Chapter 15

-[Aroh]-

Aroh sat in a meditative position, surrounded by the trees and grass of the forest. Katara sat in front of him in the same position, her eyes closed.

"Remember, don't confine your thoughts to the conventional means of waterbending. There is water all around us. In the air and even within nature itself." Aroh said soothingly as the girl concentrated on feeling and connecting herself to the world around them.

"Where there is life, there is water. Feel it and draw it out in its purest form." Aroh added as Katara frowned concentration.

She slowly spread her arms out, droplets of water rising from the ground as the grass around them shriveled ever so slightly.

"You're doing it. Focus on that feeling, embrace it. Your mindset is important while doing this. The more you think of it as a separate source of water, the harder it'll be to draw on it. Everything is connected."

A few seconds after he finished speaking, a decent amount of water shot up from the ground, the grass around them instantly dying as a ring of water flowed around the two teens.

Katara's eyes peaked open before widening in joy. "It worked!" Only for the ring of water to fall back to the ground, causing her to frown.

"Don't worry about it." He said, seeing her frown. "Now that you know how it feels, it'll be easier and quicker for you to do it. In waterbending, your emotions can either hamper or strengthen your bending."

"How do you know so much about waterbending?" Katara couldn't help but ask.

They had paused their journey to rest for the night and Aroh took the chance to get her waterbending to the peak she never allowed it to reach.

"While growing up, I studied the bending forms and concepts of each element, their strengths and also their weaknesses." He answered.

The weird part was that it was true. Even though he knew the general rules of bending, he still had to do research to ensure his survival.

"I guess that makes sense." She reasoned before her eyes widened. "Wait. All bending forms? Does that include firebending?"

To her slight surprise, Aroh nodded. "I was on a ship filled with firebenders. I'd been planning my escape for a few years."

Katara was silent for a while. "I'm sorry you had to go through all that." She said gently.

During their time together, she'd gotten curious about how he grew up and got forced into fighting. The girl had made her choice to stay with him so she'd earned some answers, not that he tried to keep it a secret.

"Don't worry too much. Let's get back to training." He said, waving it off as the girl began to slowly draw water from the plants and trees.

-[Later]-

As they finally reached the end of the forest, Katara let out a breath of relief. "Not that I didn't have fun but I think I've had enough of seeing nature for one time."

"Don't get too happy about it, it might not be the last time." Aroh said with a small smile.

Emerging from the forest, they could see a village in the short distance but that wasn't what caught their attention.

It was the dozens of fire nation ships that were parked at the docks.

[Negative Emotion Sensing has leveled up]

[Negative Emotion Sensing has leveled up]

[Negative Emotion Sensing has leveled up]

"Oh no." Katara muttered in shock. "Do you think they're after us?"

"I'm not sure. They couldn't have predicted that we would have been stranded in the forest." Aroh guessed as his sensitive eyes caught sight of the numerous fire nation soldiers roaming around the streets.

"I guess turning back isn't an option?" Katara asked nervously.

Aroh's eyes turned back to the ships parked at the docks. "Nope. I think we just found our way out of here." He said, gesturing to the ships. "But first we have to find a map."

[Negative Emotion Sensing has leveled up]

Katara groaned as Aroh led them forward towards the village. As they got closer to the village, they put on the cloaks they took from the freedom fighter hideout, pulling up the hoods.

They snuck their way into the village, ignoring the depressed atmosphere of the village…at least Aroh ignored it.

"This is just awful." Katara muttered as they passed a fire nation soldier who was shaking up a ship owner.

"There's nothing we can do to help them if we're going to get out of here safely." Aroh said as they made their way towards another shop.

"I know." She said sadly as the shop owner perked up at their arrival.

"Do you want to buy some fish?" The young man asked.

With a shake of his head, Aroh responded. "No. Do you know anywhere I can find a map?"

"I'm sorry. If you're looking for something like that, you'll have to find old man Lu." The man answered apologetically.

[Negative Emotion Sensing has leveled up]

[Negative Emotion Sensing has leveled up]

Ever since they stepped into the village, the skill wouldn't stop blaring. The fear and sadness, he could feel it all from the villagers.

"Can you tell us where his shop is?" Katara asked.

After getting the directions, it didn't take them time to find the shop and purchase the map. The freedom fighters weren't rich but they'd robbed more than a few people so they at least had some money.

"We've gotten the map so how do we do this?" Katara asked as they made their way towards the docks.

"Just like how we escaped the last time. Your bending is stronger than the last time so it should be easier." Aroh answered.

"Stay where you are!" A voice called from behind them.

They turned to see a fire nation soldier walking towards them. "Take off the hoods, now!" He ordered, his voice muffled by the helmet.

There was a short gasp behind the helmet. "Its them!"

Katara turned to Aroh in slight worry, the boy's eyes narrowing. "Change of plans." He said as the soldier thrust his fist forward, sending a blast of fire towards them.

Aroh's hand shot forward, dispersing the incoming flames. He pulled out the blade he'd taken from his previous battle, lining it with his chin as he thrust it into the soldier's chest.

"Ackkk!"

The weapon tore through the armor like wet paper, stabbing through his heart. His actions frightened the villagers, sending them into a panic as they rushed to get away.

Aroh picked up Katara in a bridal carry as he dashed towards where the ships were. "What just happened? How did he recognize us?"

"I'm not sure but that means they know our faces and they're after us specifically. I guess they didn't take my leave of absence very well." Aroh said as they arrived at the port.

They found a lineup of fire nation soldiers waiting for them. In front of them was Zhao with a smug face.

"You know, when I was ordered to come here, I didn't think I'd meet you here." Zhao said with a dark sneer. "You're outnumbered."

More soldiers hurried up behind the duo, surrounding them on both sides. "Get out of our way Zhao." Aroh said, brandishing the sword as he let Katara down.

"Impudent peasant. I should have killed you all those years ago." The fire nation commander said in disgust. "I'm going to correct that error."

"Things are quite different now. You're acting confident but you don't even notice your own soldiers shaking." Aroh said with a mocking smile as the wind blew his hood down.

With a raised brow, the man turned to the side, his eyes widening a bit as he saw one of the soldiers take a step back.

By now there was no soldier in the fire nation army who hadn't heard of the 'demon blade' moniker. Zhao's men were no exception, experiencing what he could do first hand.

"You think too highly of yourself." Zhao said with a frown, drawing a chuckle from the boy.

"Is that so?" Aroh asked, his eyes turning cold in the next second. The famed 'demon blade' had returned to what was dubbed by his former comrades as 'slaughter mode'.

"If any of you so much as move, I'll kill you." Aroh said, Zhao's frown growing as his men straightened up.

"You're a joke. Kill him." Zhao ordered but none of them made an attempt to move, angering him. "If you don't kill him, I'll have you all killed along with the rest of your families so I suggest you obey my orders."

Reluctantly, the soldiers took their stances. Aroh's grip on the blade tightened.

"So be it."