Subaru71077: For those who've already read this chapter, I've added another 1543 words.
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Inside a traditional room, Suki, the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors of that village, stood before Oyaji, the village leader, and three councilors, reporting what had happened earlier."—and he said he wanted to speak with the village leader," she concluded, her eyes fixed on the four of them, waiting for guidance on what to do next
Oyaji, an elderly man with white hair, ran his fingers through his graying beard, reflecting on Suki's words while the councilors—a middle-aged woman named Yunxia, a thin man named Taro, and an elder named Kiyo— were exchanging looks filled with concern.
"One of the most wanted men in the world… his presence here is a risk to our neutrality," Oyaji said, worried.
Yunxia leaned forward, her eyes narrowed. "Neutrality that has kept us safe for generations," she emphasized. "We stayed away from the war precisely by remaining isolated. If we allow the airbender to stay, even for one night, we'll be painting a target on our backs."
Kiyo nodded "We must expel him immediately."
Taro raised his hand, asking to speak. "I agree with everyone, but wouldn't it be wise to at least hear what he has to say?"
Yunxia scoffed. "Isn't it obvious what he wants, Taro?"
"I know, Yunxia. It's just that… just as we must avoid enmity with the Fire Nation, we should also avoid creating friction with the Earth Kingdom—or with someone who has a… reputation like this airbender's."
Oyaji raised an eyebrow, liking the idea. "So you suggest we hear what he has to say, and then reject him?"
"Exactly."
"Hmm." Oyaji turned to the two councilwomen. "What do you think?"
"Seems reasonable," Kiyo said. Yunxia, after a moment of hesitation, agreed with a brief nod. "I think so too."
Oyaji nodded, finalizing his decision. "Very well. Suki, bring Ikari here."
Suki bowed her head respectfully and left the room. Outside, she stopped when she came across Jie, one of her "sisters" and also a Kyoshi Warrior. "So, how did it go?" Jie asked, arms crossed. "What did they decide to do with the outsider?"
Suki sighed and resumed walking. "They want to hear what he has to say."
"What?! They're going to hear him out?!" Jie exclaimed, the irritation clear in her voice. "We should be throwing him back into the sea!"
"I know." Suki quickened her pace toward the place where Ikari was being kept under the watch of three other Kyoshi Warriors. "Oyaji has already decided we'll send him away. We're just going to hear what he wants to avoid any kind of resentment."
Jie muttered something under her breath, reluctantly following Suki. The two walked along the dirt road that crossed the village, where houses with slanted roofs lined the way. The villagers turned their heads as they passed, clearly already having heard about the "visitor."
They continued along the dirt road until they reached a trail that led to a cabin deep in the forest, where Ikari was. But as they approached the cabin after a few minutes of walking, an unexpected sound made them stop outside: laughter, loud and clear.
'What's going on here?' Suki exchanged a perplexed look with Jie before pushing the door open and stepping inside. 'What—' The scene they found was unsettling.
Mingxia, Suki's best friend and one of the Kyoshi Warriors, was sitting on a chair with the lemur on her lap, petting it while laughing along with the other two warriors, who were also seated and laughing at something the airbender was telling. And he, who should have had his wrists tied, was gesturing animatedly with his free hands, a smile lighting up his face. "—and then, when I realized it, I was already on top of the cabbage cart!"
"What happened next?!" one of the warriors asked.
"I crashed straight into the cart, and the cabbages went flying everywhere," Ikari answered dramatically. "And I swear, there was so much cabbage stuck to me that I had pieces clinging to my hair for days."
"Hahaha!"
"I don't believe it!"
"And the merchant?!" Mingxia asked curiously.
"The poor man almost cried," Ikari replied with an exaggerated sigh. "But I paid for the cart and the cabbages, so everything was… more or less settled—"
Suki cleared her throat, the sound loud enough to silence the room. Mingxia and the two girls immediately straightened up, their faces flushing as they noticed her presence and the stern look she cast at them before fixing her eyes on Ikari, who stared back at her with a friendly smile. "What's going on here?"
Mingxia hesitated, looking down at Momo in her arms, then at her companions, and finally at Suki. "We… were just talking?" she answered, uncertain.
"Talking?…" Suki repeated slowly. "…and why is he untied?"
"Well… we…" Mingxia began, but the words failed her, and she lowered her gaze, unable to find a convincing justification.
Suki raised a hand to her forehead, letting out a quiet, "You've got to be kidding me." It wasn't the decision to release him that irritated her—she herself would have done so, following Oyaji's wish and the council's advice to maintain a diplomatic relationship with the airbender. What bothered her was the direct disobedience of the clear order to keep him restrained until further instructions.
Jie, at her side, pointed an accusing finger. "This is unacceptable! You know how dangerous he is?"
Mingxia blushed deeper. "Calm down, Jie. He didn't try to escape. We were just talking—"
"So what?!" Jie exclaimed, her voice rising a notch. "You're letting him manipulate you! Suki, we need to tie him up again, now!"
"We're not tying him up, Jie," Suki sighed, deciding to deal with the issue of disobedience later. "You'll all train triple for this."
"What?!"
"...guys?" Ikari raised his hand, drawing everyone's attention. "I think the stories that reached this place about me aren't exactly the best. How about we start over—"
"We don't have time for that. The village leader is waiting to speak with you, just as you requested," Suki cut him off, walking to the door while gesturing to the four Kyoshi Warriors. "You four, hold formation. We'll take him to Oyaji."
Mingxia handed Momo to Ikari, murmuring an almost inaudible apology. He took the lemur with a nod and followed Suki outside, surrounded by the warriors.
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As they walked down the trail back to the village, the silence was heavy, broken only by the rustle of leaves and the distant songs of birds. Suki, leading the group, kept her posture rigid, ready to react at any moment.
The tales about Ikari were well known across the island, told by fishermen from the coastal villages—stories of a relentless airbender who faced armies and came out victorious, leaving behind a trail of bodies and destruction. A man without scruples or mercy toward those he considered enemies.
Although Suki knew fishermen loved to exaggerate, coloring their tales with dramatic details, there was always a grain of truth. Which meant the man walking behind her was, at the very least, formidable. 'And considering he survived the Unagi…'
"You know, I imagined you'd be older," Ikari suddenly said, breaking the silence.
"We're the youngest group on the island," Mingxia replied promptly. "In fact, we've just officially become Kyoshi Warriors."
"Really? Then you must be pretty good!"
"It's all thanks to Suki—"
"Mingxia!" Jie hissed. "Stop giving him information!"
Ikari looked at her. "Can you stop treating me like a criminal? I'm starting to feel like an actual bandit."
"Don't like it? Leave," Jie shot back sharply.
"Hmm…" Ikari tilted his head. "Your problem with me is that I'm an outsider, isn't it?"
"I'm not telling you anything!"
"I nailed it, didn't I? Didn't I? Didn't I? I know I did. You're so obvious~"
"It's not just that!" Jie burst out, her face red with frustration.
"Oh? So there's more to it."
"Argh!"
'She fell into his game.' Suki stifled a sigh, noticing how easily Ikari seemed to disarm people and get information out of them. 'That's actually pretty dangerous. Depending on how good he is, he might even convince the more open villages to send their Kyoshi Warriors…' She cut off that line of thought and glanced over her shoulder, intervening in the conversation "That's enough talking. We're almost at the village."
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'How distorted were the reports that reached this place about me?' Ikari pondered in silence, catching the fearful looks of the villagers who peeked through the cracks in the windows of their houses.
He expected to be received with coldness. After all, he was an outsider bringing the shadow of war upon them. However, what Ikari saw there went beyond mere fear or caution—those people were specifically afraid of him.
Which meant that the goal of convincing them to join the war would be even harder than Ikari had anticipated. After all, why would they abandon their isolationism to fight alongside someone they feared? Of course, he could use that fear to "persuade" them, but Ikari would not do that. He wanted them to understand the gravity of the moment and, of their own free will, choose to fight.
'I should ask later what they've heard about me…' he thought, casting a discreet glance at the three Kyoshi Warriors who had kept watch over him in the cabin. At first, they too had been tense, analyzing his every move. Only after a few minutes of him using his charisma did they ease up—and even laugh. Among them, Mingxia stood out. She was the most curious about the continent and, from the looks of it, more open-minded than the others. 'As for those two…'
The girl named Jie was clearly the one who liked him the least, and from their conversation Ikari concluded she was a fervent defender of the island's isolationism. As for Suki, the leader… she was harder to read, but she seemed to side with Jie—to his dismay.
"We've arrived."
Suki's firm voice cut through his thoughts, making him stop. They were standing before a house noticeably larger than the others and, by its elevated and prominent position, Ikari assumed it was the residence of the village leader.
Suki turned to the group and began giving instructions. "Jie and I will enter with Ikari. The rest of you, wait here. Ikari, follow me."
He obeyed, following her while Jie stayed right behind, her eyes fixed on him. Upon crossing the entrance, the interior revealed itself as a simple space, with smooth straw walls, columns supporting the structure, and a rug covering the entire floor, exuding a faint earthy scent.
There was no furniture except for a raised platform where an elderly man with a white beard was seated, next to a middle-aged woman whose sharp eyes seemed to dissect Ikari. Below, on the rug, a thin man with a cautious expression and an elderly woman, whose wrinkles seemed to carry the history of the island, were also watching him closely.
Suki stepped forward. "Oyaji, this is Ikari, the last airbender. Ikari, this is Oyaji, leader of our village, accompanied by the councilors Yunxia, Taro, and Kiyo," she said, introducing them.
Ikari quickly bowed his head. "Thank you for receiving me, even under such delicate circumstances."
Oyaji raised a hand, gesturing toward the center of the room. "Please sit down."
With a respectful nod, Ikari excused himself and positioned himself in the center, sitting cross-legged on the rug. Momo, who was perched on his shoulder, grew restless under the fixed stares and slipped into his shirt, seeking shelter.
Oyaji observed the lemur's movement for a moment before speaking. "Your arrival on our island took us all by surprise, Ikari. We hope you understand the delicate position you have put us in. Kyoshi Island has prospered for generations by remaining neutral, far from the conflicts that ravage the world. Your presence, however well-intentioned, may draw unwanted attention—especially from the Fire Nation."
'Looks like we're getting straight to the point,' Ikari thought, noticing the man's frankness. "I understand better than anyone the danger my presence brings wherever I step, sir. That's why I took the precaution of spending the last seven days isolated in a village at the South Pole. Anyone tracking me lost my trail back in the Earth Kingdom. I assure you it's impossible for them to know about my coming to Kyoshi Island, unless someone here reveals my location."
Oyaji exchanged glances with the counselors, possibly wondering whether what he said was true or not. "I... appreciate the precaution you took on our behalf. We will instruct the villagers to remain silent about your arrival."
"There's no need for thanks," Ikari replied "I'd never bring harm to any of you. We're all on the same side here."
"I'm relieved to hear that," Oyaji said, tilting his head slightly, seeming to be thinking of something before continuing in a more inquisitive tone. "Tell us, Ikari, what is the reason that brought you to our island? What are you seeking here?"
'Here we go.' Ikari straightened his back. "I came in the name of the King of Omashu to ask that you make available a part of your Kyoshi Warriors to join the war."
A heavy silence filled the room, though the counselors did not seem surprised. They exchanged meaningful glances until Kiyo broke the silence. "Ikari, do you know the history of our island?"
He turned his head toward her. "Yes, I believe I know enough."
"Then you must understand why we cannot comply with this request," Kiyo continued. "When Avatar Kyoshi separated us from the mainland centuries ago, she left behind a very clear mandate: to preserve the peace and autonomy of the island and its people. She removed us from the conflicts of the outside world so that we could live free from its turbulence and chains."
"To abandon that would be to profane the legacy and the will of Kyoshi," Yunxia added, her voice heavy with conviction. "And the Kyoshi Warriors exist to protect, maintain harmony, and ensure the safety of our people, not to involve themselves in wars beyond the sea."
"I understand that," Ikari said sincerely, far from questioning anyone's traditions or culture. "And I understand that for you, this war may mean nothing at all. But allow me to ask: do you understand what your isolationism means for the future?"
They exchanged confused looks. "What do you mean?" Oyaji asked, frowning.
Ikari took a deep breath and replied, "At this moment, only three great bastions still resist the Fire Nation: Omashu, Ba Sing Se, and Agna Qel'a. Of these, only Omashu is fighting offensively against the Fire Nation," he explained, his tone completely serious. "Ba Sing Se and Agna Qel'a, just like you, are focused on protecting themselves, isolating. In other words, each bastion is disconnected from the others, fighting alone instead of joining forces against a common enemy. This disunity is exactly what the Fire Lord wants, because that way he can face them one at a time."
Ikari paused, looking into each of their eyes. "Right now, your eyes are turned toward Omashu. We are holding out well, and we've even achieved great victories, reclaiming lands that for years were under Fire Nation control. But there is a limit to how long we can fight alone. We are only one city fighting against a nation. That is why any help, no matter how small, is crucial for us to continue."
"Now, going back to my question. Do you understand what your isolationism means for the future? I'll answer: without help, Omashu will fall. And when that happens, the Fire Lord will set his eyes on Ba Sing Se, then on Agna Qel'a. Eventually, this world will fall under his rule, with every attempt at resistance crushed." He paused again, letting the weight of his words echo in the room.
"And you… don't delude yourselves for a second into thinking Kyoshi Island will remain isolated forever. The Fire Nation does not seek only territories—it seeks absolute dominion over every corner of this planet. Just like my people, the day will come when Kyoshi Island will be massacred. And if by some miracle you survive… I want you to look into the eyes of every child who now plays carefree, with a whole life ahead of them, and see in them future slaves. Slaves who will work day after day for the Fire Nation, forbidden to practice their bending and..." He pointed to Suki standing behind him, "...traditions."
"This is the harsh reality we face. There is no middle ground. There is no peace. There is no land without war. We are all at war! If you keep your eyes closed to this now, when you finally open them, it will already be too late."
Ikari stopped, watching with satisfaction as conflict began to stir in their eyes. "This war has already lasted ninety-seven years. And from all appearances, the one who was meant to maintain balance is not coming back. The Avatar is not here. It is us. It is only us. So I ask another question: will you keep waiting for the inevitable to happen? Or will we fight together now, bleed now, die now if we must, to ensure that the next generations have the chance to live free?"
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Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, images or songs featured in this fic. Additionally, I do not claim ownership of any products or properties mentioned in this novel. This work is entirely fanfic.