Thank you to my reviewers!: (TPC) Rqffael and ButterySupreme (TWG) Astra Across the Stars, MissLux, Sophiecampbellbower, Zebra Blu, Chimbombo, Guest, StarlightSoulWriting, Aetzfeder, and SaturnTails!
"There's a meeting in the Ladies' Room. Are you okay, Katara?" Yue pushed Katara's door open softly. "You've been asleep all day."
Katara sat up in her bed, rubbing her eyes. She was certainly tired, given that Lu Ten had dragged them all through the palace the previous night, and given the exhausting internal turmoil that came with it, but she supposed one would see many other reasons why Katara had overslept.
"Doing as well as I can." That was the truth. "Erm, Aiga had to...return to her family. I'm not sure when she'll be back. Are we still wearing mourning colors?" Katara asked.
This was what Zuko, Lu Ten, and Katara had decided late last night. Shoji's grandmother had taken a turn for the worse, so he and his mother were given emergency leave, and Aiga had quit, needing to care for her family too. This is what they'd tell others, at least. Sure, it was awfully convenient if people put pieces together, but the average person wouldn't and that was what mattered.
"Yes," Yue's voice was heavy with sadness, "I pray you are given a new handmaid soon."
Katara wanted to reply that she doubted she'd ever want anyone but Aiga, but she just nodded, slipping out of bed to find an acceptable white dress.
The last nine contestants gathered in the Ladies' Room. There were a few whispers, but it was mostly quiet, and not merely for the scarcity of numbers. After everything that had occurred, it seemed everyone was waiting for yet another terrible announcement.
Zuko entered the room with Zhi. He looked less tired, less likely to fall asleep right there, which told Katara he'd had a few hours of slumber. Not enough to make him look totally healthy, but enough so that she worried less.
"I just wanted to congratulate all of you for making it this far. It's quite the feat. One of you is one step closer to becoming my wife," he said, and a few girls perked up at his warm words. Then, he sighed.
"On a more somber note, I regret to inform you that Iroh - now separated from his military status or Royal Title - as well as Lady Bei Fong, has been executed."
Katara swallowed hard. Even though she knew both to be alive and well and far, far away, she knew she had to look properly horrified and sad. It wasn't hard; even imagining the terrible reality that nearly befell the pair was enough to make her tear up.
Around the room, the girls reacted with horror and deep sadness. Smellerbee stumbled a bit and Ratana helped her to a chair, after which both girls broke out in tears. Though Ratana tried to keep hers lady-like, Smellerbee cried loudly and painfully.
Yue touched her heart, lips quivering, eyes filling with liquid. On Ji looked down, shaking her head slowly. Alcina dropped herself to the floor, pressing her hands to her lips, her body shuddering as she tried to hold back her own tears. Suki grasped Katara's hand, turning away, and inhaled hard. Katara looked at Mai, expecting glee or some sort of happiness since she'd been the one to cause Toph's 'death,' but she was shocked to see Mai quickly wiping away tears at the edges of her eyes. Even Nadhari looked stunned, eyebrows knit and face pale.
"I thought it was to be a public event?" Suki managed to ask, voice quivering. Katara was glad; she was sure this was some sort of cover but feared risking revealing her shared knowledge if she spoke.
"I convinced my father that Iroh and Toph were once celebrated. Despite their actions, it would look poorly to make a spectacle. They deserved the honor of no audience. Plus, we should not take their deaths as a marked event, something that encourages those who wish to seek fame. It was better, all things considered, to have it done quietly." Zuko lied easily, and Katara wondered if he and Lu Ten had cooked this up, or if this was Ozai trying to not admit that he'd let Toph and Iroh slip away. Either way, it was best. It would be foolish for either to show their faces anywhere, so they were safe for now.
"But...I heard that Iroh vanished from a hallway!" On Ji said, eyes wide.
"A lie." Zuko shook his head. "We're not sure who began it...whether it be someone trying to undermine our power here or a stupid rumor meant as a joke. I can confirm with my own eyes that my uncle was put to death last night." The pain in his voice was real enough.
"...What of the Avatar and Ty Lee?" Mai spoke up quietly, and though her expression was flat, it showed a great deal of worry on her part to even ask.
"Still unsure on their location, but we are working diligently to find the hide-out of these traitors and see to it that they are shown justice as well," Zuko said. Mai nodded, but her shoulders dropped in utter relief.
"We understand these are difficult and turbulent times, so we will be giving you all a few days to work through your feelings, no requirements from us. If you have any more questions, please reach out to me. I wish to help all of you through this," Zuko said earnestly. "The trip to the wetlands of the Earth Kingdom is pushed back a few days," he added, looking at Alcina who was the lone person left slated to take this trip. Katara wondered idly if he'd be adding more girls on?
"Thank you, Prince Zuko," Ratana bowed to him, "For telling us."
Zuko bowed back, to all the girls, and left.
"Toph's dead…" Alcina whispered in horror as soon as he was gone. "And Ty Lee is an Airbender. It almost seems like it's all a dream, huh?"
And honestly, truly, Katara wished it were.
XxXxXx
Two days later and Katara was feeling more alone than she ever had before. Though she and Zuko seemed to be on an upwards path, their friendship and romance hardly made up for all the ghosts she felt were completely choking her at every turn.
She was still waking up, hoping for Aiga to be there.
She was turning to where Toph would sit during dinner to joke with her.
She was searching for Ty Lee in the Ladies' Room to share a feeling of reassurance.
She was expecting Aang to be in the line of the Royal Family, and Iroh too, one with a wide-happy smile and one with sage advice.
She was about to search the halls for Shoji to ask him to do small favors for her.
She walked by her brother's old room a thousand times, always naively hoping he'd be behind the door and ready to give her a hug.
She was the keeper of all their spirits, which danced in every corner of the room and she was furious no one else saw it. She had lost almost everyone she cared about; had she and Zuko still be in a fight, she would have packed up and gone home.
As it was, that was still a consideration, especially in light of Sokka's secrets revealed.
Her parents had sent many frantic messages, but Katara had been unable to answer any with something that would make them feel better. She wasn't even sure he'd be okay, despite Iroh's promise, and even if he was, she couldn't tell them that.
Many, even if he was given his life as a 'gift', demanded his removal as the attendant from the Southern Water Tribe, which Katara understood. She had no idea who would come in his stead, or if he'd be allowed to remain here at all, but this was one of the least concerning issues. If he was released from the palace as it was, that might be for the better, and he could search out Toph without any interference or expectations of jobs here.
What was worse was that Ozai had declared no more food would be sent to Katara's tribe, at least until a 'more suitable diplomat with the proper respect' would come to the Fire Nation to basically grovel at his feet. It didn't matter that Katara was in the top ten contestants and still ranking highly. It didn't matter that it would be at least a week before anyone could make it out to the Fire Nation, and she doubted her parents would send someone immediately, recklessly. It didn't matter that he was pulling on the threads of the livelihood of everyone there, threatening their means of existence.
Ozai did not care. He had almost all but given the Southern Water Tribe a death sentence.
Katara had not even been allowed to attend the meeting where he'd declared this. Ozai was 'disgusted' by the look of any Southerner after one such 'broke his son's heart', which was a bold lie in every way. He had been looking forever for reasons to hate Katara and her people and, frustratingly, Sokka had given him the perfect one.
Lu Ten and Zuko had objected, as well as a few Fire Sages. This was expected. Unexpectedly, both Hahn and Arrluk had voiced their disapproval of the plan too, citing that this wasn't fair and coming to Katara's aid, but apparently, Ozai had already made up his mind. The 'meeting' was more procedural than anything - Ozai had little interest in being swayed. Katara had not been invited to this meeting.
"Thanks for trying," Katara told Arrluk, sighing.
"Will your tribe be okay?" Arrluk asked. "I can write to Chief Arnook and tell him to help! We can send food, now that our tribes are talking again. I'm sure he'd-"
"Don't give yourself a reason to be hated by the Fire Lord too," Katara winced, but was warmed by his sense of kinship. "We'll survive. We always have."
Though, she could not be entirely sure of this herself.
"Fucking sucks." Hahn shook his head. "I swear Ozai gets off on power, you know?"
"You're just figuring that out now?" Katara couldn't help but laugh a bit. "Any news on Sokka?"
"No," Arrluk frowned, "He's alive, I guess, but that's about all. We tried asking."
She had expected as much but still felt a stab to her heart at these words. She sighed, shaking her head before looking out at the garden before her. She'd felt so stifled in her room and she had to escape somewhere. These gardens were hardly used, especially with so few girls left in the competition, but the cool breezes still did not help her the sense of dread that thudded in her chest.
As the trio of Water Tribe members sat, someone passed by on the breezeway. It was the daughter of a politician, giggling with her friend. When she saw the three, she spat a nasty word, directed at all of them. Katara was not completely knowledgeable of her Earth Kingdom language, but she understood the idea of it; cheaters, dishonorable, scum.
"You two should go. Any more associating with me and you'll just bring a headache for yourselves."
"Won't make a difference." Arrluk winced. "We're both Water Tribe. Doesn't matter which part of the globe we're from. We've always been looked down on. This has just...exacerbated it," he explained. "And I'd rather be called that name rather than act as though I've forsaken you and Sokka."
"But we probably should go." Hahn nudged Arrluk. "Not because of that bullshit, but we have that meeting. With Pakku."
"Right," Arrluk nodded, "Will you be okay?" It seemed everyone was asking her this these days.
"I can handle myself," Katara said lightly. Arrluk looked ready to say something more but shook his head.
"Find us if you need us," he mumbled, and Hahn gave a short salute before the pair left.
She hardly had enjoyed a minute of silence when she saw Zuko's tall figure coming quickly through the gardens toward her.
"Katara, we have a problem."
Katara motioned for him to sit. "Zuko, you say that as though having a problem is an uncommon thing. When don't we have a problem?"
She was pleased to see Zuko smile and chuckle, a momentary respite from whatever was bothering him. "True," he agreed, but then his face darkened once more. "But when I say we have a problem, I really mean it."
"It's not...Aang, is it?" Horrible thoughts that Aang and the rest had been captured on their way to safety flashed across her mind. She felt faint; after all that, they couldn't just find him!
"No! No word, which is good news," Zuko assured, "It's your brother."
"What? Is he dying? Is he alive? Is he eating? Zuko, what's wrong!" Katara demanded.
"I tried to talk to him about the plans to get him out, you know, in code. He understood me well enough but he said he'd refuse to go."
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly that!" Zuko hissed, running his fingers through his hair. "He asked me what they're all saying about him. Demanded, actually. I mean, you know that stubbornness runs in your family. So I told him; it was a matter of honor. He is insisting on fixing it. He refuses to run."
"That idiot!" Katara stood up, snarling. "We're trying to save his ass, and of course he has to be all noble!"
"I think we could take him kicking and screaming, but that wouldn't be quiet or aid our hopes, would it?" Zuko's face was grim. "He says once the public opinion of the Water Tribe is 'fixed,' he'll look at options then. Until then...he says the only thing he'll leave his cell for is to face his judgment." Zuko swallowed hard. "And Katara, there weren't many other options."
"Options?" She echoed faintly, terrified for what he was going to say next.
"It was going to be me or my dad and I couldn't let him face Ozai. He'd...Ozai would...it would…" Zuko seemed ready to say something else, but couldn't. He inhaled hard. "It had to be me. It has to. It will."
"Zuko, breathe," Katara rubbed his back comfortingly, "And please, please...tell me what is going to happen to him now?"
"There's only one way to restore honor in a case like this…" Zuko licked his lips, eyes shining with regret. "And that's an Agni Kai."
XXxx
Aang was covered in sweat and dirt, his limbs ached, his head pounded, and he was exhausted.
It had been three days of high anxiety as Iroh and Aiga led the group to safety. Aang still had no idea where the safe location was, per Zuko's agreement with him a long time ago. He woke each day hoping they would reach it and was always frustrated when it seemed they would be spending another night sleeping in someone's barn, hardly more than hay to cushion their heads.
It had been a long, grueling journey. Iroh knew people, but they were a big group and two of their faces were plastered on every inch of every city they visited, hanging on signs and promising lots of money for their return.
Even the best of people, when desperate for money, did things they wouldn't be proud of later...such as turning in the Avatar and his companions.
Still, the people Iroh had faith in were air-tight, and they had made it safely so far. Their accommodations weren't comfortable, far from it. They were squished in boxes, contorting their limbs like acrobats to pass inspection town to town. They were shoved into wagons with mule-pigs and fire-chickens, pressing themselves into the muddy floorboards and underneath the creatures, hoping not to be noticed. They stood in lines in larger caravans, hardly an inch between anyone, and told to stay absolutely and utterly still. They were ferried in the night, by the light of only a lantern, through bogs and rivers and streams and fields with tall grasses, to tiny boats and run-down vehicles.
And the worst part of it? Everyone kept offering Aang the 'best' of each accommodation.
"No, let the elderly and children have it," he kept insisting, uneasy. He was used to being handed the best of the best by his association to the Royal Family, but he hated those in need being passed over for his benefit. It made him feel ill and like a fraud. What sort of hero accepted the singular pillow when there were so many who needed it more?
They laughed, like it was amusing, and pushed. And Aang pushed back. Sometimes, he convinced them. Other times, he did not and found he slept worse when given more room to spread out, feeling guilt eat away inside of him as he listened to the snores of those around him.
More than that, everyone was grumpy. If anyone thought Toph was a terror before this, she seemed monstrous now. All the kids knew more swear words than Aang knew existed, and she was possibly one of the worst travel partners in the history of history. Of course, she was separated from her boyfriend, and that had to be hard, or so Aang sympathized. Still, he wished she'd let up on the curse words a bit.
The only two people that stayed in good moods were Iroh –Aang assumed it was because he knew where they were headed – and Ty Lee. She was a gleam of sunlight in the dim days before him. She was effervescent and warm and kind, always offering food to others first, or playing with the small children and making them laugh, or lending her shoulder and ears for anyone who needed them.
For as much as people were looking at Aang and Iroh for instructions, he noticed they were looking at her too. She took this role in stride, as though she was always meant for more than just being one of Azula's ladies-in-waiting, spending her days lounging in a palace.
Her hair, which fell just short of her shoulders after Azula chopped off her braid during the fight, seemed to float on air whenever she spun. Aang liked her long hair and he liked her short hair; he found out it didn't matter, he liked her either way.
The voices in his mind were quiet. He wondered if his brain functioned slower without enough food or sleep, and therefore the Avatars were affected too. It was probably a blessing; if he had to be shoved into a barrel for twelve hours and he had to spend the entire time hearing Gopan ramble about birds or Kuruk moan about his lost love, he'd have gone insane.
Currently, they were in a small caravan of boats going through a boggy area. The air around him was moist and heavy and there was a cacophony of sounds from everywhere. Iroh was in the front boat, standing at the front like a captain in charge of a military fleet, instead of the measly and tired crew of boats that actually followed.
Aang used his water-bending to move them down the currents. Any other airbenders - Ty Lee, the handful that Iroh had helped escape, and some they'd picked up - propelled the boats forward while the rest steered. Toph was having a miserable time, as her bending helped her in zero ways and she couldn't see a damn thing. Which, he'd heard about a million times.
He looked back, pausing for a moment to see Ty Lee helping a young Airbender, no more than twelve, get the wrist movement right. It was hard to believe she'd only come into her own powers less than a week ago; she seemed like a natural. Something like glee and excitement bubbled inside Aang; he'd been thrilled at the prospect of teaching new benders the craft, but the knowledge that he could have Ty Lee under his tutelage and pass on what was now their shared history made him look forward to the future and whatever lay ahead.
Ty Lee caught him looking and sent a flirty wink his way, causing him to blush full on. He was glad Toph could not read his body language right now, or else she'd be making a snide comment for sure. As it was, she was hung over the side of the boat, her face as green as her clothes.
"We are here," Iroh announced, motioning for the boats to the beach on an embankment to the left.
Aang helped everyone off, frowning. They seemed to be in the middle of literally nowhere.
A whisper came from his left. He spun around, searching for who had spoken but found no one other than the same people he'd been traveling with. Then it was to his right. Then above him.
"Aang, what is it?" Ty Lee asked, grabbing his shirt lightly.
"You don't...hear that?" he asked in true confusion, tilting his head to the warbling and hissing whispers all around him.
"The bugs?" Toph snapped irritably, swatting at a dragonfly the size of her palm. "Yuck! This sucks. I can hardly see with all this water," she said, picking up her feet as they sank into the mossy and wet dirt.
"No…. the voices."
"Ha. Avatar's gone mad," Toph snorted, stalking to join Iroh near the front, "Fantastic."
"I don't hear voices." Ty Lee gripped his arm. "But this place feels...alive."
"I can tell what's alive here: loads of bugs," Shoji agreed.
"I'm picking up an aura. From the swamp," Ty Lee said evenly. "Neither good nor bad. Just, living."
"Riiiight." Shoji said slowly, "Uhm, I'm gonna make sure my mom's okay."
"This way." Iroh was motioning. "Step carefully now."
In front of them was a wide tangle of vines. Aang stepped forward to part them but stumbled back in shock as they parted for him. At first, he was sure it must be some supernatural interference, but his breath caught when he realized a group of men and women - dressed in nothing more but vines and oversized leaves - were moving the vines. At first, he was confused, wondering if this was something invented within the 100-year-war, a new form of bending, until he saw one of the benders move one of the boats to the shore by pushing the waves. Aang's glee was immediate.
"Waterbenders!" he gaped, overcome with relief. Of course! There was liquid in plants, so therefore, waterbenders could move it! Katara had taught him some waterbending basics, and he'd hoped she would teach him more on their escape route, but that had been shot to hell when she'd decided to stay at the palace. Now, the idea of being able to learn waterbending didn't seem so far off anyway. "I didn't know there were more outside of the Poles," he commented.
"Welcome Avatar." The one who seemed like the leader bowed to him. "Swamp's been waitin' for yeh."
Now that the vines were pushed back, they opened to a huge tree that towered miles above Aang's head, casting the whole area in a soft shade. Dotted around the tree were what seemed like a hundred little huts with people milling about everywhere, putting clothes on a line, cooking food, playing ball. There seemed to be just as many swamp-benders as there were others, intermingling all together.
Aang watched, tearing up as he saw a group of young kids kick a ball around while never touching the ground. He had never thought he'd see the day when airbenders walked this earth again, as numerous as the stars in the sky.
"This is Huu," Iroh said, shaking the man's hand, "And he has been quite the asset to keeping this hide-out hidden."
"Who?" Ty Lee asked, blinking.
"Yep, Huu!" The man replied, which seemed to offer no explanations.
"Not to be rude…" Shoji had a sword out in one hand and a fire lit in the other. "But why a swamp?" he asked, trying to fry a bug that flew near his face.
"Better put those away, boy." Huu frowned. "Don't want to upset the swamp."
"Upset it?" Shoji stayed stationary.
"It's alive," Ty Lee scolded, "As I said! That's why you choose here, didn't you?" She turned to Iroh with a tilted head.
"Indeed," Iroh nodded. "The swamp here is a living creature." He patted the tree trunk as though petting an animal. "And it can sense if those come with bad intentions. Shoji, you'd better listen. that goes for all...respect the swamp here and it will protect all of us."
Aang came to stand at the foot of the swamp, frowning. Huu stood behind him, quietly.
"I feel like I'm meant to be here. I thought I was meant to be at the palace, but it's been waiting, hasn't it?" he asked. The voices in his head were startling quiet.
"I wouldn't be surprised."
From the camp, a girl and her father came over to the group. He recognized both immediately: Dhakiya and General Shen. Shen looked exactly as he recalled, back from the moment the general had made it clear that the Avatar had allies at the first ball during the Prince's Choice, even when at the time he thought there was no trouble brewing. Dhakiya, however, looked different. Her skin was tanner, her hair was longer and plaited in a thick braid which hung down her back, and she was fitter. Her grin was also a mile wide.
"Dhakiya!" Ty Lee gasped, rushing up. "Oh, it's so good to see you!" Toph's blind eyes widened in surprise, and she gave a half-wave where she heard Ty's voice coming from. Aang doubted Toph and Dhakiya had been close.
"Ty Lee, imagine my surprise that you're one of us," Dhakiya said. She saw Aang behind her. "Nice to meet you, Avatar Aang," she said, bowing her head.
"We've met," Aang said, a bit uneasily, "Remember? At the palace."
"In some ways, sure. But you were Kuzon, and I too was an entirely different person then," she explained. She did seem more sure of herself, calmer, and a force that had everyone looking at her. That sort of charisma was entirely new. "We'll talk soon. First…" She cleared her voice. "Welcome everyone! Huu and some of my friends will explain to you how we survive here. There are separate areas if you wish to live among people of your own nation - Water Tribe, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation - as well as a general camp if you recognize on some level we are all one as Air Nomads again. It is up to you. Huu and I run this camp, so if you need anything, you may seek us out. We are so glad you have made it here safely."
The group began to split, leaving Iroh, Aang, Ty Lee, and Toph. Shoji hovered but Aang shook his head.
"Go help your mom," he instructed.
"We don't have the glitz and glamour of the palace," Dhakiya said apologetically, "But my house is where I imagine you'll be staying. You'll all have some bit of privacy, at least."
"It's incredible you even have more than one house," Aang admitted.
"After I felt the Spirit World open again, I knew a lot of people would be airbenders soon. Plus, my father has kept me updated on issues back home, so we got to work. With more hands, we've made more homes, though it's certainly close quarters," she said, leading them to a house near the back, clearly, the first one constructed. It was cooler in temperature inside, but nothing much to look at. Still, it was safe, and on that count, Aang was so relieved.
"General Iroh, your room is that way," Dhakiya pointed, "And, erm, there are only two rooms left. So, I mean, I figure Aang can take this one and Toph and Ty Lee-"
"Ty Lee can be with me," Aang mumbled, speaking before he realized what his mouth had said. He felt his cheeks burn as everyone looked at him. "That is, if she, uh, wishes."
"Oh!" Dhakiya said with a choked surprise. "That's, well, congrats, I guess."
"Yeah, plus there's one more coming later," Toph said, shrugging. "And he'll be with me."
Dhakiya looked more surprised at this, as though she hadn't imagined Toph to want anyone in her room. Aang snorted to himself.
"Sure, okay," she said, making a quick recovery. "Uhm, General, my father wishes to speak to you. And then with you, Aang. There's a bathroom over there to, well, wash off. I mean, it's sort of a bin with water, but it's clean and...right, you get it," she said. "I'll leave you to it."
Toph spun on her heels, closing her door as she mumbled about 'getting some fine-ass dirt in here' so she could actually see.
"So, we're sharing a room now?" Ty Lee asked, a hint of mirth.
"If that's okay. If it's not...you know...too...well…" Aang fumbled.
"I'm just teasing! I'm going to go try to wring some dirt from my hair. Meet you in there?" she asked.
"Of course," Aang said. As Ty Lee turned, he impulsively grabbed her hand. Before he could psych himself out of it, he pulled her close. There was a single moment where they stood chest to chest, Ty Lee rising just below his chin. They both inhaled and Aang seized the pause, leaning down to kiss her.
He was a romantic at heart, but out of all the times he imagined their first kiss, it never went like this. He didn't think it would be in a hot swamp where the world around him was unfamiliar. He didn't think it would be in the middle of a shared house on the uneven floorboards. He didn't think it would be when they were both sweating and dirty and tired.
And maybe none of that mattered. Because it was as close to nirvana as he imagined he may ever get.
"Wanted to do that for a while," he mumbled, "Go wash up."
Ty Lee let go of him, giggling. She turned back three times, holding her hand over her mouth, utterly tickled pink by that moment. He felt the warmth of her affections waver out to him, and he felt calmer, more at ease.
"I'm glad you've been able to find happiness in these turbulent times," General Shen said, scaring Aang. He jumped in the air, just narrowly missing the ceiling with the height of his jump. Shen was standing in the door, moments from joining Iroh in their meeting.
"Uhm, sir," Aang mumbled.
"I believe I should be calling you sir." General Shen bowed low, and those same feelings rumbled in his stomach.
"Spirits, please don't," Aang asked of him, "I'm not...worthy...you shouldn't…"
"You are the Avatar. Of course, you are worthy," General Shen said with absolute certainty. "You are a good person."
"I'm not," Aang blurted. Iroh felt like an Uncle to him, but General Shen felt almost like someone he could trust, someone who he wanted to confide in. "I've...killed someone. He asked me to, but I still couldn't help it. And I didn't look for a friend who went missing. And I've been sitting at the palace and let hundreds of airbenders or innocents die while I did...nothing," he breathed, feeling a panic fill his veins. "So don't you see? I'm not the hero you all think I am."
"Avatar." General Shen placed his hands on Aang's shoulder. "You are far better than you believe. I see what everyone else sees, what you seem to be blind to," he added with a serious tone, "And Aang...you must know, we will follow you, wherever it may lead. If we must die for you, we will walk willingly. Do not let that weigh you down when I know that we would all do so with pride."
He patted Aang's shoulders, in what was maybe supposed to be a comforting gesture, leaving Aang speechless. Bile rose in his throat and he stumbled out of the shanty house, spitting off the side of the porch, stomach rolling and moaning.
He didn't doubt Shen's words, not for a second. And that was what terrified him: that he'd lead all of those who looked up to him right into their graves.