Chapter 3: Glowing Crystals
"What do you mean we need to get rid of the torch?" I sighed as Sokka protectively held the large stick of wood.
"If we ever want to get out I highly recommend it. Either that or we should have brought some musical instruments." I pointed out. Sokka made a strange face.
"What is wrong with this cave?"
"Its the cave of two lovers," I responded, "if you want I'll tell you the legend."
"That sounds nice," Katara grinned at me while Sokka groaned.
"No! No more romantic stories! I've heard to many already!" I sniggered while Aang innocently wandered up to Sokka.
"There's nothing wrong about a romantic legend, Sokka." Aang pointed out with a big grin. Sokka faked a pout and I used the distraction to take the torch and shove it into the soil, effectively turning out the lights. There was a loud uncomfortable moan from Appa and Aang's quiet soothing before the blackness slowly lightened into a pale green glow. Above us a long trail of crystals stretched into the distance.
"Wow." Katara whispered, looking up in awe of the gems.
"What are those?" Sokka asked, the torch forgotten.
"I don't know." I admitted with a silly grin. The cave was beautiful when basked in those lights. I found myself wondering if they worked when taken out of the cave and if these were the same glowing crystals that took residence below the earth palace.
"So what's this 'romantic legend' about anyway?" Sokka asked. I could almost hear the air quotes. Sniggering I began to tell the tale.
"It is about the forming of Omashu. There were two villages who for generations had fought with each other. One day two people, one from each town met but instead of hating each other the two fell in love."
"Seriously!" Sokka complained. Katara shushed him, glaring at her clueless brother.
"The two decided to run away together and came here to the caves and here they learned how to earthbend from the badger moles, who have a fascination for music." I garnered a confused look from Sokka at the last comment.
"Cool!" Aang chirped, sounding honestly excited at the prospect.
"Anyway," I continued, "they returned to their villages and continued to meet here, using these stones to guide them to each other. No one else would allow themselves to walk alone in a cave in the dark so they knew that they would always be able to loose anyone who tried to follow. Well one day the man was sent to war... and he died." Katara sucked a deep breath in, shock written across her features. Apparently this worlds version of Romeo and Juliet was not a story she enjoyed. Actually I needed to tell them that story too sometime, after all it was a key piece of literature from my world.
"Well the woman was so angry that she used her bending to scare the two villages but instead of destroying both like she could have she instead she built a new home for both villages to live as one. The woman's name was Oma, the man's shu so the city was named Omashu in honour of them. The woman's grave lies down here along with her beloved's so they were not even separated by death." There was silence for a moment before Sokka spoke.
"That's a strange story."
"Actually it makes sense in a way," Aang pointed out, "Omashu is its own city-state and the king is always the most powerful earthbender after the previous king dies. The king has to remain strong because if someone challenges him and he loses the fight the winner becomes king. Omashu is a city that prides strength." I stared at Aang for a moment.
"And yet you decided to challenge the King of Omashu last time we came here?"
"I thought he was at the end of his reign!" Aang cried before continuing in a softer voice. "Besides, only earthbenders can become king, my battle with him would have just shown he was weak and made someone else challenge him." We lasped into silence. It allowed me to think some. The tale of Oma and Shu was interesting and more for just the warring tale. Something that I had said made me think. Because of Oma two warring villages were able to find peace through love. I wondered if that was another reason that people liked Zatura so much besides the opposites attract concept. Shaking off the thought to consider another time I spoke.
"Have I ever told you guys the story of Romeo and Juliet?"
"Not another romantic tale! Pala!" Sokka cried while the rest of us laughed at his tortured expression.
