𝑺𝑬𝑬𝑫 𝑶𝑭 𝑰𝑪𝑯𝑶𝑹 •𝒃𝒙𝒃•

10 ~ revelations

"His deeds were rewarded with public execution."

He sat still with his back leaned against the wall, recalling the general's words.

"They say he burned his wife through the bone, leaving behind nothing but ash."

It's been eight years since he left. Eight years since he last saw their faces, and now he realised he will never see them again. That was the last time. Why did his last memories of them have to be them both shedding tears? After eight years, he can finally...forget about them, right? He'd carried the little hope in his chest, cherished it as if it were lit by his last match, and protected it, despite his overwhelming doubts.

Now he no longer had to cherish it.

Perhaps it was better this way. He knew the truth now...but was it worth it? If...he knew this sooner, then Noran never would've left to search for...Nuera, for his mother.

Then Guren wouldn't have spent the last eight years alone. Despite having Yue at his side, it barely made things more durable. Her voice was too weak to fight against the voices of others, but she tried.

Now there was no need to try.

Why...did his mother stay behind? Why didn't she come with them, to safety, back to the place that would protect them both? Instead she dived head-first back into the fire and flame and didn't resurface.

Everyone blamed his father for it. Everyone said he was the one who took her and buried her.

In the end, he really was the one who burned her.

_

In the early morning, Guren laid in his bed and stared up at the ceiling.

Aang and Sokka had went to see the general.

"He's really going through with it..." Katara spoke, voice barely audible in the dimly lit room.

Momo fiddled in front of her, curiously tilting his head.

"It's his decision, isn't it?" Guren replied. "Besides, what's the worst that could happen?"

As if on cue, a deep rumble shook the building.

"Don't jinx it...I'm getting worried."

She did sound really worried.

Guren shifted, turning his back towards her. "He's the Avatar. He can take care of himself."

"That isn't helping."

Breathing in, he sat up and turned to face her. "You should trust him more. He's not a child." When she gave him a pointed look, he tilted his head. "How old is he anyway? He doesn't look older than thirteen."

"Twelve..."

He stood corrected. Aang was still a child.

"My words still hold." Now it was his turn to give her a pointed look.

Cue another deep rumble.

"As does my worry," Just like that, she stood up and headed towards the door. "I'm going to see what they're doing."

Hastily, he got up to his feet. "Katara-!" But she was already out the door.

He closed his eyes, took in a rather deep breath, and followed after her.
.
.
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Guren ended up following her outside, and saw her run straight into the middle of the courtyard and immediately start attacking the soldiers that were there.

That...wasn't good news.

Then he saw Sokka start doing the exact same.

"Guren!" Aang rolled up to his side, the air...ball he rode on disappearing.