensity so that her own sister will not be harmed. While Mayumi isn't killing anyone, those who were maimed by the blade are severely injured. She never acted so ruthlessly before, especially back on the island.
A few arrows flew over her head and punctured the surrounding men. Batu tried to target the heads, but ended up hitting the limbs of the enemies instead. He definitely wanted to kill people, she can tell. One day, she will confront him on his brutal rationale.
Satchiko then used her war fan to deflect and block the stabs from swords and spears. After subduing at least twelve non-bending daofei, she noticed the earth is rumbling.
"Watch out!" Mayumi dashed to her side and sliced a speeding piece of earth into two halves. It was a very clean cut, something only accomplished sword users can perform.
"That man is an earth bender!" Satchiko pointed at Niujiu. Although it's quite obvious at this point, it seems that for the two Kyoshi warriors and the little air-bending boy, enemy benders are a hassle to deal with.
Batu ran out of arrows, he then produced a large gust of air to push the earth bender back. Niujiu used his hammer and ascended an earth wall, after nullifying the air blast, he quickly launched it at the nomad.
"Woah!" Batu baring dodged it. "He is too dangerous, we need to go back a bit!"
Satchiko looked at the refugees, with fear and anxiety. If the three of them retreat now, they will expose all those people to the bandits. They have to hold on.
She wielded her war fan in a position to challenge the Earth bender, and Mayumi stood by her side. Both of them will take on the powerful bandit man.
Mayumi reached within her kimono and pulled out a war fan. "Sister, use my mine for now."
"You had one this whole time? Just how many weapons do you have under your dress?" Satchiko asked. She grabbed Mayumi's war fan, hoping she can distinguish it between her own. Now, she had two metal fans.
"I brought many small knives and blades, I simply brought my war fans incase I needed to use it as last resort." Mayumi said without elaborating what she meant. She raised her katana as the remaining brigands retreated behind their leader, Niujiu.
The Earthbender slammed his hammer to ground near the Kyoshi warriors, making the ground quake with intensity. By raising multiple blocks of the ground and pummeling them with the hammer, Niujiu sent flying earth chunks towards them. He had a very hard time as the Kyoshi warriors were swift on their foot, evading every single projectile with ease.
Mayumi even found an opening and threw a shuriken, piercing the Earthbender's bicep. The man didn't appear hurt, he pulled it out from his flesh as if it was just a mosquito bite.
But that was just a distraction. Satchiko used the opportunity and rushed towards him.
Niujiu stomped on his foot, and the earth in front of him shoots out from the ground and attempts to slam itself into her. It was a similar move used by Taotie, and she have learnt her lesson from yesterday.
"Take this!" Satchiko dodged out of earth column and arrived immediately on the side of Niujiu. She used her duel fans to slice the enemy's waist, causing some bleeding occur. She then quickly distanced herself as the man pulled up a few walls made of earth and pushed them towards her.
The walls didn't land their marks, and she knew all it takes is one shot for them to be defeated.
But before any of them can act further, she noticed the wind gather around them. Immediately, she can sense the environment is going to change for the worst.
From a distance, Temujin and his battle with the main bandit leader and the massive horde of brigands is starting to become even more violent. Unlike the narrow streets in the town of Shang, his warriors are outnumbered and tactically disadvantaged on an open field. Under normal circumstances, the Kheshig with their sky bisons would have decimated a massive land army ten times their size.
The Khan resorted to creating a giant vortex of air, sand storm rages and spanned across the distance. It enveloped the whole battlefield so that no one in it can saw what is outside, meaning the bandits would not be able to chase the refugees and the other Kheshig herdsmen.
With single push of force, thick clouds of dust covered Satchiko's vision. She could no longer see Mayumi and Batu, and they cannot see her.
"Satchiko where are you!" The sound of Mayumi cried out loudly for her little sister. "Ugh!"
"Mayumi?" Satchiko received no response. She immediately panicked, no longer was she able to get a clear sight of the earth bending menace before them.
The sound of a more timid air-bending indicates that Batu is trying to clear out the sand storm, but she sensed his little body has been knocked over by something.
"Batu? You there?" She dare not make anymore noise, knowing she might be attacked by the earth bender. But as she continued to hear the sounds of sand rustling against one another, she felt someone is approaching her. But no matter which direction she looked, she cannot know where the enemy might coming from.
"Behind you," a course voice whispered behind her.
The hairs on her skin stood straight up. She spun around immediately, barely blocking the hammer's mighty blow with her puny war fans. As her weapon was disarmed from her, her whole body was also propelled backwards, embraced by the soft cushioning sand.
Her arms and fingers bite in pain as the force of the hammer transferred to her bones. She can barely feel the nerves as she saw a lone shadow walking towards her.
"Stay away!" She snapped. "Get back you bandit!" Crawling back as far away as possible, she saw the bandit slowly lurching towards her. Her breathing increase in pace, and the sense of powerless gripped her perception. She was afraid, bandits are not known to treat captives nicely. Once again she has proven to herself that she was too weak.
"I never understand people like you," the bandit with the hammer said as he walked right up to Satchiko. "You risked your lives so that weaklings you never even know can escape. You did all of that, and all you accomplished was traded your life because you cannot stand seeing strangers being killed. Such mentality of those who stand with the law is what makes you inferior minded."
Satchiko clenched her teeth, her legs are too weak to move. "It's about doing the right thing! People like you will never understand!" She felt now may not be the right time to argue with the one that is about to kill her. She looked around, her weapons are not within her reach, and she tried to find a small pebble to bend. But all there was are sand, dry and useless sand. She doesn't even know how to make them move for her.
The marauder bursted into a hideous laugher, wheezes can be heard as his lungs inflated with mockery. "This is why I look down on people like you, fools who think they are heroes by protecting a herd of sheep who only earn their lives through honesty living. Let me tell you, being a bandit far surpasses the lowly existence of a normal civilian. Why work hard at all when you can just take it from others?"
Satchiko did not have the strength to argue with such rhetoric. Everything in her body is screaming with fear as the bandit lifted his hammer high up, readying deliver a killing blow. If it lands, not even her armor would be able to save her.
"Listen to this before I finish you, the daofei code of the White Sparrow is what I will live by," Niujiu proclaimed proudly. "Even if we are now running away, it is only a matter of time we regain our former glory! The code will also be what I will die by!"
Instead of swinging the hammer downwards, Niujiu stopped. Satchiko even held out her uninjured arm in anticipation of the hammer, but even she was captivated by something else.
A beautiful music, probably produced from the strings of a zither, can be heard despite the distracting noise of wind and sand. Niujiu is on alert, he clearly didn't anticipate someone else is here. He already took down Batu and Mayumi, and he clearly accounted for everyone standing in his way.
The music's elegance cannot be overstated, both the Kyoshi warrior and bandit temporarily forgotten what they were doing, and enjoyed the music while it lasted. Its fine tones and appropriate volume, painted a beautiful and peaceful scenery that stood in contrast to roaring sandstorm.
The music then went from slow to quick. The rhythm became violent and the tone was sharp. When it reached the climax, the music stopped abruptly, and Satchiko immediately heard something being thrown through the sandstorm. She couldn't saw it before it stopped, by which object already punctured Niujiu from the front of his chest until it is stuck in him. The object is also visible from the other side.
"Why-where did it." The bandit immediately spitted out a mouthful of blood, even choking on it. The whole body collapsed to the knees, and the bewildered Satchiko can now get a better look at the object that just killed him.
It was a guandao, a massive weapon with a heavy blade attached to the long shaft. With a rough estimate, this whole weapon is longer than her entire height. To put it simply, it is like a naginata spear used by other Kyoshi warriors, but much larger. The weapon is clearly custom made by a highly acclaimed black smith. It's blade is glinting in silver, and the handles decorated with what appears to be jade stones.
The Kyoshi warrior is still lying on the ground. Slowly, she can see a lone shadow approaching her. Unsure if they are friend or foe, she held her breath, hoping whoever is there will not notice her.
The sound heavy armor grind to a halt near the bandit's body. The person used only one hand to rip out the guandao from the back of Niujiu, allowing the whole weapon to be extracted. The sound of flesh tearing is very loud and uncomfortable, it definitely felt rough as the weapon was forcefully retrieved, and whole weapon is stained with crimson. When that was done, the dead bandit fell flat to the ground. Satchiko can only avert her eyes as she was forced to endure this whole process.
Satchiko thought to herself, how much force was used to throw such a weapon at incredible speed? And how much is needed to even swing it around to cut people? Compare to her metal war fans, which is quite heavy in its own right, how much weight does this guandao have? And what kind of warrior is worthy enough to even hold it in the first place?
The figure disappeared with the guandao in its hands. It charged to the direction behind Niujiu, where all his underlings were at. She can hear flesh and limbs being dislocated, and painful cries of bandits as they were brutally silenced by what she assumed is the weapon itself. She can hear the enemy's despair. It seems that every passing second, a bandit has been slaughtered.
Due to the sandstorm, she cannot see clearly who this person was. But her skin can feel the force of wind is pushing to one specific direction. Instinctively, she assumed the Khan is using air-bending undo the sandstorm. The refugees and other Kheshig civilians must have left the area now, which means it provides an opportunity for all of them to retreat as well.
The whole battlefield is cleared of the obscuring sandstorm. Satchiko immediately looked around, and noticed Mayumi and Batu lying unconsciously on the sand, thankfully still alive. They have been injured by individual pieces of hardened rocks. In her selfish pursuit of protecting the refugees, she has dragged them into this danger. Of course, seeing her sister and her friend like this confronts her own self-righteous decision making. It pained her knowing this.
"Wait, wait, wait, I promise this ring of fingers and ears are not from people-Aaahhh!" A wailing sound can be traced behind her. She turned around, and finally able to saw the person who have saved her. He is currently pulling his weapon out of another brigand's spine.
The warrior with a guandao is quite tall, about the same height as her father. Clad in some sort of intricate armor, a very unfamiliar design from her perspective. The armor covers his entire body, decorated with green mountain pattern scales. His pauldrons have heads of lion turtle on each, a creatures she is ignorant of. Perhaps the most defining characteristic is definitely his head. The face was fully concealed, in its place is a helmet with the head of a lion turtle. Lastly, he had a green color helmet tassel and a green cape. Not a single organic part of his body is visible, even his eyes were shrouded in darkness by the helmet.
The figure threw the lifeless body of a bandit to the ground, next to all the other ones next to his boots, there were about a hundred of them. When he looked at her, she noticed the helmet mask has a very angry expression. The 'face' was intentionally curved to display eyebrows lowered and pulled together, nostril snaring. With a wide and opening jaw, the mysterious entity is clearly telling world of his rage.
But the fight here was no over yet, twenty bandit still remain in the area, and they very wanted to avenge their fellow daofei brothers.
The warrior with pole arm performed a skillful act with his weapon. Swinging it in circular motions, he sliced the incoming chunks of earth in half. Immediately followed it up with multiple cutting moves that launching huge and precise shots of earth, smashing the remaining daofei. The ground quake with tremors as he bend the elements, he made it looks so easy.
"This is for my fallen brothers!" A mad daofei attempted to attack from the warrior's blind spot. But something stopped him.
It was eye catching, but she goggled her eyes wide enough as she noticed a brown fur creature arriving besides the warrior. It is larger than a sky bison, even more than the one Temujin is riding. It bite into the daofei, and proceeded to sent him flying with its mouth.
"A badgermole!" Batu regained his consciousness. In his awakened state, he is in awe as he tried to process the size of the creature. This was the same animal he wanted to hunt and eat, but now he had second thoughts. Sarangerel is now arriving on the scene, making sure her brother is safe. Batu's deel have been torn by sharp edges of earth. Thankfully, he doesn't appear to have suffer any physical injuries.
"Mayumi!" Satchiko quickly crawled to where her sister is. For once, she finally know what it's like to be in Mayumi's shoes. Always concerned about your sister's safety made her understand how much burden there very is to being the older sibling.
Mayumi slowly opened her eyes to Satchiko's worrisome expression, she place her hands on her face. "What did I say to you just before? I told you to not expose yourself to danger and you just wouldn't listen." She made a tired sigh as Satchiko lift her upwards. If Mayumi would have known her sister was almost killed a few second earlier, the reaction wouldn't have been so tamed. Another round of harsh discipline would have been order by Mayumi.
"Look, the Khan and the others are returning!" Sarangerel said.
The fifty or so Kheshig warriors finally retreated. They don't look too well, some of them have falling pieces of lamellar dropping all over the sands. Some have their clothes torn. It was have been a rough battle within the sandstorm, when you are so severely outnumbered and you don't have a chokepoint to use.
Temujin does not appear to have sustained any injuries, but his bisons did appear to have superficial sword wound. The alpha must have charged into the ranks of endless swords and spears, and there is still a dead bandit stuck inside one of its sharp horns. Temujin even pulled out an arrow that was sticking inside the bisons front foot.
Temujin arrived next to the mysterious figure that have just saved her. "I usually do not ask for help, but since I am the ruler of my people, their safety is more valuable than my pride." Temujin appeared displeased that a sedentary warrior is aiding them. If it wasn't for the river poisoning his warriors and bisons, Temujin wouldn't need anyone's help.
The sound of exhausted Kheshig warriors are evident. Satchiko supported Mayumi as they retrieved their weapons. Alone with the others, they retreated to a safe distance until they finally regrouped with the refugees and other herdsmen. The whole army of bandits did not pursue them, because they have something else to worry about.
"Wait a minute, what about those bandits?" Satchiko asked. "What are they doing?"
The whole company of people didn't respond, all of them simply watched the lone warrior and the badgermole.
"I couldn't believe it," Khenbish scanned thoroughly through the pages of the newspaper. "If the article is right *cough* and we are in the right spot, then this person can only be that man."
Temujin gave Khenbish a nod. "There could be no mistakes about it." He then turned to Satchiko. "You are an Earth bender aren't you?"
Satchiko nodded slightly, reaffirming something she sometimes have forgotten herself. The moment the Khan said 'Earth bender', she knew what he is about to say, possibly something related to her own progress of learning the bending.
"It's a shame you cannot air bend, otherwise I would have been teaching you already." Temujin said as he rested on a sky bison. "But I think now would be a good chance for you to watch what a powerful Earth bender would do. That Lei fellow can tell a good story about courageous Earth Benders in stories books, about people who can achieve plenty of heroism, and then he go on and said only few can ever live up to such high expectations. That thing there, he is one of those few. Watch and observe young girl, for you are about to witness a pinnacle of what it means to be a true earth bender. Why do we need Avatars, when we can have humans like him?"
...
There were countless of them, sealing the escape routes and entrapping the White Sparrow bandit army on all sides. Under his personal command, are men donned in suits made of green mountain pattern scales and helmets built with iron plates and lamellar. Their bodies are standing like steel, unmovable. Soldiers forming shield walls and dense forests of Ji pole arms stood in firm formations, accompanied by at least ten tanks powered by Earth bending. It is a spectacle to see such antiques being deployed on an open field battlefield, as military commanders have retired this vintage war machine in favor of tanks and mechs powered by oil.
As flags with green coin symbol fluttered against the strong desert wind, the sovereign commander of this army inspected his troops. He dedicated special attention to the non-benders, who are the majority. Since the Earth Kingdom has the less amount of benders in its population, it is only natural his army is composed of men who can only fight with swords and spears. Something that is considered a hinderance by many people.
But these defenseless non-benders are more than what they appear. They are all battle-harden creatures who are willing to follow him across a mountain of blades and an ocean of fire. These men, his soldiers, his very own Pai Sho pieces have entrusted their very lives into his hand. Every single move he made on the chest board, can mean the difference between light and day for the soldiers.
"I see that you had enjoyed yourself! Running off to kill some insects while the rest of us have to chase you!" His Lieutenant muttered critically. "Let us not waste anymore time on those escaped leftovers. There are still many official business for you to attend." The man speaking is on top of a red featured ostrich horse, carrying a three-pointed, double-edged lance. His armor differed greatly from the others. Instead of green mountain patterned scales, his armor consists of predominantly black rectangular pieces of metal connected together. His helmet is decorated with green metal wings on the two sides at the front, and a the tassel flowing from the top of his pointy helmet. His armor aesthetic made him looked out of place when compared to the other Ba Sing Se soldiers, whose uniform design is more aligned to local. But to most strangers, this individual's most defining feature is definitely the third eye.
A hound besides the lieutenant barked loudly, and the warrior in his Lion Turtle style armor turned around and saw the leader of the bandits standing boldly in front of his daofei brothers.
"Cowardly dogs of Ba Sing Se!" Boque bellowed as he stomped the ground. "You think just because you have the numbers, we will fear you? Think again! You may have defeated our last elder, but it does not mean the White Sparrow gang will fall today! I challenge your greatest warrior to a duel, if I win, you will allow safe passage for my brothers and sisters! If any of you lapdogs to the law even have a single inch of courage, then face me!"
The army of daofei chanted loudly with uncomprehending volume. In seems that being outnumbered three to one did not crash their morale. They have confidence in their new leader.
"What is this? It seems that they are challenging us to a duel. Perhaps a volley of arrows and rocks will teach them a lesson." The lieutenant than looked at the guandao user. "Or perhaps you would like me to use the opportunity to take down their leader and damper the enemy's morale first? I can bring you the enemy commander's weapon just like last time."
Boque challenging Ba Sing Se's army to send out a fighter is a long running tradition in the Earth Kingdom's history of wars. Similar to this country's Lei tai tournaments and the Fire Nation's famous Agni Kai, Boque is demanding single combat with the enemy's greatest fighter. But the stakes are much higher, and it affects more than just the combatants. Instead of a simple fistfight or a serious duel of honor, champion warfare involves two warriors from both sides to fight alone. They will fight one another before the battle, in the middle of two lines of phalanx. Should a champion secure a victory, his or her allies will revive a substantial boost in morale while their enemies would lost theirs. Often subjected to poetry and novels, champion warfare can be considered as a duel not only between two skillful individuals, but also between famous heroes of history as well.
He gave his lieutenant a simple shake. My champion will rest, leave this one to me.
The lieutenant clasped his fist with his palm to acknowledge the order. "Very well general, then I will be standing back to await your orders."
The warrior with guandao walked onto the empty field, closing the distance between him and Boque.
Boom, boom, boom.
Loud signal drums of war banged as he walked every step. A great encouragement to their leader. Usually, these instruments are utilized to give orders to massive armies. But also served as a great morale boost for those using it.
His three thousand strong soldiers chant repeatedly in unison, striking fears into the opposing army.
"Enforce Justice! Enforce Judgement!" They cried proudly.
When the general finally stopped, Boque spoke his mind.
"The Judge of Honghai," he called out disdainful. "Your name may have been feared by all the daofei in this world, but don't forget, you are just another lawman serving law abiding dogs! I have saw many of my own brothers and sisters dying under your blade, and today I will avenge them in the name of our code! I will be remembered as the White Sparrow who slayed the Judge himself!"
The Judge is motionless. He simple greeted Boque with his angry and silent mask. Not a single word was dispensed to argue with Boque. The general picked up a random rock near him. After deeming it suitable in quality, he used it to sharpen the giant blade he is holding. It seems that his attention is solely focused on sharpening his guandao.
Boque, taking it as an insult, decided to begin the duel. He stabbed his spear into the ground and ruptured the floors. He sent forth wave after waves of earth, aiming to crush the Judge of Honghai.
"Let this be a lesson for you, never underestimate us lowly bandits!" Boque finally lift up a condensed ball of earth and delivered to the judge.
The giant projectile was swiftly dispelled when the Judge swung his blade and crushed it to dust. Since the distance between them have shortened due to earlier engagement, he charged and swung the guandao at a surprised Boque.
The bandit held up his spear and block the strike, locking both of them into a contest of strength. If he loses it, the Judge will be able to cut him clean.
As Boque struggled with flenching muscles to maintain his strength, the Judge is unreadable. Since his face is fully concealed, there is nothing to say about his actual emotions.
After the final contest of brute force, Boque's spear broke in half, and the giant blade of his opponent cut through his body. When Boque fell to the ground, it is clear that another victory is earned by the hero, Judge of Honghai.
"Hooray!"
The soldiers in an endless sea of green chanted in triumph, and morale is overthrowing. All they needed to do now is to demand the other daofei to surrender, and sentence them according to appropriate crime.
"Look out!" A voice of a girl cried. It was Satchiko, the Kyoshi warrior. Even from a faraway distance, the general can hear her alert. "Move out of the way, those bandits are attacking!"
Foolish little girl, of course they would attack without honor, he thought to himself. No bandits would just sit around while their leader have been killed. While it is considered a dishonorable act to attack the winning champion after the duel, what do thieves, hypocrites, liars and bandit know about the word Honor?
The Judge stood there like stone, allowing a massive blast of fire to blast him. There are probably Fire Benders remaining the enemy ranks, but his own lieutenant will surely deal with that.
After feeling the warmth from his enemy's attack, the Judge quickly surveyed his equipment. Nothing was damaged, except for his cape. He discarded it and signaled the rest of the army to engage in battle. Since the remnants of the White Sparrow have made a clear choice, he will deliver the outcome.
As the Judge returned to the ranks of his army, a few soldiers came and replaced his cape. Loud signal drums and fast chanting from his soldiers intimidated the enemy, both abruptly ended when sounds of something else can be heard.
Behind the whole army, are noise of Earth Benders chucking massive coins, accompanied by the clanking sound of crossbows. The skies are immediately darkened by large earth coins and arrows, all flying towards the bandits. Those who can earth bend tried to create earth tents to shield themselves from the projectiles. While a good portion of their brothers and sisters were killed in that storm, at least they managed to preserve their numbers.
When the sound of Earth coins smashing to the ground slowly died down, they can then heard loud rumbling sounds from the distance.
A lone bandit leaned his head out of an earth tent, but was immediately cleaved off by a man on ostrich horse.
"Everyone, get out of the way!" A bandit cried.
A thunderous charge of ostrich horse cavalry and chariots lead by the lieutenant surged into the bandits. Piercing and crushing anyone that stood in their way. Bandits were either impaled by the spears of armor hooded cavalry men or having their legs being cleaved by moving blades attached to chariot wheels. But what makes this even more unbearable is that they are also supported by Earth bending slinking tanks, which specializes in dismantling even the mightiest defenses. These elongated metal vehicles used their tremendous weight to crush the earth tents and any bandits unfortunate enough to be in it. It was very gruesome.
As the remaining bandits regained their composure, they immediately noticed that the shock troops have left. The tanks and violent men with ostrich horses swiftly exited the battle, leaving the survivors in both fear and shock.
As they looked at each other, less than half of their original army is left. They went from a one thousand strong band of bandit to only three hundred.
The sound of drums beating can be heard again, this time what could the bandits be facing? After enduring arrow fire and shock tactics, the remaining bandits can only hope this suffering end as soon as possible.
Distantly, a full flat line of phalanx is slowly advancing onto the remains daofei. Seeing that this is their last stand, the bandits charged at them with full force.
The phalanx applied a tight formation by closing the gaps between their rectangular shields. They softened the blows from earth bending as well as attempts by the daofei to climb over them. As bandits challenged the soldiers into a desperate pitch battle, they lost even more men as their lightly armor bodies are impaled by the Ji spears. The results are clear. Being outnumbered with overwhelming force and tactic, the White Sparrow army collapsed. After more futile clashes, they finally gave up. Surrendering to the flag of Ba Sing Se.
The judge watched his soldier cheered. The captives were locked in wooden shackles and slowly escorted onto wooden carts. The fact that those bandits are even spared now is an insult to the innocent lives that have killed.
A small scuffled is happening behind him, small gusts of air is spewing around the area as a little boy runs through the men in armor.
"Hey you!" A soldier called out. "You can't be here, you are obstructing military operations!" But the boy was slippery, he dodged all attempts to restrain him.
An air-bender who has a grey arrow, how interesting. The Judge entertained the idea that Batu is not an assassin, he ordered his men to stand down, and welcome the boy in his presence. His silence is the seal of approval.
When Batu finally arrived in front of him, the Judge didn't immediately face him.
"Hey, are you the Judge of Honghai?" Batu asked as he tried to recover some breathing. "Please, can you do an autograph? My dad is a big fan. He is very sick now, but I think him having your autograph would make him feel better!"
The Kheshig nomad gave the general a piece of blank paper. Fans, always so persistent. But he will always reward those who are filial to one's parents.
A soldier gave him a painting brush, and the judge elegantly wrote some characters on the sheet. He didn't said anything yet, but he will fulfill the little boy's wishes. If he had the time, he would have drawn a full calligraphy for the boy's father.
红海审判官
He handed the paper back to the boy, to which Batu replied with great gratitude.
...
It was much larger than she ever could have imagined. The walls of Ba Sing Se may just be the largest structure if not the biggest she has seen in the world. Compare to her humble little village with little wooden lodges, how can she comprehend the method used to built these mightily walls.
As the gates of Ba Sing Se slowly opened, a section of the walls moved apart. Earth Benders operating the gate used technique to ensure only those within the walls can ever operate it freely. This bastion have stood against many worthy foes who attempted to break through. Chin the conqueror and the Dragon of the West both failed to take the city by assaulting its impenetrable defenses. But could such advantage be held forever?
The refugees flowed into the walls with relieved expression, and entered the agrarian zone, a land used to propagate crops to the massive population within the city. They rejoiced as they are finally safe from the scourges outside.
"I must thank you for allowing our people to go with you." The scavenger elder said to the Khan. "If your warriors were not there to help them, I fear we would have already been taken captive by the bandits."
"You owe nothing to me," Temujin replied. Clearly he understands the burden of being a leader. "Your people would have never made it to Ba Sing Se alone. I suppose there is a reason as to why your people are collecting used vehicles from Siaw Jong and Jian Sin."
The elder nodded. "We were hoping that we may collect enough usable cars. So that when we head for Ba Sing Se, we can outrun the renegades."
As all of them entered the gate, the army of the Judge also followed. Marching in neat formations, infantry and tanks alike orderly entered. The judge himself sat in his badgermole. While the animal did have not saw any action today, it is only because the enemy was already weak. Such beasts would have decimated the horde of bandits should it be unleashed.
The farmers working in their rice fields greeted the new arrivals. The appearance of sky bisons are a special sighting to them, and such animals can only be seen in lands far away. Mayumi herself didn't mind any of that, she breathed the fresh air around her, it felt right and well deserved. After risking their lives and playing with danger, they finally made it to the city of Ba Sing Se. Here there are no bandits targeting them, and they don't have to fear constantly of being chased around.
"We finally made it sister!" Mayumi proudly proclaimed, corner of her lips curving. "I told you, from now on things would be better!" It's clear that Aunt Meng didn't lie, and Mayumi also felt her purpose of escorting Satchiko has been completed.
When Mayumi looked at Satchiko's face, she noticed that part of her sister's face paint is falling off. Satchiko, instead of celebrating, was overwhelmed with emotions. Shedding tears, remembering how much both of them have been through.
Mayumi closed in with a comforting hug. "Now, now, don't cry. We are inside the city. No one is going to harm us. Remember, there is no war in Ba Sing Se."
"Very?" Satchiko demanded meekly. She continued to tear up. After all this time, it's quite hard to believe things will get better.
"Yes," Mayumi said, gently patting Satchiko's back.
The Judge of Honghai watched all of this from his badgermole. He pretended to not notice them, and continued to march his men on the path. His duty now is to take care of those under his command. As for these outsiders, the border guards and officals will handle them. While they have secured another victory today, he also needs to do something else. He held Niujiu's hammer, savoring today's spoil.
The hammer is another great addition to his collection. But will never come close to the one weapon he desire. The one he craves the most.
Author's notes
-Daofei means bandit, it is a term used in the Kyoshi novels.
-The Lei Tai, is like the Earth Kingdom's version of Agni Kai. But only the winner decides when the match ends.
-The mountain scale individually looked like the Chinese word mountain. These are used by many ancient armies of China alongside lamellar scales.
-Note on Non-Benders in army. In TLOK, I am not entirely sure what combat roles non-Benders operate besides being vehicle operators. Yes we have those equalist, but their infantry doesn't feel right considering swords and spears are just as effective if not more considering metal gloves and electrified clubs sometimes have less range. Since most people in the world are non-Benders, I am very confused what actual armies with non-Benders would look like in an age of mechs and bi-planes, would they still be using swords?
Question from guest: I feel like this story is less about Satchiko and more about the Khesigs, as they have been covered more
Answer: You are right, I felt I might have gotten a bit too carried away with the Kheshig subplot. I promise you, from here on now, the Kheshig will take a backseat until later.
Story recommendation: The Beifong Bandits, written by HighQueenChickenHead. Shoutout to them.
Lastly, since we have finally reached Ba Sing Se, I would like to dedicate a segment to talk about the original plan for the story. It was supposed to be about our protagonist learning earth bending in Gaoling and Kazuki is coming alone on the journey. And then Satchiko would go somewhere and defeat some cliche evil bad person and the story ends. I never expect how much more mature this whole things would become in terms of themes and other elements. But here we are.
Finally, I would like to dedicate this little post chapter skit to the artist who have generously painted the cover art.
Within the dojo, Kazuki and the other Kyoshi warriors were supposed to be undergoing their routine training.
But instead, they are looking at Satchiko with silent and confused expressions. They watched as their fellow sister stared deeply at a piece of canvas in her hands, heart and soul fully dedicated. Like a bee attached to a flower.
"What is she doing?" Kazuki whispered to Orihime. "She has been looking at it for hours."
Orihime isn't sure how to explain this phenomenon. Sometimes, when a person found something so valuable, they just couldn't take their eyes off it.
"The painting she holding onto is no ordinary art." Orihime explained to the others. "Only the greatest artist can produce such masterpiece, the famous Kkachi98!"
The others were all in awe, and Orihime continued.
"You see Satchiko there? She is so captivated at the artwork, she has been looking at it for hours, not once has she blinked her eyes. When an artwork exceeds the imagination itself, it is no wonder she has become like this."
Satchiko lift up her head and nodded quickly. "It's beautiful." She added. "I've looked at this for five hours now!"