Well hello everyone! Happy New Year!

It's only been what, 7 or 8 years since I last updated this story? Christ almighty... the title of this chapter should really be called "How to Overcome an Epic Case of Writer's Block."

Sooo basically, I hit a road block with where to take the story and I eventually just gave up. After that, life happened. I graduated high school, then I graduated from university, then I got myself a career, and then a bunch of other grown up adult stuff happened. However, the fact that I had never finished this story was constantly nagging in the back of my head for all those years. Then one day in August 2017, I told myself that I have to finish what I started. So I sat myself down to write the next chapter only to realize that everything I had written before was no longer up to my standards. I did the unthinkable. I sat myself down and rewrote the entire story from the ground up. Characters have been renamed, events have been changed around, and new story threads have been planted and will be explored. I then told myself that I would not post anything until I had actually physically written down the whole story until it was finished. Well guess what everyone? I finished the story!

I highly recommend everyone (all 14 of you who actually read my story in the first place) to reread from the very beginning. I realize that I don't exactly have the biggest following, so no one probably even really cares that much about my newfound motivation to get shit done. I'm mostly just doing this for myself. I want to prove to myself that I can actually finish the story that I started writing all the way back in the year 2009. And, if people actually end up liking my story, then that's great! I sincerely hope you guys stick around!

So, here we go. I present to you chapter 8 at long last, and it's ready for your reading pleasure.

Enjoy!

The next morning came far too quickly for my liking, even though it seems to be well into the day when my eyes finally open. Unsurprisingly, I still feel incredibly exhausted. So instead of getting up and facing the day, I resign myself to lie on this mat for just a few more minutes. At least, that was the plan until my nose picks up the smell of freshly cooked food. It wasn't just any food that I was detecting, but distinct aroma of freshly cooked meat.

Glorious meat!

Ultimately, this is what spurs me out of bed.

Strangely though, I feel as if I have a hangover despite not touching the drink for a whole day and a half. Just getting myself to my feet is a difficult task, and the pounding headache really isn't helping the situation at all. Once I am able to finally stagger my way out of the room, I make my way down the stairs. Before I make it to the dining room though, the voices of my traveling companions reach my ears.

"They are called the White Lotus," I hear Amaya say. "One of their representatives was supposed to meet us three days from now at Kashi village near the outer wall."

"Well… yes" Kumi replies. "That village sits on the Motamo River that leads through the wall and to the outside."

Instead of entering the dining room they are occupying, I decide to lean against the wall around the corner and listen to their plans. These were supposedly the original plans that I was supposed to follow once the Kyoshi Warriors handed the girl off to me. Sticking to that plan now would be suicide though. The warriors will no doubt be heading to this Kashi village to try and intercept us.

"We can't go there now," Kumi continues, mirroring my own thoughts. "It's too obvious, my sisters will be waiting there for us."

"Well what do you suggest we do?" Amaya replies. "We can't just sit here and wait for them to find us."

I let out a barely audible sigh in agreement with her words. Over the years, the Kyoshi Warriors have grown to a significant size and they have connections basically everywhere. They will track us down eventually, no matter where we go. I begin to rack my brain for any possible new plans.

"You can't give up hope," I hear Shen speak up for the first time. "Didn't I tell you so Sokka?"

My heart skips a beat and I nearly stumble off the wall at the sound of my name.

How did he even know I'm awake and listening to their conversation?

After I recompose myself, I sheepishly turn the corner to see the three girls sitting around a table with bowls of soup in front of them and a large map lying open right in the center. All three of them are throwing confused facial expressions in my direction. Especially Izumi, who is frozen over her bowl with chopsticks in hand. One of her eyebrows is raised in an inquisitive manner as if she is trying to make sense of what just happened. Meanwhile, Shen is standing beside them with a mischievous smile on his face. A large wok is in his hand and ready to serve more food into their bowls.

"You are not as subtle as you think you are my friend," Shen continues. "You forget that I was once a Dai Li agent."

"Who said I was trying to be subtle?" I reply back with a small grin.

The expressions on the faces of our three companions quickly changes from confusion, to a range of shock and mild fear at the revelation of Shen's past.

"You were a part of the Dai Li?" Kumi speaks up. Her eyes were wide and giving away her anxiety at learning this fact.

Shen's demeanor quickly changes as he looks back to her and scans the clothing she is wearing. I notice that his eyes are immediately filled with regret and he lets a small sigh before proceeding to fill her bowl with noodles. The others might not have noticed the change in his eyes, but I've known Shen far too long to miss it. He doesn't usually like to talk about his past, especially not to strangers, one of whom is dressed in the garb of a Kyoshi Warrior minus the face paint.

"Did you know that the White Lotus is supposed to have a community in the town of Gaoling?" Shen speaks, ignoring Kumi's question.

"Of course," Amaya replies. "It's a sanctuary. That's where they'll take you Izumi."

She sends a reassuring smile in her daughter's direction. Izumi returns a smile back to her mother, but I can tell that it's forced.

Probably because she will soon be forced to leave her mother behind in this spirit forsaken city.

Amaya, either oblivious to her daughter's false smile, or ignoring it out right, turns back to the map.

That's when I suddenly realize that I had left the transit scrolls back at the Kyoshi farm house. In my haste to get everyone out alive, they had completely slipped my mind. I mentally slap myself at my own stupidity.

I guess we can't use them anyway, the Kyoshis would be expecting that. Maybe there's a chance to get everyone out and not leave anyone behind?

"Well, I don't have those transit scrolls anymore," I say. "Even if, for some stupid reason, we wanted to go Kashi Village, no one will give us access to the wall without the right authorization."

"There are other ways to connect to the Motamo River," Amaya says. She points to a specific point on the map and speaks again. "It looks like this little village called Baotou lies on a tributary that eventually connects to the river. We should be okay as long as we cross through the outer wall in three days. The White Lotus is supposed to be waiting for us on the outside."

"Oh no, you can forget about that," Kumi replies. "That village is too far away. We'll never make it there in time."

"Okay well, do you have any bright ideas?" I say to her sarcastically. After a moment of hesitation, she nods her head and speaks.

"The Lake Laogai camp. It rests on the shores of the lake and it feeds directly into the Motamo River."

My stomach drops at the very mention of this plan. That is the absolute worst idea that Kumi could have possibly mentioned. Who would willingly go to a place like that?

"No!" Amaya answers with a raised voice. "Baotou is our only chance. I'm not sending my daughter to a refugee camp."

"Of course!" Shen suddenly shouts out, startling everyone in the room. "I know what to do!"

Kumi, Amaya and I trade puzzled expressions with each other at his outburst. Izumi, meanwhile, is too busy sucking down her noodles, seemingly oblivious to the conversation.

"Everybody eat and rest." Shen finally says. "You're all going to need all your energy. Especially you little one."

He gestures towards Izumi, finally getting her attention.

"You are the miracle that this whole world has been waiting for."

She gives him a smile that actually seems genuine before continuing to chow down on her food.

Satisfied, Shen places the wok onto the counter and quickly paces out of the room.

"Wait," I say to him. "Where are you going?"

Shen smiles at me but ignores my question. Without another word, he exits through the front door of his house and slides it closed behind him. For a long moment, the four of us sit in silence, unsure of what to say or do next. After another moment, we hear the sounds of Shen jumping into his ostrich horse drawn carriage and riding away.

I let out an annoyed sigh and retake my seat at the table. I then look to see both Amaya and Kumi practically begging for answers about what he plans to do. I'm afraid I can't answer those questions though because I myself am unsure.

After a long and awkward silence, Kumi finally speaks up.

"Was he really a part of the Dai Li?"

I just shrug my shoulders innocently in response.

Later…

It felt like it had been hours since Shen had left to perform whatever task he had in mind. In reality though, it probably hasn't been that long at all, and the anxiety of waiting for his return is simply making time go by incredibly slow.

After breakfast, the four of us that were left behind basically sat around the house unsure of what to do with ourselves. Amaya decided to spend her time meditating by the living room window, much to my surprise. Izumi had discovered Shen's rabbit-cat Mr. Whiskers and is now currently cradling him in her arms while sitting on one of the couches. Kumi had taken the couch opposite her and had fallen asleep some time ago.

As for me? I found myself pacing around the house nervously. In the back of my mind, I know that the Kyoshi Warriors are out there somewhere trying to track us down, and sitting here in the same place will only increase our chances of being discovered. Whatever Shen had gone off to do had better be worth it.

Eventually, I make my way back into the living room to see Mr. Whiskers sound asleep in Izumi's lap. She is petting him gingerly on the head when she notices me enter the room. I look to see Kumi still sprawled out on the couch and unaware to the world around her.

"I think you were right about her," Izumi speaks, catching my attention. She gestured towards the sleeping Kyoshi Warrior girl. "I was talking with her earlier. She risked everything to help us."

"Yeah," I answer. "Like is said before, I think she is just trying to do the right thing."

A long moment of silence passes between us. I look back towards Amaya to see her still mediating in front of the window. Her breathing is soft and quiet, but I can still hear it where I'm standing several meters away.

"I guess some people are still good," Izumi says in a pleased tone of voice.

I shake my head in agreement at her words, but I don't say anything else. I don't particularly want to discuss this kind of a topic right now. Instead, I think of something else to ask her.

"How long have you known you are the Avatar?"

Izumi sighs briefly before presumably digging into her memory.

"Almost a month I think," she answers after a moment. A smile appears on her face as she speaks the next words. "I found out when I sneezed and blew away my cousin's tool shed. He wasn't too happy about that."

I notice that she chuckles to herself at the memory of that event, but in the next instant, her eyes are filled with sadness. She looks down at the rabbit-cat and pets him on the head some more.

"I think he knew what I was then though. Deep down inside, I knew what I was too and it scared me. It still scares me. And when my mom found out, she told me we had to keep it a secret."

"Why?" I ask her.

"I don't know," she answers. "But then my family got sick and we had to leave. We came to this city because we thought for sure that it couldn't be worse than where we came from."

"I imagine this place isn't quite what you were expecting," I say to her. She nods her head in agreement.

"We didn't come here legally, so eventually the Dai Li found us. They took my cousin away."

I internally wince at hearing those words. No girl her age should ever have to endure what she has gone through. I'm beginning to understand why she seems so much more mature and world weary than her age lets on.

"Where's the rest of your family?" I ask her, unsure if I really want to hear the answer and even less sure that she would tell me.

"I don't know," was her simple reply.

She looks back up at me and I can see her eyes wet with tears. It's then that I realize that even though she puts on a tough facade, she is still just a young kid. In fact, she's not much younger than Aang was when I first met him. The look Aamg had in his eyes when we found out that his entire nation had been destroyed while he had been gone is something that still haunts me to this day, and when I look into Izumi's eyes, I can see a similar haunting look piercing into my soul.

"We'll get you out of this mess, and we will protect you," I say to her before I can stop myself. "I can promise you that."

Izumi smiles again and wipes the tears away from her eyes.

"Right back at you," she says.

Before I can inquire as to what she means by that statement, I hear the distinct sound of an ostrich horse and a carriage pulling up to the house. I turn just in time to see Shen sliding open the door and storming into the house. His eyes are wide with excitement.

"Izumi!" The old says. "I found you a boat!"

In the corner of my eye, I see Amaya perk up from her position by the window, and I hear Kumi stirring awake from her slumber. I turn to look at Shen.

"How?" I ask him.

"We smuggle ourselves!"

"Oh, you've gotta be kidding me." I reply to him.

"Are you insane?" Amaya's voice rings out. I look to see her stomping over to the man. "How is that supposed to be safe?"

"No listen," Shen continues while ignoring Amaya's piercing glare. "These farmers that I sell cactus juice to make a living off of sneaking my product into to the Lake Laogai Camp. They've agreed to help smuggle you in as well!"

"That sounds like a terrible idea," Kumi speaks up for the first time. I can't help but agree with her on that sentiment.

"Maybe, but if all goes according to plan, we can be on a boat by nightfall tomorrow. It will be like breaking into prison!"

For what seems like an eternity, all of us sit in silence as we mull over this plan. Personally, I think it sounds dangerous and I can't help but feel that the others are sharing my opinion on the matter. But then again, if it gets us to where we need to go that quickly, then it might be our best option. The only thing I know for certain, is that these next few days will be incredibly interesting.

Then, to the surprise of me and everyone else, Izumi is the one who breaks the silence.

"That sounds awesome!" she shouted with enthusiasm.

Later…

Needless to say, we ended up agreeing unanimously with this stupid plan, and for the next few hours, Shen hashed out all the details with us. Apparently, the farmers mostly travel to the camp to sell their crops and livestock to the camp guards, and whatever is left gets passed to the refugees. This means that, while they will be able to smuggle us past the first few checkpoints, eventually we will have to get out and join the rest of the refugees and get ferried in the old-fashioned way. Otherwise, the guards will eventually discover us when they decide to go through their fresh cactus juice stock, and that will be a terrible outcome for everyone involved. Especially because our faces have been printed onto wanted posters that are apparently spread out all over the city.

We will have to slip out of the food stock and join the refugees when the guards aren't looking. Extra care must be made to not be seen by any of the guards or Dai Li agents. We can't afford to take the chance on being recognized by them. After that, we board a boat into Lake Laogai which itself feeds into the Motamo River that eventually passes through the outer wall.

Apparently, the White Lotus will be waiting for us on the other side. That will be our route to freedom.

So basically, it's the worst plan of all time.

I wish I can say that I can come up with a different plan, and under different circumstances I probably could, but time is far too short. We have spent enough time in the same spot as it is.

We decide it is best to leave early the next morning to give us enough time to meet up with the farmers at the rendezvous point that Shen has set up. Luckily, we have three ostrich horses and a carriage at our disposal. That should be more than enough to transport all of us.

Afterwards, I spend the next hour feeding the big brown birds to get them ready for our trip tomorrow. They will most definitely need the energy. As I am tossing them our left-over dinner, I look up to the sky to see that the sun has nearly disappeared over the horizon. The moon is almost directly above me and I can't help but feel as though I am being judged under her watchful eye.

"Honestly Yue," I speak out loud to myself. "I'm kind of glad that you left this world when you did. I didn't know it at the time, but now I see that the universe was sparing you from the future."

For a long time, I stare into the moon. It's light casting an eerie glow onto my surroundings and creating shadows that would make most people double take in fear. But I ignore it all and gaze into its luminous form, futilely hoping for an answer or remark of some kind. Literally anything to give me some sort of comfort, but no words come. Instead, I find myself standing in silence.

After a deep sigh, I turn and walk back towards the house.

As I enter, I hear the sounds of my traveling companions speaking in the living room. I stop just before entering the room myself and just listen.

"Taste it," Shen's voice rings out. "Trust me it's alright."

After a brief moment, a loud coughing sound erupts from the room.

"Ahh, that's much stronger than I expected!" I hear Amaya choke out.

"Gensing tea with a dash of cactus juice," Shen replies. "It's diluted so it's nowhere near as potent as its natural form, but it's just enough to give you a rush."

"My goodness," Amaya says. "You're not kidding about that!"

I silently laugh at myself at the sounds of this exchange. I have to admit, I never took Amaya as the type of person to freely try that kind of stuff. It seems as though the woman finds a new way to surprise me nearly every few hours.

"Anybody else want a taste?" Shen says.

"Thanks, but no thanks," Kumi replies. "Right now, I want to keep a clear head."

Another moment passes.

"No Izumi. You're not old enough!" Amaya's scolding voice sounded out.

"But I literally just watched you try it!"

"That's because I'm an adult."

"Ugh, fine."

That conversation brings another smile to my face. I quickly realize that this simple expression has appeared on my face more times today than in the past ten years combined. That's kind of sad when I think about it. All these years spent languishing away in depression instead of trying to do something about the state of the world. At least Suki was trying to accomplish something, even if she was using questionable methods.

"You know, destiny is funny thing," Shen speaks again, breaking me from my thoughts. "Of all the people you could have run into in this massive city, you ran into Sokka. The only person here who has prior experience protecting an Avatar."

"You make it sound like this is all preordained," Kumi replies.

"Perhaps it is. You're here after all. The one Kyoshi Warrior to turn against her sisters in arms to help Sokka protect the Avatar. The universe had to align perfectly for all of us to be sitting in this room together."

"If it wasn't for Suki and the other warriors, then I never would have met Sokka though," Izumi joined the conversation. "It all came down to chance."

"Chance, destiny, same thing. In fact, it was by chance that Sokka and Suki met in the first place," Shen continues to speak.

I feel my posture stiffen in anticipation at the story that I know is coming.

"If it wasn't for the last Avatar's fondness of riding koi fish, then he never would have landed on Kyoshi Island. So, it was by chance that they met, and it's by chance that they eventually fell in love, and eventually, it was by chance that the world came to an end."

Even without being in the room, I can feel the somber atmosphere leaking out into the hallway that I am currently standing in. The feelings for Suki that I had successfully buried yesterday are suddenly threatening to burst free again. Only this time, I didn't try to stop it. Suki was a major part of my life, and in a way, she still is. Perhaps, instead of hiding these feelings away, I should embrace the good parts of them and move forwards?

I just shake my head in frustration at these thoughts.

"Both of them took part in the fighting that occurred afterwards, but eventually, their ideals turned in different directions and soon after, they drifted apart," Shen said. "Now that the Avatar has returned, they were briefly brought back together. Was that all chance? Or was it destiny?"

"I think maybe you need to lay off that cactus juice a little bit," Izumi retorted.

Laughter immediately erupted throughout the room. Kumi in particular is giggling at Izumi's sudden bluntness. This kind of genuine laughter is something I haven't heard in a long time.

"Perhaps you're right little one!" Shen answers back.

With one last sigh, I turn around and head to the guest room with the intention of getting some sleep.

Several hours later…

Boom!

Explosions.

For a while, that was all I could hear. They sounded faint and distant, but it was clear that a battle was taking place somewhere out there.

I steeled my thoughts, riding my mind of distractions and willing myself to focus on the moment. I will soon be in battle myself.

I looked to my left to see Suki. She was dressed in traditional Kyoshi attire, and her face was covered with war paint. In the darkness of the night, it was a chilling sight to behold.

"Just a few more minutes," she said to us.

I nodded my head in reply.

I look to my left down the street and squint. My eyes are able to just make out the approaching caravan. It belonged to a group calling themselves the Land Serpents. Stupid name.

No matter, their attempts to grab hold of power in this city will soon be at an end. Only we can be trusted to actually bring order here.

"Now!" Suki shouts out.

At once, the bombs placed along the street all exploded in unison. The caravan erupted into flames. Cries of pain immediately replace the silence of the night.

Several soldiers jumped out of the flames unscathed and ready for battle.

"Attack!"

I pushed myself through the window and landed on the street below. I sensed Suki and the others landing beside me. I drew my sword and charged.

Blood was spilled that night. I tried not the dwell on this though, we were doing what was necessary.

Soon the battle was over. The bodies of the enemy, and some of my comrades laid strewn across the pavement. The smell of charred flesh filled my nose. A swell of nausea threatened to rise up, but I forced it back down.

Suddenly, I heard a shout.

I turned to see a rock soaring through the air in my direction.

I side stepped just in time to dodge it. Then I raised my sword ready to fight once more. But when I looked to the source of the earth bending, I saw a small child. A young girl.

Her face was colored black with soot. Fresh burns were apparent on her arms and legs and she was breathing heavily.

I lowered my stance, unwilling to fight her. I felt a sense of guilt flooding through my mind.

"Who are you?" I asked her.

She never had a chance to respond. I saw a Kyoshi Warrior diving from the shadows with her sword raised. In the next instant, her sword pierced the girl's chest.

I freeze. I watched in horror as the young girl fell to the ground gasping for air. A pool of blood formed around her body, and I saw the life slowly fading from her eyes.

I sheath my sword and turned away. Is this what the world was turning us all into?

My ears are suddenly assaulted by a loud combination of banging and ringing.

My eyes shoot open and the dream fades back into the recesses of my mind. It was a memory. One that I haven't thought about in a long time. I lay there for a few seconds to process what's going on.

Suddenly, I realize that loud banging and ringing sound wasn't in my dream, it's here in the house. I instantly jump to my feet and reach for my boomerang.

Before I can do anything else, I see Shen running into my room, his face filled with worry.

"It's the alarm!" he shouts. "Somebody is coming!"

"What is that sound!" I turn to see Amaya storming into the room. Kumi and Izumi follow closely behind her.

"I have trip wires around the perimeter of my property!" Shen replies. "Judging by the amount of noise, a lot of people just crossed over it and they are heading this way!"

They found us.

"Shit!" I yell out in a moment of panic. "We have to go!"

Without hesitation, everyone nods and runs out of the room. After strapping on my boomerang, I follow them out. My heart is pounding with adrenaline. I am no longer sleepy, just focused on getting out of here alive.

Amaya and Izumi pack their things up in a matter of seconds. Kumi grabs her sword and throws her bag over her shoulders. We are ready to go in the next half minute.

We run outside. Amaya and Izumi jump onto an ostrich horse. Kumi jumps onto the next one and waits for me to board.

"Shen hurry up!" I yell to him. I turn to see him following me out the door.

"Take the back trail out of here!" he says to me. "Follow it up the cliff behind the house and it will eventually lead you back to the main road! Follow the map I gave Kumi."

"What are you talking about!" I reply with panic once again rising up in the pit of my stomach.

"There is an old abandoned siheyuan house. Go there and wait for the farmers!"

"Get on the ostrich horse," I say, gesturing to the one Kumi is waiting on. "I'll take yours."

"I'm not going," he replies without hesitation. I feel my eyes grow wide at his words.

"What?"

"Well, you'll need an anchor."

"No!" I yell while shaking my head at him. "You're coming with us."

He smiles and puts his hand on my shoulder. A futile attempt to give me comfort.

"You need time," he says to me. "I'll stall them. Maybe I'll send them the wrong way or something. It's the best idea. Now go."

I shake my head again. He has no idea what these women are capable of. They will let nothing stand in their way. He hasn't seen it firsthand like I have.

"Shen, you can't do this."

"Sokka, trust me. I was Dai Li agent. I've talked myself out of far worse situations than this."

With that, he reaches out and places something round shaped into the palm of my hand, but I don't bother to look at what it is.

"Go and bring back hope to this world."

Shen lets go of my shoulder and takes a step back. Every single force in my body is telling to knock the old man out and take him with us, but I know that's not possible. We've already wasted enough time as it is. The man isn't giving me a choice.

I nod my head with a deep sigh, and I can feel the regret immediately pouring into me. Without another word, I jump onto the ostrich horse behind Kumi. She gives me an apologetic look and pulls on the reigns. Amaya and Izumi follow closely behind.

I turn back to see Shen waving goodbye to us. Izumi waves back to him before turning around to face me. I can see her eyes filled with sadness. I shake my head and turn back around.

We follow the trail up the cliff until we are eventually behind the house. Against my better judgement, I tell Kumi to leave to path and to the edge of the cliff. She protests for a moment but ultimately relents. Soon, we reach an outcropping that overlooks the house and Kumi pulls to a stop. Amaya pulls to a stop beside us and shoots me a confused look. I ignore her, jump off the ostrich horse and trot over the to the edge. Thankfully, the shrubs conceal me from view. I sense Kumi slide up next to me.

I can see the house below us, and for a brief moment, it all seems peaceful. Then, I see the distinct form of more ostrich horses appearing into view. My eyes immediately light up in recognition at the sight of who is riding them. The Kyoshi Warriors. I can feel my heart stop at the sight of them.

They quickly reach the house and surround it before dismounting the birds. I see Shen casually saunter his way out of the house to greet them.

"Greetings my friends." He says to them. His voice carrying all the way up to our position. "What brings you all to my home?"

The Kyoshis ignore him. Several of the women stroll past and storm into the house with raised swords. One of the other warriors walks up to Shen and looks him in the eyes. Based on the way she is carrying herself, I immediately recognize her as Noriko.

"What have we got?" She shouts in the direction behind Shen.

I look to see some of the Kyoshis emerging from the house. One of them is holding what looks to be a map in her hands.

Shit.

"They're going to Lake Laogai," she says to her leader.

Without another word, Noriko draws her sword and aims it at Shen's neck. He doesn't even flinch. My blood begins to run cold.

"When did they leave?" She demands him. Her harsh tone is evident even from where we are sitting.

For a long moment, nothing happens. I can see Shen staring back at her. Noriko returning the gaze expectantly.

Suddenly, Shen removes his hands from his sleeves to reveal the rock gloves encasing them. Without warning, he shoots his hands forward.

The rock gloves launch from his hands. They land squarely in Noriko's stomach causing her to double over.

One of the other warriors acts. She jumps forward, draws her sword, and stabs Shen through the back.

I can her him let out a pained gasp. My whole body stiffens at the sight. Kumi tenses up and puts her hand over her mouth.

I watch as Noriko stands back up to face the old man gasping for air. She raises her sword and angrily stabs him through the leg. This time, Shen cries out in pain. It takes everything in me to not dive down the cliff in a fit of fury.

Shen slowly picks himself back up, and I can see the blood pouring from his wounds, forming a pool beneath him. The Kyoshi warriors form a tight circle around him, but I can just make out his face through the gaps in their bodies.

He smiles at them.

Without another word. Noriko takes her sword and stabs him through the chest. The old man falls back to the ground. This time, he doesn't pick himself back up.

I can feel the tears forming in my eyes and an almost uncontrollable anger rising up from within me. I push away from the cliff and storm back to the ostrich horses.

"Sokka, I'm so sorry," Kumi ran up to me. I can see the tears in her eyes. I step back from her.

"Don't you touch me," I say. My anger is pouring out now. "Some destiny that was, huh?"

"We have to keep our heads," She replies back to me.

"Shut up and get on the ostrich horse."

She hesitates briefly before turning and climbing back onto the bird.

I look to see Izumi's face plastered with worry.

"Shen," she said, her voice chocking up. "What happened to Shen?"

"He's fine," I lied to her. "Everything is fine."

I climb onto the ostrich horse behind Kumi. She pulls the reigns and the four of us make our way down the trail. It isn't until this point that I realize I'm still holding the object in my hand that Shen had given me. I open up my hand to see a small, round pai sho tile. On the face of the game piece is an elegantly painted white lotus.

"Damn you Shen," I breathe out while holding back tears.

The future suddenly seems to be a lot bleaker to me now. The brief hope that I had experienced last night in the house is now suddenly gone.

I don't bother looking back to the house.

And there we go!

Don't worry, there will not be another 8 years for the next update. I promise! I will actually be rolling out the remaining chapters throughout the next several weeks or so.

I hope you liked my new and improved story. Be sure to drop me a review and let me know what's up. I know I said I was finishing this story for myself, but it would be cool to know how everyone is doing at least.

Until next time!