Chapter 4 Bow and Arrow
The car's backdoors were opened. A big blast fired with great strength. Necie and Nashida jumped out quickly. Necie froze the firebender and bloodbended the others to put their tongues in the ice. They screamed in pain and tried to get their tongues out. Then they ran and Nashida raised a very impressive 10 ft tall firewall. They heard their captors' call for reinforcements but didn't stayed to corroborate it so they kept running through the forest
–Where are we going?
–Does it matter right now? Keep running!
–Ahhhh!
A cliff. They fell from a big height and splashed into a river; there was a waterfall near.
–Do something!
Necie tried but her waterbending was really weak.
The waterfall was approaching quickly. They fell but then Necie made a move and part of the waterfall froze into a tunnel, they slide through it and splashed at the bottom. Both swam to the nearest ground.
–We should keep running– said Nashida
–You are really scared of Khaos.
–Oh, and you are not?
–Not much, I mean, I think we are safe here.
–You don't understand. There are not many of us anymore. Once he knows one of the avatar finders is around, he won't give up. Listen to me Necie, if I get captured…
–You won't Nashida
–No, listen to me! If I get captured you will get to the air temple and send a letter to Lokke on Roku's Island ok? He then will be responsible of training you and taking care of you.
–Ok, ok, let's continue. If you don't feel safe then we will travel all night until we are far enough.
–Ok– said Nashida. – Oh, look! There, those mountains… we are close to Pohuai fortress. If they let us in, we will be safe to rest before continuing.
–¿If they let us in?
–It's a military base, but on the good side, they fight against agents of Khaos and crime in general. This base belonged to the fire nation before the kingdoms united. The thing is that, they don't let anyone in.
–Well, let's try it; I'm really craving some real food, I'm a bit sick of berries and fish.
They got there some hours later, it was a huge fortress, and some guards surrounded them just after they arrived.
–Identify yourselves
–We are Nashida from the Jang Hui city, in the fire side of the united kingdoms and Necie from Carbon's Island in the earth side of the united kingdoms. We need shelter for tonight. We wondered if we could stay here.
–Carbon Island? The city ranked number 1 in crime? Around all the united kingdoms?
–Ah… yeah
–The guards looked at each other.
–I'm sorry, ladies. We can't let you in
–Oh that's Nonsense, Gonk, let them in. – said a guy, younger than the guards, he also looked… not so "millitarish"… his uniform was not as neat and his built was also very different, he was very slim. His messy hair was brown, his big, childish eyes too.
–Yes! Major Yuan. Sir!
–Come inside. I bet you are hungry, nice feathers by the way!
–Thank you for your kindness umm… major Yuan.
–Just call me Yuan, other have to call me major, but you don't.
–Aren't you very young to be a major? - asked Necie
–Well, yes, you could say that… they made me a Major from my abilities with the bow and arrow. I also came here looking for shelter, many years ago. I learned how to shoot and became a part of the Yuyan archers. Anyway, I'm not that young, I'm 17, how old are you?
–17 too
–There, I'm not that young– smiled Yuan – come, this is the kitchen and dining, I'll heat up some tea and snacks.
They entered and sat. When the tea was ready, Yuan approached and served but burned himself by touching the kettle directly, he dropped it, the tea went flying around, it was going to land on Nashida's hair but it didn't at the last second.
–That was close– said Necie
–Yeah…hehe… sorry about that– said Yuan– I'll be getting some more
Nashida sat confused. Yuan came back after some minutes with the kettle and a towel.
–You know, Yuan. It's been a while since I grab the bow and arrow– said Nashida – I used to practice archery, I was pretty good
–Really?
–Yeah, we could have a duel. Just for fun.
–Yeah, sure.
–What about tomorrow, at which time do you practice?
–6:00am
–Nice, I'll be there
Yuan showed them their room. Nashida didn't sleep. She kept remembering all that happened. Could it be?
She got up early and woke Necie up, then they directed to the training area, there were some archers and Yuan. Necie and Nashida greeted and then the second took a bow and some arrows.
–First to get 100 points? – Asked Yuan
–Yeah, sure
–Ladies first
Nashida concentrated and fired, the arrow didn't even get to be close to the target.
–Wow, that was… sucky. You seem to be out of practice – said Necie
–Actually I've never touched a bow
–Then why?
Yuan prepared and shot, the arrow was going directly to the 8 but got to the 10 at the last second.
–He is an airbender.
–Ok, so what?
–We made the test to every airbender, except for him.
–Oh, so now you think HE is the avatar? Now I don't feel so special – said Necie with sarcasm– so now what we do?
–I don't really know… I guess we have to talk to him!
–Your turn, Nashida – said Yuan
–Actually… uhh… Necie doesn't feel well
–Uh yeah my… stomach ouuuuu– said Necie faking
–Maybe you could show us the restroom. It may be diarrhea!
–Nash…– said Necie blushing
–Oh… sorry to hear that. Follow me– said Yuan
–So, Yuan, 17 years eh? When you were born?
–April 15
–How peculiar, Necie was also born that day
–What a coincidence
–Yes, indeed. So… you are so good with the bow and arrow… what's your secret?
–Well…
A soldier came running, he stopped and made a salute.
–Major Yuan, Sir! We are under attack!
–Sorry girls, the restroom is down the hall. I have to go to my post. – Yuan said and ran, but Nashida followed him after grabbing Necie. They went up the main tower.
–Agents of Khaos, Major Yuan, Sir! Coming closer to the fortress.
–Why are they attacking us? I know they were camping near but they never made a move!
–Oh… I think I know why– said Nashida– Yuan, I'm an avatar finder
–What?!
–And Necie here… she might be the avatar.
The whole room looked at Necie
–Hello…– she said awkwardly
–Well, that's great, we could use some avatar strength
–Yeah… we might be able to help, but not at that scale. Her powers aren't that developed.
–Then we can't let them take you. Give the sign to the first archers, officer! I'll be with them.
–Ok! Come with me, I'll keep a close watch on you two.
The three of them ran until they got to one of the walls of the fortress. Arrows crossed from one side to another. A cloud of arrows came towards them, Yuan made a move and made them all fall into the ground off the wall.
–Impressive airbending
–We will need a healer– he told Necie not even hearing what she said –and fire for our own arrows, between the forest and the fortress, there's a path of wood. If we lit it we will warn the villages around and keep the agents of Khaos away for a bit.
Both of them obeyed. Necie started taking care of the wounded archers and Nashida used her fire, in some minutes they managed to turn the wood on.
But the agents' numbers were rising instead of dropping. As some of the soldiers told Necie, some of the agents were their own friends and former partners. The archers, even if they were really good, couldn't kill them or wound them gravely since they were being controlled.
The doors opened, the agents entered violently. Yuan ran to get Nashida and Necie.
–The fortress is no longer safe. You have to flee!
–Yuan, you have to come with us!
–What are you talking about!?
–The agents can't take Necie… and they can't take you!
–What?!
–There's no time! But your birthdate, and your bending! You also could be the avatar!
–There are many airbenders! There's even one as an agent of Khaos down there!
–But you weren't tested! Just, please, even if you are not, Necie could be, and without you we won't be able to get out of here.
–Major Yuan sir! You should go! – Said a soldier – I think it's true… you can see and talk to spirits!
–What?! You can do that?! – Said Necie and Nashida at the same time
–There's no time sir, besides, Pohuai fortress may fall, our minds may belong to Khaos in no more that an hour, but if you are the avatar, you could save us when the time comes!
–I can't leave!
–You are our hope sir!
–Take the lizards sir! They will get you out of here in no time; we will try to retain them!
–Yuan, please! They are coming! We have to go!
Yuan seemed to be in an internal fight against himself, he saluted his soldiers and ran with Nashida and Necie, they got to a room and down the stairs until they got to the stables where each one rode a vulture griffin and flied away.