Avatar: The Dragon Soul

It has been three years since the defeat of Fire Lord Ozai at the hands of the fully realized Avatar Aang. With Fire Lord Zuko ascending to the throne of the Fire Nation, the world has entered a new era of peace of prosperity. However, those who wished to see the Fire Nation dominate the world, have not simply faded from existence. Draoga Island has become a fortress of activity gathered in search for the legendary Dragon Soul, an artifact that is supposed to give god-like powers to any Firebender who wields it. With it, they hope to reclaim the Fire Nation and raise the banners of war once again.

With the Fire Nation's armies in a rebuilding and peacekeeping process, the Fire Lord has sought out a group of elite warriors from the Fire Nation, Water Tribes, and Earth Nation, to head to Draoga Island and end the threat before it is too late.

There was nothing more unsettling for a Firebender than being surrounded on all sides by an seemingly endless amount of water. The rickety wooden boat bucked and dove with the heavy ocean waves, its hull clapped hard on the water and the entire ship shuddered to the point that he thought it would snap in two. The entire structure groaned and the few crates and barrels within the hold slid back and forth, the netting that once held them in place had snapped two days ago.

Rhao had both of his eyes closed, but his fingers were digging into the bench he sat on. It was no battle cruiser, made of steel and designed to cut through waves efficiently. No, this one had been a trade vessel, mostly used to ferry goods back and forth in the calm seas surrounding the Fire Nation islands. Draoga Island was in the middle of the ocean, a not so friendly environ, to say the least.

Close, he thought to himself. They had to be getting close.

War, it was a funny thing for Rhao. The Hundred Years war had taken up a large portion of his life. He had been apart of General Iroh's army as they had laid siege to Ba Sing Se. During those battles, he had seen plenty of death to never want to walk the path of the warrior again. They had called him the Crimson Blade, for the unique style of Firebending he had learned from his grandfather. However, the name had a deeper connotation, one that he didn't quite find to be a compliment. Spilling blood had been something he had never enjoyed, but had done too often during those long years.

So, after the siege, he left Fire Nation Army, seeking a much more peaceful life.

However, he found concerns far more pressing than morality, such as a full stomach. He was no farmer, nor was he an artisan. His attempts as hard work and labor had not went well. The one thing he knew how to do, and the only thing he had ever made money doing, was fighting.

So, it was fighting that the Crimson Blade did. His favored branch was bodyguard work. At least then he had the purpose of protecting someone., During those years, he had escorted many merchant caravans through the hazardous war zones of the Earth Nation. When the bodyguard work was sparse, he took upon odd mercenary jobs and participated in the occasional fighting ring.

The Avatar had changed all that. When the war had ended, peace sucked the remaining life force out of his profession. Sword and flame did not rebuild houses and plant crops. So, for a long while Rhao went hungry, until he received word of another battle brewing.

The hatch above opened up, casting rays of sunlight over the cargo hold. The sun's rays lent him strength and he finally released his death grip on the bench. Opening both of his crimson eyes, he saw The Earthbender Gai Long descending the rope ladder, landing cautiously on the deck. Rhao didn't feel so bad after all, as Gai Long looked twice as uncomfortable at sea. By the goofy way he approached, it looked to Rhao that he had have never spent a day at sea in his life.

“The Captain said we should be arriving within the hour,” Gai Long said, nearly falling over when the boat rocked.

“Good,” Rhao said, glancing back down at the deck. Gai Long had been eying him suspiciously since before they had gotten on the boat. That was part of the reason he had taken to the cargo hold. The last thing he needed was to get into a scuffle with a hot-headed Earthbender.

“What's the matter Crimson Blade? Are you afraid you'll run into some of your old war buddies?” Gai Long said.

“No.”

“You've been down here since we've gotten on the boat. I don't trust you one bit,” Gai Long said and grabbed Rhao by the shoulder, squatting down to stare at him face to face. “I told them it would be better if we didn't bring any Firebenders, that there might be too much temptation, but they didn't listen. They kept gloating about how great of a warrior you were. My grandfather and uncle died during the siege of Ba Sing Se. How do I know it wasn't by your hand?”

“I'm not the enemy Gai Long,” Rhao said, standing up slowly. His hand instinctively fell to the handle of his curved dao sword. “Now get your filthy hands off of me.”

Suka sat perched on the rickety trade ship’s railing lost in worry. She swirled a small amount of water between her fingertips. It was something she had done while deep in thought since she was a child. Unfortunately, this time her mother wasn’t here to ease her doubts.

It had been a week since the small ship arrived at the Northern Water Tribes borders. Suka had been gathering food with her mother when she heard the commotion from other members. Papou, her little brother, had come to find them.

“Momma! Suka!” Papou’s small voice echoed coming up the ridge. His little topknot barely visible as he made is ascent. He was only eight years of age, but he had the courage of the fiercest bear. Suka loved him with all her heart.

“What is it Papou?” Suka said running to meet him. Her mother was close behind.

“A ships here!” He exclaimed out of breath, “There are Benders everywhere, even a Fire one!”

“Slow down, honey.” Her mother said kneeling to meet Papou and placing her hands on his small shoulders. Her brow was furrowed with worry. Suka’s mother, Kaiani, was a beautiful woman. She was tall and slender, what most would describe as statuesque. She had a grace about her bending that Suka practiced daily for but never seemed to master. Her hair was the darkest chocolate brown, but the most striking thing about her mother was her vibrant green eyes. Eyes that Suka had inherited. “Where is your father?” Her mother asked. “Is anyone in danger?”

Papou shook his head fiercely to and fro. “They’re looking for warriors, momma,” he said puffing his small chest out. “Can I go please?”

Suka started towards the village, ruffling Papou’s hair as she passed. “Maybe in a few years, cub,” She said with a smile.

It wasn’t a far walk to the village; in fact, it was a down-hill trek that both Suka and her brother would sled almost daily. During their descent she could see the ship looming on the borders of the village.

As Suka, her mother, and Papou entered the heart of the small village it seemed all but bare. A few children were playing in front of their huts. Suka cleared her throat and hollered over.

“Do any of you know where the elders are?”

What appeared to be the oldest ran up to her. “They are in the great hut.”

“Thanks,” Suka said with a smile before leading the way to the council building.

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Suka entered the council area quietly. An intense discussion was unfolding and she wanted to hear every word, though it was difficult with the mass amount of panic that seemed to be rising.

“Why is the fire nation doing this?” A woman shouted from the front of the room.

“Avatar Aang should be stopping this, not us,” another man to Suka’s left called.

Just then Suka saw her father, Nanuk, rise from his seat at the council table. The roar of the crowd dulled to a small murmur before fading out altogether. His stature was one that demanded respect, tall and muscular, like a fortress. Nanuk was named after the great bear spirit. He had once been the tribe’s fiercest warrior, but an injury from a chi blocker had taken away that honor.

When he returned from battle, he was made head of the tribe when the chief passed. As her father scanned the crowd his eyes met with her in an all knowing glance. His eyes were the color of coals, and Suka could tell while on the surface he was calm, the issue was one to be worried about.

He cleared his throat and began to speak. “My people, I have heard your concerns. Now hear mine. Avatar Aang has led us into an era of peace and prosperity. He has helped us without thought. Now when he needs our aid I hear that loyalty not being returned. If I were able to fight this battle for you I would. But as it stands I am needed here. I will not force any of you to leave your homes, but I urge you to stand and protect the thing you love most, your freedom.”

Suka wasn’t aware that she had risen, or that many sets of eyes were on her. She only realized her words as they were coming out of her mouth. “I will fight, father.”

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From what she had been informed of, by her father before her departure, Fire Lord Zuko was seeking Benders of all elements to protect a legendary Dragon Soul artifact from those who wished to see the Fire Nation dominate the world. Draoga Island was the name of the place where they were headed. It was where the artifact, that was rumored to give unfathomable powers to any Fire Bender who wielded it, lay.

Now here she was, creator only knows how many miles from home. She had been on the small ship a week and thankfully the voyage was almost over. She had spent most of her days volunteering with the other water benders helping to move the vessel along. It was tiring work, but it kept her from thinking too hard about the task ahead, or her family behind.

Most of the other Benders welcomed her tribe. The impact of Avatar Aang’s actions really had changed the world. She wondered if her actions would as well. She was shocked at the tolerance between nations, even the Fire Benders had welcomed her to join in the occasional game of Pai Sho.

There was one Fire Bender that Suka had heard of who peaked her interest greatly. The others called him the Crimson Blade. She knew he was a great warrior, but she was surprised that he spent most of his time below the decks. What she couldn’t figure out is why the one Earth Bender, who called himself Gai Long, disliked him so.

As if answering her thoughts she caught a shadow of movement out of the corner of her eye. It was Gai Long, and he was heading below deck. Suka had a feeling trouble wasn’t far behind. Gathering water into her ammunition skin, her father had passed it down to her before she left, she tiptoed quietly behind Gai Long.

When she arrived she heard harsh voices. Peeking around the corner she saw Gai Long standing in front of the Fire Bender with a firm hand on his shoulder.

“What's the matter Crimson Blade? Are you afraid you'll run into some of your old war buddies?” Gai Long said sardonically.

“No.” The Crimson Blade replied. His voice was as cold as ice.

“You've been down here since we've gotten on the boat. I don't trust you one bit,” Gai Long said. My grandfather and uncle died during the siege of Ba Sing Se. How do I know it wasn't by your hand?”

“I'm not the enemy Gai Long,” He said, standing up slowly. “Now get your filthy hands off of me.” He said reaching for his sword.

Suka watched in silence making a quiet effort to retrieve the water from her pouch. Caught in his anger, or maybe unaware altogether, the Fire Bender hadn’t seemed to notice Gai Long’s free hand reaching behind him forming loose dirt into what looked like a spear. It was the first time Suka had seen earth bending, and it angered her.

Her blood boiled at the dishonor Gai Long was bringing upon himself, upon other Benders. Her father had told her to fight with honor and face your opponent head on. Gai Long's tactics were enough for banishment from her tribe.

Gai Long instigated the Fire Bender with a sneer before gripping the earthen dagger tightly in his hands. Having seen enough of his cowardice Suka snapped. “You slimy little sea slug,” she hissed launching a wave of water encompassing Gai Long's hands before turning it to solid ice. The unexpected weight behind his back caused him to lose his balance and crash into the ground. Suka's ice held firm.

Gai Long shouted obscenities at her. With a flick of her wrist his lips were frozen shut as well. "Serves you right," she hissed. Suka heard the Fire Bender behind her and suddenly realized she was no longer a silent observer. She stood frozen, embarrassed for eavesdropping. She could feel her face redden more with each passing moment.

Suka looked at the Fire Bender sheepishly and stammered. “I-I’m sorry, I didn’t me to,” she said motioning with her hands before deciding to quickly drop them for fear of him thinking she was on the attack again.

She looked at Gai Long before speaking again. “I saw him sneak down, and when I went to see what he was up to I heard the conversation. I didn’t want to interrupt, but he had a Bending Dagger behind his back.”

She waited through an awkward moment of silence, looking at her feet, as his gaze bore into her. She chanced a glance back. He wasn’t as broad as her father, but he was sturdy like a tree. His hair was blacker than penguin feathers, and his eyes almost glowed, they were the color of embers.

Unable to stand the silence any longer she finally spoke extending her hand. “My name is Suka, of the Northern Water Tribe.”

“You slimy little sea slug,” a sharp feminine voice called out.

Rhao heard a loud whoosh as a blast of water flew through the hair and hit Gai Long. The water changed to ice with a loud crackle and Gai Long fell over onto the deck, cussing, trying to wrench his arms free. Rhao glanced to his left. Coming down the ladder was the Waterbender that had joined their expedition. He didn't know her name, only that she was from the Northern Tribe.

Using some sort of Waterbending trick, she sealed Gai Long's lips shut with ice. Rhao could certainly say that he wasn't opposed to that action at all. The Earthbender's voice had been starting to irritate him.

"Serves you right," the Waterbender said and then glanced over to Rhao. “I-I’m sorry, I didn’t me to. “I saw him sneak down, and when I went to see what he was up to I heard the conversation. I didn’t want to interrupt, but he had a Bending Dagger behind his back.”

Rhao realized that he had his dao sword half drawn and had done so at instinct. He smirked at her and sheathed it with a loud click.

“No worries. I appreciate your help. I had a feeling he was up to no good. Normally aboard a wooden ship at sea, an Earthbender has no power. However, it would be logical he would bring some sort of earth with him just in case he needed it,” Rhao said.

“My name is Suka, of the Northern Water Tribe,” the woman said and extended her hand.

Rhao had never shook hands with a Waterbender, nor a woman. In fact, this was the first Waterbender he had both met and spoken to. His dealings during the war, and thereafter, had largely been with Earthbenders.

She was truly an enigma to him. She wore thick animal hide for clothing and had long curly brown hair. He knew the North Water Tribe lived a barbaric life style in lands of ice and cold, but it surprised him that they would allow woman to be a warrior. In the Fire Nation, even female Firebenders were seldom allowed to participate in military affairs, and those that did were usually so ruthless that Rhao would have mistaken them for men.

Both of her eyes were bright emerald green and she seemed to study Rhao, waiting for any sudden movements. However, instead, he extended his gloved hand out slowly and took hers in it, giving a firm shake.

“I am Rhao and I hail from the Fire Nation.”

The thudding of boots on the deck above, and the muffled sounds of shouts indicated some sort of commotion going on. Rhao walked past her and to the ladder, climbing up.

“I wonder if we've arrived,” he said.

At the surface, Rhao was splashed with soft sea-spray as the ship bobbed through the waves. On the hazy horizon he could see the silhouette of an island. The crew were darting around, preparing ropes and the like for when they made contact. Rhao tried to stay out of the way, all the while working his way towards the front of the vessel so he could have a better look.

As the mists separated, he gazed upon Draoga Island. It was a fortress of volcanic rock, surrounded on all sides by dense jungle. It surprised him to see a small village ahead, set upon a glossy black beach.

Twinkling red lights brought his attention to the the rock formation. They grew in size and flew higher into the sky, until he realized, they were massive artillery fireballs. The first one landed beside the ship in the ocean, the weight of it displacing enough water to nearly cause the ship to capsize. Rhao grabbed onto the side of the boat with all of his strength, to avoid falling into the sea.

Gritting his teeth, he pulled himself back aboard, collapsing on the deck. A fireball landed in front of the boat, causing the nose of the boat to rise to nearly a ninety degree angle. Crew members let out blood curdling screeches as they tumbled into the sea below. Some of the more experienced ones had taken hold onto the side of the ship, netting, or onto ropes.

Rhao was a quick thinker, or he likened himself to be. He snatched a rope as he was sliding towards the churning sea below. Much to his dismay, the rope hadn't been tied to anything yet, so he continued to plummet, head first, towards the water.

At that moment, he knew he should have stayed below deck.

“No worries. I appreciate your help. I had a feeling he was up to no good. Normally aboard a wooden ship at sea, an Earthbender has no power. However, it would be logical he would bring some sort of earth with him just in case he needed it,” the Crimson Blade said.

“My name is Suka, of the Northern Water Tribe,” she said and extended her hand. Suka felt awkward when he didn’t take it immediately. But after what seemed an eternity’s examination on his part, he extended his gloved hand out slowly and took hers in it, giving a firm shake. She was surprised at the strength he possessed.

“I am Rhao and I hail from the Fire Nation,” he said with an air of hesitation. She wondered why such a fierce warrior would not be proud.

Suka’s next statement was cut short when a stampede of boots rumbled on the deck above. She could barely hear shouts but had a feeling of suspicion as Rhao walked past her to the ladder and began climbing up. “I wonder if we've arrived,” he said.

“Beats me,” she said following, and not minding the view at all.

As they reached the surface Suka was splashed with bits of salt water as the ship rocked through the ocean. Benders were buzzing about like busy ants. There were people with ropes shouting orders, by her guess they would be docking soon. Suka hated to admit it, but she was not looking forward to being on land. She didn’t like any place where people like Gai Long had the advantage. She had never been off the frozen water.

The sky was ominously hazed over, and Suka felt a small chill go down her spine as she followed Rhao to the bow of the ship. She had never seen anything like it, as the mists parted; Draoga Island loomed in the distance. The island seemed more like a fortress than anything else. Sharp peaks of rock encircled most of the inner perimeter. The rich minerals from the volcano must have aided the growth of the local plant life because a dense thick jungle bordered the rocky mass. What appeared to be black sand bordered the edges of the beach where a small village lay.

Suka looked at Rhao for a brief moment to gauge his take on the island, but he was no longer looking at the land. As her gaze followed his she saw tiny flickers of light in the sky, she wondered if they were a form of firefly she had heard so much about. To her horror, they began to grow in size and head closer.

The first large fireball landed beside the ship in the ocean nearly causing it to capsize. Suka watched as Rhao grabbed onto the side of the boat with all of his strength, and pulled himself back aboard, collapsing on the deck. The second fireball landed in front of the boat, causing the nose of the boat to rise to nearly a ninety degree angle. Some of the more experienced ones had taken hold onto the side of the ship, netting, or onto ropes, those not as lucky let out chilling shrieks as they tumbled into the water.

Suka watched as Rhao fell towards the water. When she realized the rope he grabbed on to was not anchored she was quick to take action. Steadying herself with her feet tangled in the railing she began to manipulate her hands. A large tentacle of sea water wrapped around Rhao and elevated him back safety. She looked to her tribe members who held onto the ship, motionless, in shock.

“North Tribe!” Suka shouted towards her people with as much courage as her father the bear.
“We do not let comrades fall to the water! We are the ocean! Help create a barrier, do not let this ship sink. Women, follow my lead and rescue anyone you see in the water!”

With a fierce cry from her people she watched as her call to action unfolded. Water benders lined the borders of the ship, hands at the ready. The ocean swelled to balance the teetering vessel, and from all sides she could see bodies being placed back on the deck.

She ran over to Rhao unsure of what to do. “Let’s not beat around the bush, you know war, I know seals. What do we do no-“

Her sentence was cut off by a hurtling fireball headed her way. Suka flung her hands up creating a half dome of ice around the ship as the fire ball made impact. The bits of ice shattered, and she gathered them before they were able to impale any crew. With a large cry Suka launched them towards the direction of the fire’s origin. She hoped she would at least hit one target. She had done all she could, now she looked to the only person who’s experience seemed to matter, Rhao.

“A little help here,” she said exasperated.

The sapphire waves greeted Rhao in his descent. He allowed himself a small smirk. This was it. He had come all this way, fought so hard during the war, to just be swallowed by the sea. Being a Firebender, it was kind of ironic, in a sadistic sense.

And then, the water rose like a spout. A frothy torrent, shaped much like the tentacle of a mighty kraken, slithered around him, suspending him in mid-air He clothes were soaked to the bone, but he was safe and sound.

“North Tribe!” Suka called out. “We do not let comrades fall to the water! We are the ocean! Help create a barrier, do not let this ship sink. Women, follow my lead and rescue anyone you see in the water!”

We are the ocean, Rhao heard the words resound within his mind. The truth was that. The strength of a Waterbender was its peak while at sea.

Her Waterbenders worked in unison, reshaping the sea, causing it to rise up and correct the boat, steadying it. Men were plucked from the waters and set safely on the deck, coughing up saltwater from their lungs. Rhao's feet touched down and allowed himself a small prayer. The tentacle of water that had held him lost its form, splashing onto the already soaked deck.

Never again did he want to experience that sort of terror.

“Let’s not beat around the bush, you know war, I know seals. What do we do no-“ Suka began to say, but was interrupted by screams from the bow.

Another fireball blazed its trail across the sky, and began to fall towards the ship. Rhao gritted his teeth. This one was bound to be a direct hit.

Suka brought her arms up and with it a giant wave of water rose up and hardened into ice, forming a spherical shield above the boat. The fireball landed in the center of the shield, causing much of it to shatter away. Sharp shards of ice began to fall but Suka stopped them and forced them back up, reinforcing the shield. Hunks of the ball landed into the sea and onto the deck. The flames were quickly doused out by other Waterbenders, who had been on standby.

The impact had caused the fireball break apart. It was a simple design, a spherical spiked cage of metal stuffed with kindle and doused in oil. Firebenders ignited it and it was launched via a ballista, a sort of giant crossbow, at its target. Its great weight and fiery nature would wreck havoc on any wooden vessel.

“A little help here,” Suka said.

They were in a dire situation, that was for sure. Rhao had never been a navy captain, but he knew enough about the enemy to understand that if they didn't reach the shore soon, they were going to be sunk. Their best bet would be to get to there as fast as possible and split up. The ship didn't have the speed, armor, or maneuverability to survive such a hellish approach.

The original idea had been to arrive on Draoga Island as a trading vessel and sneak ashore. The plan had failed miserably, and it was at this moment that Rhao regretted signing up for this mission. Just how did the enemy know they weren't a trade vessel?

They were going to see if we ran. A trade vessel wouldn't risk the approach after the first shot. If we had ran, they would have sent a ship after us and allowed us to come ashore to trade. It's too late for that though. They know...

Had they been aboard a Fire Navy Destroyer, they might of had some sort of chance.

“We need to get off this hunk of driftwood and get ashore. I know I saw a few rowboats below deck and there's one tied to the side of the ship. Those of us who aren't strong swimmers or Waterbenders can take those boats. We'll be smaller targets and the enemy will have less of a chance of sinking us. They'll torch this cog, but we can always steal a ship later when our mission is completed,” Rhao said.

The Captain of the ship didn't look happy about the plan, but Rhao could tell he saw the logic. He began to order his sailors to prepare the rowboats. The first one hit the water with a loud clap. Rhao climbed down the netting and sat down on one of the hard benches. Cold seaspray slapped him in the face and the waves rocked him.

He felt nausea creep up in the back of his troat. Gritting his teeth, he fought past the sensation and grabbed an oar. Within moments the boat was filled to the brim with sailors. They untied the ropes and the little rowboat began to drift away from the cog. Six men rowed hard, trying to put space between their boat and the larger vessel.

More rowboats set off and he saw Waterbenders surfing across the waves effortlessly. Shrieking fireballs landed in the water all around them, sending up huge splashes and clouds of steam. The beach seemed so far away, and no matter how fast they rowed, it didn't seem like they were getting any closer.

The sea is too turbulent, Rhao thought. We will never make it.

“We need to get off this hunk of driftwood and get ashore. They'll torch this cog, but we can always steal a ship later when our mission is completed,” Rhao said.

Suka mulled the plan over in her head. She couldn’t come up with a better solution, so she marched off to gather her tribe. Once everyone was collected she explained the situation. “We’re going to be splitting up into small row boats. Anyone hurt, go to a rowboat now. Those of you who aren’t injured are to follow behind on bending.”

She glanced up momentarily to look for Rhao, his boat was already in the water; his terrified face said it all. Suka looked back to her to her tribe. “These people are going to die if we don’t help them get to shore. Use your bending to speed things up, watch out for rocks and above all just get them to the shore in one peace.”

A large ball of fire collided with the hull of the ship. It rocked violently to and fro. “We have to get off now!”

With a running start she jumped over the side railing, gracefully stretching her body straight like a javelin, her hands pointed in front of her. She met the water with minimal splash and arched her back, her momentum naturally bringing her to the surface.

Wish unseen force she raised her hands pulling the ocean with her. Suka didn’t have to search long before she found Rhao’s boat unattended by a bender. As she made her way towards it, her fellow tribe members surfed along the waves, making their way to the little vessels.

When she reached Rhao’s boat she placed her hands firmly on the back before calling to its members. She kept her eyes on Rhao the whole time. She held his ember eyes with hers, though she was speaking to everyone, she wanted him to know he was safe. “I need you to trust me. We’re going to get everyone to shore, but we have to make large waves to do it. I won’t let anything happen to any of you.”

Without another word the little boat began to lurch forward. A giant wave curled around the small ship almost covering it completely. “I won’t let it fall,” Suka called sensing the terror. “It’s the only cover I can create.” Without any more notice they sped forward towards the rocky shore.

Leading the army of small boats, she sidestepped rocks and dodged fireballs. Her arms were shaking and her strength was depleting, but Suka pushed harder, silently praying to her father for the strength of the bear spirit, unwavering and proud.

It seemed like an eternity before the shore was within a reachable distance. Much to her dismay there was no maneuvering around the rocks that lined the shore. In a last ditch effort Suka used her remaining strength to surge the ocean over the barrier, silently praying the momentum was enough to carry the tiny vessel to the soft sand safely.

In moments, Suka felt her feet hit the beach; the boat glided gently to a stop. She turned behind her to see the other tribe members followed suit. No one appeared to be missing, all the boats had made it to shore. Suka breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed with exhaustion onto the grainy floor.

Her chest heaved with labored breaths, and her entire body ached from the reverberating chakras. We did it, everyone’s safe, she thought. For the first time since she had left the North Shore, Suka began to laugh. Never in her years did she think she would be happy to be upon land.

The sudden forward momentum brought Rhao's attention to the rear of the boat. He still had his oar in a death grip, but turned back. It was Suka, holding onto it and pushing them along. The water beneath her feet frothed from the immense pressures her bending created.

Both of her eyes were like shimmering emeralds and Rhao found himself in wanderlust. There's so much more to this one, he thought.

“I need you to trust me. We’re going to get everyone to shore, but we have to make large waves to do it. I won’t let anything happen to any of you.”

Rhao nodded and turned to look ahead. A great wave curled up in front of the rowboat, the water suspended by an invisible force. Some of it dripped down, like big salty raindrops, splattering onto his hair and cloak.

“I won’t let it fall,” Suka called sensing the terror. “It’s the only cover I can create.” Without any more notice they sped forward towards the rocky shore.

She maneuvered the boat, dodging the flaming projectiles screeching in from the rigid volcano. He was impressed with her expertise. He had fought powerful Waterbenders before, but never had he seen someone with such grace and technique. Even the other Waterbenders, manning the other boats, seemed to be struggling far more than she was.

Eventually, the boat sailed over the jagged rocks at the beach's end and slid across the shore. The beach was composed of black sand and smooth obsidian rocks. Chucks of the rock and sand rained down on them as they skidded to a stop.

Suka collapsed into the sand laughing. Rhao let out a sigh of relief and a chuckle of his own.

"Thank you for your help," he said, catching his breath. The rowing had taken a lot more out of him than he imagined "I don't think I'll ever go into the water again."

A thrumming sound brought his attention to the line of vegetation at the edge of the beach. An arrow whistled past his head, thumping into the sand behind him.

"Get down!"

Rhao, however, stood and jumped up in one smooth motion, landing in the sand. Both of his curved daos were drawn, the sharpened steel reflecting the bright orange sunlight.

More arrows flew forth from the vegetation, skipping across the beach rocks. One of the lead sailors was hit in the shoulder. He let out a cry and falling face first onto the beach. The rest of the crew scramble out of the boat, pulling it up over them as a makeshift shield.

Meanwhile, Rhao had darted towards the line of thick vegetation. The archers were concealed. The common strategy when facing an enemy with a missile weapon was to hunker down and take cover. The beach had no cover, so Rhao had to put himself in danger's way to charge their position.

He spun through the air, letting loose a ripping arch of flame. The fire disintegrated an arrow before it could make contact with his lightly armored body. He landed and rolled forward into the bramble.

They began to shout, alerting the others that he was upon them. As he rose to his feet again, he heard the ripping sound of bodies tearing through vegetation. He caught a small glimpse, there had been perhaps ten men total, and they were on the run.

Two of the archers, who were right beside him, dropped their composite bows, and drew their curved short swords. Rhao parried the first strike with the flat of his blade and slashed with his off-hand. Blood sprayed through the air and the first archer collapsed. The second let out a cry of terror, fleeing with the rest of them. Rhao took a deep breath and stepped forward, thrusting his sword in his direction. From the tip a blazing ball of flame flew forth and engulfed the fleeing archer, barbequing him.

They were a small patrol unit; lightly armed. They won't come back, not without Firebenders or spearmen to augment them.

Bending over, he wiped the sticky blood from his sword's edge onto the cloak of the fallen archer. Pushing two ferns aside, he stepped back onto the beach. The blazing sun bathed his line of sight in bright yellow light. He shielded his eyes with his forearm.

There were a good deal of people from the boat. In fact, it seemed like everyone had made it. The Waterbenders had been god-send. Without them, he feared that even he wouldn't have made it ashore alive. Thirty benders and the entire crew of the trade vessel. He sighed in relief.

On the horizon, smoke rose up from the remnants of the cog. He could see now that it had drifted into the spear-like rock formations that had shielded the beach. With each passing wave, burning chunks of the hull broke off. It wouldn't be long before the sea claimed the cog's corpse completely.

“Into the jungle, hurry!” he shouted to those who had survived. They were sitting sitting turtleducks, on the beach. At least in the thicket, they could take a breather and figure out what to do next. The exhausted benders and crewmen jogged past him, into the trees. He was the last one to enter, when everyone had gotten off the beach.

In the trees, they had collapsed. The benders were passed around their waterskins. Rhao's head spun and he tried to take count of who they had left.

“Catch your breath,” he said, kneeling beside them. “We need to get moving, soon. We can find a easily defensible place to make camp and decide what to do next.”

Balling his fist, Rhao couldn't help the rage that surged through him. This had been a damn suicide mission from the start. They made it sound like there were a handful of rogue soldiers on this damn rock. They have a small army.

Suka collapsed into the sand laughing, she rolled to look at Rhao, who let out a sigh of relief and a chuckle of his own. It was the first time she had ever seen a true smile from him. It traveled directly to his eyes, almost making them glow with his inner fire.

"Thank you for your help," he said, between heavy breaths. "I don't think I'll ever go into the water again."

“I don’t think I’ll ever be this happy to see land again,” she said sitting up to brush the sand off.

A small thud behind her caught Suka’s attention. “Huh,” she said turning around to see a stick protruding out of the sand. Her eyes widened at the realization that she had just been missed by an arrow.

"Get down!" Rhao’s command chilled her to the bone. Suka crouched behind the row boat and lifted it for cover. Small wizzing noises hummed all around her. She dared a glance see what exactly was going on, poking her head up just in time to see Rhao draw his curved daos and rush into the thick vegetation.

A scream drew her attention to one of the sailors. Suka looked over just in time to see the man fall to the sand an arrow in is shoulder. His wound was not fatal but Suka knew she had to get him out of harm’s way. She reached behind her pulling water from the sea. In one fluid motion the tentacle of water stretched forward and scooped the man up, placing him back behind the rowboat.

In the next few moments several things happened. The arrows ceased, and numerous men could be heard shouting, and finally one blood curdling scream echoed across the land. “Oh no,” Suka breathed.

Thick rustling grew louder as, what Suka guessed to be the attackers, drew nearer. Much to her relief when the vegetation parted, there stood Rhao. A hard look was set across his face. Suka saw tiny droplets of red smeared along his blades, reminding her that this kind man was also the Crimson Blade.

“Into the jungle, hurry!” he shouted.

Suka made her way to the injured, aiding them to the safety of the bramble. Rhao refused to follow until every bender had made their way off the sandy shore. Suka could feel the exhaustion of everyone permeating the atmosphere.

“Catch your breath,” Rhao said, kneeling beside them. “We need to get moving, soon. We can find a easily defensible place to make camp and decide what to do next.”

Though his voice was calm, his rage was evident. His fist had balled up. Suka began to wonder if this mission was really one that could be achieved. A small wave of dejection washed over her as the realization that she may never get off this hunk of land closed in.

She shook her head, trying to rid the thoughts. Standing and stretching she walked over to Rhao. “I have to tend to the wounded before we move anywhere. We’ll need more water, so I’ll have to go back to the ocean. Stay here with the others.”

Before he could reply, she was on her way, stopping only briefly to gather three of her best benders. Deciding it was best not to leave their cover they stood on the forest’s edge. Suka and her tribe members began to push the water back and pull forward with the motion of the waves.

With each pass the ocean water lapped closer and closer to the women. Finally with one final pull they balled a large sphere and held it above the sand. Suka then began the delicate task of forcing the water and the salt to separate streaming the fresh water into each empty canister they possessed.

Within a few hours they had made her way back to the thicket. Suka nodded at Rhao and walked over to the injured sailor she helped earlier. Placing a hand on his shoulder she looked into his eyes apologetically. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “This is going to hurt.” She took a large piece of leather from her pocket and handed it to the man. “I need you to bit down on this, it will help.”

With fear in his eyes, the sailor did as instructed. With two men holding the sailor down, Suka reached out and snapped the end of the arrow off. The sailor let out a large groan of pain, and bit into the leather peace as Suka had instructed.

“I’m almost done,” she said as soothing as possible. Not giving the man time to answer she pulled out the remainder of the arrow. The man let out an agonizing howl, little bits of saliva seeped out of his mouth into the leather.

Suka unscrewed the cap to her water pouch pulling a small sphere out. A faint glow lit the liquid and she pressed it into the man’s wound. His face took on a look of relief, and Suka gave him a smile. “It’s going to be sore for a bit, but you’ll be fine. You did well.”

Suka spent the next hour helping the other benders tend to the wounded. When everyone had finally caught their breath she went to find Rhao. She followed his trail into a larger thicket. Though she knew he would already see her coming, she still announced herself with a small cough.

“Everyone is tended to, sure you’re alright?” she said in a small voice. “I think we can make our way to camp now, if you like.” She mustered a tired half smile and waited for a response.