Chapter 95 - Killing Gods?

Chapters in advance in Patreòn

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(20+ chapters in advance)

***

General Fong's army had gathered in the training courtyard of the base, a couple of thousand soldiers stood tall as they gazed at the mighty figure of the general. "I am amongst you at this time, not as for my recreation or sport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all; to lay down, for my manifested destiny, and my kingdom, and for my people, my honor and my blood. Let's manifest our destiny today and let "

Sokka observed this from the roof and couldn't help but be impressed by the general. He might have been a little delusional, but that was what made good leaders. General Fong wasn't making promises he couldn't keep, or speeches he couldn't follow. He truly believed that he could do it. "Damn, the Earth Kingdom is lucky to have someone like this," he muttered under his breath. "I wish I had a general so delusional as to throw away his life so easily."

Kiwi jumped on his shoulder and Sokka petted the small creature, hearing the general and trying to determine what he was up to.

"Our people have suffered against the Fire Nation for so long, and we have only been on the defense, trying to defend the lands that they haven't taken yet. But that will no longer be so!" The General's passionate speech seemed to catch the soldier's hearts, and Sokka could tell they were excited, finally, the Earth Kingdom would go on the attack.

Due to the size of the land, most people didn't care about what the King in Ba Sing Se had to say, and the big city could keep itself holed in its walls for all they cared. General Fong was ambitious and planned to do more than just be a general after the war was over. Though the man must have thought the war to be unwinnable by just normal soldiers, Sokka observed that now Fong seemed confident.

'Sometimes words speak louder than actions. Better take Aang out of here before he catches sight of the brutality that's going to occur. The kid is 12 and seeing the brutality of war will break him. War is not just killing… it's much, much more brutal. The worst things you can think of, soldiers have probably done during a war.'

It didn't matter which side you stood in a war. You were the villain to one side.

Jumping down from the roof, Sokka landed on the balcony and saw Aang was already there, gazing at the soldiers ready for war with guilt in his eyes. "I… Sokka, what should I do?"

Sokka stood next to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Right now, the best you can do is master the four elements in order. Trying to rush things will just make the situation worse. Let's politely say goodbye to General Fong and leave this place."

Staying here longer could have the general end up pulling Aang into the same trick, to try and pull out his Avatar State. While General Fong was right, about the Avatar State being able to defeat Fire Lord Ozai. Right now the state was the same as Aang being a mad man, he would injure the allies about as much as the enemy, and activating it forcefully wasn't good.

Sokka didn't know everything there was about the Avatar State, but he remembered that after every Avatar mastered the four elements, they would be able to use it. Though Aang broke that cycle a little during the original story, trying to go against the balance and order of elements.

"There is no shortcut to this, we must just try harder to have you master the four elements. I will help you Aang, but when it comes down to it, I will do things my way," Sokka reminded him before walking back to the room and picking up their things. They needed to get out of here and continue.

Aang swallowed nervously, gazing at the soldiers with a sad look in his eyes, each day that he hasn't defeated the Fire Lord, people will die against the Fire Nation. "Sokka, what would you have done if you were the Avatar?"

"Hm?" Sokka stopped picking up their things and glanced at Aang with the corner of his eye. If he had been the Avatar, then he would have been ruthless, gathered forces under him, and manipulated the situation by calling the Fire Lord out. If he came then he would kill him, if he didn't, then the Fire Lord's reputation would plummet, even amongst his men, as he would be seen as a coward.

Aang of course wouldn't be able to pull that off. He neither had the demeanor to be manipulative, nor the guts to act ruthless, and have a show of power.

"I guess I would learn the four elements first," Sokka lied without missing a beat. He didn't tell Aang what he would do. Since an innocent Avatar, like Aang, was infinitely easier to use than someone like Kyoshi. "Trust me, in your position, there isn't a lot anyone can do."

Hearing Sokka's reassuring words, Aang sighed in relief, his willingness to learn all four forms of bending getting strengthened. "We need to find an Earthbending teacher faster."

Sokka nodded. "Yes, though going to Omashu and looking for Bumi wouldn't be the best idea."

"Why?" The avatar was confused at this, as he knew that Bumi was the best earthbender he had ever met. Even though the old man was past his prime and over a hundred years old, he still held that title in Aang's eyes.

"We don't know how the situation might have developed there, and the-"

"No!" Aang yelled out, looking at Sokka fiercely. "Omashu has held strong for a hundred years. They won't fall that easily."

Sokka sighed but didn't say anymore. He knew for a fact that Omashu had fallen, and Bumi wasn't planning on taking it back any time soon. Well, it was debatable if he could even take it back this time around.

**

After packing everything and going to Appa, and getting ready to set off. Aang and Sokka clapped their hands in respect towards General Fong.

"General, remember my advice," Sokka said, with a small smile on his face. Fong nodded in confirmation.

"Thank you for your warm welcome, General. I will try my best to end this war as soon as possible," Aang stated confidently. Something that he wouldn't have been able to do without Sokka by his side. Even when you're failing, show confidence, only then you're someone worth following.

"Hahaha," the general laughed out loudly. "Don't worry Avatar Aang, we will solve this by ourselves before you even need to get involved."

Though his words were supposed to be encouraging, Aang looked down sadly, as he felt like everyone seemed to be losing confidence in the Avatar. Sokka saw this as the natural human cycle, once they saw that something was unneeded then humans would start dropping certain traditions.

'God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him.'

Sokka remembered the quote from his last world and couldn't help but associate the Avatar with a god-like being.

'How long until people kill this God?'

In the end, they fly away and certain thoughts plague Sokka's mind. He also instructs Aang to move about the clouds so they aren't seen when crossing over the Fire Nation army surrounding Omashu.

But as they approached the once-mighty city, despair dawned in Aang's face. Fire Nation banners flew up high, with red and black fluttering flags everywhere. Industrial, black smoke, and fumes filled the sky with a disgusting oily smell permeating through the air.