章 9: Chapter 9 A Detour with the Cabbage Vendor (1)
Aang's eyes widened as they read Arnook's urgent message, his heart racing with concern for the world. Kre'as was coming, and with him, the Atlantean's intention to flood the world. The Avatar knew they had to act quickly to protect the people and restore balance, for chaos was soon to run rampant.
As the Avatar relayed the message to their allies, all nations raised their defenses against the Atlanteans. Chaos erupted as soldiers hurriedly prepared for battle, fortifying their cities and towns. The air was thick with tension and the sense of impending doom.
"Are we ready for this?" Sokka asked, his voice tight with worry.
"We have to be," Toph replied firmly, her hands already cracking, and stretching. "I won't let anything happen to our people," Toph declared, her feet planted firmly on the ground as she raised earth walls around their city.
Aang nodded, their resolve unwavering. "Together, we can protect the world. We have to believe in ourselves and each other, we did it once against the fire nation we can do it again."
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As they worked tirelessly to prepare for the Atlantean invasion, the Avatar couldn't help but wonder about Kre'as. What were his true intentions? Could he be reasoned with? They knew they had to be cautious, but also hoped that a peaceful resolution could be reached. To Aang, Kre'as did not seem hell-bent on world domination like fire lord Ozai, however, Kre'as was just one man from a kingdom, and he could not hope that he could change the Atlantean's perception of the world.
But as the Avatar watched the chaos around them, they couldn't shake the feeling of dread. This was going to be the fight of their lives, and they were determined to win it.
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Similar situations were happening all around the world with Fire Lord Zuko, preparing for the worst, though he was confident in his nation's fire bending to come out victorious.
Toph and the other earth benders worked tirelessly, raising earth walls around their city to fortify their defenses. The sound of their bending echoed through the streets as they used their expertise to protect their people.
"Keep going, we can't let them through," Toph called out to her fellow benders.
Sweat dripped down her forehead as she pushed herself harder, determined to keep her city safe. She couldn't help but worry about Aang and her allies, as she recalled her interaction with Kre'as, how effortlessly he killed one of her own, without even batting an eye, she was hoping that her allies were preparing just as diligently.
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Unlike the chaos happening around the world, Kre'as sat at a small street vendor, eating cabbage soup and watching the peaceful scene before him. Children played in the distance, laughter filling the air. Families went about their daily lives, seemingly unaware of the impending chaos. "Perhaps they did not warn small villages or chose not to cause widespread panic," Kre'as thought, he knew of Chief Arnook's letter of warning, he just did not care about ants building walls out of dirt, it was futile in the end, like the waves of the ocean, it will continue to move no matter the obstacle.
In his head, he believed he was showing them face, if he were to go to Republic City while they were scurrying around like ants, he would look condescending like a child awaiting the crush of an ant hill.
"Enjoying the calm before the storm?" the cabbage vendor asked, breaking Kre'as out of his thoughts.
Kre'as looked up, surprised by the vendor's insight and knowledge. "You could say that" he replied, taking another spoonful of soup.
"War is never easy," the vendor said, wiping his hands on his apron. "But sometimes it's necessary."
Kre'as nodded, his mind heavy with the weight of his own duty. He knew what he had to do, but the thought of innocent lives being lost weighed heavily on him. As much as he liked to pretend, he did care.
"Sometimes I wonder if there's another way," Kre'as muttered, more to himself than the vendor.
"Perhaps there is," the vendor said thoughtfully. "It depends on whose peace you are referring to, if it is world peace, I do not think that could ever be achieved, there is always evil sprouting like weeds. If you seek personal peace, that is easy, look at me, I have peace knowing my cabbages are being enjoyed" The vendor chuckled.
Kre'as fell silent, lost in his own thoughts. He longed for a simpler life, of fighting worthy opponents, eating cabbage his newfound love, free from the burden of war. But he knew that his duty to his family and kingdom came first.
As he finished his soup and prepared to leave, Kre'as took one last look around the peaceful city. He knew that all too soon, it would be plunged into chaos. But for now, he held onto the moment of calm, knowing it might be his last.
He caught sight of something that made him pause.
A group of young children were playing in a nearby park, their laughter and giggles filling the air. Kre'as watched them for a moment, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness, that was once him, his brother and Esa in the past, before their lives were sealed deep within the ocean, his bond with his brother was never the same.
Before Kre'as left, the Cabbage merchant said there was a street performance around the corner and asked Kre'as to join him, enticing him with a cabbage to snack on. Kre'as agreed and followed the merchant, he wasn't in a hurry, he was sure the Avatar and his allies still needed more time.
The performance was a drama, a man wrapped in darkness, filled with revenge, but could not break his chains, "an interesting theme, quite sullen however for a street performance" Kre'as said.
"Of course," the vendor said, his eyes glimmering with understanding. "It is an adaptation of an old poem, these performers are known to bring down the mood at the start, so it is easier to lift their spirits, a trick of the trade."
"Smart or deceitful" Kre'as chuckled asking the vendor if he could recite the poem, as the performance continued.
The Cabbage vendor looked calmly at the performance and sighed, "Very well I shall begin."
"In days of yore, when shadows danced with light, and tales of vengeance whispered through the night, A soul embittered, harboring deep disdain, Sought solace not in peace, but in pain.
With eyes ablaze, and heart consumed by ice, He swore an oath, fueled by the current of raging waters.
In silence, he plotted, in darkness, he schemed, His heart a battlefield, where bitterness teemed.
Yet conflict brewed not on the field of war, nor clashed the swords on the blood-stained shore.
For vengeance sought, but never found release, in shadows of bitterness, it found its increase.
With each passing day, a weight upon his chest, A relentless burden, a never-ending quest.
For in the pursuit of retribution's might, He found no solace, no end to the night.
His foe remained untouched, unscathed by strife, while bitterness consumed his every life.
For in the cycle of vengeance's decree, the only victor was sorrow's decree.
Thus, let this ancient tale be a solemn heed, Beware the path where bitterness may lead.
For in the pursuit of revenge's sweet song, we may find ourselves forever lost, forever gone.
Washed by the tides of bitterness and swallowed by the depths of sorrow, forever drowning in despair."
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