Post #2547268 in Avatar | The History That Was Forgotten, a roleplay on RPG

Asad had to leave quickly, to avoid looking at her too long. Now Xue would understand the life he led, the life of a killer. An innocent man looking to retain his innocence through non-innocent means... How ironic, he would constantly think. He killed only when attacked, to preserve his own life. He only wished that the number of those he killed was fewer than what it was. He could not even remember the number if he tried. It was not something that he let try to plague him. Especially now as he made his way through the back alleys of the town and to the warehouse. Killing was not something he would be afraid to do...

Standing before the great doors to this warehouse, he knew he was ready. This was it. The end of his run. Surprisingly, he showed no hesitation. The doors opened almost immediately as he arrived as them, letting a rectangle of light paint the stone floor of an otherwise low-lit warehouse. He took two steps in and closed the doors behind him himself before anyone else could. Xue would be here soon, so he felt a bit more confident about being here in the first place. He would be able to fight alone for a while. Asad was not aware that Xue was already waiting for him.

"Well... Well... Well... How much like the mouse to walk directly onto the trap." A voice would calmly call from the darkness.
"Sometimes a mouse can defeat the cat, Chi Blocker..." Asad would reply in that dark tone of his. It was unshaking, prepared.
"You are different from last time. You look like an old man, disheveled and drunk. But... you certainly are more seasoned. Asad, was it? Your wanted poster is plastered all over town." The voice taunted him.
"That would be your fault, Chi Blocker. You framed me and got away... The only one who knew of your existence was me. But they would not believe me when the man I was sworn to protect was killed by my own blade... You are an intelligent man, I will give you that much. But you chose the wrong person's life to ruin. I intend to show you exactly what a man with nothing left to lose can do..." His grip on the handle of his blade grew tighter. "Tell me... Why do you not have any underlings here with you? Would an ambush not have been a better idea?"
"For a drunken fool? No. I know how you samurai are with your honor codes and all of that. So I figured I would give you a chance at redemption." The voice sounded sarcastic. The next sounds would be footsteps as his target drew closer. Within a moment's time he was close enough to be seen. A tall man, but falling just a few inches short of Asad. His brown hair was back in a ponytail, but secured down the whole way unlike Asad's normal plume. His garb was exactly that of the Chi Blockers, unsurprisingly, and his eyes... Green had never looked more malicious. His build was not exactly as muscley as Asad, but it was toned and a bit bulky. This man had spent much time training his body. As a Chi Blocker, this would not bode well for the rounin Asad.

"You will regret coming alone, then. Your little watch fell in one swipe... both of them." Asad drew his blade, giving it a full circular twirl as it unsheathed from its hilt. Extending it out to point just under the Chi Blocker's chin, he would give a smirk. The Chi Blocker remained stoic, as if he were not scared at all. "Dying is the easy way out, however... And I will not grant you an easy way out... HASAGI!" Asad lunged forward to stab with his blade, only to have the Chi Blocker knock it away and toss Asad off balance. He recovered quickly and turned to face his opponent, who was about to begin blocking right off the bat. Asad raised his fist, a wall of Earth erupting before him to take the attack. The Blocker smashed that to pieces, giving Asad enough time to move aside and strike again. "TON!" He would call after making another attempt at a slash. His opponent would simply bend backwards, touching the ground with his fingers before rubber banding back up to attempt a strike at Asad. This was one of the techniques Xue had taught him, and he was ready. Asad quickly ducked the strike, kicking down the ground as he did so. A cube of earth would jet up from under the Blocker, but his reflexes were quick and he used it as a chance to gain ground on Asad, going up higher to bait him into striking again.

As if Asad didn't have experience fighting those on a higher position than him. Kicking the earth beneath him again, he would jet up on a large rectangular piece and ascend. Kicking off the earth, he went up and over the Blocker. At first the Blocker was confused. Why did he not try to strike? His answer was a bunch of rock to the face. That kick that propelled Asad had also commanded the earth to shoot forward at the Blocker. Asad had landed the first blow. Pressing against the ware house wall, he quickly bent a spot for him to perch upon. Crouched, he looked down at his opponent who was now flat on his back. "Not bad for a drunk, eh?" Asad would call down. That hit felt really good. He commemorated it with a sip from his drink... a rather cocky sip that left him unaware of the Blocker's next attack. The Blocker would attack upwards with a less-than-graceful uppercut that would cause Asad to fall forward onto the ground. His gourd slipped from his hands, the alcohol spilling out and leaking across the floor. On his hands and knees, Asad tried to rise, only to feel three swift strikes in his back. Letting out a pained grunt, he fell to his elbows and grabbed onto his sword. Rolling over, he took a rather badly-formed swipe at the Blocker as he did so. One that, expectedly, missed. It was to keep him from blocking any more chi, though. He could already feel himself disconnecting with the earth beneath him. Any more and he would not be able to pull out his trump card.

"I'd say that was pretty bad, actually. You seem to be rather rusty. Did killing your former comrades not help keep you in shape, Drunken Golem?"
"You've no right to speak about that. Because of what you did to me, they thought me to be a criminal. I killed them because I had to. Not for any other reason... I did what I had to do to stay alive." Asad knew this man was on a higher level than him in terms of combat. Chi Blockers were crazy fighters, their methods unknown to Asad and difficult to counter. This man was nimble and quick, easily dodging many of Asad's strikes and attacks.
"I can see it in your eyes. You know you cannot beat me. I do not have anything personal against you though, bender. So how about I give you the easy way out?"
Asad gritted his teeth together as the Chi Blocker stepped forward and moved with a speed that Asad could not comprehend until he was already striking. He blocked two of the three quick jabs with the flat of his blade, the third jab into his shoulder causing his non-sword arm to drop limp. The Blocker was smart and jumped back, only getting his clothing cut in the stomach piece as Asad made his counter strike. Asad scowled. He was being outclassed here... It made sense with the Blocker knowing Earth Bending and the kingdom itself in and out. But Asad was deemed a master... He refused to lose to this scum. Especially when Xue was going to be here. He could not look weak in front of her.

"This isn't over yet! IGEI TON!" Kicking at the earth and slamming his fist into it at the same time, the very warehouse began to shake. Between the Blocker and Asad the ground between them just crumbled and fell into itself, forming itself into a pile. This was where his namesake came from... For when the pile of stone and rubble began rising, it began taking a somewhat humanoid shape. Like a collosal armored man made of rock. This was one of the golems that made Asad famous. "Get ready, Chi Blocker!" With a loud grunt, Asad forced the golem forward, to grapple the blocker. It was harder to command with several points already blocked. But it was certainly still manageable, shaky or not. The man was way stronger than he looked, but even he could not hold out against the golem's grapple for long. And the hulking mass of stone would pin him down.

It felt... too easy. But for now it would have to do. His eyes were fixated on the Blocker as he picked up his gourd, putting the empty container on his hip where it belonged. "This is my namesake... The power that will take you down and return my honor." He dropped to one knee in exhaustion, all of his focus going into keeping the golem stable. Hopefully Xue would reveal herself and help him. With all of these points blocked and the sweat beading down his face, the golem wasn't going to hold for long. And the Blocker's consistent silence left an uncomfortable feeling in Asad's gut...

Xue couldn’t see the Chi Blocker from her vantage, but she could hear him and there was something in his voice that she found unsettling. Not necessarily his tone, but something that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. He told Asad that he had come alone, but she knew Chi Blockers and decided to check the perimeter before taking him on his word.

So, she moved from her perch, weaving in between crates and along the room, checking everywhere she could think that might conceal chi blockers, careful to stay concealed and silent. She had slid off her shoes up at her original perch as the two spoke, and found it much easier to move along.

Xue stopped when she heard a shout from Asad followed by the sounds of struggle. It seemed Asad’s final fight for redemption had begun. She slid between two crates and watched carefully, she would only step in when necessary.

She felt a puff of pride when Asad was able to use one of the skills that she had taught him against the enemy, and it seemed that he was gaining the upper hand until he made one crucial mistake. His own confidence became his downfall as he took a sip of his drink and gave the chi blocker an opening which he promptly used to his advantage.

Then, Asad was on the ground and, despite his efforts to block, had his non-sword arm rendered temporarily useless with an expertly placed jab. Xue began to slide out of her hiding spot, she kept to the shadows to avoid being seen, and made her way to the two, considering strategy as she went. She knew that they needed to keep from killing the man, his testimony being the only thing that could clear Asad’s name, but they needed to get him down and keep him from using his chi blocking.

A shout from Asad startled her, though not as much as the shaking of the warehouse that followed. Xue sent a startled look up at the stacked crates beside her, but they seemed to be too heavy to tilt so easily and she quickly turned her eyes back to Asad and whatever he was doing. the stone floor of the warehouse between the chi blocker and Asad began to grow and rise until it took the shape of a large golem.

It was a thing of beauty and power, and Xue paused to gawk at it before focusing her mind back on the task at hand. She was close enough to hear the heavy breathing of both men, but still hidden by shadows. The Chi Blocker’s back was to her for a moment, before the golem moved forward and pinned him down.

Asad fell to one knee and Xue decided that it was time to reveal herself and came out of the shadows. Silently, she came up to the golem and looked down at the man who had ruined her friend’s life.

Her legs felt weak and the man’s green eyes grew wide with recognition. “Li Mei!” He exclaimed, then anger replaced shock and he began to struggle at the grip of the golem.

His name was Audeiu and he had been her friend back in her own village, then her rival in the caves. She hadn’t expected the man to be anyone she knew and took a step back. Though they had become bitter rivals during their time training, he had once been her friend and she didn’t know if she had the strength to throw that away. Xue turned to Asad who crouched on the ground, using all of his willpower to keep the golem on Audeiu, but the sight of him made her more torn. She had promised that she would fight the chi blockers and help the Avatar bring balance to the world, but..could she do it?

A quiet popping noise could be heard and Xue hadn’t registered it until she looked down and saw Audeiu sliding out from under the golem’s grip, rising, and then popping his joints back into place with a grunt of pain followed by a growl, “How dare you show your face here Li Mei, you traitorous bitch!”

She hadn’t realized that he had moved until his fist connected to her stomach and brought her to the ground. Survival instinct came in and she rolled with the punch, then when he was recovering his stance, she slid her feet under his own and brought him down as well. Xue wanted to vomit, but mustered enough energy to stand and face her old friend.

“Audeiu, you don’t have to do this.” She said quietly as he stood and the two began to circle, “turn yourself in now.”

He laughed cruelly and spat at her feet in response. “I would never turn myself in, turncloak. I’m not as weak as you or your friend here, I’m going to fight.”

Xue shrugged, the question had been rhetorical for the most part, she only wanted to distract him as she recovered from the hit. She waited for the right moment before lunging forward with her arms tucked at her sides so he wouldn’t get a clear hit at her wrists. He sidestepped, but his form was sloppy due to the beating he had taken by Asad’s hand and Xue was able to adjust her position and get a few jabs in before retreating a few steps and beginning to circle again. While her attacks had been somewhat blind, Xue was not a novice and had scored enough to see that his left arm was useless. When an opening presented itself again, she came at his other side. However, Audeiu knew it was coming and turned his back to her at the last second so that her jabs went to the already worthless arm and when she went to hop back in retreat, he grabbed her leg to flip her over. Fortunately, Xue had regained her composure and was able to escape his grip with a well placed kick of her other leg and land in a roll. She stood and faced him, trying to appear confident though she wasn’t so sure she could win this battle if Asad didn’t recover quickly. Though she had been known as a prodigy, Audeiu was one of the few her age who had been able to rival her which had quickly turned their friendship sour. Their skills had been pretty much even when she left, but Xue had spent three months on the streets trying not to go hungry as she sought out the Avatar and Audeiu had spent those three months on missions and in training.

This time it was he who attacked first and Xue played him evasively, leading him further from Asad so that Asad would have room to prepare his next attack once he was able to.

When Xue finally intervened, Asad let out a sigh of relief. He took no pride in having assistance in his deciding battle, but... Well, he did owe it to her. His focus on the golem dropped enough to create a rough opening for the Blocker to escape. Asad cursed himself under his breath and allowed the golem to fall over inactive. He would let Xue duel the Blocker, who she had named Audeiu, while he tried to regain some stamina. It was obvious watching them that they knew each other. One important note Asad made was when he referred to her as a "turncloak." Not that Asad had cared too much up until this point, but that was verification that she was no longer with them. Something to report to the Avatar and the rest of the gang. Hopefully that paired with her actions today would convince them that she truly was on their side...

There was time to care about things like that later, though. Asad had no idea how to un-block his chi, if that was even a thing. He knew too little about them and had forgotten to ask Xue. Once again, the Drunken Golem cursed himself under his breath and let his breath return to him. What was he to do now? Bending was unreliable, and his left arm was still not responding to his whims. Still, this was his fight and Xue was handling it currently. He would not stand for that. Those were his thoughts as he actually rose to his feet and kept a hold on his sword. "I feel like an old geezer... weak and useless." He would smirk as he mumbled this to himself and took a stumbled step forward. He had let this man make such light work of him... "So much for being a master... samurai or bending... Have I really become so dulled? Am I but a blade long past its expiration date?"

Asad could suddenly feel the weight of the world upon his shoulders. The fate that this man had caused him... The once friendly faces he cherished turned cold and pale with the cruel touch of death struck by his blade... He could feel his anger boiling. Was he really about to let all of those lives go to waste? Each one caused by his blade, were they to have died for nothing? No. No, Asad would not permit that. Being here in this scenario had awakened a feeling Asad had long forgotten. This impulse to win, the desire to conquer at all costs... The desire to regain and preserve his honor.

He now let his teeth show in a great smirk. His once cold and empty eyes now had a gleam of determination. He was truly ready to fight now. His warrior instinct had returned.

Dashing through the warehouse near-silently, he approached the one called Audeiu from behind and brought his blade upward at a slash to his back. "CHORYON!" The blade easily cut through the clothing and softly into his skin like fresh scissors through paper. Even with several points blocked and a dead arm, Asad would certainly prove a much stronger challenge now than before. This was the power of a man with nothing left to lose, and everything to gain. He fought for himself, his honor, for justice... And for Xue.

Asad moved with the wind, as if he were an Air Bender rather than an Earth Bending master. His movements were fluid and each one had a purpose. In the Blocker's back in the opposite direction, Asad would land another successful blow. "SORYE!" That slash easily turned into another with another battle cry. Asad then tossed his blade into the air, using his functional arm to grab hold of the stricken Blocker and pull him back and away from Xue. He went stumbling a few steps and tried to recover. But Asad was no longer broken down and beaten. The world would no longer hold him prisoner. In the time it took for the Blocker to get solid footing, Asad had caught his blade as it descended and pivoted on his left foot to make a clean stab into the Blocker's abdomen.

He then lifted his left leg and pressed it into Audeiu's chest, kicking him off of the blade. The man would let out a pained cry, the wounds beginning to take a toll on his body. There were far too many too quickly, and his body was beginning to go into shock. But Asad needed him alive. This life was the only one keeping Asad from being a free man. His foot returned to the ground with a slam, causing a small quake in the warehouse again. "SORYE GE TON!" The golem behind Audeiu would become animate once again. Though it remained on the ground, its face would turn to "stare" directly into the man's eyes as it shot forward its arm. Its fist opened up and quickly wrapped around the length of the Blocker's body. The man would only be able to grunt in pain as the fist closed tightly around him and took him down to the ground. The golem would drop back down completely inactive, leaving the Blocker in a prison of stone. Asad dropped to one knee, his sword falling out of his hands with exhaustion as he tried to find his breath again. His expression was pained, but triumphant. Seeing the Blocker that ruined his life reduced to such a sorry state by his own power was the moment he had been waiting for. Now... Now he just needed to be turned in.

Asad's face would pale just a bit as he knelt there. He had put a toll on his own body now, bending with points blocked. In his eyes, this victory was worth any pain. But with his eyes trying to close and his vision blurring, it was difficult to think, let alone stand. But he would inch closer anyway. Approaching the captive, he would drop down to his hands and knees, knocking that annoying hat off of his head and letting his hair fall as it would. "You... will regret ruining my life... And all of the other atrocities you have committed... since then, Chi Blocker..." The expression of the Chi Blocker was angry, obviously agitated at having lost to a drunk and his rival. That expression only made Asad grin more as he rolled over onto his back. Audeiu himself would collapse from exhaustion, dirt and wounds coating his body under the stone prison.

Asad would only laugh for a second, feeling weights being lifted off his chest one by one. The faces of those he killed would stop burdening him for the time being, leaving his vision with smiles. Smiles that would, in turn, permit Asad to keep his smile. His heart would feel light, despite its aggressive pounding against his rib cage. "Xue..." The tired voice would beckon for her. When she would come to him, he would lift his right arm to push the messy brown hair from his face to look at her. "I was thinking... You know, this guy said something..." His triumphant smile had turned into a pleased smirk as he forced himself to sit up against the colossal fist that kept Audeiu prisoner. "Li Mei. It's a very pretty name." Tired as the man was, he stayed awake. He just needed some time to recover, to move this man to the authorities and begin explaining things. From that point on... Asad would be a free man. A free man with his honor in tact, and a new friend at his side. This thought let the smile paint itself back on his face, soft and tired, but there nonetheless as he closed his eyes. "Thank you."

Xue’s focus was on the task at hand and her vision became tunneled, it was only her and Audieu. She ducked, rolled, and jumped over each of his attacks, not letting him touch her but not touching him either. They were both beginning to wear out and Audieu had begun to turn to taunting to try and get Xue to lose focus.

“This is a lost cause, Li Mei.” He called with a harsh, sharp laugh. “You’re not going to win and when I kill your friend, I’ll make sure to bring you back to the rest and let them kill you nice and slow. Though perhaps not before I have a bit of my own fun.” He licked his lips and Xue had to fight hard to resist the urge to attack him. This wasn’t her fight, this was Asad’s and she was only giving him time to get back on his feet.

She found herself nearing a wall, and Audieu used that distraction to slip in a jab and Xue felt her arm go weak, though he had not hit it hard enough to render it completely useless. She retreated quickly and attempted to massaged the numbness out of her arm. A noise behind her caused Xue to turn and she saw Audieu lung forward. She was cornered and knew that she wouldn’t be able to react in time. Audieu knew it, too, and a knowing smirk came across his face and his mouth open to taunt once more-

He was cut off when a dark form came up behind him and landed a huge blow in Audieu’s back. He then grabbed Audieu and Xue saw Asad’s blade go through the abdomen of the man who was once her friend.

She paled and stumbled back, her heart thudding in her chest and her ears ringing. Was this what she wanted? She had been bent on helping Asad and over the course of the trip had felt her feelings for her new friend change quite dramatically, though she still didn’t know what that quite meant, but...was this what she wanted? Xue’s back made contact with a crate and she used it as support as she watched.

Audieu had been captured once again by Asad’s golem and Asad was laying on his back with a smile and a laugh. Xue could see years of heavy burden lifted from his shoulders and, despite her conflicted feelings, she knew she wanted to be there with him. She was exhausted so her movements were less than graceful, but she got to Asad’s side. She put her hand on his shoulder but said nothing, a grim look on her face as she turned to her former friend, wounded and beaten in the fist of the golem.

"Xue...I was thinking... You know, this guy said something..." Xue turned back to look at Asad who was wearing a pleased smirk on his tired features as he sat himself up against the large stone fist. She scooted up next to him and laid her head on his shoulder. "Li Mei. It's a very pretty name." She blushed and allowed a small smile..

“Thank you, I guess I forgot to mention that.”

"Thank you."

“No need. I’m glad I was able to share this adventure with you.” She sighed and shut her eyes, “and as much as I’d like to stay here and rest, we need to turn in Audieu before he...before he’s unable to confess.”

Her head on his shoulder was welcome. Were the situation any other, he'd have simply enjoyed sitting like this for a while. Contact, being close with another person, suddenly did not seem so scary. Soon enough, he would be able to go out undisguised and enjoy her company without worrying about putting her in harm's way. But she was certainly right. They had to get Audieu back to the authorities before he bled out. And it was obvious from his little brush with the previous Blockers that he was really only good at ending lives, not preserving them. "I suppose you are right, Xue. Come on, then..." His voice was hesitant, clearly wanting not to get up at the moment.

Gently slipping away from her comforting presence, he would stand up with a rather loud, pained groan and a wobble as he tried to keep his footing. He did not bother seeking out the large hat that he wore. Holding out his hand like a claw, it would stab straight into the stone of the fist and be dragged along as he began walking away from the scene. The colossal fist now felt like it was really dragging him down as he made his way out of the warehouse doors, a sign that the slip-ups early in the battle had really been a mistake. They were wearing his body down now... But it was an exhaustion and pain that he would endure.
--
The two would certainly receive some strange looks as they walked down the streets with a man encased in stone. Asad seemed not to notice, however. His expression, however, pained, was clearly too happy and too excited to care about any on-lookers. And by the time they reached the guard's post, he felt like he was going to collapse over. One of the guards at this station was clad in blue, a more complete armor set akin to something that Asad would be wearing. He raised an eyebrow at the exhausted man. "Asad...? Is that you?" The voice was grizzly and strong, much like Asad's.
"Y... Yeah. You with the Azure Guard, then? Good. Listen, I need-" Asad cut himself off as he now recognized the figure. "Bato? Is that you, you old dog?"
The other man would grin, slapping Asad on his back. In his weakened state, however, Asad would fall flat forward. "You used to be tougher, you damned wolf. But damn have you some gall to show yourself out in the open like this. If you weren't carrying a wanted criminal with you, I'd execute you on the spot. So explain yourself... If we weren't old friends, ya'd already be a goner."

The man called Bato would take Xue, Asad and Audieu back to his tent just outside the village. It was there that Asad had received some food and water (however reluctant he was to actually drink that) and explained the situation. The original attack, Asad's journey after the framing, everything up until this point. Though he did make sure to leave out the fact that Xue was a Chi Blocker. Bato listened intently, making sure not to miss a single detail of his friend's story. Once all was said and done, Bato simply grunted and shook his head. "Of all people, I'd never expect you to get caught up in something like this. But I knew you'd never betray us. But what else were the Elders supposed to believe with no one else at the scene? Regardless... I believe you. I know the kind of man you are, Asad Boder. I'll testify on your behalf. We will get this sorted out immediately."
Asad got down on his hands and knees in a gesture of bow, lowering himself as much as possible to express his gratitude. "Bato. I... I cannot explain how-"
He was cut off by another slap to the back. "Aw, shut up, you old wolf. None of that mushy stuff with me. You know better." However, despite the seemingly rough words, Bato smiled at his friend and stood up tall. "Now, come on. Let's-" He cut himself off as he saw the shape his friend was in now. Asad had literally passed out on the ground inside of the tent. His body finally collapsed under its own exhaustion. With a sigh and a soft chuckle, Bato shook his head and then turned it to face Xue. "You the poor girl he's with? I don't know how long you two have been with one another, but keep an eye on this one. You know. After all of this is over. He can be a real fool sometimes, especially with a few drinks in him. But he's my friend and I want to know he's in good hands. So. Keep an eye on him, will you, girl? I'll be back." Smirking, he left the tent. Asad's body would not be able to refrain from snoring as he slept. But the look on his face was peaceful and carefree. If he could see it himself, he would know that everything up to this point was worth it...

Xue reopened her eyes and let Asad slip out from under her head and then helped herself to her feet. She wasn’t as beat up as he was, but all of the running and dodging that she had done had left her tired and the hits that Audieu had managed were beginning to feel sore and bruised. As the two left the warehouse, she kept close beside Asad. She was thankful for his company, but there was a grim set to her soft features as she battled her thoughts regarding Asad, Audieu, and the life that she had left behind.

Her first steps out of the caves had been liberating, and as she integrated herself into the world of benders and non-benders she felt sure of her path in destroying the chi blockers who attempted to take away that harmony. While her morals had not changed, the big bad Chi Blockers now wore the faces of old friends, colleagues, and family and Xue wasn’t sure that she was strong enough to face them.

For whatever reason, she turned and looked at Asad. His silhouette was strong, sturdy, and similarly liberated in the way that she had been once. Perhaps she was not strong enough on her own, but perhaps with some help she would be able to better discern friend from foe. The thought helped give her some peace of mind, and she walked a bit closer to Asad so that every once and a while their shoulders would brush and she would be reminded that he was still there, walking beside her.

They soon arrived at the guard post and Xue stood back as Asad spoke with whom she supposed was an old friend by the quick banter they shared. After a few words, the man called Bato escorted them into his tent outside of the city limits where Asad explained everything that had occurred.

Bato believed his story and promised that he would speak on Asad’s behalf. Shortly after, Asad fell asleep and Bato turned to her. “You the poor girl he's with? I don't know how long you two have been with one another, but keep an eye on this one. You know. After all of this is over. He can be a real fool sometimes, especially with a few drinks in him. But he's my friend and I want to know he's in good hands. So. Keep an eye on him, will you, girl? I'll be back."

Xue was too tired to protest so instead she nodded, “I’ll make sure he stays out of trouble.” She promised, looking down at Asad’s sleeping form. Bato exited and Xue crawled behind her friend. She was tired, but he was going to need to be fully unblocked eventually so she began massaging the points that had been attacked and attempted to restore the flow of his Chi. When she finished, she sat beside him and waited either for Asad to awaken or Bato to return, but as she did Xue found herself beginning to nod off and finally curled up beside Asad and fell into a light sleep.

A groan would escape Asad as he finally came to. He rose slowly onto his bottom and stretched out with a yawn. He had noticed the pain he had experienced earlier had gone away for the most part, and he could feel a complete connection with the earth again. Rest really seemed to do him some good. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes with his left hand he would notice a little mass curled up beside him. Looking at her, his heart skipped a beat. She looked so peaceful beside him, trusting enough to sleep beside him. Comfortable enough to want to sleep beside him. Red filled his tan cheeks as he... "accidentally" imagined the implications of that and choked on his own breath. "Jeez, Asad... Your mind sure is something else." He would scold himself aloud. Still though, he smiled softly and placed a hand gingerly on her head. Li Mei. Xue. Which did he prefer more? Her true name, or the name she chose for herself? The former was more beautiful and truly represented her, but the latter was hers. She took it for herself, for her own reasons. Of course that was how he would refer to her... but maybe she wouldn't mind if he used her former name now and then.

His thoughts would be interrupted as Bato came back into the tent. From what light Asad could see before his friend came in, it was approaching dusk. "Well, Asad... He had his emergency hearing. I think you'll be happy to hear that he has been found gilty of all charges against him... And that includes the most recent charge... The framing of a certain former Azure Guard member." Bato had a big grin upon his face. Asad did not bother questioning how Bato got the confessions. If anyone could do it, it was that man.
Bato grinned, attempting to suppress tears. Happy ones, this time. This meant that he had been found innocent. Now he was truly free. Honor had been restored to his name. "Bato... You damn dog. Without you, I don't think they-"
"What did I go and tell you about that sappy stuff, ya damned wolf? Consider it even for all the tough spots you got me out of back in the day." Bato was trying not to show any emotion, but he was pretty proud of himself.
Asad simply chuckled, waving a dismissive hand. "You got it, you got it. Debts repaid. Not that they ever mattered to me."
"There is, uh, one thing, though." Bato would begin, his expression dropping a bit. "You're not permitted to be a member of the Azure Guard anymore. You killed our men. The Elders acknowledge it was in self-defense and self-preservation... But permitting you back into our order would cause a bit too much trouble. They think it'll stir up some emotions of the crew."
Asad would nod. "That's okay, Bato. I have a new task anyway..."
"Oh, you do now?"
"I do. I have met the Avatar. And she has requested that I become her new instructor. Her master in the art of Earth Bending." All was silent for a moment before Bato erupted into laughter.
"YOU! Met the Avatar!? Damn it, Asad. Your luck is looking more and more up with each passing second. With you as her teacher, she's bound to be the most powerful Earth Bender the world'll ever see!"
Asad chuckled with a nod. "Yeah. I have things to protect again." He looked down at Xue as he said this. "I have my honor and my freedom once again... I figure helping out the Avatar is a good use of my time, eh? Help decide the fate of the world..."
"Heh. Good thing you got kicked out of the Azure Guard, then. You're doing better work out there with the Avatar, Asad." Bato grinned and shook his head. "Anyway, you'll need to turn in your Azure Guard uniform. What's left of it anyway, you goddamn slob."
Asad made a rather rude, sarcastic hand gesture. "I don't suppose you've got something similar in green? Gotta say, I've grown accustomed to this stuff."
"One step ahead of you, Asad." Bato tossed a small package from his side at Asad. "Get out of here and change before the little lady wakes up."

Asad was pretty sure that Xue had been at least somewhat awake to hear at least some of the conversation, but he nodded in affirmation. Leaving the tent, he came back soon enough in a much more clean, well-maintained version of his former outfit. Of course, all of the blue had been replaced with the Earth Nation's trademark green. Even the pauldron was included. Asad's hair was tied up and back like normal, his plume of hair making itself known once again. "You look like your old self, Asad! Or you would if you'd shave."
"Being a fugitive leaves scarce time for personal hair care, Bato. But I'll make a note of it."
Bato scoffs sarcastically. "Well... I got you an eel hound to get you back to your little Avatar there quickly. Can't keep the bridge between here and the spirit world waiting now."
"Right... As soon as Xue awakens, we will leave." He did not bother wasting his time trying to thank Bato. It would just be shot down anyway.
"We're taking down your wanted posters in the area. Word will spread as time goes on. Soon enough it'll be like you were never wanted." He let a moment of silence pass. "Come see me sometime. If you need anything in your quest, tell me. And I'd love to meet the Avatar sometime, too. It'd be an honor."
Honor no longer felt like a heavy word. "You got it, Bato."
"Alright... You two get along now. I've gotta get back to work."

And without another word Bato left the tent. It was about time for Asad and Xue to leave and set on back to Kasumi and the others. To continue the group's quest...

Xue’s sleep was a light one and she found herself waking up quite often though she still didn’t have the energy or motivation to get up again and would quickly fall back asleep to the sound of Asad’s rhythmic breathing and the feeling of his back against hers. Even so, she managed to sleep through Asad’s original awakening and didn’t wake up until she heard the sound of Bato’s voice as he re-entered the tent.

"Well, Asad... He had his emergency hearing. I think you'll be happy to hear that he has been found guilty of all charges against him... And that includes the most recent charge... The framing of a certain former Azure Guard member."

Xue hugged her legs tighter to herself and sucked in some air at his words. She was relieved and happy, so incredibly happy for her friend, but.. Audieu. He was her enemy, but she had played with him long ago in the streets of the village. They would stay over at each other’s huts and pick each other up when they fell down. He had changed once they began training, especially after they were put into different groups, but he was once her friend and, knowing him, it had taken a lot more than ‘asking kindly’ to get him to talk. As much as Xue didn’t want it to, the thought still hurt despite everything that had happened.

Still, she showed no sign of being awake and listened to Bato and Asad talk. Even after everything that happened with Audieu, she couldn’t be mad at Asad and every word that he spoke was earnest and heartfelt.

When he finally left to change, Xue rolled over on her back with her hands resting on her stomach and attempted to think through everything that had happened. Her mind was a jumbled mess, though through it all she could see Asad standing tall and proud, his honor restored and a huge burden lifted off of his shoulders. Perhaps now he would have the strength to help her with her own burdens, as selfish as it sounds.

The sound of footsteps and the canvas flap of the tent shifting caused Xue to turn her eyes over to the door to see Asad stepping back in, ready for the road. She knew what it meant and slowly stood up. Her pack had been left somewhere, probably in the alley where she had helped the girl, but there wasn’t much in it that Xue needed anyway, so she didn’t bring it up to Asad and simply walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder.

“You’ve done well. I’m glad I could help you with your quest.” She smiled and wrapped him up in a quick hug before leading him out of the tent and facing the open road. “I suppose Kasumi will be waiting. Knowing her temper, I don’t think we should keep her that way for long.”

Snippet #2547268

located in Avatar Universe, a part of Avatar | The History That Was Forgotten, one of the many universes on RPG.

Setting

Characters Present

Footnotes