𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐑𝐒

#.. FOUR

jiseok received a seaweed anchovy stew by the waterbender's cooks, as he told jooyeon everything that happened.

from the sudden news that the city was under attack till the point he fell down from the island into the ocean, that had eventually led him there.

"i have no idea how i survived" jiseok stated, shaking. "i guess, i wasn't destined to die yet... i hope my brother is alright.."

jooyeon sighed, looking down on his hands. "i'm sorry to hear that. and i'm sorry to say this now but... we've been told that no one survived..."

it was quiet after that, jiseok just silently continued eating, shaking. jooyeon didn't know what to say, so he just awkwardly stared out of the window.

once jiseok finished, he took a shaky breath. "i'll get revenge" he suddenly declared, his voice more firm than the young leader expected.

"what- what do you mean?" "i'll kill earth king oh." the young airbender suddenly seemed so different, it shocked jooyeon.

apparently the realisation just hit the stranger. "he took away my family, my friends, my home. it's time to bring all this to an end."

jooyeon swallowed, jiseok's determination was intriguing, yet scary at the same time. "you can't do it on your own..." the younger said, putting his hand on the other's shoulder.

"you have to help me!" he pleaded, looking at jooyeon with big eyes. "it will help your tribe, too. you'll finally get to live a peaceful life without having to worry about being attacked any second."

jiseok was right. but so many people have tried to kill the king, yet none of them succeeded. based on the tone of jiseok's voice, jooyeon knew that it would be impossible to change his mind.

there were only two of them. they wouldn't succeed. but jiseok was determined, so he sighed.

"we can't do this on our own. and i will NOT get my people in danger" he explained and jiseok groaned. "i know. i haven't thought about your people as well.

i know a boy from the fire nation. his parents were killed in a raid. he is probably interested in helping us."

the fire nation? jooyeon furrowed his brows. "but this would mean that i have to let my people behind... i can't leave."

jiseok shook his head. "you have to. you're a waterbender, and the only one who knows how to heal. it can help a lot."

jooyeon's head fumed, as he was stuck in a dilemma. should he go? or should he stay, and continue staying in fear for the rest of his life?"

as he asked himself these questions, he quickly found out his answer.

"i'll come with you."

[...]

next night they already were leaving. there was no time to procrastinate. jooyeon allowed one of his most trustworthy informants the post as the "leader".

as it was time for departure, they both smiled at each other. "take care of my tribe" jooyeon said, the young man smiled at him. "take care of yourself."

jiseok and jooyeon got on the turtle sharks the tribe's animalkeepers gave them in order to move on faster.

the fire nation was around three days away with the turtle sharks on the fastest route possible.

so after saying goodbye, jiseok and jooyeon started their journey, disappearing in the horizon, going deeper in the ocean.