Avatar: Two Brothers
Chapter 14
Revenants
Being led through the underground prison, Ruthar walked by many cells that were filled with criminals. Some were petty thieves but others were psychopaths. Ruthar did his best to ignore the sight and focus on where the guard was taking him.
After minutes of walking, he came to a cell that was barred off by steel bars. The perfect material that would prevent both an earth and air bender from escaping. He didn’t even need to look to know it was Chloe and Da-Wei as he could hear them bickering when he was walking towards them. Both of them had their hands binded in metal chains.
“Ahem, why am I not the slightest bit surprised.” Upon hearing his voice, Chloe and Da-Wei dropped their conversation. “Master Ruthar, you are okay!” Da-Wei shouted.
“Of course I’m okay. Did you really think one measly enemy could defeat me?! How disrespectful of you Da-Wei!”
“For the record Ruthar, I always knew you were going to be okay.”
“Why thank you Chloe, at least someone knows how to respect their elders.” Da-Wei had no comment.
After having his fill of poking fun of Da-Wei, Ruthar’s tone became serious. “Tell me everything that happened?”
Chloe happily took the lead. “So I jumped off Mikayla and went whoosh down to save Da-Wei but then there was this cute little animal which I like but Da-Wei didn’t so it bit his hand. Then this really big thing came out of nowhere and was like ‘ROAR!’ so we ran away screaming ‘AHHH!’ But it was too quick so I tried to stop it like ‘boom, pow, pop!’ Then suddenly a mysterious girl appeared with claws that went ‘shing shing!” We tried to give her some ‘pew pew pow pow hiya!’ but she was too powerful!
Ruthar stared blankly while Da-Wei felt completely embarrassed. Eventually Ruthar kindly asked Chloe to take a break as she was probably tired from all the fighting. “But I can keep going!” But Ruthar insisted that she took a break. From there, Da-Wei took over.
The lady who had light blue scaly skin completely overpowered both of them with ease. She had Chloe within her grasp, but suddenly two crocomole appeared. One took Chloe into its jaws and the other got Da-Wei. The two creatures then burrowed back underground and the lady named Ruvnia never chased them thinking they had been eaten.
However, once they were safe underground, the two crocomole opened up their jaws and allowed both the benders to climb out. Chloe and Da-Wei had been saved but they weren’t sure why, until a little crocomole came jumping into Chloe’s arm. The baby critter was the one who called its parents to rescue the two benders.
Chloe and Da-Wei thanked the crocomoles for their deeds and before they left, they guided the two benders through the sewers. Chloe didn’t really understand what they were trying to do but Da-Wei understood. The sewers would lead them into the city of Ba Sing Se.
Despite the atrocious stench of the sewers, the two made their way through the tunnels. Nothing much happened in the sewers except for some pointless bickering and fighting off some batrats that flew in to annoy and startle them.
After some time in the sewers, they would finally resurface within the palace! They initially thought they were extremely lucky that they found the exact place they needed to be but of course, their presence alerted the guards throughout the area. Without anyone able to identify who they were, they were immediately arrested and thrown into prison.
“So that pretty much sums up what happened to us while we were split apart.”
Ruthar took a deep breath. He was relieved and happy to see both his students alive after that encounter. “Master Ruthar, who are those two that attacked us? They are both unlike anyone I have ever fought against.” Da-Wei stated.
He took a couple steps back to gather his thoughts.
“I’m not entirely sure myself, but I have heard tales of two sisters that lived long ago in a village at the outskirts of the Fire Nation. They were just ordinary girls but one day they both ventured out into the spirit wilds. It was there that the girls encountered a couple of spirits. unfortunately the spirits were startled by their presence and upon contact, the sisters’ appearance changed.”
“One grew feather wings and talons like a raven. While the other grew tough scales throughout her entire body and had claws replacing her nails. They returned back to the city hoping the people of the village would understand and accept them but they didn’t. Instead they banished the two sisters and told them to never return.”
“So the sisters left, and for decades, no one from the village had seen or heard anything about them. They became known as the Revenants, humans that lost their original lives but reborn with vengeful spiritual powers.”
“But that is just a fable right?” Chloe questioned.
“Plus that story took place a long time ago. Even if that story is true, they can’t live that long. Can they?” Da-Wei wondered.
“I don’t have all the answers, but that isn’t what is important. Right now you both need to get some rest.”
“Great! You can just get us out of jail where we can lie on a nice comfy bed!”
“I’m sorry Chloe but I won’t be able to do that as of now.”
“WHAT?! Why not!”
“With the urgent council meeting happening in a couple days, the king isn’t dealing with any issues, which means he won’t be releasing any prisoners or seeing anyone until after.”
“Aww man. And I was really looking forward to finally sleeping on a bed.”
“Hey it beats sleeping in the nasty sewers.” Da-Wei pointed out. “Don’t worry about us Master Ruthar, we will be fine!” he assured him.
After Chloe walked away to lie down and sleep, Da-Wei had an opportunity to speak to Ruthar quietly about something that had him worried. He told Ruthar that he saw the symbol on the girl that attacked them. Ruthar’s heart sank for a moment but he managed to keep a straight face by thanking Da-Wei for telling him.
After that, Ruthar gave his farewell to his two pupils and left the dungeon. As he walked up the stairs towards his room, he was glad to see the young benders survive in a bout against one of the Revenant, but what he feared wasn’t the Revenant, it was the person who was commanding them.