The master had an entire tome of curses dedicated for the one who had so horrendously defaced the Collection.
But honestly now~
What else would one expect from humans? How many times have humans entered their sanctuary of knowledge under the guise of scholarly pursuits, only for their true intentions to be unearthed? How many times have they heard their master's irate rants echo through the cavernous halls- cursing in long-dead tongues the brutish unsophisticated ways of humans? And most importantly... How many times have humans vandalised the Collection, all in the short-sighted and imbecilic purpose of denying other humans such knowledge?
Only once in recent centuries in truth, but never so much.
Eight thousand books and thirteen thousand scrolls. Each one, irreplaceable. Some holding ancient wisdom in words from languages forgotten by time... inscribed upon parchments made from the hides of long-extinct creatures... and written with inks drawn from ancient woods that had sprouted when the world was still young.
Even the humblest servant mourned the loss. Thousands of years of their meticulous work and care, all gone. Disappearing in precisely the same time it took for a library section to burn down. It was enough to light a wrathful fire in their bellies.
As for the Vandal in question... He was forever marked for that atrocity. The pungent scent of burnt knowledge clung to him, thick like the smoke of burning rubber trees. A scent- so strong and so distinctive- that all of the master's humble Knowledge Seekers could easily track him from the Spirit World and back. Which was all and good, because the master's instruction was- should the Vandal unwisely decide to ever set foot on the Sands again- to tear his wretched vandalising flesh from his bones. With their teeth.
Tongue glided over sharp canines.
Oh, if only he'd but return to the Sands, their welcoming feast would be so exquisite.
But alas~ The Vandal had chosen instead to sail westwards on his floating metal vessel- even farther away from the sands. Past the constellation of the Horned Toad, beyond the twinkling green star of the Spidersnake's tail tip, And now they stopped under the twin red stars: the wrathful eyes of the Dragon constellation. The Vandal had apparently slinked back to his burrow- to the lands they now call the 'Fire Nation.' But it mattered little how far he travelled, the master had commanded that the Vandal never escape their sight again, and this was a duty that would be seen to through the decades until the Vandal himself was but dust in the ground... or tender meat in their bellies. Preferably the latter, but the first was still an agreeable end.
So, the unending watch continued. As the dawn sun painted the eastern sea's horizon, they arrived at the docks. The cavernous thud of metal echoed out as the Vandal's vessel was moored to the stone.
The Vandal seemed to be in a rush- his red armour clacking and his voluminous side burns swaying in the sea breeze as he marched down from his ship. The reason for his excitement was clear: Waiting for him on the docks was another mortal in similar war dress, notably large and also... the very same mortal who had come so close to peering beyond the veil. Yes, the Vandal does keep such interesting company. Interesting, but ultimately not of great enough import to bother the ever busy master with.
But~
Who knows what other interesting things will unfold in the next act of this little play between mortal nations?
From beneath the veil, Vulpine eyes watched keenly as the two mortals met.
[Fire Nation Capital - Harbor City Docks]
The waves crashed relentlessly against the stone docks all around my seven-foot-tall armoured frame as I watched Zhao arrive.
Down the ramp from a Fire Nation destroyer-class ship, the admiral walked- steady and powerful- even as the wind buffeted his grand red cape this way and that. His entourage of four {Firebender Veterans} bodyguards in brass-gilded red armour followed behind him, their bone-white masks covered by shadows as the dawn sun rose behind them.
The admiral sure knew how to make an entrance.
My own entourage was less numerous but was more than a match for the admiral's Firebender Veterans: Right behind me, the Lieutenant standing at attention in her hand-crafted red armour and feather-topped helm. And I knew for a fact that she could wipe the floor with those four Firebender Veterans.
The admiral marched to a halt right in front of me, the difference in our heights and stature not bothering him one bit. His golden eyes locked on my own green ones through my skull helmet's eye slits.
"Khan..." he spoke.
"Zhao..." I nodded back.
There was a brief pause, and then...
Reputation check succeeded!
55/50 Reputation Required with {Admiral Zhao}
... Our pauldrons clacked together as we clasped hands and tapped shoulders in a hearty embrace.
"It's good to see you, admiral!" My voice rumbled in a laugh.
"Likewise, commander!" Zhao remarked with a grin between his voluminous dark brown mutton chops, "I've heard the news: The last time I saw you, you had just been promoted to Commander. And now, you're the prince-consort-to-be AND Chief Coordinator of the Great War Commemorations? That is quite a meteoric rise in station. Reminds me of my own- very impressive altogether!"
"But it's not yet official." I shook my head with a smile.
"Bah!" Zhao half-snorted and half-laughed, "If the Fire Lord was the one to make the decision, then it is official. Everyone just doesn't realise it yet."
"So, the news of my new position in the Royal Family hasn't reached everyone in the frontlines yet?"
"Of course not, Commander." He smiled thinly, "Only officers of sufficient... political importance has been informed- officers like me. The regular troops need to be focused and vigilant during this delicate stage in our plans."
"Very true." I said as I nodded my helmeted head, "I take it that the ground offensive towards Ba Sing Se is still ongoing then?"
Zhao raised an eyebrow, "Worried about how the frontlines are doing without your division to clear the way, commander?"
"Yes." was my blunt reply.
"Well, I don't blame you." He chuckled, "I'd be worried about our grip on the Earth Kingdom too if we had to leave it to the 2nd Army. I mean no disrespect to honorable General Bujing, but his 'fearlessness' in committing large divisions of our infantry to the meat grinder has been a logistical nightmare for my Merchant Marine."
"Yes, I know of him." My deep voice rumbled in recollection, "The previous incarnation of the 41st Division was under his command- sent to die valiant deaths at the hands of the Earth Kingdom's Terra Teams at Ba Sing Se."
Zhao snorted.
"Valiant? Certainly. Productive in terms of military gains? Less so." He shook his head disapprovingly before aiming a sly smirk at me, "But thanks to the 41st Division's current incarnation, that annoying spidersnake web of Earth Kingdom fortresses guarding the western theatre had already been dealt a serious blow and their garrisons sent running back to their heartlands. And if there's anything we can count on our opponent, it would be that they'll be predictably slow to take advantage of our offensive's momentary change of target: We'll have an appreciable window to finally deal with the Northern Water Tribe, once and for all. But..."
He smiled.
"... we can save this kind of talk for the War Council meeting. Walk with me, Commander." He said as I fell in step with him- our respective entourage following close by, "It's been a fairly long sail home. The men and I have been looking forward to what you have prepared. I have no doubt that it will prove to be better than last year's boring affair with endless parades. We joined the navy to avoid the marching after all."
"Nothing so lazy." I chuckled in turn. "I have gained special dispensation from Fire Lord Ozai himself to make the commemorations slightly more... festive. My companions have seen it fit to replicate our success during the Fire Festival here."
Zhao arched an eyebrow. "You mean your Kyoshi Warrior defectors are once again helping you organise some morale boosting?"
"Yes. Suki and her sisters are helping me organise, with the entirety of the 41st Division doing their part as well."
"Ah, some good news then!" He exclaimed, sounding genuinely relieved. "You have no idea how great of a boon that Fire Festival was for morale back in Pohuai. The energy around the base driving my men to perform their duties with a smile had been bizarre. A welcome sight for any commanding officer to be sure, but still bizarre. If your Kyoshi Warriors can replicate the same effect across the entirety of the invasion force, we'll be invincible from morale alone!"
For actually giving him and his men the kind of long-sought shore leave they wanted...
{Admiral Zhao} Reputation : 55 - 65
I had a moment to appreciate the notification before a distracted Lieutenant caught my eye. Her amethyst eyes staring off at the horizon behind me.
"Spirits..." the salty sea breeze carried her low whisper of awe. "Is that... the Armada?"
My armoured footsteps halted with a metallic click as I glanced back to the sea. "What?"
"Oh?" Zhao said with casual interest, "It would seem the winds favoured the fleet. I had expected them to arrive by evening at least."
I silently stared as well, a shiver running down my spine.
Emerging from the horizon where the sea met the sky, ironclad behemoths rose up from the waters like a hundred floating black fortresses. Fire Nation cruisers, manned by thousands of men and slayers of thousands more. The scorched ruins of a dozen Earth Kingdom coastal cities lay in silent witness to the destructive power they commanded. Then came their smaller brethren, the Fire Nation Destroyers, numbering in the hundreds-strong. Like loyal pupils to a grandmaster, they formed a defensive screen that struck down any force too weak and unworthy to warrant the cruisers' notice. But perhaps the most formidable aspect of these ships were their contents: Thousands of veteran ground troops fresh from the frontlines and tempered by the many years of ceaseless war, coming home for a brief respite to regain the strength to strike the blow that would finally end this hundred year war. As the victors.
"The Western Fleet..." My deep voice rumbled- just a touch of awe in my voice.
"Yes, the entirety of the Western Fleet..." Zhao emphasised with a small smile- likely glad to be given an opportunity to brag about his authority, "As well as elements of the Southern Raiders, and as much of the Eastern Fleet that I could redeploy. Ferrying the majority of the 3rd Army. Just over two hundred warships and forty thousand fighting men."
"That's a lot more ships than I had expected." I admitted. In canon, Admiral Zhao brought around a hundred and twenty five warships to the Siege of the North. Now, he was bringing almost twice that many.
"Naturally." Zhao preened under the indirect compliment, "When the Great Admiral Zhao sounds the war horns, the Fire Nation Navy answers."
That gave me pause. Watching Avatar, it had been easy to forget that Zhao- this villain-of-the-week with his cartoonish hot-headedness and exaggerated mutton chop beard was an admiral. Not just any admiral either, but a very high-ranking one all the way up in the Fire Nation High Command. It would seem that it had not been an empty boast when he told Zuko in canon that he had a hundred warships under his command. If anything, he had been humble. The force that he had assembled looked like it had the firepower to utterly lay waste to the entirety of the Earth Kingdom's shorelines. Blotting out the blue sky with an apocalyptic barrage of flaming, high explosive munitions like some world-ending meteor shower.
But now?
His golden eyes glanced over his shoulder once again- at the innumerable black warships emerging from the horizon with no signs of stopping. He smiled cruelly. "Those Northern Water Tribe savages are finally going to see what a proper army of Fire Nation soldiers can do when they're not stretched thin across a wide front."
Now, Admiral Zhao was going to concentrate this massive armada's entire firepower onto one target.
"And the 41st Division will lead the way for you. Speaking of which... " I agreed just as we got off the docks proper and onto the streets of Harbour City. And there on the cobblestone street was a red carpet, flanked by lines of my {41st Division Master Scouts}with their red armour, feather-plumed helmets and the gleaming brass hand guards of their {Jian swords}. And at the end of the carpet was a grand carriage pulled by a pair of ostrich-horses awaiting us.
"The 41st Division formally welcomes you to the Capital City, Admiral Zhao." I saluted.
"For Fire Lord and Fire Nation, Commander Khan." He saluted back with a impressed smile. But just as he climbed into the carriage...
Spirit Check successful! (53/40 Spirit Required)
... I felt eyes boring into me.
Glancing around the shuffling crowds of Fire Nation citizens, I didn't spot anyone that was particularly suspicious. Eyeing the red roofs of the surrounding buildings didn't reveal anything either.
"Sir?" the Lieutenant asked; but with a slight gesture of my hand, my troops rested their hands on their sword hilts- quietly scanning the area with me.
Spirit Check failed! (53/60 Spirit Required)
How annoying. I rested my will on the mental trigger of the activatable [Spirit Rush] skill. A momentary 20% increase in my Spirit stat would get me just past the 60 Spirit threshold to actually see who the hell was eyeballing on me. I only needed to choose the moment when I pulled the trigger. That moment was certainly not now however- not with Zhao and a hundred civilians in the crossfire. I had my guesses on who it was, of course, especially since both times, it happened when I was with...
"What's the matter, Khan?" Zhao peeked out for a moment.
"It's nothing, Zhao." I said, subtly gesturing my men to stand down. But just as my heavily-armoured frame climbed into the carriage, the wind shifted direction just as I boarded; and a particular scent caught my nose. Fortunately for me, the companion skill [Fragrant Insight] was able to fill in whatever little information it could.
~?: Notes of Earth, Furs, Silks, Parchments.
Underneath my helm, my eyes narrowed in suspicion. The ostrich-horses shifted restlessly- tugging on the reins as they honked, hungry. They apparently caught the mysterious scent as well. Yes, I could jump to conclusions and say it was an earthbender assassin or some kind of spirit, but the scent was too faint. The presence, either too far or too little to make sense of it. Besides, the admiral wasn't dead yet; so, it wasn't overtly hostile at least. For now however, I glanced over to the Lieutenant.
"You're on the reins. Take us to the manor. Nice and easy."
"Protection detail. Yes sir." She replied before looking over to the rest of the troops, "1st Cavalry Scout Squad, we're moving out!"
Spirit Check failed! (53/60 Spirit Required)
Now it's just mocking me. I frowned underneath my helmet. The first opportunity I get, I'm going to pull the curtains back and find out who's spying on me.
A terribly amused smile revealed sharp teeth.
Oh, he was an observant one, wasn't he~?
Only those illuminated in spirit can even sense their presence, and those bright souls only arise once every two hundred and forty thousand mortals. Or was it down to once every three hundred thousand now?
Who knows honestly? Mortals were becoming less and less attuned to the spiritual these years. And the master hasn't scheduled the next census quite yet, so it was difficult to predict with high confidence as to how low the mortals have fallen. All in all, a sad state of affairs, less in the sympathetic sense of the word and more in the pitiable- bordering comedic- sense. But, credit where it was due, to even perceive the presence of the spiritual was a notable feat for mortals, enough to warrant a mortal a more... forgiving account in the annals of the history books that they will write.
'Here was a mortal who was less blind and ignorant than most of its ilk.'
The armoured mortal even seemed to sniff the air? Was his nose developed to that degree? Fascinating... Who would have guessed that mortals could develop such a keen sense of smell? The master would be pleased to know of this development! Perhaps in a few thousand more years, the mortals won't be as pitiful anymore. Perhaps.
Doubtful though.
His scent flitted through the air, it was made clear that he was even more interesting than that. The coppery overtone of blood, the tangy metal fragrance of the forge, the familiar aroma of a thousand musty tomes and countless candle wicks, and the... arousal of females lingered on him, like trophies from conquests.
Soldier. Craftsman. Scholar... Paramour?
An eclectic scent to be sure, but not unheard of. Knowledge often makes even the lowliest humans hunger for more than their lot in life: the lord dreams of a legacy worthy of the pages, the farmer ponders the necessity of the lord who rules over him, and the thieving, vandalising soldier... imagines a victory where there is none to be had. So, one has to wonder which tomes sparked what dream in this curiously perceptive mortal, and what was his relation to the Vandal?
Perhaps an investigation was in order~
The carriage trundled along the streets of this latest mortal civilisation to rise on the Fire Islands and reached a quaint little hovel amongst other quaint little hovels.
[Lotus Estate]
Oaken double doors swung open to reveal the opulence of my new sprawling manor.
"Welcome to my new abode, admiral."
"Lotus Estate... An impressive piece of real estate you've acquired here, Commander." Zhao walked in, golden eyes appraising the finely-decorated interior. "I didn't think Fire Lord Ozai would ever be willing to part with it. It would be an understatement to call it 'valuable.' "
That was true enough. As expected for housing international guests, Lotus Estate was built to accommodate diplomatic teams in lavish comfort. Palatial bedrooms with balconies overlooked meticulously manicured gardens, offering the scent of rare blooms and a great view of the Royal Palace's grandeur in a not-so-subtle reminder of the Fire Lord's authority. Every room inside was decorated to present to them the wealth and prosperity of the Fire nation. From the twinkling crystal chandeliers to the fine jade statuettes to the hand-carved furniture, luxury oozed out of every immaculately waxed surface. Twenty thousand thousand square metres of the finest property that the Fire Nation had to offer, and it was all mine.
"I personally prefer function over form, but I understand the need to impress foreigners." My voice rumbled as I led the admiral through luxurious carpeted hallways and into the equally luxurious tea room. A table and a tea set were already waiting for us just by the window.
"Yes, but we haven't had a foreign dignitary in ages." Zhao said, dragging a fingertip across a shelf to inspect for dust and found none. Indentured servants from the Earth Kingdom were so efficient.
I sat on the fine silk cushions and lifted up a teapot. "Dew of the Mountain tea, Zhao?"
"Ah, your newest concoction. Certainly!" He smiled- sitting down and extending his cup for me to pour in, "I heard that you secured a deal to supply the rest of the Fire Nation Army with it."
"Indeed, I have." I replied, "The Fire Lord was rather taken by it. And it will only help the performance of our troops."
"I'll be looking forward to the increase in my soldiers' performance." Admiral Zhao said, "Did you have anything in mind for the commemorations?"
"We have a patriotic musical stage play at {Zoryu Hall}." I answered nonchalantly, "Mulan. I... wrote it myself. Fire Lord Ozai and the rest of high command will be in attendance for final viewing and approval before releasing the play to the general public."
"That's... ambitious, commander." Zhao's smile was noticeably tight, "Fire Lord Ozai has been known to be very 'critical' of theatre in the past few years."
"It is a gamble, I know. But I promised him that I'd help raise recruitment rates."
That was apparently the magic words from how quickly it caught the admiral's attention. "More manpower would be very much appreciated, yes..." he considered. "A single Fire Nation soldier should always be worth ten Earth Kingdom ones; but I'd like to fight a ground battle where we aren't outnumbered, dammit!"
My helmeted head nodded sympathetically.
"And so you shall, Zhao. Don't underestimate the power of good propaganda." I told the admiral. I haven't done it often, but [Siren's Voice] and [Pretty Privilege] were pretty overpowered when I used them in public. My test audience reacted positively to my play. And by that, I mean Suki and her sisters practically climbed the stage to demand sex.
"Well, you'll always have my and the rest of Fire Nation High Command's support in raising recruitment rates, Khan. If the power of Fire Nation Theatre will address that, then by all means, do it. But..."
"But?"
For being a very valuable ally, both politically and militarily...
{Admiral Zhao} Reputation : 65 - 95
+ R +
"Nothing." Zhao smiled, sipping at the mountain dew in his teacup. "I just thought I'd be discussing commemoration matters with Princess Azula. Yet here you are in her place. How are you handling your relationship with the crown princess wife-to-be, if I may ask?"
"Crown Princess Azula has always been..." I paused to find the right word to politely describe her, "... intense. And my popularity made me seem more threatening to her than I actually was. Suffice to say, we did not get off on the right foot."
"As are all arranged marriages in the beginning." Zhao nodded knowingly, "I take it you've made some headway into charming your way into your betrothed's good graces, Khan?"
"I do think I'm making progress." I replied in an even tone of voice, "Ever since I've proven that I can be just as much of a pain in the rear as she was, the crown princess has been more manageable. Overall, however, the improvement has been slight, but it's only been a few days, so I believe that's good enough progress."
An absolute lie. Azula was still crazy as ever, definitely angrier too. I even had her transferred to the basement below this very estate just so I can focus on her even more. And although the amount of time and effort (and semen) I've poured into her was certainly not worth the minute increase in her obedience score, but perk points were perk points. Nevertheless, that answer seemed to amuse the admiral judging by the amused bark of laughter from him- his voluminous brown side-burns swaying as he laughed.
"Oh, from the few times I had the pleasure of meeting Princess Azula's acquaintance, I'd say that it's already quite the achievement that you've made our willful crown princess so cooperative. I think you'll make an able prince-consort, Khan."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Zhao." I smiled back at him, "It's good to know when one's friends have their back."
"You... count me as your friend, commander?" He blinked dumbly, apparently not expecting that.
"I wouldn't have gotten this far without your help, Zhao." I told him honestly enough, "And we're going to be entrusting each other with our lives in the upcoming siege too. But more than that, I've found that you're the kind of person who I can respect."
"And what kind of person would that be, Khan?" he asked in a genuinely curious tone.
"The competent kind. The reliable kind. One of the best kinds of friends in my opinion."
I didn't even have to lie. It may have started as a more quid-pro-quo agreement, but Zhao was actually pleasant to be around. Maybe he would have been more unlikeable and abrasive if I wasn't so politically well-positioned to further his career, however I had already made myself indispensable to the Fire Lord, so we'll never know now if things would have gone differently. The important thing was that Zhao has been nothing but a total bro, and that was something any man can appreciate.
I made sure to let Zhao know that too. "So, of course, once all the formalities have been concluded and I am proclaimed to be the Prince-consort of the Fire Nation... you can count that I'll still remember my good friend: Admiral Zhao the Radiant."
"Oh, you still remember that?" Zhao rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.
"What? Not grandiose enough, admiral?"
"Of course not!" He laughed, "'Admiral Zhao the Magnificent' sounds more suited for someone of my standing and accomplishments!"
My laughter boomed alongside his. "Well, when all the formalities are over and I take residence at the palace, I'll be sure to write 'Admiral Zhao the Magnificent' on the tea time invitation letter! We will be sipping Red Bull at the Fire Lord's own palace, and I won't take no for an answer!"
"Very well, I'll hold you to that promise, Khan!" Zhao raised his teacup as well with a smile."To a brightly burning friendship! It will be an honour to fight alongside you at the North Pole. And together, we'll put those Northern Water Tribe savages in their place: Underneath our boot heels!"
"To a brightly burning friendship!" I laughed, raising that dainty porcelain teacup in my armoured hand.
For being a very valuable ally, politically and militarily... as well as his friend
{Admiral Zhao} Reputation : 95 - 100
+ R +
Reputation with {Admiral Zhao} at 100! New Companion Skill unlocked!
[Unofficial Delegation] - Strategic flexibility often comes from entrusting the right tasks to the right personnel. Unofficial Delegation allows you to temporarily grant the effects of a Companion Skill, Stat Perk or Proficiency Skill to a chosen companion. The more powerful the shared skill is, the shorter the duration and the longer the cooldown period between sharing becomes- reaching days or even weeks. But in those brief few minutes, your companion becomes an extension of your will: A herald, an enforcer, a diplomat, a saboteur, an executioner. Whatever you need them to be. Unofficially, of course.
+ R +
Yes, there was nothing forming a friendship over the imminent, bloody conquest of an entire nation; and being rewarded with a powerful new ability for it.
Libraries always felt like a little slice of home. The tall shelves lined with a banquet of books and scrolls, the lovely musk of aged paper, and the lingering fragrance of the midnight oil having been burnt... All that was missing were the everpresent earthy notes of sand and the distinctive scents of kin and clan, left like trails of footprints through the cavernous halls.
The large mortal's own personal study was a fair place to start divining his intentions with the Vandal.
With a glance and a flex of will, the wick of an oil lamp ignited- bathing the room in a warm yellow glow. The varied scents of the books and scrolls around this specific library told a story that they had been gathered from all across the mortal realm. And not only were they well-cared for, they had been read too. Not just a looter or a collector, the large mortal was apparently a scholar himself. And the greatest evidence of it sat on the writing desk, wafting an irresistible scent: a newly written book.
The leather cover was so fresh that it creaked most pleasantly when it was swung open. The title 'An Interview with a Shirshu-mounted Bounty Hunter by Commander Khan' proudly emblazoned on the first page.
An avid reader, a book collector, and an author who wasn't afraid of gathering knowledge with his own two eyes?
What a delightful little urn of surprises this mortal is~
Still, this book was quite the find! The way the pages had absorbed the smoky aroma of the oil lamps, the scent of the freshly-dried ink that signified that it had scarcely been a day or two since it had been finished. The knowledge smelled so fragrant in this book that it was oh so tempting to claim it for the Collection and just return home with it! After all, the master's love for acquiring first edition books was surpassed only by the love of acquiring the original manuscript themselves, especially one in such pristine condition. There was no swifter path to winning the master's favour than by presenting such a handsome prize!
But... Duties must.
The book gave a soft, leathery creak as it was closed with a longing hand.
How unequivocally unfair. As desirable as it is to carry a book or two back to the Sands and start restoring the Fire Nation section of the Collection, keeping watch over the Vandal unfortunately took precedence. The restoration was a task best left to kin who have no outstanding duties to fulfill. And there was no ending to this watch, not until the Vandal lies dead or digested. But still, it begged the question. Why was Vandal friends with a scholar such as this?
Suddenly, an alarming set of scents flew into the library.
"As One!"
Servants of the Avatar Kyoshi came with their painted faces, armoured kimonos and whispered battlecry. Their order has evidently changed from their isolationist ways, just two centuries after their founders' death. Their thin blades gleamed under the lamplight, and vigilant eyes scanned the room. Of course, it was all for naught. They lacked the strength of spirit to even perceive a spirit standing close to the veil. All kin and clan of the master's Knowledge Seekers could be standing in this room and these mortals would see but empty air.
Such amusingly ignorant creatures these mortals were~
"Library, clear." the leader of the mortals announced, and the others sheathed their katanas with groans of disappointment.
"Bo~ring."
"'Check every room.' He said. I guess Khan was just being paranoid."
"I wish there was an assassin, I'm itching for combat."
"Yeah, if we don't get into a serious fight soon, we're going to grow fat and lazy with how soft the beds are here."
"True, but tell me you never dreamed about living like a fancy-schmancy noblewoman!"
"In-house hot springs, nobles sure have it easy. Right, Suki?"
"The door was locked. So, who left this lamplight on?" This 'Suki' mortal asked, running her gloved finger over the lamp. Her compatriots shrugged.
"Khan, maybe?"
"Him, being careless around his precious books? Yeah right!"
"Well, no one else is as obsessed about books enough to read at night."
The Kyoshi servant leader stared suspiciously at the lit lamp for a few breaths longer before she pinched out the flame, "Let's signal to Khan that the property is secure."
They filed out of the room, but not before one of them left a comment hanging in the air.
"Aw man, I mean how cool would it have been if it actually was a spirit!"
... Does the large mortal suspect? Has the Vandal told him of the Master and the Collection? If so, what are they planning?
Perhaps the time has come to rest an ear on their conversation~
"... is my main concern." I listened to Zhao give his disappointing report about the state of our navy, "We did not- and will not- have the time to have the entire armada conduct much needed combat drills. Fire help us all, we'll be relying purely on just the experience that they already possess. And it's been far too long since any of these crews have participated in a proper naval siege of anything larger than some rebellious Earth Kingdom fishing village."
Despite the serious subject matter, our conversation in my tea room had taken a more casual tone once we had moved from Mountain Dew to alcohol. Just two coworkers commiserating about office work as the sweet, alcoholic fragrance of Fire Nation Sake filled the room.
"Times like these, I wish we weren't short on manpower." I told him, clear rice wine murmuring softly as I poured some into his saucer. "We could put troops on rotation like how we're doing now with the commemorations. Put their valuable battlefield experience into lessons that we can use to refine our training, tactics and equipment designs."
"Bah! You're just bending embers, Khan." Zhao scoffed before downing his drink. "You've come eighty years too late for your great ideas, we're about to end this war with the practices we have in place now."
"It's never too late to make a positive change..."
A flicker of reflected light came from the gap under the door- the signal that Suki and the others had cleared the manor and found no intruder. Not anything human at least.
Spirit Check successful! (53/40 Spirit Required)
Forty if it was in range, sixty if it was close by. That was my guess. I pensively sipped on my rice wine saucer. A gesture that Admiral Zhao noticed, pausing in his complaints.
He arched an eyebrow. "Why? Are you worried about things on your end, Khan? Do you believe your division is still lacking in preparations?"
"Not at all." I said to him, "My 41st Division is concluding our training for our part in the operation. My pl- I mean, your plan to take the Northern Water Tribe capital of Agna Quel'a will be all but assured. With or without coordination between your ships, I have no doubt Fire Nation High Command will applaud your tactical brilliance. With the blinding glare of your glorious armada shining in their eyes, the Northern Water Tribe will never see my 41st Division coming for their throats. At least, not until it's already too late."
"It certainly is audacious..." Zhao said with just the slightest touch of hesitation as he sipped his rice wine, "Cunning too, but definitely audacious."
"Getting cold feet, Zhao?" I tried to laugh it off, but the look of uncertainty lingered on his face.
Reputation check succeeded!
100/90 Reputation Required with {Admiral Zhao}
Lips pursed tightly between his voluminous sideburns. "No... it's something else." His usually gruff voice said quietly. "There's something that I need to give you."
Zhao reached under his chestplate, pulled out a small parcel wrapped in some twine and brown paper; and rested it on the dark wood between us. He reached out to undo the twine, but his hands stopped just inches from it. Fingers trembling.
The way the admiral fearfully stared at it gave me pause, and the silence bore down on us. But soon, he pulled it open- the brown paper crinkling as it revealed... a journal. Its faded red leather cover, dusted with a sweep of yellow powder- No, not powder- Sand.
My breath hitched, "That's..."
"My map to the fabled Library of Wan Shi Tong." Zhao muttered, as if he couldn't believe it himself. "Less of an actual map and more of a collection of various notes, but everything you need to know about the Si Wong Desert to reach the Spirit Library... It's all here."
Bleached under the heat of the desert sun, the red leather cover had lost most of its colour and sand was permanently embedded all across its surface. Not just a single type of sand either, but many: From pale chalky powder to fine yellow grains to tiny reddish pellets the size of an ant's head. It was a testament to how well-travelled that journal was, and to how long Zhao's scout unit had wandered that desert. Lost and dying of thirst.
"You had it on you this entire time." I observed, not surprised in the slightest that the admiral lied about hiding it in his own estate. I didn't hold it against him.
"On my flagship, actually." He said. And all the while, his hand rested on the journal- as if it was a clump of sand that he refused to let slip through his fingers. "I wouldn't leave such a thing unattended just for some Fire clan-sponsored thief to pillage from my mansion. No, if interested parties wanted to take this information from me, then they were going to defeat the largest battleship of the Fire Nation Navy and take it from its twisted wreckage at the bottom of the ocean."
"And you're giving this to me now?" I asked.
Zhao didn't respond, not for a few seconds as he stared at it. Then the journal made a soft hush as he slid it across the polished wood to me.
"You've done me a good turn, Khan; and you'll definitely need this more than I do. Flame knows that I am never setting foot on that place ever again."
I couldn't help but ask, "Zhao... This is practically a manual for desert warfare. This could open up whole new directions of attack on the Earth Kingdom. Why did you never forward this to Fire Nation High Com-"
"No!" Admiral Zhao's fist banged on the wood- the sake bottle almost tipping over, "Every expedition the Fire Nation has attempted since even back when Fire Lord Azulon reigned has ended with failure: Thousands of fighting troops lost without ever seeing a single Earth Kingdom soldier! And for what strategic gains? None! It's better that Fire Nation High Command has been soured on the idea of making another expedition into the Si Wong Desert, I made sure of it!"
Jaw clenched and amber eyes practically aglow with rage, the admiral who was infamous for his temper did something that I didn't expect him to do: he calmed down. Sat back on his cushion and exhaled a shuddering breath in a curiously well-practiced motion... as if he had experience pushing down this specific anger before. And without his anger, all that was left was a deep bitterness in his eyes. He continued, calmer.
"The Si Wong desert is so vast that you could fit the whole of the Fire Islands in it. Allowed to venture unprepared, an entire division could wander that accursed place, lost for weeks as their water supply dwindles to nothing." he stared at that journal, as if watching scenes of distant memories play out on the surface. "The desert sun beating down above, the hot sand under your armour plates. It's when you shake the last drop of water from your canteen and into your dry mouth that a sort of madness overtakes you. The madness of realising that your own brothers and sisters in arms had water left in theirs. Men do drastic things to survive. Desperate things."
He shook his head.
"Take it, commander. Take it away from my sight."
Nodding silently, I took the faded red notebook into my hands.
(Unique) Admiral Zhao's Journal
A collection of Admiral Zhao's shakily-written scouting reports, observations of the indigenous life and progressively obsessive ramblings about Wan Shi Tong's Spirit Library.
The weathered journal bears the marks of General Shu's ill-fated expedition through the vast Si Wong Desert. The faded red leather cover, once vibrant, has succumbed to the relentless assault of the desert sun, and is dusted with a variety of sands, each grain telling a story of bitter survival and desperate ambition. Brushing one's fingertips against the sand-coated cover, one can almost sense the grit of the sandstorms that once sought to consume both the journal and the spirit of its determined owner.
Between the creased pages, loose scraps of paper are tucked.
Ink sketches of dark shapes annotated with warnings of the dangers they pose and with spiteful curses for the Fire Nation lives they've claimed. Postscripts, written after betrayal, correcting previous- more hopeful- notes of potential allies and bitterly warning to never trust them again. And star charts with surprisingly artistic constellations drawn on them in the clear desert nights. Taken all together, the words and sketches chart a course through the treacherous dunes to reach a destination that countless other hopefuls had failed to reach.
Attunement: (100/100 Admiral Zhao Reputation Required)
Zhao's journal was a subdued, dusty relic of knowledge not meant for mortals. Purchased with blood, sweat, and fractured sanities of a thousand Fire Nation souls now claimed by the sands of the Si Wong Desert... And now, entrusted to the one person in the world he had left that he could call his friend.
+ R +
"You feel the weight of it too, don't you, Khan?" Zhao said quietly- likely having been gauging my expression as I handled the journal.
"Yes, I do." I nodded solemnly- my green eyes meeting his amber ones, "And Zhao? You have my sympathies for what happened."
He glowered. "I don't want your sympathy. I want your help to reach my destiny, and make use of the knowledge that so I went through so much for! Because otherwise-!" He caught sight of the dusty little journal, sighed and continued in a tired voice, "... Otherwise, It would all have been for nothing."
If there was any doubt of being able to talk him out of it then, they were wiped away now- it was definitely impossible at this point in time. He was too scarred, too filled with rage at what he had gone through that he won't even consider listening to reason, even to someone like me. No, Zhao needed to reach the Northern Water Tribe's Spirit Oasis. He needed his moment of triumph against the demons that haunt him. But until then, all I could do was make promises that I knew that I could keep.
I looked the Admiral in the eyes. "Agna Qel'a will be yours, Zhao." My voice rumbled, "I swear it."
The older man nodded with a small, grateful smile. "I knew I could count on the commander of the 41-" He stopped himself with a shake of head before mumbling, "No, I think you deserve more than that..."
"Admiral?"
He bowed low in his seat. And Zhao- with the most sincere I've ever heard him- said, "I'm glad that I could count on a friend, Khan."
"Always." I bowed as well.
As I carefully cradled Admiral Zhao's weathered journal in my hands, I couldn't help but reflect on the peculiar nature of this friendship. Here I was entrusted with the thoughts, struggles, and ambitions of a man known in canon for his arrogance and vainglory. But, for all of his flaws, he had chosen me as the one person he could call a friend. And in that moment, I found myself appreciating the simplicity of our friendship. It didn't need to be a deep reason, just a mutual respect between two soldiers, and a common goal- a common victory to fight for. And oftentimes, that was all that was needed.
A window flashed open in my vision.
New Quest:
THE ADMIRAL'S MOMENT OF TRIUMPH
Main Objective: Ensure the Fire Nation wins the Siege of the Northern Water Tribe... without dooming the world.
Sub-Objective #1: Secure a formal declaration of surrender from the Northern Water Tribe
Sub-Objective #2: Stop Zhao from killing the Moon Spirit
Secondary Objective: Convince Zhao to willingly give up on his goal of killing the Moon Spirit.
Rewards:
Large bonus exp
[Moon Blessed] No, it's not a dummy-thicc Moon Goddess flashing you her ass. ?
Secondary Rewards:
Large bonus exp
Large Reputation increase with the {Firelord Ozai}
Large Reputation increase with the {Fire Nation}
Legendary Item x 1
+ R +
The quest was straightforward enough: The world was not Zhao's to destroy, but neither did I want nor was I encouraged to just roll over and intentionally lose that fight in the North Pole. It was a relief that I didn't have to pretend that canon existed. After all, I derailed that particular train when I faced off with the Kyoshi Warriors near the start of my adventure. In this world on fire, I was the one who was going to win in the end.
The delicate sound of sake being poured into my saucer snapped me out of my train of thoughts.
Zhao corked the sake bottle with a sigh, "Before I lose my senses to drink, I need to inform you of something. Khan. The journal, it's incomplete."
"It is?" I paused and looked down at the journal, "What information is it lacking?"
"The details of what happened after I got inside the library." He took a sip of sake, "By then, I was so embroiled with my search for knowledge that I forgot all about my journal. And after I managed to escape and get rescued by Fire Nation forces, I was so sick of it all that I just hid my journal away instead of updating it with my experience. But I digress... the Spirit Library is a vast complex, even though I was only there briefly, I managed to find that even in a hidden library hidden in the forbidden part of the desert, there are still many more secrets to uncover."
Spirit Check failed! (53/60 Spirit Required)
In my impatience, I almost batted the notification aside as my large frame leaned closer to Zhao. My attention was a hundred percent focused on his words now. How could I ever resist? In the Avatar show, the Spirit Library was glossed over. But this was news to me. Me, who had lovingly watched the show and possessed extensive meta-knowledge, has just been told that there were secrets that no one else has seen before? Not even by the people in this world? That one of the most ancient spirits of this world was hiding away? A shiver of anticipation ran down my spine.
"What did you discover?" I whispered intently.
"Many things." He teased, cradling his sake saucer, "Library wings that were sealed off. Places even forbidden from the spirits themselves. Knowledge apparently too dangerous- too powerful- to be known, not even by other spirits. Knowledge that only Wan Shi Tong has access to."
Nothing held such an allure as the idea of forbidden knowledge did.
Zhao chuckled, "... But those aren't as important as one critical piece of information that I can tell you now, the one about the library's master: Wan Shi Tong."
He took a long sip from his saucer.
"When that owl-serpent spirit was chasing me through the library halls, I saw it wince when I struck its face with a particularly large firebolt. It apparently feels pain, those strange spirit fox attendants do as well. And from that, I postulate that it's something all spirits who cross over to our world have in common. Don't you see, commander?"
I shook my head, but I was still holding onto every word.
"Spirits can be beaten, Khan." Zhao's amber eyes practically glowed. "They can be killed."
"I will... keep that in mind." I said in a polite, but noncommittal tone- hiding my disappointment. And here I thought it would be something juicier, but it was just Zhao being an obsessive maniac about the Moon Spirit again. I didn't mind that the admiral was still operating under the assumption that I wanted to come into blows with the denizens of the Spirit Library rather than work with them. I still saw no reason to correct him at the moment. But still, that didn't change the new information that he presented: The Spirit Library held secrets that weren't present in the Avatar show. A lot of them.
And I wanted them all.
"Excited, are you, commander?" Zhao smirked- seeing my hungry expression, "Well, when you get to the Spirit Library, do me a favour?"
"What would that be?" I asked.
"Bring back some fox pelts for me, of course." He threw his head back and guffawed, loud and deep. "Twenty of them should be enough to make for a fine fur coat!"
Spirit Check succeeded! (53/5 Spirit Required)
I blinked dumbly. Why did it require only five Spiri-
My head tilted up. And up. And up to stare at the... thingthat was looming over the admiral, drooling. A grotesque furred spider-like creature the size of a car. Massive legs like furred tree trunks that loomed overhead and grasped the corners of the room with clawed fists. And...
Spirits, that's too many teeth on a giant spider.
The thing that was stalking us had finally revealed itself.
And I really, really wish it hadn't.
[Unofficial Delegation] may only target active companions in your party
+ R +
My attempt to try and save the admiral's life hit a little snag.
"Zhao..." I whispered very carefully- not keeping my eyes off the horror looming over him, "... I need you to say that you're joining my party. Right now."
The older man tilted his head- looking at me strangely even as long ropes of drool oozed from the open maw behind him, "What are you talking about, Khan?"
Resigned to my Plan B, I sighed, "...This is going to hurt."
"What?"
From my palms, I tried to bend lightning, but since I didn't know how- it ended exactly like Zuko's first attempts did- it exploded.
[Lightning Backblast], -150 hp
HP: 1250 - 1100
The explosion shot me forward, and the flame jets pushed me even faster. Neither the admiral nor the creature had time to react as- in less than a fraction of a second- my seven-foot-tall armoured frame was accelerated from sitting still to flying forward. Tackling the admiral, we flew right underneath the creature before crashing through the wall to the next room.
Just in time too, I heard the gargantuan maw slam shut around the spot where the admiral was just sitting- grinding up the tea table in a hell of teeth.
"Uuggggh..." Zhao blearily sat up from the rubble, "Khan, what is your-"
The creature crashed its face through the wall- snapping its jaws and legs punching through the wall like a tarantula tearing its way through a tiny paper doll house, and we were the tiny paper dolls.
"-WHAT IS THAT?!"
"My guess?" I slipped my skull-faced helmet on from my Inventory. "It's one of Wan Shi Tong's foxes. Warped into a homicidal frenzy like that forest spirit Heibai."
"But that doesn't look anything like the ones from the Spirit Library!"
"It doesn't matter right now!" I barked, "Steel yourself, Zhao, this is going to be a tough fight!"
Although still unsure, the admiral nevertheless raised his fists and slid into a firebending stance. Steam shot out his nostrils. "Very well, if this spirit wants a fight, it's going to b-Gugh!"
Reactions dulled by the alcohol, Zhao didn't see a wooden beam swing down until it whacked him right over his face- sending him tumbling to the ground unconscious.
"... Now I see why a couple of kids can beat you." I grunted, grabbing the admiral by the nape of his chestplate with one hand. Again, just in time. A roar from the deformed creature vaporised the spot that the admiral had been just a second ago. I readied my [Meteor Hammer] and prepared for an steeply uphill battle. But then the door slammed open, and the welcome sight of Suki and her sisters dashing through it soon followed.
"Khan, we heard a- WHAT IN KYOSHI'S NAME IS THAT?!"
They've seen war, and yet, their painted faces still gaped in terror at the first time they've encountered an angry Spirit. And also, a giant, deformed tarantula-creature tearing through the walls just had that effect on people.
"Evac the admiral!" I shouted as I tossed the unconscious admiral bodily at the girls, who were thankfully coordinated enough to catch the fully-grown man in armour. "Tell the Lieutenant to form a cordone, I don't want anyone else to see this!"
"We can't just leave you to fight that!" Suki shouted back, but her sisters tugged at her to go.
"Suki! Let Khan deal with the giant house-sized spider!"
"Yeah, we got to nope right out of here!"
"Kill it dead, Khan! Kill it with fire!"
"Hello?! Is anyone else gonna help me carry this guy?!"
With just a glance, the Kyoshi Warriors carried the admiral off- leaving me to face down the creature as it began to finally break through the wall. I rested my will on the mental trigger of everything I had as well as putting the spare Perk Point that I had into [Furor of Furious Fury]. I was going to need to deal heavy damage if things went sideways.
Bullet Time (Active): Dodge the bullets that haven't been invented yet. Three times a day, slow time to 80%. Bullet Time duration in seconds is equal to a tenth of your Dexterity stat.
[Lvl 2] Furor of Furious Fury (Active): Angry caveman powers, activate! For the next 4 strikes you make, your strength is doubled. Can be activated 2 times a day.
Spirit Rush (Active): Yes, overconfidence is now a power! Once a day, gain 20% bonus Spirit. Spirit Rush' duration in seconds is equal to a half of your Spirit stat.
+ R +
Through the eye slits of my helmet, my green eyes met with the creature's black ones. "Spirit! I wish to parlay!" I shouted up at it, "I have no quarrel with you or Wan Shi Tong!"
HE DARES?!
The Vandal threatened kin and clan! To flay them for pelt as if they were lowly beasts of the mortal plane! And this human dares to parlay?! Crack open his bones and eat his marrow! Feast on the flesh of his face! Let his blood stain the earth!
With a surge of fury and the crash of architecture, the wall of ancient wood finally gave way- freeing a massive fist to be immediately sent swinging down with the swiftness of a raven-eagle's talon right on the perceptive mortal's head. The impact should have left the offending human in a crumpled heap of metal and manflesh.
But this mortal was swift.
His sidestep was almost contemptuously relaxed. Skull helmet glanced to the crater made in the floor then back up. "I am not an enemy of the Spirit Library." He announced, "Let's stop this fighting and clear this misunderstanding."
Human lies should be left disregarded.
Five more great fists reached forward to pull him apart like a scribe's miscopied page. But evidently, he was a martial master of some sort, for he dodged it all. An uncommon breed of mortal, those sword dancers and fist throwers were. Trying to emulate the wisdom of movement of more enlightened beings like the tiger or the crane or the mantis. But there has never been a recorded instance of one in armour so heavy. And yet, each time, metal boots danced across the wood floor as he ducked and swerved and jumped just beyond the grasping fingers, calling upon an unnatural celerity that belied his sizable, armoured bulk.
The first strike landed was his- that metal ball at the end of the chain crashing against ribs with the force of a boulder thrown by a greater monkey spirit.
"Consider that your first warning." The mortal's voice boomed. "I do not want to fight, nor is there a need for us to fight. In fact, I'm sure Wan Shi Tong will appreciate that all I want to do is to donate some books!"
Again, more human lies. The Vandal has sworn not to set foot on the Sands, but has clearly delegated another mortal to perpetrate vile acts in his stead. This was a clear attempt to circumvent the master's intention: That no mortal was to damage the library, ever again.
The assault resumed with fury.
But this mortal was strong.
The armoured mortal's martial mastery was brought to the forefront yet again- parrying the retaliatory swipe of claws, and swinging back. The force was even stronger than the last. But to think it would be able to launch even the master's more powerful Knowledge Seeker stumbling from it? That was unexpected. Pain cracked from bruised ribs, and for the first time in centuries, a Knowledge Seeker's battle against a mortal was apparently not going to end with a flawless victory, or a clean one.
Perhaps too strong.
Where the Vandal was a feeble and slippery thing, this mortal was not. To stand against a spirit so ably and fearlessly, was this armoured mortal the Avatar? No... the results of the divination rituals circulated in the memorandum just a decade before had been clear- the incumbent Avatar was one born of Air, not Fire. And it was the Avatar's duty- just as it has been chronicled in a hundred different books and scrolls- to mediate things such as this, not instigate nor enable them. How unfortunate for him to be absent right now.
"Last warning, spirit." The armoured mortal's deep voice rumbled, "I am not your enemy, but if we continue down this path, I will beat you down until you listen to me."
This mortal was also very conceited.
Eyes narrowed, fangs bared, and blood boiling. The wooden structure of the hovel around them creaked and groaned under all the coalescing primeval energies of a Knowledge Seeker of Wan Shi Tong. This Avatar incumbent should count himself fortunate that someone else shall perform his duties in his stead.
All the better too. Reawakened after his hundred years of slumber, could that child even stop this armoured mortal?
(Meanwhile) [Northern Water Tribe Capital]
A slight shiver ran through Aang as he leaned on the window sill of their ice cottage, staring out into the iceberg-riddled sea of the North Pole.
"The Fire Nation aren't going to give up, are they?" His voice carried through the chilly air.
"What do you mean, Aang?" Katara asked softly as she stood up, still in her blue parka that matched her blue eyes.
"They've been chasing us almost every day since we left the South Pole- it feels like nowhere is really safe anymore."
"Oh, lighten up, Aang!" Sokka looked up from the piece of wood he was whittling, "I don't know about you, but I'm still buzzing from the butt-kicking we delivered back at the Northern Air Temple. Flying that war balloon and dropping goo bombs on Fire Nation troops was just what a warrior like me needed to feel alive! The Fire Nation can keep attacking, but we'll always be there to beat them back! 'Cuz that's what we do: We kick Fire Nation butt."
"That's not what Aang is worried about, O' brave warrior." Katara rolled her eyes at her brother
"No, Sokka does have a point, but..." Aang just pressed his lips together.
"But?"
"But I'm just not sure if anywhere is safe anymore."
"We're going to be alright, Aang. I mean, have you seen this place?" Katara gestured out the window and to the grand city of ice and water, "It's even more of a fortress than Omashu! The North Pole has withstood the Fire Nation for almost a hundred years. Trust me, if there's anywhere safe in this world, it's here."
Aang didn't say anything back, just eyeing the massive white walls of Agna Qel'a that overlooked the Northern Sea, the ice walls thicker than Appa was long. They looked like a Fire Nation Cruiser could crash into them and they'd hold fast. But it still didn't bring much comfort. Aang wanted to point out how even Omashu fell too- just weeks after they left the Earth Kingdom city. He wanted to say how worried he was for Bumi, and Suki and Haru and for all the friends they've made throughout the western fringes of the Earth Kingdom. And a hundred little other Avatar worries that's been gnawing at him nonstop.
"Hey, Aang? We're here for you too." Katara said again as she shifted closer, standing shoulder to shoulder with him by the window before wrapping her blue parka enveloping him in a gentle hug. And the bad feeling felt like it was being buried under her warmth.
Despite it all, he felt a small smile creep on his face.
"Maybe you're right." he said, keeping his grey eyes tracing the walls that protected the city, "If Agna Qel'a has held out against the Fire Nation for so long like Ba Sing Se, then maybe it really is a place we can feel safe in."
"Yes, you can." She smiled back.
Sokka chose that time to butt in, "Hey, if you two are done being touchy-feely, I've got a question: What's an Agna Kala?"
Katara whipped around to aim an incredulous stare at her brother.
"Agna Qel'a, Sokka! The capital city of the North Pole! You know? This amazing Northern Water Tribe city that we've been staying in since yesterday! How can you not know that by now?!"
Sokka just picked his teeth with a splinter of wood.
"Don't blame me. Our capital is called Wolf Cove." he said, "...Because it's a cove that's sorta shaped like a wolf's jaws. I don't know what the Northern Water Tribe named their capital after, but it definitely doesn't sound as cool as ours does. In fact, we have the coolest sounding capital in all of the Four Nations! Earth Kingdom has their Ba Sing Se, Fire Nation has their Capital City, the Air Nomads don't build cities, our sister tribe has this Agna Kwelah thing. But us? We have WOLF COVE!"
"Oh brother..." Katara facepalmed, and Aang just laughed.
"I guess it does sound pretty cool."
"Thank you, Aang!" Sokka grinned. "But back on the topic of those hot heads, I think you don't have anything to worry about anymore! I'm pretty sure we've seen it all from the Fire Nation. We've beaten their metal machines, outsmarted their plans, and stopped them from forcing the Mechanist to work for them. Now it's just regular Firebenders we gotta handle. Well, them and their Red Bull drink, but you get the picture."
"At least, Sokka's making sense for once." Katara laughed- ignoring the indignant squawk of 'Hey! I make a lot of sense a lot of the time!' from her brother as she met eyes with Aang, "We've faced a lot of challenges on the way to the North Pole, but we've always come out on top together. Now that we're here, we can learn Waterbending from a real master this time. Just think of all the techniques that they didn't put in our single Waterbending scroll!"
Aang couldn't help but smile at how excited Katara was about waterbending.
"Yeah, I guess we will..." He said, still smiling, "Thanks, guys. The pep talk really helped. I'm just glad that we're safe here at Agna Qel'a. It'll be nice not having to worry about any big surprises from the Fire Nation."
"I mean how much safer can we get?" Sokka said, "Ignoring the fancy-schmancy name, this place is a literal ice fortress built in a sea full of icebergs. Between you and me, I don't think the nation of people who can't use their bending when the weather gets too nippy for them is going to be making much progress attacking this place. Now, we just have to attend the big get-together feast that they're organising for us later tonight, and ask nicely over a Northern Water Tribe dinner if they can please teach you two how to throw water at each other better. And on that topic..."
Sokka looked out of the window to glare at the sun the same way he glared at Momo whenever the lemur stole his snacks.
"... The sun can't set any sooner too, all this talking is making me hungry for some Water Tribe food."
"I agree with Sokka about food." Katara giggled, "I'm curious what kind of variations the Northern Water Tribe have in their dishes too. Gran-gran told me that they cook their sea prune stew differently!"
"Well, I bet it's not going to be long before we find out!" Aang pointed out.
"I've got an idea." Katara smiled, "Instead of waiting around until the dinner feast, let's explore the city some more!"
Great idea!" Sokka stood up, already marching for the door. "Now is like the perfect time to work up an appetite for our first real feast in a long looong while! Oh man, I'm going to pig out at the feast and no one is going to stop me!"
"Sokka, wait up!" Katara called out as she rushed after him, before poking her head back through the doorway with a wide smile, "Aang, come on! Sokka might have gotten himself stuck in some hole somewhere by now!"
"Hey, I'm not that bad!"
"Just a sec!" Aang laughed as he picked up his staff- glancing out the window one last time and to the endless blue of the Northern Sea stretching out into the horizon.
For the first time in a long while, they were out of reach from the Fire Nation. Here in Agna Qel'a, they were finally safe. Behind the great white ice walls that glittered under the dawn sun like it was lined with diamonds, the army of brave and capable waterbenders that manned them, the towering white-blue pagodas of solid ice, the grand flowing waterways and all the water in the world. And now, they were going to get a Waterbending master to teach them as well. All the worries seemed like they were a world away, and the realisation just sank in: They made it.
From where Aang was standing, it was hard to imagine anyone reaching them here, and he felt silly even worrying about it. No one was powerful enough to dare attack this place... Not Zuko, not that Zhao admiral, not those Fire Nation special forces and not even the Fire Lord himself.
No one in the entire world was strong enough to try and hurt them here.
Too Strong. This mortal was... too strong.
The inconceivable has been realised: A Knowledge Seeker of Wan Shi Tong was losing... to a mortal! And now, in the shattered ruins of his tea room, his armoured form approached, lit blue under the gentle moonlight streaming through the wrecked ceiling. He was infuriatingly unharmed- not a single scratch on that spiked armour of his as he oh so casually swung his clinking ball and chain.
Twin emerald embers were visible through eye slits of his skull-faced helm as he asked- in an almost gentle tone, "Will you listen now, Spirit?"
Standing on shaky limbs, pain flaring from a dozen bruised bones and seemingly at the mercy of this mortal. It seemed like there was little choice but to listen. However... believing his words was a different matter altogether. There were still reasons for the mortal to lie- avenues for deceit and personal gain present for him to take advantage of. Perhaps more so now.
A nod. If only to grasp what little respite and open the possibility to flee.
He stowed his weapon on his hip and nodded in turn, "I sought Zhao so that I can find the path to the library and meet with Wan Shi Tong on peaceful terms. If there was any misunderstanding of my intentions due to being associated with him, I apologise: I am no enemy of the Spirit Library. In fact, I aim to be a benefactor."
He sat a brass-gilded scroll between them and stepped back. Notes of ashwood sap- a common ink ingredient native to the Fire Islands- emanated from the scroll. The strength of the fragrance meant that it had only dried in the past few days.
"This scroll..." his deep voice began, "... is a collated index of all the works currently held within the great libraries of the Fire islands. I imagine this will be invaluable in helping to restore the burnt library wing, no?"
A hesitant nod. It certainly would.
"You can have it then. It was what I was going to offer to Wan Shi Tong as a greeting, but I suppose it will function just as well as a peace offering. Believe it or not, my only wish is to donate some books to the Spirit Library. Just a few hundred, as well as a couple that I wrote myself. For those books, I want nothing in exchange- not even access to the Spirit Library. I only wish for Wan Shi Tong to accept them into the library's collection."
How generous and selfless, suspiciously so. Who was this mortal trying to fool, and why was he not putting effort into his lies? And yet, no Knowledge Seeker within the halls of the library would deny that this scroll was a most practical gift of knowledge- one that the master would surely appreciate. The humiliation of losing to a mortal can be laid aside. Not forgotten, but certainly laid aside. The master made it unquestioningly clear that restoring the Collection came first, and if the mortal's words were true then this was not an opportunity that can be ignored. But the possibility that it was a lie as well cannot be discounted either.
There was merit to the argument and cause for the action. But ultimately, presented with two possibilities that held significant consequences over the Collection, this was inevitably a decision that only the master could make.
The painted servants of Kyoshi arrived with their green kimonos and lacquered black armour, led once again by that Suki mortal.
"Khan!" she exclaimed as she spotted her master, "Are you- it's still alive! Sisters, As One!"
Katanas gleaming under the moonlight, they stood alongside the armoured mortal.
"The fighting is over, Suki." He said, gently pushing her katana down. "We're just clearing up this little misunderstanding."
An incredulous look came to her painted face, "Really? A misunderstanding with a spider spirit?"
"Fox actually."
Human females shared glances with each other, nodded. "If you say so..."
They sheathed their blades. To serve him unquestioningly... Was the mortal a Servant of Kyoshi as well? It seemed unlike an order for mortal females to induct males. But it was to the mortal's favour... Once, centuries ago, a brazen band of mortal thieves had stolen from the Collection, and a skulk of Knowledge Seekers was sent to alert Avatar Kyoshi. Wan Shi Tong had trusted that the Avatar would resolve it and such faith was not misplaced- the thieves chastised and the tome was returned. The master considered it a satisfactory resolution to the incident. If the Servants of Avatar Kyoshi follow this man into battle, then perhaps he can be trusted.
Claws were sheathed, and the Shape, submerged.
"It... it turned into a fox?" the Suki mortal muttered as she gazed her undeserving eyes upon the bare perfection that was the vulpine form.
Taking the proffered scroll between teeth, the time had apparently come to do what Knowledge Seekers are compelled by their Pact to do: Return home with valuable knowledge. On this occasion, it was valuable knowledge and a host of bruised bones.
The Veil was once again donned.
"Where did it go?! Sisters, on your guard! As One!"
"How? We can't even see it!"
"I can. Calm down." said the armoured mortal, ever perceptive.
A small spark of amusement arose.
Even now, these painted mortal females were all-too amusing in their ignorance~
Looking up, the sky of dark blue began to give way to wisps of red- the dawn was soon to come. Clenching teeth through the biting pain of bruised ribs, the limping run home would be bothersome and no less shameful, but for now, a reprieve from the endless watch was most welcome. Eyes lingered on the constellation of the Greater Gilacorn with its winding reptilian tongue, and let it guide the way home. Back to the Sands. Back with knowledge, and a message.
The master must be told of this name.
Khan.
A most interesting mortal~