The Only Hope

Book 4: Chapter 11

Now

The night was quiet, all was still as both the people of Zaofu and Kuvira’s army slept soundly, peacefully even despite the low lying threat of war between the two. A few guards marched around Kuvira’s camp, and the metal walls of Zaofu each kept their sleeping companions safe.

There was a quick shadow that brushed over the ground. One guard looked up, but found nothing in the sky. He figured that it must have been some creature- nothing more. He goes back to sweep, only to be attacked.

~~~

I landed on a tree branch, closing my glider before I silently moved along to the next one. I was near Su, so it only took me thirty seconds top before I was balancing myself next to her, looking down at the guard who she caught. Looking up, Su looked at me. I nodded my head.

“There’s a solid two minutes and seventeen seconds between sweepers. You should have plenty of time to get in and out.” She nodded at this, looking to her sons.

“Are you sure this will work? Even without Kuvira, they could still crush us.” Wing held a solid point.

“Most of this army has been forced into service by Kuvira. If we take her out, they'll have no reason to fight. Tonight,” she raised her black hood, everything by her face now fully covered, “we end her reign of terror.”

I nodded my head at them, looking once more towards the camp. “Good luck.” Despite wanting to come with them, I refused to offer any more of my help. I didn’t want to aid in Kuvira’s death.  

At one point in my life, despite the Air nomad teachings, I didn’t care if the bad guy lived or died. I allowed the death of my sister to cloud my vision and I had no care if Amon lived- I wanted him dead. Zaheer threatened Korra, my family and the Air nation. I wanted him dead for taking the few things I held closest away. In my young, naïve age- I was nowhere near the true status of Nomad.

Maia had been gone for over four years, Tenzin and the Air nation thrived; time had moved on. I got older, and with my age has come wisdom. Over the past three year, no, over the past nine months I was slowly releasing my earthly bounds. I am not the same girl I was four years ago, or three years ago, and I am defiantly not the same woman I was nine months ago.

I was becoming a true Air Nomad, not just an Air Master, but one worthy of the title Mother Superior. Whether or not if I would be given the chance to be a real Mother Superior is still in question; I am still first in line for the throne.

~~~

I hopped down from my branch, looking at the guard. “Surly you understand that none of this is personal… towards you at least.” I took off in a speed run after saying that. I had no desire to stick around to see if Su succeed… or failed.

I was able to sneak into the main Dome the same way I had snuck out; and had no trouble. In fact, I spotted Opal, Jinora and Korra in the square talking on my way back to my room and was headed over towards them when the speakers throughout the Dome went off. Looking around, I jogged over to my friends, turning their triangle into a square. The three looked at me.

“Attention citizens of Zaofu.” Kuvira’s voice echoed through the Dome. “Your leader, Su Beifong, attempted to attack me tonight while I slept- ignoring the terms of our truce. Luckily, I now have her and her assault team in custody.”

“No!” I bit my lip, unable to look at Opal- to see the expression, her look, of discovering her mother and brothers had failed.

“Rest assured that I will not take revenge on the peaceful citizens of Zaofu, unless your remaining representatives meet me outside the city at dawn to offer the full and unconditional surrender of your city. That is all.”