บท 43: Trust(7)

Two months passed. It was early winter and the first snow has started to fall on Republic City. It was an amazing morning. I almost finished Nya's motorcycle, I was coming with designs for my suit left and right, Korra was progressing very fast in our training, I was on cloud nine.

I was listening to some classic water tribe music on my gramophone while working when I hear the bell on the door. I go to see who it is.

"Wellcome to Ethan's Mechanical Shop how may I help you... Welcome Master Wu, to what reason do I own this pleasure."

"Hi, Ethan, I've come here to talk with you about something."

"Oh my, it doesn't seem to be good news. Come, take a seat."

We go to the kitchen and I prepare some team for us while he starts talking.

"You've been busy these past months, I wonder why?"

"Well, I've been visiting Air Temple Island a lot, I had a lot of work here and I have of projects that I need my attention."

"I know that you're very smart, you don't have to show me that... I've read some of your theses, the one I like the most was the one on the evolution of science, I was pretty moved by that one, to say the least."

"You flatter me, master. I didn't know you had such an interest in science. I'm happy that you like them."

"I'm not as smart as you by any means and I can't understand most of the stuff in there, but even a blind man can see that you made all those designs and schematics to help people, I'm not here to make you stop the work you're doing, I'm here just to talk with you."

I serve the tea and take a seat at the table.

"I'm listening, what did I do to warrant such a visit?"

"I know that you know the air benders and that you care for them. We talked about this quite a few times. What Amon is concerned about is that you've been spending an awful amount of time with the Avatar. He's concerned that you might have forgotten what we're fighting for."

"Are you as well?"

"I can't say I not questioning your decisions. You've always been different than the others. Unlike the other recruits, you don't hate benders, you have bender friends, till now it wasn't a problem since you're a respected person in the community and pay your due. But, lately, there have been rumors about you wanting to switch sides."

"And what rumors have started to circulate?"

"About you telling the Avatar about our training centers, helping her capture our brothers."

"And you think those rumors are true?"

"I don't know what to think Ethan, you've been acting as if nothing is happening, but you're actions say otherways. Please, just tell me so I can help you!"

"Sigh... To think that you don't trust me, after all, I did for the cause. Need I remind you that ever since I stopped taking part in missions I've been teaching recruits. I've taught the best recruits that the Equalists have, all my angels are fearless fighters that have unwavering loyalty to the cause and yet you question me. After I retired from active duty all I did was teach, did you see me snooping around for secret? I even refused a high position within the organization. Do you think that IF I WANTED TO BETRAY YOU I WOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN IT?"

"No, I'm not saying that you..."

"NYA IS PART OF THE EQUALISTS AS WELL, DO YOU THINK I WOULD BETRAY HER?! DO YOU THINK I WOULD HURT HER?!"

"Ethan, I'm sorry I didn't want to imply that you would betray us, I know that you wouldn't, we are just concerned by your recent behavior, you are as loyal as they come, we just don't understand your action, you seem to change have lately and we are afraid that you've forgotten why we fight."

"YOU THINK I FORGOT! AHHH, FROM ALL THE PEOPLE THAT I KNOW, I THINK YOU WOULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD, I DON'T FORGET, I CAN'T FORGET! DO YOU THINK I LOST MY REASON TO FIGHT? HOW DARE YOU, I STILL DREAM ABOUT HER EVERY NIGHT, I STILL DREAM ABOUT HER BURNED CORPSE AND YOU HAVE THE AUDACITY TO CAME AND TELL ME THAT I HAVE LOST MY WAY?!"

I smack the teacups away, breaking them, then I hit the metal table making a bent.

"Ethan, I'm sorry, I know how you feel, I told them the same thing but I needed to come to confirm. I'm sorry."

"Do you? Has your loyalty ever been questioned? Has the person you consider family question your loyalty to the sole ideal you swore you to fight for? Master heed my words I don't fight for you, or Amon or any leader, I fight for the people that can't fight by themselves, I fight for a better tomorrow. For you to even imply that I would betray this ideal is akin to saying to my face that I don't exist, that all I did and all I will ever do was and will be for nothing, that what I believed in is all a lie. For my ideals, I would fight to the death with anyone, be it Amon or even you."

"I understand, I'll tell you're word to the others. I'll take my leave."