Avatar: Macai's Journey

Chapter 30: Assault on Fikku

It is a foggy day, and the sky is grey. The Battle of Rongor has been won, at least by the 31st. Now thousands of Fire Nation troops have been deployed and sent to attack the industrial city. While they clash, Macai's forces wait on the shore. Macai is still reeling from the loss of a good friend, though casualties in war are expected.

The thought haunts Macai of losing another person he loves. Macai thinks again of his mother's passing and how much it hurts him. He wonders if he can bear another loss, then a thought comes. Macai second-guesses himself, "What are you afraid of you weak fool?! Remember your training. Death is a natural part of life, a good soldier keeps going."

Captain Hazo enters the room. Macai slowly raises his head. Captain Hazo: "Are you alright Macai?"

Macai nods his head and attempts to maintain his composure, "Yessir. I am great."

Captain Hazo: "You never were a good liar."

Macai sighs, "I never liked lying anyway. No, I feel terrible."

Hazo: "Why?"

Macai: "I'm trying to deal with these losses."

Hazo responds, "It's never easy Macai. We all would like to keep moving but, sometimes the thoughts return."

Macai asks, "How do I deal with them?"

Hazo: "Don't ignore them, embrace them. Know and understand that you are hurt. And remind yourself what happened. So that you can fight harder every time. But also remind yourself that death is natural. That doesn't make it ok, but if anyone is going to die, it better be for a reason. Especially if it's a good person."

Macai nods his head, "And if that reason isn't so apparent then I will do what I can to honor their death."

Hazo nods, "Exactly."

Macai inquires, "Why did you come? I get the feeling your visit is not merely social. I can tell from your body language."

Hazo smiles, "You read me well. No one has ever told me that before."

Macai comments, "There is a first time for everything, I suppose."

Hazo: "I've come to inform you that the Avatar has been discovered."

Macai suddenly gazes at Hazo. Hazo: "Yes, Zuko has found him."

Macai: "Where?"

Hazo: "In the Southern Water Tribe territories."

Macai gasps, "Well, that's fascinating."

Hazo: "He is the last major obstacle that stands in the way of our victory. Well, that and our great siege of the Northern Tribe and Ba Sing Se. Both battles must happen to finish off our enemies."

Macai responds, "It may not end just then. I get the feeling stragglers will last and need to be picked off to ensure victory. But those will be glorious days."

Hazo: "They will be inevitable, so long as this Avatar is caught and dealt with."

Macai: "But this is not our responsibility, it is Prince Zuko's."

Hazo: "Indeed, when we were fighting on Rongor Zuko had already captured the boy. Imagine that. Then the boy escaped from his custody. Now the hunt begins."

Macai: "Looks like he's off to a rough start, but with Iroh by his side I think they will beat him." Macai pauses and scratches his head, "Wait you said the boy. How old is he?"

Hazo: "I suppose he is well over a hundred. However, he was frozen during his escape. Physically and mentally he is only twelve."

Macai laughs, "And I thought I was young. That will make it easier."