Chapter 10:
The Elite Guard
"That's when I came here and gave you guys the frogs," Aang finished explaining, detailing the events surrounding Eli's capture.
Neo, Katara, and Sokka sat in rapt attention, taken aback by Aang's account.
"Alright, so who was that blue guy?" Sokka asked.
Aang's thoughts flickered to the moment he learned it was Zuko.
"He never introduced himself," Aang responded, averting his gaze. "Actually, he never spoke."
It was obvious that Aang was lying, but there were more important matters they had to discuss.
"So, there are other people who can use the Force working with the Fire Nation?" Katara inquired.
"Seems like it," Aang moped.
"Could they be Sith?" she pressed.
"No," Neo interjected. "If Eli managed to defeat one of them, they're too weak to be Sith. Besides, they didn't have lightsabers. It is weird that Eli couldn't cut those swords with his lightsaber, though..."
"I'm sorry, Neo," Aang sighed, still depressed about Eli's capture.
"Don't worry about it, Aang. You guys were outnumbered, and you had to save the blue guy; there was nothing else that you could have done."
"So, what's our next move?" Sokka asked.
"Simple. We break into the prison and rescue Eli." Neo declared.
"What?" Sokka, Katara, and Aang exclaimed in unison.
"Follow me, and I'll explain on the way," Neo said as he stood up.
Admiral Zhao, flanked by two soldiers, marched down the corridor toward Eli's cell, a stern expression etched across his face. As they arrived, expecting to find the Jedi in solitary confinement, they were taken aback to see a gathering inside.
The four remaining Elite Guards surrounded Eli, who appeared visibly battered and unconscious. Despite his condition, it seemed that no severe harm had been inflicted upon him yet.
"Why are you interrogating the prisoner without my authorization?" Zhao's voice was sharp, demanding an explanation from the unexpected assembly.
Before Lieutenant Hadrian could respond and offer an apology, Caligula interjected boldly, "We take orders solely from Lord Aurelius or Fire Lord Ozai. Our mission is to capture the warriors of the flaming swords alive and return them to the Fire Nation."
Zhao, unimpressed by her defiance, inquired, "And how do you plan to capture the other warrior?"
Caligula, undeterred, explained their strategy, "When the other warrior and the Avatar come to rescue their comrade, we'll be prepared."
Zhao, with a mocking clap, retorted, "You were not ready last time. Not only did you let the Avatar escape, but you also lost one of your own."
Caracalla, her jaw clenched, shot a stern look at Caligula, who callously justified, "Kommenos was reckless and weak; he deserved to die."
Shocked by this callous statement, Zhao stepped back as Caligula ordered him to leave the cell. Obliging, he exited, leaving the Elite Guard to their discussion.
Caligula cast a contemptuous glance at Hadrian, murmuring, "It should have been you, not Kommenos," before exiting the cell, leaving behind an uneasy tension among the guards.
Under the cover of night, the group had reached the prison where Eli was held captive. They were hiding out in the forest on the outskirts of the prison to avoid being seen.
Neo and Sokka lay on the ground, their forms obscured by leaves. Neo raised a pair of binocs to his eyes, scanning the imposing structure of the prison.
"Aang actually escaped from that?" Sokka asked as he stared at the prison in disbelief.
"Yeah, but he had help," Neo replied, still peering through the binoculars.
Sokka nodded. "Right. But who do you think it was that freed him?"
"Could have been anyone," Neo replied. "But I think I might know it was."
"Who?"
"Not important. Here, Take a look for yourself."
Neo handed the binocs to Sokka, who eagerly took them.
"This is amazing! I need to find one of these for myself," Sokka exclaimed.
"Find a way to Kuat, and you're all set."
"Alright, what am I supposed to be looking at?"
"That," Neo pointed.
Following Neo's gesture, Sokka directed the binoculars to the hillside where the prison was situated. There, he spotted a conspicuous opening in the hill's side.
"That's a sewage line," Sokka observed.
"And where there's a sewage line…"
"There's a bathroom. Wait, are you telling me we're sneaking in through the bathroom?"
"Seems that way. Either through there or the front door. Either way, it's our best chance of getting in undetected."
Sokka's eyebrows furrowed as he contemplated the plan. "But can all four of us fit?"
Neo shook his head. "Maybe. But we'll only need two people."
Neo and Sokka retraced their steps, returning to where Katara and Aang were waiting for them.
"We found a way in," Sokka announced.
"A sewage line leads straight into the building. Once inside, we can rescue Eli," Neo elaborated.
Katara's curiosity piqued, she inquired, "So when do we go in?"
"We don't," Neo clarified.
Perplexed, Aang and Katara echoed, "Huh?"
"Neo's right. This calls for a small two-person team," Sokka affirmed.
"Which means Aang and I will will go in," Neo stated.
"WHAT!" Sokka, Katara, and Aang exclaimed in unison.
Neo's voice remained steady as he explained, "This mission demands stealth, cunning, and intelligence." Neo glanced at Sokka, who looked like he was about to say something. "Sokka, you might be stealthy and cunning, but do you know the layout of the prison or where Eli's held?"
Sokka's mind raced for a retort, but he couldn't think of one.
"Guess you've got a point..."
"Aang possesses knowledge of the premises, he's agile and quick-witted, and if we cross paths with these Elite Guards, I'm the one equipped to handle them. Sokka, your job is to control Appa's reins, Katara, you provide cover fire if the need arises. Aang, you've got your bison whistle?"
"Right here. But are you sure I should go with you?" Aang questioned.
"Yes, you've got the insight into where Eli might be."
"True, true."
"Why can't I come? I can be just as stealthy as Aang," Katara interjected.
"I have no doubt, but I can't take you in for the same reason Sokka's not coming. If things go wrong, Aang and I will need you out here. If we're in a bind, Aang will sound the whistle. Appa will respond, and that's your signal to assist," Neo explained patiently.
Katara persisted, "I still think you should consider taking someone else."
"Katara, this isn't open for debate. The plan is set. Any more questions?"
A silent pause followed. No one voiced any objections.
"Then let's get ready." Neo commanded.
As Aang and Sokka prepared Appa for the mission, Katara walked up to Neo.
"Can I talk to you for a moment, Neo?" she asked.
"Of course. What's on your mind?" he said, forcing a smile.
Katara's cheeks flushed slightly and she shifted on her feet. "I still think you should reconsider your plan."
"We've already gone over this, Katara. Aang and I will go in. Aang knows the layout of the prison. I can fight of the Elite Guards. What would you and Sokka do? There's no need for three people."
"But what is something happens? What if you get caught too?"
"That's where you two come in. Aang will blow the whistle, and you guys will rescue us."
"What if the whistle breaks, or you lose it?"
Neo let out a dramatic sigh. "Katara, we've had crazy plans before, and you never once said anything about those. Why do you care now?"
Katara took a deep breath and smiled hopefully. "Because... I care... about you."
For a brief moment, Neo's heart skipped a beat. A small part of him had been expecting this, and wanted to offer some sort of comfort of understanding. But memories of Celestia and her death rushed back, freezing his emotions like ice.
"I appreciate your honesty, Katara," Neo said, his voice icy, "but... I can't."
Katara's smile faltered, confusion and hurt flickering into her eyes. She searched his face, hoping to find some hint that he was joking or that he had misunderstood her.
"I... I thought... I thought we had something. A connection. I thougt maybe... after everything we've been through..." Katara stuttered, her voice shaky.
"You're a remarkable young woman, Katara. But I can't be what you need right now. But my heart... it still belongs to Celestia."
Katara's eyes welled up with tears as frustration and hurt bubbled up to the surface.
"You can't keep holding onto her memory forever, Neo! She's gone, and she wouldn't want you to shut yourself off from everybody who cares about you."
"Katara, you don't understand what I've been through. This isn't something you can ask me to just 'get over'."
Anger flared in Katara's eyes. "No, you're the one who doesn't understand! You're so consumed by the past that you can't see the people who are here for you right now! I won't let you push me away like this!"
Neo's jaw tightened. "You have no idea what it's like, Katara. Losing someone you love bacuase of your own decisions."
"And you have no idea what it's like to love someone who's right in front of you, but you're too blinded by your past to see it!"
Neo and Katara stared at each other, and it began to rain. Neo's gaze bore into Katara's, studying her.
For a few moments there was silence as the tears that ran down Katara's face mixed with the raindrops on her cheeks.
"Hey, you guys coming?" Sokka called out.
"Yeah, we'll be right there." Neo yelled back.
Katara and Neo looked back at each other.
"I deserve to be treated better than an afterthought, Neo. If you can't see that, maybe you really are beyond saving," Katara said, her voice soft.
With that, she turned on her heel and walked over to Sokka, leaving Neo alone in the rain. She brushed past Sokka, who looked like he was about to say something to her.
Sokka looked at Neo. "What's going on between you two?"
"Nothing," Neo sighed.
A few minutes later, the group rode Appa toward the sewage line, getting closer to the bottom. Neo's attention was drawn when he spotted a Fire Nation soldier patroling the area.
"Sokka, stop," he whispered. Sokka complied, and they came to a halt.
They waited until the soldier had passed before proceeding toward the sewage line.
Finally at the opening, Neo retrieved his lightsaber.
"Sokka, hold the bars in the middle."
The sewer was obstructed by four closely spaced bars. Neo cut through the ones in the middle while Sokka gripped them. Sokka then tossed the bars into the water, creating a loud splash.
"Sokka!" everyone hissed.
"Sorry."
"Alright, Aang and I will be back with Eli, hopefully in a few minutes. If Appa starts acting up, it means we're in trouble. Come and get Aang if things go south and head to the North Pole. Don't attempt to rescue us again," Neo ordered.
"Got it." Sokka said. "Be careful."
Neo nodded, and he and Aang entered the sewer line, which turned out to be a dark, dank maze. Navigating through it was only made worse by the disgusting smell.
"Ugh, this place stinks," Aang complained, pinching his nose.
"It's a sewage line; of course, it's going to smell," Neo retorted.
They climbed through the line for what felt like an eternity until they reached an opening.
"Finally," Aang exhaled. "Fresh air."
Neo and Aang stood at an opening that looked oddly familiar to Aang.
"This is where the frogs Eli and I caught escaped to."
"So, we're close?"
"Maybe."
"Alright, where do we go from here?"
"Um, I'm not sure."
"Focus. Picture that night in your mind. Remember where Zuko led you."
"Okay, I'll try... Wait, how did you know it was Zuko?"
"I didn't. You just confirmed it for me."
Aang scratched the back of his head, a bit embarrassed.
"Why didn't you just tell us?" Neo asked.
"Because when I talked to him, I tried to see if he wanted to be friends. But instead, he attacked me. So, I didn't think it would matter. Plus, we had bigger things to worry about with Eli being here."
"Fair point. Now, close your eyes and think back to last night. Where did you come from?"
Aang closed his eyes, concentrating hard on the previous night. He remembered Zuko entering and releasing him and Eli. He remembered Eli searching for his lightsaber. He recalled the door... he remembered!
"I know where he is," he said at last.
"Let's go."
The two of them sprinted off toward where Eli was located.
Meanwhile, outside, Sokka lay on Appa's back, gazing up at the stars. Every now and then, he would glance back at Katara, noticing the sadness on her face.
"Beautiful night we have here," he remarked, attempting to make small talk.
"Yep," Katara responded disinterestedly.
"The stars look nice."
"Uh-huh."
"It's sure taking Neo and Aang a long time..."
"Are you making small talk?"
"I thought I'd give it a shot."
Katara turned her head away.
"Okay, Katara, you haven't said one word since we started, and you're usually talkative."
Katara shot him a look.
"Okay, I'm usually talkative, but still, did something happen between you and Neo before we came here?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Alright, I'll take that as a yes."
Katara sighed.
"I spilled my heart out to Neo, and he threw it back in my face."
"What happened?"
"Why do you care?"
"Um, let's see, you're my sister, and I care about you. Not to mention the fact that I have nothing to do until the fireworks start. So, what exactly happened?"
"I went to confront him about taking one of us with him, and he just kept saying that he needed me out here. But I kept pushing, and he asked me why I cared."
"And what did you say?"
"I told him the truth... I told him I cared about him."
Sokka sat there for a second and burst out laughing, quickly covering his mouth to muffle the noise.
"What's so funny?"
"That's what you said? Really? Not 'roses are red, violets are blue,' not all that stupid mushy stuff you like to say?"
"Well, he picked up on it pretty quickly. Anyway, he said that I was nice and all, but his heart still belonged to Celestia."
"Anything else?"
"Well... I kind of told him to get over her."
"And how did he respond to that?"
"He got pretty mad... he told me that she wasn't something he could just 'get over,' and that I didn't know what it was like to lose someone I loved because of my own decisions."
"And you didn't like that, did you?"
"Of course not! Neo and I have both lost someone important to us! For me, it was mom..."
"Well, I mean... you kind of forced him into a position where he had to say that. Plus, he's only been here for like a month or two, and he's just lost the only girl he's ever loved, not to mention his entire way of life. You can't expect him to just fall again. He also probably knows that there's someone else out there for you who's better and doesn't have his baggage."
"I know all that, but it seemed so obvious. We had so much chemistry; we seemed like the perfect match."
"I agree. You two would make the perfect couple. Heck, you probably were in another life. But sometimes, something that seems obvious doesn't necessarily mean the perfect match."
Katara absorbed Sokka's words, contemplating their meaning their meaning.
Eli found himself in chains once again after enduring a grueling hour long interrogation session with the elite guard. Despite his resolute silence, he couldn't shake the feeling that it was only a matter of time before he would crack under the relentless pressure.
From beyond his cell, he caught the sound of a scuffle.
"Great, the masked man returns," he muttered quietly, his words laced with a hint of exasperation.
Yet, when the cell door opened, it was Neo and Aang who walked in.
"Master, Aang!" Eli exclaimed.
"Shhh," both Neo and Aang hushed him in unison.
"You'll wake the entire prison up," Neo cautioned, his voice barely more than a whisper, before using the Force to efortlessly unlock Eli's chains.
"I've never been so glad to see you two, but you shouldn't have come," Eli cautioned them, gratitude mixed with concern.
"I know. The Elite Guards probably already know we're here. We have to go," Neo responded.
"We can't. They have my lightsaber," Eli explained.
"Well, where is it?" Neo asked.
"Right here," a feminine voice suddenly interjected from behind them.
As one, the trio turned, their faces contorting with surprise as they found themselves confronted by the four remaining Elite Guards.
"Uh-oh," Aang muttered.
"Welcome back, Avatar, and you must be Neo?" another guard said.
"You gave them my name?" Neo interjected.
"No, I gave Admiral Beardo your name, which I guess he passed along to them," Eli responded wryly.
"My name is Lieutenant Hadrian," the guard who had just spoken said. "As your friend most likely already informed you, my comrades and I belong to the Fire Nation Elite Guard."
"Why haven't I heard of the Elite Guard before?" Aang asked.
Hadrian ignored his question. "Now that we have all three of you here, we can return to the Fire Nation. We'll present the Avatar to the Fire Lord and deliver the two of you to Lord Aurelius."
"And who is Lord Aurelius?" Neo asked.
"He is our master, the one who guides us. He is Fire Lord's most trusted servant and is the personal bodyguard of the princess."
"Yeah, I got that, but who is he?"
"Not important. Only the princess, the Fire Lord, and the prince, had he not defied the Fire Lord, are privy to his true identity. But you'll learn more once we've returned to the Fire Nation," Hadrian declared.
"Apologies, but I'm afraid we're not going to the Fire Nation. Aang, now!" Neo commanded.
Suddenly, Aang channeled a tremendous burst of air, propelling the group of troops backward. Yet, in an instant, the elite guards jumped back up. Neo's lightsaber ignited with a sharp hum as he lunged forward, launching a fierce assault against Hadrian and the girl positioned behind him, clutching Eli's lightsaber.
Hadrian skillfully deflected Neo's initial strike, the blade of his crimson sword meeting Neo's emerald lightsaber with a shower of sparks. However, the force behind Neo's attack was enough to cause the girl to stagger back, momentarily off balance. Aang's intervention was swift and decisive. He summoned an air scooter, propelling himself into a graceful orbit around the second guard. With a swift, fluid motion, he seized Eli's lightsaber.
"Eli, catch!" Aang's voice rang out as he threw the lightsaber at Eli. Eli's hand reached out, seizing the lightsabers hilt and isntantly turning it on. Plasma met steel as he immediately engaged the two remaining elite guards in a swift, intense duel.
The dance of combat played out as the double duel continued. The clashing of lightsabers and swords echoed with each deflection, the sharp movements and calculated strikes painting a vivid tableau of battle. Neo realized that as the duel continued, the advantage would shift to the numerically superior Elite Guards. Amidst the rapid exchanges, he recognized the need for a decisive change.
"Eli, duck!" Neo shouted.
Eli swiftly complied, dropping into a crouch. In that moment, Neo channeled the Force, using its power to forcefully propel the guards Eli was fighting into a nearby wall. Exploiting the opening, Neo turned around and performed a swipe that sent Hadrian's legs out from under him. As he did this, he performed a masterful parry that disarmed the other girl he was founded and kicked her in the stomach, sending her flying back.
Neo nodded, and the trio turned and bolted toward the exit.
"Don't just lie there, after them!" Hadrian yelled as he and the other three elite guards scrambled to their feet.
"What now?" Aang shouted as the trio raced through the dimly lit corridors, the clamor of pursuit echoing behind them.
"Keep running!" Neo's yelled back.
"You can't run forever!" A taunting voice called out from behind them.
"She's right. What do we do?" Aang said.
"Follow me. I know a way out!" Eli exclaimed as he surged ahead of Neo and Eli.
With relentless speed, the trio navigated the intricate labyrinth of the building, their heartbeats echoing the rapid rhythm of their escape. The feverish pulse of pursuit seemed unceasing, driving them further.
And then they found themselves on a balcony. The view below offered a seemingly perilous descent.
"Jump!" Eli's voice rang out, a daring command.
Without hesitation, they leaped from the balcony's edge, their hearts racing as they plummeted toward the ground. Aang's voice held a mix of humor and regret as they descended.
"I'm beginning to wish I brought my glider," Aang lamented.
"Not now, Aang," Neo's response was swift, a reminder that their focus must remain unbroken amidst the chaos.
The impact of landing was harsh, drawing the attention of the several Fire Nation troops who began to close in, forming a ring around them.
"Aang, get out your whistle and blow," Neo's words sliced through the tension, a strategy forming amidst the imminent danger.
With haste, Aang produced the whistle, his fingers trembling with both anticipation and fear. But just as he was about to bring it to his lips, it slipped from his grasp, sailing into the hands of Hadrian.
"Hey!" Aang protested, his frustration evident as the whistle came to an abrupt halt in Hadrian's possession.
"A bison whistle, I take it your sky bison is somewhere nearby?" Hadrian's voice was laced with curiosity, a hint of amusement tugging at the corners of his words.
The trio maintained a stoic silence.
"How does it work, like this?" Hadrian brought the whistle to his lips and blew.
A symphony of shock and horror painted the expressions of the trio as they realized what would happen next.
"No!"
"OK, seriously, what is taking them so long?" Katara asked in exasperation.
Suddenly, Appa started acting up.
"What's wrong with him?" Sokka asked, struggling to maintain his balance and avoid falling into the water.
"It's Aang's whistle. Something must have gone wrong."
They then began to make their way upward.
The trio could hear Appa approaching, and they had to devise a plan quickly.
"Neo, what do we do?" Aang's urgency was palpable in his voice.
"I'm thinking," Neo responded, his mind racing to find a solution.
Appa's arrival was imminent, and Neo found himself faced with a singular choice: to hold off Hadrian and the three other elite guards, allowing the others to escape.
"Aang," Neo whispered urgently. "As soon as you spot Appa, use your airbending to get yourself and Eli to him. I'll stall them long enough for your escape."
"We didn't break back in here just to leave someone else behind," Aang protested.
"As soon as they see Appa, Katara and Sokka's lives are in jeopardy. We have no other option."
"Listen to him, Aang," Eli interjected, earning a surprised look from Aang. "This is our only viable course of action."
"Appa's almost here. You'll only have a ten-second window. You need to go; we can't risk your capture."
Aang hesitated, his gaze shifting between the two Jedi, before finally yielding.
"Alright, good luck, Neo," Aang's voice carried both determination and concern.
"Thank you, Aang," Neo acknowledged.
"May the Force be with you, Master," Eli wished.
"And you, my young Padawan."
"Here, you might need this."
Eli handed Neo his lightsaber and nodded.
Neo nodded back at him and charged Hadrian and the other guards, meeting their advance head-on. Simultaneously, Aang summoned a powerful tornado beneath them, lifting himself and Eli into the air as Appa rose beneath them.
Hadrian barely had a chance to react as Neo surged upwards, his lightsaber nearly grazing Hadrian's neck—only a swift intervention from another guard spared him from the fatal blow. The confrontation escalated into a fierce showdown, pitting Neo against the quartet of elite guards. Meanwhile, Aang and Eli navigated the tumultuous ascent, evading the fiery projectiles launched by the Fire Nation troops. Amid the chaos, Admiral Zhao emerged onto the scene, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the unfolding situation.
"Captain, what is happening?" Zhao's demand was laced with urgency.
"The Avatar and his companions have returned to rescue their comrade. The Elite Guards are engaged in combat to detain them. We are attempting to neutralize the situation," the captain reported.
Zhao's gaze shifted downward, his eyes locked on the spectacle of the two masters locked in combat with Neo, while Aang and Eli navigated their way towards Appa.
"Halt your fire," Zhao's command was decisive.
"Sir?"
"I said halt your fire. No doubt, the Avatar will make a final effort to rescue his friend. Let us observe how this scenario unfolds," Zhao declared with calculated intrigue.
"They stopped firing," Katara announced, her voice carrying a mix of relief and confusion. "Why?"
"Who cares? Let's make like a tree and leaf!" Sokka retorted.
"Wait, we can't leave yet. Neo's still down there," Aang interjected, his sense of duty prevailing.
"Neo told us to depart, with or without him, if the mission went awry. He told us to go," Sokka reminded, though even he sounded a little unsure.
"We can't just abandon him."
"Neo is offering us the chance to escape. If we get captured, or worse, his sacrifice would be in vain."
"He's not dead yet."
With determined resolve, Aang seized his glider and surveyed the scene below. The duel had progressed to a second wall, urging him to take action. He vaulted downward, his glider unfurled, guiding him toward Neo's location. The urgent exclamations of the others echoed in his ears.
"Aang, are you out of your mind?" Sokka's alarmed cry reverberated.
"Don't throw your life away!" Eli pleaded.
Amidst the voices of caution, Katara's silence held an air of contemplation, eventually breaking as she offered her support.
"Go, Aang, go!"
The declaration left the two boys flabbergasted.
In the heat of the clash, Neo demonstrated remarkable skill, his movements a dance of evasion and precise blocks against the relentless onslaught of the four elite guards. His senses heightened, Neo's focus remained unwavering as he anticipated their strikes and deftly countered them.
His attention momentarily shifted upward, spotting Aang's approach with a mixture of confusion and concern. 'What is he doing?' Neo's internal query echoed amidst the chaos.
"Neo, look out!" Aang's warning pierced through the turmoil as he landed upon the wall. With a forceful gust of air, Aang unleashed a torrent that surged towards the two masters.
Hadrian, poised to strike Aang, found his intentions thwarted as Neo executed a swift maneuver, twisting his blade downward with precision. The arc of his blade cleaved through Hadrian's abdomen, the clash of metal and the ensuing impact marking a turning point. The guard who had been mere inches from Aang collapsed to the ground, incapacitated.
Observing the scene, Aang's memory harked back to the similar fate that had befallen the other guard, Andrikos, thanks to Eli's intervention in their previous encounter.
"Aang, Aang!" Neo's urgent voice jolted Aang from his momentary trance.
"We need to leave! Now!"
"Uh, right, of course," Aang responded, momentarily regaining his composure.
With practiced efficiency, Aang summoned his glider, Neo swiftly secured his grip onto Aang, and they took flight. Their ascent was abruptly halted as a female guard, determined and swift, seized Neo's ankle, toppling them to the ground.
Reacting instinctively, Neo interposed himself between Aang and the approaching woman, her blade glinting in readiness.
"You've killed Lieutenant Hadrian. Lord Aurelius will not be pleased," the guard declared, her voice carrying a sense of giddiness.
With her sword poised for a lethal strike, the tension hung in the air, poised on the precipice of conflict. Just as the blade was about to descend, a sudden impact rocked her from the side. Neo and Aang's gazes turned upwards in time to witness Sokka, boomerang in hand, intercept the guard's attack. Appa's descent coincided with Sokka's strike, his tail generating a burst of air that sent the remaining guards sprawling.
"We've overstayed our welcome. Let's go," Sokka's pragmatic declaration cut through the chaos as Neo and Aang hastened to board Appa. In an instant, they took flight, their escape a triumphant departure.
As the last guard scrambled to her feet, she watched the group's departure with a mixture of frustration and bitterness. In the midst of the aftermath, Admiral Zhao approached, seeking an explanation for the tumult.
"I was in my quarters when I heard the disturbance, Caligula," Zhao inquired.
At the utterance of her name, Caligula seized Zhao in a grip of the Force, cutting off his breath. Her voice carried an air of authority as she spoke.
"I've already informed you, Admiral. Your involvement is inconsequential. If you obstruct our pursuit of the Fire Lord's and Lord Aurelius's will again, your tenure as admiral will be the briefest in Fire Nation history. Do not cross my path once more. Are we in agreement?"
Struggling to breathe, Zhao offered a nod of compliance. As Caligula released him from her hold and strode past, Zhao's gaze held a mixture of resentment and rage, directed towards her retreating figure.
The group touched down on a hillside, greeted by the gentle glow of dawn heralding the arrival of a new day.
"That was intense," Sokka breathed, breaking the stillness with his comment.
"No kidding," Eli concurred, his voice carrying the weight of recent events.
"Seriously, I thought I was done for," Sokka admitted.
"We weren't about to leave you behind," Aang reassured him.
"Well, thanks for coming for me."
Aang's attention was redirected as Neo called out to him.
"Yeah?"
"You doing OK, you know, after witnessing that... well, you know," Neo delicately inquired.
"Yeah, I'm OK. I mean, I've seen dead bodies before," Aang responded, his tone masking a deeper contemplation.
"Yeah, but those were just skeletons. This was... fresh," Sokka's voice took on a somber note.
"I'll admit, it was a scary sight, and it troubled me. I mean, I don't really know how to process it," Aang confessed.
"Your handling it well so far. If you claim you're fine and act unaffected by it, we'll all start to worry about you," Neo offered.
"But I was affected by it," Aang's vulnerability shone through his words.
"Good, it means you're not a psychopath and you don't revel in death. Me and Eli are somewhat accustomed to it, given that we've witnessed its aftermath, whether in times of war or betrayal. But it should affect you, because you're still just a kid. However, you've never been in a war until now. I know it sounds strange, but I'm glad you were affected by this. And I hope you won't have to end this war in blood."
Aang's eyes met Neo's, absorbing the wisdom of his words. "Then how am I supposed to defeat the Fire Lord?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. But until then, if you ever have troubles, Aang, come to me or Katara. Talk about it; don't bottle it up."
"Thanks, Neo."
"Oh, and before I forget," Neo added, passing Aang his bison whistle.
"My whistle!"
"I managed to retrieve it before we left."
"Thanks, Neo. Wait till I tell Katara."
"Speaking of which, where is Katara?" Eli inquired.
"She's with Appa."
"Come on, Aang. Maybe her Southern charm can lighten your mood."
"OK," Aang agreed, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
As Aang and Eli departed to find Katara, Neo and Sokka remained, engaged in conversation.
"How is she?" Neo asked, his concern for Katara evident.
"She's hurting. Her heart might be broken, but give her some space. I'm sure she'll come around," Sokka replied, a mixture of empathy and hope in his voice.
"I never meant to hurt her."
"I know. Now, what are your thoughts on this Lord Aurelius?"
"If this elite guard has some knowledge of the Force, it coul mean that Aurelius might be similar to me and Eli. He's not from this world."
"Meaning?"
"Things just got a whole lot more complicated."
The Elite Guards gathered around the lifeless body of Hadrian. The air in the chamber was heavy with a mix of sorrow, disbelief, and an unsettling air of uncertainty. Hadrian, their steadfast leader, was dead. With him gone, who would lead them?
Caligula could barely contain her amusement. Her laughter, tinged with a touch of malice, echoed through the chamber.
"Well, well, well. It seems our obedient leader isn't so obedient now, is he?" she jeered, a cruel smirk curling upon her lips as she eyed Hadrian's body.
Caracalla and Andrikos. the other two remaining guards, exchanged uneasy glances.
"Caligula, show some respect. Hadrian was our leader, and he's dead," Caracalla spoke up, her voice quivering with a mix of nerves and grief. "Just like Kommenos..."
But Caligula's derision remained undeterred. She reached for Hadrian's red-glowing katana, brandishing it as a symbol of newfound authority. "I, Caligula, am the strongest among us. From now on, I lead the left guard, and we'll show no mercy to anyone who stands in our way," she declared, her tone exuding dominance. "And unlike Hadrian, I will lead us to victory!"
Andrikos hesitated, a turmoil of emotions etched upon his face. "But... Hadrian... he was our leader..."
Caracalla, torn between grief and the desire to contest Caligula's audacious claim, looked to the others, hoping to find support. "We can't just let her take over like this. Hadrian wouldn't have wanted this."
Caligula's laughter reverberated, her eyes gleaming with the taste of power. "And who's gonna stop me? You? I think not." Caligula sneered. "Now submit or face the consequences."
Reluctantly, the Andrikos and Caracalla exchanged hesitant glances, a sense of unease settling among them. The desire to challenge Caligula's ascendancy warred with the need for unity and stability within their group.
Caracalla, with a heavy heart, conceded. "Fine, you can lead for now, Caligula. But this doesn't make you invincible."
Andrikos, swallowing his reservations, nodded in silent assent.
Caligula's smirk widened as her authority was finally acknowledged.
"Then it is done."
Christ, this chapter took a long time. Apologies for the wait. Yeah, I know this chapter isn't my finest work, and I honestly just kind of gave up on it. Since it's kind of short and not very good, I'm releasing it alongside the next chapter, The Fortuneteller to finish up this arc.
If you enjoyed it, please don't forget to follow, fave, and review.
Anyway, this is RabbiSlimThot signing off.
