The Only Hope

Book 4: Chapter 8

Then

This is just the beginning.

The thought came to my mind with a smile as I packed my last bag. With some small struggles I was able to force it close, and placed it along the wall with my other two bags. Taking a step back, my eyes glided over to the wall over my desk. I had just put up some new photos Kwon had sent me. For our six month anniversary, and the first time we had seen each other since he joined Kuvira nearly two months before, he gave me a camera. I gave him records of all his favorite music and a player for them. For that celebration, I went to see him. He was near Omashu, so we took a day and hiked up to the Cave of Two Lovers. For many years it had been impassable- thanks the Fire Nation chasing after Avatar Aang, my grandmother and a group of nomads they had met; but shortly before the down fall of the Queen, the rocks had been removed and the passage was once more passable.

“Don’t fall in love with the traveling boy; he’ll leave you broken-broken, hearted!”

“I don’t think that’s how it goes.”

“Yes it is.”

“No it’s not, that song is about a traveling girl.”

I turned, walking backwards as I looked Kwon. My hands wrapped around my backpack’s straps on my shoulders.

“Yes, but I’m not in dating girl now am I? Unless, that is, you wish to tell me something?” I wiggled my eyebrows at him. He gave me a small, playful frown.

“No I don’t and I’m happy you’re not dating a girl.” My eyebrows fell as he said that.

“Why?” What was so wrong with two girls dating?

“Because,” he jogged up to me closing the space between us, and stopping me in my tracks, “then I couldn’t be with you.” I smiled, and he leaned in; giving me a soft peck on my nose. Looking up at him, I reached up to his face.

“I have another song my mother learned from my grandmother; wanna hear it?”

“Sure.”

“Not yet, come on, we’re almost there I think!”

We marched on for another twenty minutes before coming upon the re-opened entrance. We both paused, looking at it.

“You sure you want to do this?” I glanced over at Kwon, and nodded my head. This was the perfect test for me- for us.

“Yeah, come on.” I marched in and he followed after. He came up behind me, a flame licking his bare palm. Not after entering the cave, it was soon our only source of light. We took endless twist and turns for what felt like forever until a rumbling stopped us in our tracks. Not wanting to risk the chance of being separated, he wrapped an arm around my shoulders as I wrapped my arms around his chest. Behind us, the tunnel was collapsing, and that was when I knew it was happening- the tunnels were finally being changed. We watched in silence as the last few pebbles came rolling down.

“Well, that’s not at all worrying.”

“I think it’s time, put your fire out.”

“Zee, I’m not at all sure about this.”

“Just trust me. The legend says you have trust in love- and put out all lights but that’s not in the legend, it’s just how it works.” He looked at me, skeptical. “Don’t you trust me?”

He said nothing for a few moments, looking at his out reached palm. “Yes, I do.” And with the closing of his palm we were left in darkness.

“Nothing’s happening- I’m going to light the fire back.”