(Original disclaimer posted on Chapter One.)

3
The Invasion

It was the smell of fresh air that woke up Hakoda. A beam of light slipped through the rough facades of the cave and the smooth edges of the ice, lazily landing onto an unforgiving floor. Hakoda used this light to guide him towards the cave entrance; an entrance that was sealed by the block of white. The warrior picked up a shovel on the ground next to him and jammed the weapon into the ice, which was weakened by the hot sun. The ice violently collapsed onto the ground beneath it.

The sudden burst of bright light flooded Hakoda's eyes, temporarily disorienting him. He shook his head to get the fuzzy obstacles out of his eyes, which blissfully floated on his pupils. The warrior snuffled, and, with the shovel still remaining in his hand, he climbed up the sheets of collapsed snow and stood at the top. At this point, Hakoda could see a dome of bright blue above him. The ends of the dome rested on the white horizon. There were the occasional balls of cotton that the spotted once in a while in the sky, but to see blue above him was enough of a treat.

Today was the invasion. All of the warriors were counting many sheep, since there were to be no sleeping for the next couple of days. Hakoda didn't need much rest, though he yawned at the sight of the sky. The adrenaline that was going to be experienced could keep anyone awake. But not alive... the psychological torture of anticipation was demolished quickly, giving every soldier a sigh of relief. However, it was no more than a question of endurance to see who would pass the test of staying alive.

Hakoda quickly started a fire. The flames danced, begging for something to burn, or at least heat. He placed a plate over the flame and scooped up a cups-worth of ice, setting it on the plate. He sat down next to the fire and looked up at the lifeless trees that scorched the skies above them. The snowy hills which wrapped around the entire scene was just merely a boundary. This was a broad interpretation of what he would be seeing for the next few days.

Boring, yes, but breathtaking as well. Hakoda dumped the hot, melted ice into his tin canteen, careful enough not to spill. He set the pot back on the plate and continued to gaze out into the distance.

Today was the day.

Dear Sokka and Katara,
Today is the day of battle. I am very nervous; hopefully, I can remember all of my attack lines and rely on my instincts. I just hope not too many of our warriors get hurt.
The last few days before the invasion are very beautiful. The sky is clear, and the snow is glistening. It is almost like home, except for the dead trees; they nearly ruin the entire sight. But, I should take the time to cherish these last few days of peace before the invasion.
It feels a little strange, though... sitting here, thinking. I was wondering whether I should fish a little after the battle, since this part of the ocean has really good arctic cod. That way, I would have something to bring home for you to enjoy. However, the overseer is constantly watching us. We must stay focused on our tasks; remember, kids: focus on the goal; your goal is focus. I will see you soon.

-Dad
Hakoda, 1st Division, Shard Squad

The soldiers ate their last lunch in peace on the topside face of the atoll. They were served baked bread; a well-deserved meal after these tasteless few days. They ate on the hill tops near the coast. Those that were finished eating quickly had their sips of melted ice and hurried to the ridge for final inspections on the catapults. The catapults were the main lines of defense on the atoll. If they were to be destroyed, then the defense of Crow Bay would soon be over.

Giru sat alone on a single hill top. He was sharpening his spear with a fellow dagger, watching small chiseled particles fall violently onto the snowy patch below him. It was moments like this that made him think twice about joining the cause when it came down to the Northern Water Tribe. His twin brother was all he had; besides his dad, who was very inadequate when it came to goodbyes. But, this was what bugged him: was this a final goodbye?

Second thoughts began racing through every soldier's, warrior's, and waterbender's mind; thoughts about whether joining the cause was really the best idea. Bato and Hakoda were the only ones that had no doubts; they were either confident or clueless about what they were going to face.

After momentary leisure time, the soldiers were organized at the center of the atoll where Admiral Koi was ready to explain the defense. The warriors got into their attack lines. Each attack line was composed of seven men, including at least one waterbender. The waterbender led his attack line, only equipped with a spear. However, the other warriors yielded spears, daggers, and clubs. What was strange was that all bow and arrows were stored behind the main ridge where the sum of 20 catapults were set. Admiral Koi was planning something... ?

The organized soldiers of 500 men stood bravely in front of their leader. Admiral Koi slowly paced back and forth in front of the men, who held their heads high. Koi finally stopped in front of them. The ten lower-ranked officers stood behind him, including the overseer.

Everyone was silent. The men held their breath as their admiral was ready to speak words that would carry them through this invasion. It seemed like the entire world stopped to listen to Koi.

"We are ready for the fire nation," he proudly announced. His booming voice was followed by an uproar that came from the soldiers. The men could tell that he was holding back a smile, "Settle down, men." He began pacing once more. He finally stopped at the end of the line of officers. "We have catapults set on all three ridges of the atoll: 20 in the main ridge, 12 on the left ridge, and 12 on the right ridge. When their navy ships fill up the entire bay, our catapults will hammer their ships from all three sides. " He resumed his pacing, walking towards the other end of the line of officers.

"But, we want to surprise them a bit. When their ships fill up the entire bay, and their men fill up the entire beach, look to the left side of the atoll where a torch sits on the highest table top of the island. As soon as I light the torch, launch all the catapults into the enemy region. Only then will our defense of Crow Bay begin." He stopped at the end of the first row of soldiers.

"Now, they may not invade the atoll immediately," he continued to explain. "A brief siege may take place. But, when the time comes, rally at the main caverns of the catacombs." He took a moment of silence which seemed perfectly timed. "May the Spirits bless us with strength, courage, and wisdom. Dismissed!"

The line of officers and Admiral Koi were the first ones to leave the scene. What was strange about this moment was that the soldiers, completely calm and ready for their opponent, seemed bewildered at the fact that the turn has twisted on the day of invasion. After all of the mind-numbing anticipation and psychological torture of expectancy, they were the endure even further torture: a possible siege, complete with fiery bombardments, long hours in the catacombs, and limited trips to the outside.

War is hell.

PART II

Hakoda sat alone on an idle snowy hill top as he picked at the patch of white that was set under him. He looked out into the vast stretch of glistening blue and gazed at the occasional ripples that formed in the water.

With a horn in one hand, and a dagger in the other, Hakoda's job was important. He were to sound the horn at first sight of the approaching fire nation as an alarm to the other warriors and officers that were topside. It was a big job; basically, it felt like the entire world depended on him. The horn he was equipped with sounded like a boar calling: a muffled monotone that broke through the snowy hills and dead forests.

As he sat alone, Hakoda began to think of what he could tell Sokka when he came home; something that would fully explain his stay at Crow Bay.

Sokka, Crow Bay was pretty... good. I felt like roughing it like frontiers men, and it was a great experience. I hiked, a even fished a couple of times, and what was really swell about it was that we were allowed an occasional hunting session.

Yeah, that was perfect... but it was untruth.

Sokka, Crow Bay was horrible. We were barely allowed to fish, no hunting was allowed, and wandering off into the other withered beauty of the island was strongly prohibited. If you would have come, you would think that this is the worst place in the entire world.

Sokka had his own responsibilities. He was the man of the tribe... but, now that he thought of it, he was the only man in the tribe. He wasn't even a full-grown man, either. Plus, he took the responsibility of watching over his own sister. If Hakoda's son could do so much, then why should he worry about what is happening back home? Hakoda, snapping back into reality, looked off into the sea horizon. Suddenly, he focused onto a lone figure moving on the horizon.

Something's coming this way.

Hakoda stood up, trying to confirm his observation. Suddenly, multiple figures showed up on the horizon, slowly moving toward his direction. Then, to his horror, his nightmare had come true. The warrior quickly got a good grasp on the horn and put it against his lips.

Hakoda sounded the horn.

He blew into the horn numerous times, trying his best not to sound like he was panicking. He stared down at the camp while he sustained the note. He could see the officers and shoulders rushing to get their weapons and supplies.

"Into the catacombs!"

"They're here!"

"This is what we've been training for! Get into the catacombs and prepare to fight!"

Now having warned everybody, Hakoda quit playing the horn. He looked back into the sea horizon once more. The small handful of figures he once saw sitting on the horizon had become a mass horde of fire nation naval ships. There were dozens and dozens of rows of ships, docked, now stopping to attack.

Completely amazed by the scene, Hakoda couldn't rip his glance away from the naval ships. Suddenly, little tiny flares arose from the ships, soaring through the air.

"Oh, shit," was all Hakoda could say at that moment. The flares became fireballs as Hakoda ran down the hill, tripping several times before finally finding some cover behind a boulder.

The fireballs rained down onto Crow Bay, shattering through the dead forests and plummeting into the snow. The loud crackling sounds that followed made Hakoda huddle with himself and cover his ears. Endless fireballs crushed the atoll as the naval ships continued to launch more and more of their projectiles.

Finally, after what seemed like a macabre few minutes, the fireballs stopped falling. Hakoda, who was completely huddled into himself, stood up, still in a defensive position behind the boulder. He was able to catch a glimpse of the horizon.

The naval ships were docked at sea, finally beginning their ad interim siege of the atoll. Hakoda, now being able to rip his glance away from the ships, rushed towards the catacomb entrances. The flames that the fireballs set on the island began to die out as white ice collapsed onto the fires.

As Hakoda ran towards the catacomb entrance, he stumbled upon a warrior who was sitting calmly on the ground, completely still. The father stood behind him, confused.

"Hey!" Hakoda yelled. The warrior in front of him didn't budge. "Let's get to the tunnels before they launch another wave of fireballs!"

Hakoda gripped the sitting soldier. The soldier suddenly fell to the ground, face up. He discovered that the soldier's frontal clothes were drenched with blood. A shard of wood was lodged into the soldier's abdomen.

This man was dead.

He never thought a man could die this way. Hakoda gathered up his thoughts and continued towards the catacombs.

Dear Nala,
The invasion had begun, or should I say, the siege. They launch balls of fire onto our small compact atoll like a thunderstorm. If it weren't for the snow, we would be on fire right now.
My head aches from the bombardment. Food is becoming scarce. Water is still no issue. My body is fueled by water. My stay at Crow Boy has altered my diet severely. Although food is still an issue, we do not believe it is a necessity. We are beginning to cherish the stale biscuits that lay untouched at the corner of our lodging. The caves and tunnels, which are dry as dry ice, keep us warm, but the thought of war freezes us from the inside.
Is this truly my fate? To sit here and wither away with the other soldiers? If we are men, we are to show ourselves now and fight. I cannot stand this expectancy and anticipation; if I am to survive, I would find out now rather than later. I plan to see you in the near future as much as I plan staying alive.

Bato

Two hours since the siege began; the soldiers seem calm about the situation. The caves and tunnels shook with fury as the balls of fire rocked the outside, forcing pebbles to fall from the catacomb facades.

"Good news and bad news," Giru stated, walking in with another bag of stale biscuits. "The good news: it seems like the naval ships are out of range to destroy any of our catapults." He tossed the sack of biscuits aside and took a seat on his sleeping bag. "The bad news: the seige could last forever."

"I think we all know the bad news," replied Bato, who wrote away in his journal. He was the hypocrite.

Leo rubbed his temples in pain, trying to make the throbbing pain go away. The only time the headaches were erased was when he was asleep. But counting sheep in this kind of situation is hard to do.

"I'm tired," Leo said, giving off an exasperated sigh. He was an old man, no doubt about it. Just give him his tea, people would say.

"Try not to fall asleep," Hakoda said, his voice completely absorbed into the words he was writing in his journal. "The trick to falling asleep is trying not to fall asleep."

Leo slowly started to comprehend with Hakoda, raising an eyebrow. he calmed himself and laid back on his sleeping back, trying not to count sheep.

Dear Bro,
I've been completely absorbed into what has been happening topside. Fire balls, the size of the moon, are crashing into island like mosquitoes. I'd rather listen to your whining than hear the racket that is going on upstairs...
Well, I'm not entirely sure if there really will be a battle. The way these fire nation admirals think are very complex. The trick is to think ahead of the enemy, but lately I haven't been thinking much about anything, really. With all of this fighting going on outside of Crow Bay, who are we to say that we're struggling the most?
It may be a long time before I see the Northern Water Tribe again. But, trust this: I will return to the tribe. You can count on it.

Giru