The shadow eclipsed a wide section of the room. There is only one window in here, and the sunlight outside is barely able to brighten the space. Any light available is devoted to the table in center, which contains a map of their island.
The door slowly swing opened, and the three eyes in the dark side of the room darted towards the women entering.
Akahana arrived precisely at the table. She slightly bowed towards the other two figures.
"Looks like the Red Rose herself is finally here," a deep feminine voice spoke from the darker end of the room. "I suppose there is only something of greater importance that could delay THE Akahama from coming here."
With heavy sound of boots tapping the flour, Oiwa revealed herself by walking out of the shadow. She's another Kyoshi warrior, but her aura is completely opposite to the carefree and amicable nature of a regular one. While her uniform is the exactly same, with the usual green clothes and black armor, there is obvious differences here.
The first one lies in her additional armor piece. Unlike the others, she wore a dark kabuto helmet that fits very well with the rest of the outfit. A headdress is a large crescent attached to the helm's forehead.
Perhaps the most striking feature of this particular women would be her face. While the usual face paint of a Kyoshi warrior involves having red paint only near her eyes. Oiwa's face has much more red than any other Kyoshi warrior. Her face is crawling with fearsome red streaks, almost overtaking the white paints which was supposed to be the predominant color. The red stripes made her look angry, menacing, and the pure expression of 'I want to kill you' is written all across her face. This configuration of her face paint only projects what might be the most fierce Kyoshi warrior to have ever existed.
To compliment the already malevolent impression of Oiwa face paint, an eye patch is used to cover her right eye. A giant scar runs across it, but it's size does not allow the patch to even remotely conceal it.
"My apologies ladies, it was only a minor issue I had to address." Akahana said formally, her personality remains professional and serious when talking with the fellow Kyoshi warrior leaders. They are equals when it comes to the position of power. All three of them are powerful in their own right, which earned them this important position.
The honorable title of being a Kyoshi warrior matron, or Okasan as some people woupd call it, is a very prominent role to be in. An Okasan are warriors who overseas the training of all those in their care, they are the leaders of each cohort. There are many criteria one must fulfill in order to become, and many young women today also dream to become one. The simplest explanation is that only the most capable Kyoshi warriors can become an Okasan, and the title only solidifies their worth.
The other figure in the dark also slowly introduced herself out of the shadow. Another women, with a similar age as the other two in this room. But unlike her nearby colleague, her unique aspect relies on no over the top makeup or headdress to differentiate herself from the regulars.
That's because she doesn't need either of them.
Instead of wearing a face paint and a personal headdress. This Kyoshi warrior simply equipped a mask that covers her entire face. The mask resembles a white fox, decorated with red paint near the eye position as well a few sharp lines on the sides of the mask.
Her weapon carried on her back is a green Yumi bow. Her other weapon is held in her right hand, a long naginata spear. Asides from having a longer black hair, her insignia is another distinctive variation.
The regular character of the Kyoshi warrior insignia would the word 京. However, the word scripted here is instead 千. Whether this was done out of her preference or her beliefs, no one very knows.
"Well, now that everyone is here, I think we can start for real." Oiwa said. She unwrapped some paperwork onto the table. With multiple notes and plans about tactics and defensive structures. Different markings and words were written on various coordinates. All of which pinpoints traps and locations that may be encountered by those who can attack the island.
"Pirates, bandits, rouge rebels, I think you two know well that these groups are only appetizers for the main meal!" Commented the eye patched women.
Tomoe hasn't said anything just yet, only nodded in affirmation to Oiwa. Akahana took a closer look at the map, the plan was devised by the three leaders yesterday. A full fledge plan to counter threats that far exceeds any military invasion and raids occurred in the past. The attack from the Fire Nation during the Hundred Years War is a wake up call. While Kyoshi island don't have any strategic value, this doesn't stop someone from just attacking them. Their complacency is a dangerous thing, which is why a contingency plan must be devised.
"The plan greatly utilizes this very location as a natural defense, the mountain terrain itself would give anyone a hard time to form a successful siege, therefore the people would be safest when they take refuge here in the temple." Oiwa pointed out confidently. Should an invasion actually manifest, this location would be the most optimal defense location. But it will also be the last line of defense, and a gathering point for the people. "The enemy would need to get through multiple lines of defenses between the beach and the mountain itself, starting from the outer layers."
"Should they get past first few defenses, we will gather at the choke point here on this bridge, if we do not hold them here, we can still cut the bridge entirely." Akahana added on, as she pointed at a specific location where a rope bridge is located. "If the enemy have Earth benders, they too will have trouble covering such a wide gap of the ravin."
"Oh, how unfortunate." Tomoe suddenly said in a rather gentle voice. However, the sharpness of her word only implied her thoughts on the obvious flaw in this plan, both Oiwa and Akahana faced towards her. "The chiefs and leaders of this island wanted us to devise a backup plan in case the warlords for some reason invades this place, but it looks like even we may not be enough to come up with a fail proof plan. We are living in a time great turbulence that rivals the age of Founder Kyoshi and the One Hundred Years War, our current plan is useful in defending against benders and common foot soldiers. But the power of flight can inevitably overcome all the swamps and cliffs of the island's inner parts." She proceeded to walk towards the window, watching the tiny settlements built below the mountain. "The traps and fortifications? They are only small stepping stones should the enemy fight against us."
Tomoe's concern was indeed a valid point, but all three of them knew that this is the best plan they can formulate for the foreseeable future. With the adaptation of modern technology, pirates and bandits have became more and more aggressive in the raids of Earth Kingdom states. Perhaps the most frustrating technology these brigands possess would be the Bi-planes invented by Republic city's deceased inventor Hiroshi Sato. During the anti-bending revolution, these dreaded air vehicles have demonstrated its capabilities by annihilating the United Republic fleet under general Iroh.
It is still a mystery as to how the bandits is even able obtain such advance device. Regardless, Tomoe knew they have already seen extensive usage by rouge elements when Avatar Korra was still around.
"Akahana," Tomoe addressed under the fox mask, she turned around to face both women before she spoke what her mind has to offer. "When the Kuvira arrived here on Kyoshi island, we were still in our youth, weren't we?"
"Indeed, and we could do nothing to stop them. My father made a deal to become part of the Earth Empire, while we did absolutely nothing."
Akahana hated outsiders to her core. Why can't the world just leave her people alone?
"When this island became part of the Earth Empire, we never dealt with Pirates on the same scale as now did we?" Tomeo explained without any expression, for her mask only allowed Akahana and Oiwa to see the pair of yellow eyes. "Remember how you resented the Earth empire more than the pirates? How you tried everything to rid them? Now that they are gone, we have worry about another problem. Ironic isn't it? We kicked out a bear, and now we have to fend off the wolves."
"What are you trying to say?" Akahana asked, somehow she didn't like where Tomoe is directing this conversation. Her body tensed a little bit by Tomoe's reminder of the past. There are so many unpleasant things that have happened. So much pain. And most of it, self-inflicted.
"Tomoe," Akahana said. "You and I both know the Earth Empire is not a good institution to govern our people. Kyoshi island deserves to be free, what are you suggesting?" The woman with fox mask didn't respond at first. She just stood near the window, looking at whatever beautiful scenery there is.
Akahana garnered more courage to meet Tomoe in the eye when she turned around. Sometimes, it's hard to actually face Tomoe. Despite all three of them are old friends, no one have actually seen the bare face of the lady with fox mask. Even to this very day, there is always that one tiny bit inside Akahana that is a little bit suspicious about her friend.
"The institution, while dislikable, at least does there job well." Akahana said, believing this is what the crafty Tomoe wanted to hear. "Better than having outlaws treading into our waters and terrorizing our people..."
"Yes," Tomoe responded frankly. "That woman was a tyrant, but none can doubt her effectiveness. She is someone we don't want, but what we need. After removing her, instead of finally being free, we know live in a dangerous time. While the shackles of the institution is gone, now, all we have are the scraps."
It's easy to remove a tyrant. But it's harder to deal with the aftermath. If the result made the people's lives worst, then what is the point of bringing down an unjust ruler? There must be a better way.
"I think what Tomoe is trying to imply through that mask of hers is that we need something more solid but also more subtle at the same time." The women turn their head to Oiwa. "A deterrence so prominent we knew would keep the threats at bay, but also incite fear into external elements who are ambitious enough to cause Kyoshi island trouble. Those pirates always attack the island during peak tourist season, if this continues, who would even risk their lives just to visit here? Our economy is dwindling everyday."
"I don't care about something as trivial as tourism, there are more important things at hand." Akahana demeaned to Oiwa, who narrowed her eyes in response. Both are very fierce women, a tiger and a bear, but they respect each other enough to keep things in order. Akahana calmed down. "People are sometimes kidnapped off the coast. Our fishermen can't work without being in fear of pirates. This must change."
"The independent leaders of the Earth states neglected us when the Earth Kingdom was in peril, despite the effort by many it was still not enough." Tomoe said. "The bandits pillaged villagers and cities, while the Avatar was living comfortably in the city, safe from the conflict and realities created by her own self-righteousness. Those bandits don't fear her, in fact people like them couldn't be more happier to see the Earth Kingdom divided, weakened and fight amongst itself." Tomoe further concluded.
"I think you have said enough for today Tomoe, if we don't close this meeting in a meaningful way, we are becoming just as hopeless as the others." Oiwa proclaimed assertively. "Isn't that right? Akahana?"
"Of course," Akahana responded. "Now that all is being said, I sense Tomoe does have something else that may be more of use for this island's defense, we are facing a grim future after all."
"No, I don't have it, but what I am suggesting is something much more than a certain object or plan." Tomoe next action intrigued Akahana and Oiwa, both women watched as Tomeo places a white lotus tile on the table. "The pirates and warlords on the mainland is able to cause so much chaos is because they don't fear Korra, they knew she can do nothing to stop them. While the states fought one another, no unified force is able to control this entire situation, let alone commuting themselves to quell bandits and pirates. We Kyoshi island are not unscathed."
While things are not as terrible as the mainlands, they knew they can't turn their back on the world forever.
"The Avatar is dead, what are you implying here?" Oiwa asked, she seemed to be a little eager to get to the point. "Korra never even lifted a finger to help us. We all know that. If she exhibited even a fraction of the founder, we wouldn't even be in this mess!" She slammed the table, almost causing the map to fall off. They said that while Akahana was the unapproachable and quick to anger youth, Oiwa followed closely behind. Her frustrated came from how the last Avatar couldn't do anything to solve the rampant destabilization of the world. How can Korra be so idle while Kyoshi was destroying bandits left and right in her times? They are the same person aren't they? The death of the Avatar is just rubbing salt on injury. Bandits and bloodthirsty warlords can act freely when there is no Avatar to stop them.
Acknowledging Oiwa's comments, Tomoe only continued to elaborate what she truly meant." Avatar Korra is gone, but I think we need something stronger than her, and that would be Unity. If the states ceased its fighting, and work with cohesion and efficiency, we wouldn't even need to be concerned about future developments."
"Tomoe, that goal is impossible to achieve, the Earth Kingdom is not the fire nation, how can someone like us hope to even remotely replicate what the Earth Empire has accomplished?" Akahana asked in a dismayed tone. Most Earth nationals hoped that the Earth Kingdom would be a more stable and prosperous nation, powerful enough to defend itself from mere bandits and pirates. But whatever progress made by the last institution, are now nothing more but ashes. The people of Republic city did 'helped'. Either through some much needed lip service and the usual exploitation.
Tomoe is aware of Akahana's perspective, but she knew that Unity must always come at a cost. "Remember the Avatar killer?"
The entire room was filled with silence immediately, even the birds outside stopped chirping. The very two words themselves are confronting enough when they are placed together. The room was so quiet that one can hear a pin drop on the ground.
"Mentioning his name is taboo Tomoe, as a spiritual cleric, you are the last person that should say that!" Oiwa roared. It seems that the lady of the mask is acting out of position here. Tomoe is not only the matron of her own village, she is also more well versed in the spiritual aspects of being a Kyoshi warrior. As devotees to Kyoshi herself, there is clearly a spiritual connection to their founder. Some of the most dedicated are said to have vision of Kyoshi! Which is why Tomoe mentioning that person's name is an act of blasphemy.
"A discontent former Earth Empire soldier of unknown origins, killed the Avatar all by himself. Poetic." Tomoe went on without considering the other two's feelings. "Sacrificed his life just to reincarnate the Avatar, somehow he believed it would save the Earth Kingdom from its demise. Remember him? In fact, one of us in this room even saw him when the act takes place."
Both Oiwa and Tomoe glanced at Akahana, who nodded.
"Who could forget," Akahana breathed. "A normal bender able to kill a person with four elements and the Avatar state. It's like smashing a hammer against a rock, and the hammer breaks."
"Heh, the hammer was rusty and boisterous. While the steel hard, the handle was weak and on the verge of breaking." Oiwa said. "But the rock was refined. It disguised himself and make the hammer subconsciously underestimate it."
The death of Korra was like a shockwave for the world that came unexpectedly, most people of the world grieved at the tragedy and mourn for the lost of the Avatar. With the killer also dead, there is nothing they can very do at that point.
"The Avatar killer's wish was for the next Avatar to bring the Earth Kingdom out of discord. Something I think he deemed Korra to be very person who caused it in the first place." Tomoe stated. "While I question the validity of his plan, I suppose another Avatar may just be what we need. Isn't that right Akahana?"
Tomoe and Akahana go a way back. She knows a lot about Akahana's often unspoken profession. The very organization she worked for and what they do.
"We don't even know if there even will be a next Avatar, we all saw it, how at the last moments of Korra's life she was in the Avatar state." Oiwa pointed out. "Akahana herself searched for the Avatar with those white lotus folks, and what did they find?"
"Nothing," Akahana said softly, she stared at the lotus piece on the table. "Ba Sing Se, Omashu, all the places the white lotus thought of. We just couldn't find what we have hoped for."
Tomoe moved towards the side of the room, where a huge display of the Earth Kingdom territories are. They were all divided with lines to label the different borders between the states. Although it is pointless to update any of it, for the border is constantly changing with the ongoing civil wars and rebellions that plague the vast lands.
"A Kingdom long united must divided, long divided must united, those were the words of the very man who tried to conquer this place, before it became an island."Tomoe said. "But I don't think it is necessary for a tyrant to unit this land. The people must play a part in it as well."
"Tomoe, we shouldn't depend on the Earth Kingdom's Avatar to protect Kyoshi island," Akahana said. She felt that Tomeo's suggestion is simply too difficult to manifest to reality. "Even if the Avatar cycle was not broken, we still don't even know where the next Avatar is. We have searched everywhere."
"Then keep searching," Tomoe said plainly." "Judging by the years since your last search, the Avatar should be at least ten year old by now. That's what I believe. If he or she is already a teenager, then they are already more than enough to defeat even the greatest foe. And far more legitimate to unite a fractured people than anyone on Earth."
A slight change of expression occurred on Oiwa's face, while she and Akahana do not believe that using the Avatar can solve all their problems with security. Avatar Aang's story during the One Hundred Years War reinforces that Tomoe's unconventional plan might have some ground here. If the Avatar is indeed born in the Earth Kingdom, the experience and exposure to all of its problems may motivate the Avatar to end its conflicts and divisions. After all, the Avatar itself is a powerful political entity on its own.
"No, the search has ended, at least for me personally. All you are betting on is a false hope, a hope I once believed in." Akahana refuted immediately. "We can't expect the Avatar to be there for us, we need to do it on our own! Only we can defend the island ourselves."
"Even if it means we might fail at the very end?" Tomoe's sentence stopped Akahana right in her tracks. "We need more than just the Kyoshi warriors and the island's militia. We need the Avatar and allies to be the ones to assist us, and to end all of the chaos we are facing. Think about how life would be for your two daughters when the world is better. Akahana." This whole time, Tomeo didn't raise her tone even for a bit, she remains stoic and uniformed in her verbal responses. But her last line hit Akahana in her soft spot, for she always held her own family above her highest priorities. "I know you like most people wanted to use the Avatar for your selfish reasons. Don't deny it, oh Red Rose of Yokaya." Tomoe whispered. The way she talks and the way she acts, Akahana seriously doubts whether or not if Tomoe is a human or a spirit all alone. Who knows, she might even be both.
Akahana retrieved a necklace with a lone piece of White Lotus tile right out from her pocket. It is old, much older than her. It belonged to someone she knew very fondly. He passed on to her, and has been a great source of inspiration. Along with another item, this piece of White Lotus tile is like a family heirloom. She smiled contently. "I remember the first time my husband taught me how to play this game. When I lost, I almost fed him to the eel. Good times."
"He was the last person I thought you would end up with." Oiwa said. "It's strange how you two did it. Oh well, better than what I accomplished."
After Akahana stared at the necklace, she finally gave the answer.
"Fine I will think about it, after all I can't just simply leave this island and expect everything to be fine." Akahana said indignantly. She didn't want to leave the island to go search for someone who might not even have reincarnated. As one of the three Kyoshi warrior leaders, she felt reluctant to temporarily abandon the responsibility of the island's defense.
Then a fluttering sound near the window is heard. The trio turned to see what is causing it. A messenger Hawk landed on the window, it's red feathers appeared tattered from exhausted long journey. Oiwa moved towards it, and removes the letter on its feet. After reading the name of the recipient, she proceeded to hand the letter to Akahana, who was a little surprised by the letter's appearance. The letter itself was dyed in the color of green, and a symbol of a golden coin is attached to it. She knew what this could very meant.
...
Most people filed out of the room following the meeting's conclusion, Hakaru remained behind with one of the other chief, discussing all options and suggestion made by everyone else. There wasn't a lot of good ideas, but they are still obligated to compile them into files.
Satchiko and Mayumi walked inside to greet them, but the older sister still felt a little sleepy despite her nap.
"Dad, we are here, just let you know I already went to Great grandmother's display in the artifact room, you don't need to show me anything afterwards." Satchiko informed her father. She have accomplished what she have came for, knowing that the very old lady in her father's story was in fact a legendary war hero herself. It is a great honor to know such prominent figure of the island's history. Fighting alongside Avatar Aang and playing a crucial rope in ending the war itself are all remarkable feats.
"Well, I guess that another box on the checklist done!" Hakaru said in a friendly expression. Satchiko looked around the empty room, she busied herself with studying the interior while Hakaru and another chief wrote down some notes.
It was at this moment that Akahana walked in. Mayumi was the first one to go ahead to meet her.
"Mother, thanks for the blanket from before, sorry I fell alseep." Mayumi yawned. While she was indeed a bit tired from today's activities including cleaning the school and walking here, she does felt being alseep like this displays a sense of unreadiness.
"It's ok, but I have something important for your father." Akahana went to Hakaru and handed the letter to him, he looked at it with high interest. The symbol of the golden coin is not something that can be found on ordinary letters, as it can only be from someone of great prominence living in Ba Sing Se.
"I will take my leave Hakaru, I still need to tend my own duties back at my town." The older chief said in a courteous manner. He left the meeting room entirely, leaving only the four of them and the important letter on the table.
Hakaru didn't open it immediately, for the presentation of this letter insinuated that it's content might change course of their entire lives. Slowly but surely, he opened the letter and withdraw a piece of paper.
Satchiko walked to her father's side, reading the letter with him. However, it was after finishing the letter, she became nervous, very nervous about the future.
"Ba Sung Se? But that's too far away from here!" Satchiko stayed in a disappointed tone. Although she accepted that learning Earth Bending outside her island is a must, she felt going somewhere that distant is too much for her.
Akahana also re-examined the letter herself. However, it was the name of the sender that caught her attention.
"This letter is from master Lee of the Ba Sing Se University. Wait, this is Xuan Zang, the university director. He said he is willing to train you under his supervision." Akahana disclosed in a more digestible manner. "Your father and I have known him in the past, he has a lot experience in teaching people."
"Is it very ok for Satchiko to travel that far? The wars are still happening, it not safe to travel the Earth Kingdom in this current state." Mayumi raised her own concern. Trade and travel is already impaired by countless wars. Is it very a wise choice to go to Ba Sing Se?
"She's right, we can't just sent her there blindly without considering the danger." Hakaru replied to the group. "We don't need to be worried about the route now, only whether if it was a wise decision to allow her to study there."
Satchiko felt horrible, she didn't want to speak her mind right now. While it is imperative for her to get an Earth bending teacher, she still wished she could just have her training right here. Why can't it be that simple?
"It is quite an opportunity my child, but we are not forcing you, you can refuse this if you wanted." Akahana appeased. At least her mother is wary of her youngest daughter's anxiety and dilemma, which is why she is allowing Satchiko to decide this paramount decision for herself.
"I...I'm not sure, this might be the first time I step my foot out there." replied Satchiko, clearly it is very difficult for her. "If I do decide to go there, is it ok if Mayumi alone with me?" she pleaded.
Mayumi was surprised by Satchiko's request, she looked towards her parents who themselves agreed that it would be a safer if the two of them travels together. This could be a good opportunity for Mayumi to see the world more.
"There are still one month for you to decide, you don't need to rush this." Akahana said. "You two can head home first, we will further discuss this back home."
Satchiko nodded and left with Mayumi as they headed out of the room. The sentry already left, possibly gone somewhere else or simply guarding another location of this temple.
Akahana waited for both of them to leave the premise completely, and turned to her husband to discuss the next course of action.
"Dear, Tomeo suggested that I go on the 'search' again to find the Avatar, what do you think?" Akahana asked simply while holding the golden coin in her hand, she wanted her husband's opinion on this matter. "She thinks that the next Avatar can be a solution all our problems with external threats."
"It's not too far fetch for her to say this, most independent Avatar is capable to restore peace in this world whenever they are needed, well, it's most of them at least." Hakaru said. He also cleaned his glasses while he complied the notes of today's meeting. "But it is already very difficult to locate a single person in the Earth Kingdom, especially when we are living in such unstable times. Before Kyoshi was presented as the true Avatar, they thought Yun was the real one."
"But if I and white lotus somehow succeeded, do you think the Avatar can restore the peace and balance to this world?" Akahana asked while continuously observing the other side of the coin.
Hakaru thought about it for a while, before delivering a decisive response to his wife.
"Yes," was all he said, he didn't want to sound hesitant in his response. "It depends if they are willing to do that or not."
It doesn't matter how much training, funding or protection an Avatar receives during their youth. They can get the best teachers, an army to guard them and even be beloved by all. But no battle is guaranteed. An Avatar can make fatal mistakes just like a normal person. They can be blinded by personal feelings from doing what must be done, or act out of impulse and affect the lives of everyone in the work.
The Avatar serves to preserve balance. Yet, their many fatal decisions alone became the source of the problem.
"Than it's decided, I will resume the 'search' one more time, hopefully the other white lotus members are still around." Akahana said in a determined tone. She placed the coin on the table and decided to head out of the room. At the door she waited for Hakaru to also walk with her, "You coming dear?"
"Oh, I still need to gather some files, I will join everyone else later Hana." He responded in a lower tone.
"Very well," Akahana replied. "Don't be too late then." She proceeded to walk out silently.
It's only him now in this empty space. Hakaru only sat there, as if he is thinking something deeply. He picked up the letter's golden coin Akahana just held.
"Life was so simple, until now." Hakaru said to himself as he flipped the coin.
The symbol on the other, is none other than a white lotus.
Author's notes:
-Akahana name in Japanese is 'Red Rose'
-Oiwa is a the name of a character from a Japanese ghost story.
-Tomoe's name is literally here because I was inspired by a historical(maybe) figure from Japan's Genpei war era. The weapon of choice was also influenced by this person.
One aspect of this chapter I would like to focus on is Oiwa's face paint and Tomoe's fox mask, both of which are obviously inspired from Asian culture. The Kyoshi warrior face paint is heavily inspired from Chinese and Japanese opera. According to Japanese Kabuki face paints, Oiwa's face paint includes more red stripes indicates a more angry personality. In many Japanese plays involving this type of face paint, characters with a lot of red stripes has a more fierce personality when compared to those with less red, who have more calm and friendly expressions. The fox mask worn by Tomoe aims to highlight a much more shy but crafty nature of the animal itself.
