Wandering Firebender

Fourty Seven: Peace & Balance

"...and so they gave me an eel-hound so I could make it to the northern shore faster." Elio finished recounting everything that had happened. Alger hummed and nodded, intrigued by all of the details of Elio's story.

"Goodness, Elio. You've been through a great deal. But it was very fortunate that you were incarcerated next to the former general Iroh. Had it not been for that, you likely would not have gotten free." Alger pointed out. Elio hummed in agreement and shook his head.

"Mhmm. I don't even want to think about that though. Let's just focus on the task ahead, okay?" Elio suggested.

"Fair enough. In any case, I'm happy that you made it out." Alger said, patting him on the shoulder. Elio nodded appreciatively.

"Thanks, Alger. And I'm glad you're here too helping me out. I wasn't expecting any assistance, honestly, but I'mma probably need it, all things considered." Elio expressed.

"Yes. Things are becoming far more tense now that the summer solstice is coming. More Fire Nation soldiers are making moves; it is becoming increasingly obvious that something big is coming. And according to you, that 'something' is the end of the war." Alger stated.

Reality began to set in for the both of them. For their entire lives, there was the war. For their fathers' entire lives, there was the war. This global conflict has spanned on for generations of families and now, one way or the other, it was coming to an end soon.

"I don't know what's going to happen to me if I make it to the other side of this war." Elio admitted.

"I...don't know either. But we can only hope that the world is brought to balance. When that happens, we can both figure out how to proceed." Alger said. Elio nodded thoughtfully.

"'Brought to balance'..." Elio repeated with a hum. "Alger, I-I don't know if I can ever go home again. Even if the Fire Nation loses the war, I worry that the...the damage is done – everything I did..." He shook his head. Alger put a consoling hand on Elio's shoulder.

"Just worry about the task at hand for now, Elio. We still have to make it there. Then we can figure the rest out."

"Yeah...yeah, alright." Elio nodded again, focusing his attention ahead again.

The two of them continued to travel in silence for awhile. However, what started as a comfortable silence soon became a cautious, almost tactical silence as they approached another Earth Kingdom city that had been occupied by the Fire Nation.

"Not this again..." Elio said to himself, pulling his hood over his head once again.

"Why is the Fire Nation still holding onto these towns if their intention is to attack anyway?" Alger wondered.

"They probably want to make sure everyone stays in line until then. With the uprising already starting, they can't let it get too out of hand or else the final attack won't be as effective." Elio reasoned.

"That makes logical sense, I suppose," Alger said with a nod. "If that's the case, we should seriously consider freeing this town. The less control that the Fire Nation has over the Earth Kingdom people the better." He said. However, Elio shook his head.

"No, we can't take that risk." He quickly shut the idea down. Alger lifted his head in surprise.

"What do you mean?"

"My goal is the North Pole. I can't afford to be injured or captured before I get there. I need to get there as soon as possible to give them the best fighting chance. Remember, the Earth Kingdom knows an attack is coming – the Water Tribe doesn't." Elio reminded him.