Avatar-The Mandate of Heaven

"Who are you people?" Mayumi demanded. "Leave us alone, there are no valuable belongings on us."

Bandits and pirates are not much different. They both desire riches and rob from the poor. But these four strangers in cowl robes does not appear to have such ambitions. It is far more ludicrous than what the Kyoshi Warriors have expected.

They simply stared at the two sisters, some with pity while others sighed with sadness.

Mayumi glanced between those faces, surveying these attackers. They have little to no armor. But the lack of weapons is a cause for alarm.

"Benders," she silently whispered into Satchiko's ears. There can be no doubt about it, what kind of bandit would rob people without any weapons? Even the lowliest robber with a poor foot stance would at least provide himself with a knife.

Satchiko tensed slightly. Upon hearing that word, her mind immediately remembered the raw destructive power of that bloating Firebending marauder. It was all one month ago, but she did not forget the stark danger possessed by these people. Regardless, the pair of metal fans are no less lethal than the elements themselves.

"Please do not misunderstand, we are not here for anything valuable," the young woman with dark hair said in a somewhat amicable tone. "You are lost, so we are here to help."

The two sisters glanced at each other, perplexed by the strange choice of words. Even Batu is confused.

They are unsure how to respond just yet. Retaining their defensive stances, Mayumi allowed these lowly bandits to express their wanton audacity.

"Please be at ease, we are not here to harm you. My name is Huo, we are all Acolytes of San Bao, faithful servants for the Master and defenders of the Eternal Balance. We are here to proclaim the truth to an unenlightened world."

The rest of the hooded figures revealed their faces. The one named Huo introduced her companions. There is Feng, a slim male wearing an orange cowl robe. A woman named Shui is donned in blue. As for the bulky fellow, he is dressed in the color of green. They all bear the same mark near their neck, a strange symbol none of the sisters understand.

"He is a monk!" Batu cried with a hostile growl. He is beaming the one named Feng, who is bald.

Huo quickly rectified the situation. "Be at ease, little boy. My friend here is not a lowly worshipper of idols." She is failed to notice the rising eyebrows of the Kyoshi Warriors but continued to explain their identity. "Just like me, he is also a righteous repentant who has saw the error of our ways. He no longer believes in the false teachings of the corrupt Air Nomads. Like many, he willingly adheres to the true teachings of the benevolent master, the way of the Eternal Balance."

The more Huo spoke, the more stupefied Satchiko and Mayumi became. Batu, who has a dislike towards the Air Nomads, also appear visibly baffled by these people. They are certainly no ordinary bandits. It appears they demand something more.

"Then what is your intention?" Mayumi demanded without friendliness.

"We are here to guide you from darkness," Huo politely stated. "Our Master is the light, a light that all should aspire to follow. In him, we can find deliverance from our own wrenched nature."

Mayumi looked at the four. None of them exhibits an intimidating appearance, but those words from Huo unsettled her. For thousands of years, some of the greatest minds of the Earth Kingdom have debated on the nature of humans. There are of course different proposals devised to guide the people towards the moral path, and religion is certainly one of them.

"Not interested," the older sister refused this strange offer. "My sister and I have important matters to attend to. Additionally, we are already under Kyoshi's tutelary."

As she tried to leave the area, Tu suddenly created a wall, blocking their path to the campsite. This immediately drew Mayumi's ire.

"Stop it, Tu!" Huo snapped at the bulky fellow. Despite being taller, the Earthbender is visibly remorseful towards his action. Mayumi observed closely, trying to see if there is any weaknesses in their dynamic.

"I apologize for the action of my friend, he did not intend to do that," Huo said with courtesy. "Please rest assured, we have no ill intentions."

Mayumi was not very forgiving. She adapted a scathing tone, dismantling Huo's friendly facade that does not comply with reality.

"You dare claim innocence while blatantly doing the opposite!" She then pointed at Batu, who is immobilized by bola strings. "You liars. Such acts of deceit will fool no one!"

"B-but the Master would never want us to lie!" Tu cried in an almost childlike manner. Huo raised a hand, signaling her friends to remains quiet.

The young woman in dark hair spoke again, trying to reason with the sisters specifically.

"Daughters of Akahana, listen closely, the Master is a forgiving and loving man, he shows mercy to those who submits to him. We are sent to lead you to him, so that you may be saved from the corruption of your mother. Please, follow us and-"

"How did you know about our mothers name?" Mayumi pointed her blade directly at Huo, a reaction that makes the acolytes unsure how to proceed.

Even Satchiko is on guard. Their island is an isolated place. To her knowledge, only trusted merchants and senior members of Chin Village would know about Akahana, who is considered the strongest Kyoshi Warrior of the present. How did some random ruffians like these four obtain the knowledge about their respected matron? This situation is becoming ever more suspicious.

"Fear not, we are not here to harm you." Huo tried again in a softer voice, akin to speaking with little children. "Our Master has great things planned for you two, something much better than your parents and people can ever fathom. The only thing you both need to do is renounce the evil and corrupt ways of your island and become one with our glorious Master. He can teach you the ways of the Eternal Balance, so that you may both repent and receive his blessings."

Mayumi is offended but chose to mask her reaction.

As Huo's friends murmured words of encouragement to the sisters, the other three are unconvinced. Batu even winced at Huo's squirming words, uttering what the two Kyoshi Warriors wouldn't state out loud.

"How old are you people?" Batu asked the four in cowl robes. "Only stupid people would join your stupid Master."

That rather childish insult has unexpectedly caused a stir amongst the four. It seems their devotion have exceeded expectation. Shui's eyes turned murderous, especially towards the little boy. If it wasn't for Huo calming her group down, violence would have been the immediate result.

"Batu, leave the talking to me," Mayumi whispered.

Huo coughed uncomfortably, struggling to control the rising anger in one of her companions.

"I suggest you four leave," Mayumi ordered. "Like I said, we are not interested. Me and my sister have an important journey. Do not interfere and I will put away my blade."

"But no journey is as important as submitting oneself to the Master and advancing the glory of the Eternal Balance!" Huo persisted, hoping to present themselves as trustworthy in the eyes of the Kyoshi Warriors. "If you abandon your current fruitless journey and step on the correct path to the Master, you will never regret your decision!"

"Elaborate," Mayumi pressured Huo. The latter gladly offered to explain their belief to the ignorant.

"The Master is good and kind, we are his servants, and we strive to emulate his compassion in this wretched world. Everyone on this world is wrong in their ways. They must break free from the false beliefs that enslaves them and be guided by the Master's teachings. You two are lost and in need of saving, by submitting yourselves to him, all things are possible. The world itself may be on its last leg. Wars and disasters are becoming more and more frequent. But rest assured, as those who submits to the Master shall survive all these calamities and inherit this world, becoming part of the heavenly kingdom that he shall reign over. He shall reward those who believe in him, and they will bask in the glory of the Eternal Balance."

At first, Huo thought her words managed to resonate with the sisters.

Mayumi sheathed her sword and sighed. "Sister, untie Batu, we are leaving these lunatics. I refuse to entertain such nonsense any longer."

"W-wait, don't leave! The Master would be pleased if you would open your hearts to his wisdom and mercy!" Huo pleaded. Trying to entice the older sister, she even offered to assist in their journey. Since Mayumi never revealed their destination, Huo's method is not effective.

"Man, your master must be a weirdo," Batu laughed at them. Satchiko has a hard time cutting the rope loose, but his casual statement drew the immediate ire of the four.

The one named Shui glared intensely at the stubby boy.

"Arrogant and unrepentant filth, how dare you slander the Master's name! If it wasn't for his teachings, I would have tear you into pieces!"

"Stop, that boy has nothing to do with this." Tu said. "We are sent here to capture the sisters, no need to harm that kid."

Huo hissed at him. But it was too late, Mayumi's sharply gazed at them. This time, it is hard to recover.

"So, you are here to kidnap us," Mayumi stated darkly.

"N-no! We are just here to guide you to the light of the Master!" Huo chose her words carefully. "You are not safe with your mother, who only teaches you false beliefs. We are the Master's faithful servants. Please open your ears. You can trust us. Unlike the elders of your village, we will never deceive you with the corrupting notion of spirits. We earnestly intend to rescue you from Akahana!"

"We are your true friends!" Tu added.

No matter how sincere they may be, Mayumi became increasingly fumed with every word. These four bandits are indeed bold, unaware of their blatant contradiction. She has her own response to their unfounded belief. Cults and fringe spiritual movements are not a new thing on this world, but their danger cannot be underestimated.

"People who disguises their malice as works of kindness are no friends of mine," Mayumi declared. Although she lacks Satchiko's boisterousness or Batu's bluntness, she has other ways to convey an insult. "The likes of you claiming to my friends? I find that rather offensive, considering my true friends would never stand so low as to sow distrust within my own family."

Mayumi walked again. Huo tried to hold her arm, but the warrior quickly drew the blade again. Someone almost lost their limb.

"Why do you look so surprised?" Mayumi asked the dazed woman. "From the moment you four tried to restrain us with those projectiles, you already lost our trust. Unless you all possess minds of little children, I do not believe in such utter obtuseness."

"We are all little children in the eyes of the Master." Tu unnecessarily chimed again.

This time, the one named Shui lashed out even louder. She accused Mayumi of being rude and ungrateful towards Huo's persuasion. Once again, their leader tried to resume this futile negotiation. It seems none of the four has much experience in the outside world.

"Daughter of Akahana, our mission is to bring you back to our benevolent master, and I can assure you, this is for your own good." Huo said without waiting for both Kyoshi warriors to respond. "Please, don't force our hands!"

"What if we refuse?" Mayumi challenged.

"You cannot!" Shui responded abruptly, much to Huo's dismay. "The will of our Master must not be challenged, and we will fulfill his every command without hesitation. That includes forcing you two." The way she talked hinted a slight annoyance, suggesting displeasure in waiting for the two sisters to surrender themselves.

Mayumi denounced her brazenness. She harshly rebuked them for abandoning the practice of worshiping spirits and Avatars. Even Earth Kingdom folk religions, which venerates historical individuals such as great generals or statesman, would never seek to dogmatically force others into their fold.

"Filthy spawns of Akahana, how dare you reject the Master!" Shui scathed sharply. "Those who do not accept the Eternal Balance shall only be scorched! Forever unable to be loved by the Master! You have already dug yourselves deeper by being offspring of that wretched witch, further offending the Master would be your own volition! Today, you will kneel before him!"

Mayumi fumed. Before she offers a riposte, another chimed in first.

"A true Kyoshi Warrior kneels to no one!" Satchiko yelled passionately.

Mayumi looked at her sister. This is one of those rare moments when she did not correct Satchiko's impulsiveness.

As Batu is still restrained by those surprisingly resilient strings, the two young woman in face paint readied themselves for a fight. Since there is no more point in talking, the one named Shui did not entertain the idea of subduing the sisters with words.

"You left us with no choice," Shui said. "It is our duty to bring more people under the Master's saving light. If you do not peacefully submit to him, we will simply have to help you."

"Wait Shui!" Huo raised a hand. "Don't just-"

Without warning, Shui threw multiple unused bolas, initiating an attack much to Huo's dismay. The two sisters dodged the projectiles. Mayumi glared at them, intending to fight too.

Huo does not approve of her friend's rash action. But she adapted quickly.

"Shui, handle the younger sister, I will deal with the other one!" Huo lunged at Mayumi, sending forth a hail of fire. This tactic worked very effectively as Mayumi's thin sword cannot deflect such volatile flames. Satchiko immediately arrived and expelled the flame with metal fans. Mayumi counterattacked by throwing small knives at the four. Tu raised a wall of earth to protect his friends.

A messy fight ensued. Huo chased Mayumi near the riverbank. The Kyoshi Warrior tried to shorten their distance in order to engage in melee, but the ferocious Firebender hindered such attempts. At range, Mayumi's limited arsenal cannot overpower such raw potency. It is a rather unfair fight, but the Kyoshi Warrior's lack of bending did not undermine her skill as a fighter.

Nearby, Satchiko initially struggled with Shui. She retreated near the water, but fatally underestimated her opponent's strength. A large body of water rose from the pond and smashed into her. Who would have thought that such harmless liquids can be so painful.

"You can control water?" Satchiko asked in bewilderment.

"By the Master's grace, he granted me this sacred ability!" Shui boasted.

This is the first time she meets someone who can harness the power of water. Mayumi once spoke about the incredible healing powers in the North Pole, how it is unfortunate that she is currently experiencing the opposite.

"Foolish brat!" Shui yelled. "The Master was merciful enough to give the likes of you another chance, your lack of appreciate disgusts me!"

"I don't even know who your Master is!" Satchiko retorted.

"That is all your fault!" Shui screamed.

Satchiko has no time to argue against such incomprehensible statement. The way these fanatic talk does not comply with reason. She managed to regroup with Mayumi and switched their opponents. Her sister fended off Shui with some throwable projectiles. While the Waterbender smirked at a moving knife missed her face, none of the acolytes noticed the blade landing near Batu. Satchiko's metal fans are also more capable of extinguishing Huo's flames. With experience, she even managed to force Huo to maintain a respectable distance.

Tu suddenly raised a tall earthen wall, dividing the sisters apart. This act immediately forced them to adapt.

"Mayumi!" Satchiko panicked. She is alarmed. Without the support of her sister, this fight may be in jeopardy.

"Do not falter!" Mayumi yelled from the other side. "Retreat and regroup!"

Much to the irritation of their opponents, both Kyoshi Warriors escaped the premise and ventured into the forest. Their agility allows for a quick evacuation, outpacing their respective bending foes.

"Huo, what do we do?" Tu asked in a worried tone. The plan has been disarrayed. They were supposed to persuade the sisters to realize the error of their ways. Not even Huo can predict their stubbornness.

The bulky Earthbender collapsed the wall so that the four of them may convene.

Huo gritted her teeth as she grasped the situation. They must adapt, they must succeed. Failure is not an option in the eyes of their beloved Master.

"Tu and Shui, you two go and capture the older one." Huo commanded. "Feng, you are with me! Follow the original plan and we will not fail!"

"Oh, we won't." Shui said as she eyed Mayumi's direction with vengefulness. "I will relish this."

Both Mayumi and Satchiko bolted to opposite directions, intending to lose their pursuers. The four benders split up, Tu and Shui headed for Mayumi, while Huo and Feng focused on Satchiko.

They each departed for their respective directions. Leaving a restrained Batu with a knife near his foot, he immediately crawled towards it.

...

Huo and Feng dashed into a forest clearing. They both stopped to survey the surroundings, knowing the younger sister might be hiding nearby.

"You cannot hide forever, daughter of Akahana!" Huo proclaimed assertively. "We will capture you!"

Feng didn't say anything. Unlike the Firebender, he lacks the enthusiasm, constantly afraid of the environment.

"Surrender yourself at once!" Huo demanded loudly. Her patience is waning in the face of silence. Right before the Firebender decided to burn the whole area down, a small rustling in nearby bushes demands their attention. Huo signaled Feng with her hand. Reluctantly, he conjured a ball of air, throwing it towards the location of interest.

They heard the sound of a suffocating throat. Feng's technique is deadly, creating a vacuum to deprive the victim's breathing. While it may have been employed to assassinate a certain Earth Queen Dowager, their Master have permitted its utility in rendering a foe unconscious. All is permissible if it glorifies the Supreme Shepherd and further propagates the Eternal Balance.

Huo ordered him to stop. They no longer sense signs of struggles amongst the dense vegetation. So long as their Master's guiding light is always present, their success shall always be guaranteed.

"Enough wasting time, we still need to capture the other one," Huo lectured her friend. However, she is grateful that despite Feng's hesitation on their first mission, he is still able to control personal fears. Once they return, she will certainly report her friend's merit to their glorious Master.

"I got the rope, Feng, we will tie her up first, then we will go back and help Shui and Tu." Huo prepared the strings that is hanging on the side of the waist. She signaled Feng to follow her into the thick bushes, where the younger sister must be lying unconscious.

"Y-you go, I will stay here." Feng is timid, unwilling to entertain the idea of personally kidnapping others.

Huo sighed. Yet, she remained tolerant towards her friend's unfounded fears. As fellow acolytes of the true Master, each one of them must advance the propagation of the Eternal Balance. It is rather shameful to doubt their Master's ability to safeguard his followers across the world. With such powerful protection from their guardian, why should a humble servant allow themselves to succumb in reluctance?

"Your faith must remain strong," Huo advised. "Only in faith can our Master's name be heard by more untouched people of this world. How can you doubt his miracles when he has done so much for you and me? So long as we remain absolutely faithful to our beloved Master, no harm can ever trouble us. This wretched world may try to stifle our righteous light with swords and spears, but we have the power of the almighty Master. Even a wretched person like you can find forgiveness and mercy from him."

This didn't improve Feng's pessimistic nature. With a trembling voice, he uttered something Huo does not have an answer for.

"But your mother. You told me how she was harmed on her mission." He voiced it as carefully as possible, not wishing to anger the Firebender.

"My mother died while trying to save a people who willingly rejected the Master. Such persecution is a virtue, as there is no greater glory than to sacrifice oneself for him. I made an oath that Akahana will not go unpunished for openly opposing the Eternal Balance. I swore to follow my mother's footsteps, fulfilling the inevitable. I will rescue the people of that island from their own false beliefs and idols. Eventually these offspring of that witch will understand the rationality of my endeavor and acknowledge their own ignorance."

Feng reluctantly asked another question.

"But how does kidnapping her two daughters have anything to do with propagating the Eternal Balance to the world?"

Huo presented her rationality, while proclaiming their Master's flawless nature.

"Feng, we are not kidnapping!" She corrected him. "We are bringing them to the Master so that he may enlighten their ignorant minds. Think about it, if those stubborn islanders rejected my mother's attempt to convert them, maybe they would be more open if two of their own became part of our Master's flock. I foresee that even Akahana herself would repent and submit to the Master!" Sensing an increased wariness from an unconvinced Feng, Huo offered to elaborate this in the future. "No need to think much for now, we need to secure the younger sister first."

Both of them slowly approached where the unconscious Kyoshi Warrior is lying. Huo instantly recognized a small part of the black lacquered armor underneath the bush. She tossed a small rock onto it. The lack of motion from the breastplate brought a sense of accomplishment. She praised Feng's excellent use of Airbending. But the credit is mostly given to the Master.

"Praise the Master!" She cried.

Just as she unraveled the plants covering the armor, her face froze.

The breastplate is empty.

Huo's instincts immediately heightened her defense. She turned to face Feng, who is behind her.

The acolyte Airbender is lying flat on the ground. With eyes still open, he said nothing to warn Huo. That mouth appears frozen, yet not a drop of ice is present.

Before the Firebender can even react, she felt one arm being snatched, followed by a series of jabs across the wrist. The shocked Firebender released a large streak of fire using the other free hand. But the attacker turned Huo's force against her, exploiting the punching motion and pulled the forearm. Satchiko repeatedly jabbed the other wrist too, ending this surprise attack with a kick to the stomach, knocking Huo back.

"For someone who claims to be saving my people, you don't seem to even understand our ways!" Satchiko snapped, lecturing Huo's terrible use of words. "Secondly, I doubt my mother is someone who compromises easily."

Huo is in wrath. She tried to punch balls of fire, but the lack any warmth from the hands startled her.

"What witchcraft did you placed onto me!" Huo demanded with a growl. "Unrepentant spawn of Akahana, such willingness to emulate your mother is unsightly in the eyes of the Master! Cease your defiance to the Eternal Balance at once!"

Satchiko did not hold back either. She slandered whoever these fanatics saw as their 'Master'. Although the young warrior has no understanding on the matter, she simply hurled whatever insult that came to the mind. Frankly, she is still unsure who these people are.

As Huo fumed with every word, Satchiko retrieved her armor and wear it again.

"Do not fight me, or I will not hold back," she warned the Firebender who cannot harness her element.

Of course, the acolyte did not heed this. "I don't need your sympathy!"

Satchiko was surprised by this outburst, for she has expected a more negotiating response in the face of hopelessness.

"I did not plan to fail, and I will capture you!" Huo raised her fist, forcefully running forward to punch Satchiko's face. The Kyoshi warrior didn't react much, only closed one of her metal fans and using the tip to poked Huo's shoulder. Upon impact, the acolyte hissed in pain. Without bending, Huo's only strength is taken away.

The Kyoshi Warrior left no openings. Since the Firebender is clueless in the ways of melee, she gave her opponent a few good punches on the legs, jabbing pressure points that will paralyze.

Huo fell to the grass after sensing numbness on the limbs. Unable to project fire or walk, she lashed out in complete indignation.

"You will never get away with this!" Huo screamed. She used her hands and slowly crawled on the ground, persistently attempting to reach the Kyoshi Warrior. "My mother lost her life to bring a better future for the people on your island! Yet you Kyoshi Warriors foolishly opposes the gift of the Eternal Balance, slandering our Master! The likes of you will never know peace by venerating mere idols carved from wood. Venerating the Avatar is futile!"

This unprecedented level of desperation is beyond Satchiko's understanding. She refrained from mocking her opponent, as such fanaticism should be dealt by someone more knowledgeable. She gradually turned to leave. Helping Mayumi is far important than debating this erratic Firebender.

"Get back here! I am not done yet!" Huo yelled at Satchiko. "If you continue to be guided by Akahana instead of the true Master, a path of ruination lies before you! Turn away from the darkness and face the light!"

It felt akin to a mixture of plea and warning. But it is ultimately a demand.

Satchiko stopped in her tracts, countering without facing the deluded Firebender.

"Like you, I am also still young and naive about this world, but even I can feel that you are being used by this Master of yours." The Kyoshi Warrior walked on, soon she is no longer visible after venturing through dense vegetation.

Huo did not stop crawling. With gritted teeth, she ignored the leg pain and slowly continued.

"We must go after her, I have no intention to fail our Master!" Huo sounded tired, but her determination knows no limit. "We were so close!"

"You can't fight like this!" Feng warned, earnestly trying to dissuade Huo from continuing this endeavor. "We don't need to complete what the Master asked us to do, we can leave him and find somewhere else and-"

"Sacrilege!" Huo fiercely yelled at him. She sternly glared at the Feng, chastising him for such lack of perseverance. It was like an arrow piercing his chest. "Where is your faith? How can you even suggest turning your back on the Master when he has done so much for us? He is the light when we were shrouded in the dark. He clothed and fed us. As his acolytes, we are unworthy to even be in his mere presence!"

Feng wanted to argue, but no words came out of his mouth. Huo left him, chasing after Satchiko while dragging her body across the grass.

...

Batu tried again to cut the rope entangling him, but the material is simply too strong. Whoever made these bola strings, he swore one day he would have his revenge. After repeated attempts, he finally made some progress.

"Batu!"

The boy raised his eyes and saw Satchiko rushing towards him. She requested news on her sister, who is nowhere to be seen.

"That Earthbending guy and the crazy lady is after her," Batu responded. "How did you escape the other two? You know, the red and yellow one."

"It's complicated, we will talk more later."

Right before Satchiko was about to help Batu, rustling of nearby bushes caught their attention.

Two figures emerged from the tree line. It is Shui and Tu, but no signs of her own sister.

"No where to run!" Shui chuckled deviously. She is clearly pleased at the sight of trapping them.

Satchiko snapped open her two metal fans, but initially struggled against Shui. She retreated near the sand, but fatally underestimated her opponent's strength. A large body of water rose from the pond and enveloped her legs into ice. Who would have thought that such harmless liquids can be so painful.

Satchiko cannot free herself from the block of ice that just materialized. This is clearly Shui's amalgamations.

"You can control water?" She asked in bewilderment.

It is also the first time she meets someone who can harness the power of water. Her mother once spoke about the incredible healing powers in the North Pole, how unfortunate that she is currently experiencing the opposite.

"Foolish brat!" Shui yelled. "The Master was merciful enough to give the likes of you another chance, your lack of appreciation disgusts me!"

"I don't even know who your Master is!" Satchiko retorted.

"That is all your fault!" Shui screamed. "Your fault!"

Satchiko has no time to argue against such incomprehensible statement. The way these fanatic talk does not comply with reason.

The young Kyoshi Warrior threw one of her metal fans at Shui, attempting to deliver a powerful strike. This was immediately thwarted by the Waterbender revealing a hidden bottle of water near the waist. A stream of blue then pummeled Satchiko's face.

The Waterbender approached with malice, materializing sharp claws made of hardened ice. Aside from the freezing sensation, Satchiko is also afraid of this deranged woman.

"I don't even understand why Huo wants to save you so much!" Shui uttered with displeasure. "The likes of you are unrepentant to the Master. Such rebellion is a testament to your lack of purity!"

Satchiko wanted to challenge these completely groundless accusations. It seems that they are living in different worlds, with the Waterbender uttering a speech that others do not understand. But with those icy claws bearing down on her neck, speaking might not be the best idea now.

"Your insolence shall end here!" Shui declared.

Tu stopped her before this erratic woman can stab Satchiko. He reminded her about their mission, which is to bring the daughters of Akahana to the Master, alive.

"Shut it!" The Waterbender snapped. "While I do not question the Master's wisdom, I refuse to tolerate this brat's insolence!"

"But only by bringing them to his light can they truly see the error of their ways!" Tu pleaded.

Satchiko is undecided. This bulky Earthbender is both pleading for her safety while also championing her kidnap.

As Tu and Shui fought over their differences, someone else entered the fray, throwing a knife into the Waterbender's shoulder. The erratic individual hissed with rage.

"Sister!" Mayumi charged in, swinging her blade with absolute vigor. She managed to force the two enemies back, away from an entrapped Satchiko. "Do not speak a word, you know I wouldn't abandon you," Mayumi said to Satchiko, who is still trying to shatter this thick ice. "I will delay them off and buy you time."

Satchiko said nothing. She immediately began, hopelessly stabbing the metal fan at the ice to free herself. But even the four bandits are aware that this process will be hard, any delay will be used to forcefully capture the daughters of Akahana.

"Please lower your arms! I will guarantee you and your sister's safety!" Tu requested. "You must have noticed now that the Master has granted us victory! The power of the Eternal Balance cannot be impeded with mere weapons! The Master is with us! By siding with him, you too can enjoy his blessings!"

Mayumi pointed the blade at them in a threatening manner. This is quite the predicament. The opponents have the elements at their disposal, all competent wielders. She gritted her teeth. Although years of training have cultivated her swordsmanship greatly, usually a group of six Kyoshi Warriors would suffice. But a lone warrior fending off four powerful benders is not an ideal fight.

"Clearly they are still defiant against the Master!" Shui bellowed. She proceeded to bend the nearby lake water and threw them towards Mayumi. The Kyoshi warrior did her best to avoid it, but the lack of space and less maneuverable ground made this effort futile.

"Mayumi!" Satchiko yelled as the elder sister was poured with water. Shui then immediately transformed the liquid into solid ice, trapping everything below the neck to the ground. The Waterbender intends to torture the older sister by harming the person she cares the most.

Another huge body of water is hurled at the entrapped Satchiko, constantly pummeling results in excruciating pain. It felt sharp, Satchiko endured this to the best of her ability. Rendered immobilized by ice has forced her to swing the remaining metal fan to block the overwhelming blast of water.

"Stop! What are you doing!" Mayumi yelled indignantly. Seeing her sister constantly being attacked agonizes her. Her hands are trapped in ice, forced to watch helplessly.

"This is retribution for defiance! Worshipper of false idols like you are worth less than the sands of Si Wong desert, unworthy to receive the Master's blessing!" Shui used the water like a whip, slashing at Satchiko's head. "I think you would love to see the face of your cute little sister buried in scars!"

"Don't you dare!" Mayumi responded in disbelief. As a non-bender, she is extremely powerless in this situation. Her body is stuck in ice, unable to move.

As for the victim, she can only cover the face with her arms, trying to resist this hopeless torture. This all happened while Shui enjoyed taking vengeance on the young girl.

"Shui! This is going too far!" Tu said. "Huo would not approve of this! We only needed them as hostages!"

"Don't be so simple-minded Tu, have you forgotten who we are?" Shui temporarily stopped her assault on Satchiko and lectured her friend. It allowed the young girl to have some time to recuperate. "These makeup wearing losers are responsible for delaying the fruition of the Eternal Balance, hindering the Master's plan! Are you very going to let them go unscathed? At least toy with them a little and show them who is truly in charge of the Earth Kingdom!"

"Who?" Tu responded with confusion.

"It wasn't a question! It's the Master! Idiot!" Shui said with an exhausted tone. Her voice is now a bit more passionate, akin to explaining some proud history to a class of students. "The Earth Kingdom is now weak, divided and fractured. While the warlords fought each other for control and power, the downtrodden people need hope. Only the light of our Master can save them! Only by devoting themselves to his teachings can the Eternal Balance take hold of this world! The Avatar shall be pulled from their throne so that our beloved Master can usher in an eternal kingdom of forever peace."

Despite suffering from constant pain, Satchiko scolded the two fanatical acolytes. Upon mention that their leader aims to usurp the Avatar, she refuses to remain silent. A Kyoshi Warrior devotes themselves to Avatar Kyoshi, both in battle and in speech.

"What makes you think you are on the right side here?" Satchiko questioned Shui. Despite still hurt from the earlier attacks, she still demonstrates defiance. "The Avatar has protected us longer than any of us even remembers. No one knows about your stupid Master, and no one will remember him!"

This incensed the Waterbender, who is perhaps the most zealous of the four.

"I am not answering a question from a clueless girl like you, our master has grand plans for this world. I intend to enforce it even if it means killing those that stands in the way." Shui responded with annoyance. "You should consider yourself lucky, and be grateful that you might be alive to see our Master's greatness when he obtains his rightful reign. Only through his teachings can the people escape from this wicked world and attain true enlightenment. His blessings shall help all to obtain true salvation. When that time comes, everyone will be part of his heavenly kingdom. You will also understand that it was wrong to stand against us in the beginning."

"For someone who tells his goons to act like bandits, your Master sure is lowly." Satchiko snorted. She made sure that Shui can hear her compliant very clearly. "The only people who will submit to your Master are weird people like you. It sounds like to me that he is just a regular human."

Unable to bear this insult, Shui slowly solidified some more water on her hands into ice. Sharp claws formed on the tip of the fingers. Satchiko felt fear as the Waterbender stared without any emotions.

"I take it back. I think it would be better if you don't see that future at all!" Shui exclaimed with fury. She forcefully stabbed towards Satchiko, almost making Mayumi scream.

As the Acolytes of San Bao are distracted, someone pulled his bow. The sound did not go unnoticed. Batu managed to struggle free, grabbing his composite bow and shot a strange arrow into the air.

It made a very loud whistling noise above ground, short but sharp. Shui stormed over, demanding to know what trickery this stubby boy is playing.

"S-stay back!" Batu shot another arrow at the Waterbender, which missed. This immediately drew Shui's ire, who replied with an array of ice shards.

The juvenile cowered, allowing them to pass by. Each one of those shards are similar to arrows, but one single bow in inexperienced hands would have a hard time matching that power.

"Arrogant boy, I will drown you in this very lake!" Shui grasped Batu by the neck.

The two sisters watched with horror as the zealot truly intends to carry out this insidious act. They cannot intervene either, as the ice that trapped them have not melted. Before the other acolyte can persuade Shui to abandon this unneeded act, Batu's next move shocked everyone on the scene.

"Impossible!" Mayumi cried. Both sisters also felt a sudden sense of relief, but also in awe.

A forceful gush of air pushed the Waterbender back. Under some miraculous amalgamations, Batu managed to break free of Shui's hold. With a very flimsy kick, the atmosphere around the boy's leg seems take up a life of its own. Satchiko temporary forgot her dangerous predicament and observed the weird 'dance' he is performing. Without any coordination or discipline, Batu can only throw a few light gushes of wind until Shui once again overpowered the kid.

Shui ensnarled Batu by the neck. Her expression turned sour and admonished.

"Tu! This piece of filth is a bender of air!"

The other acolyte reacted with bewilderment. Tu stood in disbelief, even collapsing to the ground in guilt. This reaction is beyond bizarre for the two sisters, who expected him to be lenient on Batu. Instead, the gentle brute's emotion is one of remorse.

"F-forgive me Master, I did not intend to defend the unclean!" Tu crumbled in fear, prostrating on the ground.

"What?" Satchiko grimaced, but mostly lost in confusion.

But Tu's incomprehensible action continued. "Please Master! I know you intend to punish those who cultivated their bending without using your righteous path. Please Master! Show mercy to my insolence!"

Shui tried to comfort Tu, reassuring him of their Master's kindness and tolerance towards all sinful people of this world. But none of this stopped the Earthbender's tears from flowing to the ground, engulfed in a mix of sadness and joy, an emotional reaction that most will not understand.

Even Mayumi, who is more knowledgeable towards the outside world, cannot comprehend this sheer abnormality. Just who in the world are these strange folks?

"Let Batu go!" Satchiko snapped at them. "I don't know what you people are planning, but he has nothing to do with this!"

"Nothing to do with this?" Shui heckled. "He has committed a grave sin! It is an irredeemable crime that must be cleansed!" She held Batu up, declaring that he has practiced the evilest form of cultivation to obtain the power of air. Any Airbenders who came to possess this ability without the Master's permission needs to be punished. "Since the beginning, our beloved Master has already ordered the destruction of any Airbenders that refuses to conform with the Eternal Balance. Let us cleanse this insolent brat right here right now!"

Satchiko gasped as Tu was the first one who drew out a dagger. How inconsistent does a person's conscience need to be for such an act to occur? Just moments ago, he was the one who wish no harm on Batu.

"Wait!" Mayumi cried. "I do not understand. You are all clearly benders too. Why would you allow one of your friends to live as an Airbender while depriving others of their sovereignty?"

Having no understanding of their irrational beliefs, Mayumi tried to exploit their hypocrisy. It was a gamble by implying that the one named Feng is an Airbender too, also worthy of their wanton destruction. Satchiko is impressed with this educated guess.

Yet somehow, the one named Tu easily rationalized this. But his words never managed to convince people besides their own.

"The Master is merciful and kind to all people," he praised with a rather gentle voice. "My friend Feng is a repentant Airbender who is walking on the difficult but righteous path to redemption." Before Mayumi can dismantle that flawed statement. "All people, regardless of culture, can be redeemed by the Master. Let us not lean on our own understanding, let us obey the commands of our beloved Master."

As the acolytes are engrossed in their intense fervor, Batu suddenly drew out a tiny knife and stabbed at Shui, which was hindered by another set of icy claws.

"You people are one of them!" He screamed with wrath. The boy then forcefully bites the hand that is strangling his neck.

In a fit of rage, Shui now deliberately tries to suffocate him.

As the two zealots scrambled for Batu's body, an arrow suddenly punctured into the Waterbender's leg. She hissed in agony, choosing to throw her victim to the side. Batu was knocked unconscious.

"Shui!" Tu cried in worry.

The two of them glanced at all directions, trying to locate the hidden archer. The Waterbender spotted a glint amongst the bushes. Without thinking, she shot a few ice shards towards it, likely piercing flesh.

"Aaaaahhhhhh!"

At first, they assumed it to be the scream of pain. But that notion is immediately disproved as someone charged out from hiding.

A man in armor emerged. A few shards of ice are embedded in one of his legs. Wearing a suit of brown leather and lamellar, he rushed forth, swinging a scimitar wildly. His roar startled the acolytes.

"Sister, I think we might be saved!" Mayumi's eyes widened to this new development.

Satchiko watched with concern. Despite Mayumi's reassurance, their 'reinforcement is only one man with a bow against two powerful benders. Judging by the brown color below his armor, it is presumed that he is Batu's people.

The unnamed warrior intends to clash into his foes. Like lethal arrows, the icy shards from Shui are blocked with a round shield. But a boulder from Tu easily knocked him backward, causing the man to slam to the ground. He groaned in pain.

"How many of you do I need to kill?" Shui spat in frustration.

This newcomer must have been alerted by the loud whistling arrow from Batu. Mayumi felt a huge burden was removed. There is now hope.

The armored warrior climbed back up, drawing an arrow from his quiver. Instead of shooting from a distance, he aimed at Shui and Tu in a threatening manner.

"Scram, leave this place at once!" He uttered in a confrontational tone. The difference in dialect meant his speech is hard for the two Kyoshi Warriors to understand.

Before Shui can attack, Tu tried to negotiate.

"Hold on, we are only here to capture the two Kyoshi warriors over there, we have no intention of harming that little boy! We will be on our way, and those three will come with us. We didn't hurt that boy in anyway, I swear it with my life!"

The last part was obviously not true, as they clearly intend to either slaughter Batu or kidnap him too. It seems that these fanatics have a strong loathing towards Airbenders who are not submitted to their elusive spiritual leader.

The armored man spat towards Tu. "You think I'm blind?"

"Ha! An old geezer like you wouldn't have the most glamorous eyesight. Do you foolishly believe you can take on us both? If you saw what we did to that brat, then you should know what I can do to you!" Shui mocked him, showing off the sharp ice claws.

Despite the threats, Shui is dissatisfied that this warrior does not appear fearful for his life. Non-benders often do not underestimate those who can harness the raw powers of the elements.

"Live or die, choose wisely," the armored man warned.

Before Tu can say anything more to negotiate, Shui spoke her own provocation. Which would prove to be fatal.

"Choose? The only thing I have to choose is stab my claws into you instead of them!" Shui said with a laugh, unconvinced that this lone man can pose any real threat.

The middle-aged man pulled the strings of his composite bow tighter, pointing at the two acolytes. "Last chance!"

"Oh?" Shui responded with mocking curiosity. "You and what army?"

The warrior let loose his bow. A hail of arrows followed his.