บท 1: Prologue
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War has been raging in the Elemental world for sixty years. Fire, water, earth, air. Each country has sometimes given birth to people who can command their element. Ruling over the forces of nature, they have used their abilities for war for thousands of years. Only the Avatar, Lord of all four elements, could stop the conflicts.
Serving Harmony, the Avatars have maintained balance over the years. Their power allowed them to change the landscape and tame cataclysms. With their power, they restrained ambitious rulers who disrupted the harmony of the world until the last Avatar disappeared.
Fire Lord Sozin seized the moment and attacked neighbouring countries. Completely destroying one of the elemental nations, he began a long and bloody war.
For sixty years, the Fire Nation has been at war with the Earth Kingdom, conquering more and more territory. The disparate kings and rulers of Earth have been fighting endlessly not only against the invaders, but also with each other.
In the Northwestern provinces of the Kingdom, located on the peninsula, battles are raging with renewed vigour. Uniting in the face of a common threat, the feudal lords of Earth begin to take back their territories. Bloody clashes occur everywhere. Wild tribes emerge from the forests, and hundreds of refugees take up arms, looting and killing anyone they meet.
The town of Lu-Yang was built long before the conflict began. Standing on the banks of the Ten-Ten River and the Smoky Sea, it was well situated. Trade routes passed through Lu-Yang, travelling inland along the river to the Great City of Taku.
Since the war began, Lu-Yang was one of the first cities to be attacked by the Fire Nation. Unprepared for battle, the townspeople quickly surrendered and accepted the rule of the foreigners. Accustomed to communicating with the world, the people of Lu-Yang often met people from other nations, and the wealthiest feudal lords and merchants were often citizens of other nations.
Quick and easy assimilation made the city one of the main strongholds for further invasion and the establishment of colonies.
When the Warriors of Fire stormed Taku, they destroyed the city, focusing entirely on the development of Lu-Yang. On par with its neighbour Yu-Dao, the port city welcomed residents of all nations within its walls.
Lieutenant Guan Li was unable to perform his duty normally on this beautiful summer day. Worrying about his wife, who was alone at home, at such a difficult moment tormented the young officer's soul. Having overexerted himself and annoyed his colleagues, he still managed to ask his patron and commander for a day off.
The man sprinted towards the river crossing. Holding a helmet and an officer's bag, he frightened passers-by with dazed eyes, leaving behind him clouds of dust.
The long run through the life-filled city ended near the ferry dock. The huge queue for the ferry caused a disappointed sob from the ex-officer.
-How can this be!?
Clutching his head, Lee was about to start tearing his hair when an unknown man came at him from behind. Taking the lieutenant's head in his grasp, the attacker began to curl his fist into Guan Li's head. Under the joyful laughter of the tormentor, the lieutenant was able to break free from the tenacious grip and give the enemy a savoury kick.
-Aw! What the fuck, Lee?
-You'll know how to attack a Fire Nation officer,' the man straightened up, shaking off his head and fixing his hair. Have you forgotten yourself, Sergeant?
Puffing up his chest and puffing his cheeks full of air, Sergeant Ping stuck out his lower lip and, twisting his words, began to read out an apology.
-I apologise, Mr Lieutenant. I mistook you for an enemy soldier!
A moment of silence ended with identical caustic smiles and warm laughter.
-You're getting better every time. You'll be mistaken for Huang Jun one day.
-Yeah, I'll be an old man too.
-Well, he's proud to call himself undying. -Well, he's proud to call himself undying.
Laughing at the old joke that was going around among all the soldiers of the garrison of the city, Guan Li turned towards the dock.
-Bloody hell, what do we do now?
-What is it?
-I have to go to Shu, Sipa is about to give birth. The traders from the village came by this morning to tell me she's in labour.
-Whoa, Mr Lieutenant,' the sergeant clapped his friend on the shoulder and took him by the arm and led him in the other direction, 'you're just in time. All the villagers are leaving now. So the ferry will be visible only in three hours. Don't worry, the guys from the river patrol will help.
Making their way through the growing crowd, the two men approached some resting soldiers. Sprawled out on their patrol boats, the soldiers were basking in the sun, munching on blades of grass and smoking the local tobacco.
Lieutenant Lee's polite cough was similar in effect to the lights on in the warehouse. Scattering in different directions like mice, the soldiers lined up in a row, devouring the officer's gaze. Realisation came slowly. When the Fire Warriors realised that they were not their superiors, the sergeant was already loading into the boat.
-We'll borrow it for a while. Come on, soldier,' Ping turned to the soldier behind the wheel and leaned into his ear, 'it's urgent, soldier, we must hurry up.
-I obey, Mr Sergeant!
Ignoring the shouts of his fellow soldiers, the driver took off at high speed. The friends who had almost flown into the water rode the rest of the way together while the soldier manoeuvred the Ten-Ten River with dexterity.
An hour and a half of frantic riding was over and, plopping onto the shore, Sergeant Ping hugged the ground. Rubbing his cheek against the dry soil and grass, the man squeezed out fake tears, embarrassing their driver.
-We seem to be at war with them, but now I really love the earth.
-I'm sure Dong Jo-san will like it a lot.
Jumping up from the ground as if the named one was already standing nearby, the sergeant looked around suspiciously. The amused lieutenant was about to let loose another joke when he turned his attention to the soldier in the boat. With huge eyes, he stared at Guan Li, unable to believe what he had heard.
-Forget everything, fighter, it will be easier to live.
Putting his hand to his chest, the soldier turned away, pretending that there was no one around.
-Li returned to his friend and took him under his arm, leading him towards the village, -Let's go, we've wasted a lot of time.
The village of Shu lived its usual life, the men worked in the fields and tended the animals. The children helped them with their labour and the women looked after the household. Thousands of similar villages were scattered throughout the Earth Kingdom. During the long years of war, some villages had never even seen a Fire soldier, so nothing had changed for them. Only the tax collectors had changed the colour of their clothes.
Walking along the wide streets, Guan Li looked forward to seeing them. The last time he saw his wife was a few weeks ago, even before the Earth Army was activated. Now they were constantly kept on full alert and not allowed to leave their posts.
Finding the right house, the man rushed inside without knocking, leaving his friend behind. The girl's father was already waiting for him in the spacious room, peacefully drinking locally produced drinks. With red cheeks and a swollen nose, he turned a cloudy gaze on his visitor. Recognising his son-in-law in the visitor, old Lon jumped up from the table.
-Here he is at last! He's always there when I'm pregnant! But to support my blood-blood!
Sipa's mother interrupted her loving father's angry tirade. A thin and haggard woman flew into the room. Waving a rag, she chased the drunken Lon outside, hissing like a cat.
-Are you out of your mind, old man? What did I tell you? Either sit quietly or go outside!
Accepting the well-deserved punishment, the man staggered out the door. Grumbling to himself about injustice, he stopped near his son-in-law.
-Good of you to come. -Good of you to come. She's been waiting for you.
Without listening to the worried father's reply, the girl's father grabbed a bottle of liquor hidden near the entrance and slipped out into the street. Toma, who saw this manoeuvre, wanted to chase after the negligent drunkard husband, but, noticing Guan Li's questioning look, waved her hand.
-I'll deal with it later. Hello, Li, - hugging her son-in-law, the woman smiled affectionately, smoothing the lieutenant's uniform, she wiped sweat from the officer's forehead with a cloth, - I'm glad you could come. Honestly, I didn't think they'd let you go.
-Good evening, Mrs Thoma. -Good evening. The garrison commander allowed me to rest for a day, so I went straight to you.
The warm smile completely changed the woman's face. Guan Li was always amazed at how vividly Toma could express her emotions, changing gestures and facial expressions in seconds, completely transforming into another person.
-Come with me. Just be quiet, she's just fallen asleep.
Sneaking into his wife's room, Lee felt anticipation and a slight fear. Soon he would see his beloved and his child. Sweaty palms and tremors were met with an understanding smile from Thomas.
Opening the heavy door, the woman made way for the officer. At the mute question, she shook her head negatively, leaving the young parents alone.
Taking a seat beside Sipa's bed, Guan Li affectionately stroked her dishevelled hair. The small bruises and sunken cheekbones did not spoil her beauty at all.
'It looks like the labour was hard.' Turning his gaze to the small bundle lying next to the tired mother, Lee carefully, so as not to disturb his offspring's sleep, lifted it into his arms.
The small looking lump was very heavy. At a quick glance, the child was four kilograms in weight. Leaning close, the lieutenant gently ran his fingers over the baby's head.
-Healthy, I hope you didn't spoil my wife.
A light fist on his arm and Sipa's quiet laughter startled the combat officer. Jumping up on the spot and almost falling down, he looked indignantly into the eyes of his beloved. Covering her eyes tiredly, Sipa reached out her hand towards her husband. Catching his wife's palm and intertwining their fingers, Lee savoured this strange but awesome moment.
-What are we going to name him?
Sipa's voice struggled with genuine interest and sleepiness, tipping her head back on the pile of pillows, she sucked in more air.
-It's a boy, so you choose.
At the woman's last words, the small bundle in Lee's hands began to move vigorously. Shaking his head, the boy's piercing green eyes looked around. Finding a new face, the little boy stared for a long time before a happy smile lit up his face. A baby's agukkah spread through the room. Not not noticing the joyful tears, Lee held the dearest treasure in his hands reverently.
-I'll name you Yu. Guan Yu.
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