44 BG

Southern Water Tribe

"Ah, well, this is just lovely." The speaker, a young woman of the water tribe, stood by the edge of the semi-frozen river. The cracks in the portions that were iced over created rather pretty patterns, giving off the illusion of some abstract piece of art. She was out here doing some laundry, for the second time. In one day. Why was she doing laundry twice in one day? Well, because apparently a couple Icehopper penguin-chicks decided that her clothes were the perfect playground. Tiny wet footprints and feathers were evident on the laundry that she had left out to dry, the mark of the curious creatures.

"I guess this is what I get for deciding to talk to Kota a bit longer." She sighed, stooping down to gather the clothes and rinse them off. Her mind was a bit far today - well it's been far for a little while now. So much has been going on lately that she felt like she would burst from all the emotions. First, there was the issue with the tribe's chieftain, Sivak. No one had any real idea what he was doing, but there was an inkling that it couldn't be too good. He was, to put it plainly, rather complacent when it came to the Air Empire. Naturally, no one expected him to outright challenge them - everyone knew the consequences of falling out of line and knew it was stupid to even entertain such thoughts. But he was just too friendly with them. He had no reason to be so chummy with them.

And that was an issue. Because their sister tribe in the North, who was more neutral when it came to the war and the empire, was beginning to distance themselves more and more from them. There was already a lot of tension between the two tribes, with the Northern tribe believing that some of their practices and values were becoming too much like the Empire.

The Air Empire left them alone for the most part, but they did have an assigned diplomat that came to speak to Sivak every quarter on matters related to politics. The young woman, who's name was Kima, felt that the mere four times a year visits from the air representative were four too many. She and a lot of the others were uncomfortable with the frequent presence and interference of the nomad, whose main purpose was to 'ensure that they remained spiritually enlightened and open to continued education.'

"Education? More like propaganda." Tensions were steadily rising within the Southern Tribe, with persons becoming more opinionated on the matter. There were those that believed that Sivak was doing the safest thing for all of them, while others wanted him to do more to retain their own identity rather than becoming a full-on colony.

Life under the Air Empire wasn't easy. Sometimes it could be good, like when all the air nomads would simultaneously disappear for a few days at a time for some important airbender thing, and the times where they'd decide that it wasn't worth talking to anyone else and would actually stay away. Those days were perfect! But there were other times where things escalated in ways that were unpredictable. That was what the airbenders were: unpredictable, cunning, and extremely two-faced. You couldn't trust them, never knew when they were lying to you or trying to set you up. Their intelligence and manipulation was frightening, and even more so because they looked so innocent on the outside. No one would believe that these previously pacifist monks would become such an overpowering force.

She shivered, not from just the cold, but the very thought of the airbenders and their capabilities. For many years before this war started, the air nomads were a peaceful group with highly spiritual roots and practices. They were all about freedom and separation, keeping to themselves by way of the air temples, which were presently called The Four Winds. Kima couldn't say what had caused such a drastic shift, from a mostly quiet, practically invisible group to the militant imperial regime that currently existed. It was startling to think that not that long ago things were so vastly different that it seemed like a whole other universe. They had, in just twenty-seven short years, taken over most of the known world. People resisted, fought, tried to drive them away. But it was no use; they had a stark advantage over the other nations in terms of mobility and working together as one. There weren't many of them compared to the likes of the Earth Kingdoms and Fire Nation, but their unity and cohesiveness, moving and working as one, their methods of communication, all culminated into the devasting body they now were.

That, and they have the Avatar.

Kima didn't know much about him. Surprisingly, he was rarely ever seen in public, and the few times he did make an appearance was to help quell the pockets of rebellion that proved too much for the ordinary airbender, or to talk to the common people in defense of the Empire's goals. From what she knew though, he was surely a force of nature that no one could tame or conquer. Being the Avatar he was master of all four elements, which was already crazy enough. But there were rumors - or at least she prayed to the spirits they were rumors - that he had other abilities that weren't the norm even for someone of that position. Some claimed he could read minds, and others claimed he had discovered how to fly without the aid of sky bison or a glider. Whether there was any substance to these claims, she'd rather not find out. But the scariest thing she'd heard was also the one that was most likely not just a wild tale. The first time she had really began to fear him was back when she was eighteen. Sivak, who had just received correspondence from the Wind Envoy regarding an issue of security, had announced that the Firelord at the time, a proud man named Azulon, was dead. At the time Kima didn't particularly care since she wasn't a big fan of the Fire Nation in general - they were better than the Air Empire, yes, but she partially blamed them for its overbearing existence today. Then later, someone had overheard Sivak speaking to his right-hand man, Marek, about the circumstances of Azulon's death. Allegedly, he had been killed by the Avatar himself after daring to challenge him.

Hearing this had sent chills down her spine. She knew he was immensely powerful, the Air Nomads heralded him as some sort of god. Even people in prominently airbender-controlled territories venerated him, as far as she was told anyway. She also knew that he had to be evil. He had to be, otherwise how and why could he see everything that was going on and not do something about it? He was part of the Empire and, based on her knowledge, he saw nothing wrong with what they were doing. It made her sick to think about.

Kima stood up straight now, taking the re-washed clothing with her. Not wanting to risk another penguin-chick 'attack', she decided it'd be best to leave them closer to her home. As she gathered the clothes, her thoughts drifted back to the Northern Tribe. She had had the privilege of visiting once, many years ago when her father was still alive. She still remembered the grandeur of their city, with its towering ice walls and intricate carvings. Even the more protective but beautiful build of their homes had taken her breath away. But what she remembered most from that visit was their resilience, the pride in their people's eyes - the unshakable belief in their own traditions and culture. Now, that same pride felt like a wall between them, growing taller with every passing season. Did they see the Southern Tribe as traitors? Cowards for being so quick to jump at the beck and call of the Air Empire? The thought stung more than she cared to admit.

As Kima trudged back toward her home, her boots crunched softly against the icy path. The village was quiet at this time of day, save for the distant sound of children laughing as they played near the edge of the water. She smiled faintly, though the expression didn't quite reach her eyes. Even in the shadow of the Air Empire, life had its small moments of joy. But those moments felt more fleeting with each passing season.

She glanced up at the sky, now tinged with the orange hues of the setting sun. It was beautiful, in a way that made her heart ache. For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine what it might be like to live without the weight of the Empire pressing down on them. To wake up and not have to worry about what Sivak might agree to next or whether the northern tribes would decide to sever ties altogether.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of voices—sharp and hushed, coming from the direction of the chieftain's longhouse. Kima paused, instinctively crouching low behind a snowbank. She knew eavesdropping wasn't exactly the most honorable thing to do, but something in the tone of those voices made her uneasy.

"...you can't just let them walk all over us!" one of the voices hissed. It was male, and though Kima couldn't see who it belonged to, the frustration in his words was unmistakable.

"And what would you have me do?" came another voice, calmer but with a hard edge. This one she recognized immediately—it was Sivak.

"Anything! At least stand up to them! Do you realize how much the northern tribes look down on us because of you? They think we're traitors, Sivak! For siding with the airbenders completely rather than taking a neutral stance, they see us as weak!"

Kima felt her breath catch. This wasn't the first time she'd heard whispers of dissent within the tribe, but to hear someone openly challenge the chieftain? That was new. She leaned forward slightly, straining to catch more of the conversation.

"They look down on us because they're arrogant fools who think their way of life is the only way," Sivak snapped. "But let me remind you, Koruk, that their so-called neutrality hasn't spared them from the Empire's reach. They may not have airbenders breathing down their necks, but their resources? Their trade routes? All of it belongs to the Empire now. At least we're not drowning under the Empire's heel completely."

Koruk muttered something Kima couldn't quite make out, but Sivak's next words sent a chill down her spine.

"If you think defiance is the answer, then you're more naive than I thought. The Empire doesn't forgive disobedience, Koruk. And it doesn't forget."

Kima pressed a hand to her chest, her heart pounding. She knew Sivak was loyal to the Empire—or at least, he pretended to be—but hearing him speak so plainly about their lack of options made her stomach turn. Was this really all they had left? Compliance or destruction?

She waited a few moments longer, but the conversation seemed to have ended. Sivak's voice faded as he retreated back into the longhouse, leaving Kima alone with her thoughts.

As she rose from her hiding spot, a single thought echoed in her mind.

There had to be another way.

...

By the time Kima reached her home, the sun had dipped lower, casting long shadows over the snow-covered village. The house was modest, built from driftwood and packed snow, its walls sturdy against the harsh southern winds. She pushed open the heavy door, stepping inside to the warmth of a crackling fire.

Her mother, Suna, was kneeling by the hearth, stirring a pot of seal stew. The rich, savory aroma filled the small space, momentarily easing Kima's frayed nerves. Her younger brother, Arrluk, sat cross-legged on the floor nearby, carving a small piece of bone with intense concentration. He glanced up when she entered, his face breaking into a wide grin.

"Kima! Did you see the penguins again? Did they get into your clothes?" he asked, his voice full of barely-contained laughter.

Kima groaned, setting the freshly washed laundry on a wooden bench. "Don't remind me. I swear, they're out to ruin my life."

Arrluk snickered, setting his carving aside. "You should've let me come with you. I would've scared them off for you."

"Oh, sure," Kima said, raising an eyebrow. "And you'd probably fall into the river trying to chase them. Then I'd have to do your laundry, too."

Their mother chuckled softly, looking over her shoulder. "Leave your sister alone, Arrluk. She's had enough trouble for one day."

Arrluk stuck out his tongue but didn't press further. Kima sat down on the bench, letting out a tired sigh as she ran her fingers through her dark hair. For a moment, the warmth and familiarity of home made her forget the unease that had been gnawing at her all day.

But her mother wasn't one to miss the small details. "You're quiet tonight," Suna said, her tone gentle but probing. "Something on your mind?"

Kima hesitated, her fingers brushing against the edge of the bench. She considered telling her mother about what she'd overheard, about the tension simmering between Sivak and Koruk. But what good would it do? Suna already had enough to worry about, keeping the household running and raising Arrluk practically on her own.

"Just tired," Kima said finally, forcing a small smile. "It's been a long day."

Suna didn't look entirely convinced, but she didn't press. Instead, she turned back to the stew, her movements slow and deliberate. "Well, dinner's almost ready. Why don't you set the table?"

Kima nodded, grateful for the distraction. She nudged Arrluk with her foot, and he jumped up, already racing to grab the wooden bowls and spoons.

As they worked, Kima found herself stealing glances at her family. Her mother's face, lined with years of hard work but still kind and warm. Arrluk's bright eyes, so full of curiosity and mischief. They were her anchor in this chaotic world, the reason she kept going even when everything felt like it was falling apart.

But as she watched them, a pang of guilt twisted in her chest. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming—something that would shatter the fragile peace they had managed to hold onto. And when it did, would she be strong enough to protect them?

For now, all she could do was sit down at the table, share a meal with her family, and hope that tomorrow wouldn't bring more trouble.

A/N So in case it wasn't obvious, Kima isn't a waterbender. There's going to be a reason for that later, but I wanted to use this chapter to introduce her and give a small glimpse into the SWT in this universe. It's not the same as the one in the show (it's actually bigger and slightly more developed). But I hope you guys like how it's going so far!