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Overview[]
Two men look to the past for answers, while the third once again relives his life before he was the Great Betrayer.
Chapter 5: Thirty Year War (Author's Notes)[]
Book 3: Earth
Chapter 5: Thirty Year War
Notes: This a massive chapter, with sixty pages worth of story so I recommend that you take mental breaks. The chapter's rewrite was proven to be a challenge it's written in three perspectives.
The first perspective is Qiang Zhen reading the first-person accounts of his great-grandfather Wang and his grandfather Ta Po. Both Earth Kings that lived during the years of which Avatar Ku Tei and Senlin lived.
The second perspective is Rong Yan in the realm of memories as I call it, with his past life Avatar Ku Tei. In the style of the Avatar and the Firelord, where Roku shows Aang his life. There may be one or two things that overlap as it shows how all the characters react to a specific thing but its not the same thing being repeated.
The third perspective is Senlin remembering things like they used to be as he gets the flashbacks every year. The Thirty Year War was a huge thing in his prime, you the reader will learn about his background in this chapter and why he's the main antagonist in the first place. Senlin is truly a relic of the past.
Because I'm not a barbarian I left you all with text breaks that indicate who's perspective the story changed to in the chapter. It's broken up into three parts as well.
✻✻✻✻✻ = Wang/Ta Po
♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮ = Avatar Ku Tei
❢❢❢❢❢❢❢❢❢❢ = General Senlin
Part 1[]
Shen ascended to the tops of the mountains that were a part of the Huangshan mountain range. Jushi sat at the bow section of Shen's saddle he navigated Rong Yan to the location of the peak. Unaraq and Aloi sat in the stern of Shen's saddle while they held a conversation about relationship things. Jushi peered over Shen's head and scanned what was just beyond them. He shouted so that Rong Yan was able to hear him and he pointed as Rong Yan glimpsed back at him, "There. That's where the peak is, you see the boulders?"
Rong Yan leaned in and squinted his eyes as if that was going to help him see better. He barely saw the boulders off on the distance, they had gotten closer and clearer as they approached the peak. The summit itself was big enough for all of them and Shen to rest. It was flat-grounded with large boulders Rong Yan felt as if a breeze flowed by and he felt welcomed and at peace here.
Jushi slid off Shen's neck he paced behind Rong Yan and followed. Rong Yan saw his new friend in the corner of his eye and turned his attention to Jushi he said, "Wow it's so welcoming and calm here. I appreciate you taking me here."
Jushi slightly nodded, "It's the only place here in Omashu province that I know holds spiritual energies."
Unaraq took a misstep and fell off Shen but before he could hit the ground Aloi saved him the trouble and conjured an air cushion underneath her boyfriend. She jumped off the dragon and hovered gently to the ground. Rong Yan inspected one of the boulders while he awaited the boulder to whisper to him like Jushi claimed this morning.
Jushi covered his face with his palm and shook his head at the Avatar, "What are you doing?" he asked him.
Rong Yan scratched his head and answered, "I'm waiting for the boulder to whisper to me, maybe if..." he then paused and came up with the stupidest answer ever, "...what if I bend the boulder? Would that work?" confused he peeped up to eye his earthbending master.
Jushi shook his head in disapproval, "You can't bend the boulders here, not even the earth below our feet. The earth here is sacred. You're supposed to meditate isn't that how you enter the Spirit World?" he said then Jushi returned an echo question to Rong Yan.
"I'm not sure how I enter the Spirit World, it sort of just...happens," Rong admitted that he wasn't sure how that all happened. Jushi sighed, "Just sit down, shut up, and clear your head!"
Rong Yan plopped down on the ground near one of the boulders and meditated, Unaraq glanced over at Rong Yan and then questioned his girlfriend, "So if he's here trying to contact his past life, what are we going to do?"
"You're on top of a mountain peak in a spiritual location, it's an opportunity to pray for once," said Aloi. She sat down in nomad position like Rong Yan and gestured Unaraq to sit next to her, Jushi paced over to another whispering boulder and sat across from it. He lowered his head and meditated as well, meditation usually helped him keep a state of clear mind. Free from evils and the bad memories that plagued the deep corners of his mind.
Northern Rebellion Compound, Meng River, Hankou
Senlin rested in his tent the bright morning sun flashed in his eyes, the tarp was thin which allowed the sun to penetrate through. He flickered his eyes a few times, Senlin groaned as he awoke for the day. He got himself ready to train the earthbender division of the loyalists. It's been a few weeks that have passed. He started at sixteen soldiers now he was down to seven.
Northern Rebellion Compound in Hankou near the Meng River.
The men improved however, which helped them progress further in training. He begun with more difficult exercises because his goal was to establish his own Terra Team. Palartok and Kireama exited their tent in the compound which was direct across from his. He gazed at his old friend he noticed that Palartok was a bit upset but he wasn't quite sure why he thought nothing of it.
While Senlin still carried a thought of Palartok in his mind, it hit him he now recalled what today was. Today was the anniversary of the end of the Thirty Year War, the day that Ku Tei refused to slay him. Today was the day everything in his old life ended, the day he lost his freedom.
But he didn't regret what he did all those years ago. His daily routine was a jog with everyone around the compound before they ate breakfast at the mess hall. Instead he pivoted his feet in a half-circle and returned to his tent there he propped up some of his things and used them to support his back. He sat down and begun to recall everything like he did every year. Senlin took a deep inhale and shut his eyes, he cleared his mind of today's schedule and instead meditated on his thoughts.
Ba Sing Se Royal Palace, Ba Sing Se, Qiangda Kingdom
Earth King Qiang Zhen sat on his throne. He reflected on the events that have transpired in the past five years he's spent as Earth King. New issues arise as he solved old issues after the coup against him was thwarted he held the notion that Earth King Wang also dealt with coups more than most Earth Kings in his dynasty. Other than Yao of course, but assassination attempts on Yao were committed over a completely different reason than his great-grandfather, Wang.
As Earth King nothing is ever complete or over, the earth monarchs themselves carried very many things on their plates. While he had Guwen for advice sometimes he felt like he needed an answer or an opinion from someone who's experienced what he's dealt with. He sought many answers to his current problems.
The sixty-year ceasefire that was agreed upon by his grandfather, Avatar Ku Tei, the chiefs of the Northern and Southern Water Tribes, and last of all that insane king of the Oma Kingdom, Gao Zu. And while it was broken three years ago, he was very much safe in his palace surrounded by royal guards, and soldiers.
Nonetheless, he needed answers: to find a solution in ending the war with the unified Water Tribes, to resolve the millennia-old civil war with the Oma Kingdom, and to learn of a way to deal with General Senlin.
Guwen entered from the left-wing of the palace where the Qiangda family's chambers were situated. Guwen slept next door to Qiang Zhen, by tradition, the Grand Secretariat awakened the Earth monarch every morning.
Lord Guwen knelt before Qiang Zhen once he found himself in front of the Imperial Throne. Qiang Zhen spaced out he stared at the nearby wall and hadn't paid attention to his adviser who knelt before him as a formal greeting. Guwen rose to his feet and greeted his king, "Good morning, Your Majesty."
Qiang Zhen's train of thought was interrupted by Guwen, he turned his attention to his adviser, and responded, "Good morning, Guwen."
Qiang Zhen returned to his thought process once more. Guwen eyed him again and then questioned the young king, "What are you thinking about, Your Highness?"
Qiang Zhen wanted to seek answers. So he looked toward the archives.
"I have a lot on my plate, what with the war, the threats of King Gao and General Senlin. I often stay up at night and think to myself what if they're working together along with the Water Tribes to end my reign and lay waste to my kingdom?" answered Qiang Zhen he faced Guwen again and questioned the Grand Secretariat.
"That won't happen, Your Highness. We're aware that General Senlin is located somewhere in Hankou province, while the Water Tribes are in Yu province, Gao is in Omashu. They seem like unlikely allies, their alliance would fail quickly," stated Guwen.
"But if we look at history, Senlin has allied himself with the Water Tribes before to defeat a common enemy: the Qiangda Dynasty. They've failed thanks to Avatar Ku Tei, what's to say he won't try to negotiate with them again?" said Qiang Zhen he recalled to history lessons from his tutor when he was but a boy. Then he hypothesized the possibility of the Water Tribes and Senlin in negotiations.
Guwen shook his head, "Look back to the last meeting we had with Tsuyo-sa last week. The northern loyalists are a defected splinter group of the Northern Water Tribe navy. They couldn't ally themselves with the unified Water Tribes. They're wanted criminals in the North, they would be as good as dead if they aimed to do that."
"Which leaves Gao Zu and Senlin, what is the possibility of them agreeing on an alliance?" wondered Qiang Zhen.
"Likely none, Senlin hated Gao Zu even before he betrayed us. Some of his views stuck and Gao Zu would've never held an interest in the Great Betrayer," Guwen stated.
"I just wish there was a way I could speak to someone if only my grandfather was still alive," frowned Qiang Zhen.
"Lord Ta Po may no longer be breathing but remember the archives here are open to you. You can read the records from your grandfather. Or even begin with your great-grandfather Wang, the war started with him. I would begin there," Guwen advised, he reminded Qiang Zhen about the archives in the palace where the royal scribes worked on the records. Where records of King Duryaja Zhou, King Shuicheng Haijun, Queen Hailiu Haijun, Queen Meng Qian, and even more recently King Xi Tong.
He rose from his throne and snapped his fingers, a royal guard approached and knelt before Qiang Zhen. The king ordered the guard, "Bring me the Royal Consort, today she holds my throne, and don't forget to task the caregivers to care for the prince. I will be in the Royal Archives all day."
The royal guard bowed his head and ran off to the left-wing where the royals spent most of their days in. Qiang Zhen rose two fingers in the air, two guards neared the king and led him on the way to the Royal Archives. Guwen bowed as Qiang Zhen left he stayed behind to advise Queen Consort Yi'an for the time being.
Qiang Zhen reached the doors that led to the royal archives the two guards positioned there opened the latch and allowed him to enter the massive room. The archives were essentially a huge library that contained many books of fiction, non-fiction, historical books, and the personal records of every monarch whosever ruled the Kingdom of Ba Sing Se. From the Zhou Dynasty to the current Qiangda Dynasty, none were erased from history.
When the scribes within the room noticed the Earth King entered the room they knelt before him. He snapped his fingers and they rose to their feet. The head of the archives asked the king, "Your Majesty is there anything we can assist you with?"
"I need access to the records of the fortieth Earth King," replied Qiang Zhen, the old scholar bowed his head and led the Earth King to shelves that contained records of the Qiangda Dynasty. Instead of books shelved multiple scroll boxes contained records of every year, that each monarch ruled.
"Thank you," thanked Qiang Zhen, he scanned the shelf and read each engravement on the wooden boxes.
He searched for the last few years of Wang's reign, he found the boxes near the right end of the third shelf. There he saw the years: 779, 778, 776 of Wang, the years were dated by the Kingsmen calendar shared by both the Qiangda and Oma Kingdoms.
The year was of the numerical order that history was recorded, then 'of the current ruling monarch' was the era. He pulled out each and carried the three boxes to a table where he sat and opened the containers. Qiang Zhen opened the very first scroll and begun to read the contents of the records.
✻✻✻✻✻✻
Year 779 of Qiangda Wang, Spring
I'm writing about what transpired this week. I was awoken by my adviser like every morning. She told me that the Council of Five was up and early and they needed to speak with me.
It was something urgent, a report from the major of the Bai Da province. This is strange because a hundred percent of the time the reports either come by general or the governor themselves. I knew then something was up and I needed to get to the bottom of it.
I was escorted to the war room by the royal guards. I entered the room and scanned my surroundings to see that all five of my generals were present. They knelt before me and greeted me I was still a bit tired from the evening before.
"Gentlemen, what I was told by Lady Quangao is that you've brought me a report from Bai Da province?" I asked all of them, I looked to my left and my right. The oldest general in my council led the others by example.
A container of earth slid over to me and I grabbed the scroll the seal contained the insignia of Bai Da province. When I opened the scroll I read what the report contained, I lowered my head in sadness. The report came from the major who ran the army in Jun Lao, he mentioned that Governor Bei Sha was assassinated by assassins of the Northern Water Tribe.
I was devastated, a fluster of emotions filled me. Governor Sha was killed but why? Northern assassins? I sought answers. I shook my head and tried to clear my mind of everything else. I continued to read further.
According to reports from various scouts who gave their accounts on what happened during this event. What I found in the cubby wasn't just the scroll from the major, also within were the reports from these scouts. There must've been about seven in there. Each one detailed a different event that led to Governor Sha's assassination.
Two scouts witnessed the Northern Water Tribe arriving on our shores. First it was a force of their navy, and then a battalion of three hundred men after a few months. This was an invasion I thought, how could Chief Akitla do something like this.
Another scout reported that this wasn't done under a week or two the Northern Water Tribe established a colony right under my nose. The colony in northern Bai Da to the east of Jun Lao has been in development for the past eight months.
I was infuriated these savages took the village of Lue by force, the other reports say there were no survivors. How many civilians did these mongrels kill? My heart aches for the losses of lives that occurred over this period.
I was disgusted, those snowbacks were even gathering the resources in my province. Reports of trees being chopped down for their lumber to expand Lue into a town. There were mentions of at least two fields of crops at the time of the report. They even knew about farming, I honestly didn't give them the credit because last time I remember the North Pole was a frozen wasteland.
They also had a farm attached to each of the two fields with livestock, this was indeed a colony. They held ground here and that's how the battalion later came. If there was a battalion that arrived soon after they had their lines. They desired to colonize Bai Da province under their banner, but just like I the people of Bai Da have strong spirits. They can endure any hardship and such their spirits aren't easily broken.
Soon after the arrival of the battalion, a month later, they set their plans and marched toward Jun Lao. I'm surprised none of the three villages that surround the bluffs in Bai Da didn't report anything, unless they probably did. Maybe they were slaughtered and the warnings were intercepted. And if they didn't report the battalion I'm sure a massive unit of foreign soldiers would've raised suspicion.
The last report along with that of the major entailed the siege of the city, our enemies arrived in the final hours of dawn. Before the morning arose, the sun was rising just when the soldiers breached the outer defenses of Jun Lao. The assassins were sent after Governor Bei Sha, how they broke into her estate without being detected by several guards each governor has is broadly beyond me.
Jun Lao was taken by surprise most of the guards and soldiers of the capital are laid back. Jun Lao hasn't been sieged in over five hundred years. Governor Sha mostly likely wasn't aware of the alarms because according to the survivor report, the watchtower soldiers were killed first. Which didn't make sense because even if they were killed the citizens would've made a huge deal of the chaos. Governor Sha would've been alerted.
The Northern Water Tribe army suffered a few casualties during the initial siege of the outer defenses of Jun Lao. After they took control of the city's outer wall, the assassins had already killed Governor Sha. According to the major's report, only one of her youngest children escaped. The rest of her family was killed along with her. I am appalled that these monsters not only took the governor's life but also her family's.
I remembered when Governor Sha attended the last summit here in Ba Sing Se, she had just recovered from giving birth to a new baby girl. The northies, as I call them, were truly barbaric savages if they had the stomach to kill a newborn baby girl. To imagine the atrocities committed, the boy is now an orphan and left without a family. Yet he's too young to take command of his mother's position.
I sighed I was deeply saddened about the details reported in the various reports from scouts, a survivor and even the major himself who ended his report with; soon after the city was taken they fled the battle, Governor Sha's family's heads were found decaying, and dry on pikes about a half a mile from the southern wall of the city. A warning to all, to stay away and not trespass their newly won territory. They only suffered about a company's worth of men in conquering Jun Lao.
I rolled up the report and placed it back in the cubby, all of my generals' eyes gazed upon me. A governor was assassinated, civilians likely slaughtered, and/or used as slaves, a capital city conquered. They stared at me as I held all the answers to what happens next, I was a bit scared because while I've dealt with the civil war and still am. The Oma Kingdom hasn't been successful in retaking capitals ever since my soldiers have been liberating states that my father lost in his reign.
A younger me would've been frightened and frozen and possibly indecisive but I had no excuse these men believed me. They trusted me and my judgment, this was the moment that I could define myself in history. I had to set the bar of expectations very high, as my father and likely my late brother would have continued to destroy my grandfather's kingdom. I did what was right, after all just like the religious texts of Lord Qin, an eye for an eye.
"I have a three-step plan, two of them we can do ourselves, while the third requires the participation of the Northern Water Tribe itself," I began. These men were now more intrigued by what I had to say. I continued giving my explanation of my plan to my generals, "Step one of the plan, we deploy a battalion of six hundred men to liberate Jun Lao from the hands of those snowbacks. These men will be provided from Taiqiu and Jiu, we deploy a combined fleet of Yu and Tuyu provinces to attack by sea, and send in a platoon of our very own who defend our city-state."
"Step two, I will send the Order of the Shadowed Hand to the city of Aupaluk up in the North Pole. Their job is to assassinate Chief Akitla of the Northern Water Tribe, unlike Akitla I am not savage so I will spare his family," I told them.
"The Order of the Shadowed Hand hasn't been used in over two hundred years, are you sure an order such as this can complete this task, Your Majesty?" one of the generals inquired.
"I've been watching their operations and have tested their skills over the last few years. They might have not been used in over two centuries but the successors live up to the reputation and standards of their predecessors. They'll be successful, I'll work alongside their head so that this operation is smooth," I answered his question, I knew this would come up and I'm glad he asked.
"Chief Akitla has been known as sort of a tyrant depending on who you ask. While he's no Yao, there has been a revolt at one point or another during his reign. There is a resistance that can assist in this attempt to assassinate him. Step three, with the evidence, planted, and everything works out well, we give an ultimatum to his successor. If the successor agrees we'll hold diplomatic meetings and seek reparations from him or her. If they reject then we raid their capital and plant a candidate we deem worthy from the resistance and begin a new era," I mentioned what I've heard about Akitla, so then I gave the final step of my plan.
The council applauded me for such a great idea, the leader General Xu commented, "That was better than my idea. My idea was to raid their capital and overthrow their leaders by strength in numbers."
While he was right strength in numbers could've been used to take the capital by force and overthrow Akitla. But I prefer setting a high bar of standards, if we rid of Akitla and coerce his successor we could agree to peace and prevent the casualties of civilians and soldiers alike.
"General Xu you will be the man leading the operation to free Jun Lao from Northern Water Tribe control. I advise you send deploy orders to each governor involved," I gave orders to General Xu I believed with his expertise he can bring me the Northerners commanding officer's head on a platter.
I looked to the others and sent them off on other operations because while a war with the Northies was brewing. We still had to deal with the Oma Kingdom, business, as usual, I was briefed on the progression of the war and so we planned the next steps together.
After the war meeting I returned to my throne where my adviser Lady Quangao substituted while I was away. I sent one of my royal guards to escort Lord Shuzi to my palace for discussion on the operation I seek to have his assassins accomplish.
We met discreetly and discussed the information I shared with him, he was more than happy and honored to help me with the writ.
✻✻✻✻✻✻✻
♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮
Unaraq eyed his girlfriend as she inhaled and aimed to keep a peaceful clear state of mind, he peered over Jushi who meditated as well. Except instead of nomad position, Jushi sat on his knees with his hands rested on his knees and with his head lowered. Rong Yan on the other hand noticed the Avatar's eyes opened with the white glow. He gave a soft gasp it still shocked Unaraq when Rong Yan entered the Avatar State.
Rong Yan found himself once again in the same green plains where he first encountered Ku Tei with the assistance of Yong Ten, all those years ago. Instead of the inexperienced Avatar that he first was, he would've searched for his past life. But now with the experience he had when it came to spiritual entities, he searched within himself to summon his predecessor.
Ku Tei materialize in front of him, Rong Yan soon found himself meeting the eye level of his past life, he stared down at his predecessor. There was a height difference between the two Avatars, Ku Tei was a short and stocky man. His body was muscular with fat in areas, his age added to what his body looked like in his age of prime. His body was pear-shaped, but his muscles protruded through the outfit he wore. His skin was a light tan color, his eyes were dark green, he had long gray hair that went past his shoulders, he also had a gray beard that reached his chest level and a long mustache that accompanied the beard.
Ku Tei as he appeared before Rong Yan.
The wrinkles on face entailed the knowledge he learned over the years, he was dressed in a sandy-colored brigandine. The lower half of the brigandine was colored emerald green, the slacks he wore underneath this were also a sandy color. He wore an emerald green shawl over the brigandine that matched the shade of the lower half of his armor. He wore brown-leathered bracers and brown-leathered calf guards, the Avatar preferred to not wear shoes simply because he was connected with the earth. In his hair he wore a gold and green metal band around his topknot which held it together with a secured gold pin across the bun.
"It's time you learned how everything started, together we'll journey through my eyes," began Ku Tei.
Jiu Province, Qiangda Kingdom
A flash of colors fluttered before Rong Yan, he found himself somewhere in the Earth Kingdom he wasn't sure where. But he was glad his predecessor was there to guide him through. A young short, fit man found himself in a cart alongside men of other shapes and sizes. From the right end of the cart sat another man much younger than the short one, this young man was taller, tan-skinned with green eyes and black, uncut and bound hair with a green cloth band that held his topknot. He carried a clean shaved face, he must've been around sixteen-years-old.
Two ostrich horses pulled the cart with such a speed one of the men closest to the riders held a map in his hands. He navigated the riders to the destination to which they were deployed to, the man examined the map further.
"We're nearing the border of Bai Da, boys. Soon we'll meet with the rest of the battalion we're here to free Jun Lao from the Northern snowbacks. May Tiandi be with you all and if you fall may Yama protect you on your way to the Spirit World," said the man.
"Shen, wait until we're five miles from the city, you're scaring the recruits," one of the veterans scolded the other veteran. He chuckled.
There were about two recruits in the platoon, while several were a mix of soldiers and experienced veterans. One of the newest recruits, Private Senlin, just graduated from the military academy. His father was a war hero who fought in multiple battles but three years ago Senlin's father fell to illness.
He was here to make his father proud, another recruit was Laobing, he joined soon after graduation from school. Laobing desired to serve his country like his great-grandfather who served under Earth King Avanindra.
The battle for the city of Jun Lao would be their very taste of combat, while others like Private-First Class Ku Tei held a few battles under their belt. Ku Tei was in the army now for about five years, his contract with the military ended soon. He hoped that he can renew his contract so he can do more years in the military.
Private-First Class Ku Tei came from a family in the Lower Ring, while recruits Senlin and Laobing came from the Middle Ring. The others themselves came from either three rings: Agrarian Ring, Lower Ring, or Middle Ring. Upper Ring citizens were not required to serve the military. They were permitted to voluntarily join if they wished to and were given a stipend in return for military or civil service.
They finally reached the border of Bai Da, a military checkpoint was located on the borders. The riders halted the cart and they held a conversation with the checkpoint soldiers. They all saluted each other and the soldier at the checkpoint questioned one of the riders, "Orders?"
"By order of the fortieth Earth King Qiangda Wang himself, the eight-hundred and eighty-second platoon from the Earthbender Division, we're to report to the city of Junshi," answered the second lieutenant then he handed the checkpoint guard his orders.
"Second Lieutenant Mao, you and your platoon are welcome to pass through," said the soldier, he gestured them to move forward after he handed the second lieutenant his orders. For what seemed like several hours they finally reached the vantage point where they joined the rest of the union of provinces deployed to release the capital of Bai Da from Northern Water Tribe control.
Second Lieutenant Mao gathered with the rest of the leaders of other military units to devise a plan. Ku Tei and his comrades patiently waited around. Senlin sat down in the cart still he looked over to the more experienced private, "Hey do you get that weird taste in your mouth before a battle? What is that?" he questioned Private Ku Tei.
The Private First-Class soldier lifted his head from his thoughts and let out, "Hmm?" he paused.
"I don't know I've never experienced that before, my first battle I was nervous but if you don't focus on the negative results you'll be fine," Ku Tei commented.
One of the others, a specialist heard the question he responded, "Don't worry about what's in front of you, worry about who's behind you. Protect your sworn brothers at all costs. The willingness to die for another person is a form of love that even—Tiandi forgive me, our religion fails to inspire. The experience you gain here will change you profoundly."
Senlin nodded to the words from the specialist he hopped off the cart and stretched his body he padded over the cliffs that overlooked the capital of Bai Da. From the vantage point where Junshi was situated Bai Da was but a streak of dark colors. The capital was twenty-five miles northeast of their location.
After another two hours, they marched along with five hundred and seventy other men. The battalion was split into two groups on the left were the benders, on the right were the warriors. Behind them were the siege weapons, trebuchets, and ballistae pulled by goat gorillas and boar oxen. A few hours have gone by, and the six hundred men found themselves to be about half a mile from the capital city.
"I always knew I'd visit Jun Lao but not in this state," mentioned the specialist from earlier.
"The city of Jun Lao, we're finally here," Ku Tei said.
"Here to set you free," added Laobing.
City of Jun Lao.
The trebuchets were manned by two earthbenders and a siege weapon operator, the benders placed a boulder onto the huge pouch. The operator slammed their meteorite hammer onto the lever, the siege weapon then launched the projectile toward the intended target.
The ballistae were manned by two men, it shot a massive bolt made of earth at its target. The battalion arrived well prepared about thirty trebuchets and twenty bastillae. The lieutenant colonel approached the siege weapons they came first.
Two earthbenders from each of the thirty trebuchets gently dropped a boulder out of the ground and into the pouch of their siege weapons. Thirty operators slammed their hammers on the levers of the weapons. The counterweight dropped down as the arms of the trebuchets launched the projectiles.
A few of the boulders plummeted into the ground and didn't reach the walls of the city. Several other boulders did, the walls shook with such force. A lesser chief ran up the stairs that led to the top of the walls, he clutched his club he barked at the archers on the roof, "What's going on?"
"We're under attack, chief!" answered a warrior. A barrage of arrows with flamed tips covered the skies as several defenders that were in the city came out to defend what they thought was a small squadron or battalion of fewer than three hundred men. The arrows that came from beyond the city impaled several of the northern soldiers that charged at their enemies.
Ku Tei took in a deep breath, Senlin saw this and repeated the other private's technique, several of the warriors to their right unsheathed their weapons and charged first. Then the lieutenant colonel gave the signal for the earthbenders to join the battle. Ku Tei, Senlin, Laobing, and other benders charged into battle.
The field of strife soon filled the echoed roars of soldiers from both sides as they clashed with each other. Massive boulders flew from the distance and crushed some Tribesmen soldiers. Some of the waterbender divisions had a steady stream of water that they washed their enemies away. Explosions went off that killed Qiangdian men, the Tribesmen were known for explosives.
The sound of cannons going off was heard in the distance the lesser chief spun around to peer at the harbor. Flash of fire and then smoke appeared as the combined fleet of Tuyu and Yu province naval forces showed up to destroy the naval defenses of the Northern Water Tribe. He frantically removed his war horn from his waist and blew on it so hard to signal the men in the city.
The screams of the civilians could be heard from the harbor as more cannons went off. The civilians served their purpose as cannon fodder while the lives of the soldiers were more valuable. One of the men on the walls of the city pulled out a small hand-held cannon he propped it up and positioned it so it aimed for the sky. With spark rocks the soldier lit the fuse and after a few seconds the flare soared into the sky.
This was to signal the hunters and scouts outside the city, but others like the naval outposts that surrounded Jun Lao would see the flare and soon found themselves in allied waters to fend off the Qiangdian navy. Giant bolts of earth launched by the bastillae burst through the walls of Jun Lao. Another barrage of arrows from the North plunged into the bodies of Qiangdian soldiers. .
"The very first time I could recall about Senlin, he and I were in the same platoon along with others who are still alive during your lifetime. We fought in the Liberation of Jun Lao. Many men died during that battle but after a fortnight we took the city back. The lieutenant colonel who led both battalions was made the new governor of Jun Lao. When we returned to Ba Sing Se, royal guards came to escort me to the Earth King's palace," Ku Tei told Rong Yan.
"Wow to think that you knew Senlin before he was the Great Betrayer, how old were you hereafter serving your fifth year of service?" Rong Yan wondered curiously.
"I was twenty-one-years-old, I thought that after the victory, that I did something wrong. I was afraid to meet Earth King Wang. I wondered why he didn't call upon the rest of my platoon," Ku Tei replied.
"Twenty-one? So then you knew you were the Avatar but they didn't remove you from service?" Rong Yan guessed.
"No I was to leave on my sixteenth birthday but Wang needed more soldiers on the field. I was sent four months before my deployment date. In a kingdom of thirty-two provinces, with over millions of soldiers it's hard to track down a specific soldier," said Ku Tei.
The royal guards that protected the Earth King and his royal family entered the military district of the Upper Ring. Ku Tei trained with Senlin in the training circle where they practiced close-quarter combat. One of the commanding officers appeared with two royal guards, "Private Ku Tei, you've been summoned to Earth King Wang's palace," he announced.
Senlin exchanged looks with his brother-in-arms then he whispered to Ku Tei, "Are you in trouble?"
Ku Tei shrugged he saluted to his superior and halted his training. He trodded on the heels of the guards as he was escorted to the royal palace. After half an hour he finally arrived, the massive doors that led to the throne where the Imperial Throne was located were opened by several royal guards.
Ku Tei scanned the entire scene the throne room was huge, he padded on a long light green carpet with golden exteriors. On each side of the long carpet were pillars that supported the giant building, several yards from where he stood. He came face to face with the reputable Earth King himself, he was humbled that Earth King Wang summoned him to the palace. Ku Tei dropped to his knees and kowtowed to the old centenarian Earth King.
This was also the first time he met Ku Tei, the Earth King rose from his throne he greeted the young man, "Welcome to my palace Private Ku Tei, I'm sure you're wondering why I summoned you here. Just five years ago, the earth sages were tracking you down. But alas, we could not find you until now. When you were just three-years-old we began tests for the next Avatar."
"Our search didn't take too long because the next Avatar was here in the Lower Ring. That Avatar we found was you," revealed Earth King Wang.
For the second time in Wang's life he knelt before another Avatar having lived through Avatar Anana who helped him. Alongside Anana, with her friends, they helped Wang obtain the throne. Ku Tei's jaw dropped, even more, when the Earth King himself, along with his Grand Secretariat, and all the royal guards knelt before his presence, "It is an honor being in your presence, Avatar Ku Tei."
"I knew from the moment the Earth King revealed to me that I was the Avatar, that my life would change forever. After that moment, I was never allowed to join the military but I was given opportunities to assist them when needed," Ku Tei said.
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Year 779 of Qiangda Wang, Autumn
These records contain information from the next set of days. I attended another war meeting with my Council of Five. General Xu arrived late but I didn't hold it against him, he brought news from the province Bai Da. He kowtowed before me and handed me a scroll. I smiled as I read the words inside, Lord Qin smote our invaders. As I said, 'An eye for an eye'
This brought me joy because I knew that while Governor Bei Sha was no longer with us, that her death was not in vain. I was so proud of our soldiers and the combined fleet of Yu and Tuyu forces that ravaged the harbor and took control of the seaport before the land troops reached the lesser chief who controlled my city.
In a matter of two weeks my soldiers took back my city, Lieutenant Colonel Ji, who was placed as the de facto governor of Bai Da province for the time being. While I prepare the seat for someone qualified to run the government there. As for the Northern Water Tribe, the special operation I orchestrated with Lord Shuzi's order of assassins, and the resistance group in the North.
I sent a scroll to Hegumen Jamyang, it'd be easier if he were to conduct the diplomatic arrangements with the North. Air Nomad territory was neutral and I know Nomadic people will handle everything. After Akitla's navy sieged my port city I needed to request reparations from the successor of the Northern Water Tribe. Chief Akitla's murderers' identities needed to be hidden from his successor, or else we'd jeopardize this entire plan.
As I looked up from the report a royal guard entered the war room soon after he bowed before me and bowed his head to the council. He spoke up rather quickly and announced, "The eight hundred and eighty-second platoon of the earthbending division have returned safely, Your Majesty." .
"Good news. Escort Private Ku Tei to my throne room. I have even better news for him," commanded Wang.
The royal guard bowed before he left the war room and left to find the private. Twenty-one-years-ago as of three months ago, we received news of the death of Avatar Anana of the Southern Water Tribe. Three years later, we began the search for the Earth Kingdom Avatar, we had hoped that the Avatar wasn't born in the Oma Kingdom.
Could you imagine if the Earth Kingdom Avatar would've been born in the Oma Kingdom? King Jiachu Zu would use the Avatar as a weapon against us. There have been a few kings here or there in centuries past who have taken advantage of the Avatar. Sooner or later, history will repeat itself one way or another.
We spent about five months testing children ages three to four-years-old until we came upon a shack in the Lower Ring. A little boy raised by a single mother, he wasn't her only child she had another boy, he was six-years-old at the time. We told that woman when the boy became of age he would be told on his sixteenth birthday of his status. Instead he joined my forces before the earth sages could reveal his identity to him.
I bought a massive tigerdillo for the Avatar it will be his animal guide, I've also notified Fire Lord Yozei, that soon the Avatar will go to the Fire Nation. I left the arrangements of a master to the Fire Lord, I am aware he is a man who pays great attention to detail.
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♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮ .
"Earth King Wang gifted me a new friend, a tigerdillo I named Huyu. He was a very faithful companion and he carried me on his back without complaining. Course there was also that time he broke his leg and I carried him," began Ku Tei.
Earth King Wang and Avatar Ku Tei were escorted to the royal stables by the palace. The stables held exotic animals in its pens, Wang led the young Avatar to his new companion a tigerdillo he gifted to Ku Tei. The pen was big, there was a pile of hay that was placed in the corner this is where Ku Tei's animal companion slept. There was a trough of food and another of water for the animal, Wang gestured with his hands at the beast as if he said 'Ta-da!'
"I hope this tigerdillo serves you well," Wang told Ku Tei, the old man reached into his robes and handed the Avatar a scroll with the insignia of the Qiangda Kingdom.
Wang smiled and bowed his head, "Here take this with you to the city of Ta Ren, when you arrive go directly to the harbor. There any ship will be willing to take you to Yin La in the Fire Nation. It's a port city, once you arrive you will travel north to Caldera City that is where the Fire Lord lives. Good luck, Ku Tei. You're making your kingdom proud," explained the Earth King.
Ku Tei bowed to the Earth King, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will not let the kingdom down." Ku Tei mounted the tigerdillo and placed the scroll in the satchel sewed onto the saddle of his animal companion. .
"After being out at sea for a month and a half I finally arrived in Yin La, and while I was to report to the Fire Lord effective immediately. On the way there, Huyu and I ran into a firebender who fought off two others. I thought I could help him and so I did," Ku Tei recalled.
Ku Tei traveled the countryside there was a long stretch of road between the city of Yin La and Palace City, it was an estimate of fifty miles. He scanned the environment with his eyes and enjoyed the view until he encountered a stranger.
The stranger defended himself against another firebender and a daofei with a big knife. Except here they were given a different name in the Fire Nation, the daofei were called the akuto. Akuto was Nationalist for daofei, Ku Tei hopped off his tigerdillo Huyu and evened out the fight. This firebender fought gracefully the way he moved was similar to phoenix-style firebending. It was a style popular during the Ilah Dynasty.
Ku Tei jumped into a Jai Kiu stance his hands faced down he shaped a wall long and thick enough for himself and the stranger who fought off the two akuto. The wall ascended out of the ground, the blasts of fire struck the wall but did not have penetrated it. He shifted into a Ding Kiu stance, which was essentially a similar form with footing like Ma Bo. His palms faced the wall he pulled his hands back and shoved the wall forward.
The wall slid without having lost balance it slammed into both of the akuto. From there he swapped again to a Bik Kiu stance he sunk the akuto into the ground and left them trapped. Back into the Jai Kiu he pushed his arms down which sunk the wall. The stranger he assisted ran up to end the akuto who ambushed him.
Ku Tei shifted the earth around the man's feet and he stumbled forward almost losing balance himself until Ku Tei caught him. The stranger was unhappy he argued with Ku Tei, "Hey what was that for?" he questioned the Avatar.
"That's enough, I can take you to whichever of the two cities you were heading to. But I won't allow you to take their lives. We can bring guards here to arrest them," said Ku Tei then he offered the stranger a ride.
"The Akuto are nothing but garbage their lives are meaningless," commented the man.
"All lives matter to me, whether they're these akuto, daofei, Oma Kingdom, Northies, anyone," stated Ku Tei.
He extended his arm and introduced himself to the stranger, "I'm Ku Tei, the Avatar of the Qiangda Kingdom."
The stranger took a step back he fell to his knees and kowtowed the Avatar, "What an honor it is to meet the Avatar," he said then he paused, "I was heading off to Caldera city, I'd gladly like a ride if that's where you're going, Avatar," he continued.
Ku Tei's firebending master.
"I'm Chunan by the way, son of a noble and a firebending master," Chunan introduced himself.
Ku Tei hopped onto Huyu's back and extended his hand out to his new friend Chunan who also mounted Huyu. Ku Tei snapped the reins of his mount and the tigerdillo roared for an answer it picked up speed as they sprinted through the road toward the city in the center of a dormant volcano.
After they climbed the slope and back down on the other side they found themselves on the cobblestoned roads of Caldera City. The decorations and architecture within the big city took the Avatar by surprise. He was amazed at the beauty of the city where the Fire Lord ruled from, the inside the of volcano city only got sunlight at specific times of the day.
Between an hour before noon, through the middle of the day, and the sunlight ended after around five hours past noon in the winter, an hour before moonlight. Most of the time in the darkness between dawn, morning, evening, and twilight the city received no sunlight. The citizens here found a way throughout the city are paper lanterns with candles that burned ever so brightly. This was the main source of illumination throughout the streets, it gave the city an almost orange hue.
The entirety of Caldera City was urban the farms around the countryside and within Yin La fed the nobles and the royals in the city. The Royal Palace was positioned in the middle directly under the sunlight where the Fire Lord absorbed most of the power of the sun. Caldera was nicknamed the city that never sleeps. Businesses were open all day every day, since the people relied on the light source in the city and not the natural light source.
The main road that Ku Tei and Chunan found themselves on, led right to the palace. Several guards patrolled the city itself the armor they wore was much different than the regular guards in Yin La and other locations across the archipelago. But as they reached a closer distance to the royal palace the uniforms of the guards changed again. The armor of these men and women were tipped with gold, these were the royal guards.
The Imperial Firebenders of Fire Lord Yozei.
These guards wore black colored suits of armor that comprised of a helmet, cuirass, greaves, gloves, shoulder pads, and shin guards. The armor itself was made of obsidian, the accents of the armor were colored gold. They were far more protected than the city and country guards. His imperial guard was also only comprised of firebenders. After Yozei conquered the city during the reign of the Yowai Dynasty of Fire Lords, he and his rebellion soldiers easily dispatched most of Lord Sensai's imperial guards.
Huyu was halted by four imperial guards, the tigerdillo roared but the Avatar calmed his mount down. One of the men approached the young Qiangdian and said, "You've entered a restricted area please turn around."
Ku Tei reached into his satchel and pulled out the scroll and handed it to the Imperial guard. The guard noticed the insignia of the Qiangda Kingdom. He didn't have to open it he returned the scroll to the young man. He bowed before the gentlemen and signaled the others at the front of the road to allow him access to the front courtyard.
Chunan tapped Ku Tei's shoulder, the Avatar glanced back "Yeah?" he asked.
"You can drop me off here, thanks for the ride," smiled Chunan, he threw one leg off of Huyu and jumped off the tigerdillo. He jogged away and Ku Tei stared at him while he left, Ku Tei turned to face the outer walls that surrounded the palace. When he passed the walls he noticed the front courtyard was massive and held only flat concrete. There was no sign of life in the front courtyard just the way Yozei intended. Four watchtowers cornered the inside with imperial guards who observed the stranger that entered on his exotic mount.
A stablemaster was present with the royal imperial guard captain who awaited the man at the steps that led up to the palace itself. The men bowed one was in finer clothing and the other carried armor similar to his comrades, except his helmet had two horns of a carazelle. A horned wild cat native to the jungles of the eastern Fire Nation.
Ku Tei bowed to both men with respect he handed the reins to the stablemaster who took Huyu to the royal palace stables. While the imperial guard captain escorted him to the doors of the throne room, the captain halted and laid down some ground rules.
"This is practically your first time meeting Fire Lord Yozei, so let me give you some ground rules. As you enter you will walk forward ten steps and you will stop. Do not go further until he tells you to, you will walk another fifteen paces, halt, kowtow until he tells you to stand. Look him directly in the eye and answer all questions confidently and truthfully," implied the captain.
"Good luck in there," he finished, two imperial guards opened the doors to the throne room.
The throne room wasn't nearly as massive as the throne room in Ba Sing Se. A fire red carpet was laid out to direct the court of nobles, and others to the Fire Lord. The throne room had support pillars that supported the rest of the gigantic building. It was bright and had red and gold colors everywhere, the throne was in the far back wall of the room. The throne was elevated on a decorative ta, the throne itself was made of mahogany, a dark-colored wood. There were decorative gold motifs all around the throne itself, on the wall hung a huge red and black flag of the Fire Nation.
The Lu Dynasty's throne room.
A short, middle-aged, heavyset man with dark skin relaxed on his throne, Ku Tei padded ten paces forward and halted. For the time being he was still unable to see the man's features, he waited for the leader of the Fire Nation to direct him further. .
"Who seeks an audience with me?" called out the Fire Lord, Ku Tei resumed to pad down the carpet another fifteen steps and answered, "I am Avatar Ku Tei, Fire Lord Yozei."
Ku Tei knelt before the Fire Lord and kowtowed before him. Yozei rose from his throne and observed the young short man, "Stand, boy," ordered the fat Fire Lord.
Ku Tei rose to his feet and met eyes with the new Fire Lord, the big, short man wore traditional sun warrior chief regalia. The Lu Dynasty came from the Sun Warrior island north of Caldera, the regalia he wore were scarlet red, and dandelion yellow robes. His skin was a darker tan color that's often rarely seen in the Fire Nation. His frontal lobe and crown were shaved, he wore long braids on the sides and back of his head.
Fire Lord Yozei, grandfather of Fire Lord Yeh Lu.
He had thick bushy eyebrows, small ivory horns as jewelry lodged between his nose bridge, his eyes were brown, his hair was graying, and he had thin pursed lips and an overbite. His headdress was not the traditional Fire Lord crown, instead, he wore a traditional sun warrior headdress.
The headdress was essentially a yellow headband with head covering that was decorated with the feathers of the domesticated Sun Pyger, feathered winged serpents native to the island. This Fire Lord even wore face paint hues of dark orange and white splashed on his face. On his chin painted were three red dots, whatever that meant.
Lord Yozei came from a strong line of firebenders, he and his dynasty brought something new to the Fire Nation. A revolution it so desperately needed. Ku Tei held a confident stare on the Fire Lord he handed him the scroll from King Wang. Yozei slid his hands across the scroll, he peeped for a second to identify the seal.
"You come from the northern kingdom of Earth, I see. And you're the Avatar..." mentioned Yozei.
"Your king has requested that I search for a master for you, he's right I am a perfectionist and I seek only the best," said Yozei.
Yozei snapped his fingers an Imperial Guard approached and bowed to his lord, "Take the Avatar to the guest house near the Agni Kai chamber, he will be allowed to stay here while he trains firebending," ordered the Fire Lord.
"If I may, Lord Yozei. I met a firebender on the way over here he fought gracefully something I've only read in books. His style was of the Ilah Dynasty or similar," Ku Tei informed the Fire Lord, he sat back on his throne.
"The phoenix-style is what you mean, Avatar. Bring me this firebender I will evaluate and judge him based on what I see," said Yozei.
Ku Tei was led out to the front courtyard of the palace where he planned to find the census of the city and find the location of the firebender named Chunan. Several minutes after being directed the right direction he found himself behind the walls of the palace where a large building with two wings and a sign in front said it was the census of the Fire Nation. Everyone from farmers, villagers, commoners, nobles, merchants, and even the royals were documented here.
The woman in the front looked up at the strange man she questioned him, "What can I assist you with?"
"I need help with finding a specific person for Fire Lord Yozei, a man named Chunan," said Ku Tei, he hoped the woman could help with his request.
She gave a curious look, "Was he pale-skinned, with a ruddy complexion, with a dark brown topknot atop his head?" she inquired.
She was spot on now that Ku Tei remembered he simply nodded, "That's my boyfriend," she laughed.
"You said the Tenno, was looking for him. Is he in trouble?" she was concerned for her boyfriend now she asked further as to why he was being summoned.
"Oh no, no I saved your boyfriend from two akuto on my way to the city. I gave him a lift here and on the way he explained he was a firebending master. I mentioned a firebending master to Lord Yozei, he seeks to evaluate Chunan and see if he's the right person for the job," explained Ku Tei he gestured as he crossed his arms and shook his head. Ku Tei assured the woman that her boyfriend was not in trouble with the Fire Lord.
She freaked out a bit, and exclaimed, "He was ambushed by the akuto?! Praise Hogo-sha you came to aid him!"
"Why would tenno evaluate him? What job?" she questioned Ku Tei, "As I mentioned before I saw the way he fought the men, his style is unique. The kind of firebending master I need," Ku Tei answered.
She covered her face with embarrassment, "You're the Avatar! Please Avatar I regret my dullness." She got out of her seat and on the way out she glanced back and said, "Are you coming? I'll take you to him straight away."
Ku Tei went after Chunan's girlfriend, she led him to the Fenikkusu family estate. The estate guards bowed to the sudden appearance of the young woman. One of them greeted her, "Lady Aiko what a pleasant surprise, are you here to see Lord Chunan?" she asked.
"Indeed, I bring him a potential student," she replied. The female guard eyed the short Earth Kingdom man and gave a quizzical expression then said, "He's not? No, is he?"
"He is," she answered, the female guard and her shield brother bowed to the Avatar.
"Welcome Avatar we hope you enjoy your stay in our lord's home," she welcomed Ku Tei. Ku Tei bowed in respect to the guards in return, "Thank you for your kind hospitality."
They opened the gates Chunan and his father Lord Sojiro Fenikkusu spectated, Sojiro's youngest son while they assessed his firebending skills. The boy hopped around and gave a few kicks as he danced around the courtyard. The older gentleman's head turned as he heard the gates to his home opened. He fanned himself with a fan and raised an eyebrow and lightly elbowed his son Chunan, "You're significant other has brought a guest." The patriarch of the family was a tall pale man, with a sun-kissed complexion, his hair was dark brown with gray streaks and a long dark brown goatee. He wore his hair in a chonmage and wore lavish and expensive orange, purple and red robes.
Chunan peeked from the side of his father to see his girlfriend and the man who saved him earlier. He stood up and embraced Aiko and greeted her with a simple peck to the lips. He faced Ku Tei, "You."
"I hope I didn't interrupt your activity here, I just mentioned you to Fire Lord Yozei. He requests your summons immediately to the palace. I told him about the way you firebend, he seeks to test you in trials," began Ku Tei.
"And if I refuse?" asked Chunan.
"He didn't say but I do however believe you'll receive fame and fortune and be written down in history as my firebending master," responded Ku Tei.
Lord Fenikkusu listened in on their conversation, "Don't be stupid, boy. That's the Avatar, an opportunity like that only comes once in a lifetime," he scolded his son.
The traditional man that Sojiro was he cared less if his robes were dirtied, he picked up his cane and hobbled over. On one knee he lowered himself and bowed his head in respect to the Avatar. As he peered up to the young man's eyes Sojiro beamed, "You humble me and honor my family by choosing my son as your potential firebending master, thank you."
Sojiro felt honored he placed all his strength onto his cane, he rose to his feet slowly with the help from Chunan. Chunan had a close relationship with his father he gazed upon his father's eyes as they exchanged looks. Chunan finalized the decision with a simple nod of his head. Ku Tei bowed to Lord Fenikkusu with respect the old man reciprocated it in return.
The little boy stopped and turned to his father he wondered where his brother was going. Sojiro sat back down on his chair with his cane in hand he lifted the fingers of his left hand. This signaled the boy to repeat all the basic movesets from earlier. He smiled at the little boy and at his oldest son who exited the estate.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the throne room of the Fire Lord's palace. They repeated the arrival procedure as Ku Tei remembered but even then the imperial guard repeated it to them. They kowtowed in front of the tenno.
Fire Lord Yozei scanned the young noble from his throne and questioned him, "The young Avatar tells me you are a unique master. I wish to see your skills."
Yozei snapped his fingers a guard approached, the imperial guard kowtowed the Fire Lord. Yozei commanded, "Tell my daughter Ume to meet us in the Agni Kai chamber." Chunan's eyes widened he was now a bit afraid. He thought Yozei wanted to test Chunan but instead he ordered an Agni Kai.
"I order you to fight my daughter the crowned princess if you succeed I will allow you to train the Avatar. If you fail, I will exile you," ordered Yozei, as mentioned before Yozei is a powerful ruler, he's no tyrant but there are a few who disliked the way he chose to run the nation. Yozei is a perfectionist and he seeks the best of the best.
There was no way Chunan could back down now, he dared not cower from the Agni Kai by law placed in by Fire Lord Yozei this ended in death. He swallowed his fear and walked behind the guards who escorted him to the tall elongated chamber just across the back courtyard of the palace.
He was led past the courtyard, the garden, the statue of Avatar Inzei the first Fire Lord, and toward the chamber. Inside of the chamber were three hallways. To the left and right led to the seating around the arena while leading to the make-ready room.
The Agni Kai chamber.
This is where the fighters are dressed, and blessed in a ceremony. Yozei and Ku Tei were led toward the elevated platform above the arena. Where Yozei sat on the stone-carved throne in the arena. To his side was Ku Tei who stood and peered at the rectangular arena platform.
Braziers lit the arena, flags of the Fire Nation were draped on the walls of the Agni Kai chamber. Chunan was being dressed by the servants, he wore black pantaloons and black clogs with gold accents. A ceremonial drape was given to him to wear over his back it was the color of dried blood, a mix of red and brown.
Chunan was given a brief moment to pray to his patron deity, which was Hinokami, the god of fire. After his prayer he was led to the arena where Ku Tei and Lord Yozei watched, the spectators in the viewer area were filled to the brim with imperial guards. He entered through the archway on the opposite side was a dark-skinned young woman, with black hair styled into a fishtail braid, she had a heart-shaped head, amber-colored eyes, and small ears.
Her ceremonial Agni Kai outfit was a red spider silk sarashi with golden flame motifs, a red fundoshi with a red breechcloth in front with black accents on it. Both Chunan and Ume were barefoot, except Chunan was bare-chested, he wore golden rings around his upper arms. Both were covered in cloaks they were to face opposite directions.
After this several Sun Warrior drummers entered the arena in the days of old Agni Kais had drummers that played a tune for their pantheon. Yozei rose from his throne he rose his arms up in the air this signaled all his imperial guards to rise. .
"We are here to assess the skills of Fenikkusu Chunan, son of Fenikkusu Sojiro. I placed him in an Agni Kai against my daughter Lu Ume. If the challenger loses he will be exiled from the Fire Nation, if the challenger wins he will be permitted to be the Avatar's firebending master," announced Yozei.
"Drummers!" barked Yozei, the drummers began to beat their drums in a three-beat, one-second pause, five-beat sequence. This was a ceremonial sun warrior song, as they beat their drums they sang a song to Senso and Hinokami, the gods of war and fire. Gods that the Agni Kai honors, a gong rung it echoed within the chamber.
The Sun Warrior drummers played during the Agni Kai. The ceremonial song honors Hinokami and Senso.
Both fighters rose to their feet and faced each other and released the pin that held their cloaks. The girl was an aggressive fighter she initiated the Agni Kai. She started in an improvised shifa stance her feet were faced to the side as was the rest of her body.
Her head turned to face the proclaimed firebending master. She formed a circle with her arms and shot a ring of fire at Chunan. He stood in a defensive stance known as the fudo-dachi stance, an immovable stance. He grinned at her as the ring brightened up his face, he split the ring into two fire whips.
The crowd gasped as they have never seen such a defensive move, Chunan lashed both of his fire whips at Ume. She blocked with the back of her hands she felt it necessary to try and overwhelm the master. She turned around and kicked her leg backward which threw a line of fire at Chunan, she jumped and spun around in a corkscrew style and blasted fire from her feet.
His fire whips caught the blasts and strengthened them this angered the young woman that she went with a forceful blast of fire she hopped forward and swung her arms down and up as if she dug dirt out of the ground and released a ray of fire at her opponent. The blast took out Chunan on the ground his chest burned with fire. Ku Tei lowered his head in shame the firebending master failed to win against the Fire Nation princess.
Ume padded over to the master she wanted to scar the man now, as an extra gift along with his exile. As she approached with her fist pointed at the man's face. He surprised her with a ground spin kick that burned her ankles and lower legs and knocked her off balance. She rolled away to give herself space, she used her hands to push her body up. She gave herself the momentum needed to release a kick of fire from the ground which Chunan split in half.
He conjured a sequence of punches and kicks at the girl. She dodged a few and took a few hits. She clenched her teeth, sweat poured from her forehead. She gave one final push surely the master would not be able to survive this move. She placed all her strength and rage into both fists and shot out a double stream of fire.
She was out of luck however because Chunan saw what she tried to do, Ume intentionally wanted to put an end to Chunan. She cared less what her father thought but unlike the modern firebender, Chunan was unique in his style which was popular and forgotten. Phoenix-style came from around the times of the 30th Fire Lord almost over two thousand years ago.
The full-frontal execution blast engulfed Chunan, Yozei knew it was over he looked the other way and walked off. Chunan roared in the fire, except the fire didn't kill him. He absorbed the blast he extended his arms out and roared like a tigerdillo.
The girl showboated because she intentionally killed the firebender to win the Agni Kai. When she turned around she caught a glimpse of Chunan still standing he gave a monstrous roar. The fire he absorbed was released from his body in the shape of him and propelled through the arena floor and collided with the young woman. It slammed her into the wall directly behind the arena platform.
This was known as the phoenix's rebirth, known in Year 23 of Avatar Rong Yan as the 'fire wake'. Smoke emitted from her body the rebirth knocked her out unconscious, the imperial guards went ecstatic and roared for the firebending master. Yozei returned to the elevated platform from all the ruckus. The gong was beaten again which ended the Agni Kai, Yozei bowed his head in respect to Chunan who defeated Yozei's daughter Ume in an Agni Kai.
Sun Warrior healers rushed over to the girl who was still stunned, one of them scanned her body and felt her pulse. She examined her body and concluded, "She's still alive. Bring the konsui root." One of the others pulled a root from his robes and handed it to the older woman. The root which she burnt a bit between her thumb and index. The old woman redirected the smoke into Ume's airways in hopes that it'd awaken her.
Ume fluttered her eyes rapidly she was awakened by the burnt konsui root. She looked around to be surrounded by her father's healers. She was confused, she winced in pain her back was bruised and her entire body hurt. Scorch marks speckled her legs and her hands although she seemed fine.
"Wha-what happened?" she stammered in confusion.
"You lost the Agni Kai, dear," the old woman responded, Ume frowned.
Chunan was escorted out of the Agni Kai chambers with Ku Tei and Yozei who discussed what happened next. Yozei declared, "You will now be the Avatar's firebending master, you will meet him there on the front courtyard and train the Avatar until he masters your style of firebending. From then once the Avatar masters his firebending you are free to go."
Chunan stopped and kowtowed before Fire Lord Yozei, "You honor my family with this decision, tenno," he beamed and thanked his leader.
"Let's get started, Avatar," said Chunan.
"I met one of my good friends Chunan of the Fenikkusu clan, a noble who resided in Caldera City. He became my firebending master after he defeated Yozei's daughter, Ume. She was the crowned princess of the Fire Nation and an aggressive firebender. I trained with Chunan every day and after two long years I mastered firebending. I've made impactful and close relationships with Chunan, Aiko, Ume, and Ajisai, she is Fire Lord Yeh's mother. Unfortunately, she passed away ten years after Yeh was born. It destroyed me when I learned of this, she was like the sister I never had," Ku Tei summarized, he lowered his head in sadness. He lost a very good friend, but Yeh the son of Ajisai was raised by his grandparents and his aunt.
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Part 2[]
Year 776 of Qiangda Wang, Winter
It's been almost three years since the Avatar has left the Qiangda Kingdom, just yesterday I received news that Avatar Ku Tei mastered firebending. Fire Lord Yozei grew to like the boy, and he sees him as family. It warms my heart that someone like Yozei feels this way. I went ahead and sent another scroll to the Jongmu Air Temple.
While our relations with the Northern Water Tribe have substantially gotten better, I still don't trust them. Making sure Avatar Ku Tei is safe is more important to me at the moment. He can end the civil war, I know so.
Chief Bato, while sharing similar traits to his father, has been willing in the peace talks with me. The reparations going toward the city of Jun Lao in Bai Da start as of next week. We've coaxed him into believing that his father was killed by a resistance force and have attempted investigations in his city.
We know everyone responsible was of his own and ours, but we've been successful in burning all evidence that ties back to the resistance and ourselves. Soon we begin trading with the North as my grandfather Avanindra once did. All the soldiers involved in the siege have been exiled from the capital and possible leads have said some immigrated to the Oma Kingdom. It infuriates me that Jiachu takes these bastards into his kingdom.
I thought Jiachu would be more like his father Peng a reputable Earth King but has failed his kingdom. We've taken back the province of Ru from the hands of the cursed Oma and the governor I've chosen is from the Cho family of East Hu Xin. There are still small skirmishes in Ru but for the most part the Qiangdian Ru army has won several victories against the Oma Ru.
According to General Hong, they pushed the Oma troops back across Ku's pass. They've retreated to the province Chu. Soon we plan to regroup a coalition of militias to push into Chu and take back territory. Alas, my goals are to liberate Chaopin, Kunlin, and Taihao, soon however we've been carefully planning the siege of Kunlin City with the help of the armies of Chongqing and Giralal.
I've also ordered for the forces of Gongzhu, Dao, Yu, and what warships Tu Zin can spare while it's still free from Jiachu's grasp. A combined navy fleet should be able to diminish all naval vessels of the Oma Kingdom.
I've received word from Hailiu province, the Sons of Hailiu, the best navy under the control of my dynasty, and the dynasties before me snuffed out another invasion attempt from the province of Jintai. Those bastards wish they could take control of Hailiu province with many attempts that have occurred none have proven successful.
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"After my time in the Fire Nation, the next element in the Avatar cycle was the element of air. Where I met one of my other best friends, Yong Ten. But at the time, Yong Ten had just become a master in the past year. Hegumen Jinpa noticed how well Yong Ten and I got along," Ku Tei said, he mentioned about the time he met Yong Ten when he first traveled to the Southern Air Temple.
Huyu and Ku Tei hiked up the trail that led up to the Southern Air Temple, it was broken however by Earth King Peng's earthbenders a century or two ago. Earth King Yao threatened to invade all four air temples, Peng made sure the Air Nomads to the east and south were safe. Ku Tei slid off his mount before they fell in the chasm below.
Ku Tei stood in Gong Kiu and pulled earth out of the mountainside to recreate the slope that went up to the temple. After he had gone across he pulled the reins on his tigerdillo to get Huyu to halt. Ku Tei jumped off the beast and landed in a Bik Kiu stance, which was essentially the Ma Bo stance but his arms were raised to chest level. He shifted into the Jai Kiu stance with great force and crumbled the slope once again.
The Jongmu Air Temple.
One hour later, he reached the bison caves of the temple underneath the southern courtyard. The other Air Nomads were startled when they saw the large carnivorous creature that approached from below. One of the older monks approached the Kingsman and his tigerdillo, the monk was concerned he questioned the young man, "Who are you? How did you get up here?"
"I'm Avatar Ku Tei, and I used earthbending. I have a missive for Hegumen Jinpa," answered Ku Tei.
"From who?" inquired another.
"The 40th Earth King Wang of Qiangda," said Ku Tei, the men were skeptical the older one calm as ever asked, "May I see the scroll's seal?"
Ku Tei reached into the satchel and slid off Huyu, they were shocked when they found out that Ku Tei was shorter than what he seemed to be once he was off Huyu. He gave the older monk the scroll, the monk examined the seal without having broken it.
He handed it back to Ku Tei, "Let it him through, boys." Ku Tei bowed to the old monk and jumped back onto Huyu's back, "The tigerdillo stays here, we'll watch it while you attend to your business with the Council of Elders," mentioned the old monk.
He dismounted his tigerdillo and slightly nodded his head at them before he ran up the ramp that led to the southern courtyard of the air temple. One that was busy with several monks that bustled about each doing a separate activity.
He was lost he wasn't sure where he needed to head off next, he noticed a young master in the background. The young man relaxed and rested on a tree with his winged-lemur, he approached the young airbender. The airbender turned his attention to the Kingsman who neared him.
The airbender sat up and crossed his legs into the nomad position. He smiled and waved at the stranger, "Hi how can I help you?"
"Uhh, I'm a bit lost and I could use someone's help," Ku Tei said, the young airbender used enough puffs of air jets to lift himself off the ground. His clothing flowed in the wind as he hovered back onto his feet. .
"Where do you need to go?" inquired the airbender.
"I need to speak with Hegumen Jinpa, where exactly is he?" questioned Ku Tei he scratched his head while he waited for an answer from the Air Nomad.
The tall nomad told him, "Well if you want I can take you to him. He's up in the north tower."
"I'm Yong Ten by the way," the airbender introduced himself he extended his arm and gave a wide smile.
Yong Ten was a very happy-go-lucky kind of monk. His winged-lemur perched on his shoulder, Ku Tei was curious about the creature although he didn't like the animal. He's never seen one before and so he thought it was weird looking.
"What is this thing?" he asked Yong Ten.
"Oh this? This is my best friend Tofu!" beamed Yong Ten.
"You named him after food?" Ku Tei confused he asked him again.
"Sure did, anyway...what was your name?" Yong Ten inquired.
"Ku Tei, I was named after the Earth King of the Tong Dynasty and Tei is my grandfather's name," responded Ku Tei. Yong Ten directed Ku Tei toward the northern temple of the Jongmu air temple. On the way they held a conversation about things.
Yong Ten wondered, "We don't get many of you Kingsmen around here, what brings you here anyway? Are you a courier? An Oma Kingdom soldier?" he guessed Ku Tei's occupation.
Ku Tei shook his head and declined, "Actually I'm the Avatar!"
Yong Ten stood shocked while Ku Tei continued but he paid no attention to the fact that Yong Ten froze. Yong Ten screamed to the sky, "Avatar Kwan Chun please forgive me!"
Ku Tei realized this Air Nomad was weird he didn't want to talk to him further. Yong Ten ran to catch up to the Avatar, he smiled like nothing happened, "Sorry about that sometimes I can be so dumb." They reached the curtains that covered the stone archway that led to the terrace of which belonged to the Jongmu Council of Five.
"Well this is where I say farewell, I wish you luck in there," Yong Ten said as he waved farewell to Ku Tei.
He had begun to head back when a voice roared from inside, "You better not leave Master Yong Ten! I can hear you!"
Yong Ten slouched his back and sighed he opened the curtain and pointed inside for Avatar Ku Tei to enter before him. It was none other than Prior Kama who wanted to give Master Yong Ten a piece of his mind.
Ku Tei entered with the strange airbender he knelt to kowtow the five airbender monks who sat down on individual ta's. The one in the middle a brown-skinned middle-aged monk shook his head and gestured for Ku Tei to stand, "Up, child. We're not sovereigns, we're the Council of Elders."
Ku Tei was confused he remembered about his scroll that he swung his body from left to right just to find his scroll. He handed it over to the Hegumen, Jinpa, opened the scroll, and read its contents.
While the Hegumen kept himself busy Prior Kama scolded Yong Ten, "You! You're not escaping chores this time! You better march yourself to the fields right now, young man!"
The Hegumen rolled the scroll back up and placed it to his side, Prior Kama continued a bit louder, "You need responsibilities, that you will be held accountable for!"
"Enough Prior Kama," said Hegumen Jinpa, he turned to face Yong Ten, the young man just received his airbending master tattoos as of last year. He believed that if he assigned Yong Ten to teach the Avatar airbending he would learn to be more responsible.
"No, Monk Yong Ten will not work on the fields, from this day forth all of your time and attention will be spent training the Avatar," announced Jinpa.
"Jinpa, the boy's an irresponsible idiot! How could he possibly teach the Avatar?!" argued Kama.
"Silence, Prior Kama," ordered the hegumen he rose his hand at Kama to gesture him to keep his mouth shut.
"This is a great opportunity for you to show us what you're made of. I believe if you help the Avatar master airbending along the way you'll learn the core values of being a responsible nomad, and of being an esteemed airbending master," Jinpa strived to convince Yong Ten.
Yong Ten politely declined and mentioned, "Didn't you just hear Prior Kama? I'm an irresponsible idiot and he's right!"
"No you're not, and you will teach the Avatar airbending," Jinpa disagreed then he commanded Yong Ten to do the task. Yong Ten groaned, "I can't even teach Tofu to do any tricks!" he murmured.
"Master Yong Ten, remember you must be a great master if the Avatar were to fall. His blood will be on your hands," added Jinpa. Yong Ten groaned and cried a bit inside of his head for once in his life the other monks are putting him to work.
"Wow if someone told me Yong Ten was an irresponsible idiot at one point in his life, I would've never believed it," Rong Yan chuckled.
"I mastered airbending with his help and at the same time, Yong Ten mastered responsibility, priorities, and patience. For the most part within the first year he was a bumbling idiot, but he too improved. He became the man you know today after he helped me he decided to replace the previous Novice-Master who passed away," Ku Tei affirmed he agreed that Yong Ten was an immature, lazy, and idiotic person. For a second Rong Yan reflected on this, he saw himself to be similar to his airbending master. He recalled when he was a bit more immature than now. But Mun Jin told him, he needed to grow up and get over his fear or many will die. He's proud of himself for having changed so much in the past five years.
"It only took me five years to master airbending maybe that's why Yong Ten mastered patience. Airbending was my polar opposite it was frustrating to grasp even the most simple concept of airbending moves," recalled Ku Tei.
Ku Tei had been instructed by the immature and impatient Yong Ten, Ku Tei had done the move and stances correctly. The one thing Ku Tei couldn't do however, was shoot a single puff of air out of his hands. For the past six months, nothing and Yong Ten was at his wit's end with the Avatar he was ready to call it quits.
Yong Ten screamed inside himself he was close to tearing his hair out but then he realized he didn't have any hair. Yong Ten took a deep breath again and instead meditated he couldn't understand how the half-witted, brute of an Avatar couldn't shoot air out of his palms.
Then Ku Tei cheered ever so loudly and then tackled his master and squeezed the life out of him. Yong Ten gasped, "Wh-what happened?!"
"I shot air out of my fingertips!" shouted Ku Tei excitedly.
"Oh haha very funny, you haven't been able to bend air in the past six months. And the Council has been stalking us. I can FEEL their eyes bearing down on me," Yong Ten denied the claim Ku Tei made because he didn't believe him. He was annoyed the Avatar made a joke about such a thing.
"No seriously, look!" Ku Tei repeated, he changed into a kun gua stance and pivoted in a full circle and shot air out of both hands. Yong Ten jumped into the air and cheered for the Avatar. They high fived and began to victory dance.
Off in the distance, Hegumen Jinpa and Prior Kama stalked both young men. They did this once a week to see the Avatar's progress. Kama was angry he disapproved of Yong Ten being Ku Tei's master. He emphasized the idiocy that is of Yong Ten, "You see! He's an idiot! It took the Avatar six months to shoot air out of his hands, Yong Ten is a terrible teacher. Look at the bumbling morons prancing around, I could have gotten the Avatar to bend air in a week!"
"I can't stand and watch this! I'm going to tell that oaf to kick rocks!" added Kama.
"Prior Kama I've told you already, if you cease this assessment for Yong Ten. He will never grow up to be the kind of mentor we want him to be. You are to stay away from the Avatar and Master Yong Ten," Jinpa reminded Kama.
Five years later, their friendship grew very strong at the ceremony Ku Tei and many others advanced and were now called masters. Several airbenders removed their hoods to reveal their lifelong airbender tattoos.
Several in the crowd along with Yong Ten and the Council applauded the new masters. The morning after, Yong Ten and Ku Tei trained in the southern courtyard while another master watched them as a referee.
Ku Tei dodged every air swipe and blast that Yong Ten threw at him Ku Tei ran up, on his master and used an air suction to toss him up and over. Yong Ten used an air cushion to break his fall while Ku Tei transitioned into a roll.
The master clapped for them and all three of them cheered, Yong Ten said, "I think you're ready now."
Yong Ten bowed to Ku Tei, as Ku Tei reciprocated it back to him. Ku Tei gathered his belongings and packed them on Huyu. Yong Ten jogged down the ramp that led up to the southern courtyard with a sleeping bag and a sack of food.
Ku Tei questioned him, "Where are you going?"
"With you, I can't be here right now I'd prefer traveling the world," Yong Ten replied.
"What about the Council?" asked Ku Tei, Yong Ten waved it off, "Ehh they'll be fine plus Hegumen Jinpa will understand. He knows you'll need someone to keep you on your toes so you don't get rusty with airbending," chuckled Yong Ten. Ku Tei mounted Huyu and after Yong Ten fastened his things on the tigerdillo he climbed on the mount as well.
"Where are we heading next?" wondered Yong Ten. .
"Southern Water Tribe, we can take the ship down that's waiting for me at the beach. Jinpa organized the whole thing, a water tribe ship is taking us to the South Pole," answered Ku Tei.
"So he left without permission from the Council?" guessed Rong Yan.
"Technically they're free people, they don't have to ask for permission to leave. But because the council of elders is a respected group of monks. Most deem it necessary to let them know. Yong Ten was a bit of a rule-breaker in his younger years. Many Air Nomads who aren't traditionally tied down to their responsibilities do this," explained Ku Tei.
"From here we headed to the Southern Water Tribe city, Iqaluit, where I met Chief Sagluruk. He made sure I was escorted to the home of an elder within the Court of Elders," Ku Tei said.
"Hey that's Naartok!" Rong Yan beamed as he pointed out the young waterbender to be his waterbending master.
"Naartok has been studying international relations. Naartok was a patient teacher and he explained things very well. Because of his tenacity and dedication to the art of waterbending I mastered it in under two years and a half," Ku Tei finished.
Yong Ten sat on a bench while he spectated the training of Ku Tei, Naartok stood there hands on his hips as he carefully instructed Ku Tei on what to do next. Ku Tei encased ice around his arms and formed the tips into different weapons. Ku Tei laughed with excitement as he got more creative.
"You're very good at forming things with ice, but let's challenge you a bit. Just like earthbending an earthbender can form a line of earthen pillars to rise out of the ground. With all the snow below our feet I want you to do the same thing but with ice," Naartok instructed.
Naartok of the South.
Ku Tei placed his left hand on his chin and thought about it for a moment, this wasn't earthbending he couldn't just do it. It took some thought and practice, he stood in a xie bu stance and he firmly believed that just like earthbending he could stomp down and the line would appear. He held his stance and that stomped down a line of glaciers burst out of the ground within the courtyard.
Naartok's father, one of the elders of the court heard the commotion outside and exited his estate. When the old man witnessed the scene before him he placed his hands on his head and screamed. He had a panic attack because his son destroyed his courtyard. Naartok tittered nervously because he knew he was in trouble.
The estate guards grabbed the panicked elder and carried him back inside his home, Naartok then said, "Your next instruction is helping me level the ground again before my father has a heart attack and chokes me with water tentacles."
"That day we destroyed Elder Hotah's front courtyard he wasn't too happy about that," cackled Ku Tei.
"You guys seemed to get into a lot of trouble, the only one who seemed to be more reserved was your firebending master Chunan," mentioned Rong Yan.
"You're right without Chunan I would've never learned discipline," commented Ku Tei.
"Naartok left with me to travel back to the Qiangda Kingdom, as did Yong Ten along the way we met another hopeful that wished to see the world. A man named Sun Wu, and while I couldn't understand his unique bending ability. He was still a great friend and a great asset to my team. You see Sun Wu wasn't just an earthbender, he was able to expand the earth and melt it into lava. He also was a student of the spiritual arts, one who seeks to become an Earth Sage. With his help I mastered the Avatar State," Ku Tei continued then he mentioned how he met Sun Wu.
"I finally returned home to see my mother, my brother who was now married to a beautiful woman who bore him a child. My niece was the biggest thing in their lives and she made my mother happy as well. That same day we barged in the palace without first seeking an audience but Wang wouldn't care he'd be glad that I've come back," smiled Ku Tei he reminisced.
Ku Tei, Naartok, Sun Wu, and Yong Ten met up with Ku Tei's firebending master Chunan who promised to meet them in Ba Sing Se. Ku Tei tackled Chunan he hadn't seen his master in over eight years. After Ku Tei dusted himself off he picked up his friend Chunan and introduced him to the rest of his friends.
"Guys this is Chunan, Chunan this is Yong Ten, Naartok, and Sun Wu," Ku Tei introduced Chunan to everyone and everyone to Chunan.
"Where are we headed?" Chunan inquired.
"Earth King Wang's palace," Ku Tei replied, they were already in the Upper Ring where Chunan rented a home for the time being. They wandered off to the palace, the gargantuan front courtyard of the palace was about five miles of ground between the gates of the palace and the palace itself. This prevented foreign invasions from reaching the palace in a set amount of time.
Ku Tei stomped his foot and formed a large platform of earth and gestured for everyone to set foot on it. Ku Tei and Sun Wu swung their arms up and down the platform had begun to move at a rate that was as fast as an ostrich horse. After fifteen minutes they finally reached the bridge over the moat once they were off the platform they trekked up the steps that led up to the royal palace.
The royal palace guard hadn't recognized Ku Tei they stood their ground, "Who are you?" one of them shouted at him.
"Uhh..I'm the Avatar master of four elements, the one who speaks with the spirits," answered Ku Tei he gave them hints.
"Prove it," one of them said. Ku Tei tapped the earth with his heel a small mound rose out of the ground; his fingertips lit up with fire, he pulled the water from the guard's forehead and froze it into an ice shard, and then air-jetted himself into the air and slowly came down with his arms crossed as he held a grin.
"Is that enough for you?" he questioned the imperial guards.
"Convinced, go on through," he said, he gestured the men to enter the palace.
The group entered through the massive doors that led into the corridor. From there they were escorted into the throne room as they waltzed toward the throne they noticed something odd. Wang was nowhere to be seen Ku Tei's heart suddenly dropped he thought Wang was dead. A man knelt before Ta Po then he rose to his feet he handed Ta Po a report from the province of Chaopin, Ta Po opened the scroll and read the contents within.
"Thank you for this report General Senlin you are a great asset to my father's military. Your plans helped Chaopin's fleet, it led them to victory. You should be proud of yourself, your achievement gained us Chaopin once again," Ta Po congratulated Senlin. As Senlin turned around he found himself face to face with Avatar Ku Tei.
"This was the first time I had seen Senlin after ten years, because of his strategy our military gained control of Chaopin once again. At this point, he was a general in the Council of Five. I think he was shocked when he saw me," Ku Tei said.
Senlin aged 45.
"And this is where your relationship with Senlin grew apart right?" Rong Yan guessed.
Ku Tei nodded, "Precisely, from here is where he grew to dislike me."
Ta Po rose out of his seat and raised his hands into the air and beamed, "The Avatar has returned!"
"His Highness Crowned Prince Ta Po is now Earth King?" guessed Ku Tei.
"Oh no, no, father's gone on another world leader summit he's setting up a trade with the Fire Lord and the Air Nomads or something like that. He's placed me as a substitute on the throne for the time being until he returns," responded Ta Po.
Ta Po noticed four other strangers and then asked, "Who are your companions?"
"These are my friends and masters: Sun Wu of Han Tui, Naartok of the Southern Water Tribe, Yong Ten of the Jongmu Air Temple, and Chunan of the Fire Nation," he replied to the Earth Prince. Ta Po stepped down the steps from the royal ta where the throne itself sat on.
Ta Po revealed the scepter he carried and Ku Tei knelt, Senlin still waited patiently for Ta Po because he completely ignored Senlin after Ku Tei arrived. Ku Tei's masters also knelt before Ta Po until they were ordered to stand. .
"From this point forth I grant you access to the Council of Five, as its newest member. You will be our peacekeeper, you may walk amongst the council as Ambassador-General," announced Ta Po.
"You may rise," he told Ku Tei and his friends, at the same time, Senlin was shocked and upset.
He couldn't believe the Earth Prince even had the power to grant titles and ranks to people. He lowered his head and nipped out of the palace without sharing emotion until he left the palace and toward the war room.
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The other generals weren't so judgmental they would understand why the prince granted this rank to the Avatar. The other three generals were veterans and much older than Senlin, they knew and accepted the decisions made by all royals. They all respected the royal family and never opinionated against the Crown. They criticized Senlin for even having spoken against the Prince.
"I'm so upset right now," Senlin mentioned to his colleague General Laojiang.
The older general wondered, "Why?"
"I was reporting to Ta Po when Ku Tei returned from traveling around the world all these years. Finally a fully-realized Avatar I was proud of him. Then Ta Po just handed him the rank of ambassador-general. Only the rank that was handed to him doesn't exist in our military," explained Senlin.
"If you're friends with Ku Tei you should congratulate him, don't be angry. It makes sense to give him a high rank in the army. The King and Prince can make all the ranks they want they're the rulers for a reason. You need to calm down, Senlin. Look at it from another perspective, Ku Tei might have limited power and duties as his rank. He's an ambassador now he'll be sent off to different parts of the world," responded Laojiang. He attempted his best to convince and assure the new General that nothing weird was up.
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Year 748 BG of Qiangda Wang, Spring
I knew it! I knew it, I knew it! I knew I couldn't trust those northern snowbacks! After so many years of having diplomatic meetings with the Northern Water Tribe. They finally broke international law. We've been holding trading routes with the North for about almost thirty years.
Just a week ago, we've noticed from reports that the North imposed tariffs and quotas on our exports. We've retaliated with similar forms of trade protectionism. They didn't like it and it escalated, they're destroying the international economy by reducing trade.
We're trying to protect our domestic industry and create jobs over here. I've been sitting on my throne as my archivist writes down my memoirs as he does every other day. A courier ran into my palace and kowtowed before me then he handed a scroll to me that was for my eyes only. After I read the scroll I handed it to my dear friend Lady Quangao. She too was a bit worried.
The contents in the scroll report an escalated trade between two vessels, after a nasty trade agreement between two merchant ships. The Northern ship attacks my cargo ship, these kinds of attacks must not stand. Those northern dogs sank my cargo ship but not to worry the navy off the coast of Houhu in Dao sank the merchant ship that attacked the cargo vessel.
I'm just glad the merchants on the cargo ship were rescued we've only had one casualty though. The waterbending merchants killed one of the ship workers on deck. The report mentioned there were no survivors from the Northie ship. This will come back to bite me in the ass when Chief Bato finds out, but to be fair his men did attack first.
I'm going to be heading off to see the Council of Five in half an hour to find out what we can do. Most certainly Ambassador-General Ku Tei as appointed by my son, Ta Po, will be sent to the North. I believe Ta Po knew something I did not and I thank my son for that every day.
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Senlin was surrounded by other men as general he had total control over the lives of three hundred thousand men. With what he along with Ku Tei, Laojiang, Xiang, and Zefu had planned he later found himself stationed in the province of Tuo. About twenty miles south of Beipan which had been conquered by the Northern Water Tribe.
The war room in Ba Sing Se.
Senlin was one of the two who were ordered to focus on the war with the North. Ku Tei on the other hand was sent to Omashu City, to convince Earth King Jiachu. Wang planned to end the war early if he could have the Avatar convince the Oma Earth King to unify the kingdoms until the war with the North is over.
Senlin and his officers studied the map of the province of Tuo, one of the men a tactician pointed at the capital. While they discussed their strategies further, Senlin's lamellar-plated helmet rested on the table, it held two green feathers on the helmet. This along with the armor being painted gold with green accents indicated that he was one of the generals within the Council of Five.
"How many trebuchets do we have at hand?" Senlin questioned the siege master.
"In this camp, we have a total of eighty trebuchets, the camp southwest of here has another fifty. Your base carries more artillery than Lieutenant Laobing's," answered the siege master.
"I didn't even inspect this morning that was my fault I was busy strategizing all day," said Senlin.
"Well, General Senlin we carry trebuchets, bastillae, fire lances, cannons, and rockets," added the siege master.
"Has anyone made Laobing aware that the battle starts soon?" Senlin questioned the men.
A scout entered the tent, "General, Laobing's men have marched toward Beipan. They await us a mile or two from the wall," reported the scout.
"Let's move out," Senlin commanded.
A few hours later, they found themselves about several meters from the walls of Beipan the siege weapons soon behind the men. The recruits were placed on the frontlines of the battle so they could get that firsthand experience in war.
Senlin was mounted on the back of an ostrich horse he rode around to the front and spoke to his men, "This is it, today we free the city of Beipan from those snowbacks. Takedown the lesser chief and enough men and the battle will be over. Good luck and may Tiandi and Lord Qin watch over you, if you fall may Yama protect you on the way to the other side!"
A roar of the crowd of over ten thousand soldiers echoed but not at a volume that could be heard by the northies who occupied Beipan. Everyone charged toward the walls of Beipan, the landscape in front of the capital of Tuo was blanketed and covered by a mist of fog.
The sounds of soldiers who charged went unheard of by enemy soldiers who patrolled the city's walls. Others near the walls looked with telescopes as they peered to see better in the fog. Several Qiangdian soldiers charged, several in chariots, others held onto handles and pulled mobile cannons around in specific positions to breach the walls of the city.
The trebuchets were loaded with large boulders that were pulled out of the ground by two or three earthbenders. The operators wielded their meteorite hammers and waited for the right moment to launch their projectiles.
The recruits that were on the frontline continued through the hazed environment. One of them who didn't watch where he was going, tripped on a wire. This set off a series of explosions that killed him and about twenty other recruits.
One of the operators heard the explosion that happened several meters away and he initiated the first trebuchet launch. He smashed his hammer into the lever the counterweight hit the frame as the pocket flung the massive boulder toward the wall.
The men who defended the walls of Beipan heard the explosives go off suddenly a war horn was sounded. This alerted all the watchtowers along the walls to stay alert as enemy soldiers have arrived to reclaim the city. Patches of land gave way and revealed to be traps that collapsed and caused a few men to fall into holes with spikes inside. Which killed some men, bodies were impaled by wooden spikes positioned in five-point positions.
The Water Tribes were known to be explosive and trap experts and often had created their unique forms of weapons used for warfare. One of the mobile cannons stopped, the man positioned the cannon to aim at the top or even over the wall. He collided the spark rocks until they lit the fuse, he hid behind the mobile cannon and covered his ears. After the explosion from the cannon it hit the wall it only did minor damages.
A massive boulder struck the wall as it destroyed the bottom of a watchtower which caused the wall tower to be destroyed. The men inside were either crushed or trapped. More boulders were flung, several of the archers on the walls awaited for their archery coordinator's word. The coordinator flagged his hand down, a barrage of arrows flew into the fog. Another set of explosives were set off by Qiangdian soldiers.
Several waterbenders exited the city near the outer walls and lined up by the man-made moats filled to the edge with water. They had plenty of supply for water besides the moats as the fog that settled in rested upon the land. These men were here for a steady jet of water to wash away the first line of defense. More Qiangdian troops fell into the hole traps made by Northern soldiers, another barrage of arrows struck several men. While many Qiangdian soldiers pressed forward Laobing charged in with his men, he carried a fire lance.
He hid behind some rocks with a clearing, he had positioned the weapon he fired a lance toward the wall. The archers aimed their arrows up they waited for the coordinator's say, he waited too long because Laobing's lance took his head clean off. The nearest man to him went into a panic and released his arrow too early while the others followed suit.
Another barrage of boulders and earthen bolts shook the walls of Beipan, another set of explosions went off. Non-benders charged toward the moats as did men on ostrich horse chariots with their weapons held out. The waterbenders waited and then changed into ca bu stances they streamed the waters out of the moats.
With the strength of three waterbenders for each portion of the moat that channeled the waters and washed away several Qiangdian soldiers with water. The pressurized waters pushed several men together until the earthbenders caught up and jumped into Jai Kiu stances and pulled up earth walls to block the jets of channeled water.
Fire lance formations formed while the waterbenders resulted in other tactics. Bastillae on the walls targeted the earth walls formed by earthbenders. One of the walls was completely obliterated by a bolt shot by a ballista. Only two earthbenders were killed three lances disabled the bastilla that fired a bolt at the wall. Another barrage of boulders smashed to bits against the fortified walls of Beipan's front gates.
The waterbenders that defended from the moats knew they can't permit the Qiangdian troops past them to break down the walls. Senlin barked, "Hundred tigerdillo rush!"
Two soldiers took out premade launchers that carried over a hundred arrows spark rocks from both men had sparks that landed on the tips of many oil-covered arrow tips. One of them pulled on a rope which caused the pad to fling the barrage of arrows toward the top of the wall. Several archers down, assassins from inside Beipan were deployed into the fog these men used weapons made of ice specialized from their waterbending to discreetly eliminate high-ranking officers.
They believed without a head, the body would soon fall apart, several assassins hopped into the fog as they used their waterbending and manipulated the fog and caused it to thicken. In the middle of the battlefield was the massive battering ram made of earth. This was going to be bent by over twenty soldiers to break through the gates of the city and even the captured governor's estate.
More waterbenders joined what was left of the archers on the walls water was extracted from the thickened fog. Many icicles were formed one of them signaled them with a word as many icicles flew across the fogged up battlefields. Many of the ice made projectiles punctured several benders and non-benders of the Qiangda Kingdom.
The fog that covered the field in front of Beipan.
Senlin wanted to test a new ability that he read once in a book, this was used by the men of old. He didn't understand why it was made obsolete in the first place when it was such a useful ability. He only taught those directly under him this ability like Lieutenant Laobing. He stomped on the ground to feel everything around him he noticed booby traps in the area that had buried explosives.
He dug his heel into the ground a line of miniature mounds of earth triggered the explosives nearby and destroyed them. Three assassins were killed by their mines, while others hid in the fog and dispatched men one by one.
Laobing's ears perked up an assassin leaped into the air but was met with a stalagmite that impaled the poor sap. Laobing ran off to help other men, cannons fired over the wall, as did trebuchets. Houses were completely decimated by the projectiles. The troops didn't care they just wanted Beipan back under the control of the Qiangda Kingdom.
A bastilla aimed for the wall tower closest to the gates of the city, but instead the stone bolt crashed into the gates of Beipan. It damaged the gates and create a large hole but not enough to cut the massive wooden gates of the city down. Senlin ran over to one of the rocket launchers and lit it with spark rocks. He used earth to hold it in place and rose higher in the air with a pillar, to give it a higher trajectory.
A rocket exploded in the air over the battlefield it was clear to the earthbenders of the frontline that it was a flare. It was a signal from the general that now's the time, the battering ram was close to the frontline. The earthbending division hasn't even broken through the waterbenders who defended the city.
One of the front line men barked, "Hold up walls when needed but together bury the moats!"
Several men shouted in a different language that the Northerners couldn't understand one of the recruits ran into the outer walls that defended the city. He ran up the stairs to tell the men up, on the walls that the attackers will breach the wall soon.
A huge boulder crashed into the right wall tower closest to the gate and crumbled it to the ground. The debris hit a few waterbenders behind the moat. This helped the earthbenders to drop the walls and cover the moats with solid earth. The platoon on the right did as planned and ran over to the wall, a warrior charged up to the distracted waterbenders and struck one down with his war hammer.
He cracked the northerner's skull and killed him the others turned their attention to the benders who came over to them. The platoon over the moat shouted, "Drop the walls and kill these northies!"
The walls suddenly sunk into the ground an assortment of attacks was thrown at their enemies. Boulders, spikes, stalagmites, pillars then five men covered the moats and they used their bending to collapse the foundations of the wall tower above them.
The battering ram reached the gates the twenty benders who levitated positioned themselves in Wan Kiu stances. The others who helped bring down the wall towers joined them to make the ram easier to lift. They backed up the ram and then pushed it forward the walls shook several Northerners ran toward the main gate entrance way's walls. The way below was used to control the traffic flow of everyone who entered the city this was common in most Kingsmen cities with walls.
The Northerners lined up the top of the path's walls with kajoks, bombs filled with whatever they put inside. Just like the bombs carried by the Oma Kingdom and Fire Nation. Some of their bombs could be dropped without being lit, while others required to have the fuse lit with fire.
Some of the bombs were filled with blasting jelly while it'd kill anyone within a tiny radius these were mostly used to blind their enemies. The invaders filled the inside of the main gate entrance way it was crowded there were flashing bombs that exploded.
A few died from the initial blast while many were left blind. The Northerners hauled the boiling oil pots to the edge of the walls, the Qiangidian troops inside were incapacitated. Several warriors pushed the pots over and allowed the oil to drop on their enemies. Many Kingsmen screamed in pain as their bodies were filled with boils and third-degree burns.
Laobing was concerned about what the defenders had done next when he saw the flashes that went off. He yelled at the archers and artillerymen, "Kill the damned men on the walls our people are dying in there!"
A few men blew a chunk of the wall off the main gate and threw it at the left side wall from the entranceway. A few warriors were killed from the hit archers' arrows propelled inside from the outside of the gates where the archers positioned themselves in blindspots. An arrow struck the officer on the right wall, the arrow pierced his head. His body toppled over the wall and landed on unsuspected soldiers. The benders who carried the ram recovered from the blinded bombs and hauled the battering ram close to the second gate.
"Heave! Ho!" they shouted in unison the ram levitated back before it crashed into the city's massive wooden gates. .
"Heave! Ho!" they repeated the second hit of the ram battered the second gates and made them collapse.
The walls fell and those who survived the entranceway charged forward many protected the earthbenders who held onto the battering ram as they marched toward the estate of the governor where they believed the lesser chief could be situated. The Northerners on the walls ran toward the city square and created a defensive line while several others ran on the roofs of homes and buildings.
The Qiangdian troops pressed on, Laobing and Senlin who were outside the walls and cleaned up the defenders who attacked from the outside. Several benders broke down the wall towers that surrounded the city's outer walls.
After this was done the outside troops joined the rest inside. The trebuchets and bastillae remained outside as they could have helped from their positions. Flares from the Qiangdians will be seen from outside where they could launch projectiles.
A flare had been seen in the distance from the eastern side of the city, the trebuchet moved forward near the walls. A boulder was flung from the trebuchet inside a defensive line of warriors filled a street near the noble district of Beipan.
The boulder dropped on the defenders it broke the line and crushed several of them. The earthbenders obliterated the rock at a distance and used the shards as projectiles and pierced the bodies of the northerners who survived the missile.
The eastern road toward the governor's estate had been broken through several headed in that direction. While others head toward the western road and eradicated any remaining northerners. Senlin and Laobing headed toward the east. After Laobing's men secured the city gates, half of the siege weapons entered through the entranceway. Bastillae headed west to break enemy formations, while a few trebuchets followed east to shatter the walls of the governor's estate.
Benders and non-benders behind the heels of the other soldiers, archers stayed far behind from the foot soldiers as they peered out in the night to find the defenders that hid in the shadows. More defenders on rooftops were sniped while some successfully dropped their bombs before being killed or after they ran away. The rooftops were made of earth tile several benders bent the tiles flat which caused anyone on the roofs of homes and buildings to slide and fall off.
On the eastern road the ram was put down over two hundred men clashed with Qiangdian men unaware of the gargantuan amount of troops behind the front line. Waterbenders near the moat had a bridge built over as they surfed across it. Most of the northern defense line distracted the Qiangdian troops that pushed forward. This gave the surfing waterbenders enough space to wash men away or kill them with shards of ice since their sides were open for attack.
Another flare flashed into the air, another boulder hit its mark a wall of death happened in the western road. Several men on both sides instantly killed by weapons, ice, earth, or water. The waterbenders joined together and submerged the main road with water. More and more of them joined as their archers picked off stragglers. Walls rose to block the water jets four benders pushed the wall forward as they crouched behind it.
A sniper sat in the back as he rotated pebbles in his right hand, he spent a moment of his time and aimed at a target before he flung the rock at his enemy. A man fell off the roof after a rock took him. More continued to fall off while the others on the ground wondered why, the sniper picked off the cobblestones from the streets of the city. Each small stone would've struck an enemy in the head.
Another flare went off in the distance but the large boulder missed the fighters and crashed into a home off to the side. The earthbenders used the dust created from the boulder to invade the airways and eyes of their enemies. The dust cloud moved over several northerners as they coughed for air, some men grabbed the boulder and rolled it over the defenders which crushed many.
A horn was blown many of the Qiangdian troops cowered behind their shields a bastilla showed up. The two earthbenders behind the siege weapon released the bolt which slammed into the estate gates. They broke in with such force now warriors and waterbenders piled out of the estate to defend it. On one of the watchtowers hung a body.
When Laobing looked through his telescope he noticed the hung person wore an expensive attire. He believed this to be the previous governor that was murdered before they could make it out. The flesh rotted on the corpse but it was used as a sign of danger to many.
The warriors in the estate were clever after they broke into the armory they used the cannons owned by the military of Beipan. Instead of cannonballs they placed bombs filled with poisoned tipped caltrops and mini rockets with hooks. More Qiangdian troops fell to the bombs that blasted out of the cannons. Senlin's platoon moved forward, "The badgermole burrows," he shouted.
His platoon was confined to twenty earthbenders. Each who were trained by Senlin, this was a signal to everyone while some dove into the ground, others along with the general sunk into the ground. They burrowed underneath the city like badgermoles, they were unable to see but that didn't stop them from using their seismic sense.
Senlin's platoon found themselves underneath many feet, while the army fought in a tug-of-war with northern soldiers. His platoon of specialists burst out of the courtyard's ground. They were behind the walls this surprised many of the warriors inside the former governor's estate. Spears were tossed at the benders that emerged from the ground.
Walls shot out of the ground before being sunk in as all the men Jai Kiu to Bik Kiu stances multiple times while their brothers-in-arms behind them punched boulders at the enemy warriors. Senlin fell into the ground again and burrowed underneath the estate itself while he tried to hear the footsteps of many.
The lesser chief himself had just finished his mug of beer, he drank himself to the point of stupor. He numbed himself of any pain he might feel. The warriors that were in the room argued with him that he needed to escape via the escape tunnel. But the heavyset, and dark-skinned lesser chief who stunk of dung, sweat, and alcohol. The chief was soiled as-is from the festivities of yesterday.
If he survived surely Chief Bato will have his head, Senlin dug himself out of the ground and into the room. Three others followed suit, the chief careened left to right clutched onto a sword while his warriors were instantly trapped against walls. The earthbenders shot rocks at the warriors that killed them which left the chief by himself.
The chief gave a loud and disturbing burp that stunk of alcohol, he swung at Senlin who gave a good uppercut in the stomach. The lesser chief staggered a few steps back as he leaned against a table that with his weight slid back a bit. He careened forward and with his weight brought the sword down once again. His feet were bound to the ground by one of the benders which prevented the drunk lesser chief from moving further.
As he swung down, Senlin leaned the opposite direction grabbed the chief by the left wrist. Twisted his wrist so then he dropped the sword, another earthbender grabbed the sword. As Senlin jumped out of the way the bender swung the blade harder and ripped the head of the lesser chief off his shoulders. The specialist grasped his trophy and burrowed through the ground back onto the courtyard of the estate. He tossed the head of the lesser chief into the hands of one of the northern soldiers.
A horn was sounded in the estate their leader was killed, flags of white from the watchtowers of the compound were flown in the air. After the horn was sounded, others echoed in the city this was the signal that the Northerners surrendered. One of the recruits tried to kill a surrendering northie until Laobing and another soldier prevented the recruit to stop.
"They surrendered don't be a coward, boy," Laobing called out to the recruit who frowned.
The survivors dropped to their knees with their hands up, cuffs of earth, bound the prisoners of war. The estate was cleared by Senlin's specialists, Laobing removed his helmet and entered the building. When he reached the desk of the governor he gently placed his helmet on the desk and sat down to relax. As ordered by Senlin, Laobing will be the de facto governor until King Wang or Prince Ta Po chose their replacement.
The rope where the corpse of the previous governor hung from a watchtower was cut loose. The body hit the ground because none of the soldiers wanted to touch the body. Disrespectful is what it was, but one of them formed a slab under the body and hauled it over to the back of the estate for a proper burial.
Senlin emerged from the estate and declared the battle over, "The battle for Beipan is over! And we're victorious once again!" The surviving Qiangdian soldiers roared victoriously as they celebrated the freedom of the city from the hands of the Northies.
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Year 742 of Qiangda Wang, Winter
The war has raged on for over six years now what we thought was going to be a simple war won in a year. Turned out to be a long war that at this point I'm not sure if we're going to win in the next four years. The declaration of war happened almost six years ago, I sent my armies to take back the city of Beipan in the Tuo province.
General Senlin of the Council of Five, made sure of that victory. Ten thousand men were sent only seven thousand returned. I have to give it to those Northies, they're experts when it comes to traps and explosives. I remember the reports that explained how they modified some of the weapons they obtained when they took Beipan from the previous governor.
These past few years have seen many victories and losses across the kingdom and the North Pole We established a colony that was wiped out by the snowbacks. A year after, the war began the Southern Water Tribe joined sides with the north in their war. I'm guessing trading was involved in the possible alliance. This gives me time to be the ambassador for my son and convince the new Earth King in the Oma Kingdom to join us in getting rid of these mongrels.
Reports from my agents have indicated that the Northerners mistook one of the Oma Kingdom capitals as one of our own. The Oma Kingdom obliterated the Northern brigade that attempted to take control of Lu'an in the Han province. This Gao character has shown himself to be fierce I'm quite impressed by the young man. Soon I leave for the city of Omashu along with some others, did I mention I'm an ambassador?
I step down from the throne this morning while my son Ta Po was officially crowned the forty-first Earth King and fourth monarch of the Qiangda Dynasty, my reign does not end until tomorrow. I believe my time is up and my health is not getting any better. The least I can do for my successor is to help him gain the support of the Oma Kingdom in this ordeal. Gods willing the Zu dynasty successor will join us in sweeping the continent of these snowbacks.
The terms of 'northie' and 'southie' have replaced 'northerner' and 'southerner' amongst my citizens. We've lost the province of Yu to the Northern Water Tribe while the Oma Kingdom seems to need assistance I've heard rumors of the Southies occupying the southwestern Wulong province. While others from the South hold territory in my province of Ru. I've already received word they forced their way into Ta Ren.
Lord Qin knows we've got a huge military force we'll decimate those Southies quickly.
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"I had to step aside from my diplomatic duties in the war between the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdoms," Ku Tei told Rong Yan.
He stroked his beard as he pointed to the middle-aged Kingsmen who arrived at the royal palace of the Fire Nation. The old stablemaster bowed to the appearance of the Avatar. The Imperial guards escorted Ku Tei into the palace where he repeated the old steps as he remembered.
Avatar Ku Tei age 50.
Yozei was now much older but he still held the throne, Ku Tei wasn't sure why he was asked to come to the Fire Nation. He bowed before the Fire Lord, at the same time the crowned prince of the Fire Nation, Yeh entered the throne room.
The young man was a light tan skin color, his hair was brown while his eyes were golden. This was Ajisai's son that she had with a noble here in Caldera. His father was killed while his mother died when he was ten, the prince was an orphan raised by his grandparents. Now he was about twenty-years-old about the same age as Chung-po, the heir of the Qiangda Dynasty.
"Avatar Ku Tei I'm sure you remember my daughter Ajisai's son, Yeh?" questioned Yozei he had hoped to remind Ku Tei of who the young man was. Ku Tei slowly nodded although he didn't remember. His black beard was being invaded by gray colors.
The young man was nearly an adult now he wore a small goatee and was arranged to marry a noblewoman from the middle section of Caldera City. But something in the city threatened his life and the Fire Lord wasn't apparently under threats of it, the crowned prince was. The prince took the Avatar to his room with a heavy escort from the guard.
Yeh sat down and gestured for the veteran Avatar to have a seat, he began, "An attempt on my life was made two days ago. I was out for some sun in my palanquin joined by Lady Jin-Sho, my future wife. When suddenly we were attacked by rogue soldiers, the Imperial Guard quickly dispatched them as there were a few in one specific area that followed me all around the city."
"I remember they carried badges from the previous dynasty even I don't know where they got those things. Most of the stuff from the Yowai dynasty was burned by my grandfather, except the dead Yowai Fire Lords within the Dragonbone Catacombs. They were left alone, the thing is Fire Lord Sensai was killed in an Agni Kai, and Fire Prince Moroi was executed. It couldn't be any soldiers loyal to them because my grandfather made sure they were killed too," continued Yeh Lu.
"At this moment we're not sure who's behind this, the imperial guards have investigated the palace itself and have come up with nothing," said Yeh.
"I'm permitting you to have access to the palace and the entirety of the city, but you will be given an Imperial Guard uniform. And you'll be given a few vials of Fire Lily extract, a few drops to each eye it will change your irises from green to amber. I should mention that while you're undercover you should stick to firebending," added Yeh before he instructed the Avatar further. .
"It simply took me a matter of weeks to find the perpetrators behind the assassination plot against Prince Yeh. As it turns out, the ones behind the plot were his twin cousins, sons of Ume. While Ume was the first daughter of Yozei, his second daughter Ajisai had a child first. The twins were jealous but ultimately, Yozei never played favorites," Ku Tei recalled. Rong Yan watched in the realm of memories where Ku Tei and his successor watched the predecessor's memories in great detail.
Ku Tei along with Prince Yeh were behind a table while Ume's sons were on the opposite side of the palace's court chamber. Yozei summarized the story based on evidence given, eventually when Hanfuri and Suttamodo were caught they fled to a nearby temple to seek sanctuary.
It was illegal for temples to provide sanctuary for those who committed treason, the lesser sages who worked in the temple were thrown in prison and will be punished for their misdeeds by the Fire Lord. After the evidence was given, Yozei decided on the final verdict. Traditionally, there was a jury but because Fire Lord Yozei came from Aztlan, the island of the Sun Warriors: he was the judge and the jury.
Yozei bore his eyes into the souls of his second and third grandchildren and sighed. He shook his head and gave the final verdict, "Hanfuri and Suttamodo, you are both guilty in the assassination plot of Crowned Prince Lu Yeh. The punishment for treason is death. May you say your final goodbyes to your mother."
Ume turned her head in shame at her twin sons, she stood up and ran out as she teared up. Her children were now being punished with death. As mentioned before, Yozei was a perfectionist and he was extremely fair with all even his kin. He would seem weak if he allowed them to live, he couldn't have exiled them. He needed to make them an example, they were put to death and that ended Ume's bloodline.
"Ume's twins Hanfuri and Suttamodo wanted to take the title of the crowned prince from Yeh. But with my help I revealed the culprits behind the plot against Prince Yeh. His cousins wanted him dead so that they could both be Fire Lords," Ku Tei told Rong Yan.
"So much betrayal in one's family, how sad," Rong Yan commented.
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Part 3[]
Year 738 of Qiangda Ta Po, Summer
So many things happened within the past four years I'm not sure how much more pain I can take. While I was crowned the new Earth King four years ago, things began to take their toll, sometimes I wonder if my late father felt the same way I do right now.
My father passed away five months after my coronation, I believe there was something he wasn't telling me. Which would explain why he abdicated the throne instead of dying in power, my father passed away in his sleep at the great age of one hundred and sixty-six. I only hope to make it to that age to be able to see the reign of my grandson. To see my dynasty succeed and to carry on with more kings.
As I write by myself today, I'm feeling so much regret and grief my palace at the moment is on lockdown. Triple the royal guards and my soldiers are running around, today the crowned prince, my son, Chung-po was assassinated. I'm sure about who might have done it but we believe if anyone's involved it had to be a third party faction or the Tribesmen.
But it couldn't have been the tribesmen, there hasn't been a single Tribesman in my kingdom who was here legally. Even then there are no Tribesmen here, what with the war going on, all of the civilians are afraid of being killed.
I can't say for sure, but I should add Gao Zu has proven to be a great ally I soon hope we can end the civil war here and now. Gao's council has worked very hard with my own the Oma Kingdom generals have won many victories across our kingdoms. As is, General Senlin of course. As for General Ku Tei, I've tasked him and my daughter-in-law Ting to escort my grandson to the Fire Nation.
General Ku Tei has suggested we take the boy to the Fire Nation, where he will be safe in the palace of Fire Lord Yozei. The tenno and heika, owed General Ku Tei a favor after he helped them solve the assassination plot of Fire Prince Yeh Lu.
I'm so glad my general did such a thing while I trust Gao Zu I couldn't send my grandson to the Oma Kingdom. There could nefarious people there that could end my bloodline. We hope Yozei is willing to accept the child longer than a year, while everything dies down over here.
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The large war room was filled with everyone in the Council of Five, Earth King Ta Po, and the new Grand Secretariat Guwen. They discussed the battleplans of everything that had already happened, the victories they've claimed after they freed many towns, villages, and cities.
Ta Po sat comfortably in his seat which was in the middle to his left was Guwen. To his far left were Generals Ku Tei, Senlin, and Zefu. To his right were Xiang and their leader Laojiang. Guwen sat comfortably next to the Earth King ready for the time he would meet the needs of the King. The large world map that sat in the center of the crescent-shaped table everyone sat behind.
The big topic during this meeting was the capital of the Yu province, Yumen. It was taken by the Water Tribes to cut the trade routes off from the province. The province was not quite big so it needed the economy of surrounding states to thrive.
"If we position ourselves here, here and here we should be able to surprise them," suggested General Zefu.
"What of the fleet?" Ta Po inquired, General Xiang slightly bowed his head, "With the combined forces of the Sons of Hailiu and a fleet from the Oma Kingdom's Wushan province we should be able to cover and wipe out their fleet."
"The Sons of Hailiu? What are they doing over here, General Xiang?" wondered Ta Po.
"Glad you asked they've thwarted invasions near their province and might I add the Southies are attacking us close to home. We should deal with that soon before those snow savages reach the wall," General Xiang responded.
"They wanted to visit Yu province not many of those boys have seen the northern Qiangda Kingdom," added Xiang.
"Very well, you've mentioned enemies close to home, what province?" asked Ta Po.
"I'll answer that," said Senlin.
"Reports say, the Southies have sacked Ta Ren in Ru, as of now they control the entire state. They've even given it a new name, something along the lines of 'Anguta's child'. Or what is roughly translated," Senlin reported.
"Who is Anguta?" worried Ta Po.
"Anguta is the god of death of the Tribesmen, they worship it like if they were part of some cult. Even giving sacrifices," replied Senlin. His ignorance for the Tribesmen extended into a lie.
"While General Senlin is correct about the Tribesmen god, he is wrong about the way he's worshipped. Just like any of the gods we worship, they offer animal sacrifices. The Southern Tribesmen are alike their northern kin, they don't give human sacrifices like Sun Warriors once did," Ku Tei corrected Senlin and faced the Earth King.
Ta Po nodded he trusted Senlin, he believed that it was just a mistake and not a lie. He rose from his seat and nipped over to Ku Tei. Guwen followed and handed him his scepter. Ta Po exchanged looks with General Laojiang, who rose from his seat as well.
"Gentlemen I have an announcement to make, as you know I am getting older now. Currently eighty-one-years-old, I think it's time that I retire and enjoy the rest of my days with my wife, and grandchildren. I am truly honored to serve as your General of the Qiangdian Army, but after this last battle with you in Yumen, I will be former General Laojiang," announced General Laojiang.
Ta Po held a wrinkled smile he nodded slightly to the speech given by the newly retired general. Senlin hoped to be his replacement for many years now. He had the experience and wisdom to prove to be an effective General of the Qiangdian Army and leader of the Council of Five. Ta Po placed his scepter on Ku Tei's left shoulder.
General Laojiang
"You have shown us loyalty and gratitude I am honored to name you General of the Qiangdian Army and leader of the Council of Five. After Yumen is liberated you will be given new duties and command over the twelve million soldiers under our banner," declared Ta Po.
"We are all proud of you General Ku Tei," beamed Ta Po.
Ta Po used his scepter as a balance to bow to the Avatar, Guwen bowed as well. As did everyone else except Senlin didn't mean his bow or his respect to Ku Tei. How dare the Avatar just tear himself into the ranks of the army and just toss Senlin's dreams and hard work down a bottomless pit. He held his composure after they were dismissed Senlin left the city-state. He went to Yumen where he was captured and interrogated by the lesser chief that held his position in the city.
They've held the position for about four months now, the lesser chief along with a few of his trusted men interrogated Senlin. His armor locked inside a chest, he was shirtless but not beaten yet. The chief sat across the shackled General of the Qiangdian military.
"And why should we trust you?" the lesser chief asked him.
"Because the information I carry is valuable to you, I can help you defeat the Qiangdian legion that is headed this way," Senlin revealed.
"How much is in this division you speak of?" wondered the lesser chief.
"Fifty-five hundred men but there's more, a small fleet of forty ships will arrive around the same time the legion does. Combined forces of our navy and the Oma Kingdom navy. I can't tell you much about Wushan's navy, but I will warn you about the Sons of Hailiu, trained out of Shuicheng the capital of Hailiu. The sea life runs in their blood and they've yet to lose a naval battle," explained Senlin.
"These Sons of Hailiu do not scare us, dirt man. Tui and Anguta will protect us, they can bring however many ships they'd like. What are you willing to tell your people?" questioned the lesser chief.
"The reports from the scouts will be forged by my hand, they will be delivered by courier to the Earth King. Except they'll be largely changed, I can have a report tomorrow stating there are less than a thousand men in the capital. They will split the legion up which gives you a three to one advantage," answered Senlin.
"What of the fleet heading this way?" inquired the chief.
"I'll forge orders and send them to the rear admiral of the Wushan navy, they'll be sent somewhere else I already know the name of their fleet Admiral. The Sons of Hailiu will be largely outnumbered or fair game," replied Senlin. .
"Release the dirt man," ordered the lesser chief, the guards unshackled Senlin and kicked the unlocked chest with his armor inside toward him. He equipped his gear and left the capital city, he remembered General Laojiang's men and the old general were stationed in Yunan. A fort called, Xing Bao, it was about seventy miles south of Yumen and thirty from the border between Yu and Yunan.
Senlin had a plan, a plan that involved the death of General Laojiang, his mentor, and the one that gave him a chance. Although he felt hesitation he knew that if he dismantled the Council of Five, it would dismantle the Qiangdian military as a whole. This was all about him now, soon his goal would be to take out the Avatar.
Days later, he finally made it to the uniquely designed fort of Xing Bao in Yunan province. The fort was in the shape of a star. The genius behind the idea was an exiled Air Nomad from one of the male temples. He helped construction workers in Yunan province in the erection of the fort, the purpose of it was to absorb a ton of artillery fire from siege weapons crafted by the Oma Kingdom.
Xing Bao, Yunan.
He stood in front of the trench that separated him and the massive wooden doors that led into the fort. Several men on ostrich horses galloped toward the path near Senlin, those on the walls heard the plat noises made by the feet of the creatures.
One of the guards peered over the wall where he saw Senlin and the mounted soldiers. The draw bridge lowered and allowed the men to enter the fort. A soldier recognized Senlin and saluted him, "General Senlin, we weren't expecting you. General Laojiang is on the top floor," the young soldier was shocked to see Senlin but he glanced back and pointed at the tower where Laojiang was currently situated in.
Senlin knew he only had a matter of time to complete the scheme, he headed toward the kitchens of the fort. Where many cooks cooked for the soldiers and the brewers brewed coffee and tea, the workers didn't know who he was but said nothing when they saw the uniform of the man. He approached one of the brewers who infused a tea for General Laojiang.
His favorite tea was spiced tea which carried cinnamon as one of its ingredients. The man questioned the general who neared him, "Can I help you?"
"Mind if I take this tea to my brother-in-arms Laojiang?" requested Senlin, he gave a smile to seem more convincing.
The old man nodded his head and then he minced off, Senlin reached into his pocket and removed a vial of rare colorless, tasteless, and odorless poison and poured the contents into the tea. With the small teaspoon he slowly turned the tea and then cleaned it dry with his sleeve. He gently placed the teaspoon back on the tray and took the tea toward the tower.
Senlin went toward the door that led into Laojiang's quarters, on the way he saw another servant with a few cups of tea which headed in another direction. He grabbed one of the teacups and headed toward the top floor, he tapped the door with his foot. From inside the old general shouted, "Come in!"
He was surprised to see Senlin who closed the door behind him with surprise he wondered, "Senlin is that you?"
"Yes, I came to visit I'll be joining you in the battle for Yumen," Senlin answered.
"What of the field army you command, General Senlin?" questioned Laojiang.
Senlin smiled, "They're on their way here right now I came with a few of them. Laobing is with the rest."
"I brought you your favorite tea, master. Just like old days," said Senlin. Laojiang sat up in his desk when Senlin slid the tray with the cups of tea and the tea kettle. Senlin gave Laojiang his tainted tea, the old general sniffed the cinnamon in the tea and gave a pleasant sigh.
"You remembered I like my spiced tea," mentioned Laojiang.
Senlin nodded and chugged his tea before he poured himself some more. His eyes froze as they watched the old general drink the poisoned tea. The general rubbed his belly, he looked over to his student and requested for more, "Well don't just stare pour some more!"
Both men shared a laugh as Senlin finished himself a second cup and filled Laojiang's cup. Senlin commented, "I apologize if I didn't bring some bread to enjoy with the spiced tea. I will do so next time."
"Ehh don't worry about it, the tea is sufficing enough along with your company, old friend," said Laojiang.
The tea which Senlin shared with his mentor Laojiang.
The first symptom of the poisoned tea was that it relaxed the old general's muscles and made him tired. His bed was just a few feet behind him. The desk which he sat behind had papers sprawled all over the top of it. Important documents, battleplans, and orders directly from Ta Po.
After fifteen minutes of consumption, the old general was put to sleep which gave Senlin the time to forge the signature of his mentor on new orders. There was a sack on the outside of the door where a lesser ranked soldier would pick up and deliver orders via messenger birds.
Senlin forged order to the rear admiral of Wushan from the fleet admiral of the Oma Kingdom. This was an order to send the force to Taiyuan in Pingyao which was apparently under attack and they needed more ships there.
While the legion split into a brigade of twenty-seven hundred and fifty soldiers and sent the second half to defend Bu'Keng in Gongzhu that was being sieged by the Southern Water Tribe. It also explained that scouts reported there was only a regiment of northerners in the city of Yumen and sending a legion was a waste of resources.
Senlin stamped the seals and headed out the door and dropped the orders into the sack for the couriers. He took a gander at his mentor before he closed the door one final time. He quickly left the fort soon after on an ostrich horse.
Senlin needed to reach the fort outside of the Ru province found in Pingyao. The fort was located thirty miles west of the border between both states. It was about a two-day march from Ta Ren but along the way, with a hundred thousand soldiers Senlin knew he could take the forts likely captured by the Southern Water Tribe.
Two days and three forts sieged later, Senlin and what remained of the field army under his control found themselves outside the walls of the city. Senlin wanted to try an old tactic from the Qian Dynasty when the Qianian army lost to the Fire Nation in most of the war until they sought unification with the Oma Kingdom to battle the nationalist armies.
The tactic involved earthbenders who would rush the walls and bring down the walls of the city and attack head-on. It sounded like a suicide mission for his men but he had strength in numbers compared to the Southerners that were rumored to carry about five thousand men in the city.
Earth King Ta Po didn't care he wanted to quickly outnumber his invaders the only time the Qiangda Kingdom had trouble was going up against their kin the Oma Kingdom. Who could easily match their numbers of men any day.
The bastillae were ready and were lined up in the middle of the sea of men who waited to siege the city. They were briefed the evening before they set the city free from those who held it. Earthbending divisions lined up in the front lines of the field of strife, Zhoukou's fleet, Chengdu, and Yulin's combined fleets anchored in Wang lake as they waited for the orders from Senlin. A falcon perched on Senlin's arm he pulled out the scroll meant for the rear admiral in control of the fleet on Wang Lake and placed it inside the pouch of the falcon.
The bird soared the skies of Ru's coast and flew west of their position several minutes later it returned to its owner. The rear admiral read the scroll and shot an earth disc into the air, this gave the signal to his fleet that it was time to siege the city's harbor.
Several of the battleships carried their two or three trebuchets, several cannons manned below deck. The Oma Kingdom ship carried earth coins much larger than the Qiangda Kingdom ships and were manned with bastillae.
One thing that the fleet didn't know is that their naval mines would be used against them. Several warriors were hidden along the shoreline, they simply waited for the enemy ships to approach as they saw them in the distance.
Senlin blew his warhorn the first three lines of earthbenders ran toward the walls and latched unto them. They climbed the walls about three-quarters of height and used their weight and strength to sink the walls in front of them.
As the walls went down the earthbenders attacked the men who were disoriented after the walls sunk. The archers that would have defended the walls were slaughtered by the earthbenders. The other eighty thousand men charged full force into the city and butchered the unsuspected defenders. Senlin cackled his tactic worked the bastillae rolled in and destroyed new fortifications constructed by the Southies.
The battle wasn't over however the warriors dumped boiled oil pots on the attackers, while others dropped bombs filled with excrement, animal urine, scallion juice, amongst other substances. A sequence of flash bombs exploded, a line of soldiers were blinded and wiped out by warriors and waterbenders.
As for the seaside, about sixteen battleships were destroyed or damaged by the underwater mines. The ships were embarked by the southerners, if the allies weren't paying attention to those who were damaged they'd lose men.
Some ships stayed behind to take out the waterbenders who manned the catarafts. While the others pushed forward to be closer and use their siege weapons to hit flared targets. Several targets in the city had flares going off in the area from the Qiangdian army.
In just only a matter of a few hours, did the Qiangdian army and navy eradicated the infestation that was the Southern Water Tribe army and navy. Senlin was victorious in his battle in freeing the capital of Ru province.
Several battalions of five hundred men were sent across the province to free any forts, villages, or towns under the occupation of the Southern Water Tribe. Two weeks later, the Qiangda Kingdom had control of the Ru province once again. While Earth King Ta Po was heartbroken about the battle of Yumen two weeks ago.
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Year 733 of Qiangda Ta Po, Spring
Entry I:
General Laojiang is a traitor, how could he do such a thing and split the army up that way. We lost the battle for Yumen city in Yu province. I've sent word for the arrest of Laojiang, his terrible decision to split that legion cost us the city.
Most of the brigade didn't stand a chance they were butchered by the northies in Yumen, the thing that hurt me the most was the fact that the Sons of Hailiu were decimated as well. Many seamen lost their lives in Yumen. I couldn't imagine what their families or Governor Haiyang will go through when the news reaches Shuicheng in Hailiu province.
I'm dissatisfied with Admiral Hu Xing of the Oma Kingdom who recalled the Wushan navy and sent them to Taiyuan in Pingyao. Although from what Gao Zu says the fleet admiral was unaware that such changes occurred.
Investigations were thorough in their search for what happened, the crews of the ships who abandoned the Hailiu navy. All said the same thing they received orders from Fleet Admiral Hu Xing, his signature was taken and he was tested on his signature again.
They discovered the orders were forged by someone maybe Tribesmen spies who could read and write in Kingsmen. The signatures didn't match, and now Admiral Hu Xing is far more careful with the orders. Soon, however, I will send General Zefu and General Xiang with two divisions of troops. I want Yumen back under our banner without any mistakes. I will pause here as I have to eat lunch.
Entry II:
During my meal a courier entered the palace and handed me a scroll it was a report about General Laojiang. The investigation that was done by his men mentioned that he died of a heart attack, the men aren't aware why some believe it is because of old age.
Further investigations say that Laojiang's heart attack might have been induced over the confusion of orders. He complained about losing his senses of taste and smell, his chest hurting for the remaining hours that he was alive, and the stress of what occurred over the orders. He knew he was a dead man that couldn't explain the loss of marines and foot soldiers. The stress of this ultimately killed him by triggering a heart attack.
They were unable to save him they searched his room for anything that could have led to this. But have found nothing, I lost two thousand seven hundred and fifty men and a former general in one evening. I am devastated let alone after Yumen being recaptured Laojiang was to retire with his wife Qi Ling.
Year 721 of Qiangda Ta Po, Autumn
Entry I:
That coward. Earth King Gao Zu of the Oma Kingdom is a coward through and through, he just couldn't deal with the war going tough. Its been over twelve years now since Laojiang died of a heart attack, we finally liberated the province of Yu from the Northern Water Tribe.
Twelve years of bad luck, the Water Tribesmen have always been one step ahead of us. Each time we've attempted to unshackle our cities from their bonds. They always seemed to know what we would do next or go next. I'm one hundred percent sure there is someone in my military behind this whole thing but I'm not sure.
We've lost a significant amount of battles here and there at this point I'm not sure how long we can go on. We've lost probably about three hundred thousand men in the last twelve years. I fear a future where everyone even my grandson will be speaking Tribesman and kowtow before some savage who desecrates the throne of Lord Qin.
Because of the loss we've experienced I feel as if Tiandi has left us and the Oma Kingdom in this war. That arrogant bastard drew his armies just as we were to battle the Tribesmen in the forests of eastern and southern Wulong province. We had two corps of thirty thousand men battling the savages, the most embarrassing part of those two battles is when we had to retreat our Wulong province.
So far they've only managed to capture the forests, I've sent a division of soldiers from the Hu Xin provinces to help defend the city of Mingyang if it comes under attack by those brutes. We still have enough soldiers to spare for the civil war. We're fighting the Oma Kingdom on all fronts once again, the Sons of Hailiu have claimed a few naval battles against the Omas.
And we've also handled the northeastern provinces pretty well so far. We pushed the bloody Omas across the borders of Chaopin. There may be platoons scattered across the province but the main fighting force is now gone. We just need to focus on getting rid of them from the Taihao and Kunlun provinces.
I've been sending General Ku Tei to Aupaluk in the Northern Water Tribe to begin diplomatic meetings and reparation agreements with the northern chief. We can end this war in a stalemate and peacefully we'll agree to whatever trade terms they'd like within reason. I prefer not going but Ku Tei is a great tool since he's the Avatar.
I've received news from scouts who've mentioned Chief Bato died of an illness a few weeks ago, his brother Nanuq has been crowned the new chief of the North. We can convince the young man to end the war. Besides an end to the war, I was thinking of having Ku Tei request an investigation on who's the double agent. Frame the double agent and say they're handing us the Tribesmen plans as well, this will get the traitor either killed or locked up.
As a truce they can hand me the traitor and I will get rid of my two colonies in their homeland. As I write this the two colonies are being overwatched by a division of ten thousand men split into two in the region of Kunikluk.
Entry II:
Gao finally went underway and deported all tourists back to the Qiangda Kingdom unharmed. Some of them complained saying they were harassed and dragged out and thrown onto carriages as if they were pig chickens.
I went ahead and did the same, as recalls of all Oma Kingdom civilians to return to the Oma Kingdom. Except I made sure the deportations were at the cost of the civilians however I did not treat them as if they were animals. They only had to pay the normal sum that every Qiangdian citizen must pay to travel between Bu'Keng and wherever their destination is.
The Oma have set up military checkpoints on their border states as reported by my scouts. They're only allowing their citizens to return but soon Gao agreed to meet me in the Baiyan Air Temple where R'Kang will mediate the meeting between us.
Even if we become enemies again the least we can do is open trade routes and allow the merchants to have immunity from being killed by either side. If a soldier breaks this rule they can pay a mere fine of one thousand gold coins to the other kingdom, and their debt will be paid for the price of spilling blood.
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Senlin strolled through the expansive flat and snowy courtyard of the royal palace in Aupaluk. A pool on each side of the courtyard and several Northern soldiers and royal guards patrolled the grounds. Each gave him a dirty look and they knew why he was here to give more plans to Chief Nanuq.
This time when Senlin entered the royal palace to visit Nanuq. Chief Nanuq wasn't alone next to him in his throne room was Chief Aput. He's the current chief of the Southern Water Tribe, they had discussed further plans for the war within the Qiangda Kingdom lands.
They were glad the Oma Kingdom abandoned the Qiangda Kingdom and instead of having called Gao a coward they hailed him a hero. Chief Aput was a bit more traditional than Chief Nanuq, the young chief was able to speak to the traitor general in Kingsmen. While Chief Aput who did understand Kingsmen felt more comfortable speaking his native tongue.
Chief Aput.
"Suna asu ikinna atsik, Tunik?" questioned Chief Aput as soon as Senlin walked in, he was never one to speak in the other languages.
He was prideful to speak in his own. At the time Senlin wasn't that fluent in Tribesmen especially the southern dialect. There were words that he translated but they meant completely different things in the southern dialect. The southern was a more modern dialect than the northern which stuck to traditional words.
"He says, what do you bring us, dirt man. I agree what did you bring us, General Senlin?" Nanuq translated Aput's question and then wondered about what Senlin brought them. Senlin pulled out a large battle plan, it was for the second battle for control of Ta Ren.
Ta Ren has been highly sought after by the Tribesmen, it'd make the perfect point for them to mass their troops and to lead an attack head-on, on Ba Sing Se which was a hundred miles east of Ta Ren. He set down the battle plans.
"Tell him I bring forth the plans from Ta Ren, as discussed by the Council of Five," Senlin told Nanuq.
Chief Nanuq slightly nodded and turned his attention to Chief Aput and translated, "Makua nunnaguak tapvangat Ta Ren, sollu ukakatigek sak AngijukKauKatigek sollu Tallimat."
Chief Aput grabbed two blocks of wood to flatten the map and examined the parchment as Senlin explained the battleplans to both men. He explained, "Without the help of the Oma Kingdom they will double their numbers. I suggest you send a couple of explosive experts to place explosives in these locations I've circled for you. When they've detonated the weak spots of the walls will cause the defense to shatter."
Senlin snapped his finger to signal 'an instant failure of defenses', "Just like that which gives you the time to attack them before they mount a defense. I've also provided.." he paused he pulled out blueprints of naval mines, "these are called naval mines I'm sure your men are familiar with these Chief Nanuq. They were used by your soldiers to destroy a small force of ships before they were wiped out by our navy," he continued.
"Suna tagiak pigas?" inquired Chief Aput, he asked if they were naval mines.
Senlin nodded, "Ang."
A servant walked in during the meeting with Senlin he bowed to Chief Nanuq and apologized for the interruption, "Excuse me chief, but you've got two guests who have come to meet with you."
"Let them in," Chief Nanuq approved, the servant bowed and backed out without having turned his back to his chief. Aput, Nanuq, and Senlin returned to the battleplans when all of a sudden Ku Tei and Yong Ten have entered the throne room.
Senlin glimpsed in on the two figures who walked in, he was startled as both Ku Tei and Senlin held a stare at each other. Ku Tei's eyes darted to the table where the plans were laid upon in anger he shouted at Senlin, "Senlin! You're the traitor!"
Senlin lowered his head in shame he wasn't satisfied with what he had done but he knew it was necessary. Instead of attacking or surrendering, he stood there and held his ground against the Avatar, Aput and Nanuq remained out of this while the two Kingsmen argued.
"How could you do this to us?! How could you betray Ta Po and the Qiangda Kingdom?" demanded Ku Tei.
"You know exactly why I did what I did, you're not as innocent either. You're as much of a traitor as I am, no one bats an eye at you because you're the Avatar. If anything you've been giving our plans to the Tribesmen," argued Senlin.
"Do you hear yourself?" asked Ku Tei.
"You've gone mad, are you jealous that I was promoted to general and made the leader of the Council of Five. I've done nothing of the sort, I've only been meeting with the chiefs under diplomatic reasons for Ta Po. I don't even control my army nor less have involved myself with any plans that result in the deaths of Tribesmen," countered Ku Tei.
Ku Tei gasped, "You.." he paused then he pointed at Senlin, it was all coming together now. The mystery behind the death of Laojiang and the mix up of orders he remembered an account by a soldier that was in Xing Bao.
The soldier mentioned running into Senlin in Xing Bao, while Ta Po dismissed Senlin for being there or even being the assailant. It took Ku Tei fourteen years to finally find the answer to all the questions and the mystery he resumed, "You killed Laojiang and cost us the battle of Yumen!"
"How dare you accuse me of killing my mentor, you should be ashamed of yourself! General Laojiang died of a heart attack," maintained Senlin.
"Taima! Speak our language Kingsmen I don't understand you well! How do I know you're not planning to tukutuak us!" yelled Chief Aput.
Senlin scanned his surroundings but realized there was no earth near him. He couldn't sense earth under his feet either instead he darted out of the palace. But Ku Tei didn't chase the traitor. Instead he remained in the palace.
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Both Ku Tei and Yong Ten kowtowed before the two chiefs before them. Chief Nanuq said, "Rise." Both men rose to their feet and gladly changed their dialect to southern tribesmen to be more respectful to Chief Aput.
"I do apologize for the potential altercation that could've occurred in your throne room. I assure you that will never happen again," apologized Ku Tei.
"What brings you here, Avatar?" asked Chief Aput.
"I was sent here by Earth King Ta Po to request that the both of you join him at the Baiyan Air Temple for another meeting," answered Ku Tei.
Aput shook his head, "No I'm done meeting with your king, I will not go."
"It can benefit you if you go, Chief Aput. I promise you that," Ku Tei chimed in. .
"What does your Earth King want, Avatar?" asked Aput he then sighed as if he didn't have the time to go to the Northern Air Temple to speak with the Earth King on trivial matters. Ku Tei was asked to lie to the southern chief by his leader.
"You've been working with Senlin I thought you should know the only reasons you've lost Yumen two years after they failed to liberate the city. Was a result of him sharing your strategies with Ta Po, as well as the battle for Anuun in the North which led to the creation of the Qiangdian colonies," claimed Ku Tei.
"And as for the South Pole I'm sure you've heard of the Tikigak forest's lumber being used for our towns and ships?" hinted Ku Tei.
"Itialuit! Torngark curse you dirt people!" screamed Aput.
"Chief Aput please, I'm trying my best to resolve this peacefully, Ta Po would like to discuss things with both of you. In likely return he wants something back," commented Ku Tei.
"Fine! Tell your cursed Atanik, I'm going!" declared Aput, he was a bit irritated that Ta Po would bother the men so much about diplomatic meetings and such.
"Thank you, I hope to see you at the Northern Air Temple, angajukkak," thanked Ku Tei he gave a kowtow to Aput who rolled his eyes because he knew the Avatar only meant to sugarcoat him.
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The massive Qiangdian war room had Senlin and the other generals that surrounded it, the one who replaced Senlin's seat was a newer general. A young man named Rongyu, the newest member of the Council of Five.
Ta Po and Guwen watched the battle strategy for Ta Ren with such curiosity. Ta Po rested his hands on the armrests of the chair he frequented. Senlin used remote earthbending to rise light green pawns in Wang Lake near the harbor of Ta Ren.
"We set up small forces of five battleships, in the west, east, south, and north which will be led by Admiral Chong. Each battleship will have three trebuchets mounted these will be used to take out their fleet. If we destroy their fleet they cannot escape," Senlin explained his strategy it seemed to work before on the coast of Wulong province.
"General Xiang, what of the frontal assault?" questioned Ta Po.
"I'm glad you asked, General Rongyu came up with a new form of defense I'll let him explain this," Xiang said. Ta Po's eyes peered over to the young general he felt a bit nervous but he pulled out blueprints to a new form of cannon.
"A cannon?" Ta Po guessed.
"Not just any cannon, Your Majesty. This is quad-barreled cannon, the barrels are lined up horizontally and they don't require cannonballs. Just blasting jelly and shrapnel, the soldiers light the wick and boom! Four soldiers dead!" Rongyu attempted to explain his new invention.
"Why would I want a quad-barreled cannon? When a cannonball can take out multiple targets, and you forgot to mention these artillerymen are sitting turtle ducks," questioned Ta Po.
"These are easier to reload than cannons, Your Majesty. Also the soldiers won't be turtle ducks I suggest a bender stick close and raise an earth wall, all that needs to be exposed is a small slot where the four barrels can poke out and hit our enemies," noted Rongyu.
"I'm willing to give you a benefit of the doubt if any of those cannoneers die. It's on your head, boy," declared Ta Po.
The doors to the war room slammed open Ta Po's head darted to the sound of the doors that crashed into the walls startled the old king. He rose infuriated, "Who dares interrupt my war meeting?"
Ku Tei pointed at Senlin then eyed Ta Po, "Not another word, Tianzi, General Senlin is the traitor! He's the one who killed Laojiang. He's the one who's caused our nation to lose many battles for the past fourteen years!"
"Enough! How dare you barge into my war room in such manner, you know better Avatar Ku Tei!" shouted Ta Po.
"You don't have any evidence to accuse me of such crimes, Ku Tei! Have you gone mad?" questioned Senlin. Ku Tei pulled a scroll out and blew it toward the Earth King. Ta Po opened the scroll inside it held an account from the investigations and eyewitness account from Specialist Mao in the bender division. The poison used is from Hinokami's Lotus, its a white lotus flower native to the volcanoes of the Fire Nation, an alchemist tested the poison after other tests failed to identify it. It's fatal to the consumer, it's odorless, colorless and tasteless. The perfect tool which caused the consumer to sleep for a few hours and wake up with headaches, shortness of breath, and chest pains until they die via heart failure.
Ta Po lowered his head he was devastated after he read the scroll, his heart was broken and a tear fell from his eye. Ta Po's voice quavered with emotion when he commanded the royal guards, "Guards arrest General Senlin."
Senlin's eyes widened he was finally discovered as a traitor he swung his arms up and shot a line of pillars at Ku Tei. He then jumped from the balcony and used an earth tomb to break his fall. Senlin used this momentum gained and formed a wave of earth which he used to escape at a high speed. Ku Tei trembled with rage his eyes lit a glow white color and he stormed from the war room after Senlin.
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"So he killed his mentor? What a sick man and this was all because he was jealous of you?" Rong Yan questioned his past life.
Ku Tei nodded, "Yes, he was my brother-in-arms but so many years of envy changed him to what he is today."
"So what happened next? Did you catch him?" Rong Yan asked Ku Tei.
Ku Tei shook his head, "No, by the time I got out of the Upper Ring he was long gone. Many have said they saw a man climb the walls of the city and he caused a ton of damage on the streets with his earth wave. He disappeared and we couldn't find him for an entire year."
"It wasn't until the meeting at the Baiyan Air Temple where we negotiated things with the chiefs. We were to give them reparations and remove the colonies if they helped us set up General Senlin," Ku Tei summarized.
Yong Ten's bison Jippo landed in the Baiyan Air Temple, in the saddle was Ku Tei, Earth King Ta Po, and Lord Guwen. Yong Ten's party was escorted to the terrace where the Council of Elders held these meetings between leaders.
At the table waited Chief Aput and his advisor, Chief Nanuq and his wife Kya who was his advisor, Earth King Gao Zu, and his advisor Naoren De. The five Council of Elders, R'Kang, Jamyang, Yeshe, Jampa, and Damchoe sat directly in the middle of the world leaders who were at war with each other.
To R'Kang's left was Gao Zu and Naoren, to his right was Ta Po, Guwen, Ku Tei, and Yong Ten, across from the Council of Elders were Chief Aput and his adviser, and Chief Nanuq and Chieftess Kya. Documents were sprawled around the table in front of the leaders as well as tea for each one.
R'Kang rose from his seat and began the meeting, "Thank you all for coming this afternoon, this meeting is to agree on terms relating to war, reparations and trade deals. To my left we have Earth King Gao Zu of the Oma Kingdom, across from me are Chief Aput of the Southern Water Tribe, Chief Nanuq and Chieftess Kya of the Northern Water Tribe, to my right are Earth King Ta Po of the Qiangda Kingdom and Avatar Ku Tei."
"Chief Nanuq you may start," said R'Kang, Nanuq bowed his head, "I'm happy that we all gathered here today for this historical meeting. Our nations have all been affected by this war for both good and bad reasons. I'm hoping we can resolve this issue first and foremost the war began through an intense trade deal between merchant ships. While I forgive the Qiangdian Kingdom for the deaths of those Northern men I understand the soldiers killing my merchants was because they were only doing their job. My brother did not see it that way."
Nanuq turned to face Ta Po and grabbed a scroll and handed it to Kya who then handed it to the next set of hands until it reached Ta Po. He added, "So I'd like to reestablish our trade routes with fair prices and tariffs. If you're willing I hope we can agree. I was thinking in a common market sort of trade deal, if you're willing any imports we'd be willing to pay the tariffs so the money can go into damages being repaid for the cities, towns, and forts we've destroyed during the war."
"But you'd have to do the same for us at least until reparations are paid which I hope from there we can eliminate tariffs," finished Nanuq. Ta Po had his fingers crossed between each other young Guwen being attentive to the situation.
He placed his finger on his chin and agreed, "That's a good idea, Your Majesty. Consumers will be able to save money by buying their imported goods. The goods will be cheaper than our locally produced items. Our citizens can then spend those savings into other goods maybe even taxes. If we raise the tax of the citizens by five percent we could use a portion of that money to repair our nation. The reduced cost of imports also reduces the cost of locally produced goods that can be used from imported parts or components."
"Hmmm," thought Ta Po, "My adviser is correct, you've got a deal. I'm willing to trade with you again," he approved.
Ta Po turned to Chief Aput, "As for you, we're willing to do the same and open a trade route with your tribe. Also, I'm willing to donate a few thousand acorns for your forests, my navy used your lumber after we defeated your soldiers in the Tikigak forest."
"Is that all, you've come here for? To establish trade routes?" blurted out Chief Aput.
"I would have thought you were a man of formalities, Aput. Very well then I'll cut to the chase General Senlin is a man that has affected us all. I'm sure you and Nanuq are well acquainted with my former general. He was a double agent however and for us to be at peace and being able to trade again he must be put away or killed," proposed Ta Po.
"You want us to help you capture your traitor? You have millions of soldiers, are they all that incompetent?" asked Aput.
"Naligak Aput, please we should work together with the Silatsuak Ataniktuk," Nanuq attempted to convince the older chief.
"Fine, what are you suggesting, nutaunngituk atanik?" inquired Aput. Ta Po smiled, "I'll let the Avatar answer this one."
Ku Tei rose to his feet, "Chieftain Aput, we need you and Nanuq's help in setting up Senlin we need to communicate where he's going. Might I suggest we train a battalion of three hundred of your soldiers to act as if Senlin is under command? He will lead them to say Taiyuan in Pingyao to lead a final assault on Ba Sing Se. From there I will arrive and defeat the traitor. But I believe it's important that we establish a ceasefire that will allow me to take him out," explained Ku Tei.
"This will need your help.." he paused then faced Gao Zu, "and yours too. Without you we can't do this."
Gao Zu sighed, "Very well then, Avatar you have my support. This will give my military the time to bring justice to those ruffians who stole warships from Wushan province."
R'Kang rose to his feet then settled it, "Upon agreement from all four world leaders, setting up Senlin is the priority and this must be done by a ceasefire."
All four world leaders walked amongst each other and the Council of Elders and shook hands. After about a few days, Ku Tei, and the others of the Council of Five were summoned to the Royal Palace where Guwen and Ta Po were currently situated.
Ta Po relaxed on the Badgermole Throne and announced to the Council of Five the news, "From this day forth, you will halt all missions and battles. The Oma Kingdom, Southern, and Northern Water Tribes have agreed upon a ceasefire. At least until the Avatar kills the traitor."
All five generals bowed to Earth King Ta Po and backed out slowly never once had they turned their backs against their king.
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Year 718 of Qiangda Ta Po, Spring
It has been decided then last week was the meeting in the Northern Air Temple with Gao Zu, Aput, and young Nanuq. We were joined by Nanuq's wife Kya and of course Ku Tei. The meetings entailed mostly trade deals and tariffs. Reparations for the cost of war, taxes rising, stray civilians to be given citizenship, the turnover of prisoners of war, and the like.
The one thing we asked of all of them and I'm glad the others gave their support is helping us capture, Senlin. Laobing kept pushing the nickname for Senlin, he called him the Great Betrayer. Suffice to say, Laobing is correct Senlin will go down in our kingdom's history as the Great Betrayer. I will allow Senlin to be written in history future generations must learn of his mistakes otherwise I fear we'll repeat our mistakes.
The North and South sent a hundred and fifty troops from each tribe to a fort outside of Taiyuan. The set up was going to work as long as those men didn't ruin it. Senlin is to be called and led to believe that Taiyuan will become under siege by the North and South.
Now's our chance he's not getting any younger and neither is the Avatar, this has to be done so. We've had orders signed by Aput and Nanuq that indicate their naval forces will attack first. Both chiefs are hoping the traitor will lead the charge.
Ku Tei will be in disguise amongst the battalion where he will reveal himself outside the capital and tell Senlin to surrender if he refuses then Ku Tei has my support to kill Senlin. What he does is up to him may Tiandi, Yama, and Lord Qin protect him. Hopefully, by now Ku Tei is under disguise in Fort Taiyuan outside the city.
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♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮♮ .
"This was it, this was the final battle between me and Senlin. The one regret I have is that I didn't kill him. I regret leaving you with this mess, I hope you forgive me," Ku Tei said.
Senlin and three hundred Tribesmen soldiers marched toward the city of Taiyuan from the 'conquered' fort named after the capital. Senlin smiled he knew that once they claimed hold of the capital. It'd be easier for the Tribesmen to conquer the heart of the Qiangda Kingdom.
Senlin spoke with the general of the North, "I like your strategy, so we wait for the flare now correct?"
"Precisely," nodded the general, Ku Tei was a few rows behind Senlin as to not give any suspicion. As they found themselves yards from the walls of the capital of Pingyao. The general and the men to his right split from the men who stood on the left. Soon they followed command Senlin confused turned around to realize he was in between a wall of death. On the other end was Ku Tei who hesitated on a conversation.
Instead Ku Tei ran a few steps forward and swung his arms up and punched with his right fist. A quick line of earthen pillars burst out of the ground and crawled over to the traitor. Senlin punched the last pillar as it encased his hand. He placed his other hand on the pillar and covered his free hand with the earth as well.
In Deing Kiu stance he waited for the Avatar to strike once again while he expected earth instead Ku Tei jumped into a Meihua stance where he was able to deliver several kicks that transitioned into spin kicks and tornado kicks. He planned to overwhelm his opponent which would give him ample time to kill Senlin.
Senlin dodged a few and hit with two before he rose a wall of earth that absorbed the other kicks. He went from the Bik Kiu to a Wan Kiu where he lifted the wall and shoved it toward Ku Tei. Ku Tei switched into a gen gua stance he twirled his entire body to gain enough air and pushed his hands forward. Senlin rose another wall of earth for which the redirected wall crashed into. The smaller pieces of the walls hit Senlin and he fell back. Ku Tei came forward with another fire blast.
But Senlin sank into the ground and disappeared Ku Tei's eyes flashed he rattled the earth, the battalion ran away toward the city when they saw Ku Tei entered the Avatar State. He caved in the earth which made Senlin lose focus. Senlin was spat out of the earth, Ku Tei formed the infamous earth gauntlet which was used by his past life Avatar Kwan Chun to kill Prince Kudeta.
Fun Kiu led to Yao Kiu which between the stances he changed constantly to form a large fist of earth. Ku Tei spun into the air and created a spout of air which gave the needed height so that he could form a sphere of air, fire burst out of his mouth he bent this into a ring of fire around him, earth from the ground magnetized to his being, and waters from the beaches nearby formed the final ring around him. Ku Tei rotated the four elements into a drill that came down on his enemy.
At the last minute, he exited the Avatar State and levitated down slowly he decided the best way was to arrest the traitor. The water splashed on Senlin, the fire and air dispersed and the rocks fell on the gauntlet or around it. The gauntlet that held Senlin fell apart instead his wrists, ankles, and his neck was bounded by earth. Ku Tei carried a bison whistle on him which he blew on Yong Ten his best friend was in the area.
Senlin was loaded on Jippo's back and Yong Ten, and Ku Tei headed for Ba Sing Se. Upon arrival Ku Tei used earthbending to levitate Senlin toward the throne room where Ta Po awaited for proof of demise.
"I thought you were going to kill him?" wondered Ta Po.
"I decided that for his crimes he shouldn't be killed that's just the easy way out. No he'll spend the rest of his days in prison. With no one, not even earth around him, he needs to be punished for all the lives lost. I hope you can understand my decision," Ku Tei answered.
"I don't but you're the Avatar you have unmatched wisdom and power, I respect your decision," Ta Po commented. Ku Tei slightly bowed his head to his king before he delivered Senlin to his prison cell where he remained imprisoned for fifty-nine years and then where he escaped.
"That was the end of Senlin, after his imprisonment Gao Zu held his end of the bargain and permitted the ceasefire to extend. It was like we reunited in a way and we worked towards it, trade routes were opened between our kingdoms again, our people were allowed to tour the other kingdom without being killed. I spent the rest of my days in retirement I was a seventy-five-year-old man," Ku Tei told Rong Yan.
"My life was dedicated to war, I broke the curse," Ku Tei added.
"What curse?" wondered Rong Yan.
"The curse of love, the sins of the physical form as taught by the Air Nomads. I never married because marriage and love was a distraction from my destiny. Love led to the death of Kwan Chun, and it led to the deaths of many during the Blood War and the Blood Cultist trials. I'll let you decide whether you choose love or power," Ku Tei finished, he dispersed and Rong Yan was left alone.
Rong Yan watched the remainder of Ku Tei's life alone along with the moment where he was on his deathbed with his surrounded by family, comrades, and even royalty. Ku Tei died at the age of one hundred and twenty, of an illness. His legacy continued to echo throughout the Qiangda Kingdom and the Water Tribes.
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Ten Years Later
Senlin sat in his favorite corner of his metal walled cell, metal braces, and chains held him bound to that specific corner although he was able to move around the cell from time to time. Unlike the other prisoners Senlin had no bed he didn't have the privilege of one as he was branded a traitor, he slept on the cold metal floor.
Ba Sing Se Royal Prison, houses the most dangerous criminals of the Kingdom of Ba Sing Se. From serial killers to traitors.
His neighbor in the cell to his left often shouted out words he hoped someone would answer. Most would, while others yelled at him to shut up. But for once Senlin answered his call for a conversation. He began, "Anyone up for a conversation?"
"Sure what do you got?" Senlin asked.
"Not that it's ever mattered but I laugh hysterically when these prison guards are still surprised to see that I am living. But soon I fear I will pass if you're willing to have an open mind I am willing to teach you what I've mastered," claimed the man. The senile old man claimed to be old, Senlin thought he only wanted to mess with him.
"The Air Nomad Council of Elders all learn this one trick to allow them to live longer than any human. This is mostly just Air Nomads that have acquired this ability, reasons being the longer they live the wiser they are. I used to be oblate, a respected one of course far higher than the others. I dedicated my life to the nomadic ways and even lived in the Baiyan Air Temple. My name is, Buxiu," explained Buxiu.
"If what you say is true exactly how old are you?" inquired Senlin.
"I'm about a hundred and fifty-years-old, I served my life sentence but they claimed sorcery and said that I hexed a guard or two and gave me more years. They want me to die here. I'm sure you've noticed as your life progresses you get older. Your body fails to repair itself, it's supposed to naturally," replied Buxiu.
"Anyways, for this to work you need to continuously maintain your mental and physical states. Doing so will permit your body to continue to repair itself. Your brain will command the body to heal itself. Think of a wound as it's healing new tissue overlaps the open cut, overtime it shrinks until your healed. If you train yourself to do this you will live longer than any human ever has," added Buxiu.
"Fascinating, you've got me interested," said Senlin.
"Splendid I recommend you meditate for most your days, fast if you need to, that helps. I'm not sure if you're spiritual but praising our pantheon will increase your spiritual devotion. If anything Yama will grant you the ability. But through your hard work you will know when this happens, there'll come a time where you stop aging. Where your middle ages take forty to fifty years to progress as if you're going into your seventies," shouted Buxiu.
"That reminds me of the folktale my father used to tell me when I was a boy. He told me about someone named Tieguai the Immortal. Tieguai was a Kingsmen who supposedly lived over a thousand years or so. He claimed him to be a legend, Tieguai would assassinate rulers who would oppress their peoples or something like that," Senlin mentioned.
"Oh yes I completely forgot about him I'm surprised he's not an official deity of our religion at this point. There is a cult that worships him as a living god. He's accomplished the art of longevity and stealth. The man hides in plain sight and comes out to kill when he's needed, funny that one. I remember learning in history that the thirty-ninth Earth King was an oppressive ruler but Tieguai didn't come out of hiding to murder him. The Avatar did," remembered Buxiu.
Senlin opened his eyes he found himself back in his tent when he crawled out of the tent, the skies were dark. The stars glistened Palartok minced by and noticed Senlin in his tent, "There you are, come on dinner's ready."
"Today's the anniversary of my imprisonment and the end of the Thirty Year War," Senlin mentioned.
"Figured that would explain why you weren't seen all day," Palartok commented.
Huangshan Mountains, Omashu, Oma Kingdom
Unaraq sighed while everyone continued their meditation the sun had gone down it was night. His stomach groaned loudly he searched the sack for anything he could consume. Rong Yan's eyes fluttered open, he rubbed his eyes and stood up from the ground. He dusted himself off, Jushi opened one eye and saw Rong Yan walk off.
Jushi stood up as well while Unaraq munched on dried meats and tapped his girlfriend, Aloi on the shoulder and whispered, "C'mon get up Rong Yan is done."
Jushi walked over to Rong Yan and asked, "What did you learn?"
"I learned everything I needed to know about General Senlin. He was jealous and envied Ku Tei, he even poisoned his mentor. In the end all the nations set up a trap and allowed my past life to capture him. Y'know in the past few years I've been scared of him but now..." responded Rong Yan then he paused.
"...now I'm no longer afraid. Mun Jin was right I need to let go of my fears or else thousands might die," he added.
"Where to now?" Jushi inquired.
"We're heading to Omashu now, I need to speak with Gao Zu," answered Rong Yan. Unaraq helped Aloi to her feet her eyes beamed with joy when she saw her friend Rong Yan had returned from his spiritual journey with his past life.
"Oh good you've returned to us," Aloi smiled.
"How was it?" she wondered.
"It was informative and mind-blowing but now I have all my questions answered. I'm no longer afraid," Rong Yan replied.
Rong Yan said, "I'm ready."
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