Coming Together

Enemy

Although their journey started light, the reality quickly set in as to what they would encounter. They needed to start where the last occurrence was, the Chin Village. After a week's travel, they arrived in the village very early in the day and weren't surprised when the people were wary of on comers. When Aang and Katara introduced themselves it seemed to put them at ease and the tension melted away, leaving only sadness in its wake that was tangible. They requested audience with the chief and it wasn't long before they found themselves before him and his advisor. Tea was made and other offerings of food which the couple politely declined.

"Can I just start by saying how sorry we are for the loss you and your people have experienced?" Aang offered, soft and genuine. The chief nodded and looked down.

"We've lost good men. Five have left us."

"Five? Last I heard it was two."

Chief Fai shook his head.

"We should have contacted you sooner. On our own. Or someone should have. That's old news, almost two weeks. We lost three more a few days ago. "

Aang and Katara looked down at their cups.

"Have you heard anything from the surrounding area?" Aang asked.

"Yes, some of the benders in the swamp north of here had a run in with him. They defended themselves brilliantly. No casualties."

"Him? So it's a person." Katara said.

"Yes, a man. They described him as shrouded in dark robes and using bending they've never fought against before." Fai looked up to the pair. "If anyone can stop him, it's you Avatar Aang. And you Master Katara."

"Thank you for the information. We're going to restock and leave soon."

"Please, be safe."

They bowed and left his home. They left flowers at the gravesites of the brave men and Aang said a prayer for them. They walked through the village, stopping at food stands to restock on supplies. Aang wasn't doing much buying, just staring off into the distance, watching Appa and Amhi play in the sky. He noticed how the children and most villagers were inside, even on a beautiful day like this. They were scared. And this type of fear, Aang solemnly realized, would only spread until the situation was resolved. This was worse than the war in his opinion. It was more intrusive. More intimate. And more unexpected.

"Melon for your thoughts?" Katara asked and tossed him a small melon which he caught easily, barely paying attention.

"I am just trying to anticipate what we're facing." He looked down and fiddled with the fruit, seeming hesitant. She waited patiently, grabbing assorted foods and handing the vendors money. Finally he spoke again.

"During my travels while the war was going on, I heard legends about a dark type of bending. It's a form of waterbending called bloodbending."

"Bloodbending?" She asked.

He nodded. "It can only be done on a full moon as far as I know. The bender can contort and control your body, making your organs explode and killing you slowly. But as much as this sounds like bloodbending, I don't think that's it."

Katara covered her mouth and tried to swallow back the metallic taste she had under her tongue. Aang looked up at her and took her hand.

"I know, it's horrible. And the worst part is, I have no idea how to fight against it." He looked down again and tried to think.

"Well," Katara gulped, "It's two against one. And the waterbenders in the swamp fought him no problem. We can both waterbend. We're both masters. We can do this."