Human Shields

Kaiya leaned low over her ostrich horse's neck, urging the creature onward. Hooves struck the dusty road at a punishing pace. The afternoon sun hovered above fields still marked by the Fire Nation's occupation. She expected a guarded bridge ahead—one where Fire Nation patrols would question her presence. Instead, as the bridge's outline sharpened into view, two figures waited: men in Earth Kingdom attire, one holding a spear, the other armed only with his own tense posture.

Kaiya slowed, cursing inwardly. They should be Fire Nation patrols. Yet these strangers stood openly, watching her approach. The green cloak and robes she had chosen for disguise now served to still their aggression. From a distance, one called out.

"Identify yourself!"

Kaiya raised a hand, careful not to move too quickly. "I carry urgent messages for King Bumi!" she shouted. "Time is short!"

They exchanged wary glances. Suspicion lingered in the tilt of their heads, the tight set of their shoulders. Kaiya reached under her cloak and produced a scrap of parchment—utter nonsense, but they didn't know that.

"I have a letter," she called. "Come read it. It may turn the tide against the Fire Nation."

The spearman hesitated, then stepped forward. Kaiya widened her eyes beneath the hood. Draw in the earthbender, she thought. The one without the weapon must be the bender. She raised her voice, injecting urgency and cunning.

"These symbols are coded for earthbenders. Only you can understand them," she said, addressing the unarmed man.

The spear-wielder stopped, looking back at his companion. After a tense pause, the earthbender grunted and approached Kaiya instead. She kept still, resting a hand on her mount's neck as though nervous. The earthbender reached her side, relaxed by her calm demeanor. He took the paper, eyes narrowing at the meaningless scribbles.

In that instant, Kaiya's posture changed. Two fingers rose, quick as a striking serpent. A torrent of flame erupted from her hand, engulfing the man in a hot flash of orange and gold. He screamed, staggering back in agony.

The spearman cried out, raising an arm to shield himself from the sparks. Kaiya seized the moment, kicking her heels into the ostrich horse's flanks. It surged forward, trampling the man aside. She caught a glimpse of him recovering, spear still in hand, but she wheeled about, another jet of flame arcing behind her. Flames licked over the bridge's edge, obscuring her retreat and blocking his line of sight.

With the bridge behind her now blazing, she pressed onward. Time mattered more than subtlety. She had to reach the colonial town soon—or risk finding Rina and Lina lost.

* * *

When the settlement's rough palisade rose into view, Kaiya slowed her ostrich horse to a cautious walk. There would be sentries, and she still wore Earth Kingdom robes. Tension fluttered in her gut. She guided the mount closer.

Fire Nation soldiers emerged, spears aimed squarely at her. One called out, voice edged with panic, "Is that the earthbender? The one attacking the towns?"

Another frowned, "If it were, she'd have attacked already. Might be a spy."

"Identify yourself!" someone shouted.

Kaiya tugged back her hood, tilting her head so the light caught her eyes. "Look carefully."

A soldier crept closer, spear raised but trembling. He squinted, gasped softly. "Fire Nation eyes!" he said, voice tinged with awe. A ripple of recognition moved through the group.

A chorus followed: "It's Kaiya! Let her in!"

They parted, forming a pathway. She nudged her ostrich horse forward. Soon, Rina and Lina arrived, breathless, astonished. Their voices overlapped.

"You're here!" Rina managed, eyes wide.

"We never thought you'd come in person," Lina added, half-incredulous.

Kaiya slid from the saddle, allowing herself a brief smile. "It was the only choice. I had no time to waste."

Her old friends embraced her fiercely, arms tight around her shoulders. The moment held warmth against the gathering storm.

"How long do we have?" Kaiya asked quietly.

Rina looked grim. "A few hours at most. This 'one-man army' strikes soon."

Kaiya nodded, scanning the surroundings. "I doubt it's a man at all. We can discuss details later. First—do you still have my old uniform?"

They led her through cramped lanes and into the garrison's quarters. There, in a chest, lay her Fire Nation attire: a slim-fitting uniform, deep crimson with gold trim, crafted under Azula's direction. Rina and Lina helped her change, fingers nimble as they fastened clasps and straightened collars.

"What's the plan?" Lina asked, anxious. "The lieutenant has his own ideas—he wants to face the earthbender head-on."

Kaiya shook her head, voice measured. "This is no ordinary foe. I suspect Toph, the blind earthbending prodigy who once traveled with the Avatar. We can't defeat her by brute force. We need strategy, and no one must deviate from my instructions."

Rina blinked. "Toph… a little girl?"

Kaiya's gaze hardened. "A formidable child, one who escaped Azula's grasp. We cannot underestimate her."

They proceeded to the lieutenant's office. Inside, he fumbled over maps with a handful of soldiers, eyes hollow with dread. Upon seeing Kaiya in full Fire Nation attire, he stiffened.

"What are you doing here? Princess Azula required you in Ba Sing Se!" he snapped.

Kaiya inclined her head, tone chilly. "I was summoned by these soldiers' plea. Rina and Lina appealed to me—time is of the essence, and I answered."

He scoffed. "I never authorized any letter. I have the defense under control."

"Have you?" Kaiya asked, lifting a brow. "The nearby towns have fallen. Most of the firebenders have been sent to the front lines in anticipation of the comet. You're left with scarcely anyone but me, Rina, and Lina. The rest are nonbenders. Do you propose a suicidal charge?"

He bristled. "Better death with honor than shame."

Kaiya's patience thinned. "I have a plan. It's unconventional, but it will spare lives. No one must die today, not if we follow my instructions exactly."

The lieutenant curled his lip. "You hold no rank here, girl. I command this town. If you refuse my way, return to Ba Sing Se."

Kaiya's eyes flashed, anger breaking her usual composure. "I outrank you in Azula's eyes, and that should be enough. The princess acknowledged my talents. I'll use them now to save everyone—soldiers and civilians alike. You will be silent and obey."

The lieutenant's sneer widened. "Oh, I've heard all about Ba Sing Se," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Ruled by an Earth Kingdom woman who smiles too much and bows too low—what's her name? Joo Dee? Is that your idea of leadership? Whispering in her ear from the shadows, giving her all your little orders? Scurrying around like a common rat in the dark?"

"You will obey me." Kaiya snapped back.

He flushed, fists tightening. "Not a chance."

Kaiya drew in a slow breath, glancing at Rina and Lina. "We're done here." She turned on her heel, robes swishing, and left for the barracks. Her companions followed, leaving the lieutenant behind, sputtering questions she chose not to answer.

Soon, in the barracks' courtyard, twenty soldiers gathered. Kaiya stood on a low platform, the late afternoon sun at her back.

"Many of you know me," she said, voice ringing clear. "I once rooted out an earthbender threat in this very town. And, alongside Princess Azula, I annihilated a rebellion that would have destroyed us. I value your well-being. Trust me now as you did then."

Before anyone could reply, the lieutenant burst in, shouting that she held no authority. Kaiya's gaze never wavered. "I won't force you to follow me," she said calmly. "Choose: stand with him, or stand with me."

A silence descended. Then, one by one, soldiers stepped away from the lieutenant's side, moving toward Kaiya. The lieutenant's face darkened, but he stood powerless, isolated.

"Fine," he spat. "But the Fire Lord will know of this."

Kaiya lowered her chin slightly, acknowledging the threat, her tone regaining its poised composure. "So be it. We have work to do."

A hush settled over them. In the distance, a quiet breeze stirred the dust, and Kaiya prepared to shape destiny once more, leading these troops into a battle that would demand cunning over sheer might.

* * *

Kaiya stood at the old wooden table in the garrison's main chamber. The midday light filtered through narrow windows, illuminating a yellowed map of the colonial town spread across the surface. Around her stood the lieutenant, arms crossed and scowling; beside him, Rina and Lina kept a careful silence, their eyes flicking between Kaiya and the map.

The lieutenant's tone dripped with sarcasm. "You've taken command, it seems. So enlighten us—what's this brilliant plan of yours?"

Kaiya drew a measured breath, her posture poised despite the tension. "There are two phases," she said, her voice calm. "First, I want every Fire Nation banner, every symbol of our presence, removed from view."

The lieutenant's eyes widened. "What? That's treasonous! Hiding our banners in a time of crisis?" His indignation brimmed just beneath his condescending tone. "We should be preparing a defense, not wasting time pulling down flags."

Kaiya met his glare with cool authority. "Hold your tongue. This is part of the defense." She tapped a finger on the map. "Toph—the earthbender we face—must believe the town is abandoned. She's conquered enough outposts by now to suspect others would flee before her advance. If we strip away our markings, she'll assume no Fire Nation presence remains."

Lina asked quietly, "So, after hiding the banners, what's the second phase?"

Kaiya's gaze shifted, her voice sharpening. "We must ensure that Toph's earthbending is useless here. If the town is empty, there's nothing stopping her from unleashing the full potential of her earthbending. So, to restrain her, we need leverage." She paused. "We will not evacuate the civilians."

Silence fell, heavy and disbelieving. The lieutenant's jaw tightened. Rina's brow creased, her voice trembling slightly. "You mean… civilians stay here? That puts them at risk!"

Kaiya inclined her head, acknowledging the truth. "Yes, it does. But if we execute this correctly, no one will come to harm. The civilians, by their very presence, become human shields. Toph won't dare level the town if it's full of innocents. She'll either fight carefully or not at all."

The lieutenant's lips parted, but words failed him momentarily. Finally, he managed, "And if we keep civilians in their homes, who faces Toph in open combat?" His voice turned mocking. "Surely you don't expect us to lock ourselves indoors as well?"

Kaiya's eyes narrowed. "I will face her alone." The calm assertion settled over the group like a chill wind. "I will stand in the street and engage her directly. If she tries to overwhelm me, the presence of civilians will tie her hands. She'll realize she cannot rampage without becoming a butcher. She'll be forced to either flee or be captured."

The lieutenant's sneer wavered. He recognized the cunning here, though grudgingly. "You're awfully confident. What makes you think you can stand against a warrior who's taken entire towns?"

Kaiya's voice dropped to a dangerous hush. "Have you forgotten who trained me?" She did not need to name Azula. The lieutenant's eyes flickered with uneasy remembrance, and he said nothing more.

Lina cleared her throat, eager to break the tension. "We should begin, right?"

With a terse nod, the lieutenant and Rina, Lina left the garrison, orders flowing from their lips as they rallied soldiers. Men and women hurried through the streets, pulling down crimson banners, hiding the Fire Nation's identity beneath tarps and dull cloth. Within an hour, nothing but dusty walls and wooden beams remained visible. Soldiers pressed civilians back inside their homes, securing doors and shutters, ensuring no one would wander into the streets and ruin the ruse.

Kaiya stepped into the training grounds behind the garrison. Gone was the graceful flourish of her usual firebending forms. Now she focused on raw strength—blasts of flame that roared from her fists, bright and lethal. Her heart beat faster. This was no gentle demonstration, no measured display. This would be a battle where hesitation meant death.

Later, as the final preparations settled into place, Rina and Lina approached her with anxious faces. The lieutenant hovered at a distance, still sullen. "Where do you want us?" Lina asked.

Rina added softly, "We're firebenders too, Kaiya. We can help."

Kaiya shook her head. "The streets are narrow. I need to fight without worrying about harming you. You'll stay indoors, ensuring no civilians escape. If even one person runs into the street, Toph might realize our ploy is an illusion."

Rina bit her lip but nodded, following Lina inside one of the larger buildings. The lieutenant said nothing, only shot Kaiya a lingering look before retreating behind a boarded-up window.

Sunset approached, bringing a hush over the abandoned thoroughfares. Kaiya crouched behind an archway near the town's entrance, hidden by deep shadows. Her senses strained. Soon, she heard distant voices. Two figures approached—one female, one male. Their footsteps rang clear on the deserted cobblestone.

Then a confident male voice called out, echoing against empty walls, "We're with the coalition! You're safe now! Come out!"

Kaiya's jaw tightened. Coalition, she thought. So they think they've liberated these places for some greater cause. She readied herself. Tiny flames danced at her fingertips, each finger a wick ignited with lethal intent. She steadied her breathing, preparing to rush out and strike.

But as she shifted her foot, a loose stone scraped beneath her boot. The sound reverberated softly, enough to catch a keen ear.

A high, sharp voice—a girl's voice—snapped, "Come out! I can sense you!"

Kaiya froze. Toph. It had to be Toph, the blind girl with heightened senses. She had been careless. Now, direct ambush was risky. Perhaps a soft approach could still put Toph off guard. Kaiya inhaled slowly, steadying her heart. If she emerged calmly, maybe she could lure Toph into a vulnerable angle before unleashing her flame.

Rising from her crouch, Kaiya stepped into the gloom of the tunnel's mouth, moving toward the intruders. Her mind spun with strategy and danger. She would need all her cunning, all her training, to prevail in the moments to come.