This metal thing is charging right towards them, it looked strange and completely unfamiliar and Shui doesn't even know how it's able to move so fast.
The ice shards and needles Shui thrown toward the Khan has bounced harmless off the round shield. It didn't even scratch it, and the Khan showed no signs of slowing down.
Tu wanted to negotiate at first, but seeing the enemy being very relentless, it might be too dangerous anyway to give this mysterious figure an opening in combat.
Like before, Tu tried raised the ground in front the foe. He believed that this technique would work just as well in delaying the present foe as long as they are non-benders. When the makeshift wall was nearly completed, Tu felt his entire reality turned against him. Instead of stopping the Khan like it was intended, he just rammed right through the barrier. It's as if he had no self awareness of danger, easily shattered Tu's puny wall like a wooden fence.
Tu tried to back away from the Khan, he tripped himself as the enemy is going after him. Wielding a large hulking saber and raising it in the air, the Khan intended to inflict a striking blow to the Earth bender. However, before the Khan can do that, Tu manipulated a small piece of earth to trapped his feet.
The Khan, realizing this irritating trickery, positioned his shield. Instead of pointing it to Tu, he covered the direction that is facing Shui.
Upon impact, Shui's ice claws shattered against the indestructible shield. Her face was painted with disbelief as the Khan has perfectly predicted that she would attack him at this moment. She then proceeded to use her other claws to scratch the Khan's unshielded body, again the claws broke when it connected with the heavy armor. This obviously stunned Shui, who have never encountered an opponent that is so powerful.
Seeing his opponent failing to react to this situation, the Khan violently slammed Shui with his shield. The water bender was knocked backwards, she fell to the ground and instantly laid flat. Meanwhile, the Khan pulled his leg out of Tu's trap. As chunk of earth was thrown at him, it was neutralized the moment he cut it with the sword. The warrior dashed in front of Tu and rammed him in the stomach, which almost made the Earth bender vomit after the impact.
The leader raised his sword, preparing to perform the final swing.
"Wait!" Tu said while still trying to prevent his damaged body from falling apart. "It doesn't have to be like this!"
The Khan listened on.
"Please, we never wanted to harm your people, it's only a series of misunderstanding that caused us to fight!" Tu explained desperately while catching more breathes. "We only wanted the two girls in face paint, and I swear, we very have no ill intention towards your people!"
"Tu! Don't reason with him!" Shui cried from the sides, the Khan paid no heed to her. "He will kill us if we surrender! This barbarians are nothing when compared to the noble values of our master!"
"Silence!" Ganbaatar yelled, his face was greatly angered by Shui's words. Despite still paralyzed by the blood bending and his leg wound, he still spoke with tremendous energy. "You bandits only know how to pillage and loot! We have encounters with your kind before, and other people of the Earth Kingdom were not shown mercy either!"
"Those bandits only pillage and loot these places to save the people!" Shui said outlandishly. "It's good for them! One day they too will be grateful for what have done!"
Ganbaatar displayed a confused express, and so are the rest of his clansmen. It seems that their perspectives are different from what the Kyoshi warriors are perceiving. But what made them react like this? What dod Shui meant by saving?
Mayumi isn't sure how Shui even came to accept such flawed logic. There are so many things wrong with Shui's argument that it's impossible to list out all the problems in one sentence. Perhaps there are people in this world capable of taking their belief so far to the point where the lives of others no longer mattered to them. There are after all, no cure to the disease of stupidity.
Ganbaatar suddenly smiled, he decided he can use this opportunity in his favor.
"So, if that is what you think, does that Earth bending boy over there think the same?" Ganbaatar said with a smug expression.
The Khan's lifeless eyes stared right into Tu's, the Earth bender felt an ominous feeling when being observed by this figure. It's as if the entire world is staring into his soul, piercing its very secrets. Slowly, Tu managed nod his head, which implied he too is in agreement of Shui's bold statement.
The Khan's body is still, his eyes still fixated on Tu. Satchiko isn't sure what is happening, but suddenly, the Saber swung downwards.
The earth bender used his arms to block it, even though the saber would cut through them like butter.
Luckily for him, Shui managed to slip a stream of water to froze the saber with the Khan's hands, causing him to stop temporarily. He looked at his weapon, eyes concentrated on its new icy appearance.
Just when Tu felt he can rest a little, the Khan instantly swung the saber sidewards. Now with ice chunks on the weapon, he whacked Tu's face and gave him a severe concussion. The ice on the saber now shattered, and the Khan freed his saber and swung him at the air to check its balance.
After regaining his usual feel of his equipment, the Khan walked towards the defenseless Tu and tried to thrust the weapon into him.
"Tu!" A voice cried from above. Everyone, except the Khan looked upwards and saw Huo descending. A streak of fire was bursted towards the man, and he blocked it with ease by simple raising the shield.
Huo landed on the shield by using it as a platform, she jumped safely to Tu's side. Her body language is very protective of her friends, and a small flame is still in her hand.
The Khan banged his saber with his shield again, signifying his acknowledgment of this newcomer's arrival. While these people before him are adolescents, he doesn't appear to be someone who excuses youngsters. These innocent looking people have after all inflicted harm on his own, and for him, it has already became something very personal.
"We are here to capture two person," Huo said assertively. "Two person whom our master has ordered. This is not something you people should intervene or get involved! If you do, you will regret your foolishness!"
The Khan was quiet, he made no attempts responding to Huo.
Ganbaatar tried to stand up, he makes painful noise as his wound obstructs him from getting to his Khan's side. The Khan's himself made a hand signal to Ganbaatar, telling him to lied back down.
Satchiko watched closely as the Khan sharpened his saber against his shield. He widened his leg stance and reinforced his posture. The shield is pointed at the three bending enemies, and his saber was placed behind it. She doesn't know what he is about to do, but she can feel that the Khan must be very strong for that he is the leader of Ganbaatar. These people, all of them, possesses a different fighting style that is so foreign to what she is accustomed to. As Kyoshi warriors, using the enemy's force against them is key. But to these people, being aggressive is a huge part of who they are.
Huo burned her flames to increase its heat. Tu managed to stand up and Shui slowly arrived at Huo's side to join them both. They all changed their posture into their usual bending stance, and they are prepared to do everything they can to bring down this behemoth.
"Where is Feng?" Tu asked Huo. "Can we very take on that man without him?"
"We can," Shui walked to Tu's side. The black arrow is still not pulled out." He can't fight all three of us combined."
Huo watched the Khan intensely, who is the last obstacle they must destroy before completing the mission. Satchiko and Mayumi are already subdued, just waiting for them to be brought back to their master. All they needed is to defeat this so called Khan character and accomplish their goal. Yes, as long as their unfaltering courage and belief in their master's cause is strong, they can surely overcome everything that stand against them.
"Are you two ready?" Huo asked to her two companions. Her voice was both friendly and authoritative, as she wanted them to know that their teamwork is very important. "Remember that move we have been working on? Let's use that one!"
Both Tu and Shui have a surprised expression, are the stakes very that high? They have been practicing that move for a long time and only intended to use it at the last resort. While the special move was supposed to also have Feng involved, the very nature of it can still be successful even without him.
"I am!" Shui said soon. "I want stab this black arrow right back into him!" Her voice was vengeful and fanatical.
"I am too!" Tu added. He is now more confident now that Huo is suggesting this. The presence of his friends boosted his morale.
The Khan observed carefully. The moment was still and silent. He saw Huo gave out instructions to Tu and Shui. They spread out.
Shui ran towards the lake, where she obviously is trying to gather its water. As the Khan prepared to move forward to stop her, he instead raised his shield to block an incoming fire from Huo. A diversion.
"Take this!" The black haired girl said. A flame engulfed the Khan, but it would take more to take him down.
The Khan's then charged towards Huo, and swung the saber at her. She managed to barely evade it, and threw another fire that directly scorched the Khan's armor. The fire of course made no damage to him, but it did provide a distraction for Tu to extend the Earth beneath to trap the Khan's two legs. This time, the Khan couldn't easily get out of it, as it takes more time to remove two legs than just one.
Before he can do anything, Shui brought down a massive amount of lake water. She poured it towards the Khan, and using them to froze everything below his head.
Being encased with both earth and ice, the Khan seems to be trapped for now. Unlike ramming the wall, he is struggling to get out of this predicament due the lack of his body's momentum. Unable to move freely, he cannot generate enough kinetic force to smash through these ice and earth.
"Shui, are you still able to blood bend?" Huo asked quickly, she wanted to neutralize the Khan before he can get out of the ice and earth case.
Shui is still trying to pull the arrow out of her, but to no avail, she only responded affirmatively. This did worried Huo a little, but they have been successful with this special move so far.
"Do it, and I will deal the finishing blow!" Huo commanded Shui, who seemed very eager to once again demonstrate her technique.
Blood bending has always been seen as a very high point for a water bender to accomplish. Only few can ever truly learn it, and even fewer to master it fully. However, this technique has often incite madness upon the user. Whether if it's due to the constant usage on live target or the psychological nature of this bending.
Regardless, whenever Shui uses it, she always felt a sense of pride when her mastery is displayed for the world. All shall feast their eyes on her demonstration.
With a rigorous concentration and a deep scowl on her face, Shui bent the Khan's body and immobilized him. While Huo has stated she herself will deal the final blow, Shui very wanted to just snap of the Khan. She wanted to see the faces of Ganbaatar and the warriors to prove she alone is not something people should not content with.
She wanted them to know the meaning of fear through her, but she knew their master awaits the capture of Satchiko and Mayumi, and they cannot take anymore mishaps alone the way.
Huo run toward the Khan, who is still trapped in a stationary location. The black haired girl leaped high into the air, even slightly blocking out the sun from the Khan's perspective. When her body descended towards him, the flames in her hands grew very large. With a loud war cry, she sent a massive fireball towards her enemy.
"For my master!!!" She yelled with all her strength. The Khan was immediately consumed with a large column of powerful fire. His entire body was obscured to the others as it has presumedly burned to dust. The fire itself burned so bright and intense, that it's difficult for the eye to stare completely at it for long duration of time.
The heat was more intense for Satchiko then before. Mayumi on the other hand, worried that the Khan might have been defeated. She still hoped that somehow this battle can swing once again back into their favor.
Huo landed on the ground nearby, Tu rushed over to support her in case she collapses. Usually, their training on this move greatly depends on Huo's performance, and she has mostly been exhausted whenever they have to use this special attack.
"You did it Huo," Tu said reassuringly while hanging her arm around his neck. It's almost as though Huo is about to drop to the ground, since she has exerted large amounts of her stamina and energy to induce such potent bending.
"No...we did it!" Huo said with a weak smile. "Our master and friends will be proud, now that we have defeat a powerful enemy while also bringing back important hostages to pressure Kyoshi island."
"Yes, they will be proud." Tu said.
While Tu supports Huo, Shui decided to confront Ganbaatar and the other warriors. Since the Khan has told Ganbaatar to stay down, the captain has instead sit on the ground and wait for the blood bending to completely subside for him and the others. As Shui approached him, he placed his hand to cover his face, presumably a sign of great disappointment.
"Your leader is gone tin cans!" Shui said in an insulting tone. "But don't worry, your lives are no longer worth taking since we got what we wanted." She continued smugly. "It was a good try, but no one in this world can stop us bandits from achieving our goals. Not even the best of all of you!"
"Heh!" Ganbaatar suddenly bursted into laughter. Shui thought he is going mad seeing the death of their leader, whom they deemed to be the strongest among them.
Mayumi isn't sure why he is doing this, but she noticed that the other warriors also joined Ganbaatar in laughing loudly at Shui. They are all laughing?
"What-have you all gone mad?" Shui asked in confusion. Before she can continue, Ganbaatar spoke first. He removed his hand off his face and displayed a more cheerful expression.
"It's funny how young people these days don't know how high is the sky and how thick is the ground." Ganbaatar spoke. "You three pathetic youngsters very think that little magic trick of yours can defeat our Khan! Pitiful!"
The others warriors laughed, which also made Satchiko feel nervous about their overconfidence. It's not everyday they see people having so much faith in the ability of their leader. Even the Kyoshi warriors themselves would not push unrealistic expectations upon their three matrons, such as surviving after being burned by fire.
Before Shui can voice her own thoughts, the sound of metals cranking together was heard. It came from the large fire, which is still burning even until now. Shui turned around to look at it, she doesn't know where that sound came from, but it didn't take her long to realize it. There was nothing in the fire at first, but that would change. A lone shadow slowly revealed itself in the center. It's as there is a spirit standing there.
Huo was dumbfounded. How did he survive?
The Khan slowly raised his foot, and proceeded to stomp it on the ground. The air around him begin to bursted outwards from his position. The fire, now partially controlled by the wind, spread towards Huo and Tu. The two of them just so happens to be the closest to the fire. They immediately run for their dear lives when that fire approaches them.
"Huo!" Tu said with a worried tone. Huo accidentally tripped herself when her exhausted body temporarily failed her. Instead of accepting her fate, she forced herself to stand up and face the incoming flames alone.
Placing her two palms forward, she braved for the incoming flames and held off its fierce intensity.
Tu was behind her, being protected by Huo's defensive fire bending. She redirected those fire. Despite that, Tu knew this is greatly straining Huo, especially when she has already created such a powerful strike earlier.
Her face is sweating, the skins of her hands are starting to peel off. She endured quite a while, until the incoming flames finally ended and its momentum slowed down.
Feeling the strain, Huo kneeled to the ground the second those flames are gone. She is breathing fast, and tired. No way can she fight anymore. The sound of walking made her heightened her awareness, as the Khan is slowly approaching her.
His saber is blazing red, the iron on the blade displayed a color that mimic the same appearance. The very style of a weapon, newly created from a heated forge. When he walked forward, the warriors cheered at his marvelous display of air bending. It's like watching a magician performing a ground breaking show to the audience, but instead, the performer is dancing with death itself. When Satchiko and Mayumi sawed this, the two sisters felt relief watching the Khan surviving the fire.
The Khan's looked down at Huo, who tried her best to not break away from his eye contact. She doesn't want to show anymore signs of weakness than she already have to. Even until now, the Khan still have not spoken a single word, and his pairs of eyes remained expressionless in the face of Huo.
"Your action will be the cause for your people's demise!" Huo cursed from her dried mouth. She is doing her best to not hunch her back, and keeping her pain as distant as possible. She had never even fathom the idea that there is a living opponent that can just brush off their trump card move, yet this man doesn't even flinch at it. "Never have we failed to accomplish a task set by him, and even if we are defeated, we will come back enact to vengeance upon you and your foul kins!"
The Khan's, like before, didn't said anything to respond. However, Huo can definitely notice changes in his eyes. A more stern expression is now visible to her, and she knew her words earlier must have angered him.
Without any warning, the Khan slashed his saber at the girl. What happened next, caught Huo off guard.
