Chapter 4

Chapter 4: An Injured Soldier (2)

The sun had begun its descent when the soldier stirred. His eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first, but gradually sharpening as the haze of unconsciousness lifted. 

His hand instinctively went to his shoulder, feeling for the wound that should have been there.

"Easy," Shen said, noticing the soldier's confusion. He knelt beside him, offering a small flask of water. "You lost a lot of blood. Take it slow."

The soldier groaned, shifting to sit up, his eyes falling on Shen. "

You… saved me?" His voice was rough, still weak from the injury.

Shen nodded. "I did what I could. You were lucky to survive the river, let alone the wound."

The soldier's hand lingered on his shoulder, where the gash had been. Now, only a faint scar remained, as if the injury had been long healed. 

His brow furrowed, trying to piece together the events that led him here.

"I'm a captain," he said, his voice gaining strength. "Captain Tao, Earth Kingdom Army."

Shen listened in silence as Tao paused, as if gathering his will to continue speaking. 

We were ambushed. My platoon… we were stationed near the border, keeping watch for any Fire Nation movements. They came at us from nowhere, swift, brutal. None of us were ready." His gaze dropped to the ground, a flicker of pain crossing his face. "I lost everyone. My men, they—they didn't stand a chance."

Shen could hear the grief in Tao's voice. He didn't ask for more. He knew loss when he saw it. He'd seen enough of it in his travels.

"How did you survive?" Shen asked, more to guide the conversation than to pry.

"I barely did," Tao said, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "We fought as best we could, but they overwhelmed us. I took a hit to the shoulder, went down. I don't remember much after that. Crawled into the river, I think. Must've been the current that carried me… and you who pulled me out."

Shen glanced at the river, its calm surface opposite of the chaos Tao described. He'd been drifting for miles, close to death, yet somehow fate—or luck—had led him here.

"You're safe now," Shen assured him. "You'll need rest, but you'll recover."

Tao nodded slowly, though his mind was clearly still on the battle. "I don't understand how… How did you do it? The wound—it was deep. I should be dead."

Shen didn't answer right away. He wasn't one to explain his methods to those he saved. What mattered was that the man was alive.

"I've seen enough injuries in my time," Shen said, evading the specifics. "I know how to help."

Tao seemed to accept this, though curiosity lingered in his eyes. "Whatever you did… thank you. I owe you my life."

Shen shrugged it off. "No need for that. You'll recover, and that's enough."

The soldier sat up straighter, despite the weariness still clinging to him. "I need to get back. My men… they need proper burials. I can't just leave them there."

Shen could see the resolve in Tao's eyes, but he also knew the man wasn't ready for such a journey yet. His body had been through too much. "You need rest," Shen repeated. "You won't make it far in this state."

Tao clenched his jaw, frustration evident, but he knew Shen was right. He looked out at the trees, the quiet surrounding them almost mocking the violence he had just escaped.

"I'll rest," Tao finally said, though it was clear he was already thinking ahead. "But once I'm strong enough, I'm going back. I won't abandon them."

Shen said nothing. He respected the man's determination, even if it seemed reckless.

The sun was sinking lower now, the light fading into dusk. Shen tossed a few more sticks into the fire, the warmth pushing back the growing chill in the air.

"You'll need more than strength to face what's ahead," Shen said after a long silence. "War isn't kind to anyone."

Tao's eyes hardened. "I know. But I'm not done fighting."

Shen glanced at the soldier, sensing that fire within him, the unyielding will to keep going despite the odds. He had seen it before in those who had suffered but refused to break.

"Well," Shen said, leaning back against a tree, "you'll need to regain your strength first."

Tao nodded, his eyes closing as fatigue overtook him. Despite the turmoil still racing in his mind, his body needed rest, and soon enough, he drifted back into sleep.

Shen watched the fire crackle and burn, his thoughts far from the present moment. The world was getting darker, the conflicts brewing more violent. 

He didn't belong to any side, didn't care for the politics or the wars being fought. But as long as there were people like Tao, people caught in the crossfire, Shen knew he couldn't walk away from this world entirely.

********

Tao woke up. His mind is already recovering its clarity thanks to the assistant of the Doctor. 

"You're finally awake." The Doctor said handing over a jerky to him. Tao gratefully took the jerky and munched on it aggressively making the Doctor chuckle.

He was so focused on surviving that it overwhelmed his hunger, but now that was gone, his hunger came back with vengeance.

He almost lost his manner in front of his savior from his crass and rude way of eating, so he stopped on his track with his mouth still open full of food and said.

"Enk Mfou!" 

"Swallow your food first." The Doctor chuckled and said.

Tao scratched his back in embarrassment and swallowed the jerky before asking.

"I forgot to ask your name. I must repay you for your kindness." Tao's silliness from eating disappeared instead it was replaced by his serious militaristic discipline.

"Knowing my name is unnecessary. All you have to do to repay my treatment is be kind to those that you will encounter on your journey in this long war." The Doctor said.

"Do not turn a blind eye to those that are unfortunate. Give food to the starved. Give water to the thirsty. Give a shoulder to the injured. Just be kind."

Tao couldn't help but admire him. He is skilled yet he wasn't arrogant, he didn't ask for anything, instead of asking for wealth the Doctor only asked for his kindness.

In that moment, Tao felt that the Doctor became a beacon of light. He was so blinding that he almost got blinded.

Such a kind man. It was rare to see such a man in times of war.

"No! Please, you are my savior! My benefactor! Please at least let me know your name!" Tao begged. He wouldn't let his savior's name go unknown.

Seeing the desperation in the captain's eyes, Shen couldn't help but sigh deeply.

"Sigh… fine. My name is Shen. But the people I give treatment to usually address me as Doctor." 

**********

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