Avatar: Macai's Journey

Chapter 41: Thunderous Resound

The sky is a blue-grey color, and it is early in the morning. A cool breeze flows across the air and the sun has hardly risen. A pair of Earth Kingdom troopers patrol their site as they stand watch for new supplies to be shipped into their facility. The troopers are stationed at Colonel Ranham's Contrum Temple. The Contrum Temple is located within the North-Eastern border of the Earth Kingdom, which is an important shipping location.

The temple is surrounded by a massive circular wall. Most of the wall is ninety feet tall and ten feet wide; however, four central parts of the wall are forty-five feet tall. These center points are open and allow room for archers to keep an eye on enemy movements. Within the taller enclosed portions of the perimeter are several supplies, military offices, training chambers, dining halls, restrooms, and planning rooms for the garrisoned forces.

The temple itself is a tall yet thin cone-shaped structure. The walls have beige paint with light-green markings while the temple is made of light-yellow stone with light-green paint at its tip. The temple is a historical landmark, and it is known for having its religious significance. Several Earth Kingdom leaders would travel there to pay homage to their Earth god and several Avatars had traveled to the facility in the past.

The area around the temple is barren and covered with dark-yellow sand. However, the temperature is relatively moderate. It is only 17.7 Celsius (64 Degrees). The entire area is called the Contrum Complex. The two earth kingdom troopers on patrol are located near the left flank of the Northern entrance. The only two ways to enter the facility are from the Northern and Southern positions which are both heavily guarded on their direct routes.

At the main route, over a dozen Earth Kingdom troopers stand at guard as they analyze each cargo carriage that comes forward. The troopers can see an incoming carriage move to be analyzed by the main inspection team, which is about ten meters ahead of their position. Earth Kingdom trooper (Left): "Man, I sure could go for some grub right now. I'm starving."

Earth Kingdom trooper (Right): "Come on man, you just ate two hours ago."

Earth Kingdom trooper (Left): "I know, but it wasn't much of a meal. You know small portions don't cut it for me and that meal was vegetarian."

Earth Kingdom trooper (Right): "Well, suck it up. You'll get to eat when our shift is done."

The other Earth Kingdom guard moans, "We still have another THREE HOURS before we get off. Why can't we get a fifteen-minute break?" Ahead of their position a corporal waits as two of his troopers move up to inspect the carriage. A thin elderly man with a long white beard, brown eyes, copper skin, and thin face is the driver.

Earth Kingdom corporal (to the driver): "Alright, I'm going to ask you a few procedural questions before we search your cargo. Do you have any suspicious items in your carriage?"

The man shakes his head, "No sir, I know better than that."

Earth Kingdom corporal: "Sir, I didn't ask you that. Just give me a yes or no answer."

Elderly driver: "Well very."

Earth Kingdom corporal: "About how many pounds of cargo are you delivering?"

Elderly driver: "About three thousand pounds."

Earth Kingdom corporal: "Well, we have a three thousand five-hundred-pound weight limit. We're going to have a couple of benders look at it to see if it holds up to standards." There is a unique technique called earth measurement where earth bending professionals can tell how heavy something is by touching it. It takes concentration and a lot of practice to master the technique.

The Earthbenders move beside the carriage. The officer gives the signal and they lift up the veil that covers the material within it. The crate reveals Kanna on the right side of it and Rosh on the left. Kanna immediately extends her right leg and kicks a dark orange explosive flame into the bender across her. The man flies several feet back and the corporal's eyes widen.